Pastor Talk

Pastors Clint and Michael begin a new series called Jesus Jargon in which they discuss some of the often misunderstood words of the Christian faith. In this episode, they discuss the term "Biblical." Biblical has been used to describe everything from churches, to preaching, to books, even though it isn't always clear what it means. The Pastors explore some of the nuances of being "Biblical," how t...

Today, the Pastors talk with Roger and Donna Harms about their experience navigating through 2020. We discuss what it feels like to be labeled "vulnerable," how Covid immediately impacted family relationships of all kinds, and what it was like to address unrelated medical concerns in the midst of lock-downs and social distancing. We are deeply grateful for the Harm's vulnerable honesty and for the...

This episode of the Pastor Talk Podcast features the sixth in our our series of Pastors' reflections on lessons learned during the last year. In this episode, the Pastors discuss how one's perspective has made a substantial difference in how we have all dealt with the stress and troubles of the past year. By examining our motivations we can often find the source of our own personal struggles and a...

Today, we the Pastors talk with the President of Lakes Regional Health Jason Harrington about his experience leading during the pandemic. Our wide ranging conversation explores some of the strength and values of Midwest communities, communicating during a crisis, and separating fact from opinion. We thank Jason for taking time to talk with us and hope that you find the conversation interesting. Fo...

This episode of the Pastor Talk Podcast features the fifth in our our series of Pastors' reflections on lessons learned during the last year. In this episode, the Pastors explore how over the course of the last year, there has seemed to be an increase in "all or nothing" thinking. Incredibly complex situations ranging from health, to economy, to politics have been over simplified with a false rang...

Today, we talk with Josh Bolluyt and Terry Bruinsma about their experience leading the Spirit Lake High School and Middle School through a period of unprecedented uncertainty and change. They reflect upon the previous year's challenges and successes and lift out some of the lessons that they will carry forward into the future. This conversation is an excellent reminder that all leadership success...

This episode of the Pastor Talk Podcast features the fourth in our our series of Pastors' reflections on lessons learned during the last year. In this episode, the Pastors explore how social media has shaped our experience of the last year. Regardless of how often you consume social media personally, it has become a powerful cultural force shaping our collective imaginations and transforming many...

Today, we talk with Greg Jenness about how the pandemic affected his local business and his ministry to grieving families all while navigating the multitude of changes with his young family. This conversation is far reaching and invites all of us to ask how the changes in our life impacted what we have thought, felt, and done in this season. For the season of Lent, our Wednesday podcast will featu...

This episode of the Pastor Talk Podcast features the third in our our series of Pastors' reflections on lessons learned during the last year. In this episode, the Pastors reflect upon the many ways that fear impacted our lives throughout this season. They explore our instinctive human reaction to fear and how it can restrict us from fully considering all of the nuanced challenges and potential sol...

Today, we talk with Carol Ayres about the opportunities and challenges she navigated throughout the previous year as a college music educator, student mentor, and church musician. Her vantage as community college band professor gives us the ability to see how the broader musical community rallied together to find new ways to help students engage in music in very trying times as well as some of the...

This episode of the Pastor Talk Podcast features the second in our our series of Pastors' reflections on lessons learned during the last year. In this episode, the Pastors reflect upon the many kinds of division present throughout this season. Some time is spent reflecting on the source of division, the devastating impact of unchecked division, and how Christians are called to navigate a constantl...

For the season of Lent, our Wednesday podcast will feature interviews with individuals who reflect upon the struggles, triumphs, and lessons learned throughout 2020. Though everyone's experience of the pandemic and its ensuing struggles are unique, it has become quickly apparent how many of these challenges we have shared and how we can stand to learn much from each other. In addition, during Lent...

Beginning our Sunday night Lenten series, this Pastor Talk Podcast episode features Pastors Clint and Michael as they reflect upon the first of the lessons that they have learned throughout the last year. In this discussion on change, they explore how difficult change can be, especially when it seems like it goes on without end. The conversation ultimately asks all of us to consider how we have ad...

For the season of Lent, our Wednesday podcast will feature interviews with individuals who reflect upon the struggles, triumphs, and lessons learned throughout 2020. Though everyone's experience of the pandemic and its ensuing struggles are unique, it has become quickly apparent how many of these challenges we have shared and how we can stand to learn much from each other. In addition, during Lent...

In this second (and final) episode of our mini-series on Peace, Pastors Clint and Michael discuss how Christians can practice spiritual disciplines that foster peace in our lives. Though we live in a moment filled with anxiety and fears of all kinds, Christians can experience peace as a gift of God. This conversation is filled with practice suggestions of the small things that Christians can do to...

Peace is more than just a good idea, it is a spiritual command interwoven throughout the entire Bible. Yet, to most Christians, peace seems ever elusive, a simple idea to understand but an unbelievably difficult spiritual discipline to practice. In this first episode of our Pastor Talk Podcast mini-series "Peace", the pastors explore what makes peace so important to God and why it so difficult for...

Church history is filled with examples of when Christians picked the wrong fights but does that mean that there aren't any things worth fighting for? Absolutely not! Join Pastors Clint and Michael in this concluding conversation in the Faith Fights series as they discuss what things are worth fighting for in the Christian church. Be sure to subscribe and share with others so that they too can be p...

When people think of Faith Fights, they often think about the knock down, drag out fights about what things Christians can and cannot do. In this episode, Pastors Clint and Michael discuss how Christians can think about faith and discipleship without falling into either moralism or permissivism. They explore how faith can become a source of transformation of character as opposed to a rulebook for...

Faith Fights, like all fights, tend to divide people into opposing camps. In this conversation, Pastors Clint and Michael explore how the church is similar to other organizations in that we struggle to keep ourselves from dividing into bitter opposition. And yet, unlike other organizations, the church is united in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This reality should reshape all of our church c...

Among the most notable church arguments in the last decade, the church fights over worship became known as the "worship wars." Although these arguments are well known, in truth, churches have fought over nearly every aspect of worship for hundreds of years, from the music, to the sanctuary, to the the types of clothes congregants should wear. In this conversation, Pastors Clint and Michael attempt...

In some ways the biggest faith fight of all time, the Reformation stands as one of the most tumultuous times for the Christian church. Join Pastors Clint and Michael as they review the history of the Reformation, explore its key figures Luther, Calvin, and Knox, as well as explore its fundamental disagreements. The Reformation began one of the most significant transformations in Christian history...

This week, Pastors Clint and Michael discuss the many different faith fights over the Bible. Every Christian would agree that the scriptures are an important part of the faith but throughout history until today there has been significant disagreement about the Bible. Christians have fought over which books should be included, how to read them, what to do with different translations, and how Christ...

This week, Pastors Clint and Michael explore the historically foundational argument of the Christian church, the substance and meaning of Jesus. This conversation is a deep dive into the history and implications of the biggest conflicts in the early church. Though at times heady, these fights later became codified in the church's creeds as the final definition of right belief and practice for all...

Join Pastors Clint Loveall and Michael Gewecke as they begin a new series called "Faith Fights." From historic arguments over doctrine to modern conflicts over preferences, Christians have managed to fight about almost anything. Some of these family squabbles have had monumental importance and some have been largely a waste of time and energy. Join Clint and Michael weekly in D...

Join Pastors Clint Loveall and Michael Gewecke as they conclude the Practicing Faith series. In this week's conversation, you will be encouraged to choose and practice at least one new practice that will help you see God's presence all around you. Regardless of what practices you will find most helpful in this current season, rest assured that the Christians who have gone before us have left us mo...