Kitchen Table Theology

What do worship, structure, and doctrine look like in the Global Methodist Church? Pastor Jeff Cranston sit down with Dr. Scott Pattison to unpack what makes this growing denomination unique. From diverse worship styles to strong theological alignment and global expansion, this episode gives you a front-row seat to what’s happening inside the Global Methodist movement—and why so many churches are...

Born out of a desire to uphold biblical authority and orthodox Christian faith, the Global Methodist Church is a new denomination with deep historical roots. In this conversation, Pastor Jeff Cranston sits down with Reverend Scott Pattison to explore the history and formation of the Global Methodist Church. Reverend Scott shares his personal journey through the United Methodist Church, the challen...

Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston sit down to recap key takeaways from their two-part conversation with Pastor Erik Janke of May River Lutheran Church. From Martin Luther’s original teachings to the three major Lutheran denominations in the U.S., they explore the key doctrines, worship practices, and theological distinctives that shape the Lutheran tradition today. 🎉 P.S. If you missed Parts...

In this second installment of our conversation with Pastor Erik Janke of May River Lutheran Church, we go deeper into the sacramental life of the Lutheran Church—exploring what Lutherans believe about communion, baptism, and the authority of Scripture. Pastor Jeff and Pastor Erik unpack some of the differences between the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and other branches of Lutheranis...

What sets the Lutheran church apart from other Protestant traditions? In this episode, Pastor Jeff welcomes Pastor Erik Janke, founding pastor of May River Lutheran Church and fellow fire department chaplain, to unpack the rich theological roots of Lutheranism, its historic emphasis on Word and Sacrament, and the unique structure of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). 🎉 P.S. Be sure...

The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church share a common origin, but over time, differences in theology, practice, and leadership have led to a significant split. In this episode, Pastor Jeff and Tiffany revisit their recent conversation with Reverend Greg Kronz to debrief what makes these two denominations distinct and why thousands of churches chose to leave the Episcopal tradition and form t...

When you think of St. Patrick, what comes to mind—green beer, shamrocks, and leprechauns? The real story of Patrick of Ireland is far more powerful and inspiring. In this special bonus episode, Pastor Jeff steps away from our denominational series to share the true history of St. Patrick, the man who brought Christianity to Ireland and left a lasting legacy of faith. Here’s What We Discussed: 01:3...

The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church share common roots, but over time, theological shifts and leadership structures have created key differences. In this episode, Pastor Jeff sits down with Reverend Greg Kronz to break down the Anglican Church’s hierarchy, beliefs on communion and baptism, and why many churches have chosen to leave the Episcopal tradition. If you didn’t listen to Part 1,...

The Episcopal Church is a branch of Anglicanism. Over time, theological differences have created a divide, but what sets them apart? In this episode, Pastor Jeff sits down with Reverend Greg Kronz to explore the history, doctrinal shifts, and denominational splits that have shaped these two traditions.  Here’s What We Discussed: 01:10 - Reverend Greg’s Journey to Ministry Raised in a Roman Catholi...

How does being a Presbyterian differ from other Christian denominations? In this episode, Pastor Jeff Cranston and Tiffany Coker explore the history, beliefs, and denominational differences within Presbyterianism. If you missed the last two episodes on the Presbyterian Church in America, be sure to check them out! Here’s What We Discussed: 00:55 - The Roots of Presbyterianism The word Presbyterian...

The Presbyterian Church has a long history rooted in the Protestant Reformation, but what exactly sets Presbyterianism apart from other Christian traditions? Pastor Jeff Cranston sits down with Reverend Bill McCutchen, lead pastor at Hilton Head Presbyterian Church, to explore the key aspects of Presbyterian theology. If you haven’t seen part 1 of this conversation, feel free to go back and listen...

The Presbyterian Church has a long history rooted in the Protestant Reformation, but what exactly sets Presbyterianism apart from other Christian traditions like Lutherans, Calvinists, or even Baptists?   Pastor Jeff Cranston sits down with Reverend Bill McCutchen, lead pastor at Hilton Head Presbyterian Church, to explore the history, theology, and governance of Presbyterianism. They discuss its...

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., with a vast network of churches and a strong emphasis on missions. But how did it begin, and what sets it apart from other denominations? Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston discuss everything we've learned about the SBC in the last 2 episodes. If you missed Part 1 and Part 2 of our conversation, be s...

Reverend Jay Hardwick , senior pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church and president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, returns for Part 2 of our discussion on the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).  We discuss how Southern Baptists work together through church planting, missionary efforts, and theological education. The cooperative generosity of SBC churches has fueled missions across North Ameri...

Our guest, Reverend Jay Hardwick, senior pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church and president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, joins us as we discuss the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). We learn about the SBC’s origins, core beliefs, and unique church governance structure.  Southern Baptist churches operate independently while cooperating for missions and theological education. baptism by im...

In this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston discuss the three major branches—Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant. They dive into their histories, theological distinctions, and worship practices. They also give an overview of Anglicanism, Lutheranism, Presbyterianism, and Methodism, exploring their unique theological and liturgical characteristics....

Welcome back to Kitchen Table Theology! In 2025, Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston kick off the new year with an exciting new series. We’re diving into the beliefs, histories, and theological distinctions of Protestant denominations in America. Here's What to Expect: New Episode Format: Each episode will feature an interview with a pastor from a specific Protestant denomination, explorin...

"How has God loved us?"  That's exactly what the Israelites asked in Malachi, God's final message before 400 years of divine silence.  Though they had been rescued from exile, rebuilt their temple, and restored their city, the people had fallen into spiritual apathy and empty religion.  In this episode, Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston examine the book of Malachi - a powe...

Imagine returning home after 70 years, only to find your city completely destroyed, overgrown, and uninhabitable. This was the reality faced by the Jewish exiles returning to Jerusalem in the 6th century BC. Through Zechariah, God provides both immediate hope and far-reaching messianic prophecies.  In this episode, Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston explore the prophetic book of Zechariah, who...

What happens when God's people postpone His work? The book of Haggai addresses this struggle through the story of the Jewish people who, after returning from exile, left God's temple in ruins for 16 years while building their own luxurious homes. Through His prophet Haggai, God highlighted how this procrastination reflected deeper spiritual priorities and called His people back to proper...

What happens when God's people forget His Word entirely? In Zephaniah's time, the nation had lost the scroll of God's Law, leading to widespread spiritual decay. Yet even in such dark times, God provides hope through faithful prophets and leaders. How might we guard against similar spiritual amnesia in our own lives? In this episode, Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston explore th...

While God may seem silent and uninvolved in our world, he always has a plan to meet out justice and deal with evil. It may not be according to our schedule, but it is perfectly timed to His will and ways. Habakkuk encourages believers to wait on the Lord, expecting that He will indeed work out all things for our good.  When you look at the trouble in your own life, how can you trust God's tim...

Have you ever felt your resolve weakening in the face of overwhelming darkness? Do you look at the world around you and wonder if evil will triumph?  In this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Pastor Jeff Cranston and Tiffany Coker explore the prophetic book of Nahum, a powerful reminder that God remains sovereign even in our darkest hours. Through examining this prophet, we learn about a timeless...

The book of Micah instructs us to reflect on where injustice might dwell in our own lives. When you look at your own life, what are the daily injustices that you might not even realize?  In this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, we delve into the book of Micah, uncovering its powerful messages about justice, mercy, and the coming Messiah. Join Tiffany and Pastor Jeff as they explore this lesser-k...

Do you ever find yourself fighting against God? When your desires are pulling you in one way and God's desires are pulling you in another, it can be tempting to run. Jonah found himself in that very position, and his story has much to teach us. Even when we try to flee from God's direction, His purposes prevail. The book of Jonah reminds us of God's relentless pursuit of both His se...