Westview Church Podcast

This might be the most famous miracle story in the Bible—and it doesn’t make sense.   In John’s account of Lazarus, Jesus: •delays when his friend is dying •says things that don’t seem true •weeps even though he knows the ending •raises a man… but leaves others to finish the job   So instead of explaining it, this episode asks seven questions.   Not to resolve the story— but to open it.

In one of the most famous stories in the Bible, a shepherd boy confronts a giant. But the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 is about more than courage. It’s about power—how intimidation works, why systems freeze in fear, and how faith can break the spell of bullying power. In this new reflection from Westview Church, Pastor Marty explores what this ancient story teaches about power, justice, and the quiet ways God still works in the world today.

Why does Jesus call people to follow before explaining anything? In the final episode of Why Matthew, Pastor Marty brings the series together, exploring Matthew’s unique approach to discipleship. This episode reflects on why learning comes through participation, how faith is formed along the way, and why understanding follows commitment—not the other way around.

Matthew ends his Gospel not with comfort, but with a commission. In this episode of Why Matthew, Pastor Marty explores the purpose of the church through Matthew’s lens: not as a faith-maintenance institution, but as a community formed to make disciples. This episode challenges common assumptions about church, mission, and belonging, and invites listeners to reconsider what the church is actually for.

Matthew presents faith not as an idea to agree with, but as a way of life to be practiced. In this episode of Why Matthew, Pastor Marty explores discipleship as a walk—formed through daily practice, questions, failure, and growth. Drawing on the Sermon on the Mount, this episode invites listeners to see faith not as certainty, but as commitment to learning the way of Jesus over time.

Following Jesus doesn’t just change how we think—it changes how we feel. In this episode of Why Matthew, Pastor Marty explores how Matthew understands heartbreak as part of discipleship, not a failure of it. Jesus is repeatedly moved by compassion, grief, and love, and his disciples are formed by learning to see—and feel—the world differently. This episode reflects on what happens when our hearts grow tired or guarded, and how Matthew invites us not to harden, but to widen.

In the Gospel of Matthew, discipleship isn’t measured by how much you know—it’s revealed by how you move, who you stay close to, and how willing you are to be changed. In this episode, Pastor Marty explores the markers Matthew gives us for recognizing real discipleship: movement, proximity to Jesus, imperfect obedience, and outward transformation. This is not about getting faith “right,” but about participating in a way of life that reshapes us for the sake of others. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re actually following—or just maintaining—this episode is for you.

Because it was written for communities under pressure—not perfect people.   New episode of the Westview Podcast with Pastor Marty is available now.

Welcome to the Westview Church Podcast. I’m Pastor Marty. As we enter this new lectionary year, we’re spending time with seven questions about the Gospel of Matthew—a gospel that has shaped so much of our Christian imagination. Matthew gives us Jesus as the new Moses, a teacher forming a people in the midst of upheaval, and a vision of faith that’s orderly, challenging, and deeply human. Each week, we’ll dig into Matthew’s world, its theology, its tensions, and the way it continues to shape who we are as a church today. Thanks for joining!

In a world where truth feels fragile and courage feels rare, this 15-minute Westview Church podcast explores what it means to grow a backbone shaped by Christ Himself. Not the loud, partisan versions of courage we see everywhere, but a deeper, steadier courage rooted in truth, compassion, and integrity.   Pastor Marty walks through seven thoughtful, challenging questions designed to help us stand more firmly, live more honestly, and reflect Jesus more clearly in a culture that often pulls us toward fear or silence. It’s a grounded, hopeful invitation to grow a Christlike spine in an age that desperately needs one.

In this week’s episode, Pastor Marty invites listeners to explore seven deeply personal questions about prayer — not as performance, but as presence. These reflections ask how we can let silence speak, pray from where we really are, and let everyday life become prayer itself. It’s a gentle, honest conversation for anyone who wants to deepen their prayer life without the pressure to “get it right.”   “Prayer begins when you stop trying to sound holy.” — Pastor Marty  

Today we’re asking what happens when the Jesus of Luke meets the theology of Paul — and how their different emphases still shape American Christianity. These are seven questions to help us see what kind of faith Jesus actually modeled, and what kind of power he rejected. This isn’t about pitting scripture against scripture, but about finding the heartbeat of Christ that can still heal a divided church.

In this week’s reflection, Pastor Marty unpacks the heart of Lutheran worship — the rhythm of confession and forgiveness. Why do we begin here? Why do we do it together? What happens when words of grace are spoken aloud before the first hymn? Through seven honest questions, this episode explores how confession grounds our worship, shapes our freedom, and prepares us to meet God at the table.   Grace doesn’t start at the end of the service — it begins at the first breath.

Prayer is more than words—it’s living in God’s presence. Growing in Prayer invites you to explore seven simple questions that deepen your prayer life. Discover when and how to pray, overcome distractions, embrace Scripture and gratitude, and connect with others through prayer. Whether you’re new or experienced, join Pastor Marty and Westview Church for this life-giving study on the Westview Church Podcast.

In this episode of the Westview Church Podcast, Pastor Marty wrestles with seven critical questions about why we read the Bible, what we call Scripture, and how communities decide which texts matter. From scissors in the margins to the way lectionaries and hymnals get chosen, this conversation asks hard questions and leans into honest faith.