

To Be The Church
To Be The Church
Each Friday, NGC pastors Andrew, Tyler, and Ben host a podcast about theology, the Christian life, and what it looks like ‘to be the church’ together.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 29, 2025 • 25min
494. Jesus’ Body Wasn’t Broken
A listener asked why we sometimes say Jesus’ body was “broken” when Scripture says otherwise. Ben and Tyler start there, but the conversation quickly opens up into a bigger question: how precise should we be with our language in the church? When does precision serve clarity, and when does it slip into arrogance, nitpicking, or even confusion?Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

10 snips
Aug 8, 2025 • 23min
493. A Call to Gospel Men
Discover a new initiative aimed at empowering men through Gospel clarity and conviction. The hosts delve into the transformative vision behind the Gospel Men gatherings, focusing on discipleship and mentorship. Various activities, including Bible studies and sports, foster community and accountability. Engaging discussions unravel the complexities of biblical manhood, blending urgency with connection. This is a rallying call for men to embrace their roles as leaders within the church, enriching both their lives and the lives of others.

Jul 25, 2025 • 21min
492. What We Wish We Knew Before Going into Ministry
In this episode, Tyler peppers Ben with rapid-fire questions about life in ministry—what it’s really like, how to know if you're called, and what we wish someone had told us at the beginning. Whether you’re finishing an internship or just starting to explore vocational ministry, this one’s for you.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Jul 11, 2025 • 21min
491. What Chick-fil-A Can Teach You About Leadership
This week, Andrew sits down with Eastside Youth Pastor Jacob to explore what one of America’s most iconic fast food chains can teach us about leadership in the church and beyond. Drawing from Jacob’s years at Chick-fil-A, they unpack practical lessons on consistency, humility, servant-hearted influence, and the difference between cultural and biblical leadership. Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Jul 4, 2025 • 22min
490. Our Church Doesn't Have Community for You
Andrew is joined by two special guests for a candid conversation about what church community really is—and what it isn’t. Centered on a thought-provoking tweet from Seth Trout, they explore why community isn’t something a church can simply provide and how true connection comes through curiosity, vulnerability, and personal responsibility. If you’ve ever wondered why it feels hard to “find community” at church, this episode is for you.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Jun 27, 2025 • 26min
489. Why Weekly Communion? And Other Questions About Our Liturgy
This week, Andrew and Tyler answer some questions we’ve gotten about our Sunday liturgy. Why do we take communion every week—but skip it on baptism Sundays? Why do we say “Thanks be to God” after the Bible reading? How did it originate and what is Andrew's intentions with it. It’s a simple conversation about some not-so-random things we do every week.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Jun 20, 2025 • 20min
488. Why Did Jesus Tell Demons to Shut Up?
This week on To Be The Church, Ben is joined by Trevor (Associate Minister at NGC Battle Ground) and Stephen (Local Lead Pastor at NGC Summit View) to explore a fascinating moment in the Gospel of Mark—when Jesus repeatedly tells demons to be silent. Why does He do that? What does it reveal about His mission and authority? And what does this have to do with spiritual warfare today? Join the conversation as the guys dive into Scripture, bust some misconceptions, and unpack what it really means to live with gospel clarity in a spiritually charged world.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Jun 13, 2025 • 17min
487. Baptism and the Holy Spirit: What's the Connection?
Today we're following up on last week's baptism episode by addressing a listener question: What is the relationship between baptism and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit? The team reads from Acts 2:38 and Acts 19:1–7, discusses different theological backgrounds—including the former Assemblies of God roots of the church—and explains why Acts is descriptive rather than prescriptive. They emphasize that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit happens at conversion, before water baptism, and unpack the distinction between John's baptism and baptism in the name of Jesus. They also touch on 1 Peter 3 and the idea of baptism as an appeal to God for a good conscience.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Jun 6, 2025 • 25min
486. Baptism: A Hill to Die On?
In this episode, Tyler, Ben, and Andrew dive into the topic of baptism and ask the question: Is this a hill to die on? They explore the role of baptism in the life of the church, where it falls in the framework of theological triage, and whether differing views should divide Christians—or churches. Join the conversation as they unpack conviction, unity, and what truly matters most.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

May 16, 2025 • 19min
485. Everyone’s Playing—Should Christians Be?
We all play video games—but is that a problem? In this episode, we talk about how gaming fits (or doesn’t fit) into the life of a Christian. Is it just a hobby, or could it be something deeper? Something harmful? Join us as we explore the tension between entertainment, discipleship, and what it means to live faithfully in a digital world.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.comSocial Media:Instagram.com/tobethechurchfacebook.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch