Mark Andrew Pope

In With the New - Out With the Old(?)

markandrewpope — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:14:07 +0000

Two diametrically opposed approaches to where to put church resources - getting new people or taking care of your current membership. Some churches take a side…. Aron and Mark hash it out - and meanwhile announce some BIG news!!

(For more, go to: http://www.markandrewpope.com/podcast/podcast.php)

Bright Shiny New Churches. Investment or waste?

markandrewpope — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:17:16 +0000

Mark and Aron ponder the idea of new churches. There are plenty of shrinking congregations - do Christians need to build, build, build to reach people?

Veni Sancte… WHAT?

markandrewpope — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:11:55 +0000

Aron and Mark talk about the Holy Spirit… After all, it’s Pentecost Sunday today - what better time to delve into this very mysterious part of the Holy Trinity?? Weigh in on topics like - is the Holy Spirit masculine or feminine? And, does Mark have the financial plan that could save the USA?

Is Some Music Not Appropriate for Worship?

markandrewpope — Mon, 25 May 2009 18:31:16 +0000

Realizing that both Aron and Mark come from more traditional backgrounds - we find that we actually have some interesting and unexpected views on music and worship…

Links to included music in this podcast:

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Loved-Hymns/dp/B000058BGQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1243276352&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Johann-David-Heinichen-Lamentationes-etc/dp/B0000057F1/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1243276387&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Hymns-Marvin-Matthews-Friends/dp/B00005S0L7/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1243276499&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/There-Among-Goose-Worsip-Group/dp/B00004SAYQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1243276536&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Praise-What-Shekinah-Glory-Ministry/dp/B00005NGXO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1243276569&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Sing-Ye-Heavens-Hymns-Time/dp/B00004WGEZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1243276595&sr=1-1

Accountability… “Hey, you talkin’ to me?”

markandrewpope — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:55:03 +0000

Even at church, we find ourselves accountable to each other - for spiritual things as well as simple things like… I don’t know… how we treat others. Problem is, if no one holds you accountable for your spiritual life, does it grow? Aron and Mark chat about it… join in!

We’re Dropping the E-Bomb…

markandrewpope — Mon, 11 May 2009 19:49:18 +0000

Aron and Mark have another scintillating podcast where we utter and discuss what some consider to be the Church’s dirty word… Evangelism. Outreach and witness have a nicer ring to them, but let’s be honest - they mean the same thing as evangelism. But, evangelism has been given a bad reputation. We talk about why we think that is and have a little fun talking about why Christians should evangelize/witness/reach out in the first place…

On the Seventh Day, God did some…yard work (??)

markandrewpope — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:35:17 +0000

Ok - so, I suppose that the title could be considered a bit heretical. Sorry about that! But, I have been wrestling with what role the Sabbath plays in the life of Christians. Do we ignore it because it is part of the “Old Testament”? I mean - it is literally one of the 10 commandments. The “10 big ones!!”

We get a view of Jesus doing things like healing people on the Sabbath - so, does that give us the right to do pretty much whatever we please because Jesus “did something” on the Sabbath? I mean, I think that most of us (yes, I’m including myself) regard Sunday morning as a holy time - but once we get home and have some lunch, the day’s wide open for go-carting, going to the park, laundry or… ugh… yard work. (Which is what I spent some of my Sabbath doing this week…)

Is this “kosher”? Are we to keep the Sabbath holy? And by that, I mean the whole thing?!?

Prosperity Gospel?? I think not!

markandrewpope — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:44:46 +0000

We came across this rather interesting video about the prosperity gospel the other day. Mark actually put it on his blog - and then we decided to talk about it. John Piper did an EXCELLENT job summing up exactly what the “Prosperity Gospel” is, how it effects Christianity and exactly how he feels about it. Check out Dr. Piper’s website: http://www.desiringgod.org/ and let us know what YOU think about this….

Selling the Church

markandrewpope — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 05:15:44 +0000

Aron and Mark talk about some of the difficulties churches face when “getting the Word out” through any sort of marketing. Are there lines that we cross? Should we be marketing via mass or social media? What is marketing’s role in ministry? Your ideas welcome!

Holy Week, Batman!

markandrewpope — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:39:38 +0000

This week in our podcast, Aron and I talk about Holy Week - some of the traditions and themes…

Also, at the end, I share some of my favorite Lenten music. Here are links to the music that I shared:

Pergolesi: Stabat Mater

Rossini: Stabat Mater

Rutter: Requiem Sing, Ye Heavens (Hymn Collection)

Lloyd-Webber: Requiem

Hymns Through the Ages (Hymn Collection)

Beyond Chant (Collection of Renaissance Choral Music)

Hope you’ll check out this music and observe Holy Week with a new found depth, understanding and spiritual fulfillment.

LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST HERE.

Open Arms… visitor followup

markandrewpope — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:24:41 +0000

Ok, so we’re using an old Journey song to title our podcast about following up with visitors. It seems to make sense. Churches want, if nothing else, to have open arms for everyone - but especially those who are worshipping among us! But, where’s the line between being welcoming and open and harassing visitors? Aron and Mark have a few opinions about this…

Worship IS an Action Verb

markandrewpope — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:57:00 +0000

This week Mark and Aron try to remind everyone that worship shouldn’t be viewed as a noun. It’s not an event to attend, but rather a time to engage. And, in usual Aron and Mark fashion, we follow a few rabbit trails and talk a little bit about that scary word - “liturgy”. Maybe it’s not actually that scary… you decide!!

21st Century Tech @ Church: With Frikkin Lasers*

markandrewpope — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 01:49:17 +0000

We are surrounded with technology that was the stuff of science fiction not all that long ago. How best can we use these advances to enhance the worship hour, build community, and reach out to the world? More important, how do we do all this without - y’know - being evil? Join Mark and Aron as they explore modern technology’s application to our Christian mission.

(*) With apologies to Dr. Evil.

Writing a Song

markandrewpope — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:25:56 +0000

With Aron out of town, Mark leads you through the metamorphosis of a new song - from start to finish. He starts with a chord progression and every little while, as he wrote, he posted a few minutes of dialogue and music to see how things are coming… take a listen - see what you think and give some comments. Do you like the song? What would you have done differently? Have you written a song? Share you experience!

The song will be available for download TBA. (As Mark finishes his website…)

Also, take a moment and visit the accompanying blog post for this podcast: http://markandrewpope.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/house-of-love/

Feels Like the First Time…

markandrewpope — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:31:30 +0000

Not only is this a title of a great song by the band, Foreigner (circa 1977), it is also a terrific podcast in which Aron and Mark thoughtfully discuss both being a first time visitor and what churches should be mindful of if they have a first time visitor in their midst. It seems like a simple and common enough occurrence, but somehow there are strange and awkward misconceptions on both sides of the experience…

Don’t Give Up This Podcast for LENT!!!

markandrewpope — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:37:44 +0000

Seriously! Don’t! This week we’re talking about the sometimes under-observed time of Lent. As we approach Ash Wednesday and the following 40-ish days until Easter, Aron and Mark turn their attention to a part of the church year that prepares us for the foundation of the Christian faith - the death and resurrection of Christ. What is Lent? What Lent isn’t. What Lent can and should be…

Mind on My Money and Money On My Mind…

markandrewpope — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:34:15 +0000

Have we entered a market-friendly attitude at church? Where is the line between raising money for ministries and creating a marketplace in our churches lobby, fellowship hall or narthex? Jesus reacted strongly to the marketplace in the temple - calling to make the church a “House of Prayer for all the nations…” Have the church gone wrong or are we on the right track? Mark and Aron toss around a few ideas on the topic… join the conversation (http://www.markandrewpope.com)

Putting the FUN Back in Funeral

markandrewpope — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:22:25 +0000

You’ve probably been to a funeral or two… you might have even planned one… What goes into a funeral? Why do we do them? Aron and Mark discuss funeral planning and other observations about this occasion…

Here’s the Free Music I Promised…

markandrewpope — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:03:50 +0000

I have finally come through with my 1 song a month for January and February! Both of those songs and more are posted at: www.markandrewpope.com for FREE download. I hope that you’ll download them, share them with your friends and play them loudly in public. That would be great!!

PopeCast Cage Fight: Traditional vs. Contemporary

markandrewpope — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:24:29 +0000

Which style of worship is more valid? Which is better? Which do you prefer? Traditional or contemporary worship styles? I imagine that our church fathers had the same argument. The day that St. Paul brought a banjo to service was the day that everything changed. Join Mark and Aron for an in depth discussion of the topic recorded in October 2008.