Holy Conundrums

The Most Successful High School Ministry in the Country

Everett reconnects with his friend Addie Magruder, Director of Ut Fidem at Dowling Catholic High School. They tell the story of developing this unique campus ministry program and the incredible success Addie has seen by developing small groups with spiritual mentors. Both in numbers and in culture, the dedication of the student body to the practice of the Faith, coupled with the “reverse statistic” of how they keep their faith in college and are driven to mentor others themselves speak to a shocking effectiveness. Addie talks practicals about finding mentors who are already disciples, but also the intangible power of asking God to guide her steps. From the Dowling Catholic website: Ut Fidem, from a Latin phrase meaning “Keep the Faith,” strives to develop high school students into intentional disciples who will keep the faith for the rest of their lives, and especially through college. Ut Fidem does this by supporting students in forming deep, personal relationships with Christ through small group ministry and faith mentoring. Our solution: Basically... learn from “Ut Fidem” Learn more about Addie and Ut Fidem at utfidem.org [https://www.utfidem.org/].

The Venn Diagram of Truth and Charity

Spoiler alert: It’s a circle. Everett talks with Kyle Heimann, Chief Content Officer of Spoke Street Media (the podcast network we’re part of). They talk about Truth, Charity, and whether or not you can have one without the other. In particular, how does Christian community live out the idea that truth cannot exist without charity, and charity cannot exist without truth? Or how does it fail to live it out?  They talk about the polarizing effect of news and social media, and the reputation Christians have of being anti-everything. Kyle and Everett share perspectives on getting people’s stories first, learning how and when to speak to young people about the faith, and how to avoid heated disagreements by hanging out in coffee shops! Kyle’s Advice for Overcoming Division:  1. Pray (for guidance) 2. Ask “Who would be hurt by this?” 3. Not everything that we think needs to be shared, does. Our solution: Start with curiosity rather than anger. Christians should be known by what we love, not what we hate. Love people.  Learn more about Kyle and Spoke Street at spokestreet.com Spoiler alert: It’s a circle. Everett talks with Kyle Heimann, Chief Content Officer of Spoke Street Media (the podcast network we’re part of). They talk about Truth, Charity, and whether or not you can have one without the other. In particular, how does Christian community live out the idea that truth cannot exist without charity, and charity cannot exist without truth? Or how does it fail to live it out?  They talk about the polarizing effect of news and social media, and the reputation Christians have of being anti-everything. Kyle and Everett share perspectives on getting people’s stories first, learning how and when to speak to young people about the faith, and how to avoid heated disagreements by hanging out in coffee shops! Kyle’s Advice for Overcoming Division:  1. Pray (for guidance) 2. Ask “Who would be hurt by this?” 3. Not everything that we think needs to be shared, does. Our solution: Start with curiosity rather than anger. Christians should be known by what we love, not what we hate. Love people.  Learn more about Kyle and Spoke Street at spokestreet.com [spokestreet.com]

The Sensitive Topic You Knew Was Coming

For this episode, Everett is joined by Kelsey Skoch to discuss the problem that seems to be everywhere: pornography.  Kelsey and Everett share what they’ve learned about how to minister to men and women who have been exposed to pornography or fallen into an addiction. They talk first about the false idea so prevalent in the church that it’s “only a guy problem.”  They also mention in particular the effects of the pandemic, the victimization of young people, and how to speak to the shame and guilt that many people carry. Kelsey and Everett talk about specific strategies they use as parents to protect their children and to talk with them about sexuality in a healthy and appropriate way. Our solution: It’s not just about software filters. Know what’s out there in the culture, and speak with your kids on the truth about sexuality. Resources Everett recommends: ProtectYoungEyes.com [ProtectYoungEyes.com], Common Sense Media [https://www.commonsensemedia.org/] Learn more about Kelsey and her ministry at kelseyskoch.com [kelseyskoch.com] or Instagram [instagram.com/kelseyskoch]. Order a copy of Kelsey and Everett’s book, Uncompromising Purity: It’s Not Just a “Guy” Problem [https://chastity.com/products/uncompromising-purity/].

Where is That Spouse I Was Told to Expect?

This week, Everett is joined by his dear friend, Catholic speaker, writer, and author of Real Love, Mary Beth Bonacci.  Mary Beth shares her story about how she began teaching to single Catholics, and the unique needs that they have that the Church isn’t meeting. She responds to the advice to “get out there more” and where the “there” is that you can go. She cuts right to the question that often lies in the subtext when she hears from single Catholics, which is “Where is the spouse I was told to expect?”  There are lots of guarantees in scripture, but a spouse is not among them. She and Everett discuss the question of living a life when the thing you’re hoping for seems to never come, and the hard question of “Is God enough for you?” Mary Beth also calls out the question that every single person grows to hate, which is “Why are you still single?” (implying, “What’s wrong with you?”). But also, gently… is there a blind spot about yourself that you need to look at with honesty, or some area in which you need to grow?  Mary Beth and Everett also speak frankly about whether singleness is a vocation, chastity, dating, compromise, and settling. All the things. Our solution: Do not put your life on hold. He put you here to follow his will now, not once you find a spouse. Learn more about Mary Beth and her ministry at Reallove.net [http://reallove.net] Learn more about Everett's ministry at https://andrew-ministries.com/ [https://andrew-ministries.com/] Grab a copy of Everett's new book, One Disciple at a Time: How to Lead Others to Dynamic, Engaged, Life-Changing Faith [https://www.avemariapress.com/products/one-disciple-at-a-time]! Sneak peek from the cutting room floor: “Is there a beatitude somewhere, ‘Blessed are the chaste, for they shall receive a spouse by their 35th birthday’? Where do we get this stuff??”

Life Beyond Roe

Everett reached out to David Bereit, Founder of 40 Days for Life (The world's largest grassroots movement to end abortion) for this hot-topic conversation on the landmark overturning of Roe vs. Wade on June 24, 2022. David starts off by telling the story of how 40 Days for Life began, with prayer, peace, and focus on conversion of heart. He shares compelling stories of conversion, but also his perspective on the fallout from the Dobbs decision and what still needs to happen in order to make abortion unthinkable. He emphasize the critical need for the Church to walk with mothers and children, providing support for community, education, friendship, whatever is needed so that mothers no longer feel the need for abortion. David goes on to explain some of the misconceptions around post-Roe medical care, and the opportunity for compassion from pro-lifers in engaging with those who struggle with the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. “The goal is not to prove that you’re right. The goal is conversion of heart.” David’s solution: Hope, compassion, prayer, and accompaniment. Learn more about David Bereit and 40 Days for Life at  https://www.40daysforlife.com/ [https://www.40daysforlife.com/] Learn more about Life Beyond Roe at https://lifebeyondroe.com/ [https://lifebeyondroe.com/] Learn more about Everett's ministry at https://andrew-ministries.com/ [https://andrew-ministries.com/] Grab a copy of Everett's new book, One Disciple at a Time: How to Lead Others to Dynamic, Engaged, Life-Changing Faith [https://www.avemariapress.com/products/one-disciple-at-a-time]!