The Stoop Sessions podcast

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Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend. In this episode, Matt Martens join us on the stoop. Matt is trial lawyer and partner at an international law firm in Washington, DC. Over the past 25 years, he has practiced criminal law both as a federal prosecutor and as a defense attorney. Matt served as a law clerk to Chief Justice Rehnquist at the U.S. Supreme Court and also served as a political appointee in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Justice Department under Attorney General Ashcroft. In many neighborhoods, such as the communities we seek to plant churches, incarceration rates are double or triple the community next door. Join us as Matt shares why he wrote the forthcoming book, Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal. Matt believes reform within our criminal justice system is necessary, and he presents a solution. The Christian is called to love one’s neighbor as himself. Listen as Matt explains how this changes our approach to criminal justice. Matt and his wife are members at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC, and have two sons and a daughter. Learn more about Matt Martens: Twitter @martensmatt1 Website: https://matthew-martens.com Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate…

The Stoop Sessions

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Evangelism: Fruit Inspection

2 years ago

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Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend. In this episode, the Stoop crew wraps up a conversation on evangelism on the topic of church confirmation. Practically speaking, what do we do when someone makes a profession of faith? We baptize. However, Baptism is not merely the decision of an individual (an individual can’t baptize herself), and it is not merely the decision of a pastor. Baptism is a congregational act of confirmation and union. Join us as we consider the topic of baptism and church membership in our evangelism. Listen as the crew explains why they would be concerned if someone made a “profession of faith” but never joined a church. Learn how the Body of Christ is given as fruit inspectors for new believers, and how this helps our personal evangelism. Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate…

The Stoop Sessions

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Lisa LaGeorge: Evangelism

2 years ago

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Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend. In this episode, we bring on a friend! Stephanie and Eric invite Lisa LeGeorge to the stoop for a chat on evangelism. Lisa has traveled the globe and has a passion for unreached areas. Currently working at Children’s Hunger Fund, she wants to see suffering children served through Gospel-centered local churches. The conversation begins with addressing the question of "overseas missions” versus “local evangelism.” Lisa argues that it’s not an either/or but a both/and. She speaks on the benefits and limitations of para-church ministry and the need for the local church. Lisa gives tips from her own personal evangelism experience and shares how she turns random Sunday mornings at church into a new evangelistic opportunity. As both an academic and a practitioner, this episode hits on all things evangelism: from the para-church to the church; from the nations to the block; from the church’s corporate witness to personal evangelism. Lisa LaGeorge serves as the senior director of CHF Academy at Children’s Hunger Fund. She has previously served as a professor at The Master’s University, where she met Stephanie. Stephanie Greer is a Gospel Worker funded through ONE HOPE serving with The Garden Church. Eric Hill serves as an elder at The Garden Church and is a Physical Therapist Assistant by day. Learn more about Lisa LaGeorge at www.lisalageorge.com Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate…

The Stoop Sessions

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The Church's Evangelism

2 years ago

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Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend. In the last two episodes, we’ve highlighted “personal evangelism”—the individual Christian’s role and work in taking the Gospel to the lost. This episode asks the question: How does the church together evangelize? For some, they have unfortunately disconnected their personal ministry from the broader community of the gathered saints. For us, it’s not an either/or but a both/and. While we evangelize personally, we also evangelize together. In today’s episode, Joel and Stephanie talk about the church’s role. Because the church feels different or irrelevant to our friends, it’s often hard to imagine how this church can help me reach my friends. Yet, we forget the power of the Gospel through the testimony of God’s people. If we combine our efforts and work together, we can make a bigger impact. Stephanie and Joel talk about the importance of starting with who actually shows up to your church services; How membership interviews can turn into evangelistic opportunities; The importance of asking professing Christians for their understanding of the Gospel; and How to tell someone they’re not a Christian (in a winsome and Biblical way). The episode closes with a look back to the need for personal evangelism and why being part of an “evangelistic church” doesn’t mean that I am personally doing any work. Joel Kurz serves as the pastor of The Garden Church and director of ONE HOPE. Stephanie Greer is a Gospel Worker funded through ONE HOPE serving with The Garden Church. Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate…

The Stoop Sessions

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Evangelism: Eric's Story

2 years ago

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Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend. As the Stoop crew continues their focus on personal evangelism, we offer Eric’s testimony as an example of how the Lord uses people, sometimes without their knowing, to lead another to Christ. In today’s episode, Stephanie interviews Eric on how his cousin, CJ, shared the Gospel with him. Eric began attending a church after his daughter was born. Around the same time, CJ was coming to an understanding of the Gospel, reading, and talking about Jesus. CJ and Eric met weekly to read and talk. God used these meetings to bring clarity and faith. Listen and be encouraged to take the Gospel to your own friend’s and family, leading them to know Jesus. Stephanie Greer is a Gospel Worker funded through ONE HOPE serving with The Garden Church. Eric Hill is an elder at The Garden Church and a Physical Therapy Assistant by day. Support the Show at www.onehope.gives/donate Learn more about planting churches in the inner city at www.onehope.gives…

The Stoop Sessions

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Personal Evangelism

2 years ago

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Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend. This episode begins a conversation on evangelism. We get it—life is busy, you have tried to share Jesus with those you know, it hasn't seemed to “work,” and you don’t have time to develop new relationships. How can we possibly become better at personal evangelism when we’re just trying to get through life? Additionally, many are discouraged because they feel they’ve never effectively shared the Gospel or seen someone become a believer. In today’s episode, the team discusses their own challenges as they seek simple solutions. Not all hope is lost. We can become better evangelists as we develop new eyes to see, strengthen our own understanding of the Gospel, and learn to help individuals from one step to another as they explore the faith. Join us as we consider the topic of personal evangelism: how to build strategic relationships, see opportunities we often miss, take the next step with an unbeliever, and share the Gospel with the lost. Joel Kurz serves as the pastor of The Garden Church and director of ONE HOPE. Stephanie Greer is a Gospel Worker funded through ONE HOPE serving with The Garden Church. Eric Hill is an elder at The Garden Church and a Physical Therapy Assistant by day. Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate…

The Stoop Sessions

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P.J. Tibayan on Revitalizing Dying Churches

2 years ago

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Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend. Today, while Eric is unable to join, we visit a friend. Join Joel and Stephanie as they meet with P.J. Tibayan and discuss new life for dying churches. P.J. serves as pastor at Bethany Baptist Church in Bellflower, CA near Los Angelos. As the conversation begins, P.J. shares his background and experience in church ministry. Listen as P.J. explains how he debated once debated R.C. Sproul on the meaning of John Piper’s book Desiring God; How his love for the local church led to an internship at Capital Hill Baptist Church with Mark Dever; and to Bethany Baptist Church as senior pastor. As P.J. arrived at Bethany, the church was dying and in need of revitalization. P.J. defines what it means to revitalize a church and why we shouldn’t just let dying churches die. He also shares his approach in discipling others along with practical and Biblical lessons on helping dying churches live. Listen and be encouraged to love those around you and help them grow in their love for Christ. Joel Kurz serves as the pastor of The Garden Church and director of ONE HOPE. Stephanie Greer is a Gospel Worker funded through ONE HOPE serving with The Garden Church. Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate Learn more about P.J. Tibayan and Bethany Baptist Church at https://bethanybaptist.church…

The Stoop Sessions

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Bobby Scott: Training Leaders

2 years ago

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Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend. Today, Bobby Scott joins the conversation. Bobby is serves as pastor at Community of Faith Bible Church. In this episode, Stephanie and Joel meet with Bobby Scott in California. The conversation begins as Stephanie shares her own background at Community of Faith Bible Church and her appreciation for Bobby’s ministry. Bobby shares his own background and heart for raising up leaders in the local church. As the episode continues, Bobby speaks on best practices, lessons learned, and tips on training Bible teachers. Listen and learn from an experienced pastor with a long track record of faithful Gospel ministry and raising up leaders. Joel Kurz serves as the pastor of The Garden Church and director of ONE HOPE. Stephanie Greer is a Gospel Worker funded through ONE HOPE serving with The Garden Church. Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate Learn More about Bobby Scott: https://twitter.com/pastorbscott?lang=en Learn More About Community of Faith Bible Church: http://cfbcla.org…

The Stoop Sessions

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Living For More Than Wealth

2 years ago

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Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions where we have casual conversations about ministry on the Baltimore stoop. In each episode, Joel, Stephanie, and Eric talk through different topics and occasionally bring on a friend. This episode rounds out a 3-part conversation on the topic of wealth. As the crew has discussed, the topic of wealth is one that affects everyone, whether rich or poor. Money is needed for physical survival. So it matters. And, at the same time, greed isn’t limited to the wealthy. While wealth can certainly be a blessing from God, the Bible doesn’t emphasize the goodness of wealth but rather the dangers of wealth. While it’s good to pursue money to meet our needs, Biblically we should not good to set our eyes on money. In this third part, we call Christians to something greater than acquiring material things and building barns. Whether poor, middle class, or wealth, our goal must be living for the glory of God. Joel Kurz serves as the pastor of The Garden Church and director of ONE HOPE. Stephanie Greer is a Gospel Worker funded through ONE HOPE serving with The Garden Church. Eric Hill is an elder at The Garden Church and a Physical Therapy Assistant by day. Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate…

The Stoop Sessions

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Should Wealth Be Pursued?

2 years ago

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Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions, a ONE HOPE podcast bringing you conversations about urban ministry from the stoops of Baltimore. Today, our hosts, Eric, Stephanie, and Joel, continue a discussion on the topic of wealth. Talking about wealth should not only the topic of the wealthy. In our own context, money comes up. Those who come from little, at times, fall prey to the love of money. Wealth can become a god. At the same time, it’s sometimes assumed that ministries which are concerned about the poor despise the rich. This is not true of us. Money and wealth presents traps on all sides. Join us on the stoop and we discuss it. While our last episode asked: “Can Christians have wealth?” This episode asks, “Should wealth be pursued?” Listen as the team pursues a Biblical vision of wealth. Is wealth inherently good or dangerous? Should wealth be viewed as the goal or a byproduct? As the episode concludes, we’re challenged to not seek our satisfaction in wealth but to view all things as a matter of stewardship. Learn more about ONE HOPE: www.onehope.gives Support the Show: www.onehope.gives/donate…

The Stoop Sessions

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Can Christians Have Wealth?

3 years ago

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The love of money is not just a problem of the rich, it can also grip the poor and working class. Many who grew up with little desire much. And we get it. Poverty hurts. It’s not what we want for our kids. But how should we think of having and pursuing wealth?. The stoop crew first defines wealth. On one hand, wealth is defined as having more than you need. In this sense, most every American is “wealthy” in comparison to other cultures. But a more popular definition is to have enough money so that “I don’t have to think about money.” People don’t like budgets because they don’t like restraints. The desire for wealth is to pursue enough in order to spend without constraint. Can Christians have this kind of wealth? We usual, Joel, Stephane, and Eric take it to the Word. What does the Bible teach on having money? Listen as they read plenty of Scripture and discuss God’s view of wealth and the Christian. This episode is part one of three as The Stoop Sessions considers the topic of wealth. Support the show at www.onehope.gives/donate…

The Stoop Sessions

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Thabiti Anyabwile: Authority of Scripture

3 years ago

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Listen to this message from Thabiti Anyabwile at a previous ONE HOPE Conference in 2017. The ONE HOPE Conference focuses on applying theology to urban ministry. As we anticipate our next ONE HOPE Conference on March 5, 2022, here’s a gem from year’s past. In this episode, we present Thabiti’s message for your edification and enjoyment. Join us for the ONE HOPE Conference: Faith Alone on March 5, 2022. Speakers include Shai Linne, Thabiti Anyabwile, Alejandro Molero, and Joel Kurz. Register at faithalone.eventbrite.com. Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate…

The Stoop Sessions

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Shai Linne: The Necessity of Scripture

3 years ago

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On one hand, the world increasingly disregards the Bible. God’s Word is not believed. On the other hand, Christians often minimize the necessity of Scripture in preaching, missions, and evangelism. Is the Bible needed? The ONE HOPE Conference focuses on applying theology to urban ministry. As we anticipate our next ONE HOPE Conference on March 5, 2022, here’s a gem from year’s past. Shai Linne preached at the 2017 ONE HOPE Conference on the necessity of Scripture. In this episode, we present Shai’s message for your edification and enjoyment. Join us for the ONE HOPE Conference: Faith Alone on March 5, 2022. Speakers include Shai Linne, Thabiti Anyabwile, Alejandro Molero, and Joel Kurz. Register at faithalone.eventbrite.com. Support the show: www.onehope.gives/donate…

The Stoop Sessions

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Is Addiction a Disease?

3 years ago

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Is addiction a disease? If so, is it unloving to exercise church discipline for someone who is in unrepentant drug use? Are we lacking understanding and compassion? If addiction is not a disease, why does drug addiction feel so hopeless and consuming. In this episode, the Stoop crew talk addiction. Listen as Joel, Stephanie, and Eric work through these questions and more. The word “addiction” needs to be defined. As does the word “disease.” Sometimes, the very words we use are unhelpful and don’t communicate what is to be meant. Additionally, we have to understand the church’s role in the life of the sinner. What role does the church play in the life of a church member who has fallen back into drug addiction? Listen, shoot us an email, and share your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you. Support the Show: www.onehope.gives/donate Register for the ONE HOPE Conference: www.onehope.gives/onehopeconference Email: info@onehope.gives…

The Stoop Sessions

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What's Going On?

3 years ago