Episodes
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
CRC Synod 2023 Roundtable - Episode 128
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
On this week's episode, Zac and Lucas sit down with Pastor Patrick Anthony (Immanuel CRC of Ripon, CA) and Pastor Dave Vander Meulen (Escalon CRC of Escalon, CA) to reflect on Synod 2023 and their experiences there as two of the four delegates from Classis Central California. The aim of this episode is twofold: to provide a simple report of what took place at synod and to discuss the implications of these decisions for the interested lay person.Thanks for tuning in and putting up with this rather lengthy installment of Reformed Podmatics. We hope it's helpful in terms of getting a better sense of #CRCSynod2023 and where we go from here.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Visit www.immanuelcrc.org/ for more information about Immanuel CRC in Ripon, CA.
Visit www.escaloncrc.org/ for information about Escalon CRC.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Just War Theory - Episode 127
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
No, we're NOT talking about #CRCSynod this week. Instead, Pastor Zac and Pastor Lucas sat down to discuss the question: is fighting in war biblically justified? This is a difficult but important subject for Christians to consider, not only because it gets to the very heart of how the Lord has called us to live in this world, but also because it touches on several other important topics such as nationhood, government, justice, self-defense & protection of innocents, etc. We pray this discussion will help you sharpen you and edify you - even if it's not the discussion on Synod 2023 you may have been hoping for (but stay tuned, that will come!).
Mentioned in the episode:
"Just War Theory", essay in Protestant Social Teaching: An Introduction
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Visit www.escaloncrc.org/ for information about Escalon CRC.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Thursday Jun 01, 2023
Two ”CRC Outsiders” & the Three Forms of Unity - Episode 126
Thursday Jun 01, 2023
Thursday Jun 01, 2023
In this first episode since Pastor Mark's sabbatical, Pastor Zac welcomes to the show our friend and special guest co-host for the summer, Lucas Geiger, youth pastor of Escalon CRC in Escalon, CA. In this first episode together, Zac and Lucas discuss their journeys into the CRCNA as well as what they appreciate most about this denomination, especially given their perspectives as fellow "outsiders" who have now been blessed to call it home.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Visit www.escaloncrc.org/ for information about Escalon CRC.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Friday May 19, 2023
Synod 2023 & John 17 - Episode 125
Friday May 19, 2023
Friday May 19, 2023
With Synod 2023 just around the corner for the Christian Reformed Church, Mark and Zac take some time to reflect together on recent developments within the denomination, and discuss arguments such as those put forward by the Better Together movement that we ought to prioritize unity and mission over sexual ethics.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Wednesday May 10, 2023
How Reformed Christians Pray - Episode 124
Wednesday May 10, 2023
Wednesday May 10, 2023
In this week's episode Mark & Zac take up the questions of a listener regarding the daily practices and rhythms of prayer in the Reformed tradition. We hope this is both a practical and helpful discussion for learning how to grow deeper in your own prayer life as well as learning about Reformed prayer through the centuries. Prayer resources mentioned in the episode:
Be Thou My Vision: A Liturgy for Daily Prayer, by Jonathan Gibson
ReformationWorship.com
ReformedStandards.com
Directory for Publick Worship
Directory for Family Worship
2019 Book of Common Prayer (ACNA) (PDF)
The Online Book of Common Prayer (1979, TEC)
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Pastor Sabbaticals - Episode 123
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Tuesday May 02, 2023
What Mark preparing for a sabbatical and Zac getting ready to step into his role for the summer, they discuss the "why" and the "what" of sabbaticals.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Thursday Apr 27, 2023
”What Will People Say?” (The Idol of Reputation) - Episode 122
Thursday Apr 27, 2023
Thursday Apr 27, 2023
One point that got traction in our previous episode was the tendency of many Christians to choose a good reputation over faithfulness to God. In this episode we discuss how that happens among conservative and progressive groups.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
Who Controls the Conversation in the CRC? - Episode 121
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
As the Christian Reformed Church shifts further away from an ethnic identity the question of who is directing the conversation about our future is often unspoken. In this podcast we ask how denominational discourse is curated and how the CRC might improve in being more biblical and more Reformed in our public conversations.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Thursday Mar 30, 2023
Is Hell Real? - Episode 120
Thursday Mar 30, 2023
Thursday Mar 30, 2023
One of the questions that many people in and outside the Church have about Christianity is, "What should I think about hell?" This episode seeks to provide biblical direction on the topic, as well as answering some common questions or challenges to the doctrine of hell.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.
Friday Mar 24, 2023
What does the Bible say about swearing? - Episode 119
Friday Mar 24, 2023
Friday Mar 24, 2023
Many thanks to the Reformed Podmatics listener who has suggested today's topic: What does the Bible say about swearing, bad language, or cussing? We'll find that Scripture calls Christians to be careful with words, but at times gives permission to use strong language that has sometimes been incorrectly forbidden in the American evangelical church.
Visit www.almondvalley.org for information about Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA.
Music by Jonathan Ogden used with permission.