TRENDING

Every December Matt and Pastor Joe get together to make some bold predictions for the following year on Trending. 2024 is shaping up to be a consequential year in many ways, so check out our predictions, and let us know what YOU anticipate for the new year ahead!

Every year at the end of the year, Matt and Pastor Joe look back on the year and highlight a few of their favorite moments, apps, products, or ideas to share. We have some fun things to share with you, plus a brief theology on looking back and looking ahead. Enjoy!

Taylor Swift was just recognized as Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2023. It's hard to deny that Taylor has had a pretty amazing year, so what we can learn from her success and her perspective as her fame continues to expand?

Pastor Joe makes an interesting parallel between Swift and Barnabas from the book of Acts. They have more in common than you might imagine, so check out this week's Trending to see what biblical principles we can pull from Taylor's year.

Over the past few weeks we've seen a flood of new celebrity memoirs. Many of them share enticing new private details about their lives, sometimes while harming the reputation of other big-name figures in culture. We want to encourage honesty and vulnerability, but do we get to a point where too much is--just too much?

It's human nature to try to boost our own reputation. Did this ever happen to characters in the Bible, and what we can learn from history's record of King David--and Britney Spears? Matt and Pastor Joe wrestle with those question in this week's Trending.

Recent studies show that members of Gen Z are increasingly moving away from larger cities and into rural communities, a reversal from the Millennial trend of urbanization. Why are these younger people craving the small town life, and how will this affect our communities, businesses, and churches? Matt and Pastor Joe discuss some potential rationals and what to look for in the future.

On this week's Trending, Pastor Joe and Matt address the growing number of labor strikes taking place around the country. The Hollywood writer strike is over, but workers are still striking in the auto industry and health care, with more potential strikes looming in air travel and other industries.

How should Christians view these complicated issues? The Bible seems to instruct us to pay and treat people fairly, but it also encourages contentment and hard work. There aren't clear and easy answers, but as work shortages and labor discussions continue, it's wise for us to consider these important issues.

This week on Trending: Why do so many of us feel so lonely? The U.S. surgeon general has gone so far as to say being lonely poses health risks equal to smoking. Why do we feel this way, where can we find community, and what incremental steps can we take? Matt and Pastor Joe wrestle with those questions on this week's episode.

This week on Trending, Pastor Joe shares rapid-fire takeaways and lessons from some of this week's biggest headlines:

• Jimmy Fallon might not always be a great boss. How can we appropriately handle anger in stressful situations?

• *NSYNC is back! Living with nostalgia is fun, but at what point is it dangerous to live in the past?

• Apple unveiled new phones and watches this week. Do we always need the latest tech?

• Archeologists may have found new evidence at the biblical site of Sodom. Is that good news for our faith?

With Labor Day approaching next week, how can Christians hold a healthy view of work? How do we "work with all our heart, as working for the Lord" (Colossians 3:23) while ALSO finding time for rest and Sabbath? Is a four-day work week a good idea? How can we figure out a rhythm of healthy work and rest?

Here's a helpful idea from Pastor Joe: "When we're not well-rested, we become less loving."

Hear more of our discussion on this week's TRENDING, and then enjoy a day off next week!