Following Jesus

This week on season two of Following Jesus with Christ Church, our co-hosts talk with the Christ Church Coronavirus Task Force Committee (CVTF). This group has been assembled to help our church navigate the times. We are joined by Doctors Bryan Burke and Janelle Stutzman who bring their medical backgrounds and love for the church together to help lead and guide us during this time. There are many good resources provided for you during this time. Check out Christ Church's website. Missed Season one? You can find all our archived episodes on our website or through most podcast apps. Grace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church, pastors Andrew Vandermaas and Addison Hawkins talk with David Hopson. David and his family spent time as missionaries in Albania and Macedonia and upon their return to the states David has pursued a career in the police force. David, Andrew and Addison talk about their story, the ups and downs of 2020 and David's perspective as a police officer during this time. Stay tuned.

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church, pastors Andrew Vandermaas and Addison Hawkins talk with the Regional Director for Campus Outreach West Michigan. During this episode we learn about the heart of Campus Outreach and their desire to see the gospel of grace through Jesus Christ reach thousands of young lives during their college years. Campus Outreach has its roots in the PCA, starting in the 1980's at Briarwood Presbyterian Church. Fast forward to 2020 and West Michigan is gaining another partner for the gospel. To learn more about Campus Outreach, including who they are and what they believe check out the Campus Outreach Central Illinois (COCI) web page here. COCI is where the COWM is being planted from. Kenny Hayes and his team are uprooting from Peoria Illinois to Kalamazoo and then later to Grand Rapids. Listen to the episode to find out more about their timeline. Please be praying for Kenny Hayes and his family as they look to launch COWM at Western Michigan University this fall. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church, pastors Andrew Vandermaas and Addison Hawkins discuss the recent events that have sparked some racial tensions. Join us as we dialogue about the pain that is there, the gospel invitation and some resources to aid us in our journey of listening and learning. Christ Church has to contemplate how it enters into this narrative and story. We can not sit on the sidelines during such a time as this. So what do we do? We begin by lamenting and praying, two actions we will continue to do as long as it is warranted. But what next? Many of you have asked a similar question, what should/will the church do? Lets explore this together and seek out the Lord as we enter into this narrative. Below you will find a list of resources Andrew & Addison compiled. Each of these resources has a strength. There is not one, except the Bible, great resource for this issue (or any other issue.) We recommend that you take a few of these and spend some time working through them. It's always better to read with others, consider starting a reading/listening/watching club with some of these resources. This is just a snippet, not exhaustive list of resources for your consideration. Sermons & Podcasts: Rev. Kevin Smith -- the Witness of Unity Rev. Kevin Smith -- For the Sake of the Gospel Scene on Radio Podcast - 14 Episode series called “Seeing White” Shorter Reads/Articles & Papers: Report on Racial and Ethnic Reconciliation Russ Whitfield article mentioned by Andrew in the show The Gospel and the pursuit of Justice in your City Longer Reads: Cultural Intelligence -- David Livermore Dynamic Diversity -- Bruce Milne The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church's Complicity in Racism -- Jemar Tisby A City within A City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids -- Todd E. Robinson The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity -- Soong-Chan Rah Unreached: Growing Churches in Working-class and Deprived Areas --Tim Chester Urban Apologetics: Answering Challenges to Faith for Urban Believers -- Christopher Brooks African American Urban History Since WWII (Historical Studies of Urban America) -- Kenneth L. Kusmer & Joe W. Trotter Movies & Documentaries: Just Mercy (Currently free to watch on many streaming platforms) The Pruitt-Igoe Myth Selma 12 Years a Slave The Birth of a Nation There are many more resources out there, this is just a sample of some to help guide you through this time. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church pastors Andrew Vander Maas and Addison Hawkins reflect on where we have been and wrap up the premier season of Following Jesus with Christ Church. Over the past ten weeks we have walked with you all through this medium. There have been stories of coping, of laughter, of difficult decisions and of wrestling through uncertain futures. In episode 29 Andrew and Addison reflect on some of these stories and contemplate what lessons and observations we have made along the way. Resources/Links You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member. Don't forget to check back from time to time over the next couple of months. We will be posting some one off podcasts designed to keep the stories and observations going during this time. Grace & Peace

**The L'Abri Way: Conversations with Schaeffer event link here. If you would like to sign up and discuss three of Francis Schaeffers lectures with pastor Addison over the next few weeks follow the link above. You don't have to know anything about L'Abri, or Schaeffer. These lectures are stimulating and challenging while also giving us some food for thought in today's culture and society. For more information click here.** On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church, pastors Andrew and Addison talk with members Rob Laplaca and Rebekah Courtney. Rob and Rebekah are both involved at Christ Church in various ways, serving the youth group primarily as well as through music and other various committees and activities. Rob and Rebekah are due to get married this summer. During our conversation you'll hear how that process has been going, some of the challenges and some of the realizations. We had a lot of fun during this episode, we hope you do too! Resources/Links: More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member. Grace & Peace

**The L'Abri Way: Conversations with Schaeffer event link here. If you would like to sign up and discuss three of Francis Schaeffers lectures with pastor Addison over the next few weeks follow the link above. You don't have to know anything about L'Abri, or Schaeffer. These lectures are stimulating and challenging while also giving us some food for thought in today's culture and society. For more information click here.** On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church, pastors Andrew and Addison talk with long time member Dan Denk. Dan is working on a book project and took some time to discuss the content of that book, Christian joy, with us. Quotes: “Rather, joy is a steady disposition about life, very much connected to peace and hope. We might say that joy is a hopeful and peaceful outlook on life, a deep-seated sense of well-being. Similar to love, joy is not self-serving, but others directed. Unlike happiness, it is not dependent upon circumstances or happenstance. We can experience joy even in times of trouble and hardship.For example, we might say about someone, “Mary has been through a lot, yet she is a deeply joyful Person.” - Dan Denk, pg 1 “I am on a journey of joy.” - Dan Denk, pg 4 Scripture Resources: 12 You will indeed go out with joy and be peacefully guided; the mountains and the hills will break into singing before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. - Is 55:12 11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! - Psalm 30:11-12 2 Count it all joy, my brothers,[b] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. - James 1:2-4 Resources/Links: We would recommend that you read C.S. Lewis' Surprised by Joy as a great connection to this topic of Christian Joy. More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member. Grace & Peace

**The L'Abri Way: Conversations with Schaeffer event link here. If you would like to sign up and discuss three of Francis Schaeffers lectures with pastor Addison over the next few weeks follow the link above. You don't have to know anything about L'Abri, or Schaeffer. These lectures are stimulating and challenging while also giving us some food for thought in today's culture and society. For more information click here.** pisode of Following Jesus with Christ Church pastors Andrew & Addison talk with two church planters in the Grand Rapids & West Michigan area. Dan Naulty, pastor & planter of Faith Presbyterian in Jenison Michigan as well as Ben Seneker, pastor & planter of Gracehill. During our conversation we talk about the roller coaster ride of church planting and the effect COVID-19 has had on worship, gathering as well as personal challenges. Both Dan & Ben were gracious and their attitudes of humility shine as they navigate their way through this strange and different tmes. For more information about Faith Presbyterian in Jenison, check out their website and Facebook page. You can also reach Pastor Dan via email or through their social media accounts @FaithJenison. For more information about Gracehill in downtown Grand Rapids, check out their website and Facebook page. You can also reach Pastor Ben via email or through their social media accounts @GracehillGR. Resources/Links: For more information about Faith Presbyterian in Jenison, check out their website and Facebook page. You can also reach Pastor Dan via email or through their social media accounts @FaithJenison. For more information about Gracehill in downtown Grand Rapids, check out their website and Facebook page. You can also reach Pastor Ben via email or through their social media accounts @GracehillGR. More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church Andrew & Addison talk with Kevin Martin about how to be thoughtful with our technology during COVID. Kevin works for a technology company where the vast majority of his communication has been online for the past few years. While Kevin may be engaged with digital trends, the way technology is taking us and how it is created to sometimes use us as its product, his family has drawn some lines at home. Listen in on this interesting and fun conversation. Recent Statistics: Netflix: the last 4-quarters averaged 60.4 million streaming subscribers, Q120 69.9 million, a 15% increase. Zoom: December 2019 ended with roughly 10 million daily meeting participants. March 2020 - 200 million, and April 2020 - 300 million+. Wearable Technology: from 2018 to 2019 unit shipments of wearable technology (think Fitbit, Applewatch) nearly double to 62.9 million...it’s only accelerated since the beginning of 2020. Quotes from the show: "networks are no substitute for the neighborhoods in which we live. It’s not just the power of proximity that binds us together, it’s the sense of responsibility for each other. Put simply: who can you count on to cut your lawn, shovel your sidewalk or bring you chicken soup when you are sick? More often than not, it’s a neighbor from your community, not a connection on from your social accounts" - Dave McCay Resources/Links: Want to read a book on technology and our use of it? Try Cal Newports Digital Minimalism. Another great resource for stewarding our technology is Andy Crouch's The Tech-Wise Family. More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church Andrew & Addison talk with Sarah Ingram, a licensed therapist and member of Christ Church. Sarah works as a licensed therapist/counselor in the Grand Rapids area. Her years of engaging with and encountering different levels of anxiety and depression help us shed some light on our mental health during the COVID time frame. Quotes/notes from the show: Definitions:Fear: An actual threat, AND An opportunity to receive and rest upon Him alone (Faith).Stress: Activates anxiety BUT His grace is sufficient, His power made perfect in my weakness.Worry: Managing threats by anticipating possibilities (What if?). EVEN SO, The Lord is my Shepherd.Anxiety: Risk without resource, OR Risk with the ultimate champion and resource. Scriptures from the show: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Proverbs 9:10) I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. (Psalm 119:147-148) Resources/Links: Want to learn more about depression through a biblical lens? Check out our Adult Institute class, lead by Sarah Ingram and Andrew VanderMaas. Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 If you or a loved one is experiencing depression, doubt or feeling down, reach out to someone at Christ Church by clicking here . More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church pastors Andrew & Addison talk with long time member Chris Peterson. Chris advises clients on investments and financial strategies in the Grand Rapids area. Chris serves as a deacon at Christ Church with our finance team, giving him some insight into how we are doing right now. It was great to hear from Chris about the ways he has been navigating the financial conversation with friends and clients through a gospel lens as well as some ways the church can rally and serve with generosity. Resources/Links: If you have a financial need, or any other need due to COVID please let us know by filling out this form. A deacon or team member will be in contact with from the appropriate team. You can find more resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member, it's a good way to help others stay connected. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church Andrew & Addison talk with Craig Kooienga about golf, life during this pandemic, recreation and of course backyard mountain biking! Craig and his family have been long time Christ Church members and serve in a multitude of ways. It was great to catch up with Craig and hear about how his cancer treatments are going, the beauty of being outside and what is happening at the golf course. Quotes from the show: "Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots - but you have to play the ball where it lies. "~ Bobby Jones “Golf is about how well you accept, respond to, and score with your misses much more so than it is a game of your perfect shots.” ~ Bob Rotella Resources/Links: More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church pastors Andrew & Addison talk with long time members Rick & Maggie Groggel. Rick came to Christ Church in 1978 and Maggie came in 1991. Both are involved in many different aspects of Christ Churches ministries and are beloved members and friends of our community. The sandwich generation refers to middle-age adults who are caring for both elderly parents and their own children who are grown. While this is always a unique position to be in, add COVID-19 to the mixture and close geographic proximity and there are some unique challenges and joys that follow. Rick & Maggie have been navigating this life pre-COVID and are now working through the implications of what that is like. UPDATE: On the show Maggie refereed to the blood drive having its "best month ever..." She intended to say "It was our best month of March ever, not our best month overall." Resources/Links: If you are in Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois or Ohio and would like to donate blood, you can find out at Verisiti Blood Center or by checking your local blood bank. Looking for another way to stay connected with family or friends? Consider Together where you can play games, read books, and connect like Rick & Maggie mentioned. You can find more resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member, it's a good way to help others stay connected. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church pastors Andrew & Addison talk with Lisa Vander Maas and Lindsay Williams. Lisa, wife to Andrew, and Lindsay have been involved with teaching for many years. Through their teaching they have engaged with rhetoric, or thoughtful, reasoned and clear talk. Quotes from the show: "Each generation of the church in each setting has the responsibility of communicating the gospel in understandable terms, considering the language and thought forms of that setting." ~ Francis Schaeffer, Escape from Reason Scriptures from the show: “[1] If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [3] If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. [4] Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it his not arrogant [5] or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; [6] it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. [7] Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 "[8] Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. [9] Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. [10] For “Whoever desires to love lifeand see good days, [11] let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” ~ 1 Peter 3:8-11 Resources/Links For a list and description of rhetorical fallacies and tendencies you can look here. On classical rhetoric: The Liberal Arts Tradition: a Philosophy of Christian Classical Education by Kevin Clark and Ravi Scott Jain is an introduction to classical liberal arts education which includes learning about rhetoric. On the art of rhetoric: If you are interested in an accessible resource to learn about rhetoric,Lindsay recommends this series of blogs on Rhetoric 101. A common reference throughout the show A Rhetoric of Love by Douglas M. Jones reimagines rhetoric from a Christian perspective and casts a new vision of a Christian Rhetoric of Love versus a Rhetoric of Dominion. More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church pastors Andrew & Addison talk with Lisa Vander Maas and Lindsay Williams. Lisa, wife to Andrew, and Lindsay have been involved with teaching for many years. Through their teaching they have engaged with rhetoric, or thoughtful, reasoned and clear talk. 5 Canons of Rhetoric inventio (invention): The process of developing and refining your arguments. dispositio (arrangement): The process of arranging and organizing your arguments for maximum impact. elocutio (style): The process of determining how you present your arguments using figures of speech and other rhetorical techniques. memoria (memory): The process of learning and memorizing your speech so you can deliver it without the use of notes. Memory-work not only consisted of memorizing the words of a specific speech, but also storing up famous quotes, literary references, and other facts that could be used in impromptu speeches. actio (delivery): The process of practicing how you deliver your speech using gestures, pronunciation, and tone of voice. Quotes from the show: “These are the two loves: the first is holy, the second foul; the first is social, the second selfish; the first consults the common welfare for the sake of a celestial society, the second grasps at a selfish control of social affairs for the sake of arrogant domination; the first is submissive to God, the second tries to rival God; the first is quiet, the second restless; the first is peaceful, the second trouble-making; the first prefers truth to the praises of those who are in error, the second is greedy for praise, however it may be obtained; the first is friendly, the second envious; the first desires for its neighbor what it wishes for itself, the second desires to subjugate its neighbor; the first rules its neighbor for the good of its neighbor, the second for its own advantage; and these two loves produce a distinction among the angels: the first love belongs to the good angels, the second to the bad angels; and they also separate the two cities founded among the race of men, under the wonderful and ineffable Providence of God, administering and ordering all things that have been created: the first city is that of the just, the second is that of the wicked. Although they are now, during the course of time, intermingled, they shall be divided at the last judgment; the first, being joined by the good angels under its King, shall attain eternal life; the second, in union with the bad angels under its king, shall be sent into eternal fire. Perhaps, we shall treat, God willing, of these two cities more fully in another place.” St. Augustine of Hippo (Translated by Marcus Dod in 1876) Scriptures from the show: “In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 Resources/Links On classical rhetoric: The Liberal Arts Tradition: a Philosophy of Christian Classical Education by Kevin Clark and Ravi Scott Jain is an introduction to classical liberal arts education which includes learning about rhetoric. On the art of rhetoric: If you are interested in an accessible resource to learn about rhetoric,Lindsay recommends this series of blogs on Rhetoric 101. A common reference throughout the show A Rhetoric of Love by Douglas M. Jones re-imagines rhetoric from a Christian perspective and casts a new vision of a Christian Rhetoric of Love versus a Rhetoric of Dominion. More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church pastors Andrew & Addison talk with long time members Don & Sherry Levy about the power of joy. If you have been to Christ Church and met either Don or Sherry Levy, one of the first things you would notice about them is the joy that radiates from them. Quotes from the show:"the dance that God has invited us to...is always going on: the band playing the music of forgiveness never takes a break .. the real job of Christians as far as the world is concerned is simply to dance to the hidden music...to wake the world up to the party" - Robert Farrar Capon, "Between Noon & Three: Romance, Law & the Outrage of Grace" Scriptures from the show:Philippians 4:4-9[4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Resources/Links: Check out the devotional books Don & Sherry mentioned; Tim Keller with Kathy Keller: God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life C.S. Lewis: A Year with C.S. Lewis; Daily readings from His Classic Works Sarah Young: Jesus Calling; Enjoying Peace in His Presence More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member, it's a good way to keep them connected. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church pastors Andrew & Addison talk with long time member Miriam Engler on grief. Miriam has been practicing therapy in the Grand Rapids area and brings her years of experience and wisdom to the present circumstance we all find ourselves in. The traditional five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance), as outlined by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross to describe the emotional journey of preparing for the death of a loved one, plot a useful map as we transit through the uncharted emotional aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic. David Kessler, who worked with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross prior to her death to update the five stages of grief in their 2005 book On Grief and Grieving, stresses that these stages are not linear, and don’t have to be done in any particular order. “One of the things that’s happened over the years is that they’ve become ‘Five easy steps for grieving’ to sort of tidy up our grief, and I always remind people there’s nothing neat or tidy about grief. It’s a very organic process,” he says. …. This prompted his most recent book, Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief, which he published in November 2019, after getting the approval of the Kübler-Ross family to update her iconic stages of grief. “Meaning is so important because many of us, after every tragedy, deal with post-traumatic stress, and meaning is really the key to us having post-traumatic growth,” he explains. Quotes from the show:"the dance that God has invited us to...is always going on: the band playing the music of forgiveness never takes a break .. the real job of Christians as far as the world is concerned is simply to dance to the hidden music...to wake the world up to the party" - Robert Farrar Capon, "Between Noon & Three: Romance, Law & the Outrage of Grace" Scriptures from the show:The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Ps 23:1) Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. (Ps 124:8) All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Ps 139:16) The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. (Prov 16:33) Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. (Matt 10:29) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28) And he [Christ] is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Col 1:17) He [Jesus the Son] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Heb 1:3) Resources/Links: Noticing signs of grief? We would be happy to walk with you through those. Click here to submit a request. More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, that's the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church pastors Andrew & Addison talk with Christ Church Children's Director Debbie Bukovestiki. Debbie has been serving in this position for almost two years at Christ Church. Debbie and her family were missionaries in Ukraine before returning to the states and Grand Rapids. Andrew plays moderator as we look to encourage and come along side all our families with kiddos at Christ Church. Scripture from the show Matthew 19:14 - … but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Mark 10:13-16 - [13] And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. [14] But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. [15] Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” [16] And she took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.” Resources/Links Zondervan’s Jesus Story Book Bible video page. We at Christ Church have put together some Children's Resources for you through the week and during Sunday worship. The Gospel Project is Christ-centered, chronological Bible studies for Kids, Students, and Adults from LifeWay Christian Resources. More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page for all ages. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, thats the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church pastors Andrew & Addison talk with High School seniors and Christ Church regulars Abby Lammers and Quincy Eldersveld. Abby & Quincy lost their senior year due to the Stay Home, Stay Safe orders in response to COVID-19. They both ruminate on what that loss was like, what they have learned and what is coming next. Scripture Romans 8:37-39 Psalm 27:13 “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord…” Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Resources/Links More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, thats the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church pastors Andrew & Addison talk with long time members of Christ Church Bob & Cheryl La Fleur. Bob is a retired ER doc from the area and serving as an elder at Christ Church, and Cheryl serves as the Womens Discipleship ministry at Christ Church. Bob & Cheryl spend some time reflecting on their experiences around death, Bob as an ER doctor and Cheryl with the recent passing of her mom. What wisdom can be gained as we are all faced with the reality of death due to COVID-19. Quotes from the show: “Let no one fear death for the Death of our savior has set us free. He has destroyed it by enduring it. He destroyed Hades when he descended into it. He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh. Isaiah foretold this when he said “ you, o hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below.” Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with. It was in an uproar because it is mocked. It was in an uproar for it is destroyed …Hell took a body, and discovered God. It took earth and encountered heaven. It took what it saw and was overcome by what it did not see. O death where is thy sting? O Hades where is thy victory?” (John Chrysostom) “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3,4 Resources/Links If you want to talk about the process of death, or want some more information about how to be prepared, please reach out here and we will be happy to serve you. Are you grieving death? Has someone near to you just passed and you don’t know how to think about it or what to do next? Just want to talk with a pastor at Christ Church about death, please feel free to reach out, we would be happy to talk. You can find our email addresses here. More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider giving us a rating and leaving a review. That is the best way for people to find this podcast. Also please share these stories and observations about following Jesus with a friend or family member.

On this special episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church pastors Andrew vander Maas and Addison Hawkins talk with their friend and Francis Schaeffer Institute director & Covenant Theological Seminary adjunct professor Mark Ryan. In this episode you will hear how Mark is adjusting to life during COVID-19 as a husband, father, professor and prophet, one of these is a joke, you take a guess! Mark outlines ways Jesus followers can respond to the government restrictions that have been put in place as well as how to think about our response after this is all over. Enjoy. Quotes from the show: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34–35 “In John 13 the point was that, if an individual Christian does not show love toward other true Christians, the world has a right to judge that he is not a Christian. Here Jesus is stating something else which is much more cutting, much more profound: We cannot expect the world to believe that the Father sent the Son, that Jesus’ claims are true, and that Christianity is true, unless the world sees some reality of the oneness of true Christians.” — Francis Schaeffer, The Mark of the Christian Resources/Links: Looking for more information on the Francis Schaeffer Institute? Check out their web-page for information and resources. Want to read and learn about relational evangelism? Check out Heart of Evangelism by Jerram Barrs. Want more resources on apologetics? You can find a short bibliography from Covenant Theological Seminary here. For a fresh way to think about a Jesus followers response to COVID-19 check out this article, Love in the Time of Coronavirus by Andy Crouch. More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Consider rating and reviewing us, thats the best way for people to find this podcast. Also share this show with a friend or family member. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church pastors Andrew & Addison talk with former Gracehill assistant pastor and resident church historian Daniel Eguilez. Just finished Ph.D. on the work of Cyprian from Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids Michigan. Daniel is currently a missionary for Serge to his home country of Peru. Quotes from the show:"This trial, that now the bowels, relaxed into a constant flux, discharge the bodily strength; that a fire originated in the marrow ferments into wounds of the fauces [i.e. back of the mouth]; that the intestines are shaken with a continual vomiting; that the eyes are on fire with the injected blood; that in some cases the feet or some parts of the limbs are taken off by the contagion of diseased putrefaction; that from the weakness arising by the maiming and loss of the body, either the walk is weakened, or the hearing is obstructed, or the sight darkened; —[this trial] is profitable as a proof of faith». Cyrprian," On Mortality, 252 AD Some other plagues from Church History1. 541–542 AD, with recurrences until 750, The Plague of Justinian,2. 14th century, The Black Death is estimated to have killed 30% to 60% of Europe's population.These two «great plagues» killed hundreds of millions of people!3. Martin Luther's, Plague in 1527 in Wittenberg, 4. John Calvin’s, Plague in 1542 in Geneva, 5. Jonathan Edward’s, Smallpox epidemic in 1758 in New Jersey,6. Charles Spurgeon’s, Cholera outbreak in 1854 in London. "Discernment in application of sacrificial love: «There are many factors that set our age apart from others. Before modern hospitals there was no specialized, professional health care. What’s more, previous generations ministered to the sick with little knowledge of how their diseases were transmitted. Carers can be carriers, even when asymptomatic. In such scenarios, self-isolation can be the most loving thing to do, rather than infecting the ones we’re seeking to love. While the outworking of love may look different in different ages, love must still be the aim—a love directed by the Holy Spirit, not our self-centered flesh." (Glen Scrivener for TGC) Resources/Links Find Cyprian's treatises here. For more resources on pandemics & public worship go here. A recent article from The Gospel Coalition on what we learn from Church History. More resources from Christ Church COVID-19 Response page. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple iTunes by clicking here, or on your Android platform you can find us here. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church, pastors Andrew vander Maas & Addison Hawkins talk with Annie Shek who was born and raised in New York City. While Annie & her husband Rich with their son Parker live in Grand Rapids now, Annie has spent most of her life in New York City. As many of you know NYC has been hit very hard by the coronavirus, and this has hit Annie especially hard. Listen along as Annie shares some observations & stories about how this has impacted her life, and the lives of those she loves in NYC. Resources & more connectionsFor up to date numbers on the cases in New York City go here & for an update on the state of New York you can go here. For the most impacted area codes in New York go here. In a time where we are all in this together, the gospel calls for us to stand united together. Yet sometimes we are struck by stories like those that Annie shared about racial injustice. Read this Christianity Today article detailing some of these same accounts. Here's the press release that Annie mentioned that talks about over 1100 hate crimes submitted related to coronavirus. If you have experienced similar hate crime encounters as Annie mentioned during the show please report them here. For more resources from Christ Church, check out our Staying Connected during COVID-19 page. Lamentations[1:1] How lonely sits the citythat was full of people!How like a widow has she become,she who was great among the nations!She who was a princess among the provinceshas become a slave.[2] She weeps bitterly in the night,with tears on her cheeks... [3:17b] my soul is bereft of peace;I have forgotten what happiness is;[18] so I say, “My endurance has perished;so has my hope from the LORD.” [19] Remember my affliction and my wanderings,the wormwood and the gall![20] My soul continually remembers itand is bowed down within me.[21] But this I call to mind,and therefore I have hope:[22] The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;his mercies never come to an end;[23] they are new every morning;great is your faithfulness.[24] “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,“therefore I will hope in him.” Thanks for listening, Grace & Peace.

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church, pastor Addison Hawkins discusses a Theology of Disability with Christ Church members Cassaundra Wolf, Jacob Theilman and Shinji Yasugi. This conversation is based off of a planned Adult Institute or Sunday School class Cassaundra, Jacob and Shinji were prepared to present on. Resources:- To access Jacob's initial Adult Institute talk on this topic you can go here.- For more information on Pine Rest in Grand Rapids Michigan you can check them out here. If you need any behavioral healthcare service Pine Rest is still open and receiving outpatient care. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13 As services resume and we find our rhythm again at Christ Church we plan on presenting this topic again. Thanks for listening, Grace & Peace.

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church, pastors Andrew VanderMaas & Addison Hawkins bring you a conversation with Christ Church member Kuni Hotta. Kuni currently lives in Nagoya Japan where he is finishing his seminary education in preparation for pastoral ministry. You can find more information about Kuni's mission by going to his MTW landing page. Missions, coming from the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:16-20 informs how Christ Church views the Gospel of Jesus Christ going forward around the world. Christ Church supports through prayer, finances and activity missionaries around the globe. For more resources please visit our Resources page, or check out previous episodes of this podcast. Grace & Peace

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church, pastor Andrew VanderMaas brings you a conversation with fellow Christ Church pastors Bryant McGee & Addison Hawkins as well as Gracehill pastor Ben Seneker about the exposure of idols in their lives. During this time of COVID-19 it should be no surprise that idolatry will be exposed. Thinker, author and former pastor of Redeemer in New York Tim Keller talks about idoltry in this helpful way; "Why do we lie, or fail to love, or break our promises, or live selfishly? Of course, the general answer is “Because we are weak and sinful,” but the specific answer is that there is something besides Jesus Christ that we feel we must have to be happy, something that is more important to our heart than God, something that is enslaving our heart through inordinate desires. The key to change (and even to self-understanding) is therefore to identify the idols of the heart.” (The Gospel in Life: Grace Changes Everything, Study Guide (Zondervan, 2010), page 40) Tim Keller goes on to break down four categories of exposed idolatry: If you seek POWER (success, winning, influence)… Your greatest nightmare: Humiliation People around you often feel: Used Your problem emotion: Anger If you seek APPROVAL (affirmation, love, relationships)… Your greatest nightmare: Rejection People around you often feel: Smothered Your problem emotion: Cowardice If you seek COMFORT (privacy, lack of stress, freedom)… Your greatest nightmare: Stress, demands People around you often feel: Neglected Your problem emotion: Boredom If you seek CONTROL (self-discipline, certainty, standards)… Your greatest nightmare: Uncertainty People around you often feel: Condemned Your problem emotion: WorryFor more on idolatry from Tim Keller check out Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters For more resources please visit our Resources page, or check out previous episodes of this podcast. You can also check out Gracehill or find them on Facebook. Psalm 139: 23-24[23] Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts![24] And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Thanks for listening. Grace & Peace

On this episode Andrew & Addison chat with Jenny Pray, a P.A. in the Spectrum health system here in Grand Rapids Michigan. Jenny has been a member at Christ Church for over five years and resides in Ada Michigan with her husband and 2 year old son. She currently works in Colorectal Surgery in the Spectrum Health system. Andrew & Addison discuss with Jenny her response to what the hospital system has to COVID-19 and what she is experiencing in her day to day. As well as some ways in which hospital systems in Grand Rapids are preparing for a spike in patients over the coming 3-4 weeks and what its like to follow Jesus during this time. Jenny is not an official spokesperson for Spectrum Health system. What she talks about come directly from her experiences working inside the health system in Grand Rapids Michigan. As was mentioned during the podcast if you would like to donate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to the health care system there are avenues for doing that. For more information through Spectrum you can click here, or you can try calling the human resources department for your local clinics, inpatient and outpatient facilities. If you need more information please email us at Christ Church and we will happily direct you as we can. Thanks as always to those who have helped us put together this podcast. Grace & Peace.

This week Andrew & Addison have a conversation with Christ Church member Michael Bloem. Michael is a local data scientist, husband and father of three living in Grand Rapids Michigan. Their conversation weaves through areas of Michael's expertise on data and following trends as well as some of Michael's struggle with anxiety over the years and how he has found scripture and God's promises helpful in that battle. If any of you are struggling with mental health, isolation, depression, anxiety or extreme worry please reach out to Christ Church, we are here to serve you, if you would like more information on how to connect with a pastor, or a staff member to contact you during this time you can fill out our Help Form or if you have prayer requests you can make those available for us to pray through on that same form. You can also reach out to a mental health care provider in the area, counselor, friend or family member. Don't let isolation settle in. Michael mentioned some statistics and places to look for good data and information. You can find Michael on Twitter as well as read the following resources he has recommended; - (now quite out of date) fast.ai article Michael read on 3/10 that initially made me aware of the urgency of the situation and that I shared with you Andrew. It highlights the key role of social distancing in helping to avert a likely major healthcare crisis that would be especially fatal to the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions. - Podcast episode discussing that recent Science article Michael mentioned that estimates that 80-90% of coronavirus carriers do not have a detected disease, making social distancing (even when you don't have symptoms) key to fighting the spread. - Michael briefly mentioned the need to "flatten the curve" to avoid hospital overload and many deaths. This post discusses the immense scale of the healthcare overload challenge and just how many additional deaths we might see (could be millions), but also provides some helpful policy suggestions for how to flatten the curve to buy us time to learn and hopefully eventually keep the disease at bay with lower economic costs. - It doesn't have the exact numbers Michael was referencing, but this NYT piece and others like it have helped me understand and mourn the scale of economic devastation coming our way. Thanks as always to the team that helps us put this podcast together. Grace & Peace.

On this episode of Following Jesus with Christ Church, Andrew & Addison discuss work & the loss of work with Christ Church regular Dan Churchwell. During this unprecedented time all of us are impacted, or will be impacted by the rapidly changing economy. Some of us have already experienced job loss, financial strains, the loss of a 401k or other retirement packages or some other stress during COVID-19. How do we acknowledge the real loss yet also still follow Jesus? How do we go about our days when they look radically different than from just over a week ago? What gospel truths can we hang on to through these days? Join us as we discuss these questions and ideas today on the Following Jesus with Christ Church podcast. Special thanks to Dan Churchwell for being our guest today. If you would like to read the C.S. Lewis paper Dan referred to check it out under the resource tab on our Staying Connected Through COVID-19 page. For more resources on faith, work and economics you can check out our January Series from 2019 titled "Walking Worthy of our Calling" on our resources page or check out Acton Institute. Special thanks to Joel Klamer for making our theme music & Kimberly Visser for putting together our artwork for this podcast.