Suffering Servants: Conversations of the Unspoken

We are so back! At least for this week. A lot has gone on and we wanted to hop on and talk for a little bit. In this episode we wandered all over the place (as we typically do). Everything from birth stories, to pools and splashpads, to music, to the unhurried life. Enjoy this summer episode!

On today's show, we are joined by the Queen of Hospitality, Melissa Hammett. Melissa serves at St. John Lutheran Church in Rochester Michigan as Director of Youth Ministries and plays an absolutely vital role in the way that the Church does Hospitality. From coordinating events at St. John, to opening up her home to everyone, Melissa doesn't just talk about it, she DOES hospitality, brin...

Holy Week is upon us! We are joined on the show today by Pastor Joel Werner from Christ Our Savior in Livonia, Michigan as we take a trip from Palm Sunday, to the Upper Room on Maundy Thursday, to the Cross on Friday, the dark gloomy tomb on Saturday, and burst out of the tomb on Sunday with our Lord Jesus. Join us as we talk about how each of these holy days have major implications on us as belie...

We are down to the Sweet Sixteen! And there are some JUICY matchups. See who makes it through as we finally crown the Champion for 2026! Enjoy our live reactions to a big game live as well 😂 and an Easter Egg at the end of the episode.

Moses, Elijah, Peter, John, Paul, etc. The heavy hitters of the Scriptures take the big stage in the Big Dance on this week's episode. We take 32 people from the Bible and put them head-to-head in a March Madness Bracket-style discussion. Will there be upsets? Hint: Yes! Take a listen to find out. We also throw in some Tournament talk as well, which you are welcome to skip the first 20 minute...

Today we are joined by Elizabeth Leinberger, the Interim Principal (soon to be Principal) of St. John Lutheran School in Rochester, MI. We talked through her ministry journey, the highs and the lows of being called in the Lutheran Schools, the vital importance of Christianity in education, as well as the unspoken burden she carries as a principal and the joy that even that can bring. Enjoy! Outro...

Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent is quickly approaching. On today's show, Tyler and Trevor talk with Marc and Steve, pastors with Tyler at St. John in Rochester Michigan about it all. From fasting and asking the question of 'have we missed the mark with it?', to the somberness of Lent and the removal of the Alleluia's, together we covered a ton of ground. Enjoy! Song at the...

Happy New Year, brothers and sisters! Today on the show, Trevor and I talk about nostalgia, new years resolutions, and the promises that God has made to us to rest in this year. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas everyone! Today Trevor and Tyler are joined by Pastor Steve Grafe from St. John in Rochester as we dive deeper into the theology of Christmas. Of course we have a little fun with music, movies, and food, but the bulk of the episode discusses the Incarnation and the reason God becomes man for us; and that is simply to die for our sins. Because of that, we are forgiven. We are set fr...

**Disclaimer** - Parents, if you have not had the "Christmas Conversation" with your kids, and you know what I'm talking about, be sure that you listen to this episode away from them. We do not desire to ruin the Christmas magic for your kids. We will leave that to you :) Where do Christians draw the line when it comes to Christmas traditions and Christ? Is it okay for Christians to...

After a few heavier episodes, we take a break and have some fun for Thanksgiving. Trevor and I talk about family Thanksgiving traditions, "staples" for the Thanksgiving meal, a PowerRanking of Thanksgiving sides, as well as a moment of thankfulness for God's blessing and goodness. Enjoy!

On today's show, Trevor is back! And together we are joined by Pastor Randy Duncan of the Michigan District and University Lutheran Chapel in Ann Arbor Michigan. We talk about Concordia and his experience guiding a student body through grief, confusion, and anger, as well as how God is using all of that for His glory. Enjoy!

This week we have been celebrating Veterans across the nation. On today's show, we talk with Rev. Dan Maske, US Navy Chaplain about his call in serving in the military. Our conclusion? "The devil will only die tired." Enjoy!

The "producer" of the show has been appointed! Trevor Noonan joins the show for the first time and we had a great conversation about traditional worship and modern worship. As our Director of Modern Praise, Trevor has a lot to say on the topics and it was fantastic conversation. We also were playing with new sounds and features on the new sound board so...no apologies :) Enjoy!

A (very opinionated) power rank of the best Halloween candy. Should we celebrate it as Christians? Listen and find out. My Reformation sermon on the "Five Solas" here

Today I am joined by my brother in Christ, Rev. Seth Moorman. Seth serves both as a pastor and executive at 1517. On the show, we talk through some heavy things. Less than two years ago, Seth's beloved wife Jill was taken to be with Christ. Naturally, as a result Seth has been living in grief. We talk about what grief is, how does it rear its head, what do we do with it, how do we handle it,...

I share my thoughts on the assassination of Charlie Kirk on today's episode. I wrote about it here: I Still Think About Charlie Kirk

Today on the pod, I am joined with a brother in Christ, Tristan Waechter, who serves on the East Side of Detroit in a variety of ways. From youth ministry, to hispanic ministry, to seminary, and even a music career, we covered so much today and know that you will be blessed by the conversation. We give you a taste of his music at the end of the episode so make sure you listen all the way through!...

As promised, we continue with another Bonhoeffer sermon, this time about Baptism and about the love of God, which is joined to you in Holy Baptism.  The Collected Sermons of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The longest episode to date, but it is absolutely WORTH the listen! I got to talk with one of my childhood pastors, Rev. Jim Weist, and talk about all of the incredible things God has done in His life. From Jamaica, to the police force, to the Indian Reservation, God has continued to show His faithfulness to Jim and his ministry, even in the face of some intense suffering. Both of us pray that tha...

On today's show, I talk about my good friend Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a very polarizing figure in the Lutheran Church (for whatever reason). In his Reformation Day sermon, he makes the case for the Confessional Church to be a Confessing Church. In other words, it's not that you do the "right things", it's how Christ's love is expressed in response to what He has done for...

My brother in Christ, Alexander, was ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry on Tuesday and the sermon that was delivered, I thought, was worth sharing and discussing a little bit. It talks about the embracing our baptisms, the cross, suffering, and comradeship as we truly do life together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Listen to a previous episode entitled, "The One Who Stands Alon...

I had some major ailments this past week and it got me thinking about why God allows for these things to happen. What is He trying to teach us through our sufferings? May that always be our prayer when we face any suffering, no matter how great or how trivial.

Today on the show I talk about one of my favorite words in Greek: Splagchnizomai. Translated to English to mean "compassion", when you look at the Biblical roots, it takes on a whole different meaning. Let's talk about compassion towards others and the compassion our Lord Jesus has for us.

On this episode, I talk a little bit about one of the things in evangelical Christianity that really bugs me..."My personal relationship with Christ." Jesus has not called you to a personal relationship with him. He's called you to something much much greater and something beyond the personal. He's called you into Christian community with others.