Podcasts about churches

What is church production like in Australia? Hillsong Church's Reid Wall joins us to discuss the differences in church tech down under, the origins of Hillsong Church and the creative solutions he has created. In this episode you'll hear: 1:00 – Journey Church: Behind-the-Scenes Tech Story6:00 – Reid Wall Joins the Show11:00 – The Origin of Hillsong Church15:00 – Church Culture & Tech in Australia19:30 – What to Expect at Gather 2025 (Church Production Focus)25:45 – Baffle Blake: Sponsored by HouseRight30:30 – Real Church Tech Problems & Creative Solutions39:15 – Church Tech Fail: Production Disaster Story44:30 – Tech Takeaway: Who Are You Mentoring?Whether you're looking for your next job opportunity or looking for an integrator partner for your next project, you have to check out our friends at HouseRight. Apply for ChurchGear Tech Jobs HereResources for your Church Tech Ministry Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here! Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!

Welcome to Walking the Way. My name is Ray, and I really want to say thank you to everyone for listening in as we share in a regular rhythm of worship and devotion together. CreditsOpening Prayerhttps://www.prayerscapes.com/prayers/times/thursday_prayer.html#ixzz6s534OiOOBible versePsalm 88:17 Thought for the dayRay BorrettBible PassagePsalm 88New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.Prayer HandbookClick here to download itSupporting Walking the WayIf you want to support Walking the Way, please go to: https://ko-fi.com/S6S4WXLBBor you can subscribe to the channel: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/walkingtheway/subscribeTo contact Ray: Please leave a comment or a review. I want to find out what people think and how we make it better.www.rayborrett.co.ukwalkingthewaypodcast@outlook.comwww.instagram.com/walkingtheway1@raybrrtt

Speaker: Jeremy Kreuze

A Christian Science Bible Lesson read from New Revised Standard Version, copyright National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA and 21st Century Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: A modern version of Mary Baker Eddy's Science and Health, copyright by Cheryl Petersenhttps://healingsciencetoday.wordpress.com/

Join Richard Harris and Roland Warren, President of Care Net, as they address the abortion crisis with bold faith and practical solutions. Learn how the church can lead with compassion, engage fathers, promote discipleship, and offer real hope to women. Discover powerful testimonies, new ministry initiatives, and free resources that equip believers to take action and save lives. Charlie Kirk is coming to the T&L Annual Conference, which is scheduled for Sept 11-13. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.truthandliberty.net/subscribe   Get "Hope For The Future" here: https://info.truthandliberty.net/hope   Donate here: https://www.truthandliberty.net/donate   Original Air Date 06-06-25

After a decade as a church communications director, Amelia Simmons took a bold step: redefining her career on her own terms. Motivated by the birth of her son, who was diagnosed with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS), Amelia knew the traditional 9-to-5 wouldn't work for her family. In this episode, Ashley Brock sits down with Amelia to explore her inspiring journey of building her purpose-driven business through paid ads.   Connect with Ashley: Join the Challenge: Win with Paid Ads Challenge  Buy the Book: How to Win with Paid Ads Instagram: @ads.with.ashley YouTube: @ads.with.ashley   Follow Amelia:  Instagram Account(s): @blazestudio.design, @chillson_cdls

It's Wednesday, June 4th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus Christians persecuted in Mali, Africa by military junta Christians are facing increased persecution in Mali after the military junta initiated a crackdown in May. The military of the West African nation dissolved all political parties in the crackdown. Jo Newhouse with Open Doors Sub-Saharan Africa said, “Christians in Mali have faced increasing persecution over the past few years. By closing the democratic space, and further encroaching on civil liberties, the junta is adding unwelcome pressure to an already volatile situation.” Please pray for the church in Mali, Africa. The country is ranked 14th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian.  Ukrainian evangelist: Thousands coming to Christ A Ukrainian evangelist addressed the European Congress on Evangelism in Berlin, Germany last Thursday. Evangelist David Karcha reported that Ukrainian Evangelicals have been ministering to their fellow countrymen since Russia invaded the country in 2022. Churches are seeing thousands of people come to Christ during the war. Karcha said, “In the world's eyes, Ukraine is a story of war. But in God's eyes, it is a story of revival, a story that reminds us all that the Gospel advances.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds … and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” American economy predicted to grow by only 1.6% this year The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development cut its economic growth outlook for the United States. The group forecasts the U.S. economy will expand by 1.6% this year, down from its previous forecast of 2.2%. Experts also expect global economic growth to slow this year in the wake of U.S President Donald Trump's tariff policies. They also noted, “trade uncertainty and economic policy uncertainty has reached unprecedented levels.” Dept of Ed. shuns homosexual pride month, celebrates Title IX month To its credit, the U.S. Department of Education is not celebrating homosexual pride month in the month of June. Instead, the Trump administration is recognizing June as “Title IX Month.” Title IX of the Education Amendments was signed into law by President Richard Nixon on June 23, 1972. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs. However, the Biden administration tried to inject transgender protections into the law. Under Trump's Education Department, the administration is promising to protect women's and girls' sports from such transgender activism.  Muslim immigrant used flamethrower on peaceful pro-Israel group in CO An immigrant, motivated by anti-Semitic beliefs, has been accused of brutally attacking a peaceful pro-Israel group advocating for Israeli hostages held captive by the Muslim terrorist group known as Hamas, reports The Blaze. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national in the United States despite reportedly overstaying his visa, is suspected of attacking a group of individuals participating in a walk in Boulder, Colorado at 2:00pm on June 1st. According to CNN, he allegedly used a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to set people on fire at an event in support of hostages in Gaza as he yelled “Free Palestine.” He injured at least 12 people. The victims ranged in age from 52 to 88 years old, including a Holocaust survivor. The U.S. Attorney General's office has charged Soliman with a hate crime. The attack targeted the “Run for Their Lives” group, a grassroots organization that gathered on Pearl Street on Sunday evening to support the release of the hostages captured by the terrorist group in October 2023. According to the FBI, the Jewish group chapter gathers weekly. Maya Bajayo is the organizer of the “Run for Their Lives” group. BAJAYO: “We're here only to raise awareness for the hostages. It makes it even more scary for us that it could have been us.” Amazingly, Bajayo, who has been leading the walk for 83 Sundays straight, refuses to stop walking despite the threat of violence. She explained why to Channel 9 News. BAJAYO: “To show people that we're still here, the problem hasn't been solved, and the hostages need to be released. We're just not going to give up on them.” Oklahoma Governor: "Life begins at conception.” During June, Oklahoma is celebrating  a “Month for Life.” Republican Governor Kevin Stitt signed the proclamation Monday. He wrote on X, “Life begins at conception. We're committed to supporting moms every step. And God has a plan for every life.” The proclamation encouraged citizens to join the Oklahoma March for Life on Saturday, June 7. 10th anniversary of Supreme Court's pro-homosexual marriage ruling The U.S. Supreme Court handed down its Obergefell v. Hodges decision 10 years ago on June 26, 2015. The infamous ruling requires states to recognize same-sex unions as marriages.  A new survey from Gallup found that 68% of U.S. adults support faux same-sex marriage, up from 60% in 2015. However, that support has plateaued over the last five years.  No one shared why they like The Worldview in 5 Minutes And finally, I would love to know why you enjoy listening to The Worldview in 5 Minutes.  Do you like the variety of stories, the reports on the persecuted church, the Christian worldview, the 2 Scriptures, the soundbites, the links to additional information in our transcript, or the occasional uplifting, positive story?  Email me 2-6 sentences and include your name, city, and state.  Surprisingly, I did not get a single email on Tuesday despite the fact that tens of thousands of people listen to the newscast or read the transcript.  Send your email to Adam@TheWorldview.com. 18 listeners gave $4,202 to fund The Worldview newscast Toward this week's $30,875 goal to fund one-fourth of The Worldview newscast budget by this Friday, June 6th, 18 listeners stepped up to the plate.  Our thanks to Joshua in Bolivar, Missouri who gave $30 as well as Rachelle in Longview, Washington, Margaret in White Salmon, Washington, Jeremy in Swansea, Wales in the United Kingdom, and Karena in Eugene, Oregon – each of whom gave $50. We appreciate Dick in Hoyt, Kansas, Hannah in San Jose, California, David in Plano, Texas, Adam in Gile, Wisconsin, and David in Crestview, Florida – each of whom gave $100. We're grateful to God for Hannah in Green Valley, Arizona who gave $132,Genevieve in Wheat Ridge, Colorado who pledged $20/month for 12 months for a gift of $240, Kristen in Columbia Falls, Montana who gave $250, and Luis and Patricia in Kyle, Texas who pledged $25/month for 12 months for a gift of $300. And we appreciate the generosity of Steven in Coatesville, Pennsylvania who gave $350, James in Cardiff, Wales in the United Kingdom who pledged $50/month for 12 months for a gift of $600, Patricia in  Winfield, Iowa who gave $700, and Larry and Sue in Crooked Creek , Alberta, Canada who pledged $75/month for 12 months for a gift of $900. Those 18 listeners gave a total of $4,202. Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please.  (Drum toll sound effect) $4,932 (People clapping sound effect)  That means by this Friday, we still need to raise $26,873. We missed our goal of 20 donors on Tuesday by only 2 donors.  In order to hit our goal by this Friday, June 6th, we need to raise $8,957 on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.   Toward that end, I wonder if there might be 4 Worldview listeners who could give $1,000.  Another 8 who would pledge $50/month. And 12 more who would pledge $25/month.  That would enable us to raise $11,800 on Wednesday. Maybe we can hit 20 donors today. Go to TheWorldview.com and click on Give on the top right.    Click on the button that indicates a recurring donation if you want to give monthly. Where else can you find a succinct and timely newscast with a Biblical perspective? Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, June 4th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Why do some unhealthy churches seem to be growing rapidly? In this episode, we peel back the layers behind fast-growing churches and explore whether all that glitters is truly gold. Join us as we discuss the hidden factors that can fuel church growth and how to discern authentic health from surface-level success. Your hosts are Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu from The Malphurs Group. Each week, we bring practical insights and real-world advice to help pastors and leaders revitalize their churches and lead with confidence. Whether you're a first-time listener or a longtime subscriber, we're here to help your church thrive. In this episode, we cover: - The dangers and appeal of charismatic leadership [06:01] - How consumer-oriented programs can spark attendance without real transformation [10:03] - The impact of location and demographics on church growth [15:29] - The role of transfer growth and what it really means for church health [20:13] - Practical steps to focus on healthy discipleship and mission [22:50] Links & Resources: - The Healthy Churches Toolkit: healthychurchestoolkit.com - Full episode article & resources: malphursgroup.com/293 - Connect with us: Website - More revitalization tools and leadership tips: YouTube Looking to build a thriving, healthy church? Explore the Healthy Churches Toolkit and other resources linked above!

(Youth Camp Sermon) - The 7 Churches of Revelation begin with Ephesus. They are a church that is doing many things right, but idolatry has crept in and hardened their heart. Could the same be true of us?

(Youth Camp Sermon) - We end our time in the 7 Churches of Revelation with the only 2 churches that Jesus does not correct. Philadelphia & Smyrna are in deep trouble with the world. Some of them are even about to die. But Jesus goes with them, even into death, and He will bring them out again.

Have you ever wondered how different cultures approach spiritual truth? Noks Shabalala shares her journey from ancestral worship in South Africa to Christian faith, offering fresh cultural perspectives on boldly communicating gospel truth with love rather than diplomatic politeness. Her multicultural background and direct communication style challenge listeners to prioritize mission over tradition and make the gospel accessible to everyone.• South African culture values direct, straightforward communication compared to American diplomatic politeness• Ancestral worship creates mediators between people and God, requiring sacrifices and rituals that keep people in spiritual bondage• Jesus modeled bold truth-telling with love, not prioritizing human approval over God's mission• Colonization damaged gospel reception when those introducing Jesus also perpetrated abuse• Churches risk becoming gatekeepers rather than gateways when they hoard theological resources instead of sharing them widely• The gospel must transcend cultural barriers while maintaining its transformative truth• Heaven will contain people from every nation, tribe and tongue - not just those who match our cultural or theological profileFriar TimeThrough meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Tailwind TalksTailwind Talks is a podcast for high-performing professionals who want to build...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showWatch Us On Youtube!

The 7 Churches of Revelation begin with Ephesus. They are a church that is doing many things right, but idolatry has crept in and hardened their heart. Could the same be true of us?

The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira relate to our own day and age perfectly. While both churches are doing several things right, they struggle in 2 main areas: sexual immorality, and idolatry of politics. The American Church has much to learn from these two groups.

We end our time in the 7 Churches of Revelation with the only 2 churches that Jesus does not correct. Philadelphia & Smyrna are in deep trouble with the world. Some of them are even about to die. But Jesus goes with them, even into death, and He will bring them out again.

Send us a textPull a seat up at the table and join us in a conversation with Mike Lazenby with the IMB.  We continue the recent theme of further understanding MS Baptists' partnership with the missional sending arm of the Southern Baptist Convention.  Hear ways you can lead your church to a sending, missional, church with help from our Mississippi regional connection at IMB.  Around the Corner Events: All Events: mbcb.org/eventsJune 9: Mississippi Baptist Fellowship at SBC - DallasJune 10-11: Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting - DallasJune 24-28: HearSong Worship Arts Camp July 8-11: SMACK CampJuly 8-12: Super Summer July 24-26: State Literacy Missions & Christian Job Corps ConferenceAugust 7: Impact Training - FBC PhiladelphiaAugust 11: Impact Training - North Greenwood BCAugust 12: Impact Training - FBC TupeloAugust 18: Impact Training - FBC LaurelAugust 19: Impact Training - FBC NatchezContacts: Jon Martin, Chief Strategy Officer - jmartin@mbcb.orgTanner Cade, Communication Services Director - tcade@mbcb.org

Miguel Angel Angeles, executive director of Bethel Radio & TV, shares the history of a ministry that started with one Christian asking a radio station to play audio cassettes of his sermons on the air. As the radio ministry encouraged and built up the church, it expanded into Venezuela, Colombia, and other areas. Today, Bethel is a network of hundreds of radio and television stations, based in Peru and reaching Spanish speakers all over Latin America and the world. Miguel will share about his own start serving in IT with Bethel TV, and how he came to understand the importance of bringing awareness of the persecuted body of Christ through Bethel programming. “My first time listening about the persecuted church was when Petr Jasek came to a conference in Peru to share his testimony,” Miguel said, “and it created a hunger for me to learn more.” After hearing speak at a conference about his own arrest in Sudan, Miguel's church began to meet every Monday to pray for the persecuted church and to learn more about fellow believers facing Christian persecution. Week after week, God prepared Miguel's heart as it was continuously stretched by the stories of bold faith in the face of hostility and persecution. After reading Tortured for Christ, by Richard Wurmbrand, the founder of The Voice of the Martyrs, Miguel knew he needed to share about persecuted Christians with the broader church in Latin America and with his radio audience. Listen as Miguel shares the heart of his church for missions. Churches dedicate one Sunday a month to focus on missions and missionaries. You and your church will be encouraged to make missions and praying for persecuted Christians a regular part of your worship gatherings as well. Pray this week for Miguel, his family, and Bethel Radio & TV as they continue serving the Lord and sharing the voice of persecuted Christians with Spanish-speaking people around the world.

1 Corinthians 3.1-23

In this sermon, we examine our roots in Churches of Christ, and why the cause of restoration is a worthy one to pursue. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pdchurch.substack.com

Like, comment and subscribe to stay updated with the latest content from Hope Centre! CONNECT WITH US AT: ► Website: https://www.hopecentre.com/ ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopecentre.intl ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopecentre #HopeCentre #HopeCentreBrisbane #BrisbaneChurch

Brandon Steele | 06.01.25 | ethoschurch.org

News Stories: Disposal of Temple Garments: Women stopping at nothing to get hands on new garments https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/us/mormon-undergarments.html Buriel v. Cremation https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/05/23/latter-day-saints-other-believers/ Staying Alive! https://www.ldsdaily.com/world/latter-day-saint-teen-saves-coachs-life-with-cpr-learned-days- earlier/ Yoga and LDS are they compatible https://www.the-independent.com/news/yoga-god-mormon-hindu-salt-lake-city-b2757902.htm SLC Temple Update https://www.deseret.com/faith/2025/05/29/salt-lake-temple-renovation-update/ BYU Wards and Stakes by the Numbers https://www.deseret.com/faith/2025/05/22/how-many-wards-stakes-serve-byu-students/ 37 New Hymns Since last year… https://latterdaysaintmag.com/uniting-the-saints-through-song-inside-the-new-latter-day-saint- hymnbook/ Mormon in the Media Lita Talks https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/bachelors-litia-on-mormonism-dating-and-a- message-to-juliana/? Secrete Lives of Mormon Wives – Arianne fill us in! DCC and Netflix documentary- Tiffany speaks! MBB: Don't Burn down Churches: https://krcgtv.com/news/local/man-who-burned-down-a-missouri-church-sentenced-to-more- than-nine-years-in-prison?f Ammon Bundy https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05/01/fugitive-ammon-bundy-offers/ https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/04/27/anti-government-zealot-ammon-bundy/

Destiny Magnett is part of a wonderful team at one of my favorite organizations, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP). Destiny has travelled extensively to the Middle East and has been personally impacted by her education and experiences with people living in the land as they are impacted by the conflict, policies, wars, and politics. … Continue reading Episode 303 – Destiny Magnett

Rev2:7 The Spirit Says To The Churches

What do you know about the kingdom of God? One interesting and exciting insight is that it was the central teaching of Jesus. “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'” Matthew 4:17. Despite the kingdom of heaven (or God) being so central, many Christians have no idea of its significance. In this new sermon series called The Shift, we are going to look at the gospel of Matthew, who focused more on this subject than any of the other gospel writers. We will discover that the Kingdom of God is at odds with our world, and one of power, beauty and radical worth, ruled by Jesus Christ the King of all kings. Yet living under the rule of a king, even if it is God, strikes against our instincts. After all, we are Americans, liberated from the English Monarchs. What freedom awaits the Christian who begins to shift their focus and allegiance to live for the kingdom that endures forever. We begin by looking at the birth of the King of this kingdom and learn to sit at His feet as His disciples. Follow us as we follow the disciple Matthew who shows us the majesty of King Jesus and the radical life of living in His kingdom!

Jeremy talks to Sarah Wood of Dwellings, to get her insights after 4+ years of helping people start home communities and house churches. Their model expects growth and multiplication, and this was a great episode that has a relatable back story and super practical, boots on the ground tips for how to start your own community and/or church. In this episode, we talk about: 0:00 Intro 2:46 The Dwellings Story 6:07 Navigating The Shift To Home Church, And Finding Resources 13:38 The Presence of Christ 16:05 Helping Other Small Groups Launch 21:14 Insights After 4+ Years 29:52 Multiplying And Growing 34:25 Kids in House Church 36:19 Branding Resources Mentioned: Dwellings: https://dwellings.info/ Dwellings IG: https://www.instagram.com/dwllngs Kansas City Underground: https://kcunderground.org/ The Grace Outpouring by Roy Godwin: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0781408466/ ---

Faithful Stewardship, Disciplined Giving Please turn to 2 Corinthians 8. Our sermon text will begin with verse 16 and will continue through chapter 9 verse 5. You can find that on page 1150. I think, of all the passages we've studied so far in 2 Corinthians, this one has the most context. It has a lot of specifics about the churches and people. Multiple associates of the apostle Paul's are referenced. Some are named and others are not. The big picture is that Paul is sending 3 delegates to Corinth. That includes Titus. They are being sent to collect the offering that the Corinthians had promised. By the way, Paul calls this delegation his “brothers.” They are not literal brothers. Rather, they are spiritual brothers in the faith. Even though this is a narrative, we learn important things about (1) integrity in financial stewardship and (2) obedience in giving. As I read, listen for those examples. Reading of 2 Corinthians 8:16-9:5 Prayer As you may know, our philosophy of preaching involves working through books of the Bible. One of the benefits of doing that is that we are forced to deal with difficult or uncomfortable subjects as they come up in the Scriptures. That's a good thing. Well, starting last Sunday, we've come to one of those sensitive topics. Giving. I think this is the first time we've had a sermon (or sermons), that focuses on giving or stewardship. I mention that because if you are visiting or have been visiting, these chapters on giving are part of the message of 2 Corinthians. In other words, we didn't pick these two chapter so we could focus on giving. Rather they picked us. They are just part of the message of 2 Corinthians. And even though it is sensitive, it is important for us. Truly, matters of giving are matters of the heart. As we learned last week, God's grace is the foundation to these 2 chapters. Giving is called an “act of God's grace.” It is God who gives his grace to the giver… He turns his or her heart to give. Furthermore, it is God who blesses the receiver. He likewise bestows his mercy and grace on them. And at the very heart of God's grace is the grace of God in Christ. Remember, chapter 8 verse 9 is key to it all. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” Jesus Christ, God the son, became a man for us. He, in humility, bore our sin on the cross. Jesus endured the shame. You see, he became poor in that way… And through that amazing grace, he has given us riches. Not earthly riches, but riches of his mercy and kindness. In Christ, we have been given peace with God. We have been given the righteousness of Christ. We are now honored not because of any goodness of our own, but only because of the goodness of God in Christ. The grace of God in Christ is what's it's all about. That is why these 2 chapters over and over emphasis the heart. It is about God's transforming grace in us. And an outworking of that grace is a heart desire to give. If you don't remember anything else about last week and this week, remember this. The act of grace in giving is God's act of grace in Christ. Now, if you are still evaluating Christianity, I want you to know that giving will not put you in the good graces of God. You will not merit his favor by donating. Not at all. God does not want or need your money. Rather, he wants you to give something far more difficult to give. He wants you to give your life to him. Jesus said, “if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.” To put it in terms of 2 Corinthians 8. God's grace is what enables us to recognize our spiritual poverty and recognize our need for the riches of God's mercy. If you are not a believer in Christ, don't give your resources, give your heart. Let me make one final opening comment. There's an really underlying theme that spans both of these chapters, but it is not explicit. And that theme is the unity of the visible church. You see, part of the message of chapter 8 and 9 is that those in the church around the world are united to one another. The Macedonians are brothers and sisters in Christ with the Corinthians. And both the Macedonians and the Corinthians are united together with the poor Christians in Jerusalem. Paul is calling on the church to support the needs of one another no matter the tribe, tongue, or nation. We share something far more important than our culture or language or ethnicity. We share in Christ. To be sure, I'm not diminishing the importance of culture or ethnicity, rather I'm saying that the thing that unites all believers together (all around the world) is Jesus. There are many Christians and churches around the world that have many needs – some are enduring the consequence of war like Christians in Gaza or Ukraine. Others like in Africa or Southeast Asia are in environments of extreme poverty. I don't know what burdens God has placed upon each of you to give… or how we as a church can best support those brothers and sisters in Christ. But God has called us to do so in some way. Perhaps we can find ways to give and support those in deep need. Ok, with that background in mind, let's now shift our attention to these specific verses. We'll consider two main things this morning. #1. The Stewardship of Giving #2. The Discipline of Giving Stewardship… meaning that the resources of the church are God's resources. His kingdom resources – we are stewards and therefore we have the responsibility to administer them with integrity. And discipline… meaning spiritual discipline. we have the responsibility to follow through on the call to give. Giving is a discipline just like other areas of the Christian life. #1 - The Stewardship of Giving And both of these points are exemplified in our passage this morning. In other words, stewardship and discipline are principles modelled for us in these verses. Remember, the apostle Paul is in Macedonia. He's in the northern part of ancient Greece. He's experienced their generosity. In the beginning of chapter 8, he uses the Macedonians as an example for the Corinthians to follow. And now Paul turns his attention to the Corinthians. And one of the things we learn is that the Corinthians had promised to give to the church in Jerusalem. Their promise happened before the false teachers had stirred up dissent. But, nonetheless, they had promised to contribute. Now, Paul recognized the sensitivity of everything that had happened. And because of that, he wanted to ensure the utmost integrity in giving. In other words, he doesn't want anyone to question the legitimacy of the giving. He doesn't want the Corinthians to think that he is taking any of the contributions. He doesn't want his presence to coerce the Corinthians or make them think that this is just his own personal agenda. And so, to address that, here's what he does: he sends this delegation of three men to collect their gifts. Titus is one of them. He was well known by the Corinthians. In fact, Titus had just returned to Paul after visiting with them. And then two other brothers are mentioned. Look at verse 18 – “With him [with Titus] we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel.” This brother, whoever he is, had a reputation of faithfulness among the churches. And he was a great preacher of the Gospel. We don't know who he was. Some scholars and pastors have made educated guesses. I have my thoughts. But he is not named because it does not matter to us. Ok, then there's a third guy mentioned in verse 22. It says, “And with them [you know, with Titus and the other brother] we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters...” We get the sense from the end of verse 22 that he was also known by the Corinthians. So, this delegation was sent… But why did they go? Well, look at verses 20. It captures their purpose. It says, “We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us.” They wanted to be blameless. Do you see that? They wanted to be above reproach. They were overseeing financial gifts and wanted all to be assured of their integrity in handling the donations. And why did they want to be so careful? Verse 21 answers that: “…for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.” Integrity all around. First, to honor God because they recognized they were stewards of the gifts. And second so that the Corinthians knew of their care in the administration of the gifts. Do you see it now? How this is an example of Godly stewardship and integrity. Stewardship and integrity is just as critical today as it was 2000 years ago. In 2020, a study estimated that 6.5% of donations given by Christians globally is lost to fraud and embezzlement. 6.5%. The study was referring to Christians around the world giving to churches, to charities, and to other non-profits. 6.5% translates to about 52 billion dollars annually. It's just an estimate, but it gives us an order of magnitude of the severity of the problem. That is sad to hear. I suspect some of you know believers who have gotten caught up in fraud of some kind. Or you know of churches that have gone through financial scandals. When I moved to Atlanta in the mid-1990s, I worked for a Christian ministry. That ministry was duped by a so-called Christian philanthropist. He promised that if they invested in his financial firm, he would double or triple their investment in one year. Churches, ministries, and Christian universities were all fleeced by this guy. It turned out to be a Ponzi scheme. And these organizations, like the one I worked for, lost a combined 135 million dollars in the scam – about 300 million in todays dollars. Poor handling of money by Christians or worse theft or even worse scandals, like that one, tarnish the name of Christ. It fosters mistrust inside the church. And its hypocrisy turns people away from Christ and the Gospel. It's tragic. We are called as the church to faithfully steward the resources entrusted to us. Let me highlight 4 principles from this text: 1. Those who handle money need to love the Lord and love his church. In this chapter, the word “earnest” is used 7 times. It testifies to a heart-motivated love for the people of God, or the church of God or an earnestness to faithfully fulfill the responsibility. The word earnest is only second to the word grace in chapter 8. Those who handle money need to have an earnestness that comes from a heart transformed by God's grace. 2. Those given this responsibility need to be tested. They need to be trustworthy. They need to have credibility and experience testified by others. In the case of the delegates, each one of them fulfilled this principle in different ways. Titus was known and proven faithful. The second brother was appointed by the churches (plural) – he had that proven credibility. And the third delegate was “tested.” That's the word used right there in verse 22. He was tested and found earnest. 3. Finances should never be handled by one person. No, there needs to be a team and there needs to be governance. In this example, there were 4 people – the three delegates and Paul from a distance. Just so you know, here at Tucker Pres, we have a finance team, we have a bookkeeper, and we have a third-party accountant. Multiple people involved. 4. And last, #4, transparency. Isn't that what Paul was modelling? He was being transparent so that there would be no questions about their integrity as they oversaw the gifts. So, a love of the Lord… a tested and proven faithfulness… multiple financial overseers… and transparency And every single aspect of this faithful stewardship is to give honor to Christ. As verse 19 puts it, “for the glory of the Lord” and as verse 23 says, “the glory of Christ.” We seek integrity as stewards to honor God because of his grace given to us. #2. The Discipline of Giving Which now brings us to main point number 2. The discipline of giving. Here's the thing. We are called not only to desire to give, but we are called to actually give. Earlier in chapter 8, Paul called the Corinthians to “complete the work.” He says in verse 11, “finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it.” And really, the beginning of chapter 9 emphasizes that. I think you would agree, it's much easier to have the desire to give sacrificially, than to actually give sacrificially. I read a story once of farmer who one day came home with great excitement. He reported with great joy to his wife and family… that their best cow had given birth to twins. He said to his family, “you know when these twin calves were born… I had a sudden urge that we should dedicate one of these calves to the Lord. We will bring them up together, and when the time comes, we will sell one and give the proceeds to the Lord's work.” His wife and children thought that was tremendous idea. But she asked him, “which calf will you dedicate to the Lord?” He replied, “Oh, there is no need to bother about that now…. we will care for both of them well, feed them well, and when the time comes we will offer one to the Lord.” Well, after a few months, the farmer came home one day and he was dejected. His wife asked, “honey, what is troubling you?” He answered, “I have bad news to give you. One of the calves has died…” and then he said, “It was the Lord's calf.” You see, he had the desire to give, but that was not matched with following through. Giving is one of the disciplines of the Christian life. It is an outworking of the grace of God's work in us. It's similar to seeking discipline in our call to purity of thought and word and deeds… or discipline to pursue peace with others. Or discipline in being faithful to serve others or take a sabbath rest and worship. Or pursuing discipline to follow through on the call to pray and read the Word. As we mature in our faith, God matures us in those disciplines. Let me put it this way: giving testifies that the grace of God is at work in your life. Look at chapter 8 verse 24. Paul says, “Give proof before the churches of your love.” “Give proof.” He was exhorting them to follow through and give to the needs of the saints. It would be a demonstration of their love and their faith. I mentioned last week that I do not have access to see who gives what offerings to the church. I do not want access. But I had a very interesting conversation with another pastor a few years ago. He would purposefully look at membership giving. Now, not all the time, but he would occasionally ask for a summarized list of members and their annual giving. That kind of shocked me. But he gave a couple of reasons. He mentioned that little to no giving indicated either a need for spiritual growth or it indicated a need for financial help. In other words, he would give attention to these people. It's like the opposite of showing partiality to someone with more means. This pastor experienced that a lack of giving often indicated a struggle in the Christian life or a struggle in faith or as I mentioned, an unknown need. To be sure, his purpose in coming alongside people was not so that they would give and therefore help the church finances… that was not the reason… rather it was so he could pastor and care for his flock well. I'm not suggesting that the elders or I will do that here at TPC. No. But it is true that our money often redirects us away from loving God. Giving or not giving can be a good indication of where our heart is. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” To say it again, when we are faithful to give generously and sacrificially, according to our means, it testifies to God's work of grace in us. And when we give it has the effect of encouraging others to also support the needs and work of the church Look at chapter 9 verse 2. Paul writes, “for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia [by the way, Corinth is in the region of Achaia] …that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.” There was a mutual stirring up of generosity. The Macedonians gave joyfully. We learned that last week. And they were encouraged by the desire of the Corinthians to give. That is why Paul wants to see the Corinthians fulfill their desire. That's the reason the delegation was sent! It was not, as verse 5 mentions, to “exact” a gift. Paul does mention that not giving would cause humiliation. But that is because they had promised to give. It was not coercion. He is clear about that. Rather, he wants them to honor their promise. And by doing that, it would encourage the Macedonians and bless the Christians in Jerusalem. So really, the Macedonians were an encouragement to the Corinthians to give, and the Corinthians were an encouragement to the Macedonians to give. And all of that would be an encouragement to the believers in Jerusalem, who would themselves give back to the Macedonians and Corinthians… and encourage them. We learned that last week. All of it accomplished the building up of one another in good works and godliness… And all of it was because of the grace of God in Christ, who is glorified in it all. Conclusion To summarize, faithful stewardship and disciplined giving are both expressions of God's grace in Christ. Stewardship is managing the resources that God has entrusted to his church and doing that with the utmost of integrity. When we fulfill that responsibility, as Paul and the delegates modelled for us, Christ is exalted and his bride, the church, reflects his righteousness. Likewise, disciplined giving honors Christ in our lives. It testifies to God's work in us who is transforming us into the image of his son. And to say it one more time, it's all motivated by the grace of God in Christ… who gave up the riches of heaven and became poor to take us out of our poverty and make us rich in his mercy. So, in matters of giving in and to the church, may we seek integrity and faithfulness, all to give honor to God in Christ for his grace. Amen.  

Speaker: Scott Pontier

Antioch Norman is a community church located in Norman, OK. We are a spiritual family with a global mission to make disciples, plant churches, and work for the peace and prosperity of our cities. As part of the Antioch Movement of Churches, we all share a passion for Jesus and His purposes in the earth.Website | https://www.antiochnorman.comInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/antiochnorman/1330 E Lindsey St Norman, OK 73071‎

Miguel Angel Angeles, executive director of Bethel Radio & TV, shares the history of a ministry that started with one Christian asking a radio station to play audio cassettes of his sermons on the air. As the radio ministry encouraged and built up the church, it expanded into Venezuela, Colombia, and other areas. Today, Bethel is a network of hundreds of radio and television stations, based in Peru and reaching Spanish speakers all over Latin America and the world. Miguel will share about his own start serving in IT with Bethel TV, and how he came to understand the importance of bringing awareness of the persecuted body of Christ through Bethel programming. “My first time listening about the persecuted church was when Petr Jasek came to a conference in Peru to share his testimony,” Miguel said, “and it created a hunger for me to learn more.” After hearing Petr Jasek speak at a conference about his own arrest in Sudan, Miguel's church began to meet every Monday to pray for the persecuted church and to learn more about fellow believers facing Christian persecution. Week after week, God prepared Miguel's heart as it was continuously stretched by the stories of bold faith in the face of hostility and persecution. After reading Tortured for Christ, by Richard Wurmbrand, the founder of The Voice of the Martyrs, Miguel knew he needed to share about persecuted Christians with the broader church in Latin America and with his radio audience. Listen as Miguel shares the heart of his church for missions. Churches dedicate one Sunday a month to focus on missions and missionaries. You and your church will be encouraged to make missions and praying for persecuted Christians a regular part of your worship gatherings as well. Pray this week for Miguel, his family, and Bethel Radio & TV as they continue serving the Lord and sharing the voice of persecuted Christians with Spanish-speaking people around the world. The VOM App for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily for persecuted Christians throughout the year, as well as providing free access to e-books, audiobooks, video content and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.

In this episode of the Ezra Interviews, Dr. Michael Thiessen interviews lawyer Barry Bussey about the evolving landscape of charity law in Canada, particularly concerning religious organizations. In the first part of their discussion, they discuss the historical context of charitable status for churches, the implications of recent government recommendations to remove this status for pro-life and religious organizations, and the broader philosophical shifts in society regarding the role of religion. The conversation underscores the significance of charitable status for churches and the potential implications of altering government policies on religious communities. They also discuss the implications of changing charitable status for Christian organizations in Canada. They explore the philosophical foundations of charity, the role of government in influencing church operations, and the need for churches to respond proactively to these changes. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context of charity, the necessity of making religious arguments in the public sphere, and the challenges churches face in maintaining their mission amidst political pressures. Episoe Resources: Bussey Ainsworth: https://www.busseyainsworth.ca/; “Ship Money” and the Divine Right of Kings: https://firstfreedoms.ca/ship-money-and-the-divine-right-of-kings/; NEW!!! PRE-ORDER Dr. Boot's latest book, Think Christianly: Developing an Undivided Mind, today!:https://ezrapress.ca/products/think-christianly-developing-an-undivided-mind;Get the NEW updated and expanded version of Dr. Boot’s Mission of God with a brand-new study guide!: https://ezrapress.ca/products/mission-of-god-10th-anniversary-edition; UPCOMING EVENTS:Spark Conference: Toronto, ON | May 20, 25: https://sparkconference.org/;Worldview Youth Academy (WYA):USA | July 11-17, 2025: https://ezrapress.ca/products/worldview-youth-academy-usa;Canada | July 20-26, 2025: https://ezra-institute.square.site/product/worldview-youth-canada/122;Family Camps:Texas | August 14-17, 2025: https://brushfire.com/ezrainstituteusa/familycamp2025-texas/593861;Canada | August 23-30, 2025: https://www.ezrainstitute.com/family-camp-canada/;Minnesota | August 24-27, 2025: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ezra-institute-family-camp-august-24-27-tickets-1203965305639?aff=oddtdtcreator; For All Ezra Events: https://www.ezrainstitute.com/events/; Think Christianly about politics with the help of Dr. Boot’s latest book, “Ruler of Kings:” https://ezrapress.ca/products/ruler-of-kings-toward-a-christian-vision-of-government; Got Questions? Would you like to hear Dr. Boot answer your questions? Let us know in the comments or reach out to us at https://www.ezrainstitute.com/connect/contact/; For Ezra’s many print resources and to join our newsletter, visit: https://ezrapress.com. Stay up-to-date with all things Ezra Institute: https://www.ezrainstitute.com;Subscribe to Ezra’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPVvQDHHrOOjziyqUaN9VoA?sub_confirmation=1;Subscribe to our Rumble Channel - https://rumble.com/c/c-6444461;Fight Laugh Feast Network: https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/8297;Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ezra-institute-podcast-for-cultural-reformation/id1336078503;Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0dW1gDarpzdrDMLPjKYZW2?si=bee3e91ed9a54885. Wherever you find our content, please like, subscribe, rate, or review it; it truly does help.

In this episode of the Ezra Interviews, Dr. Michael Thiessen interviews lawyer Barry Bussey about the evolving landscape of charity law in Canada, particularly concerning religious organizations. In the first part of their discussion, they discuss the historical context of charitable status for churches, the implications of recent government recommendations to remove this status for pro-life and religious organizations, and the broader philosophical shifts in society regarding the role of religion. The conversation underscores the significance of charitable status for churches and the potential implications of altering government policies on religious communities. They also discuss the implications of changing charitable status for Christian organizations in Canada. They explore the philosophical foundations of charity, the role of government in influencing church operations, and the need for churches to respond proactively to these changes. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context of charity, the necessity of making religious arguments in the public sphere, and the challenges churches face in maintaining their mission amidst political pressures. Episoe Resources: Bussey Ainsworth: https://www.busseyainsworth.ca/; “Ship Money” and the Divine Right of Kings: https://firstfreedoms.ca/ship-money-and-the-divine-right-of-kings/; NEW!!! PRE-ORDER Dr. Boot's latest book, Think Christianly: Developing an Undivided Mind, today!:https://ezrapress.ca/products/think-christianly-developing-an-undivided-mind;Get the NEW updated and expanded version of Dr. Boot’s Mission of God with a brand-new study guide!: https://ezrapress.ca/products/mission-of-god-10th-anniversary-edition; UPCOMING EVENTS:Spark Conference: Toronto, ON | May 20, 25: https://sparkconference.org/;Worldview Youth Academy (WYA):USA | July 11-17, 2025: https://ezrapress.ca/products/worldview-youth-academy-usa;Canada | July 20-26, 2025: https://ezra-institute.square.site/product/worldview-youth-canada/122;Family Camps:Texas | August 14-17, 2025: https://brushfire.com/ezrainstituteusa/familycamp2025-texas/593861;Canada | August 23-30, 2025: https://www.ezrainstitute.com/family-camp-canada/;Minnesota | August 24-27, 2025: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ezra-institute-family-camp-august-24-27-tickets-1203965305639?aff=oddtdtcreator; For All Ezra Events: https://www.ezrainstitute.com/events/; Think Christianly about politics with the help of Dr. Boot’s latest book, “Ruler of Kings:” https://ezrapress.ca/products/ruler-of-kings-toward-a-christian-vision-of-government; Got Questions? Would you like to hear Dr. Boot answer your questions? Let us know in the comments or reach out to us at https://www.ezrainstitute.com/connect/contact/; For Ezra’s many print resources and to join our newsletter, visit: https://ezrapress.com. Stay up-to-date with all things Ezra Institute: https://www.ezrainstitute.com;Subscribe to Ezra’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPVvQDHHrOOjziyqUaN9VoA?sub_confirmation=1;Subscribe to our Rumble Channel - https://rumble.com/c/c-6444461;Fight Laugh Feast Network: https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/8297;Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ezra-institute-podcast-for-cultural-reformation/id1336078503;Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0dW1gDarpzdrDMLPjKYZW2?si=bee3e91ed9a54885. Wherever you find our content, please like, subscribe, rate, or review it; it truly does help.

Bible Q&A Show with Pastor Derek Walker of Oxford Bible Church

Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN   Church Front Worship and Tech Podcast - Episode with Joey Parish Guest: Joey Parish - Founder of Parish Drums Episode Description Join us for an in-depth conversation with Joey Parish, founder of Parish Drums and longtime touring drummer with Chris Tomlin and Shane & Shane. Discover how one drummer's need for portable gear led to a complete rethinking of drums designed specifically for worship contexts. From canvas drum heads to brush techniques, Joey shares practical insights for worship teams looking to solve volume and space challenges. Key Topics Covered Joey's Background Started playing in church in 5th/6th grade with a pawn shop drum kit Early touring with Chris Tomlin (the "little east Texas guy in a cowboy hat") Years on the road with Shane & Shane, learning nuanced, acoustic-focused drumming Transition from bus tours to flying and the birth of Parish Drums The Parish Drums Innovation The Problem: Need for consistent, portable drums for fly dates The Research: Existing portable kits were too heavy (70+ lbs without cases) The Solution: Custom-built nesting kit under 50 lbs, fits in airline luggage Evolution: From 14" bass drum to current 18" bass drum design Design Philosophy Wood Choices: Mahogany exterior, poplar interior (softer, less dense woods) Bearing Edges: Rounded edges for less resonance and more control Shell Depth: Shorter drums for quicker decay Goal: "Dead, thumpy" drums that don't require extensive muffling Revolutionary Canvas Heads Patent Pending: First-of-its-kind cotton canvas drum heads Benefits: Extremely quiet, removes high frequencies, maintains attack Testing: Road-tested extensively during Shane & Shane Christmas tour Sound: Natural muffling without sacrificing musical quality Playing Techniques for Worship Brush Advocacy: Nylon bristle brushes for volume control and articulation Brush Development: Creating improved brushes to solve durability issues Dynamic Range: Learning to play from whisper-quiet to full volume Adaptability: Removing drums as needed to fit the room/moment Practical Tips for Worship Drummers In-Ear Monitor Mixing Counter-intuitive Tip: Turn problem instruments UP in your mix to naturally play softer Simplification: Turn off crowd mics, choir mics to maintain timing focus Click Track: Use plenty of click for solid timing foundation Transitioning from Rock to Worship Understand the Mission: Create an environment for corporate worship Know the Songs: Learn originals thoroughly before adapting Build Vocabulary: Play with different worship leaders to develop adaptability Embrace Dynamics: Move beyond on/off playing to gradual dynamic shifts Room Adaptation Play the Room: Adjust setup and dynamics to fit the space Less is More: Sometimes removing elements serves the music better Acoustic Partnership: Leave space for other instruments to fill Technical Insights Microphone Approaches Versatility: Parish drums work well with any standard drum mics Preference: Beta 98s on toms for wood hoop compatibility Studio Standard: 421s on toms, large diaphragm dynamics on kick Monitor Mix: Often removes bottom snare mic from personal mix for clarity Drum Tuning and Setup Locking Tension Rods: Maintain tuning stability during transport Head Choices: Evans 56 Calftone (synthetic calfskin) for natural feel Snare Wires: Uses 12-strand instead of typical 42-strand for volume control Shell Materials: Prioritizes control over projection and resonance Shane Bernard Collaboration Insights Musical Partnership Extreme Dynamics: Shane plays from inaudible whisper to full volume Percussive Approach: Shane thinks like a drummer on guitar Negative Space: Musicians fill each other's gaps rather than competing Real-time Adaptation: Shared musical language allows for spontaneous changes Learning from a Master Observation Period: Spent month doing sound before playing, learning the parts Musical Vocabulary: Built understanding of Shane's musical thinking Dynamic Response: Learned to match and complement extreme dynamic ranges Business and Ministry Integration The Worship Initiative Partnership Resource Support: Financial and operational backing for growth Shared Mission: Equipping churches with better tools for worship Content Creation: Part of comprehensive worship training platform Church Applications Volume Control: Primary solution for churches struggling with drum volume Space Efficiency: Fits in corners, small stages, intimate settings Aesthetic: Eliminates need for drum shields in many cases Consistency: Same sound every service, regardless of room acoustics Resources and Connect Parish Drums Website: parishdrums.com Innovation: Canvas heads and improved brush designs coming soon Focus: Drums designed specifically for worship contexts The Worship Initiative Website: theworshipinitiative.com Content: Songwriting, heart training, instrument training Mission: Comprehensive worship leader development Quotable Moments "I learned to do more with less. When you're touring with buses and trucks and trailers, you end up bringing more than you need... it really helped move me back to these are the fundamentals. This is man, you're here to keep time and occasionally do something interesting maybe." "Every kit in every church is just covered in gaff tape and gels and big fat snare drum rings... So what I wanted to do was out of the box have just the dead, most dead thumpy drums with the least amount of resonance." "If you just Google 'drum muffle,' you can just scroll for pages and pages and pages... everybody that I know in my whole career has been spent trying to tame frequencies, overtones, all that stuff." "We want to sing together. We want to praise the Lord... We want to create an environment where that's the most possible." Episode Length: Approximately 65 minutes Host: Luke Jackson Production: Church Front Worship and Tech Podcast

In this episode of the Ordinary Christian Podcast, Craig discusses effective strategies for churches to engage and reach the next generation with the gospel. He emphasizes the importance of welcoming children and families, investing in youth ministry, and creating a safe and inviting environment. Craig shares insights from his own church's experiences and encourages listeners to take an active role in their local church's outreach efforts.TakeawaysReaching young people is a constant conversation in church meetings.Churches can reach both young and old generations effectively.Investing in children's and youth ministries is crucial for church growth.Creating a welcoming environment for families is essential.Safety and security in children's ministry should be a top priority.Involve children and teenagers in the overall life of the church.Pastors should personally invest in children's and youth ministries.Make young people visible in worship and church activities.Invest in parents to support their role in children's spiritual growth.Churches must adapt to care for young adults aging out of youth ministry.Sound Bites“Reaching young people is a constant conversation.”“Safety matters, so be serious about it.”“Make young people visible in the church.”“Your church can reach the next generation.”Chapters00:00Introduction to Reaching the Next Generation00:59Understanding the Current Church Demographics02:50Challenges and Opportunities in Youth Ministry06:03Key Strategies for Engaging Young People12:14Creating a Welcoming Environment for Families17:57Investing in Parents and Community22:06Conclusion and Call to Action

Topics: Churches/AI, Shock Jock, Smarter Than Average, Identity, National Days, Graduation/Speech, Mitch Is Tired, The Bible BONUS CONTENT: Closing Churches, Clippy   Quotes: “What about my principles?” “Most people don't know who they really are.” “What if bees were paid minimum wage.” “The overhead of making disciples isn't that high.” . . . Holy Ghost Mama Pre-Order! Want more of the Oddcast? Check out our website! Watch our YouTube videos here. Connect with us on Facebook! For Christian banking you can trust, click here!

The long, slow death of mainline churches is well documented and goes back to the 1970s. In the mid-twentieth century, approximately half of all Americans were identified as members of one of the seven mainline denominations. Today, it's between 10% and 15%. Not much is said about revitalizing these churches, but there is hope. Josh and Sam interview one mainline Methodist elder, Chad Brooks, who has a plan to solve this problem. The post Is There Any Hope for Revitalizing Mainline Churches? appeared first on Church Answers.

Greetings,Pastor and I talk about the SBC, Church Networks, Missions, Beach Baptism, and Grand-baby number 7!This SBC 101 is a two-parter! So we will see you next week for Part II! Join us this Sunday, June 1st, at Sand Key Park around 6:00 PM for Beach Baptism!Go to Calvary.us/Baptize 

Whether engaging with issues of life, religious liberty, marriage and family, or human dignity, the ERLC works to ensure that Southern Baptist convictions are at the table in the cultural and policy discussions of our nation's leaders. This Comission also serves as a resource for Southern Baptist pastors and churches, equipping them to think and respond faithfully in a rapidly changing world.On today's episode, we're joined by Scott Foshie, chairman of the ERLC's board of trustees, to explore the far-reaching influence of the ERLC—from the halls of Congress to the heart of the local church.Since 2019, Scott has served as the Church Health Team Leader for the Illinois Baptist State Association. Before joining the state convention staff, Scott pastored churches in Tennessee and Illinois for 20 years. He and his wife, Audra, have been married for 23 years and have three children.

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The Hidden Lightness with Jimmy Hinton – When disaster strikes, it's often local faith-driven volunteers who arrive first. Since 1990, Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort has distributed over $200 million in aid, delivering food, supplies, and hope with dignity. Their swift, rapid response, grounded in compassion and faith, demonstrates the enduring power of community service to heal and uplift disaster-stricken communities.

MARK CLARK is senior pastor at Bayside Church in Sacramento, plus a multiple book best-selling author, including his most recent The Problem of Life. Mark also hosts the Mark Clark Podcast and is a popular speaker, along with creating the Art of Reaching and Art of Teaching courses in partnership with Carey Nieuwhof. We discuss golf, how to elevate your communication and speaking skills, why team matters, Canada, and much more. Make sure to visit http://h3leadership.com  to access the show notes. Thanks again to our partners for this episode: SUBSPLASH – engage your congregation through Subsplash. Schedule your free demo at http://subsplash.com/brad. Subsplash is the platform made to help maximize your church's giving, growth, and engagement. The go to for mobile apps, messaging, and streaming, along with building websites, groups, giving and more, Subsplash puts today's most innovative church technology into your hands so you can focus completely on ministry. Visit http://subsplash.com/brad and join more than 20,000 churches and ministries who partner with Subsplash. Again, visit http://subsplash.com/brad to schedule a quick, no obligation demo. And CONVOY OF HOPE - visit http://convoyofhope.org/donate. Please donate to the LA Fires efforts and also Hurricane Helene and Milton relief effort and ongoing work at http://convoyofhope.org/donate. Convoy is my trusted partner for delivering food and relief by responding to disasters in the US and all around the world. Right now, Convoy of Hope is responding to the LA fires, along with devastation in the southeast US from Hurricane Helene and Milton, providing basic needs like food, hygiene supplies, medical supplies, blankets, bedding, clothing and more. All through partnering with local Churches. Join me and please support their incredible work. To donate visit http://convoyofhope.org/donate. 

In this episode of Psychedelics Today, hosts sit down with Jeff Breau from Harvard Divinity School's Center for the Study of World Religions. Key themes include the intersection of psychedelics and religion, harm reduction practices, and the burgeoning psychedelic church movement. Jeff brings insights from his ethnographic research on psychedelic churches and discusses the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for advancing understanding in this field. He also delves into the role of music in psychedelic therapy, critiques of the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ), and the potential for psychedelic chaplaincy. Tune in for an enlightening conversation on the evolving landscape of psychedelics in society and spirituality.   00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:18 Music in Psychedelic Therapy 02:13 Cultural Context of Music in Therapy 06:08 Personal Journey into Psychedelics and Religion 08:40 Living at an Ashram and Spiritual Practices 15:52 Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ) 33:01 Psychedelic Churches and Legal Challenges 46:11 The Intersection of Law and Religion 46:34 Emergence of Psychedelic Churches 48:41 The Democratization of Mystical Experiences 49:49 Technologies of Revelation 51:10 Novel Rituals and Spiritual Practices 53:49 Humor and Irreverence in Religion 56:44 Reevaluating the Term 'Cult' 01:10:11 Psychedelic Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care 01:18:44 Burning Man as a Model for Religiosity 01:22:43 The Rise of Iboga in American Christianity 01:25:56 Conclusion and Future Directions Links https://cswr.hds.harvard.edu/people/jeffrey-breau

In the third episode of our Plečnik miniseries we talked about a couple more churches and the cemetery of Ljubljana. Specifically we discussed: the Church of St Michael, Črna Vas or the Church of St Michael in the Marsh (Cerkev sv. Mihaela na Barju); the Church of St Anthony of Padua, Belgrade (Црква Светог Антуна Падованског) and Žale Central Cemetery, Ljubljana (Centralno pokopališče Žale). Watch this episode on YouTube to follow along with images: https://youtu.be/m2Lhu-3TpuE Edited by Matthew Lloyd Roberts. Support the show on Patreon to receive bonus content for every show. Please rate and review the show on your podcast store to help other people find us! Follow us on twitter // instagram // facebook We're on the web at aboutbuildingsandcities.org This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

In this inspiring episode of the Small Church Ministry Podcast, Carla Adams shares how four churches in her small Georgia town broke down denominational barriers to unite in community service and fellowship. Learn how these churches - including Baptist, Methodist, and others - overcame historical divisions to collaborate on events like Easter sunrise services, community giveaways, and women's conferences. Carla reveals the power of focusing on shared faith, the unexpected benefits of cross-church partnerships, and practical tips for small churches looking to make a bigger impact together. This episode is a testament to the strength of unity and the transformative potential of churches working side by side.Connect with Carla Adams: www.signsformysister.comwww.facebook.com/signsformysistercarla@signsformysister.comJoin our free Facebook Community: www.facebook.com/groups/smallchurchministryRate, Review, & Follow Laurie on Apple Podcasts"I love Laurie and The Small Church Ministry Podcast!!"

Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!For a lot of us, evangelism has become kind of utilitarian—just another tool to stop our church's decline and hopefully secure a future for our congregation. But what if, instead of simply trying to grow our numbers or help people go to heaven when they die, we reframed evangelism as an act of journeying alongside people in their deepest pain, bringing truly good news to those who are struggling to find hope?In this episode, Andrew Root, the author of Evangelism in an Age of Despair, challenges us to rethink evangelism as a ministry of consolation—a ministry that meets people where they are, in moments of suffering and loneliness.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Andrew Root defines what he means by "the age of despair" and whose despair he references.Andrew Root explains that despair is a widespread cultural malaise, marked by sadness, unhappiness, and a rise in loneliness and rage.Despair in the world is not just circumstantial, but is rooted in the cultural emphasis on pursuing happiness, which ironically increases unhappiness.Andrew Root describes two forms of despair in the church: one shared with the wider culture, and the other, a fear of decline and extinction unique to congregations.Churches are tempted to view evangelism mainly as a way to increase attendance and avoid closing, rather than as sharing good news.Markus Watson reflects that treating evangelism as a utilitarian tool for survival creates questions about the real motivation for sharing the gospel.Evangelism should be understood as contextual and as a way of consoling neighbors in moments of loss, rather than following a fixed formula.Andrew Root states that the central work of evangelism involves the theology of consolation—being present with others in their brokenness and grief.Evangelism is about responding to Jesus's call and helping people encounter Him, especially within their contexts of sorrow and loneliness.Andrew Root discusses the failure of social media and modern culture to offer true consolation or presence to people in grief.Consolation involves walking with people through suffering, which is an important aspect of Christian tradition and a necessity in these lonely times.Markus Watson observes that the traditional “four spiritual laws” approach doesn't address the needs of people experiencing profound sorrow.Andrew Root argues that faithfulness in the church is not simply measured by numerical growth, and that addressing people's suffering is not a distraction from its mission.Evangelism should invite people to join a pilgrimage, walking together through sorrow and loss toward a deeper encounter with God.The church's calling is to create communities that walk with others in their pain, offering hope and the presence of Christ, instead of merely aiming for church growth.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Andrew Root:WebsiteBooks mentioned:Evangelism in an Age of Despair, by Andrew Root The Church After Innovation, by Andrew Root The Promise of Despair, by Andrew RootGet Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Fifty years ago, non-denominational churches were more of an anomaly. Today, they are one of largest religious groups in the United States and one of only a few growing religious groups. Why is this? Ryan Burge joins the show to discuss the reasons for growth among non-denominational churches. The post The Burge Report: Why Are Non-Denominational Churches Growing? appeared first on Church Answers.

Gary discusses the inconsistent application of religion and politics between the two American political parties. Churches and pastors MUST be involved not only in biblical studies, but in the application of such studies, including in politics. All biblical worldview issues have real-world application, which is the actual reason for teaching the biblical issues in the first place.

Nik Ripken and his wife, Ruth, spent decades sitting down with hundreds of persecuted Christians in restricted nations and hostile areas around the world. They didn't go to instruct these bold believers. They went to learn from them. The lessons they learned were published in The Insanity of God, Nik's book, and now he and Ruth have created a video series called Insanity Unleashed. In this series, they share lessons from believers in persecution to help Christians everywhere know how to live as sheep among wolves (Matthew 10:16). The lessons come from more than 650 interviews with persecuted Christians in more than 70 countries. Listen this week to hear stories from Nik and Ruth about their travels and what they've learned from persecuted Christians. They'll share how meeting believers in other countries gave them a better understanding of the Biblical truth that we are all part of one global Body of Christ. Nik and Ruth have been humbled by the fervent prayers of brothers and sisters around the world as they pray for Christians in free nations. Nik will explain how this video series has the aim of raising up evangelists and church planters who will go to the unreached, rather than only pastors and teachers who are trained to minister to those who've already heard the gospel. “[Many American seminaries and Bible colleges] train you up to be sheep among sheep,” Nik says. “We are teaching [Christians] how to be sheep among wolves.” Ruth and Nik also share advice on succeeding in the marathon of ministry, including the importance of daily time in God's Word and memorizing scripture—just as our persecuted family does as they prepare for persecution. The VOM App for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily for persecuted Christians throughout the year, as well as providing free access to e-books, audiobooks, video content and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.