The Builder’s Blueprint Podcast

In this episode of  The Builder’s Blueprint , Pastor Ben is joined by Matt Krisko for a thoughtful conversation on  Genesis 3:7–21 . Together, they explore the “fig leaves” we still use to cover our sin, shame, and vulnerability. As they reflect on Adam and Eve’s response to the fall, they also point to the deeper hope found in God’s gracious response—His mercy that covers what we cannot hide and...

In this episode of The Builder’s Blueprint, Pastor Ben is joined by Bethany’s assistant principal, Dale Lehrke, for an honest conversation about what it feels like to be spiritually depleted—starving, dry, and sometimes gasping for breath. Together, they reflect on how easy it is to live as if we’re only physical beings, while neglecting the reality that we are designed as spiritual people who nee...

In this episode of  The Builder’s Blueprint , Pastor Ben is joined by Bethany’s Interim Principal,  Meghan Vogel , for a practical conversation about  Jesus’ words in Matthew 5 —and what they mean for everyday life. What does it look like to live as someone who is  blessed ,  salt , and  light … not just on Sunday, but in your real vocations Monday through Saturday? Together they reflect on how Je...

In this episode of  The Builder’s Blueprint , Pastor Ben is joined by Bethany’s Youth Director, Ingrid Lewis, for a conversation on  intentional  faith formation in the home and the role Lutheran education plays in shaping the next generation. As part of National Lutheran Schools Week, they reflect on the partnership between parents, church, and school—and the beauty of how these different pieces...

In this episode of  The Builder’s Blueprint , Pastor Ben sits down with Samantha Vogel to explore  Matthew 5  and Jesus’ surprising words:  “Blessed are…”  Spoken not to the comfortable, but to the hurting, the grieving, and the weary. Together, they unpack how Jesus redefines blessing—not as ease or success, but as God’s deep, hidden work in the middle of our hardest moments. Through honest conve...

How does a Christian understanding of life engage a world that often approaches life issues very differently? In this episode of  The Builder’s Blueprint , Pastor Ben is joined by Matt Krisko for a thoughtful and honest conversation about how a Biblical view of life intersects with the complex and often polarized conversations happening in our culture today. Together, they affirm the pro-life conf...

Why does Jesus step into the waters of baptism—and why does it matter for us today? In this episode of  The Builder’s Blueprint , Pastor Ben is joined by Bethany’s Assistant Principal, Dale Lehrke, for a thoughtful conversation centered on the baptism of Jesus and His words:  “to fulfill all righteousness.”  Together, they reflect on how Jesus stands in our place, fully obedient on our behalf, and...

As we step into a new year, what are we really asking God for? In this episode of  The Builder’s Blueprint Podcast , Pastor Ben is joined by Bethany’s Interim Principal, Meghan Vogel, for a thoughtful and practical conversation on  embracing godly wisdom  at the start of a new season. Flowing directly from Pastor Ben’s recent sermon on  1 Kings 3:4–15 , the discussion centers on King Solomon’s hum...

In this special Christmas-season episode of  The Builder’s Blueprint Podcast , Pastor Ben Vogel is joined by Principal Meghan Vogel for a reflective and joy-filled conversation about some of their favorite Christmas music. Together, they explore how these beloved hymns and songs do more than set a festive mood—they proclaim the Gospel and shape our hearts and our households to be centers for prais...

In this week’s episode, Pastor Ben Vogel is joined by guest Matt Krisko for a rich conversation rooted in Isaiah 9. Together they explore the imagery of burdens and yokes found in Isaiah’s prophecy and how these ancient words speak directly into our lives today. Matt and Pastor Ben reflect on the weight we so often carry and how Christ comes to break every yoke and set His people free. Matt also s...

In this episode of The Builder’s Blueprint, Pastor Ben Vogel sits down with Bethany’s Vice Principal, Dale Lehrke, for a thoughtful conversation on one of Scripture’s most powerful images: light and darkness. Together, they explore how the Bible uses this metaphor to describe both the human condition and God’s saving work. From Isaiah’s promise that “the people walking in darkness have seen a grea...

In this episode of The Brick Podcast, Pastor Ben Vogel and Youth Director Ingrid Lewis ground their conversation in Jesus’ parable of the talents. They reflect on how Jesus calls us to invest our gifts generously in the mission of making disciples. They discuss how the greatest gift we have—the gospel—is meant to be shared, and how overcoming fear helps us use our gifts boldly for God’s kingdom.

In this episode of The Builder’s Blueprint, Pastor Ben Vogel is joined by BLS Interim Principal Meghan Vogel for a conversation about the daily opportunities God entrusts to His people. Together, they explore how every gift—time, talents, relationships, and resources—is given by God to be used for others.  

In this episode of The Builder’s Blueprint Podcast, Pastor Ben Vogel is joined by Samantha Vogel, a student at Concordia Nebraska, to explore the powerful message behind Jesus’ Parable of the Talents. Together they discuss how this parable transforms our perspective—inviting us to see ourselves not as owners, but as stewards of the time, treasure, and talents God has entrusted to us. Through hones...

In this episode of  The Builder’s Blueprint Podcast , Pastor Ben Vogel sits down with BLS Interim Principal Meghan Vogel for an honest and hope-filled conversation about one of life’s most feared topics: death. Together they explore why this subject stirs such deep fear, how our culture often avoids it, and how Jesus’ resurrection gives us the courage to face it with faith and peace. In light of o...

In this episode of  The Builder’s Blueprint , Pastor Ben Vogel is joined by Matt Krisko, a Concordia University, St. Paul student preparing for pastoral ministry. Together they discuss the universal experience of weariness in our fallen world—how spiritual, emotional, and physical exhaustion can take root when left untreated—and how the hope of Jesus Christ renews our strength. Through Scripture,...

In this episode of The Builder’s Blueprint, Pastor Ben Vogel sits down with Bethany Lutheran School’s Vice Principal, Dale Lehrke, to explore the incredible power our words hold. Together they discuss how the things we say can shape hearts, build relationships, and reflect the condition of our own hearts. More importantly, they reflect on how Jesus transforms our speech—redeeming not just our word...

In this episode, Pastor Ben Vogel is joined by Bethany’s Director of Youth Ministry, Ingrid Lewis, to talk about family dynamics. They delve into the ways dysfunction can impact families and how God’s grace is a key resource for bringing stability and restoration.

In this episode, Pastor Ben sits down with  Heidi Klump , Bethany’s administrative assistant and a devoted wife and mother, to explore how our culture’s understanding of marriage has drifted from God’s original design. Together, they unpack how society often treats marriage as a temporary contract rather than the lifelong covenant God intended. Through thoughtful conversation, Pastor Ben and Heidi...

In this episode of the  Builder’s Blueprint Podcast , Pastor Ben Vogel sits down with his daughter, Samantha Vogel, a first-year college student, to talk about one of the most pressing issues of our time: identity. Together they explore the confusion in our culture, the deep longing for belonging that we all feel, and how Jesus, our Good Shepherd, provides the true foundation of who we are.

On this week’s  Builder’s Blueprint , Pastor Ben Vogel is joined by his guest (and wife!)  Meghan Vogel , Interim Principal at Bethany Lutheran School. Meghan is the third of six rotating guests who will reflect on the sermon theme from the previous Sunday. Together, Pastor Ben and Meghan dive into Jesus’ teaching in  Matthew 6:19–24 , exploring the pull of greed and the temptation to make “stuff”...

In this episode of the Builder’s Blueprint podcast, Pastor Ben Vogel sits down with Bethany’s own Matt Krisko, a young member currently studying for the pastoral ministry at Concordia University, St. Paul. Together, they explore the challenge of apathy in today’s culture and what it means for Christians to live with greater spiritual zeal. Matt shares insights from his college experience, his own...

In this first conversation on The Builder’s Blueprint, Pastor Ben Vogel sits down with his guest, Dale Lehrke, Vice Principal at Bethany Lutheran School. Dale is the first of six rotating guests who will join Pastor Ben each week to reflect on the previous Sunday’s sermon theme. Together, they wrestle with the challenges of pride and self-exaltation in a world that constantly tells us to put ourse...

In this kickoff episode of The Builder’s Blueprint, Pastor Ben Vogel shares the heart behind launching a new weekly podcast. He looks back on the origins of The Brick podcast—Bethany’s ongoing monthly series that highlights the stories of God’s people—and explains how it continues to serve as a place for testimony and encouragement. So why add another podcast? Pastor Ben introduces The Builder’s B...