A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Questions for the Week: 

• Have you ever watched a movie or TV show or played a game that unexpectedly challenged how you understand issues of faith and/or justice? I'm not talking about things that are specifically about faith or religion, rather a piece media or art that was focused on something else but ending up touching you or challenging you in some way.
• Do you have a favorite translation of the Bible? What is it and why?

Special Guest:
Kathy Riley, Associate for Emotional and Spiritual Care, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance 

Guest Question:
Do you have any strategies for dealing with anxiety and mental health challenges related to natural or human caused disasters? (ie. hurricanes, gun violence, etc) Are there strategies that are specifically useful for people of faith? 

Resource Roundup:

• PCUSA Mental Health Ministries
• Presbyterian Mental Health Network (PMHN)
• Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Emotional & Spiritual Care Offerings

For Listening Guides, click here!
Got a question for us? Send them to [email protected]!
A Matter of Faith website

Send us Fan Mail

Questions for the Week: 

• What is an experience that you had which either deepened your faith or gave you a new perspective on God, faith or church? 
• Why are both church and football on Sundays? If Sunday is a day of rest, how can players play on that day? Or is it because watching football is "rest" for everyone else? 

Special Guest:
Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri, Educator, Ruling Elder & Past Co-Moderator of the 223rd General Assembly

Guest Question:
What do we mean when we say the PC(USA) is a “connectional” church? What does the term "connectional" mean?

Resource Roundup:
Queering the Family Series with More Light Presbyterians and Unbound

For Listening Guides, click here!
Got a question for us? Send them to [email protected]!
A Matter of Faith website

Send us Fan Mail

Questions for the Week: 

• Is there a real "dress code" for church? I was raised with the perspective that "you can never be too dressed up for church", but I know that's not true everywhere. In fact, if you are dressed up a lot more than everyone else, I think it’s just as weird as being the only one not dressed up. What have your experiences been like?
• Some people criticize the PCUSA as being a "SJW (social justice warrior), left-wing political party". Where does this criticism come from? Is there any validity to it?

Special Guest:
Jessica Maudlin, Associate for Sustainable Living and Earth Care, Presbyterian Hunger Program

Guest Question:
Our congregation cares about climate change and wants to start implementing environmentally conscious practices and incorporating these themes into our worship services. Where should we start? | 

Resource Roundup: 

• Climate Care Challenge
• Considering our Treasure: A look at Luke 12:34 for Presbyterians as they engage a life of faith by helping individuals assess where your “treasure” is and where it is being spent. 
• Blessed Tomorrow: Let’s Talk, Moving Forward and 15 Steps
  
  

For Listening Guides, click here!
Got a question for us? Send them to [email protected]!
A Matter of Faith website

Send us Fan Mail

Questions of the Week: 

• What are your favorite Bible verses/stories?
• Do you ever think people treat their relationship with God like a subscription service? Hear me out: you're always subscribed, there is a regular payment (tithing or going to church), but you only really use it to its full benefit when you really want to, and otherwise it just sits there. It's not a perfect metaphor, but I feel like there are some comparisons to be made. Thoughts?

Special Guest:
Brooke Scott, ready to receive a call in the Presbyterian Church USA

Thanks to our other contributors. 


Guest Question:
What is the PC(USA) ordination process like?

Resource Roundup:
International Peacemakers | [email protected]
Ordination Process Information

For Listening Guides, click here!
Got a question for us? Send them to [email protected]!
A Matter of Faith website

Send us Fan Mail

Questions of the Week: 

• So I attended a Presbyterian youth conference for the first time a few years back, and we did these activities called energizers. I’m still not quite sure what they are. What are they exactly and what purpose do they serve? What are your thoughts? 
• I just can't pay attention through a full worship service, particularly through the sermon (don't tell my pastor). Things go too long and I start to space out. Am I bad? Do you recommend any strategies to help maintain focus and attention.

 
Special Guest:
Toby Weismiller, Ruling Elder, Colesville Presbyterian Church, Silver Spring, MD

Guest Question:
Will our church get vandalized if we put up a Black Lives Matter sign?

Resource Roundup:
Gun Violence, Gospel Values: Mobilizing in Response to God’s Call

For Listening Guides, click here!
Got a question for us? Send them to [email protected]!
A Matter of Faith website

Send us Fan Mail

Questions of the Week: 

• I am having a disagreement with someone on social media on matters of faith and social issues.  I also see other folks posting and commenting about things that bother me.  How should I handle this?  How can I navigate these situations as a Christian in the era of social media and technology?
• I support the messages and intentions of groups like Black Lives Matter, advocating for justice and equality.  Some members of my church attended a BLM protest over the summer, but I didn't go because I wasn't comfortable participating in a protest or a march.  It's not really my scene.  I was also worried about violence occurring (not necessarily from protestors, just any form of unexpected violence).  Is this okay? Are there other ways for me to support causes that I care about?

Special Guest:
Christian Brooks, Representative for Domestic Issues, Office of Public Witness, Presbyterian Church (USA)

Guest Question:
Why does the Church have an advocacy office in DC? Should the church even be involved in politics? Do congress members actually listen to the faith community?

Resource Roundup with Beth Olker

• View all the “Expanding the Narrative” videos on YouTube
• Expanding the Narrative: Women & the Reformation from the Theoacademy
• View all the “Expanding the Narrative” videos on YouTube
• Expanding the Narrative: Women & the Reformation PC(USA) Story on "Expanding the Narrative"
  
  

For Listening Guides, click here!
Got a question for us? Send them to [email protected]!
A Matter of Faith website

Send us Fan Mail

Questions of the Week:

• What do you think about "Christian" music?
• I really enjoy helping out with various activities at my church: bible study, choir, and serving meals to the homeless in our community to name a few. But the more I become involved, the more it seems like people rely on me and assume I will participate. I keep being approached about doing more things. I hate saying no to my church community, but I'm starting to feel overwhelmed. What should I do?

Special Guest:
Rev. Ashley Goff, Pastor, Arlington Presbyterian Church, Arlington, VA

Guest Question:
How important is the church building? In what ways do our buildings complicate/disrupt the ministry or enhance ministry?

Resource Roundup:
Office of Public Witness Action Alerts

For Listening Guides, click here!
Got a question for us? Send them to [email protected]!
A Matter of Faith website

Send us Fan Mail

Questions for the Week: 

• What is your favorite part about church/worship? 
• How do I talk about being a Christian? What are things to keep in mind when explaining and describing my faith? 

Special Guest: 
Alonzo Johnson, Coordinator for the Presbyterian Committee on Self Development of People 

Guest Question: 

• The local churches in my community do a lot to address issues of poverty in our: homeless shelters, food pantries, soup kitchens, and clothing drives. But I feel like we aren’t addressing root causes of why people need these services in the first place. How do we move from providing temporary relief to addressing root causes of poverty? What more can we do?

Resource Roundup:

1. The 220th General Assembly (2012) policy statement “World of Hurt, Word of Life: Renewing God’s Communion in the Work of Economic Reconstruction,”
2. The Problem of Wealth: A Christian Response to a Culture of Affluence by Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty
3. Always With Us?: What Jesus Really Said about the Poor by Liz Theoharis
4. Toxic Charity by Robert Lupton

For Listening Guides, click here!
Got a question for us? Send them to [email protected]!
A Matter of Faith website

Send us Fan Mail

Questions for the Week:

• Can you still be a Christian and not attend church, what do you think? 
• There are many examples of creators of popular works doing or saying something that is controversial or problematic or that seems to contradict the work they created. This creates a problem for those who enjoy the works that these creators have made. Is it possible to still support or enjoy the work but not support the person who created it? 

Special Guest:
Jeff Moles, Director of Christian Education and Mission, First Presbyterian Owensboro, KY

Guest Question:
What should churches do when people come to the door asking for help?

Resource Roundup:
Lift Every Voice

For Listening Guides, click here!
Got a question for us? Send them to [email protected]!
A Matter of Faith website

Send us Fan Mail

Questions for the Week: 

• My pastor said something in church that I don’t agree with. What should I do? Is it wrong to question my pastor?
• I witnessed the riots at the Capitol in January and was shocked to see signs saying Jesus saves and mentioning faith, as people looted and stormed the building. How did we get here as a nation? 

Special Guest:
So Jung Kim, Associate for Theology, Theology, Formation & Evangelism PC(USA)

Guest Question:
I have heard about this term “theology”. What is it exactly? Why does it matter to someone who is not a pastor? How does it affect/impact our lives outside of church activities? 

Resource Roundup:
Presbyterian Peacemaking Program

For Listening Guides, click here!
Got a question for us? Send them to [email protected]!
A Matter of Faith website