Podcast Episodes

In this episode, we wrestled with the roles of deacons and elders in the church, and yes, there can be a lot of confusion around this topic!

This episode of Focused on Christ discusses a recent controversy where a visiting pastor disrupted a men’s conference, criticizing their entertainment and accusing them of having a “Jezebel Spirit.” The conversation focuses on how churches should approach attracting people, with the main point being that entertainment should not overshadow the message of Jesus. They then criticize the public nature of the disagreement and the attempt at church discipline on a non-member, advocating for a more humble and local approach to resolving issues.

In this episode of Focused on Christ, Pastors Mike Crump and Nathan Smith explore how God calls people to ministry, emphasizing a desire to serve the church and teach the Bible. They explain that elders are shepherds who must be exemplary Christians, devoting themselves to teaching, leading, and caring for the congregation. The episode also dives into qualifications outlined in the Bible, including a blameless reputation, teaching ability, and managing one’s household well. Finally, the show stresses why qualifications matter to church members, who should hold their elders accountable and ensure they are following biblical guidelines.

What leadership roles do we see in the Bible? How are we supposed to understand the roles of apostles, prophets, and teachers in light of God’s full revelation. In this episode of Focused on Christ, Mike and Nathan discuss some of the key roles God ordained for guiding his people. Are they all still active today and what part do they play in the local church?

God has established authority for our good, yet there are times that authority can be abused. This is why Jonathan Leeman described authority as God’s “good and dangerous gift.” In this episode, Mike and Nathan discuss both the benefits and the struggles of authority in the local church.