Bearded Theologians

How often do we truly listen to understand instead of just waiting for our turn to speak? 🤔 Join Zach and Matt as they dive deep into the challenges of building meaningful connections and genuine communication in today's fast-paced world. In this powerful conversation, they tackle: The difference between listening to respond versus listening to truly hear someone. The critical importance of a...

The Bearded Theologians were honored to host Chris Wilterdink who is the Executive Director, Congregational Vitality & Intentional Discipleship; Director, Young People’s Ministries for The United Methodist Church. We explored a few things about discipleship. Plus, learn about resources for young people at UMCYoungpeople.org. Connect with the Bearded Theologians at https://www.linktr.ee/Bearded...

This week we sat down and talked about humility. Connect with us at www.beardedtheologians.com

The Bearded Theologians welcomed back Rev. Justin Coleman to discuss his work as Senior Pastor and his insights on the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, which he explored through personal experiences and spiritual practices. Justin shared his journey with Ignatian spiritual exercises and emphasized the importance of balancing scriptural, traditional, and experiential approaches in modern Methodist spiritual...

This week Matt and Zach caught up with Rev. Matt Rawle ( https://www.mattrawle.com/ ) to check in on how things are going.

Matt and Zach sat down with Rev. Kellen Roggenbuck who is the Executive Director of NextGen Ministries at  Wisconsin Conference United Methodist Church . Kellen has a new book out called Called Out: Discerning God's Plan for Your Church and the Beards talked about the book and a few other things. Check it out. Check out us out at www.beardedtheologians.com

In this episode of the show, Zach and Matt dive deep into the first psalm, Psalm 1. They explore the psalm's central themes of righteousness and wickedness, discussing its structure and balance between lament and celebration. The hosts also draw connections between the psalm's imagery and biblical creation narratives, specifically from Genesis 1 and 2. Zach and Matt highlight the significa...

Rev. Kara Eidson has spent a decade crafting a beautiful and meaningful way to celebrate Advent, and now she’s sharing it with the world. Her new book, T he Advent Tree , is more than just a story; it’s a full worship resource for the Advent season. It weaves together the history of the Hebrew people leading up to Jesus’s birth with various worship materials, making it a powerful tool for churches...

This week on the Beardcast Matt and Zach look at Luke 13:10-17. Check out their thoughts on orthodoxy (right belief) vs orthopraxy (right practice). Connect with the Bearded Theologians at https://www.linktr.ee/Beardedtheologians You can find the Beardcast on Youtube, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify, Castbox, or wherever else you listen to Podcast. #BeardedTheologians #Beardcast #Theology #TheologicalDis...

Closing out our series on Colossians. Connect with the Bearded Theologians at https://www.linktr.ee/BeardedtheologiansYou can find the Beardcast on Youtube, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify, Castbox, or wherever else you listen to Podcast.

Last week we recorded a 2nd episode to share with you this week. Matt and Zach just dropped some serious wisdom on Paul's letter to the Colossians, specifically Chapter 3, verses 12-17. They really dug into the dangers of individualism in modern Christianity. It's so easy to make faith all about "me," but Paul's message is clear: we're called to live together! Matt highli...

In this inspiring and wide-ranging conversation, Bishop Kristen Stone King shares her journey through ministry, her passion for creative spiritual leadership, and her commitment to inclusive, justice-centered work within the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church. From her roots in campus ministry to her current role as bishop, Bishop Kristen reflects on the joys and challenges of...

Zach and Rev discussed Paul's letter to the Colossians, focusing on its tone, purpose, and challenging language. They explored the themes of service, struggle, and God's energy working through believers, while acknowledging the historical context of Paul's writing style. Connect with the Bearded Theologians at https://www.linktr.ee/Beardedtheologians You can find the Beardcast on Youtu...

The BeardedTheologians are kicking off a series on Colossians. Join Zach and Matt as they dive into the powerful connection between prayer and relationships within faith communities. Drawing insights from Paul's ministry, they explore how building genuine connections and praying for others can transform our approach to teaching and discipleship. Matt shares practical tips for making prayer sim...

In this insightful discussion, Matt Franks and Zach Bech dive deep into strategies for finding peace amidst the chaos of our modern world. They share candid personal experiences and draw upon their professional insights to explore how to effectively manage information overload and maintain a healthy perspective. Discover how modern media impacts our viewpoints and learn the importance of mindful i...

On this Beardcast Zach and Matt dive into Galatians 5:1, 13-15, exploring the true meaning of freedom! Discover how liberation doesn't come from rules, but from the transformative power of love. Don't miss this powerful discussion on standing firm in the freedom Christ offers and serving one another through love. #Beardcast #Galatians #FreedomInChrist #Love Connect with us on most social m...

The meeting focused on outdoor worship services, with participants sharing their experiences and plans for upcoming events. They discussed the challenges and benefits of outdoor worship, including connecting with nature and the community, as well as adapting to weather conditions and simplifying setups. The conversation also touched on personal moments of spiritual significance, highlighting the i...

The Beards discuss Psalm 47, focusing on its joyful tone and inclusive message about God's love for all people. Matt emphasizes God's influence and control in our lives, while Zach highlights how the psalm speaks of God as king over all nations, not just Israel. They reflect on the meaning of words like "awesome" in modern context and consider how the psalm relates to Ascension D...

Ready to rethink summer church? Zach and Matt chat about embracing the unique rhythm of the season for impactful discipleship. From outdoor worship to community brunches and game nights, they share how their churches are getting creative with summer programming. Plus, hear about Rev's "VIPP" program, designed for flexible, one-time events that boost engagement and spiritual growth. D...

What happens when generations connect within the church? Christiana Embree, director of Refocus Ministry, shares her expertise on the crucial role of intergenerational relationships and the real struggles churches face in fostering them. You'll be inspired by stories of churches that revolutionized their community impact through sports and engagement, and discover the deep connection forged th...

Let's talk about Jesus and His challenging conversation with some religious leaders in John 10:22-30. Read the scripture text ( here ) We'll dive into what it means to truly hear His voice as a disciple. We're also excited to share some personal ministry news: Zach's certification as an end-of-life doula and Rev.'s new Sunday night gathering, the Disciples Table. Join us as we...

Matt and Zach sat down with Ben Gosden, the insightful pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church , to discuss his brand new book, " Grace Rediscovered ." Ben bravely shares his personal journey with alcoholism, offering a raw and honest account of his struggles and highlighting the vital role the 12-step program played in his recovery. His vulnerability shines a light on the importance o...

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Easter preparations with Matt and Zach! They discuss their approaches to the upcoming services, from music and scripture focus to preaching on hope and the significance of Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Tune in for insights on crafting a meaningful Easter experience. Connect with the Bearded Theologians at https://www.linktr.ee/BeardedtheologiansYou can find the Bea...

In this episode, Matt Rawle discusses his groundbreaking new book, "Faith Over Fear: Abraham's Imperfect Journey," offering a fresh perspective on the biblical figure of Abraham. Forget the idealized image – Matt argues that Abraham's story is far more complex and, at times, problematic. He unpacks instances where Abraham's actions, such as including Lot as a "backup plan" and his shocking decisio...

The Beards discussed the importance of having a strong digital presence for churches, emphasizing the need for a user-friendly and authentic online experience to reach a wider audience and facilitate engagement. They explored the benefits of digital ministry, including expanded outreach, community building, and discipleship opportunities, while stressing the importance of consistency and connectio...