Belonging Before Believing: Recent Episodes
Patrick Mathers & Bryan Gumpy
When Jesus encountered those who were not His followers he didn't cast them out or shame them, He told them to come along. Our hope is that if you are someone who has had a hard time with the church or maybe no experience at all, that you would let us answer some questions to put you at ease. There are a lot of bad churches out there and contrary to how they may have made you feel, we believe you belong.
Pat and Nick discuss... something about healthy church associations, churches, and members... I can't really remember what we talked about.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick discuss a range of topics including dispensational's and their usual affinity for zionists and the modern state of Israel, communion and how it is traditionally done, how to deal with cults like JW's and Mormons, and a short discussion on the King James Version Only group of people.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick discuss stewardship regarding the dominion mandate and attempt to dispel some of the dogmas around climate change.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick are again joined by Matt Jones and Isaac Villanueva to discuss, as the episode title says, why suffering is a crucial part of the journey.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick are joined by Matt Jones and Isaac Villanueva to discuss why you should belong before you believe, and our personal experiences with finding a sense of belonging.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick share some of there most formative spiritual experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick discuss how to love people without affirming their lifestyles that we may disagree with or don't agree with our own values.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick discuss how dopamine affects our behaviors and is abused, but also how dopamine is a part of creation and is a good thing.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick discuss how to read your Bible.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick discuss sports. Neither of us watch or follow sports, but that doesn't stop of from talking about things we probably shouldn't. We discuss the nature of playing sports, what it takes to be a professional athlete, theological categories, and as always ridiculous side conversations.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick discuss how the message of Gospel informs how we live our lives. From the people we go to church with to the strangers at the gas pump, the message of the Gospel permeates our attitudes, expectations, and relationships with everyone around us.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick tackle a touchy subject, whether it is appropriate to be suspicious of the police. The conversation eventually moves into the realm of our relationship with government.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick discuss how we should treat animals, with a slight reference to the group PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat, Nick discuss whether or not christian can consume entertainment with immoral content, and what our guidelines are for what constitutes content we shouldn't watch.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Bryan Gumpy returns! Pat, Nick and Bryan discuss how we acts as Christians in a politically secular world.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Bryan Gumpy returns! Pat, Nick and Bryan discuss how we deal with difficult people.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick discuss how streaming church has become a very popular over the past few years since the effects of COVID during 2020.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick have a short dicsussion on neurodiversity, what it means to be neurodivergent and if this has effect on how effectual the Gospel is.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
It's finally here, Nick gets to talk about his favorite subject while Pat asks the tough questions. We ended up recording this episode on our phone because of Nick forgot the laptop, but the show must go on.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick discuss "Positive Vibes." During a recent trip to Dutch Bros, Pat noticed a sign about positive vibes. We figured it would be worthwhile to talk about this odd cultural notion of how we should all just vibe positivity.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick discuss the upcoming Walk For Life in Oroville. In the spirit of that we discuss why we are pro-life and inevitably share our thoughts on where the church gets this issue wrong and the political failings we see regarding abortion.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick discuss Marriage and the Church and how the relationship between a husband and wife are similar to the relationship between Christ and the Church.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
We think you should get to know us, so we wanted to share with you some personal details about ourselves, specifically our pet peeves.
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Grace Baptist Church in Oroville: https://gracebaptistoroville.org/
Pat and Nick discuss their reasons for wanting to restart this podcast.
Join us Sunday morning to worship the Lord:
132 Meyers Street Chico, CA 95928 (Secret Trail Brewing)
9:00 am
https://www.sovereignjoycf.org/
https://www.facebook.com/sovereignjoycf
https://www.instagram.com/sovereignjoycf/
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Donate: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/197489
Pat and Nick discuss their politically libertarian perspectives and digress on some of the biblical viewpoints and categories for government and politics.
Join us Sunday morning to worship the Lord:
132 Meyers Street Chico, CA 95928 (Secret Trail Brewing)
9:00 am
https://www.sovereignjoycf.org/
https://www.facebook.com/sovereignjoycf
https://www.instagram.com/sovereignjoycf/
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Donate: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/197489
We have a special guest joining us today. Mike Willey is an elder at Sovereign Joy and provides his perspective on GMO foods.
Join us Sunday morning to worship the Lord:
132 Meyers Street Chico, CA 95928 (Secret Trail Brewing)
9:00 am
https://www.sovereignjoycf.org/
https://www.facebook.com/sovereignjoycf
https://www.instagram.com/sovereignjoycf/
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Donate: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/197489
What is shame, and is shame culture a good thing? Pat and Nick discuss what shame is, how it differs from guilt, how society uses shame, how it can be used, and if there is a place for it in the church.
Join us Sunday morning to worship the Lord:
132 Meyers Street Chico, CA 95928 (Secret Trail Brewing)
9:00 am
https://www.sovereignjoycf.org/
https://www.facebook.com/sovereignjoycf
https://www.instagram.com/sovereignjoycf/
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Donate: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/197489
Pat and Nick discuss things about money like what the bible says about it and attempting to understand what money even is.
Join us Sunday morning to worship the Lord:
132 Meyers Street Chico, CA 95928 (Secret Trail Brewing)
9:00 am
https://www.sovereignjoycf.org/
https://www.facebook.com/sovereignjoycf
https://www.instagram.com/sovereignjoycf/
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Donate: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/197489
Pat and Nick talk the things in their lives that have been most formative. Books, movies, songs, and other random tidbits.
Join us Sunday morning to worship the Lord:
132 Meyers Street Chico, CA 95928 (Secret Trail Brewing)
9:00 am
https://www.sovereignjoycf.org/
https://www.facebook.com/sovereignjoycf
https://www.instagram.com/sovereignjoycf/
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Donate: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/197489
Pat and Nick discuss addiction
Join us Sunday morning to worship the Lord:
132 Meyers Street Chico, CA 95928 (Secret Trail Brewing)
9:00 am
https://www.sovereignjoycf.org/
https://www.facebook.com/sovereignjoycf
https://www.instagram.com/sovereignjoycf/
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Donate: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/197489
Pat and Nick discuss Artificial Intelligence and Consciousness.
Join us Sunday morning to worship the Lord:
132 Meyers Street Chico, CA 95928 (Secret Trail Brewing)
9:00 am
https://www.sovereignjoycf.org/
https://www.facebook.com/sovereignjoycf
https://www.instagram.com/sovereignjoycf/
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Donate: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/197489
Pat and Nick discuss the age of some of the Old Testament characters. Believe it or not, the Bible tells us some people lived hundreds of years old!!!
Join us Sunday morning to worship the Lord:
132 Meyers Street Chico, CA 95928 (Secret Trail Brewing)
9:00 am
https://www.sovereignjoycf.org/
https://www.facebook.com/sovereignjoycf
https://www.instagram.com/sovereignjoycf/
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Donate: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/197489
Pat and Nick talk about co-sleeping. Why? We don't know. We're still trying to figure out what to talk about.
Join us Sunday morning to worship the Lord:
132 Meyers Street Chico, CA 95928 (Secret Trail Brewing)
9:00 am
https://www.sovereignjoycf.org/
https://www.facebook.com/sovereignjoycf
https://www.instagram.com/sovereignjoycf/
https://www.instagram.com/belongingbeforebelieving/
https://open.spotify.com/show/1K1Kc8eCOJFfN5TUJHxATs?si=53a1f95970954555
Donate: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/197489
Pat and Nick discuss Idol worship, what can be an idol and their experiences with idols in their own lives.
Join us Sunday morning to worship the Lord:
132 Meyers Street Chico, CA 95928 (Secret Trail Brewing)
9:00 am
https://www.sovereignjoycf.org/
https://www.facebook.com/sovereignjoycf
https://www.instagram.com/sovereignjoycf/
Donate: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/197489
Pat and Nick discuss Idol worship, what can be an idol and their experiences with idols in their own lives.
Join us Sunday morning to worship the Lord:
132 Meyers Street Chico, CA 95928 (Secret Trail Brewing)
9:00 am
https://www.sovereignjoycf.org/
https://www.facebook.com/sovereignjoycf
https://www.instagram.com/sovereignjoycf/
Donate: https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/197489
This is NOT another episode on abortion. This is an episode on how to have meaningful conversations with people that we likely disagree with.
With Memorial Day having just past and Pat with a recent experience at another church, it seems timely to address this question.
Our second go round on this episode!
This is something that was rattling around in Bryan's head all day on Resurrection Sunday and wanted to riff out with Pat.
This episode is recorded on location at Secret Trail Brewing where you'll get to hear a little bit of why we love that place so much and why doing ministry out in the wild can be so beneficial.
Also some surprising statistics when it comes the subject of Christians and divorce!
Is Biblical slavery different than what we Americans think of when we hear the term "slavery" being used? Is there such a thing as "Biblical slavery"?
Our response to the recent article by the Houston Chronicle about sexual abuse in SBC churches:
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/article/Southern-Baptist-sexual-abuse-spreads-as-leaders-13588038.php
Sometimes the boys just need to cut loose and goof off. That is pretty much all this episode is. So if you don't like the banter at the beginning of our normal episodes, better just skip this one!
Initially this was intended to be an episode where we talked our way through Luke 2. That is not how it went down!
When this question was asked we went in two very different directions! What do you see out there that seems beyond rational explanation?
There are a LOT of inaccurate analogies when it comes to attempting to explain the Trinity. We tried to avoid those.
Was it more that way in the OT? Is it something that was encouraged? Is it encourage today?
Christians often focus on missionaries outside of the US, do you think the church has more work to do in the US or is it just a different location and it doesn’t really matter?
We discuss the sovereignty of God in light of the recent, catastrophic events surrounding the Camp Fire.
Spooky stuff on Halloween! Are they real? Do they do what people tend to think they do? Are Christians allowed to celebrate Halloween???
This is pretty simple. But likely not in the way you'd expect. Are we going to treat someone dealing with same sex attraction much different than any other sinner?
Did our faith just happen to us because it was the natural thing to do or path of least resistance? Was there more to it than that?
www.sovereignjoycf.org www.ninemarks.org https://www.amazon.com/Uncomfortable-Essential-Challenge-Christian-Community/dp/1433554259/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538632633&sr=8-1&keywords=uncomfortable+brett+mccracken
EVERYONE knows this story. People reference it all the time. When was the last time you read through it?
Tackling the topic of depression is no simple thing. It is something that carries a stigma with it in much of the Christian community and for that reason we knew it would be important to share why we believe that shouldn't be the case.
Not an easy episode! How do we love the people that flat out drive us crazy? Pat tries to shed some light from scripture.
Another wild and crazy Bible story for us to work our way through. Give it a listen and let us know which story you'd like to hear next!
We dug into the vault and resurrected an episode from our recording session with Rachel Gumpy. Banter is abundant and so is grace for the burdened.
Our friend Ryan returns for another episode and asks us a question that has us discussing God's sovereignty in suffering.
What we hope will be the first of many episodes where we talk our way through one of many fascinating stories found in the Bible.
Do people meeting at a house qualify as a church? What about if you're doing church with just your family, does that count? What is the minimum requirement for something to be considered church?
In this episode we try unscramble some eggs in light of some errors we made in a previous episode.
While we had a third co-host we had to get some goofy nonsense in so here's what Pat came up with!
Has the Church blown it in the way that women are treated? Is it because of a misinformed view of Scripture?
A heavy episode but a topic that felt important to address especially at this time.
Question of the day: Where is the most beautiful place you've ever been?
What does cursing me? Are there bad words that we shouldn't say? Is there a time and place for strong language?
Patrick is a funeral arranger, Bryan is a regional manager for Dutch Bros. Coffee. Listen to how our faith gets practically lived out at each!
Our very first follow up episode where we go over the Lord's Prayer and answer how we should pray.
Does the Sinner's prayer end up being something formulaic where you "pray this prayer and then you're good to go!" or is it just a pragmatic thing that has developed over the years? Great question!
Don't worry, we explain what tithing means. And it'll be fun to listen to because it's Patrick's least favorite subject! Also, for the first time, we recorded with someone else in the room? Who was the special guest? Gotta listen to find out!
In this episode we take a good hard look at who's fault it actually is when people leave the church and what some of those reasons might be.
Rapid fire Q&A, baby! Listen to Pat deal with the pressure, get stressed out, and answer multiple questions very quickly! THE LIGHTNING ROUND!!!
Our very first Marathon episode! When Scripture doesn't address something like Marijuana how should Christians handle it? This is a very long episode because, frankly, we don't have a cut and dry answer. So join in the discussion!
This one is heart felt and a great example of why the podcast exists. To all of you non-Christian listeners, we love you. Listen up!
How literally do we take the words we find in Genesis regarding the creation of everything? Does a day mean 24 hours? How old is the earth? Does science get in the way of what we find in scripture? Better listen if you want to know.
If you should expect anything, it should be the unexpected. These answers are funny, heartfelt, and everything in between.
QUESTION OF THE DAY!!! Who would YOU want to sit down and eat with?
We crack open the book of Leviticus and at the end of the episode we discover we need your help! Send your submissions to belongingbeforebelieving@sovereignjoycf.org!
Today is the infamous day that Pat's "number one jam" finally hits the airwaves. We also discuss Calvinism, something that can be a four letter word in some circles. As promised in the episode here is a link where you can find plenty of Scripture in support:
https://www.monergism.com/topics/doctrines-grace/five-points-calvinism
This is our heaviest episode yet and our most difficult discussion. Let us know what you thought.
belongingbeforebelieving@sovereignjoycf.org
Our pettiest episode yet! In this episode we list out some things that grind our gears, use of said peeves against us is prohibited.
Another pass at the problem of evil but from a slightly different approach. Also Pat asks Bryan what is the worst thing he has ever put in his mouth.
Pat offends Bryan with his underwhelming review of Black Panther and we daydream about what could have been.
Why do we attribute an answered request to "the power of prayer" but when we don't get what we ask we chalk it up to "God's will"?
Should we finance things that we believe to be immoral? What is the role of government?
In this episode we deal with what many would consider a black eye on the Church's face: pastor's behaving badly.
What's the difference between purpose and passion? Where should we grab lunch? Listen and find out!