We are “de-Cathinated” (but definitely not decaffeinated) for this BONUS episode.  Ben is joined by three of his pastor friends (Adam Poe, Phil Bange, and Justin Monfort), all from local churches of different Protestant denominations, to discuss this episode’s title question.  While we will be without the Catholic Chadder, these dynamic men are poised to deliver some absolutely great insights.

In true Man Talk fashion, there’s a four-way free-flowing discussion throughout; as the conversation draws down, each co-host gives their final weigh-in.  The four co-hosts discuss how to effectively minister in our homes and in society, and how to reach our youth for Christ and the role technology plays in that effort.  Then it’s off to new and exciting things for Ben and Chad!  Thanks again for listening and supporting us!

Of course, you can always find out what Ben is up to at:   Home – Ben Neff

Recommendations from our Co-hosts:

The Gospel comes with a House Key by Rosiario Butterfield

Joining Jesus on His Mission by Greg Finke

Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman

Evangelism in a Skeptical World by Sam Chan

Beacons of Light, implemented in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in July of 2022, is an attempt to address difficult realities facing Catholics, realities like declining Mass attendance and growing priest shortages. A consolidation of parish churches into groupings called “Families” has ensued with the hope that shared resources might enable Catholics to move “from a mindset of maintenance to a mindset of mission.” Despite its good intentions and its arguably necessary measures, Beacons has proven disruptive and often trying for many of the lay faithful.

Chad takes this BONUS opportunity to bring in three Mighty Catholic laymen (John Paul Slonkosky, Nick Rentz, and Jared Pottkotter), for a 4-mic Man-Talk, to discuss this episode’s title question. The four of them roundtable the challenges, the realizations, and the divisions brought on by Beacons.  What has been the experience of Beacons “on the ground” by the average Catholic?  How much of the difficulties during these first two years of Beacons has to do with parish consolidations, and how much has to do with younger priests moving toward more traditional liturgical celebrations? What is the future of Catholicism in Cincinnati, and (at the episode’s end) what advice would these four men give to lay men and women as we move forward together?

SHOW NOTES:

Beacons of Light Parish Families – Archdiocese of Cincinnati (catholicaoc.org)

Plug ’em in and pass ’em around – the microphones, that is!  Four microphones to be exact.  And four men, for the last MAN TALK, convene a roundtable on this crucial leading question.  Two hosts and two guest hosts have a very timely and important conversation.  A really great conversation.  A beautiful conversation.  By the end, each man reveals how he’ll be voting in the 2024 –okay, not really.  But they do each finally give their conclusion on the question at hand.  (Feel free to weigh in, dear listener, by emailing us at mightymen@manhoodrestored.tv)

Craig Flack and Andy Muhlenkamp are two very thoughtful and mighty men.  They join Ben and Chad to add some healthy balance to this (“HUGE”) politically charged topic.  Craig is the Pastor at Celina First Church of God in Celina, Ohio; Andy is a member of the sure-to-be-renowned-someday local book club, the Blinklings.  The four face the elephants (and donkeys) in the MR “studio”.  Which presidential option is more problematic for a Christian-in-good-conscience:  Trump or Biden?  Do the various elements at play in today’s political landscape make it uniquely difficult for a Chrisitian to stay faithful in his beliefs AND be engaged in the political process?  And how can a man’s core identity be a key to whether or not he’s voting faithfully on any given issue or for any particular candidate?

Plug ’em in and pass ’em around – the microphones, that is!  Four microphones to be exact.  And four men, for the last MAN TALK, convene a roundtable on this crucial leading question.  Two hosts and two guest hosts have a very timely and important conversation.  A really great conversation.  A beautiful conversation.  By the end, each man reveals how he’ll be voting in the 2024 –okay, not really.  But they do each finally give their conclusion on the question at hand.  (Feel free to weigh in, dear listener, by emailing us at mightymen@manhoodrestored.tv)

Craig Flack and Andy Muhlenkamp are two very thoughtful and mighty men.  They join Ben and Chad to add some healthy balance to this (“HUGE”) politically charged topic.  Craig is the Pastor at Celina First Church of God in Celina, Ohio; Andy is a member of the sure-to-be-renowned-someday local book club, the Blinklings.  The four face the elephants (and donkeys) in the MR “studio”.  Which presidential option is more problematic for a Christian-in-good-conscience:  Trump or Biden?  Do the various elements at play in today’s political landscape make it uniquely difficult for a Chrisitian to stay faithful in his beliefs AND be engaged in the political process?  And how can a man’s core identity be a key to whether or not he’s voting faithfully on any given issue or for any particular candidate?

We’ve established that feminism has a fatal foothold in all sorts of cultural and societal institutions – it’s made schooling anti-boy; it’s made dating and marriage miserable for many–men and women alike; it’s turned our storytelling into unrealistic propaganda; it’s opened the floodgates for every form of gender confusion under the sun.  But is it possible that it’s also managed to emasculate our theology?

Ben does the opposite of smooth things over in this, his last lead episode–that is, he just makes more waves (and too many puns), while Chad carries a memorable tune as co-host in this “fruity” episode.  The two toss around the novel notion that the Holy Spirit animates men and women differently.  How might “fruits” of the Spirit like peace and love take on a uniquely masculine character?  What would cause or motivate someone to “read feminism into” the Scriptures?  And what are examples of how the manly bearing of spiritual fruit can benefit the home, the church, and the culture at large?

SHOW NOTES:

• Chad’s song reference:  Slugs & Bugs – Slugs and Bugs
• Ben’s devotional book reference- Abiding in Christ- Andrew Murray
• Ben’s Biblical passages referenced:
  • Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22 NIV – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, – Bible Gateway
  • Paul’s spiritually manly appeal: 2 Timothy 1:6-14 NIV – Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the – Bible Gateway