We Make Christians

The Church never stops making Christians, and the Christian never graduates from following Christ. 2, 22, or 92—we all need to keep growing and getting chiseled.  

But, in this day and age, we need a particular kind of education. One that prepares and equips believers to live out their faith and Christian practices in “negative world.” 

This applies to our Preschool, Academy, Sunday School, and Adult Christian Ed (ACE). In each stage of development and discipleship, we need educating and equipping. 

In this episode of We Make Christians, Peter, Pastor Nate, and Kyle discuss ACE and our new three-fold approach: catechetical instruction, liturgical formation, and practical discussion. 

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

The episode you’ve all been waiting for: everything you wanted to know about church constitutions! All the preambles and policies to eat your heart out. 

What is a church constitution? Is it necessary for a church? Or is it just helpful? But, also, if it’s 252 pages, might it create more problems than solutions? 

After leaving the EPC, we are now an independent church. But freedom isn’t free. We need to update our governing documents—like our constitution and bylaws. 

In this episode of We Make Christians, Peter, Pastor Nate, and Kyle discuss the nature and purpose of a church constitution and why we need one. 

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

“Is that all they do—make coffee, collect communion cups, wash dishes, and serve food? So anyone willing to give a helping hand can be a deacon?” 

What is a deacon? What does it mean to say that it is an “office?” Is the diaconate a mark of the Church? Do you have to have deacons in order to be a church?

Peter, Pastor Nate, and I (alongside Elissa Winkler, Cindy England, and Joe Williams) were commissioned by Session, as the Deacon Task Force, to study the diaconate. 

We discovered that deacons have four key responsibilities: distribute financial assistance, maintain building and grounds, perform acts of service and mercy, and provide liturgical support. 

We also discovered that the diaconate is a high office reserved specifically for male leaders who serve under the direct oversight of the Presbyters, the Session. 

Join me, Peter, and Pastor Nate as we discuss the Deacon Task Force’s report, laugh and wax sarcastically, and say “Brakel” at least four times.

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

Do you like to sing during Lent? Do you like to play games after confessing your sins? Do you like to fellowship in times of fasting? So do we! 

This episode introduces and discusses a new Lenten season event we are hosting as a congregation: Hosanna in the Heights. Sunday, April 6, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. 

This event replaces an old Lenten event, Resurrection Egg Hunt, and is part of a new four-point strategy of reaching our community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The other points being Harvest at the Heights, Glory in the Heights, and a Block Party event after Vacation Bible School (Coming June 2020). 

Baby chicks. Lambs. Food. Singing. Youth video. Christians. Games. And an egg hunt. Without the bengals and rattlesnakes, of course.  

Join me, Peter, and Pastor Nate as we discuss this new event, how much fun it’s going to be, and the new four-point strategy for reaching our community. 

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

Got thumos? 

Well, then, Rise Up, O Men of God! 

Men—young and old alike—are hungry to bear the weight of responsibility. They desire the courage to mortify sin, resist the lures of Lucifer, and fight the enemy at the gate. 

Men want to be strong. Men want to build. 

But some need edification and others need encouragement. Some even need to hear that it's not only okay but good to be a man. 

In this episode, Kyle, Peter, and Pastor Nate talk about the College of Men ministry here at Beverly Heights. They recount its humble beginnings and how it has transformed into what it is today: hearty shanties, delicious elk pizza, and real talk about occupying the center. 

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

Three dudes walk into an office to podcast about women’s ministry . . . 

What could go wrong? 

What is women’s ministry? 

In addition to Sunday morning worship and Linger Longers, do women need their own Bible studies and tea time? 

Could women’s ministry today be more informed by modern evangelical gobbledygook than the Bible? 

(Could the same be said about men’s ministry?)

How does women’s ministry fit within the overall ministry of Beverly Heights Church?

What could and should women’s ministry look like at Beverly Heights Church as we lean into God’s Good Future? 

Join me, Peter, and Pastor Nate as we discuss the importance of women’s ministry in the life our church, while pledging and promising to do a future episode with the “gals on Staff!” 

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

In this episode, we host a self-proclaimed “reluctant guest”—our very own Elissa Winkler, Director of Music in Worship. 

Elissa chats with Pastor Nate, Peter, and I about the recent launch of The Master’s Music Academy here at Beverly Heights. She discusses the origin of the ministry, her passion for Christian education, and classes offered at the Academy.  

Elissa also gives listeners a peek into her love for music, past teaching of children’s choir, and her calling as an educator.  

She desires for everything to be done for the glory of God, including, and especially, music. 

Join me, Peter, Pastor Nate, and Elissa as we discuss the importance of being masterful at music for the Master who deserves it all. 

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“The Master’s Music Academy is a ministry of Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church. It offers high quality, distinctly Christian musical instruction of the South Hills. Our instructors provide private lessons and group class for all ages, fostering a love for music rooted in the good, true, and beautiful. Partnering with local Christian music teachers, we also host master classes, ensembles, and events year-round.”  

https://beverlyheights.org/mma/

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

The landscape of the mission field has changed, and continues to change. 

Long gone are the days of being a Christian nation and sending evangelists and missionaries “over there” to “far off countries” to “save the lost.” 

Our neighbors are lost. We have pagans, heathens, and witches walking our streets. Our city, our state, our nation is a mission field. 

This extends to our college campuses. 

In this episode, Peter discusses his outreach ministry at Duquesne University in partnership with the Coalition of Christian Outreach.

Join me, Peter, and Pastor Nate as we discuss how the local church, its liturgy, and life in covenantal community buttresses and blooms local missions and outreach.   

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

Most people nowadays view education like a “GetGo” gas station: 

“Get in. Get out. Get going.”

They see education as going through the motions, getting a degree, and getting on with your life. 

Sadly, many Christian educators have adopted this view. 

Even some pastors have absorbed it: “Come to church, listen to the sermon, see you next week!”

Here at Beverly Heights we see things very differently. 

Education isn’t a hoop to jump through; it’s not an item on a checklist. Education is eternal formation. It's formation for the future. 

And it's all about worship—a life fully lived in obedience, honor, and service to our Redeemer. 

He is the Designer of ABCs and 123s. The Lord of History. The Creator of Creatures. The Sustainer of Society. The content always culminates in Christ. 

In this episode of We Make Christians, Kyle, Peter, and Pastor Nate discuss Morning Matins—our daily time of worship for the Preschool and Academy students. 

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

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

Since we are united in Christ as believers, we need to be in His Word as a church. 

In this nuts and bolts, brass tacks episode, Pastor Nate, Peter, and Kyle discuss the importance of reading the Bible on a daily basis. 

Despite the hustle and bustle, we can’t forget to be still and know our God. We need to eat our daily bread and be nourished. We need to read and hear His Word. 

So whether you're following the Robert Murray M'Cheyne, the ESV, or the Peter Chace Bible Reading Plan, take the time to read your Bible. 

It’s necessary for the life of the Church. It’s necessary for the health of your family. It’s necessary for your own growth and faith. 

Join Kyle, Peter, and Pastor Nate as they discuss eating our daily bread.  

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