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Ever wonder why so many sincere believers still feel unmoored—attending services, sampling sermons, but never truly belonging? We explore how Scripture paints a richer, sturdier vision of the local church and why being counted and known is essential to a healthy Christian life. With Pastor Jim at the table, we walk through Acts 2’s immersive community, where teaching, prayer, generosity, and the Lord’s Supper form a shared life that assumes clear commitment. We look at Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 to show how one body with many members actually functions, honoring both visible and hidden gifts. And we turn to Hebrews 13:17 to explain why shepherds must know their flock and why meaningful accountability only works when people commit to a real congregation.

From there, we get practical. We highlight four positives that make membership compelling: belonging that endures conflict and builds trust, accountability that cares rather than surveils, ministry that helps you discover and deploy your gifts, and mission that links your life to the Great Commission through a specific church family. We share personal stories about planting roots, resisting church hopping, and finding joy in co‑laboring for the gospel. You’ll hear why busyness is not the same as growth, how leaders can create healthy on‑ramps for service, and why settling into a church helps you flourish without burning out.

This conversation aims to help you love Christ’s bride as he does, embracing the ordinary means God uses to make extraordinary disciples. If you’re wrestling with membership, seeking a place to blossom, or simply needing fresh courage to stay and serve, this one’s for you. If it helps, share it with a friend, subscribe for future episodes, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Have a question about church membership? Email questions at pleasinggodpodcast.org.

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The most important conversations in a church rarely happen behind a desk; they start in pews, hallways, and kitchens. We sat down with Pastor Seth to explore how counseling can move from a specialized silo to a normal rhythm of discipleship, where Scripture, the Spirit, and the local church work together to bring hope, clarity, and change. Instead of outsourcing every struggle, we outline a path to recover competent Christian counseling inside the body—biblical, compassionate, and practical.

We dig into why counseling is baked into creation itself, why the fall makes it indispensable, and how the Bible equips us for salvation and sanctification. Seth shares a clear framework for competence: a counselor shaped by God’s Word, dependent on the Counselor-Spirit, and supported by a healthy church. We talk through common tensions—when to keep care in-house, when to refer, and how to navigate intimidating labels without losing pastoral wisdom. Expect concrete examples, from helping marriages on the brink to guiding everyday decisions, all while keeping the gospel central.

You’ll hear how ordinary believers can grow a baseline of skill, why pastors must equip rather than carry every burden, and practical ways to build a culture of “member-to-member” care. We highlight tools and training that actually change lives, starting with our own. If you’ve wondered how to help people suffer well, counsel unbelievers with integrity, or turn Sunday sermons into weekday care, this conversation will give you steps you can use immediately.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a leader who cares about people, and leave a review to help others find it. Got questions or stories from your church? Reach out—we’d love to hear them.

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What if the whole Bible is one story with Jesus at the center? We open the text with that question and follow the thread from Genesis to Revelation, letting the Emmaus Road guide how we read, interpret, and apply Scripture. Rather than treating the Bible as a grab bag of inspirational lines or moral tales, we explore how Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms bear witness to Christ—and why that lens changes our daily walk.

We dig into the big themes that hold Scripture together: covenants that progress from Noah and Abraham to David and the promised New Covenant, the already-and-not-yet kingdom Jesus inaugurates, and the sacrificial system that finds its fulfillment in the once-for-all cross. Along the way, we map the patterns of typology—Adam, Moses, and David as signposts toward the true and better Prophet, Priest, and King. We also face common pitfalls: reducing stories to “be like” morals, reading with self at the center, fragmenting books from the larger narrative, or stopping at insight without obedience.

From Isaiah 53’s suffering servant to Genesis 3:15’s first gospel, we show how promises converge on the Messiah and how beholding him leads to concrete application—real repentance, deeper trust, and active discipleship. You’ll leave with practical questions to take into any passage: What does this reveal about Christ? How does this shape my worship, my holiness, and my love for others? And how can I teach this clearly to someone else?

If this journey deepens your love for the Word, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review to help others discover the show. Have a question for us? Email questions@pleasinggodpodcast.org and join us next week as we talk about cultivating friendship in marriage.

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What if the church’s health could be seen in the air—balanced, steady, and lifting—because evangelism and discipleship finally fly on two wings? That image frames a rich conversation with Pastor Jim about a calling forged in the Navy, nineteen years of waiting that taught presence over programs, and a pastoral philosophy where outreach grows from love of souls and discipleship is built on clear, human-scale spaces.

We walk through stories that make theology tactile: remembering a visitor’s name that changed her posture, and why names matter from Genesis to the book of life. We sketch a practical discipleship pathway patterned after Jesus and extended by Paul—corporate worship for the whole church, community groups for belonging, D-groups for depth, and an institute for leaders. Along the way, we distinguish teaching centers from community centers so people arrive with the right expectations and leave with real formation. For pastors and volunteers who feel stretched thin, we tackle the input–output problem, the difference between eloquence and unction, and the hard-won wisdom to never hit send on a Monday resignation. Endurance, we argue, springs from closeness to Christ, living for the unseen “Well done,” and resting in grace even in weeks stacked with sermons and funerals.

If your heart longs for a church that loves the lost and feeds the sheep, that says names with care and opens homes with joy, this conversation offers a map and the motivation to walk it. We also introduce New Day Mercies, a daily encouragement stream of Scripture, short devotionals, and video reflections designed to flood tired feeds with good news. Subscribe, share with a friend who leads, and tell us: which space in your discipleship pathway needs attention this season?

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What sustains a pastor through decades of ministry in one church? In this deeply personal conversation, Jonathan Sole interviews his father, Pastor Jim Sole, about his remarkable 23-year journey leading Quinnessett Baptist Church.

The conversation traces Pastor Jim's unlikely path from Navy sailor to church leader, beginning with his conversion at age 21 aboard a destroyer in the Mediterranean Sea. Unlike traditional seminary routes, his ministerial formation happened organically through Navy service, church involvement, and Bible institute studies. Most powerfully, we witness how meaningful discipleship shaped his ministry philosophy—the quiet sailor who "never preached a sermon" but "loved my soul" became his model for authentic spiritual leadership.

With refreshing candor, Pastor Jim addresses the challenges every minister faces. "You can't avoid sheep bites, but you can keep them from getting infected," he notes, sharing wisdom about handling criticism without becoming bitter. Equally insightful is his warning about praise: "Praise can be a well-intended thing that can ruin a man" when ministers become dependent on affirmation rather than finding satisfaction in faithful service.

The discussion reveals how ministry priorities evolve with experience. Looking back, Pastor Jim wishes he'd spent more time in prayer and intercession, especially during difficult seasons. Yet his greatest joy has been witnessing cultural transformation as the church shifted from being perceived as "exclusive and stuffy" to becoming known for community engagement and care.

Perhaps most remarkable is the successful father-son leadership transition now underway—a rarity in church settings. As Pastor Jim prepares to pass the baton completely, he expresses confidence that the church stands poised for even greater community impact under his son's leadership.

Want to hear more? Join us for our next episode as we continue exploring discipleship within the local church context and discuss encouragement for the next generation of ministry leaders.

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What does it truly mean to follow Jesus? In a world where Christianity is often reduced to Sunday attendance and general morality, we need to rediscover the radical nature of discipleship that Jesus actually calls us to.

The call to follow Jesus is fundamentally personal. When Jesus walked along the Sea of Galilee calling his first disciples, he wasn't inviting them to join a religion or adopt a philosophy—he was calling them to himself. Simon, Andrew, James, and John didn't hesitate; they immediately left their nets, boats, and livelihoods to follow him. This teaches us a profound truth: for everything we say yes to, we must say no to something else. Saying yes to Jesus means leaving our old life behind.

Jesus never sugarcoated the cost of discipleship. He explicitly told his followers to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow him. Self-denial means surrendering control and saying no to our own desires when they conflict with Christ's calling. Taking up our cross involves daily dying to self—putting to death our selfish ambitions. Yet here's the beautiful paradox: through this death comes true life. As Jesus said, "Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." While the world promises freedom but delivers slavery, Jesus demands surrender but gives abundant life.

The question we must each answer is this: Are we followers of Jesus or merely fans? Have we responded to his personal call? Are we willing to count the cost? What comfort or security are we unwilling to surrender? Take a moment to identify one act of obedience you've delayed, and commit to taking that step this week. Remember, the Christ who calls you is the Christ who walks with you—"Christ in you, the hope of glory."

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Jonathan and Katelyn return with a fresh start in Season 4, sharing life updates and discussing the challenges and blessings of remaining faithful to God during difficult seasons.

• Season 4 begins with personal updates, including the addition of twin boys to their family of seven children

• Biblical perspective on faithfulness from James 1:2-4 - counting trials as joy because they produce steadfastness

• Four practical ways to remain steadfast: relying on relationships, immersing in Scripture, preaching the gospel to yourself, and maintaining proper perspective

• The importance of church community in supporting believers through challenging times

• Shifting focus from self to serving others during difficult seasons as modeled by Christ

• Galatians 6:9-10 encourages us not to grow weary in doing good, knowing we will reap a harvest

• A reminder that trials are temporary, but the character they develop is lasting

Weekly episodes will drop every Tuesday morning, with a new Pleasing God Weekly newsletter available on Wednesdays. Subscribe on Substack through the link in the show notes. If this show blessed you, please share it with someone who might need encouragement.

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What does it truly mean to have a biblical worldview? This question strikes at the heart of authentic Christian living in a world filled with competing perspectives. The framework through which we interpret reality—our worldview—shapes everything from our daily decisions to our deepest beliefs. Yet many believers unknowingly view life through lenses tainted by secular humanism, materialism, or postmodernism rather than Scripture.

A genuine biblical worldview begins with recognizing God as Creator and Sovereign Lord. It acknowledges truth as objective and found in Scripture. It understands that humans, while created in God's image, are fundamentally fallen and in need of redemption that comes exclusively through Jesus Christ. These foundational beliefs shape how we interpret everything around us—from current events to personal relationships.

The culture constantly pressures us to adopt alternative worldviews. Secular humanism places mankind at the center of all things. Materialism reduces life's purpose to acquiring possessions and success. Postmodernism denies absolute truth, while moral relativism suggests right and wrong are merely personal constructs. Christians must recognize these competing perspectives and intentionally choose to see life through Scripture's lens instead.

When properly applied, a biblical worldview transforms every aspect of life. It guides our decision-making, shapes our work ethic, strengthens our relationships, establishes our moral standards, and directs our cultural engagement. We become salt and light in a changing world while remaining anchored to God's timeless truth. This doesn't happen accidentally—it requires regular Bible study, careful evaluation of cultural influences, and the commitment to view all of life through Scripture first. How might your perspective change if you truly saw everything through the lens of God's Word?

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