The Church Things Podcast

Why are some younger adults leaving Churches of Christ?  In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss four things some said the church did not provide them: more engaging worship, deeper teaching, a culture of openness to fresh study of the scriptures, and the feeling of being valued and heard.  

In this episode, Kerry and Becky explore one of the reasons many young adults told them they eventually left their churches: they felt the church was not providing for some of their needs.  Four of those stated needs are identified in this episode, and four more will be considered in the next episode.

Why are so many 20-30 year-olds leaving Churches of Christ for other churches?  In this episode of The Church Things Podcast , Kerry and Becky, offer one reason: college, careers, and increasingly busy schedules cause people to gradually drift away.  They share a word of encouragement both for those who may have drifted away and for church leaders who care for them.   

Someone recently asked Becky and Kerry this question: Why are so many 20 and 30-year-olds leaving Churches of Christ for other churches?  Others, including those who have left Churches of Christ and those who remain and imagine why some leave, were invited to weigh in on this question.  This episode is a preview of the responses that were submitted.

Some churches schedule and plan Baptism Sundays, special services planned in advance to encourage baptisms.  In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss why churches might consider planning such an event, as well as why some might not. 

In this episode, Kerry and Becky are responding to this submission: "We are looking for an additional Shepherd to put in place within this year.  What in your mind is the key quality that we should look for?"  This week, they're talking about  what the New Testament teaches about church leadership.

In this brief episode, Kerry and Becky are responding to a question from a church member about “shepherding couples.”  Are "shepherding couples" biblical?

In this episode Becky and Kerry offer and discuss suggestions to church leaders and churches who want to help their members develop community and friendships at church.

What would you say to church members who still feel like outsiders—even after years in their church? In this episode, Kerry and Becky share five encouraging suggestions to help those who feel on the outside begin building meaningful friendships and connections.

This is Part 3 and the final installment of Becky and Kerry's response to a woman who separated from her husband whom she claims is abusive and addicted to pornography.  They offer suggestions to consider, suggestions for abused women, their friends, and the churches of which they are a part.  

This is Part 2 in Kerry and Becky's response to a situation in which church leaders urged a woman to return to her husband, someone she says is abusive and porn-addicted.  Did those leaders give good advice?  What could they have done better?  When church members come to their leaders with a problem in their marriage, how should those leaders respond?  

What are the grounds for God-approved divorce?  Are there other grounds for separation and divorce that are not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament?  These are the questions Kerry and Becky discuss in episode #212 of The Church Things Podcast .  (This episode is part one of their response to a particular church situation that was brought to them.)   

This is a follow-up episode to #211, "Term Limits for Church Leaders," in which Kerry and Becky are responding to some of the responses to that previous episode.  These are some of the questions discussed in this episode: Does the Bible authorize a term limits policy?  When are term limits justified?  What are some of the reasons churches should not require leaders to resign when they re...

Should church leaders be term limited?  Should they be required to resign or retire after reaching a certain age, or of serving a set number of years?  In this podcast episode, Kerry and Becky are discussing the pros and cons of establishing a term limit policy for church leaders.  

Becky and Kerry discuss the need for churches to "make kids a priority" in this episode.  After interviewing Morgan Ary, Children's Minister for the Homewood Church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama, they talk about some of the ways churches can pour into the lives of their young and, indeed, "make kids a priority" in their churches.

In this episode, Kerry and Becky respond to someone who believes their church needs a vision for the future, but whose leaders do not seem interested.  What can church leaders and Christians do to interest others in setting goals for the future?  Tune in for this 16-minute discussion into the need for and benefits of developing a clear and compelling picture of what a church believes God may accom...

Join Becky and Kerry as they discuss what they heard from Christians and church leaders on their recent two-week Church Things Tour.

When should church leaders and gospel preachers address current events?  What current events should they address?  In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss several responses to Charlie Kirk's assassination and offer three principles that may help church leaders know when and when not to publicly address news events.

Paul writes that Christians should be devoted to good works in his letter to Titus.   But, why?  What is the relationship between good works and our salvation?  Since we are not saved on the basis of what we do, is there anything for us to do in order to be saved?  These are some of the questions up for discussion in this episode.

In this brief episode, Kerry brings out three principles from Titus 3:9-11 that should apply in the church today.  What does Paul have to say about people who cause division in the body of Christ?  Who were the people Paul may have had in mind who may have been guilty of dividing Christians from one another?  Who might be similar unity-destroyers in our churches today?  Join Kerry for this last ep...

In this nine-minute foray into Titus 3:4-7, Kerry answers the questions: What is not the basis of our salvation?  What did not prompt God to save us? and Why is it important for us to understand salvation by grace?  Also, G.C. Brewer and David Lipscomb, gospel preachers of long ago, enter the discussion.

Here, Kerry discusses the two dimensions of the defining moment of conversion from Titus 3:4-7: the "washing of regeneration" and the "renewal of the Holy Spirit."

In this brief episode we're taking a first look at Titus 3:4-7 and asking these questions: What is Paul doing in this passage?  How does this passage function in his train of thought?  What has God done?  What is the basis of what he has done?  What prompted him to do it?  Titus 3:4-7 is a beautiful summary of God's saving deeds!

What is the work of a minister?  What are the primary roles in which he should be engaged?  In this podcast episode, Kerry encourages church leaders and church members to be sensitive to their preacher's busy schedule and to not expect more of him than he can possibly do.

In this episode, Susanna Kidwell, member of the Connect 3 Ministries’ team, shares a conversation that ensued when two women with evangelism on their minds approached her at a local park.  Reflecting on this encounter, she, Becky, and Kerry chat about the effectiveness of "cold call evangelism," friendship evangelism, and what faith communities can do/are doing to reach others with the g...