Podcasts about gordon conwell theological seminary

MinistryWatch has long been a proponent of what some call the “New Paradigm” of missions. This New Paradigm has several components, but at its core is the notion that well-trained indigenous missionaries are better positioned to evangelize their neighbors than American missionaries who come from thousands of miles away with little knowledge of the language or culture of the people they hope to evangelize. The Institute for Great Commission Research (IGCR) at California Baptist University recently released “Missional Imagination: How the Next Generation Understands Missions.” Among the “top line” findings of this landmark study is this: “Supporting local Christians in their context is seen as the most trusted model of missions.” The study continued, “This preference reflects a strong concern for cultural legitimacy, partnership, and long-term witness, and signals a shift away from models centered on external control, short-term intervention, or visibility.” The man who led that study is my guest today. Dr. Matthew Niermann serves as Professor of Architecture and Associate Dean of the College of Architecture, Visual Arts & Design at California Baptist University.  Niermann serves as a director of the Lausanne Movement and editor of the State of the Great Commission Report prepared for the 4th Global Congress in Seoul, Korea in 2024. Niermann holds a Ph.D. in Architectural Design from the University of Michigan, M.A. Apologetics from BIOLA, M.A. Theology and Th.M. of Missiology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. I'm your host Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.  

This week, we return to a lively conversation with Dr. Soong-Chan Rah, hosted by Octavio and Claire back in 2020. Here, they consider the need for the North American church to break free from Western cultural captivity and embrace the diversity of our communities in our gathered worship and theology. Soong-Chan emphasizes the importance of diversity, community, and authentic cultural expression in faith communities. If this conversation piques your interest, consider joining him in the classroom this summer. He will be teaching "Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church" from July 6-10. Soong-Chan's BioSoong-Chan Rah is the Robert Boyd Munger Professor of Evangelism and Church Renewal at Fuller Theological Seminary. He holds a ThD from Duke Divinity School, with a primary field of study in theology and ethics, and a secondary field of study in American evangelical history. He also holds an MDiv and a DMin, with a concentration in urban ministry leadership, from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, as well as a ThM from Harvard University, with a thesis on the immigrant church.Dr. Rah has authored or co-authored over a half-dozen books, which have won many awards. These include The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity(IVP, 2009); Many Colors: Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church (Moody, 2010); Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times (IVP, 2015); Return to Justice: Six Movements that Reignited Our Contemporary Evangelical Conscience (with Gary Vanderpol; Brazos, 2016); Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery (with Mark Charles; IVP, 2019); and Forgive Us: Confessions of a Compromised Faith (with Mae Elise Cannon, Lisa Sharon Harper, and Troy Jackson; Zondervan, 2014).Dr. Rah is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church and a member of the Academy for Evangelism in Theological Education, the American Academy of Religion, and the American Society of Missiology. He speaks on the topics of the witness of the church, cross-cultural ministry, and social justice at a wide range of academic conferences, seminaries, Christian colleges, local churches, denominational gatherings, and ministry conferences across the United States and around the world.Regent College PodcastThanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social MediaFacebookInstagramYoutubeKeep in TouchRegent CollegeSummer ProgramsRegent College Newsletter

In this episode of Scripture Untangled, seasoned journalist Lorna Dueck speaks with Dr. Jeff Green, CBS Vice President of Scripture Translation about Bible translation, Indigenous languages, and the way Scripture in your heart language inspires hope, strengthens identity, and deepens faith. In this episode, Jeff and Lorna discuss:  Jeff's journey from a church-rooted upbringing and studying math at Waterloo to discovering Biblical languages and Bible translation as his life's work. Why heart language matters, and why people need Scripture in the language that speaks most deeply to them, not just one they can partially understand. How the Canadian Bible Society works alongside Indigenous communities under local leadership to support Scripture translation in heritage languages. The healing and hope of Scripture in Indigenous languages: language loss, revival, community restoration, and the powerful truth that “God speaks my language.” Why Bible translation is not solo work, but involves church leaders, translators, reviewers, and whole communities. Read the transcript: https://biblesociety.ca/transcript-scripture-untangled-s13-ep7  =====Jeff has been involved in Bible translation since 2001. He and his family spent 11 years in East Asia, where he served with Wycliffe/Summer Institute of Linguistics in a Bible translation project and in many other roles. He helped his colleagues with their linguistic analysis and Bible translation work as a linguistics consultant and a translation consultant. He taught linguistics at both the undergraduate and graduate levels for Canada Institute of Linguistics in Langley, BC and as part of their partnership with Tyndale University College in Toronto, ON, and for Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. His leadership experience includes serving as Language and Culture Learning Coordinator and as the coordinator of a Bible translation community of practice focused on the Himalayan region. Since joining CBS, Jeff has been a translation consultant on projects in Plains Cree, Iñupiatun, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Mohawk, Blackfoot, Kwak'wala, and Punjabi. He supports the wider Bible translation movement by serving as Managing Editor of The Bible Translator journal and as an Academic Mentor in the Master of Arts in Translation of Scripture program at Northwest Seminary and Canada Institute of Linguistics. He enjoys teaching others the things he's had the opportunity to learn and helping others with the technical aspects of Bible translation work. Jeff earned a Doctor of Ministry degree in Bible Translation from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. He and his family live in Oshawa, ON. Learn more about Indigenous translations - https://biblesociety.ca/project/canada-indigenous-languages-bible-translation/  Canadian Bible Society: biblesociety.caHelp people hear God speak: biblesociety.ca/donateConnect with us on Instagram: @canadianbiblesocietyThe Bible Course: biblecourse.ca

In this episode Caleb is joned by Chris Brauns (DMin, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) senior pastor at the Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley, Illinois to discusses the biblical concept of repentance, its importance in the Christian life, and how it can be a source of joy rather than shame. Brauns shares personal stories, theological insights, and practical advice on how to understand, practice, and teach repentance in everyday life from his new book.ResourcesThe Way of Repentance: Embracing God's Gift for a Transformed Life by Chris BraunsUnpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds by Chris BraunsTrue Repentance by Thomas Boston

Send us Fan MailWhat on earth are we to do with the troubling passages we come across in scripture? The Old Testament is especially rife with narratives and sentences that can make God sound cruel and unloving at times. I asked Dr. Sandra Richter, the Robert H. Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA to discuss how sincere biblical readers can approach difficult passages with openness, curiosity, and faithfulness. DR. SANDRA RICHTER is the Robert H. Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. She holds a Master's Degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and her PhD in Hebrew Bible from Harvard University's Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations Department. She has taught at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wesley Biblical Seminary, and Wheaton College, and is a veteran of many years of leading student groups in field archaeology and historical geography in Israel.Her ambition? To make the real people and places of the Old Testament come alive for her students. She is recognized in the Church for her book, The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (IVP Academic), and the Epic of Eden adult Bible Study series that has grown from that project. In the academy, she is known for her work in Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomistic History and the role of Mt. Ebal in the history of Israelite religion. She is also deeply invested in environmental theology (see Stewards of Eden), often addressing both lay and academic audiences on the topic. Her current research involves a forthcoming commentary on Deuteronomy with Eerdmans, a textbook for the introduction of the Old Testament with Zondervan, and a children's book on environmental theology. She is married to Steven Tsoukalas and has two (perfect) college-aged daughters.Thanks for listening to the Embodied Holiness Podcast.  We invite you to join the community on Facebook and Instagram @embodiedholiness. Embodied Holiness is a ministry of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. If you're in the Hattiesburg area and are looking for a church home, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the family. You can find out more about Parkway Heights at our website. 

Dr Jeffrey Arthurs joins Mike Neglia for a rich and encouraging conversation about preaching, courage, and the freedom that comes from fearing God rather than fearing people.The discussionincludes a striking quotation from Puritan preacher William Gurnall:"We fear men so much because we fear God so little. One fear cures the other."That idea opens the door to a wide ranging conversation about the fear of man in ministry and how a deeper awareness of God reshapes the way we preach, lead, and serve.Jeffrey Arthurs shares insights from decades of preaching, teaching, and mentoring preachers. Along the way he offers practical wisdom on understanding the people we preach to, communicating with clarity and specificity, and learning how different biblical genres should shape the way we proclaim Scripture.In this conversation you will hear about:The difference between fear of man and fear of the Lord in ministryWhy specificity makes preaching more powerfulThe importance of understanding both the biblical context and the congregational contextHaddon Robinson's Subject/Complement approach to sermon structureThe difference between feedback and feedforward when helping preachers growThe hidden hope inside biblical lamentWhy different literary genres in Scripture should influence our preaching styleWhether you are a seasoned preacher, a young Bible teacher, or someone who simply wants to communicate Scripture more clearly, this conversation is full of thoughtful encouragement and practical insight.About Jeffrey ArthursJeffrey D. Arthurs is Professor of Preaching and Communication at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. His passion is helping people proclaim the Word of God with clarity, faithfulness, and creativity.His books include Preaching with Variety, Devote Yourself to the Public Reading of Scripture, and Preaching as Reminding. Before entering the classroom he served in a wide range of communication roles including pastor, missionary, announcer, and ministry consultant.Upcoming Training WeekendMay 15th-16th, 2026 at Reliance Church in Temecula, CaliforniaTake advantage of early bird pricing until April 26th – only $120 per person!Register Today!The Expositors Collective is a network of pastors, leaders, and laypeople which exists to equip, encourage, and mentor the next generation of Christ-centered preachers. What to expect:In this interactive training weekend, attendees will hear insightful lectures, participate in Q&A panels, meet in small groups with a seasoned mentor, build ongoing relationships, and participate in a studying/teaching practicum.Who should attend:Christ-following men and women of all ages, ministry experience, and church backgrounds who are students of Scripture and desire to grow as teachers of the Word. Whether you're a regular Bible teacher or have never taught the Bible in a public setting before, this training weekend offers invaluable tools to equip you in your journey.ConnectJoin our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Shin and Shin Maeng, the author-illustrator team behind The Great Waking Up: The Story of Easter, for a rich and deeply human conversation about hospitality, imagination, faith, beauty, and the courage to keep dreaming. We also talk about the creative process behind The Great Waking Up, and why they wanted to create a children's book that is both theologically rooted and visually stunning. Along the way, we explore the power of art to awaken curiosity, the role of beauty in faith formation, and why children's books can open profound conversations about resurrection, grief, hope, and the story of Jesus. Sarah Shin is a writer, theologian, teacher, and ministry leader whose work brings together theological depth, imagination, and pastoral care. She has studied at MIT and completed advanced theological training at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She also teaches at Westminster Theological Centre in the UK. Sarah is passionate about helping people encounter Scripture with greater wonder, depth, and hope. Shin Maeng is an illustrator and artist whose work is known for its beauty, theological richness, and emotional depth. His art invites both children and adults into deeper engagement with the biblical story. Together with Sarah, he helped create The Great Waking Up, a visually compelling retelling of the Easter story designed to spark imagination and spiritual curiosity. 1. Memorable meals and Turkish food in Scotland 2. Hospitality, restaurants, and finding family through welcome 3. Korean American family life, feeding others, and ministry through meals 4. Belonging begins with curiosity 5. Identity, stereotypes, and being invited to tell your story 6. Dreaming, hope, and the origins of The Great Waking Up 7. From dream to reality: writing, illustrating, and getting published 8. Art, imagination, and 'digital stained glass' 9. Beauty, sacred space, and art as a conversation starter 10. Fear, courage, and taking the next step 11. Collecting 'yes' stories and nurturing hope 12. Dreaming in midlife, parenting, and resisting resignation 13. Waiting, uncertainty, and trusting God in liminal seasons 14. Friendship, Sabbath, and living an undivided life 15. Post-interview reflections

Join us as we explore the intersection of faith, work, and economics with Claire's fellow Aussies: faith-work expert Kara Martin and theologian-economist Dr. Paul Oslington. We talk together about how we can transform our understanding of work, integrating it with our Christian faith. We consider the pervasiveness of the sacred/secular divide, how the relationship between theology and economics has changed through time, and how to engage critically with societal challenges like AI, inequality, and precarious work. Paul shares his thoughts on wise Christian responses to global market issues, such as tariffs and trade wars, and Kara reminds us of the church's role in advocating for vulnerable workers. If this conversation piques your interest, you can join them this summer for "Faith, Work and Economics" from June 29-July 3. Guest BiosKara MartinKara Martin is the author of Workship: How to Use your Work to Worship God, and Workship 2: How to Flourish at Work; co-author of Keeping Faith: How Christian organisations can stay true to the way of Jesus, (including the NEW Global Edition) and was co-editor of Transforming Vocation: Connecting Theology, Church, and the Workplace for a Flourishing World. She is Adjunct Professor with Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Boston, and has lectured for theological colleges throughout Australia and Asia. Kara is also a Visiting Fellow with the Mockler Center for Faith and Ethics in the Public Square and Co-Chair of the Theology of Work Project in the US. She has worked in media and communications, human resources, business analysis and policy development roles, in a variety of organisations, and as a consultant. Kara has presented, taught and run workshops in churches and theological colleges in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, the US, New Zealand and throughout Australia. She is the 2024 winner of the Australian Faith & Work Award (presented by Ethos/Evangelical Alliance). She has also run a successful podcast: Worship on the Way to Work.Dr. Paul OslingtonPaul Oslington is an Australian scholar who holds doctoral degrees in both economics and theology. He is Professor of Economics and Theology at Alphacrucis University College in Sydney. A prolific writer and speaker, Paul's work focuses on the intersection of Christian theology and economic thought, including issues of markets, ethics, and the historical influence of theology on economic theory. Among his publications are The Oxford Handbook of Christianity and Economics and Political Economy as Natural Theology. He has held academic appointments and visiting positions at institutions including Australian Catholic University, University of New South Wales, University of Oxford, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Regent College.Regent College PodcastThanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social MediaFacebookInstagramYoutubeKeep in TouchRegent CollegeSummer ProgramsRegent College Newsletter

Lilias Trotter was a woman who did not fit the mold of her Victorian era. Born in 1853 into upper-class England, she was an exceptionally gifted artist mentored by John Ruskin, one of the most prominent art critics of her time. Yet, rather than pursuing conventional success and artistic fame, she chose a path of surrender—one that blended beauty, compassion, and deep spiritual vocation. She has much to teach us about a life of joyful surrender to God's gentle leading.Did you know? Lilias Trotter inspired the famous hymn, Fix Your Eyes Upon Jesus – yes, so that “all things will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”Stephanie welcomes Jennifer Trafton, who just released “If only we could see”, a wonderful new biography of Lilias Trotter. Jennifer explains how she became captivated with Lilias, whose “adventurous, interesting, fascinating life” radiated with childlike delight, generosity, and profound love for God. Victorian artist and missionary Lilias Trotter teaches us much about the practice of “seeing”—both literally and spiritually— and how it transforms us and the world around us.Lilias's training as an artist under Ruskin taught her to “see well”—not just the details of nature, but the overlooked people in her society. She moved from painting to working with the most impoverished communities in London, especially young women vulnerable in the city. In partnership with movements like the YWCA and revivalist preacher D.L. Moody, Lilias dedicated herself to listening, serving, and providing safety and practical help for working-class girls and women subject to exploitation and trafficking.Her artistry was inseparable from her love for people. This “way of seeing”—attentive, joyful, and present—became her creative and spiritual calling. Lilias's vision challenges us to integrate our gifts and passions into practical love for others.A key metaphor for Lilias's life is the dandelion—“full face to the sun” (representing Christ), then surrendered as seeds blown by the wind of the Holy Spirit to places and purposes beyond our control. Lilias did not chase worldly success. Lilias believed in offering her life freely to God, trusting Him to use every skill, experience, or seeming detour for His glory. The measure of a “successful life” is not accomplishment or recognition, but faithfulness and openness to the Spirit.The lesson of Lilias's life is that we are all called to both see others as Christ sees them, and to rest in the assurance that we ourselves are fully seen and loved by God. Her legacy is less about artistic fame and more about the deep creative, transformative hospitality she brought to every relationship.Lilias Trotter's “beautiful life” continues to inspire because she shows that to be fully present, fully surrendered, and fully attentive is to live in step with God's purposes. Whether you're an artist or not, her story invites you to open your eyes and your life, so that God's glory and gladness shine out through you, in Christ Jesus.Next Steps for You!·         Practice seeing: Pay attention—to beauty, to overlooked people, to God's presence in the present moment.·         Surrender your gifts: Offer your unique talents, passions, and opportunities to God without demanding a particular outcome.·         Root yourself in your belovedness through Christ: Know that, like Lilias, your worth is secure in being seen by God—which frees you to serve, love, and see others anew.·         Let your life be scattered as seed, trusting Christ's Holy Spirit to bear fruit, however and whenever God chooses.MORE ABOUT “IF ONLY WE COULD SEE”“God only knows the endless possibilities that lie enfolded in each of us.” – Lilias TrotterIn the late 19th century, Lilias Trotter stood at the threshold of artistic fame, her extraordinary talent praised by the renowned critic John Ruskin. Yet, at the height of her promise, she made a radical choice that would define the course of her life. Turning away from worldly recognition and social convention, she forged her own path—one that led her through the roughest streets of London and, ultimately, to the deserts of North Africa. There, her artistic and spiritual journeys intertwined as she expanded the many-colored canvas of her creativity to embrace not only the sweeping vistas of the Sahara, but also the lives of the Arab people she loved.Blending biography, personal engagement, and theological reflection, Trafton takes readers on an intimate journey with Lily as her friends knew her – a visionary who saw the world with an artist's eye and a missionary's heart, and whose imaginative empathy and creative compassion transformed the lives of those she encountered. More than the story of one remarkable woman, this book is an invitation to experience the beauty of creation with fresh wonder, to look at our neighbors through new lenses, and to discover what “beautiful possible life” awaits each one of us as we follow the call of the Divine Artist.MORE ABOUT JENNIFER TRAFTONJennifer Trafton is a storyteller and artist with a passion for exploring the intersections of faith, creativity, and the arts. She studied church history and theology at Wake Forest University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Duke University, focusing on the 19th-century writer George MacDonald and his influence on Christian views of the imagination. After serving as managing editor of Christian History & Biography magazine and a curriculum writer and editor for the StoneWorks Global Arts Initiative, she has been a regular conference speaker, writer, teacher, editor, and illustrator for the Nashville-based Rabbit Room creative community for over a decade. Her first two novels for children, The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic and Henry and the Chalk Dragon, received starred reviews and multiple award nominations, and she has since collaborated on or contributed to a wide array of projects including The Wingfeather Tales, The Lost Tales of Sir Galahad, Every Moment Holy, Vol. III: The Work of the People, and J. R. R. Tolkien and the Arts: A Theology of Subcreation. She recently illustrated Glad and Golden Hours: A Companion for Advent and Christmastide by Lanier Ivester (Rabbit Room Press, 2024).“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn't really work, or it's not really possible – or they've kinda lost sight of it along the way.In "Awaken Delight," I'm inviting you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight in God— not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is. Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you will learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable."Awaken Delight" is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued, and ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4.Find out more at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

What does it look like to lead in one of the least-reached nations on earth? In this episode, Jason Watson speaks with Miho Buchholtz about following Jesus and serving the church in Japan, where Christians make up a very small minority and ministry often requires deep patience, humility, and long-term faithfulness. Miho reflects on her own story of depression and healing, the spiritual and cultural realities of Japan, the challenges of church planting in a secular context, and the quiet, resilient leadership needed to serve well in a place where visible fruit can come slowly.  

Jaime grew up in small-town Massachusetts. Having grown up a nominal Roman Catholic, Jaime had little interest in God beyond maintaining a veneer of morality, which he often cast off at his own convenience. By God’s grace, while in college, Jaime was born again while hearing a sermon on Luke 15. Upon graduation, Jaime served as a police officer, but after three years, though he loved the work, he resigned and moved to Louisville, Kentucky to pursue a Master of Divinity. During his studies, he met Dr. Mark Dever, Senior Pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, and moved to Washington, DC to be an intern and serve as Mark’s personal assistant for the next two years. After this time, he moved to Providence, RI and served as Associate Pastor at Grace Harbor Church for the next year and a half. Jaime was called to be Senior Pastor of Tremont Temple in April of 2017. He is married to Adriana and is daddy to Mercy, Audrey, Jack, and Noah. Jaime holds a B.S. from Bridgewater State University in Criminal Justice, an M.Div from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Th.M with a focus on preaching from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Jaime also serves as an adjunct professor in the Biblical and Religious Studies program at Sattler College in Boston. Jaime’s interests include history and literature, woodworking, a bit of surfing, daily hand grinding his pour over coffee with the help of Jack and Noah, running and barbell training, and short family adventures.

The book of Ecclesiastes has puzzled readers for millennia with its unflinching observations about absurdity, meaninglessness, vanity, and futility. Biblical scholar Jesse Peterson joins Evan Rosa to discuss his book, Qoheleth and the Philosophy of Value, bringing contemporary philosophy into dialogue with this ancient text and reflecting on what happens when a sage confronts the gap between expectation and reality. "Can you view your work, your toil, not just as a means to a further end? Can you rather turn to simply enjoy the work itself?" Together they discuss the distinction between meaning and value, why Qoheleth denies lasting significance while affirming joy, the harm of death and the death of memory, Ecclesiastes and Camus's absurdism, and the book's surprising message about enjoyment as an intrinsic good. Episode Highlights "I think what's at the heart of the Book of Ecclesiastes is just to say, maybe not, maybe there isn't a direct line between what you do and what the result will be." "It's not just that you'll physically die, but meaning that you've accrued in your life, if there was such a thing, that dies with you." "In this moment of working on what I'm working on, whatever it is, I am fully alive." "You have a little piece of the pie, and just own it. Absorb yourself into whatever that may be." "Can you view your work, your toil, not just as a means to a further end? Can you rather turn to simply enjoy the work itself?" About Jesse Peterson Jesse Peterson is an Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies in the School of Theology and Honors Program at George Fox University. He previously taught at Purdue University, Fordham University, and St. John's University. He earned a PhD in Hebrew Bible from Durham University (UK), an MDiv from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a BA in music and Jewish studies from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. His work on Ecclesiastes has appeared in Harvard Theological Review, Vetus Testamentum, and the Journal of Theological Studies. He is the author of Qoheleth and the Philosophy of Value (Cambridge University Press). Helpful Links and Resources Qoheleth and the Philosophy of Value, by Jesse Peterson https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/qoheleth-and-the-philosophy-of-value/877B040C17EE8B9DD60174DEC7C306F7 Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Psychology-Experience-Perennial-Classics/dp/0061339202 Featured music by the Jesse Peterson Quartet https://jessepetersonquartet.bandcamp.com/album/man-of-the-earth Show Notes The most philosophical book in the Bible Bringing Ecclesiastes into dialogue with contemporary philosophy of value Jaco Gericke's Hebrew Bible and Philosophy of Religion as catalyst Authorship: why scholars date Ecclesiastes to the 3rd century BCE The Solomonic persona and the epilogue problem Amal (toil) and yitron (gain): does life add up? Qoheleth as businessman: commercial language for philosophy Three theories of meaning: subjectivism, consequentialism, intersubjectivism "Maybe there isn't a direct line between what you do and what the result will be" Brueggemann's orientation, disorientation, new orientation The absurd: expectation vs. reality, linking Qoheleth to Camus "Meaning that you've accrued in your life, if there was such a thing, that dies with you" The same fate for all: wise and foolish, human and animal Epicurus and the harm of death Hebrew anthropology: dust plus life-breath, no afterlife The carpe diem passages: "Go eat your bread with joy" Joy as robust, not narcotic—enjoying toil as an end in itself "In this moment of working on what I'm working on, I am fully alive" Csikszentmihalyi's Flow and the autotelic experience "Just own it. Absorb yourself into whatever that may be." #Ecclesiastes #Qoheleth #PhilosophyOfValue #MeaningInLife #BiblicalStudies #HebrewBible #WisdomLiterature #CarpeDiem #Absurdity #ForTheLifeOfTheWorld Production Notes This podcast featured Jesse Peterson Edited and Produced by Evan Rosa Hosted by Evan Rosa Production Assistance by Noah Senthil A Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/about Support For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

In this reflective workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference, Harold Kim walks through Psalm 42, offering encouragement and hope for those in seasons of spiritual dryness or discouragement. The session follows three movements: The Condition – what it means to be spiritually cast down The Causes – what might lead us there The Cure – how Scripture points us to hope in God This session is a heartfelt invitation to find rest, renewal, and confidence in the God who sees and sustains. Harold Kim is the founding pastor of Christ Central of Southern California, and serves on the board for Christ Central Network (CCN) and as president of SOLA. He graduated from UC Berkeley, received his master of divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and his master of theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. He was ordained by the Presbyterian Church in America in 2001. Harold is gratefully married to Sun Hi and a happy father of two daughters, Taylor and Elizabeth. His great joy and passion is to see lives changed as Jesus Christ becomes central to everything. When The Fire Goes Out: Finding Comfort in Ministry by Isaiah Marshall Psalm 42: A Psalm for Sad Seasons by Kendal Conner Student Series: Panting in the Desert: Seeking God When He Feels Like A Fake, A Figment, or Far Away by Annie Talton Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian in Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer  Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates  Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

Wesley Vander Lugt is a pastor, theologian, writer, teacher, nonprofit leader, and arts advocate with a passion for beauty, slowness, cultivation, and kinship. He currently works as the Acting Director of the Leighton Ford Center for Theology, the Arts, and Gospel Witness and is Adjunct Professor of Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte. He is also the Co-Founder of Kinship Plot, a community of learning and practice imagining and embodying resonant relationships of every kind. His new book is Beauty Is Oxygen: Finding a Faith that Breathes. In this episode, Wes and Jonathan Rogers discuss just how necessary beauty is. This episode originally aired in June of 2024.Support the show: https://therabbitroom.givingfuel.com/memberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Chotka strikes me as a well educated mystic, which is a delightful combination. He has degrees from Regent College in Vancouver and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he studied under Gordon Fee. He served for three decades as a pastor and for all those years plus some he has traveled as an evangelist and teacher especially of prayer – healing prayer, spiritual discernment, the Lord's prayer, and using our spiritual gifts. To learn more about him, go to spiritequip.com. He has written a book together with Maxie Dunnam on the art of healing prayer, and another on hearing the voice of God, entitled, Hey, Are You There? Its Me – God! That's our topic today. This is all about what it means to hear the voice of God so we can more confidently do the will of God. 

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this episode of Faithful Politics, we sit down with James Michael Smith, founder of  @DiscipleDojo for a conversation about how Christians engage culture without losing clarity or charity. Smith draws on his background in theology and martial arts to frame public discourse as sparring — pushing ideas hard while still treating the other person as a training partner rather than an enemy.The conversation moves across church culture, political polarization, and the habits that shape how we disagree. We discuss how identity gets tied to ideology, why online spaces intensify conflict, and what it looks like to challenge ideas without dehumanizing people. Smith also shares how his ministry works to form Christians who can think critically, hold convictions, and stay grounded in real-world relationships.Throughout the episode, the focus stays on discipline — intellectual, spiritual, and relational. The goal isn't to eliminate disagreement. It's to handle it in a way that sharpens understanding instead of tearing people apart. Disciple Dojo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCMEea4p5qqTlpDrp3vl9G3A Guest Bio James Michael Smith is the founder of Disciple Dojo, a discipleship and Bible-training ministry that equips Christians to think clearly and engage culture with integrity. He holds an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Smith also founded Refugee Jitsu, a free program that teaches self-defense and resilience to refugee and underserved youth. His work brings together theology, cultural analysis, and disciplined conversation in both digital and in-person spaces.Support the show

In this thoughtful conversation, host Stacy Bellward sits down with Certified Parent Coach Katie Wetsell and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Jody Goldie to explore how parents can help their children navigate fear and find security when the world feels uncertain and scary. Drawing from Katie’s personal experience supporting her family through a Nashville school shooting and Jody’s clinical expertise in trauma, this episode offers grace-filled guidance for parents walking alongside children through difficult circumstances. Key Takeaways: Starting with calm and security in your own heart first Create space for your child’s emotions Learn how curiosity helps when your child feels unsafe Pointing your kids to faith and hope in God's plan in the midst of painful sin Mentioned in this Podcast: Episode 124 | Empowering Your Differently-Wired Child Psalm 46:1 Jeremiah 19:5 Thursday Parenting Tips Emails – Sign up now! Check out our website for more resources to support your parenting! This podcast was made possible by members of The Table, whose monthly support creates a ripple effect of change for generations to come. We'd love to have you take a seat at The Table! Love the podcast? Leave a review to help other parents discover the show! Guest Bio: Katie Wetsell is our online course moderator. She is also a Connected Families Certified Parent Coach, pediatric nurse, and mom of four through birth and adoption. She is passionate about encouraging and empowering parents to love their family with confidence and connection. Building on her bedside experience, she has also been trained in SPACE treatment (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) to help parents support their children in overcoming anxiety. Her website is www.parentwithhope.org. Jody Goldie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and received her Master's degree in Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She approaches the therapeutic relationship with warmth and the belief that all people have the ability to heal. She works with clients who have experienced complex trauma, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression. Her training includes a family systems approach and incorporates that into the understanding of work with individuals and couples. Jody enjoys incorporating spirituality into therapy if that is desired by the client. You can find her at: www.mwtraumacenter.com. © 2026 Connected Families

In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Mike McGarry helps us deliver expository messages for you. What does it mean to teach the Bible expositionally to students? In this episode, Mike defines expository teaching and why it matters. You'll learn how to align your message with the main idea of the biblical text and walk away with four essential questions to guide your prep.  Mike is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as an ordained youth pastor for nearly twenty years in Massachusetts. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, with an emphasis on Ministry to Emerging Generations, and is the author of multiple books on youth ministry. Rooted Resources:Youth Pastor TheologianRethinking Expository Bible Teaching (Confessions of a Struggling Youth Minister) by John GardnerWhy Youth Pastors Should Teach Expository Bible Messages by Syler ThomasParents, Value Expository Teaching at Youth Group by Jennifer Kvamme Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

What if faith was never meant to be complicated?In this honest episode of the Collide Podcast, we sit down with Kelsey Jenney, a longtime Young Life staff member, speaker, and certified Spiritual Director, to talk about what it looks like to keep our relationship with God simple - especially in seasons when prayers feel unanswered and hope feels hard to hold. Through meaningful conversation (and a little talk about guacamole, hummus, and peanut butter), we explore what it looks like to welcome God into the ache, practice the ministry of presence, and rest in a faith rooted in relationship rather than striving. Whether you're weary, questioning, or longing for deeper connection, this episode will remind you that God is near—and simplicity can be sacred.Meet Kelsey JenneyKelsey is a longtime Young Life staff member with over 20 years of ministry experience, currently serving in disability ministry through Young Life Capernaum while also traveling, speaking, and hosting retreats. She is a certified Spiritual Director and is pursuing a Master's in Spiritual Formation at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Kelsey is passionate about prayer, spiritual formation, and creating space for authentic encounters with God rooted in presence rather than performance.In This Episode, You'll LearnWhy keeping the gospel simple matters in real lifeA mantra to hold onto when prayers feel unansweredHow to hold hope in the ache without rushing past painWhat the ministry of presence looks like in everyday faithHow imaginative prayer and spiritual consent invite deeper connection with GodAll the Best – Connect with Jesus and find peace through guided reflections on Mary and Martha's story, helping you overcome distraction, worry, and comparison.Personal and Powerful Bible Study - Explores how God shows up in our lives in ways that are both deeply personal and undeniably powerful.Connect with Jenny - Website | InstagramConnect with Willow - Website | Instagram | FacebookPre-Order Willow's New Book! Collide: Running into Healing When Life Hands You HurtFollow and Support Collide

Karen Mason, of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, joins us on Church in Action to share the results of her study on those who experience suicidal ideation in our churches. Don't miss this insightful conversation. Follow Us!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visionnewenglandFacebook: https://facebook.com/visionnewenglandWebsite: https://www.visionnewengland.org

Christmas is a magical, busy season of joy and celebration. It's so easy to get caught up in all the festivities and excitement that we don't pause long enough to consider what the Christmas story is actually about.  Because if you look closely, the story of Christ's birth challenges our assumptions about power, generosity, status, and what it actually means to reflect the heart of God.  The nativity isn't merely a sentimental moment; it is God intentionally choosing the margins, stepping into human vulnerability, and redefining what greatness looks like.  And if we let it, that truth forces us to ask harder questions about the way we show up for others, especially the overlooked, the lonely, and the forgotten. The first Christmas wasn't designed around abundance, convenience, or comfort. It unfolded in obscurity, among shepherds no one valued, in a manger no one wanted, to a young woman no one expected.  And the people who recognized Jesus first weren't the powerful. They were the poor, the humble, the ones most longing for God to break into their story.  Christmas, then, isn't about what we receive; it's about what we can give. How do we let the generosity of God shape the generosity we extend? Beyond celebrating Emmanuel, how do we embody Emmanuel for others?  In this episode, I'm joined by Rev. Dr. Emily Gierer, a pastor, educator, and spiritual leader who has spent nearly two decades guiding students, families, and faith communities.  Together, we explore why the true meaning of Christmas has far less to do with tradition…and far more to do with transformation.   Things You'll Learn In This Episode  God's Upside-Down Kingdom God chooses shepherds, not kings, to receive the first announcement of Christ's birth. What does that tell us about the kind of people God notices first? Generosity Was Never Meant to Be Comfortable The incarnation is the ultimate act of sacrificial giving. How does Jesus' costly example redefine the way we think about giving our time, resources, and talents? Why Loneliness Intensifies During Christmas "God with us" is not poetic language; it's God stepping into human fear, abandonment, and suffering. What would it look like to embody that same presence for someone who feels unseen this season? How to Teach Children a Different Kind of Christmas Kids are shaped more by what we model than what we say. How do families train children to value compassion over accumulation in a culture obsessed with getting?   About the Guest Rev. Dr. Emily Gierer serves as the co-Lead Pastor of St. Timothy's Church in Storrs, Connecticut, where she guides worship, preaches regularly, disciples students, and develops spiritual formation initiatives. With a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Emily has almost two decades of pastoral leadership and campus ministry experience at the University of Connecticut. In addition to her pastoral work, Emily teaches in the English Department at the University of Connecticut, offering courses in American literature, women's literature, and Biblical literature.  Together with Dr. Jana Holiday, she will also launch and co-lead Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary's new Doctor of Ministry track, Women in Leadership, beginning in July 2027. Emily and her husband, Vince, live and minister in Connecticut with their two young daughters. Ways to give this Christmas  https://www.st-timothys-storrs.org/  https://www.gordonconwell.edu/doctor-ministry/tracks/  https://worldrelief.org/gift-guide/  https://www.compassion.com/catalog/   About Your Host Hosted by Dr. Deepa Grandon, MD, MBA, a triple board-certified physician with over 23 years of experience working as a Physician Consultant for influential organizations worldwide. Dr. Grandon is the founder of Transformational Life Consulting (TLC) and an outspoken faith-based leader in evidence-based lifestyle medicine.   Disclaimer  ​​TLC is presenting this podcast as a form of information sharing only. It is not medical advice or intended to replace the judgment of a licensed physician. TLC is not responsible for any claims related to procedures, professionals, products, or methods discussed in the podcast, and it does not approve or endorse any products, professionals, services, or methods that might be referenced.   Podcast CTA Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm, so our show reaches more people. Thank you! 

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Jim Gulledge, author of the book Green Forest, Red Eath, Blue Sea. Jim Gulledge is the author of A Poor Man's Supper. The novella was selected for inclusion in the North Carolina Collection at UNC-Chapel Hill and the W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection at Appalachian State University. Over the course of his academic training, Dr. Gulledge earned an A.B. degree in Christian education from Pfeiffer University, an M.A. in English from Clemson University and a DMin in theological studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. His career highlights included participation in the Adult Development Institute at Harvard University, the Fulbright German Administrators Exchange Program and the C.S Lewis Summer Residence program in Oxford, England. A life-long resident of the Carolinas, Jim and his wife, Linda, enjoy visiting with their four children and son-in-law and daily life with their miniature schnauzer, Luka.   In my book review, I stated Green Forest, Red Earth, Blue Sea is a beautiful Southern fiction set of short stories. I fell instantly in love with these stories that take place in the state I call home - North Carolina. Each of the three stories takes place in a different part of the state and follow three connected families. The stories, though they take place during different times and in different places, stay connected through a family heirloom.   Unlike most books I enjoy this one has many varied characters, so there isn't one character to fall in love with. Instead, readers fall in love with place. And Jim did an excellent job helping readers come to love North Carolina, from the green hills of the mountains to the red clay of the piedmont to the sandy shores of the ocean. I also enjoyed discovering how each family connected with one another and how they managed to cover the state in a few generations.   We start in the mountains as trains bring change - meeting two young lovers whose time together is fleeting. Next, we find ourselves saving peaches from a deadly spring freeze. Can this couple eek out a living in the clay? The last story asks us to cheer for an orphan boy and the chance to find buried treasure against the backdrop of a tropical storm. And finally, catch a quick glimpse of a story yet to be told when a boy from the beach glimpses a girl from the mountains - and we feel that it will all start again.   Jim tells a delightful series of stories, and you won't want to miss this book. It would make a great gift for any NC native!   Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1   Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290   You can follow Author Jim Gulledge FB: @jim.gulledge.12   Purchase Green Forest, Red Eath, Blue Sea on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/4oI77Mw Ebook: https://amzn.to/47IXRAE   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   Want to be a guest on Online for Authors? Send Teri M Brown a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/onlineforauthors   #jimgulledge #greenforestredearthbluesea #southernfiction #shortstories #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Send us a textHow do we faithfully weave our life with God into the work we do every day? In this episode, Susan and co-host Rev. Smith Lilley talk with authors and businessmen Al Erisman and Randy Pope about what it means to view our work as a calling to serve the Lord. Together, they explore how the hours we spend in offices, classrooms, homes, and communities can become places of formation, worship, and witness. AL ERISMAN is currently a writer, speaker, and board member, including serving as chair of the board for the Theology of Work Project and as a founding board member for KIROS. He is a senior Fellow for both the Center for Faithful Business at Seattle Pacific University and the Institute for Marketplace Transformation. Since 2015, he has authored or co-authored numerous books on theology, business, and mathematics. After earning his PhD in applied mathematics at Iowa State University, Al spent 32 years at The Boeing Company, starting as a research mathematician. In his last decade there, he was Director of Technology, where he led a 250-person research staff exploring innovation paths for the company. He participated in committees on science and mathematics through the National Science Foundation, National Research Council, and National Institute for Standards and Technology. He is the co-founder of Ethix magazine, exploring business ethics in a technological age. After retiring from Boeing in 2001, he taught in the Business School at Seattle Pacific University until 2017. RANDY POPE has practiced law for 45 years in his hometown of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Since 2017, he has served as City Attorney for the City of Hattiesburg. He has tried numerous cases in state and federal courts in Mississippi and has successfully handled appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of Mississippi School of Law, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the founding President of the C. S. Lewis Society of South Mississippi, and he served on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA from 1973-1976.Thanks for listening to the Embodied Holiness Podcast. We invite you to join the community on Facebook and Instagram @embodiedholiness. Embodied Holiness is a ministry of Parkway Heights United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. If you're in the Hattiesburg area and are looking for a church home, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the family. You can find out more about Parkway Heights at our website.

Carmen Imes is one of my favorite people, and such a marvelous resourcer of the Church. With her latest book, Becoming God's Family, she completes a trilogy of teachings on what it means to belong to the Body of Christ. Its an excellent read and this is a great conversation! Dr. Carmen Imes is the Associate Professor of Old Testament at Biola University in La Mirada, California. Dr. Imes earned a PhD in Biblical Theology from Wheaton College, an MA in Biblical Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a BA in Bible and Theology from Multnomah University. She and her husband, Daniel, served as missionaries with SIM for 15 years. 

What does it mean to follow Jesus in a city famous for witchcraft? Pastor Steven and Sarah White share how their family and church bring the light of Christ into the heart of Salem, Massachusetts—especially during Halloween, when the streets overflow with spiritual seekers and darkness feels most tangible. ✨ Summary In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson sits down with Pastor Steven and Sarah White to explore what faithful discipleship looks like in one of America's most spiritually charged cities. From prayer walks through the Satanic Temple to welcoming thousands of visitors during Halloween, the Whites describe how God is using gentle presence, prayer, and joy to advance the gospel in Salem. They also open up about the importance of rest, marriage, and raising children amid spiritual opposition—and how light truly shines brightest in the dark.

We are excited to welcome Glenn Butner, who is an Associate Professor of Theology at the Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. He is also the author of “Jesus the Refugee: Ancient Injustice and Modern Solidarity.” He speaks at length about his book, which is a fascinating thought experiment about whether the Holy Family would be considered refugees under modern constructs, and whether a country would grant protection to them in their flight from Herod. Glenn also shares a moving story of encounter in Costa Rica with Nicaraguan migrants when he struggled to figure out how to help.Brian and Joe share stories from their ministry. Brian tells the story of Nikolai and Elena, two Russian asylum seekers who fled the country in fear of being drafted for the war in Ukraine. They participate in the Mass despite the language differences, and reveal the face of Jesus in their bear hugs and Uno gameplay. Joe shares the story of a recent day at Casa del Migrante when he challenged himself to introduce everyone in the shelter by their name and country of origin. Turns out, he might not have known as many of them as he thought! Hilarity ensued.

About the Author: John Sweat Jr. is one of the pastors at Heritage Reformed Baptist Church. He is a husband to Heather and a father to four girls. John graduated from Trinity Baptist College in 2015 and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he completed a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies and a Master of Arts in Christian Thought in 2019. Pastor John is an avid Georgia Bulldog fan, enjoys Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and is a Lord of the Rings enthusiast. About Simple Truths for Communion with God: The goal of this commentary on the Baptist Catechism is to encourage the use of catechisms again, corporately and privately. This is a devotional commentary. The aim is to explain the doctrinal truths contained in the questions and show the practical implications of how these doctrines shape our communion with God and the Christian life. Get your copy of this resource here: https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Truths-Communion-God-Experiential/dp/B0FDWW4QKS For more information about CBTS, visit: https://cbtseminary.org  

In this thought-provoking workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Mike McGarry explores how a proper understanding of the Imago Dei—the image of God—shapes our identity and discipleship. Arguing that much of today's cultural confusion stems from forgetting what it means to be human, Mike walks through the biblical storyline of creation, fall, redemption, and glorification to show how the Imago Dei is a unifying thread throughout Scripture. He also offers practical insight into why this matters for youth and family discipleship today.Mike is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as an ordained youth pastor for nearly twenty years in Massachusetts. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, with an emphasis on Ministry to Emerging Generations, and is the author of multiple books on youth ministry.Rooted Resources:Youth Pastor TheologianIconic: Being God's Image in Your World (Real World Theology) by Mike McGarryCalvin, Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life, and The Image of God for Youth: Part 1 by Dan WolfFollow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates Register for Rooted 2025 Conference in Chicago Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

About the Author: John Sweat Jr. is one of the pastors at Heritage Reformed Baptist Church. He is a husband to Heather and a father to four girls. John graduated from Trinity Baptist College in 2015 and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he completed a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies and a Master of Arts in Christian Thought in 2019. Pastor John is an avid Georgia Bulldog fan, enjoys Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and is a Lord of the Rings enthusiast. About Simple Truths for Communion with God: The goal of this commentary on the Baptist Catechism is to encourage the use of catechisms again, corporately and privately. This is a devotional commentary. The aim is to explain the doctrinal truths contained in the questions and show the practical implications of how these doctrines shape our communion with God and the Christian life. Get your copy of this resource here: https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Truths-Communion-God-Experiential/dp/B0FDWW4QKS For more information about CBTS, visit: https://cbtseminary.org  

Guest Bio: Rachel Britton is a British-born author, speaker, and blogger. Her passion is to help women become comfortable and confident in their conversation with God. Rachel has lived in the United States since 1995. Her career began in newspaper and magazine publishing in London. She worked for BBC Worldwide before moving to the USA. Rachel is a contributing author in a number of traditionally published books, Guidepost publications, and online material with Bible Study Tools. Her most recent book, “Pray Naturally,” released January 7, 2025, with Our Daily Bread Publishing. Rachel is the creator and writer of an Amazon Alexa skill app—“Alexa, say a prayer”—which receives approximately 1,500 requests per day. Rachel holds a master's in religion from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is Director of reNEW ~ spiritual retreat for writers and speakers held annually in the northeast which she operates through her nonprofit organization, Rachel Britton Ministries. Rachel is married with three young adult children spread over too many time zones. She loves to escape to the mountains of Colorado to write, hike, and ski. She blogs on prayer regularly at her online home, rachelbritton.com.   Show Summary: When you're facing a big challenge or transition in your life, is it hard to pray? Often, we forget about God in the stress and anxiety of whatever life throws at us, but He is right there waiting for you to talk to Him. Rachel Britton felt hopeless when she and her husband moved to the United States from Britain. As she faced the biggest transition of her life, she remembered God and cried out to Him. Now, Rachel encourages women to pray naturally with God through whatever they face. Join hosts Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy Adkins as they learn how to pray naturally with Rachel during this God Hears Her conversation.   Notes and Quotes:   “I realized that God had taken me from all the things that distracted me from Him. He moved me across the Atlantic, and it was like He stood in front of me and said, ‘Rachel, would you now take notice of me?' I didn't see it as punishment; I saw it as love. Love that He cared so much about me that He would take me away from the things that kept me from Him.” —Rachel Britton  “God knows what is going on in our minds and our hearts, and He honors that and He hears and He helps us. In those times spent with Him, that's when we grow in our faith, and He grows us so that those fears start to get less.” —Rachel Britton   “He knows what we're thinking anyhow. He knows what's in our hearts anyhow, so we can bring it to Him, however it sounds.” —Rachel Britton  “We have to hold onto those times when God has come through for us. If He's done it before, He'll do it again.” —Rachel Britton  Verses:   Exodus 2 - Moses being hidden as a baby  Hebrews 11:23  Joshua 2 – Rahab hiding the spies   Related Episodes: GHH Ep 6 – How We Hear from God with Eryn and Elisa: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/how-we-hear-from-god/ GHH Ep 86 – When We Pray Like Jesus with Elisa and Eryn: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/when-we-pray-like-jesus/ GHH Ep 99 – Conversations with God with Lori Hatcher: https://godhearsher.org/podcast/conversations-with-god/  Links:  Rachel Britton's Website: https://rachelbritton.com/ Rachel's Book Pray Naturally: https://a.co/d/1PIIxNP Unshakable Moxie BOGO Deal: https://go.odb.org/bogo God Hears Her website: https://go.odb.org/ghh191  Subscribe to the God Hears Her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GodHearsHerODBM Share Your Story:  https://godhearsher.org/share-your-story/ God Hears Her email sign-up: https://go.odb.org/ghh-sign-upsfmc191   

Do you feel that our isolating individualism, nonstop injustices, consumerist lifestyles, or everyday monotony are suffocating your soul?Our guest, Wesley Vander Lugt, believes what breathes life into us is something that we can easily miss or dismiss: BEAUTY.His book is Beauty Is Oxygen: Finding a Faith That Breathes (Eerdmans, 2024). Here is not your ivory-tower theologian; his PhD is in Theology, Imagination, and the Arts. Wes shows how beauty can break us out of self-centered malaise, promote healing and hope for our broken world, and re-enchant our lives. Wes believes that Beauty is as essential to our souls as oxygen is to our bodies.Here is the poem that Wes cites in the podcast:Every Riven Thing by Christian WimanGod goes, belonging to every riven thing He's madeSing his being simply by beingThe thing it is:Stone and tree and sky,Man who sees and sings and wonders whyGod goes. Belonging, to every riven thing He's made,Means a storm of peace.Think of the atoms inside the stone.Think of the man who sits aloneTrying to will himself into the stillness whereGod goes belonging. To every riven thing He's madeThere is given one shadeShaped exactly to the thing itself:Under the tree a darker tree;Under the man the only man to seeGod goes belonging to every riven thing. He's madeThe things that bring Him near,Made the mind that makes Him go.A part of what man knows,Apart from what man knows,God goes belonging to every riven thing He's made.Scroll down to learn more about Wesley Vander Lugt.Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app:Thanks for listening!Please share this podcast with your friends. Your hosts are Dr. Bob Robinson and David Loughney. For further resources on reintegrating all of life with God's mission, go to re-integrate.org.Wesley Vander LugtWesley Vander Lugt is the Director of the Leighton Ford Center for Theology, the Arts, and Gospel Witness and Adjunct Professor of Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte.His publications include Beauty Is Oxygen: Finding a Faith that Breathes (Eerdmans, 2024), A Prophet in the Darkness: Exploring Theology in the Art of Georges Rouault (IVP Adademic, 2024), Living Theodrama: Reimagining Theological Ethics (Routledge, 2014), Pocket Dictionary of the Reformed Tradition (co-authored with Kelly Kapic), and Theatrical Theology: Explorations in Performing the Faith (edited with Trevor Hart).We recommend purchasing these books from independent booksellers Byron and Beth Borger at Hearts & Minds Bookstore. They are eager to serve God's people with great books. Order online through their secure server or call 717-246-333. Mention that you heard about these books on the Reintegrate Podcast and get 20% off. Get full access to Bob Robinson's Substack at bobrobinsonre.substack.com/subscribe

Have you ever looked around at your life and thought, “This is not what I signed up for”? The plans you had, the peace you hoped for, the answers you expected—none of it looks the way you imagined. Instead, you're navigating unexpected struggles, heartbreak, or detours you never saw coming. In this hope-filled episode, Barb sits down with author, counselor, and Bible teacher Nicole Unice to talk about her new book, Not What I Signed Up For: Finding the Strength, Purpose, and Faith to Get Through a Season You Didn't Expect. Together, they unpack the disorienting seasons of life that leave us feeling spiritually disappointed, emotionally exhausted, and desperately searching for answers. With real-life stories, biblical wisdom, and plenty of grace, Barb and Nicole explore how to stay grounded in your faith even when your circumstances don't make sense. Whether you're walking through a tough season or supporting someone who is, this conversation will encourage you to embrace honesty with God, lean into His presence, and rediscover a hope that holds—even when life looks nothing like you planned.   RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE Connect with Nicole on Instagram Check out Nicole's book, Not What I Signed Up For. Visit Nicole's Website   ABOUT OUR SPECIAL GUEST Nicole Unice is a pastor and leadership coach who facilitates environments of safety and vulnerability so that leaders and teams can courageously identify obstacles keeping them from their maximum potential. As a sought-after speaker, Nicole has a down-to-earth style that allows even the largest gathering to feel conversational. Nicole is the author of several books focused on spiritual transformation and is a featured speaker through RightNow Media and Punchline. She holds degrees from the College of William and Mary and from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Nicole and her husband, Dave, live in Richmond, Virginia, with their three children and two pups.    As a pastor and community leader, Nicole is the author of several books on healthy faith, honing in on the connection between our emotional and spiritual life. Nicole's books come to life through her popular video curriculum series found on RightNow Media, and she preaches frequently for conferences, churches, and organizations. In addition, She's the host of How to Study the Bible, a popular weekly podcast that has reached people in 188 different countries in the last year alone. Find out more at nicoleunice.com.

In Episode 2 of Questions God Asks 2.0, Dr. Mateus F. de Campos, Professor of New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, invites us to reflect on one of Jesus' most intimate and restorative questions: “Do you love me?” Drawing from John 21, Dr. de Campos walks us through Peter's moment of reckoning, restoration, and recommissioning—showing us how Christ meets us in our failures and still calls us forward.

Nicole brings 20 years of leadership and counseling experience to her work as a coach and communicator. Nicole's passion is facilitating environments of safety & vulnerability so that individuals & communities can courageously identify obstacles keeping them from maximum potential.As a speaker, Nicole brings both wit and wisdom, with an honest & vulnerable approach that appeals to both faith & leadership environments alike. As a coach, Nicole brings clarity & courage for individuals and teams as they pursue growth.Her latest book, “The Miracle Moment: How Tough Conversations Can Actually Transform Your Most Important Relationships” invites readers into the practical steps that create moments of breakthrough within relationships. Her books come to life through her popular video curriculum series found on RightNow Media. Invitations to speak have taken Nicole around the world, but she loves her home in Richmond, VA, which she shares with her husband and three kids. Nicole holds degrees from the College of William and Mary and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and serves on the board of CHAT, a local nonprofit focused on restorative work with young people in poverty.Join Tommy in this delightful conversation with Nicole Unice.www.nicoleunice.comLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

Join us for Day1 Episode 4192 as Rev. Leon Stevenson of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Ohio, brings a powerful message titled “Shameless Audacity: Learning to Pray with Jesus,” based on Luke 11:1-13. In this sermon for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost, Rev. Stevenson explores what it means to pray with boldness, humility, and trust in God's goodness—even in seasons of grief and waiting. Drawing from personal stories of sacrificial love and community faith, he reminds us that prayer is both a practice and a promise.

In part two of our conversation with Nicole Massey Martin, we dig deeper into what it means to embrace who we are as women—even when self-doubt creeps in—and the importance of bringing those moments back to the Lord. Nicole shares the heart and conviction behind writing Nailing It, and we explore how leadership has evolved not only in the church but across every sphere. We also talk about surrendering our ministry ambitions and idols, and what it looks like to walk faithfully through seasons of suffering and sacrifice.—ABOUT NICOLE MASSIE MARTINLeader. Author. Speaker. Preacher. Teacher.Dr. Martin is the founder and Executive Director of Soulfire International Ministries which accelerates thriving for pastors, churches, and younger leaders. She has decades of executive leadership experience in the church and Christian non-profits and is currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at Christianity Today. She is also active in her local congregation in Maryland at Kingdom Fellowship AME Church.Prior to her role at Christianity Today, Dr. Martin has served in a variety of leadership and executive capacities including as the Senior Vice President of Ministry Impact at the American Bible Society, as Executive Minister at The Park Church and Assistant Professor of Ministry and Leadership Development at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC.Dr. Martin is a gifted writer and author of numerous articles including two books: Made to Lead: Empowering Women for Ministry and Leaning In, Letting Go: A Lenten Devotional. She serves on the executive council of the National Association of Evangelicals, the Board of Trustees at Fuller Theological Seminary, and on the National Advisory Council for the Salvation Army. She is a founding board member of the Center for Christianity and Public Life and has been inducted into the esteemed Board of Preachers at Morehouse College.Dr. Martin is married to her best friend, Dr. Mark Martin, and they have two amazing daughters, Addison and Josephine.—CONNECT DR. MARTINWebsite:⁠⁠ https://www.nicolemassiemartin.com/⁠Get the Book: ⁠Purchase Nailing It⁠Instagram: ⁠@drnicolemartin⁠—ABOUT FRLS271FRLS271 is dedicated to creating spaces where women can engage in authentic worship and meaningful community. Our mission is to encourage women to walk boldly and fearlessly in their faith and to lead with confidence and purpose in every season of life.— CONNECT FRLS271Website:⁠ http://FRLS271.org⁠Instagram: ⁠@FRLS271⁠This episode is sponsored by⁠ Gateway Printing

In this first part of our two-part conversation, we sit down with the incredible Nicole Massey Martin—author, CFO, mom, and all-around powerhouse. Nicole shares the heart behind her newest book Nailing It, and we dive into the ways women are showing up and succeeding, even when they feel like they're falling short. We also explore how leadership has evolved over the years, both in ministry and beyond. You won't want to miss this honest and inspiring conversation!—ABOUT NICOLE MASSIE MARTINLeader. Author. Speaker. Preacher. Teacher.Dr. Martin is the founder and Executive Director of Soulfire International Ministries which accelerates thriving for pastors, churches, and younger leaders. She has decades of executive leadership experience in the church and Christian non-profits and is currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at Christianity Today. She is also active in her local congregation in Maryland at Kingdom Fellowship AME Church.Prior to her role at Christianity Today, Dr. Martin has served in a variety of leadership and executive capacities including as the Senior Vice President of Ministry Impact at the American Bible Society, as Executive Minister at The Park Church and Assistant Professor of Ministry and Leadership Development at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC.Dr. Martin is a gifted writer and author of numerous articles including two books: Made to Lead: Empowering Women for Ministry and Leaning In, Letting Go: A Lenten Devotional. She serves on the executive council of the National Association of Evangelicals, the Board of Trustees at Fuller Theological Seminary, and on the National Advisory Council for the Salvation Army. She is a founding board member of the Center for Christianity and Public Life and has been inducted into the esteemed Board of Preachers at Morehouse College.Dr. Martin is married to her best friend, Dr. Mark Martin, and they have two amazing daughters, Addison and Josephine.—CONNECT DR. MARTINWebsite:⁠ https://www.nicolemassiemartin.com/Get the Book: Purchase Nailing ItInstagram: @drnicolemartin—ABOUT FRLS271FRLS271 is dedicated to creating spaces where women can engage in authentic worship and meaningful community. Our mission is to encourage women to walk boldly and fearlessly in their faith and to lead with confidence and purpose in every season of life.—CONNECT FRLS271Website: http://FRLS271.orgInstagram: @FRLS271This episode is sponsored by Gateway Printing

Today Claire and Rachel have a wonderfully rich conversation with Dr. Susan Currie, a Spiritual Director and Minister of Spiritual Formation at Leadership Transformations, Inc. Susan brings her experience of theological education, spiritual direction and training spiritual directors to her understanding of a Rule of Life. She shares about her own journey to becoming a spiritual director, the history of a Rule of Life, individual and communal rules, Jesus' rhythms, and the underpinning goal of growing in company with Jesus. We consider the importance of seasons and discernment in crafting a rule of life, then conclude the episode with a guided examen, where Susan graciously invites us to notice God's presence in our daily lives. Prepare to enter a spacious place, and consider joining us next week for “A Rule of Life for a Way of Life.”Susan's BioDr. Susan Porterfield Currie is a distinguished spiritual director and educator specializing in spiritual formation. She holds a Master of Arts from Bryn Mawr College, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Susan serves as the Director of the Selah Certificate in Spiritual Direction and is a Minister of Spiritual Formation at Leadership Transformations, Inc. Susan and her husband, David, are active members of the Anglican church.Summer Listener SurveyPlease fill out our Listener Survey before the end of July for the opportunity to win a $100 Regent College Bookstore Gift Card.Regent College Podcast Thanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social Media Facebook Instagram Youtube Keep in Touch Regent College Summer Programs Regent College Newsletter

In this powerful message, Dr. Mateus F. de Campos, Professor of New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, opens Grace Chapel's sermon series “The Questions God Asks” by exploring the Fall in Genesis 3. Through vivid storytelling, theological insight, and deep compassion, Dr. Mateus shows how God's question is not about location—but relationship, restoration, and grace. Whether you're hiding, searching, or unsure how to be found—this message is for you.

Top Ten from 2024: #8 Intentional Parenting in All Stages with Dr. Rob Rienow   Matthew 18:3 (NIV) "And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."   **Transcription of original episode**  230. Intentional Parenting in All Stages with Dr. Rob Rienow   Questions and Topics We Discuss: As our children grow up, what wisdom can you share for both participating in and refraining from sports in childhood? Do you have any counsel for us as we navigate the teen years, especially as it relates to technology and friendships or relationships? If we do find ourselves in a child-centered family today, what are a few practical steps to move us in the direction of God's actual vision for our family and our marriage?   Dr. Rob Rienow married Amy in 1994 and they have been blessed with 7 children. His most important ministry is loving his wife and leading his children to know God and love Him. Rob's mom came to Christ shortly after he was born so he was blessed to be introduced to Jesus at an early age. His parents divorced when he was in high school and God used that painful time in his life to give him a heart for young people and families going through dark times. He attended Wheaton College, then completed an MA in theology at Wheaton College Graduate School, an MDiv from Trinity International Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Leadership from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.    Rob's life dramatically changed in 2004. God brought him to a place of deep repentance over the fact that he was disciplining other people's children, but not his own. He was a spiritual leader at church, but passive with his family. Through that time of repentance, God turned his heart to the ministry of his children and his wife. God then led He and Amy to launch Visionary Family Ministries, a ministry designed to inspire parents and grandparents to disciple their children, to help couples create mission driven-marriages, and equip churches to build Bible-driven ministries. Their mission is to build the church through a global reformation of family discipleship.   He shares the biblical message of family discipleship at national and international conferences for parents, couples, and church leaders. He partners and consults with numerous churches, encouraging them to accelerate evangelism and discipleship through families.   Continue Learning from Dr. Rob Rienow: Visionary Family Website Family Vision Podcast Books and Resources by Dr. Rob Rienow   Other Episodes on The Savvy Sauce with Dr. Rob Rienow: 87 Visionary Parenting and Grand-Parenting with Dr. Rob Rienow Special Patreon Release: Discipline that Disciples with Dr. Rob Rienow   Other Episode Recommended from The Savvy Sauce: 228 Stewarding Technology for More Intentional Relationships with Joey Odom   (When you get your Aro Box, use code SAVVY for 1 month off a prepaid annual membership & 2 months off a two year membership)   Thank You to Our Sponsor: BELAY (Text SAVVY to 55123 before June 30th, 2025 to receive your amazing, limited-time, special offer!!!)   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV)   Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

In this episode of the Attaching to God podcast, we explore the often overlooked emotional struggles faced by leaders. Our guests are Nicholas and Sheila Wise Rowe. Nicholas Rowe is the Haslin Associate Professor of Leadership at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. And Sheila Wise Row is a seasoned counselor and author (and previous podcast guest). We talk about their new book, Healing Leadership Trauma: Finding Emotional Health and Helping Others Flourish. The conversation delves into the impact of trauma, attachment theory, and the myths of self-sufficiency in leadership. They also cover systemic challenges such as racial and gender trauma and share practical embodied practices for healing.00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Trauma00:44 Meet the Authors: Nicholas Row and Sheila Wise Row02:04 The Journey of Co-Writing 'Healing Leadership'03:16 Understanding Leadership Challenges06:54 Attachment Theory and Leadership09:06 Insecure Attachment in Leadership17:00 The Myth of Self-Sufficiency in Leadership22:12 Systemic Dynamics: Gender and Racial Trauma25:45 Historical Context of Cultural Systems26:35 Challenges Faced by Marginalized Leaders28:10 Gender Expectations and Leadership30:36 Defining Leadership Trauma32:32 Embodied Practices for Healing37:54 Community Support and Accountability45:37 Final Thoughts and Staying ConnectedDive deeper in our new book, Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection, and learn about our trainings and other resources at embodiedfaith.life.Stay Connected: Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort. Join the Embodied Faith community to stay connected and get posts, episodes, & resources. Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).

Today, Ray Low and I talk about welcoming diverse perspectives on the Bible.Pastor Ray graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree and is currently serving in New York City as Director of Community Engagement and Spiritual Formation at Kaleidoscope, a local and multiethnic ministry that exists to bridge the gap between the Church and the LGBTQ+ community through missional and pastoral care.Support Kaleidoscope's Jesus at Pride campaign by becoming a one-time or monthly donor at kaleidoscopeusa.org. Follow Kaleidoscope on socials @kaleidoscope.usa Join the Found Family crew over on Substack and get your free copy of the Found Family Cheat Sheet! Support the show

If you’ve been longing for a more humane, hope-filled way to lead—this episode is for you. Dr. Nicole Massie Martin brings years of pastoral and executive wisdom to a deep conversation about what it means to lead from the soul, not the ego. Alan and Nicole explore why so many leaders today feel spiritually empty, and how rediscovering the cross of Christ as a leadership model can bring healing—not just to individuals, but to teams, organizations, and communities.

Today we interview Dr. Nicole Massie Martin about her new book Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender. Reverend Doctor Nicole Massie Martin is the Founder and Executive Director of Soulfire International Ministries. She is currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at Christianity Today.Dr. Martin is the author of numerous articles including three books - Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender, Made to Lead: Empowering Women for Ministry and Leaning In, Letting Go: A Lenten Devotional.Dr. Martin is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is married to her best friend, Dr. Mark Martin, and they have two amazing daughters.Nailing Outdated Leadership Practices to the CrossTraditional leadership teachings and styles haven't changed much in years. But the world is changing and so are Christian leaders―women need room for their natural gifts to shine and people of color needed space to elevate the values they bring into their roles. Even seasoned leaders are growing weary of the status quo, craving innovative ways to lean into new ways of thinking for the good of their organizations and the emerging generations they serve.In this transformative resource for leaders of all ages, Nicole Massie Martin inspires us to crucify our ministry idols and nail our outdated leadership practices to the cross. Sharing leadership principles and case studies wrapped in biblical precepts and pastoral wisdom, she leads us through seven areas of traditional leadership that need to be reframed:PowerEgoSpeedPerformancePerfectionLoyaltyScaleGet ready to take the leap of faith into new leadership realities, and discover how crucified living can lead you to nail it.Buy the book: https://a.co/d/f0p0SvG

Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how some pastors write sermons, lead meetings, and care for people—but what are the theological and ethical boundaries for its use in ministry? In this wide-ranging conversation, Mike Neglia speaks with Dr Paul Hoffman about the promises and perils of AI for preachers and church leaders. Together they explore the difference between narrow and general AI, how it can streamline administrative work, and why it should never replace the Spirit-led work of sermon preparation. This thoughtful exchange offers both caution and clarity for pastors navigating technology in a rapidly changing world.Together, they explore the difference between general and narrow AI, where it can be useful in pastoral ministry (meeting prep, research, organising sermon notes), and where it poses serious spiritual and ethical concerns (outsourcing sermon writing, shortcuts in discipleship). Paul makes a passionate case for the irreplaceable role of the preacher's soul in interpreting and applying God's Word—and warns against any technological solution that would diminish that.Mike and Paul also talk about the pastoral and educational implications of AI use, including issues of plagiarism, critical thinking, spiritual formation, and the need for deep wisdom in an age of endless information. You'll hear reflections on how AI can help—and how it might hinder—our calling to shepherd people toward Christlikeness.If you're a pastor, Bible teacher, student, or church leader wrestling with how to navigate new tech wisely, this episode will offer clarity, caution, and encouragement.

Today we are pleased to share an audio essay written and read by David Helm entitled "3 Convictions You Need to Have Before You Teach the Bible". David R. Helm (MDiv, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) serves as senior pastor of Christ Church Chicago. He also serves as chairman of the board of directors for the Charles Simeon Trust, an organization that promotes practical instruction in preaching. He is the author of 'How Can I Begin to Teach the Bible?' from Crossway. Read the essay here. Complete this survey for a free audiobook by Kevin DeYoung! If you enjoyed this episode be sure to leave us a review, which helps us spread the word about the show!

Dr Dwain Tissell—preacher, scholar, and teacher—joins Expositors Collective to share insights from his 38 years of pastoral ministry and his deep love for biblical literacy and preaching. Now an adjunct professor at Western Seminary, he teaches courses on Applied Biblical Leadership and C.S. Lewis's insights on discipleship in a post-Christian world. In this conversation with Mike Neglia, Dwain reflects on his early preaching experiences, the importance of confident humility in the pulpit, and how imagination—shaped by C.S. Lewis—can enrich faith and biblical engagement.Throughout the episode, Dwain highlights the power of the Word of God and encourages preachers to persist, grow, and love their congregations well. He also shares his research on C.S. Lewis, including work at Oxford's Bodleian Library and the Marion E. Wade Center, as well as insights from his Christian history podcast, Holy History, which he co-hosts with his son.This conversation offers thoughtful reflections on preaching, discipleship, and imagination, along with practical wisdom for those seeking to deepen their craft and stay faithful in ministry.Dwain Tissell (D.Min., Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary; Th.M., Regent College) is Adjunct Professor at Western Seminary in the Masters of Applied Biblical Leadership (MABL) program, in Portland, Oregon. He also teaches a Doctor of Ministry course in “C. S. Lewis and Friends On Mere Discipleship In A Post-Christian Age.” Until 2023 Dwain was a pastor and preacher for 38 years, the last 30 years was spent in a church plant just outside Portland. Over those years he grew deeply in his love for the Bible, and God's people. He also had the great privilege of studying preaching and communication under Haddon Robinson, at Gordon Conwell.      He is also a writer on C.S. Lewis.  As a pastor he sought to live into the tradition of the pastor-scholar.  As a result he has done extensive research at the Marion E. Wade Center in Wheaton, Illinois and at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, UK. He has had book notes in the Journal VII of the Marion E. Wade Center, as well as an article on C.S. Lewis's most important idea in the 2024 volume of the C. S. Lewis journal Sehnsucht. In October of 2017 he conducted an oral history interview with James M. Houston on Houston's experience of knowing C. S. Lewis for seven years as a colleague in Oxford from 1947-1954.      Dwain delivered two papers at The Undiscovered C. S. Lewis Conference, in September of 2024 at George Fox University in Newburg, Oregon.  One titled “On the Road with Jack and Warnie: Walking the Wye River Valley with the Lewis Brothers,” and the other “C. S. Lewis, James Houston, and the ‘Zernov Circle.'     He and his son, Benjamin, also host the Christian history podcast, Holy History.Resources Mentioned:  Holy History Podcast: The Good, the Bad and the downright Strange!  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/holy-history/id1504391539  C. S. Lewis's Most Important Message: The Abolition of Man as Lewis's Self-conscious Struggle for the Value of Human Persons :  https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1467&context=cslewisjournalThe Bodleian Library:  https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/homeFor information about our upcoming training events visit ExpositorsCollective.com The Expositors Collective podcast is part of the CGNMedia, Working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. For more content like this, visit https://cgnmedia.org/Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollectiveDonate to support the work of Expositors Collective, in person training events and a free weekly podcast: https://cgn.churchcenter.com/giving/to/expositors-collective

Dr. Scott Hahn is a renowned biblical scholar, author, and speaker who has had a profound impact on both Protestant and Catholic communities. He is married to Kimberly, with whom he has six children and eighteen grandchildren. Dr. Hahn is the Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He is also the founder of the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology. A bestselling author, his works include Rome Sweet Home (co-authored with Kimberly), The Lamb's Supper, and Angels and Saints. Dr. Hahn holds degrees from Grove City College, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Marquette University. After serving in Protestant ministry for ten years, he converted to Catholicism in 1986. Get a copy of the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: https://ignatius.com/ignatius-catholic-study-bible-2h/

“Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, ‘Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.' After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever.” – 2 Chronicles 20:20-212 Chronicles, the second part of the complete volume known as Chronicles, continues the retelling of the story we saw in 1 and 2 Kings. As we talked about in the 1 Chronicles episode, Chronicles is like a different vantage point look at the same events as Kings. But as we talk about in today's episode, the vantage point allows us to identify and focus on some beautiful themes – particularly what it means to live with God at the center of your life. 2 Chronicles takes us back to King Solomon, the Temple, the dividing of the kingdom, military victories, and the many good and bad kings of age. To help us navigate 2 Chronicles is Dr. Carol Kaminski, senior professor of Old Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and founder of Casket Empty, bible studies that trace God's plan of redemption through the entire Bible, and author of a commentary on Chronicles. Doable Discipleship is a Saddleback Church podcast produced and hosted by Jason Wieland. It premiered in 2017 and now offers more than 400 episodes. Episodes release every Tuesday on your favorite podcast app and on the Saddleback Church YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/saddleback).Resources Related to This Episode:https://www.amazon.com/1-2-Chronicles-Story-Bible-Commentary/dp/0310490995Subscribe to the Doable Discipleship podcast at Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doable-discipleship/id1240966935) or Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1Zc9nuwQZOLadbFCZCmZ1V)Related Doable Discipleship Episodes: Navigating the Bible: 1 Chronicles - https://youtu.be/lQ_Qc4zbfgANavigating the Bible: 2 Kings - https://youtu.be/04q9gDhBKTkNavigating the Bible: 1 Kings - https://youtu.be/aS-KoeQXl2kNavigating the Bible: 2 Samuel - https://youtu.be/ZbpafGgOW7cNavigating the Bible: 1 Samuel - https://youtu.be/lY8wPElSFMYNavigating the Bible: Rute - https://youtu.be/YaH-t-ZzTaMNavigating the Bible: Judges - https://youtu.be/qNGcOf2o0NUNavigating the Bible: Joshua - https://youtu.be/hF28aThBtFsNavigating the Bible: Deuteronomy - https://youtu.be/HzmNgPOM4zUNavigating the Bible: Numbers - https://youtu.be/H1HO6V9HDxsNavigating the Bible: Leviticus - https://youtu.be/08RhDCXYex4Navigating the Bible: Exodus - https://youtu.be/NB9UTpS1F3MNavigating the Bible: Genesis - https://youtu.be/ddhjMfOoasAInspiring Dreams by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoonMusic promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/Creative Commons CC BY 4.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Guest Bio: Nicole Unice is a pastor and leadership coach who facilitates safe environments of vulnerability so leaders and teams can courageously identify obstacles keeping them from their maximum potential. As a sought-after speaker, Nicole has a down-to-earth style that allows even the largest gathering to feel conversational. She is the author of several books focused on spiritual transformation and is a featured speaker through RightNow Media and Punchline. She holds degrees from the College of William and Mary and from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Nicole and her husband, Dave, live in Richmond, Virginia, with their three children and two pups.    Show Summary: When was the last time you read the story of Joseph in Genesis? Have you ever connected to the way things don't work out for Joseph? Nicole Unice found comfort studying Joseph's story while she was going through an unexpected season in her own life. Nicole shares with hosts, Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy Adkins, how we can observe and learn new things about God through Joseph's life story. Join this God Hears Her conversation for a deep dive about how God works through our hardest seasons. To prepare for this episode, it may be helpful to read the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50!    Notes and Quotes:   “Knowing God's Word isn't about knowledge, isn't about facts, isn't about being the person who always has the right answer—it's a conduit to experience the love of Christ. It's what God has given us to experience Him through.” —Nicole Unice  “So much of the reward from our life with Christ is the faithful ‘hanging' with Him.” —Nicole Unice  “We know that people go through hard seasons. But yet our hard season is completely unexpected to us. We know it's a part of life until it happens to us.” —Nicole Unice  “In any room that you enter, do you make it better by your presence? Because if Christ is in you, then that love and presence is coming. And God calls that blessed. He says that's what blessing is. It's coming to you and through you, and it's experienced by others. “—Nicole Unice  “Testing is not so that God knows what's in us. Testing is so we know what's in us because God already knows.” —Nicole Unice    Verses:   Genesis 37-50  Luke 15:17-20  Romans 8:37-39  Jeremiah 9:23-24  John 6:68-69  Jeremiah 29:1-14  Genesis 50:20  Hebrews 11:22    Links:   Nicole's Website: https://nicoleunice.com/  Nicole's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/  God Hears Her website: https://godhearsher.org/  God Hears Her email sign-up: https://www.godhearsher.org/sign-upsfmc   Subscribe on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-hears-her-podcast/id1511046507?utm_source=applemusic&utm_medium=godhearsher&utm_campaign=podcast  Elisa's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisamorganauthor/  Eryn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eryneddy/  Vivian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivmabuni/  Our Daily Bread Ministries website: https://www.odbm.org/    MB01ZJMA8YBFYPB