To Be The Church

Andrew, Tyler, and Ben respond to a Facebook post about what it means to be a Spirit-led church. Is there room for spontaneity in gathered worship? How should churches think about planning while staying sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit? The guys dive into the tension between preparation and flexibility, exploring how both can serve the body of Christ. Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch...

A listener asked why we sometimes say Jesus’ body was “broken” when Scripture says otherwise. Ben and Tyler start there, but the conversation quickly opens up into a bigger question: how precise should we be with our language in the church? When does precision serve clarity, and when does it slip into arrogance, nitpicking, or even confusion? Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com Social Media: I...

Andrew and Tyler introduce Gospel Men, a new monthly breakfast gathering designed to encourage and equip men to live with Gospel clarity and conviction. Rooted in the heart of Titus 2, this ministry aims to foster multi-generational discipleship. This isn’t a reaction against what hasn’t been done, but a renewed effort to strengthen what’s already growing. In a cultural moment that pulls men towar...

In this episode, Tyler peppers Ben with rapid-fire questions about life in ministry—what it’s really like, how to know if you're called, and what we wish someone had told us at the beginning. Whether you’re finishing an internship or just starting to explore vocational ministry, this one’s for you. Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com Social Media: Instagram.com/tobethechurch facebook.com/tobet...

This week, Andrew sits down with Eastside Youth Pastor Jacob to explore what one of America’s most iconic fast food chains can teach us about leadership in the church and beyond. Drawing from Jacob’s years at Chick-fil-A, they unpack practical lessons on consistency, humility, servant-hearted influence, and the difference between cultural and biblical leadership. Contact us at podcast@tobethechurc...

Andrew is joined by two special guests for a candid conversation about what church community really is—and what it isn’t. Centered on a thought-provoking tweet from Seth Trout, they explore why community isn’t something a church can simply provide and how true connection comes through curiosity, vulnerability, and personal responsibility. If you’ve ever wondered why it feels hard to “find communit...

This week, Andrew and Tyler answer some questions we’ve gotten about our Sunday liturgy. Why do we take communion every week—but skip it on baptism Sundays? Why do we say “Thanks be to God” after the Bible reading? How did it originate and what is Andrew's intentions with it. It’s a simple conversation about some not-so-random things we do every week. Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com Social...

This week on To Be The Church, Ben is joined by Trevor (Associate Minister at NGC Battle Ground) and Stephen (Local Lead Pastor at NGC Summit View) to explore a fascinating moment in the Gospel of Mark—when Jesus repeatedly tells demons to be silent. Why does He do that? What does it reveal about His mission and authority? And what does this have to do with spiritual warfare today? Join the conver...

Today we're following up on last week's baptism episode by addressing a listener question: What is the relationship between baptism and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit? The team reads from Acts 2:38 and Acts 19:1–7, discusses different theological backgrounds—including the former Assemblies of God roots of the church—and explains why Acts is descriptive rather than prescriptive. They emphasize t...

In this episode, Tyler, Ben, and Andrew dive into the topic of baptism and ask the question: Is this a hill to die on? They explore the role of baptism in the life of the church, where it falls in the framework of theological triage, and whether differing views should divide Christians—or churches. Join the conversation as they unpack conviction, unity, and what truly matters most. Contact us at p...

We all play video games—but is that a problem? In this episode, we talk about how gaming fits (or doesn’t fit) into the life of a Christian. Is it just a hobby, or could it be something deeper? Something harmful? Join us as we explore the tension between entertainment, discipleship, and what it means to live faithfully in a digital world. Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com Social Media: Insta...

We’ve been gone for a minute… okay, more like six weeks. In this episode of To Be The Church, we explain why the podcast went dark for a bit, what we’ve been working on behind the scenes, and why we’re filming from a brand new set. (Spoiler: it has to do with our NGC 101 membership class.) We also dive into one of the biggest changes in our church’s recent history—our new name—and talk about what...

A listener asks why NGC doesn’t observe Ash Wednesday or Lent, given their background in a church that did. In this episode, we discuss how we approach the church calendar—using it when helpful but not feeling bound by tradition. Is Lent something Christians should observe? Can it be beneficial? We break it all down. Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com Social Media: Instagram.com/tobethechurch...

This week, Andrew and Tyler discuss their time at the Church Ventures conference, where Andrew preached to a room full of pastors. They explore the differences between preparing a sermon for pastors versus a typical congregation, the unique challenges of preaching to preachers, and Andrew’s process for sermon preparation. Ask a question by emailing podcast@tobethechurch.com Social Media: Instagram...

It’s time for another round of Lyrical Analysis! This week, a listener sent in some wild hymn rewrites from an album called Reclaimed Hymns for Former Church Kids—where classic church songs get a secular, anti-religious twist. The guys break down the lyrics, have some laughs, and talk about why the “gospel” in these songs is no gospel at all. What’s the heart and world view behind these rewrites?...

In this episode, Andrew, Tyler, and Ben dive into the question: Should church leaders be concerned with the personal beliefs and statements of worship songwriters, or just the lyrics we sing on Sundays? They also explore how this applies to quoting preachers and authors—should their theology and public statements affect whether we reference their work in our churches? Contact us at podcast@tobethe...

This week, the guys dive into the encounter between Joshua and the Commander of the Lord’s Army in Joshua 5 and 6. Was this a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus, or an embodiment of God's divine presence? Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com Social Media: Instagram.com/tobethechurch facebook.com/tobethechur c h youtube.com/tobethechurch

Snowed in? No problem. This week, the guys jump on Zoom to tackle an important topic: how to handle Old Testament passages with care—both in preaching and in musical worship songs. Haven't watched us on youtube. Head to youtube.com/tobethechurch to check out the channel. Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com Social Media: Instagram.com/tobethechurch facebook.com/tobethechur c h youtube.com/tobet...

Today on TBTC, the guys discuss Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde's plea to President Donald Trump during a national interfaith prayer gathering earlier this week, the recent history of the Episcopal Church & prominent religious leaders within politics. Read Andrew's book recommendation here: 10 Commandments of Progressive Christianity By: Michael J. Kruger https://www.amazon.com/Commandments-Progressive...

At The Family of Churches, we began teaching through the book of Joshua. Andrew and Ben talk about how Northwest Gospel and the other preachers will be approaching this Old Testament Historical Narrative, as well as how to handle most of the OT. Tyler asks how this affects people who have heard preaching counter to how they do it. Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com Instagram.com/tobethechurch...

Today is Quitter's Day. Have you kept up with your New Year's resolutions? If you have, what are yours? Today, the guys talk about their personal New Year resolutions as well as a quote one of the local lead pastors shared with them on God's grace of giving us a fresh start. Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com Social Media: Instagram.com/tobethechurch facebook.com/tobethechur c h youtube.com/t...

Are Christians who are married commanded to have children? Is waiting a sin? Can a married couple be obedient and not have children? Ben, Tyler, and Andrew dive deep into this question.  Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com Social Media: Instagram.com/tobethechurch facebook.com/tobethechur c h youtube.com/tobethechurch

What does the day in the life of a pastor look like? This week, Andrew, Ben, and Tyler discuss their average week as full-time lead and executive pastors. Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com Social Media: Instagram.com/tobethechurch facebook.com/tobethechur c h youtube.com/tobethechurch

Tim Keller wrote an article in 2010 on church-size dynamics. Does the size of your church change the way you do youth ministry? Should a youth group function as a church within a church? How much time should a youth pastor spend with each student and leader? This and more on this episode of To Be The Church. Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com Social Media: Instagram.com/tobethechurch faceboo...

Should the local church be run like a business? How can a Pastor and leadership learn and lean on general business practices? Andrew and Ben discuss a book Andrew read recently and how it influences how he leads the church. Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com Social Media: Instagram.com/tobethechurch facebook.com/tobethechur c h youtube.com/tobethechurch