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

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]

Feeling burned out? Discover how Sabbath rest and God's peace protect your soul in a world that won’t slow down. Let’s face it, peace can feel pretty hard to come by these days. The noise, the pace, the pressure to keep going…it adds up fast.  And suddenly we’re exhausted. Spiritually, emotionally, even physically. This week on Together 4 Good, Pastor Nate Preisinger talks about what he calls "Spiritual Sunscreen,” the kind of peace that doesn’t just feel nice in theory, but actually protects us in the middle of our everyday chaos.   Rooted in the story of Exodus and the command to keep Sabbath, this episode is all about learning how to slow down, not out of laziness, but as an intentional act of faith. Because when God invites us to rest, it’s not a suggestion. It’s a gift. One that helps us remember who we are and who God is. Whether your calendar is overflowing or your soul just feels tired, this conversation is for you. It’s a reminder that rest is holy. And peace isn’t something we earn, it’s something we receive. You’ll walk away with:  * A better understanding of why Sabbath matters (and why it’s still relevant today) * Encouragement for when you’re feeling spiritually depleted * Practical ways to create space for rest, rhythm, and God’s grace in your life. Key Takeaways:  💛Peace is your spiritual sunscreen: protective, essential, and meant to be applied daily 💛The story of Exodus and the Sabbath commandment show us that rest is holy, not optional 💛Resting doesn’t mean doing nothing, it means choosing what matters most 💛God’s peace doesn’t depend on your productivity 💛Grace meets you exactly where you are. Whether your calendar is overflowing or your soul just feels tired, this conversation is for you. It’s a reminder that rest is holy. And peace isn’t something we earn, it’s something we receive. 🔔 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] Bible Verses: Exodus 20:8–11, Matthew 11:28–30 📱Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/bethany_denver

Wondering if church still matters in today’s world? Pastor Nate Preisinger discusses why faith, community and worship are more important than ever.  We get it, church isn’t what it used to be for a lot of people. Maybe you’ve stepped away, felt burned, or just drifted. We’re diving into why church still matters, not just as a tradition, but as a life-giving, soul-nourishing practice. You’ll hear:  * Why intergenerational community is so rare and powerful, and how church offers it in a way that few others do. * How regular spiritual practice builds emotional and spiritual resilience (and what Allen Iverson has to do with it.) * The surprising role communal singing plays in shaping us, yep even if you’re off-key. * How the church’s message of “you are loved” can counter burnout, hustle, and the never ending to-do list. Whether you’ve been faithfully attending for years or haven’t set foot in a sanctuary in a while this conversation is an invitation, not of guilt, but of Grace. Explore what it could mean to belong, to sing together, and to be reminded: you are already enough. Connect with us! Check out Bethany-Denver.org for more information!