Calling + Context

Erik, Jason, and Monica wrap up the series on the letters to the churches from Revelation. The American Church is most often compared to the Laodicean Church likely because of wealth and prosperity. In this episode, they talk about one of the outward ways churches can seem to be prosperous but are actually poor. If you have any comments or feedback on this episode, definitely send them to Erik's email where they will be lost in the abyss of 60,000 plus unread messages!

There is no doubt that this episode is very self-indulgent! After lots of laughs, we are able to dig into the letter to this church that is affirmed and encouraged by Jesus. It's not glamorous or flashy but perseverance is the goal—even more than external measures of success or acceptance.

Jason, Erik, and Monica are continuing to discuss the letters to the churches in Revelation. They begin with overemphasizing the challenge of reading! When they do get to discussing this church, they note that although they have signs of life, Jesus calls this church dead. Often, in ministry, we focus on outward signs of life such as the ABCs or the three Bs but Jesus has a different metric to measure life!

Monica, Jason, & Erik continue discussing the letters to the churches in Revelation with the letter to Thyatira. This church (that is not located at the corner of Roman Avenue & Greek Street) has some good things happening in their midst, but they also are tolerating sin.

In this episode Erik, Jason, & Monica continue to discuss the Letters to the Seven Churches of Revelation. Jesus tells this church that they have mixed false teaching and the worship of false gods into the truth. The highlight of this episode is when we get interrupted by Jack the dog!

Continuing the series on the Letters to the Churches in Revelation, in this episode Jason, Monica, and Erik discuss the Letter to the Church at Smyrna. This church faces tribulation, suffering, and persecution yet Jesus calls them rich and tells them to be faithful. This episode has a little French and a little Russian—something for everyone!

In this episode, Monica, Jason, and Erik begin a series looking at the letters to the Seven Churches from the book of Revelation. The Church at Ephesus shows us that along with many good traits, this church, and our churches today, can also have serious problems and deficiencies. Don't forget watch out for the stones on the runway at the airport—just like you watch out for false teachers. Or something like that! And someone please let us know WHO is on the $20 bill!

Erik, Jason, & Monica discuss Paul's instructions to the Church at Ephesus to be filled with the Spirit. In ministry, workplaces, homes, and relationships, we can allow declarations, programming, and strategy to drive us rather than the simplicity of living according to the Spirit of God. Erik shares about his experience doing meaningful ministry on the gritty streets of Canton.

Erik, Jason, and Monica work through some of their frustrations with the way the Church limits the grace we extend to others. A lack of a deep understanding of grace is demonstrated when we overreact to sin in others. Jason shares a classic example of an awkward Thanksgiving dinner conversation.

In this episode, Monica, Erik, and Jason continue to interview Keith Byler, lead pastor at Fairlawn Mennonite Church in Apple Creek, Ohio. Keith gives more information about his calling and the experience of coming into a new church context. He also shares the infamous funeral story!

Jason, Monica, and Erik interview Keith Byler, lead pastor at Fairlawn Mennonite Church in Apple Creek, Ohio. Keith shares about how their church adjusted their small group ministry to accommodate the context and culture of their growing church body. And, in time for the holiday season, we have several references to the Christmas movie, Elf, and Jason eats more donuts!

Erik, Jason, and Monica dialogue about the popular podcast, The Rise & Fall of Mars Hill. This story teaches us lessons about leadership, church planting, and Christian celebrity culture. While this episode has a more serious tone, we do take a moment to appreciate Amish Country donut holes!

Jason, Erik, and Monica start with an outrageous story about “the goat suburban driven by a blind man!” They do eventually get to a meaningful conversation about what would happen if they weren't pastoring—both to them and their local church.

After a bit of a hiatus, Erik, Jason, and Monica are back for season 3!! In this episode we do a lot of catching up and goofing off! With sound effects, porter-potty stories and the funny idea of a cow on a kayak, you are guaranteed to laugh with us! We also get serious when Erik shares what the Lord was teaching him in his sabbatical.