Retrieving Catholicity with Pastor Mason Ballard

In this episode, Pastor Mason reflects on the purpose and future of his podcast 'Retrieving Catholicity,' discussing his dissertation's insights on Catholicity, its relevance for evangelicals, and his decision to pause for the summer to focus on local church ministry and personal growth.

Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify!

Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/

Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/

CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE:

00:00 The Final Episode: A Reflection on Catholicity

05:55 Looking Ahead: A Shift in Focus

In this episode, Pastor Mason explores the significance of Catholicity in worship, emphasizing the importance of creeds, confessions, and liturgical practices in fostering theological understanding and church unity. He offers practical insights for integrating these elements into modern evangelical worship to deepen faith and pass on biblical truth.

Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify!

Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/

Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/

CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Introduction to Catholicity in Worship

05:45 Confession of Creeds and Its Significance

11:19 The Benefits of Liturgical Practices

17:36 Practical Steps for Introducing Liturgical Elements

In this episode, Pastor Mason shares his insights on the current state of the Southern Baptist Convention, reflecting on its challenges, opportunities, and future direction. He discusses cooperation, theological integrity, cultural issues, and the importance of local church focus.

Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify!

Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/

Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/

CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Intro

01:48 Personal Connection to SBC

08:50 Cooperation and Its Costs

14:26 Cultural Challenges and Responses

19:48 Self-Obsessed Culture in SBC

25:33 The Role of Seminaries

In this episode, Pastor Mason explores the complexities of church growth, emphasizing that it is not accidental, contingent on external factors, and often deceptive. He shares seven theses on church growth, highlighting the importance of faithfulness, understanding social fault lines, and maintaining focus on Jesus amidst challenges.

Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify!

Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/

Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/

CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Understanding Church Growth

06:53 The Nature of Church Growth

18:59 Challenges and Misconceptions of Growth

30:34 The Future of Church Growth

In this replay episode of the Retrieving Catholicity podcast, Pastor Mason Ballard reflects on the significance of engaging with historical theological voices, particularly through the lens of Charles Spurgeon's work. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the universal church that transcends time, encouraging listeners to read the writings of past theologians as an act of love and humility.Ballard introduces Spurgeon's lecture, The Minister's Fainting Fits, which addresses the emotional and spiritual struggles faced by ministers and believers alike. He highlights how these struggles are not only common but can also serve as a means of growth and empathy in ministry.Throughout the episode, Ballard shares insights from Spurgeon's lecture, discussing the reasons behind feelings of despair and the importance of understanding our human frailty. He encourages listeners to view their struggles as part of their calling and to seek comfort in the knowledge that God uses our challenges for greater purposes.As we revisit this conversation, the message remains timely: trust in God's presence during difficult seasons and find solace in the wisdom of those who have gone before us.

Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/

Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/

CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Introduction to Catholicity and Historical Voices

06:13 Exploring Spurgeon's 'The Minister's Fainting Fits'

12:04 Understanding Struggles in Ministry

20:03 Finding Hope in Dark Times

In this episode, Pastor Mason Ballard and Reverend Derek Roberts explore the intersection of faith, family, and church life, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the gospel in parenting and personal decisions. They discuss practical challenges faced by young families, the role of church community, and the balance between cultural influences and biblical priorities.

Learn more about Rev. Derek Roberts and his ministry at Hope Charleston: https://hopecharleston.org/

Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/

Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/

CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Introduction to Catholicity and Personal Journeys

02:02 Navigating Parenthood and Church Life

05:38 The Ideology of Parenting

09:09 The Role of the Gospel in Parenting

13:02 Travel Sports and Church Attendance

16:37 Prioritizing Church in Family Life

24:06 Evaluating Life Priorities

26:31 Authority and Christian Parenting

28:52 Navigating Parenting Ideologies

31:39 Balancing Family and Ministry

34:18 Embracing the Gift of Parenting

37:18 Grace in Parenting Decisions

39:06 Addressing Infertility and Community Support

This week we are sharing an episode of the Local Theologians podcast. Dr. Mason Ballard joins Dr. Travis Montgomery to discuss the doctrine of catholicity (little‑c) and how recovering a sense of the church’s universality across time and space has transformed his ministry. Mason explains how Baptist convictions harmonize with the historic Christian confession of ‘one holy, catholic, and apostolic church,’ why ‘catholic’ doesn’t mean ‘Roman Catholic,’ and how embracing the wholeness of the global and historic church shapes worship, partnership, posture, and humility. They discuss practical expressions of catholicity in church planting, liturgy, ecumenical charity, and ministry context as well as cautions for those rediscovering ancient practices for the first time.

About the Podcast

Local Theologians is a podcast for everyday Christians and ministry leaders from Midwestern Seminary's Global Campus. Learn more about online theological education at: mbts.edu/global

Local Theologians YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCZE7aFNgaLTKBygxAymRPrA

Local Theologians Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2BAUb8dSNL9GIp0AEocQOQ?si=24bca9786e9e4555

Local Theologians Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/local-theologians/id1849306162

Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/

Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/

CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Introduction to Catholicity and Theological Education

02:03 Understanding Catholicity: Definition and Importance

05:21 Practical Implications of Catholicity in Ministry

09:03 Ecumenism vs. Catholicity: A Deeper Look

12:22 Worship Practices and Their Significance

16:03 Cautions for Embracing Ancient Traditions

24:56 Resources for Understanding Catholicity

In this episode, Pastor Mason Ballard and Reverend Derek Roberts discuss various aspects of church life, including reflections on Easter services, the significance of baptism, navigating church traditions, and the importance of finding the right church community. They emphasize the need for moral clarity and theological convictions in church selection, as well as the role of online presence in attracting new members. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of church transitions and the importance of engaging with a new church community. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the complexities of church involvement, the decision to leave a church, and the importance of communication with pastors. They explore the reasons people leave churches, the significance of community and relationships within the church, and the need to address abusive leadership. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding one's convictions and the challenges that come with changing churches.

Learn more about Rev. Derek Roberts and his ministry at Hope Charleston: https://hopecharleston.org/

Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/

Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/

CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Introduction and Easter Reflections

02:55 Understanding Baptism: A Theological Discussion

05:58 Navigating Church Traditions and Transitions

09:01 Finding the Right Church: Key Considerations

11:48 The Role of Online Presence in Church Selection

14:55 Moral Clarity and Theological Convictions

18:01 Engaging with a New Church Community

28:00 Navigating Church Involvement and Expectations

31:01 Deciding to Leave a Church: Key Considerations

34:05 The Importance of Communication with Pastors

38:52 Understanding Relationships and Community in the Church

43:54 Addressing Abuse and Toxicity in Church Leadership

50:53 The Complexity of Changing Convictions and Church Membership

In this episode of Retrieving Catholicity, Pastor Mason Ballard shares his Easter sermon. Exploring the resurrection of Jesus from the Gospel of John, emphasizing its significance for understanding God's story and our own. Pastor Mason guides listeners through the narrative, addressing doubts, historical reliability, and the transformative power of the resurrection.

Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/

Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/

CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE

00:00 The Significance of Easter and the Resurrection

05:04 Exploring the Resurrection Narrative in John

12:48 Mary Magdalene's Encounter with the Risen Christ

20:48 The Role of Women in the Resurrection Story

26:47 The Plausibility of the Resurrection

33:31 The Transformation of the Disciples

34:53 Living in Light of the Resurrection

In this episode of Retrieving Catholicity, Pastor Mason Ballard and Kenny discuss the significance of Easter and its connection to the catholicity of the church. They explore the importance of observing Holy Week, the need to reclaim Christmas traditions, and the theological implications of gathering for worship on significant days. The conversation emphasizes the opportunities for evangelism during Easter and the central theme of the resurrection, encouraging listeners to engage with their faith and invite others to church.

To connect with Kenny, email [email protected]

Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/

Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/

CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE

00:00 Introduction to Easter and catholicity

02:55 The Significance of Easter in the Church

06:08 Reclaiming Christmas and Its Observance

09:00 The Importance of Gathering on Holy Days

11:51 Opportunities for Evangelism During Easter

14:45 The Resurrection: A Central Theme of Easter

23:48 Conclusion and Call to Action