Ministry Minded

In this episode, Pastor Eric and I talk about what happens when a preacher’s sermon outline goes from helpful to hazardous. We discuss the purpose of preaching from an outline and why sermons are more like stories than they are like lectures. Eric is on staff with me at Stonington Baptist Church in Paxinos, Pennsylvania, where he lives and serves with his wife, Jade, and their son, Rosco. You can...

In this episode, Pastor Eric and I talk about what it means to preach the Bible with a “fallen condition focus” and how, without the honest recognition of everyone’s fallenness, there is no true hope to be preached. We also talk about the overlap between stand-up comedy and preaching the gospel, and why it is so crucial to confront the aches of the world through the preaching of the Word so that t...

In this episode, Pastor Eric and I chat about the daunting task of studying the Old Testament and how students of Scripture can and should dive into this challenge. Rather than “unhitching” the Old Testament from our faith, the first thirty-nine books of your Bible are vital to your understanding of the Bible itself. Eric is on staff with me at Stonington Baptist Church in Paxinos, Pennsylvania, w...

In this episode, Pastor Eric and I talk about how aspiring pastors can discern and distinguish the “call to the ministry” and why that is such a serious endeavor. Using Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 3, we examine what qualifies one for pastoral ministry, along with the side effects of churches being shepherded by pastors who haven’t been genuinely called to the ministry. Eric is on staff with me at St...

In this episode, Pastor Eric and I touch on the subject of pastoral encouragement, how pastors can battle it, and why they shouldn’t try to hide it if they are serious about equipping the church to do the work of the ministry. After all, the Body of Christ is built up not by the pastor’s eloquence or excellence but by the grace of Christ that manifests in weakness. Eric is on staff with me at Ston...

In this episode, I am once again joined by Pastor Eric Attinger as we continue unpacking what makes for a biblically faithful sermon. This time, we chat about the heart of worship and how a preacher’s delivery of a sermon can lead to mistaken views of the preaching event itself. We also talk about the worship service itself and why it is not just about singing. Eric is on staff with me at Stoningt...

In this episode, I am once again joined by Pastor Eric Attinger to continue our conversation concerning biblically faithful sermons. This time, we discuss what makes a sermon authoritative, the source of a preacher’s authority, and the pitfalls that arise when a preacher starts to buy his own press. Eric is on staff with me at Stonington Baptist Church in Paxinos, Pennsylvania, where he lives and...

In this episode, I am joined by Pastor Eric Attinger to chat about what makes for a biblically faithful sermon and why preachers should preach with an Emmaus Road hermeneutic. Eric is on staff with me at Stonington Baptist Church in Paxinos, Pennsylvania, where he lives and serves with his wife, Jade, and their son, Rosco. You can connect with him on Facebook . Resources: “ Delivering the goods ,”...

In this edition of the Ministry Minded Podcast, I am thrilled to be joined by my friend, Chad Bird, to talk about his new book, Hitchhiking with Prophets , and what it looks like to pursue a biblical theology that is centered on Christ alone. Chad and his wife Stacy live in Tyler, Texas, where he works as a Scholar-in-Residence for 1517 . Along with writing, speaking, and teaching, you can also li...

In this episode, I am joined by pastor and writer Sam Schuldheisz, who accompanies me on a short excursion to Middle-earth to chat about the ubiquity of storytelling, especially as it relates to the greatest story of all — namely, the gospel. Along with Tolkien and Lewis, we also talk about the theology of the Inklings and the eucatastrophe of God’s grace. Sam pastors Beautiful Savior Lutheran Chu...

In this episode, I am joined by essayist Amy Mantravadi as we dive into the particulars of the Reformation movement of the 1500s, the theological and historical ramifications of which are still being unpacked today. We discuss the importance of the Reformation, its impact on preaching, and its continued relevance for modern disciples. Amy lives in Dayton, Ohio, with her husband and son. She is an...

In this episode, I am joined by Pastor Raphael Mnkandhla to talk about the importance of historical theology and church history not only for pastors and theologians but also for everyday disciples of Jesus. Raphael pastors City Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he lives and serves with his wife Heidi, and their six children. You can follow him on Facebook and Instagram . Resources: On th...

In this episode, I am joined by Pastor Kris Estep to talk about the state of preaching in the modern church and why preaching expositionally through the Bible is so important for the good and the health of the local church. Kris Estep pastors Barberville Baptist Church in Waynesville, North Carolina, where he lives and serves with his wife Becky, and their three children. You can follow him on Fac...

In this episode, I share some thoughts on what ought to undergird every sermon and why the good news of the gospel can be likened to a thunderstorm of grace. Resources. “ God Goes Belonging ,” Sam Bush “ Preaching That Connects ,” Todd Brewer “ Rainstorms and Reformations ,” Sam Schuldheisz Grace: So Much More Than You Know and So Much Better Than You Think , Brad J. Gray Sponsor. Ministry Minded...

In this episode of the Ministry Minded podcast, I share a helpful way to make heads-or-tails of the timing of Holy Week, along with some thoughts on the remarkably subversive story of Easter. Resources. “ Raised for Our Justification ,” Michael Bird “ Something to This Story ,” David Clay “ The Hero Dies in This One ,” Sam Bush “ Was Jesus in the Grave for Three Days and Three Nights? ,” Chad Bird...

In this episode, I’m joined by pastor and writer Randy Greenwald to talk about his newsletter, “Greatheart’s Table,” and why pastoral efficiency is a bad thing, along with a host of other topics relating to ministry in the local church. Randy Greenwald is the pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Oviedo, Florida, where he lives and serves with his wife Barb. Along with serving the church, Rand...

In this episode, I talk about the recent proliferation of articles and essays that speak to the negative side-effects of social media, and how this negativity can be discerned just by examining the ways in which social media has changed since its inception. I also talk about the good news of God’s rest as found in Christ and why Thomas Jefferson’s “version” of the Bible was a complete and utter fa...

In this episode, I reflect on some articles that talk about the emergence of the “therapeutic gospel” which, in effect, leads congregants into functional atheism. I also reflect on Bono’s Christian testimony and what falls within a pastor’s remit. Resources. “ A therapeutic church is an atheist church ,” Brad East “ Sin, preaching, and the therapeutic gospel ,” Brad East “ Bono’s Punk-Rock Rebelli...

In this episode, I reflect on the holiday season and welcome the New Year by talking through a myriad of holiday-themed articles I’ve been chewing on recently, each of which serves to remind us of the one-way love of Christmas. Resources. “ O Come All Ye Faithful, Except When Christmas Falls on a Sunday ,” Ruth Graham “ There Is No Mary Problem in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ ,” Clare Coffey “ Link by...

In this episode, I reflect on the scene where doubt of poor ole “Doubting Thomas” was quelled — and why we, too, can find so much solace in the Christ of God condescending to his disciple’s deepest fears. I also highlight a new book from David Zahl and an essay by longtime friend Obbie Tyler Todd. Resources. “ Fearless Thomas Apart From Christ ,” Martin Luther “ Tommy Boy and the Case of the Doubt...

In this episode, I talk about why Jesus never used carpentry in any of his parables, why Tobias Crisp is the “Black Swan of Puritanism,” and why studying the Bible doesn’t necessarily have to have a goal in order for it to be profitable and beneficial. Sometimes God just wants us to go to the Word to enjoy it. Resources. “ The Tales the Carpenter Told ,” Todd Brewer “ Lost & Found: The Purpose of...

In this episode, I share a few brief thoughts on the recent reckoning in the Southern Baptist Convention before zeroing in on the truest hope for our times — namely, that God wastes nothing. Even the days that seem impossibly dark and incredibly inefficient are days in which God’s Word abides forever. Resources. “ How Should Baptists and Christians Respond to the SBC Task Force’s Report on Sexual...

In this episode, I share some thoughts on the recent hullabaloo surrounding the newest Disney/Pixar film Lightyear , plus why Lordship Salvation should be left behind. Resources. “ If ‘Representation’ is the Issue, Where Are Pixar’s Religious Characters? ” Samuel D. James “ Success Of ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ Puts Excuses For Disney’s Failed, Woke ‘Lightyear’ To Bed ,” Jordan Boyd The Preacher’s...

In this episode, I reflect a little on the recent “face-lift” the blog has received, courtesy of my dear friend Sara Bordner; plus I talk about some other stuff relating to social media and the understanding of the self, along with the incandescent hope that’s found in humor. Resources. Paint By S , Sara Bordner Embodied Hope: A Theological Meditation on Pain and Suffering , Kelly M. Kapic “ The D...

In this edition of the Ministry Minded Podcast, I get to share a conversation my dad and I were able to have during our recent vacation in South Carolina on how to live fearlessly with “sound of mind” (2 Tim. 1:7) in these evil days. Connect with the show: https://graceupongrace.net/ Buy Fresh Roasted Coffee: http://www.freshroastedcoffee.com **Use code ‘GRACE10’ to get 10% off!** Notes: Pastor Br...