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

On today’s episode of Together 4 Good, Pastor Nate sits down with Pastor Carrie Bayless and her daughter Emmy for a conversation that was totally unplanned, and turned out to be one of the most real, funny, and thoughtful episodes yet. We talk about what it’s like growing up as a pastor’s kid (fun fact: Nate’s a PK too!), the expectations that come with being “the pastor’s family,” and why Emmy, a high school senior, is still showing up for church when so many of her friends aren’t. Along the way we swap stories about pajama pants vs. church clothes, why kids especially 6-and 7-year-olds are the most hilarious part of Sunday school, and how church can feel like home. This episode is about faith, family, and purpose, and why being known and welcomed in a church community makes all the difference. You’ll hear: * Honest stories about what it’s like to be a pastor’s kid and how expectations shape faith. * How church challenges us to grow and why that’s different from checking a box on Sunday. * The difference between school friends and church friends and why it matters. * Why church is still the one place we gather around love, belonging, and Jesus. Download the full podcast here:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/together-4-good-conversations-on-faith-family-and/id1529196060 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aFHcs9xjcRK54uXJzUBbH?si=VwBUEjyQQnieXyKHdkcfvA [https://open.spotify.com/show/0aFHcs9xjcRK54uXJzUBbH?si=VwBUEjyQQnieXyKHdkcfvA] Follow Bethany Lutheran Church on social media for all the best moments from the show: https://linktr.ee/bethanydenver And keep up with us in the Bethany Connect app available in your app store!

On this week’s episode of Together 4 Good, I sat down with Becky Robinson-Lavenburg. She grew up surrounded by music, sang with prestigious choirs as a kid, and now she’s studying to be a mental health counselor.  What I love about her story is the way music and faith keep circling back for her. She didn’t stick around church because she had to, but because she found a community she actually wanted in her life. We get into everything from what Bach can teach us about freedom in faith, to why being a Christian isn’t a destination, to how choir rehearsals and youth soccer practice teach kids about showing up and working together.  Becky’s story is thoughtful and real, and it’s a reminder that faith isn’t about “arriving,” it’s about choosing community, staying curious, and letting God meet you right where you are. Download the full podcast here:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/together-4-good-conversations-on-faith-family-and/id1529196060 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aFHcs9xjcRK54uXJzUBbH?si=VwBUEjyQQnieXyKHdkcfvA [https://open.spotify.com/show/0aFHcs9xjcRK54uXJzUBbH?si=VwBUEjyQQnieXyKHdkcfvA] Follow Bethany Lutheran Church on social media for all the best moments from the show: https://linktr.ee/bethanydenver And keep up with us in the Bethany Connect app available in your app store!

What does Division 1 football have to do with faith? A lot more than you might think.  In this episode of Together 4 Good, Pastor Nate sits down with Michael Ziemba, former Indiana University football player, UPS “industrial athlete,” and Bethany member, to talk about how faith and football shaped his life.  From growing up in Florida, playing under Coach Tom Allen in the Big 10, to navigating injuries, career changes, and a move to Colorado, Michael shares how faith, hard work, and community have carried him through. His story is one of optimism, perseverance, and trust that God really does have a bigger plan.  You’ll hear: * How football taught Michael about teamwork, trust, and accountability. * The way coaches and mentors wove faith into everyday life on and off the field. * What it looks like to lean on God in the face of injuries, setbacks, and big transitions. * Why community, whether on a team or in a church, is the key reason he’s still here. Michael’s story is down to earth, heartfelt, and full of reminders that faith isn’t just for Sunday mornings, it’s lived out in locker rooms, delivery trucks, and all the everyday places we show up.  Listen in, share with a football fan in your life, and be reminded: it’s always about the people, and it’s always about God’s bigger plan. Connect with us at Bethany-Denver.org [http://bethany-denver.org] or follow us on Instagram @Bethany_Denver

In this episode of Together 4 Good, Pastor Nate sits down with Susan Junge to talk about why, after 27 years, she’s still going to church. Her journey began in an interfaith marriage, sitting in a Lutheran church pew mostly so her husband could sing in the choir. But somewhere along the way, the Holy Spirit began tugging at her heart.  She was baptized as an adult, dove into the church choir, Stephen Ministry, and found a depth of faith she never expected. Susan opens up about how worshiping together shaped her marriage, how centering prayer transformed her daily awareness of God, and why community, both here and in the Communion of Saints, still holds her steady today. It’s a conversation about how faith grows quietly over time, why showing up matters, and how God uses community to meet us in joy, grief, and even in the search for a missing cell phone. What You’ll Learn in this Episode * How an interfaith marriage became the starting point for a lifelong Lutheran journey.  * Why showing up in person changes how we experience God and each other.  * The spiritual depth found in choir, hymns, and weekly communion. * What centering prayer is and how it can change your daily life.  * Why church isn’t about what you “get” but also about who you walk alongside.  * How the Communion of Saints connects us to those we love, even after they’re gone. Share this episode with a friend and to learn more visit bethany-denver.org [http://bethany-denver.org] or connect with us on Instagram @ bethany_denver

Four. Hundred. Episodes.  What a journey, what a milestone, what a celebration! That's a whole lot of conversation, curiosity, and community. To mark this milestone, Pastor Nate sits down with someone who's been part of this journey from the beginning, Pastor Gary Sandberg, for a deeply personal conversation about what keeps us coming back to church. Yes, the headlines continue to shout about church decline. However, this episode serves as a reminder that staying is its own kind of testimony. They talk candidly about: * The real reasons people leave church, and the quieter reasons people stay * Grace, commitment, and why the church doesn't need to be perfect to be powerful * How worship can ground us even when nothing else makes sense * The unexpected beauty of liturgy (and chanting in a Snuggie) * What Pastor Gary still finds at the altar after 30+ years in ministry What You'll Learn * Why do people stay in church when the stats say otherwise * The hidden value of participation over perfection * How churches can offer peace in an anxious, overstimulated world * Why liturgy might be weird at first—and why it's worth sticking with * Pastor Gary's car-shopping analogy for finding the right congregation This episode isn't just a look back, it's a recommitment to the future. Whether you're a longtime listener or have just discovered us today, we want you to know that you're not just a part of this community, you're an integral part of it. Welcome.  Learn more at bethany-denver.org