Around the Table

Guests:

Lynn Fiechter, Trent Meiss, Ted Witzig, Jr.

Show notes:

• Importance of and definition of terms.
• We are seeking to keep from yielding to societal pressures.
• Consider our purpose and vision.
• Need to embrace biblical truth and show compassion to others (both are needed and biblical).
• Is our church position changing? Recap of unchangeable truth.
• Sin is wrong, regardless of what it is (Jesus died on the cross for our sin).
• What has changed? Societal views of sin; sin is more front and center in the world.
• We elders are required to speak into this topic more than in the past due to its increased prevalence in our culture.
• Also, families need more support than in the past.
• We also need to help those who are struggling with these issues (we want to walk with struggling individuals who are trying to live out their faith).
• We can show Christ's love to those who are struggling and interact with them.
• Risks in stepping into this topic: compromise truth and/or don't love.
• Elder body is settled on the truth; it's more difficult to apply the truth.
• How to talk to and help those that are struggling with these attractions? Need Jesus! Call unbelievers to repent; invite believers to fellowship.
• Affirm the truth of I Cor. 6:10-11.
• How to respond to someone that may attend our church while embracing this lifestyle? The gospel is always first; everyone should feel loved in our church and hear the truth.
• We need to love the unlovable so they can experience the love of Christ through receiving the gospel.
• No room for un-Christlike behavior!
• Need to teach and model God's design to our kids.
• Provide an open dialogue for our kids to get their questions answered.
• We want all to know the love of Christ; Christ is the only answer!

Guests: Matt Kaufmann, Mark Streitmatter, John Wiegand

Show notes:

• Evangelism risks.
  • How do we keep from being negatively influenced by the world? Our foundation is critical.
  • We are to conform to Christ.
  • Recognize the influences around us.
• Interesting observation: risks are all around us whether we prioritize evangelism or not.
• Maturity is important in navigating challenges.  New believers shouldn't think they are not called to evangelize.  They just need to be connected to others in the church for accountability.
• Q: Do we understand the gospel correctly?
  • Don't overcomplicate; it's Jesus.
  • Gospel may be more nuanced today than 40 years ago (need to be observant of what people are lacking today and emphasize that part of the gospel).
    • Loneliness is a big part of today's culture.
    • Be careful not to legitimize individualism, but to invite people to be like Jesus.
    • Find peace; free from addiction.
• Q: How do I share the gospel?
  • First pray; ask for opportunities.
  • Build relationships.
  • Then, be bold enough to share Jesus.
  • Helpful to evangelize myself (remind myself of His presence).
  • Know ourselves (use our gifts).
• Q: How do I share the gospel if there is a power differential (I am an employer)?
  • No pressure. Be aware of our influence.
• Q: How can I be successful in sharing the gospel?
  • Practice helps.
  • Sharing the gospel is a discipline.
  • Engage!

Guests:

Matt Kaufmann, Mark Streitmatter, John Wiegand

Show notes:

• Opportunity for us to grow and discipleship is fundamental to who we are.
• How is it fundamental and deeply rooted?
  • Discipleship is a way of life.
• Discipleship and evangelism are inseparable.
• Discipleship is an intentional conversation with believers.
• Evangelism is an intentional conversation with unbelievers.
• Our gifting needs to be lived into.
• Def. of discipleship
• Def. of evangelism
• Tied into Conference presentation.
• Where does evangelism happen?
  • Starts outside of the church, but ends up in the church.
• What is the church?
  • Where we gather or in community (both)?
  • Convicting to consider we are the church 24/7 wherever we are.
• Church is a hub.
  • We are in this together.
  • Worshipping together.
  • Gifting is effective as we come together.
• How do we preserve what has blessed us as we expand into evangelism?
  • We need to prioritize knowing Christ, not just how we got here.
  • We should add to what we have (grow).

Guest: Rod Bajema, Lucas Frank, Nick Gutwein, Greg Lehman

Show notes:

• Affirmations and cautions around doctrine of discipline.
• Should not be used to manipulate or punish.
• God ultimately punishes unrepentant sin in judgement.
• Caution against the thought that God will not punish unrepentant sin.
• Affirm that God wants a right relationship with Him.
• Affirm God's design that we be in community.
• "Love in the presence of humility brings healing".
• "We can't share more love than we have received".
• Affirm that we must be willing to receive love.
• Corrective discipline takes time.
• Sanctification is accomplished by the Holy Spirit.
• Spiritual disciplines help us receive God's grace.
• Caution against checking boxes of spiritual disciplines; they are not for justification before God.
• Spiritual disciplines should bring humility.
• Corporate discipline in the Church: the entire Body should be involved in Church discipline.
• Don't want to isolate individuals or publically humiliate.
• Don't want to hide sin to avoid conflict.
• Perfect love does not give in to fear, but leans into individuals and their families.
• Our desire (and God's) is a glorious Church.

Guests:
Rod Bajema, Lucas Frank, Nick Gutwein, Greg Lehman

Show notes:

• What was it like to study discipline?
• God desires that we have a peaceful/restful relationship with Him.
• Many scriptures regarding discipline.
• Discipline should be mostly proactive.
• It expresses God's love.
• Restores a right relationship.
• Reviewed updated SoF statement.
• Various forms of discipline.
• Value of spiritual disciplines (self), interpersonal discipline & church.
• Goal is Image of Christ.
• What does a disciplined Church look like?

Guests: Frank Sauder, Lynn Stieglitz

Guests:
Bruce Frank
Joe Gerber

Show notes:

• God can relate to us because of the incarnation.
• Incarnation models selflessness, servant leadership, humility, and obedience to the Father,
• Incarnation brought us our perfect example.
• Incarnation is a model for preaching the gospel.
• Incarnation is a model for sacrificial living.
• Incarnation was necessary for salvation.

Guests: Brad Eisenmann, Lynn Fiechter, Wayne Hartzler, Nick Gutwein, Ben Wiegand

Show notes:

• Arranged in 3 buckets.
• Update process evolved from 3 documents to one document.
• Not to be just a document used in counseling converts, but one that impacts every phase of our life.
• Onward Media to help put a discussion guide together.
• Emphasis on the document live on the website.
• Written by the Holy Spirit; also the work of men.
• SoF not perfect, but can be useful with the Holy Spirit's help
• Periodic review expected, similar to other documents.
• We want to be open to increasing clarity in what we believe.
• Plan for updating Walking in the Teachings document.
• SoF, Purpose Vision Mission Statement, Guiding Principles meant to work together.
• Helpful for every generation to examine what they really believe.
• Emphasis on the importance of Church and community in living out our faith.
• Praise God for enabling us to work through some initial trepidation and bring us to a settledness; with God leading, we don't need to fear.

Guests:
Isaac Funk, Jonathan Sauder, Mark Streitmatter

Show notes:

• Purpose: develop biblical principles on discerning emerging technologies (ET).
• Defined what it is.
• Examples of ET.
• Historically, some have been fearful of ET.
• Culture we grew up in influences how we view ET.
• Important to have conversations about ET to learn how to use technology well.
• Technology is a tool to accelerate what we can do.
• Use technologies wisely.
• Be careful not to label a technology as completely good or completely bad.
• Maintain a biblical worldview.
• Explanation of ChatGPT and other types of AI (interesting).
• AI is not always accurate.
• AI does not do all things well; humans do some things better.
• Makes us think about what it means to bear the image of God.
• Church needs to help guide these conversations.

Guests:
Tim Funk
Kyle Walter
Carla Wuethrich

Show notes:

• Why the image of God is a relevant topic
• How does it help us understand God and our relationship with him?
• Helps us balance out who we are with what we do.
• Has both a vocational and relational aspect.
• Jesus is the ultimate image of God who came to earth.
• Image of God is also our identity; this identity is also personally unique.
• How does sin and brokenness impact the image of God?
  • Sin causes this reflected image to lose some of its luster.
  • While there is distance and strain in our relationship, God still pursues us and desires reconciliation.
  • Even in our brokenness, we are still loved by God and reflect his image.
• How do we share these truths with others?
  • God making us in his image is his universal love language to us.
  • We thrive and grow as we share this with others.