In this episode we explore the importance of church budgets, highlighting how we, as a church community, steward the tithes and offerings that support our ministries. We discussed how a budget is not just about numbers but about prayerful planning and faithful stewardship to maximize kingdom impact. Together, we see that the budget helps us align our spending with our mission, prioritizing preaching, evangelism, missions, staff care, and the next generation. We also acknowledged the balance we must maintain between faith and wisdom in budgeting—not being reckless nor overly cautious—so we can plan effectively for the future while trusting God’s provision. Ultimately, we want to be faithful stewards of the sacrificial gifts our members give, ensuring that every dollar serves the growth and health of our church family and kingdom work.

In this episode we discuss Christian living and discipleship within our community, emphasizing that thankfulness is a biblical command grounded in recognizing God’s grace and gifts. We understand that gratitude arises when we realize we deserve nothing yet receive everything from God’s kindness. We identify that obstacles to thankfulness often come from within—pride, selfishness, and misplaced focus—rather than just external circumstances. We emphasize that true thankfulness involves giving thanks directly to God, the ultimate Giver, rather than merely appreciating blessings in isolation. Even amid difficulties, we can cultivate gratitude by fixing our eyes on Christ, our ultimate satisfaction and joy. We encourage a humble heart that rejects grumbling and complaining, acknowledging our dependence on God. When facing challenges during the holiday season or throughout the year, we rely on the gospel to nurture a spirit of thankfulness. Grasping even a fraction of Christ’s love and grace transforms our daily lives, enabling us to be thankful in good times and bad. Ultimately, we seek to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, making thanksgiving an ongoing posture of our hearts.

Today, we explore the concept of laziness, especially in West Kentucky, considering how work ethic is highly valued and laziness is often seen as a serious fault. We recognize laziness as an unwillingness to work or put effort into necessary tasks, but also note that diligence applies to many areas of life beyond just earning a wage, including spiritual and family responsibilities. We discuss the importance of prioritizing our limited energy wisely, balancing work, family, and spiritual growth. While enjoyment and passion fuel diligence, purpose remains key even when pleasure wanes. We distinguish laziness from necessary rest, emphasizing rest’s role in renewing us for faithful service. Finally, we encourage grace toward others, acknowledging that what might look like laziness externally may actually be intentional, diligent care within unseen areas like family life.

In this episode we explore how exercise and fitness relate to our faith, recognizing that while physical discipline has some value, godliness holds eternal importance. We understand ourselves as holistic beings—body and soul united—and see caring for our physical health as part of stewarding what the Lord has entrusted to us. We acknowledge that exercise helps us fulfill our spiritual callings by sustaining our energy and mental clarity. Yet, we remain cautious not to let fitness become an idol or a source of vanity. We emphasize consistency and patience, knowing growth—whether physical or spiritual—takes time and effort without shortcuts. We encourage everyone to find a form of movement they enjoy, progressing steadily without comparing themselves to others. Ultimately, we strive to align our physical practices with our spiritual disciplines, doing all things as unto the Lord, so that our whole selves glorify Him as we continue growing in faith and health together.

In this episode of the PACT podcast we reflect on recent events, especially the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a professed believer with strong convictions for Christ. We explore how, from a biblical perspective, Christians should expect persecution and suffering as part of following Christ, recognizing that God’s sovereignty governs the span of life for every person. We acknowledge that although we do not fully understand why such events happen, we trust God’s providence to work all things for good for those who love Him. We discuss the complex nature of martyrdom, considering whether Charlie Kirk is remembered as a political or Christian martyr, noting that his faith and political views are deeply entwined. We observe the wide range of societal reactions to his death, from anger to indifference, and caution against blanket statements that assign collective guilt for individual acts of violence. We emphasize the importance of guarding our hearts and minds amid polarized worldviews and rhetoric. Furthermore, we examine how Christians balance the desire for justice with the call to forgive enemies and pray for persecutors, understanding that justice and mercy coexist in the gospel. We highlight the example of forgiveness displayed by Charlie Kirk’s wife and remind believers to avoid sinful anger while seeking righteous responses. Throughout, we encourage pursuing prayer, accountability, confidentiality, and truth within Christian community as we navigate difficult realities in today’s world.

In this episode, we explore a fun and thoughtful scenario: if we were stranded alone on a deserted island, what three Christian books would we bring along—knowing we’d already have an epic Bible with original languages and historical creeds. Each of us shares our top picks, from spiritual disciplines to systematic theology, John Piper’s writings, and impactful missionary biographies. We discuss how these books would sustain our faith and deepen our understanding during isolation. We highlight why spiritual disciplines remain vital even without others around, and we appreciate timeless classics that nurture our walk with God. We also reflect on honorable mentions like Pilgrim’s Progress, Spurgeon’s sermons, and insightful commentary sets, recognizing their value for long-term growth. As we imagine this solitary setting, we reveal how these resources keep us connected to God’s truth, encouraging us to continue learning and applying Scripture no matter the circumstance. Ultimately, we invite you to join us in this pursuit of prayer, accountability, confidentiality, and truth as part of our shared Christian community.

In this episode we reflect on the idea of “leveling up,” a concept familiar in video games, and how it parallels our human desire for progress in life. We realize this impulse to improve is natural and God-given, rooted in our creation to grow and cultivate what He has entrusted to us. Yet, we also acknowledge that sin distorts this desire, tempting us to seek shortcuts or selfish motives rather than genuine growth for God’s glory. As believers, we understand sanctification as a lifelong process of growth and mortification of sin, not a quick fix or instant reward. We wrestle with balancing contentment and the godly pursuit of improvement, knowing that our motivation must align with honoring God rather than self-exaltation. Ultimately, we believe that our desire to “level up” points us toward becoming more like Christ, glorifying God through faithful, disciplined progress in all areas of life. We encourage one another to pursue this journey with patience, accountability, and truth, recognizing both the challenges and the hope we share in Christ.

In this episode we reflect on the deep longing for eternity that God has placed in our hearts, as Scripture reveals in Ecclesiastes 3. We recognize that this yearning is universal—even those who do not believe pursue immortality, though often through flawed means. We observe that many seek to extend life or cheat death through cryogenics or transhumanism, technologies aimed at escaping mortality without addressing the core issue of sin. As believers, we understand that true eternal life comes only through faith in Christ, who offers redemption and restoration beyond this life. We see how culture’s pursuit of autonomy and control over life and death echoes the fall, where people reject God’s authority and try to be their own gods. Yet, we are reminded that death is unnatural, a consequence of sin, and that God’s promise of a new heavens and new earth offers a genuine, glorified existence with Him forever. We acknowledge that many struggle to grasp the reality of eternal life, often imagining it in oversimplified ways, but we encourage one another to grow in understanding that eternity with God will be a full, embodied, and joyful experience. Ultimately, we confess that only through a personal relationship with Jesus can we satisfy the heart’s cry for eternity and find true hope beyond the brokenness of this world. Together, we commit to sharing this gospel truth with others, knowing that everyone wrestles with these questions, whether through technology, cultural shifts, or personal struggles, and that God’s story is the answer we hold onto as we live out our faith in community.

We reflect on Colossians 3:23, reminding ourselves to work heartily as unto the Lord, not men. We recognize that pursuing excellence means giving our best effort in family, ministry, and daily life, as if Christ Himself is watching. We know this pursuit requires hard work and dying to self, motivated by worship rather than seeking human approval.

We acknowledge pitfalls like laziness, mediocrity, and perfectionism, understanding that perfection is unattainable in our fallen world. Instead, we aim to give our best with integrity and motivation to honor God, relying on His grace to cover our weaknesses. We strive not to pit grace against effort but to balance them in humility and dependence on the Lord.

We see that gifting should inspire us to grow and pursue excellence, not stagnate. By cultivating our strengths and welcoming feedback, we serve the church more effectively. We also recognize pride as an enemy that can hinder growth.

Together, we commit to stewarding well the message and tasks entrusted to us in the church—greeting newcomers warmly, teaching diligently, and worshiping sincerely. We want to do all these things with excellence, not for show, but because lives and eternities are at stake.

Ultimately, we are called to pursue excellence in worship, love, and holiness, both individually and corporately, as a form of worship to God. Though we may not be perfect, we aim to give our best, relying on His grace and continually encouraging one another to grow. We invite you to join us in this journey of faith, striving together for excellence in all we do.

In this episode of we share about how our churches engage in summer ministries like Vacation Bible School (VBS) and youth camps, particularly at places like Jonathan Creek and Cedarmore. We describe how our students come back from camp energized and ready to serve, creating a positive cycle of involvement between youth and children’s ministries. We use trusted curricula like Answers in Genesis for VBS, and we appreciate the cooperation among nearby churches that allows kids to attend multiple programs, enriching their experiences without repetition.

We recognize that these ministries take significant time and resources, often occupying nearly half the summer with focused efforts on children and youth. We see the tremendous benefits: strengthened relationships among church members, deeper gospel exposure in a condensed time frame, and the fostering of discipleship that impacts students beyond the camp or VBS week. We also acknowledge challenges, such as costs and the risk of a temporary “camp high” that might fade, but we view these as manageable in light of the overall spiritual growth and community building.

We encourage everyone who can to get involved in these ministries, knowing that serving alongside students and children not only impacts their lives but also deepens our own faith and connections within the church family. We celebrate the joy, fun, and meaningful moments that come from these shared experiences, confident that the investment in these ministries yields lasting fruit in the lives of our young people and the body of Christ.