Episode 78 - Promise and Fulfillment in the OT and NT

Pastor Brent Kompelien and Paul Arneberg further discuss this fall’s sermon series, “The Promises of God.” There is continuity to God’s story—and God’s character—throughout both the Old and New Testaments. After swapping personal stories of misconceptions about God and the Bible in their respective adolescent years, Pastor Brent addresses the concept of typology: God used real historical people, things and events to foreshadow ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

Episode 77 - The Promises of God - Preaching Series Overview

Pastor Brent Kompelien and Paul Arneberg dedicate a “mini-episode” to this fall’s 15-week preaching series, “The Promises of God.” The goal of this series is to help our church gain a big-picture understanding of the Bible, showing how God’s promises of redemption are fulfilled in Christ: God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule in God’s holy and loving presence! Pastor Brent refers to two books: “The Promise-Plan of God: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments” by Walter Kaiser and “God’s Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible” by Vaughan Roberts. Paul’s benediction from 2 Cor. 1:20 comes with a personal story about the late Christian stage & radio performer Richard K. Allison, who died of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at age 44.

Episode 76 - Why Do We Gather For Worship?

At the start of a new season, Paul Arneberg and Pastor Brent Kompelien consider biblical reasons and intentional strategies for why and how we gather for weekly corporate worship services. Corporate worship is a whole-family, intergenerational gathering that “breathes in” the Word and Spirit of God and then “breathes out” His grace and mission to our various other spheres throughout the rest of the week. Pastor Brent calls this a “gather and scatter” strategy, likening the rhythm of the Christian faith to a vital, living, breathing life! Elements of the order of Sunday services are discussed under the overall strategy of revelation (making known God’s truth), apprehension (letting His truth sink into our hearts and minds), and response (gratitude, praise, and surrender to the Lord). Featured Scriptures include Heb. 10:24-25, Rev. 5, Rom. 10:17 & 12:15, and Col. 3:16-17.

Episode 75 - Living By Faith

Pastor Brent Kompelien and Paul Arneberg follow up on a recent two-part sermon series on Hebrews 10:19-12:3. Faith is a relational word, not merely an intellectual assent to the existence of God. God is our Creator, Provider, and Keeper of promises. Christianity is firmly based in history, in the Bible, in the church, and in the evidence of God’s faithfulness in our individual lives. Faith is a constant, daily reality for the person of God, with better knowing, trusting and loving our Triune God through Christ as our ultimate goal.

Episode 74 - Labor Day - Faith and Work Part 2

Paul Arneberg and Pastor Brent Kompelien continue discussing the biblical meaning of work. Vocational stewardship means that our work itself is an act of worship to the Lord and witness to our co-workers, customers, and bosses. Along with their usual commentary and anecdotes, Paul and Pastor Brent highlight three books making the essential link between faith and work: “Don’t Waste Your Life” by John Piper; “Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work” by Tom Nelson; and “Center Church” by Tim Keller.

Episode 73 - Labor Day - Faith and Work Part 1

Paul Arneberg and Pastor Brent Kompelien seize the day—Labor Day, that is—to celebrate and contemplate the biblical meaning of work. Desire, ability, opportunity, and passion are all ingredients into discerning vocational calling and serving the Lord in whatever capacity, whether paid or unpaid. The two discuss ideas from reformer Martin Luther, commentator Dennis Prager, and the late Pastor Tim Keller in his book “Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work.”

Episode 72 - Loving the Church - Part 2

Pastor Brent Kompelien and Paul Arneberg continue their two-parter on why we as Christ-followers should love the church—because Christ loves the church! Part 2 highlights two essential “both/and” aspects of a Christian’s life: 1) a believer’s sanctification is both individual and corporate through the local church; and 2) both discipleship as believers and outreach to unbelievers occur simultaneously. Luke 10:1-2 and Hebrews 10:23-25 were among featured biblical texts.

Episode 71 - Loving the Church - Part 1

Pastor Brent Kompelien and Paul Arneberg focus a two-parter on why we as Christ-followers should love the church—in a word, because Christ loves the church! After an opening conversation about Paul’s lifelong tradition of attending the Minnesota State Fair, Pastor Brent highlighted two books dedicated to the church: The Loveliest Place: The Beauty and Glory of the Church by Dustin Benge and Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever.

Episode 70 - Vision Renewal Part 3 - Journey Together

Paul Arneberg and Pastor Brent Kompelien invest three episodes in renewing the vision for creative ministry at New Life EFC in Hastings, MN. Part 3 discusses the sanctifying process of walking together by faith (2 Cor. 5:7), keying off of the five themes of our Roots & Branches building campaign: 1) biblical truth taught, studied, and applied; 2) vibrant community of faith; 3) evangelism and outreach; 4) faithful discipleship in the post-Christian world; and 5) generosity and investing in the kingdom of God.

Episode 68 - Vision Renewal Part 1 - Cultivate for Christ

Paul Arneberg and Pastor Brent Kompelien invest three episodes in renewing the vision for creative ministry at New Life EFC in Hastings, MN. Part 1 contrasts the biblical concept of whole-life discipleship with the tendency to neglect our various forms of talents, relationships, possessions, and callings. Key passages discussed include Gen. 1-2; Deut. 6:4-9; Mark 4:1-20; John 6:67-68; John 15:1-2; Rom. 12:2; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3; 2:1-4; and Heb. 12:11.

Episode 67 - The Alps and the Doctrines of Grace - Part 2

Pastor Brent Kompelien and Paul Arneberg continue their recap of Pastor Brent’s epic journey with nine other pastors hiking 113 miles around Mont Blanc near Geneva, Switzerland earlier this summer. In wrapping up his recollection of this peak experience of disciple-by-doing, Pastor Brent shares what he learned and taught his fellow pastors on prayer based on John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion.

Episode 66 - The Alps and the Doctrines of Grace - Part 1

Pastor Brent Kompelien returns from his three-week adventure to the region of Geneva, Switzerland where he and nine other local pastors hiked the Tour du Mont Blanc—an 11 day, 113 mile trek around the tallest mountain in the Alps of Europe. He and Paul Arneberg discuss the manifold purpose of this epic journey: to study the Reformation; to lead each other in various studies of the Christian faith; to encourage and strengthen one another for the long-haul in vocational ministry; and to learn endurance physically and spiritually in this peak example of disciple-by-doing.

Episode 65 - Apologetics - Part 2

Paul Arneberg concludes his two-part conversation with Jeff Moulton. Their focus was the specific topics in the broad area of apologetics that they’ll present to our youth group in the 2024-2025 school year, including “Why suffering?”; various social issues; and the trustworthiness of the Bible. Jeff and Paul give particular attention to the need to lovingly balance both grace and truth in these big issues and the need to fight the fight of faith for and with our young people in these challenging times.

Episode 64 - Apologetics - Part 1

Paul Arneberg is joined by his friend and our newest New Life staff member, Jeff Moulton. Jeff and his family began attending New Life nearly four years ago and he’s served on all three committees focused on the vision, campaign, and plans our building project. For 15 years, Jeff has had a passion for Christian apologetics and its importance for Christians and churches today. Jeff shares his testimony; how the Lord has used apologetics in his life; and his drive to teach various classes on this vast subject, including spearheading an upcoming half-year series with our Youth Ministry.

Episode 63 - Youth Ministry - Part 2

Paul Arneberg continues his conversation with his fellow New Life staffer, Youth Coordinator Kiya Anderson. Kiya shares how our Youth Ministry has changed since it’s grown about six-fold since she and her husband, Josh, were involved as students. Kiya also honors some of her key mentors and our vital team of current volunteers who prioritize discipling the next generation.

Episode 62 - Youth Ministry - Part 1

Paul Arneberg sits down with his fellow multi-dimensional staff person Kiya Anderson, a lifer at New Life EFC. Kiya grew up in this church family; she married her high school sweetheart, Josh; and she serves as our half-time Ministry Assistant and Youth Coordinator while preparing for the imminent arrival of her and Josh’s firstborn. Kiya shares her testimony, her calling to youth ministry, and the priority of youth as a growing ministry at New Life.

Episode 61 - Rise Up Recovery - Part 2

Paul Arneberg and Pastor Brent Kompelien continue their conversation with Tiffany Neuharth, co-founder and executive director of Rise Up Recovery in Hastings, MN. Topics discussed include how Rise Up complements residential long-term treatment ministries such as Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge and ways to give time, talents and treasure to this life-changing Hastings-based ministry. For more info., go to Rise Up Recovery.

Episode 60 - Rise Up Recovery - Part 1

Paul Arneberg and Pastor Brent Kompelien are joined by New Life member and returning guest Tiffany Neuharth, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Rise Up Recovery in Hastings, MN. As a follow-up to Tiffany’s previous interview on Roots & Branches (Episode 6, 1/12/23), this two-part deeper dive covers Tiffany’s personal testimony; the origin story of the ministry co-founded by her and her husband, Chad; and ways to be involved and supportive of Rise Up.