The Pilgrim's Perspective

The Southern Baptist Convention just made one of the biggest votes in a generation — and the whole country has an opinion. But what does  Scripture  actually say? In this episode, we break down the SBC's "Truth and Unity Amendment," which passed 6,028 to 2,026 at the 2026 annual meeting in Orlando — formally banning churches with women pastors or women preaching to the congregation....

It's June. And if you're a pastor, a church leader, or just a follower of Jesus trying to figure out how to love people well while holding to what the Bible says — this episode is for you. Joe Moates and Pastor Justin Cooper sat down to tackle one of the most loaded conversations in our culture right now: What does the church actually do with Pride Month? Not the political version of that...

Is Sunday School still relevant — or have connection points and small groups taken over? In this episode, we dig into the real differences between Sunday School, connection points, small groups, and other discipleship models to help your church figure out what actually works. We talk about how to grow a Sunday School class, what it takes to build a genuine culture within that class, and why the  h...

The church has a music problem — and most pastors won't say it out loud. What happened to the hymns that carried the weight of doctrine? What happened to congregational singing that wasn't a concert? Somewhere between the 1980s and now, church leadership made a decision: if the world has a sound, the church should sound like it too. And in chasing relevance, they handed the pulpit mic to H...

Every church has a culture. The question is whether you built it — or whether it just happened to you. In this episode, Pastor Justin, and Joe Moates get real about one of the most overlooked responsibilities of church leadership: intentionally shaping the environment where the Gospel takes root. Culture isn't a vibe. It's not your logo or your worship style. It's what people feel the...

Artificial Intelligence is no longer coming — it's already here, and it's already inside your home, your church, your teenager's phone, and your marriage. In this episode of The Pilgrim's Perspective, Joe, Pastor Justin, and Joe Moates tackle one of the most urgent conversations Christians need to be having: What does a biblically grounded faith look like in the age of AI?They brea...

HEY! You commented, so we reacted! The flood gates were opened after we talked about Israel, so we answered a lot of the questions and comments you left for us. Continue to comment and send your reactions as we look at current events and trends through a biblical worldview!

Antisemitism is rising — and it's not just coming from the left. Conservative voices, podcasters, and online influencers are reshaping how young Christians think about Israel, and most of them don't even know it's happening. In this episode, Joe sits down with Pastor Justin Cooper to open up Romans 9–11 and answer the question the church needs to be asking right now: Is God done with t...

In Episode 11 of Pilgrim’s Perspective, we discuss a growing trend in modern Christianity: the rise of Christian nightclubs, Christian liquor stores, and churches blurring the line between the holy and the worldly. Is this creative evangelism… or compromise? As culture pushes the church to become more casual and culturally relevant, many believers are asking an important question: Has the church b...

In this episode of  Pilgrim’s Perspective , we tackle a growing issue both in culture and in the church:  the disappearance of strong men. As headlines discuss war with Iran and global tensions rise, it raises an uncomfortable question:  Are we raising men capable of standing when the moment demands it? But the deeper issue may not be in Washington. It may be in the pews. In this episode we talk a...

Sports gambling isn’t in casinos anymore — it’s on your phone. In this episode, we talk about the rise of online sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings, the culture of parlays, and the real consequences we’re starting to see across America — including rising gambling addiction hotline calls and increasing debt among young men. We also discuss why the “get rich quick” mindset clashes with Scriptur...

In Episode 8, we share the books we’re reading in 2026 and the ones we believe will help you grow as a Christian, leader, husband, and father. We talk about spiritual formation, leadership development, discipline, theology, and practical growth. If you want this year to be different, you have to feed your mind intentionally. Reading shapes thinking. Thinking shapes decisions. Decisions shape your...

Why is there so much division among Independent Baptists? A listener asked us why it seems like there are two camps that constantly push against each other — and who’s actually right. In this episode, we unpack the roots of the tension, what’s cultural versus doctrinal, and how Christians should respond to disagreement without abandoning conviction or unity. This is a thoughtful conversation about...

What does faith have to do with fitness? In this episode, we talk about the Christian’s responsibility to care for their body, the role of discipline in the Christian life, and why diet, exercise, and physical stewardship are often ignored—or excused—in church culture. We challenge the idea that caring for your health is vanity, confront the sins of laziness and overindulgence, and ask whether bel...

Snowstorms force hard decisions for churches—but what happens when canceling church becomes less about safety and more about comfort? In today’s episode, we talk honestly about when canceling services is wise—and when it exposes a deeper heart problem. We examine the growing trend of churches reducing Sunday services, dropping Sunday night altogether, and quietly adapting to a culture that no long...

In this episode of  The Pilgrim’s Perspective , we examine the growing confusion around  peace, protest, and the role of the Church  in today’s culture. We take a careful but honest look at  Martin Luther King Jr. , addressing his theology, view of Christ, and ideological influences—and why Christians must distinguish between cultural legacy and biblical truth. We also discuss monks marching for p...

Church movements come and go — but truth does not. In this episode, we discuss the rise of various movements within Christianity and the problems that emerge when those movements begin shaping doctrine, priorities, and identity. From the emergent church and progressive Christianity to charismatic, contemporary, and fundamentalist circles, we examine how good intentions can still lead to imbalance,...

In this episode of  A Pilgrim’s Perspective , we ask a timely and important question facing churches today:  Should the local church have a Vision Night? Vision Nights can be powerful tools—or empty events—depending on how they’re approached. This episode explores the  biblical purpose of vision , the role of leadership clarity, and why churches that lack direction often drift over time. We talk a...

Welcome to The Pilgrim’s Perspective . In this introductory episode, we lay the foundation for the purpose and direction of this podcast. We discuss what a biblical worldview is, why it is so desperately needed today, and how the way we think directly affects the way we live. Surrounded by cultural pressure, shifting values, and endless opinions, Christians must be grounded in Scripture more than...

Here's a sneak peak into why we started The Pilgrim's Perspective Podcast. Episode Launch 1/5/26