Miked Up

Summer is the season for family vacations, road trips, cruises, and unforgettable memories—but for many Christians, those experiences can come with a sense of guilt. Is it wrong to spend thousands of dollars on a vacation when that money could have gone to the church or to help those in need? In this episode, Pastor Mike and Coby have an honest conversation about biblical stewardship, generosity,...

On this episode of Mike Up, Pastor Mike and Coby dive into the world of teams, leadership, and ministry culture. From staff and deacons to committees and crisis teams, they talk about what it really takes to build healthy teams inside the church. They discuss the challenges leaders face, the roadblocks that come with team building, and why talent alone isn’t enough. Skill set matters, but so does...

In this episode, the guys dive into the tension of relationships in ministry—what it looks like to be someone’s friend while also leading them. They talk about having hard conversations, handling correction, and navigating the weight of leadership when it involves people close to you, like friends and family. The conversation also hits on how difficult it can be for leaders to find spaces where th...

In this episode, the guys talk about the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and how people are reacting—both believers and nonbelievers. Was he all about politics, or something deeper? Are we seeing the start of a revival, or just a moment of emotion? And are we more focused on what’s said about Charlie than what’s said about Jesus?

On this episode of the Miked Up Podcast , the guys dive into the unique challenges of being a multigenerational church. They unpack how different generations approach missions—local versus global priorities, how money should be spent, and what it means to carry the gospel from our neighborhoods to the nations. The conversation also looks at how the focus of the church has shifted through the years...

In this thought-provoking episode of Miked Up, Dr. Mike and Coby dive headfirst into one of the most pressing topics of our time: Artificial Intelligence. They explore: The benefits and dangers of AI Whether it’s a helpful tool or a subtle deception How AI is influencing young culture What place—if any—it has in ministry and the church And… are Dr. Mike and Coby using AI in their daily workflow? O...

In this episode of Miked Up , Dr. Mike and Coby dive into the fascinating and complex shifts happening within American Christianity. While the charismatic movement continues to grow at a global pace, another quieter movement is emerging among young evangelical men —a turn toward Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy . Why are these men leaving evangelical churches in search of liturgy, tradition, and...

In this episode of Miked Up , Pastor Mike and Coby dive into the meaning and purpose of Holy Week and what it looks like this year at Central Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Texas . You’ve heard of Easter , but what about Palm Sunday , Maundy Thursday , and Good Friday ? Are these just traditions from other denominations, or do they hold significance for all believers? Join the conversation as Pas...

In this episode of Miked Up , Dr. Mike and Coby dive into 2 Corinthians 12, where Paul speaks of the “thorn in the flesh” and how weaknesses can draw us closer to God. They explore how, in church culture, we often focus on our strengths while neglecting to understand the value of struggles. Why does God allow certain challenges to persist? How can these moments keep us tethered to Christ, even in...

In this episode kicking off the 2025 season, Coby sits down with Dr. Mike to explore practical ways to grow in your spiritual life. They discuss the importance of regularly engaging with God’s Word, offering tips for getting into the Bible for the first time, and using devotionals and Bible apps. The conversation also dives into deepening your prayer life, prioritizing church attendance, and under...

In this episode, we dive into a thought-provoking question: Does our culture's emphasis on family during Christmas enhance or hinder our worship of God? Join us as we explore differing perspectives on how to approach the season. Our senior pastor highlights the importance of spending Christmas with family, while I advocate for prioritizing time with our church family, with whom we share our s...

In this special episode of the Miked Up podcast, Dr. Mike and Coby tackle the complex topic of Halloween and its place in Christian life. Is it an evil pagan holiday, or just a cultural tradition? Should Christian parents let their kids trick-or-treat, is a fall fest at church a good idea? Beyond Halloween, they explore how Christians should approach other worldly activities that may conflict with...

In Episode 11 of Miked Up, the guys shift away from politics and dive into key questions about church life and discipleship. Can a church become too large to disciple its members effectively? They explore the definition of a megachurch, discuss the role of small groups, and question whether today’s church culture has become too consumeristic. Is the approach to church growth more pragmatic than bi...

In this episode of Miked Up we dive into the evolving landscape of evangelical Christianity. What does it mean to be an evangelical Christian today? We explore the potential pitfalls of letting political affiliations become a roadblock for sharing the gospel. Is it wrong to support a candidate? How can the gospel itself be a stumbling block? We also discuss how some political platforms align with...

Join Dr. Mike and Coby as they explore: •Respecting People vs. Beliefs: Can we respect others without agreeing with their beliefs? •Disagreeing Without Enmity: Does disagreement mean we’re enemies? •Criticism and Conspiracies: Insights on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and its impact on Christians. •Grace in Speech: How to stand firm in truth without sounding disrespectful. •Smart Pos...

On this episode of Miked Up, Dr. Mike Miller and Coby Duren dive into deep, controversial, and often avoided topics among Christians. They explore questions like: Did Jesus make any political statements? Was Jesus trying to impact the political environment of 1st century Israel? Coby sparks a discussion on C.S. Lewis and his five points on patriotism, which become the main focus of this episode. T...

Welcome to another episode of Miked Up! This episode tackles a controversial topic: the presidential election and whether Jesus would support a candidate that endorses abortion. We explore God’s sovereignty, His will of command and decree, and discuss biblical examples like King Saul, who was chosen by God despite being a disastrous king. We consider what kind of support Jesus might lend to leader...

🎙️ **Episode 6: Would Jesus Be a Political Socialist?** As the presidential election draws near, the conversation around politics in the pulpit intensifies. Join Dr. Mike and Coby Duren as they explore the contentious topic of politics and religion. Should pastors speak on politics? What stance would Jesus have taken in today's political landscape? They confront the division seeping into chur...

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Mike and Coby explore the complexities of spiritual warfare, diving into topics such as whether demons can implant thoughts into the minds of Christians, the reality of demon possession, and the nature of temptation. They examine the relationship between the mind and the brain, emphasizing the importance of navigating thoughts and grounding oneself in truth....

In this thought-provoking episode of Miked Up, Dr. Mike Miller and Coby Duren dive deep into the aftermath of Super Bowl 58, dissecting the highly controversial commercial titled “He Gets Us.” The commercial’s portrayal of Jesus, emphasizing his message of love and humility, sparks a heated debate. Is it a powerful depiction of Christ’s teachings or a promotion of a false narrative? With a focus o...

Join Dr. Mike and Coby on the Miked Up podcast as they explore the modern state of Israel from a biblical perspective. The conversation navigates Israel’s identity and its theological significance, questioning what modern-day Christians should think about the state of Israel amidst geopolitical complexities. Central to the dialogue is dispensationalism and its influence on Christian beliefs about...

Dive deep into the realms of theology with Dr. Mike Miller and Coby Duren on the latest episode of Miked Up podcast. Discover the reasons behind the increasing departure from pastoral positions and the challenges posed by uninformed opinions dominating theological discussions. The hosts engage in a candid discussion about the theological state of the average church-goer, theological liberalism and...

On this episode, Coby Duren “Pastor of Family Ministries” at Central Baptist chats with Dr. Mike Miller, “Senior Pastor” at Central Baptist Church. They spill the beans on what it was really like leading during COVID-19 chaos. Dr. Mike shares the nitty-gritty – the tough decisions, the unknowns, and what it felt like when no one had a clue. Get ready for a real talk about what went down in those e...

Session 2 of our Q/A!  The guys are working through about 70 questions that were submitted a couple of weeks ago.  This week, the guys tackle marriage, divorce, overcoming grief, suicide and a question about gay giraffes.  We appreciate your support of the Miked Up Podcast!

We are back! Join us this episode as the guys discuss questions submitted to Dr. Mike from his last sermon series.  This episode covers questions on: Communion, alcohol, sin, perseverance of the saints, the unpardonable sin, lgbt issues, and abortion.