Center for Pastor Theologians
Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Ben Burkholder

This week we are joined by CTP Fellow Ben Burkholder. Ben shares how he developed an interest in learning how people grow as disciples. Reflecting on his time as a student, Ben also shares insights about the relationship between psychology and spiritual formation. This and more on today’s podcast! 

Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Ben Burkholder
Center for Pastor Theologians
Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Eric Rivera

Join us this week as we get to know Eric Rivera. Eric will be a plenary speaker at the 2025 Pastor Theologians Conference, Good Shepherds: Pastoral Identity and the Future of the Church. On this episode, Eric talks about how his story shaped his interests and calling in church history and pastoral ministry. Drawing from his context as a pastor at a multi-ethnic church in the greater Chicago area, he also shares what he has learned it means to be a Good Shepherd in the 21st Century. 

Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Eric Rivera
Center for Pastor Theologians
To Gaze upon God | Samuel Parkison

Samuel Parkison joins the podcast today to talk about his recent book, To Gaze upon God: The Beatific Vision in Doctrine, Tradition, and Practice (InterVarsity Press 2024.) He also shares with us his story and calling to academic ministry at the Abu Dhabi Extension Site at Gulf Theological Seminary in the United Arab Emirates. 

What is the beatific vision? What does the beatific vision have to do with this moment in history for the church? This and more on today's podcast!

To Gaze upon God | Samuel Parkison
Center for Pastor Theologians
What We're Reading — April 2025

For our April episode on books, we, the CPT staff, have been reading:

What We're Reading — April 2025
Nadya Williams
Mothers, Dignity, and Utility | Nadya Williams

Nadya Williams joins the podcast to talk about her recent book, Mothers, Children, and the Body Politic: Ancient Christianity and the Recovery of Human Dignity (IVP Academic, 2024.) How do our attitudes towards motherhood reflect either a commodification of human life or, by contrast, a rich affirmation of the imago dei? This and more on today’s podcast! 

Mothers, Dignity, and Utility | Nadya Williams

I Can't Breathe | Charlie Dates

I Can't Breathe | Charlie Dates

“Such a cry as ‘I can’t breathe’ is not merely anthropological, but it is theological. The problem with White supremacy – killing Black women and Black men in America – is an error of theology. It is a failure of the White mind and the White power structure to remember from where breath really comes.”

On a special episode of the CPT Podcast, we share a sermon given by Rev. Dr. Charlie Dates, Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago. This sermon was given on Sunday, May 31, 2020 – in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

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?