The Covenant Podcast

This week on Table Talk, Pastors Kyle Gatlin and Nick Shepherd dive into the final episode of their Advent series by addressing why some churches observe Advent while others do not. Tracing the season’s roots back to the 4th-century Council of Saragossa, the hosts explain how Advent originated as a season of penitence and preparation similar to Lent, designed to anchor believers in the full story of Christ's birth and return.The conversation then shifts to the modern challenge of people-pleasing within the church. The pastors discuss the tension between honoring meaningful traditions and catering to personal preferences, warning that avoiding historical rhythms can distract from the church's true mission. They also draw a parallel between rejecting church liturgy and the way social media algorithms create echo chambers, arguing that the liturgical calendar is essential for forcing Christians to engage with the whole Bible rather than just the parts they prefer.

This week on Table Talk, Pastors Kyle Gatlin and Nick Shepherd continue their series on the season of Advent by asking why it still matters today. They discuss the spiritual discipline of waiting in a culture obsessed with instant gratification, suggesting that Advent serves as a necessary pause button that allows believers to prepare their hearts for the coming of Christ rather than simply rushing toward Christmas Day.The hosts also explore the theological tension of the "now and not yet," reminding listeners that Advent is not just a celebration of Jesus' birth, but an anticipation of His return. They reflect on the four hundred years of silence between the Old and New Testaments as evidence that God often does His best work during times of waiting, encouraging the church to embrace patience and hope amidst the busyness of the holiday season.

 This week on Table Talk, Pastors Kyle Gatlin and Nick Shepherd begin a new series exploring the origins and significance of Advent. They discuss the history of the season, noting its roots in the Latin word for "to come," and explain how it originally served as a time of fasting and preparation for baptism, much like Lent, before evolving into the Christmas preparation season we know today. The pastors emphasize that Advent is about more than just the birth of Jesus; it is a season of waiting that acknowledges the tension between Christ’s first arrival and His future return. 

Kyle brings us the message recorded live at Covenant. 

This week on Table Talk, Pastors Kyle Gatlin and Nick Shepherd discuss the concept of addition by subtraction as the final step in their series on going deeper with God. They argue that to truly grow spiritually, one must often remove things like distractions, time-consuming commitments, or unhealthy habits to create the necessary space for a deeper relationship with Jesus.The Pastors also explore the internal barriers of ego, pride, and people-pleasing. They examine how pride acts as a blinder to spiritual maturity and suggest that true depth requires the humility to admit when we are wrong. Finally, they tackle the danger of seeking approval from others, warning that while the church should value people over programs, the need to please everyone can ultimately hinder one’s ability to be a true servant of Christ.HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!