In All Things

By Evangelical Presbyterian ChurchReligion & Spirituality Christianity

In All Things episodes

October 30 Episode 253: Prayer Intercession with Rev. Dr. Carolyn Poteet
Join us for the first episode in our three-part series, "The Power of Prayer," featuring Rev. Dr. Carolyn Poteet, senior pastor of Mount Lebanon Evangelical Presbyterian Church and National Leadership Team member.
In this conversation, Carolyn shares her journey into a life of prayer—from her early work with World Vision traveling to war zones in Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, to her calling to ministry in the American church context. Carolyn recently completed her doctoral dissertation, "Pandemic Pruning," which focused on mid-sized EPC churches during the pandemic and the essential role of abiding in Christ.
As we approach the holiday season, this series offers a timely reminder that healthy churches are praying churches, and healthy leaders are anchored to the Father in prayer.
Reach out to Carolyn for her dissertation or the lament prayer exercise resource at [email protected]
35 min
October 23 Episode 252: Art for God’s Glory with Dave Strunk
Join guest host Gianna Lazzaro and Dave Strunk, 45th General Assembly moderator and current chairman of the NLT, for the fourth and final episode of their art series. In this conversation, they explore how we can encounter God through art created by flawed human beings and discuss the biblical story arc of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation as a framework for understanding art's role in our faith.

The conversation touches on cultural versus Christian standards, Romans 14 considerations for stronger and weaker believers, and how different kinds of art can help us engage both our heads and our hearts in the Christian life.

Resources:

Wendell Berry poems: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/wendell-berry

Mozart's Clarinet Concerto: https://youtu.be/YT_63UntRJE?si=0sdhtKvrHDJmALHw

"The Altar" by George Herbert: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44358/the-altar
33 min
October 16 Episode 251: Art and the Christian Life with Dave Strunk
Join guest host Gianna Lazzaro and Dave Strunk for the third installment in the art series exploring how art deepens our relationship with Christ and how Christians are called to engage with art.
Drawing from Exodus 31:1-11, the discussion emphasizes that Christians are called to engage with excellence in all vocations, not just traditionally "artistic" ones.
Connect with us on social media at beacons.ai/epc
Learn more about the EPC at our website: epc.org
31 min
October 09 Episode 250: The Art of the Bible with Dave Strunk
Join guest host Gianna Lazzaro and Dave Strunk for the second episode in the Art and God series, exploring the artistry within Scripture itself. This conversation dives deep into how the Bible is not just a repository of truth, but a masterwork of literary art that reflects God's creative nature.

Connect with us on social media by clicking here: www.beacons.ai/epc

Learn more about the EPC at our website: epc.org
33 min
October 02Episode 249: Art and God with Dave Strunk
Join podcast producer Gianna Lazzaro as guest host alongside Dave Strunk, Moderator of the 45th General Assembly, for the first episode of a special four-week series exploring God and art. In this conversation, Gianna and Dave dive into foundational questions about the nature of art and beauty, defining art as a gratuitous human creation of beauty and an intrinsic act that flows from being made in God's image.
The discussion explores how art has been present throughout human civilization—from cave paintings to poetry—and examines beauty as a reflection of God's perfection and nature. Future episodes will explore art and the Bible, art in the Christian life, and art for God's glory. See the list below for some of the resources Gianna and Dave mentioned in this episode!
Resources
Dorothy Sayers, The Mind of the Maker
Elaine Scarry, On Beauty and Being Just
Abraham Kuyper, Lectures on Calvinism
34 min
September 25 Episode 248: Digital Discipleship with Holly Lazzaro
Join us for a timely conversation with Holly Lazzaro, chair of the newly formed Ad-Interim Committee on Digital Discipleship in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. In this episode, we explore what it means to be a faithful follower of Jesus in an increasingly digital world. Holly shares how the Presbytery of the East brought an overture to the 46th General Assembly that led to the creation of this important committee, tasked with developing a position paper to help the EPC think biblically about discipleship in the digital age.

The conversation tackles the polarized reactions people often have to artificial intelligence, and why the church needs a more nuanced, theologically grounded approach. Holly outlines seven ethical categories the church should consider, but also highlights positive ways churches can leverage technology—when it points people toward people, removes administrative friction from ministry, and becomes a subject of discipleship itself.

Resources:

Holly's Substack: https://formednotfed.substack.com/
34 min
September 18 Episode 247: GA Review with Dean Weaver
Join us for a comprehensive review of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church's 46th General Assembly and a preview of what's coming at the 47th General Assembly!

In this special episode, we recap the major decisions and actions from our 46th General Assembly, which took place at Cherry Creek Evangelical Presbyterian Church and Cherry Hills Church with about 1,200 attendees and 72 recommendations considered.

Looking ahead, we're excited about the 47th General Assembly happening June 22-24, 2026 at Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee! The theme "For the Life of the World" is based on John 6, reminding us that Jesus gave His body for the life of the world. Come ready for Memphis barbecue, meaningful worship, and renewed focus on our gospel priorities of church planting, global outreach, church health, and biblical leadership.

All General Assembly minutes and documents are available at epconnect.org under the resources tab.
29 min
September 11 Episode 246: Children’s Theology with Andy Koesters
In this episode of the "Christians Beyond the Classroom" series, Dean sits down with Andy Koesters, pastor to churches and families at FamiliesAlive and missional director for New River Presbytery, to discuss discipling the next generation. Andy shares the heart behind his book Let the Children Come, which he wrote primarily for elders and church leaders to equip them with a biblical vision for next-generation discipleship.

The discussion highlights practical ways churches can unleash believers into discipleship through common interests rather than traditional program volunteering, the importance of elders truly shepherding and knowing their flock, and how parents can create environments where children feel safe to express doubts and questions from the earliest age. Andy challenges listeners to become students of what it means to be a discipler like Jesus—sharing the gospel and their own selves with affectionate desire for those around them.

Resources:

Families Alive: https://familiesalive.org/

Andy's book Let the Children Come: https://familiesalive.org/product/let-the-children-come/

DIY Biblical Parenting podcast: Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

EPC Church Health: https://epconnect.org/cpch/churchhealth/
36 min
September 04 Episode 245: The Incubator Courses with Richard Rieves
Join us for this episode of In All Things as we continue our "Christians Beyond the Classroom" series on lifelong learning. Host Dean Weaver sits down with Richard Rieves, Regional Director of Church Planting for the EPC, to discuss how church planters are being equipped through the Incubator Training program.

Richard shares how the EPC has developed a comprehensive training system for church planters based on Tim Keller's Center Church, in partnership with Redeemer City to City. The Incubator courses take planters through a 6-8 month journey that emphasizes gospel renewal and contextualization, helping them develop a unique theological vision for their particular time and place.

Richard encourages listeners to not be afraid to learn new skills when God calls them into new things, emphasizing that we are all lifelong learners in following Jesus.

Resources:

Learn more about church planting at epcchurchplanting.com
EPC website: epc.org
"Why Plant Churches" by Tim Keller
Future Church by Will Mancini
34 min
August 28Episode 244: Commissioned Pastor Courses at Knox Theological Seminary with Scott Manor
In this episode of In All Things, we explore theological education and a partnership between Knox Theological Seminary and the EPC designed to equip commissioned pastors for effective ministry.
Scott Manor, President of Knox Theological Seminary, joins the conversation to discuss what theological education should really accomplish. Scott explains that the goal isn't just accumulating knowledge, but truly knowing God and being equipped for ministry.
The centerpiece of the conversation is the Knox Commissioned Pastor Program, created in collaboration with the EPC to meet a critical need. With 64% of EPC congregations having under 100 members, many smaller churches struggle to afford a full-time seminary-trained pastor. This program offers a pathway for ruling elders, faithful church members, and those approaching retirement to step into commissioned pastor roles without years of full-time seminary study.
Whether you're considering commissioned pastor ministry or simply want to grow as a disciple of Jesus, this training equips you to serve your local church more effectively—as a ruling elder, Sunday school teacher, youth advisor, or church leader.
Resources:
Knowing God by J.I. Packer: https://www.ivpress.com/knowing-god?srsltid=AfmBOopRbh8hgl9S2pABE5ZJfueTq-jNP7OaoeS3nwkCcjAKfVmh4GiJ
Knox Commissioned Pastor Program: discipleship.knoxseminary.edu
Knox Theological Seminary: knoxseminary.edu
EPC's Effective Biblical Leadership team: epconnect.org
35 min