Engage and Equip

In this episode, Kathleen from the Global Missions Team sits down with a High Point-supported missionary to discuss the ministry they are doing in the Philippines. This episode provides a powerful testimony of the work God is doing around the world and how your support to our church fuels this kind of ministry! Given the nature of the work they do, some of the content may be discomforting for sensitive or young listeners. There is no explicit content, but listener discretion is advised. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This episode is the recording of our most recent Engage & Equip: LIVE event. Here, Pastor Nic talks about tenacious solidarity, and how we are called to unite as Christians above all other things–especially in this time of polarization and division. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This podcast episode addresses how Christians should respond to immigration enforcement controversies and political protests, particularly in Minneapolis. The hosts argue that most people lack sufficient knowledge for informed political judgments and should focus on concrete responsibilities like family and neighbors over distant political issues. They critique both aggressive protest tactics and imprudent government responses, emphasizing the need for impartiality, respect for all authorities, and civil discourse. Ultimately, they call Christians to prioritize personal virtue, church unity, and sacrificial love across ideological divides as the church's most powerful witness. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This week features the second episode in our Elder Biography series, where Communications Director Preston Bousley sits down with our Congregationally-elected Elders to learn more about who they are, how they came to faith, and their vision for the future of High Point Church. This week, we'll be hearing from Bill. Listen in to the series to learn more about the men who are serving our church in this Biblically-appointed, largely behind-the-scenes role.   In this episode, we mention the upcoming Alpha class. Click the link here to learn more and to sign up. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This episode features a deep dive into the film "Wake Up Dead Man" (the latest Knives Out movie) from a Christian perspective. Hosts Preston and Femi explore whether it qualifies as a "Christian film" and discuss how its portrayal of Father Judd—an earnest, sincere priest—offers a surprisingly generous depiction of genuine faith. They analyze the various church characters as representations of different dynamics found in American Christianity, from devotion without faith to political manipulation of religion. The conversation highlights how the film's "show don't tell" approach creates meaningful opportunities for discussing authentic Christianity with both believers and non-believers, making it a valuable tool for discipleship and evangelism when engaging with broader culture. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

Welcome to High Point testimonies, where we invite congregants from our church to record a story of how God worked in their life. Whether it's their coming to faith experience, or just an encouraging story to share, this is the way we hope to spur on our people through how God is working among us. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

Part II - How should we take Communion? This debate has been a point of discussion throughout the history of the church. From the Apostle Paul exhorting the Corinthian church for the way they partook in the Lord's supper, to the debate between Catholics and Non-Denominational Christians on transubstantiation (the bread and wine becoming the body and blood of Christ). This week's episode is a continuation on the conversation about Communion, and Sawyer one again got to ask the questions that you submitted on Sunday, January 11 to Pastor Nic, who provided more insight into church history, tradition, and theology to explain his thoughts on how we should take Communion. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night) Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

How should we take Communion? This debate has been a point of discussion throughout the history of the church. From the Apostle Paul exhorting the Corinthian church for the way they partook in the Lord's supper, to the debate between Catholics and Non-Denominational Christians on transubstantiation (the bread and wine becoming the body and blood of Christ). In today's episode, Sawyer gets to ask the questions that you submitted on Sunday, January 4 to Pastor Nic, who provides a greater depth of church history and tradition to explain his thoughts on how we should take Communion. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night) Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

Than from InspiringPhilosophy joined Pastor Nic to answer the questions that were asked during our Sunday services on December 14. They discuss topics relating to sharing the Gospel with unbelievers, tackle philosophical concepts, and give practical wisdom for those looking to level up their apologetics. Listen in to learn more! Visit the InspiringPhilosophy channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@UC5qDet6sa6rODi7t6wfpg8g Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

Following Nic's sermon on Sunday, December 7, this episode is an Ask Me Anything episode with Pastor Paxton where Nic gets to answer the questions that you asked during our Sunday services. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

Following Nic's sermon welcoming us into the Advent season, this episode is an Ask Me Anything episode with Sawyer Henderson where Nic gets to answer the questions that you asked during our Sunday services on November 30, 2025. Along with that, Nic provided more details that he didn't include in his sermon as part of a Cutting Room Floor portion of the episode. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

As we wrap up this portion of the By Heart series and transition into Advent, Pastors Nic and Adam sat down to do another Ask Me Anything about Nic's recent sermon in the series. The questions touch on topics such as division and unity, gracious striving, and forgiveness. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

Engage & Equip: LIVE is a training event done every several months here at High Point where ministry leaders come together to be trained on leading ministries and shepherding those involved in them. The topic of the November 3 E&E: LIVE was "Shepherding Slaves to Sin". Pastor Adam talked about what it takes to help people who are walking in sin, or are even slaves to it. Whether you are a ministry leader, congregant, or are just checking out our content, this episode hopes to be a tool for you to engage with the church in a leadership capacity and encourage you as you shepherd individuals who find themselves as slaves to sin. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

What is Evangelicalism? Throughout the fall, we have been attempting to answer this question through Sunday sermons, Sunday evening lectures, and various podcast episodes. This week's episode is a Part II of the conversation Nic had with Pastor Paxton (Episode #413 Reclaiming Evangelicalism October 23) where Nic sits down with Sawyer to continue the conversation around what Evangelicalism is. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

Coming off of a very encouraging, and thought-provoking sermon, Sawyer Henderson sits down to answer some of the questions that you submitted for an Ask Me Anything episode. Jill Reasa, founder of Oaks Ministry Collaborative, joins Sawyer to navigate tough questions on forgiveness, healing, and more. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This week features the first episode in our Elder Biography series, where Communications Director Preston Bousley sits down with our Congregationally-elected Elders to learn more about who they are, how they came to faith, and their vision for the future of High Point Church. This week, we'll be hearing from Monte, the current Chair of the Elder Board. Listen in to the series to learn more about the men who are serving our church in this Biblically-appointed, largely behind-the-scenes role! Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

In this week's episode, Pastor Paxton sits down with Pastor Nic to discuss what evangelicalism truly means beyond its modern political associations, defining it as a 2,000-year-old reform movement focused on returning to the simple, biblical gospel of Jesus rather than accumulating religious traditions and rituals. They go into how High Point Church aims to embody this evangelical spirit through constant reform and spiritual renewal, emphasizing that Christianity's power comes not from elaborate church programs but from believers sacrificing and loving others in their everyday lives, just as early Christians did when they stayed during plagues to care for their neighbors. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

Since High Point's founding, our church has evolved from Middleton Baptist to High Point Church, undergoing many changes along the way. While our Christian heritage encompasses both Baptist and Evangelical traditions, we identify more strongly with Evangelicalism than denominational Baptist distinctives. However, many of us have limited understanding of Evangelical principles and their application to contemporary faith.This episode, the second in a short series, offers an opportunity to deepen our knowledge of the Evangelical tradition that shapes our church identity and explore how these timeless principles can guide us forward in faithful ministry. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

Pastor Nic was joined by one of our pastoral administrators, Jacey Thompson, to go through questions that you asked as part of our Sunday services on October 12, 2025 as part of our Ask Me Anything portion of our service. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This Ask Me Anything episode features pastors Adam Darbon and Sawyer Henderson in a discussion about Sawyer's recent sermon on 1 Corinthians 15, addressing listener questions about biblical interpretation, canon formation, and why the Bible can be trusted over other religious texts like the Quran or Book of Mormon. The conversation emphasizes that while scripture itself is clear and authoritative, differences in interpretation arise from human limitations, and believers should approach the Bible with both confidence in its sufficiency and humility about their own understanding. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

Since High Point's founding, our church has evolved from Middleton Baptist to High Point Church, undergoing many changes along the way. While our Christian heritage encompasses both Baptist and Evangelical traditions, we identify more strongly with Evangelicalism than denominational Baptist distinctives. However, many of us have limited understanding of Evangelical principles and their application to contemporary faith.This episode, the first in a short series, offers an opportunity to deepen our knowledge of the Evangelical tradition that shapes our church identity and explore how these timeless principles can guide us forward in faithful ministry. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This episode is a post-service AMA, or Ask Me Anything, where Pastor Nic sat down and answered your questions from the Sunday services on September 28, 2025. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

On Saturday, August 9, 2025, Father Scott Cunningham, Pastor of Christ Church Madison, taught on the biblical theology of sex and intimacy found in I Corinthians 6:12-20. This talk, entitled The Christian Sexual Revolution, contained three building blocks: (1) The Dignity of Sexuality, (2) The Mystery of Sexuality, (3) The Redemption of Sexuality. This handout was used to follow along with the talk.Based on Father Cunningham's 2022 Christ Church Madison sermon series, The Dignity & Mystery of Sexuality (available here), this message also corresponds to a talk that Pastor Devin gave in February 2025 on the spiritual gifts of singleness and marriage outlined in I Corinthians 7 entitled Singleness Is For Everyone (recordings available here - part 1, part 2, part 3).If you have any questions about this talk, feedback, or ideas for future topics, please reach out to the HPC Adult Christian Education Team, ace@highpointchurch.org! Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

In this episode, Pastor Paxton sits down with Pastor Nic to ask the questions that you asked as part of our Sunday services. Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, we fielded over fifty questions that Sunday about the sermon, politics, and other life questions. The audio comes from the livestream that Paxton and Nic did, which will be part of the new process to livestream our AMA's. Visit our new Engage & Equip YouTube channel to keep up to date! Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

On Saturday, August 9, 2025, Father Scott Cunningham, Pastor of Christ Church Madison, taught on the biblical theology of sex and intimacy found in I Corinthians 6:12-20. This talk, entitled The Christian Sexual Revolution, contained three building blocks: (1) The Dignity of Sexuality, (2) The Mystery of Sexuality, (3) The Redemption of Sexuality. This handout was used to follow along with the talk.Based on Father Cunningham's 2022 Christ Church Madison sermon series, The Dignity & Mystery of Sexuality (available here), this message also corresponds to a talk that Pastor Devin gave in February 2025 on the spiritual gifts of singleness and marriage outlined in I Corinthians 7 entitled Singleness Is For Everyone (recordings available here - part 1, part 2, part 3).If you have any questions about this talk, feedback, or ideas for future topics, please reach out to the HPC Adult Christian Education Team, ace@highpointchurch.org! Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

On Saturday, August 9, 2025, Father Scott Cunningham, Pastor of Christ Church Madison, taught on the biblical theology of sex and intimacy found in I Corinthians 6:12-20. This talk, entitled The Christian Sexual Revolution, contained three building blocks: (1) The Dignity of Sexuality, (2) The Mystery of Sexuality, (3) The Redemption of Sexuality. This handout was used to follow along with the talk.Based on Father Cunningham's 2022 Christ Church Madison sermon series, The Dignity & Mystery of Sexuality (available here), this message also corresponds to a talk that Pastor Devin gave in February 2025 on the spiritual gifts of singleness and marriage outlined in I Corinthians 7 entitled Singleness Is For Everyone (recordings available here - part 1, part 2, part 3).If you have any questions about this talk, feedback, or ideas for future topics, please reach out to the HPC Adult Christian Education Team, ace@highpointchurch.org! Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

Pastor Nic and longtime worship director Niccole reflect on nine years of leading worship at High Point Church as she transitions from staff to full-time motherhood. They discuss building healthy worship teams, navigating the challenges of intergenerational church music, and the personal growth that comes from faithful service in local church ministry. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This podcast features church pastors and parents discussing how Christian families should approach conversations about sex with teenagers, emphasizing that God's design for sexuality within marriage is beautiful and fulfilling rather than restrictive. The speakers argue that parents should move beyond simply giving rules and instead help teens understand the spiritual and relational beauty of God's plan for sex, starting these conversations early and making God central to discussions about relationships and physical intimacy. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This episode is another AMA about 1 Peter from a recent sermon preached by Pastor Adam. The questions entered for this AMA centered around eldership in the church, along with church leadership, authority, and discipline, and even goes into church discipline and church hurt. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This episode is an "Ask Me Anything" podcast where pastors Adam and Paxton discuss congregation questions about 1 Peter 3:8-22. They explore key themes including how suffering is a normal part of Christian life, why believers should respond to evil with blessing, and the role of baptism in salvation. The discussion tackles complex questions about Christ's proclamation to imprisoned spirits, why God allows suffering, and how Christians can find hope when doing good leads to hardship rather than blessing, emphasizing that faithful endurance ultimately results in greater eternal rewards.Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This episode, recorded from our July Engage & Equip: LIVE, discussed the essential role of relationships in forming genuine disciples of Jesus, arguing that while preaching and programs are important, the primary way people grow spiritually is through deep, authentic connections with other believers who invest in their lives and walk alongside them in community. Pastor Adam taught church leaders to prioritize building "relational stickiness" - creating an environment where newcomers and members feel genuinely loved and connected to real people, not just attending services, because these relationships are what ultimately transform lives and sustain faith growth. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This episode is a collaboration with Oaks Ministry Collaborative and High Point Church's LIFT ministry. Here, they talk about how local churches can effectively support teen mental health by providing the meaning, relationships, and purpose often missing from purely clinical approaches. The youth leaders, Paxton and Brittany, share insights on how authentic community, opportunities for teens to discover their gifts, and honest conversations about faith and suffering create healing environments. They emphasize that while professional mental health care has value, churches offer unique resources through spiritual foundation and supportive relationships that address root causes of anxiety and depression rather than just symptoms, providing practical encouragement for both parents and teens navigating these challenges. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This episode features pastors Paxton and Mike discussing evangelism fundamentals. They define evangelism as sharing the gospel with both a clear proclamation and an invitation to respond, distinguishing it from mere church outreach. They also emphasize that while not everyone has the gift of evangelism, all Christians are called to be witnesses who share their personal testimony. This discussion addresses common excuses for avoiding evangelism and highlights that 90% of people come to faith through relationships with people they know well. The conversation stresses that effective evangelism flows naturally from a vibrant relationship with Christ, where believers are comfortable identifying as Christians first and allow their faith to emerge organically in everyday conversations. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

In this Ask Me Anything episode, Pastor Adam is joined by Jill Reasa and addresses questions about his sermon on 1 Peter 3:1-7 regarding marriage roles and fearing God in the household. The discussion explores what it means for wives to submit to their husbands while husbands honor their wives as "weaker vessels," addressing modern concerns about spiritual leadership, potential abuse, and practical implementation. Pastor Adam emphasizes that these biblical roles reflect Christ's character, that both spouses will fail but can grow through God's grace, and that Scripture offers better guidance for marriage than contemporary cultural approaches.Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

In this episode, Pastor Paxton is joined by three other pastors of student ministries in Madison discussing FUSE, an ecumenical ministry that unites Christian students across different high schools and churches. The ministry operates through Christian clubs in schools (currently in about nine schools) and large inter-church events where students are grouped by their schools rather than their home churches. They talk about their collaborative, service-oriented approach with school administrations, focusing on blessing schools and building community rather than taking an adversarial stance, while helping students discover they're not alone in their faith and creating opportunities for Christian community within schools.Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

In this AMA, Pastor Nic is joined by Monte Knetter as they discuss the biblical tension between submitting to governing authorities and obeying God when they conflict. Drawing from Monte's recent sermon on 1 Peter 2, they examine when rebellion might be justified through historical examples like the American Revolution and Protestant Reformation, while wrestling with modern dilemmas such as COVID restrictions. The conversation reveals how Christians must balance respecting God-ordained authority with standing firm on biblical principles, emphasizing that both blind obedience and reckless rebellion can be harmful, and acknowledging that faithful Christians may sometimes reach different conclusions about when conscience must override governmental commands. Questions they discussed:How would you justify the Reformation and also keep with the command to obey authorities and institutions?Can you talk more about examples of rebellion? The US was born out of rebellion against taxation to the King of England. How do you view the revolution and rebellion against communism in Eastern Europe in the late 80s and early 90s?What do you think of "white lies"? An example comes to mind of Exodus 1:15-21, about the Hebrew midwives in Egypt who helped the Hebrew baby boys to stay alive despite the order of the king to kill them.How would you counsel a Christian to engage with perceived societal injustices while still honoring authorities?Do you have any book recommendations, historical accounts, theological works, or biographies related to this topic?How do we exercise our freedoms in a democracy where we have the freedom to protest or to work towards change while still submitting?How does a wife submit to her husband who is unfaithful several times and believes it is her duty to stay with him? Do we continue to submit to those who mentally abuse us?In light of this passage, is direct action against our government ever justifiable? For example, American Revolution, resistance to Hitler by Bonhoeffer?Are constructive, peaceful criticisms of authority and honoring authority incompatible?What ways can we honor authority in situations when it commands us to do something that is against the will of God?Is there a point where it's right for believers to flee an oppressive, unjust authority? For example, pilgrims fleeing Europe to come to North America.If the government decrees that nobody should speak out against their wrongdoings, should the church obey and stay quiet and cooperate with the government?Where does the legitimacy of government come from in the perspective of a Christian?How do you honor someone practically when authority is corrupt, i.e. abusive parents?During COVID, when we were strong armed into taking the vaccine by our government, if we were convicted against getting it and didn't, or if our church met in person against the suggestion of our government, does this mean we aren't submitting to the government in the way the scripture commands us to? Episode Notes:Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This transcript captures the second part of a sexuality panel discussion from the "Engage and Equip" podcast, where hosts Paxton, Justin, and Dan address questions about Christianity and LGBTQ+ issues. The conversation covers how Christians can love and engage respectfully with the LGBTQ+ community while maintaining biblical convictions, including topics like responding to family members coming out, welcoming LGBTQ+ individuals in churches, and navigating faith and sexuality. The hosts, who include individuals with personal experience of same-sex attraction, emphasize treating all people as image-bearers of God deserving dignity while discussing biblical perspectives on relationships, dating, and the possibility of redemption through faith in Christ. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This week's podcast features a follow-up discussion to a student ministry sexuality panel, where host Paxton leads a discussion about LGBTQ-related topics and maintaining Christian faith. The conversation explores biblical teachings on marriage and sexuality, addressing student questions about sin, salvation, and relationships while emphasizing that all people struggle with sexual brokenness and need God's grace. The discussion balances holding to traditional Christian sexual ethics with showing compassion and acknowledging the church's historical failures in loving the LGBTQ+ community. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night) Extra Resources:An Impossible Marriage: What Our Mixed-Orientation Marriage Has Taught Us About Love and the Gospel by Matt and Laurie Krieg (https://a.co/d/7e5UG5Q)Born Again This Way by Rachel Gilson (https://a.co/d/4J4rLUj)Hole in My Heart Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/7lanhpj9eRbEoVpt13G7dI?si=MGIG0adHSVK4ZhQ7UcpIdw)Redeemed Sexuality: A Guide to Sexuality for Christian Singles, Campus Students, Teens and Parents by Tim and Dr. Jennifer Konzen (https://a.co/d/8RTF8je)

This episode of the Engage and Equip podcast features pastors Nic Gibson and Paxton Bauer in an AMA from our recent series on generosity. They talk about why people often struggle to be generous with those closest to them while appearing generous in public, emphasizing that true generosity must flow from a transformed heart rather than forced actions. The conversation covers practical topics like financial giving, prosperity theology, charitable donations, and helping panhandlers, while arguing that authentic satisfaction comes from aligning with God's will and living for others rather than pursuing immediate gratification.Episode Notes:Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

In this episode of the Engage & Equip podcast, Dr. Greg Scharf, former chair of preaching and practical theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, discusses the mutual responsibilities between church congregations and their pastoral leadership. He explores what believers should expect from their pastors, how to properly encourage and support them, and what not to expect - emphasizing that pastors can't excel at everything or be everyone's best friend. Dr. Scharf also addresses the current challenges in pastoral leadership, recommends essential books for elder candidates, and shares wisdom on the vetting process for potential church leaders. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

In this episode, Pastor Nic and Pastor Mike discuss the Holy Spirit's role in Christianity and how the Holy Spirit functions as a distinct person within the Trinity who empowers believers to live Christian lives. They tackle controversial topics like denominational differences, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and how believers can "hear God's voice." Throughout, they maintain that the Holy Spirit brings vitality to faith by connecting believers to God's power, enabling them to resist worldly desires, and equipping them to serve one another in community. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

At this Engage & Equip: LIVE event, we heard from Pastor Nic about what it means to be a "sticky" church and discussed steps we can take to build an atmosphere where newcomers want to come back and "stick around". Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This week, Pastor Nic is joined by Dr. Greg Scharf, former chair of preaching and homiletics at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, as they discuss the biblical nature of pastoral ministry. Dr. Scharf unpacks the interchangeable New Testament terms of elder, overseer, and pastor, explaining how these roles overlap in Scripture despite later church traditions creating hierarchical distinctions. They go into the practical duties of church elders (feeding the flock through teaching, prayer, discipleship, and visitation), qualifications for eldership, how churches should develop and train potential leaders, and the relationship between congregational authority and external accountability structures. Dr. Scharf shares wisdom from his decades of pastoral experience, including a successful two-year elder training program he developed, recommended resources for spiritual development, and insights on current challenges facing pastors in today's divisive cultural climate. This episode offers valuable biblical and practical guidance for church leaders and members seeking to understand and support healthy church governance. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This episode features a discussion with student ministry leaders Paxton Bauer and Brittany Warnell about discipling teenagers in the church. They explore the challenges students face today, including questions of belonging, cultural tensions, and intellectual doubts about faith. The conversation highlights research showing that 59% of young Christians disconnect from church after age 15, but those in meaningful mentoring relationships are significantly more likely to maintain their faith. The hosts emphasize that students need to feel they belong before they truly believe or change their behavior, and discuss practical ways church members can connect with students through mentoring relationships and intergenerational interactions on Sundays. Their message is clear: simple conversations with teens can make a profound difference in their spiritual journey. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

  Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

In this episode, Pastor Nic is joined by Sawyer Henderson and Jacey Thompson. To talk about the biblical teaching on generosity through an in-depth examination of 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9, which contain the most comprehensive teaching on Christian giving in the Bible. The conversation weaves through personal stories of being impacted by others' generosity, the theological underpinnings of Christian giving, and practical applications for modern life. Key themes include how true generosity flows from understanding the gospel, the proper attitudes and motivations for giving, financial stewardship, and the balance between church giving and other charitable causes. They discuss how generosity is not just about money but reflects a transformed heart that mirrors God's own generosity. They also address common concerns about church finances, the relationship between giving and spiritual growth, and how Christians can develop practical habits of generosity regardless of their economic situation. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

In this episode of the Engage and Equip podcast, Pastor Nic and Jill explore addiction from a Christian theological perspective. They discuss how Jesus's healing approach offers a framework for understanding addiction through biblical concepts: infirmity (weakness), slavery (compulsive control), and idolatry (false salvation). The conversation highlights how the cross creates both moral accountability and freedom from shame, challenging the notion that professional help is always necessary. They discuss that while clinical psychology has value, Christian community can address many psychological needs through compassionate listening and spiritual wisdom. Join us as we explore a holistic approach to healing that balances accountability with compassion in addressing addiction. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

This week is an Ask Me Anything with Pastor Nic about his recent sermon he preached on missions and politics. The primary focus of this episode is on how Christians should navigate conflicts between their God-given authority from Christ and other earthly authorities like governments. Pastor Nic explains that while Christians should generally obey legitimate authority, when those authorities exceed their rightful boundaries and interfere with Christians' commission to make disciples, their actions become tyrannical, and Christians have a responsibility not to be servile. Throughout the discussion, they address numerous theological questions about missions, evangelism, predestination, handling persecution, maintaining faith in difficult times, and appropriate Christian responses to authority. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

Welcome to the Engage and Equip podcast. In February, pastor Devin led a seminar called Singleness is for Everyone here at High Point going over what the bible teaches about singleness. We'll be posting the recordings as a series of three episodes throughout the month of March to help bring light to this topic and seek to encourage and educate all Christians with these Biblical truths. This episode is from session 3 of the seminar, the conclusion of this series, where we'll explore how we can honor singleness as a genuine spiritual gift, create spaces where single Christians can thrive, and build a church community that truly values all the gifts God has given us. If you have any questions about what's talked about in this series that you'd like to hear in an Ask Me Anything, a sermon or a future podcast, please fill out the Google form here: https://forms.gle/H21PVVjWc4eMApsK7. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

Welcome to the Engage and Equip podcast. In February, pastor Devin led a seminar called Singleness is for Everyone here at High Point going over what the bible teaches about singleness. We'll be posting the recordings as a series of three episodes throughout the month of March to help bring light to this topic and seek to encourage and educate all Christians with these Biblical truths. This episode is from session 2 of the seminar, where Devin discussed how in our evangelical circles, we've often emphasized marriage to the exclusion of celibacy, creating an imbalance that overlooks important teachings. Here, he'll explore how both institutions help us live faithfully between the times as we await the fulfillment of God's kingdom. If you have any questions about what's talked about in this series that you'd like to hear in an Ask Me Anything, a sermon or a future podcast, please fill out the Google form here: https://forms.gle/H21PVVjWc4eMApsK7. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)

In February, pastor Devin led a seminar called Singleness is for Everyone here at High Point going over what the bible teaches about singleness. We'll be posting the recordings as a series of three episodes throughout the month of March to help bring light to this topic and seek to encourage and educate all Christians with these Biblical truths. This episode is from session 1 of the seminar, where Devin talked about how the New Testament actually shifts our understanding of sexuality from Eden's command to multiply toward the New Jerusalem, where the Church is portrayed as the bride awaiting Christ. In this recording, Devin explores how this theological framework gives new meaning to both marriage and singleness in the Christian life, and how it might reshape our understanding of Christian community. If you have any questions about what's talked about in this series that you'd like to hear in an Ask Me Anything, a sermon or a future podcast, please fill out the Google form here: https://forms.gle/H21PVVjWc4eMApsK7. Engage & Equip is a resource designed to help form substantive disciples for the local church.Find more episodes at highpointchurch.org/podcastMusic: HOME—We're Finally Landing, Nosebleed, If I'm Wrong (https://midwestcollective.bandcamp.com/album/before-the-night)