NorthWoods Church Matters

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, Matt sits down with Carey and Ivan for a candid conversation about alcohol. From the church's historical stance on drinking—spanning John Wesley, the Temperance Movement, and Prohibition—to the biblical passages that warn against drunkenness while also portraying wine as a good gift, the crew explores both sides of the debate. They discuss...

Can demons cause physical ailments? What about deliverance ministries—are they biblical, or do they risk becoming spectacle? Bobby, Matt, and Rache explore these questions in part 2 of our conversation on healing. Along the way, they caution against turning suffering into a guessing game, highlight the hope believers have in Christ's victory, and stress the importance of humility and community whe...

What does the Bible really say about the spiritual gift of healing? Is it still around today? And why do some ministries make handkerchiefs sound like magic wands? In this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters, Bobby, Matt, and Rachel dive into one of the least-discussed (and most misunderstood) spiritual gifts: healing. From 1 Corinthians 12 to James 5, from mud in the eyes to mailed-out prayer cl...

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, Lexi sits down with Rachel and Bobby to reflect on the Wholehearted Women's Summer Bible Study on Deuteronomy 6:4–9, the Shema. Together, they unpack the timeless call to love God with all our heart, soul, and might, exploring what it means to listen with intent, live with visible faith, and pass on God's Word to the next generation. Along...

In this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters, Matt, Bobby, and Rachel dive deeper into the allure and evils of New Age spirituality. They tackle tough questions like: is there a biblical connection between soul and body? Has God promised to heal emotional pain? What's the difference between walking in the Spirit and continuing revelation? Can Christians expect direct messages from God today? Wheth...

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, Pastor Matt, Pastor Bobby, and Rachel discuss the growing trend of New Age practices within the Christian community. They explore the roots of New Age philosophy and its modern expressions—like energy healing, chakras, and especially Splankna, a so-called "Christian energy healing" method. Can believers participate in these practices if the...

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters Podcast , Executive Pastor Darin Garton sits down with Pastor Matt to share the heart and purpose behind his upcoming sabbatical. You'll hear why sabbaticals matter for long-term pastoral health, the emotional and spiritual challenges Darin anticipates, and how time away can benefit not just the pastor, but the whole church.

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, Pastor Bobby Pell joins the conversation to unpack the structure, purpose, and often confusing world of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Whether you're a long-time Southern Baptist or brand new to Northwoods, this episode is designed to help you make sense of the acronyms, agencies, and hot topics that shape the SBC. We break down how...

In Part 3 of our worship and tech series, we dive deep into the tension between authenticity and excellence in modern worship. What does it mean to worship from the heart when surrounded by lights, screens, and backing tracks? Pastor Matt and the gang discuss the pitfalls of backing tracks and over-planned service, how tech teams can help (or hinder) real-time spiritual responsiveness, why flexibi...

Does your LED wall actually help people worship—or just look cool on Instagram? When does excellence turn into performance? Is your countdown clock helping people focus—or killing the Holy Spirit's timing? In this episode, Pastor Matt is joined by Carey and Ivan for a lively, no-holds-barred conversation on the highs and hazards of tech in worship. From Sunday morning tech meltdowns and boom camer...

Join Pastor Matt Higgins and elders‑in‑training Carey Bockting and Ivan McDonald on NorthWoods Church Matters as they examine how technology—from hymnals and overhead projectors to LED walls, livestreaming, and AI‑powered translation—is reshaping church. They discuss Northwood's recent tech upgrades, spotlight multilingual worship through live translation and ASL, and explore why people turn to on...

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, Pastor Matt sits down with Missions Pastor Ryan Moore and seasoned mission partner Diane Edwards to reflect on their recent mission trip to Panama. Joined by a team including members from Northwood and Community Central, the group worked to minister to the indigenous people in the Cherokee province. Listen in as they share stories of evange...

In this special episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters Podcast , Lead Pastor Bobby Pell and host Pastor Matt Higgins sit down with Zack and Courtney Newsome, former student ministry leaders turned full-time missionaries. The Newsoms share their journey—from leading backyard Bible clubs as teens to answering God's call to train missionaries in Panama City, Panama (not Florida!). They discuss the...

In part two of their social media conversation, Pastor Matt and the team get honest about how Christians should engage online. From internet outrage cycles to personal attacks on faith, they unpack the temptations and pitfalls of digital discourse—and offer a better way forward. They talk about the dangers of anonymous criticism, the algorithms that amplify conflict, and the pressure to weigh in o...

What exactly is social media? Has it helped or hurt our sense of true connection? Are influencers just glorified salespeople? Can Christians use social media without being consumed by it? In this episode of the  NorthWoods Church Matters podcast, we continue their series on technology—this time diving into the world of social media. From the rise and fall of platforms like Vine and Twitter, to the...

In this second podcast on Christians and pornography, we take an honest look at how porn quietly wrecks marriages. Pastor Matt breaks down why getting married doesn't fix a porn problem—and how that belief often sets couples up for heartache. We talk about the real consequences: unrealistic sexual expectations, emotional distance, and more. Matt shares hard-earned wisdom from years of counseling:...

In this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters , Pastor Matt sits down with Ivan and Kerry to have a real conversation about pornography and its impact on the church. They kick things off by trying to define what pornography even is—spoiler: it's not as simple as you might think—and talking about how the internet has completely changed how people access and think about it. From the old shame-filled...

In this second installment of our deep dive into smartphone use, we tackle the hard truths behind our digital habits—how our phones are subtly reshaping everything from parenting and marriage to spiritual life and mental health. We explore "phubbing" – the silent killer of intimacy in marriage, the  illusion of connection versus true relationships in the age of social media, the rise of chronic lo...

Welcome to a brand-new series on NorthWoods Church Matters  podcast! In this episode, Matt, Ivan, and Carey dive into one of the most important questions Christians should be asking today: how is your smartphone shaping your life—and your soul? From shocking stats (the average person checks their phone 144 times a day!), to how social media companies are actively rewiring our brains for more scree...

We've made it to the end—and the beginning! In this final episode of our series on the seven churches of Revelation (told in reverse), we finish our conversation on Ephesus. This church had a lot going for it: solid doctrine, hard work, patient endurance… but Jesus still says something isn't right. Matt, Bobby, and the crew dig into what it means to lose your first love—even when you're "doing all...

As we continue our series on the churches in Revelation, we head to Ephesus—the church that started strong but lost its first love. Matt, Bobby, and the NorthWoods team dives into the city's historical and biblical background, from its commercial power and idol worship to its gospel legacy through Paul, Priscilla, Aquila, and Timothy. Along the way, the guys share some laughs about childhood obses...

In this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters, we continue our discussion on  the Church of Smyrna in Revelation and Christ's exhortation to  fear not in the face of suffering. Smyrna was a persecuted church, yet Jesus encouraged them to remain faithful—even unto death. What does that mean for Christians today? Why does God allow suffering for His people? How can we endure trials with joy, as James...

Easter is coming, and NorthWoods Church has some exciting plans! In this episode, Pastor Bobby and Pastor Matt discuss what's in store for Easter weekend, including multiple service times, the decision to add a Saturday evening service , and how the church is preparing for increased attendance. They also talk about why Easter is a prime opportunity to invite friends, the heart behind reaching "Chr...

In this episode of the NorthWoods Church Matters Podcast, we explore Jesus' letter to the church in Smyrna—a church that faced persecution, poverty, and opposition, yet remained faithful. Unlike most of the other seven churches in Revelation, Smyrna received no rebuke from Christ, but they did receive a warning that more suffering was coming. Join Matt, Bobby, and the gang as they discuss the city...

In this episode of NorthWoods Church Matters , we continue our journey through the seven churches of Revelation, focusing on Pergamum—the city where Satan's throne was said to dwell. What does it mean to remain faithful in a culture filled with idolatry and compromise? How does Jesus challenge both legalism and moral laxity in the church? Join us as we explore the historical and spiritual signific...