Retrieving Catholicity with Pastor Mason Ballard

Mason Ballard, Ph.D.
  • 5.0 (8)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Retrieving Catholicity with Pastor Mason Ballard is a podcast dedicated to thoughtful engagement with the church—her history, theology, and mission in the world. We believe the whole church matters—that Christians today can benefit greatly from voices of the past, voices around the world, and voices across the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. Join us as we seek the whole truth with the whole Church for the whole world—one conversation at a time.

  1. 5D AGO

    Gospel Doctrine vs. Gospel Culture with Dr. Taylor Combs

    In this episode, Dr. Mason Ballard and Dr. Taylor Combs explore the intersection of rich theology and warm community within the church. They discuss the importance of gospel doctrine and culture, the challenges of theological certainty, and the need for strong doctrine to navigate the complexities of modern ministry. The conversation emphasizes the significance of love and grace in church life, the balance between doctrine and community, and the vision of creating a high commitment church that fosters deep thinking and genuine relationships. Taylor Combs Substack: https://eastandeden.substack.com/ Kings Cross Church: https://www.kingscrossnash.org/ Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/ Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/ CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 07:15 The Importance of Theological Clarity 08:45 Navigating Membership and Doctrinal Differences 11:51 Balancing Doctrine and Community 12:46 The Rise of Casual Church Culture 15:23 The Gospel's Transformative Power 18:03 Articulating Church Vision and Identity 20:40 Ministering to a Lonely and Anxious World

    25 min

  2. FEB 5

    Empowering Communities Through Compassion Ministry with Molly Alford

    In this episode of the Retrieving Catholicity podcast, Pastor Mason Ballard interviews his sister Molly Alford, who works with Send Relief, a compassion ministry. They discuss the role of the church in mercy ministry, the importance of community engagement, and how the gospel is central to their work. Molly shares insights on how Send Relief collaborates with local churches to meet community needs and the impact of Serve Tours in mobilizing volunteers. The conversation emphasizes the unity of the church in serving others and the necessity of addressing both physical and spiritual needs. Serve Tour: https://sendrelief.org/serve-tour/ Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/ Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/ CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 01:29 Molly's Role at Send Relief 03:54 Overview of Serve Tour Projects 05:37 The Local Church's Role in Compassion Ministry 06:44 Catalytic Impact of Send Relief on Churches 09:17 Unity in the Church Through Service 14:00 Gospel Centrality in Compassion Ministry 19:14 The Relationship Between Works and Gospel Witness 21:34 The Church's Mission and Community Engagement 23:13 Practical Steps for Churches to Serve 26:12 Balancing Internal and External Focus in Ministry

    28 min

  3. JAN 29

    Cultivating a Reading Habit with Dr. Taylor Combs

    In this episode, Dr. Mason Ballard interviews Dr. Taylor Combs, discussing the significance of reading in the life of a Christian. They explore the importance of engaging with literature, both theological and fictional, as a means of personal growth and understanding. Dr. Combs shares insights on how to cultivate a reading habit, recommends several impactful books, and emphasizes the role of reading in connecting with the past and enriching one's faith journey. Taylor Combs Substack: https://eastandeden.substack.com/ Kings Cross Church: https://www.kingscrossnash.org/ Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/ Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/ CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Meet Dr. Taylor Combs: Background and Interests 03:09 The Importance of Reading for Christians 06:52 Reading as a Non-Negotiable for Christians 08:49 Pastoral Responsibilities in Encouraging Reading 12:13 Finding the Right Books for Different Readers 15:04 Transformative Literature and Its Impact 17:23 Books That Shape Ministry Philosophy 18:59 The Role of Fiction in Personal Growth 20:39 Deep Reading vs. Surface Reading 22:42 Practical Reading Habits for Everyone 26:06 Embracing the Journey of Reading

    29 min

  4. JAN 22

    Help from a Dead Guy

    In this episode of the Retrieving Catholicity podcast, Pastor Mason Ballard reflects on the significance of engaging with historical theological voices, particularly through the lens of Charles Spurgeon's work. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the universal church that transcends time, encouraging listeners to read the writings of past theologians as an act of love and humility. Ballard introduces Spurgeon's lecture, "The Minister's Fainting Fits," which addresses the emotional and spiritual struggles faced by ministers and believers alike. He highlights how these struggles are not only common but can also serve as a means of growth and empathy in ministry. Throughout the episode, Ballard shares insights from Spurgeon's lecture, discussing the reasons behind feelings of despair and the importance of understanding our human frailty. He encourages listeners to view their struggles as part of their calling and to seek comfort in the knowledge that God uses our challenges for greater purposes. The conversation culminates in a message of hope, urging listeners to trust in God's presence during difficult times and to find solace in the wisdom of those who have gone before us. Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/ Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/ CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction to Catholicity and Historical Voices 06:13 Exploring Spurgeon's 'The Minister's Fainting Fits' 12:04 Understanding Struggles in Ministry 20:03 Finding Hope in Dark Times

    23 min

  5. JAN 15

    Short-Term Mission Trips - Blessing or Indulgence?

    In this episode of Retrieving Catholicity, Pastor Mason discusses the controversial topic of short-term mission trips within evangelical culture. He explores both the critiques and the value of these trips, emphasizing the importance of understanding the theological foundations of catholicity and mission. The conversation highlights the potential for personal growth, the significance of building relationships, and the broader perspectives gained through cross-cultural experiences. Ultimately, Mason encourages listeners to consider the impact of short-term missions and their role in the larger mission of the church. The Gospel Baton: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/FSDIoJ31WZb Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/ Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/ CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE: (00:00) Introduction to Short-Term Mission Trips (02:47) Critiques and Concerns of Short-Term Missions (06:06) Theological Foundations of Catholicity and Mission (09:00) The Value of Short-Term Mission Trips (11:46) Transformative Experiences and Personal Growth (15:09) Building Relationships and Partnerships (17:56) Broader Perspectives and Cultural Insights (20:47) Conclusion and Call to Action

    28 min

  6. JAN 8

    Healthy Church or Perfect Church?

    In this episode of the Retrieving Catholicity podcast, Pastor Mason explores the themes of church health versus perfection, emphasizing the importance of pursuing a healthy church that acknowledges its imperfections. He discusses the aspirational nature of ecclesiology, particularly within the Baptist tradition, and how this impacts church membership and community life. The conversation highlights the need for grace, forgiveness, and a commitment to growth within the church, ultimately encouraging listeners to embrace the reality of imperfection while striving for faithfulness in their church communities. Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/ Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/ CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE: (00:00) Introduction to Retrieving Catholicity Podcast (02:46) Healthy Church vs. Perfect Church (14:44) Aspirational Ecclesiology and Its Implications (22:20) The Pursuit of a Healthy Church (31:26) Conclusion: Embracing Imperfection in Church Life

    33 min

  7. TRAILER

    Retrieving Catholicity Season 2 Trailer

    Season 2 is here!Retrieving Catholicity, hosted by Pastor Mason Ballard, returns with deeper conversations on Scripture, theology, liturgy, and the historic faith of the Church.Rooted in tradition. Oriented toward renewal.Join the work of retrieval.Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/

    1 min

  8. 06/26/2025

    Is Catholicity A Fad?

    In this final episode of season one of the Retrieving Catholicity Podcast, Pastor Mason Ballard reflects on the journey of exploring catholicity and retrieval in the context of Christian ministry. He discusses the importance of understanding the concepts of retrieval and catholicity, the impact of language on worship, and the role of local churches in embodying catholic principles. Pastor Mason emphasizes the need for a theological framework that balances rich doctrine with warm community, while also addressing the challenges of confusion and corruption facing the church today. He encourages continued exploration of these themes in future episodes. Mason Ballard Ministries: https://masonballard.com/ Resurrection Church: https://resurrectionwv.com/ CONTENTS OF THIS EPISODE: (00:00) Introduction to Retrieving Catholicity (01:21) Exploring the Concept of Retrieval (07:23) The Importance of Catholicity (12:36) Navigating Fads in Church Language (15:25) The Role of Local Churches in Catholicity (17:51) Catholicity as a Response to Confusion and Corruption

    20 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Retrieving Catholicity with Pastor Mason Ballard is a podcast dedicated to thoughtful engagement with the church—her history, theology, and mission in the world. We believe the whole church matters—that Christians today can benefit greatly from voices of the past, voices around the world, and voices across the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. Join us as we seek the whole truth with the whole Church for the whole world—one conversation at a time.

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