NCC Unplugged

Merry Christmas from all of us at NCC Unplugged. We’re so grateful for this season and for a Savior who stepped into our world to bring hope, peace, and new life. Our prayer is that you and your family experience the joy and love of Jesus today and throughout the year ahead.

Curious about dream jobs beyond the pulpit? The hosts share whimsical career aspirations, from counseling veterans to wrestling! They tackle practical issues about church growth, like coping with a crowded lobby and dreaming up ideal community spaces. With thoughtful insights, they offer guidance for those seeking Jesus later in life. And just for fun, they dive into a rapid-fire round, answering quirky questions ranging from Bigfoot to snack preferences. It’s a blend of humor and heart, wrapped in a meaningful dialogue!

This engaging session tackles personal struggles like anxiety and people-pleasing among church leaders. The panel dives deep into baptism, discussing readiness and the importance of conscious immersion. They also explore the concept of physical healing and stress the significance of community through small groups. Questions about suffering and God’s purpose are met with compassion and insight. Plus, get a humorous peek behind the curtain at what pastors notice during services, including those sneaky Candy Crush sessions!

This Thanksgiving special dives into the essence of gratitude, exploring its roots beyond mere traditions. Delve into lesser-known Thanksgiving history and the deep lessons from David’s psalm about finding gratitude amid struggles. The hosts share practical tips for nurturing thankfulness in daily life, inspired by faith and personal reflections. There’s a thought-provoking discussion on trusting God, even through challenges, highlighted by a powerful story involving fleas. It's a heartfelt reminder to cultivate an internal thankfulness no matter the circumstances.

Reflecting on the Spire Conference experience, the hosts dive into the theme of ‘Catch the Wind,’ highlighting the vital role of the Holy Spirit. They discuss the importance of interdependence in church networks and share personal stories of spiritual renewal. Insights into leadership, practical resources, and personal rejuvenation practices emerge, showing how congregations can embrace change. The conversation emphasizes aligning spiritual disciplines with individual personalities, all while celebrating connections and growth within the ministry.

Summer stories unfold as the team shares thrilling tales, like skydiving jumps and a Hawaii trip interrupted by a tsunami evacuation. Emotions run high with reflections on sending kids to college and youth ministry adventures at CIY. A new dad explores his role and community growth in worship. They dive into exciting updates on small groups, upcoming retreats, and seasonal programming while addressing challenges in kids' ministries. Genuine conversations highlight the heart of faith and connection, leaving listeners inspired.

In this episode of NCC Unplugged, Joshua Persall (Executive Minister), Allison Murray (Children’s Ministries Director), and Jonathan Slatt (Youth Minister) conclude our six-part discipleship series. Together, they reflect on what it truly means to live as a disciple of Jesus and how to naturally share our faith in everyday life. From sharing your story—whether it’s dramatic or quiet—to seeing people with Christlike compassion, this conversation highlights how discipleship is less about programs and more about relationships. You’ll hear practical ways to integrate disciple-making into daily rhythms, whether with family, co-workers, or friends. If you’ve ever wondered how to move from simply “knowing” about discipleship to actually living it out, this episode will encourage and challenge you to take the next step. 📝 Show Notes Episode Highlights: Looking in the mirror: Why being a disciple comes before making disciples. Everyone has a story—big or small—that God can use. Discipleship happens best in relationships, not programs. Deuteronomy 6 and living discipleship in the everyday rhythms of life. Practical next steps: start with just two people already in your life. The importance of patience, compassion, and prayer in disciple-making. Encouragement to keep the conversation going, even though the series is ending. Key Scriptures Referenced: Matthew 18:21–35 (The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant) Deuteronomy 6 (Discipleship woven into daily life) 2 Timothy 2:2 (Passing faith to the next generation) The Parable of the Lost Sheep Takeaway: Discipleship is not about adding more to your schedule—it’s about shifting your focus and living intentionally with the people God has already placed in your path.

In this week’s episode of NCC Unplugged, Joshua Persall (Executive Minister), Jeff Terpstra (Preaching Minister), and Allison Murray (Children’s Ministry Director) dive into what it means for a church to truly be a disciple-making church. They explore: The difference between “doing church” and living as disciples Why discipleship is more than a program—it’s an identity How Scripture shapes our approach to measuring growth The tension between numbers, stories, and transformation Practical ways NCC seeks to live out the Great Commission You’ll hear reflections from Colossians, the Great Commission in Matthew 28, and real-life examples of transformation happening in our community. Whether you’re a church leader, a long-time believer, or someone just exploring faith, this episode will challenge and encourage you to see discipleship as a way of life. 👉 Learn more about Norwin Christian Church: www.norwinchristianchurch.com 📅 Join us in person: Sundays at 8:45am & 10:30am, Thursdays at 7pm

This week on NCC Unplugged, Joshua is joined by Allison Murray (Children’s Ministry Director), Jonathan Slatt (Youth Minister), and Richard Seaman (Elder & Forge Team Member) to continue our series on discipleship. We explore what it looks like to follow Jesus in every context of life—from raising children at home, to discipling teenagers and young adults, to walking faithfully as empty nesters, and even living out our faith in the workplace. Key Highlights: What Deuteronomy 6 teaches about discipleship in the home How teenagers and young adults grow through relationships and community The importance of not compartmentalizing our faith Practical encouragement for parents, grandparents, volunteers, and mentors How NCC partners with families through events like Coffee & Conversations Discipleship isn’t a program or a checklist—it’s a way of life. Join us as we talk about living out our faith in ordinary, everyday moments. 👉 Listen now and be encouraged to see your relationships as opportunities to disciple and be discipled.

On this episode of NCC Unplugged, we dive into one of the most important yet often misunderstood aspects of following Jesus—discipleship. More than just a label, being a disciple means walking in intentional relationship with Christ and others. Together with Allison Murray, NCC’s Director of Children’s Ministries, and elder Rich Seaman, we unpack what it looks like to move from being a disciple to becoming a disciple-maker. From exploring the biblical foundation in the Great Commission to sharing practical next steps, we discuss how discipleship is relational, lifelong, and deeply personal. Whether it’s through prayer, investing in one-on-one relationships, navigating family dynamics, or simply being intentional in everyday conversations, this episode offers encouragement for anyone who wants to live out Jesus’ call to “go and make disciples.” Show Notes Episode Highlights What is discipleship really about? Moving beyond titles and labels, discipleship is intentional, relational, and lifelong. The role of elders at NCC Rich explains how NCC’s elder team functions as spiritual shepherds and why a plurality of leadership reflects the biblical model. The Great Commission as our foundation We revisit Matthew 28:18–20 and reflect on how Jesus’ final words are still our mission today. Evangelism vs. Discipleship Evangelism plants the seeds, but discipleship nurtures growth through relationship, prayer, and life together. Practical next steps Begin by being a committed disciple yourself. Pray for God to reveal who He’s placing in your circle. Focus on relationships, not projects. Start small—invest deeply in just one or two people. Use everyday opportunities (like conversations at work, coffee meetups, or family gatherings) to point others to Jesus. Family dynamics in discipleship Discipling family members can be challenging, but Scripture shows us examples of bringing loved ones to Christ with humility and love. How to invite someone into deeper conversation Look for natural openings—sharing how faith impacts your daily life, offering to pray with someone, or inviting them to study Scripture together. Encouraging multiplication True disciple-making doesn’t end with us. As new believers grow, they’re called to bring others along in the journey too. Key Takeaways Discipleship is not about numbers—it’s about people. Relationships are the soil where discipleship grows. Everyone can be part of God’s mission, regardless of personality type or fears. The Great Commission is for all believers, not just church leaders. Scripture References Matthew 28:18–20 – The Great Commission Matthew 9:36 – Jesus’ compassion for the crowds John 1:40–42 – Andrew brings his brother Peter to Jesus John 4:28–30 – The Samaritan woman tells her town about Jesus Next Episode Preview We’ll be talking about the different places discipleship happens—in our homes, workplaces, community, and church—and how to be intentional in each setting.