Chris Bruno
Joy and Sorrow | Chris Bruno

Chris Bruno joins the podcast today to tell us about his recent book, Sharing Christ in Joy and Sorrow: A Theology of Philippians. What are the key theological themes in the book of Philippians? How do those themes fit together and inform one another? How does Philippians encourage and exhort those who are in seasons of suffering? What does Union with Christ mean? Learn more on today's episode!

Joy and Sorrow | Chris Bruno
Ed Gerber
Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Ed Gerber

Ed Gerber joins us to share his story of becoming a pastor theologian. How can the Lord use even a significant break up to prepare someone for ministry? How can those who prepare future ministry leaders be both preachers and teachers to their students? What is the balance between head and heart for those who study theology academically? This and more on today’s episode!

Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Ed Gerber
Center for Pastor Theologians
What We're Reading — June 2025
What We're Reading — June 2025
Mike Niebauer
Encountering God in the Bible | Michael Niebauer

Today on the podcast we are joined by Rev. Dr. Michael Niebauer as he shares about his recent book, Four Mountains: Encountering God in the Bible from Eden to Zion. How can Christians encounter Jesus on every page of the Bible? What can we learn from how the earliest Christians read Scripture, and connect seemingly disparate stories in the text? What is distinct about this style of reading as opposed, for example, to 6-week Bible studies or academic study? This and more on today's episode!

Encountering God in the Bible | Michael Niebauer
Jason Meyer
Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Jason Meyer

Jason Meyer, lead pastor of Urban Refuge Church in Minneapolis, MN, joins the podcast today to tell us about his journey towards becoming a pastor theologian. After serving eight years as a pastor at Bethlehem Baptist, Jason shares what he learned about his own calling, and the identity of a "pastor." This and more on today's episode!

Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Jason Meyer

Sadness, Anger, and Fear: Responding to the Murder of George Floyd

Sadness, Anger, and Fear: Responding to the Murder of George Floyd

CPT fellow Dr. Eric Redmond joins the podcast to discuss his experience as an African American man, father, and pastor in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. We lament and discuss how it feels to be a black American and a black evangelical at this historical moment. What can pastors, particularly white pastors, do to lead their congregations toward repentance and care for those of African descent in their communities. Dr. Redmond is a professor of New Testament at the Moody Bible Institute and an associate pastor at Calvary Memorial Church in Chicago.

How to Survive in the Wilderness

How to Survive in the Wilderness

How do times of scarcity expose the idolatry of the human heart? What do we learn about ourselves, our vulnerabilities, and our identities during a season of wilderness wandering? CPT fellow Chris Ganski joins the podcast to discuss and share a sermon on surviving in the wilderness. Listen now as Chris notes how God, in Christ, is faithful to sustain us and be present to us during our testing.

Mental Health and Human Connection

Mental Health and Human Connection

How can pastors be attuned to the mental health needs of their congregants? What responsibility does the pastor have to be aware of contemporary psychological research and brain science? What theological resources do we have as Christians for understanding and addressing mental health? We discuss these questions and more in our conversation with CPT fellow Ryan Davidson.

A Big Gospel in Small Places

A Big Gospel in Small Places

We are joined on the podcast by CPT fellow Stephen Witmer, who serves as the Lead Pastor of Pepperell Christian Fellowship in Pepperell, MA. In this episode we discuss Stephen's life story, his call to ministry, and education. We also hear about Stephen's recent book, A Big Gospel in Small Places: Why Ministry in Forgotten Communities Matters.

Pandemic or Plague – Where Is God in Coronavirus?

Pandemic or Plague – Where Is God in Coronavirus?

What is God doing in/with/through this global crisis? In this episode we are joined by CPT fellow Jim Samra, Senior Pastor of Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, MI. We explore difficult and complex questions related to how Christians should think and speak of the activity of God in moments of crisis and suffering. How do we prepare God’s people for suffering and uncertainty? Once the a season of suffering has arrived, what is the pastor’s role in encouraging, supporting, and shepherding the sufferer?

Shepherding God's (Socially Distanced) People

Shepherding God's (Socially Distanced) People

In this episode we are joined by CPT fellow Jarrod Longbons, Senior Minister of Peachtree Christian Church in Atlanta, GA. Jarrod discusses the history of the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement in the United States. He also explores how he and his congregation are ministering to the people in their church and in their community through connection and ministries of mercy during a national shutdown.

Quarantines and Sabbath Rest

Quarantines and Sabbath Rest

CPT fellow Jon English Lee, Pastor of Discipleship at Morningview Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL. Jon English discusses his life of faith, his ministry training, and his doctoral research. How does the biblical Sabbath mandate relate to creation? How does it relate to the coming of Christ? How can those who no longer work or who are unable to work in their present circumstances participate in the rest that God commands?

Holding Death Before Our Eyes

Holding Death Before Our Eyes

Our culture shelters us from death. But the reality of our own fragility and mortality has been placed at the forefront of our attention during a global pandemic. CPT fellows Chris Ganski and Benj Petroelje discuss how pastors can lead and prepare their people to come face to face with death in their own lives and in society. How can Christians acknowledge the reality of death and hold it in tension with the hope that we have in Christ?

Worship and Sacrament When the Church Is Scattered

Worship and Sacrament When the Church Is Scattered

The COVID-19 crisis has quickly and urgently raised many theological questions for pastors and congregations. Should find ways to celebrate the Lord's Supper while the church can only gather via livestream? What should worship look like under these circumstances? CPT fellows Chris Ganski and Benj Petroelje join the podcast for a conversation on worship and sacrament in unique circumstances.