In this episode we review the devastating impacts of the U.S. demographic “cliff” and the parallel decline of the Church. We also dive into ACNA membership statistics which could spell a troubling future for the denomination. Finally, we discuss what it will take from everyday Christians to begin reversing decades of institutional decline.

LET'S STAY IN TOUCH! JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST: Sign Up

// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

03:33 – The U.S. demographic cliff

22:13 – The decline of the Western Church

28:58 – Concerning trends within the ACNA

45:58 – Global religious landscape & growth of Islam

59:13 – How to rebuild the Church

01:10:08 – Conclusion

// REFERENCES //

• Islam was the world’s fastest-growing religion from 2010 to 2020 (Conrad Hackett) | Pew Research Center
• ACNA FIGURES REVEAL DISTURBING TREND (David Virtue) | Virtue Online
• ‘You can’t create 18-year-olds’: What can colleges do amid demographic upheaval? (Ben Unglesbee) | Higher Ed Dive

// LINKS //

SUBCRIBE to this podcast: Listen to Lively Faith

VISIT the Lively Faith Website: https://livelyfaithministries.org/

SUBSCRIBE to the Lively Faith YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@livelyfaith

CONTACT US: mail@livelyfaithministries.org

Copyright 2024 Lively Faith & the Rev. Nathan Stomberg

#LivelyFaith #Podcasts

In this episode we consider proper and improper uses of AI, the near occasion for sin, the idol of transhumanism, and principles for engagement with new technologies.

LET'S STAY IN TOUCH! JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST: Sign Up

// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

06:21 – Considerations for Ministry

09:47 – Day-to-day use of AI

16:27 – How we relate to AI

24:47 – Worshipping dumb idols

29:17 – Principles for using AI

33:44 – “The Cambrian Implosion” / The retreat of nature

39:37 – “Making the Best of Dystopia” / Transhumanism

49:21 – Greater capabilities, greater risks

54:59 – Spiritual guardrails of daily prayer

01:03:21 – Conclusion

// REFERENCES //

• Making the Best of Dystopia by C. R. Wiley | Touchstone: A Journal of Mere Christianity
• The Cambrian Implosion - First Things

// LINKS //

SUBCRIBE to this podcast: Listen to Lively Faith

VISIT the Lively Faith Website: https://livelyfaithministries.org/

SUBSCRIBE to the Lively Faith YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@livelyfaith

CONTACT US: mail@livelyfaithministries.org

Copyright 2024 Lively Faith & the Rev. Nathan Stomberg

#LivelyFaith #Podcasts

In this episode, we discuss the relationship between free will and predestination, and explore how these concepts are understood in Anglicanism in light of the 39 Articles of Religion and the Book of Common Prayer.

LET'S STAY IN TOUCH! JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST: Sign Up

// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

01:35 – Man’s fall in the garden

05:57 – Deprived, not depraved

09:30 – O Happy Fault!

12:40 – Modern Protestant and Evangelical views of free will

17:30 – Sacraments, grace, love, and free will

20:50 – Anglican tension between Reformed and Catholic

25:31 – Were the 39 Articles of Religion Calvinistic?

29:30 – The concept of mystery

31:15 – The 39 Articles, the Book of Common Prayer, and Anglican history

36:15 – Article XVII, on Predestination and Election

39:29 – The role of the 39 Articles in American Anglicanism

44:29 – Reconciling predestination and evangelism

50:47 – The two creation narratives in Genesis

54:20 – Why Anglicanism is irenic

55:53 – “Apostolic Succession” vs. “Historic Episcopate”

01:03:05 – First conclusion

01:06:47 – The collapse of the Episcopal Church

01:08:33 – Final conclusion

// LINKS //

SUBCRIBE to this podcast: Listen to Lively Faith

VISIT the Lively Faith Website: https://livelyfaithministries.org/

SUBSCRIBE to the Lively Faith YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@livelyfaith

CONTACT US: mail@livelyfaithministries.org

Copyright 2024 Lively Faith & the Rev. Nathan Stomberg

#LivelyFaith #Podcasts #christian #anglican #catholic #christianity #church

In this episode we reflect on the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, process this tragic event, and join the Church in prayer for our nation and those who mourn.

LET'S STAY IN TOUCH! JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST: Sign Up

// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

03:23 – Remembering Charlie Kirk

15:20 – Why this tragedy feels personal to so many

19:18 – A servant is not greater than his master

22:28 – Media reactions to this tragedy

28:08 – The need for a shared moral framework

32:40 – Taking ownership of our children’s education

42:35 – Don’t ever lose your courage

46:44 – Praying for our country and those who mourn

50:01 – Conclusion

// LINKS //

SUBCRIBE to this podcast: Listen to Lively Faith

VISIT the Lively Faith Website: https://livelyfaithministries.org/

SUBSCRIBE to the Lively Faith YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@livelyfaith

CONTACT US: mail@livelyfaithministries.org

Copyright 2024 Lively Faith & the Rev. Nathan Stomberg

#LivelyFaith #Podcasts #CharlieKirk

In this episode, we are joined by The Rev. Chad Tvenstrup to explore his journey from Anglicanism to Presbyterianism, discuss the differences between the two traditions, and share our love for Common Prayer. We also discuss the apprenticeship model of ministry and what training future church leaders will look like.

Chad Tvenstrup is the Lead Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Bradenton, Florida. He has a BA in Economics from Connecticut College, an MA in Biblical Studies from Providence College, an MA in Anglican Studies from Trinity School for Ministry in PA and is pursuing a DMin from Birmingham Theological Seminary. Chad has served in ordained ministry for 18 years.

LET'S STAY IN TOUCH! JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST: Sign Up

// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

07:46 – Anglican ministry at Church of the Apostles

16:52 – Switching from Anglicanism to Presbyterianism

19:35 – The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARPC)

23:50 – Favorite parts of Presbyterianism and Anglicanism

31:00 – What Presbyterians can appreciate about Common Prayer

37:40 – Next-Gen Church Leadership article

42:55 – The apprenticeship model of ministry

50:30 – Developing a congregational episcopacy

56:50 – Discussing differences in church polity

01:01:00 – Challenges of mentoring new leaders

01:09:50 – Partnering to share the Gospel

01:17:00 – Conclusion

// LINKS //

SUBCRIBE to this podcast: Listen to Lively Faith

VISIT the Lively Faith Website: https://livelyfaithministries.org/

SUBSCRIBE to the Lively Faith YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@livelyfaith

CONTACT US: mail@livelyfaithministries.org

Copyright 2024 Lively Faith & the Rev. Nathan Stomberg

#LivelyFaith #Podcasts

In this episode, we discuss Pope Leo XIV’s background, his namesake, how he compares to Pope Francis, and the challenges faced by the Catholic Church.

LET'S STAY IN TOUCH! JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST: Sign Up

// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

01:15 – Pope Leo XIV’s background and election

10:40 – Differences between Leo and Pope Francis

17:35 – Understanding Pope Leo’s namesake

22:30 – Pope Leo XIII and the rise of capitalism

28:22 – Dueling camps within Catholicism

33:30 – TCT Article: Where is Pope Francis?

35:45 – The canonization of Francis would be a death knell

40:30 – Roman Catholic vs. Anglican understandings of purgatory

50:45 – Article continued

01:02:50 – Poor Roman Catholic catechesis

01:09:02 – Why we should care about the Pope

01:14:00 - Conclusion

// REFERENCES //

• Pope Leo XIV – What You Need to Know | Ascension
• Where is Pope Francis? | The Catholic Thing
• Pope Leo XIII and Emperor Wilhelm II - First Things
• Pope Leo XIII and Contemporary Catholic Contentions - First Things

// LINKS //

SUBCRIBE to this podcast: Listen to Lively Faith

VISIT the Lively Faith Website: https://livelyfaithministries.org/

SUBSCRIBE to the Lively Faith YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@livelyfaith

CONTACT US: mail@livelyfaithministries.org

Copyright 2024 Lively Faith & the Rev. Nathan Stomberg

#LivelyFaith #Podcasts

In this episode, we explain the meaning and importance of “The Abolition of Man” by C. S. Lewis, showing how this book predicted the moral decay of modern society, and what the Church can learn from it today.

LET'S STAY IN TOUCH! JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST: Sign Up

// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

04:47 – Men without chests

07:55 – Against deconstruction

14:50 – The brilliance of C. S. Lewis

18:00 – C. S. Lewis on contraceptives

21:50 – Everyone tries to claim C. S. Lewis

23:55 – Lewis predicted the birth rate crisis

29:15 – The Church needs to focus on core Gospel issues

32:30 – Objective morality is essential

36:00 – Science is always changing

38:08 – Natural philosophy

40:44 – Lewis and Tolkien

43:30 - Conclusion

// REFERENCES //

• C.S. Lewis and the Importance of Natural Law

// LINKS //

SUBCRIBE to this podcast: Listen to Lively Faith

VISIT the Lively Faith Website: https://livelyfaithministries.org/

SUBSCRIBE to the Lively Faith YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@livelyfaith

CONTACT US: mail@livelyfaithministries.org

Copyright 2024 Lively Faith & the Rev. Nathan Stomberg

#LivelyFaith #Podcasts

In this episode, our editor Josh Fenton joins to discuss Millennial perspectives on faith in God, masculinity, social media, inflation, starting a family, and much more.

LET'S STAY IN TOUCH! JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST: Sign Up

// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction & Lively Faith Magazine

05:40 – Josh’s background

08:10 – Reading books

14:00 – Materialism vs. Intelligent Design

20:50 – Running a YouTube channel

24:00 – Managing burnout and motivation

31:00 – Sports betting and retail investing

39:15 – Young men and masculinity

42:40 – Family structure and Natural Law

47:50 – Modern over-emphasis of emotions

52:15 – Attention and overstimulation

56:00 – Social media

01:02:00 – Working from home

01:08:00 – National debt and inflation

01:20:10 – Falling birth rates and starting a family

01:30:38 – Goodness, truth, and beauty

01:44:50 – What are we living for?

02:01:20 – The impact of working on this podcast

02:06:00 – Conclusion

// REFERENCES //

// LINKS //

SUBCRIBE to this podcast: Listen to Lively Faith

VISIT the Lively Faith Website: https://livelyfaithministries.org/

SUBSCRIBE to the Lively Faith YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@livelyfaith

CONTACT US: mail@livelyfaithministries.org

Copyright 2024 Lively Faith & the Rev. Nathan Stomberg

#LivelyFaith #Podcasts