Together 4 Good: Conversations on Faith, Family, and Community

In this episode of Together 4 Good, Pastor Nate Preisinger sits down with Kate and Paige—two thoughtful and refreshingly honest Gen Z summer interns—to talk about what keeps them connected to church, and why so many of their peers are stepping away. They share personal stories about growing up in faith, the impact of the pandemic on their church habits, and what they’ve had to unlearn along the way. From Kate’s call to become a pastor—which, in true Gen Z fashion, began the moment someone told her she couldn’t—to Paige’s deep connection to God through nature and working with kids, this episode offers a nuanced and hopeful look at the next generation’s relationship with the church. The conversation also touches on big themes like Christian nationalism, deconstruction, and the disconnect between churches and their communities. Whether you're a church leader, parent, or someone curious about where the future of faith is headed, this episode is full of insight, laughter, and hope. What You’ll Learn: * How the pandemic disrupted Gen Z’s relationship with church * Why Paige feels most connected to God through nature and children’s ministry * The surprising story behind Kate’s call to ministry—and the power of being told “no” * What Gen Z wishes the church would stop doing (and what they hope it starts) * Why Christian nationalism is a major turn-off for young adults * How churches can reconnect with younger generations in real, meaningful waysAnd yes... why Pastor Nate absolutely cannot handle ASMR 🎧 Listen now for a funny, honest, and conversation about church, doubt, and why showing up still matters.

Welcome to Together 4 Good, a podcast from Bethany Lutheran Church ELCA in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado. This faith-filled podcast explores real-life topics through the lens of love, grace, and community, without judgment or expectations. Whether you’re feeling spiritually disconnected, deconstructing your beliefs, or simply looking for authentic conversations about faith, we’re here to walk alongside you.Each episode is designed to be practical, engaging, and rooted in home, making it easy to explore Christianity, Lutheran theology, and spiritual wellness at your own pace. 🎧 Subscribe now for weekly episodes on:🔹 Everyday spirituality🔹 Building meaningful connections🔹 Navigating doubt and belief🔹 Inclusive Christian perspectivesStay connected with us: https://bethany-denver.orgBethany Lutheran Church ELCA | Cherry Hills Village, CO#ChristianPodcast #ProgressiveChristianity #BethanyDenver #CherryHillsVillage #ELCAChurch #EverydayFaith

This week on Together 4 Good, Pastor Nate welcomes a guest who’s not often in the spotlight but whose story is worth hearing. Josh Ehlers – Bethany’s accountant, runner, numbers guy, and quietly faithful presence in the church community, joins the podcast to talk about what keeps him showing up: to church, to community and to a life grounded in faith. Josh opens up about growing up in a small-town Ohio church, how his grandparent’s faith shaped his own, and how that foundation stayed with him, even when church attendance waned, life shifted, and direction felt unclear. Their conversation weaves through the college years, a cross-country move to Denver, and the very unexpected path that led Josh to his current role at Bethany. While he didn’t set out to work at a church, what he found was more than just a job, it was a sense of purpose and a space where faith and real life intersected. This episode is a reflection on why young adults still choose church. It’s more than tradition. It’s about connection, meaning, and showing up even when things are uncertain. Josh’s story is honest, grounded, and filled with the kind of hope that can only come from staying rooted through it all. Why Listen: * Hear how a rural Ohio church shaped a lifelong faith journey * Explore how young adults wrestle with and return to spiritual community * See how purpose often shows up in unexpected ways * Be encouraged by a story of resilience, faith, and quiet commitment 🔔 Subscribe to hear more conversations about faith, life, and the goodness we create together. Connect with us: Bethany-Denver.Org [http://bethany-denver.org] or check out our app Bethany Connect [https://subsplash.com/bethany-denver/app] 📱Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/bethany_denver [https://instagram.com/bethany_denver]

Questioning your faith? This episode explores deconstruction, doubt, and deeper Christian connection.  If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not sure I believe this anymore” or “Does asking questions make me a bad Christian?” — you’re not alone. And you’re not wrong for asking. In fact Pastor Nate Preisinger argues that asking hard questions is part of being Christian. What you’ll learn: * What faith deconstruction is (and what it’s not) * Why doubt and curiosity can actually strengthen your faith * How the church can do better at making space for questions * The difference between abandoning faith and rebuilding it * Why Jesus was the OG question-asker Whether you’re going through a spiritual shift, raising kids who are asking hard questions, or just thinking that church = certainty, this one's for you. 🕊️ Faith and doubt can hold hands. And church can still be home, even when you're rebuilding what that means. 🔔 Subscribe to hear more conversations about faith, life, and the goodness we create together. Connect with us: Bethany-Denver.Org [http://bethany-denver.org] or check out our app Bethany Connect [https://subsplash.com/bethany-denver/app] 📱Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/bethany_denver [https://instagram.com/bethany_denver]

Why is church work so exhausting? Nate and Kevin get honest about what’s working and what could change. In this episode, Pastor Nate Preisinger sits down with Kevin Dragseth (aka Bethany Lutheran's Program Admin Extraordinaire and Volunteer Coordinator) to talk about what it’s really like working for the church, especially in ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America).  From youth ministry burnout to underfunded programs, duplicated efforts, and too many churches doing the same thing on their own, this convo is real, honest, and even a little funny (because it’s Kevin and Nate). Kevin brings years of experience, sharp insight and a whole lot of heart to the table as they talk about why things feel stuck and what needs to shift if the church is going to move forward.  They also dig into the emotional weight of closing church buildings, what faithful change could look like, and why collaboration isn’t just a nice idea, it’s necessary. 🔔 Subscribe to hear more conversations about faith, life, and the goodness we create together. Connect with us: Bethany-Denver.Org [http://bethany-denver.org] or check out our app Bethany Connect [https://subsplash.com/bethany-denver/app] 📱Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/bethany_denver [https://instagram.com/bethany_denver]