How easily we start to trust our wallets more than the Word. Bitcoin more than the Bread of Life. The stock market more than the Suffering Servant.

What is money for, and what should we do with our money? That’s just the thing: It's not ours. Our money is not our own; it comes from the Lord, and it belongs to Him. And He commands us to give back.

But how shall we then give back? How much should we give back? With the fiscal year ending in June and our current sermon series on stewardship, we are reminded that tithing is not preferential or negotiable. It's mandated.

In this episode of We Make Christians, Peter, Pastor Nate, and Kyle talk about gifts, tithes, and offerings and how giving back is essential to being a Christian.

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!

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

Singing, beatboxing, and rapping? The story of Jonah, Water Day, and sweaty armpits? FOMO, “Na na na na na na,” and sniffing out heresy?

Must be VBS week!

In this episode of We Make Christians, Peter, Pastor Nate, and Kyle talk about VBS week and why it’s one of the highlights of the summer.

We also give reasons why everyone in our congregation should attend the culminating VBS event this Sunday evening, June 22, at 4:30 p.m., “Summer at the Heights,” even if you don’t have kids or kids who participated in VBS.

Reasons like: Because there will be food there. And we are a covenantal family who support one another as we minister to our neighborhood. And because your smiling face is needed.

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!

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

There is the Wise Person, the Foolish Person, and the Simpleton. Which one's your favorite? Which one are you most like?

What does wisdom look like in negative world? What does it mean to have wisdom in this day and age? More like Chat GPT on your phone than an elderly man with a gray beard and a cane?

In this episode of We Make Christians, Peter, Pastor Nate, and Kyle talk about Peter’s current Adult Christian Education class on the book of Proverbs and the timely themes applicable today.

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!

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

Christians are the kind of people who see judgment as a good thing. It sounds deranged or masochistic, but it’s not.

Because Christians come to see how judgment brings cleansing, purification, and restoration with their covenantal God.

Related, Reformed Christians are the kind of people who see Christ all throughout the story of the ancient Israelites.

There was and is gospel and grace in the mission, exile, and judgment of God’s people. They were fed. They were led. They were warned. They were corrected.

In this episode of We Make Christians, Peter, Pastor Nate, and Kyle talk about our sermon series in Isaiah—how it’s gospel and how to discuss it with your family.

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!

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

Have you ever wondered how many churches are in The Presbyterian Church of the USA? Or how many conjunctions are in the EPC constitution? Or what “CREC” means?

Us, neither.

But have you wondered what denominations are worth considering for our congregation—pending Session approval and a congregational vote?

Us, too.

Everything you needed to know about Presbyterian denominations can be found in this episode, as Peter gives a snapshot of the landscape and a brief history of each.

Then Peter, Pastor Nate, and Kyle discuss ordination and next steps.

Welcome to another episode of We Make Christians!

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

This week Peter Chace is officially graduating from seminary! Whoop whoop! Make sure you give him a high five, handshake, or a hug when you see him.

Peter and Kyle were on the ordination track, but we’re out of the denomination. Soooo, now what?

How are they supposed to get ordained? Did Peter do all that hard work for nothing?

In this episode of We Make Christians, Peter, Pastor Nate, and Kyle talk about graduation and ordination. What’s the difference between a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology? Are Peter and Kyle going to Boston in September? Why?

Tune in and find out.

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

It means that I can walk away whenever I want. No harm, no foul.

I don’t need to explain—it's my decision.

I don’t even need to have good reasons; it's just what I want to do.

And, even if I did have good reasons, I certainly don’t need to give them to you!

This is the epitome of contractual thinking about relationships. They are for me, and I reserve the right to abandon ship when they aren't meeting my needs.

Sadly, this line of thinking has slithered its way even into the Christian's head and heart—with our marriages, friendships, and even our membership in the church.

In this episode of We Make Christians, Peter, Pastor Nate, and Kyle talk about the biblical way of thinking about relationships: one of covenant, not contract.

Specifically, they talk about the new five-week Adult Christian Education class that Pastor Nate is co-teaching with Nadine Michalak: The Covenant Family.

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

Have you ever wondered why Christians celebrate Easter for so long? And Christmas?

We got these periods called "Eastertide" and "Christmastide?" Why? Why doesn't every liturgical event have a "tide?"

Because events like Christmas and Easter are so majestic and magnificent that we can’t adequately contemplate or celebrate them on just one day.

God took on flesh.

Born of a virgin.

And then He died.

And then He trampled death.

There is way too much awe and mystery to get our heads around that in just one day. We need at least a couple weeks.

In this episode of We Make Christians, Peter, Pastor Nate, and Kyle discuss the nature of Eastertide and why we should be celebrating Resurrection every day.

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