We Make Christians

What if we don’t find what we’re looking for? What if the PCA or the OPC or the CREC isn’t right for BHPC? What do we do as a church if we don’t find a denomination to come alongside? How would we  then function as a congregation? 

Well, independency is an option. After all, our church has been through a lot. Maybe we should just take a deep breath and take our time? We don’t have to rush into anything. We could enjoy our freedom for a little bit. That’s an option. 

But is it a good option? 

In this episode, Pastor Nate, Peter, and Kyle discuss denominational independency. They look at Scripture, the prescriptions of the Westminster Standards, and the meaning of “Presbyterian.” 

To call our church “Presbyterian” means that we are a part of a Presbytery and our pastors and elders are accountable to other elders. It also means that our church would collaborate with other churches. 

Join Pastor Nate, Peter, and Kyle as they discuss the fourth option, independency, the timing of it all, and what it would be like for our congregation if we didn’t affiliate with a Presbyterian denomination. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians! 

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

In this episode, Pastor Nate, Peter, and Kyle continue their mini-series on denomination affiliation by examining the CREC—the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches. 

It’s a small and controversial denomination. You’ve probably heard people squabbling about the “Federal Vision” and expressing worry about that intrepid grandpa who comes out every November with a cigar in his mouth and flamethrower in his hands. 

Why would we ever consider such an affiliation? Putting the CREC through the denominational sifter, Pastor Nate, Peter, and Kyle answer that question by reflecting on the CREC's theology, culture, and polity. 

An emphasis on the Bible, and going to it first and frequently? Pushing authority to the local level? Walking into public spaces and reclaiming them because they belong to the Lord? Hmm—what’s not to like? 

Join Pastor Nate, Peter, and Kyle as they discuss the CREC and the joy of being a Christian, the delight in having no standing committees, and what it means to have accountability without bureaucracy. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians! 

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

You can tell a lot about a denomination by its name. 

Take, for example, the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). 

Their name tells you that they are Presbyterian and they care about Orthodoxy. 

Sounds pretty good, huh? 

But you can also tell a lot about a denomination by how many times a year it defrocks a pastor. 

Or how many charges of heresy are being adjudicated in a given month. 

Oof. No thanks!

A denomination’s values, temperament, and culture are baked into its bureaucracy. 

And its principles, enemies, and worries are expressed through its preaching.   

In this episode, Pastor Nate, Peter, and Kyle continue their mini-series on denomination affiliation by reflecting on the OPC—the denomination started by J. Gresham Machen. 

They discuss why we should or shouldn’t align with the OPC, who we are as a congregation, and why presbyters and presbyteries should have a sense of humor. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians! 

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

What’s the purpose of being a part of a denomination? Why not just soak up the freedom found in independency? Do what we want. Well, because that wouldn’t be very Presbyterian of us. 

To be Presbyterian, we have a plethora of options. But which denomination is "best" for us? Which would be most fruitful, edifying, supportive, and conducive to fellowship and collaboration in gospel ministry? 

In this episode, Pastor Nate, Peter, and Kyle begin a mini-series on denomination affiliation. They start with a high-level overview of affiliations of the past and then they begin to look at the prospects. 

They start with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)—the second largest Presbyterian denomination in the country. The PCA is to the “right” of the EPC, but not everything to the right is right for us. 

For example, the PCA isn’t really all that conservative and traditional. It still struggles with the ghosts of Egalitarianism, Racism, and Bureaucracy. A lot has changed since Tim Keller was around. Then again, maybe not. 

Join Pastor Nate, Peter, and Kyle as they discuss the theological differences, political procedures, and cultural postures of the PCA that don’t quite align with our mission and ministry here at Beverly Heights. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians! 

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

Do you know how many ordination services there have been at Beverly Heights? In ninety six years, it hasn’t been more than a handful. Of course, Pastor Nate was one. But now, after passing their ordination exams, Peter and Kyle are set to be ordained on Sunday, November 9th! 

Ordination is the laying on of hands on a man to separate him for a specific office, a particular gospel ministry—namely, the preaching of the Word and the administration of the sacraments. It is done by fellow presbyters who have been called to the same office. 

Preaching the Word and administering the sacraments are not just two additional tasks that can be taken on by an elder. They are ordinances that are particular to the office of pastor. An office to which one must be called in a three-fold manner. 

First, one senses a calling from God to this office. Then there is an external call in which the local church affirms this call and accepts one as a candidate for ordination. This candidacy is then affirmed by other pastors or presbyters. 

The whole process is one of coming in and under. Under God. Under the tradition. Under fellow presbyters. And even under how one should dress. The police officer has a uniform, and so does the pastor. 

In this second episode of Season 2, Pastor Nate, Peter, and Kyle further discuss the call to ordination, the three-office view of our church, the significance of the Geneva robe, and the upcoming ordination service. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians! 

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

After a brief hiatus, the boys are back in town! It’s been a while since we released an episode, but make no mistake, we never stopped making Christians. 

Some exciting happenings occurred over the past few months. One of which was Peter and Kyle’s ordination exams, which they completed a few weeks ago. 

Peter and Kyle discuss the process in detail—starting with a written exam with over a hundred questions and two exegetical papers (one in Hebrew and one in Greek). 

They then had to respond to five pastoral case studies and complete two two-hour oral exams at night over Zoom. And that’s not all. 

The icing on the cake was an “on the floor” exam in Boston with pastors from the Bucer Presbytery of the CREC. The icing on top of the icing was they passed! 

In this first episode of “Season 2,” Pastor Nate, Peter, and Kyle discuss the office, the process of becoming a learned clergy, and if Moses was left-handed. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians! 

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

To be a woman is to excel at failing. In fact, in order to excel as a woman, you must fail. But in the old-fashioned kinda way. Failure is an underrated skill, and every woman needs to have it. 

The Staff women are almost out of coffee but they are back to drop a few more crumbs of brilliance—like “bless the people closest to you” and “serve under authority.” 

They bring all the tips: read your Bible; pray every day; point out disobedience; keep your friends accountable; don’t be conflict averse; bless others, don't burden them. 

These crumbs are thick and rare—so chew on them like they’re going out of style. And then look to your own sphere. What crumbs can you drop? How can you nourish others? 

But as you look at what’s right in front of you, don’t get your curls in a twist. Run the race, but don’t forget that you have to rely on God’s grace. Fail and rely. And then repeat said relying. 

In this final installment, Elissa, Amy, and Jen drive across three townships to take women’s ministry home. Dig in and don't throw anything they say away. It's well worth the time, and you get to listen to it. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians! 

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

And theyrrreeee back! This time not to set the record straight, but to revisit all those pesky prepositions. 

Is women's ministry a ministry to women for women by women or about women? What prepositions are we missing? Beside women? Among? 

They also discuss how women can be recharged and rejuvenated, not by self-care, but obedience and service. 

When women bless-forward and bless-down, life is brought forth. When women bless-forward and bless-down, you've got yourself a women's ministry.

Think about the kind of grandmother you want to be to your grandchildren, and then take the requisite steps to get there. 

Put down your hobbies and pick up skills that you can use to benefit your family or loved ones. And teach them to your kids so that they can teach them to their kids. 

Listen to Elissa, Amy, and Jen once again take the prepositions by the horn and tackle the topic of women’s ministry and the beauty of it all. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

They’re here to set the record straight. Staff women—talking about women’s ministry. What is it? Why do it? And what does C.S. Lewis have to do with it? 

They first tackle the preposition. Is women’s ministry for women? Or is it to women? Must it be done by women? Is it just women being around other women? 

They pepper us with all of the acronyms to describe it: FUBU. FUTO. BUFO. Take your pick. In the end, though, it’s about women leading by serving. 

They also discuss how having a project or common goal can take you outside of yourself and squash the temptation to gossip and complain. 

And how do you know that you’re doing women’s ministry right? When teenage girls look up to elderly women in the congregation because of their virtues. 

Listen to Elissa Winkler, Amy Lucas, and Jen Tan take the WMC’s mic and then drop it on women’s ministry, service and leadership, and what it means to be a helpmate. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians! 

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/

“Glory to God in the Highest!” 

In this last episode for the summer, Peter, Pastor Nate, and Kyle do a lot of singing. Mostly Peter. Agnus beef patties and Michael W. Smith get a shout-out. Then two minutes of boisterous merriment ensues. 

But it’s all about why we sing the Franklins and fugal Psalms year-round. And how singing such theologically rich and beautiful songs over and over again is good for the Body and the soul. 

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians! See you in September! 

https://beverlyheights.org/ | https://theparrhesians.com/