church Archives ·

Episode 211 – Carmen Joy Imes

Talking with professors is just about one of my favorite things to do (both on and off the podcast) and this conversation with Dr. Carmen Joy Imes definitely reinforced that joy for me! We chatted about her most recent book release, Being God's Image. Literally, from Genesis to Revelation, Carmen writes on what it means … Continue reading Episode 211 – Carmen Joy Imes

Episode 200 – Jack Sara

Rev. Dr. Jack Sara is the President of Bethlehem Bible College. I met Jack on what was my 8th (?) trip to the Holy Land, but only my first trip to Palestine. If you think about it (and we mention it a bit in the episode), that fact alone is pretty remarkable. That someone could … Continue reading Episode 200 – Jack Sara

Episode 197 – Alexis Busetti

Just a short little sermon on the center part of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus gives us quite a few "do not" statements on giving, praying, and fasting. Thankfully, he doesn't leave the discussion there though. Because he's a good teacher, he also gives us some "how to" examples. There's also talk of … Continue reading Episode 197 – Alexis Busetti

Episode 196 – Jon Ward

Jon Ward is a journalist who has spent the last twenty years covering American politics. He's also a Christian. And, like so many of us, he was raised in the evangelical culture that is continuing to supply ample obstacles in the terrain as we seek to navigate questions of faith and life. Jon writes about … Continue reading Episode 196 – Jon Ward

Episode 194 – David Taylor

It was such a joy to speak with Dr. David Taylor! Every time I get to speak with him (he's a professor at Fuller, btw), I come away feeling encouraged in the Lord and ready to explore some new way of interacting with my own faith. This conversation was no different! We talked about his … Continue reading Episode 194 – David Taylor

Episode 189 – Nijay Gupta

This conversation had me feeling both excited and a bit nervous. Nijay Gupta, who is gracious in every way, has written a new book on the ministry of women in the early church and historically, this subject has been a sensitive one for me. Maybe like you, I was discipled in a tradition that held … Continue reading Episode 189 – Nijay Gupta

Episode 188 – Jasmine Bellamy (re-release!)

In 2021, my amazing friend, Jasmine Bellamy, was named in Sports Illustrated’s series Elle-evate: 100 Influential Black Women in Sports! She works with Reebok as the lead for the U.S. Direct to Consumer department and as the Head of Change Management for Reebok’s United Against Racism. In that role, Jasmine has initiated Courageous Conversations as a … Continue reading Episode 188 – Jasmine Bellamy (re-release!)

Episode 187 – Natalia Kohn Rivera (re-release!)

Natalia Kohn Rivera is a pastor with InterVarsity’s LeFe ministry and co-author of Hermanas. This beautiful book takes the journeys of 12 biblical women and explores them through the lenses of Latina women. In this conversation, Natalia and I discuss the importance of our ethnic identities and our faith as well as what it means to see … Continue reading Episode 187 – Natalia Kohn Rivera (re-release!)

Episode 186 – Caryn Reeder

Reading Caryn Reeder's new book had me feeling mad, relieved, curious, and hopeful. She explores one of my all-time favorite stories in the Gospels - The Samaritan Woman in John 4. Caryn reminds readers and listeners of the classic interpretation of the story, which has remained much the same throughout history, and examines how it … Continue reading Episode 186 – Caryn Reeder

Episode 183 – Bekah McNeel

Bekah and I had a fabulous conversation (she's hilarious, btw!) about her book Bringing Up Kids When the Church Lets You Down. But trust me, if you're not a parent....don't flip to the next episode in your queue just yet! This conversation is for anyone whose life and faith have been impacted by the church, … Continue reading Episode 183 – Bekah McNeel

Episode 181 – Craig Greenfield

Craig Greenfield joins me on the podcast to talk about something I've been processing lately - missions. Specifically, Craig has written a book called Subversive Mission on how to serve well as outsiders. In the history of Christianity, Western missionary work has often equaled colonialism, and we need to be aware of how we still … Continue reading Episode 181 – Craig Greenfield

Episode 180 – Sara Billups

The story Sara Billups shares in Orphaned Believers is her own and in a way, it's mine too. It might also be yours if you were a child of the 1980's and 1990's growing up anywhere near white American evangelicalism. She writes (and we chat) about how she was shaped by teachings on the end … Continue reading Episode 180 – Sara Billups

Episode 178 – Beth Birmingham & Eeva Sallinen Simard

It's not every day that so much wisdom and experience is found in one place, but today is that day! Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinen Simard have decades of combined experience in working in and with faith-based organizations. It is because of their commitment in these spaces that they are doing everything they can to … Continue reading Episode 178 – Beth Birmingham & Eeva Sallinen Simard

Episode 173 – Kelly Flanagan

Generally speaking, I am *not* a novel-reading, fiction-loving kind of girl, but....I loved Kelly Flanagan's new release The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell! And, I am so thrilled to welcome Kelly back to the podcast. He first came on to speak about his book, True Companions which was a game-changer for me as well. Kelly is … Continue reading Episode 173 – Kelly Flanagan

Episode 167 – Jim Wallis

The one and only Jim Wallis is on the podcast! Most recently Jim came on as the director of the Center on Faith + Justice at Georgetown University. He and I met over the summer when the Center hosted its inaugural summer academy and I was blessed enough to attend. For those who may not … Continue reading Episode 167 – Jim Wallis

Episode 166 – Jennifer Tucker

It was only a few years ago that I was introduced to breath prayers. In the beginning of the pandemic, Osheta Moore, spiritual director and pastor, hosted morning times of Scripture-reading and breath prayers and these practices were so much of what kept me during those times. Now, we have another resource to encourage us … Continue reading Episode 166 – Jennifer Tucker

Episode 164 – Don Schoendorfer

Don Shoendorfer is a biomedical engineer with a PhD from MIT and the founder of Free Wheelchair Mission. Part of what I *love* about Don's story is that he utilized the skills God had already given him to help people with a profound problem - immobility caused by disability. As you'll hear, Don didn't set … Continue reading Episode 164 – Don Schoendorfer

Episode 160 – Scott Sunquist

Scott Sunquist and I just missed crossing each other's paths at Fuller Theological Seminary. Shortly before I registered as a student, Scott wrapped up his time as the Dean of Intercultural Studies at Fuller where he also was a professor of church history. Now, Scott serves as president of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary where he … Continue reading Episode 160 – Scott Sunquist

Episode 157 – Sabrina Chan & Linson Daniel

What a joy to speak with Sabrina Chan and Linson Daniel about Learning Our Names! This new book was written along with their co-authors E. David de Leon and La Thao all about Asian American Christian identity. As we discussed in the podcast, the title is a double meaning - while the work was written … Continue reading Episode 157 – Sabrina Chan & Linson Daniel

Episode 156 – Amy Sherman

Amy Sherman, Senior Fellow at the Sagamore Institute, has written an exquisite book called Agents of Flourishing. Looking at the biblical mandate for believers to seek the flourishing of our communities, Amy delves into half a dozen endowments, think areas or spheres, where we can focus our energies to contribute to that happening. Each section … Continue reading Episode 156 – Amy Sherman

Episode 154 – Dr. Dwight Radcliff

Dr. Dwight Radcliff is the academic dean for the William E. Pannell Center for Black Church Studies at Fuller Seminary (and one of my favorite professors!). Last term, I took his class on the Theology of Hip Hop Culture and it was life-altering (I don't say that lightly!). As Christians, not just those of training … Continue reading Episode 154 – Dr. Dwight Radcliff

Episode 153 – Lamar Hardwick

This is a re-release of an incredible conversation I had with pastor Lamar Hardwick in February of 2021. In honor of Disability Pride Month, I wanted to share this episode again because Lamar's work in this space challenged me in my theology like nothing else had until that point. Lamar Hardwick, aka The Autism Pastor, is … Continue reading Episode 153 – Lamar Hardwick

Episode 152 – Phil Allen, Jr.

To say I am moved by this conversation and project by Phil Allen, Jr. would be an understatement. Phil Allen, Jr. is an author, speaker, filmmaker, PhD candidate, friend, and incredibly generous advocate. When, as an adult, he first heard the truth about his grandfather's tragic death that took place in 1953, he knew the … Continue reading Episode 152 – Phil Allen, Jr.

Episode 151 – Paul D. Miller

Paul D. Miller is a scholar and professor at Georgetown University. He is a veteran and also served on the National Security Council. As a Christian, and deeply patriotic, Paul's is a valuable voice on the topic of Christian nationalism. His most recent book, The Religion of American Greatness is the topic of our conversation … Continue reading Episode 151 – Paul D. Miller

Episode 150 – Jason Porterfield

What a pleasure to read Jason Porterfield's book and to have him on the podcast! Jason, who has written Fight Like Jesus, describes himself as an aspiring peacemaker which is exactly how I know many of us would love to be identified! In this conversation, we talked about the concept that Jesus' last week on … Continue reading Episode 150 – Jason Porterfield

Episode 148 – Eric Costanzo

Eric Costanzo is a pastor in my home state of Oklahoma! Together with previous guest, Matt Soerens, and Daniel Yang, he has written a fantastic book called Inalienable about how imperative it is for the American church to engage and learn from the global church, especially from voices we have historically sought to marginalize. We … Continue reading Episode 148 – Eric Costanzo

Episode 146 – Claude Atcho

Pastor and author Claude Atcho joined me for this podcast episode to discuss his debut book, Reading Black Books. On this journey into novels and poetry from Black authors, Claude brings voices from Black literature and theology together to explore Black American experiences and the result is rich! What Claude does through his work in … Continue reading Episode 146 – Claude Atcho

Episode 145 – Michelle Ami Reyes

I'm so thrilled to welcome Dr. Michelle Ami Reyes back to the podcast! Michelle is the vice president of the Asian American Christian Collaborative and co-author of new book The Race-Wise Family with Helen Lee. In this incredibly thoughtful and practical text, Michelle and Helen offer us a "road map" of sorts toward loving our … Continue reading Episode 145 – Michelle Ami Reyes

Episode 144 – Gail Song Bantum & Brian Bantum

Gail Song Bantum, lead pastor of Quest Church in Seattle, WA and Brian Bantum, Theologian in Residence, joined me in a conversation on their newest book, Choosing Us. Having been married 25 years and in vocational ministry almost as long, they have learned a thing or two about navigating their relationship in this "world of … Continue reading Episode 144 – Gail Song Bantum & Brian Bantum

Episode 143 – J.W. Buck

J.W. (Josh) Buck is the Executive Director and one of the founders of Pax, a Christian organization designed to inspire and equip the next generation through slow, beautiful, Jesus-centered content created by people of color. While his first book is available for pre-order now (!), in this interview, we focused on his dissertation work on the … Continue reading Episode 143 – J.W. Buck

Episode 139 – Ines Franklin

Ines Franklin is a speaker, pastor, ministry leader, and graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary. All of these roles are ones her abuelita would have hoped and dreamed for Ines, but in her early adult life, they seemed unlikely. It wasn't until she had turned 40, with failed marriages behind her, that she found herself back … Continue reading Episode 139 – Ines Franklin

Episode 138 – Rev. Dr. Malcolm Foley

On March 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law the "Emmett Till Antilynching Act." While this is historic, it is also over 100 years and 200 failed votes in the making. There are mixed emotions following the bill's unanimous passing in the Senate and in light of the moment, I'm taking this opportunity to re-air … Continue reading Episode 138 – Rev. Dr. Malcolm Foley

Episode 136 – Shane Blackshear

Shane Blackshear is the host of Seminary Dropout podcast and the author of a new book full of wisdom from the life of civil rights leader and co-author John Perkins. Go and Do is a wonderful mingling of stories from the lives of John and Shane as well as practical, solid content to help us … Continue reading Episode 136 – Shane Blackshear

Episode 132 – Dennis Edwards

Dr. Dennis Edwards, professor of New Testament at North Park Seminary in Chicago, is on the podcast! His book, Might From the Margins, specifically addresses and encourages Christians who have found themselves marginalized within American Evangelicalism, including Christians of color and women. One of the things I appreciate most about this text and conversation is … Continue reading Episode 132 – Dennis Edwards

Episode 131 – Young-Sam Won

Dr. Young-Sam Won is the Associate Director of Ministry Formation and an Adjunct Professor of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary. He's also a hoot to follow on Twitter! Sam loves to explore the topics of justice and ethnicity from a biblical (specifically Old Testament) perspective and I am here for it. In this conversation, … Continue reading Episode 131 – Young-Sam Won

Episode 128 – Ashley Hales

Ashley Hales is the author of A Spacious Life: Trading Hustle and Hurry for the Goodness of Limits. When I read this book, I felt myself give a big exhale. You mean we're not meant to do it all? Limits are God's design for goodness for our lives? Yes! If you have found yourself overwhelmed … Continue reading Episode 128 – Ashley Hales

Episode 127 – Sandra Maria Van Opstal

You do not have to be an Enneagram 8 (or even know what the Enneagram is) to enjoy this episode! Sandra Maria Van Opstal has written an incredible devotional as part of a series published by InterVarsity Press called Forty Days on Being an Eight. The point of our conversation in this episode was not … Continue reading Episode 127 – Sandra Maria Van Opstal

Episode 126 – April Fiet

April Fiet is a pastor and author of The Sacred Pulse: Holy Rhythms for Overwhelmed Souls. In this conversation we explore the daily, weekly, and yearly rhythms of life. God has given us this sacred pulse in his generosity, both modeled in creation and, in order to help us sustain this abundant life. From the … Continue reading Episode 126 – April Fiet

Episode 124 – Dan Stringer

Dan Stringer is a pastor in Hawai'i and the author of Struggling with Evangelicalism. Like many of us who grew up in American evangelicalism, Dan recognizes the problems. But he doesn't stop there; he challenges us to look at the good, the bad, and the ugly and encourages us to locate ourselves in relationship with … Continue reading Episode 124 – Dan Stringer

Episode 119 – Alan Noble

Alan Noble joins me to talk about his latest book, You Are Not Your Own. The concept is simple, but as we know simple does not usually mean easy to live out. As believers we understand that we belong to Christ and to each other, not to ourselves, but culture tells us something very different. … Continue reading Episode 119 – Alan Noble

Episode 117 – The Substance Podcast

Oh how the tables have turned! Philip, Vince, and Trevor over at The Substance podcast asked me to come on their show. This host ended up on the other side of the interview and...it was so much fun! These three friends and theology buffs have produced dozens of episodes aiming at being biblical, thoughtful, and … Continue reading Episode 117 – The Substance Podcast

Episode 115 – Karen González

Karen González joins me on the podcast to talk about immigration and the Bible. Karen's experiences as an immigrant and her seminary education bring unique perspectives I hope we will all take the time and space to consider. As a child, Karen immigrated to the U.S. with her family from Guatemala. In her book, The … Continue reading Episode 115 – Karen González

Episode 114 – A Word on Feelings

This week on the podcast, I offer a little reflection on feelings. Sometimes it's hard to comprehend that God actually cares about our emotions. We may have been discipled into a tradition or church culture where we learned God expects us to be happy all the time or he only cares about our circumstances not … Continue reading Episode 114 – A Word on Feelings

Episode 113 – Michaela O’Donnell

Michaela O'Donnell is the Executive Director of the Max De Pree Center for Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary. She also works with her husband, Daniel, in their company Long Winter Media. On the podcast today, we talked about her new book Make Work Matter and more generally about vocational formation. Michaela's work and research the … Continue reading Episode 113 – Michaela O’Donnell

Episode 112 – Terry Wildman

Terry Wildman is the lead translator and project manager of the First Nations Version of the New Testament. In this conversation, Terry talks about the intersection of being Christian and Native and what that has meant for him as he has explored the two, personally and in community. Cultural context in worship has received pushback … Continue reading Episode 112 – Terry Wildman

Episode 106 – Mandy Smith

Mandy Smith is a pastor, speaker, and author and her latest book, Unfettered, nearly wrecked me (in the best possible way!). In the book and our conversation, Mandy unpacks the baggage of Western culture and how it is impacting our faith. Mandy's journey in this season began with a sabbatical, observing a flock of geese, … Continue reading Episode 106 – Mandy Smith

Episode 105 – Casey Church

Casey Church is the pastor of Good Medicine Way in Albuquerque, NM. He has been in ministry for three decades as a Native American encouraging a contextualized way of worship. In his personal history, he has had painful experiences of being reprimanded and shunned for expressing his love for God in ways familiar to his … Continue reading Episode 105 – Casey Church

Episode 104 – Mark Scandrette

Mark Scandrette is an author, pastor, theologian, and gifted teacher. During this conversation, we talk about his newest book, The Ninefold Path of Jesus: Hidden Wisdom of the Beatitudes. When we read the "blessed are the...." in the Beatitudes it can sometimes feel overwhelming. We ask ourselves how we can do or be all of … Continue reading Episode 104 – Mark Scandrette

Episode 102 – Elsie Tshimunyi McKee

Dr. Elsie Tshimunyi McKee, retired professor of Reformed Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary, joins me on the podcast today. She has co-written a lovely book with her friend Monique Misenga Ngoie Mukuna, whom you'll hear us refer to as Maman Monique during the course of our conversation. Both ladies grew up in the Democratic Republic … Continue reading Episode 102 – Elsie Tshimunyi McKee

Episode 096 – Michelle Reyes

Dr. Michelle Ami Reyes is an author, church-planter, and the co-founder and Vice President of the Asian American Christian Collaborative. Her new book, Becoming All Things: How Small Changes Lead to Lasting Connections Across Cultures is a rich, beautiful resource for Christians navigating multi-cultural spaces and relationships (which is all of us!). Follow along and … Continue reading Episode 096 – Michelle Reyes

Episode 094 – Raymond Chang

Raymond Chang is the co-founder and president of the Asian American Christian Collaborative (AACC). Following the shootings in Atlanta, GA in the spring of 2021 and in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the AACC issued statements regarding racism targeted towards Asian Americans. Each of the statements received thousands of signatures of support … Continue reading Episode 094 – Raymond Chang

Episode 080 – Lamar Hardwick

Lamar Hardwick, aka The Autism Pastor, is the lead pastor of a congregation in the Atlanta, GA area. At the age of 36, after years of struggling with symptoms, Lamar was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. His new book, Disability and the Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion, is a call to the church … Continue reading Episode 080 – Lamar Hardwick

Episode 078 – Tara Beth Leach

Tara Beth Leach is a pastor at Christ Church of Oak Brook in the Chicago area. She and her family recently moved back home following a time of her pastoring in Pasadena, CA at First Church of the Nazarene, a.k.a. PazNaz. As a pastor in white evangelical spaces, Tara Beth has been able to capture … Continue reading Episode 078 – Tara Beth Leach

Episode 064 – Mary Jo Sharp

Mary Jo Sharp grew up in the Pacific Northwest as an atheist, moved to the Bible Belt for college, and became a Christian. But her faith journey was not as predictable as that makes it sound. When she experienced hypocrisy in the Church she felt her budding faith getting trampled. She began studying apologetics to … Continue reading Episode 064 – Mary Jo Sharp

Episode 061 – David Swanson

David Swanson is the pastor of a multiracial congregation in Chicago and author of Rediscipling the White Church: From Cheap Diversity to True Solidarity. In a world where diversity is valued and even sought after, David recognizes it is not always the answer. Racial injustice cannot be addressed by an emphasis of diversity alone; true … Continue reading Episode 061 – David Swanson

Episode 048 – Ashlee Eiland, Pastor and Author, Human(kind)

Pastor and author Ashlee Eiland and her husband, Delwin, are both on staff at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, MI where Delwin leads worship and Ashlee serves as a Formation and Preaching Pastor. Ashlee has a message that could not be more relevant and timely for us living in the current cultural climate … Continue reading Episode 048 – Ashlee Eiland, Pastor and Author, Human(kind)

Episode 046 – Adam & Randi Blair, The Selah Project

Adam and Randi Blair are the married couple behind the diversity consulting firm, The Selah Project. Their current work in helping churches create more diverse communities is birthed from their experience in being an interracial couple in ministry. I love what they say about the training they provide to leaders and congregations - that it … Continue reading Episode 046 – Adam & Randi Blair, The Selah Project

Episode 044 – Let’s Talk About Race

Here on the podcast, we talk about faith, finance, and everyday life. You have surely noticed that recently in our country, and really across the world, eyes have turned to racial injustice in America. I have not shied away from talking about race on the podcast because this topic definitely fits into the original premise. … Continue reading Episode 044 – Let’s Talk About Race

Episode 036 – Andrew Franklin, Counseling Pastor with Antioch Church

It's not everyday that I get to interview such a dear, personal friend for the podcast! Through this episode, I have the absolute privilege of introducing you to Andrew Franklin. Andrew serves as the Counseling Pastor of Antioch Church in Norman, OK. Seth and I have known Andrew for around 15 years and to say … Continue reading Episode 036 – Andrew Franklin, Counseling Pastor with Antioch Church

Episode 022 – Church is Like Group Exercise Class

God gave us a community to do this following Jesus thing with and that community is called Church. And, in some ways church is like a group exercise class at your local gym. We're together, working, and learning from each other and an instructor the art and science of following Jesus and loving Him and … Continue reading Episode 022 – Church is Like Group Exercise Class

Episode 019 – Casey Pruet with The Grace Alliance

Mental health struggles within the church aren't usually included in the popular topics of conversation, but that is changing in no small part thanks to organizations like The Grace Alliance. In this episode I host Casey Pruet of The Grace Alliance and she talks about the importance of helping the church serve one another inside … Continue reading Episode 019 – Casey Pruet with The Grace Alliance

Episode 015 – Nathan Wilbur Part 1 of 2

Nathan Wilbur is the director of Wilbur Ministries and son of the internationally known Christian recording artist, Paul Wilbur. In this episode, Nathan was so gracious to let me pick his brain about growing up in a home where ministry was at the forefront and the family business was on stage in public. We talk … Continue reading Episode 015 – Nathan Wilbur Part 1 of 2