NCC Unplugged

This week on NCC Unplugged, Joshua is joined by Allison Murray (Children’s Ministry Director), Jonathan Slatt (Youth Minister), and Richard Seaman (Elder & Forge Team Member) to continue our series on discipleship.
We explore what it looks like to follow Jesus in every context of life—from raising children at home, to discipling teenagers and young adults, to walking faithfully as empty nesters, and even living out our faith in the workplace.
Key Highlights:
What Deuteronomy 6 teaches about discipleship in the home
How teenagers and young adults grow through relationships and community
The importance of not compartmentalizing our faith
Practical encouragement for parents, grandparents, volunteers, and mentors
How NCC partners with families through events like Coffee & Conversations
Discipleship isn’t a program or a checklist—it’s a way of life. Join us as we talk about living out our faith in ordinary, everyday moments.
👉 Listen now and be encouraged to see your relationships as opportunities to disciple and be discipled.

On this episode of NCC Unplugged, we dive into one of the most important yet often misunderstood aspects of following Jesus—discipleship. More than just a label, being a disciple means walking in intentional relationship with Christ and others. Together with Allison Murray, NCC’s Director of Children’s Ministries, and elder Rich Seaman, we unpack what it looks like to move from being a disciple to becoming a disciple-maker.
From exploring the biblical foundation in the Great Commission to sharing practical next steps, we discuss how discipleship is relational, lifelong, and deeply personal. Whether it’s through prayer, investing in one-on-one relationships, navigating family dynamics, or simply being intentional in everyday conversations, this episode offers encouragement for anyone who wants to live out Jesus’ call to “go and make disciples.”
Show Notes
Episode Highlights
What is discipleship really about?Moving beyond titles and labels, discipleship is intentional, relational, and lifelong.
The role of elders at NCCRich explains how NCC’s elder team functions as spiritual shepherds and why a plurality of leadership reflects the biblical model.
The Great Commission as our foundationWe revisit Matthew 28:18–20 and reflect on how Jesus’ final words are still our mission today.
Evangelism vs. DiscipleshipEvangelism plants the seeds, but discipleship nurtures growth through relationship, prayer, and life together.
Practical next steps
Begin by being a committed disciple yourself.
Pray for God to reveal who He’s placing in your circle.
Focus on relationships, not projects.
Start small—invest deeply in just one or two people.
Use everyday opportunities (like conversations at work, coffee meetups, or family gatherings) to point others to Jesus.
Family dynamics in discipleshipDiscipling family members can be challenging, but Scripture shows us examples of bringing loved ones to Christ with humility and love.
How to invite someone into deeper conversationLook for natural openings—sharing how faith impacts your daily life, offering to pray with someone, or inviting them to study Scripture together.
Encouraging multiplicationTrue disciple-making doesn’t end with us. As new believers grow, they’re called to bring others along in the journey too.
Key Takeaways
Discipleship is not about numbers—it’s about people.
Relationships are the soil where discipleship grows.
Everyone can be part of God’s mission, regardless of personality type or fears.
The Great Commission is for all believers, not just church leaders.
Scripture References
Matthew 28:18–20 – The Great Commission
Matthew 9:36 – Jesus’ compassion for the crowds
John 1:40–42 – Andrew brings his brother Peter to Jesus
John 4:28–30 – The Samaritan woman tells her town about Jesus
Next Episode Preview
We’ll be talking about the different places discipleship happens—in our homes, workplaces, community, and church—and how to be intentional in each setting.

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 & 10:30amThursdays 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.