The Monday Christian Podcast
By The Monday Christian
The Monday Christian PodcastMar 14, 2022
TMCP 173: Brent Sandy on How We Should Read Scripture Today
D. Brent Sandy (PhD, Duke University) taught New Testament and Greek at Wheaton College and chaired the Department of Religious Studies at Grace College. He is co-author (with John Walton) of The Lost World of Scripture: Ancient Literary Culture and Biblical Authority and author of Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic.
Resources:
Key Points:
00:00 Introduction and Brent Sandy's Spiritual Journey
06:02 The Aha Moment: Understanding Scripture as it was intended to be Heard
12:09 Embracing Expressive and Dynamic Readings of Scripture
TMCP 172: Kori de Leon on How Isaiah 40-48 Points Us to Jesus
Kori de Leon, the Founding Director of Adoring Christ Ministries, is an author, speaker, podcaster, and host of the annual EquipHer Conference in Houston, Texas. Kori's recent publication, the Bible study “Upheld,” was released by IVP Publishing. She is also a contributor to LifeWay Publishing’s new women’s study Bible, and has authored “Age of Crowns” (Moody Publishing), as well as, “Adoring Christ: Beholding Jesus and Becoming Like Him.” Her writings are featured in various journals, blogs, devotions, and online ministries, including “Proverbs 31: Encouragement for Today.” In this conversation, Kori shares about how Isaiah 40-48 points us to Jesus.
Key Points:
00:00 Introduction and Connecting the Old Testament to the Life of Christ
10:16 Trusting in God's Sovereignty and Sustaining Power
14:21 Finding Hope and Confidence in God's Faithfulness
Resources
TMCP 171: Kori de Leon on The Beauty of Isaiah 40-48
Kori de Leon, the Founding Director of Adoring Christ Ministries, is an author, speaker, podcaster, and host of the annual EquipHer Conference in Houston, Texas. Kori's recent publication, the Bible study “Upheld,” was released by IVP Publishing. She is also a contributor to LifeWay Publishing’s new women’s study Bible, and has authored “Age of Crowns” (Moody Publishing), as well as, “Adoring Christ: Beholding Jesus and Becoming Like Him.” Her writings are featured in various journals, blogs, devotions, and online ministries, including “Proverbs 31: Encouragement for Today.” In this conversation, Kori shares about her ministry and her study on Isaiah 40-48.
Key Points
00:00 Introduction and Ministry Background
13:39 Living on Mission in Challenging Times
24:23 Delighting in God's Work on Our Behalf
30:09 Mocking Idols and Trusting in God's Faithfulness
Resources
TMCP 170: On How the Psalms Transform the Way We Worship
Dr. Sandra Richter discusses the Book of Psalms and its significance in personal and communal worship. She shares how the Psalms have been a source of comfort and healing during difficult seasons of life. Dr. Richter emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique genre of the Psalms and interpreting difficult passages in their proper context. She explores the role of lament in prayer and the value of expressing raw emotions to God. Dr. Richter also highlights the need for worship songs that elevate the goodness and mighty acts of God. She encourages readers to engage with the Psalms as a personal practice of prayer and reflection.
Chapters
00:28 The Book of Psalms as Medicine for the Soul
03:19 The Psalms as a Model for Prayer
04:48 Reading Psalms through the Lens of The Epic of Eden
05:23 The Unique Genre of the Psalms
06:21 Interpreting Difficult Passages in the Psalms
08:09 The Value of Lament and Its Healing Power
10:30 The Need for Lament in Difficult Seasons of Life
11:35 Elevating the Goodness of God in Worship
19:34 The Need for Worship Songs that Proclaim God's Mighty Acts
22:33 Getting Started with the Book of Psalms
23:19 Praying the Psalms as a Personal Practice
TMCP 169: Sandra Richter on How to Apply the First Five Books of the Bible to Our Lives
Dr. Sandra Richter discusses the transformative power of her book, 'The Epic of Eden,' which helps readers see the Old Testament from a new perspective. She explains her approach of reanimating the characters of the Bible as real people and making the Old Testament relevant to a 21st-century audience. Dr. Richter also addresses the challenges of understanding the cultural context of the Old Testament and the perception of God moving slowly. She emphasizes the importance of worship and finding comfort amid doubts and questions. Lastly, she highlights the value of learning from people with great faith.
Chapters
01:59 The Epic of Eden and Changing Perspectives
04:26 Helping Students Develop a Hunger for God's Word
06:53 The Cultural Gap in Approaching the Old Testament
10:25 The Perception of God Moving Slowly
11:35 The Uncertainty and Comfort in Faith
19:54 Finding Peace amid Doubts and Questions
Links:
TMCP 168: Philip Brown on How Proverbs Helps Us Better Relate to Others
In this conversation, Phil Brown discusses the approach to reading and understanding the book of Proverbs. He emphasizes the importance of considering God's perspective, practices, person, and desires to see the theological revelation in Proverbs. Phil also highlights the need to move away from legalism and embrace a relationship with God. He explains the progression of becoming wise, which involves respecting and submitting to parents, learning from instructors, and interacting with spiritual leaders. Phil encourages seeking wisdom from others and being open to correction. He also discusses the importance of language and building relationships based on understanding and grace. Finally, he shares practical ways to mentor others and guide them in their discovery of wisdom.
Takeaways
- Approach the book of Proverbs by considering God's perspective, practices, person, and desires.
- Move away from legalism and embrace a relationship with God.
- Seek wisdom from others and be open to correction.
- Build relationships based on understanding and grace.
Chapters:
01:49 Understanding God's Perspective in Proverbs
02:46 Exploring Yahweh's Practices and Person in Proverbs
08:47 Moving Away from Legalism and Embracing Relationship
11:25 The Progression of Becoming Wise
14:49 Rubbing Shoulders with Others for Wisdom
16:37 Motivation to Seek Wisdom from Others
17:45 The Importance of Correction and Humility
25:29 Avoiding Isolation and Building Relationships
26:44 Seeking to Understand Others' Perspectives
32:14 The Importance of Thinking and Self-Discovery
TMCP 167: Philip Brown on How Proverbs Can Help Us Become Wiser People
Dr. Phil Brown discusses the book of Proverbs and its significance in the lives of believers. He shares his personal fascination with the book and how it has shaped his understanding of wisdom and righteousness. Dr. Brown explains the main message of Proverbs, which is the choice between the way of wisdom and the way of folly. He also explores the relationship between wisdom and Christ-likeness, emphasizing the importance of aligning our thoughts and actions with God's perspective. Additionally, Dr. Brown addresses the challenge of Solomon's immoral lifestyle and the missional approach of Proverbs in reaching out to those in need of wisdom. He concludes with an encouragement for those new to Proverbs to start with an understanding of the book's structure and themes.
Talking Points:
- Peeling Back the Layers of Proverbs
- The Main Message of Proverbs
- Wisdom and Christ-likeness
- The Difference Between Knowledge and Wisdom
- God's Missional Approach in Proverbs
- The Depth and Consistency of Scripture
TMCP 166: Garreth Cockerill on Understanding Hebrews and the Old Testament
In this conversation, Dr. Gareth Cockerill discusses the importance of understanding the Old Testament and how the book of Hebrews helps us in this regard. He explains that Hebrews provides a consistent interpretation of the Old Testament, showing how Jesus fulfills the prophecies and the Mosaic Covenant. The Old Testament is seen as a picture and type of Christ, and its purpose is to lead us to Jesus. The promise of restoration through Abraham is central to understanding the Old Testament's relevance for all of humanity. Dr. Cockerill emphasizes the need for obedient fellowship with God, harmonious fellowship with the people of God, and responsible enjoyment of God's world. Perseverance in faith is key, and it is achieved by staying close to the Lord, studying His word, and drawing near to Him through prayer. The book of Hebrews is summarized as pointing to the all-sufficient Christ.
Talking Points:
The Importance of Understanding the Old Testament
Hebrews' Transformation of the Old Testament
Consistent Interpretation of the Old Testament in Hebrews
The Purpose of the Old Testament Leading to Jesus
The Type and Picture of Christ in the Old Testament
Understanding the Sabbath Day in Hebrews
Defining Great Faith in Hebrews
Living by Faith in Hebrews
TMCP 165: Garreth Cockerill on Why He Has Spent the Last Few Decades Studying Hebrews
Dr. Gareth Cockrell shares his journey of faith and passion for studying the Bible, particularly the book of Hebrews. He discusses the impact of experiencing different cultures and how it shaped his approach to scripture. Dr. Cockrell also explains the importance of the Old Testament in understanding the message of Hebrews and highlights the significance of the imagery used in the book. He encourages readers to engage with the word of God and emphasizes the need for repentance and humility in approaching scripture. The conversation concludes with a reminder that God will meet those who seek Him through His word.
Talking Points:
- Early Christian Journey
- Passion for Studying the Bible
- Impact of Experiencing Different Cultures
- Writing a Commentary on Hebrew
- Authorship of Hebrews The Imagery in Hebrews
- Why Study the Book of Hebrews
- Encountering God Through Scripture
TMCP 164: Dave Hartkopf on How Hebrews Helps Us Understand Creation
Summary
In this conversation, Ezra and David discuss the book of Hebrews and how it helps readers understand the Old Testament. They emphasize the importance of reorienting focus on Jesus and seeing him as the central character throughout the scriptures. They also explore the concept of delighting in God's Word and developing a deeper relationship with God through scripture. Additionally, they discuss the value of reading Psalms and Proverbs with a focus on Jesus and how it can transform one's perspective. Dave also shares his personal faith journey and the impact of his encounter with Christ.
Talking Points:
Update on Dave and TMC
The Impact of Hebrews
The Purpose of Hebrews and Understanding the Old Testament
Seeing Jesus in the Psalms
Delighting in God's Word
Developing a Relationship with God through Scripture
Going Deeper in Bible Study
Dave's Faith Journey
Links:
TMCP 163: David Hartkopf on How Reading Genesis Helps Us Understand the Cross
In this podcast episode, Ezra and David catch up on life updates and discuss the importance of connecting the Old Testament and the New Testament. They explore how Genesis helps us understand the cross and the significance of reading Scripture through the lens of Jesus. They also address the question of how to hear God's voice through Scripture and navigate doubts about the Bible. Finally, they encourage listeners to trust God and wrestle with questions while finding encouragement in the words of those who have suffered.
Talking Points:
- Life Updates
- Connecting the Old Testament and the New Testament
- Hearing God's Voice Through Scripture
- Addressing Doubts About the Bible
- Genesis and the Cross
- Trusting God while Wrestling with Questions
Links:
TMCP 162: Darryl Dash on How to Get the Most Out of Reading Your Bible
In this conversation, Ezra Byer and Darryl Dash discuss how to develop a strong rhythm in reading the Bible and maintaining spiritual vibrancy. They explore the hiddenness of God and the importance of living by faith and responding like Jesus. They also address the relevance and impact of the Bible, especially the Old Testament, and how to approach hard passages. They emphasize the unique nature of Scripture and its transformative power. The conversation concludes with a message of hope for those experiencing spiritual drought.
- Developing a Strong Rhythm in Reading the Bible
- Maintaining Spiritual Vibrancy
- Understanding How to Read Scripture
- Engaging with the Old Testament
- Addressing Hard Passages in Scripture
- The Transformative Power of Scripture
- Spiritual Drought
Links:
TMCP 161: Darryl Dash on How Daily Devotional Habits Shape Our Lives
In this episode, Ezra Byer interviews Darrell Dash, a senior pastor and author, about the importance of habits in personal and spiritual growth. They discuss the Christian approach to habits and how they can accelerate spiritual growth. They also explore different types of habit personalities and the time it takes to form strong habits. The conversation delves into the value of eliminating distractions, balancing pushing oneself and good routines, and the challenges of instilling good habits in a busy life. The episode concludes with practical habits for personal growth and a preview of the next episode.
Episode Talking Points:
- Passion for Habits and Personal Transformation
- Christian Approach to Habits
- The Importance of Disciplines in Spiritual Growth
- The Value of Eliminating Distractions
- Instilling Good Habits in a Busy Life
- Leadership and Setting the Pace
Links:
- https://www.dashhouse.com/
- 8 Habits: A Simple Guide to Becoming More Like Christ
- How to Grow: Applying the Gospel to All of Your Life
TMCP 160: Ezra and Elliot on New Beginnings
This conversation introduces the Daily Devotional and provides an overview of what to expect. It emphasizes the importance of reflecting on the past year and the need for growth in one's walk with God. The conversation explores the concept of guilt and the 1% rule for personal improvement. It also delves into the desire for authenticity. The structure of the Daily Devotional is explained, and the audience is encouraged to engage by leaving comments and questions.
Episode Talking Points:
- New TMC Devotional
- New Beginnings for 2024
- Stagnation in the Christian Faith
- Dealing with Guilt
- The 1% Rule
- Authenticity in Relationships
- Engaging with the Devotional
Links:
https://www.themondaychristian.com/
TMCP 159: Ezra and Elliot on The New 2024 Daily Devotional
Changes to the podcast? New year, new devotional? In this episode, Ezra talks about some new things to come in 2024.
Episode Talking Points:
- New Devotional
- Changes to the podcast
- The full perspective of Scripture
- The value of a good devotional life
- Community engagement
- How to support TMC
TMCP 158: Jim Halbert on the Attachment Love of God
Pastor Jim Halbert has many years of experience as a church planter, lead pastor of a multi-site congregation, adjunct professor, and has taught in Africa, Europe, and Asia.
With a Doctorate in Transformational Leadership, Jim has a heart for leaders walking through challenging ministry seasons. He is passionate about listening to their stories and helping them pursue God and His purposes for them.
Jim loves teaching Scripture in its historical and cultural context and has led groups to Israel on several occasions.
Episode Talking Points
- God's love is beyond our comprehension
- Security from our identity in Christ
- Freedom to explore
- We can call on God when we're in distress
- God is our refuge
- Trusting God's attachment love
Resources
TMCP 157: Christina Bieber Lake on the Unique Challenges and Blessings of Being a Teacher
Christina Bieber Lake (PhD, Emory University) is the Clyde S. Kilby professor of English at Wheaton College, where she teaches contemporary American literature and theory. She is the author of Prophets of the Posthuman: American Fiction, Biotechnology, and the Ethics of Personhood and The Incarnational Art of Flannery O’Connor. She lives in Wheaton, Illinois, with her husband, Stephen, and their son.
Talking Points
- Why teachers are misunderstood
- Rhythms of a teacher
- Completely Uninterrupted Reading Blocks (CURB)
- Unique challenges of teaching at different levels
Resources
TMCP 156: Douglas Groothuis on the Basics of Major World Religions
Douglas Groothuis (PhD, University of Oregon) is professor of philosophy at Denver Seminary. He is the author of numerous books, including Christian Apologetics, Fire in the Streets, Philosophy in Seven Sentences, Unmasking the New Age, Truth Decay, On Pascal, On Jesus, and Walking Through Twilight. He has written for scholarly journals such as Religious Studies, Sophia, Research in Philosophy and Technology, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, and Philosophia Christi, as well as for numerous popular magazines.
Episode Talking Points:
- World religions
- Sharing your faith
- Interacting with others who have different worldviews
Resources:
TMCP 155: Brian Russell on How to Be Astonished By the Bible
Brian Russell (Ph.D.) is an award-winning professor of biblical studies and former dean at Asbury Theological Seminary as well as a transformational coach for pastors and spiritually-minded professionals. His personal mission is to seek out, study, and embody the deepest truths about God so that he can share them compellingly, lovingly, and transformationally with others. He is the author of The Song of the Sea: The Date of Composition and Influence of Exodus 15:1–21 (Peter Lang, 2007); Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed 2014); (re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade 2015); and his newly released Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life (Paraclete Press, 2021). He is also host of the Deep Dive Spirituality Conversations podcast.
Episode Talking Points:
- Teaching the Bible
- The influence of scripture
- The story of the Bible
- Dealing with hard passages
- Walking through a dark night of the soul
- Keeping the Bible fresh in our lives
- Contemplative Spiritual Formation
Resources:
TMCP 154: Micah Davis on How to Find God's Purpose for Our Lives
Micah E. Davis is a pastor and he believes the written and spoken word are a medium to illicit heart change and life transformation. He has committed his life to using words for good. Micah lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with his wife Rylei and their Australian Kelpie, Leo. In his free time, he can often be found hiking, reading, or drinking a cold glass of sweet tea.
Episode Talking Points
- Living in Indianapolis
- Church planting
- Having a father who had a moral failure
- Wrestling with faith
- Finding our life's purpose
- Listening in community with others
Resources
TMCP 153: Eric Peterson on Mending Tough Relationships With a Parent
Eric has a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Whitworth University, Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Portland Seminary at George Fox University.
Gaining a heart for ministry through Young Life in Maryland as a teenager, Eric went on to start a new club at a neighboring high school. He served for seven years as an Associate Pastor at Marine View Presbyterian Church in Tacoma. After that, Eric founded Colbert Presbyterian in 1997. He also has written three books: Wade In The Water, Letters to a Young Pastor (with Eugene H. Peterson), and Letters to a Young Congregation. Outside of CPC, Eric serves as an advisor for doctoral students at Portland Seminary, and as a trustee at Whitworth University.
Eric is married to Elizabeth, who is a Spiritual Director and Yoga Instructor. They have six children, and three grandchildren.
Episode Talking Point:
- Eric's relationship with his father
- Writing a letter to his dad
- Avoiding workaholism
- Being Present
- Operating in a social media age
- Guarding our souls
Resources:
TMCP 152: Barry Rowan on The Spiritual Art of Business
Barry Rowan is a Harvard Business School graduate who spent his entire career serving in C-Suite roles. He has been instrumental in building and transforming eight businesses, primarily in the technology and communication space, with one selling for $10 billion. His leadership experience spans both private and public companies, including Gogo (the inflight connectivity company), Vonage, Nextel Partners, and Fluke Corporation.
Based on his belief in giving back, Barry serves on both for-profit and non-profit boards, mentors young leaders, and leads international study trips. His non-profit boards have included InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Seattle Pacific University, Gordon College, the Gonzaga University Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, and advisory boards for Harvard Business School. He also served as president of Bellevue Christian School.
Episode Talking Points:
- Christian Leadership
- Surrender
- Who is God?
- Sacrifice
- Success as a Christian
- Wrestling with God
Resources
TMCP 151: Msuega Tese on Becoming a Versatile Leader
Msuega Tese is a co-founder and Executive Director of Integrated Solutions Angola Lda (ISA). Under Tese’s leadership, ISA has become the brand leading enterprise customers in Angola to turn to for high-end professional IT services. While Tese owes his expertise to his education and decades of experience, his journey to leadership began at a very young age.
Episode Talking Points:
- Leadership
- Church hypocrisy
- Who is God?
- Supernatural prayer
- Bringing value to the workplace
- Leading like Jesus
- How to become a leader
Resources:
Website: https://msuegatese.com/about/
Latest Book: rb.gy/1rxcp
TMCP 150: Jared Boyd on Applying Disciplines for Spiritual Formation
Jared Patrick Boyd is a pastor (Vineyard USA), spiritual director, and founding director of the Order of the Common Life, a missional monastic order reimagining religious vocations for the 21st century. In local pastoral ministry he works to bring together the contemplative, charismatic, and sacramental streams of the church. Jared and his wife have four daughters and live in the west-side neighborhood of Franklinton in Columbus, Ohio. He is the author of Imaginative Prayer and Finding Freedom in Constraint.
Episode Talking Points:
- Expecting the Holy Spirit
- Traditions in the Church
- Silence and solitude
- Forming rhythms in life
- Bringing our attention to God
- Effects of daily physical disciplines
- Living a disciplined life
- Spiritual formation
Resources:
Website jaredpatrickboyd.com
Twitter: @BoydJared
Latest Book: https://www.ivpress.com/finding-freedom-in-constraint
TMCP 149: Scot McKnight on What to Do When the Bible Becomes too Familiar
Scot McKnight (PhD, University of Nottingham) is Julius R. Mantey Chair of New Testament at Northern Seminary. in Lombard, Illinois. He is the author of many books, including Reading Romans Backwards, Pastor Paul, The King Jesus Gospel, and commentaries on James, Galatians, and 1 Peter. He is also the coeditor of the Story of God commentary series and general editor of the forthcoming second edition of the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters.
Episode Talking Points:
- Bible Translation
- Familiarity of Scripture
- Traditions of Church
- Defining Biblical Terms
- Biblical Inherency
Scot's Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/scotmcknight
New Book: https://www.ivpress.com/the-second-testament
TMCP 148: Natasha Smith on How to Handle Intense Times of Grief
Natasha Smith is a wife, mother, and writer from North Carolina. Her work has appeared at Her View from Home, Focus on the Family, and TODAY Parents.
Episode Talking Points:
- Defining grief
- The Effects of 2020
- Unanswered prayers
- Examples of grief in scripture
- Loss of family and friends
- Hope in Christ
Resources:
Website - https://imnatashasmith.com/about/
Twitter - @imnatashasmith
Book - rb.gy/7ir0y
TMCP 147: JR Woodward on How to Prevent Scandals in the Church
JR Woodward has been passionately planting churches on the East and West Coast that value tight-knit community, life-forming discipleship, locally-rooted presence and boundary-crossing mission for over 30 years. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Manchester (UK), and a Masters of Art in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of Creating a Missional Culture (IVP, 2012) and co-author of The Church as Movement (IVP, 2016). His newest book, The Scandal of Leadership: Unmasking the Powers of Domination in the Church, was just released in April 2023. This book is based on his experience and Ph.D. research. He co-founded the Missio Alliance and currently serves as the National Director for the V3 Church Planting Movement. He is the co-founder of the Praxis Gathering, writes for numerous websites and journals, and serves on numerous boards. He loves to surf, travel, read, skateboard as well as meet new people. He enjoys photography and film and tries to attend the Sundance Film Festival whenever he can.
Episode Talking Points:
- College fraternity and a journey to Christ
- Impetus behind the new book
- Business models and Christian leadership
- Two models of leadership: Christ and Satan
- Mimetic desire and cycle
- Imitation, immersion, instruction
- Remissioning churches
- Imitating Christ
Resources:
TMCP 146 Katie Schnack On What To Do When Everything Is Not Fine
Katie Schnack is a writer and book publicist. She is the author of The Gap Decade: When You're Technically an Adult but Really Don't Feel Like it Yet. Her articles have appeared in such places as Relevant, Today.com, Hello Giggles, Romper, and Scary Mommy. She grew up in Minnesota playing duck duck gray duck, learned to say "bless your heart" in Texas, lived in a four-hundred-square-foot apartment in New York (okay, Jersey City, actually, but it was close enough to Manhattan), and has a love-hate relationship with Cheetos but is also oddly obsessed with spinach smoothies. Katie and her family now live in West Palm Beach, Florida, on an acre of land with five chickens, three goats, and a senior mini pony.
Episode Talking Points:
- How do you write your first book?
- Hiking adventures
- Raising a son with VACTERL
- How hard times shape us
- A simple prayer to pray each morning
Resources:
TMCP 145: Kayla Craig On Developing Unforced Rhythms For Parenting
Kayla Craig is a parent to four wild, wonderful kids and the author of Every Season Sacred and To Light Their Way: A Collection of Prayers & Liturgies for Parents. With more than 100 modern liturgies, Kayla’s nuanced writing guides you into an intentional conversation with God for your children and their world. Kayla's background is in journalism, and she hopes to bring curiosity and compassion to how she shows up not only as a writer and podcaster but as a neighbor, friend, and mother. She's a regular contributor to PBS KIDS for Parents and shares faithful explorations as an (in)courage contributor, too. Kayla is the creator of the popular Liturgies for Parents Instagram account, where she shares liturgies (and breath prayers) for parents that are relevant to our real, lived experiences. She's grateful for the many Christian traditions and backgrounds that have widened her faith, and her wonder-shaped writing has been featured in a vast array of books, devotionals, and Bible studies.
- Coming to faith in Christ
- Healthy life rhythms
- Meeting God through our children
- Unforced family rhythms
- Breath prayers
- What to do when we fail as parents
- Cycles in parenting
TMCP 144: Trevor Seath on How Prayer-Walking Has Shaped the Way He Relates to God
Trevor Seath began leading as the C2C Ontario Regional Director in August 2015 after serving as C2C Regional Mobilizer and as Pastor of Church Networking at Peoples Church in Toronto. Trevor was working for Royal Trust in 1997 when God called him and his wife Julie into pastoral ministry. After completing an MDiv at Tyndale, Trevor served as Lead Pastor of Bridletowne Park Church (Toronto), and ministered there for 12 years. Trevor is passionate about serving pastors and church planters as a pastor, coach, trainer, and church planting catalyst. He and Julie have four children: three terrific daughters, and one fantastic son.
Episode Talking Points
- Trevor's growing up years in a devoted Christian household
- People-pleasing
- The unexpected death of Trevor's brother
- Pastoral ministry in Toronto
- Prayer-walking basics
- Written prayers
- The power of habits
- Depression and prayer walking
Resources
TMCP 143: Kyla Gillespie on How She Dealt with Gender Dysphoria
Bio
Kyla Gillespie was born in BC, Canada. Being raised in a Christian home, she came to faith in Jesus Christ at a young age. As early as the age of five, she began to experience gender dysphoria. In her teens, wrestling with both same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria, life became difficult. She spent her late teens and adult years as a Professional Women's Hockey Player. After a lifelong battle with Gender Identity, in 2011 she fully transitioned from female to male. While living as a male for six years, God revealed himself to her in a powerful way. Since then she has fully de-transitioned and is now living out her God-given gender and sexuality as a woman in pursuit of Jesus.
Kyla has a passion for teaching, speaking and sharing the Gospel. She travels within Canada and the USA and would love to travel the world sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Kyla has been working on writing blogs, and podcasts. She has been a contributor to The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender in film and Conferences.
Her deep desire is to make Jesus known and help other Christians be better equipped to love the LGBTQ+ community. Kyla is an active and involved member of her local Church, Gospel City, in Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada.
Episode Talking Points
- Kyla's growing up years in a Christian home
- The separation of Kyla's parents at age 14
- Kyla's alcoholism and the suppression of pain
- Kyla's transition
- God's Rock and detransition
- "All in under Christ"
- The cost of disciplining others
- Fulfillment in Christ alone
- Unconditional love for image bearers
Resources
TMCP 142: Rob Shive on How to Revive a Marriage
Rob is a native of Charlotte, NC, and has four children, one of whom is internationally adopted from China. Rob and his wife, Karen, also a professional counselor, conduct marriage conferences, premarital seminars, and marriage enrichment weekends. In his free time Rob enjoys road and mountain biking, fishing, camping, hiking, date nights, family time, and service projects. He also enjoys reading about theology, philosophy, the integration of psychology and theology, and orphan care. Rob’s passion for marriage and the family is born out of his own experience and work to build a healthy marriage, as well as the tremendous education he has received in helping hundreds of distressed couples find hope, work through difficult problems, and rebuild their relationships.
Episode Talking Points
- Rob's journey to Christ and processing family trauma
- Moving forward
- Hurting pastors
- Marital revival
- Trust in marital relationships
- "Consumer marriage"
- Pursuer/Withdrawer cycle
- Truth-telling
- Remember, Repent, Redo
Resources
TMCP 141: Janan Byer on Modesty, Adornment, and Intentional Living
Janan has been a teacher for nine years, both in the classroom and in the online setting. Middle school is her "jam" and her favorite subjects to teach are history, culture classes, and writing.
She is a Canadian-American that loves a good cup of coffee, dark chocolate, decor, exercise, traveling, capsule closets, and thrifting. She grew up in North Pole, Alaska (yes, it’s real, and yes, “Santa” lives there) and then went to Florida for her teaching degree at Hobe Sound Bible College. Afterward, she earned an MA of Education at Trevecca Nazarene University in curriculum, assessment, and instruction.
She's enjoyed different ministry roles throughout my life. These include Vacation Bible schools in Alaskan villages, working with kids throughout college, being a Christian school teacher and a pastor’s wife, leading women’s Bible studies, leading worship, welcoming many into our home…and co-hosting The Story of God Podcast for TMC!
Episode Talking Points
- Closet makeovers
- Conservative upbringing
- Rethinking the way she thought about modesty and adornment
- Changing with grace
- How men and women talk about each other
Resources
- Janan's YouTube Channel
- Janan's Instagram
- janan@themondaychristian.com
TMCP 140: Sandra Richter on Why Christians Should Read the Old Testament
Internationally known for her work on Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomistic History, Dr. Richter brings the Old Testament to life by exploring the real people and real places from which it comes.
Richter is a graduate of Valley Forge University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and earned her doctorate from the Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations Department of Harvard University in Hebrew Bible. A veteran of many years of leading student groups in archaeological excavation and historical geography classes in Israel, she has taught at Asbury Theological Seminary., Wesley Biblical Seminary and Wheaton College. She is recognized among the laity for her The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament and is currently working on a second in that series The Fifth Gospel: A Christian Entry into the Book of Isaiah (IVP Academic). Her current research involves a forthcoming commentary on Deuteronomy with Eerdmans. She is also the author of several adult Bible Curriculums with Seedbed and Harper Collins. Richter is a sought-after speaker in both academic and lay settings.
Episode Talking Points
- Coming to faith at the tail end of the Jesus Movement
- Mission drift and revival
- "Dysfunctional closet syndrome"
- Making the Old Testament understandable for common people
- Making Old Testament characters real
- Getting the bookends of the Scriptures set
- What about those who haven't heard?
Resources
TMCP 139: Jamie Taylor and McKinsey Swain on Finding Freedom in Christ
Jamie Taylor is an author and communicator who loves helping people discover the things that are holding them back from a life of abundance and authenticity. She is a leader in both church and non-profit spaces where she journeys alongside people on their road to freedom.
McKinsey Swain is a wife, mom, multi-passionate entrepreneur, coach and freedom chaser. She loves to help individuals and teams get unstuck and move forward in life, business, and ministry.”
Episode Talking Points:
- Coming to faith in Christ in different ways
- What it means to be free
- The unhealthy allure of legalism
- The challenge of deconstruction
- How to raise kids that are free
- Freedom from feeling disqualified
Resources:
TMCP 138: Jesse Cruickshank on Ordinary Discipleship
Jessie Cruickshank holds a M.Ed. from Harvard in Mind, Brain, and Education. She is an ordained minister and a nationally recognized expert in disciplemaking and the neuroscience of transformation. She has spent two decades applying neuroeducation research to discipleship, ministry training, experiential education, and organization development. Jessie is respected globally as a missiological thought-leader and a church and denominational consultant and is the founder of Who-ology. Jessie lives and adventures with her family in Colorado.
Episode Talking Points
- The incredible faith journey of Jessie's family
- "God hardwired our brains for transformation"
- Activating autobiographical memory
- The limits of good information
- The curriculum of life
- How we read the Scriptures
- Integration of life and the Scriptures
Resources
TMCP 137: Cesar Perez on What to Do If We Struggle to Believe in God
Cesar Perez is the Executive Director of Christian Education Release Time (CERT) in Emmett, Idaho. CERT is a ministry that teaches Bible classes to public school students. He is also part of The Monday Christian team doing short apologetic-style videos on TMC's TikTok Channel. Cesar graduated with his BA in Church and Family Ministry and has been married to his wife Elisabeth for eight years and they have a son named Mateo. When he is not teaching or discipling students, Cesar loves exploring and having adventures in the mountains of Idaho.
Episode Talking Points:
- April Fools Questions
- A child of immigrants
- Cesar's journey of faith
- What to do when we can't hear God's voice
- Why Cesar loves working with youth
- Stories of God's redemption
Resources:
TMCP 136: Benno van den Toren on How Christians Can Effectively Share Their Faith
Benno van den Toren (PhD, Theological University in Kampen) is professor of intercultural theology at the Protestant Theological University in Groningen, the Netherlands. He has taught in French-speaking Africa and at Wycliffe Hall at Oxford University, and his books include Christian Apologetics as Cross-Cultural Dialogue and Reasons for My Hope: Responding to Non-Christian Friends.
Episode Talking Points
- Growing up near Rotterdam
- Contextualization of apologetics
- Listening in apologetics
- Relevance and attraction in apologetics
- Violence and colonialism in Christian history
- Where to start in apologetics
- "Fools for Christ"
Resources
TMCP 135: Alan Noble on Getting Out of Bed
Alan Noble (PhD, Baylor University) is associate professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University, cofounder and editor in chief of Christ and Pop Culture, and an advisor for the AND Campaign. He has written for the Atlantic, Vox, BuzzFeed, The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, and First Things. He is also the author of Disruptive Witness and You Are Not Your Own.
Episode Talking Points
- Alan's experience during his baptism
- The "why" behind Alan's book, On Getting Out of Bed
- Start with worth
- The hyper-competitiveness of the contemporary world
- "The weariness of the self"
- Christian communal rhythms
- Doing the next right thing
- Hope from others during dark times
- "keep crawling forward"
Resources
TMCP 134: Jon Pyle on Valuing Care Over Content
Jon Pyle is a Digital Pastor who serves the people of CityChurch San Antonio and created his own podcast about making the church "Better on the Inside". As a teenager in the late 90's, Jon converted to Christianity from his first religion: Pop Culture. He is a fun sock enthusiast, retired sports blogger, tea drinker, and world-class hugger.
Episode Talking Points
- Jon's journey to Christ as a youth group outcast
- Processing emotions
- Working through painful life experiences
- Care and content in the Church
- Christianity: is it good?
- The iceberg metaphor
- Better on the Inside Podcast and Jon's philosophy of conversation
Resources
TMCP 133: Isaiah Robertson on Why Black Church History Holds Many Answers for White Western Christians
Isaiah Robertson is the Senior Pastor of Hope in Christ Church in Compton, California. In 2020, Pastor Isaiah released his groundbreaking book Black Church Empowered: Examining Our History, Securing Our Longevity. This book quickly reached the top of the charts as an Amazon best seller. It also garnered the Best Book of 2020 award from the Emmaus Collective. Pastor Isaiah has served in multiple ministerial capacities since accepting his call. He has served as a youth pastor, an associate pastor, and a church planter. He has also spearheaded numerous outreach programs aimed at serving underprivileged communities and mentoring young men of color. He has a passion for studying, preaching, and teaching the Word of God. He also has a deep interest in contextual ecclesiology and Black Church studies.
Episode Talking Points
- Isaiah's background and conversion story
- Grace for the word of faith movement
- Isaiah's journey into the history of the Black Church
- The challenges and pitfalls of seminary
- "Black Church"
- Learning from the Black Church
- Black Church and a theology of suffering in practice
- Community and the imago dei in the Black Church
- Racial Reconciliation
Resources
TMCP 132: Matthew Lynch on How We Handle Hard Passages in the Old Testament
Matthew J. Lynch is an associate professor of Old Testament at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada. He is the author of First Isaiah and the Disappearance of the Gods, Portraying Violence in the Hebrew Bible, and Monotheism and Institutions in the Book of Chronicles. He is the co-founder of the OnScript podcast, a podcast focused on providing engaging conversations on Bible and theology.
Episode Talking Points
- Matt Lynch, tuba player
- Matt's journey to Christ
- Understanding conversion
- Violence in the Old Testament
- The flood narrative
- Joshua and conquest
- Static rope/dynamic rope
- Core doctrines of Christianity
- The character creed of God in Exodus 34
- Thinking through the mysteries of God
Resources
TMCP 131: David and Elisa Lozano on Leading Celebrate Recovery
David and Elisa are the leaders of Celebrate Recovery at Grace Bible Church in Nampa, Idaho. They have been married for fourteen years and have a powerful story of redemption. As Elisa likes to say, "I used to be a soldier for the world and now I am a soldier for Christ." David and Elisa see their lives as an example of how God can turn a person's "mess" into a "message." They come from two different worlds, but they believe they found each other because God has a plan for their lives. Together, they run a small business and do all they can to offer hope to others.
Episode Talking Points:
- Growing up in a non-Christian background
- Going to prison
- Finding God where they least expected
- Leading Celebrate Recovery
- Why no one is beyond hope
TMCP 130: Alan Fadling on How Christians Can Live Unhurried Lives
Alan Fadling is president and founder of Unhurried Living, Inc. in Mission Viejo, California. He speaks and consults internationally with organizations such as Saddleback Church, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Cru, Halftime Institute, Apprentice Institute, and Open Doors International. He is the award-winning author of An Unhurried Leader and An Unhurried Life, and coauthor (with Gem Fadling) of What Does Your Soul Love?
Episode Talking Points
- How Alan came to faith in Christ
- Alan's connection to Dallas Willard
- Becoming unhurried is a process, not a daily event
- Why are we so busy?
- Why do we link our careers with our personal happiness?
- Daily unhurried rhythms
- Do we want to know God?
Resources
TMCP 129: Janice McWilliams on Ways Christians Can Restore Their Souls
Janice McWilliams (MDiv, LCPC), author of Restore My Soul: Reimagining Self-Care for a Sustainable Life,has nourished a lifelong curiosity about human nature. This has propelled her to serve in campus ministry, to speak and train groups in churches and organizations, and to work as a therapist, spiritual director, and writer.Her love of the depths and intrigue of the human experience is matched by her desire to find her place in God's work of restoring and revitalizing souls everywhere.
Episode Talking Points
- Janice's journey to faith as a PK (preacher's kid)
- Tumultuous teen years and pursuing God in college
- Self-care Barbie
- One-dimensional self-care
- Thoughts, emotions, rhythms, fulfillment
- True and false guilt
- The path forward for self-care
- "Better breaks"
Resources
TMCP 128: Jim Belcher on How Christians in America Can Unify Rather Than Divide
Jim Belcher (PhD, Georgetown University) is a political philosopher, researcher, and writer. He previously served as president of Providence Christian College in Pasadena, California, and was the founding lead pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, California. He is the author of In Search of Deep Faith and Deep Church, which won a 2010 Christianity Today Book Award in church/pastoral leadership.
Episode Talking Points
- Jim's journey to Christ
- Church planting in California
- The difficulty of a "middle way"
- The vital center
- What is the gospel?
- Technology advances and the response of the church
- Retrieval of constitutional republicanism
Resources
TMCP 127: David Fitch on the Importance of Faithful Presence
David E. Fitch (PhD, Northwestern University) is the B. R. Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology at Northern Seminary. He is also the founding pastor of Life on the Vine Christian Community, a missional church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He is the author of Faithful Presence, The Great Giveaway and The End of Evangelicalism? and is the coauthor of Prodigal Christianity. Fitch coaches a network of church plants in the Christian and Missionary Alliance and he writes, speaks, and lectures on issues the local church must face in mission including cultural engagement, leadership, and theology. He has also written numerous articles in periodicals such as Christianity Today, The Other Journal, Missiology, as well as various academic journals.
Episode Talking Points:
- What is faithful presence?
- How do you be faithfully present in your community?
- Differences between rural and urban Christians
- How Christians think differently
Resources:
TMCP 126: Brent Vernon and Johnathan Arnold on the Importance of Catechizing Kids
Johnathan Arnold is a husband, father, and Senior Pastor in Central Pennsylvania. He came to faith while reading the Scriptures in public high school, began attending a local church, completed a Bible college program, then served as an assistant and associate pastor for seven years before becoming a senior minister. He is pursuing graduate studies and enjoys writing and podcasting. Johnathan founded holyjoys.org to explore important theological ideas in community with experienced theologians and practitioners, in service of local churches and pastors.
Brent Vernon is a singer-songwriter, ventriloquist, and children's author-illustrator from South Florida. As a creator, he continues to balance his tour schedule with developing products, writing new stories, and designing children's books for other authors. Despite the constant motion, Brent insists there is a point to it all: "My ultimate goal is to make a meaningful connection with people and point them to a loving God—a God who can change us from the inside out. What we do in this life matters in the next. And because of God's grace revealed to us through Jesus, we have the hope of eternal life. I feel strongly that my talents must be used to share redemptive messages to promote healing and wholeness in our hearts and homes."
Episode Talking Points
- Brent and Johnathan's journey to faith in Christ
- The impetus behind their project for children
- The importance of catechizing children (and adults)
- "Made to be happy in God"
- The power of the arts in spiritual formation
- The Holy Joys Kids Catechism
Resources
TMCP 125: Sarah Cowan Johnson on Teaching Our Kids Well
Sarah is a ministry trainer, consultant, and coach based in Providence, RI. With nearly 20 years of ministry experience in the church and parachurch, Sarah is passionate about equipping ministry leaders to flourish in their unique callings and contexts.
Before starting her own business, Sarah served as a Campus Staff Member and Area Director with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, where she developed local, regional, and national training experiences for both staff and students. After more than a decade on staff with InterVarsity, Sarah was assessed and approved by the Covenant Church as a church planter and served as the Executive Pastor for Sanctuary Church, a family of neighborhood congregations in Providence. Her primary responsibilities at Sanctuary included developing the people and the systems necessary to sustain healthy planting and growth.
Episode Talking Points
- Sarah's journey as a "PK" and coming to faith in Christ
- The 50% rule
- Co-opting daily routines for spiritual formation
- The power of simple habits
- John Westerhoff and spiritual development
- Discipleship in four directions
- "Weirdos forever"
Resources
TMCP 124: Hannah Nation on How Chinese Christians are Being "Faithfully Disobedient"
Hannah Nation is a frequent writer and speaker on both contemporary Chinese gospel movements and the history of women in the church, both academically and popularly. Her speaking on both topics ranges from presenting at academic conferences to leading local church retreats. She is a research associate at Gordon-Conwell's Center for the Study of Global Christianity and member of several societies, including the Tyndale Fellowship and the Evangelical Missiological Society (EMS). She has written for The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, Plough, byFaith, and Mere Orthodoxy, among other various platforms.
Episode Talking Points
- Hannah's story of coming to faith in Christ
- Hannah's first trip to China
- Government church in China
- Responding to persecution
- Sustaining during times of persecution
- Union with Christ and the Christian call to suffering
- Chinese church and the spiritual disciplines
- Wang Yi
- Testifying to the reality of another world
Resources