NCC Unplugged

In this special Ask Us Anything edition of NCC Unplugged, Matt sits down with Jeff Terpstra (Preaching Minister), Joshua Persall (Executive Minister), Alison Murray (Children’s Director), and Jonathan Slatt (Youth Minister) to answer real, anonymous questions straight from our congregation. This is part one of a multi-episode series because you sent in so many thoughtful, vulnerable questions.

The team starts by pulling back the curtain on their own lives—talking honestly about anxiety, overthinking, people-pleasing, finding worth in what you do instead of who you are in Christ, and the everyday struggle of marriage and parenting. From there, they dive into big theological questions:

Along the way, they talk about the importance of small groups, why NCC emphasizes conscious immersion in baptism, how we view healing without turning it into a spectacle, and how God can redeem suffering—even when you’re exhausted and still waiting for relief. The episode wraps with a lighter segment about what pastors actually see from stage (yes, they notice the naps and Candy Crush).

If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt, suffering, baptism questions, or just wondered whether your leaders “have it all together,” this honest conversation is for you.

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In this Thanksgiving-themed episode of NCC Unplugged, Jeff sits down with Joshua and Allison to talk about gratitude — not just the kind we share around a holiday table, but the deep, internal thankfulness that grows from what God has done in us. From the misunderstood history of Thanksgiving to David’s powerful song in 2 Samuel 22, the team digs into how Christians can cultivate a thankful heart in every circumstance.

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs a little hope this Thanksgiving. And don’t forget to rate and review NCC Unplugged — it helps more people discover these conversations. For service times, ministries, and upcoming events, visit norwinchristianchurch.com.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 🦃🙏

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In this episode of NCC Unplugged, Jeff Terpstra sits down with Joshua and Allison, to reflect on their time at the 2025 Spire Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. The team unpacks what it means to “Catch the Wind” — the conference theme centered around the Holy Spirit — and shares how it rejuvenated their hearts and ministries. From practical leadership insights to personal spiritual renewal, this conversation explores how the Holy Spirit continues to move through Norwin Christian Church and beyond.

Spire Network: https://spire.network

Norwin Christian Church: https://norwinchristianchurch.com

Submit questions for our upcoming AMA Episode: https://form.jotform.com/253012468879062

Join the staff of Norwin Christian Church for a special Roundtable Edition of NCC Unplugged, where conversations, community, and culture come together.

In this episode, Jeff, Matt, Jonathan, Allison, and Brion sit down to share stories from the summer—mission trips, skydiving, family milestones, ministry growth, and more.

You’ll hear everything from Allison’s reflections on sending her daughter off to college, to Jonathan’s student adventures at CIY, Brion’s first summer as a new dad, and Matt’s wild Hawaii trip (complete with an unexpected tsunami evacuation).

They also discuss new small groups, upcoming retreats, ministry highlights, and what’s ahead for the fall season at NCC.

If you’re part of the NCC family—or just love hearing real, authentic stories of faith and community—this episode will encourage and connect you.

Connect with NCC

Service Times:

Follow along for updates and future episodes of NCC Unplugged.

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In this episode of NCC Unplugged, Joshua Persall (Executive Minister), Allison Murray (Children’s Ministries Director), and Jonathan Slatt (Youth Minister) conclude our six-part discipleship series. Together, they reflect on what it truly means to live as a disciple of Jesus and how to naturally share our faith in everyday life.

From sharing your story—whether it’s dramatic or quiet—to seeing people with Christlike compassion, this conversation highlights how discipleship is less about programs and more about relationships. You’ll hear practical ways to integrate disciple-making into daily rhythms, whether with family, co-workers, or friends.

If you’ve ever wondered how to move from simply “knowing” about discipleship to actually living it out, this episode will encourage and challenge you to take the next step.

Episode Highlights:

Looking in the mirror: Why being a disciple comes before making disciples.

Everyone has a story—big or small—that God can use.

Discipleship happens best in relationships, not programs.

Deuteronomy 6 and living discipleship in the everyday rhythms of life.

Practical next steps: start with just two people already in your life.

The importance of patience, compassion, and prayer in disciple-making.

Encouragement to keep the conversation going, even though the series is ending.

Key Scriptures Referenced:

Matthew 18:21–35 (The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant)

Deuteronomy 6 (Discipleship woven into daily life)

2 Timothy 2:2 (Passing faith to the next generation)

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Takeaway:

In this week’s episode of NCC Unplugged, Joshua Persall (Executive Minister), Jeff Terpstra (Preaching Minister), and Allison Murray (Children’s Ministry Director) dive into what it means for a church to truly be a disciple-making church.

They explore:

The difference between “doing church” and living as disciples

Why discipleship is more than a program—it’s an identity

How Scripture shapes our approach to measuring growth

The tension between numbers, stories, and transformation

Practical ways NCC seeks to live out the Great Commission

You’ll hear reflections from Colossians, the Great Commission in Matthew 28, and real-life examples of transformation happening in our community.

Whether you’re a church leader, a long-time believer, or someone just exploring faith, this episode will challenge and encourage you to see discipleship as a way of life.

👉 Learn more about Norwin Christian Church: www.norwinchristianchurch.com

This week on NCC Unplugged, Joshua is joined by Allison Murray (Children’s Ministry Director), Jonathan Slatt (Youth Minister), and Richard Seaman (Elder & Forge Team Member) to continue our series on discipleship.

We explore what it looks like to follow Jesus in every context of life—from raising children at home, to discipling teenagers and young adults, to walking faithfully as empty nesters, and even living out our faith in the workplace.

Key Highlights:

What Deuteronomy 6 teaches about discipleship in the home

How teenagers and young adults grow through relationships and community

The importance of not compartmentalizing our faith

Practical encouragement for parents, grandparents, volunteers, and mentors

How NCC partners with families through events like Coffee & Conversations

Discipleship isn’t a program or a checklist—it’s a way of life. Join us as we talk about living out our faith in ordinary, everyday moments.

👉 Listen now and be encouraged to see your relationships as opportunities to disciple and be discipled.

On this episode of NCC Unplugged, we dive into one of the most important yet often misunderstood aspects of following Jesus—discipleship. More than just a label, being a disciple means walking in intentional relationship with Christ and others. Together with Allison Murray, NCC’s Director of Children’s Ministries, and elder Rich Seaman, we unpack what it looks like to move from being a disciple to becoming a disciple-maker.

From exploring the biblical foundation in the Great Commission to sharing practical next steps, we discuss how discipleship is relational, lifelong, and deeply personal. Whether it’s through prayer, investing in one-on-one relationships, navigating family dynamics, or simply being intentional in everyday conversations, this episode offers encouragement for anyone who wants to live out Jesus’ call to “go and make disciples.”

What is discipleship really about?

The role of elders at NCC

The Great Commission as our foundation

Evangelism vs. Discipleship

Practical next steps

Begin by being a committed disciple yourself.

Pray for God to reveal who He’s placing in your circle.

Focus on relationships, not projects.

Start small—invest deeply in just one or two people.

Use everyday opportunities (like conversations at work, coffee meetups, or family gatherings) to point others to Jesus.

Family dynamics in discipleship

How to invite someone into deeper conversation

Encouraging multiplication

Discipleship is not about numbers—it’s about people.

Relationships are the soil where discipleship grows.

Everyone can be part of God’s mission, regardless of personality type or fears.

The Great Commission is for all believers, not just church leaders.

Matthew 28:18–20 – The Great Commission

Matthew 9:36 – Jesus’ compassion for the crowds

John 1:40–42 – Andrew brings his brother Peter to Jesus

John 4:28–30 – The Samaritan woman tells her town about Jesus

We’ll be talking about the different places discipleship happens—in our homes, workplaces, community, and church—and how to be intentional in each setting.

In this episode of NCC Unplugged, Joshua and Allison dive into the second installment of our discipleship series by exploring a surprising fact: the word Christian only appears three times in the New Testament, while disciple shows up over 250 times. What does that tell us about how Jesus wants us to identify ourselves—and live?

They unpack:

The historical difference between the words “Christian” and “disciple”

What it meant to follow a rabbi in the first century

How the early church operated—and how it evolved into what we know today

Whether "bigger church" means "better church"

How reaching one person at a time may be God's original plan for spreading the Gospel

This is an eye-opening, encouraging, and practical conversation for anyone who wants to take the next step in their faith or help someone else do the same.

Next episode sneak peek: We’ll explore what it actually looks like to reach your one.

Welcome to the first episode in our brand-new NCC Unplugged series on Discipleship! In this conversation, Jeff Terpstra (Preaching Minister) hands the mic to Executive Minister Joshua Persall as they unpack one of the most important—yet often misunderstood—concepts in the church today: being a disciple of Jesus.

Why is “discipleship” making a comeback in church language? What does it actually mean to be a disciple, not just a churchgoer? And how do we live out Jesus’ Great Commission in a modern context?

In this episode, Jeff and Joshua dive into:

The biblical definition of discipleship (Mark 1:17 + Matthew 28)

Why the Church is shifting focus from attendance to transformation

The impact of COVID on how we think about church

The tension between cultural Christianity and full surrender

Why discipleship isn’t about guilt, but about joyful response

Whether you’re new to faith, spiritually stuck, or just ready to go deeper, this episode sets the foundation for a life of purpose and growth as a follower of Jesus.

Stay tuned as Joshua continues the series with guests and stories that bring discipleship to life in the everyday.