We live in a society where we get to customize just about everything: most of us get to pick our style of clothing, furniture, food and more. What we want is king and many of us bring that same attitude or posture to church.

Today's episode discusses how church is not meant to be a buffet line. A lot of us treat our faith as a food menu, where we have the power to pick and choose what we are comfortable with. The issue with that might be we only select ice cream when our bodies need vegetables.

Brian explains the danger in having that mindset.

Why can't I have Jesus in my house? Why do I need to go to a church building to have church? Has the church left the building?

Pastor Brian breaks down how the church is you and me, not the physical building! The history of the church or rather, the people, is us gathering together. But do we have a responsibility to understand the depth of God's love and what that means to us?

Community is important. It's a gift. This episode discusses that gift.

This episode explores different religions and their views on God. We’ll look at what they have in common, how they differ, and whether they all point to the same divine truth. Through conversations and personal stories, this podcast helps listeners understand faith from different perspectives in an open and thoughtful way.

Does being Christian give one the right to be intolerant? Can you be tolerant of other faiths and still have a Christian vantage point?

Aren't Christians supposed to promote their faith? What's wrong with prayer in schools? Why can't we teach the Bible in public schools?

Brian reminds us that definitions matter, building relationships are significant and our heart posture impacts people to the Kingdom of God

Praying for our enemies? Caring for folks that aren't like us? Loving on folks that may or may not have anything in common with us is not DEI or 'wokeness'; it's actually the Bible and the Jesus Way.

At a time when we are wrestling with the root causes of group conflict - rival political opinions, who belongs where, who gets to stay and who needs to go elsewhere - Brian discusses how Jesus lived at a time when similar struggles ruled the day, and what we can learn from His example. Is it possible Jesus came for the people we don't want to spend time with - and maybe that's the point?

There seems to be a growing anti-intellectualism in the church where folks are expected to be non-rational thinkers to follow Jesus. It is rare to see in our culture or in our media positive, intellectual or just smart and accurate ways of living a faith-filled life.

Does blind faith mean check your brain at the door before you enter a church or read a bible verse? Can one be a critical thinker and have a faith? Does following Jesus mean people have to be sheep, not ask questions and listen to public leaders do the thinking for them? Brian explores the complex tension that exists between honoring good old common sense and engaging in God-like behavior.

How do we navigate the space between Christianity and Poltics? Can we? Or maybe, should we?

Brian gives context to that shrinking separation between church and state, suggestions on how to operate in that uncomfortable space, and how we can relate to each other in a way that is helpful and God honoring.

People can be motivated by power and their quest for power can cause a lot of problems - especially in the church. Why the heck are church people so sure about stuff, so confident in the decisions they make, and why can that cause a lot of hurt?

Brian had a crazy idea to plant a church on 3 practices: Worship & Prayer, Hospitality & Justice, Discipleship & Mission. What do these practices mean and how do we as people get back to doing things the Jesus Way? And how did we get this thing so wrong!?!?

Jesus knows it all....so why doesn't He just tell us!?!?!? What's going on? The pilot episode is all about why we're doing the podcast and how there is value in the wondering.

Welcome to the Pour Over Podcast with Pastor Brian Remsch of Restoration Frederick Church in Frederick, MD.  This podcast will explore the themes of hurt, faith and authentic conversations in a contemporary world.  If you have questions or even anger with church, this podcast is for you.

Most if not all of these podcasts will be taped live Monday Mornings at Dublin Roasters in Frederick, MD.  Stop by, be a part of the show and submit a question via text at 240.774.2003 or email us at [email protected] .  If we select your question on the show we’ll buy you a cup of coffee!

If you have enjoyed this content please join us on Sunday mornings for our regular church services at 10a.  Restoration Church is located at 7899 Opossumtown Pike across from Ft Dietrick and Frederick Community College in Frederick, MD.  Thanks for listening, follow Restoration Church on social media and contact us with future show ideas and questions.