afterWord with Pastor Kent

Pastor Kent Dresdow, Executive Pastor Matt Rehrer, and Pastor Jeremy Pray return to the topic of Christian giving with a set of practical questions left over from Part 1. The conversation moves from biblical principles to everyday application — wrestling with where giving should be directed, how the local church functions as the primary channel for generosity, what role parachurch ministries play, how to care for the poor and those in immediate need, and how married couples should approach giving as a shared act of worship. Along the way, the pastors share honest observations about giving patterns in evangelical churches and offer pastoral encouragement to those just starting out.

Are you and your spouse making giving decisions together, or has it quietly become one person's domain? If you've been a Christian for several years, have you ever honestly evaluated whether your giving has grown — or stalled? When someone in your church has a financial need, do you see that as the church's job to handle, or as an opportunity for you personally?Welcome to NorthCreek Church!In glad reliance on the Holy Spirit and Scripture, we exist for the glory of Christ, to make disciples who worship God, walk in love, and witness to the world.Connect With Us:Sunday Services: 9:00AM & 10:45AM Address: 2303 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598Online Resources:Main Website: https://www.northcreek.org/ NorthCreek Academy (TK-8): https://ncapschool.org/ Sermon Archive: https://northcreek.churchcenter.com/channels/19901 Church App: Download the Church Center App and search for "NorthCreek Church"

In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow, Executive Pastor Matt Rehrer, and Pastor Jeremy Pray open a conversation that rarely gets a full hearing: what does Scripture actually say about Christian giving? Beginning with the admission that the topic often goes unaddressed, the three work through key passages including 1 Corinthians 16:2, 2 Corinthians 8–9, Philippians 4:10–20, and a brief visit to Malachi 3 — tracing the biblical vision of giving not as a financial obligation but as an act of worship. The discussion covers the tithe, the distinction between Old Covenant law and New Covenant generosity, how to think about giving under financial pressure, and why Scripture consistently frames the giving of the local church as something warm and deeply personal before the Lord.

Do you think of your giving as an act of worship, or does it mostly feel like a line item? If you're in debt or under financial pressure, have you ever talked with a pastor or elder about how to navigate giving faithfully rather than stopping altogether? When the offering plate passes, what is it doing to your heart — and what would it look like to let that moment be a genuine prayer of trust?Welcome to NorthCreek Church!In glad reliance on the Holy Spirit and Scripture, we exist for the glory of Christ, to make disciples who worship God, walk in love, and witness to the world.Connect With Us:Sunday Services: 9:00AM & 10:45AM Address: 2303 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598Online Resources:Main Website: https://www.northcreek.org/ NorthCreek Academy (TK-8): https://ncapschool.org/ Sermon Archive: https://northcreek.churchcenter.com/channels/19901 Church App: Download the Church Center App and search for "NorthCreek Church"

In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow is joined by Executive Pastors Matt Rehrer and Jeremy Pray to discuss the "third W" of the church's mission: walking in love. After several intense deep dives into topics like fear and idolatry, the team explores the practical philosophy of how believers move from being a face in a crowd to being an integral part of the body of Christ.

The conversation centers on the biblical necessity of being known and exercising the "one-another" commands of Scripture. Drawing from the patterns of the early church in Acts 4 and the exhortation in Hebrews 3 to encourage one another daily, the pastors explain why intentional community is mission-critical for every believer to avoid being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. They break down the specific NorthCreek philosophy of utilizing both "Life Stage" groups for stability and "Community Groups" for depth, arguing that being involved in both helps mitigate the common pitfalls of isolation or shallow fellowship.

Beyond small groups, the pastors discuss the vital role of service and the importance of intergenerational relationships, highlighting Titus 2 as a model for growth. Whether you are navigating a busy season of life or looking to deepen your commitment to the local church, this episode provides a pastoral roadmap for moving into the life-giving rhythms of the communion of saints.

Welcome to NorthCreek Church!

In glad reliance on the Holy Spirit and Scripture, we exist for the glory of Christ, to make disciples who worship God, walk in love, and witness to the world.

Connect With Us:

Sunday Services: 9:00AM & 10:45AM
Address: 2303 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Online Resources:

Main Website: https://www.northcreek.org/
NorthCreek Academy (TK-8): https://ncapschool.org/
Sermon Archive: https://northcreek.churchcenter.com/channels/19901
Church App: Download the Church Center App and search for "NorthCreek Church"

In this second part of a two-episode conversation, Pastor Kent Dresdow continues his discussion with Executive Pastors Matt Rehrer and Jeremy Pray on the intersection of fear, faith, and the recurring temptation of idolatry. Picking up from their study of Isaiah 43 and 44, the pastors explore the nature of fear, distinguishing between physiological reactions to crisis and the spiritual responses that reveal where we place our ultimate trust.

A central theme of this episode is the relationship between "sinful fear"—defined as a paralyzing distrust of God—and the "factory of idols" within the human heart. The conversation moves from the literal household idols of ancient Israel to the modern-day "techniques" and "comforts" we run to for refuge, such as social media, financial security, or the approval of others. Drawing from pastoral experience and the writings of John Flavel, the hosts provide practical diagnostic questions to help believers identify where a good desire has become an "ultimate thing".

This episode emphasizes the sufficiency of Scripture in confronting the "blindness" of our own hearts. By looking to God’s character as revealed in the text, believers are encouraged to move from a "closed-fisted" demand for control to an "open-handed" trust in God’s providence. Whether you are struggling with "spinning and toiling" thoughts at night or seeking to steward your life for God’s glory, this discussion offers grounded, biblical wisdom for finding true security in the Lord.

Welcome to NorthCreek Church!

In glad reliance on the Holy Spirit and Scripture, we exist for the glory of Christ, to make disciples who worship God, walk in love, and witness to the world.

Connect With Us:

Sunday Services: 9:00AM & 10:45AM
Address: 2303 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Online Resources:

Main Website: https://www.northcreek.org/
NorthCreek Academy (TK-8): https://ncapschool.org/
Sermon Archive: https://northcreek.churchcenter.com/channels/19901
Church App: Download the Church Center App and search for "NorthCreek Church"

In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow is joined by Executive Pastors Matt Rehrer and Jeremy Pray to reflect on a recent sermon from Isaiah 43:1–7. Nearly one year into the podcast, the conversation centers on why this specific passage—preached as the "next up" in a long-running expository series—struck such a profound chord with the congregation. The hosts explore how the sovereign timing of God’s Word meets the specific anxieties of his people, whether they are facing global instability or personal trials like illness and relational brokenness.

The discussion highlights the vital importance of expository preaching, where the Lord sets the agenda for the church rather than the pastor. By walking through the text, the pastors show how God anchors his command to "fear not" in his own identity as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. They examine the depth of God’s covenant language, noting how he calls his people by name and regards them as "precious" and "glorious". This is not merely a motivational sentiment but a positional reality for the believer, grounded in the redemptive work of Christ.

Drawing connections to Romans 8:28 and 2 Corinthians 3:18, Kent, Matt, and Jeremy explain how the sufficiency of Scripture provides a unique remedy for fear that the world cannot offer. Whether you are a "suffering saint" needing comfort or a "sinning saint" laboring for sanctification, this episode offers a pastoral look at how resting in God’s presence and providence transforms our response to a fearful world. This conversation serves as a reminder that because we belong to Him, we do not lose heart.

Welcome to NorthCreek Church!

In glad reliance on the Holy Spirit and Scripture, we exist for the glory of Christ, to make disciples who worship God, walk in love, and witness to the world.

Connect With Us:

Sunday Services: 9:00AM & 10:45AM
Address: 2303 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Online Resources:

Main Website: https://www.northcreek.org/
NorthCreek Academy (TK-8): https://ncapschool.org/
Sermon Archive: https://northcreek.churchcenter.com/channels/19901
Church App: Download the Church Center App and search for "NorthCreek Church"