A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week: Can food, whether it be cooking or eating, be a spiritual experience? Every time the Olympic Games roll around, there is discussion about how expensive it is to host the Olympics and the toll it takes on the hosting city and country. Is it worth it? When does something become too costly to be worth the pride of hosting such an event? Further, have you seen...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week: Recently, a law was passed in Texas banning most abortions as early as six weeks of pregnancy. I know abortion is a politically divisive subject. What are your thoughts on how to understand this law and why it is (or is not) troubling?  This past weekend, we remembered the events of 9/11. Each of us has our own memories and experiences with regards to this...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week: Recently, it was announced that the popular video game Fortnite would provide an opportunity for players to relive Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. I don't know how to feel about this. There is a lot of skepticism and questions surrounding this decision. What are your thoughts? Is this honoring Dr. King's wor...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week: What are different ways that you've seen faith incorporated into a wedding service? / Do you believe in "the one true love"? Special Guests: Rev. Dr. Wanda M. Lundy, Assistant Professor of World Christianity, Director of Mentoring for Thriving in Ministry in the City (MTMC) and Director of the Eleanor Moody-Shepherd Resource Center for Women...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week: A recent Washington Post article describes how teens around the world are lonelier than a decade ago and the reason may be smartphones. What are your thoughts on this? Regardless of whether smartphones are part of the problem or not, how do we provide spaces that help people not feel lonely? Let's talk about life transitions. What are some transitions...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week: The CDC has recently recommended that people resume wearing masks indoors again, even if you are vaccinated. How do we help folks process this change? Further, as COVID cases surge, it can be easy to blame the unvaccinated. As people of faith, how do we help people avoid "blame" but still push for change? I've been wondering about the signifi...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week: In the women's Olympics gymnastics competition, Simone Biles withdrew from the team competition after struggling on a vault. But the reason was not due to physical injury. Biles stated it was for her own mental health. You have talked about both sports and mental health before on the podcast. What do you think we, as people of faith, can learn from Sim...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week: What are your thoughts on pets (particularly dogs) being allowed in church, particularly the sanctuary? As we approach the Tokyo Olympics, there have been a number of interesting developments. Sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson, who won the US Olympic trials in the 100 meters, was banned for one month after testing positive for a chemical found in marijuana...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week: What is your experience dating as a church leader/person of faith who is active in the church?  What is some of the best and worst advice you've ever received from someone in church?  Special Guest: Rev. Dr. Gregory Simpson, Pastor at Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church, Chair of the Environmental & Climate Change Sub-committee of MRTI Guest Question:...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week: What is your definition of "success"? How do you think the Christian definition of success differs from the secular definition? Sundays are supposed to be "the Lord's day" in which you take a rest and do no work. I've always found this interesting because everyone "rests" in different ways. Further, in the current con...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week: I was confirmed recently in my local Presbyterian Church and have become a member. Suddenly, I am on all of these email lists, being asked to help with things, and biggest of all - being asked how much money I pledge to give over the next year. I'm only in high school. I'd love to give, but honestly don't have much money. How much should I be...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week: What is one subject/topic that is not taught in schools that you think should?  If you could meet any person/figure from the Bible, who would it be and why?  Special Guest: Jeffrey Arnold, Executive Director, Association for Presbyterian Colleges and Universities Guest Question: I've heard about colleges and universities being associated with specific...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week: My question relates to July 4th and worship. What role does patriotic music and symbols of America (i.e. the Flag) have in our worship?  At what point does praise for our nation become idolatry? With Independence day on a Sunday this year this issue seems to be even more in your face than usual.  Special Guest: Jimmie Hawkins, Director, Office of Public Wit...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we got a lot of questions about faith based investing! We invited our friends from the Mission Responsibility Through Investment Committee to join us on the podcast! Special Guests: Kerri Allen Chair of MRTI, and Representative of the Advisory Committee for Women's Concerns   Rob Fohr Director of Faith-Based Investing and Corporate Engagement & Lead Staff Perso...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week: What are your thoughts on using name tags at church? I know that it is meant to make it easier for visitors feel like they can talk to members, but I'm not sure how I feel about them.  My church is a bit behind the times in terms of technology and communications. We have a Facebook page and a barebones website. How do we increase our social media prese...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week:  There was a recent Buzzfeed article describing Millennials as the "burnout generation". As millennials yourselves, what do you think? Did anything in this article resonate with you? If so, how has your church and faith community helped you manage burnout?  What do you think it means to be a "man of faith" in today's world?  Special...

Send us Fan Mail A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast celebrates Pride 2021! Special Guests: Shelley Donaldson (she|her) Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Stamford, CT Shanea Leonard (they|them) Associate for Gender & Racial Justice, Presbyterian Mission Agency Guest Questions:   What does it mean to be a queer person in the church?  What do I do when a young person comes out to me...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week: As COVID is coming to some sort of end (or, at least, we're acting like it is), I'm finding that I haven't really processed a single darn second of the past 14 months. Case in point: I was listening to an ESPN ""30 for 30"" podcast about when the NBA shutdown for the season on March 11, 2020.  I'm not a big NBA fan bu...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week:  Have you ever watched a movie or TV show or played a game that unexpectedly challenged how you understand issues of faith and/or justice? I'm not talking about things that are specifically about faith or religion, rather a piece media or art that was focused on something else but ending up touching you or challenging you in some way. Do you have a fav...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week:  What is an experience that you had which either deepened your faith or gave you a new perspective on God, faith or church?  Why are both church and football on Sundays? If Sunday is a day of rest, how can players play on that day? Or is it because watching football is "rest" for everyone else?  Special Guest: Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri, Educator,...

Send us Fan Mail Questions for the Week:  Is there a real "dress code" for church? I was raised with the perspective that "you can never be too dressed up for church", but I know that's not true everywhere. In fact, if you are dressed up a lot more than everyone else, I think it’s just as weird as being the only one not dressed up. What have your experiences been like? Som...

Send us Fan Mail Questions of the Week:  What are your favorite Bible verses/stories? Do you ever think people treat their relationship with God like a subscription service? Hear me out: you're always subscribed, there is a regular payment (tithing or going to church), but you only really use it to its full benefit when you really want to, and otherwise it just sits there. It's not a per...

Send us Fan Mail Questions of the Week:   So I attended a Presbyterian youth conference for the first time a few years back, and we did these activities called energizers. I’m still not quite sure what they are. What are they exactly and what purpose do they serve? What are your thoughts?  I just can't pay attention through a full worship service, particularly through the sermon (don't t...

Send us Fan Mail Questions of the Week:  I am having a disagreement with someone on social media on matters of faith and social issues.  I also see other folks posting and commenting about things that bother me.  How should I handle this?  How can I navigate these situations as a Christian in the era of social media and technology? I support the messages and intentions of groups like Black Lives M...

Send us Fan Mail Questions of the Week: What do you think about "Christian" music? I really enjoy helping out with various activities at my church: bible study, choir, and serving meals to the homeless in our community to name a few. But the more I become involved, the more it seems like people rely on me and assume I will participate. I keep being approached about doing more things. I h...