Podcast

Never think, says Dr. Meg Meeker, that you have no power to help your teens navigate challenges like social media, depression, and premarital sex. The dangers are real, she says, but "there’s a lot parents (and youth leaders) can do.”

“We know that prayer is one of our primary priorities in ministry," says Daniel Henderson, "but it’s hard to lead where you’ve not gone yourself.”

Roger Lane says, "The church is a living organism. It will always take funding." But what does it look like to raise money in a way that honors God?

"What you’re doing matters enormously," says Stephen Witmer to small town pastors. Stephen is a small town pastor himself and as such has valuable insights into the beauty and challenges of small church ministry.

The opposite of every sin struggle, says Christopher Yuan, is holiness. Christopher shares with us why the church must return to a biblical view of singleness and provides other insights into how pastors can help Christians pursue holy sexuality.

The problem of evil is one of the most difficult topics any human being ever has to wrestle with. While Thomas Jay Oord's response to this issue is certainly controversial, he believes there is solid biblical evidence to back it up.

"Listen a lot," is Megan Fate Marshman's advice to ministry leaders. This week, Megan shares how conducting an "Ephesians 4" ministry honors God and creates space for people to feel valued and truly own what they believe.

The modern church, says Brady Boyd, "has chosen some cheap substitutes to the original Great Commission." But there is a way we can correct our mission drift...and the key is the two greatest commandments.

When it comes to the study of the New Testament, N.T. Wright says, "A little bit of history will challenge the easy assumptions we would otherwise make.” But if we neglect history, we will end up shrinking the gospel message.

John Mark Comer believes, "You can’t live a spiritual life and a life of hurry.” A pastor himself, John Mark shares with us why the main job of today's pastors is being able to help their congregations slow down.

"The world is facing volcanic forces," says Leonard Sweet. In a "deeply schizophrenic" culture that makes everything an idol, Len believes Christians can and must rise to the challenge to go beyond merely making a stand for what is right.

Are you struggling with church funding? Mark DeYmaz says, “In this day and age, the church, like most families, is going to require multiple streams of income for funding going forward.” But what does that mean?

"Church leadership puts us under tremendous pressure, every one of us," says Steve Cuss. Steve gained valuable insights about dealing with anxiety when he was a trauma chaplain, insights he has found to be highly relevant to church leaders today.

Lee Strobel believes that while apologetics is more important than ever, we need to approach it differently than we have in the past. This week, Lee shares with us how we can have love and wisdom as we share the truth with people who are questioning.

Pastor Dave Vance says it's easy for churches to make assumptions that stop them from meeting their cities' physical and spiritual needs. That was the situation his church was in before they started asking the questions that enabled them to begin reaching their community for Christ.

Greg Stier believes that revival can come to the United States...but for that to happen, we need a different kind of youth ministry.

How are ministry leaders to guide their congregations when a pastor commits suicide? Pastor Rusty George has personal experience navigating this tragic scenario, and he shares his thoughts on how church leaders can help their members process one of their pastors dying.

Mark Sayers says, “What’s happening is the secular story itself is actually beginning to have its moment of doubt.” Mark is the senior leader of Red Church in Melbourne, Australia, and this week on our podcast he shares how living in our current culture gives us a unique opportunity to offer people hope.

Tara Beth Leach believes it's all too easy for church to turn into, "Come, consume, and see the show." Tara Beth is an author, speaker and senior pastor, and this week on our podcast, she shares how pastors can counteract consumerism and help their members see themselves as the missional people of God.

David Curry says that when we look at the history of Christian oppression, "this is the time that has the most persecution to date.” David is the president and CEO of Open Doors and this week on our podcast, he explains why global persecution is increasing and how the church in the U.S. should respond.