To Be The Church

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 a question! Email us at podcast@tobethechurch.com

What does it mean to be a normal church? In this episode, we react to a song about churches trying to be something they’re not and talk about why faithfulness matters more than image.Email: Podcast@tobethechurch.com

expository preaching, preaching, bible preaching, sermon preparation, preaching through the bible, expositional preaching, pastoral ministry, sermon writing, bible study, church leadership, preaching the word, bible teaching, christian podcast, theology, biblical interpretation, preaching through books of the bible, sermon series, church ministry, pastoral training, christian leadershipContact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com

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 conversation explores the beauty of biblical plurality, the partnership between staff and volunteer elders, and why the local church needs faithful men willing to shepherd God’s people—even while working a day job.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com

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 accident — and the final chapter tells the story. In 2056, what do we want people to say about us?Contact us at podcast at tobethechurch.com

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—or what “volunteer pastor's” life really looks like—this one is for you.Email podcast@tobethechurch.com to ask a question

TBTC merch available now: tobethechurch.comAndrew 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 “other side” from behind a screen. But real, face-to-face relationships change things.How do we hold firm convictions while still loving real people? What does it look like to be full of both grace and truth? And why is winning people more important than winning arguments?Ask your questions by emailing podcast@tobethechurch.com

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 purpose of the pulpit in a 24/7 news cycle—helping Christians think clearly about the church’s role, the pastor’s responsibility, and how to remain faithful to the gospel amid cultural chaos.Contact us at tobethechurch.com or podcast@tobethechurch.com

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 conflicts with science, and brings clarity to difficult passages—especially in books like Genesis and Revelation.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com

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 healthy interest and unhealthy obsession? And how do Christians stay focused on what actually matters?Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com