To Be The Church

This week on To Be The Church, Ben is joined by Trevor (Associate Minister at NGC Battle Ground) and Stephen (Local Lead Pastor at NGC Summit View) to explore a fascinating moment in the Gospel of Mark—when Jesus repeatedly tells demons to be silent. Why does He do that? What does it reveal about His mission and authority? And what does this have to do with spiritual warfare today? Join the conversation as the guys dive into Scripture, bust some misconceptions, and unpack what it really means to live with gospel clarity in a spiritually charged world.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Today we're following up on last week's baptism episode by addressing a listener question: What is the relationship between baptism and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit? The team reads from Acts 2:38 and Acts 19:1–7, discusses different theological backgrounds—including the former Assemblies of God roots of the church—and explains why Acts is descriptive rather than prescriptive. They emphasize that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit happens at conversion, before water baptism, and unpack the distinction between John's baptism and baptism in the name of Jesus. They also touch on 1 Peter 3 and the idea of baptism as an appeal to God for a good conscience.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

In this episode, Tyler, Ben, and Andrew dive into the topic of baptism and ask the question: Is this a hill to die on? They explore the role of baptism in the life of the church, where it falls in the framework of theological triage, and whether differing views should divide Christians—or churches. Join the conversation as they unpack conviction, unity, and what truly matters most.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

We all play video games—but is that a problem? In this episode, we talk about how gaming fits (or doesn't fit) into the life of a Christian. Is it just a hobby, or could it be something deeper? Something harmful? Join us as we explore the tension between entertainment, discipleship, and what it means to live faithfully in a digital world.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

We've been gone for a minute… okay, more like six weeks. In this episode of To Be The Church, we explain why the podcast went dark for a bit, what we've been working on behind the scenes, and why we're filming from a brand new set. (Spoiler: it has to do with our NGC 101 membership class.)We also dive into one of the biggest changes in our church's recent history—our new name—and talk about what it means moving forward.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

A listener asks why NGC doesn't observe Ash Wednesday or Lent, given their background in a church that did. In this episode, we discuss how we approach the church calendar—using it when helpful but not feeling bound by tradition. Is Lent something Christians should observe? Can it be beneficial? We break it all down.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

This week, Andrew and Tyler discuss their time at the Church Ventures conference, where Andrew preached to a room full of pastors. They explore the differences between preparing a sermon for pastors versus a typical congregation, the unique challenges of preaching to preachers, and Andrew's process for sermon preparation.Ask a question by emailing podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

It's time for another round of Lyrical Analysis! This week, a listener sent in some wild hymn rewrites from an album called Reclaimed Hymns for Former Church Kids—where classic church songs get a secular, anti-religious twist. The guys break down the lyrics, have some laughs, and talk about why the “gospel” in these songs is no gospel at all. What's the heart and world view behind these rewrites? Ask a question by emailing podcast@tobethechurch.com or comment below.Social Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

In this episode, Andrew, Tyler, and Ben dive into the question: Should church leaders be concerned with the personal beliefs and statements of worship songwriters, or just the lyrics we sing on Sundays? They also explore how this applies to quoting preachers and authors—should their theology and public statements affect whether we reference their work in our churches? Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

This week, the guys dive into the encounter between Joshua and the Commander of the Lord's Army in Joshua 5 and 6. Was this a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus, or an embodiment of God's divine presence?Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Snowed in? No problem. This week, the guys jump on Zoom to tackle an important topic: how to handle Old Testament passages with care—both in preaching and in musical worship songs. Haven't watched us on youtube. Head to youtube.com/tobethechurch to check out the channel.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Today on TBTC, the guys discuss Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde's plea to President Donald Trump during a national interfaith prayer gathering earlier this week, the recent history of the Episcopal Church & prominent religious leaders within politics. Read Andrew's book recommendation here: 10 Commandments of Progressive Christianity By: Michael J. Krugerhttps://www.amazon.com/Commandments-Progressive-Christianity-Cruciform-Quick-ebook/dp/B0821X99RMAsk a question by emailing podcast@tobethechurch.com or comment below.Social Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/@UCWZ70CgsjgmfIpmqWJ3EJHQ

At The Family of Churches, we began teaching through the book of Joshua. Andrew and Ben talk about how Northwest Gospel and the other preachers will be approaching this Old Testament Historical Narrative, as well as how to handle most of the OT. Tyler asks how this affects people who have heard preaching counter to how they do it.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comInstagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Today is Quitter's Day. Have you kept up with your New Year's resolutions? If you have, what are yours? Today, the guys talk about their personal New Year resolutions as well as a quote one of the local lead pastors shared with them on God's grace of giving us a fresh start.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Are Christians who are married commanded to have children? Is waiting a sin? Can a married couple be obedient and not have children? Ben, Tyler, and Andrew dive deep into this question. Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

What does the day in the life of a pastor look like? This week, Andrew, Ben, and Tyler discuss their average week as full-time lead and executive pastors. Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Tim Keller wrote an article in 2010 on church-size dynamics. Does the size of your church change the way you do youth ministry? Should a youth group function as a church within a church? How much time should a youth pastor spend with each student and leader? This and more on this episode of To Be The Church.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Should the local church be run like a business? How can a Pastor and leadership learn and lean on general business practices? Andrew and Ben discuss a book Andrew read recently and how it influences how he leads the church.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Andrew is joined by guest Cody Wisenbaker to talk about abortion and cultural conversations. How should Christians engage the culture in a meaningful way that doesn't devolve into shouting? They talk through both the local and global levels.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Four days out from the election, Andrew and Tyler discuss the role of a pastor and their responsibility to equip their congregation politically. To what level and how should a pastor equip his flock politically? Can you ask your pastor about their politics? Can you ask your pastor how to vote? Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Has this election season seemed quiet at NGC? Is this true? What has changed since past elections, and what are leaders doing to help equip the church to be the church in 2024?Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Do Christians use politics to fulfill their spiritual needs and then go to church to have their political biases affirmed? Tyler and Andrew address this quote they saw on X and more.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Ben shows Tyler & Andrew his new plate & it's rich back story. They also discuss church buildings, passing on the faith to the next generation & the historical significance of where we are as The Family of Churches.Ask a question by emailing podcast@tobethechurch.com or comment below.Social Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurch

The Family of Churches is a partnership between Northwest Gospel Church and Summit View Church, and today, one of the local lead pastors, Kenan Stolz of Summit View Church Westside, introduces himself to the TBTC listeners. Also, Andrew and Tyler ask Kenan what has changed and what he is excited about in this partnership.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Ben and Tyler analyze some lyrics of a song sent in by a listener. The lyrics seemed fine until the very end, but then it just got weird.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Andrew is back, and he tells us about his family's plan to do no-phone Fridays. Ben and Andrew also discuss a question about The Family of Churches, the partnership between Summit View Church and Northwest Gospel Church.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

A listener responds to Ben's sermon on Psalm 82. Is the divine council composed of spirits and other gods, or earthly rulers? Ben addresses an alternative interpretation of Psalm 82.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Ben and Tyler discuss the Sabbath and rest. Is five days of rest in a single month too much? If God designed us to rest, why is it so hard for people to make time for it?Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

This week, Andrew chimes in on a past episode about Donald Trump and Christians, bringing another perspective on the topic. In addition, Tyler, Andrew, and Ben ask themselves, what should Christians expect from their government? Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Northwest Gospel Church made an announcement a few weeks ago; today, the guys discussed it. Churches unite for the gospel's sake and to see Jesus glorified.Submit a question by emailing podcasr@tobethechurch.com

This week, Ben and Tyler talk about people using the Bible out of context to talk about Trump and the assassination attempt made on the former president's life. What is the damage and is it wrong?

Were the Apocrypha books removed by the Protestants or added by the Catholic church? In addition, Ben and Tyler addressed some listener questions from last week's episode.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com

This week, Ben poses a question he received from a friend. Does a Christian have to be married by their pastor, or can anyone do it? After Ben, Andrew, and Tyler answer Ben's questions, they jump to over wedding questions and even funerals.Contact:Podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media @tobethechurch

We respond to the comments from our "Victims of the Accept Jesus Heresy" episode, answering questions that came up as Andrew chimed into the conversation for the first time. Tyler also gave a Hobby Lobby "PSA" from a random listener.CONTACT US:podcast@tobethechurch.comfacebook.com/tobethechurchtwitter.com/tobethechurchinstagram.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

This week, Tyler and Ben discuss Biblical baptism. Why would someone be baptized, when should they be baptized, and in front of whom? CONTACT US:podcast@tobethechurch.comfacebook.com/tobethechurchtwitter.com/tobethechurchinstagram.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

If you accept Jesus, but your life doesn't change, are you not saved? Ben and Tyler break this idea down and more!CONTACT US:podcast@tobethechurch.comfacebook.com/tobethechurchtwitter.com/tobethechurchinstagram.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

This week, Ben is preaching Psalm 100 and asked Tyler how this text affects how NGC responds, praises, and worships both in and out of the gathering. All this and more on this episode of To Be The Church.CONTACT US:podcast@tobethechurch.comfacebook.com/tobethechurchtwitter.com/tobethechurchinstagram.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Do people seek God, or do people just have a God-shaped hole in their heart that makes them look for "god substitutes"? Tyler and Andrew address this and listen to a 90's Plumb song. CONTACT US:podcast@tobethechurch.comfacebook.com/tobethechurchtwitter.com/tobethechurchinstagram.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Ben and Andrew discuss Ben's preaching schedule and different ministry contexts. The two of them also react a few Instagram posts they have seen recently and what they think about them.CONTACT US:podcast@tobethechurch.comfacebook.com/tobethechurchtwitter.com/tobethechurchinstagram.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Tyler and Andrew dive into the popular tv show, The Chosen. Should Christians watch a dramatization of the life of Christ, or should viewers stay away? If Christians shouldn't, does that mean Christians shouldn't watch The Passion of the Christ and things like it? CONTACT US:podcast@tobethechurch.comfacebook.com/tobethechurchtwitter.com/tobethechurchinstagram.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Ben and Tyler reflected on the A29 conference they were just at. They also answered a listener's question on Matthew 27. Why does it seem like preachers gloss over the fact that there were others raised from the dead during the death of Jesus Christ? CONTACT US:podcast@tobethechurch.comfacebook.com/tobethechurchtwitter.com/tobethechurchinstagram.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Andrew and Tyler talk music in the church! Why would a church choose to sing certain songs, and are certain genres or styles better than others? Tyler breaks down NGC's philosophy and more in today's episode. CONTACT US:podcast@tobethechurch.comfacebook.com/tobethechurchtwitter.com/tobethechurchinstagram.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

If you are saved by grace, why are you still being saved? This week, the guys discussed the idea of being saved from the Northwest Gospel Church mission statement. Contact Us At:podcast@tobethechurch.comyoutube.com/tobethechurchinstagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurch

This week, Andrew and Ben talk about sermons. How do they prep? Does it change from week to week? Would they ever "phone in" and sermon? Contact Us: podcast@tobethechurch.cominstagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

This week, Ben and Andrew talk about Holy Week and their approach to preaching for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. They ask the question, what are you winning new comers to?CONTACT US: podcast@tobethechurch.comfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurchinstragram.com/tobethechurch

How does Andrew approach expositional preaching? Andrew discusses a class on how he was taught and developed his preaching processes. The guys also discuss an odd encounter at the church office. You can also watch the video podcast at youtube.com/tobethechurchCONTACT US:podcast@tobethechurch.comfacebook.com/tobethechurchtwitter.com/tobethechurchinstagram.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

The next election is upon us. This week, the guys talk about the next election and why they choose not to endorse a candidate as a church leader. CONTACT US:podcast@tobethechurch.comfacebook.com/tobethechurchtwitter.com/tobethechurchinstagram.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Does God cause people harm on purpose? This week, all three guys address a listener's question about God sending a harmful spirit to King Saul. What does this mean, and what are the implications for us Christians today?CONTACT US:podcast@tobethechurch.comfacebook.com/tobethechurchtwitter.com/tobethechurchinstagram.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

This week, Tyler and Ben addressed a common question: Do you have to be baptized to be a Christian? After addressing the question, they talk about baptism and church membership. Why would someone need to be baptized to be a member of some churches?CONTACT US:podcast@tobethechurch.comfacebook.com/tobethechurchtwitter.com/tobethechurchinstagram.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

This week Andrew and Tyler talk about our churches statement of faith. Why would we update it, what was changed, and why would a church change theirs.Contact us:podcast@tobethechurch.comFacebook: @tobethechurchInstagram: @tobethechurch

49ers Vs. The Chiefs. This week the guys talk about the Super Bowl and their thoughts on the game. As well, did God tell a online Pastor to start and sell a crypto currency? CONTACT US:podcast@tobethechurch.comfacebook.com/tobethechurchtwitter.com/tobethechurchinstagram.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch