Send us a text In this episode of Advancing the Cause , host Richard Bargas shines a light on the unsettling trend of “steeplejacking”—when struggling churches are targeted and taken over by more aggressive ministries. Richard unpacks how this strategy works, why it’s often harmful, and what churches can do to safeguard their health, doctrine, and identity. This episode acts as a call for discernment, wisdom, and faithfulness in the face of pressure and decline. Support the show Advancing the Ca...
Jun 16, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Send us a text Join John-Michael Wong, an elder at Evangel Bible Church in Berkeley, CA, and an engineer, as he and Richard Bargas explore integrating faith with work. This discussion delves into the importance of aligning Christian beliefs with professional careers, offering guidance for Christian professionals, young and old, on how to live out their faith without feeling overwhelmed. It addresses common challenges Christians face in secular workplaces, such as maintaining integrity and kindne...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 11
Send us a text In this part 2 of a thought-provoking episode, "The Bible Is Still Sufficient, Part 2," we continue to delve deep into the enduring relevance and authority of Scripture in the modern Christian life. Based on Richard Bargas' lecture, this discussion continues to explore the critical connection between the doctrine of inerrancy and the sufficiency of Scripture, underlining how the Bible remains the ultimate guide for faith, counseling, theology, and daily living. Join us as we addre...
May 19, 2025•52 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode, "The Bible Is Still Sufficient, Part 1," we delve deep into the enduring relevance and authority of Scripture in the modern Christian life. Based on Richard Bargas' lecture, this discussion explores the critical connection between the doctrine of inerrancy and the sufficiency of Scripture, underlining how the Bible remains the ultimate guide for faith, counseling, theology, and daily living. Join us as we address contemporary challenges to the su...
May 05, 2025•54 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Send us a text In this powerful episode, we welcome Pastor Rick Gregory and his son, Pastor Rich Gregory, for an inspiring conversation on continuing a lasting legacy of faith through multiple generations. As leaders in their respective ministries and part of a family rooted deeply in Christian values, Rick and Rich share their personal stories, the blessings and challenges of generational faith, and the importance of intentional discipleship within the family. From the foundational faith of the...
Apr 21, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Send us a text In this insightful episode tailored for pastors and church leaders, we delve into the essential task of realigning your ministry with its foundational mission and purpose. Discover practical strategies to revitalize your church's vision, set clear goals, and chart a purposeful direction that resonates with your congregation. Richard Bargas, Executive Director of IFCA International, will share actionable insights and real-world applications to help you navigate the challenges of mi...
Apr 07, 2025•45 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Send us a text Richard Bargas concludes this four-part series on assisting struggling churches in regaining their footing. This episode offers guidance on capitalizing on chances to invite people to your church services and programs, as well as strategies for reaching your community for Christ. However, what about after your visitors arrive? Richard shares valuable insights on developing an effective follow-up program to ensure that those who visit are more likely to return for another visit. Le...
Mar 17, 2025•56 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Send us a text In this episode of Advancing the Cause, we dive into the vital practice of evaluating your church's facilities and programs from the perspective of a first-time visitor. Often, church leaders and members are so familiar with their surroundings that they overlook small details that can significantly impact newcomers' experiences. Join us as we explore the benefits of taking a step back, walking through your church as if it's your first time, and identifying areas for improvement in...
Mar 03, 2025•43 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Send us a text In Part 2 of Church SOS, we explore how churches can use the concept of a funnel to assess and refine their programs for greater impact. Just like a doctor’s diagnosis of a sick patient, statistical analysis can reveal strengths and highlight areas that need attention. By examining simple attendance numbers over time, church leaders can gain valuable insights into where their ministry is thriving and where thoughtful reflection, strategic adjustments, and prayerful decision-making...
Feb 18, 2025•48 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Send us a text In “Church SOS,” Richard Bargas delves into the narratives of churches that have drifted from their foundational purposes, exploring how this shift has led to dwindling congregations and diminished impact. This episode uncovers the subtle signs of mission drift, the internal pressures that lead to misalignment, and the profound consequences of losing sight of the purposes that Christ has called His Church to fulfill. Listeners are invited to reflect deeply on the true role of the ...
Feb 03, 2025•51 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Send us a text Dive into a compelling and eye-opening conversation as Dr. Richard Bargas and Paul Scharf, Church Ministries Representative for Friends of Israel, confront the alarming surge of antisemitism that is casting a shadow across the globe. In this thought-provoking episode, they unravel the roots of this age-old hatred, even seeping into unexpected places like American universities and some Christian denominations. Explore the biblical insights into antisemitism and anti-Zionism while n...
Jan 20, 2025•49 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Send us a text Welcome to Season 3 of Advancing the Cause! In this episode, Richard Bargas shares several reasons why you might think that you don’t need to use illustrations to make your sermons and Bible studies more interesting—and how properly used illustrations not only help your listeners remember what you have taught but aid in understanding the concepts and doctrine you are trying to teach them. Need some help in this area of lesson and sermon preparation? Listen as Dr. Bargas shares fro...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 1
Send us a text In this final installment of the series, Richard Bargas wraps up his mini-series on Preaching the Old Testament like a Dispensationalist, with the last points on improving your preparation of Old Testament sermons and Bible lessons. Dealing practically with the text, Dr. Bargas helps guide you through any possible pitfalls as you develop a biblical sermon from the Old Testament. Part 1: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2084058/episodes/16243761 Part 2: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2084058...
Dec 30, 2024•27 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Send us a text In this second installment of this series, Richard Bargas moves from reasons to preach the Old Testament to sharing helpful hints to help you feel more comfortable and improve your preparation of Old Testament sermons and Bible lessons. Dealing practically with the text, Dr. Bargas helps guide you through any possible pitfalls as you develop a biblical sermon from the Old Testament Advancing the Cause is a proud member and partner with Foundations Media: foundationsmedia.org Learn...
Dec 23, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 24
Send us a text Richard Bargas discusses 8 reasons why many pastors don’t preach from the Old Testament and 7 reasons why all pastors need to make the Old Testament a regular part of the diet of teaching for the church. Some of these reasons are particular to dispensationalists who are careful to distinguish between Israel and the Church. While carefully following a consistent Literal Grammatical Historical hermeneutic (LGH), Richard Bargas wants to encourage pastors to take up the rich blessings...
Dec 09, 2024•54 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Send us a text IFCA Executive Director Richard Bargas talks with his wife Wendy about the IFCA Women’s Fellowship and how IFCA exists not just for men, but to help our sisters in Christ as well. How does IFCA bless the women of the church? Through our annual convention on an international scale, but also within our local regional meetings, and within the local church. Touching on topics like how IFCA has helped churches develop women’s ministry in the local church context, how postmillennialism ...
Nov 25, 2024•52 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Send us a text Executive Director Richard Bargas explores the topic of Dr. Joel Tetreau’s latest book, Three Lines in the Evangelical Sand , which seeks to not only define the differences between fundamentalists and conservative evangelicals but to understand where there is unity and a basis for cooperation and appreciation. Coming from a fundamentalist upbringing and education, Dr. Tetreau speaks with caring love and concern for those who all too quickly want to divide from one another, not onl...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Send us a text Drawing from the New Testament, IFCA Executive Director Richard Bargas explores the lives and example of married couple Aquila and Priscilla as a template for how a husband and wife can serve the Lord together in their local church and community. You don’t need to be a pastor, and you don’t even need to be in ministry to serve God right where you are. This short study will encourage your soul as you hear how any married couple can serve God together, wherever they may be. Support ...
Oct 21, 2024•38 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Send us a text There are a lot of questions when it comes to our adult children and our responsibility toward them. Are we responsible for them at all once they are out of our home? Is the “age of accountability” a biblical idea? How should we handle their rebellion? What about if we find out that they are deep in sin, or worse, claim they have deconstructed? How can we help them in times of need and hurt? Richard Bargas walks through these questions and seeks wisdom from the Bible to help Chris...
Oct 07, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Send us a text Richard Bargas shares about the dangers of disqualification that can arise from the threats inherent in pastoral ministry. Addressing the need for being a faithful father and how our ministries are connected to our duties as parents of children in our home, Dr. Bargas points to the Scriptures for help. Practical and biblical, this episode will be a blessing and challenge. To listen to the related episode on “Guarding our Marriage in Pastoral Ministry” https://www.buzzsprout.com/20...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Send us a text Richard Bargas discusses with Pastor Jesse Randolph the reasons why it is sometimes necessary for the church to become involved in controversy. They draw from two recent controversies, Reformed Dispensationalism and the Active Obedience of Christ, to talk about how ideas can infiltrate a church and influence people, and why some issues need to be addressed. Links: IFCA International: IFCA.org Foundations Media: https://foundationsmedia.org Indian Hills Community Church - https://i...
Sep 02, 2024•58 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Send us a text Richard Bargas shares about the dangers of disqualification that can arise from the threats inherent in pastoral ministry. Addressing the need for being a faithful husband and how this can be jeopardized as well as ways we must guard against failure to lead our homes are the major topics covered. Practical and biblical, this episode will be a blessing and challenge to you. Advancing the Cause is a proud member and partner with Foundations Media: foundationsmedia.org Learn more abo...
Aug 19, 2024•52 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Send us a text Being a biblicist used to mean that you took the Bible seriously, and held it in highest honor. Even with this simple definition, there are several scholars today that attach a negative connotation to biblicism. IFCA Executive Director Richard Bargas takes a critical look at Drs. Craig Carter and Matthew Barrett’s views on biblicism as well as their promotion of the “Great Tradition,” which states that simple exegesis is insufficient to understand the Bible, but instead a proper i...
Aug 05, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Send us a text Richard Bargas discusses with Pastor Gary Gilley of Southern View Chapel the idea that as Christians, we shouldn't have to choose between humility and speaking the truth. Instead, we should always speak the truth with love, patience, and humility. Listen in as we explore the relationship between humility and truth-telling from a biblical perspective, emphasizing the importance of humility in how we speak the truth, especially for church leaders. Dr. Gary Gilley has been the pastor...
Jul 22, 2024•51 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Send us a text Richard Bargas and Dr. William Varner delve into the significance of the Apostolic Fathers, exploring their historical context, doctrinal contributions, and relevance for contemporary Christianity. As a biblical conservative, dispensationalist, and a scholar—not to mention a member of IFCA International, Dr. Varner encourages Christians to read the Apostolic Fathers for themselves, a subject that many men from our tradition of Bible Churches would be distrusting and unfamiliar wit...
Jul 01, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Send us a text Tim Chally and Richard Bargas discuss the major impact that the doctrine of depravity has on biblical counseling and the Christian life. Speaking from his experience and training as a biblical counselor, Tim points to the power of the indwelling Spirit, the sufficiency of Scripture, and the gospel as the greatest hope that we have. IFCA International: www.ifca.org Advancing the Cause is a proud member of Foundations Media: foundationsmedia.org Support the show Advancing the Cause ...
Jun 17, 2024•55 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Send us a text Richard Bargas and Tim Dane discuss the history of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements and how they have become so influential in the evangelical church today. Dr. Dane discusses some of the passages that address the cessation of the spectacular gifts of the Spirit, including healing, tongues, and signs and wonders. Dr. Dane's Book and Blog: https://frbible.org/dr-tim-dane/ IFCA International: www.ifca.org Advancing the Cause is a proud member of Foundations Media: foundatio...
Jun 03, 2024•58 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Send us a text We are living during a time when the evangelical Christian church, in general, has downplayed theology so much that we are not seeing many churches denigrate anything outside of the basic gospel message. It has become fashionable in some circles to shorten church doctrinal statements to the point that they are only a few short sentences. Dispensational Premillennialism is one of those areas where more and more Christians are unwilling to see as important or relegate these matters ...
May 20, 2024•58 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Send us a text Richard Bargas shares 7 important reasons why expository preaching is needed to help every Bible church maintain a healthy teaching ministry. Learn more about IFCA : IFCA.org Support the show Advancing the Cause is a proud member and partner with Foundations Media: foundationsmedia.org Learn more about IFCA at www.IFCA.org...
May 06, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Send us a text How can you help guard your church against future doctrinal change? Is there a way that your church’s current doctrine can be guarded after your pastor moves on or is called home? Executive Director Richard Bargas shares how some churches that have had faithful IFCA pastors change their doctrine once their pastor moves on, and adopts Covenant Theology, charismatic theology, and more. Is there anything that can be done? Absolutely! Listen to this episode of Advancing the Cause to l...
Apr 15, 2024•31 min•Season 2Ep. 8
