TGC Podcast

In this special episode of TGC Podcast, Collin Hansen, Jen Wilkin, Kori Porter, and Michael Kruger discuss the vital partnership between men and women in ministry, and the historical and biblical importance of women's contributions to the church. They advocate for visible female leadership, the value of gender-specific spaces for discipleship, and creative ways to foster healthy male-female collab...

The study of the grand narrative of Scripture isn't just an intellectual exercise; it's a transformative one. In this roundtable discussion, Kendra Dahl sits down with biblical theology experts Ben Gladd, Courtney Doctor, and Elizabeth Woodson to discuss how a Christ-centered understanding of Scripture illuminates our study of theology and our lives as Christians. They discuss: How discovering bib...

In this breakout session from TGC's 2023 National Conference, a panel featuring Vincent Bacote, Steve DeWitt, John Dickson, and Phil Ryken considers how race, sex, politics, and social media are tearing evangelical communities apart. They reflect on what pastors, teachers, and other Christian leaders can do to restore true Christian fellowship and empower effective gospel witness that is faithful...

The allure of worldly comforts can lead us away from our true security. In this breakout session from TGC23, Dr. G. K. Beale expounds on Revelation 18, illustrating the importance of obeying God's command to leave behind earthly comfort and security.  Pointing out how Babylon in Revelation represents the world's sin and self-reliance, Beale urges believers to detach from the fleeting materialism o...

In this breakout session from TGC's 2023 conference, Scott Swain demonstrates how understanding the Trinity equips us to grasp the biblical themes of salvation, particularly in the context of Exodus. He argues that the Trinity is central to God's self-revelation and covenant relationship with Israel, tracing promises from Abraham through to the Exodus. Swain also highlights the presence and role o...

In this breakout session from TGC's 2023 conference, Vance Pitman shares about his call to church planting, reflecting on the New Testament church as a model for kingdom-oriented mission today. After Pitman's talk, he and a panel—Félix Cabrera, Matt Carter, Doug Logan Jr., and Tony Merida—discuss the challenges and strategies of planting churches in diverse urban contexts, with a focus on multiply...

Trevin Wax explores the challenges of spreading the gospel in a culture of expressive individualism. His talk is followed by a discussion with Dean Inserra and Christine Hoover. The panel discusses the effects of expressive individualism on North American culture, emphasizing the transformative power of the gospel to address feelings of inadequacy and shame. They highlight the rise of personalized...

Clark Fobes highlights the importance of understanding diversity and cultural context when reaching Gen Z with the gospel, noting how social media has influenced a shift from guilt-innocence to honor-shame paradigms. He encourages churches to equip parents and youth pastors to navigate these changes and to provide a sense of belonging rooted in the gospel. After Fobes's message, a panel discusses...

Family discipleship is essential for lifelong faith. In this breakout session from TGC23, Cameron Cole teaches from Ephesians 3:11–16, challenging parents to embrace their central role in their children's spiritual formation. Formative Christian practices like prayer, Bible reading, and spiritual conversations are crucial, and parents should prioritize their own spiritual growth as they actively p...

Discipleship is essential for the spiritual growth of the next generation. In this breakout session from TGC's 2023 conference, Terrence Shay emphasizes the distinct roles of home and church in disciple making, with parents as primary disciple makers and the church providing a supportive community. As we seek to effectively nurture children's spiritual development, especially in a post-pandemic cu...

While Scripture calls Christian leaders to be gentle, kind shepherds, there continue to be cases of pastors who dominate their flocks with a heavy hand. How should we understand this issue of “spiritual abuse”? How big of a problem is it? In this breakout session at TGC23, Mike Kruger explores the definition of spiritual abuse, how it’s often misunderstood, and what steps churches can take to addr...

Unity matters. Christ prayed his church would be marked by it. Yet disunity among Christians abounds, and it’s not always civil in tone. With the Bible’s clear admonitions about foolish controversies and quarreling, how can we know when a fight is worth having? Jen Wilkin offers a framework for diagnosing how to pick your battles and how to conduct yourself when a battle is worth the fight. Hosted...

A strong theological foundation plays a vital role in encouraging and sustaining hope. In this breakout session from TGC's 2023 conference, Ligon Duncan, Nancy Guthrie, Leigh Swanson, and Melissa Kruger provide practical advice and encouragement for pastors, elders, women’s ministry leaders, and others who desire to start and sustain biblically faithful and theologically rich women’s ministries in...

The year 1776 remade the world. In one extraordinary year, a combination of books, ships, machines, inventions, paintings, and declarations created a new cultural landscape that we could characterize as WEIRDER: Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic, Ex-Christian, and Romantic. In this breakout session from TGC23, Andrew Wilson teaches how these different transformations came togethe...

Rebecca McLaughlin expands on five key points for how to give a memorable address, including using metaphors and sharing stories to engage your audience. She joins Melissa Kruger, Jen Wilkin, Courtney Doctor, and Elizabeth Woodson to discuss their journeys into Bible teaching. The women highlight the importance of preparation and how to use gifts in the church. They encourage humility and integrat...

Jen Wilkin explores God's gifts in women to lead, teach the Bible, and create spaces for others to thrive. After her talk, Wilkin joins Melissa Kruger, Rebecca McLaughlin, Courtney Doctor, and Elizabeth Woodson to discuss women's contributions to the church, the importance of sibling relationships within God's family, and overcoming opposition in ministry. The panelists encourage and equip women w...

Even those who live by faith experience doubt, but it doesn't have to end your faith. Drawing from years of guiding Christians through doubt and disillusionment, Joshua Chatraw combines pastoral care and intellectual rigor to address the emotional journey of doubt, offering a new perspective on living a life of faith alongside it. In this breakout session from TGC23, Chatraw and Jack Carson discus...

James Anderson opens this two-part breakout session by sharing how to cultivate a biblically formed understanding of our present cultural realities and maintain confidence and hope when we might otherwise be tempted to despair. Ligon Duncan and Nancy Guthrie follow with a discussion of theological foundations and pastoral approaches for helping one another walk through suffering. The session cover...

In this breakout session from TGC23, Dan Doriani addresses the real concern of churches devastated by bullying, immorality, and narcissism at the hands of pastors. But he also addresses the challenges facing pastors as they endure disapproval, opposition, foot-dragging, sabotage, and whisper campaigns. He challenges pastors to cultivate humility, seek God's wisdom and mercy, and embrace servanthoo...

Tim Keller examines Nicodemus's encounter with Jesus, unpacking the concept of being "born again." He challenges common stereotypes of born-again Christians and emphasizes that this spiritual rebirth is essential for everyone, regardless of their moral or religious status.   Keller reminds us that true repentance is turning towards Jesus for salvation and, in doing so, he highlights the beautiful...

In his breakout at TGC23, Michael Kruger argues doubt is a natural part of growing faith and can lead to stronger beliefs if handled with biblical and wise guidance. He offers suggestions for how Christians can confront and process doubts about their faith, especially in our skeptical age. And he calls the church to be a supportive environment that neither shames nor celebrates doubt but rather en...

In this panel discussion from TGC23, Courtney Doctor, Vanessa Hawkins, and Melissa Kruger delve into strategies for shepherding women within the local church. The panel encourages pastors to invest in women's theological training and for men and women to be in the same room as they serve in ministry together. For women in leadership to thrive within the local church, pastors need to pray for them,...

In this microevent from TGC23, Megan Hill, Gavin Ortlund, and Winfree Brisley reflect on the challenges and blessings of growing up in ministry. They emphasize the importance of parents living by grace, finding their identity in Christ, and supporting their kids, as well as modeling fr their children wise decision-making and differentiating between reasonable and unreasonable expectations for past...

In her breakout session at TGC23, Ruth Chou Simons teaches how to navigate life's challenges by focusing on God's unchanging character, which guides and sustains believers through life's wilderness. As we look for God's attributes in everyday life and align with his purpose for our lives, we find fulfillment and resilience amid our struggles. Through personal anecdotes and theological insights, Si...

In their panel discussion at TGC's 2023 conference, J. T. English, Kyle Worley, and Jen Wilkin delve into the crucial role of discipleship in the local church, focusing on the importance of theological education and spiritual growth. There are challenges in cultivating effective discipleship programs and there’s need for a deeper biblical understanding among those being discipled. Through sharing...