Church and Family Life Podcast

Psalm 44:1 declares: “We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, The deeds You did in their days, In days of old.”   From his earliest days, Scott Brown remembers his dad Bill—a P-51 Mustang pilot during the Battle for Iwo Jima—fulfilling the words of this Psalm. The elder Brown not only gave Scott a WWII K-Bar when he was a young boy, but he regaled his son with stories of God’s faithfulness during this epic conflict in the Pacific. And the senior Brown, known to his grandchildren as “Gan,” did the same with David, Scott’s son, when he was growing up. In this Memorial Day podcast, Scott and David share their memories of joining Mr. Brown on a special trip to Iwo Jima for the sixtieth anniversary of the battle. The two learned many lessons from the late patriarch of their family, sixteen of which are highlighted in the book Preparing Boys for Battle—lessons on such character qualities as purity, friendship, discipline, work, and taking on mighty challenges for the Lord. And these lessons—all gleaned from the grueling 36-day battle for Iwo—are as needed now for the boys of this generation as they were for the soldiers of WWII. For great stories for Memorial Day, get an audible or hard copy of our book, Preparing Boys for Battle, and Moment of Courage, which contains dozens of lessons on manhood derived from the Battle for Iwo Jima. TODAY ONLY, we are offering these books for 40% off.

As a boy, Trent Moody delighted in ringing a cast-iron bell from the back of a pick-up truck, calling folks to Sunday morning worship. This was a highlight of his week, being raised at a campground his grandfather built in North Carolina’s mountains, where Trent’s dad and the rest of the family worked, welcoming guests from far and wide. Yet true faith in God did not come till later. In this podcast, Trent shares his life story, relating how he came under deep conviction, after a night partying with other teenagers, and gave his life to Christ. In time God gave Trent an even greater love for His word than the third-generation campground which had defined so much of his upbringing. As he meditated on Christ’s call to Peter to “feed my lambs” (John 21:15), Trent committed his life to pastoral ministry. This calling, alongside his marriage to his dear wife Angela and the discipling of their ten children, remains his focus to this day.

“How should I live as a single person?” That’s the question Scott Brown and Jason Dohm discuss in this podcast, as they draw biblical wisdom on the subject from a new booklet by Dr. Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley. Among the truths they mine: The Lord reigns over marriage and singleness, so trust His timing and purpose. Singleness offers opportunities for undivided devotion, so make the most of this time. Flee the vices of worldly singleness. Avoid unrealistic expectations about your resources. Pray for grace to endure the afflictions of singleness. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to pursue marriage. And live in hope—not of marriage first and foremost—but for the glory of God.

Brandon Scroggins grew up in Alabama as a shy kid in small-town Watumpka. Plagued by the fear of man, he was deathly afraid of speaking or the spotlight. Then God powerfully saved him at age 15 and later shook him when he heard Paul Washer’s now-famous 2002 gospel message in person at a youth rally in Montgomery, after which Brandon gave his life to the ministry. In this podcast, Brandon shares his life story, relating how the power of God’s word has transformed his outlook and changed his approach to church and family. This shift, as he forsook seeker-sensitive and youth-driven outreach to follow the Bible, led to adversity within his church. Yet Brandon has seen God’s kindness through it all, as Christ has refined His bride and brought those hungry for His word together into sweeter communion.

As civilization is crumbling all around us, your family doesn’t have to collapse. God has ordained the local church as a central means to build you up with joy. That’s Scott Brown and Jason Dohm’s message in this podcast as they offer an introduction to the book, The Family at Church: 20 Days to Transform Your Local Church Experience. The book’s aim is to give practical steps on how parents can guide their children to get the most out of local church life: through the preaching of God’s Word, singing, ordinances, fellowship, and celebration of His weekly Sabbath rest.

How should young ladies channel their energies as they enter adulthood? In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm answer the question, discussing five high value things they should focus on: the value of time, rest, preparation, productivity in general, and a woman’s productivity.  By making the most of their time, seeking refreshment in God’s weekly day of rest, increasing their capabilities and capacity to accomplish more through careful development, embracing the Dominion Mandate and Great Commission, and recognizing that home life is a key engine for kingdom advancement, young women can find peace and be used by God for His glory.

The people of God must trust His word to define every area of their lives—to affirm the sufficiency of Scripture for all of faith and practice. It was in pursuit of this aim that a Declaration of the Complementary Roles of Church and Family was first published—to correct errors of families who have dismissed the local church and to correct the errors of local churches that have ignored the biblical model for discipling families. In this podcast, Scott Brown and Jason Dohm take a fresh look at the declaration, affirming the vital need for building up both institutions, affirming their complementary roles.  

The fruit of faithfulness can’t be enjoyed overnight. It takes time to mature, through patient care and God’s blessing. That’s the message of pastor Kris Baines in this podcast as he shares his personal testimony of ministry in New Zealand.     Kris currently serves as one of the pastors/elders of Community Bible Church in Wellsford, NZ, and previously planted and served at Redemption Church Christchurch. Over several years, God worked in Kris’s heart to embrace His full sovereignty and the sufficiency of Scripture and to uphold God’s call for families to worship together in the local church, rather than be age-segregated. Yet there were real growing pains in making this shift. With self-deprecating humor, Kris tells how his own children (along with those of other families) struggled to be orderly and attentive at first, but of the joyful fruit that has come in their children’s lives through loving perseverance. An encouraging message to “not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:9)!

When a child hits 18, it’s time for them to leave home and make their own way—to sink or swim. That’s the default view in our day, but is it biblical?      Join Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, along with special guest Steve Walker, as they take a fresh look at the question of a son or daughter leaving their parents’ home before marriage. In considering this matter, a trap we must avoid is the world’s narrative of self-glory and selfish independence. We must instead consider foundational principles of manhood and womanhood, as well as family and work life. We must ask: Would such a move promote greater holiness and spiritual growth—or less? And where a daughter is concerned, how would she be under meaningful protection, with this move? In all this, right hearts and motives must govern: Fathers should “not provoke [their] children to wrath,” (Eph. 6:4), even as their grown children should “honor [their] father and mother” (Eph. 6:2).

How should parents respond to a defiant child who spurns their discipline? When should the child stay in the home? And at what point of stubborn rebellion should they be deemed “incorrigible” and be put out—for their own good and the sanctity of the family? These are vexing questions for any parent to grapple with, and there are no easy answers. Yet God Himself gave us a pattern to draw from. Join Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, along with special guest Phil Kayser, as they explain God’s fatherly example: He’s slow to anger and patient in disciplining wayward children, giving them many opportunities to repent. But, in extreme cases, where there’s unyielding defiance after repeated correction, He casts them out—with the goal that His discipline, in time, will pierce their hearts and restore them to right fellowship. Voicing a rejection of pop psychology, Scott, Jason, and Phil urge parents to seek the help of godly church leaders, along with other faithful counselors, to navigate these tough waters and call rebellious children to repentance.