Local Theologians

This panel explores how Christians can pursue genuine spiritual formation in a digital age. Travis Montgomery of Midwestern Seminary’s Global Campus interviews pastor-professors Matt Boswell, Mark Clifton, and Jeff Medders. The discussion emphasizes that while digital tools can serve the church, they must never replace embodied, local church life. The panelists encourage thoughtful, disciplined, a...

In this panel at Midwestern Seminary's Summer Session intensive week, Dr. Travis Montgomery moderates a conversation with Andrew Cole, Dr. Ken Parker, and Dr. Todd Chipman on the challenges and joys of balancing family life with theological study and ministry. Drawing from decades of pastoral experience and current life in ministry, the panelists reflect on the biblical call to prioritize both the...

Yes, we should be students of culture. But we should commit ourselves to the unchanging truths of Scripture even more. In this episode of Local Theologians, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with ministry leader Nick Harsh about the enduring relevance of Scripture in a rapidly changing cultural landscape. Reflecting on his study of thinkers like Carl Truman alongside classic pastoral works like Baxter’s...

In this episode of Local Theologians, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with Dr. Robert Smith, Jr. about the essential connection between theological study, faithful preaching, and genuine pastoral love. Dr. Smith emphasizes that effective preaching requires more than careful exegesis—it calls for a life shaped and transformed by the text and a deep love for the people being served. Drawing on decades o...

Theological education is not only for teaching or leadership but for seeing God’s work in all things. In this episode of Local Theologians, Dr. Travis Montgomery speaks with Andrew Cole about the theological value of ordinary, everyday life. Andrew reflects on how theological study—particularly in the area of vocation and providence—reshaped his understanding of ministry and Christian living. Inst...

In this Global Campus Forum episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery speaks with Dr. Don Whitney about the nature, purpose, and practice of the biblical spiritual disciplines. Dr. Whitney defines spiritual disciplines as practices found in Scripture that help believers grow in Christlikeness and experience God. The conversation explores the tension between legalism and neglect, the importance of distinguish...

In this episode of Local Theologians, Dr. Travis Montgomery sits down with Dr. Tyler Sykora to discuss one of the most important questions in biblical interpretation: Are we more interested in the background details of Scripture than what God Himself gives us in the text? Tyler shares how his study of hermeneutics reshaped the way he reads Scripture, helping him see the Bible as inspired history t...

In this episode of Local Theologians, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with Dr. Michael Nelson—pastor of First Baptist Church Grandview and assistant professor at Midwestern Seminary—about how the study of ecclesiology profoundly shaped his ministry. Michael shares how wrestling with questions of church health, unity, and dysfunction led him to study the biblical theology of the church’s gathering. Dra...

In this episode of Local Theologians, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with Dr. John Inman—Instructional Designer and Adjunct Professor of Church History at Midwestern Seminary’s Global Campus—about the formative role of culture and community in the first Great Awakening and subsequent revivals. Drawing from Scripture and church history, John reflects on how revival is rarely the product of ‘heroes’ al...

In this episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery chats with Dr. Russ Meek—Adjunct Professor of Old Testament and Hermeneutics at Midwestern Seminary’s Global Campus and Senior Academic Editor at Kregel Publications—to explore a common tension: formal theological study versus spiritual formation. Russ shares how, contrary to common warnings, serious academic engagement with Scripture has deepened rather than...

In this Global Campus Forum, Dr. Travis Montgomery hosts Jen Wilkin—author, Bible teacher, and co‑host of the Knowing Faith podcast—for an in‑depth conversation about Bible literacy and what it truly means to know Scripture well. Jen distinguishes between Bible literacy and Bible fluency, challenges devotional and quiet‑time paradigms that prioritize feelings over understanding, and calls Christia...

In this episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with Dr. Mason Ballard—Lead Pastor of Resurrection Church in Charleston, WV—about the doctrine of catholicity (little‑c) and how recovering a sense of the church’s universality across time and space has transformed his ministry. Mason explains how Baptist convictions harmonize with the historic Christian confession of ‘one holy, catholic, and apostolic...

In this Global Campus Forum, Dr. Travis Montgomery interviews Dr. JT English—Lead Pastor of Storyline Church, co-founder of Training the Church, co-host of the Knowing Faith podcast, and author of *Deep Discipleship*—about the growing movement of church-based theological education. JT shares his story of coming to faith, discovering theological formation in seminary rather than the local church, a...

In this episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with Dr. Jared Kathcart—Assistant Professor of Christian Education at Midwestern Seminary—about the surprising and sanctifying role humility has played in his theological formation and ministry. Jared shares how early confidence gave way to deeply humbling moments in youth ministry, how the Dunning–Kruger effect reveals our spiritual blind spots, and wh...

In this Global Campus Forum, Dr. Travis Montgomery sits down with Dr. Thor Madsen—Dean of Doctoral Studies, longtime professor of philosophy, ethics, and New Testament at Midwestern Seminary—to explore why Christians should study philosophy and apologetics. Dr. Madsen traces his own academic journey, explains the tools these disciplines give to believers, and shows how philosophical precision and...

In this episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with Zach Salsbury—Assistant Professor of Christian Studies and Dean of Students at Midwestern Seminary—about the dignity of ‘ordinary work.’ Zach shares his own story of wrestling with calling, early pressure to pursue foreign missions, and the liberating theological insight that God’s kingdom encompasses all of life. Together they discuss vocation, mo...

In this episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery interviews Dr. Thomas Kidd—research professor of church history at Midwestern Seminary and leading historian of early America—on the perennial question: Was America founded as a Christian nation? Drawing on decades of scholarship, Dr. Kidd explains how Christian ideas shaped the founding, why the legal structure of the United States avoids a national church,...

In this Global Campus Forum, Dr. Travis Montgomery interviews Dr. Jason DeRouchie—Research Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Theology at Midwestern Seminary—on why the Old Testament is Christian Scripture and how believers today can understand and enjoy it. Drawing from decades of scholarship and pastoral ministry, Dr. DeRouchie explains why many Christians struggle with the Old Testament, h...

In this episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with Dr. Taylor DiRoberto—Pastor of Preaching and Leadership at Northside Fellowship and Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at Spurgeon College—about how studying ecclesiology (the doctrine of the church) has shaped his life, convictions, and ministry. Taylor shares how a single week in a systematic theology class opened the door to a lifelong pas...

In this Serve Story episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with Dr. Jeff Medders—Director of Theology and Content for Send Network (NAMB), Visiting Professor of Christian Studies at Midwestern Seminary, and General Editor and Fellow of the Spurgeon Center. Together they discuss why church planters need robust theology, how Send Network prepares and assesses planters, and the importance of faithful,...

In this episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with Dr. Rustin Umstattd, Professor of Theology and Ministry at Midwestern Seminary and pastor at Northland Church in Kansas City, about the importance of understanding the Bible as a unified story. Rustin explains how seeing Scripture as an unfolding narrative—from Genesis to Revelation—transformed both his theological study and pastoral ministry. Toge...

In January 2026, students of Midwestern Seminary's Global Campus gathered for an intensive week of class, worship, and fellowship. In this episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery gathers the professors teaching Winter Week classes—Colton Strother, Ken Parker, Dale Johnson, Wes Pastor, and Todd Chipman—for a conversation on friendship in ministry. They share their experiences of calling, mentoring, semi...

Summary In this episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with Kris Raven, pastor of Lakeshore Baptist Church and MBTS doctoral student focusing on the New Testament use of the Old Testament. Kris shares how biblical authors intentionally draw from the Old Testament to shape Christian theology and practice, and how understanding these connections strengthens preaching, discipleship, and the health of l...

In this episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with Nancy Guthrie, author and Bible teacher, about how to wisely and compassionately speak into suffering. Nancy shares her personal story of loss, the lessons she learned about faith and grief, and practical advice for comforting others without causing harm. The conversation explores common mistakes Christians make, how biblical theology shapes our un...

Summary In this episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with Sam Whittaker, Teaching Pastor at South Valley Community Church and instructor at Midwestern Seminary’s Global Campus, about the role of imagination in theology and apologetics. Sam shares how his discovery of imaginative apologetics transformed his approach to ministry and study. Drawing on insights from C. S. Lewis, Tolkien, and others, S...