Thinking Out Loud Podcasts
with Walt McFadden
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Walt McFadden, Pastor of Cityview Church in Minneapolis, is a no-nonsense kind of guy who takes no prisoners when it comes to the Truth. Pastor Walt likes to ‘Think Out Loud’ about the Bible and how it can impact a community through the proper application of Spiritual Principles. You will find an honest response to some of the most difficult questions facing Christians today.
The Spirit of Despair
Pastor Walt Thinks Out Loud and tells us if you have no hope you are in despair. God did not intend for us to have no hope, but many people don't have hope. You feel hopeless, nobody cares, nobody is interested in you, you've experienced all kinds of things, all kinds of people, but something is missing in your life. Those in despair have no hope about their marriage, no hope about their children, their health, their finances, their job, their profession, no hope about their future, about life itself, no hope about life after death, no hope about eternity. We all need hope. How do we find hope in the perplexity and turmoil of the world around us? God is with us in our despair. God has a purpose, even our suffering has a purpose ... a good purpose because all things work together for God's good for them that love God. Listen in to learn how God uses our suffering for His Glory.
Urban Ministry, Part 7
Pastor Walt continues Thinking Our Loud on Urban Ministry. In this episode, he tells us that the multi-cultural church is the future. So, should every church pursue this? Churches need to represent their community, need to recognize that the urban community has expanded. Churches need to provide the community and families with answers to their questions about the Gospel. The Gospel is for every person, every creed, color, and race. Jesus tells us to preach the Gospel to every corner of the earth … this means to every person regardless of creed, color, or race.
There is Hope in the Land
Pastor Walt Thinks Out Loud and asks what is contributing to the lack of hope in the land? Well, most people don’t know why the church exists or what is the purpose of the church. Pastor Walt tells us that the mission of the church is the Great Commission, and intergenerational discipleship is the goal of the church. Many people say there are a number of reasons they don’t go to church. Pastor Walt tells us of a few … they don't find a loving, serving community, they don’t see the active role of the Holy Spirit, they don’t see the seeking of the power of God, they don’t hear sound Biblical teachings, they don’t hear testimonies, they don’t see the passion for God. they don’t see a Biblical worldview. The church needs to offer all the things people say they don’t experience at church, and then, there will be hope in the land.
Urban Ministry, Part 6
Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on Urban Ministry. In this episode, Pastor Walt tells us that urban communities are growing and will continue to grow. He explains that culture is not neutral, and there are many cultures around us now … both good and bad. We practice Kingdom culture, and we have to work towards His Kingdom culture. The church needs bold teachings and bold preaching. This takes courage, and a willing congregation. You have to question everything you believe … does it line up with Scripture?
The Reality of Abortion
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Larry Kutzler talks with Liz, a woman who had an abortion 10 years ago. Liz gives her testimony about her abortion experience. Larry asks Liz if having an abortion was the right decision for her. Liz tells us her decision to have an abortion was not the right decision … absolutely not. Liz shares that she knew in her heart it was not the right decision, but she surrounded herself with people who supported her decision, who helped her feel her decision was right. Liz shares that the root of her decision was complete selfishness on her part and she didn’t want to deal with the ramifications of pregnancy. Now, 10 years later, she feels moved by God to share her powerful and moving story for her own heart healing and to help others with their own heart healing from knowing they did not make the right decision.
Institutional Evil
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt talks about the evil in our institutions. Evil has strong power and influence over earthly governments. In America, we are moving from a Christian nation to a pagan nation. The church doesn’t talk about this, but it's Biblical that we are in a battle and a war. We war against principalities and powers. We face an enemy and that enemy is infiltrating our governments. The writing is on the wall for America in a culture that's trying to squeeze out the Gospel.
Urban Ministry. Part 5
Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on Urban Ministry. In this episode, Pastor Walt explains that cities have been with us since the beginning of time. In the early days, cities were where all the commerce and military strength resided. Ultimately, these cities collectively turned into states and then nations. Cities continue to grow and in the next decade 70% of the world’s population will leave in cities. How will that impact how we live? What will be the challenges we face? For the church, we already face some of these challenges, and the need to do ministry differently and more effectively will only increase. Listen in as Pastor Walt explains how the church needs to prepare as cities change and grow.
Urban Ministry. Part 4
Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on Urban Ministry. In this episode, Pastor Walt delves deep into the Biblical accounts of cities … how they were developed, who developed them, and why they developed them. Cities started being developed in Genesis. Babel was a city that built a tower and Satan was the developer. Satan wanted to be on the throne of the city, to sit on the top of the tower. The real power of the culture is in the cities. Cities control the region with their pollical power, economic power, and power over the media. Listen in as Pastor Walt takes us to a deeper understanding of the issues the church doesn’t look at when it comes to Urban Ministry.
Urban Ministry. Part 3
Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on Urban Ministry. He tells us that there are misconceptions about what urban means and urban is changing. The minority is the majority … there is no majority, only minority. We must find new ways to engage with those in our urban centers. The Bible addresses these issues, and the answers are simple but complex. Listen in as Pastor Walt tells us the purpose of the Urban Ministry.
Urban Ministry. Part 2
Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on Urban Ministry. Pastor Walt tells us that we are not battling with people or God … we are battling with evil. Knowing this changes our response to attacks, turmoil, and hardship. The church is waking up to the reality of spiritual warfare. Pastor Walt tells us that there are ‘powers’ that influence and control our urban communities. What are these powers? What can we do about them? How do they affect our urban ministries? Listen in as Pastor Walt answers these questions!
Urban Ministry
Pastor Walt explains that the core, the center of the city is the metropolitan area, the urban area. Urban areas have commerce, city government, and a diverse, multi-cultural population living in close proximity. In an urban area, things change rapidly with constant change, and the church is always adapting and adjusting. Does the church stay or go? An urban center ministry is vital to the church. How does the church deal with issues directly affecting the urban ministry, such as, multi-culturalism, space restrictions, poverty, homelessness, mental illness, drug addiction, density, policing, politics, and city regulations? Listen in as Pastor Walt gives guidance on how to deal with the issues directly affecting the Urban Ministry.
The Woundedness of Men, Part 9
Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on the Woundedness of Men. In this episode, Pastor Walt tells us that men struggle with their identity. For most men, their identity comes from what they do, what they have, and even what they drive. A man’s identity is critical for his self-esteem, his perspective on how he fits into society, and how he sees women. Why do men struggle with who they are? Compared to women, men really are simple creatures … all they want is to be fed, entertained, and loved. If men are told what to do they will usually do it, but society doesn’t tell men what to do, doesn’t tell men how to be a man. Most men feel there’s no place for them, they feel put down, they have no self-esteem, they have no confidence, they often don’t have a father in their life. The most important thing in a man’s life is their significant relationships … with God, other men, their wives, their children. Men are not taught how to be in these relationships. These relationships are central to a man’s identity. Listen in to learn how a man can be in these relationships.
The Woundedness of Men, Part 8
Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on the Woundedness of Men. Pastor Walt tells us that men struggle with insecurity. Why do men feel so insecure? It stems from their wounds, the wounds from the father, other men, women. Men struggle with criticism and rejection. They are intimated by men they see as successful, and feel that other men are better than they are. Men feel like outsiders, like they don’t fit it. Men who reflect on an unfair past hinder their future. Men thrive in victim hood, but they need to learn to use their difficulties to overcome their past. Men need to press ahead, believe in their own worth, and believe that God has made them the head of the family.
The Woundedness of Men, Part 7
Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on the Woundedness of Men. Pastor Walt tells us that wounded men have characteristics that have developed as a result of their woundedness … they can’t have intimacy with other men, they can’t receive correction from older men, they don’t have self-esteem, they have no confidence, they are confused, they don’t know what their role in the home or society is. Pastor Walt shares that the church can help wounded men heal from and be free of these characteristics.
The Woundedness of Men, Part 5
Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on the Woundedness of Men. Pastor Walt asks what do women really want from men? Women say they want a men who can stand up to her, who can stand up for her, who can say no to her, a man who is authentic, who is congruent, who is secure in himself, a man who doesn’t compromise his own values, who asks for clarification, who doesn’t make assumptions, a man who can lead the relationship, who can make decisions, who has his own opinions … a man she can trust. Young men ask how they can approach a woman. Men have wounds from the father, wounds from women, wounds from a distorted view of God. Men don’t know who they are as men. The family is God’s perfect design, and Satin is destroying the family. This affects everybody … the whole structure of society. The church needs to address the breakdown of the family, and needs to address the direction men should take to protect the family.
The Woundedness of Men, Part 6
Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on the Woundedness of Men. In this episode, Pastor Walt shares that women say they feel safer with other women than they do with men. Women say with other women they don’t have to worry about a man who is not caring and using his power in fits of rage. Pastor Walt says that this is a fallen world, and there is a divide and a conflict between men and women. Satan has done a good job of going after the family. God designed the family and men are to be the benevolent leader of the family. Men need to be more caring and more compassionate to the women in their lives.
The Woundedness of Men, Part 4
Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on the Woundedness of Men. Pastor Walt tells us that God did not mess up … we, as a society mess up. This generation of men is vastly different than previous generations. 100 years ago, men needed each other, worked together, talked together, interacted with one another … not now, not in these generations. This generation is compassionate, less judgmental, and more connected to society … but they are not connected to other men. Even the Bible is generational, and churches are also generational. Some men want the connectedness that church can offer, but they don’t want Jesus. Keeping the Gospel center for men of every generation is what will bring men the connectedness they truly desire.
Discipleship
So, what is a disciple? First and foremost, a disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ. Are you a disciple? Are you really following Jesus Christ? Pastor Walt thinks out loud and tells us that being a follower of Jesus Christ will cost us something. It will cost us our time, our energy, and our life.
Gnosticism
What is Gnosticism? Pastor Walt tells us that it is the belief that the flesh is evil and the spirit is good. So, why talk about a subject like Gnosticism in the church? It is really relevant to our lives? The Writers of the New Testament addressed the subject of Gnosticism and the problems and extremes that came out of it. Pastor Walt challenges us to learn something new and something fresh here … listen in and be challenged!
Post-Tribulation
In this episode, Pastor Walt thinks out loud on the subject of Post-Tribulation. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is coming back. But, there is room for disagreement on the subject of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Pastor Walt shares his personal views on this subject, and that his study of the Book of Daniel convinced him that the Post-Tribulation view is his personal view. Jesus talked about His Return all the time. Why doesn’t the church talk about His Return?
The Woundedness of Men, Part 3
Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on the Woundedness of Men. Pastor Walt speaks directly to men and shares the men’s hearts are wounded. Young men haven’t learned to receive correction. The father is the one the son watches. The father is the one who teaches the son. But, many fathers are missing in the family. God created the family unit and that was His plan, but when you have the head of the family missing, something is missing in the family. The son hasn’t learned how to connect with other men. The son, as the father, are isolated and don’t have close relationships. The place for sons to learn how to be close with other men is in the church. The church can help young men become the man they were meant to be.
The Woundedness of Men, Part 2
Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on the Woundedness of Men. Real men are supposed to be strong, courageous, competent, and masterful. Real men are not supposed to show emotions, just keep it all bottled up inside. Real men don't eat quiche. Most men don’t have any male friends, they don’t know how to be a friend to other men. Most men don’t know how to engage other men … they just talk about sports or politics but nothing meaningful. How are men supposed to relate to one another? How do young men learn how to relate to other men? Fathers are models for their sons, but many fathers don’t father their sons. Culture messes with manhood, the regression of society allows men to not be present and accountable. There has to be a place for men … that place is the church. The church teaches morals and values and older men give younger men mentoring relationships, and helps them to find their role in society, in the family, and in relationship with other men.
The Woundedness of Men, Part 1
In this episode, Pastor Walt shares that it's not a man's world anymore. Men seem to be less like men, and men have been emasculated for several decades. Pastor Walt asks why would a man want to be more effeminate? This is Satan’s strategy. His strategy is to confuse and counterfeit what God has created. Pastor Walt tells us that men are actually looking for clear direction. Men who are leaders in the church need to give men clear direction, and if men accept the direction, things will change. Young men need to be mentored and helped to overcome their woundedness. It’s a matter of discipleship and guidance to help young men grow to be men.
Socialism
In this episode, Pastor Walt provides us with an in-depth history lesson on socialism and communism and helps us understand that the prelude for both systems were brutal, oppressive governments. Socialism in our culture is very different than the socialism described in the Bible. Our worldview is formed more by our political leanings than the Bible’s worldview. He discusses that socialism has to get rid of God at some time, because in order to function, the system needs to have its subjects’ loyalty … not the Christian’s loyalty of first to God and second to government.
Discernment
What is discernment? In this episode, Pastor Walt thinks out loud and helps us understand what discernment is. He explains that discernment is the ability to differentiate between what is of God and what is not of God. There are two sides … God and Good, Satan and Evil. Satan actually presents himself as a righteous entity, so how do we know when we’re on the right side of truth? You’ll find that Satan takes the truth of God and turns it into a lie. But, he clothes those lies with religious and spiritual language. Listen in and learn how to discern!
Immigration
Immigration is a troubling and difficult issue for Christians in America. Pastor Walt thinks out loud and gives us a very easy solution to the immigration issue, but this solution is too difficult for politicians. Different countries have different responses to their immigration issues, and the United States is not tyrannical to illegal immigrants. Over the years, Presidents have dealt in different ways with America’s immigration issue … some with good results, some not so good results. Does America have the right to have borders and laws, and to enforce those laws? Well, listen and learn!
Despair
We have an epidemic of despair in our culture. People from all walks of life and all ages are experiencing despair. Mental illness is rising in our country, and in some areas suicide rates are higher than homicide rates. Why? Why now? What's the change that people feel in our culture now? In this episode, Pastor Walt thinks out loud and helps us understand what's happening in our culture now that's causing so much despair.
Homosexuality and the Church
More and more people everywhere are accepting homosexuality. Today, more than half of Christians agree with same sex marriage. Why is this such a big issue for the church? History shows that homosexuality has not been good for any culture. Why should the church be concerned? Because of moral rot in society. There will come a tipping point in our culture, but the voices sounding the alarm now will not be around when that tipping point occurs. The church needs to be the moral voice in society. If there is no moral voice in society, then everything becomes more evil. Why is the church accepting this? It begins in the pulpit. Pastors are afraid to preach the truth, and there is no conviction. That’s the problem. We can dance around the issue of homosexuality, but the Bible is crystal clear that it's wrong. Those who preach the truth are becoming fewer and fewer. Pastor Walt thinks out loud on the issue of homosexuality and the church.
You’re Good
You think your good. I’ve got bad news ... you are not good. God created everything and said it is good. Then God created man and said it is very good. And then right away, man messed everything up. Most people think they're pretty good. That’s the kind of message they hear in church … that they’re so good. We want to be told we’re good, we don’t want to be told we’re a sinner. That's one of the key problems with the church today ... telling us we’re so good. Pastor Walt thinks out loud and helps us to understand that the prerequisite to actually being good is recognizing what we’ve done wrong.
The Gospel of Luke
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt introduces us to Luke. The Apostle Luke wrote the Gospel According to Luke, as well as the Book of Acts. He was a Gentile and a physician who writes an historical account of periods of time and historical figures in those periods of time. Luke writes of the origins, birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. His methodical approach to his writings provides us with reports far more about Jesus’ life than all the other Gospel writers combined.
The Horror of The Cross
In this episode, Riley Carpenter talks about the horror of The Cross. The heart of Christianity is The Cross of Christ. The horror of The Cross is that it is a horrific event, and it was done to Christ … for us. Christ suffers greatly at the height of the horror, and His suffering was for us. Do you think you can perfectly obey the Law of God? You can do good deeds, but if you don’t believe in Jesus, you are cursed. What are you trusting in that will save you? Only your belief in Jesus will save you. He is the salvation. Our salvation is Christ … period.
The Prophecy of Simeon
In this episode, Pastor Brandon Porter talks about the prophecy of Simeon. In the Gospel of Luke, he writes about Simeon. Simeon was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. God had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. The Spirit led him to the Temple, so when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, and said that he could die in peace because he had seen the Messiah. All that Simeon longed for is wrapped up in this baby he now holds in His arms. Like Simeon, we rejoice in His coming, and like Simeon, we long for the day when He will come again.
The Word of God
Pastor Walt asks are we taking Scripture seriously? The Word of God is the only rule to direct us on how we can glory Him. To fear God and obey God is the whole duty of man. The Bible was taught differently in the early church than taught now … if taught at all. So, if the Bible is taught, what is the expectation of the listeners? In today’s church, there is no expectation of the listener, no expectation of transformation. The early church taught the Bible as an apprenticeship to the listener … the teaching and the doing. Today’s church may do the teaching, but does not do the doing.
Passing the Vision
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt talks about passing the vision … passing the vision to the next generation. Jesus passed the vision to His disciples. The church needs succession plans, plans to pass the vision of the Gospel to the next generation. The Elders of the church need to share their wisdom … wisdom which comes from experience and years of following the Lord. This sharing of wisdom is passing the vision to the next generation.
Little Sins
In this episode, Pastor Walt thinks out loud about little sins. Little sins in the hands of leaders can be big sins. Some pastors don’t follow the Scripture mandate, we need to have leaders who follow Scriptures. We may say that we’d do or not do a certain thing … until we get in the pressure cooker. Then we compromise … if you compromise in one area, you’ll compromise in other areas. It's time to come clean about your little sins … little sins lead to bigger sins.
Mentorship
Pastor Walt thinks out loud about mentorship. Wisdom can be attained from older Christians, and older Christians need to grow in wisdom. Older women need to mentor younger women, and older men need to mentor younger men. Everyone in the church is to be a disciple, to stop just drinking it in and start being a teacher. We are to walk in Jesus’ steps. The church needs to lift up their eyes and be aware of who needs mentoring. We are to learn how to mentor and who to mentor.
The Gospel
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt McFadden talks about the Gospel. What does Pastor Walt mean by the Gospel? The Gospel is God’s plan for eternity. Most pastors are free lancing, coming up with their own version of Christianity. Society has taken the direction that we believe what we want, and this has slipped into the church. But the Gospel is a specific message and a specific path to God. We can’t deviate from the message of the Gospel. People are looking for truth … they may not like the truth, but they are looking for truth. When we don’t give them truth, we fail them and we fail God.
To Be a Disciple is to Make Disciples
Pastor Walt thinks out loud on being a disciple. Churches have a problem with walking their talk … the cure is discipleship. We are on a mission from God … to go forth and make disciples. Discipleship requires shepherding the flock, guiding the flock, training them in the Gospel, raising them up, so they in turn become disciples of Jesus who will then also make more disciples of Jesus. This is not to control others, it’s to educate them and to mentor them in being a disciple. They in turn, will do the same … they will go forth and make disciples.
Be Bold!
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt tell us that we are to be bold. In Jesus’ day, Christians were fearful of being persecuted. Still today, in some places in the world, Christians are fearful of being persecuted. But, the world is looking for answers. We need to be bold in our testimony of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit gives us boldness! This is the time to be bold, the time to speak out, the time to identify with Jesus … the time to be a bold Christian.
Fearfulness
Pastor Walt thinks out loud and tells us that we are a nation of fear. Why all this fear? The Bible tells us to fear God and heed His commandments … but we’ve decided not to do that. Fear is everywhere. We’re afraid of COVID, afraid of racial tension, afraid of the riots in our country, afraid of going to war, afraid of nuclear war, afraid of global warming. We wonder what the future holds for us, what will happen to our country. Fear is always going to be around us. Fear is nothing new for us … most of us have lived with fear most of our lives. But, Pastor Walt tells us that God’s people are not to live in fear. God is looking for people who are bold and steadfast and confident in the Lord. Pastor Walt tells us how to be bold and steadfast and confident in the Lord.
Flee and Pursue
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt tells us we must flee and we must pursue. What are we to flee from? What are we to pursue? We are to flee from false teachings and false teachers. We are to pursue righteous, Godliness, faith, love, gentleness, and steadfastness. Flee and pursue are aggressive terms and bear heavy responsibility. Pastor Walt shares the who, what, why, where, when, and how of these aggressive terms.
Godliness
So, what is Godliness? Acting in accordance with the nature of God. Preaching Godliness is risky for most pastors, but the Cityview Church congregation hungers for truth … and Pastor Walt gives them truth. Pastor Walt shares that he just knows when he’s connecting with his congregation. They are tuned in and engaged, and regularly give him feedback … both good and bad! The church, as a whole, has done a poor job of connecting our daily lives back to Christ. It’s more about behavior modification … but that’s not Godliness. The ultimate goal is Christ likeness … to be more like Jesus. Godliness does not grant you a relationship with God … a relationship with God grants you Godliness.
Deception
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt talks about deception. Deception starts with a good idea then turns it into false teaching. So, how do we protect ourselves against deception? How do we know what is false teaching? It has a lot to do with ourselves, with what resonates with us, with what appeals to our belief system. We can’t seem to resist what we are attracted to. False teachings can be provocative, interesting … they seem to be the latest and greatest. But, when we get out of the Word of God, get out of fellowship … we get out of Truth. Society continuously feeds us false teaching … what are you continuously feeding yourself?
The Last Days
Pastor Walt thinks out loud and asks are we in the last hours of the last days of the last days? Well, from the birth of Jesus until the return of Jesus is the last days. Jesus warns us to pay attention and not get distracted by world events or false teachers. So, what’s the ultimate sign of the last days? The Gospel goes out to the ends of the earth. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. ~Matthew 24:14
The Incarnation
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt talks about the incarnation. What is the incarnation? Incarnation means in the flesh … God becoming flesh. God became a man in Jesus to restore the image of God on man. That’s a mystery … the mystery of Godliness is God’s plan. What about the mystery of false teachings? How do we know what is false and what is true? We can’t learn to discern just from going to church on Sunday. We need to have a personal, intense study of God’s Word every day. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
Emotions
Pastor Walt thinks out loud about emotions. The emotions of anger, hurt, fear, anxiety, and guilt are pervasive in our young people. Our young people are suffering from anxiety and depression and have no hope. Many aren’t even sure they want to follow Jesus. They see themselves as victims. So, how can we help our young people? By telling them to care and do for others helps them to focus on others … not themselves. This will help them manage their emotions. And, the most important is to tell them that the Holy Spirit can change them into victorious people who can change themselves and the world.
Doctrine
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt talks about doctrine. He tells us that the church is out of order and it's time to bring it back in order. Doctrine is the values of the church. We have to be careful with different doctrines, but as long as we don’t stray from the Gospel we are staying focused on Christ. There are teachers and there are learners. Teachers need to teach the doctrine of the Gospel, and learners need to learn from the teachers.
Kindness
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Brandon Porter talks about kindness. Kindness doubles when you share it. Kindness reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. Both the giver and receiver of kindness are happier, contented, and feel loved. The Bible tells us that God has called us to be kind, to be kind as our Heavenly Father is kind. Kindness is a character of virtue and we are to teach the young to be kind.
Ordination
Pastor Walt asks what qualifies you for ministry? He explains what the ordination of leadership in the church means. He tells us that leaders in the church must be the right kind of leader. One who is humble, and acknowledges that even their accomplishments are by God’s grace. Honest humility means you don’t placate, you confront issues head-on. You are meek, but meekness means peace through strength. You are peaceful, but at the same time you have strength to confront the issues that need to be confronted.
Servanthood
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt McFadden tells us what servanthood really is and why we are called to be servants. In our society, servanthood is counter-cultural. So, how should church leaders address this issue? Pastor Walt says directly and bluntly. Servanthood is what the church is all about, and servanthood should be expected and honored. We should ask God to make us His servants.
Respect
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Brandon Porter talks about respect. Respect for your elders. Respect for older people. Brandon is a young man who didn’t want to be a pastor, but he answered the call. Brandon shares that we can learn and gain knowledge from older people. Brandon tells us that you can know something and not believe it and your behavior won’t change, but when you know something and believe it you have to act in accordance with your belief. Listen in as Brandon shares what it means to respect your elders.
Flee, Endure, and Fight!
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Riley Carpenter talks about fleeing the things that are evil, enduring in the things that matter, and fighting for the things that will last. Listen in as Riley shares on how we are to flee evil things, how we are to endure for the things that matter, and how we are to fight for the things that last. You'll be surprised on the hows and the whys Christians are to flee, endure, and fight!
Reputation
Pastor Walt thinks out loud about the reputation of leaders in the church. Reputation is about being upright and good, and leadership in the church is based on the leader’s reputation. But what about the leader who is on the wrong side of an issue? How do they preserve and maintain their reputation? How do they save face coming out of the wrong side of an issue? Pastor Walt explains that such a leader needs to humble themselves and ask for forgiveness. They need to pray for humility and ask their congregation for forgiveness.
Leadership
Pastor Walt thinks out loud about Leadership in the church. Often, pastors are asked how they are going to grow the church … that’s the wrong question, that’s not the Kingdom plan. Christ gave us apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists to equip the saints for the working of the ministry and the building up of the church. We are all in the process of building … the plan is quality not quantity. When we deviate from evangelism and discipleship, we need to investigate the unhealthy leadership guiding us.
Sexuality
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt thinks out loud about a topic many Christians feel is taboo. But, Pastor Walt helps us understand that sexuality in a marriage is based on truth, trust, intimacy, and romance. He helps us understand that in order to have healthy sexuality in our marriage, we are to start with truth, truthy, intimacy, and romance.
Male vs Female
Some say there aren’t any differences between men and women. Some say there are. In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt tells us there are! He tells us the issues that men have and the issues that women have … and the differences between their issues. He tells us that both should love and respect each other. You’ll be surprised at how men want to be loved and respected and at how women want to be loved and respected!
Abusive Men
Pastor Walt thinks out loud and talks about abusive men. He shares with us that there is no Scripture that allows for the abuse of men over women. Christian men should never be abusive. He tells us that men should pray with their hands lifted … this is a posture of openness and humility. Anger and quarrelsomeness are traits of abusive men, and the Christian man who holds these traits needs to seek God’s guidance and ask for help to overcome these traits.
Mission
What is the mission of the church? The mission of the church needs to be clear. In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt explains that the mission of the church is to deliver people out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light. People are in captivity to Satan and he rules and reigns over them. We are Representatives of the Kingdom of God. We are Ambassadors of God going into a foreign country ruled by Satan. Our mission is to tell the Good News so people can walk in freedom … freedom from sin, freedom from Satan.
Identity
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt explains that the church has lost its identity. We’re lacking in faith and lacking in courage. We’re not proactive, we’re reactive. We react to the culture. The culture expects us to react and so rather than pray about it, we just react. So, what’s the identity of a disciple? Listen in as Pastor Walt helps us understand what the identity of a disciple is.
Carrying Out the Ministry
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young but set an example for the believers, in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. ~1 Timothy 4:12
Kenneth Granados, who has been a guest speaker at Cityview Church, is a young man who is going forth changing our nation, our world, and our church. Kenneth shares with us that older saints have the wisdom and experience of the ministry and how to carry out the ministry. While younger saints are full of passion and they have the energy to carry out the ministry desires of the older saints. We have to put the older and younger saints together. We need the wisdom and experience coupled with the passion and the energy so we can carry out the ministry in the way that most glorifies the Lord.
Intercession
Intercession. What’s that? Pastor Walt thinks out loud and helps us understand that interceding in prayer is a lost art. We seldom pray together as a congregation. So, how do we pray? The Word teaches us how to pray. We pray according to what Scriptures tell us. The Word tells us to be vocal, to stand up, and to speak our voice out loud to the Lord. Praying together as a powerful group invokes the Holy Spirit and involves taking hold of God’s will and refusing to let go until His will comes to pass.
Fighting for Faith
There is treason in the church … church people are fighting for the causes of the enemy. Does fighting seem right with the Christian mentality? In this episode, Pastor Walt thinks out loud on Fighting for Faith. Scripture is full of stories of fighting. We are in a war … a war of ideas and a war of truth. It’s not a physical fight … it’s a spiritual fight. We are in a spiritual fight between good and evil. We’re not taking people captive … we’re taking ideas against Christian values captive.
Trustworthy
In this episode, Pastor Walt thinks out loud about trustworthy leadership. Trustworthy means deserving of trust or confidence, dependable, and reliable. The leadership in the church must be trustworthy. Trusted that they will focus on bringing order to the church. Some people want answers to the controversial issues of the day, and that’s all well and good, however, we must be able to trust our leadership that they will bring us back to the Gospel. We must be able to trust our leadership that they will preach the Gospel of good news, grace, and the Gospel that calls us back to the Cross.
Myths
So, what’s a myth? It’s a widely held but false belief or idea, an invented story, idea, or concept, an unproved or false collective belief that is used to justify a social institution. Pastor Walt thinks out loud on pastors who preach speculation as if it were truth. Some young pastors react to the social issues of the day, and their response is not always the right response. They try and placate the people … to sooth and appease. Pastors are not in the pulpit to sooth and appease … they are there to bring the truth of the Gospel.
My Child
Pastor Walt talks about the Apostle Paul having many disciples, but he only calls Timothy and Titus, my child. So, what did the Apostle Paul see in Timothy and Titus? He saw faithfulness, character, love for the Lord, and the capability to carry the torch to the next generation. The church has faltered in this area … we haven’t done a proper job in preparing for the future. We have only entertained our young people and not trained them to carry the torch. We need to give them depth, and challenges, and call them to their very important work … to carry the torch to the next generation.
Grace
In this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt shares about grace. The Apostle Paul offered grace and peace to all the churches. Most people don’t understand what grace really is. We are freely given grace by God, and we are to freely give grace to others. A lot of Christians are not forgiving people, not accepting people, and there’s always an enemy out there. But we are to grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus. We are to practice what we preach.
Spiritual Gifts
Pastor Walt thinks out loud about the spiritual gifts. There are those who believe the spiritual gifts ceased with the Apostles, but we believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit continue to this day. The Bible teaches about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and about the operation of the gifts. Each believer has been given a gift or gifts from the Holy Spirit, and we are to pursue our spiritual gifts. The gifts are an outward demonstration of the work of the Holy Spirit.
Investing in Our Youth
In this episode, Pastor Walt thinks out loud on the topic of investing in our youth. There is a transfer of power and authority from one generation to the next generation in the church. The church needs to invest in its youth so they are equipped to take over and spread the Gospel. Pastors need to mentor young people to become leaders in the church. The absence of an effective spiritual leader means that young men and young women don’t learn how to be Godly men and Godly women. Investing in our youth means teaching them the plans of God for male, for female, for the family, and for the church.
Culture
Pastor Walt thinks out loud on the topic of culture and politics. Some Christians hold their loyalties to government … not to God. The church should be separate from politics, but now there is such a mingling together of church and state that we can’t seem to bring the Gospel outside of our political ideologies. The church is caving to the social pressure to conform to the ideologies or the current generation, and the church needs to open its eyes to the danger of doing this. Our job is to bring the Good News of the Gospel to the culture, and not allow our personal politics to interfere with our job.
What’s Going on Now?
Pastor Walt thinks out loud and asks what’s going on now? The world has changed and is changing right in front of our eyes. Every time period has its changes, but with technology and social media something is different now. The stage is being set for the possible return of Our Lord in our lifetime. God will use nations to set the stage, and God is using America to set the stage. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
The Lost Art of Shepherding
In this episode, Pastor Walt thinks out loud on the lost art of shepherding a congregation. What does shepherding a congregation really mean? We usually think of the leader of the church as being the shepherd, but we’re going to see more shepherds … not just one. God is taking things back to the grass roots, back to the common, ordinary folks in the church. The shepherd is with the sheep, but some pastors want to be away from the sheep, protected from the sheep. So, who is actually shepherding? The common, ordinary folks in the church.
Cultural Perspective
Pastor Walt thinks out loud and talks about the cultural perspective. Culture see the church as an organization that is out of touch with the reality of the 21st Century. There are elements in our society that are eradicating the church’s history and even trying to eradicate the church itself. So, why is God allowing this? We reap what we sow, and judgement is on our nation. The idols of Americans … politics, sports, and Hollywood negatively affect the culture. The church is ineffective in speaking God’s voice into the culture, and we are not defining clearly what God is saying. We are called to be counter-cultural … we are not to go with the flow, we are to go against it.
No Compromise
Pastor Walt tells the story of a fast-food chain that was put under pressure by the gay community … they caved and compromised and bowed to their demands. Compromise is an enemy of the church and Christian values. Lot asked for the Plains … Abraham asked for the Mountains. Stick with the Mountains and you’ll do well. The Plains is a trap that starts with simple, little compromises and evolves into stripping you of Christian values. The church has to take a stand against the demands of society that go against our Christian values.
Healing
In this episode, Pastor Walt thinks out loud on healing. The topic of healing is often missing in our churches today. Jesus healed people in the Bible, and He still heals people today … right now. Jesus wants to heal His people. Jesus wants to heal the unbelievers as a demonstration that He is real and He exits. Jesus said you have not because you ask not. By His stripes we are healed.
Suffering
Pastor Walt thinks out loud and tells us that suffering is part of life … physical suffering, emotional suffering, spiritual suffering. Suffering is suffering, pain is pain … it’s relative to the person experiencing the suffering. In the middle of the suffering, you can run from God or you can embrace Him. There are times when God will put on you more than you can handle … this is to teach you to trust Him and know that He will give you peace.
The Kingdom of God, The Kingdom
In this first installment of The Kingdom of God Series, Pastor Walt thinks out loud on The Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is where ever the rule and reign of God is. Our relationship with God is always our first priority … Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God. Jesus taught us to proclaim The Kingdom of God is at hand. Today, our emphasis is about the church, but if we’re going to carry out the mission of Jesus, our emphasis needs to be about building The Kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God, Dispelling Darkness
In this second installment of The Kingdom of God Series, Pastor Walt thinks out loud on how The Kingdom of God dispels darkness. The rule and reign of God is everywhere. God established the earth as a reflection of His glory. But we live in a fallen state. We have sickness, disease, and poverty … these are evidence that we live in a fallen state. Jesus went against the Pharisees who taught that those who were rich and successful were blessed by God, and those who were sick and poor were cursed by God. As a demonstration of The Kingdom of God dispelling darkness, Jesus healed people and blessed the poor.
The Kingdom of God, Pragmatism
In this third installment of The Kingdom of God Series, Pastor Walt thinks out loud on pragmatism. What does pragmatism have to do with the Kingdom of God? Pragmatism means that I have my own belief system and as long as it works for me it’s practical for me, and that makes it right for me. Nobody has the right to tell me otherwise. This brings chaos to the culture, and it’s creeping into the church. We would not have gay marriage or gender reorientation if it wasn’t for pragmatism. I’m gay or I want to change my gender, and who are you to tell me I’m wrong? It works for me, so it’s right for me. There are those who say their doctrine works for them, and nobody has the right to tell them they are wrong. Listen is as Pastor Walt explains how pragmatism is affecting the church.
The Kingdom of God, Pluralism
In this fourth installment of The Kingdom of God Series, Pastor Walt thinks out loud on pluralism. So, what’s pluralism? Pluralism is a political philosophy that embraces social and political inclusiveness, a belief that there should be diverse and competing centers of power in society. So, how does this fit into the Kingdom of God? The Kingdom of God is the center of power. There should be no other competing powers in our life than the Kingdom of God. We live in a pluralistic society … and a pluralistic church with compartmentalized loyalties. Pastor Walt tell us how to deconstruct this compartmentalization and get God in to all areas of our lives.
The Kingdom of God, Obedience
In this final installment of The Kingdom of God Series, Pastor Walt thinks out loud on obedience. Most Christians don’t understand what it means to be obedient to God. Jesus told us to love one another, to follow His teachings, and to obey His commandments. If we love Him, we will obey Him. At the root of our obedience, is our love for Jesus and our desire to follow Him.
Excommunication
Excommunication is expulsion from the church. Pastor Walt tells us the story of a church who believes that they do not perform same-sex marriages. This church allowed some actively gay people who were in same-sex marriages to join the church. There were women who met in the church and a staff member performed the marriage ceremony. Although the pastor didn’t perform the marriage ceremony, he condoned the lifestyle … and was excommunicated. Pastor Walt explains that the church has rules and regulations and our lives are built upon these. But, the church has evolved to having no rules and regulations and people impose their views and perspective on the church. Sinners are welcome so they may hear the Gospel message, but a Born-Again Christian’s life changes into living their life for God.
Why Do You Trust False Prophets?
Is this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt asks is the church today inundated with false prophets? Yes, we have false prophets everywhere. Televangelists on television preaching the prosperity gospel. Social Media moguls shooting off at the mouth with whatever comes into their mind. Then we have the far-left wing of the church who says that anything and everything goes. Listen is as Pastor Walt helps us understand how we can discern who is a false prophet.
Fear
Pastor Walt thinks out loud on the topic of fear. Why are we so scared? We are scared of everything! The Bible says a lot about fear … fear is mentioned 365 times in the Bible. But, the church is acting out of fear. The church is afraid of danger, and wants safety and security. Did Jesus tell us to seek safety and security? No. He told us to seek truth. Some pastors don’t talk about fear because they don’t want to upset the flock … but pastors are to teach the truth.
Obedience
Pastor Walt thinks out loud and asks why are you so naughty? It’s very difficult to be obedient and obedience is hard. The greatest sin of all is acting independently of God … that’s what disobedience is. The idea of following old, antiquated laws is out of touch in today’s world. So, we disobey God and His laws.
God and Money
America is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and Americans are wealthier than 99% of the world. So, why are Americans so bad with money? Pastor Walt thinks out loud and asks we have all this wealth, but what are we doing with it? What’s happening with all our giving? Some prosperity gospel preachers live in opulent homes and some even have private jets. Is this what Jesus meant when He said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God?
The Hard Questions
Whose idea was gay marriage? Whose idea was abortion? These are hard questions that we rarely hear in the church. Pastor Walt thinks out loud and asks who came up with these ideas? Who is the source of these ideas? God? Satan? Pastor Walt helps us understand that most pastors don’t talk about these controversial issues, and what we do and what we don’t do affects how society views the church.
The UnChurched
So, what is the unchurched? Very simply … people who don’t go to church. We have failed in the goal to get the unchurched into the church. Why? Because the idea wasn’t to fulfil the mission of Jesus … the goal was just to get people outside of the church to come inside the church. Pastor Walt thinks out loud and tells us the good changes and the not so good changes the church has done to get the unchurched into church.
Consumerism
What is consumerism in the church? Pastor Walt thinks out loud and tells us that the church is stuck in consumerism. We don’t know how to get out of it, and we don’t know how to talk about it. The bigger a church gets, the bigger its ministries need to get. The church is catering to people rather than getting people to serve. That’s the problem with the church and consumerism.
False Teachers
False teachers look and sound like Biblical teachers. So, how do we discern who is a true teacher and who is a false teacher? We have to look at the fruit of the teacher. Are they building an empire? Are they building their personal resources? Pastor Walt tells us that’s not the role of the shepherd … the shepherd is there to serve the sheep.
Cessationism Part One
Cessationism is an awkward word that defines the belief that the New Testament’s miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit ceased with the Apostolic Age. Pastor Walt thinks out loud and discusses that those miraculous gifts are for today, and that He is still speaking to the Church today and operates in those supernatural gifts from the Holy Spirit.
Cessationism Part Two
Pastor Walt continues thinking out loud about Cessationism. The gifts of the Holy Spirt are instrumental to the church maintaining God’s presence. So, why do some people believe the gifts have ceased? They’ve been duped … the enemy has fooled them. God laid out the master plan of grace and how to serve one another. The gifts mean we operate in the power of the Holy Spirt and not our own power.
Divine Mystery Part One
Divine Mystery is something that faith deals with all the time. Pastor Walt helps us understand that He has made everything beautiful in its time, also He has put eternity into our heart, but we cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. So, God has put it in our hearts to think about eternity and God Himself, but we can’t know all the mysteries of God.
Divine Mystery Part Two
Pastor Walt continues thinking out loud about Divine Mystery. We live in a world where many things cannot be explained, and when we encounter things that cannot be explained we call them a mystery. Mysteries are just that … mysteries. So, why doesn’t God just make everything clear to us? Humans don’t have the capacity to fully understand the nature of God. God did this intentionally … so that we have all of eternity to explore the nature of God.
Politics
Some parents taught their children not to talk about two things … religion and politics. Well, in this episode Pastor Walt talks about both. So, how should Christians handle the discussion of politics? We need to do it in a civil manner, with a balanced and Biblical view.
Manhood Part One
In this three-part series, Pastor Walt thinks out loud on the topic of manhood. This generation is losing the concept of what it means to be a man. Men are being stripped of their God given role to teach their sons how to be a man. Men need to know how to be a man, and the Bible teaches men how to be men.
Manhood Part Two
In this second installment, Pastor Walt shares that we are in the middle of a war on masculinity and that something ominous is happening to men. He shares what drives him to discuss this issue and his own personal experiences. He explains how and where in the Bible men can learn how to be a man.
Manhood Part Three
In this final installment on the topic of manhood, Pastor Walt speaks boldly and unfiltered. He discusses what toxic masculinity is and how it’s evolved in our culture. Men need to be able to say out loud that they are a man, and this gives them confidence to actually be a man. Every man (and woman) can learn something from listening to this series!
The Da Vinci Code
Pastor Walt thinks out loud on the topic of the search for the real Jesus. Some so-called scholars say that the Bible isn’t an actual reflection of Jesus, and the disciple’s teachings of Jesus is an embellished view. So, is the Gospel account of Jesus accurate? Well, listen in and find out!
Abortion
It’s about time we discussed abortion. In this episode, Pastor Walt discusses the morality of abortion. He shares that evil wants to destroy all human life, and abortion is a means for evil to be stealth in its purpose to destroy all human life. He shares that this isn’t an issue of freedom to choose … this is a moral issue, this is an issue about life.
The Method … The Message Part One
Is this Thinking Out Loud episode, Pastor Walt discusses the church and its message and its method. So, what is the method? It’s subject to the current trends in society. What is the attraction? Is Jesus the attraction to our churches? What is the message? Are we are making to easy for people to come to faith in Jesus? We are superficial in our faith. Pastor Walt helps us understand that the Gospel is free … but it will cost us everything.
The Method … The Message Part Two
Pastor Walt continues thinking out loud on the subject of the method and message of the church. He delves deep into this subject, and asks ... What is the overall message that we’re hearing? Is it opposed or in line with Jesus’ message?
Israel Part One
Pastor Walt discusses the importance of Israel to the church. He gives an overview of the history of Israel and his perspective on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Does Israel have the right to exist? What is our response as a Christian? What is Israel’s future in relation to the church? Pastor Walt thinks out loud and answers these questions.
Israel Part Two
Pastor Walt continues his discussion on the importance of Israel to the church. He talks about the theology of Israel, and Israel’s relationship with the church. Listen and learn about Israel and the church side-by-side.