Informing Your Faith

In the final episode of the Christian Contentment series, Pastor James Sullivan and Pastor Paul Shirley bring the discussion to its culmination by answering the question: What does it look like to live a truly content life? They remind listeners that genuine contentment is not found in the pursuit of happiness but in the pursuit of holiness and trust in Christ’s sovereign care . Together, they exp...

In this third episode of the Christian Contentment series, Pastor James Sullivan and Pastor Paul Shirley turn their attention to the challenges of living with contentment in abundance and maintaining steadfast faith in a world that increasingly rejects truth. They discuss how believers can remain faithful and grounded while navigating cultural and political tensions, emphasizing that true contentm...

In this second installment of the Christian Contentment series, Pastor James Sullivan and Pastor Paul Shirley examine the destructive nature of discontentment and its devastating spiritual consequences. Far more than a passing feeling of dissatisfaction, discontentment is described as a spiritual parasite —quietly feeding on faith and gratitude until it leads the heart toward rebellion and, ultima...

In this first episode of a four-part series on Christian Contentment , new host Pastor James Sullivan , Associate Pastor at Grace Community Church Delaware, joins Pastor Paul Shirley to explore what it truly means to be content in Christ. Together, they discuss how biblical contentment is rooted not in changing circumstances but in a steadfast trust in the sufficiency of Jesus. The conversation co...

In the final episode of the Informing Your Faith parenting series, Pastor Paul responds to listener-submitted questions on a wide range of parenting topics. From parenting as a team and setting household rules, to implementing family worship, understanding your child’s salvation, navigating peer pressure, technology use, and planning for the future—this episode is packed with practical wisdom and...

In this episode of Informing Your Faith , Pastor Paul and Jared continue the parenting series with a focus on the teenage years. They discuss the shift from discipline to discipleship, the unique challenges and opportunities that come with parenting teens, and the importance of communication and relationship-building. They also reflect on reaping the fruit of early parenting foundations, while off...

In this episode of Informing Your Faith , Pastor Paul and Jared continue the parenting series with a focus on the early years. They discuss the foundational principles of parenting young children, emphasizing the importance of teaching obedience with a goal of genuine heart change. They also explore practical ways to navigate church life with little ones and offer wisdom on integrating children me...

In this episode, Pastor Paul and Jared continue the parenting series by diving into common challenges that can hinder faithful parenting. They address the subtle danger of man-pleasing parenting, the harm of manipulation, and the effects of distracted or hypocritical parenting. With biblical insight, they also unpack the importance of presence, clear communication, and maintaining joy in the journ...

In this follow-up episode on Christian parenting, Pastor Paul and Jared tackle a crucial topic: how not to provoke your children. They explore the biblical boundaries of parental authority, the dangers of parenting from pride or anger, and the long-term effects of inconsistency or control. With insight into common pitfalls like perfectionism, overreaction, and competition, they offer practical wis...

Episode 30: Parenting – General Principles In the first episode of a six-part series on parenting, Pastor Paul and Jared lay the foundation for biblical parenting. They discuss essential principles for raising children in a Christian home, emphasizing the role of community in parenting, the dangers of pride and insecurity, and the importance of shaping a child's conscience with truth. They also ex...

Ministry is a marathon, not a sprint. In this episode of Informing Your Faith , Pastor Paul explores the vital role of endurance in the Christian life, particularly in ministry. He discusses how endurance is tied to contentment, the motivations that sustain long-term faithfulness— Christ’s glory or personal gain—and how service itself becomes a means of grace and accountability. If you have questi...

Although this episode was originally scheduled for earlier in the year, its content remains just as relevant. In this episode of Informing Your Faith , Pastor Paul shares a collection of spiritual resources to help you grow in wisdom and faith. He discusses books he’s read on a range of topics, including financial guidance, understanding predestination, the problem of evil, protecting children and...

In this final installment of the Body Life series, Jared and Pastor Paul discuss the process of developing theological and life convictions and the essential role of the local church in shaping them. They explore how to balance truth and life within the church community and emphasize the importance of conforming to Christ rather than being swayed by internet influences. Don’t miss this powerful co...

Join Jared and Pastor Paul for another thought-provoking discussion on Body Life in the church. In this episode, they explore what it means to grow in theology, why it matters, and the potential dangers of external influences. They also delve into the vital role of church leadership in nurturing the theological development of its members. Don't miss this insightful conversation!

Join Jared and Pastor Paul as they continue their conversation on "Body Life" and explore the dynamics of the recent shift to a two-service model on Sunday mornings. Discover how this change affects unity within the congregation, shapes pastoral ministry, and influences discipleship. It’s an insightful discussion you won’t want to miss!

In this concluding episode on 'Body Life,' Jared and Pastor Paul explore the heart of discipleship, focusing on how to cultivate a balanced, biblically grounded approach. They discuss the importance of avoiding monolithic discipleship, respecting individual preferences, and developing strong biblical convictions. Together, they tackle the challenge of navigating non-essential issues with wisdom an...

In episode 23 of the Body Life series, Jared and Pastor Paul dive deeper into the concept of “Body Life” within the context of Grace Community Church. They discuss the essential aspects of community life, beginning with The Importance of Attendance, emphasizing how regular participation strengthens both individual and collective faith. They address Navigating Online Worship, considering both its b...

In this episode of Informing Your Faith, Pastor Paul and Jared dive into the critical topic of the 2024 presidential election. Together, they explore the Christian's role in politics, touching on key issues like voting, evaluating Republican candidates, and how moral values align with political platforms. Through a thoughtful discussion on worldviews and the importance of political engagement, the...

In this episode Jared and Pastor Paul delve deeper into the topic of church body life. Pastor Paul gives us some insight into his early ministry days as a 28-year-old pastor. He discusses what he believes are three crucial elements which contributed to the healthy body life that GCC DE enjoys today.

In this episode, Jared and Pastor Paul kick off the first of several discussions on 'Body Life,' a term used by Pastor Paul and the elders at Grace Community Church DE. Together, they explore how 'Body Life' shapes the way Christians ought to live, engage in discipleship, and build relationships within the congregation. By examining the biblical foundations of how a church should function, they un...

In this episode, Jared and Pastor Paul explore the role of husbands as described in Ephesians 5. They discuss the influence husbands have or should have at home.

In this episode, Jared and Pastor Paul delve into the role of wives as described in Ephesians 5. They explore the influence wives have within the home and address the topic of submission biblically.

In this episode, Jared and Pastor Paul continue their discussion of The Christian Home, focusing on managing tiredness, discouragement, and feelings of exhaustion. Be sure to tune in!

In this episode, Pastor Paul and Jared delve deeper into the dynamics of the Christian home, focusing on strategies for navigating and counteracting the negative influences prevalent in today's world. Tune in as they explore practical ways Christian families can stand firm against sinful influences while fostering a God-centered environment within their homes.

Join Jared and Pastor Paul as they discuss the significance of educating on the Christian home and strategies to safeguard it against looming threats.