Episodes
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
CRCNA Year in Review 2023 - Episode 146
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Get out the milk and cookies! For the final episode of the year, Mark and Zac look back on the past year and reflect on the Christian Reformed Church in North America and all that has taken place in the denomination, paying special attention to Synod 2023, the issue of "gravamen", and the more recent goings on in the lead up to Synod 2024. Thanks for tuning in!
Paul VanderKlay's episode "5 Stages of Nightmare for CRC Progressives": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kb-K3vXBPo
Classis Watch Late Fall 2023 article from The Banner: https://www.thebanner.org/news/2023/12/classis-watch-late-fall-2023
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
The Perception of Christianity in Modern Culture - Episode 145
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Pastor Mark and Pastor Zac are back at it again this week with a festive Christmas ("holiday"?) episode full of funny Freudian slips and serious reflections on how people today seem to think of the Christian faith and its place in our modern, secular culture. As Christians seeking to share the gospel with our neighbors, it's important that we consider the ways in which ordinary people tend to think of Christianity as a faith, a worldview, and a moral framework. We hope this episode is helpful toward that end.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
CS Lewis, The Abolition of Man, & Ministry Today - Episode 144
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
In his 1943 classic, The Abolition of Man, C. S. Lewis took modern education to task and aimed instead to offer a better vision for the education of young people, particularly in regards to morality and virtue.And so in this episode, Mark and Zac spend some time reflecting on a famous quote from the book and its implications for ministry in the 21st century: "The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts." Join along as they seek to apply this wise approach to ministry in the world today.Lastly, we want to encourage our listeners to check out a brand new podcast from two fellow CRC ministers, Tyler Wagenmaker and Lloyd Hemstreet, the Three Forms Podcast. This promises to be a great way for Christians from both within the Reformed tradition and without to get a better grasp on the theological foundations of our confessional inheritance!
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Friday Dec 01, 2023
The Dangers (and Benefits) of Listening to Podcasts - Episode 143
Friday Dec 01, 2023
Friday Dec 01, 2023
A podcast a podcasts? That's where we're going on this episode of Reformed Podmatics. What are the dangers of podcast gluttony? What might our consumption of podcasts be replacing in our spiritual lives? And what are some podcasts that Zac and Mark have enjoyed in recent months?
Zac's List: Mere Fidelity, 5 Minutes in Church History, Simply Put, Speak Life with Glen Scrivener
Mark's List: First Things, Unbelievable, Messy Reformation, Meet an African Pastor, Rochester CRC Sermons, Martyn Lloyd Jones
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Artificial Intelligence - Episode 142
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
One of the more important technological advancements over the past several years has come in the form of artificial intelligence. From social media algorithms to ChatGPT, many of these developments promise to change the world as we know it. So how can Christians joyfully discern both the promise and the peril of them? Join us as Pastor Mark and Pastor Zac sit down to think it over.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
The Blessings of Other Denominations - Episode 141
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Lutherans and Methodists and Charismatics, oh my! While Christians have unity in Christ, there is also great diversity in our family tree. In this episode we look at various denominations in their best light and ask what the Lord might have to teach us through traditions outside our own.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Masculinity - Episode 140
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
What does it mean to be a man? What is God's calling on a Christian man? What does God teach us in the Bible about masculinity?
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Israel and the Church - Episode 139
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
With Israel re-entering the news cycle, many Christians are asking theological questions concerning the connection between Israel and the Church. Did the Christian Church replace Israel? Whose side should a Christian take in the current conflict between Israel and Palestine?
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
This week we're excited to have "concerned layman" Simon Veenstra on the show. In this episode Simon shares about his theological journey in coming to more deeply value the Reformed faith and his perspective as a highly involved layman from Brampton, Ontario and Classis Toronto.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Monday Oct 02, 2023
Monday Oct 02, 2023
In this episode we are joined by Rev. Pete VanderBeek, who serves as a Situational Transitional Minister in the CRC. Pete is a self-proclaimed "revisionist," and here he shares his thoughts on the past, present, and future of the CRC.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.