Reformed Podmatics

Continuing the series "It Matters More Than You Think," we turn our attention to the calling of Christian parents to lead their children in worship at home. This episode gives a theological and biblical argument for family worship and provides practical advice for how to guide children towards a life of Christian discipleship. Visit  www.almondvalley.org  for information about Almond Valley Christ...

In the communication of God's holy Word and Christ's holy gospel, one often overlooked element is the pastor's use (and misuse) of humor in the pulpit. In this week's episode Pastor Mark and Pastor Zac seek to consider ways in which reliance on jokes, laughter, and humor can either hamper or aid in the preaching of God's Word. Visit  www.almondvalley.org  for information about Almond Valley Christ...

Though it's one of the less discussed issues in modern Evangelical churches, the order of worship in our Lord's Day liturgy is an incredibly important subject because of the way it shapes the warp and woof of our daily walk with the Lord. In this week's episode, Pastor Mark is rejoined by Pastor Zac to discuss the gospel logic of the Reformed tradition's approach to the biblical ordering of the wo...

This week we continue the series "It Matters More Than You Think," in which we consider topics that could go unnoticed by many churchgoers but will actually have great impact on our spiritual lives. Today we ask why it matters to everyone (not just those in ordained ministry) that pastors pursue a seminary education. In today's episode we are joined by Pastor Patrick Anthony of Immanuel CRC in Rip...

There are many things in the life of the Church that matter far more than many Christians typically realize, but which are still of very great importance. In this week's installment of this new series, Pastor Mark and Pastor Zac embark on the journey by turning some attention to the topics of church architecture and expository preaching, as they consider how the Reformed tradition tends to approac...

As C.S. Lewis warns us in his famed Screwtape Letters, we must always be alert to the temptation to love Christianity not for the sake of Christ, but for the sake of using it for our own purposes and ends, whatever they may be. Thus we must ask, What is Christianity for? In this week's episode Zac and Mark dive into this weighty question, trying to tease out the Bible's teaching on the matter. Alo...

In today's world, with the panoply of so many great Christian conferences, resources, books, podcasts, blogs, and parachurch ministries, it has become all too tempting for Christians of all denominations to place less and less value on their denominational identities all while, in turn, placing more emphasis on a certain kind of theological eclecticism. And so in this week's episode, Mark and Zac...

Anyone who's ever studied Church history, including the development and transmission of the Reformed tradition, has probably noticed that some fairly important things have changed in church life and practice over the millennia. Sometimes these changes are for the better, and yet other times it seems they're for the worse. In this week's episode, Mark and Zac aim to make the case that our churches...

We may know our story and the contours of our tradition, but as the CRCNA today, who are we really? And more importantly, who are we going to be? In the midst of our ongoing denominational identity crisis, Pastor Mark and Pastor Zac spend time in this week's episode casting a vision of sorts for the CRC as a denomination who seeks always the glory God in our doctrine, cultural engagement, and piet...

With classis season right around the corner, one of the perennial subjects on many people's minds is the upcoming ordination examinations that are coming up for prospective ministers and other servants of the church. So in this week's episode, Pastor Mark and Pastor Zac sit down for a discussion about what kinds of exams take place, how they should be conducted, why they're important, and how clas...

What does it mean to be a member of a church? Is membership biblically valid? And how should we go about becoming members, and pastorally caring for members? And when do we "lapse" members versus "excommunicating" them? All these questions and more are the topic of this week's episode of Reformed Podmatics.   Visit  www.almondvalley.org  for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Churc...

On December 18th, one week before Christmas, the Roman curia released a document titled Fiducia Supplicans which gave permission, under specific circumstances and conditions, for Roman Catholic priests to perform blessings of same-sex couples. While there is no shortage of debate within the Roman church as to what this means and doesn't mean, the aim of this episode is to consider this document fr...

Get out the milk and cookies! For the final episode of the year, Mark and Zac look back on the past year and reflect on the Christian Reformed Church in North America and all that has taken place in the denomination, paying special attention to Synod 2023, the issue of "gravamen", and the more recent goings on in the lead up to Synod 2024. Thanks for tuning in! Paul VanderKlay's episode "5 Stages...

Pastor Mark and Pastor Zac are back at it again this week with a festive Christmas ("holiday"?) episode full of funny Freudian slips and serious reflections on how people today seem to think of the Christian faith and its place in our modern, secular culture. As Christians seeking to share the gospel with our neighbors, it's important that we consider the ways in which ordinary people tend to thin...

In his 1943 classic, The Abolition of Man, C. S. Lewis took modern education to task and aimed instead to offer a better vision for the education of young people, particularly in regards to morality and virtue. And so in this episode, Mark and Zac spend some time reflecting on a famous quote from the book and its implications for ministry in the 21st century: "The task of the modern educator is no...

A podcast a podcasts? That's where we're going on this episode of Reformed Podmatics. What are the dangers of podcast gluttony? What might our consumption of podcasts be replacing in our spiritual lives? And what are some podcasts that Zac and Mark have enjoyed in recent months? Zac's List: Mere Fidelity, 5 Minutes in Church History, Simply Put, Speak Life with Glen Scrivener Mark's List: First Th...

One of the more important technological advancements over the past several years has come in the form of artificial intelligence. From social media algorithms to ChatGPT, many of these developments promise to change the world as we know it. So how can Christians joyfully discern both the promise and the peril of them? Join us as Pastor Mark and Pastor Zac sit down to think it over. Visit  www.almo...

Lutherans and Methodists and Charismatics, oh my! While Christians have unity in Christ, there is also great diversity in our family tree. In this episode we look at various denominations in their best light and ask what the Lord might have to teach us through traditions outside our own. Visit  www.almondvalley.org  for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA. Music...

What does it mean to be a man? What is God's calling on a Christian man? What does God teach us in the Bible about masculinity? Visit  www.almondvalley.org  for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA. Music by Jonathan Ogden  used with permission.

With Israel re-entering the news cycle, many Christians are asking theological questions concerning the connection between Israel and the Church. Did the Christian Church replace Israel? Whose side should a Christian take in the current conflict between Israel and Palestine? Visit  www.almondvalley.org  for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA. Music by Jonathan O...

This week we're excited to have "concerned layman" Simon Veenstra on the show. In this episode Simon shares about his theological journey in coming to more deeply value the Reformed faith and his perspective as a highly involved layman from Brampton, Ontario and Classis Toronto.    Visit  www.almondvalley.org  for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA. Music by Jon...

In this episode we are joined by Rev. Pete VanderBeek, who serves as a Situational Transitional Minister in the CRC. Pete is a self-proclaimed "revisionist," and here he shares his thoughts on the past, present, and future of the CRC. Visit  www.almondvalley.org  for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA. Music by Jonathan Ogden  used with permission.

Rev. Stephen Hamidu joins us from Veenstra Theological Seminary in eastern Nigeria. After serving a church in the CRC of Nigeria, Stephen now serves as professor of systematic theology, ethics, and pastoral care. For information on how to support Veenstra Theological Seminary please contact Stephen at hamidustephen007@gmail.com .  Visit  www.almondvalley.org  for information about Almond Valley Ch...

The pastor of Rochester CRC in Rochester, NY, Anthony Selvaggio, joins us for this week's episode. Anthony served the Lord for several yeras in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America , and in this episode he shares his thoughts on the similarities and differences between the RPCNA and the CRC. Anthony's Published Works Include: Considering Job Sing a New Song: Recovering Psalm Singing f...

Our first conversation in the "Reformed Perspectives" series is with Pastor Paul Van Maaren of First Reformed Church of Sheldon, Iowa. The congregation in Sheldon recently departed from the Reformed Church in America and became affiliated with the Alliance of Reformed Churches . In this conversation we learn about the state of the RCA and how things are going in the newly formed ARC. Visit  www.al...