Coffee with the Pastors

The last in our series on the simple life - simplifying our goals - is understood through the lens of Holy Week. Christ invites us to take up our own cross, which seems like a loss to the world, but in it we find substantial gain.

What does the Brethren value of simple worship have to do with faith? And what might Revelation have to do with any of this. Listen as we explore how any moment can be made for worshiping when we remember that worship is meant to be inspired by the character of God.

What is a faithful relationship with technology? Many of us gave a blanket invitation for technology to be a part of our lives. If simple living is about a single-minded pursuit of the heart of God, how might we use relationship that aids in that focus while rejecting technology that harms it?

Continuing in our series on the Christian value of simplicity, we consider what it means to simplify our stuff. Based on scriptures like Matthew 19:16-30, we will consider how we pursue the heart of God in our relationship to our possessions.

Continuing in our series on the Christian value of simplicity, we consider what it means to simplify our words. Based on scriptures like Matthew 5:34-37 and 6:5-15, we will consider how we pursue the heart of God in our words.

During the season of Lent, join us for a series on how to simplify life. In this first episode, we will root the simple life in scriptures about having the mind of Christ - that is being simple minded in how we discern the way we should live our lives. The Christian value of simplicity is about the lifelong pursuit of the heart of God. Through this series we will look at how we might simplify our...

Join us for this special feature of Coffee with the Pastors. We welcome brother pastors Nathan and Andy, to join us for this month's Popcorn with the Pastors. We will explore the lure of power present through the Lord of the Rings saga. Spoiler alert: we talk about the new Amazon Prime TV Series, The Rings of Power , so if you are not caught up on the series, please be aware that we may spoil...

Join us as we review one last Porter's Gate Song meant to give us a firm foundation as we enter into this election season. The song "Bind Us Together" is a simple sound with a profound message, offering an alternative to the division we see in our political discourse. Can we rise above it? Listen to the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKs9DWG6P3g

Join us as we explore another Porter's Gate song that is meant to guide us faithfully into the election season ahead. Have we accepted the reality of political discourse, or can we be critical of it when we compare it to the way of the Lord? Enjoy the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh6W-qds3wk

This month on Popcorn with the pastors, Tim, Audrey, and Nathan will explore the 2024 Olympics and how we, as Christians, can be thoughtful and intentional as we enter into conversations about culture that we may not fully understand. Join us as we discuss the opening ceremony, as well as other moments of the Paris Olympics, from a faith perspective.

We continue in our exploration of the music from The Porter's Gate. This time, the song is from a new, timely project where a conglomeration of musicians, theologians, and pastors are preparing congregations, through song, for the upcoming election season. This first song that Porter's Gate released reframes our priorities to put the kingdom of Jesus first. Take a listen to our reflections...

Join us for another exploration of a The Porter's Gate song - Centering Prayer. How might we incorporate prayer into our mental health practices? Centering Prayer gives us some great resources. Check out the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-N5JBVBdzM

Join us as we celebrate the wonderful music of The Porter's Gate. Audrey and Tim explore the theology behind the song "Christ is Lower Still," including references scriptures like Psalm 139 and Philippians 2. To listen the song go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G5U0NDxdxU

How might we balance work, play, and rest so that they communicate something of spiritual significance, both for ourselves and for our families? We were not made for work alone, but should find opportunity to delight in life and rest at our limits. Join us for this conversation of Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley, as we reflect on his desire to bring something of faith the rhythms...

How might we shape the habits of mealtime and conversation to communicate something of spiritual significance, both for ourselves and for our families? When we use these regular rhythms we build trust and practice for times when things get really hard. Join us for this conversation of Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley, as we reflect on his desire to bring something of faith into mea...

How does culture and pop-culture talk about spiritual beings? And how does that jive with how scripture talks about spiritual beings? Join Nathan, Andy, Tim and Audrey on this conversation about spiritual beings, what we can learn from talking about them, and how to think about them in a faithful way.

How might we shape the habits of discipline and screentime to communicate something of spiritual significance, both for ourselves and for our families? Discipline, seen through the lens of discipleship, can be a holy experience when the goal is reconciliation. And screentime, utilized well and with limits can be good. Join us for this conversation of Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earle...

What do the habits of our waking and our bedtime say about our priorities and how can bring sacred rhythms into these often harried moments. Based on Justin Whitmel Earley's book Habits of the Household , we will offer some simple additions or adaptations to the bookends of the day in order to infuse them with more intentional, faith-forming habits.

Based on Justin Whitmel Earley's book Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms , Audrey and Tim introduce the question, what would it look like if we thought more intentionally and spiritually about our every day habits? Consider with us how we might reorient our days to be more focused on spiritual matters as we enter into this series exploring the habit...

May the 4th be with you... and also with you! With nerds (I mean, scholars) favorite day coming up, we thought it would be good to look at faith themes in Star Wars. How does the way Star Wars get us thinking about good vs. evil help us think about the realities of our world. It may be a lot more complicated than we think it is (or want it to be).

This week we will focus on Mark 14-16, including the added endings to Mark's Gospel. The reflection questions we will use to think about these chapter are: How would I summarize the theme? How does this connect with other scriptures in the Gospel of Mark? How does this connect with other scriptures outside of the Gospel of Mark? What does this scripture teach me about God? What does this scrip...

Popculture loves a good sacrifice and resurrection story? But how do they compare to the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus? During this Holy Week, our Popcorn with the Pastors feature will look at movies and books that feature a death and resurrection to see how the are similar and different from the theology of the cross.

This week we will focus on Mark 11:12-13:37. The reflection questions we will use to think about these chapter are: How would I summarize the theme? How does this connect with other scriptures in the Gospel of Mark? How does this connect with other scriptures outside of the Gospel of Mark? What does this scripture teach me about God? What does this scripture teach me about how I should think, be,...

This week we will focus on Mark 9:1-11:11. The reflection questions we will use to think about these chapter are: How would I summarize the theme? How does this connect with other scriptures in the Gospel of Mark? How does this connect with other scriptures outside of the Gospel of Mark? What does this scripture teach me about God? What does this scripture teach me about how I should think, be, ac...

This week we will focus on Mark 4-8. The reflection questions we will use to think about these chapter are: How would I summarize the theme? How does this connect with other scriptures in the Gospel of Mark? How does this connect with other scriptures outside of the Gospel of Mark? What does this scripture teach me about God? What does this scripture teach me about how I should think, be, act? Wha...