Pastor With No Answers: The MIXTAPE Era

(Pastoring in an Evangelical church as a Non-Evangelical Part 3) Continuing a mini-series (started with episodes 225 and 240), in this episode I reflect on my habit of categorizing people as good or bad, authentic or fake, honest or a liar. And my current desire to size people up with love and recognizing my hypocrisy when I don’t do this. I also talk out loud my thoughts (not always the best idea...

Chip Judd and Jack Hoey, regulars on this podcast, have both been Christians for a long time and see prayer in very different lights. How much responsibility do we have to pray regularly and does God withhold blessings and provisions when we do not pray enough? Does God often communicate back to us? So many questions about prayer and we discuss many of them on this episode.  At the top of the epis...

[“demon talk” starts at 16 mark]  Theologian, author and host of Reverend Hunter Podcast, Tony Jones joins Joey and one of our resident theologians, Jack Hoey, to share his view on this universe being “demon-less.” And if demons (and Satan) do not indeed exist, did Jesus think they did? How then was he tempted in the garden? If our battle isn’t “against flesh and blood,” who’s it against? We also...

My friend Jed and I have had long journeys struggling with clinical mental illness. We’ve been through times of not knowing what to do, times of being on anti-depressants and times of trying life without them. This conversation was captured on March 2nd, which is a snapshot in time, representing a snapshot of our journeys with the ups and downs of depression and anxiety. At the top of episode, my...

Lance is a minister with the Christian Universalist Association. Founded in 2007, the Christian Universalist Association comprises of individuals, churches and para-church ministries who teach what they refer to as the overwhelming historical and scriptural evidence that all people are reconciled to God as revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. According to the association,...

[Pastoring In An Evangelical Church as a Non-Evangelical (Part 2)] I’ve had quite the faith journey that has landed me in a very different headspace. It’s been extremely hard at times and I’m very grateful I’m still here. The love we share within my church family is undeniable. The important truths we agree on are all I need to feel deeply connected. This may not be the best road for all, but for...

What’s a Christian’s responsibility for political advocacy and involvement? Why is “church” becoming less and less relevant to the younger generation? What does “Christian” even mean anymore? Should we go ahead and ditch that word? Non-violence, the problem with wealth, social salvation, best-selling author and activist, Shane Claiborne, touches on it all.  At top of episode, Joey, John Mark McMil...

Friends, childhood friends, superiors, and former students of mine speak from their hearts and souls about the current state of our country. -- Joey *Time stamps for each contributor listed belowName, origin, age:  Stoy Prioleau, Charleston, 43 (throughout episode) RadhiYah Sims, Edisto Island, 29 (20:47) Cheryl Hart, Rock Hill SC, 33 (52:54 and throughout episode) Kevin Smith, Charleston SC, 44 (...

At the top of episode, Joey, Jory Micah, and John Mark McMillan continue their discussion, today it’s about the impatience, intolerance and religiosity of some progressive Christians. Jory Micah learned about these folks the hard way.  Today’s guest spot is Nate Henry (some of you know him as the lead singer of Sherwood) sharing his newer revelations of how clear the bible supports a narrative of...

At the top of the episode, Joey, Jory Micah, and John Mark McMillan continue their discussion on progressive theology, including how progressive the bible (and the Apostle Paul) is.  Today’s guest, Father Wesley Walker, is an Anglo-Catholic Priest and host of the Sacramentalists Podcast where a recent episode released posed logical critiques of evangelical churches and progressive theology. Joey f...

At the top of the episode, Jory Micah, John Mark McMillan, and Joey discuss the level of importance that spiritual experience is to their faith.  In our interview with Kat Armas (theologian, author and podcast host of The Protagonistas Podcast), she recounts her journey out of Evangelicalism and introduces us to the beautiful picture of "Abuelita (Grandmother) Theology." Speaking on the...

Welcoming John Mark and Jory Micah to the show as they will be kicking off the next few episodes with some dialogue about an assortment of topics, today, our reaction to a Relevant Magazine article on Francis Chan’s being “on fire,” supernaturally healing everyone he touches. As each of us has changed greatly in our faith, we discuss our current view on supernatural healing.  Jory Micah: @jorymica...

I’ve seen firsthand that fundamentalism takes on many different forms, even in many circles full of people who believe they kissed fundamentalism away many years ago. A couple of days ago, these folks taught me very clearly, “Do not engage with us again, unless you become just like us.” My sincere questions apparently represented to them laziness, a lack of empathy and deemed me an unsafe person f...

Author of “Feeding the Mouth that Bites You” and co-host of a Podcast under same title, Dr. Kenneth Wilgus’ approach to raising teens always delivers great and unique insight. Today, we talk a bit about teens shutting parents out, daughters starting to date and whether it is possible for a middleclass family to raise kids who aren’t spoiled. Before this interview, Joey, Natalie and John discuss cu...

"If you don’t forgive others, I won’t forgive you.” “It’s going to be easier for those cities than it will be for you on the day of judgement.” “Depart from me I never knew you.” “Anyone who talks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.” Jesus’ words sound so judgmental, unloving, unforgiving, and quite frankly, full of anger. And he sounds like this a lot. It’s a bit bothersome and s...

Michael Wiseman has a podcast that puts Christians (more specifically, Pastors) on the hot-seat by throwing their beliefs on “the grill” of atheism. As always, he has some very good points to ponder. I enjoyed getting grilled although it may not bid well for my intellectual reputation. One of the topics addressed was the seemingly “mean-spirited, short-fused, threatening” side of Jesus we encounte...

One of the smarter people in my life, Jack Hoey, answers multiple questions pertaining to problems revolving around coronavirus. If we’re trillions in debt, why not get in trillions more by a way larger stimulus? Do we now have a worse problem by shutting everything down? Why didn’t we act faster? How fast will the economy rebound? Why don’t we leave old and health-comprised people at home while a...

 JGivens, known by many in “Christian rap” circles, sits down with Joey and his wife Pricilla to tell his story of perseverance, personal growth, and a new gained perspective of people, the soul and the world we live in. We hear about his family dynamics, upbringing, his journey coming out as openly gay, surviving addiction, and the love and support received from family and friends. Like many othe...

 Ed Stetzer has some gracious but urgent words of admonition. It’s time for churches to stop prioritizing internal delivery systems, online church and broadcasting so they can focus on preparations for serving our communities in an unprecedented crisis that happens to be right around the corner. Will we practice what we preach, trust God over our false comforts and walk in the footsteps of Jesus?...

I’ve had quite the faith journey that has landed me in a very different headspace. It’s been extremely hard at times and I’m very grateful I’m still here. The love we share within my church family is undeniable. The main things we agree on are all I need to feel deeply connected. This may not be the best road for all, but for those who love their church family and despite seeing faith and the worl...

Why does it seem hip-hop culture and Super Bowl Halftime Show Gets Away with Objectifying Women? Hip-Hop Art creator, Derek Minor, schools us in hip-hop culture, highlighting its disconnect with society’s drive to be “woke.” He also brings an admonition to have more patience for people’s normal maturation processes, including those of young hip-hop artists. Our current “cancel culture” doesn’t hon...

Anthony Woodle agreed to spend time with us reflecting on his current season of making peace with knowing his time left on earth is profoundly limited. At the age of 29, as he comes to terms with death’s eminence, Anthony is happy with what he’s accomplished and satisfied with how his time was spent. We discuss his fears, the things that bring the most sadness, and whether it’s a gift to know thes...

How bad is this? What do we do now and why? Can my kid have a friend spend the night? What’s worst case scenario for USA? Here's a resourceful episode with a dude who quite frankly has a lot of the answers. Author of “Finding God in the Waves,” host of Ask Science Mike Podcast, formerly of the Liturgists Podcast. It’s Mike McHargue. That’s “Science Mike,” folks.  Follow Mike @mikemchargue Get...

Two guests who are regulars and part of the PWNA family, Jack Hoey (father) and Chip Judd iron out their contrasting views on how we interact with God and what we can and can’t be sure of, including whether God even exists in the first place. Joey explains how his peace with and closeness to God feels way more palpable and vibrant when he stays in a space of “I believe with all my heart, but I rea...

Joey, Natalie, and John discuss God’s character in relation to different beliefs on the afterlife. Is Universalism in the mix as a valid position for a Christian to hold? How does a God who condemns billions to hell line up with a God of love? Do people believe in universalism merely because it feels better? How much can our faith be based on our experience? How do we raise our kids in light of ou...