The Two Talents Pod

Listicles!! We wanted to put a positive spin on last week's episode and talk about things that Jon and Danny have seen work for churches in the past and present for their churches and other surrounding churches. If you have a church that is struggling with any aspect, this is a great place to start!

Don is the senior pastor at Firm Foundation Ministries. We say senior because he is committed and has dedicated his life to lift up, reach, and teach the next generation of young leaders. He took over a small, withering church and God blessed it to turn around into a multiple decade success story through his work ethic and by following the Holy Spirit. Don talks about how all of this amazing story...

JR is the owner and operator of Brush Fires Ministry. They are a Psychometry ministry dedicating their services to help Christians figure out "What does God want me to do with my life?". In this episode, Danny, Jon and JR really dig deep to discuss what makes people tick, what dictates what a person should be doing with their life and ministry and how do you find out what your calling and purpose...

Is it just a sign of the times? Is what we're doing ineffective? Are we doing the will of God and furthering the kingdom with our tactics or are we creating division and creating more problems? Danny and Jon do a deep dive on some of the more common issues the churches today have and what are some alternative methods that may work better!

Steve Moon is a director/producer/jack of all trades and master of a few. He is dedicated to sharing his life and testimony by being the best movie producer he can be. Steve prioritizes message over method. Steve has overcome many obstacles and does the best with the talents God has given him and in turn, gives God all the glory. Jump behind the scenes as we pick Steve's brain about his life, expe...

Seth Sparrer wears many hats. He is a youth leader, he will be preaching at a revival shortly and is currently finishing a book, "Plugging Into God". Seth is passionate about gaming, youth, but most importantly, reaching people and sharing Christ with them. He shares his thoughts on youth ministry and some of the concepts he has been implementing to bring youth to Christ and keep them plugged into...

Well. That was awkward. You've been in the Bible for a few weeks now, gaining all kinds of exciting information and life stories that are easily interpreted. Anddddd... now they're talking about foreskins, and she bears, and sandals. Oh my! What do these crazy stories in the Bible mean? Is there really a lesson we can learn from all of it? Jon and Danny have some, well, let's call it "interesting"...

Sometimes things just simply don't work out. Time stands still for no one and nothing. Churches grow, and churches die. So what does that look like realistically? Is just shutting the doors the only option out there? What resources are available? Is it all your fault? Jon has done extensive research to answer these questions and even more!

It was an honor and a privilege to share the pulpit where many great men stood before. But how did it really go? Is this something long term or short term? What does it look like to prepare for a Sunday morning service? Take a look behind the curtain of what it was like to preach in a church for the first time and ride the roller coaster of emotions with us!

Life as a Christian can be hard. It's like adding one more task to a never-ending list. Should following Christ feel burdensome? What are some practical ways to mitigate stress and burn out? And what if you've been screwing up? Well, you're not alone! Let's work it out wombat together!

Sometimes it's cozy under your rock where nobody can see you. They can't see your thoughts, your actions, nobody will ever know. Right? WRONG! There is no rock and the sky is falling! Well, maybe it's not quite that detrimental. Jon and Danny have some thoughts on sin, how to combat it, and how to crawl out from under that rock!

Churches in America, in general, are on a downward trajectory. Numbers are dwindling, people are unmotivated, and the few who are volunteering are burnt out and overworked. What is the root cause of this sad trend? Are other churches experiencing the same? Is there any hope for revival in American churches? What can we do to help turn this ship around? Come and let us reason together!

Jesus is a conservative right? Well, maybe he would have leaned more left. Or maybe he wouldn't have been into politics at all! The world of Christianity and politics can be confusing, divisive, hurtful and downright depressing. How can we possibly navigate these topics with gentleness, kindness, love and compassion? Can you be a Democrat or a Republican AND a Christian? Danny and Jon have some th...

Stephen has been boots on the ground for the start-up of a new church. Jon and Danny are stoked to pick his brain on what brought this new ministry about. How do you start a new church or new group? What are some struggles to expect and how do you overcome that? What strategies can we implement to bring growth to the church? HOW DO WE SOLVE ALL OF THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS?! Two talents has (some) of t...

Should everyone who attends church be volunteering their extra time? Who should be doing which jobs and how do you know if you're in the right place at your church? Volunteering can be a rewarding yet complex subject when talking about being a servant in the church. Let's try to break things down together and figure out the nuances of volunteering!

Being a Christian is hard. Being a leader is hard. Being a Christian leader? You guessed it, also difficult. How can you continue to push forward through all of the obstacles life throws at you? Was it meant to be this difficult? If you're struggling to continue running your race, this episode is for you!

Working for the Lord can be hard. It's often a thankless job. Most people won't see the blood, sweat and tears that go into being a youth leader, bible study host, pastor or any of the other jobs that keep a healthy church going. How can you cope with being undervalued or underappreciated? Is it normal or healthy to think this way? Is it a sin to feel like you should be valued more? If these quest...

What does biblical marriage look like in the real world? What are some practical ways to improve your marriage? Jon, Danny and Erin, Jon's lovely wife, talk about some pitfalls to avoid and things they have learned over the years in their marriages.

What's the best way to read scripture? Is force feeding yourself the word healthy? Jon and Danny have different perspectives on the best way to eat an elephant. Join us for discussion and be sure to comment your favorite way to study God's word on our instagram!

Rizz? Skibidi toilet? Fleek? What is going on! Times and language change very quickly through generations. Can the same be said about the Bible? How can we interpret and trust what we're reading? If you've had questions like this or similar, you're in the right place! No cap!

Are you looking for advice on fundraisers that are worth your while? What should the purpose of fundraising be and how can you be sure to use those funds according to God's will? Tap in to hear what Danny and Jon have tried and learn from their mistakes instead of your own!

Whether you've recently changed jobs and moved or you've experienced church hurt and taken a hiatus, you find yourself ready to get back on the horse and get into church again. Most towns have dozens upon dozens of churches. So how do you decide where to go? How do you decide who to entrust with you and your family's spiritual welfare? Today's episode addresses those questions and many others!

Being a Christian is supposed to be a daily walk. You should be a Christian when you're at home, at church, grocery shopping and yes, even at work. Today's environment has complicated things. Can you still share your faith? What are the best methods in being able to share the good news with coworkers and customers? What if you screw things up? If these questions seem familiar, you're in the right...

What was the driving force bringing Danny and Jon together? Why, of course it was the parable of the two talents! Strap in as we discuss what exactly does the parable of the two talents mean and how can we be disciples for Christ in a useful way, even in the most difficult of times?

Reality is, life is stressful. Being a parent, employee, boss, husband, wife, etc. It all starts piling up. What happens when stress boils over to a burnout? How can we mitigate burnout and what does the Bible have to say about all of this? Let's shoulder this burden together and discuss!