The Faith Chair

Well, we're really stepping into some controversial areas over these last few episodes of Season 1! This episode we tackle the question of abortion. What is its history? What does the Bible say about it? Is it as big of a deal as the Church has made it? How do I know what is right in God's eyes? All that and more in episode 48 of The Faith Chair!

In this episode, we are joined by Louie & May Praseuth, who bring their experiences as Asian Americans (Laotian and Chinese, respectively), pastors, parents, and community leaders in gang and violence prevention among youth. We discuss topics surrounding their community work and their experiences with racism inside and outside the church.

In episode 46, Tommy & Jesse tackle 1 Corinthians 12:26 and what is required of us in relation to things like racial reconciliation and social justice when we are "one body" and when "one part suffers, all the parts suffer." What does this passage teach us about our relationship to our fellow believers? What mandate does it give us for how we must respond to the pain and su...

In this episode, Pastors Tommy & Jesse are joined by musician and producer Derek "DC" Clark as they discuss how the Church has played a role in slavery, oppression and racism historically and presently. At the core of our discussion is the question, "if the Church has been complicit in the past, what is our responsibility today and in the future?"

In this episode, Pastors Tommy & Jesse conclude their conversation with Pastor Jonte Kiema of Freedom Point Church and Pastor Kim Thomas of Radiant Covenant Church. This is part 2 of the discussion about their experiences being Black faces in White spaces - both inside and outside the Church. Revealed are some of the ways that White America and White Christians unconsciously create spaces that...

In this episode, Pastors Tommy & Jesse are joined once again by Pastor Jonte of Freedom Point Church and Pastor Kim Thomas of Radiant Covenant Church for a discussion about their experiences being Black faces in White spaces - both inside and outside the Church. Revealed are some of the ways that White America and White Christians unconsciously create spaces that do not fully welcome or affirm...

In this special episode, Pastors Tommy and Jesse are joined by longtime law enforcement officer, Sergeant Jones, who brings his decades of experience as a patrol officer, SWAT team member, sniper and police trainer to The Faith Chair as we discuss topics like Christianity and law enforcement, race and law enforcement, defunding police and much more!

Episode 41 features special guest, Pastor Stephen Francis Jr of Valley Christian Church in New York, host of the Humble & Honest podcast. In this episode we tackle the tough questions that arise when we feel like God has failed us - when God doesn't answer that prayer or meet our expectations of Him. What do we do? How do we react? Does God fail? This and more, enjoy!

In this episode, the Faith Chair and Pastors Tommy & Jesse goes end of days, discussing the biblical understanding of how Christians are supposed to respond to the possibility that these are the last days. What are the last days? What does it mean if this is the last days? What am I supposed to do? This and more in Season 1, Episode 40!

In this episode, Pastors Tommy & Jesse are back the the Faith Chair again discussion a topic on the hearts and minds of many of us during this difficult season - fear. What is it? How is it used against us? How does it control us? How do we overcome it? This and more in Episode 39!

In this episode, Pastors Tommy & Jesse tackle the question of our submission to spiritual authorities as instructed in Hebrews 13:17. Who are our spiritual authorities? How do we submit? And where do we draw the line?

What if the very thing we fight so hard to stop, the very circumstances we regret or work to avoid, what if the toughest situations that arise in this world are part of God's plan? Join us as Pastors Tommy & Jesse discuss this and more. How do we see God's plan in the things that seem to be bad? How do we know when to walk through the valley and when to tear down the mountains?

In this episode, Pastors Tommy and Jesse tackle some breaking news in this crazy pandemic world - California's ban on singing in church. Constitutional? Fair? How will this impact our worship or our church services?

At the Faith Chair in this episode, Pastors Tommy & Jesse discuss how recent events have highlighted a disturbing question - has the Church weaponized "unity" as a tool to silence questions, discourage dialogue and protect the status quo?

Following a number of public missteps by prominent white pastors in the past several weeks, Pastors Tommy & Jesse meet at the Faith Chair to discuss the weight of our words and what we need and don't need from white pastors right now in this renewed civil rights movement.

In this episode, Pastors Tommy & Jesse tackle the question of what is more important in our present circumstances - returning to physical church gatherings -or- engaging in the anti-racism movement. How does the Bible guide us in this? What would Jesus be doing? Let's get into it!

In this special edition of The Faith Chair, Pastors Tommy & Jesse are joined by a panel of Black Christian voices to discuss the realities of racisms both inside and outside the Church. We want to thank Pastors Michael & Kimberley Thomas of Radiant Covenant Church, Pastor Tai Niblack of Asian International Ministries, Javen Pitt of Hey! You Inspirations, Paul Richardson, and Adair Hasty-Va...

In this episode of The Faith Chair, Pastors Tommy & Jesse tackle a sensitive subject in the Church - worship. Many people have many opinions on what praise and worship should be and should look like in The Church, but those are mostly stylistic preferences. In this episode, we discuss what worship is in the Bible, what singing praise looks like in the New Testament, and whether The Church has...

In this episode of the Faith Chair, Pastors Tommy & Jesse are joined by Pastors Jonte & Sondra Kiema of Freedom Point Church in Kent, WA to discuss a question Pastor Jonte was posed by a millennial - "are people finding God in church or has the church taken the place of God?" A deep question that led to a fantastic conversation!

In true barbershop style, Pastors Tommy and Jesse dive right into a number of different topics under the umbrella of the Church's response to the Covid-19 Pandemic and how we deal with the questions and challenges we're facing right now.

In this episode, Pastors Tommy & Jesse tackle the question of whether "God made me this way" is a legitimate excuse for our behavior? Did God make you the way you are? And even if He did, does He want you to stay that way? How does question impact our faith, the way we live, and how we treat others?

At the virtual barber's chair, Pastors Tommy & Jesse discuss the role that individual Christians and the Church-at-large have in the fight for social justice. What is justice? What does Jesus and the Bible teach us about fighting for justice? How do we find Jesus' eternal viewpoint?

In this episode, Pastors Tommy & Jesse are joined by Pastors Charlie & Alicia Alford, as they give us they're experiences, struggles and lessons from this pandemic lockdown as Pastors-in-transition, aspiring church-planters, spouses, and parents.

As they continue their virtual discussions, Pastors Jesse & Tommy discuss when, how and why someone should be kicked out of church. Is it love? Is it biblical? Why do so few churches do it anymore? Is that a problem? This episode is a fascinating discussion surrounding the nature of biblical love and the place of biblical church procedures.

As we continue our virtual episodes, Pastors Jesse & Tommy meet at the chair to discuss the question, what happens when the church leaves the building? How does the Church respond to challenges? What is this time of quarantine teaching us about how we do church and what's truly important?