Pod Be with You

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Podcast ministries in the SWPA Synod

These can all be found on most major podcast platforms; search for the names wherever you like to listen.

Welcome to Bethlehem Backchat where we talk about the background and backstories of our worship and community as Lutherans. This is the backstory of the Bethlehem Backchat podcast.

I travel a lot and enjoy listening to podcasts to pass the time and maybe even learn a thing or two. I had been a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Glenshaw for about a year and had found a new interest in understanding Lutheranism, Scripture, and learning all about the worship service.

I had been listening to a podcast from Central Portland called The Church Basement. Its premise was for the pastor to answer questions on a variety of topics. I thought, “We could do that!” Plus, what a great way to get my ever-expanding questions answered!

Pastor Dan Smail and I had a discussion over coffee about some of those questions and without hesitation, I asked, “so, Pastor Dan, how would you feel about doing a podcast?” His response was, “funny how the Spirit works, I was going to ask you the same thing!”

I had no idea how to do a podcast and now I’m the producer?! I watched every YouTube video I could find on podcasting, what equipment to buy, which editing program to use and how to upload it so people could hear! It was a big learning curve, but we have improved over time.

Each month, I write a script around one of my many questions. I research the answers and offer the script to Pastor Dan. He reviews his part and adds, tweaks, and deletes. On recording day, I hit “record” and the conversation flows. First, I had to learn to say “Luther-ans” rather than “Lutherns.” (My whole family says it that way!)

We don’t always stick to the script per se, but just talk about the topic. We laugh, learn, and mess up. I press Pastor Dan to define “churchy words” and other things I don’t understand. I ask those questions that people are often hesitant to ask.

At present, we have recorded 27 podcasts over a period of more than two years on topics such as the eucharistic table, the 23rd Psalm, and fear. Our most popular podcast on Bible journaling has over 600 downloads.

We once recorded using a laptop out of the back of the pastor’s Subaru once while at North Park for Fit Church; we have recorded on a mission trip in Appalachia; and now have learned to record remotely due to Covid. I recently went to Portland and co-recorded an episode of The Church Basement with Pastor Amanda Zentz-Alo and Dawn Miller, who have helped me from the beginning by sharing their experience and insight.

For every podcast recording, it is our hope that my questions are your questions, that Pastor Dan’s answers make you say, “I knew that!” That the story of Jesus becomes clearer and more embedded into your heart and mind. The leap of faith that was taken, the relationship that has been built, the depth of better understanding of Lutheranism, and the extension into the congregation and beyond our church walls are the whole point of this podcast. As we grow in Christ, we pray that you will also as you listen and engage in learning more about our lives together as Christians.

 
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Dr. Wendy Farone
Synod Council & Member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Glenshaw

SWPA Synod ELCA