Together 4 Good: Making Sense of Life and Faith

Sometimes, even deeply religious people go through seasons when their tried-and-true faith practices don't bring the same connection to God as they used to. In this episode, Pastor Nate adapts some spiritual practices so that they can be used to connect with God even if you aren't feeling particularly religious.

Have you ever thought that church was boring? What if that's a good thing? In this episode, Pastor Nate talks about the importance of boredom in our life of faith and how we as a society have become too focused on entertainment and amusement.

Pastor Nate discusses the ways that the church often talks about the message of Jesus and compares this with what Jesus himself actually says about his mission in the scriptures. Listen in as we explore Jesus' words with new eyes.

In this episode, Pastor Nate offers some ideas about how to connect with God during the other days of the week. How can we be people of faith when we aren't in the sanctuary, what's so important about our worship service on Sunday mornings and what is worship really about?

Pastor Nate interviews Bryan Jaster about a difficult experience during his college years when he wanted to give up on the church and the ways that the church pieced him back together afterward.

Pastor Nate discusses the ways that doubt shouldn't be something we are afraid of, rather it can be something that draws us deeper into our relationship with God and the community of faith.

In this episode, Pastor Nate shares a lot of thoughts about paradoxes, the human predicament, Jesus' incarnation, God's grace, and how all these pieces fit together to try and save us from the belief that we are capable of saving ourselves.

Pastor Nate sits down with long-time Bethany member, KB to talk about his work in business development. The two discuss the importance of relationships and how we can share our faith with others in subtle, non-threatening ways.

In the summer of 2024, Bethany is beginning a preaching series on the importance of spiritual practices. As part of this focus, we are re-releasing podcast episodes from Lent 2021 that dive deeply into the explanation of some practices mentioned during the sermon series, and some not covered in the series. In this episode, listen in as Pastor Nate discusses embodied forms of prayer such as running...

In the summer of 2024, Bethany is beginning a preaching series on the importance of spiritual practices. As part of this focus, we are re-releasing podcast episodes from Lent 2021 that dive deeply into the explanation of some practices mentioned during the sermon series, and some not covered in the series. This Spiritual Practice episode explores the practice of the Centering Prayer and Silence. T...

In the summer of 2024, Bethany is beginning a preaching series on the importance of spiritual practices. As part of this focus, we are re-releasing podcast episodes from Lent 2021 that dive deeply into the explanation of some practices mentioned during the sermon series, and some not covered in the series. This Spiritual Practice episode begins with a little information about why spiritual practic...

Pastor Nate interviews David Gies about his career in the non-profit sector and the interesting initiatives and places this work has taken him. Listen in as David and Pastor Nate reflect on the ways that God encourages us to take the next faithful step.

It's the episode you've been waiting for! Listen in as Colleen Maki and Kevin Dragseth interview Pastor Gary about his experiences and learnings on sabbatical.

Bryan Jaster sits down with two young people and their mothers to talk about the important role Identity plays in our lives and world. Listen in to their fascinating reflections and stories of uncovering and discovering what God is doing in their lives.

Pastor Nate gives a detailed analysis of John 15:9-17, a passage of scripture that is part of Jesus' Farewell discourse. Grab your Bible and follow along as we explore some of the words of Jesus' final teaching and consider together its implications for our life today.

Pastor Nate gives a detailed analysis of Psalm 29 complete with historical and contextual information that makes the words of this Psalm come alive in new ways. Grab your Bible and follow along as we explore the fascinating message of this Psalm - a message that is still very relevant for our world today.

Bryan Jaster hosts this special episode of Together 4 Good, along with the help of 3 Confirmation students: Gioia, Michael, and Aulby. These 3 young people are from Epiphany Lutheran Church and participated in Bethany's confirmation program last year. Listen in as they reflect on the importance of belonging and how that was lived out through this unique partnership.

In this episode, Bryan Jaster interviews the Faith Formation Summer Intern, Kate Souther. The two talk about some of the Faith Formation projects for this summer and especially focus on the key aspects of the Faith Formation vision and mission statements.

Pastor Nate interviews Dave Krell about his work as a Structural Engineer. In the conversation, the two reflect on the ways that faith doesn't always have clear answers and the ways that an engineer's commitment to the common good is its own form of ministry.

Pastor Nate interviews Marie Friedemann about her career in higher education. Marie shares about the importance of caring for the whole person and the ways that we can find God in every place.

Pastor Nate interviews Rob Hanson about his career as a firefighter and the ways that this important role in our community connects with Rob's understanding of the life of faith. In their conversation, they discuss the small, subtle invitations in our life that are often the workings of the Holy Spirit, guiding us to the places we need to be.

In this episode, Pastor Nate interviews Bethany member and Jeweler, Kyra Morgan. The two discuss Kyra's story of coming to faith and the ways that her work as a Jeweler provides her a chance to live out her faith in unique ways. This is part of our ongoing Faith in Daily Life series.

Pastor Nate sits down with the Executive Director of Veteran Servant Corps and Bethany member, Vicky Daub to talk about her important and exciting work with Veterans. The two discuss the upcoming Memorial Day holiday as well as the ways that small steps of faith can make a huge difference.

As we head into the summer months, Pastor Nate shares some reflections on the importance of rest. Listen in and learn about the biblical roots of this instruction and the ways that rest is a part of God's hope for our lives.

In this episode, Pastor Nate shares a conversation with Cam Regennitter, the Director of Onsite Programming at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp. The two talk about the unique philosophy that guides Rainbow Trail programs, the upcoming "Created to Be" theme for the summer, and much more.