Pastor Talk

Though the books of Timothy are known for their practical insights, today Paul shares the deep theological convictions that undergird it all. For just a moment, we see the depths of the Gospel shining through the very simple insights of the letter. Join the Pastors as they explore the Good News as found in grace and, ultimately, the revelation of Jesus Christ. Be sure to share this with anyone who...

In a few short sentences the Apostle Paul defines the core values of the Christian life, courageous faith, love, and self-discipline. As he writes to encourage Timothy, we are blessed with a life-changing and faith inspiring image of how the faith inside us can continually be rekindled, to drive us deeper into the depth of God's good work in our lives. Be sure to share this with anyone who you thi...

In the start of a new letter, we return to two very familiar people. Paul once again writes Timothy to address all number of challenges for the young Christian leader. Today's letter, however, opens with a beautiful affirmation of these two men's relationship and also an expression of gratitude for the two women whose faith burned deeply within Timothy. Be sure to share this with anyone who you th...

Churches, like all groups of people, are constantly tempted to pick teams, assign labels, and identify who is in and who is out. Labels almost never help the church and today the Pastors discuss how critical it is for Christians to resist label making in the midst of Christian community. Tempting as it may be to assign labels, Christians can draw deeply from our faith and practice seeing the full...

When disagreements become heated and strong personalities clash there can many different kinds of threats and blowups that endanger the unity of the Christian church. Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they explore how these situations arise and what makes them difficult to navigation for Christian leaders and laity alike. Feel free to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in gro...

The conclusion to 1 Timothy may in some ways sound like it comes out of nowhere, until you look closer and realize that Paul is encouraging us to live out our Christian lives with honest character and absolute authenticity. Join the Pastors for this conversation as the conclude this study of 1 Timothy. Note that the podcast will be on a brief hiatus and return on May 16th. Be sure to share this wi...

Fighting the good fight of faith looks far different and, in fact, is far more difficult than we can even imagine. Today Paul instructs Timothy how to pursue righteousness through godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Join the Pastors as they explore these rich and inspiring devotional words from the Apostle Paul. Be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be inter...

Contentment may not be easy, but it is essential to every Christian life. Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they unpack Paul's wise counsel regarding the ever-present temptation to allow the love of money to mislead us from our Christian callings. Be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in going along on this journey together through 1 Timothy together. Pastor Talk Quic...

When teachers and their dangerous ideas threaten the Christian community, the Apostle Paul wastes no time in rooting out their self-centered and destructive influence. Today, the Pastors explore how this seemingly abrupt turn fits into the rest of the letter and what it can teach us about our own Christian discipleship today. Be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in g...

It doesn't take a long time in the church to realize how deceptive and powerful our individual idols can be. In this introductory conversation to a new series, Pastors Clint and Michael discuss how Christians seek to root out our own individual idolatry so that we can live in deep and meaningful Christian fellowship with one another. Feel free to share this with anyone who you think might be inter...

In some of the most challenging words for interpreters in the entire New Testament, Paul tells Timothy that slaves should honor their masters. What does Paul mean and how should contemporary Christians understand the meaning of these words, especially with the troubling history of using them to defend slavery? Join the Pastors as they explore this challenging text. Be sure to share this with anyon...

Today, Paul gets personal when he talks with Timothy about the nitty gritty parts of being a leader in a congregation. As with all of these letters, Paul interweaves insightful and practical wisdom throughout every sentence of this passage. Be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in going along on this journey together through 1 Timothy together. Pastor Talk Quick Links...

Paul encourages Timothy to appreciate the importance of strong leadership but also not neglect the incredible power of destructive leadership. Join the Pastors as they talk about what this conversation has to teach us about the early church while also illuminating the leadership challenges of today's church. Be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in going along on this...

When Paul and Timothy try to work out the nitty gritty logistics of ministry, we find all of the same struggles and pitfalls of every contemporary church. Who do we help, how much do we help, and what do we do if it doesn't seem to make a difference? These are just a few of the questions that arise as Paul and Timothy address the issue of the Widow's ministry in Ephesus. Be sure to share this with...

In this "epilogue" conversation to the Vices and Virtues series the pastors explore what we can learn about the Enneagram types from the seven deadly sins. If you would like to learn more about the Enneagram, be sure to check out this entire series where we explored the basics. Feel free to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in growing deeper in their faith and Christian disc...

When Paul tells Timothy "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young..." is he simply trying to inspire him or is he teaching a deeper lesson about Christian character? Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they explore what is likely among the most well-known passages in 1 Timothy. Be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in going along on this journey together...

When Paul addresses Timothy, he doesn't hide his belief that deeper Christian discipleship requires effort. Today, the Pastors reflect on how important it is to read the scriptures thoughtfully and how much of an impact they can have on our lives if we are willing to listen. Be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in going along on this journey together through 1 Timoth...

Imagine a great controversy that would enrage the Apostle Paul to such an extent that he would write a blistering critique of "hypocritical liers." Today, the Pastors explore the heart of the controversy in Ephesus and what we can learn today from the conflicts from the very first generation of Christians. Be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in going along on this j...

Today, Paul explores the mystery of the faith and instead of it being big theological words, or stuffy academic ideas, it is a simply, invitational exploration of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. Join the Pastors as they explore this beautiful text for what it might have meant to the church in Ephesus and to the modern Christian today. Be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be...

Paul's expectations for Deacons are strikingly similar to his expectations for Elders. In this conversation, the Pastors explore what is different and what every Christian can learn from this down to earth spiritual wisdom. Be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in going along on this journey together through 1 Timothy together. Pastor Talk Quick Links: Learn more abou...

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be in a pastor's family? Join Pastors Clint and Michael for a candid conversation as they explore what scripture has to say to pastoral leaders and their families. Maybe most interesting is how applicable these insights are for any Christian household. Be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be interested in going along on this journey togeth...

Are the sins identified by ancient monks still relevant today or has the church become so obsessed with judgementalism that our hypocrisy will keep us from understanding and using this spiritual tool as it was intended? Join the Pastors as they explore how the seven deadly sins and virtues might still be helpful for the modern protestant church. Be sure to share this with anyone who you think migh...

When Paul turns his attention to the criteria for Christian leadership, he compiles a nearly exhaustive list of both the positive and negative traits for every Christian seeking to grow in their faith and discipleship. In this episode, the two Pastors reflect from their own roles in the church how applicable these words still are... Be sure to share this with anyone who you think might be interest...

Today, the Pastors tackle one of the most challenging New Testament texts concerning women and leadership. When Paul writes very specific instructions to Timothy about women, he includes references to natural theology, to church order, and to a highly unusual statement about salvation itself. Though there won't be any kind of definitive interpretive resolution, the Pastors offer a few thoughts abo...

What does Paul mean when he tells men to pray with holy hands and women to wear clothing becoming of their Christian works? Join the Pastors as they unpack the beginning of Timothy's most challenging passages for the Christian interpreter, and a historical source of tension (and even distraction) from the church's attempt to live out Paul's overarching theme. Be sure to share this with anyone who...