The Faith Chair

In this episode, we are excited to be joined by worship leader and creative, Daniel LaShea, to discuss the need for diversity within worship music and all types of creativity within the Kingdom. Why is this diversity important? What do we lose when it is absent? How is Daniel working to catalyze that diverse creativity in his work with Hymnal Records? All that and more! Enjoy!

In this episode, we talk about the dangers that arise when we let our identity and/or actions get caught up in the demands of the crowd. Whether we realize it or not, and whether it is big or small, we all have a crowd. How does the whims and wants of the crowd impact our identity? How does it control our actions? How did Jesus handle the crowd? All that and more! Let's get into it!

In this episode, Tommy and Jesse address the issues that arise when those we trust to give us the truth...don't. What happens when the truth isn't the truth? What happens when something sounds good and sounds right, but actually isn't? What happens when we put our trust in wolves in sheep clothing? All that and more in this episode of The Faith Chair!

In this episode, the Faith Chair discussion revolves around the question of how repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation are interconnected. What do each of those terms actually mean? How do we practice them well? And how does it change things if we realize that reconciliation is the goal?

In this episode, pastors Tommy and Jesse get into the topic that is on a lot of our minds right now - revival. We talk about all that's going on at Asbury College and beyond and we get into what revival is and isn't and how we might need to change how we describe and engage with the work of God. Plus a 5(ish) minute hot take on some recent commentary by Pastor Andy Stanley. All that and more!

I this episode, pastors Tommy and Jesse answer the age-old question, "what does God want me to do with my life?"...well, not really, but sort of! In a related question, we examine how we, as believers, use our gifts for God. Are they reserved only for inside the Church? What's the difference between gifts, passions, and skills? All that and more in this latest conversation about the questions that...

In this episode, pastors Tommy & Jesse follow up their dynamic interview with Erin Jones in Episode 1 of this season by diving deeper into the conversation about what the differences are between multi-racial and multi-ethnic churches and why that distinction is important. All that and more, so enjoy!

As we kick off Season 6 (!!!!!) of The Faith Chair, Pastors Tommy and Jesse are excited to be joined by "The Afro Educator" herself, former Washington State Superintendent candidate, racial reconciliation and social justice advocate, black-presenting trans-racial daughter of God, Erin Jones. We included all of those titles to give a sense of the breadth of this conversation! Enjoy!

In this bonus episode of unreleased content from last December, Tommy & Jesse get into some of the hot topics in Christian circles around Christmastime: what's with White Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus? Are Christmas trees, and lights, and so many other Christmas traditions actually pagan? Do we need to stop making a big deal about people saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas?" All...

In this episode, and following a topic running through as last few episodes, Jesse & Tommy dive into the topic of redemption. What is redemption? What is the nature and impact of God's redemptive power? How should that power impact our worldview? All that and more in this second-to-last episode of Season 5 and 2022!

In this episode, pastors Tommy and Jesse are excited to finish this absolutely amazing conversation with Vonzail and Lizzy Odom. This is a story of struggle, trauma, redemption, and testimony. This conversation touches on church hurt, the prophetic, homosexuality, sexual assault, witchcraft (voodoo), and so much more. The conversation was also so real and emotional that there are a few swear words...

In this episode, pastors Tommy and Jesse are excited to be joined by Vonzail and Lizzy Odom for an absolutely incredible story of struggle, trauma, redemption, and testimony. This conversation was so good that we had to break it up into two parts. The conversation was also so real and emotional that there are a few swear words, so just be aware. This conversation touches on church hurt, the prophe...

In this episode, Tommy and Jesse are excited to be joined by pastor and author, Josh Scott, as they discuss the question, "What is progressive theology?" They get into progressive theology vs progressive politics, what it means to be an affirming church, and so much more along Josh's journey on these paths. All that and more on this 11th episode of Season 5!

In this episode, pastors Tommy and Jesse continue a past conversation about women in ministry by digging into the two passages used historically to bar women from leading and teaching men in the church: 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-15. How can english translations so ofter miss the true meaning of passages when we look at the original language? Why do scholars know this and still teac...

In this episode, pastors Tommy and Jesse tackle the question of why they still believe? Why are they still persuaded? In light of all the issues in faith, the Church, and culture that we discuss on this podcast, why and how is our faith still anchored in Christ? All that and more in this 9th episode of season 5!

Did the Hebrews march around every walled enemy city after Jericho? Did David slay every enemy with a sling and a stone? Did Jesus heal every blind person with spit and mud? In case you don't know, the answer to those questions are no! So why then do we so often read the Bible and take specific moments and create prescriptive practices from them? Is it possible that one of the main purposes of scr...

Have you ever felt like some of Christianity's religious rules just don't make sense? That might be because we very often elevate cultural and tradition to the level of God's law, making violations equal to sin. But are they? How do you determine which is which? All that and more in this episode as Pastors Jesse and Tommy tackle the question of Culture & Tradition vs Sin.

In this episode, pastors Tommy and Jesse are excited to be joined by Pastor April Farmer all the way from Atlanta, Georgia to share her viewpoint on the nature and importance of representation as a pastor and Christ-follower who is also a Black woman in ministry. All that and more in this episode!

In this episode, Pastors Tommy and Jesse tackle one of the most controversial topics in Christianity from a different perspective: The Anti-Christ. But fear not, far from some eschatological debate about the end times, this episode instead looks at the Anti-Christ spirit and 1 John, which says that there have already been many anti-christs. What does that mean? What really is an anti-christ? What...

In this episode, we deal with "nakedness." But before you freak out, what we're really talking about is God's question to Adam and Eve in Genesis after they had eaten the forbidden fruit, "Who told you that you were naked?" What does this question really mean? How do Christians face this question every day? How do we reclaim our freedom from the fear, shame, guilt, and doubt that comes from our "N...

In this episode, Pastors Tommy and Jesse react to recent news about the backlash against a young black woman being cast by Disney as the Little Mermaid and get into the question of does representation matter? Does it matter in Church? And if so, why does it matter and how can we engage that as Christians? All that and more in this episode of The Faith Chair!

In this episode, we discuss the issue of echo chambers. What are they, how are they harmful, what impact do they have on our faith, and how do we avoid or escape them? All that and more!

As we kick off Season 5 with our 101st episode, Tommy and Jesse reflect on their recent shared trip to Atlanta and the lessons learned in this deep south city steeped in American history, Civil Rights activism, and the celebration of Black excellence. All that and more in this first episode of season 5!

This is our 100th Episode! Thank you to each and every listener and supporter who has helped make this podcast happen! We can't believe we've reached 4 Seasons and 100 episodes. Not only is this the 100th episode, and not only is it the final episode of Season 4, but it is also a powerful conversation with Domestic Violence and Abuse survivor Tamara Peterson. In this episode, Tamara shares about h...

In this episode, Pastors Tommy and Jesse tackle the touch questions that surround divorce. What does the Bible say? Does the Church follow scripture? Have we created false ideologies that have shamed those with broken marriages or forced people to stay in abusive marriages? But before we get to that conversations, both Tommy and Jesse felt it was necessary to address the outbreak of mass gun viole...