The Church Things Podcast
We're Kerry and Becky Holton, a husband and wife ministry team who advocate for the wellness of the church, its leaders, and its future. On this podcast, we simply share with you the things we're thinking on. The goal? To help us all continue to grow in the areas of life, spirituality, theology, church and mental health. Join us each week, as we write about church wellness in the Growing Steady Newsletter and expand on those conversations in this podcast. Keep growing, friends!
Episodes
199 episodes
#198: A Bizarre Dream and Blast from the Past
In this podcast, Kerry shares a bizarre dream he had. Is there a lesson to be learned from it and from the recollection of events that occurred over forty-five years ago? You be the judge!
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9:26
#197: Titus 2:11-14: Its Function
What is the function of Titus 2:11-14? What role does it play in the flow of Paul's letter to Titus? Join Kerry in his discussion of the real basis of Christian living in this beautiful text from the Apostle Paul!
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8:13
#196: Titus 2:11-14: Its Focus
Join Kerry in his discussion of a great passage about Jesus in Paul's letter to Titus. From Titus 2:11-14, he'll answer three questions: Who is Jesus? What did he do? and Why did he do it?
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11:39
#195: "Keepers at Home": Does Scripture Prohibit a Christian Mother from Working Outside the Home?
Should a Christian mother work outside the home? In this episode, Kerry and Becky take a look at Paul's admonition to Christian mothers that they be "keepers at home" in Titus 2:4,5. Also, they discuss the occasional nature of the N...
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26:32
#194: Why Be Moral?
Why did Paul instruct Titus to teach moral behavior to the Christians on Crete? In this episode, Kerry is considering the implications of the three purpose clauses in Titus 2:5, 8, and 10 and the relationship between evangelism and morali...
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5:37
#193: "Sound Doctrine" in Paul's Letter to Titus
This episode is all about Paul's two references to "sound doctrine" in his letter to Titus and what surprised Kerry in his study of Titus 2:1-10.
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6:47
#192: Follow-up to Steve Brannan Interview
Kerry and Becky discuss the Steve Brannan interview (episode #191).
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27:41
#191: Conversation with Steve Brannan
This is a conversation with Steve Brannan, one of the shepherds of the Homewood Church of Christ in Homewood, Alabama. Here are some of the questions Steve answers: What would you say to men who have been asked to consider accepting the r...
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33:35
#190: What Is a False Teacher?
In this 13-minute episode, we are taking a look at Paul's description in Titus 1:10-16 of the false teachers on Crete. We are asking how this text should inform our understanding of the identity of false teachers today. Please consi...
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12:49
#189: More on the Role of Elders
According to the Apostle Paul in Titus 1:5-9, elders are not only teachers. They are also overseers and stewards of God. What does this mean? How does it inform their work? Also, what kind of men should elders be? ...
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7:52
#188: The Role of Elders
What is the work of elders in the church today? Are they primarily decision-makers? Or, should their primary work be to counsel and encourage? It's not easy for Christians to come to agreement on the function of elders. ...
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11:25
#187: A Sacred Trust
Just as God entrusted the Apostle Paul with a sacred trust, so he has done the same with the church today. What is that sacred trust? We're going to Titus 1:3 in this 6-minute episode.
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5:47
#186: What Is Eternal Life?
Paul explains the purpose of his apostleship in Titus 1:1,2. He writes that it is "in the hope of eternal life." What is the meaning of "eternal life"? Thanks for reflecting on this with Kerry in this 8-minute episode!
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7:49
#185: A Modest, But Noble Title
In this 6-minute episode, Kerry is thinking about Paul's self-designation in Titus 1:1 as "a servant of God." Was this Paul's favorite way of identifying himself? How would you like to be known and remembered?
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6:04
#184: "Too Hoc, Wee Wee!"
In this episode, Kerry begins to share thoughts from his study of Paul's Letter to Titus. Some of the questions discussed in this 8 1/2-minute episode: What are the major themes of the pastoral epistles, 1 Timothy, Titus, and 2 Timothy?&n...
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8:31
#183: Volunteerism: Obstacles to Keeping Volunteers: Burnout and Entitlement
What are some of the obstacles to keeping volunteers in the church? In this episode, the final one in their series on "Volunteerism in the Church," Kerry and Becky discuss the dangers of burnout and entitlement to volunteers and their min...
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23:54
#182: Volunteerism: Obstacles to Keeping Volunteers: Other Volunteers
In the fifth episode in the series, "Volunteerism in the Church," our focus is on one of the obstacles that can lead to volunteers becoming discouraged, feeling a lack of motivation, and even quitting their volunteer role. What can be don...
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32:07
#181: Volunteerism: Implement an Onboarding Process
What volunteer ministry roles does your church need to fill? Who is in charge of recruiting and training your volunteers? What does your church's "onboarding funnel" look like? In this fourth episode in their series, "Voluntee...
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30:13
#180: Volunteerism - Create Clear, Meaningful Wins
Oftentimes, volunteers in the church don’t fully understand what they are supposed to do. Neither do they understand the significance of their assignment. In this third episode in the series, “Volunteerism in the Church,” Kerry, Becky, and Susa...
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22:47
#179: Volunteerism - Create Low-Risk Entry Points
What can church leaders do to remove the fear that some potential volunteers may have when approaching a new role? How can we lower barriers to entry and set expectations from the beginning so that people feel less anxiety about volunteering? A...
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14:35
#178: Volunteerism - Invite Volunteers to a Mission
Churches depend on volunteers to fill certain roles in the church’s programs. But, many church leaders are telling us that the number of volunteers in their churches has declined. So, what may done to recruit and keep volunteer servants? In thi...
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18:47
#177: Why Understanding We Are Saved by Grace Matters
In the past two Growing Steady Newsletters, Kerry has written articles on the topic of "Saved by Grace." Today, we are continuing that conversation by covering:Why Kerry personally chose to talk about this topic.Why i...
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37:50
#176: Christ-Centered or Church-Centered?
Has our primary message to our communities and world become what makes our church different from the ones our religious neighbors attend? Does our emphasis need to change? Jesus, our hope and joy, should be our message. Let’s first tell people ...
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14:44
#175: Differences We Should Accept in the Body of Christ
Since we have been looking for a new church home, we have wondered: Will our future church accept us? After all, we may not be like them. We may be different in several ways. That got us to thinking: So, what are the differences we ...
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32:41