Episode 3: How far is too far for the Gospel?

05/03/23 • 41 min

If you're feeling overwhelmed and powerless trying to create balanced and effective church outreach despite taking great effort to authentically love and center the church's culture, then you are not alone!

In this episode, we discuss how you can:

Achieve an ideal balance between reaching out to the community and tending to the spiritual growth of existing church members.

Explore the borders of creative ingenuity in church productions without losing sight of fundamental beliefs.

Develop a flourishing church culture by emphasizing authenticity, love, and the inexorable gospel truth.

Effectively resolve disputes in Christianity while bolstering digital discipleship within social media platforms.

Heighten audience engagement and connection through stimulating Facebook group discussions.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:12 - Easter Weekend Recap
00:06:06 - How Far is Too Far
00:13:49 - The Importance of Consistency
00:19:57 - The Role of Pastors
00:12:45 - Opening Songs in Church
00:15:06 - Reaching the Lost
00:18:25 - Church Programs
00:21:31 - Using Giftings
00:25:22 - Heart of Leadership
00:27:08 - Reinventing Church
00:29:12 - Experiencing the Love of Jesus
00:35:11 - Christian Fighting
00:39:16 - Personal Journey and Grace
00:40:56 - Summer Plans

Join our Group on Facebook with the podcast community https://www.facebook.com/groups/eyesonjesuspodcast/

Be sure to connect with the hosts!

For more information on Drew Barker:

Follow Drew on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drewsbarker/

For more information on Tim Ferrara:

Get all his links in one place- to his social media, all 3 of his books, and more https://linktr.ee/discerning_dad

Check out his website! https://discerning-dad.com/

In this episode, we discuss how you can:

Achieve an ideal balance between reaching out to the community and tending to the spiritual growth of existing church members.

Explore the borders of creative ingenuity in church productions without losing sight of fundamental beliefs.

Develop a flourishing church culture by emphasizing authenticity, love, and the inexorable gospel truth.

Effectively resolve disputes in Christianity while bolstering digital discipleship within social media platforms.

Heighten audience engagement and connection through stimulating Facebook group discussions.

Join our Group on Facebook with the podcast community https://www.facebook.com/groups/eyesonjesuspodcast/

Be sure to connect with the hosts!

For more information on Drew Barker:

Follow Drew on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drewsbarker/

For more information on Tim Ferrara:

Get all his links in one place- to his social media, all 3 of his books, and more https://linktr.ee/discerning_dad

Check out his website! https://discerning-dad.com/

Previous Episode

Episode 2: Mastering Habit-Forming Fitness & Faith Practices

If you're feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, and frustrated at the lack of results you are seeing, despite your consistent efforts to create faith-inspired fitness habits, then you are not alone!

Quotes from this episode-

"We want to be in a position where we're healthy enough mentally and physically to run the race that God has laid out for us."

"If you do something consistently, even if it's small and you develop a habit around it, change and transformation will come."

Topic summaries:

Unify physical fitness and spiritual discipline to achieve holistic well-being.

Unlock the potential of prayer and scripture reading for a fortified spiritual journey.

Implement effective approaches to build consistency and habit-forming in fitness and faith practices.

Explore music and technology as tools for enhanced workout motivation and spiritual growth.

Nurture a sense of accountability within faith communities to promote enduring spiritual progress.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:30 - What's going on in our lives
00:04:18 - Responding to internet trolls
00:10:20 - Introduction to physical and spiritual fitness
00:13:09 - Weight Goals vs. Consistency
00:14:51 - Small Habits for Transformation
00:19:03 - Exercise and Eating
00:22:56 - The Importance of Physical Health in the Church
00:24:59 - The Body as a Temple
00:25:51 - Balancing Physical and Spiritual Fitness
00:28:55 - The Impact of Music on Our Souls
00:32:27 - Building Habits for Spiritual Fitness
00:33:04 - The Bible App: a Tool for Spiritual Fitness

00:37:17 - Information Overload and Habit Formation
00:38:35 - Growing in Faith Through Prayer and Consistency
00:41:33 - The Process of Hearing from God
00:44:34 - The Value of Consistency
00:48:27 - Intentionality in Prayer
00:50:11 - Prioritizing Prayer
00:51:05 - Prioritizing Spiritual Health
00:54:18 - Workout Playlists
00:55:38 - Working Through Anger
00:56:47 - Recommendations

Join our Group on Facebook with the podcast community https://www.facebook.com/groups/eyesonjesuspodcast/

Be sure to connect with the hosts!

For more information on Drew Barker:

Follow Drew on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drewsbarker/

For more information on Tim Ferrara:

Get all his links in one place- to his social media, all 3 of his books, and more https://linktr.ee/discerning_dad

Check out his website! https://discerning-dad.com/

Next Episode

Episode 4: False teachers- navigating biblical truth, discernment, and the critical spirit

False vs. Watered-Down: Insights on Teachers and the Critical Spirit

Do you long to deepen your understanding of biblical truth and sharpen your spiritual focus on Jesus? Join pastors Drew and Tim as they tackle the timely topic of false teachers, delving into scripture, personal experiences, and the difficult task of discernment in a world of mixed messages.

In this episode, we discuss how you can:

Enhance your discernment capabilities to detect false teachings and uphold biblical truth.

Overcome toxic criticism and promote unity within your church community.

Strike the perfect balance between love and truth during Bible discussions.

Maintain your focus on Jesus, despite the inevitable distractions that may arise.

Build a faith community through intentional engagement and collective action.

Quotes from this episode-

"We've got to be aware of false teachers and discern through, pray through, and be really careful about ultimately calling someone a false teacher."

"Does a false teaching make someone a false teacher? There are levels to it, and that's what makes it so challenging."

"We need to be intentional about keeping our eyes on Jesus through the busyness of life and clutter of our schedules."

False Teachers
In recent times, it has become increasingly important to be aware of false teachers and their impact on faith communities. With the rise of social media and easy access to information, it's easier than ever for these individuals to reach and deceive a large audience. False teachers typically promote destructive heresies, denying fundamental truths and leading others astray. However, it is vital not to jump to conclusions and label someone as a false teacher without proper discernment and prayerful consideration. Though false teachers have always existed and will continue to do so, a gentle and balanced approach is essential in addressing and identifying falsehoods. Both hosts agree that small differences in opinion should not cause division or lead to accusations of false teaching. They emphasize the need for a careful examination of a person's teachings and alignment with Scripture before making any judgments.

Join our Group on Facebook with the podcast community https://www.facebook.com/groups/eyesonjesuspodcast/

Email questions or show topic ideas to [email protected]

Be sure to connect with the hosts!

For more information on Drew Barker:

Follow Drew on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drewsbarker/

For more information on Tim Ferrara:

Get all his links in one place- to his social media, all 3 of his books, and more https://linktr.ee/discerning_dad

Check out his website! https://discerning-dad.com/

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:00:49 - False Teachers
00:08:15 - Examples of False Teachers
00:10:30 - Defining False Teachers
00:12:46 - Regrets in Preaching
00:13:41 - The Pressure of Preaching to the World
00:15:03 - Context is Key
00:18:50 - The Personal Life of Preachers
00:21:24 - The Importance of Consistency
00:25:23 - Essentials Unity, Nonessentials Liberty
00:28:28 - Parents' Influence on Faith
00:32:19 - Toxic Criticism in Church Culture
00:37:01 - Balancing Truth and Love
00:38:48 - The Power of Specific Encouragement
00:40:34 - Respecting Different Beliefs within Christianity
00:41:24 - Conclusion and Call to Action