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1 Pres Pod

791 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago - ★★★★★ - 12 ratings

The 1 Pres Pod features weekly conversations about life and faith. Bringing our unique and local perspective to these conversations, we seek to expand understanding of and engagement with the life of faith. Episodes include "Rham Asks a Question," "You're Using it Wrong," and more.

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Episodes

Some Good News with Shea Foldvary

March 27, 2024 11:00 - 19 minutes - 18.3 MB

Tasha gets a good news story from the head of the Fort Smith United Way Shae Foldvary. His story focuses on the work of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Get ready to be surprised by its reach in our area!

Between Two Reverends: conversations between Tasha and Phil Blackburn

March 13, 2024 11:00 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MB

Tasha asks Phil to share an update on his work with rural congregations: what he’s learned, what has surprised him, and what exciting opportunities are up next.

Rham Asks a Question: Do I need to fix myself before I can help someone else?

March 06, 2024 16:34 - 17 minutes - 16.6 MB

Tasha and Rham talk about the journey of faith. Are you ever “finished” or an expert? When are you strong enough in your faith to, say…teach children’s Sunday School?

Some Good News: with Maria Martinez

February 28, 2024 12:00 - 22 minutes - 21.3 MB

We are ending each month with some good news from our region. This month the good news comes from our own Maria Martinez, the emotional wellness coordinator at the church. Maria shares updates of what she’s been doing, what she’s learned, and a story of good news.

You're Using it Wrong: Bible Translation

February 21, 2024 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MB

When someone says, "Let me tell you what the Bible says," what do they actually mean? This week, Stephen and Phil talk Bible translations and translation in general. Why are there so many translations of the Bible? Is there one that is "more right" than the others? How can we even begin to choose which one to read? Can we even know what the "Bible says?"

It's Leeeeeennnnnttttt!

February 14, 2024 12:00 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MB

Lent has arrived once more. This week, Phil and Tasha talk about the significance of the season of Lent, what it means, and how it can shape us as followers of Jesus.

Rham Asks a Question: All About Eve

February 07, 2024 12:00 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MB

Why don’t women seem more upset at Eve? Or are they? Should they be? Rham and Tasha discuss the first woman and all the flack she gets.

Christmas and 2024

December 15, 2023 21:40 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MB

In this episode, Phil and Tasha take a look ahead to 2024 and what is in store for the 1 Pres Pod. Then they discuss Christmas and the Christmas season.

God is Not...Religious

November 30, 2023 19:57 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MB

Wait, what?!?!?! Yes, that's right, God is not religious, so if you are someone who is saying, "I am not religious," congratulations, God is with you on this one.

God is not...Capitalist

November 23, 2023 19:00 - 21 minutes - 19.8 MB

Did you think God was a capitalist? Probably not. So, why do we need to talk about it? Well, it's more insidious than you might imagine. Check it out.

God is Not...American

November 16, 2023 20:21 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MB

This week Phil and Tasha continue their look at things God is not, with a conversation about God NOT having a nationality. What does that mean? How does it affect our discipleship? What hard choices does it mean for us?

God is not...Nice

November 09, 2023 17:49 - 23 minutes - 22.1 MB

Wait, what? God isn't nice? What are we even doing here? IDK

God is not...One of Us

November 04, 2023 19:02 - 19 minutes - 18.3 MB

This week Phil and Tasha talk about the risks we take when we imagine ourselves to be too similar to God. Building off the lyrics from the famous Joan Osborne song, they will talk about the perils of domestication, and the importance of awe and wonder.

God is Not...Week 1

October 26, 2023 19:58 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MB

Let's spend some time doing something differently. Instead of talking about who and what God is, let's talk about who and what God is NOT. This is actually an ancient theological practice that is largely forgotten in modern theology. Talking about what God is not can help expand our understanding of God as well as cultivate a sense of awe or wonder in our faith. Join Phil and Tasha as they explore and discuss this important part of our theological heritage.

Great Ends of the Church Week 6: The Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world

October 19, 2023 14:08 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MB

Better late than never! Phil and Tasha wrap up their series on the Church's job description with this conversation about the Kingdom of Heaven. What exactly is the Kingdom of Heaven? How do we show it to the world? What does it mean for our lives? They will discuss these things + Taylor Swift. Check it out.

Special Edition: Troubles in the World...Again

October 12, 2023 22:04 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MB

Phil and Tasha are back but they are taking a break from the Great Ends of the Church to discuss the war in Israel. There will be no hot takes here, nor taking of sides. There will be no conversations about policies or tactics. Instead they talk about how we, as people of faith, can manage ourselves during this frightening and saddening time, and how we can remain true to our faith in Jesus.

The Great Ends of the Church Week 5: The Promotion of Social Righteousness

September 28, 2023 21:41 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MB

This week Phil and Tasha talk about what it means to engage our neighbors as the Church. We would probably title this "social justice" rather than "social righteousness" in today's world. This notion of engaging the world and coming alongside the powerless is complicated and fraught with difficulties. How do we do it? Where do we start? What does it look like? Join us to discuss this and more.

The Great Ends of the Church Week 4: The Preservation of the Truth

September 21, 2023 20:34 - 26 minutes - 24.5 MB

This week Phil and Tasha talk about truth. What is truth, in the Christian sense? The appropriate question for us, however, is WHO is truth? That would be Jesus. So listen in while they discuss what this means, how religion can get in the way, and what it means to carry this truth into the world.

The Great Ends of the Church Week 3: The Maintenance of Divine Worship

September 14, 2023 16:34 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MB

This week Phil and Tasha talk about the importance of worship in the life of the church. In particular they discuss maintaining our worship's focus on God. They also talk about some of the things we get wrong when we think about worship, as well as how best to bring young children into worship.

Great Ends of the Church Week 2: The Shelter, Nurture and Spiritual Fellowship of the Children of God

September 07, 2023 18:18 - 25 minutes - 24 MB

Join Phil and Tasha this week as they explore what it means to be "church" to one another. As they continue to discuss the Church's "job description" their focus this week is on shelter, nurture and spiritual fellowship. But what do those terms mean? How do we live them out? And what's at stake for the Church here?

The Great Ends of the Church Week 1: The Proclamation of the Gospel for the Salvation of Humankind

August 31, 2023 18:53 - 24 minutes - 22.3 MB

Phil and Tasha will be co-hosting this six week series on the Great Ends of the Church. Codified in 1910, the Great Ends are functionally the Church's job description. This week we look at the first End, the Proclamation of the Gospel for the Salvation of Humankind. How do we go about proclaiming the Gospel? What are we actually proclaiming? How does that last work, humankind, influence our lives of faith? We will tackle these questions and more this week.

Rham and Rego Ask A Question: Are selections from Scripture actually Scripture?

August 09, 2023 15:00 - 15 minutes - 14.8 MB

Rham wonders about selections and compilations of Scripture. If we just get parts of the Bible, is that enough? Also, how does creativity and art influence our faith, and should it?

Rham and Rego Ask A Question: What's with the secrets

August 02, 2023 15:00 - 16 minutes - 15.7 MB

The `1 Pres Pod is back!!! In August Phil will be joined by Jarred Rego and Rham Cunningham to kick around matters of faith. This week, Jarred wonders, "what is with the messianic secret in the Gospels? Why doesn't Jesus want people to know who he is? We will talk about this and more this week.

Get to Know: Sarah Mings

June 14, 2023 18:03 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MB

This week Phil sits down with new Communications Director Sarah Mings. They discuss Sarah's story, her role at First Presbyterian and her first impressions.

Let's Meet Maria Martinez

June 01, 2023 19:02 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MB

This week Phil talks with Maria Martinez, the new Emotional Wellness Coordinator at First Presbyterian Church. Phil and Maria talk about mental health, coping mechanisms and how to help children with their mental health. They talk about de-stigmatizing mental health as well as how to recognize our own mental health needs.

You're Using it Wrong Week 4: Faith!

May 25, 2023 21:18 - 19 minutes - 18.3 MB

What does it mean to have faith like a mustard seed? Will perfect faith get us a perfect life? And, how do other people help our faith? In this episode Phil and Stephen wrap up their May conversations by discussing all this and more. Check it out!

Sanctuary Worship 5-21-23

May 21, 2023 17:00 - 52 minutes - 48.1 MB

"Built to Last" 1st Corinthians: Week 6 Rev. Tasha Blackburn Sanctuary Worship 5-21-23 www.1pres.org/giving

You're Using it Wrong Week 3: Men and Women

May 17, 2023 17:00 - 21 minutes - 20.2 MB

This week, Phil and Stephen talk about gender roles in the home and church. How does Scripture inform these roles? Why does our interpretation of Scripture matter as we consider them? In fact, in the Christian worldview, is gender even important?

Sanctuary Worship 5-14-23

May 14, 2023 17:09 - 58 minutes - 53.9 MB

"We're One, But We're Not the Same" 1st Corinthians: Week 5 Rev. Phillip Blackburn Sanctuary Worship 5-14-23 www.1pres.org/giving

You're Using it Wrong Week 2: Predestination and Salvation

May 11, 2023 13:15 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MB

This week Phil and Stephen talk salvation. They define and discuss predestination.; talk about the very human desire to control other people's salvation, and finally how we should approach our own salvation.

Sanctuary Worship 5-7-23

May 07, 2023 17:04 - 57 minutes - 52.6 MB

"Family Style" 1st Corinthians: Week 4 Rev. Phillip Blackburn Sanctuary Worship 5-7-23 www.1pres.org/giving

You're Using it Wrong Week 1: Only God can Judge Me!

May 03, 2023 21:16 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MB

Stephen Martin returns and joins Phil for this series which explores Christianity in popular culture. This week, we talk about Tupac Shakur's famous statement, "Only God Can Judge Me." Was he using it right? Wrong? Tune in to hear a conversation about judgment in and out of the Church.

Sanctuary Worship 4-30-23

April 30, 2023 17:00 - 51 minutes - 47.1 MB

"...But Have Not Love" 1st Corinthians: Week 3 Rev. Tasha Blackburn www.1pres.org/giving

Surprised by Hope: resurrection and the life everlasting

April 26, 2023 17:00 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MB

Tasha and Phil discuss what resurrected life looks like in the Christian faith and how that affects our hope even now. This is the fourth and final podcast around the themes of this month's book club, N.T. Wright's Surprised by Hope.

Sanctuary Worship 4-23-23

April 23, 2023 16:55 - 46 minutes - 42.3 MB

"At Play in the Fields of God" 1st Corinthians: Week 2 Rev. Phillip Blackburn Sanctuary Worship 4-23-23 www.1pres.org/giving

Surprised by Hope: enjoying the mystery

April 19, 2023 17:00 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MB

Tasha talks with church member and avid reader of theology Charlie Wohlford about death, resurrection, and one of the Church’s earliest statements of faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. All of April’s episodes center around the church book club for the month, N.T. Wright’s Surprised by Hope.

Sanctuary Worship 4-16-23

April 16, 2023 17:08 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MB

"We Are Weak, but He Is Strong" 1st Corinthians: Week 1 Rev. Tasha Blackburn Sanctuary Worship 4-16-23 www.1pres.org/giving

Surprised by Hope: the hope we have in the resurrection of the body

April 12, 2023 17:00 - 34 minutes - 31.6 MB

Tasha has a conversation with the Reverend DeeDee Autry on the hope of Easter and, in particular, how our hope is changed by the promise that even our bodies are resurrected.

Sanctuary Worship Easter 4-9-23

April 09, 2023 17:06 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MB

"On Fidelity" Rev. Phillip Blackburn Easter Sunday Sanctuary Worship 4-9-23 www.1pres.org/giving

Good Friday Worship 4-7-23

April 07, 2023 23:45 - 39 minutes - 36.6 MB

Good Friday Worship Holy Week 2023 Sanctuary 4-7-23 www.1pres.org/giving

Maundy Thursday Worship 4-6-23

April 06, 2023 23:58 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MB

Maundy Thursday Worship Holy Week 2023 www.1pres.org/giving

Surprised by Hope: the hope of Good Friday

April 05, 2023 17:00 - 29 minutes - 27.6 MB

Tasha has a conversation with the Reverend Jeff Champlin about the hope we find, not only in Jesus’ resurrection at Easter, but in his death on Good Friday.

Palm Sunday Sanctuary Worship 4-2-23

April 02, 2023 17:12 - 58 minutes - 53.1 MB

"This is Your King" Lent in Plain Sight: Coats Rev. Phillip Blackburn Palm Sunday Sanctuary Worship 4-2-23 www.1pres.org/giving

Rham Asks a Question: Let's talk money

March 30, 2023 18:39 - 17 minutes - 16 MB

"The Church only wants my money." This is one of the main reasons behind the decline in American church attendance and participation. Today Rham and Phil explore the Church's relationship with money. What questions should you ask before you give? Why does the Church need money, and what does it do with it? How transparent should a church be with its finances. Join us for this conversation!

Sanctuary Worship 3-26-23

March 26, 2023 16:58 - 47 minutes - 43.3 MB

"Jesus the Christ" Lent in Plain Sight: Oil Rev. Tasha Blackburn Sanctuary Worship 3-26-23 www.1pres.org/giving

Rham Asks a Question: How do we balance our personal faith with our communal faith?

March 22, 2023 15:57 - 15 minutes - 14.8 MB

Rham wonders if we should err on the side of our personal relationship with Jesus, or our communal relationship as mediated through the Church?  As you might expect, Phil offers a "yes, with a but...no, with a however," for this particular question. Check it out!

Sanctuary Worship 3-19-23

March 21, 2023 17:23 - 49 minutes - 45 MB

"Highway to the Danger Zone" Lent in Plain Sight: Shoes Rev. Phillip Blackburn Sanctuary Worship 3-19-23 www.1pres.org/giving

Rham Asks a Question: The Golden Rule

March 16, 2023 15:53 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MB

This week Rham and Phil talk about the famous"golden rule;" do unto others as you'd have done to you.  This sounds well and good, but when we try to apply it things can get tricky.  How should we handle this important teaching in our daily lives, and how does it apply to our most important relationships?  Tune in and hear what they have to say!  

Sanctuary Worship 3-12-23

March 12, 2023 17:24 - 42 minutes - 38.5 MB

"It's Not Just a Coin" Lent in Plain Sight: Coins Rev. Phillip Blackburn Sanctuary Worship 3-12-23 www.1pres.org/giving

Rham Asks a Question: What is Liturgical Time with special guest Jarred Rego

March 09, 2023 23:03 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MB

Rham and Phil are joined by City Director and Vice Mayor Jarred Rego to talk about liturgical time. What is liturgical time, anyway?  What difference does it make?  How is it different from regular time?  Join us for a fun and somewhat nerdy conversation about life in a liturgical church.