NCC Unplugged

Engaging Culture as Christians: Finding Balance Between Isolation and Influence

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.

Getting to Know Brion Elliott: NCC's New Worship and Tech Minister

 
🎧 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.comFollow us on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find NCC Unplugged.

Are Bible Colleges Dying? The Future of Christian Education & Why It Matters

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

Garrett Says Goodbye: Trusting God's Call

In this episode of NCC Unplugged, Garrett Crawford, the minister of outreach and small groups at Norwin Christian Church, shares his journey of being called into ministry and his recent decision to transition to another church. Garrett reflects on his initial resistance to ministry, his growth and experiences at NCC, and the confirmation he received from God to move to a new role closer to his family. The discussion highlights the challenges and emotions involved in following God's call, the importance of being open to His guidance, and the impact of mentorship and community in shaping one's ministry journey.
 
Join us as we discuss:
✅ How Garrett first felt called to ministry✅ The challenges of leaving a church family ✅ Trusting God’s plan even in uncertainty ✅ What’s next for Garrett and his family
We’ll miss Garrett at NCC, but we know God has big plans ahead! Be sure to reach out with your well wishes and prayers.
 
🎧 Listen now and be encouraged in your own walk of faith!
Additional Notes: 📅 NCC Service Times: Sundays: 8:45 AM & 10:30 AM Thursdays: 7:00 PM
🌐 Learn more at norwinchristianchurch.com
👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to help us spread the message!
 
#NCCUnplugged #MinistryCalling #GarrettCrawford #FaithJourney #GodsPlan #ChurchLeadership #ChristianPodcast #PastoralMinistry #NorwinChristianChurch

NCC Unplugged Rewind: Our First Outside Guest with Patsy Sassano

In this episode of NCC Unplugged Rewind, we take a look back at an interview with one of our first outside guests, Patsy Sassano from the First Christian Church in New Salem. The topic was Christian Unity. Enjoy!

The Power of Prayer: Using Technology to Transform Global Prayer Efforts

🎧 Episode Summary
In this episode of NCC Unplugged, Jeff Terpstra and Matt Mastroianni discuss Norwin Christian Church’s January prayer initiative using Prayer Global. Learn how technology played a key role in engaging the church community in worldwide prayer, uniting them with believers across the globe. The discussion covers the impact of Prayer Global, the power of visual prayer prompts, and how this initiative created a sense of urgency for the Great Commission.
🔗 Important Links & Resources
Prayer Global – Visit Prayer Global
Prayer Tools – Learn more about additional prayer resources
Norwin Christian Church – Visit our website
NCC Service Times:
Sundays at 8:45 AM & 10:30 AM
Thursdays at 7:00 PM
📌 Key Takeaways
✅ Prayer Global’s Impact: The church completed its first prayer lap in just 26 days, engaging members in global intercession.✅ Technology & Prayer: A user-friendly app & website helped participants pray for specific countries, including statistics and scripture.✅ A Shift in Perspective: Participants gained a new awareness of unreached people groups, leading to deeper prayer and curiosity.✅ Urgency of the Gospel: Visualizing lost souls emphasized the importance of missions and evangelism.✅ Personal & Family Growth: Many families, including Matt’s, used this initiative to teach children about prayer and missions.
🛠️ How to Get Involved
🔹 Join a Prayer Lap – Visit Prayer Global to start praying today.🔹 Participate in Ramadan Prayer – Focused prayer for Muslims begins February 27th.🔹 Stay Connected – Follow NCC Unplugged for more discussions on faith, community, and technology in the church.
📢 Rate & ReviewIf this episode encouraged you, please leave a rating & review and share it with others!
🙏 Let’s continue praying together!

NCC Unplugged Rewind: Our First Roundtable

In this episode of NCC Unplugged Rewind, we take a look back at our very first Staff Round Table. The round table format is a chance for the staff at NCC to pull back the curtain and let you know a little about what's going on in their personal lives. Enjoy!

Understanding Biblical Interpretation: A Deep Dive into First Samuel

In this episode of NCC Unplugged, Jeff Terpstra and Matt discuss the intricacies of sermon preparation, focusing on the current series on First Samuel. They explore the challenges of condensing a long book into a sermon series, the importance of biblical interpretation, and the themes of legacy, reversal of fortunes, and kingship in First Samuel. The conversation also touches on the practical aspects of sermon planning, such as aligning worship songs with sermon themes and the use of various resources and commentaries to deepen understanding.
Resources Mentioned:
🔹 Bible Study & Interpretation Tools:
Blue Letter Bible – Free online resource with commentaries, original language tools, and Bible study aids.
Strong’s Concordance – A reference tool for studying words in their original Hebrew and Greek contexts.
A Son to Me – A commentary focusing on typology in First Samuel.
🔹 Biblical Interpretation Tips:
Read in multiple translations (e.g., NIV, CSB).
Pay attention to repeated words and themes.
Understand the historical and cultural context.
Cross-reference passages throughout Scripture.
Utilize commentaries for deeper insights.
🔹 Museum of the Bible (Washington, D.C.)
A highly recommended destination for learning about the history and preservation of the Bible.
Join Us at Norwin Christian Church
📍 Service Times:
Sundays: 8:45 AM & 10:30 AM
Thursdays: 7:00 PM
🌐 Website: norwinchristianchurch.com
📢 Stay Connected:
Follow NCC for updates, sermons, and more content.
Send in your questions or feedback—we’d love to hear from you!
🎧 Enjoyed the episode?Rate, review, and share with friends and family!
 

NCC Unplugged Rewind: Our first podcast

As we celebrate our 1 year podcasting anniversary we are going to Rewind some of our favorite episodes from this past year.
This week we take a look at our very first episode that was published on December 12th, 2023. Enjoy!
"Welcome to the inaugural episode of NCC Unplugged! We're thrilled to have you join us on this journey, whether it's your first time or you're revisiting our history. Today we're diving into the purpose of this podcast, aiming to foster community, engage in conversations, and connect with culture in a more extended format than traditional sermons or small group discussions. Join us as we introduce ourselves, share our intentional practices at home, and discuss purposeful approaches in our various ministries. We're excited to make this podcast a transparent platform for interviews, discussions, and insights into different aspects of our church. So grab your headphones, join our conversation, and get to know us a little better."
 
#PodcastAnniversary #RewindEpisodes #FirstEpisode #PodcastCelebration #Throwback #PodcastHighlights #PodcastJourney #BehindTheScenes #PodcastLife #MilestoneMoments #YearInReview

Happy Anniversary NCC Unplugged: One Year of Conversations, Community, and Culture

In this special anniversary episode, the NCC staff reflects on their first year of podcasting, sharing personal highlights, memorable moments, and their vision for future episodes. The team discusses the podcast's growth, impact, and the unique way it allows them to connect with their congregation beyond Sunday sermons.
 
#NCCUnplugged #PodcastAnniversary #ChurchPodcast #ChristianCommunity #NorwinChristianChurch #FaithConversations #ChristianCulture #PodcastHighlights #ChurchMinistry #BehindTheScenes #FaithStories #CommunityAndCulture #ChristianLife #1YearMilestone #PodcastCelebration #PodcastJourney #ChurchMedia #FaithInAction #ASLMinistry #StudentMinistry #GenerationalFaith