NCC Unplugged

In this episode of NCC Unplugged, Joshua and Allison dive into the second installment of our discipleship series by exploring a surprising fact: the word Christian only appears three times in the New Testament, while disciple shows up over 250 times. What does that tell us about how Jesus wants us to identify ourselves—and live? They unpack: The historical difference between the words “Christian” and “disciple” What it meant to follow a rabbi in the first century How the early church operated—and how it evolved into what we know today Whether "bigger church" means "better church" How reaching one person at a time may be God's original plan for spreading the Gospel This is an eye-opening, encouraging, and practical conversation for anyone who wants to take the next step in their faith or help someone else do the same. Next episode sneak peek: We’ll explore what it actually looks like to reach your one.

Welcome to the first episode in our brand-new NCC Unplugged series on Discipleship! In this conversation, Jeff Terpstra (Preaching Minister) hands the mic to Executive Minister Joshua Persall as they unpack one of the most important—yet often misunderstood—concepts in the church today: being a disciple of Jesus. Why is “discipleship” making a comeback in church language? What does it actually mean to be a disciple, not just a churchgoer? And how do we live out Jesus’ Great Commission in a modern context? In this episode, Jeff and Joshua dive into: The biblical definition of discipleship (Mark 1:17 + Matthew 28) Why the Church is shifting focus from attendance to transformation The impact of COVID on how we think about church The tension between cultural Christianity and full surrender Why discipleship isn’t about guilt, but about joyful response Whether you’re new to faith, spiritually stuck, or just ready to go deeper, this episode sets the foundation for a life of purpose and growth as a follower of Jesus. Stay tuned as Joshua continues the series with guests and stories that bring discipleship to life in the everyday.

This week on NCC Unplugged, Jeff and Matt dive into one of the most personal and impactful parts of ministry: officiating weddings and funerals. Jeff shares real stories, wisdom, and some behind-the-scenes insight on what it’s like to walk with families through both the joyful highs and the difficult lows of life. From premarital counseling to writing personalized funeral messages, you’ll hear how our church approaches these moments with intentionality, conviction, and grace. Topics include: Why we take weddings seriously (and what premarital counseling looks like) Church policies on who we marry (and why) The evolving role of ministers in weddings today The sacred weight of funerals—and how we offer hope without assumptions Funny moments (yes, even in the rain), awkward slip-ups, and meaningful memories Whether you're planning a wedding, grieving a loss, or just curious about the pastoral side of things, this episode is packed with authenticity and heart.

🎙️ Welcome to the NCC Unplugged Staff Roundtable – Summer 2025 Edition! Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at what summer really looks like for the Norwin Christian Church staff. From VBS chaos (yes, with cardboard bears and custom trading cards) to CIY trips, mission work in Arizona, and even skydiving plans 😳—this episode is full of laughs, ministry insights, and genuine conversation about what it means to serve, grow, and rest well as a church family. 👥 Featuring: Jeff Terpstra, Jonathan Slatt, Joshua Persall & Matt Mastroianni 📍Topics include: What’s new for VBS 2025 (and what nearly broke the stage) Family mission trips & youth group summer events Why one staff member may or may not survive a skydive Bike gangs, dad jokes, and...pogo sticks? 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of NCC Unplugged – where real conversations meet real community. 📌 Learn more about Norwin Christian Church at: https://www.norwinchristianchurch.com   📅 Join us for worship: Sundays at 8:45am & 10:30am Thursdays at 7:00pm   #NCCUnplugged #ChurchPodcast #VBS2025 #CIY #FaithAndFun #ChristianLife #YouthMinistry #ChurchBehindTheScenes #FunnyChurchStories

In this episode of NCC Unplugged, Jeff Terpstra and Brion Elliott take a reflective look back at NCC’s recent sermon series on Sacrifice. From heart, mind, and time to money—this series challenged the church to go deeper in surrendering every aspect of life to God. Jeff shares the struggle of writing the final sermon on time and how it unexpectedly shifted direction. Brion opens up about the balance between worship leadership and heartfelt praise. Together, they explore Jesus’ teachings, prayerful moments in service, and the power of preparing both spiritually and practically. They also tease what’s coming next: a new sermon series on Intentional Discipleship—what it means to follow Jesus and help others do the same. 💬 Topics include: The Holy Spirit’s surprising work through feedback Why praising God is meaningless without sacrifice Creating authentic worship moments beyond performance Loving correction in the church family Where NCC is headed this summer 🔗 Scripture Highlights: Matthew 25, Luke 14, Hebrews 13:15-16, Ephesians 5:2 🙏 "There's no praise without sacrifice."

In this episode of NCC Unplugged, Matt is joined by Jeff and Joshua for a candid conversation about current trends in church attendance and engagement across America—and how those trends are playing out at Norwin Christian Church. They unpack: 📉 The nationwide decline in church attendance—and why it may have finally leveled off 📊 Surprising stats about millennials vs. boomers and their church habits 🏛️ Why non-denominational churches are on the rise 🧭 How NCC is adapting to meet people where they are—without gimmicks 🤝 What it means to walk with Jesus and be part of a local church Whether you're a committed churchgoer, a spiritual seeker, or someone wrestling with church hurt, this episode is full of insight and heart. It's not about the numbers—it’s about the people behind them. 👉 Subscribe and share this episode if you found it helpful. 🕊️ Learn more or plan a visit: norwinchristianchurch.com #ChurchTrends #NCCUnplugged #FaithAndCulture #MillennialsInChurch #ChurchGrowth #RestorationMovement #NonDenominational #ChurchHurt #FaithIn2025

  This Week on the Podcast: Let’s talk about the topic nobody really wants to talk about… money. (Don’t worry—it’s not what you think.) In this episode, Jeff, Matt, and Joshua have an open and honest conversation about how Jesus talked about money—a lot more than we realize—and what that means for us today. From cultural discomfort to church baggage, we unpack why money is such a sensitive subject and how we can approach it with a fresh perspective grounded in trust, sacrifice, and discipleship. You’ll Hear Us Talk About: Why Jesus taught about money more than heaven and hell combined How NCC made a big shift—removing offering plates and trusting people’s hearts The difference between pressure and purpose when it comes to giving How sacrifice is more than 10%—it’s about surrender Moving from fear and “what ifs” to generosity and faith Why This Matters: This isn’t about a campaign or pushing for donations. It’s about getting back to Jesus’ heart and understanding that how we view and use our money says something about what (or who) we truly trust. And as we head into our next sermon series, The Way of Sacrifice, we want to have this conversation the way Jesus did—with truth, grace, and purpose. Scripture Highlight: “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.” – Matthew 6:24 Looking Ahead: Our upcoming sermon series will walk through the sacrificial life Jesus modeled—not just financially, but in how we live, love, and give of ourselves. Let’s grow together in this. Join Us at Norwin Christian Church: 📍 North Huntingdon, PA 🕤 Sunday Services at 8:45 & 10:30am | Thursday at 7:00pm 🧒 Full kids and youth classes available 🌐 norwinchristianchurch.com  

Engaging Culture as Christians: Finding Balance Between Isolation and Influence As Christians, navigating our relationship with culture can be challenging. While we're called to be "in the world but not of it," finding the right balance between cultural engagement and maintaining our distinct Christian identity requires wisdom and discernment. What is Culture and Why Does it Matter? Culture encompasses the beliefs, values, art, media, politics, language, and social norms that shape how people live and act. It's impossible to completely escape culture's influence - even isolated communities like the Amish are affected by the broader culture around them. From the beginning, God intended humans to create and engage with culture, as seen in Genesis 1:28's mandate to "be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it." Culture itself isn't inherently negative - it's how we engage with it that matters. What Should the Church's Relationship with Culture Look Like? There are three main approaches churches typically take:   Complete engagement - Speaking into every cultural issue Complete isolation - Creating a "Christian bubble" Balanced engagement - Thoughtfully engaging while maintaining focus on the gospel   The balanced approach allows churches to maintain their distinct Christian identity and mission while still meaningfully engaging cultural issues when appropriate. How Do We Know When to Engage Cultural Issues? Key factors to consider:   Does it directly relate to moral issues addressed in Scripture? Is it so culturally dominant that silence could be misinterpreted? Do we have the expertise/authority to speak meaningfully on the issue? Will engaging help or hinder our primary mission of making disciples?   Three Key Principles for Cultural Engagement   Discernment - Think carefully rather than reacting out of fear Influence - Engage culture to be "salt and light" where God has placed you Hope - Maintain an optimistic, loving attitude toward those in the culture around us   Life Application This week, consider:   Where has God positioned you to be an influence in culture (work, school, community)? Are you operating more from fear or hope in your cultural engagement? How can you better discern which cultural issues deserve your attention and energy?   Questions for reflection:   Am I isolating myself too much from culture or becoming too absorbed in it? Do I view those with different cultural values as enemies or as people Jesus loves? What specific opportunities do I have this week to be "salt and light" in my sphere of influence?   Remember: Culture isn't the enemy - sin and Satan are. We're called not to hide from culture or attack it, but to engage it with Christ-like love and wisdom while maintaining our distinct identity as followers of Jesus.

  🎧 Episode Overview: In this special episode of NCC Unplugged, we introduce you to the newest member of our staff, Brion Elliott, who recently joined Norwin Christian Church as our Worship and Tech Minister. Brion shares his story—from growing up in Virginia and attending Bible college to how God gradually led him into full-time church ministry. Get to know his heart for worship, his family, his hobbies (including his love for pickleball!), and what he's most excited about in this next chapter. 🗣️ Highlights from the Episode: Brion's upbringing in a close-knit church in Virginia His education journey through Clark Summit and Lancaster Bible College The pivotal moment that led him from marketing to ministry How Brion met his wife Miranda and their growing family (yes—they're expecting!) What excites and challenges him about stepping into full-time church ministry A look into his dual role overseeing worship and tech His vision for building a worship family at NCC 🎵 Ministry & Mission: Brion’s role blends leading worship on stage and supporting behind-the-scenes technology, ensuring a smooth and meaningful Sunday experience. He’ll be coordinating with volunteers, scheduling services, planning themes, and helping our tech team thrive. 🙌 Connect with Brion: Be sure to say hello to Brion and Miranda at one of our services: Thursdays at 7:00 PM Sundays at 8:45 AM & 10:30 AM 🌐 Stay Connected: Visit us at norwinchristianchurch.com Follow us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find NCC Unplugged.

In this episode of NCC Unplugged, we dive deep into Christian higher education and its impact on ministry and faith. Join hosts Jeff Terpstra, Matt Mastroianni, and Garrett Crawford as they explore theological studies, the challenges facing Christian colleges, and Garrett’s journey toward his PhD. They discuss deep theological questions about God's sovereignty, human free will, and how quantum mechanics serves as an analogy for understanding determinism. From personal experiences in ministry education to the future of Bible colleges, this episode is packed with insights for anyone curious about theology, education, and faith. Whether you’re considering seminary, questioning free will, or just love a good discussion, this episode is for you!   🔹 The purpose and challenges of Christian higher education 🔹 What it takes to earn a PhD in theology 🔹 Understanding determinism and free will through physics 🔹 The future of Christian colleges and alternative training options 🔹 How churches can partner with education institutions to develop future leaders #ChristianEducation #Theology #BibleCollege #MinistryTraining #FaithAndScience #QuantumMechanics #FreeWill #GodsSovereignty #ChurchLeadership #NCCUnplugged #ChristianPodcast