In this episode of the Branch Podcast, Pastors Chris Reed, Matthew Johnson, and Anthony Lombardi unpack what pastors really mean when they encourage everyday practices like reading the Bible, prayer, worship, going to church, and loving your neighbor.
Rather than presenting these as religious checklists, the conversation focuses on how these disciplines are meant to shape a real, ongoing relationship with God. The pastors discuss approachable ways to engage Scripture without formal training, prayer as an honest and continual conversation with God, worship as a lifestyle that re-centers the heart, and why consistent participation in the local church matters. They also explore what it looks like to love your neighbor through attentiveness and commitment to others’ good.
This episode is both grounding and practical for anyone wondering how to grow in faith one step at a time.
Watch the full episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCCNCANljDY
In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastor Matthew Johnson is joined by Pastor Anthony Lombardi and Pastor Chris Reid for an honest and thoughtful conversation about unity. What does unity actually mean in the church, and how does it differ from uniformity? How should Christians navigate disagreements while remaining committed to one another?
The discussion explores Scripture, church history, and real-life experience to distinguish between core Christian beliefs and matters of preference or conscience. The pastors also address denominational differences, church culture, leadership questions, and why humility and dependence on the Holy Spirit matter when navigating disagreement.
The conversation then turns toward culture, examining how followers of Jesus are called to love people deeply without compromising truth. Using the example of Jesus and the early church, this episode highlights unity as a powerful witness rooted in love, conviction, and faithfulness to Christ.
Watch the full episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zvqGQ_eZUk
In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Anthony, Matthew, and Chris take a look at prosperity theology and why it often creates confusion within the Christian faith. They unpack the idea that faith or obedience guarantees wealth, health, or happiness, and contrast it with what Scripture actually teaches about blessing and the Christian life.
Throughout the conversation, the pastors explore commonly misused Bible passages, the role of suffering and hardship, and how distorted expectations can lead to guilt or disillusionment. Rather than promising an easy or comfortable life, they point listeners toward a faith centered on knowing Christ, trusting God’s redemptive work, and holding an eternal perspective. This episode offers clarity, balance, and encouragement for anyone wrestling with faith, suffering, or spiritual disappointment.
Watch the conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IhjA0NmuNpo?si=HYZGwQwLVNrgsNY7
Artificial intelligence is becoming a normal part of life, and many people are unsure how to think about it. In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Matthew, Anthony, and Chris talk through the opportunities and challenges AI brings to followers of Jesus. They discuss how technology can strengthen learning, creativity, and global connection, while also exploring the risks of replacing real relationships, spiritual reflection, and personal growth. Together they walk through what it means to use modern tools with wisdom, protect what makes us human, and disciple the next generation in a world shaped by rapid change. If you’ve ever wondered how faith and AI fit together, this conversation offers clarity, balance, and helpful perspective.
Watch our conversation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8f8Iyod88g
In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Anthony, Matthew, and Chris take a closer look at what Jesus meant when He spoke about the kingdom of God. They talk through why this theme appears so often in His teaching, how His life showed what God’s reign looks like, and what it means for believers to live in the tension of a kingdom that has begun but is not yet complete. Their conversation is steady, clear, and centered on Scripture. We hope it brings clarity and encouragement as you follow Jesus and learn to trust His work in every part of life.
Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dvfZ1S-0GU
In this episode of the Branch Podcast, Pastor Matthew and Pastor Chris sit down for an honest conversation about what it means to love God, love others, and also learn to love ourselves in a healthy way. They walk through how love shapes our thoughts, emotions, spiritual rhythms, and daily choices, and they share practical examples from their own lives and ministries. The pastors also talk about navigating discouraging seasons, processing disappointment with God, and setting healthy boundaries while still loving people well.
If you'd prefer to watch this episode, you can find it on YouTube here: (Watch YouTube Video)
In this Branch Podcast Q&A episode, Pastors Matthew, Anthony, and Chris take on real questions from listeners about faith, Scripture, and life’s most challenging topics. Together they discuss reconciliation, fasting, sexuality, baptism, and why God allows suffering, all through the lens of Scripture and with honest, grace-filled conversation. The pastors also explore deep theological questions about salvation, Jesus’ divinity, and how faith shapes everyday decisions.
If you’ve ever wrestled with big questions or wanted to better understand how biblical truth applies today, this conversation will encourage, challenge, and strengthen your faith.
📺 Watch the full conversation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZh41JFPUWI
In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Matthew, Chris, and Anthony talk about what it really means to live a life of biblical submission. They look at Philippians 2 and Ephesians 5 to show how Jesus modeled humility and obedience, even when it came at a cost. The pastors unpack why submission isn’t weakness but a loving trust in God’s plan, one that shapes marriages, leadership, and everyday relationships. They also address what submission is not, including how to respond to unhealthy authority.
This honest and practical conversation helps listeners see how choosing humility and service over control leads to freedom, unity, and real spiritual growth.
Prefer to watch this conversation? Check out the full video on YouTube: Watch on YouTube
In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Matthew Johnson and Anthony Lombardi talk about the rise of “deconstruction” in today’s culture. They explore both healthy and unhealthy ways to question your faith, showing that doubt doesn’t have to lead to disbelief. Through personal stories, honest reflection, and biblical truth, they reveal how examining what you believe can actually strengthen your faith.
The conversation touches on church hurt, cultural pressures, and the need to rebuild on a foundation of truth rather than emotion or trends. Along the way, they reference passages like Mark 9:24, Romans 8:28, and the story of Thomas in John 20, reminding us that Jesus meets us in our doubts and that honest wrestling can lead to deeper trust.
In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Matthew, Anthony, and Chris share an unscripted conversation that begins with lighthearted prank stories and then shifts into a thoughtful discussion on faith, culture, and politics. Looking at Matthew 21 and Revelation 5, they explore the tension of Jesus as both Lion and Lamb, powerful, yet victorious through sacrifice. The pastors consider how Christians today can respond to cultural pressures, avoid misplaced political allegiance, and keep their focus on Jesus alone. This open and practical conversation encourages listeners to reflect deeply and live out their faith with clarity and conviction.
Too often, we say the right things about Jesus while living lives that tell a different story. In this episode, we confront the uncomfortable truth about giving Him lip service instead of true surrender—and explore what it really means to honor Jesus with every part of our lives. If you've ever felt the tension between your words and your walk, this conversation is for you. Through honest reflection, practical insight, and biblical truth, this episode invites you to move beyond surface-level faith into a fully surrendered life.
In the face of tragedy, how do we respond as Christians? This powerful discussion challenges us to examine our hearts and actions when confronted with evil. The central message revolves around Jesus' teaching to 'overcome evil with good' (Romans 12:21). We're reminded that our primary calling is not to win political battles, but to point people to Jesus and His transformative love. The conversation draws parallels between Paul's conversion and our own potential to show grace to those who seem beyond redemption. It emphasizes the importance of seeing others as spiritual captives rather than enemies, echoing Paul's words about the 'god of this world' blinding people to the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). This perspective shift invites us to approach even those we disagree with through a lens of compassion and hope for their salvation. As we navigate a world full of division, we're encouraged to pause, seek God's peace, and consider how our words and actions can reflect Christ's love to a hurting world.
In this episode of The Branch Podcast, we explore Jesus' countercultural teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation and how they challenge Christians to take a posture of redemption and restoration. We dive into the practical implications of these teachings, discussing how embracing the heart of Christ can transform our lives and relationships. Whether it's with situations concerning marriage or people we’ve hurt, or who have hurt us, God often does a supernatural work in us and in others when we live out the model and teachings of Jesus.
Everyone wants to be great, but how we define greatness makes all the difference. Jesus teaches that true greatness begins with humility, values the vulnerable, and is expressed through serving others.
In this episode, we unpack what it means to follow Jesus into a different vision of greatness. Why does humility matter so much? How do we guard against pride? And what would happen in our families, marriages, workplaces, and churches if we actually lived out Jesus’ definition of greatness?
Join us as we wrestle with these questions and discover why the path to greatness is not about climbing higher but lowering ourselves to serve.
In a culture where “more” often feels like the default setting, what does it mean for followers of Jesus to live with enough? In this conversation, we explore the subtle and not-so-subtle ways consumerism shapes our faith, our ethics, and even our worship. We’ll discuss practical choices—from how we shop to how we scroll to how we eat—and wrestle with the tension between enjoying God’s blessings and being mastered by them. Along the way, we’ll look at the roles of gratitude, contentment, and discernment, and why defining “right practice” in this area is far from simple.
Many Christians today wrestle with the question: Can’t I just follow Jesus on my own? In this episode, we unpack where that mindset comes from and how it stacks up against Scripture. We explore the impact of American individualism, the biblical model of faith in community, and the real expectations between a church and its members. What does the Church owe its people, and what do its people owe the Church? Whether you’ve been hurt by church, feel disconnected, or just wonder if Sunday gatherings are essential, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to see the Church not as an obligation, but as a vital part of following Jesus faithfully.
In this episode, we explore the story of Jesus and Peter walking on water in Matthew 14:22–33. We discuss how fear, uncertainty, and failure intersect with Jesus’ authority, his presence in our struggles and his grace in our failures. Join us as we consider how this passage reshapes our understanding of faith, doubt, and how we as Christians should respond to failure.
In our journey of faith, we often grapple with the complexities of relationships. This discussion delves into the biblical perspective on who we're called to be in relationship with and how to navigate difficult interactions. We're reminded that while we're called to love everyone, we're not obligated to maintain close relationships with those who consistently hurt us or hinder our spiritual growth. The conversation draws parallels to Jesus' own strategic relationships, from the masses to His inner circle of disciples. We're encouraged to approach confrontation with wisdom, grace, and a heart of reconciliation, following the biblical model of addressing issues directly but lovingly. This message challenges us to prioritize our relationships within the body of Christ, viewing fellow believers as our spiritual family. As we reflect on these insights, we're invited to examine our own relationships, seeking God's guidance in fostering healthy connections that honor Him and contribute to our spiritual growth.
In our exploration of desire from a Christian perspective, we uncover profound truths about our relationship with God. We learn that desire itself isn't inherently sinful, but rather a God-given mechanism that can lead us towards or away from Him. The story of Jesus and the woman at the well beautifully illustrates how our earthly desires often mask deeper spiritual longings. Just as Jesus offered living water to satisfy her soul, we too are invited to find ultimate fulfillment in God. This message challenges us to examine our desires, asking if they're leading us closer to God or towards temporary satisfactions. By surrendering our desires to God and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide them, we can experience a more abundant life and joy in our faith journey. Let's reflect on how we can reorient our desires towards God, finding in Him the true source of our satisfaction and purpose.
What does it really mean to “use the Bible” when forming our views on today’s most complex and controversial issues? In this episode, we ask hard questions about how scripture shapes our opinions—and whether we’re letting it lead or using it to reinforce what we already think. From immigration to AI, gun laws to government spending, we explore how to navigate cultural debates with biblical integrity, humility, and discernment. We’ll also dig into real-life examples of how scripture has been misused throughout history, and how Christians today can better reflect Jesus’ heart in divided times.
Whether you're tired of tribalism or just unsure how to think biblically about current events, this episode will give you practical tools—and a lot to wrestle with.