Off The Record with Amplify Church

Women Pastors? & Best "Grad Party" Foods

This week on the podcast, we look back at the launch of our new series, Brandon's message, and some of the moments that stuck with us long after Sunday ended.We also get into a few bigger conversations that have been popping up both online and in church circles: Is church hurt real? How should churches think about pastoral sabbaticals? And what do we do with some of the more debated topics in the Church today?Along the way, we revisit a few thoughts that didn't make it into Sunday's message, preview some exciting things coming up at Amplify, and somehow end up debating the greatest foods at graduation parties.A little theology, a little church life, and a lot of honest conversation.

"Cool Church” & Desert Island Movies

This week on the podcast, we cover a little bit of everything. We kick things off with an overdue apology from Ed, a story involving Intern Emma breaking her hand, and the realization that somehow it's already June. In Sunday Rewind, we celebrate an incredible weekend at church: 999 people in attendance, 10 salvations, and 33 baptisms. We also talk about a reminder that God is often doing far more than we can see in the moment. Then we get into a conversation about "cool church"—what people mean when they say it, whether it's something churches should pursue, and how easy it can be to miss what actually matters. We also look ahead to a brand-new series, upcoming events, and finish things off with a draft that reveals way too much about everyone's movie preferences: Desert Island Movies.

"Cool Church” & Desert Island Movies

This week on the podcast, we cover a little bit of everything.We kick things off with an overdue apology from Ed, a story involving Intern Emma breaking her hand, and the realization that somehow it's already June.In Sunday Rewind, we celebrate an incredible weekend at church: 999 people in attendance, 10 salvations, and 33 baptisms. We also talk about a reminder that God is often doing far more than we can see in the moment.Then we get into a conversation about "cool church"—what people mean when they say it, whether it's something churches should pursue, and how easy it can be to miss what actually matters.We also look ahead to a brand-new series, upcoming events, and finish things off with a draft that reveals way too much about everyone's movie preferences: Desert Island Movies.Faith, church life, questionable movie picks, and at least one story involving a broken hand.

Is God The Author of Evil & Household Chores

This week somehow includes theology, thermostats, baseball injuries, and a surprisingly intense conversation about household chores.We kick things off by rating Intern Emma’s sermon, discussing optimal house temperatures like middle-aged dads, and asking why Brandon skipped the parade.In Sunday Rewind, we unpack one of the biggest questions people wrestle with: why do bad things happen? That leads into a deeper conversation from our apologetics Q&A around the question, “Is God the author of evil?”We also talk through some upcoming conversations we want to have on the podcast, preview what’s coming up at church, and somehow finish the episode debating household chores.

"Flu Game” & Favorite Months

This week’s conversation covers everything from a bizarre Pittsburgh zoo trade to Emma preaching at youth, random songs getting stuck in our heads, and some classic backstage chaos along the way. We also rewind Sunday’s message, share what’s been sticking with us heading into the week, and revisit a few extra thoughts that didn’t make it into the sermon. Plus, we talk apologetics, why it matters for everyday believers, and look ahead to next week’s live Q&A night. And of course, we wrap things up with upcoming events, baptisms, and some completely unserious draft conversations.