To Be The Church

Should churches have kids ministry on Sundays, or should children remain in the worship gathering with their parents?

Ben and Tyler discuss the biblical arguments for and against children's ministry, the importance of family worship, how churches can support parents without replacing them, and why this doesn't have to be an either/or conversation.

To ask a question email us at podcast@tobethechurch.com, submit a question on tobethech...

In this episode of the To Be The Church Podcast, Andrew, Ben, and Tyler discuss Roman Catholicism, salvation, and whether someone can genuinely know and follow Jesus while attending the Catholic Church. They also unpack why many younger Christians are gravitating toward liturgical traditions like Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, and what that reveals about the current state of modern evangelical churches.

Don’t forget ...

How should Christians respond when they think a preacher said something wrong? In this episode, the guys talk through theological triage, the difference between major doctrinal issues and minor disagreements, and how to approach pastors and church leaders with humility, wisdom, and discernment. They also discuss the difference between the terms “ordinance” and “sacrament” when it comes to baptism and communi...

What does it actually look like for pastors to shepherd people in a large church? In this episode, the guys respond to a listener question about church membership, shepherding elders, accountability, and the tension between the ideal of biblical community and the reality of busy modern life.

They discuss how elder shepherding practically works at Northwest Gospel Church, why formal membership matters, the challenges of caring for gr...

In this episode, we unpack the purpose behind our annual Gospel Church series and why we take time each year to focus on what the church is and what it does.

We walk through three core topics—baptism, church membership, and communion—and explain why these aren’t just traditions, but essential practices rooted in Scripture. We also talk about what we hope our church gains from this series and what next steps look li...

What should church members expect from their pastors when it comes to counseling? And where is the line between pastoral care and professional help?

In this episode, the team discusses the launch of a new Biblical Counseling Ministry and uses it as a springboard to explore the role of pastors in caring for people with both spiritual and mental health needs. They unpack what biblical counseling actually is, how it differs from clinic...

Easter is one of the biggest Sundays of the year—but how should we actually approach it? In this episode, we talk about how to “be the church” during Holy Week: praying with intention, rejecting a consumer mindset, and stepping into the mission of welcoming and loving others. Whether you're a regular attender or inviting someone for the first time, this conversation will help you prepare your heart for Easter.

Ask ...

What does it look like to pastor a church while holding a full-time job?

In this episode of To Be the Church, Andrew sits down with Gavin Hesse, a longtime marketplace elder at Northwest Gospel Church. Gavin works in the automotive electronics industry by day, but also serves as a volunteer elder—shepherding congregants, helping lead the church, and sharing in the weight of pastoral ministry without being paid staff.

This conve...

What will the church be like 30 years from now? In this episode, we look ahead to 2056 and ask a serious question: What do we hope Northwest Gospel Church is known for when we’re long gone? We talk about preaching the whole Bible, staying rooted in Christ, holding grace and truth together, passing the faith to the next generation, and building something that actually lasts. Because churches don’t stay healthy by acciden...

In this episode of To Be the Church, Andrew sits down with John Dombroski, a marketplace elder at Northwest Gospel Church, to talk about what it means to pastor people while holding a full-time job. They cover calling, plurality and mutuality between staff and marketplace elders, the challenges of balance, and the unseen work of protecting the church so it can flourish. If you’ve ever wondered whether eldership is worth it&md...

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Andrew watched his least favorite team win the Super Bowl — surrounded by die-hard fans of that team. What happened next surprised him.

In this episode, the guys talk about rivalry, fandom, and what it revealed about something much deeper: how Christians should engage in a divided age. From sports to politics to hot-button cultural issues, it’s easy to dehumanize the “othe...

In this episode of To Be The Church, the pastors respond to a listener’s question about current events, politics, and the pulpit. How do pastors decide when—or if—they should pray about or address cultural moments during a Sunday gathering? What belongs in the sermon, what belongs in pastoral prayer, and what doesn’t belong on the stage at all?

The conversation explores wisdom, timing, discernment, and the pu...

In this episode of To Be the Church, we talk about why context and genre matter when interpreting Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible includes historical narrative, poetry, wisdom literature, letters, and apocalyptic imagery—and each genre calls for a different approach.

We explore how understanding the original audience, authorial intent, and literary style helps prevent common misreadings, avoids unnecessary con...

The apostle Paul warns Timothy to avoid “irreverent, silly myths” and instead train for godliness. But what do those myths look like today?

In this episode of To Be the Church, we talk about Christian myths and theological hobbyhorses — from end-times speculation and conspiracy theories to spiritual gifts, altar calls, and secondary doctrines that can quietly distract from the gospel.

Where’s the line between ...

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&r...