One in twelve Christians have been the victim of Clergy Sexual Misconduct (CSM). Those numbers only grow when we include non-sexual physical abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, and spiritual abuse. This is a reality for every denomination and church, no matter how healthy. In one of the most impactful and powerful episodes of the Faith Chair, Pastors Tommy and Jesse discuss how churches produce structures of power imbalances that inevitably lead to cultures of abuse. But more than that, they discuss what we, as individual believers, can do to dismantle those cultures and bring healing.

In this Episode, the conversation between Pastors Tommy and Jesse turned to the expansive divide in the church and among believers in the United States and how we can try to face it and begin to bridge it. That and more!

On this episode, Pastors Tommy & Jesse discuss the issues and questions that arise at the intersection of Mysticism and Christianity. What is mysticism? It may not exactly be what you think! How does Mysticism intersect with the Church and Faith? What does healthy and unhealthy mysticism look like? All that and more!

This episode also features original music by Josh & Jessica Park, titled "YHWH." It is available wherever you stream music, but we have included the Spotify link here for your enjoyment! Thank you again to the Parks for sharing their music with us and you! 

YHWH by Josh & Jessica Park: https://open.spotify.com/track/1LllzcFKGnJhQlMc9ItY8K?si=6e53c0bc86224a83

Man, this conversation quickly became one of our all-time favorites! What happens when you mix good intentions and bad ambitions? You get a hot mess! In this episode, pastors Tommy and Jesse discuss some recent events that led them to ask the question, "is it bad to pursue significance?" This conversations touches on so many aspects of life and faith, you'll want to listen again and again!

A recent survey found that nearly 75% of all pastors in the United States do not practice a sabbath. The 4th Commandment directs us to keep the Sabbath holy unto the Lord. Jesus Himself practice the Sabbath His entire life. So, what are we to make of these contrasting truths? What is a sabbath? Is it important? How do we each engage in the sabbath? These questions and so much more in this episode with pastors Tommy and Jesse at The Faith Chair!

https://music.apple.com/us/album/trust-is-more/646483343?i=646483790

In this episode, The Faith Chair team continues the conversation from Episode 6 about the questions and issues that arise when money and profits become involved in ministry. This episode focuses on the marketplace and content creators like authors, youtube channels, musicians, etc and what lines we need to draw when it comes to profiting from the Gospel and God's wisdom.

In this episode, the Faith Chair team discuss the question, "Is it service if you're paid for it?" What is the line between paid ministry and Kingdom service? How do we keep our hearts pure and stay obedient to God? All this and more in this latest conversation surrounding the questions that arise at the intersection of faith and culture.

This episode also features the song "Deep Waters" by Jonny Amado, who is also a member of the Northwest Worship Collective. We thank Jonny for sharing his music with us and with you! This song is available wherever you stream music, but here is the Spotify link for you to enjoy: https://open.spotify.com/track/5xYEKTYRC2twFxR047EQHV?si=3226fd6bbe5b45e2 

For this hot topic, the Faith Chair team is joined by Jared Hughes, pastor of Hope City Church Live, a fully virtual ministry with over 21,000 followers since just January of 2021. Jared and the guys discuss his salvation journey, how he found himself fully virtual ministry, and what the opportunities are in doing ministry online.

The Faith Chair is joined by guest Ory Cook, director of the organization Renovus, a para-church ministry designed to reach and build community with LGBTQ believers. Together, they tackle the question of how the Church has failed in loving the LGBTQ community and how we can be better. Regardless of where you stand doctrinally when it comes to the LGBTQ lifestyle, this discussion will leave you challenged to be more Christ-like in love, word, and action.

This episode also features the song "Wade in the Water" by Perry Richard, which can be found wherever you stream music. We want to thank Perry for sharing his music with us and with you!

Joined again by repeat guest, Roy Dockery, pastors Tommy & Jesse discuss the question, "what does the church need to keep on the table?" And more specifically, what from 2020 needs to stay on the table. In this episode, the conversation around that question landed on the issue of Supremacy. White Supremacy, sure, but also just the mainstream American Christian sense of general supremacy.

This episode also features the original song by The Faith Chair's own Tommy Niblack, title "It's Yours." This song can be found on SoundCloud under "River Worship."