Conversations on Faith

Cultural traditions can be both tied to and separated from our lives in the Church.  I know that I often see friends and coworkers observing their own familial and ethnic traditions across all seasons of the calendar year.  These observations create a yearning of belonging and a sense of longing for identity in those traditions.  That begs the question: how do we understand that our identity as Christians is equivalent to being an image bearer of God?  In a unique episode, Shane (another member of the COF team) chats with Deacon Mark about how our identity in Christ can be made manifest in our daily lives.  Check out our website at https://conversations-on-faith.simplecast.com/ to follow us on social media.  Feel free to contact the show via email at conversationsonfaithpodcast@gmail.com or on one of our social media platforms with any questions or reflections on the podcast’s discussion.---Scripture References:  Genesis 1:26  +  2 Kings 11:18  +  Ezekiel 16 & 23  +  Mark 10:45  +  John 13:31  +  Romans 14 & 15  +  Philippians 5:2  +  Colossians 3:1-17  +  Hebrews 10:24

College-aged students can experience life in the Church in different ways.  Often, students are geographically removed from the community in which they were raised and are seeking out a church community to call their home church away from home.  In this episode, we join Deacon Mark and Jesse as they have a conversation with Rev. Ethan Magness, the rector of Grace Anglican Church in Grove City, Pennsylvania about how he and his church have welcomed college students into his congregation.  Check out our website at https://conversations-on-faith.simplecast.com/ to follow us on social media.  Feel free to contact the show via email at conversationsonfaithpodcast@gmail.com or on one of our social media platforms with any questions or reflections on the podcast’s discussion.---Scripture References:  Leviticus 19:33-37  +  1 Corinthians 6:11

In 2020, many of us have had time to ponder what stability means in our lives and what it takes to try to maintain it.  However, in these challenging times, what does conflict, or lack of stability, look like in the Church?  What does God tell us to do in the face of divisions and factions forming in our own church communities during times like these?  Conversations in our church communities can create opposing opinions and disagreements in what is best practice for worship, protecting the health of a congregation, and more.  Deacon Mark and Jesse grapple with these topics and others in this episode.  Check out our website at https://conversations-on-faith.simplecast.com/ to follow us on social media.  Feel free to contact the show via email at conversationsonfaithpodcast@gmail.com or on one of our social media platforms with any questions or reflections on the podcast’s discussion.---Scripture References:  Genesis 1-3  +  Matthew 18:15  +  Luke 16:31  +  John 17  +  Acts 17  +  Romans 14:10-13  +  1 Corinthians 13  +  Hebrews 13

As college-aged students head into a new year at their school, they know that they will encounter multiple challenges.  These challenges will span from academic expectations to campus involvement.  Jesse & Deacon Mark provides a platform for Emily (an incoming freshmen), Maggie (an incoming senior), and Reid (a recent college graduate) to discuss those challenges and how to keep faith formation in the mix of college life.  Amidst those challenges, where does faith fit in?  How can college-aged students find a church community where they can grow and get to know God better?  Join the conversation to find out more.  Check out our website at https://conversations-on-faith.simplecast.com/ to follow us on social media.  Feel free to contact the show via email at conversationsonfaithpodcast@gmail.com or on one of our social media platforms with any questions or reflections on the podcast’s discussion.---Scripture References:  Ephesians 5:13

If you have been listening to this podcast, you may be wondering about who makes this show possible.  Join the entire crew of the Conversations on Faith Podcast for insight into who we are, how God is working in our lives, and why we chose to be a part of the podcast production team.  Check out our website at https://conversations-on-faith.simplecast.com/ to follow us on social media.  Feel free to contact the show via email at conversationsonfaithpodcast@gmail.com or on one of our social media platforms with any questions or reflections on the podcast’s discussion.---Scripture References:  1 Corinthians 12:12-31

This episode is the second in our “What I Couldn’t Say” series of special episodes.  WICS episodes focus on particular studies of Scripture by pastors and leaders in the church as they prepare for sermons or lectures.  Deacon Mark dusts off an old essay from his days in seminary.  In the essay, he explores 1 John 2:1-2 including the Greek word παράκλητος (parakletos) literally meaning a legal advocate; an intercessor; a helper generally.  How does this description of Jesus help us to understand Him better?  Join the conversation to find out!  Check out our website at https://conversations-on-faith.simplecast.com/ to follow us on social media.  Feel free to contact the show via email at conversationsonfaithpodcast@gmail.com or on one of our social media platforms with any questions or reflections on the podcast’s discussion.---Scripture References:  1 John 2:1-2  +  Matthew 11:28  +  John 3:16; 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7; 17:1-3  +  1 Timothy 1:15

As many of us continue to reflect on the recent happenings in our nation, we are seeking ways to walk faithfully and purposefully.  Pandemic, social injustice, and community unrest have created an “emotional confetti”  that is falling around us in a seemingly uncontrollable way.  Let’s join Deacon Mark Hottel & Jesse Shedden as they explore how to respond to current events through the lens of Scripture.  Check out our website at https://conversations-on-faith.simplecast.com/ to follow us on social media.  Feel free to contact the show via email at conversationsonfaithpodcast@gmail.com or on one of our social media platforms with any questions or reflections on the podcast’s discussion.---Scripture References:  Genesis  +  Isaiah  +  Romans 7 & 12:1-3  +  Philippians 4:4-8

The conversation about creating rhythms in our lives continues in this episode as Deacon Mark and Jesse discuss more strategies to help us better connect with God.  Some of the strategies in the show are more practical in nature.  For example: how can exercise fit into a rhythm that helps us get to know God better?  Is there such a thing as focusing too much on setting up a rhythm that it leads us to fall out of balance?  Join the discussion to find out more.  Check out our website at https://conversations-on-faith.simplecast.com/ to follow us on social media.  Feel free to contact the show via email at conversationsonfaithpodcast@gmail.com or on one of our social media platforms with any questions or reflections on the podcast’s discussion.---Scripture References:  Genesis 1  +  Psalms 1 & 2  +  2 Corinthians 5:16-21  +  Galatians 5:16-26  +  Hebrews 10:25Literature References:  “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy” by Eric Metaxas“Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem” by Kevin DeYoung

What does it mean to create rhythm in our lives?  In the hustle and bustle of our day, finding time and energy to establish a routine that helps us to connect with God can be challenging.  This episode explores how to create rhythms that help us to worship, follow, and get to know God better.  Deacon Mark and Jesse discuss topics ranging from sleep and rest, to describing Jesus as a “party boy” in the context of celebrating small steps toward spiritual rhythm.  Check out our website at https://conversations-on-faith.simplecast.com/ to follow us on social media.  Feel free to contact the show via email at conversationsonfaithpodcast@gmail.com or on one of our social media platforms with any questions or reflections on the podcast’s discussion.---Scripture References:  Genesis 1:3-5  +  Genesis 3  +  Genesis 37-47  +  Numbers 6:22-27  +  Matthew 6:19-24  +  Matthew 11:16-19  +  Luke 23:50-56---Other References: 'Tiny Habits' Are The Key To Behavioral Change from Life Kit by NPR

This is the debut of our “What I Couldn’t Say” or “WICS” series of special episodes that will focus on particular studies of Scripture by pastors as they prepare for sermons.  In this show, the Rev. Sean Templeton, head pastor of the Lakewood Anglican Mission, breaks down the phrase “greater works'' found in verse 12, and discusses the meaning of “greater works” with Deacon Mark.  Father Sean also discusses how he arrived at his interpretation of this phrase from John’s gospel for a sermon that he recently prepared.  You can listen to the sermon on the Lakewood Anglican Facebook page starting at the 19 minute mark.  Contact the show at conversationsonfaithpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or reflections on the podcast’s discussion.---Scripture References:  John 14:1-14

What makes isolation so challenging for us?  Join our discussion about how being built in God’s image often prompts the need for us to seek out various types of relationships with others.  The COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions to retreat to their homes.  This isolation has caused many to work from home while trying to support their families in creative ways.  The most significant by product of the pandemic is the isolation from people we interact with on a daily basis.  Deacon Mark and Jesse discuss why isolation as a Christian can be challenging and how to understand what being made in God’s image means when it comes to the importance of relationships in our lives.  Contact the show at conversationsonfaithpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or reflections on the podcast’s discussion.---Scripture References:  Genesis 2:18-25  +  Mark 1:9-13Literature References: “An Infinity of Little Hours: Five Young Men and Their Trial of Faith in the Western World's Most Austere Monastic Order” by Nancy Klein Maguire“The Great Divorce” by C.S. Lewis

Caleb Sasser, a lay catechist candidate at Lakewood Anglican Mission, rejoins the podcast to continue the discussion on how Scripture instructs us to respond to fear and anxiety.  This episode focuses on how to implement faith rather than fear in the face of adversity.  Processing fear with the three R’s: recognize its presence, respond in faith, and rest in Christ along with praying the Psalms are highlights of the episode.  Contact the show at conversationsonfaithpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or reflections on the podcast’s discussion.---Scripture References:  Psalms 13, 88, & 89  +  Isaiah 41-43  +  2 Corinthians 1:21-22  +  Hebrews 11:1

Caleb Sasser, a lay catechist candidate at Lakewood Anglican Mission, joins the podcast to discuss how Scripture instructs us to respond to fear and anxiety.  This episode reminds us that, in the face of fear, we can find solid ground for ourselves in the truth of Scripture, and because of Christ and what He has done for us, we can have peace and rest even amidst fear and anxiety.  Contact the show at conversationsonfaithpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or reflections on the podcast’s discussion.---Scripture References:  Leviticus 5:3,13,14  +  Joshua 6  +  Psalms 23 & 139  +  Isaiah 41-43  +  Mark 1:40-45  +  John 14:7  +  Hebrews 12:6

This episode is aimed to give you a brief introduction to the Conversations on Faith Podcast and the what, why, and how about the show.  Contact the show at conversationsonfaithpodcast@gmail.com with any questions or extensions of the podcast’s discussion.---Scripture References:  Deuteronomy 6:4