The Ordinary Christian Podcast

Are missionaries just people who couldn't hack it in the United States? How would you transition from your 8-5 job in South Carolina to become an international missionary? How would you break the news to your spouse that you feel called to international missions? How in the world would you help your kids in that process? Today, my conversation with Walt covers all of these areas and more. Tune in...

On this episode of the Podcast, Dr. Chris Hefner and I discuss the importance of everyday ministry. We talk about Francis Schaeffer, Moses's staff, and floating axe heads. Along the way Chris helps us to see how the Elisha's ministry was important and valuable even though it is often overshadowed by Elijah. If you have ever felt like your ministry at work, at home, or among your peers didn't matte...

My kids wonder what exactly a pastor does. I assume that many of you wonder the same thing. I am often asked, “How long does it take to write a sermon?” In today’s podcast, I try to answer that question for any of you who may have been wondering.

You can have a better marriage today with just a little effort. Stop putting it off until tomorrow. On this episode of the podcast, consider these 5 easy steps to improve your marriage now. Subscribe to  The Ordinary Christian Podcast

D. J. Horton is senior pastor at The Church At The Mill in Spartanburg, SC. He is married to Laurel with six children. D. J. Helps us understand how to practice discipleship in our homes and how to make time to grow in Christ. Along the way we hear about a monster deer, the pursuit of turkeys, and practical tips for leading your kids toward Christ. You can learn more about D. J. at Living Worthy M...

How can you grow as a Christian? After 25 years of strength training, I’ve learned that the recipe for growth is almost the same in every area of life. To get physically stronger you need 3 basic ingredients: 1. Nutrition 2. Time Under Tension 3. Rest. The same is true in your spiritual life. To grow as a Christian you need 1. Spiritual Nutrition 2. Time Under Tension 3. Sabbath Rest. Subscribe to...

How should the white evangelical church help to heal the racial divide in our country? Here, I continue my conversation with Stephen Splawn from the SC Baptist Convention about race relations, country music, and sushi. We also address some more serious issues like stereotypes and injustice. Listen in to see how you can do your part to make a difference in your own church.

How should the white evangelical church help to heal the racial divide in our country? Today, I speak with Stephen Splawn from the SC Baptist Convention about race relations, country music, and sushi. We also address some more serious issues like stereotypes and injustice. Listen in to see how you can do your part to make a difference in your own church.

Everyone wants to be a part of a healthy church, but not everyone knows how to get there. There are tons of resources on what a healthy church is and what a healthy church should look like. But, if we were to boil all of that down to six necessary components, what would they be and what would that puzzle look like? Here's an ordinary guide to a healthy church.

Does social media wear you out? Does it seem to be negative all the time? Maybe you agree with a friend who once told me, “Nothing on social media makes me like my friend more, but it does often make me like people less.” The Bible doesn’t mention social media, but it has a lot to say about how we use words. This episode of the Ordinary Christian Podcast will help you monitor your own social media...

Aimee Byrd is the author of five books including Theological Fitness: Why We Need A Fighting Faith . I asked Aimee to come on to the podcast today to help us understand how a "fighting faith" can sustain us during hard times. We also talk about some of her other writings and how rest can be active. If you would like to know more about Aimee, you can read her work here .

International missionaries approach the world through a unique lens. Zane Pratt, Vice President for Global Training with the International Mission Board discusses the status of the IMB today and how the church can support missions.  Dr. Pratt also helps us to understand how the pandemic is different in developing countries, how social distancing is a privilege for the wealthy, and what he see...

What are your parenting plans after the pandemic? How will you apply the lessons learned from this slow down? Here are five steps you can take to utilize the lessons learned during this unique time. Prioritize discipleship at home. Prioritize church attendance. Reduce busyness. Keep academics in their place. Push extracurricular activities to the edges.

Are you participating in online or parking lot worship services right now? For many people, these experiences have been an important lifeline during the coronavirus crisis. However, most people acknowledge that these online or parking lot experiences leave them a bit dissatisfied. Why is that? On this episode of the Podcast we hear from Dr. Ricky Stark about why it is that online and parking lot s...

But, this time of forced sabbath should be teaching us all the value of rest and the importance of simple joys. There are lessons to learn. What are you doing to remember them?

Parents, read the Proverbs and take them to heart. Train up a child in the way that he or she should go. But, beware of how you may be leading your children astray. Beware, because for those who lead others astray, it would be better if they were drowned in the sea with a giant stone around their neck. Beware, because by leading your children to sin, you may lead them to hell. These are hard truth...

As COVID-19 continues to spread across the world, church buildings are shuttered. But, in hard days, the church is still the church. Here are 8 ways you can continue being the church, even in social isolation.

Some of you are going to have extra time on your hands over the next several weeks. It might be a good time to consider some reading. Many of you who listen this podcast don’t enjoy reading as much as I do, so I thought I could help you by suggesting some books I’ve enjoyed or found useful. I limited this to non-fiction only.

COVID 19 is the disease of the day right now. Hopefully in a few months or years, COVID 19 will be a distant memory. But, regardless of what happens with COVID 19, we will always have sickness among us, and people who are sick need our ministry. In Matthew 25:36, Jesus said, “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Have you ever felt disconnected from your church? Do you struggle to feel like you fit in? Try these steps to help you get the most out of your church. Attend Regularly Join a LifeGroup Be a Friend Prepare for Worship Remember that community is messy...and so are you. Invest in others and invite them to attend worship with you. Show up early and stay late.

Do you struggle to have regular and meaningful devotions. Are you ever tempted to believe that everyone else seems to have this figured out except you? Today on Episode 2 of the Ordinary Christian Podcast, I hope to help you improve your devotional life and take steps to grow in your Christian faith over the next several year.

Have you ever noticed that many of the important or significant events in your life are unplanned or unexpected? Some of those are negative events: a health scare, the death of a family member, or a car accident. Some are positive like a pay raise or a surprise visit from a friend. The same thing is true for our discipleship opportunities as Christians. Many of our most rewarding spiritual ex...