In this episode Matt invites those who have a heart for the modern reformation to gather on Friday, November 8th to a discussion to examine our questions on Zoom from 1:00 to 2:00 EST. The discussion will be lead by Ajah Hales and Heather Johnston. As part of this, Matt shares a few passages that demonstrate how Jesus examines the questions of individuals and groups. Matt also calls you to action by: 1. Asking you to pray for Ajah and Lindsey as they prepare for the conversation. 2. Invite people to join us on the 8th of November and pray for them. 3. Come fully ready to participate. Please clear your calendars. 4. Use the conversation starters about Christ redefining our questions in small groups within the Christian community. The discussion questions can be found at: https://mvpresby.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Questions-Define-Us-Small-Group-Discussion.pdf 5. Please donate to hurricane victims through the Presbyterian Disaster Assistants ministry at: https://pda.pcusa.org A transcript of this episode can be found at: https://mvpresby.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Questions-Define-Us-Transcript.pdf For a Zoom Link to the conversation please mail na@mvpresby.org.

An invitation to critique and debate the current state of the church, challenging its assumptions and calling for a reformation. The speaker, Matt Skolnik, expresses his deep love for the church while highlighting the need to question inherited power dynamics and fundamental beliefs. He references historical contexts, such as Martin Luther's 97 Theses, to emphasize the importance of challenging assumptions. Skolnik calls for substantial debates within the church and invites participation in what he terms "Our 97," with the goal of fostering a more faithful and just Christian community. The description concludes with a prayer for unity and humility in pursuing positive change.

In this episode, the panel delves into an engaging conversation about power in the church and society, featuring insights from Lindsay Anderson, Ajah Hales, Heather Johnston, and Matt Skolnik. The discussion covers the church's historical relationship with power, the struggle with white supremacy in the Presbyterian denomination, and rethinking monetary stewardship. Practical steps for addressing power issues, including developing genuine and reciprocal relationships, having mentors, and letting go of white guilt, are also explored. 00:12 Introduction to Power in the Church and Society 00:30 Historical Context: Constantine and the Church's Struggle with Power 01:20 Panel Discussion: Historical Misuse of Power and White Supremacy 01:59 Opening Prayer by Lindsay 02:42 Introduction of Panelists 02:51 Panelists' Experiences and Initial Thoughts on Power 05:10 The Struggle with White Supremacy in the Presbyterian Denomination 06:05 Theological Reflections on Power and Control 10:03 Financial Stewardship and Racial Capitalism 11:36 Challenges of Small Churches and Pastoral Leadership 12:30 Confusing Control with Power 15:00 The Role of Wealth and Privilege in the Church 21:19 The Church's Relationship with Empire and Oppression 26:32 Power in Numbers and the Future of the Church 26:59 Addressing Racism and Social Justice in the Church 32:46 Understanding Leadership and Society's Expectations 33:10 Biblical Insights on Pride and Help 34:12 The Spiritual Cost of Oppression 36:39 Personal Stories and Reflections on Racism 38:59 Practical Steps for Anti-Racism Work 39:45 The Role of White Guilt in Anti-Racism 42:01 The Importance of Genuine Relationships 45:06 Building Racial Resilience 47:31 Addressing Poverty and Control 55:36 Final Thoughts and Actionable Steps 57:19 Closing Prayer for Unity and Compassion