Cultural traditions can be both tied to and separated from our lives in the Church. I know that I often see friends and coworkers observing their own familial and ethnic traditions across all seasons of the calendar year. These observations create a yearning of belonging and a sense of longing for identity in those traditions. That begs the question: how do we understand that our identity as Christians is equivalent to being an image bearer of God? In a unique episode, I chat with Deacon Mark about how our identity in Christ can be made manifest in our daily lives.

College-aged students can experience life in the Church in different ways. Often, students are geographically removed from the community in which they were raised and are seeking out a church community to call their home church away from home. In this episode, we join Deacon Mark and Jesse as they have a conversation with Rev. Ethan Magness, the rector of Grace Anglican Church in Grove City, Pennsylvania about how he and his church have welcomed college students into his congregation.

In 2020, many of us have had time to ponder what stability means in our lives and what it takes to try to maintain it. However, in these challenging times, what does conflict, or lack of stability, look like in the Church? What does God tell us to do in the face of divisions and factions forming in our own church communities during times like these?

As college-aged students head into a new year at their school, they know that they will encounter multiple challenges. These challenges will span from academic expectations to campus involvement. Host Jesse Shedden provides a platform for Emily (an incoming freshmen), Maggie (an incoming senior), and Reid (a recent college graduate) to discuss those challenges and how to keep faith formation in the mix of college life.

If you have been listening to this podcast, you may be wondering about who makes this show possible. Join the entire crew of the Conversations on Faith Podcast for insight into who we are, how God is working in our lives, and why we chose to be a part of the podcast production team.

This episode is the second in our “What I Couldn’t Say” series of special episodes. WICS episodes focus on particular studies of Scripture by pastors and leaders in the church as they prepare for sermons or lectures. Deacon Mark dusts off an old essay from his days in seminary. In the essay, he explores 1 John 2:1-2 including the Greek word παράκλητος (parakletos) literally meaning a legal advocate; an intercessor; a helper generally. How does this description of Jesus help us to understand Him better? Join the conversation to find out!

As many of us continue to reflect on the recent happenings in our nation, we are seeking ways to walk faithfully and purposefully. Pandemic, social injustice, and community unrest have created an “emotional confetti” that is falling around us in a seemingly uncontrollable way. Let’s join Deacon Mark Hottel & Jesse Shedden as they explore how to respond to current events through the lens of Scripture.

The conversation about creating rhythms in our lives continues in this episode as Deacon Mark and Jesse discuss more strategies to help us to connect with God.

What does it mean to create rhythm in our lives? In the hustle and bustle of our day, finding time and energy to establish a routine that helps us to connect with God can be challenging. This episode explores how to create rhythms that help us to worship, follow, and get to know God better.

The Rev. Sean Templeton talks with Dcn. Mark about two of his word studies on John 14:1-14 in preparation for a recent sermon.