To Be The Church

Should churches have kids ministry on Sundays, or should children remain in the worship gathering with their parents? Ben and Tyler discuss the biblical arguments for and against children's ministry, the importance of family worship, how churches can support parents without replacing them, and why this doesn't have to be an either/or conversation. To ask a question email us at podcast@tobethechurc...

In this episode of the To Be The Church Podcast, Andrew, Ben, and Tyler discuss Roman Catholicism, salvation, and whether someone can genuinely know and follow Jesus while attending the Catholic Church. They also unpack why many younger Christians are gravitating toward liturgical traditions like Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, and what that reveals about the current state of modern evang...

How should Christians respond when they think a preacher said something wrong? In this episode, the guys talk through theological triage, the difference between major doctrinal issues and minor disagreements, and how to approach pastors and church leaders with humility, wisdom, and discernment. They also discuss the difference between the terms “ordinance” and “sacrament” when it comes to baptism...

What does it actually look like for pastors to shepherd people in a large church? In this episode, the guys respond to a listener question about church membership, shepherding elders, accountability, and the tension between the ideal of biblical community and the reality of busy modern life. They discuss how elder shepherding practically works at Northwest Gospel Church, why formal membership matt...

In this episode of To Be The Church, we tackle a listener-submitted question on women serving as pastors/elders and their role in the church. What does 1 Timothy 2 actually teach? Is Paul addressing a specific cultural moment, or laying out a broader principle for the church? To ask a question email us at podcast@tobethechurch.c or submit a question on tobethechurch.com Social media @tobethechurch...

In this episode, we unpack the purpose behind our annual Gospel Church series and why we take time each year to focus on what the church is and what it does. We walk through three core topics—baptism, church membership, and communion—and explain why these aren’t just traditions, but essential practices rooted in Scripture. We also talk about what we hope our church gains from this series and what...

What should church members expect from their pastors when it comes to counseling? And where is the line between pastoral care and professional help? In this episode, the team discusses the launch of a new Biblical Counseling Ministry and uses it as a springboard to explore the role of pastors in caring for people with both spiritual and mental health needs. They unpack what biblical counseling act...

Easter is one of the biggest Sundays of the year—but how should we actually approach it? In this episode, we talk about how to “be the church” during Holy Week: praying with intention, rejecting a consumer mindset, and stepping into the mission of welcoming and loving others. Whether you're a regular attender or inviting someone for the first time, this conversation will help you prepare your hear...

What does it mean to be a normal church? In this episode, we react to a song about churches trying to be something they’re not and talk about why faithfulness matters more than image. Email: Podcast@tobethechurch.com

expository preaching, preaching, bible preaching, sermon preparation, preaching through the bible, expositional preaching, pastoral ministry, sermon writing, bible study, church leadership, preaching the word, bible teaching, christian podcast, theology, biblical interpretation, preaching through books of the bible, sermon series, church ministry, pastoral training, christian leadership Contact us...

What does it look like to pastor a church while holding a full-time job? In this episode of To Be the Church, Andrew sits down with Gavin Hesse, a longtime marketplace elder at Northwest Gospel Church. Gavin works in the automotive electronics industry by day, but also serves as a volunteer elder—shepherding congregants, helping lead the church, and sharing in the weight of pastoral ministry witho...

What will the church be like 30 years from now? In this episode, we look ahead to 2056 and ask a serious question: What do we hope Northwest Gospel Church is known for when we’re long gone? We talk about preaching the whole Bible, staying rooted in Christ, holding grace and truth together, passing the faith to the next generation, and building something that actually lasts. Because churches don’t...

In this episode of To Be the Church, Andrew sits down with John Dombroski, a marketplace elder at Northwest Gospel Church, to talk about what it means to pastor people while holding a full-time job. They cover calling, plurality and mutuality between staff and marketplace elders, the challenges of balance, and the unseen work of protecting the church so it can flourish. If you’ve ever wondered whe...

TBTC merch available now: tobethechurch.com Andrew watched his least favorite team win the Super Bowl — surrounded by die-hard fans of that team. What happened next surprised him. In this episode, the guys talk about rivalry, fandom, and what it revealed about something much deeper: how Christians should engage in a divided age. From sports to politics to hot-button cultural issues, it’s easy to d...

In this episode of To Be The Church, the pastors respond to a listener’s question about current events, politics, and the pulpit. How do pastors decide when—or if—they should pray about or address cultural moments during a Sunday gathering? What belongs in the sermon, what belongs in pastoral prayer, and what doesn’t belong on the stage at all? The conversation explores wisdom, timing, discernment...

In this episode of To Be the Church, we talk about why context and genre matter when interpreting Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible includes historical narrative, poetry, wisdom literature, letters, and apocalyptic imagery—and each genre calls for a different approach. We explore how understanding the original audience, authorial intent, and literary style helps prevent common misre...

The apostle Paul warns Timothy to avoid “irreverent, silly myths” and instead train for godliness. But what do those myths look like today? In this episode of To Be the Church, we talk about Christian myths and theological hobbyhorses — from end-times speculation and conspiracy theories to spiritual gifts, altar calls, and secondary doctrines that can quietly distract from the gospel. Where’s the...

In this episode of the To Be the Church Podcast, we respond to a thoughtful listener question: How do churches determine salary ranges when hiring staff? Unlike many industries with clear deliverables and sales metrics, church roles often rely on “soft skills” like discipleship, leadership development, and spiritual care. So where do you even start? Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com Social M...

We’re back. Not with a reset episode, not with resolutions—but with a real conversation. This episode wrestles with evangelism as it actually exists for pastors and everyday Christians: fear, hesitation, prayer, relational tension, transfer growth, and the strange reality that preaching can feel easier than talking to your neighbor. No formulas. No guilt. Just honest reflection on why evangelism m...

Ben welcomes new co-host Jonathan Wallace to talk about conflict in the church—why it’s inevitable and how God uses it for growth and unity. With 25 years of ministry experience, Jonathan shares practical wisdom on slowing down, naming differences, self-reflection, and following Matthew 18 by addressing issues face-to-face. They discuss prayer, mediation, and how even unresolved conflict can still...

Entertainment isn’t neutral—it disciples us. In this episode, Kenan and Stephen explore how movies, sports, social media, and even fitness can move from hobbies to heart-level idols. They discuss the subtle ways Christians trade worship for amusement, the “hobby audit” of time, money, and emotion, and how to recover joy in God’s good world without being mastered by it. This is a conversation about...

Trevor and Tyler sit down to talk about a growing challenge in many churches: families prioritizing youth sports over church gatherings, community groups, and spiritual development. Trevor asks Tyler how pastors and leaders can faithfully disciple parents who choose sports as the center of their family schedule. Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com Social Media: Instagram.com/tobethechurch face...

What does it really take to plant a church? In this episode, Ben sits down with John Seabert (who planted what’s now NGC Battleground) and Ryan McDonald (our church planter in residence, preparing to plant in Portland). John shares the story of launching Battleground right before COVID hit. Ryan talks about how the Lord called him and his family from Southern California to Portland, a city that de...

In this episode of To Be the Church, Tyler and Andrew are joined by Pastor Jon, the lead pastor of NGC Battle Ground) to process a heavy week. They discuss the reported assassination of Charlie Kirk, how our five churches addressed it on Sunday, and why so many people returned to church in the aftermath. Jon shares about facing evil “far and near” in Battle Ground, and the pastors reflect on the c...

In this episode, Ben sits down with Kenan, the Lead Pastor at NGC Westside, to talk about his recent sabbatical. Kenan shares what the time away taught him about himself, the importance of stepping back, and how to build lasting habits of rest. Whether you’re in ministry or just feeling the weight of a busy life, this conversation offers encouragement and practical wisdom for cultivating rhythms o...