No Experts Allowed

Pentecost (Year B) - 5/19/24

While each member of the Trinity plays an equal role in the Godhead (to say anything else has been heresy since at least 381), in practice, the Holy Spirit often gets the least attention in mainline circles. What would focusing on the Holy Spirit for a Sunday look like? What words could we use throughout the church year to expand our names for God? Jonathan and Seth discuss just this as we end the Easter season.

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Seventh Sunday of Easter (Year B) - 5/12/24

Life's complicated. There's a myriad of choices to be made daily. Many we make unconsciously. Others keep us awake at night as we fret over the options. In the appointed psalm for this Sunday, there appears to be a clear distinction between those who are good and evil. How does one know, however, which category they're in? Jonathan and Seth discuss how we can tell if we're following God. Is it possible? If so, how can we correct course? Like many of our episodes, this one gets at the heart of discipleship.

In the background, you may hear Seth's wife, Patty, playing joyfully with their dog Marshall. We, too, are overjoyed you're with us!

Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year B) - 5/5/24

One way to think about the Psalms is as ancient Israel's hymnody. Like more contemporary songs, from Bach to Beyonce, one doesn't have to understand every part of it to appreciate it. There are some opaque metaphors; others seem clear. In Psalm 98, the whole chorus of creation joins in on the hymn. So, Jonathan and Seth discuss ways that we can make worship sound more like this image. How can we get more people involved? How rowdy can worship be? What might this look like in different contexts? This episode may have a more practical focus than some of our previous ones. We hope you enjoy it nonetheless.

Thank you for listening, as always. We're overjoyed to have you with us, and you can reach us at noexpertsallowed@gmail.com.

Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year B) - 4/28/24

"Love" gets thrown around all the time. "I love ice cream," says Seth. We've talked many times on this podcast about God's love. 1 John, again, emphasizes love this week. So, too, does the appointed Acts reading that narrates the Ethiopian eunuch's baptism. Jonathan and Seth ask: What does this story tell us about God's limitless love? Who are the eunuchs of today? Who are people who we, despite our best intentions, don't think belong in the church?

We're glad you're with us! We love making this podcast; the fact that anyone listens only adds to our joy.

Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year B) - 4/21/24

Christian communities have read John’s account of Jesus identifying as the good shepherd for over 1,000 years. Unlike most Sundays, even the psalm relates to the gospel reading (rather than the first reading). So, true to form, Jonathan and Seth ask a lot of questions about shepherds: who are like modern shepherds? Can one identify an uncommitted hired hand? What if we focus on the sheep?

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Third Sunday of Easter (Year B) - 4/14/24

Jesus’ followers are startled, confused, and scared. The one they’ve been following was killed like a common criminal, laid in a tomb, and now lives again - not as a ghost, but someone who really lives, laughs, and lunches. So, what now? Jonathan and Seth discuss this “what now.” What happens after you make a seemingly life-altering mistake? What happens after a loss? What happens after some type of resurrection?

We hope you saw the eclipse safely and we’re so glad you’re with us.

Second Sunday of Easter (Year B) - 4/7/24

Each year, the Gospel reading for the Sunday after Easter is the story of “doubting Thomas.” The other readings, however, emphasize living in a community. Jonathan and Seth discuss why living in community can be so formative, why communities matter, and what the contemporary church might learn from the early Jesus-following movement.

They discuss a framework called “The Life Cycle and Stages of Congregation Development” by George Bullard, which can be found here.

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Easter (Year B)- 3/31/24

He is risen! He is risen, indeed! On Palm Sunday, we talked about what it looks like to experience joy, about momentarily putting our pains, perils, and problems in the backseat. On Good Friday, we talked about leaning into our pain and that of others. What does it look like to integrate them? How does it look for the disciples in the aftermath of the resurrection? This Sunday's question seems to get at the heart of the Christian life: how are joy and pain mingled and how is God in the midst of them?

We're praying for a meaningful Holy Week, a joyous Easter spent with those you care about, and new life springing up in expected ways. And, as always, we're glad you're with us!

Good Friday (Year B) - 3/29/24

Another short and sweet episode, Jonathan and Seth talk about what it looks like to sit in suffering as the disciples. How do we make room for suffering when we're unsure when or if it ends?

Again, we're praying your Holy Week is a blessing.

Maundy Thursday (Year B) - 3/28/24

As promised, this episode is short and sweet. It's primarily a long, beautifully written prayer by Jonathan aimed at helping us move into Holy Week and see Jesus' humble service as a paradigm for our own.

We hope you have a blessed Holy Week.