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In this episode, Joshua Lindsey, creator of the YouTube channel Ready to Harvest, shares his journey from Bible college to becoming a prominent voice in the study of Christian denominations. Joshua explains how he maintains a neutral point of view when covering various denominations and dives into the research process behind his in-depth videos. He also discusses the ethics of creating Christian content on YouTube, the challenges of balancing faith and fact, and offers advice for navigating the diverse world of Christian denominations.

Learn more about studying Biblical and Religious Studies at Sattler.

Mentioned:

Mentioned in this episode:

• Ready to Harvest – Joshua’s YouTube channel on Christian denominations
• The World Christian Encyclopedia – Detailed data on Christian denominations 

Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction and Welcome 
0:19 – Joshua’s Background and Educational Journey 
3:40 – Creating Neutral Content on Christian Denominations 
10:05 – Researching Christian Denominations for YouTube 
18:30 – Ethics of Creating Christian Content on YouTube 
25:20 – Popular Videos and Viewer Feedback 
33:00 – Navigating Denominations and Church Splits 
40:15 – Advice for Christians in Divided Denominations 
47:30 – Closing Thoughts and Origami Fun Fact

Transcript

This transcript has been auto generated and likely contains errors.

Zack Johnson (Host) 00:03
All right, it is October 9th, and I’m here with Joshua Lindsey from North Dakota or Minnesota.

Joshua Lindsey (Guest) 00:10
Yeah, both. I mean, I go to work in North Dakota but live in Minnesota, so I’m a bit of both.

Zack Johnson (Host) 00:15
Great. Well, Joshua, I love to usually just read a bio, but I couldn’t find a succinct bio for you online. So I’m just going to let you give us a five-minute introduction about who you are, where you come from, and some of your passions, just so people know who you are.

Joshua Lindsey (Guest) 00:30
I should probably do a better job at that at some point. One reason you might not have found that is because my channel, Ready to Harvest, which I’ll talk about, is from a neutral point of view. I try not to talk too much about myself, as I’m just the person providing the information. But to give a little more about who I am, I was born in Washington State, and I’ve been around quite a bit, mostly in the Midwest since then.

01:00
In 2011, I came to Fargo, North Dakota, to go to Bible college. After graduating in 2015, I joined the staff at Master’s Baptist College in Fargo, where I teach classes, manage a Christian radio station (88.7 FM), and do IT work for the church and college. One of my tasks was to teach a one-week class on Christian denominations, and that led me to start making videos. I put those videos online, and that really set things off. Today, one of the primary things I do is make YouTube videos about Christian denominations. Most people know me through YouTube rather than my work at church.

Zack Johnson (Host) 02:02
Okay, and you mentioned Ready to Harvest. Can you tell me more about that? I know there’s a website and a YouTube channel. What is Ready to Harvest?

Joshua Lindsey (Guest) 02:13
Ready to Harvest is primarily a YouTube channel. I did create a website where people can support the channel, watch videos without ads, and access transcripts of my videos. I make transcripts with footnotes, and those are all available on the website. However, most people encounter me through YouTube, where I make videos on Christian denominations.

02:36
Some videos focus on a single denomination, which is something I enjoy, such as studying the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod or the Anglican Church in North America. I approach everything from a neutral point of view, aiming to provide a fair and accurate representation. For example, I had a pastor from one denomination tell me he was going to use my video to introduce new staff members to what their denomination is all about.

03:32
On alternating weeks, I might compare denominations or cover real-time issues, like the United Methodist Church split, which I’ve followed closely. There’s so much to talk about, and at the level of granularity I go into, I don’t think anyone else is doing quite the same thing. My audience includes ministers, but surprisingly, many viewers are just interested in denominations, maybe because they’ve attended a few different churches in their lives.

Zack Johnson (Host) 05:19
How do you research for your videos? Is it primarily internet-based? Do you conduct live interviews?

Joshua Lindsey (Guest) 05:26
It’s mostly internet-based, and I try to use primary sources whenever possible. I avoid things like the Handbook of Christian Denominations, because denominations can change quickly, and those sources can get outdated. My first stop is to look at a denomination’s statement of faith or confessions. If I can’t find information on a certain issue, like tithing or divorce, I dig deeper, sometimes even purchasing e-books or subscribing to apps.

07:06
I’ve read through decades of denominational magazines, resolutions, and even done targeted Google searches on local congregations to get answers. It can be complex, but it’s also fun—a bit like detective work.

Zack Johnson (Host) 07:34
Do you handle all the editing yourself?

Joshua Lindsey (Guest) 07:40
Yes, it’s a one-man operation. I handle everything, from research to scriptwriting, graphics, recording, and editing. I often make several scripts before going back to work on the graphics and final production. It takes a lot of time, but I go through my videos multiple times before they’re ready to be published.

09:19
And I always recommend anyone making content online to watch their video all the way through before publishing. There are always little issues that come up.

Zack Johnson (Host) 10:23
What are some of your most popular videos?

Joshua Lindsey (Guest) 10:30
My most popular video right now is called Eastern Christianity vs. Western Christianity. I thought it would be an interesting topic, and it covers Catholic vs. Orthodox, as well as Protestantism.

11:15
I also have a popular video on the United Methodist split and a comparison of Lutherans, Baptists, and Methodists. A surprise hit was Episcopal vs. Anglican, which took off, even though the two groups are closely related. It’s somewhat predictable which videos will do well, but I’m happy to make videos that don’t go viral if I think the content is important.

Zack Johnson (Host) 15:07
You mentioned presenting things from a neutral point of view earlier. Can you explain what that means to you and how you approach it?

Joshua Lindsey (Guest) 15:20
I knew, especially when I started teaching about denominations, that neutrality was important. I aim to describe each denomination in a way that they would agree with. In 2020, I made a video called Neutral Point of View is Wrong, where I discuss how neutrality can only answer certain questions. It can explain why two sides are fighting, but it can’t tell you who’s right. However, my channel continues to operate from a neutral point of view because I believe there’s value in it. It provides a foundation for debate and understanding.

Zack Johnson (Host) 23:07
Do you have any advice for balancing YouTube consumption and creation? People often go on for one thing and get distracted for hours.

Joshua Lindsey (Guest) 23:52
You have to be mindful of what YouTube’s motivations are. Their goal is to keep you on the platform as long as possible, which is why they recommend content based on what will keep you watching, not necessarily what you’re searching for. If you’re aware of that, you can counter it by setting limits, like browser extensions that cut you off after a certain amount of time, or by going in with a clear purpose instead of just scrolling.

Joshua Lindsey (Guest)
25:01
Especially with things like YouTube Shorts, it’s easy to waste time. You might watch 60 Shorts in an hour, but by the end, you can’t remember most of them because it’s all so fleeting. It’s just quick, short-term entertainment that doesn’t leave a lasting impact. So, I think people need to consciously decide what’s worth their time and how to limit the waste.

26:17
It helps to have a goal in mind when going on social media instead of just opening it up to see what gets fed to you. If you’re more mindful, you can prevent the endless cycle of just watching random content.

Zack Johnson (Host)
26:20
Yeah, it’s kind of like turning on the TV. People often do it just to kill time.

Joshua Lindsey (Guest)
26:32
Exactly. YouTube used to be different because you would choose what you wanted to watch, unlike TV where you just flip through whatever’s on. But with YouTube Shorts or TikTok, it’s become like TV again, where you’re presented with content you didn’t ask for, and you just keep watching.

Zack Johnson (Host)
27:00
That’s true. YouTube is in the TV business now too. It’s interesting how these platforms evolve. Speaking of which, do you have any thoughts on the ethics of using platforms like YouTube for good purposes, knowing that there’s a lot of questionable content out there? As a Christian college, we do marketing on these platforms—do you think there are ethical concerns we should be aware of?

Joshua Lindsey (Guest)
28:15
That’s a good question, and it’s something people grapple with. You could argue that by being on YouTube, you’re indirectly supporting a platform that has content you disagree with. It’s like saying you won’t use palm oil because of the environmental impact, only to find out the alternative isn’t much better.

28:54
At the base level, if you’re paying for ads on YouTube, you’re putting money into Google’s pockets, and you can easily find things those companies support that you disagree with. But if you take that to the extreme, you’d end up avoiding the internet entirely. So it comes down to balance—finding ways to limit ad placement or choosing when and where to participate.

29:52
As for posting content, it’s like putting up a billboard in your town. You can’t control what’s on the other side of the billboard, but by speaking up, you’re contributing to the conversation. I don’t think speaking on these platforms means you’re endorsing all the other content there. It’s about making your voice heard.

Zack Johnson (Host)
30:29
I agree. I see it as an opportunity to leverage the platform for good. People are consuming sermons and faith-based content on YouTube, and I think that’s a huge tool for spiritual growth.

Joshua Lindsey (Guest)
30:54
Definitely. Many churches now stream their content on YouTube, and I think it can be a valuable resource. Even for my own videos, I’ve had people tell me they’ve learned a lot from them, and I praise the Lord for that. It’s great that people can access content like this.

Zack Johnson (Host)
31:20
Do you know how many denominations exist in Christianity today?

Joshua Lindsey (Guest)
31:26
Yes, there’s a number floating around from the World Christian Encyclopedia that says there are around 45,000 Christian denominations. That number grows every year, and some estimates go as high as 65,000. However, it’s a bit inflated because it counts each denomination in every country separately.

32:16
The 2020 US Religion Census lists about 400 notable denominations in the US. Beyond that, it gets harder to define what constitutes a denomination. Is every independent church its own denomination? There’s definitely a large number, but I think the question isn’t just how many there are, but what actually matters when we think about denominations.

Zack Johnson (Host)
33:03
Should we be concerned about the growing number of denominations? Is it something to try to prevent, or is it just part of the Christian landscape?

Joshua Lindsey (Guest)
33:26
That’s a tough one, and different groups will have different takes. In some Christian traditions, schism is seen as a terrible thing. In others, like among Presbyterians, new denominations form almost every year. If your denomination was formed by breaking away from another, you’ve already accepted that there’s a time for it.

34:49
But yes, some people argue that all the divisions in Christianity make it look disorganized and question whether it’s a problem that Christians can’t agree. Others argue that the abundance of denominations shows that people care about theology. It’s a reflection of Christian freedom, and people are going to justify their beliefs in different ways. Ultimately, I don’t think the number of denominations disproves Christianity—it’s consistent with the fact that people are imperfect, and the Bible even predicted there would be false prophets and divisions.

Zack Johnson (Host)
36:12
That’s an interesting perspective. In my mid-20s, I started to pay more attention to the differences between churches, especially when key issues caused splits. It’s hard to know what advice to give people in those situations. Should they stay or leave? What’s your take on that? How should people approach these situations?

Joshua Lindsey (Guest)
37:23
It’s a complex issue, and the answer will depend on whether you’re dealing with a local congregation split or a larger denominational split. If it’s a local split, I believe that the church is the people, and if a church was founded on certain principles, it’s a bit dishonest to try to change them. If you no longer align with the group, it might be better to leave rather than trying to force them to change.

37:59
In cases where a minister comes in and tries to change the theology of a congregation, it can lead to painful situations where long-time members are forced out. I’d say, don’t ruin personal relationships over church politics if it can be avoided. Sometimes it’s better to move on and find a place where you can serve God faithfully.

39:34
On the denominational level, it’s even more difficult. People may argue over whether to stay and fight or leave when a group goes in a direction they can’t support. Some feel they should separate from unbelievers, while others are reluctant to leave a church with deep family or historical ties. Ultimately, it comes down to whether you can faithfully follow biblical teaching while staying in fellowship with people who may be promoting beliefs that contradict your own.

Zack Johnson (Host)
41:32
That’s a really thoughtful answer. For the few people who have stuck with us until now, is there anything else you’d like to share about your passions?

Joshua Lindsey (Guest)
41:45
Well, I used to do a lot of origami! I haven’t done as much lately, but it used to be a big hobby of mine. Back when I worked in a call center during college, I would fold origami while taking calls, and I still have some of those creations around.

Zack Johnson (Host)
42:00
That’s a cool detail! I feel like there’s a connection between the attention to detail in origami and the kind of research you do for your videos.

Joshua Lindsey (Guest)
42:12
Maybe! I didn’t think about it like that at the time, but perhaps it was preparing me for the future.

Zack Johnson (Host)
42:13
What’s the easiest way for people to support your work?

Joshua Lindsey (Guest)
42:18
The best way is through my website, readytoharvest.com. It works like a Patreon page where people can sign up for a small monthly donation. On the site, I also offer transcripts of all my videos with footnotes to the sources I use. People can dig deeper into the research if they want. The videos on the site are ad-free, which is great if you want to avoid YouTube’s distractions.

Zack Johnson (Host)
43:19
That’s awesome. I just want to say I appreciate your work. One of your videos really helped me understand some of the theological differences between my background and my wife’s, and I found it incredibly helpful. Your work gives people a framework to think about truth, and I think that’s so important.

Joshua Lindsey (Guest)
44:09
I’m really glad to hear that. When I started, not many people were watching, but I always thought about the potential viewer in the future. It’s encouraging to know the content is helping people.