Frederick Faith Debate

With a seemingly increased number of American Christians choosing to attend house churches (as opposed to attending big traditional churches), what are the consequences of their choice?  In other words, by being involved with a house church, what do they gain that’s good?  What do they gain that’s bad?  What do they unfortunately lose?  What do they lose that they are glad to have lost?

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  Faith Debate host and Pastor of Living Faith Ministries in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Jonathan Switzer.  Founder of Crossed Bridges in Frederick, Maryland.

David Forsee.  Church Planter of a new Frederick house church which gathers in his home.

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Why House Church?

More and more people are leaving big traditional churches in favor of churches that meet in a living room.  These are not merely church planters with dreams of one day growing into a big traditional church.  These are church planters who intend to keep their churches meeting in living rooms forever.  What is the motivation that lies behind pursuing this idea?

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  Faith Debate host and Pastor of Living Faith Ministries in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Jonathan Switzer.  Founder of Crossed Bridges in Frederick, Maryland.

David Forsee.  Church Planter of a new Frederick house church which gathers in his home.

Link to Faith Debate podcasts on iTunes here.  Stream, Share, Download, and Embed past shows using the WFMD “Audio Vault” here.

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Leaving Traditional Church for a House Church

There is a movement in the American church that would appear to be gaining momentum.  People are forsaking churches that meet in large sanctuaries in favor of churches that meet in someone’s living room.  This episode of the Faith Debate shares the backstory of a pastor who left a big, highly structured church to begin leading a small, loosely structured church that meets in his home.

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  Faith Debate host and Pastor of Living Faith Ministries in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Jonathan Switzer.  Founder of Crossed Bridges in Frederick, Maryland.

David Forsee.  Church Planter of a new Frederick house church which gathers in his home.

Link to Faith Debate podcasts on iTunes here.  Stream, Share, Download, and Embed past shows using the WFMD “Audio Vault” here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The final episode of a four-part series has arrived.  Two Christian men have talked about how and why they became pastors, how and why their churches came to be located where they are, and how and why their ministries have taken the shape that they have.

This show we talk about the challenges of cultural obstacles.  There’s a distinct ethnic vibe with African churches.  What’s it like attempting to reach people who view life from differing vantage points?  How do our neighbors receive these congregations?  Do different cultural backgrounds profoundly change the way ministry is done?  Clement let me begin by turning to you.  How do you feel that your church fits into the Frederick landscape, and is it even important to be concerned with how well it fits or doesn’t fit?

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  930 WFMD Host/Moderator of The Faith Debate.

Dr. Neil Achaempong, Pastor of Covenant Family Chapel in Frederick County.

Clement Mbuyi, Pastor of International Tree of life Church in Frederick.

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If a person identifies as same-sex-attracted, shouldn’t they be able to be in a gay relationship if they want to?  And who are Christians to judge in saying one way or the other.  Doesn’t the Bible say not to judge?  Plus, Christians don’t follow the Old Testament dietary laws, or things like that. So, then, why should Christians follow the Old Testament view that homosexuality is a sin?  The New Testament says explicitly that God is love.  So, two gay people should be able to love each other if they want to, shouldn’t they?  Besides, being gay doesn’t hurt anyone, does it?  Or does is?  Regardless, what’s the big deal?  This episode wraps up the Faith Debate’s four-part series on the LGBTQ+ issue facing the Christian church.

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  Faith Debate host and Pastor of Living Faith Ministries in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Jonathan Switzer.  Founder of Crossed Bridges in Frederick, Maryland.

Sharon Watts.  Rector at Grace Episcopal Church in New Market, Maryland.

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What does the Bible say about homosexuality?  What does Christian tradition say about it?  Can two people of the same sex be married?  Why or why not?  When, if ever, is sexual intercourse a sin?  What makes us say so, whatever our answer?  The panel today talks about biblical teaching on the issue, with interest in key passages of Scripture that are often put forward by those exclusively favoring monogamous heterosexual union.

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  Faith Debate host and Pastor of Living Faith Ministries in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Jonathan Switzer.  Founder of Crossed Bridges in Frederick, Maryland.

Sharon Watts.  Rector at Grace Episcopal Church in New Market, Maryland.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Politically there’s been a move to have what some call “same-sex marriage” recognized in all 50 of the United States.  This has had an important judicial component, too, as the courts have heard lawsuits over making cakes for what some call “gay weddings”.  Culturally there has been an ongoing push into waters that, some argue, continue to flow from the sexual revolution of the previous century.  The panel today talks about worldview presuppositions which impact one’s position on the issue, with special emphasis on key components of the argument that is put forward by those favoring the acceptance of homosexuality.

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  Faith Debate host and Pastor of Living Faith Ministries in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Jonathan Switzer.  Founder of Crossed Bridges in Frederick, Maryland.

Sharon Watts.  Rector at Grace Episcopal Church in New Market, Maryland.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you heard?  The issue of homosexuality is bringing division to the Christian church in recent years.  The Episcopal church now allows the ordination of openly gay clergy, but not until after a big fight within the denomination.  The Methodist church had a big international denominational vote on allowing same sex marriage, just this year.  The measure did not pass, mostly because of Methodist leaders in Africa… putting them at odds with the majority of Methodist leaders in America.  It’s a contentious issue, and we’re going to “go there” for a few weeks on the Faith Debate, beginning this week.

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  Faith Debate host and Pastor of Living Faith Ministries in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Jonathan Switzer.  Founder of Crossed Bridges in Frederick, Maryland.

Sharon Watts.  Rector at Grace Episcopal Church in New Market, Maryland.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did “The Faith Debate” come into being?  How did the show get to where it is?  Where does it go from here?  This episode marks the completion of 15 full years of Faith Debating.  From the Bush years, through the Obama years, and into the Trump years; the show has evolved and been tweaked.  A couple of different co-hosts, dozens of guests, scores of topics, and much support from friends, family, sponsors, coworkers, and listeners.  This episode marks a celebration of what has come before by sharing a behind the scenes peak at the past, with anticipation of what is ahead.

No panel for this 780th episode, as Troy Skinner (930 WFMD Host/Moderator of The Faith Debate) shares the history of “The Faith Debate”.

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Frederick’s newest author has written the book “Renewing Your Mind Daily”.  It seeks to immediately inform the reader that supernatural experiences are not exclusively reserved for Bible days.  They are a reality to be enjoyed even in this modern era.  Rohan Stewart says the book quickly dispels the myth that God no longer communicates with His children through dreams and visions, by capturing compelling testimonies of divine encounters experienced by a number of believers who have chosen to make prayer and fasting a lifestyle.

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  930 WFMD Host/Moderator of The Faith Debate.

Rohan Stewart.  Author of “Renewing Your Mind Daily”.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.