Pastor Talk

In this Bible study, we explore Luke 4:31-37, where Jesus casts out an unclean spirit from a man in the synagogue. The Pastors take us through the passage, highlighting the power and authority of Jesus over evil spirits and the importance of recognizing and resisting the devil's temptations. Join us as we delve deeper into this fascinating account and learn how we can apply its lessons to our own...

In this video, the Pastors explore Luke 4:14-30, where Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth and reads from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue. The passage he reads describes the coming of the Messiah and the good news of salvation for the poor, the captive, and the oppressed. But instead of receiving Jesus' message with joy, the people of Nazareth reject him and try to throw him off a clif...

In this final episode of Church Off the Map, Michael Gewecke and Clint Loveall talk about Envisioning the Church of Tomorrow. They share insights on how the church might adapt to the changing times and become more relevant to the younger generation. They discuss the importance of embracing technology, creating a welcoming environment, and focusing on community building. They also share some practi...

In this video, we explore Luke 4:1-13, the story of Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness. We'll dive into the significance of each temptation and what it reveals about Jesus' identity and mission. Along the way, we'll also consider how this story speaks to us today and what it means to resist temptation in our own lives. Whether you're a long-time Christian or just curious about the...

Philippians 2:1-11 is a passage about the humility of Christ. It starts with Paul asking the Philippians to be united in Christ and to have the same love for each other. He then goes on to describe how Christ humbled himself by becoming a servant and dying on the cross. He says that God has highly exalted Christ and given him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every kn...

Luke 3:21-28 tells the story of Jesus' baptism. Surprisingly, Luke's telling is incredibly short. While other Gospel writers paint a picture filled with details, Luke emphasizes God's voice claiming Jesus as his Son and his Beloved. The inclusion of the genealogy only serves to emphasize this point and launch us headlong into the stream of Jesus adult ministry in the pages to follow. Thank you for...

Today, Luke finishes his introduction to John the Baptist by recounting his teaching to some of the first century's most controversial people. Join the Pastors as they explore what we can learn from John's message of repentance and how it should inform our own reception of the Gospel today. Thank you for joining us, we sincerely help that this study encourages you in your understanding of the Bibl...

In this second to last episode of the series, Clint and Michael suggest that as culture continues to change, the future church will also continue adapt different tools in order to continue to be faithful in its mission to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. This episode is audio only, so there aren't any links to YouTube of Facebook for this episode. Pastor Talk Quick Links: Learn more about t...

Skipping forward more than fifteen years, Luke introduces us to John the Baptist calling crowds into the wilderness to be baptized and repent from their sins. He reminds them that it isn't their family name, or faith practices that will save them, but rather a truly heart changing encounter with God. Thank you for joining us, we sincerely help that this study encourages you in your understanding o...

In Luke 2:36-52, we meet Anna the Prophetess in the temple who sees Jesus and rejoices to have seen the redeemer, only to quickly move on to the same temple years later when Jesus returns as a young boy and carries on theological conversations with the most respected theologians of his day. Clearly, Luke introduces us a child who, though humble, is wise beyond his years. Thank you for joining us,...

The Book of Revelation is a book about the end times, and it can be a bit daunting to read. However, this passage from chapter 7 is a beautiful and hopeful image of the church. It describes a multitude of people from all over the world gathered before the throne of God, worshiping him and praising him. This is a reminder that the church is not just a small group of people, but a vast and diverse c...

In Luke 2:21-35, Simeon and Anna, two elderly and devout Jews, are waiting in the Temple for the Messiah to come. When Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple to be circumcised, Simeon takes the baby in his arms and praises God. He says that Jesus is the Savior of Israel and that he will be a light to the Gentiles. Anna also praises God and says that Jesus is the redemption of Jerusalem. Simeon...

The shepherds were living in the fields near Bethlehem when an angel appeared to them and told them that Jesus had been born. The shepherds went to see Jesus in a manger and were amazed to find him there. They told everyone about what they had seen and heard, and everyone who heard them was amazed. The shepherds were the first people to hear about the birth of Jesus and the first people to see him...

Today the Pastors discuss Luke 2:1-7, which tells the story of Jesus' birth. They point out how easy it is to miss all of the unique and important details of the story due to how familiar we are with the story. In particular, they explore Luke's emphasis on the ordinariness of Jesus' birth and the agency of Mary. They also note the foreshadowing of Jesus' unheralded arrival and the tension between...

In this talk, Clint and Michael lay a foundation for the fundamental understanding of the nature of the Church, both what it is and what it isn't. They make the case despite the dire warning signs for the Church, the most effective solutions may actually be among the simplest practices of the historic church. This episode is audio only, so there aren't any links to YouTube of Facebook for this epi...

Today the Pastors discuss Luke 1:67-80, which includes Zacharias' prophecy about the coming of the Messiah and the role of John the Baptist. The Pastors analyze the text and its significance in connecting the Old and New Testaments, and they discuss the prophetic nature of John's words and the importance of understanding why the early church so emphasized Jesus' role in fulfilling the promises of...

In this episode of the Pastor Talk podcast, the two pastors discuss explore the different characters in the well-known Parable of the Prodigal Son story and what they have to teach us about grace and forgiveness. The parable is seen as a compelling example of what grace looks like and how it can be difficult to accept and the pastors encourage listeners to reflect on which character they identify...

Today the Pastors discuss Luke 1:57-66, which tells the story of the birth of John the Baptist. They discuss the significance of John's birth and his role as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. They also note the importance of the name John, which was given by God, which emphasizes the foreshadowing of John's ministry and his connection to Jesus. Thank you for joining us, we sincerely hel...

In the third talk in this series, Clint and Michael investigate the many possible explanations for the core problems of the Church. At its core, has the Church found itself in trouble due to forces and pressures outside of its walls or are its problems the sign of its own internal failings? This evening the Pastors make the case that while both are true, more of the Church's struggles may be due t...

Today the Pastors discuss Luke 1:39-56, which includes Mary's song of praise. They discuss the many different themes of the passage, including the idea of the great reversal, the importance of gratitude and praise, and the diversity of writing styles and genres used by Luke. They also note Luke's emphasis on the lowly and the poor, and the way that encountering Jesus should continue to lead to a r...

In this episode of the Pastor Talk podcast, the two pastors discuss the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19. They reflect on the themes of feeling worn out, the presence of God in unexpected ways, and the importance of taking the next step. In the end, they encourage listeners to seek community and to not be afraid of the "dark nights of the soul." Feel free to share this with anyone who you think might...

Today, Mary responds with faith to the angel and her entire life (in fact, the life of the entire world) changes. The Pastors reflect on the theological implications of this story, including the role of the Holy Spirit and the significance of the women involved. They also emphasize the importance of approaching the text with a sense of wonder and openness to its mysteries, as there is more than wh...

Today the Pastors reflect on Mary's response to the news of her being chosen for the role of being the mother of Jesus. They touch on some of the theological debates surrounding Mary's role in Christianity but also emphasize how Mary should continue to be a role model of faith for Christians of every faith tradition. Thank you for joining us, we sincerely help that this study encourages you in you...

In the second talk in this series, Clint and Michael explore the history and patterns of the mainline church that have contributed to our sense of being lost. Join us for this conversation about some of the topics that you expect but maybe also a few that would surprise you. This episode is audio only, so there aren't any links to YouTube of Facebook for this episode. Pastor Talk Quick Links: Lear...

Today's study of Luke 1:18-25 describes Zachariah's encounter with an angel who tells him that he and his wife will bear a child. Zachariah expresses doubt and is punished by being unable to speak until the prophecy is fulfilled. The Pastors explore themes of doubt, faith, and the response to God's work in one's life. Thank you for joining us, we sincerely help that this study encourages you in yo...