Retrieving Catholicity with Pastor Mason Ballard

In this episode, Pastor Mason reflects on the purpose and future of his podcast 'Retrieving Catholicity,' discussing his dissertation's insights on Catholicity, its relevance for evangelicals, and his decision to pause for the summer to focus on local church ministry and personal growth. Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify! Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.c...

In this episode, Pastor Mason explores the significance of Catholicity in worship, emphasizing the importance of creeds, confessions, and liturgical practices in fostering theological understanding and church unity. He offers practical insights for integrating these elements into modern evangelical worship to deepen faith and pass on biblical truth. Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotif...

In this episode, Pastor Mason shares his insights on the current state of the Southern Baptist Convention, reflecting on its challenges, opportunities, and future direction. He discusses cooperation, theological integrity, cultural issues, and the importance of local church focus. Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify! Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/ Resurrection Ch...

In this episode, Pastor Mason explores the complexities of church growth, emphasizing that it is not accidental, contingent on external factors, and often deceptive. He shares seven theses on church growth, highlighting the importance of faithfulness, understanding social fault lines, and maintaining focus on Jesus amidst challenges. Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify! Mason Ballard...

In this replay episode of the Retrieving Catholicity podcast, Pastor Mason Ballard reflects on the significance of engaging with historical theological voices, particularly through the lens of Charles Spurgeon's work. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the universal church that transcends time, encouraging listeners to read the writings of past theologians as an act of love and humili...

In this episode, Pastor Mason Ballard and Reverend Derek Roberts explore the intersection of faith, family, and church life, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the gospel in parenting and personal decisions. They discuss practical challenges faced by young families, the role of church community, and the balance between cultural influences and biblical priorities. Learn more about Rev. Dere...

This week we are sharing an episode of the Local Theologians podcast. Dr. Mason Ballard joins Dr. Travis Montgomery to discuss the doctrine of catholicity (little‑c) and how recovering a sense of the church’s universality across time and space has transformed his ministry. Mason explains how Baptist convictions harmonize with the historic Christian confession of ‘one holy, catholic, and apostolic...

In this episode, Pastor Mason Ballard and Reverend Derek Roberts discuss various aspects of church life, including reflections on Easter services, the significance of baptism, navigating church traditions, and the importance of finding the right church community. They emphasize the need for moral clarity and theological convictions in church selection, as well as the role of online presence in att...

In this episode of Retrieving Catholicity, Pastor Mason Ballard shares his Easter sermon. Exploring the resurrection of Jesus from the Gospel of John, emphasizing its significance for understanding God's story and our own. Pastor Mason guides listeners through the narrative, addressing doubts, historical reliability, and the transformative power of the resurrection. Mason Ballard Ministries: h...

In this episode of Retrieving Catholicity, Pastor Mason Ballard and Kenny discuss the significance of Easter and its connection to the catholicity of the church. They explore the importance of observing Holy Week, the need to reclaim Christmas traditions, and the theological implications of gathering for worship on significant days. The conversation emphasizes the opportunities for evangelism duri...

In this episode, Pastor Mason Ballard engages in a heartfelt conversation with his friend Kenny, who shares his journey from a Buddhist upbringing in West Virginia to embracing Christianity and feeling called to cross-cultural ministry. They discuss the importance of local churches in supporting missions, the unique opportunities presented by the UAE for gospel work, and the need for partnerships...

What makes a good sermon? In this episode, Pastor Mason Ballard explores the art and theology of preaching and how the catholicity of the church (the wisdom of the global, historic church) should shape the way pastors prepare and deliver sermons. Using the image of a meal vs. ingredients, Mason explains why sermons shouldn’t simply dump information from study, but instead present the truth of Scri...

In many churches, music has become something we watch rather than something we do. But throughout the history of the church—and in the pages of Scripture—God’s people are called to sing together. In this episode, Pastor Mason Ballard explores five benefits of congregational singing and why it should be a central part of Christian worship. From participation and encouragement to theological formati...

In this episode, Pastor Mason Ballard explores the theme of gratitude as a foundational aspect of the Christian life and ministry. He reflects on a passage from Colossians 2, emphasizing the importance of walking in faith and being rooted in Christ. The conversation delves into how gratitude is a response to God's grace and how it can transform our perspective, especially in leadership roles....

In this episode, Pastor Mason Ballard explores the philosophy of ministry with a focus on the significance of the Lord's Supper in church services. He discusses the importance of observing the Lord's Supper regularly, emphasizing its role in fostering community, participation, and a deeper understanding of worship. Ballard also addresses the challenges of personality domination in worship settings...

In this conversation, Pastor Mason Ballard and his sister Molly discuss the role of women in ministry, exploring personal experiences, theological implications, and the importance of relationships with God. They address the challenges women face in a male-dominated space, share insights on navigating gender dynamics, and encourage women to embrace their calling and contributions to the church. The...

In this episode, Dr. Mason Ballard and Dr. Taylor Combs explore the intersection of rich theology and warm community within the church. They discuss the importance of gospel doctrine and culture, the challenges of theological certainty, and the need for strong doctrine to navigate the complexities of modern ministry. The conversation emphasizes the significance of love and grace in church life, th...

In this episode of the Retrieving Catholicity podcast, Pastor Mason Ballard interviews his sister Molly Alford, who works with Send Relief, a compassion ministry. They discuss the role of the church in mercy ministry, the importance of community engagement, and how the gospel is central to their work. Molly shares insights on how Send Relief collaborates with local churches to meet community needs...

In this episode, Dr. Mason Ballard interviews Dr. Taylor Combs, discussing the significance of reading in the life of a Christian. They explore the importance of engaging with literature, both theological and fictional, as a means of personal growth and understanding. Dr. Combs shares insights on how to cultivate a reading habit, recommends several impactful books, and emphasizes the role of readi...

In this episode of the Retrieving Catholicity podcast, Pastor Mason Ballard reflects on the significance of engaging with historical theological voices, particularly through the lens of Charles Spurgeon's work. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the universal church that transcends time, encouraging listeners to read the writings of past theologians as an act of love and humility. Bal...

In this episode of Retrieving Catholicity, Pastor Mason discusses the controversial topic of short-term mission trips within evangelical culture. He explores both the critiques and the value of these trips, emphasizing the importance of understanding the theological foundations of catholicity and mission. The conversation highlights the potential for personal growth, the significance of building r...

In this episode of the Retrieving Catholicity podcast, Pastor Mason explores the themes of church health versus perfection, emphasizing the importance of pursuing a healthy church that acknowledges its imperfections. He discusses the aspirational nature of ecclesiology, particularly within the Baptist tradition, and how this impacts church membership and community life. The conversation highlights...

Season 2 is here! Retrieving Catholicity, hosted by Pastor Mason Ballard, returns with deeper conversations on Scripture, theology, liturgy, and the historic faith of the Church. Rooted in tradition. Oriented toward renewal. Join the work of retrieval. Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/

In this final episode of season one of the Retrieving Catholicity Podcast, Pastor Mason Ballard reflects on the journey of exploring catholicity and retrieval in the context of Christian ministry. He discusses the importance of understanding the concepts of retrieval and catholicity, the impact of language on worship, and the role of local churches in embodying catholic principles. Pastor Mason em...

In this episode of the Retrieving Catholicity Podcast, Pastor Mason Ballard explores the question of whether everyone is a theologian. He discusses the implications of this question for Christians and emphasizes the importance of being good theologians in understanding and articulating doctrines. The conversation also highlights the role of everyday theologians in the church and the significance o...