Fairview Church

How should Christians think about capital punishment—and are there limits to how justice should be carried out?

Following a sermon from Ephesians 2:11–13, Pastor Drew, Pastor Devin, and Pastor Tyler discuss how believers can remain united in Christ while thoughtfully disagreeing about difficult ethical questions. They examine the biblical basis commonly offered for capital punishment, the government’s responsibility to administer justice, and the continuing dignity of every person as an image-bearer of God.

The conversation applies these principles to a failed execution and the proposed livestreaming of a military execution. Along the way, the pastors consider justice for victims, humane treatment of offenders, the possibility of redemption, the influence of technology, and the danger of turning punishment into spectacle. Christians may reach different conclusions, but those disagreements should be shaped by Scripture, careful reasoning, and the unity believers share in Christ.

What does it mean to move from death to life—and why does every Christian have a powerful testimony?

In this new sermon follow-up format, Pastor Drew is joined by Randy Williams and Pastor Tyler to revisit Ephesians 2:1–10 and Randy’s sermon, “But God.” They explore humanity’s helpless condition apart from Christ, God’s merciful intervention, and the truth that salvation is entirely the work of God rather than something earned through human effort.

The conversation also examines the purpose and power of a Christian testimony. No testimony is boring because every believer has been raised from spiritual death to new life in Christ. As God’s workmanship, Christians are saved for good works and sent into everyday relationships with the opportunity to tell others what Jesus has done.

What is expository preaching—and why does Fairview make it central to the Sunday gathering?

Pastor Drew is joined by Pastor Devin and Pastor Tyler to discuss preaching in which the main point of the sermon comes from the biblical text itself. They explain the importance of understanding Scripture in its literary and historical context, allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture, and moving faithfully from explanation to application through the work of the Holy Spirit.

The conversation also addresses common misconceptions about expository preaching, the discipline required in sermon preparation, and the dangers of removing verses from their context or forcing Scripture to support a preacher’s preferred topic. Expository preaching places the authority on God’s Word rather than the preacher and helps form a congregation that can read, understand, and apply the whole counsel of God with greater maturity.

Why does becoming a church member matter—and what changes when you move from attending to belonging?

Pastor Drew is joined by Fairview member Angie Pulley to discuss her and her husband Keith’s journey into membership, community, and service at Fairview. Angie shares how the Discover Fairview process helped them understand the church’s mission, become personally known, find meaningful relationships, and serve in areas connected to their gifts.

The conversation explores membership as a mutual commitment rather than a name on a church roll. Members belong to a spiritual family in which they can be known, cared for, challenged, and equipped to care for others. This kind of commitment matters at every stage of life—including high school, college, and young adulthood—because Christians were not designed to follow Christ in isolation. The local church does not merely want something from its members; it desires something deeply biblical for them.

Is social media merely entertaining us—or is it discipling us?

Pastor Tyler is joined by Pastor Drew and Communications Director Kim Warden to examine how social media shapes our beliefs, desires, identities, relationships, and use of time. They consider its genuine benefits, including connection, encouragement, access to biblical teaching, and opportunities to invite others into the life of the local church.

The conversation also addresses the dangers of algorithm-driven content, false teaching, comparison, approval-seeking, temptation, isolation, and unhealthy dependence. Rather than treating social media as either harmless or irredeemable, Christians must approach it with biblical discernment and intentional boundaries—including, when necessary, extended periods away. Social media is forming us; the question is whether that formation is drawing us toward greater faithfulness to Christ.

What does it mean to advance God’s kingdom—and what role does the local church play?

Pastor Devin is joined by Pastor Tyler and Director of Ministries Lydia McMillan to discuss Kingdom Advancement, one of Fairview Church’s core values. They explain the kingdom as Christ’s reign and rule, explore its “already but not yet” reality, and consider how the local church serves a mission larger than its own programs, preferences, personalities, or institutional success.

The conversation also examines how Fairview’s mission and values unite its ministries around shared biblical convictions. Kingdom advancement is not reserved for pastors or ministry leaders. Every believer is called to embrace the mission, use their God-given influence, and take ownership of the church’s work together. The episode concludes by challenging each listener to identify one faithful step toward living with a kingdom-minded, all-in commitment.

What is biblical missions—and how is it different from simply doing good?

Pastor Tyler is joined by Communications Director Kim Warden and Missions Committee Chair Kortni Lasater to discuss how ministry and missions work together. They explain why genuine missions must include the gospel, how missional living takes place in everyday relationships, and why serving others should point beyond humanitarian help to reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.

The conversation also explores Fairview’s local, domestic, and international partnerships; the proper role of short-term mission trips; and the importance of strengthening local churches and long-term missionaries. Missions is not merely an event, trip, or financial contribution. It is the church gathering to be equipped, going where God sends, serving with purpose, and living each day for the advance of the gospel.

What makes church membership meaningful—and why does it matter?

Pastors Tyler, Devin, and Drew examine the biblical foundations of membership in the local church. They discuss how a defined church body makes covenant community, mutual accountability, pastoral shepherding, doctrinal faithfulness, and the New Testament’s “one another” commands practical rather than theoretical.

The conversation also explains Fairview’s membership process and the responsibilities of healthy membership, including faithful participation in the worship gathering, serving, giving, disciple-making, prayer, and involvement in members’ meetings. Meaningful membership is more than having your name on a church roll. It means belonging to a church family and sharing responsibility for its worship, mission, doctrine, care, and spiritual health.

How can parents faithfully disciple their children—and what role does the local church play?

Pastor Drew is joined by Pastor Tyler and Fairview Kids Director Bek Jones to discuss why parents are the primary disciple-makers of their children and how the church partners with families in that responsibility. Grounded in passages such as Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 78, and Ephesians 6, they explore how everyday rhythms, honest repentance, spiritual disciplines, and meaningful conversations help shape a child’s faith.

The conversation also addresses what parents can do when they feel unequipped, why consistency matters more than complexity, and how busy schedules and excessive screen time can hinder formation. Parents do not need to disciple perfectly or alone—but they must intentionally cultivate a home in which children learn to know Jesus, love His church, and live according to His Word.

What is believer’s baptism, and why does Fairview Church practice baptism by immersion?

Pastors Tyler and Devin are joined by author and longtime Fairview member Mary Wiley to discuss what baptism means, what it portrays, and how it relates to salvation, discipleship, and membership in the local church. They explain why baptism follows conversion rather than producing it and how immersion pictures our death to sin and new life in Christ.

The conversation also offers practical guidance for parents whose children express interest in following Jesus and being baptized, including the importance of patience, looking for spiritual fruit, and avoiding pressure or incentives. They also consider whether someone should be baptized again after a season of wandering and why baptism ordinarily belongs within the life and affirmation of a local church.

Baptism is more than a personal milestone. It is a public declaration that Christ has brought a believer from death to life and joined that believer to His people.