Holy Smokes, Bro!

Matt & Randy Kutz

Join brothers (and co-pastors) Dr. Matt and Pastor Randy Kutz as they spark up honest, unfiltered conversations about church leadership, church life, and the Bible. With a mix of wisdom, humor, and real talk, they tackle the questions people face, explore biblical truths with fresh insight, and share their own experiences from the pulpit to the pews. Whether you're a seasoned leader, a disciple of Christ, a curious believer, or just here for some brotherly banter, Holy Smokes, Bro! is your go-to podcast for practical insights on faith, church culture, life, and the occasional wild story.

Episodes

  1. 04/08/2025

    Episode 3: The Fey and Spiritual Realms

    Episode 3: The Fey and Spiritual Realms Welcome to Holy Smokes, Bro, the podcast where faith, leadership, and real talk collide—occasionally with a fine cigar or classic pipe in hand. In this thought-provoking episode, Matt and Randy dive deep into a conversation about spiritual realities, modern distractions, and the unseen battles Christians face in today's digital age. They take inspiration from a powerful article by Matt's son, Jonathan, titled “Portals to the Twilight Zone,” published on his Substack page, The Abbey. What begins as a proud dad moment turns into an eye-opening discussion on how our smartphones, social media, and technological conveniences may act as “modern-day portals” to a realm that distracts, deceives, and even binds us spiritually. With rich references to folklore (like Rumpelstiltskin), theology, and scripture, this episode challenges listeners to recognize the subtle contracts we make with our digital lives—and how to fight back with spiritual awareness and truth. The Fey Realm & Modern Portals: Drawing on folklore and Jonathan’s analogy, the guys explore how spiritual distractions have evolved—but haven’t disappeared. Spiritual Amnesia in the Age of Enlightenment: How the Enlightenment, Nietzsche, and Darwin contributed to our cultural rejection of spiritual dimensions. Implied Contracts with Technology: A law school insight from Jonathan on how we can spiritually bind ourselves through “implied consent” with our devices. Gummed-Up Senses: Are our spiritual ears and eyes blocked? Has technology “dammed up” the flow from the Holy Spirit to our souls? False vs. True Spirituality: How we must intentionally choose authentic, Christ-centered spirituality over counterfeit experiences offered by culture. The Weaponry of Faith: What it means to fight the spiritual battle with non-carnal weapons, pulling down strongholds through repentance, truth, and the Holy Spirit.Matt's website: www.matthewkutz.com Jonathan's Substack: The Abbey

    26 min
  2. 03/06/2025

    Love, Leadership, and Spiritual Gifts

    “Love, Leadership, and Spiritual Gifts” In this episode, brothers Matt and Randy Kutz explore how biblical love shapes both leadership and the use of spiritual gifts. Drawing on 1 Corinthians 13–14, Psalm 139, and insights from David’s life, they discuss why emotional health and self-awareness are crucial for any believer who desires to lead and serve effectively. They emphasize that true power in spiritual gifts is only fully realized when it is anchored in the love of God—and that growing in grace means learning to manage our feelings, prefer others, and stay grounded in God’s character. Love as the Starting Point Scripture Basis: 1 Corinthians 13–14Before pursuing or practicing spiritual gifts, believers must be “transformed by love,” ensuring they operate with Christ’s heart for people rather than out of self-interest.Desire Versus Ambition Scripture Basis: 1 Timothy 3:1It’s good to desire leadership (Paul encouraged Timothy to aspire to it), but there is a fine line between healthy initiative and self-serving ambition.Emotional Health & Self-Awareness Scripture Basis: Psalm 139:13–14; David’s prayers in the PsalmsHealthy leadership—and effective gift use—requires understanding your own “inmost being.” Emotions are indicators, not dictators. We must train our souls to align with God’s truth.Managing the “Disquieted Soul” Scripture Basis: David’s question: “Why are you downcast, O my soul?” (Psalm 42:5, 11; 43:5)David models healthy self-talk: he recognizes negative emotions yet commands his soul to place hope in God. This template helps us direct our feelings, rather than let them direct us.Grace as Empowerment Scripture Basis: Romans 12:6Grace is not merely forgiveness but an active power that enables believers to exercise their unique blend of gifts. When combined with love, grace supercharges our effectiveness.Leadership Is a Lifelong Journey Spiritual and personal growth never stop. God’s “fine-tuning” process continues through every season of life, shaping both our character and our capacity to lead.“If you don’t have love first, then your spiritual gifts can actually become harmful.”“Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s a person—God—and we need His heart if we want to operate in our gifts effectively.”“Desire leadership, but don’t let it turn into ambition that puts yourself above others.”“David looked at his own soul and said, ‘Why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God!’—that’s a powerful example for how we manage our emotions.”Check Your Motivation Before stepping out in a spiritual gift—teaching, prophecy, healing—ask, “Am I doing this out of genuine love for others?”Practice Self-Reflection Like David, pause regularly to assess the state of your soul. Journal, pray, or talk with a mentor to process emotional ups and downs.Pursue Ongoing Growth Read Scripture on love (1 Corinthians 13) and on emotional health (the Psalms). Consider personality or temperament assessments to understand how God “fine-tuned” you.Serve in Community God designed us to learn and grow in relationships. Find fellow believers who will both encourage and challenge you to use your gifts in love.Thanks for Listening!If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue having conversations that encourage you to grow in leadership, love, and spiritual gifts. See you next time!

    27 min

About

Join brothers (and co-pastors) Dr. Matt and Pastor Randy Kutz as they spark up honest, unfiltered conversations about church leadership, church life, and the Bible. With a mix of wisdom, humor, and real talk, they tackle the questions people face, explore biblical truths with fresh insight, and share their own experiences from the pulpit to the pews. Whether you're a seasoned leader, a disciple of Christ, a curious believer, or just here for some brotherly banter, Holy Smokes, Bro! is your go-to podcast for practical insights on faith, church culture, life, and the occasional wild story.