Wisdom for the Wilderness

In this episode of  Wisdom for the Wilderness , Pastors Zack and Josh dive into the often-misunderstood topic of church discipline. Exploring its biblical roots in Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 5, they discuss how this practice is a vital mark of a healthy church, rooted in fellowship and accountability. Far from being punitive, church discipline is a redemptive process aimed at restoring believers...

In this episode of  Wisdom for the Wilderness , Pastors Zack and Josh tackle a common question: "How do I know God’s will for my life?" Whether it’s choosing a spouse, a job, or a major life decision, the anxiety of making the "right" choice can be overwhelming. The pastors explore a biblical framework for discerning God’s guidance, introducing the "Five W’s" of decision-making: Word, Wisdom, Witn...

In this episode of  Wisdom for the Wilderness , Pastors Zack and Josh tackle the vital yet often overlooked topic of evangelism, emphasizing its role in the life of a healthy church. They explore why sharing the gospel can feel intimidating for many Christians and discuss practical ways to overcome these fears, such as knowing the gospel thoroughly, memorizing key scriptures, and using tools like...

In this insightful episode of  Wisdom for the Wilderness , Pastors Zack and Josh dive deep into what truly defines a thriving spiritual community with "12 Marks of a Healthy Church." Drawing on years of pastoral experience and biblical wisdom, they unpack each of these essential characteristics, offering practical insights and challenges for both church leaders and individual members. The episode...

In this episode of "Wisdom for the Wilderness," Pastors Zack and Josh tackle a question many believers grapple with: "Is it okay to skip church from time to time to enjoy hobbies like hunting, vacation, or youth sports?" They dive into the heart of this tension, acknowledging the legitimate desire for leisure and family time, while also faithfully upholding the biblical call to corporate worship....

This week on Wisdom for the Wilderness, Pastors Zack and Josh dive into the complex and often polarizing topic of immigration. They carefully navigate the tension between our personal call as believers to love our neighbors and minister to all people, regardless of their immigration status, and the government's distinct responsibility to enforce immigration laws and maintain societal order. Join t...

In this episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness, Pastors Zack and Josh tackle the ever-present challenge of time management from a distinctly biblical perspective. They explore what it truly means to "redeem the time" in a world constantly vying for our attention. The conversation begins with the macro view, delving into the essential task of prioritizing what genuinely deserves our time. How do we a...

Join Pastors Zack and Josh in this vital episode of "Wisdom for the Wilderness" as they courageously tackle the pervasive topic of alcohol from a deeply rooted biblical perspective. Far from a simple "yes or no" answer, this discussion dives into the wisdom of Scripture to equip believers with principles for navigating a culture saturated with drink. Drawing from key passages like Ephesians 5:18,...

Join Pastors Zack and Josh on this special episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness as they celebrate a monumental birthday: the 1700th anniversary of the adoption of the Nicene Creed! Dive into the fascinating history of this foundational document, exploring the Arian controversy and the crucial role of figures like Alexander, Arius, Athanasius, and Emperor Constantine. Discover why this creed was so...

In this listener-inspired episode of  Wisdom for the Wilderness , Pastors Zack and Josh tackle a foundational but often misunderstood question:  What is a Baptist?  They walk through the core distinctives that define Baptist belief and practice—such as believer’s baptism, congregational governance, and local church autonomy—and explain why these matter deeply to the life and mission of Overland Ch...

In this special episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness, Pastors Zack and Josh connect with Isaac Dzimbiri, the Malawi country ministry director for Gospel Life. Filming from Malawi, Zack joins Josh in Colorado to explore the profound and enduring partnership between Josh and Isaac. They delve into how their relationship, rooted in biblical principles of servant leadership and mutual respect, has bee...

In this episode of  Wisdom for the Wilderness , Pastors Zack and Josh dive into the third core value of Overland Church:  Serve . As they explore what it means to live out a life of service, they emphasize the powerful truth that at Overland,  the greatest thing you can strive to be is a servant . Drawing from Scripture and their own ministry experiences, Zack and Josh unpack how serving isn’t jus...

Join Pastors Zack and Josh as they unpack the complex world of short-term missions. Are these trips truly beneficial, or can they sometimes do more harm than good? They delve into the potential pros and cons, exploring what makes a short-term mission trip truly impactful – focusing on learning from local communities, offering genuine service, utilizing specialized skills, and effectively supportin...

Pastors Zack and Josh dive into the often-complex decision of how to educate our children, exploring the landscape of public, charter, Christian schools, and homeschooling. They thoughtfully unpack the unique pros and cons of each option, moving beyond mere academics to focus on our primary calling as parents: to disciple our kids wholeheartedly. Join the conversation as they emphasize why our uni...

In this episode of  Wisdom for the Wilderness , Pastors Zack and Josh tackle a topic that strikes at the core of Christian worship: Who decides how we worship God? Drawing a clear contrast between the regulative principle—which teaches that only what God commands in His Word is acceptable in worship—and the normative principle—which allows for anything not expressly forbidden—they make a compellin...

In this episode of  Wisdom for the Wilderness , Pastors Zack and Josh sit down with College Pastor Brandon Dupre for a rich conversation about Bible translation—how it works, why it matters, and what it means for everyday readers of Scripture. They break down the core translation philosophies, from formal equivalence (word-for-word) to dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought), and how each approa...

In this powerful episode of  Wisdom for the Wilderness , Pastors Josh and Zack are joined by special guest Pastor Brandon Dupre for a deep dive into biblical stewardship. What does it really mean to  render to God  what is God's? And how do we live that out when it comes to money? The trio explores how everything we have belongs to God, and how wise management of our finances—through budgeting, pa...

In this special edition episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness, Pastors Zack and Josh address the threat of two bills currently in the Colorado State Senate. HB 25-1312 threatens the custody of parents who do not affirm the transgender identity of their children, and HB 25-1309 requires insurers to pay for transgender treatments and surgeries. Zack and Josh discuss why these bills are a threat to th...

In this timely episode, Pastors Zack and Josh dive into the often-dreaded topic of taxes—just in time for tax season. They unpack what Scripture teaches about paying taxes, from Jesus’ command to "render unto Caesar" to Paul's words in Romans 13. But what about when the government misuses or mismanages taxpayer money? Should believers still pay up? Join the conversation as they explore how to appr...

In this special episode, released during Autism Awareness Month, Pastors Josh and Zack delve into the vital topic of special needs within the church community. They explore the profound truth that every individual, regardless of ability, is created in God's image and possesses inherent dignity. They discuss the ways in which the church has sought to support families with special needs, and honestl...

In this episode of  Wisdom for the Wilderness , Pastors Zack and Josh dive into the significance of Albert Mohler’s concept of theological triage and its relevance in the life of the church today. Theological triage helps believers evaluate and prioritize doctrinal issues based on their importance, which is essential for maintaining unity in the body of Christ. Mohler's framework offers a way to u...

Pastors Zack and Josh tackle the complex question of whether a believer can lose salvation in this week's Wisdom for the Wilderness. They explore eternal security and the perseverance of the saints. They unpack the biblical basis for believing that God's chosen are eternally secure in Christ. The perseverance of the saints, they explain, is God's work within us, ensuring our final salvation. The p...

The question of when a child is ready for baptism is a weighty one, filled with both joy and careful consideration. In this episode of Wisdom in the Wilderness, Pastors Zack and Josh dive deep into this crucial topic, offering practical guidance for parents navigating their child's spiritual journey. Join them as they explore the vital process of discerning whether your child truly understands the...

In this heartfelt and insightful episode of  Wisdom for the Wilderness , Pastors Zack and Josh dive deep into the concept of friendship from a biblical perspective. They explore why true friendship is a gift from God, highlighting key scriptural examples of deep and lasting bonds. From the importance of community and accountability to how we can cultivate and maintain genuine friendships, Zack and...

Join Pastors Zack and Josh on this episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness as they dive deep into the crucial role of the local church in preparing those called to ministry. They explore the often-complex journey of discerning a call, offering practical wisdom and personal anecdotes to help listeners navigate this important decision. What does a genuine call look like, and how can a local church comm...