Rethink & Return with Jason Shepperd

This episode covers how the story of Zechariah reveals the deeper theology of Christmas, the subtle sovereignty of God in ordinary moments, and how faith can grow even when life feels confusing or disappointing. You’ll hear a conversation about trusting God when prayers seem unanswered, how to keep your heart soft, and why miracles are real but not regular. This episode also explores the differenc...

This episode covers what it means to “lead with a limp” — the kind of humility, steadiness, and wisdom that only comes through real life pain and ministry wounds. You’ll hear an honest conversation about the difference between pre-limp and post-limp leadership, why humility matters more than talent, what younger leaders often miss, how seasoned leaders can carry the weight in tough seasons, and ho...

This episode includes a deep conversation on cultivating an enduring devotional life rooted in Psalm 1. It unpacks how God’s goodness shapes the blessed life, how the righteous walk in a distinct way defined by Scripture, and why delighting in God’s Word forms the foundation of spiritual consistency through every season. Through vivid biblical imagery—like trees planted by streams of water—the epi...

This episode covers how the gospel helps us see grief clearly. We look at Hebrews 11 to understand why suffering doesn’t mean God is absent, how faith carries us through seasons of loss, and why this world will never feel like home. If you’re hurting or walking with someone who is, this conversation offers clarity, hope, and a gospel lens for grief. Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: st...

This episode covers what it actually looks like when God is moving among His people. Drawing from Acts 11:19–30, we see that revival rarely happens in perfect conditions—it happens in difficulty, through evangelism, community, generosity, and deep devotion to the Word. This message reminds us that our difficult seasons don’t disqualify us; they often position us for God’s greatest work. When the g...

This episode covers what it means to not lose heart when leadership feels heavy. It walks through 2 Corinthians 4, where Paul reminds us that ministry is both a mercy and a battle. The conversation explores how to keep going when you’ve lost passion, how to rest without quitting, and why God’s strength often shows up most clearly in our weakness. This episode is for anyone feeling pressed, tired,...

This episode covers what keeps leaders from burning out and walking away when ministry gets hard. Brian Howard, president of Acts 29, joins the conversation to talk about the essential practices that lead to longevity in leadership. From mastering your craft to staying personally healthy and grounded in your calling, this conversation explores how leaders can build endurance that lasts decades, no...

This episode covers the closing of Galatians and what it means to live out the gospel with scars, humility, and grace. The conversation reflects on Paul’s final words and how they call believers to serve Jesus even while suffering, to depend on the Spirit in both preparation and presentation, and to resist impressing others with religion instead of resting in the gospel. It explores the tension be...

This episode covers Paul’s sobering warning in Galatians 6 — “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.” It explores how deception creeps in quietly, how every action plants a seed that grows, and how living by the Spirit allows us to experience eternal life now. A conversation about discernment, endurance, and the long game of faith. Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com Ha...

This episode covers what it really means to restore people with grace. Centered on Galatians 6:1–6, we talk about how to gently bring others back, carry each other’s burdens, and build a culture of accountability without becoming judgmental. The conversation digs into confession, repentance, and what it looks like to live out restoration in real community. Whether you’re walking through your own s...

This episode covers the lonely cost of leading like a pioneer. We dig into what it means to lead with conviction, stay true to biblical values, and build a church culture that lasts. The conversation explores the challenges of leadership without compromise, the reality of isolation in pioneering roles, and practical ways to maintain clarity and courage in the face of disappointment. If you’re in m...

This episode covers why the fruit of the Spirit cannot be understood apart from its source, the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5 contrasts the destructive works of the flesh with the transforming power of the Spirit, reminding us that if there is no Spirit, there is no fruit. We unpack how this passage has often been sanitized, reducing love, joy, peace, and kindness to surface-level niceness, instead of...

This episode covers the leadership mandate in a time of cultural upheaval. The conversation explores why this moment is different, how to lament well, and what it means to care for your city, yourself, and your church community. It highlights four key signposts and three essentials for every leader: give clarity, offer courage, and create context. This is a call to step boldly into God’s mandate a...

This episode covers what Paul teaches in Galatians 5 about true freedom and how it is always tied to God’s order. Discover why freedom without God’s order is chaos, why sin always leads to addiction, and how walking by the Spirit is the only way to live free. If you’ve ever wondered how to walk in the Spirit and live out your freedom in Christ without drifting into chaos, this episode will give yo...

This episode covers Paul’s warning to the Galatians, reminding us that salvation rests in Christ alone. We examine the difference between living through the Spirit and striving by works, how subtle distortions creep into the gospel, and why misplaced values leave us enslaved. The conversation unpacks how suffering, success, and tradition can all pull us off course—and how the Spirit calls us back...

This episode covers the freedom found only in Christ. The gospel is not Jesus plus our works—it’s Jesus alone. When we add to it, we carry burdens we were never meant to carry. When we abuse it, we trade freedom for slavery. This conversation looks at how God’s nature is freedom, why grace is not a license to sin, and why standing firm in the gospel keeps us from drifting back into old patterns. W...

This episode covers the challenge of scaling leadership and why starting, staying, and sustaining growth each demand different skills. From the early days of casting vision with words, to embedding values into culture through repetition, Jason and Dave unpack how communication shifts as an organization grows. They explore the difference between leading with vision and leading with values, the proc...

This episode covers why Jesus spoke so often about money and generosity, what 2 Corinthians 9 teaches about the laws of giving, and how generosity is tied to the gospel, freedom, and joy. Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com Have Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.com Church Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.com Good City: goodcity.org “A Church of House Chur...

This episode covers the real struggles of ministry life—the scrutiny leaders face, the temptation to strive, and how vulnerability can become a pathway to strength. Special guest Jeff Vanderstelt shares wisdom on abiding in Christ, breaking free from the subtle addiction to ministry, and living out God’s design for healthy leadership. Whether you’re in full-time ministry or simply navigating the w...

This episode covers the call to bring our “first and best” to God through the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. The conversation unpacks how giving is more than a financial act—it’s worship, it’s protection against greed, and it’s a pathway to joy. Listeners will learn why generosity keeps our hearts soft, how idolatry can creep in when we withhold, and practical steps for starting a lifestyle...

This episode covers the unseen side of leadership—the toll it takes, the rhythms that sustain it, and the deep responsibility that comes with leading a local church. Jason unpacks how to build rest into your life without losing momentum, why seasons of ministry require different approaches, and the expectations every leader should place on themselves. Whether you’re a church planter, a ministry le...

This episode covers the vital role of the local church in God’s plan, reminding us that while the world prepares us to live against Jesus, we are called to prepare one another to live for Him. From 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10, we see that though full redemption will not come this side of heaven, God has chosen the local church as His primary instrument for gospel work until Christ returns. We are calle...

This episode covers what happens when pastors get honest about their shortcomings, their struggles with comparison, and the temptation to trade conviction for comfort. Jason sits down with Peter Mutabazi — foster dad, leader, and advocate — to talk about why so many churches feel like corporations, why some leaders feel stuck on stage, and how authenticity can rebuild trust in a lonely calling.  W...

This episode covers the journey from rescue to redemption through the lens of Peter Mutabazi’s remarkable story. In this episode of Rethink and Return , Jason and Dave reflect on Peter’s transformation—from a nameless orphan in a gutter to a man fathering dozens through foster care—and how his life vividly illustrates the gospel. They challenge us to move beyond healing into purpose, from survival...

This episode covers the weight of pastoring and how easily ministry can distort your identity. From comparison and discouragement to decentralization and leadership clarity, this conversation challenges pastors to stay rooted in who God created them to be. Faithfulness requires grit, but also a willingness to say “no,” stay small, and remember why you started. Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devo...