Rev. Jeff Sanders, a pastor and licensed marriage and family therapist, talks to seminary dean Dr. Peter Vogt about resilience in ministry and how to cultivate the habits leading to it. Resources mentioned in this episode: Burns, B., Chapman, T., and Guthrie, D. Resilient Ministry: What Pastors Told us about Surviving and Thriving (2013)   Oliver, G., and Olson, D. It's All About Relationships: Emotional & Relational Intelligence (ERQ), 2023   "Resilience and Perseverance for Human...

Bethel Seminary dean Dr. Peter Vogt has a second conversation with pastor/theologian Chris Ganski about what artificial intelligence might mean for the church. Part 1 is episode 27. Resources mentioned in this episode: Jacques Ellul, The Technological Society Andy Crouch, The Life We're Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World. Craig M. Gay, Modern Technology and the Human Future: A Christian Appraisal   Check out Bethel Seminary's program Seminary for Everyone. Use the...

In this episode, Bethel Seminary Dean has a conversation with Pastor Francis Chan. Listeners submitted questions that Francis Chan addresses. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Send conference Antioch Church, Waco TX Crazy Love ministry Check out Bethel Seminary's program Seminary for Everyone. Use the discount code SEM45 for $45 off any Seminary for Everyone course! Interested in learning more about Bethel Seminary programs? We have 7 degree programs and 3 certificates. You belong at...

Bethel Seminary dean Dr. Peter Vogt has a conversation with pastor/theologian Chris Ganski about what artificial intelligence might mean for the church. This is the first of two episodes focused on this topic. Resources mentioned in this episode: City Reformed Church Center for Pastor Theologians   Check out Bethel Seminary's program Seminary for Everyone. Use the discount code SEM45 for $45 off any Seminary for Everyone course! Interested in learning more about Bethel Seminary programs? We...

In this episode, Seminary Dean Peter Vogt has a conversation with Heather Flies, Junior High Pastor at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, MN, and the Youth Ministry Advisor for Bethel Seminary's new Master of Arts in Children's, Youth, and Family Ministry program. Resources mentioned in this episode: Heather Flies, I Want to Talk With My Teen About Girl Stuff Heather Flies, That's What She Said / That's What He Said Doug Fields, Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry: A personal and practical...

Bestselling author Francis Chan joins Bethel Seminary Dean Dr. Peter T. Vogt for a conversation about living authentically as followers of Jesus. Resources mentioned in this episode: Francis Chan, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed By A Relentless God Francis Chan, Forgotten God Francis Chan, You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity A.W. Tozer, The Attributes of God: A Journey Into the Father's Heart Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God Henri Nouwen, The Way of the Heart Dane...

Bethel Seminary Dean Peter Vogt has a conversation with theologian David Clark about ways of approaching cultural engagement in a sound biblical and theological manner. Resources mentioned in the episode: James Davidson Hunter, Culture Wars (academic source on nature of 'culture war')   Andy Stanley, Not In It to Win It: Why Choosing Sides ... Sidelines the Church (pastor speaks to importance of prioritizing the Gospel)   Rebecca McLaughlin, Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the...

Pastors Nathan Miller and Aaron Brockmeier, leaders in the "Made to Flourish" network, join Bethel Seminary Dean Dr. Peter Vogt for a conversation about the role work plays in Christian discipleship. Resources mentioned in the episode: Made to Flourish Network -- free resources for people interested in learning more about the integration of faith and work Bethel Seminary "Work with Purpose" Resource page Luke Bobo, et al, Fertile Ground: Faith and Work for Youth Pastors Luke Bobo and...

Bethel Seminary Dean Dr. Peter Vogt has a conversation with Rev. Joe Boyd about evangelism, why it matters and how to help churches and followers of Jesus be more effective at it. Resources mentioned in this episode are: Timothy International (micro churches): https://usa.ttionline.org/micro-churches/   Rick Richardson, You Found Me   Organic Outreach books: For...

This episode features a conversation with Bethel Seminary professors Jeannine Brown and John Dunne. They discuss ancient and modern portrayals of Jesus and how they help us better understand the Gospels.   Works mentioned in this episode:   Richard Walsh and Jeffrey Staley, Jesus, the Gospels, and Cinematic Imagination: Introducing Jesus Movies, Christ Films, and the Messiah in Motion Adele Reinhartz, Jesus of Hollywood W. Barnes Tatum, Jesus at the Movies 3rd edition Jeannine...

This episode features a conversation with Ivan Veldhuizen, Vice president for International Ministries at Converge. He oversees all mission efforts and missionaries for Converge. This conversation focuses on the importance of missions to the local church. Resources mentioned in this episode: Converge Missions J.D. Greear, Gaining By Losing: Why the Future Belongs to Churches That Send David Platt, Something Needs to Change: An Urgent Call to Make Your Life Count (audiobook) John...

This episode features Drs. Jeannine Brown and Mark Strauss, who serve on the Committee on Bible Translation as well as professors of New Testament at Bethel Seminary. They discuss translation philosophy and share insights into the decisions of the Bible translation team. Resources mentioned in this episode: Gordon Fee and Mark Strauss, How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth Glen Scorgie, Mark Strauss, and Steven Voth, eds., The Challenge of Bible Translation: Communicating God's...

This episode features a conversation with Rachel Wightman, who serves as Associate Director for Instruction and Outreach at Concordia University Library in St. Paul, MN. She has researched and teaches on dealing with misinformation and how to address it. Resources mentioned in this episode: TED Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/eli_pariser_beware_online_filter_bubbles?language=en AllSides - www.allsides.com Rachel's website - www.racheliwightman.com Rachel's Instagram where ideas are...

This episode features a conversation with Michael Vedders, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing at Bethel University.  He and Bethel Seminary Dean Peter Vogt discuss the importance of marketing for churches, what it is -- and is not, and some things to consider in effective marketing.   Please provide feedback --including suggestions for future episodes -- at [email protected]

This episode features a conversation with Leith Anderson, pastor emeritus of Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, MN, and president emeritus of the National Association of Evangelicals.  We discuss strategies for effective leadership in times of division. Resources mentioned in this episode:Wooddale Church, Eden Prairie MNNational Association of EvangelicalsWorld VisionHosanna Church, Lakeville MN, series on religion and politicsRichard Mouw, Uncommon Decency: Christian Civility in an Uncivil...

This episode features a conversation with Pastor John Mark Comer, who serves as Pastor of Vision and Teaching at Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon.  He is married to Tammy and they have three kids.  He is author of several books, including the focus of today's conversation, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.Check out his website here.Works mentioned in this episode:John Mark Comer, The Ruthless Elimination of HurryJohn Mark Comer, How to UnhurryPeter Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy...

This episode features a conversation with David A. French about racism in the US and how Christians might think about responding.  David is a columnist and senior editor of The Dispatch, who also writes for Time magazine and formerly was a staff writer for National Review.  He graduated from Harvard Law School and is an attorney who has worked extensively on religious liberty issues.  He served as an Army officer in the Iraq war.  He and his wife, Nancy, live in Tennessee with their three...

This episode features a conversation with pastor/theologian Dr. Joel Lawrence who shares thoughts on how we can make sense of COVID-19 from a theological perspective. Resources mentioned in this episode:Henri Blocher, Evil and the Cross: An Analytical Look at the Problem of PainN.T. Wright, Evil and the Justice of GodCenter for Pastor Theologians

This episode features a conversation with Brooke Palmer, Online Campus Pastor at Journey's Crossing church in the greater metro Washington DC area.  We discuss how to foster digital/online connections in a time of social distancing.Jay Kranda at Saddleback Church has lots of resources supporting online church.Church Online Platform provides free platform for online church.Carey Nieuwhof podcasts -- episodes focusing on digital connectionsJourney's Crossing ChurchJourney's Crossing YouTube...

This special episode features a conversation with Drs. David Clark, Professor of Theology, and Mark McCloskey, Professor of Ministry Leadership.  They discuss some important principles for leading in these challenging times.Helpful resources:Andy Crouch, "Love in the Time of Coronavirus," The Praxis Journal, March 12, 2020.Mark McCloskey and Jim Louwsma, The Art of Virtue-Based Transformational LeadershipMark McCloskey, Learning Leadership in a Changing World: Virtue and Effective Leadership...

Check out this exciting episode with Jodi Wolkerstorfer, focusing on how churches can support families with members with special needs.Resources mentioned in this episode:BOOKSMental Health and the Church: A Ministry Handbook for Including Children and Adults with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, and Other Common Mental Health Conditions by Stephen Grcevich MDDisability and the Way of Jesus: Holistic Healing in the Gospels and the Church by Bethany McKinney Fox ARTICLESThe Mixed Messages of...

This episode features a conversation with Cara Wald, Bethel University's Chief Human Resources and Strategy Officer.  We discuss important considerations in hiring and making terminations in church ministry, and how to approach these endeavors in a Christ-honoring way. 

Special guest Justin Giboney is featured on this episode.  Justin is one of the co-founders of the AND Campaign.  The AND Campaign believes that politics is a limited, but essential forum for pursuing the well-being of our neighbors. It is limited in both its scope and its effectiveness. Politics can and should only reach so much and so far, and political solutions will never approach the perfect justice that Jesus will bring and is bringing. Our hope in all things is in Him. There is rarely...

This episode features a special guest, Leif Erickson, from Thrivent Financial Services.Send comments and suggestions to [email protected].  Please rate us!  The higher our rating, the more easily people can find us.Resources mentioned on this episode:Online Resources Thrivent Financial - https://www.thrivent.com/Kingdom Advisors - https://kingdomadvisors.com/Crown Financial Ministries - https://www.crown.org/BooksHoward Dayton - Your Money Counts...