Podcast Summary: Transformation Church – “Building For The Future: The Church I’m A Part Of” // Forward (Part 4) // Michael Todd

Date: February 8, 2026
Host: Pastor Michael Todd
Podcast: Transformation Church

Overview of Episode Theme

In this powerful message, Pastor Michael Todd lays out a blueprint for “building for the future” at Transformation Church. This part of the “Forward” series dives into the importance of building our lives—and the church itself—on strong, godly foundations. Pastor Todd shares a clear vision for both what Transformation Church is becoming and what it means to be a part of it, using biblical standards, practical examples, and a memorable “Great 8” list of church values. The tone is energetic, candid, and passionate, aimed at mobilizing the entire church to embrace forward momentum rooted in God’s word.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Building for the Future Requires Work

• Intentional Assembly: God supplies resources, but we are responsible to build (03:15).

  Quote: “God is not a magician. He doesn’t build chairs. He hands you trees.” (02:55)

• Effort over Entitlement: “If you’re allergic to work, this message is not for you.” (02:29)
• Firm Foundation Required: Standards are essential for anything meant to last.

2. The Power of God’s Standard

• Embracing God’s Word as the Standard: Using scripture as the measurement for everything we build.

  “Would you please embrace the standard of God’s word so that you can build something that will... last.” (04:14)

• Letting Go of the Past:
  • Anchor scripture: Philippians 3:13—“...forgetting the past and looking... forward...”
  • “Some of y’all need to focus on forgetting how they hurt you. That’s what’s keeping you from going forward.” (07:31)

3. Releasing the Old, Receiving the New

• Flexibility in God’s Methods:
  • “God never did the same thing the same way because he wants to prove he can do it anyway.” (13:00)
  • Don’t idolize past miracles; keep God as the standard, not what He’s done.
• Prophetic Declaration:
  • “This is the last week that certain things occupy your mind space.” (09:17)
  • Isaiah 43:18—God’s new work is incomparable to the old (14:08).

4. The Importance of Values and Vision

• Values Reveal Priorities:
  • “Don’t tell me you value it if it is not a priority.” (20:11)
  • Challenge: In a church context, people often fail to mention God as a value until prompted.
• Values and Vision Must Align:

  “Sight with no standard leads to self-sabotage.” (22:19)

  • Standards protect against chaos and disappointment.

5. The Role of Standards in Building

• Metaphor of Building a House:
  • “If you want to ruin any house being built, just take away the standard.” (23:58)
• Sermon on the Mount Reference:
  • Building on the rock (Matthew 7:24)—wise versus foolish builder (30:09).
  • “Going forward without the foundation is foolish.” (32:50)
• Rooted in Christ:
  • 1 Corinthians 3:10–No one can lay a foundation other than Jesus Christ (34:01)
• Embracing Differences:
  • “All of us don’t have to build the same thing. We just gotta build on the same thing.” (36:10)

6. The Great 8 – Transformation Church’s New Culture Code

Pastor Todd introduces “The Great 8,” eight values that will define and propel Transformation Church forward.
Each value is introduced with a repeat-after-me interaction and a real-life testimony from church members.

1. Crazy Faith (42:30)

• “We believe God big. We do what seems small, and we see the impossible. It’s only crazy until it happens.” (42:30)
• Example: “Relationship Goals” movie became a reality after years of faith and obedience (45:29).

2. H.O.T.: Humble, Open & Transparent (49:59)

• “Because God doesn’t bless who you pretend to be. He blesses who you really are.” (50:07)
• Pastor Todd is candid about his past and models authenticity (50:43).

3. Generosity (57:13)

• “We give just to give and not to get. Giving is our response to God’s love, not a requirement for his love.” (57:16)
• Example: Church members raised $8,000 for a single mother’s broken furnace at Christmas (63:41).
• “The world of the generous gets larger and larger, but the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.” (Proverbs 11:24) (64:54)

4. Innovation (64:57)

• “We go first, we take creative risks... do anything short of sin to reach people who don’t know Christ.” (64:57)
• Emphasizes the church’s pioneering spirit and willingness to fail forward (66:48).

5. Worship (68:54)

• “We bring our best to God in song, sacrifice, speech, and spirit.” (68:54)
• Story about writing the song “Give Em Hell” as authentic worship—even if misunderstood (69:52).

6. Fun (70:28)

• “We start the party, we laugh loud, and we find joy in it all.” (70:31)
• Cites Nehemiah (“The joy of the Lord will be our strength.”) and importance of changing atmospheres through joy.

7. Progression Over Perfection (POP) (72:16)

• “Through theology, therapy, and community, God can turn any trauma into triumph. Progression over perfection.” (72:16)
• Real-life stories of transformation, including couples reunited after years apart (78:22).

8. A Part (Not Apart) (83:09)

• “We are spiritual contributors, not spiritual consumers. We are the church, and we exist for the world.” (83:09)
• Highlights people who relocated their lives to be part of Transformation Church’s mission (84:22).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On hard work and God’s way:

  “He hands you trees… God has never built the marriage. He's given two people the ability to be okay to build... they’re gonna have to assemble.” (02:59–03:15)

• On letting go of the past:

  “Some of y’all need to focus on forgetting how they hurt you. That’s what’s keeping you from going forward.” (07:31)

• On innovation:

  “We're going to try things. We're going to take risks. That means sometimes... we're going to fail. We’re going to fail forward though, huh?” (66:48)

• On authenticity:

  “I'm anointed because I'm authentic. That's why I say He doesn't bless who you pretend to be. He blesses who you really are.” (51:57–52:06)

• On vision and values:

  “Values and vision have to be aligned. What do you see for yourself? If you value it, then you prioritize it.” (21:36)

• On generosity:

  “Generosity is giving just to give, not to get.” (63:45)

• On embracing change:

  “Some of y’all have been pretending too long and now you think it’s who you really are... and some of the lies you’ve believed have now become the character you play. That’s why you’re so tired.” (52:39)

• On contributions:

  “We are spiritual contributors, not spiritual consumers. We are the church, and we exist for the world.” (83:09)

Key Segment Timestamps

• Opening, Challenge to Build: (01:16–03:15)
• God’s Standard for Building: (04:13–07:07)
• Letting Go / Forgetting the Past: (07:13–09:17)
• Prophetic Encouragement to Move Forward: (10:18–15:01)
• Values Discussion: (18:32–23:58)
• The Danger of Losing Standards: (23:58–26:09)
• Building on the Rock: (30:09–32:04)
• Foundation in Christ: (34:01–36:10)
• Celebrating Differences in Building: (36:10–36:51)
• Introduction to the Great 8 Values: (41:40–42:27)
• [The Great 8 Values are introduced and explained between 42:27–85:49]
  • Crazy Faith: (42:30–49:53)
  • H.O.T.: (49:59–57:13)
  • Generosity: (57:13–64:54)
  • Innovation: (64:57–68:51)
  • Worship: (68:54–70:28)
  • Fun: (70:28–72:16)
  • POP: Progression Over Perfection: (72:16–83:09)
  • A Part: (83:09–86:46)
• Real Life Testimonies for Each Value: (72:12–85:49)
• Final Charge / Being a Part of the Vision: (86:47–91:31)
• Salvation Prayer: (90:02–90:45)
• Commitment and Send-off: (91:52–92:50)

Conclusion and Final Reflections

Pastor Michael Todd concludes with a call to action, inviting listeners and the congregation to fully participate in building for the future—not as consumers, but as contributors rooted in Christ. He emphasizes that everything must be built on the unchanging foundation of Jesus. Embodying the “Great 8” values is not just about organizational principles, but about people, stories, and authentic transformation. The message ends with prayer and an invitation for all to step into this new season of forward momentum.

For Reflection:

• Which of the “Great 8” values resonates with you most?
• What has been your foundation for building life?
• Where might God be calling you to let go of something old in order to receive something new?

This episode is essential listening for anyone wanting to understand what Transformation Church is, where it’s headed, and how each person fits into the bigger vision.