We’re back. Not with a reset episode, not with resolutions—but with a real conversation.

This episode wrestles with evangelism as it actually exists for pastors and everyday Christians: fear, hesitation, prayer, relational tension, transfer growth, and the strange reality that preaching can feel easier than talking to your neighbor.

No formulas. No guilt. Just honest reflection on why evangelism matters—and why it’s harder than we admit.

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Ben welcomes new co-host Jonathan Wallace to talk about conflict in the church—why it’s inevitable and how God uses it for growth and unity. With 25 years of ministry experience, Jonathan shares practical wisdom on slowing down, naming differences, self-reflection, and following Matthew 18 by addressing issues face-to-face. They discuss prayer, mediation, and how even unresolved conflict can still serve Christ’s mission.

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Entertainment isn’t neutral—it disciples us. In this episode, Kenan and Stephen explore how movies, sports, social media, and even fitness can move from hobbies to heart-level idols. They discuss the subtle ways Christians trade worship for amusement, the “hobby audit” of time, money, and emotion, and how to recover joy in God’s good world without being mastered by it. This is a conversation about formation, wisdom, and learning to love what lasts.

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Trevor and Tyler sit down to talk about a growing challenge in many churches: families prioritizing youth sports over church gatherings, community groups, and spiritual development. Trevor asks Tyler how pastors and leaders can faithfully disciple parents who choose sports as the center of their family schedule.

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This week on the podcast, Ben and Stephen Collins discuss the 4 C's of Christian leadership. The roles and qualifications of Elder & Deacon, as well how this relates to even Christians not currently in Church Leadership.

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What does it really take to plant a church? In this episode, Ben sits down with John Seabert (who planted what’s now NGC Battleground) and Ryan McDonald (our church planter in residence, preparing to plant in Portland).

John shares the story of launching Battleground right before COVID hit. Ryan talks about how the Lord called him and his family from Southern California to Portland, a city that desperately needs more gospel churches.

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In this episode of To Be the Church, Tyler and Andrew are joined by Pastor Jon, the lead pastor of NGC Battle Ground) to process a heavy week. They discuss the reported assassination of Charlie Kirk, how our five churches addressed it on Sunday, and why so many people returned to church in the aftermath. Jon shares about facing evil “far and near” in Battle Ground, and the pastors reflect on the cultural and spiritual impact of the moment.

They also answer a listener question: How can Christians connect biblically with spouses and community when divisive issues surface—especially around someone like Charlie Kirk, whose public witness was both influential and controversial?

The conversation covers mourning with moral clarity, slowing down to seek truth beyond soundbites, using theological triage in relationships, and seizing gospel opportunities when culture is shaken.

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In this episode, Ben sits down with Kenan, the Lead Pastor at NGC Westside, to talk about his recent sabbatical. Kenan shares what the time away taught him about himself, the importance of stepping back, and how to build lasting habits of rest. Whether you’re in ministry or just feeling the weight of a busy life, this conversation offers encouragement and practical wisdom for cultivating rhythms of rest in your own walk with Christ.

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Andrew, Tyler, and Ben respond to a Facebook post about what it means to be a Spirit-led church. Is there room for spontaneity in gathered worship? How should churches think about planning while staying sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit? The guys dive into the tension between preparation and flexibility, exploring how both can serve the body of Christ.

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A listener asked why we sometimes say Jesus’ body was “broken” when Scripture says otherwise. Ben and Tyler start there, but the conversation quickly opens up into a bigger question: how precise should we be with our language in the church? When does precision serve clarity, and when does it slip into arrogance, nitpicking, or even confusion?

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