The Branch

Faith and science are often put on opposite sides, but Pastor Chris Reed, Pastor Anthony Lombardi, and Pastor Matthew Johnson do not think that tension has to exist. In this episode of The Branch Podcast, the three pastors go deeper on Pastor Tim's recent message and work through some of the biggest questions at the intersection of faith and science. They talk through what Genesis was actually...

What does it actually mean to believe Jesus is the only way in a world that says every path leads to the same place? In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Chris Reed sits down with Pastor Matthew Johnson for an honest and grounded conversation about truth, relativism, and the exclusivity of Christ in a pluralistic culture. They discuss how faith is both intellectual and experiential, why every be...

Why do so many people struggle to trust the Bible? In this episode, we explore some of the biggest questions driving deconstruction—hypocrisy, suffering, culture, contradictions, science, and authority—and discuss how faith can be reconstructed on truth instead of emotion, misinformation, or bad experiences. 

Social media has put theology in everyone's pocket - but is it forming us or deforming us? In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Anthony Lombardi, Matthew Johnson, and Chris Reed examine the world of Christian influencers and short-form theological content. They explore why platform size does not equal credibility, how algorithms quietly shape belief, and why genuine spiritual growth...

What does it look like to deconstruct and reconstruct your faith in a healthy way? In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastor Chris Reed, Pastor Matthew Johnson, and Pastor Anthony Lombardi tackle that question head-on - and the answer starts with humility. The conversation covers why demanding that God make sense on our terms is rooted in a consumer-culture arrogance, and why real trust in God...

What does saving faith actually require - and has the church made it too easy? In this episode of The Branch, Pastor Matthew Johnson, Pastor Anthony Lombardi, and Pastor Chris Reed have an honest and searching conversation about faith: what it means at the moment of salvation, how it grows through obedience, and what it costs when we choose not to follow. The pastors explore the lordship salvation...

What does the Bible actually say about the spiritual realm - and how does it affect the everyday life of a Christian? In this episode of The Branch, Pastor Anthony Lombardi, Pastor Matthew Johnson, and Pastor Chris Reed take on one of the most misunderstood topics in the Christian faith. The pastors trace angels, demons, and satanic influence through both the Old and New Testaments, address what a...

Episode 100 of The Branch Podcast brings Pastors Matthew Johnson, Anthony Lombardi, and Chris Reed together for one of their most candid conversations to date. The episode opens with a look back at some of the funniest moments from ministry life before turning to the story of how The Branch began - organic theological conversations in the church office that staff kept stopping to listen to. From t...

Immigration is one of the most complex and emotionally charged topics of our cultural moment. In this episode of the Branch Podcast, Pastors Matthew Johnson, Anthony Lombardi, and Chris Reed approach the conversation not from a political platform but from a biblical one. Drawing on Scripture from Genesis through Revelation, they explore why Christians are called to hold both justice and compassion...

What does it really mean to share your faith — and do you have to be a theologian to do it? In this episode of the Branch Podcast, Pastors Anthony, Matthew, and Chris have an open, encouraging conversation about evangelism. They define what evangelism is, why the ultimate goal is relationship with God, and why personal testimony is far more powerful than winning a theological argument. Drawing on...

In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Chris, Matthew, and Anthony discuss the sovereignty of God and how it anchors believers in peace. What does it mean that God is in control? How do we reconcile human choice with divine authority? And how should Christians respond to cultural fear, political tension, and personal suffering? Drawing from Romans 8:28, Daniel 4, the story of Joseph, Revel...

When is God calling you to step forward in faith, and when is He asking you to step back and trust Him? In this episode of The Branch, Matthew Johnson is joined by Pastors Anthony Lombardi and Pastor Chris Reed to talk through the tension between action and surrender. Sometimes obedience means taking initiative. Other times it means waiting and letting God move. But how do you know the difference?...

In this episode of the Branch Podcast, Pastor Anthony Lombardi sits down with Pastor Matthew Johnson and Pastor Chris Reed to discuss a challenging topic from the book of Psalms. Some of the psalms include prayers where the writers cry out to God in anger and ask Him to bring judgment against their enemies. These passages can feel intense and even uncomfortable. So how should Christians understand...

In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Matthew, Anthony, and Chris discuss a thoughtful question many married couples face. Can God call one spouse to make a major life change that the other spouse does not agree with? Through honest dialogue and real-life examples, the pastors talk through what calling looks like for Christians, how it can shift through different seasons, and how marriage...

In this episode of the Branch Podcast, Pastor Chris Reed is joined by Pastor Anthony Lombardi for an honest and thoughtful conversation about how Christians discern good and evil in a complicated world. With culture, politics, and media often pulling in competing directions, the Pastors reflect on how followers of Jesus are called to think wisely, remain grounded in Scripture, and live faithfully....

In this episode of the Branch Podcast, pastors Anthony Lombardi, Matthew Johnson, and Chris Reed talk honestly about what it means to live a successful life as a Christian. Rather than measuring success by money, influence, career advancement, or recognition, the conversation reframes success as faithfulness to God in every season. The pastors walk through practical areas where success is often mi...

In this episode of the Branch Podcast, Pastors Chris Reed, Matthew Johnson, and Anthony Lombardi unpack what pastors really mean when they encourage everyday practices like reading the Bible, prayer, worship, going to church, and loving your neighbor. Rather than presenting these as religious checklists, the conversation focuses on how these disciplines are meant to shape a real, ongoing relations...

In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastor Matthew Johnson is joined by Pastor Anthony Lombardi and Pastor Chris Reid for an honest and thoughtful conversation about unity. What does unity actually mean in the church, and how does it differ from uniformity? How should Christians navigate disagreements while remaining committed to one another? The discussion explores Scripture, church history, a...

In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Anthony, Matthew, and Chris take a look at prosperity theology and why it often creates confusion within the Christian faith. They unpack the idea that faith or obedience guarantees wealth, health, or happiness, and contrast it with what Scripture actually teaches about blessing and the Christian life. Throughout the conversation, the pastors explore...

Artificial intelligence is becoming a normal part of life, and many people are unsure how to think about it. In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Matthew, Anthony, and Chris talk through the opportunities and challenges AI brings to followers of Jesus. They discuss how technology can strengthen learning, creativity, and global connection, while also exploring the risks of replacing real...

In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Anthony, Matthew, and Chris take a closer look at what Jesus meant when He spoke about the kingdom of God. They talk through why this theme appears so often in His teaching, how His life showed what God’s reign looks like, and what it means for believers to live in the tension of a kingdom that has begun but is not yet complete. Their conversation is...

In this episode of the Branch Podcast, Pastor Matthew and Pastor Chris sit down for an honest conversation about what it means to love God, love others, and also learn to love ourselves in a healthy way. They walk through how love shapes our thoughts, emotions, spiritual rhythms, and daily choices, and they share practical examples from their own lives and ministries. The pastors also talk about n...

In this Branch Podcast Q&A episode, Pastors Matthew, Anthony, and Chris take on real questions from listeners about faith, Scripture, and life’s most challenging topics. Together they discuss reconciliation, fasting, sexuality, baptism, and why God allows suffering, all through the lens of Scripture and with honest, grace-filled conversation. The pastors also explore deep theological questions...

In this episode of The Branch Podcast , Pastors Matthew, Chris, and Anthony talk about what it really means to live a life of biblical submission. They look at Philippians 2 and Ephesians 5 to show how Jesus modeled humility and obedience, even when it came at a cost. The pastors unpack why submission isn’t weakness but a loving trust in God’s plan, one that shapes marriages, leadership, and every...

In this episode of The Branch Podcast , Pastors Matthew Johnson and Anthony Lombardi talk about the rise of “deconstruction” in today’s culture. They explore both healthy and unhealthy ways to question your faith, showing that doubt doesn’t have to lead to disbelief. Through personal stories, honest reflection, and biblical truth, they reveal how examining what you believe can actually strengthen...