Monday Morning Pastor

In this episode, Doug and J.R. have a conversation with Dave Bindewald about the importance of play and exploration. Many of us have been hijacked by starting the gospel in Genesis 3, but we must begin in Genesis 1 with God’s “ridiculously good” goodness. It’s with this theological framework in which he places the importance of play and exploration as part of our formation as people. Get ready to...

Pastoring a congregation is difficult. So is pastoring your own family. This episode J.R. interviews Mark and Lisa Scandrette about what it means to discipleship your family and create a vision and develop rhythms for your family to thrive as you follow Jesus. Mark and Lisa Scandrette are co-founders of ReIMAGINE: A Center for Integral Christian Practice. They live in the Mission District of San F...

We all know discipleship is important, but do are we really teaching our people to PRACTICE the way of Jesus or just learn about it? This episode with Mark Scandrette will encourage you and challenge the way you think about discipleship, and it might even require some unlearning. You can learn more about Mark’s great work at www.reimagine.org and his personal website, www.markscandrette.com Check...

What is life like for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world - and what should our response be? On this episode, J.R. talks with Karen Ellis, an international advocate for Christians in hostile places around the world. Mrs. Ellis is a leading voice on Christian advocacy, ethics, religious freedom, and the Global Persecuted Church. Resources: Organizations Karen is involved with: www....

We hope you are ready for a fun and encouraging show this week. Doug and J.R. discuss some books they have been reading, and they share some laughs over some headlines from the Babylon Bee. Now on to the good stuff. This week we have the privilege of interviewing the ambassador of fun Danielle Strickland. She leads with joy and hope in some of the darkest places, both locally and globally. You wil...

Doug has a wide-ranging conversation with Stephen Redden, a pastor at New Denver Church in Denver, CO and the Executive Director of the Church Cooperative of Denver. They talk about how the vocation of pastor is changing and bi-vocational ministry as well as how to stay healthy as a pastor. The second half of their conversation focuses on Stephen's work with the Church Cooperative. We hope you enj...

This week, Doug interviews author, song lyricist, scriptwriter, and video director Douglas McKelvey, author of Every Moment Holy Volumes 1 and 2, about prayer, liturgy, grief, and death. Douglas's book: Every Moment Holy Volume 2 If this podcast adds value to you, your team, or your organization, consider (1) subscribing (2) leaving a review (3) sharing it with others and (4) staying connected wit...

Karl Barth said “Take your Bible and take your newspaper, and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible.” We appreciate the sentiment, however, today that sounds like a tall and daunting task. What news should we read? How do we understand it? What do I say to the people in my community about consuming the news? We do not claim answers here on this podcast, however, we think this intervi...

Doug talks life, ministry, and the importance of soul care with Harold Sankbeil. Hal brings years of experience and wisdom into this thoughtful and challenging conversation both as a pastor and a pastor to pastors. Slow down, listen carefully, and enjoy this encouraging episode Resources: Harold’s Book: The Care of Souls Website: www.doxology.us If this podcast adds value to you, your team, or you...

We have talked about the importance of sabbath a ton on the show but we haven’t had much in-depth conversation about sabbaticals. J.R. checks in with Doug while he is early on in his sabbatical. Although Doug talks about his experience so far, the duo also addresses thoughts, tips, and strategies before, during, and after a sabbatical. If you are approaching a sabbatical or sense you need one, thi...

Doug takes this episode to interview J.R. about his new book, A Time to Heal . This conversation includes the story behind the book, J.R.’s own personal battle with Covid-19, and where the church has a beautiful opportunity to join with God in the good news that Jesus not only saves but heals too. The book is fantastic and a must read as you wrestle with rebuilding your churches and communities in...

Doug and J.R. are moved to tears as they speak with poet and priest Malcolm Guite. This conversation leaves one inspired to re-engage the slow words of poetry as means of grace to awaken one’s attention. If you are not a poetry person, lean in anyways, this interview is much more than that.  Resources: Malcom’s book: David’s Crown Malcom’s website Questions: -When are you going to read some Malcol...

Doug has a deep conversation with one of his professors Dr. Daniel Brunner. Dan has served the church as a youth pastor, church planter, and academic. The conversation looks at the importance of community, friendship, loss, honoring pain and a theology of ecology. Dan is one of my favorite people to be around. I am deeply grateful for the classes and conversations that I have had with him over my...

J.R. sits down with Ben Malcolmson and talks about his wild rise in football from being a walk on at USC to going to the NFL as the assistant to Pete Carroll. He loves Jesus and his faith in Christ is contagious. This story is amazing. We know you will enjoy this episode.   Resources: Ben’s book: Walk On: From Pee Wee Dropout to the NFL Sidelines--My Unlikely Story of Football, Purpose, and Follow...

Doug and J.R. talk about a significant transition, caring for sick parents, cooking, wounds, and ministry with the honest and hope-filled Tara Beth Leach. We also have a few moments to chat about her new book that has recently released from IVP. Tara fully shows up and we are grateful to have her on the show again. Resources: Tara’s book: Radiant Church: Restoring the Credibility of Our Witness Qu...

Doug and J.R. enjoy time with the official autobiographer of Eugene Peterson, Winn Collier. We really don’t need to say much more. This episode is therapeutic, encouraging, and one loaded with the simple and brilliant wisdom from Eugene. We know this will be visited for years to come. Enjoy. Resources: Winn’s Book: A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene H. Peterson, Translator o...

Doug and J.R. sit down with Keith Matthews for this amazing conversation on leadership, formation and health. Keith has been a pastor, church planter, and professor so each sentence drips with wisdom like honey. We know you are going to enjoy this conversation as much as we did. Oh yeah, and He co wrote the Study guide for Dallas Willard’s The Divine Conspiracy. Resources: Keith and Dallas Willard...

Doug and J.R. have professor, author and friend A.J. Swoboda back on the show to discuss his new book and his journey over the past few years. A.J. said, “For those who grew up conservative, doubt is bad and dangerous, for those who are in the progressive camp it is the goal. Both of these are wrong, Jesus is the goal!” A.J. brings passion and deep insight into doubt, it’s role, and how to faithfu...

Doug and J.R. have a fascinating conversation with author Bethany Dearborn Hiser about her new book From Burned Out to Beloved. If you are feeling tired, worn out and beat up, this conversation will feel like a day retreat with a spiritual director, helping you slow down, and begin to heal. If you know a pastor who is struggling right now, or if that is you, we hope God meets you through these wor...

Monday Morning pastor friends, we want to invite you and your church to consider attending the second Spiritual First Aid Summit on March 11th 2021. Two things come to mind as to why you need to register. 1. It is free. 2. It is part retreat, part ministry resource for you and your church.   Here is the link to register: www.spiritualfirstaidsummit.com If this podcast adds value to you, your team,...

J.R. sits down with author, blogger, professor, and basketball legend Scot McKnight. This interview looks at his new book A Church Called Tov . Scot raises the view of ecclesiology and the call to be “tov churches.” He looks at the abuses of power, but even more so the call to healing. How can you become a tov pastor? Lean in and listen.  Resources: Scot McKnight’s Book: A Church Called Tov: Formi...

Doug and J.R. talk with pastor, artist, professor, and theologian David Taylor about the importance of the arts and creativity in the church. You may be thinking, I am not a creative, if that is the case, this podcast is even more important! Pastors, you don’t need to be lead creative in your community! However, you are called to be the lead permission giver and gift-caller-outer! Very practically...

Doug and J.R. talk with pastor and author Tim Morey about life, ministry, formation and his new book. Tim is able to pastor pastors in a way that I have only experienced a few times.  If you are feeling overwhelmed, tired, beat up, and a bit discouraged this episode is for you. If you are looking for deeper insight into the importance of soul care this is for you. Tim brings practical wisdom and g...

Doug and J.R. begin season 6 with the Christianity Today Book of the Year award recipient Dr. Esau McCaulley and his powerful book, Reading While Black . We dive deep into reading and interpreting scripture, the importance of the experiences we bring to the text, and practical thoughts on pastoral leadership in these challenging times. We know this will deeply encourage and challenge you! Please c...

We know this has been one of the hardest years we have faced. All of us are feeling it. In this show Doug and J.R. talk about a few practical ways they will intentionally enter into 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices