Pastor Talk

In six days God makes everything, on the seventh he rests. This one cosmic action not only makes it abundantly clear that God has no equal but it also creates an eternal rhythm for creation from work to rest, creation to hallowing. Join the Pastors as they explore Genesis 2:1-3 and what this ancient creation story has to teach us about the rhythms of our own lives. Be sure to share this with anyon...

When God gives dominion to humanity, he creates an order of stewardship. Today, the Pastors explore why humans are uniquely tasked with the care of the creation and what clues we might find as to how God intended the creation to fit together in Genesis 1:28-31. Be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in going along on this journey together through Genesis together. Past...

In the first 25 verses, God has made all living things except humans and then in two short verses, everything shifts. Today, Pastors Clint and Michael explore how God's perfect creation includes humanity. We discover that God made each person in his own image and that he gave them responsibility for the care and oversight of creation. In a universe of order and intentionality, God made a place for...

On one hand, the mission of the church is simple, to be faithful to Jesus Christ. On the other hand, it requires commitment from both the individual and the community to be humble enough to be open for direction and courageous enough to follow where Jesus leads. Today's conversation explores how Christians have historically understood their call to participate in God's mission through several ways...

God creates all living things, first those things that fly, then those things that crawl upon the earth. But it isn't just God's action that matters, it is the implication. God made all things with the intention that they would flourish and grow. In other words, God made the world with a spirit of abundance and ongoing fulfillment. This is not only different from the competing ancient creation sto...

In five short verses God creates a universe of order by separating light from darkness and the sea from the air. Today we learn that creation reveals a God whose very word establishes the boundary between chaos and order, and that it is the same God who reveals himself in Jesus Christ that invites us to a new life of righteousness and hope. Be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be...

Beginning with the very first few words of the Bible, Pastors Clint and Michael explore why each word and phrase of Genesis 1:1-2 becomes such an important glimpse into the central message of the scriptures, that God is the source and foundation of all things. Be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in going along on this journey together through Genesis together. Pasto...

Genesis is a complicated book. In this conversation the pastors talk about the different sections of the book, the pre-history and the patriarchal stories. They also discuss some of the dominant themes such as sorting the good from the bad, God's covenant, human barrenness, and, ultimately, God's faithfulness. As we prepare to begin with Genesis 1:1 next week, we learn that the whole book of Genes...

Join us for a conversation about mission, about how it should shape your own identity, and how it binds us to a community in Jesus Christ. In this episode, Pastors Clint and Michael introduce a new series called "Mission Musings." In this introductory conversation, they explore how Christians are mysteriously (and AMAZINGLY!) invited to participate in God's own mission in the world. This "misio de...

We're back! Next week the Pastors kickoff two new series: The daily Bible study will return every afternoon live at 2pm CST with a study of the book of Exodus. The weekly study will return every Thursday with an exploration of the Westminster Confession, how it has shaped our Reformed forbearers and what implications it has for our contemporary faith. Be sure to share this with anyone who you thin...

Today Pastors Clint and Michael begin with a brief introduction to our upcoming study of Genesis and the significance of this amazing Biblical book. Be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in going along on this journey together.

In this concluding episode, Pastors Clint and Michael survey the major themes of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book Life Together and explore how his understanding of the Christian community can shape our own Christian faith. Be sure to stay tuned for our next series about the mission of the church that will come out in the next few weeks. Until then, be sure to let us know what you have learned in this b...

The fifth and final chapter of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book  Life Together  "Confession & Communion" illustrates the central important that confession plays in the Christian life. Bonhoeffer explains that the deepest human temptation to sinfulness lies in our inner pride. He argues that in order to live fully in the life of Christ, Christians must be willing to give up that pride throu...

The fourth chapter of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book  Life Together  "Ministry" explores how every Christian is called to active ministry within their Christian community. Bonhoeffer explores how the practices of silence, humility, and scriptural correction provide ample opportunities for life-long discipleship and Christian formation. As Bonhoeffer conceives of it, ministry is ultimately th...

The third chapter of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book  Life Together  gives Christians a glimpse into how the spiritual practices of meditation, intercession, and even silence can be invaluable tools for Christian discipleship and, ultimately, community. A surprising chapter for a book expressly about community, Bonhoeffer shows us how even our "individual" lives shape and form us for our comm...

The second chapter of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book Life Together offers a powerful glimpse into how the rhythms of each day can be an opportunity for Christians to grow deeper in their relationship with God and others. In this chapter, Bonhoeffer explores how every moment from daybreak to sunset is ripe with opportunities for prayer, psalm, songs, and the upbuilding of the Christian community. Rarel...

Pastors Clint and Michael discuss the first chapter of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book Life Together . In this conversation, the pastors discuss how Christians define "community" and what makes Christian community different from other communities. Although this may appear, at first glance, to be simple, Dietrich Bonhoeffer shows us that real Christian community is rich and deeply meaningful when we rec...

Pastors Clint and Michael introduce a new Podcast series covering the classic 20th century book Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. In this introduction, the pastors survey Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life and explain what makes him such an enduring theological figure. Due to his exceptional intellect and thoroughgoing faith captured so brilliantly in this small book, millions of people have found enc...

Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they conclude the Jesus Jargon series with a conversation about what Christians mean by the word "worship." Unlike some of the jargon in this series, "worship" is a word Christians use at least once every week. And yet, for all of its use, we sometimes fail to slow down and consider the full breadth and real significance of the word. In this final episode we retur...

Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they explore what Christians mean by the word "orthodoxy." Though not always a word used in Christian Education, orthodoxy refers to "right belief." At its best, orthodoxy is intended to provide Christians a shared language for our common purpose and shared mission. In this episode, the pastors explore how orthodoxy can provide guiderails for the church enabling u...

Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they explore what Christians mean by the word "Spiritual." Living in a culture that elevates "spirituality" above religious practices, Christians would do well to return to the fundamentals of Christian spirituality and rediscover the beautiful promise that the Holy Spirit lives within us. Don't miss this conversation if you have ever struggled to begin a new "spi...

Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they explore what Christians mean by the word "ecumenical." While maybe not a word commonly spoken within the normal life of a congregation, modern church denominations have invested a great deal of time and effort in fostering partnerships between Christians all throughout the world. The ecumenical movement has resulted in local congregations recognizing that des...

Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they explore what Christians mean by the word "salvation." While central to our understanding of what it means to be people of faith, the Christian understanding of salvation is much more rich and nuanced than if someone just says the "sinners prayer." The Pastors discuss what it means to be saved and how it isn't just a one time event but an entire life of faith,...

Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they explore what Christians mean by the word "mission." The mission of the church has existed from the very moment that Jesus gave the great commission but the expression of that mission has taken many forms. The pastors explain how the mission of the church is distinct from the the secular understanding of organizations missions. They also discuss how the term "...

Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they explore the terms "Conservative" and "Liberal" from the Christian perspective. You may be surprised to discover that these two labels have existed in some measure throughout the history of the church and a robust understanding of each enables us to see how God has providentially led the church through very different times and seasons. Though we live in a part...