evancynical's podcast

Pastor Mike and I discuss what it historically means to pastor and  the reasoning behind his provocative social media statement "Your megachurch pastor doesn't care about you". 

In a world of narcissistic clergy, there's something unexpected that seems to hinder accountability...the calling. 

Molly and I talk about her apprehensions about but ultimately falling in love with pastoring. We also discuss in an age of the celebrity pastor, what does it look like to really pastor?

Jason and I continue our conversation about his time in Christian revivalism and his time working as a youth pastor in a toxic church environment. 

Jason and I discuss his time in punk bands, Christian revivalism of the early 2000's, and his time as a youth pastor working in a toxic church environment. 

Dr. Evans and I discuss her work with Southern Baptist Convention task force for handling sexual abuse, sexual and spiritual abuse in the church, and how churches and leadership should respond. 

Sean and I discuss growing up with the high expectations of going in to ministry and ending up being a counselor and professor. Sean also shares with us the challenges and pain of attending a conservative church while ministering to and with people often are unwelcome in and traumatized by these very churches.

Caleb and I discuss his time growing up in conservative evangelicalism and his deconstruction while attending a Jewish seminary. 

In this episode we discuss the epidemic that is narcissism in the Church. 

Brittany and I discuss the neurological illness which transformed her theology and spirituality. 

Kristen and I discuss her upbringing in Christian schools, her nomadic spirit, and purity culture. 

In this episode Josh gets us off on the wrong foot with his disrespect for the NY Giants. We also discuss his conservative Christian school education and how it formed his misogyny, how he eventually realized his unhealthy perspective, and how previous Evancynical guests have spurred on some hard faith questions.  

Podcaster and Tik Tok influencer, Tim Whitaker and I discuss Christian nationalism and what inspired him to start The New Evangelicals. He also judges me for wearing a Ben & Jerry's t-shirt but not a huge fan of ice cream. (I know, I know. It's justified.)

Just in time for Election Day, Dr. Steve Simmons gives us a crash course in Christian Nationalism - what it is, why it's dangerous, and how we should respond. Below are some helpful resources Steve offers to help us is in our journey.    Katherine Stewart, The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism (New York: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2019)   Beth Allison Barr, The Maki...

Part two of my conversation with two of our closest friends discuss their experiences in local evangelical churches, working at one of the biggest and most influential churches in the country, Willow Creek, and coming back home to work with and ultimately be traumatized by their home church. 

Two of our closest friends discuss their experiences in local evangelical churches, working at one of the biggest and most influential churches in the country, Willow Creek, and coming back home to work with and ultimately be traumatized by their home church. 

Brian and I discuss the shock he experienced both culturally and theologically after moving from Texas to Pennsylvania, the loss of his father, and the hope he still has for the Church.  

Jessica and I discuss her life as the child of alcoholic, pastor, addiction recovery, and her sinful hatred of Star Wars. 

Going off the beaten path here a bit with my conversation with Bradford as we discuss his experience as a Catholic, coming out, and we may dive in to some of the problems with the DC cinematic universe. 

Keidre and I discuss the culture of shock of moving from a small, community based, midwestern, church where her grandfather was her pastor, to Knoxville based megachurch.  

In this short bonus episode I make a special announcement and quick chat about why we do what we do. 

In part two of my conversation with Mike, we dive deeper in to his time as a fan of Mark Driscoll and eventual departure. Mike also discusses why he says "your megachurch pastor doesn't care about you". 

In this week's episode Mike shares his experiences growing up in the Charismatic Movement, his time serving a megachurch pastor in South Africa, and his time diving in to reformed theology. 

Beth and I discuss clergy burnout and suicide.