Season 2, Episode 5 and a Half: Celebrity Pastor Culture

Season 2, Episode 6: The Office of Deacons

In Episode 6, Justin, Nathan, and Garrison turn to one of the most overlooked and misunderstood offices in the church: the diaconate. What is a deacon, and why does it matter? Moving beyond the common reduction of deacons to committee members or facility managers, this episode recovers the biblical dignity and theological weight of an office Christ has permanently established in His church. We explore why the diaconate is not a stepping stone to greater responsibility but a sacred calling in its own right, and why a church that neglects this office ultimately burdens its elders and fails its members. What areas of his life should the church probe, who should be doing the examining, and what is the real danger of appointing out of desperation rather than discernment? And what does a functioning deacon look like in the life of the Church? These questions remind us that the church is not merely an organization to be managed, but a body to be served — and that faithful deacons are the hands of grace through which Christ sustains and strengthens His people.

Season 2, Episode 5 and a Half: Celebrity Pastor Culture

We are BACK from our short break! In this episode of Sola Veritas, Justin, Nathan, and Garrison confront one of the most pressing distortions in the modern church — the rise of the celebrity pastor. Building on our exploration of elders as Christ’s appointed under-shepherds, we examine how platform culture, personal branding, and personality-driven ministry quietly compete with Christ's headship and undermine the faithful, quiet work of genuine shepherding.

Season 2, Episode 5: Elders and the Church

In this episode of Sola Veritas, we explore the biblical pattern of church leadership and the role of elders as Christ’s appointed under-shepherds. Moving from the foundation laid in previous episodes, we look at how the New Testament describes qualified, accountable leaders who serve under the authority of Christ — not personalities, platforms, or personal brands. Together, we discuss: Why character matters more than charisma in church leadership, biblical qualifications for elders, and why holiness cannot be separated from doctrine, and the wisdom and protection of shared leadership through a plurality of elders.

Season 2, Episode 4: Christ, The Head of the Church

In Season 2, Episode 4 of Sola Veritas, hosts Justin, Nathan, and Garrison tackle a foundational question for every church: Who actually rules the Church? Building on previous episodes about the nature and marks of the Church, the hosts turn their attention to Christ’s headship, arguing that when Jesus is functionally dethroned—though confessed with the lips—ecclesiology begins to unravel. The conversation explores what it truly means for Christ to be King over His Church, how He exercises that rule through His Word, and why Scripture must be the Church’s only rule of faith and practice. Along the way, the hosts critically engage with the rise of consumer-driven and trend-driven ministry, warning that what attracts crowds does not always honor Christ. This episode lays the theological foundation for all future discussions on church leadership, authority, polity, and worship. Justin, Natha, and Garrison press listeners to consider how a robust belief in Christ’s present kingship should reshape the way we evaluate churches, ministries, and our own expectations of “success.”

Season 2, Episode 3: The Marks of a Healthy Church

In Episode 3, Justin, Nathan, and Garrison turn to one of the most critical questions in ecclesiology: How can we recognize a true church? Moving beyond feelings, cultural trends, or institutional labels, this episode examines the classic biblical “marks” that distinguish a faithful church from a counterfeit one. First, we explore the pure preaching of the Word, considering why faithful, doctrinally sound exposition is the lifeblood of the church’s health and unity—and what is lost when novelty or pragmatism replaces the ministry of Scripture. Next, we reflect on the right administration of the ordinances, showing how baptism and the Lord’s Supper are not optional symbols but Christ-ordained means that visibly proclaim the gospel and shape our communal identity. Finally, we address the often-misunderstood practice of loving and biblical church discipline, arguing that far from being harsh, faithful correction is an expression of Christ’s shepherding care for His people. Together, these marks reveal that the true church is not defined by size, style, or influence, but by its fidelity to Christ’s Word, Christ’s ordinances, and Christ’s loving rule over His people.