The Two Talents Pod

Steve Moon is a director/producer/jack of all trades and master of a few. He is dedicated to sharing his life and testimony by being the best movie producer he can be. Steve prioritizes message over method. Steve has overcome many obstacles and does the best with the talents God has given him and in turn, gives God all the glory. Jump behind the scenes as we pick Steve's brain about his life, experiences, and how he tries to share God's message in his movies!

Seth Sparrer wears many hats. He is a youth leader, he will be preaching at a revival shortly and is currently finishing a book, "Plugging Into God". Seth is passionate about gaming, youth, but most importantly, reaching people and sharing Christ with them. He shares his thoughts on youth ministry and some of the concepts he has been implementing to bring youth to Christ and keep them plugged into God!

Well. That was awkward. You've been in the Bible for a few weeks now, gaining all kinds of exciting information and life stories that are easily interpreted. Anddddd... now they're talking about foreskins, and she bears, and sandals. Oh my! What do these crazy stories in the Bible mean? Is there really a lesson we can learn from all of it? Jon and Danny have some, well, let's call it "interesting" takes on these questions and more. Buckle up and get ready for a more lighthearted and laugh inducing episode!

Sometimes things just simply don't work out. Time stands still for no one and nothing. Churches grow, and churches die. So what does that look like realistically? Is just shutting the doors the only option out there? What resources are available? Is it all your fault? Jon has done extensive research to answer these questions and even more!

It was an honor and a privilege to share the pulpit where many great men stood before. But how did it really go? Is this something long term or short term? What does it look like to prepare for a Sunday morning service? Take a look behind the curtain of what it was like to preach in a church for the first time and ride the roller coaster of emotions with us!

Life as a Christian can be hard. It's like adding one more task to a never-ending list. Should following Christ feel burdensome? What are some practical ways to mitigate stress and burn out? And what if you've been screwing up? Well, you're not alone! Let's work it out wombat together!

Sometimes it's cozy under your rock where nobody can see you. They can't see your thoughts, your actions, nobody will ever know. Right? WRONG! There is no rock and the sky is falling! Well, maybe it's not quite that detrimental. Jon and Danny have some thoughts on sin, how to combat it, and how to crawl out from under that rock!

Churches in America, in general, are on a downward trajectory. Numbers are dwindling, people are unmotivated, and the few who are volunteering are burnt out and overworked. What is the root cause of this sad trend? Are other churches experiencing the same? Is there any hope for revival in American churches? What can we do to help turn this ship around? Come and let us reason together!

Jesus is a conservative right? Well, maybe he would have leaned more left. Or maybe he wouldn't have been into politics at all! The world of Christianity and politics can be confusing, divisive, hurtful and downright depressing. How can we possibly navigate these topics with gentleness, kindness, love and compassion? Can you be a Democrat or a Republican AND a Christian? Danny and Jon have some thoughts that will help clear the muddy water.

Stephen has been boots on the ground for the start-up of a new church. Jon and Danny are stoked to pick his brain on what brought this new ministry about. How do you start a new church or new group? What are some struggles to expect and how do you overcome that? What strategies can we implement to bring growth to the church? HOW DO WE SOLVE ALL OF THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS?! Two talents has (some) of the answers.

Should everyone who attends church be volunteering their extra time? Who should be doing which jobs and how do you know if you're in the right place at your church? Volunteering can be a rewarding yet complex subject when talking about being a servant in the church. Let's try to break things down together and figure out the nuances of volunteering!

Being a Christian is hard. Being a leader is hard. Being a Christian leader? You guessed it, also difficult. How can you continue to push forward through all of the obstacles life throws at you? Was it meant to be this difficult? If you're struggling to continue running your race, this episode is for you!

Working for the Lord can be hard. It's often a thankless job. Most people won't see the blood, sweat and tears that go into being a youth leader, bible study host, pastor or any of the other jobs that keep a healthy church going. How can you cope with being undervalued or underappreciated? Is it normal or healthy to think this way? Is it a sin to feel like you should be valued more? If these questions hit home, you've found the right place!

What does biblical marriage look like in the real world? What are some practical ways to improve your marriage? Jon, Danny and Erin, Jon's lovely wife, talk about some pitfalls to avoid and things they have learned over the years in their marriages.

What's the best way to read scripture? Is force feeding yourself the word healthy? Jon and Danny have different perspectives on the best way to eat an elephant. Join us for discussion and be sure to comment your favorite way to study God's word on our instagram!

Rizz? Skibidi toilet? Fleek? What is going on! Times and language change very quickly through generations. Can the same be said about the Bible? How can we interpret and trust what we're reading? If you've had questions like this or similar, you're in the right place! No cap!

Are you looking for advice on fundraisers that are worth your while? What should the purpose of fundraising be and how can you be sure to use those funds according to God's will? Tap in to hear what Danny and Jon have tried and learn from their mistakes instead of your own!

Whether you've recently changed jobs and moved or you've experienced church hurt and taken a hiatus, you find yourself ready to get back on the horse and get into church again. Most towns have dozens upon dozens of churches. So how do you decide where to go? How do you decide who to entrust with you and your family's spiritual welfare? Today's episode addresses those questions and many others!

Being a Christian is supposed to be a daily walk. You should be a Christian when you're at home, at church, grocery shopping and yes, even at work. Today's environment has complicated things. Can you still share your faith? What are the best methods in being able to share the good news with coworkers and customers? What if you screw things up? If these questions seem familiar, you're in the right place!

What was the driving force bringing Danny and Jon together? Why, of course it was the parable of the two talents! Strap in as we discuss what exactly does the parable of the two talents mean and how can we be disciples for Christ in a useful way, even in the most difficult of times?

Reality is, life is stressful. Being a parent, employee, boss, husband, wife, etc. It all starts piling up. What happens when stress boils over to a burnout? How can we mitigate burnout and what does the Bible have to say about all of this? Let's shoulder this burden together and discuss!

Our good friend Jacob had the privilege of being a supply pastor at our local church, First Baptist Church of Rockingham. We wanted to take this opportunity to pick his brain and go behind the scenes of how he prepared. What makes someone worthy to preach a sermon? How should one go about leading a congregation or group? Let's ask Jacob!

Accepting Christ can be overwhelming. There is a lot of emotion and feelings happening. You may feel crowded, nervous, excited, all of the above. How long does this last? Should you be perfect now and if you're not, does that mean you're doing something wrong? If these questions feel familiar, this episode is for you. We discuss salvation and what to expect as you begin your faith journey!

Do you have a friend or family member who is struggling in their faith? Are you worried about someone and want to share God's love with them but don't know how? This is the episode for you! Jon and Danny break down Romans Road to help lead others to Christ in a compassionate, simple and linear way. 

As some may know, Jon has had a recent life change and in turn, the show will be making some adjustments. Everything is fine, and maybe even better! As we have reflected on this past year of making episodes, we have pivoted in our mission. Listen in to hear all the changes, both from a personal standpoint and from the show's perspective going forward!

Jon and Charlaine return from their mission trip in Red Springs NC. They've got stories to share, both positive and negative. We wanted to sit down and show some of the behind the scenes of how debriefing a trip should look like to be constructive, positive, and beneficial for future group trips. 

Resolving conflict can be a daunting task. It can be even more difficult when it involves people you care deeply for. Jon and Danny discuss what the Bible says about conflict resolution and how we can apply it practically both in the church and in our personal lives. 

Clay is Jon's current mentor. He is a man of faith who has dedicated his life to the church but also to mentoring younger generations to help them be their best selves. This episode touches on what that relationship looks like and some practical ways that Jon and Clay's relationship have benefited them. 

Mission work is one of, if not the, most important aspect of Christianity. We're called to make disciples of Christ. So how do we prepare ourselves for mission trips or even for local witnessing? We discuss some of the actions to take to prepare your heart and soul to do the Lord's work!

Games and fun are a large part of youth groups today. How do you effectively grow your group while maintaining the balance between fun and Jesus? It's an age old question that Jon and Danny attempt to tackle through experience!

Church University has come and gone. A lot of work, stress and hopefully, lives changed. Now that the dust has settled, what worked? What didn't? We sit down with Charlaine who was an integral part of the production and break down the week!

Church university is a tool to equip young people for the life ahead. It's a crash course in utilizing scripture and spiritual life in real and practical ways. In this episode, Jon tells us what all he has planned for this event. Jon and Danny discuss what they were like in their younger years, what they wish they could have been taught sooner, and it goes off the rails as coffee and sugar combine for many other off topic subjects! You won't want to miss this fun and engaging conversation!

Have you been struggling with juggling the different aspects in your life? Are you putting too much time and effort into work and beginning to burn yourself out? It happens to the best of us. Jon and Danny talk about season in their lives where they have felt the same and give real life, simple ways to manage these stressful days!

Jacob Goodwin is a good friend of ours and, more importantly, very well educated in the Bible. In this episode we discuss his background in coming to Christ and how his perspective has changed over the years. This episode has a lot of great insight and a lot of laughs, you won't want to miss out!

The 3rd and final part in our series about situational crisis'. Theressa really pulls things together and gives amazing insight into how to handle tough topics and when to reach out to DSS or other organizations. If you've ever wondered when you should get involved for a loved one or student's situation, this is the episode for you!

Have you ever known someone who has had a tough upbringing, or do you know a child who is dealing with abuse? These situations can be very difficult to maneuver and navigate. Jon and Danny attempt to sift through some of the questions and concerns we have while trying to serve Christ and help others who are in bad home settings.

In today's society, you can never be too careful. So how do you protect yourself from allegations and dangerous situations? We discuss things that have happened in our lives and different strategies to ensure you Cover Your Arse!

What is integrity and what does it mean to have integrity? We break down our thoughts and search the scriptures to try and bring clarity to the word!

Our good friend Jeff Hutchins has an advisory business in which he assists and gives counsel to individuals, groups and churches. He has a ton of experience in every aspect of the church. Listen in as he answers a bunch of questions we throw at him including "How can we solve all of the world's problems?" The answers might surprise you!

What is the purpose of church funds and how can you be certain you're using it appropriately? We dive into these and other difficult questions so tag along on this episode based around budgeting and financing your ministry!

Group dynamics can be difficult to navigate. How do you lead effectively? Are there steps you can take to bring others to Christ and also have fun and help your pupils or other group members? Jon and Danny have an open and honest conversation on things they have learned both as leaders of a youth group and also as students in bible study groups and men's fellowship.

Jeff James has a great deal of experience leading and teaching youth groups. We wanted to pick his brain to learn about some of his greatest successes as a leader and also hear his perspective on modern day group leadership!

Group leadership can be fun and rewarding but it can also be difficult. Having a flock that you're responsible for can be daunting. Let's chat about ways we can mitigate danger and ensure we are tending our flock properly and harboring a safe environment for our groups!

The Bible instructs us to love God and love our neighbor. These are the greatest commandments. However, how do we love our neighbor if we don't understand who they are or what our community consists of? Jon and Danny deep dive into some numbers from their local city and county to see who their neighbors are and what they struggle or succeed in. This gives us greater understanding of how to reach the lost locally. 

Tag along with us as we interview our special guest Mark. Mark is wise, kind, and has hosted our local men's fellowship group. We had some questions about how he brought that to fruition and how others can be successful if they want to start a small group. Let's go!   3:30 What are your favorite things that have come from our bible study? 9:00 Why should someone start a small group? 21:20 What are the vital signs of a healthy small group? 36:55 What should a person who is looking to start a small group do first? 41:30 What are some things you've learned about effective small group leading that you didn't know before starting the group?

Join Danny and Jon as we talk about discipleship. What does it mean to be a disciple and how do you seek out help and mentorship? Let's find out!   2:45 What is a disciple? 7:45 Why are we doing a full episode on discipleship? 21:20 Who has been a mentor to you in your life? 30:50 Who have you discipled? 45:50 How would someone go about finding a mentor? 59:15 What are some methods or resources someone could use to disciple others well?

Join Jon and Danny as we introduce ourselves to the audience. We dig into the "why" we're doing a podcast and start conversating about our credentials and passions. We hope you enjoy this first episode of "Two Talents".   7:15 Q1: What are your passions in life and ministry? 13:20 Q2: How can we benefit the listeners of this podcast? 23:50 Q3: What episodes are you looking forward to the most? 29:25 Q4: What do you want to get out of leading a podcast?