Troy Kennedy has been a worship and discipleship pastor for the last thirty-four years in number of different churches and denominations. With a degree in music from Azusa Pacific University, Troy has served in churches anywhere from 100 to 16,000 in attendance, most notably Saddleback Church pastored by Rick Warren.
 
For the last 17 years, Troy has served as a worship and teaching pastor at Westside Family Church in the Kansas City area where he has served in both worship and discipleship, developing and teaching content to equip Christ followers on their spiritual journey with Jesus.
 
Troy has also been an adjunct professor at Mid-America Nazarene University training teams of young adults for healthy, excellent worship arts ministry. 
 
As an ordained pastor and elder at Westside, Troy has a burden to see people grow in-depth and intimacy in their relationship with Christ. The soon to be released book, Hero Worship: A 12 Week Journey to Become More Like Jesus, is designed to help people walk in imitation of Jesus and find fullness of life as they grow in love for God and others.
 
God has blessed Troy with a beautiful wife Gwen, and two amazing sons, Grant and Trent. 

In this episode, Troy Kennedy introduces his book 'Hero Worship' and explains his background as a worship leader. He shares how his journey led him to discover the need for a deeper relationship with God and a desire to become more like Jesus. Troy outlines the 12-week journey of the book, which focuses on practicing the rhythms of Jesus' life. He encourages readers to approach the book with fresh eyes and an open heart, ready to be transformed by the teachings and practices.

You can find the book "Hero Worship" on Amazon or christianbook.com to purchase.
Amazon Link
Christianbook.com

Takeaways

Hero Worship is a 12-week journey to become more like Jesus.
The book focuses on practicing the rhythms of Jesus' life.
Readers are encouraged to approach the book with fresh eyes and an open heart.
Engaging with the practices can lead to a deeper relationship with God and transformation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
02:25 Unexpected Change in Ministry
04:23 Discovering the Need for a Deeper Relationship with God
06:09 Becoming Like Jesus through Hero Worship
09:07 Practicing the Rhythms of Jesus' Life
12:14 Challenging Basic Practices
15:02 Engaging with the Book and Practices

Hero Worship is a podcast and book that aims to help listeners become more like Jesus in practical ways. The first episode introduces the concept and framework of the book. The following chapters explore topics such as imitating Jesus in the mundane, the practice of journaling, and Jesus' model of prayer. The host breaks down the Lord's Prayer and encourages listeners to recontextualize its familiar words. Other chapters discuss seeing God as a father, knowing God's name, praying for God's kingdom and will, dependence on God for daily bread, forgiving others, seeking protection from temptation and evil, being part of the family of God, discovering one's function in the body of Christ, and praying for others and the kingdom of God. The final chapter focuses on Jesus' knowledge of Scripture and the importance of immersing oneself in the Word of God.

You can find the book "Hero Worship" on Amazon or christianbook.com to purchase.
Amazon Link
Christianbook.com

Takeaways

The podcast and book aim to help listeners become more like Jesus in practical ways.
The Lord's Prayer can be recontextualized to bring fresh meaning and connection to its familiar words.
Seeing God as a father and understanding his name can deepen one's relationship with him.
Prayer should include seeking God's kingdom and will, dependence on him for daily needs, and forgiveness of others.
Being part of the family of God means having a forever family and a function in the body of Christ.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hero Worship
01:15 Imitating Jesus in the Mundane
03:02 The Practice of Journaling
04:13 Jesus' Model of Prayer
05:05 Recontextualizing the Lord's Prayer
06:16 Seeing God as a Father
08:08 Knowing God's Name
08:51 Praying for God's Kingdom and Will
09:31 Dependence on God for Daily Bread
10:01 Forgiving Others as God Forgives Us
10:51 Seeking Protection from Temptation and Evil
11:45 Being Part of the Family of God
12:58 Discovering Your Function in the Body of Christ
13:51 Praying for Others and the Kingdom of God
14:27 Jesus' Knowledge of Scripture

In this episode, Troy Kennedy discusses the importance of worshiping Jesus and becoming more like him. He introduces the concept of hero worship and encourages listeners to cultivate intimacy with Jesus. The main focus of the episode is on Jesus and Scripture, highlighting how Jesus had an encyclopedic knowledge of Scripture and how the Old Testament prophets pointed forward to him. Kennedy emphasizes that Jesus is the fulfillment of Scripture and that he was present in the authoring of the Bible. He also explores the relationship between Scripture and the Holy Spirit.

You can find the book "Hero Worship" on Amazon or christianbook.com to purchase.
Amazon Link
Christianbook.com

Takeaways

Cultivate intimacy with Jesus and strive to become more like him.
Jesus had an encyclopedic knowledge of Scripture and used it in various ways.
The Old Testament prophets pointed forward to Jesus and the salvation he would bring.
Jesus is the fulfillment of Scripture and was present in the authoring of the Bible.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Purpose
01:31 Jesus and Scripture
03:15 The Spirit of Christ in the Old Testament
07:28 Jesus as the Fulfillment of Scripture
09:20 The Relationship Between Scripture and the Holy Spirit
12:03 Upcoming Topic: Spending Time Alone

In this episode, Troy Kennedy explores the practice of spending time alone with God, following Jesus' example. He emphasizes the importance of silence and solitude in deepening our relationship with God and becoming more like Jesus. Troy discusses the challenges of carving out space for silence and solitude in our busy lives and encourages listeners to make intentional time for this practice. He also highlights the weight of Jesus' mission and the significance of his role in initiating a new covenant with God. Overall, the episode invites listeners to journey closer to Jesus and embrace the transformative power of silence and solitude.

You can find the book "Hero Worship" on Amazon or christianbook.com to purchase.
Amazon Link
Christianbook.com

Takeaways

Spending time alone with God is an essential practice for deepening our relationship with Him and becoming more like Jesus.
Silence and solitude can be revealing, allowing us to hear the still small voice of God and become more aware of who we are and who He is.
Carving out space for silence and solitude can be challenging in our busy lives, but it is necessary for our spiritual growth.
Jesus' mission and role in initiating a new covenant with God carry immense weight and significance, and we are invited to participate in this relationship through Him.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:49 Becoming an Apprentice of Jesus
02:16 Jesus as the Author of Scripture
03:21 Jesus' Practice of Spending Time Alone
05:00 Silence and Solitude in Jesus' Time
06:07 Being Alone with God
07:45 The Challenge of Carving Out Space for Silence and Solitude
08:22 Revealing Ourselves in Silence and Solitude
09:04 Jesus' Extended Time Alone with God
10:27 The Weight of Jesus' Mission
12:10 Jesus' Role in Initiating a New Covenant
13:00 Jesus' Invitation to Relationship with God
14:01 Carving Out Time for Silence and Solitude
15:08 Closing Remarks

In this episode, Troy Kennedy discusses the importance of slowing down and following Jesus' example of intentionally slowing down to engage with people and opportunities. He emphasizes the need to get rid of hurry and clutter in our lives in order to be present and aware of God's presence and leading. Troy explores how Jesus slowed down for the outcasts and how we can learn from His example to bring restoration and healing to others. He encourages listeners to embrace the discipline of slowing down and previews the next episode on fasting.

You can find the book "Hero Worship" on Amazon or christianbook.com to purchase.
Amazon Link
Christianbook.com

Takeaways

Slowing down allows us to be more present and aware of God's presence and leading in our lives.
Getting rid of hurry and clutter is essential for spiritual growth and maturity.
Following Jesus' example, we should slow down and engage with people and opportunities that we might normally overlook.
Slowing down enables us to bring restoration, healing, and acceptance to those who are marginalized or considered outcasts.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:32 The Importance of Slowing Down
04:01 Learning from Jesus' Example
05:21 Getting Rid of Hurry and Clutter
06:07 Being Present and Aware
07:03 The Difficulty of Slowing Down
08:12 Jesus Slowing Down for the Outcasts
12:12 Slowing Down to Bring Restoration and Healing
13:31 Embracing the Discipline of Slowing Down
14:01 Preview of Next Week: Fasting

In this conversation, Troy Kennedy discusses the journey of hero worship and the intentionality of becoming more like Jesus. He emphasizes the significance of Jesus as the historic person who transformed the lives of his followers. The practice of slowing down and paying attention is explored, leading to a discussion on fasting. Kennedy addresses the challenges and misconceptions surrounding fasting and highlights its role in reminding us of our dependence on God. Fasting also disrupts our regular rhythms, allowing space for a deeper connection with our source of life. The conversation concludes with an invitation to share experiences and continue the journey of imitating Jesus.

You can find the book "Hero Worship" on Amazon or christianbook.com to purchase.
Amazon Link
Christianbook.com

Takeaways

Jesus is the centerpiece of humanity and the ultimate role model for imitation.
Slowing down and paying attention to the beauty around us helps us connect with God and others.
Fasting is a focusing practice that reminds us of our dependence on God and disrupts toxic rhythms in our lives.
Replacing unhealthy dependencies with a reliance on God brings peace and a sense of purpose.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Journey
01:09 The Historic Person of Jesus
02:08 Jesus as the New Adam
03:14 Slowing Down and Paying Attention
04:03 Understanding Fasting
05:56 Challenges and Misconceptions about Fasting
08:02 Dependence and Disruption through Fasting
11:23 Replacing Toxic Rhythms with Something Better
12:15 Closing Remarks and Invitation to Share

In this episode of the Hero Worship Podcast, Troy Kennedy discusses the theme of serving others as an imitation of Jesus. He emphasizes the importance of observing the rhythms and practices of Jesus in our everyday lives. Troy explores the concept of Jesus as a servant and how we can follow his example. He also highlights the connection between serving others and worshiping God. The episode concludes with a call to action to imitate Jesus in service.

You can find the book "Hero Worship" on Amazon or christianbook.com to purchase.
Amazon Link
Christianbook.com

Takeaways

The Hero Worship Podcast is a companion to the book 'Hero Worship, A 12 Week Journey to Become More Like Jesus'
Observing the rhythms and practices of Jesus helps us become more like Him
Jesus framed his ministry as one of a servant and calls us to serve others
Serving others is an act of worship and an imitation of Jesus

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Hero Worship Podcast
01:02 The Imitation of Jesus
03:05 The Role of the Holy Spirit
04:23 Jesus as a Servant
07:14 Serving Others as Worship
10:28 Serving Those in Need
13:30 Love for God and Love for Others
14:22 Imitating Jesus in Service
15:33 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of Hero Worship, Troy Kennedy discusses the importance of imitating Jesus by asking questions. He highlights how Jesus asked 307 questions and only answered a few, emphasizing the value of listening and understanding others. Troy provides practical tips for becoming better question askers, including being loving, thoughtful, and curious. He also encourages active listening and engaging in meaningful conversations. The episode concludes with a preview of the next topic: Jesus' love for difficult people.

You can find the book "Hero Worship" on Amazon or christianbook.com to purchase.
Amazon Link
Christianbook.com

Takeaways

Imitating Jesus includes asking questions and being a good listener.
Active listening involves repeating back what the other person said to ensure understanding.
Asking thoughtful and curious questions shows genuine interest in others.
Becoming a better question asker requires love, thoughtfulness, and curiosity.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hero Worship
00:29 The Challenge of Serving Others
02:28 Jesus as the Master Question Asker
03:28 The Importance of Listening
04:17 The Practice of Active Listening
05:26 Jesus' Questions as a Means of Healing
06:07 Becoming Better Question Askers
07:20 The Framework for Asking Questions
08:37 Thoughtful and Curious Questioning
10:04 Showing Love and Interest in Others
11:27 Continuing the Journey of Learning
12:27 Preview of Next Week's Topic: Jesus Loves Difficult People

In this episode, Troy Kennedy discusses the concept of loving difficult people, inspired by Jesus' example. He emphasizes that Jesus loved those who were not well accepted and engaged with people on the fringes of society. Troy challenges listeners to love people who are different and to extend love to those in their circle of influence, even if they are difficult to love. He also highlights God's love for difficult people and encourages listeners to reflect that love in their own lives. Troy concludes by reminding listeners that they may be someone's difficult person and encourages them to desire grace for themselves and others.

You can find the book "Hero Worship" on Amazon or christianbook.com to purchase.
Amazon Link
Christianbook.com

Takeaways

Jesus loved difficult people and engaged with those on the fringes of society.
We are called to love people who are different and extend love to those in our circle of influence.
God loves difficult people and desires to see them healed and whole.
We should reflect God's love by desiring grace for ourselves and extending grace to others.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:35 Jesus Loved Difficult People
03:14 Loving People Who Are Different
05:24 Loving People in Your Circle of Influence
06:43 Loving People Up Close
08:53 God's Love for Difficult People
10:56 Reflecting God's Love
11:19 You Are That Person for Someone Else
12:47 Desiring Grace for Others
13:22 Upcoming Topic: Jesus Enters In

In this conversation, Troy Kennedy discusses the importance of imitating Jesus and becoming more like Him. He emphasizes the need to create intimacy and have everyday conversations with Jesus. The conversation explores various topics related to imitating Jesus, including loving difficult people, rejoicing and mourning with others, celebrating others' successes, and associating with people of low position. The overall message is to develop a heart that is compassionate, loving, and willing to enter into the lives of others.

You can find the book "Hero Worship" on Amazon or christianbook.com to purchase.
Amazon Link
Christianbook.com

Takeaways

Imitating Jesus involves creating intimacy and having everyday conversations with Him.
We should strive to love difficult people and extend grace to them, just as Jesus did.
We should learn to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.
Celebrating others' successes and associating with people of low position are important aspects of imitating Jesus.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
03:19 Chapter 1: Jesus Loved Difficult People
05:25 Chapter 2: Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice and Mourn with Those Who Mourn
09:31 Chapter 3: Celebrating Others' Successes
13:09 Chapter 4: Associating with People of Low Position
17:22 Conclusion

In this episode, Troy Kennedy discusses the concept of Jesus as a mentor and the principles of discipleship. He emphasizes the importance of impactful relationships and encourages listeners to mentor others. The upcoming topic is about Jesus resting and its significance in our identity as followers of Christ.

You can find the book "Hero Worship" on Amazon or christianbook.com to purchase.
Amazon Link
Christianbook.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Recap
04:10 Jesus as a Mentor
09:20 Principles of Discipleship
14:10 Impactful Relationships
17:26 Encouragement to Mentor Others
17:44 Upcoming Topic: Jesus Rested

In this final episode of the Hero Worship podcast, Troy Kennedy reflects on the 12-week journey to become more like Jesus. He emphasizes the importance of rest and abiding in Jesus, highlighting the need to find one's identity and worth in Him. Troy encourages listeners to continue revisiting the practices and to share the journey with others. He concludes by expressing his excitement for the next season of the podcast, which will feature interviews with individuals who have had transformative experiences with Jesus.

You can find the book "Hero Worship" on Amazon or christianbook.com to purchase.
Amazon Link
Christianbook.com

Takeaways

Resting and abiding in Jesus is essential for spiritual growth and finding true identity and worth.
Continually revisiting the practices and journeying with others can lead to deeper intimacy with Jesus.
The journey to become more like Jesus is not about trying harder, but about remaining faithful and open to what God is doing.
Sharing stories of God's work in our lives can inspire and encourage others in their own journeys.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview
03:13 Reflecting on the Journey
09:20 Advice for Others
11:26 The Importance of Rest
16:38 Closing Remarks

And links to purchase the book:

Amazon 

Kindle ebook