The Red Letter Disciple: Recent Episodes
Hurrdat Media
Welcome to Red Letter Disciple, a podcast to challenge you and your church to be greater disciples of Jesus so that together we can unleash the greatest and fullest expression of Jesus possible. When we do, when we truly live as disciples of Jesus, the world will never be the same! Your host, Pastor and author Zach Zehnder, along with co-host and friend, the one the only Pastor Chris Johnson. Let’s do this.
Why are so many young adults searching for deeper faith? In this special session from the Hodos Influencers Gathering, Bryan Wolfmueller explains why Lutheran theology is uniquely equipped to answer the questions this generation is asking. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
For the first time in LCMS history, the synodical presidential election has advanced to a third ballot. With only 14 votes separating incumbent President Matthew Harrison and challenger Dr. Joel Biermann, Zach Zehnder and Matt Popovits discuss what this unprecedented election reveals about the state of the LCMS, the future of pastoral formation, and why every vote matters. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
For the first time in years, the LCMS presidential election is headed to a second ballot. Tim Ahlman and Zach Zehnder break down the results, discuss the growing support for Dr. Joel Biermann, and explore what these numbers reveal about the future of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Most churches want to make disciples. Few have a clear strategy for multiplying them. In this episode, Zach sits down with LCMS pastor, church planter, and Kairos Network founder Matt Peeples to discuss micro-groups, disciple-making, and why simplicity may be the key to reaching the next generation. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
With 88 overtures related to pastoral formation headed to the 2026 LCMS Convention, one of the most important conversations in the Missouri Synod is heating up.
Former Concordia Seminary professor Dr. Andy Bartelt joins Zach Zehnder to explore the history, tensions, opportunities, and future of pastoral formation in the LCMS. To access the show notes visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
In this special breaking episode of Red Letter Disciple, journalist Sam Jane joins Zach Zehnder to unpack the closure of Concordia Ann Arbor and the newly announced sale of the campus to the University of Michigan. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
What is the Go Network, and why are so many mission-minded Lutherans talking about it? Greg Finke and Deaconess Noemí Guerra join Zach Zehnder to discuss trust, discipleship, collaboration, and the future of mission in the LCMS. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
What if the real issue in pastoral formation isn’t pathways—but outcomes? Pastor Brad Urlaub joins Zach to discuss why pastors are leaving ministry, the importance of long-term formation, and the five outcomes every pastoral pathway should produce. To access the show notes, please visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
The LCMS is facing a pastoral shortage—so why limit one of its fastest-growing pathways? Chris Holder shares what it’s really like to go through the SMP program. To access the show notes, go to www.redletterpodcast.com.
What happens when a declining LCMS church chooses courage over comfort? This episode shares the real story of a church merger that brought new life, new people, and renewed faith. As more and more LCMS churches are in decline, helping churches merge like this is a path forward. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
What actually forms a faithful pastor? District Presidents Nathan Meador and Wally Vinovskis unpack residential vs. online seminary and what our LCMS churches really need today. To access the snow notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Brady Finnern joins Red Letter Disciple to talk about the future of the LCMS, why forgiveness still matters, what concerns him about decline, and how hope in Christ can shape the church’s next chapter. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
What would Joel Biermann prioritize if he became LCMS president? In this episode, Zach sits down with Biermann to talk about confessional unity, discipleship, church politics, young adults, worship tensions, and what a more engaged future for the LCMS could look like. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Kenny Jahng joins Zach Zehnder to talk about why AI is more than a productivity tool. This conversation explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping work, identity, relationships, discipleship, and the future of the church. To access the show notes, go to www.redletterpodcast.com.
What happens when a pastor retires without a plan? In this episode, Zach talks with his dad, Mark Zehnder, about pastoral succession, leadership transitions, the LCMS pastor shortage, and why churches need intentional pipelines for the next generation of leaders. To access the show notes, go to www.redletterpodcast.com.
Should SMP pastors always remain under supervision and limited status in the LCMS? Pastor Frank Hart shares his story, challenges, and hopes for pastoral formation in the church. To access the show notes, go to www.redletterpodcast.com.
Why are so many churches struggling to find their next youth pastor, worship leader, or ministry staff member? In this episode, Zach sits down with Dave Miller to talk about the church’s leadership pipeline problem, why Gen Z gives real reason for hope, and how residency programs can help churches raise up leaders from within. If you care about mentoring young leaders, staffing the future Church, and building a healthier ministry pipeline, this conversation is for you. To access the show notes, please visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
What exactly does a DCE do—and why is the LCMS facing a major shortage? Concordia St. Paul DCE Program Director Shelly Schwalm joins Zach to talk about discipleship, Gen Z’s fears and faith, women serving in the LCMS, and behind-the-scenes insights from the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering. To access the show notes, please visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Gen Z men are returning to church. Gen Z women are leaving. What’s going on—and what should church leaders do about it? In this episode, Zach sits down with Grant and Cheyanne Skeldon (Way Church, Nashville | THINQ) to unpack the gender gap emerging in Gen Z and how discipleship is the key to reaching the next generation. To access the show notes, please visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Poet and author Tanner Olson joins Zach Zehnder for a powerful conversation about hope, pain, youth ministry, infertility, anxiety, and the power of words. Plus, Tanner shares two poems from his brand new book Getting Through What You’re Going Through. To access the show notes, please visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Dr. W. Mart Thompson, Director of the SMP Program at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis joins Zach to explain how SMP works, who it’s for, why it exists, and what outcomes the LCMS should actually expect—cutting through confusion in a convention year. To access the show notes, please visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Tim Ahlman returns on the podcast to discuss pastoral formation, trust, division, and his new book Confessing Jesus’ Mission. A candid, hopeful conversation about the future of the LCMS and the work still ahead. To access the show notes, please visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Michael Zeigler of Lutheran Hour Ministries joins Zach to talk sermon prep, Scripture memory, pastoral formation, preaching in a studio vs. a sanctuary, and how digital media, even AI, can faithfully serve the Church. To access the show notes, please visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Jack Kalleberg joins Zach to discuss pastoral formation, leadership development, and the hidden costs shaping the future of the LCMS—exploring opportunity cost, SMP, online formation, and what the church needs next. To access the show notes, please visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Dr. Gene Veith joins Zach for a rich and hope-filled conversation about vocation, ordinary life, and where God is really at work. Gene Veith is an author, longtime professor, and one of the most influential Lutheran thinkers of the last several decades. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Dr. Todd Jones joins Zach to explore pastoral formation, ecclesiology, and the growing tension between Synod and the local church in the LCMS—drawing from C.F.W. Walther and decades of ministry experience. To access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Matt Popovits joins Zach for an honest conversation on pastoral formation, SMP, LCMS leadership, preaching, AI, and mission. Matt shares his journey, why pathways must expand, and the wild story of how he won Wheel of Fortune. Visit www.redletterpodcast.com for more.
Pastor Bryan Stecker joins Zach to discuss why men are returning to faith, what Joe Rogan reveals about today’s masculine search for meaning, the power of habits, and how the church can form stronger men in a digital age. Visit www.redletterpodcast.com for more.
CSP President Dr. Brian Friedrich joins Zach to discuss the fragility of higher ed, the future of LCMS universities, innovation in formation, Gen Z’s surprising openness to faith, and why Lutheran education still matters. Visit www.redletterpodcast.com for more.
Dr. Jeff Kloha returns to discuss pastoral formation, the launch of the Center for Missional and Pastoral Leadership, the SMP age decision, and why he believes the LCMS must expand—not restrict—pathways for leaders. Visit www.redletterpodcast.com for more.
Season 5 of The Red Letter Disciple is back! Starting September 19th, get ready for 12 weekly episodes featuring world-class guests. In this season, we’ll discuss a variety of topics all designed to help you become a greater everyday follower of Jesus! This season has a special mini-series of 4 episodes all designed to help everyone better understand Gen Z and the amazing opportunity that this generation has to bring Jesus to the world. To access the show notes, or find this podcast on your favorite streaming platform, go to www.redletterpodcast.com.
This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Located smack dab in the middle of Silicon Valley, Jay Kim remains convinced that what people need is not just innovation but a restoration of analog. In an age where we all want to control our experiences, Kim stands firmly on the need for church, uncurated gatherings, and authentic relationships. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Go deeper into leading yourself (and your church) to building the habits of Jesus, we’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Being Challenge.
Many Christians today aren’t great at maintaining the habits of Jesus.
Even the most “mature” Christians struggle with opening up in community, prioritizing prayer, and seeking regular solitude. But that doesn’t have to be your story.
The Being Challenge guides you through 40 days of practical, simple-to-understand challenges to help you learn, develop, and grow in the five keystone habits of Jesus.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Analog Church: Why We Need Real People, Places, and Thinsg in the Digital Age by Jay Kim
Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Widsom in the Digital Age by Jay Kim
The Social Dilemma Documentary
Your Undivided Attention Podcast by Tristan Harris
jaykimthinks.com
Key insights from the episode:
The church is not primarily content; it’s a people to whom you belong. - Jay Kim
The wonderful thing about in-person gatherings is you cannot curate the experience. - Jay Kim
Every moment of boredom, calm, or idleness was fair game for the smartphone. - Jay Kim
Our addictions overcome and overwhelm our knowledge. - Jay Kim
The pursuit of pleasure is like running on a hedonic treadmill. - Jay Kim
If life is centered on pursuing more, you will always be empty. - Jay Kim
Love, joy, and peace are the antidotes to discontentment. - Jay Kim
Most people think social media is free; if it’s free to you, then you are the product. - Jay Kim
Jay Kim’s Challenge: Live a listening life.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We did an extensive study of everything that Jesus commanded of us and located 5 key targets into which Jesus invites His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! Not only will you get results back immediately, but you will also be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Brad Lomenick has a heart for the next generation of leaders and is excited about what they will do. But the lack of drive concerns him as he shoulders the responsibility of figuring out how to motivate the next generation. From leading the Catalyst Conference to pioneering influence among young leaders, Lomenick believes true leadership consists of humility, hunger, and hustling. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. At its core, Red Letter Living creates resources to challenge all people to be greater disciples of Jesus. One of our integral FREE resources is a Red Letter Challenge Assessment. It only takes 7-10 minutes to complete.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. So we extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the following steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
The Catalyst Leader: 8 Essentials For Becoming a Change Maker by Brad Lomenick
H3 Leadership: Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Always Hustle. By Brad Lomenick
H3 Leadership Podcast
Key insights from the episode:
The average 20-year-old will have 15-20 assignments in your lifetime. - Brad Lomenick
Callings can change; assignments WILL change. - Brad Lomenick
A hungry leader has a constant posture of learning. - Brad Lomenick
“Be yourself” is a good thought but a dangerous lifestyle. - Brad Lomenick
I'm concerned about the hustle factor among young leaders. - Brad Lomenick
Those leading the next generation must figure out how to motivate and inspire young leaders. - Brad Lomenick
If you are a ‘value-adder,’ you’ll create influence. - Brad Lomenick
A networker is transactional, but a connector is a value-adder. - Brad Lomenick
Trust is the greatest currency. - Brad Lomenick
Brad Lomenick’s Challenge: When God prompts, act.
Lead yourself (and your church) to be more like Jesus.
For so many Christians, the discipleship process isn’t very clear.
They know they need to go to church, pray, not sin, and maybe attend a small group. While these are great things, they don’t outline a clear path leading people to live more like Jesus.
We’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Red Letter Challenge.
When you and your church take the challenge, you’ll have a clear 40-day discipleship path that will help you master five key areas of discipleship.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Joshua Brown has found that the best way for him to make disciples is by using water, literally. The Pressure Washing Pastor became not just his nickname, but his life calling. From being homeless on the streets to going through Bible college, Brown is on a mission to serve and coach others to be ministers in the marketplace. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by the Red Letter Leaders Facebook Group!
Imagine a private group that encourages one another, shares resources and best practices, and genuinely cares for one another. Though it sounds too good to be true, that’s exactly what this group is! It is THE place where we are having the most personal discussions on discipleship for your church. So, get in! And invite your pastor and church leader friends to join! Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/groups/redletterleaders.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks: 40 Daily Reflections on Biblical Leadership by Timothy Laniak
The Pressure Washing Pastor
Key insights from the episode:
God started speaking to me through a Tupac song, “Heaven for a G.” - Joshua Brown
I gave the pastor my pot and God my heart. - Joshua Brown
Whatever you do repetitively, you’ll become an expert at it. - Joshua Brown
I didn’t need a program, I needed a person. - Joshua Brown
We have too many pastors wanting their feet washed instead of washing others’ feet. - Joshua Brown
If Jesus ran a business, he would treat people like team members, and not employees. - Joshua Brown
When a community sees people that enjoy working together and doing things, they want to be a part of it. - Joshua Brown
Joshua Brown’s Challenge: Whatever you push against the most, investigate it in the Scriptures.
Lead yourself (and your church) to find freedom in forgiveness.
Before we can truly bring reconciliation to others in the world, we need to be reconciled to God. Thankfully, He doesn’t withhold His grace of forgiveness from anyone of us. It’s time to receive the freedom that comes with the forgiveness of God because a forgiven person becomes a forgiving person!
We’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Forgiving Challenge.
The Forgiving Challenge takes you on a life-changing journey to experience the gift of God’s grace so that you can share it with others. It also helps you identify and walk through the five phases leading to freedom.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on:https://hurrdatmedia.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When Mel Gravely saw pain and confusion on both sides of racism, he began to write letters. Those nineteen letters are now a book called Dear White Friend that breaks down barriers, confusion, and misconceptions about racism. Gravely is hopeful for a common good, a faithful community, and a united nation. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. Pastors and church leaders, we create 40-day challenges that have helped more than 800 churches produce greater disciples. Not only this, but our resources grow small groups by more than 40%. If you are a pastor or church leader, not only can you find out more at this link, but you can also request a FREE 40-day challenge mailed to your door there.
As you plan for the end of this Fall or even the start of the New Year, we’d love to partner with you and we have some amazing deals with our ready-to-go church packs. But, first, get a FREE copy on us.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Dear White Friend by Mel Gravely
Dear White Friend Discussion Guide
TriVersity Construction
Key insights from the episode:
I sit in a privileged seat to have one foot in both worlds. - Mel Gravely
There is no excuse for people who want to know about racism not to know. - Mel Gravely
Authenticity and intentionality can be one and the same. - Mel Gravely
Sometimes the most powerful conversations about race are white people talking to white people without black people around. - Mel Gravely
You don’t need black people in the room to raise your empathy level. - Mel Gravely
There’s a deeper understanding of racism that we are all invited into. - Zach Zehnder
God didn’t create our world so white people would have 98% of all the good stuff. - Mel Gravely
When we study their story, 1) duration, 2) magnitude, and 3) what happened should all be considered. - Mel Gravely
I don’t like white privilege, I like benefitting bystander. - Mel Gravely
I want to be hopeful. - Mel Gravely
Sunday is a segregated time. - Mel Gravely
The gospel isn’t relevant if it’s easy in 2023. - Mel Gravely
Mel Gravely’s challenge: Ask the question, “Why are things the way they are?” five times.
Lead yourself (and your church) to be more like Jesus.
For so many Christians, the discipleship process isn’t very clear.
They know they need to go to church, pray, not sin, and maybe attend a small group. While these are great things, they don’t outline a clear path leading people to live more like Jesus.
We’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Red Letter Challenge.
When you and your church take the challenge, you’ll have a clear 40-day discipleship path that will help you master five key areas of discipleship.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sasha has discovered the perfect line between providing care and preserving dignity that all non-profits need to take notice of. Project Intentional was birthed from her longing for single moms to feel seen and cared for. Her ingenious idea of Hope Lockers provides people with basic necessities while preserving their dignity. To learn more about the podcast and the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. In today’s episode, you’ll hear of an amazing servant Sasha Berscheid. She is not only serving the needs of her community, but also finding the life she is made for. Wouldn’t that be something that you would like for you and everyone at your church? If so, you’ll love our newest resource, a 40-day challenge to serve like Jesus entitled Serving Challenge. Get ready to embark on a 40–day journey that leads to more personal fulfillment than ever.
Right now churches are jumping into the First Wave of Serving Challenge. The resource will be ready to launch in churches worldwide on October 1, 2023. You can lock in the best pricing you’ll ever see by joining the First Wave right now at www.servingchallenge.com. Have questions? Go to this web link or email us at hello@redletterchallenge.com. But hurry, First Wave ends at the end of July 2023.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Project Intentional
Abide Omaha
Sasha Berscheid’s LinkedIn
Key insights from the episode:
- I can breathe in, I can breathe out, I don’t drink in-between, and therefore, I can celebrate life. - Sasha Berscheid
- I wanted to become 1% better than I was yesterday. - Sasha Berscheid
- It is humanly fundamental to be a part of a community. - Sasha Berscheid
- The opposite of addiction is community. - Sasha Berscheid
- The devil works best when we are in isolation. - Chris Johnson
- Single moms are OUTSTANDING. - Sasha Berscheid
If you need help, and you are not reaching out to ask for help, you rob someone else of joy. - Sasha Berscheid
- I know shame; I’ve held shame, and shame has held me. - Sasha Berscheid
- Sometimes we know why, sometimes we don’t, but the answer is still obedience. - Zach Zehnder
- It’s one thing to give something out; it’s another to educate and empower. - Sasha Berscheid
- You were made to be you. - Sasha Berscheid
- Take a step and see where it leads. - Zach Zehnder
- You are the answer to someone else’s prayer. - Sasha Berscheid
Sasha Berscheid’s challenge: 1) Drink your water. 2) Practice an attitude of gratitude.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. So we extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the following steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mark DeYmaz is a man of action and didn’t believe that the church was a place for him. From atheist to being the founding pastor of Mosaic Church in Arkansas, he still believes that movement and action are what Christ intended for discipleship. He is passionate about fighting for a united church and removing segregation from congregations.
To learn more about the podcast or the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Every pastor knows small groups are important, yet a lot aren’t too happy with where their small groups are right now. You can grow your small groups right now. That’s right. We have helped more than 800 churches grow their small groups, and it’s not as hard as you think. Our super-simple, easily-doable 5-step guide to grow your small group strategy is found by clicking on this link.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Mosaic Church Central Arkansas
Mosaic Conference
markdeymaz.com
Key insights from the episode:
We want the best ideas to win, not the person’s position to win. - Mark DeYmaz
Don’t work on your weaknesses; staff to your weaknesses. - Mark DeYmaz
The best way to find out who you are is to find out who you are not. - Mark DeYmaz
In America, we think we’ve got to be independent people and pull ourselves up by the bootstraps; that’s not the way of God. We need one another. - Mark DeYmaz
We are in a Matthew 5:26 century. It’s not so much sitting in a room and studying the Bible but getting out and doing the works of the Bible. - Mark DeYmaz
American discipleship is top-heavy with explanation and low on demonstration. - Mark DeYmaz
The collective is so much more powerful than the individual. - Mark DeYmaz
By 2042, one in every two people in America will be non-white. - Mark DeYmaz
It’s not about forcing something; it’s becoming intentional. - Mark DeYmaz
The arch of the Biblical narrative bends towards multi-ethnicity. - Mark DeYmaz
You cannot preach a message of God's love from a segregated pulpit and expect it to be believed. - Mark DeYmaz
Mark DeYmaz’s Challenge: Read Romans 16:25-27 and ask yourself, “What is the Gospel that Paul is referring to?”
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. At its core, Red Letter Living creates resources to challenge all people to be greater disciples of Jesus. One of our integral FREE resources is a Red Letter Challenge Assessment. It only takes 7-10 minutes to complete.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. So we extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the following steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Patrick O’Connell believes the church needs to be on the move. In this episode, Patrick will share his journey of being baptized in his 30s which led him to leading a small, pastoring a church, and now serving as Global Director of New Thing. In this episode, Patrick will share what American disciples can learn from those overseas and how the scorecard for what disciples shoot for needs to change. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. At its core, Red Letter Living creates resources to challenge all people to be greater disciples of Jesus. One of our integral FREE resources is a Red Letter Challenge Assessment. It only takes 7-10 minutes to complete.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. So we extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the following steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
New Thing
Patrick O’Connell on Missional Imagination
FREE Ebook Together, written by Dave Ferguson and Patrick O’Connell
Key insights from the episode:
The church started as a movement, and it works best as a movement. – Patrick O’Connell
I get stoked about movement, and I want to see motion in the church. – Patrick O’Connell
During my season of despair, I had women and men who showed me the love of Jesus. - Patrick O’Connell
It takes other committed faith-filled people to get people out of their own despair. – Zach Zehnder
I see a generation who are open to following but in an authentic and honest way. – Patrick O’Connell
We have to recapture the ethos that we are part of a movement. – Patrick O’Connell
We need to be more about the kingdom than the castles. – Patrick O’Connell
Let’s admit that the scorecard needs to be tweaked. – Patrick O’Connell
Discipleship is the win of the current century. – Patrick O’Connell
Discipleship is a relationship, not just cognitive. – Patrick O’Connell
The simple question in our discipleship path is, “Are you committed to following Jesus?”. – Zach Zehnder
Sunday is the only place on earth left where you can experience the gifts of God. – Chris Johnson
We’ve turned discipleship transactional, but it’s a relationship. – Patrick O’Connell
Discipleship is not a destination, it’s a journey. – Patrick O’Connell
A church is just the outpost of the kingdom. – Patrick O’Connell
New churches have a missional edge, they can cross boundaries that older churches can’t cross. – Patrick O’Connell
What the 20-somethings struggle with is all the systems. – Patrick O’Connell
Jesus said, “Go make disciples,” not “Go plant churches.” - Patrick O’Connell
Patrick O’Connell’s Challenge: Pray and ask someone to share their story.
Lead yourself (and your church) to be more like Jesus.
For so many Christians, the discipleship process isn’t very clear.
They know they need to go to church, pray, not sin, and maybe attend a small group. While these are great things, they don’t outline a clear path leading people to live more like Jesus.
We’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Red Letter Challenge.
When you and your church take the challenge, you’ll have a clear 40-day discipleship path that will help you master five key areas of discipleship.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sam Black has spent decades helping people find freedom from pornography. From early exposure to repetition through adolescence and finally using pornography as escapism, Sam believes that healing from any stage of pornography is possible. He offers the church tools to lead their people to freedom.To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
We talk about the power of freedom in today’s episode with Sam Black. And we’d now love for you to go on the journey to not only forgive others, but to receive God’s forgiveness for your life. Before we can truly bring reconciliation to others in the world, we need to be reconciled to God. Thankfully, He doesn’t withhold His grace of forgiveness from any of us. It’s time to receive the freedom that comes with the forgiveness of God because a forgiven person becomes a forgiving person!
We’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Forgiving Challenge.
Forgiving Challenge takes you on a life-changing journey to experience the gift of God’s grace so that you can share it with others. It also helps you identify and walk through the five phases leading to freedom.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
Resources mentioned in the episode:
The Healing Church: What Churches Get Wrong About Pornography And How To Fix It by Sam Black
Covenant Eyes
Victory App by Covenant Eyes
Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr.: A Simple Plan to Protect Young Minds by Kristen A Jenson M.A.
Good Pictures Bad Pictures Porn-proofing Today’s Young Kids by Kristen A Jenson M.A.
Pure Desire
Be Broken
Key insights from the episode:
Early exposure to pornography, repetition through adolescence, and the use of escapism as an adult create a pattern of addiction. – Sam Black
The church falsely claims that men will struggle with pornography their whole lives. – Sam Black
We need mind, body, and spirit healing to escape the grips of pornography. – Sam Black
Parents are afraid to say anything about pornography because they are afraid that it will make them curious. – Sam Black
If you want to teach a kid to hide, shame them about pornography. – Sam Black
You should begin having conversations about pornography when your child is 5,6 years old. – Sam Black
We need to equip our kids, not if they get exposed, but when they get exposed to pornography. – Sam Black
Knowledge proceeds to understand, and understanding proceeds to change. – Sam Black
Anger is a common trigger for pornography. – Sam Black
93% of churches do nothing to address pornography. – Sam Black
Food addiction and porn addiction are shockingly similar. – Sam Black
Sam Black’s Challenge: Be the friend you would like to have.
Before we can truly bring reconciliation to others in the world, we need to be reconciled to God. Thankfully, He doesn’t withhold His grace of forgiveness from anyone of us. It’s time to receive the freedom that comes with the forgiveness of God because a forgiven person becomes a forgiving person!
We’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Forgiving Challenge.
The Forgiving Challenge takes you on a life-changing journey to experience the gift of God’s grace so that you can share it with others. It also helps you identify and walk through the five phases leading to freedom.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Whether you are new to Christianity or a lifelong Christian, having discipleship targets is essential to your journey of following Jesus. Zach Zehnder’s latest project, The Disciple Making Playbook, is a must-have tool designed for pastors and church leaders to help them create a discipleship strategy for their church. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Want to elevate both the quality and quantity of disciples at your church? Enroll today in The Disciple Making Playbook. In this online course, you’ll get lifetime access to 10-power packed video modules that will help you with all of the following:
- It’ll help you and your church create a Jesus-centered unique disciple making playbook that gets maximum buy-in from everybody at your church.
- It’ll help you develop discipleship targets you can measure at your church. Because in life we measure what’s important.
- It’ll help you maximize what you are already doing to grow your church by utilizing some of the practical tools along the way.
- It’ll elevate both the quality and quantity of disciples that are a part of your ministry.
- Though the world is constantly changing, it’ll give you the confidence to communicate your plan, knowing that it will help people be greater disciples of Jesus!
Plus, enroll today and get tons of bonuses. But hurry, registration ends this week. Go to www.disciplemakingplaybook.com for more information.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Red Letter Challenge book
The Disciple Making Playbook
3-Part FREE Masterclass
Key insights from the episode:
There is no real end to discipleship, it’s a journey. – Zach Zehnder
Discipleship is not as complicated as we’ve made it out to be. – Zach Zehnder
The five targets of a disciple are: Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going. – Zach Zehnder
If you don’t have targets you are shooting for, how do you know? – Zach Zehnder
The greatest of all time is Jesus, so we are going to look at what He did. – Zach Zehnder
The right first question is whether you are committed to following Jesus? - Zach Zehnder
More than 63% of people in America admit that Jesus is their Savior, but less than 20% of them are practicing Christians. – Zach Zehnder
We’ve created a nation of believers but very few followers. – Zach Zehnder
Pastors need to be committed to creating targets for discipleship and then seeing how their congregation is measuring up. – Zach Zehnder
Zach Zehnder’s Challenge: Identify and commit to measure discipleship targets.
Don’t forget, this is registration week for The Disciple Making Playbook. To access the best pricing, insane bonuses, and a coaching opportunity with Zach Zehnder, get in now at www.disciplemakingplaybook.com.
Want to elevate both the quality and quantity of disciples at your church? In this online course, you’ll get lifetime access to 10-power packed video modules that will help you with all of the following:
- It’ll help you and your church create a Jesus-centered unique disciple making playbook that gets maximum buy-in from everybody at your church.
- It’ll help you develop discipleship targets you can measure at your church. Because in life we measure what’s important.
- It’ll help you maximize what you are already doing to grow your church by utilizing some of the practical tools along the way.
- It’ll elevate both the quality and quantity of disciples that are a part of your ministry.
- Though the world is constantly changing, it’ll give you the confidence to communicate your plan, knowing that it will help people be greater disciples of Jesus!
Plus, enroll today and get tons of bonuses. But hurry, registration ends this week. Go to www.disciplemakingplaybook.com for more information.
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Davey Blackburn was struck down after the tragedy of his wife Amanda’s murder in 2015. But he was not destroyed. Davey even came back to face the murderer himself at the trial seven years later. Everyone carries pain, but Davey is committed to helping every person he meets find redemption. To learn more about the podcast or the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. This week we are launching a FREE-3 part video series called The Disciple Making for Churches Masterclass.
Hey, I’m Zach Zehnder, and for more than ten years, I’ve challenged and helped more than 1000 churches make greater disciples of Jesus! I’ve taken the best of everything I’ve learned and created a FREE masterclass to help your church make greater disciples.
In this three-part FREE video series, you’ll learn:
Video 1: The Problem with Disciple Making in Churches and the Best First Question to Ask
Video 2: The Number One Mistake to Avoid in Making Disciples
Video 3: The Top FAQs to Help Churches Make Disciples
Ultimately, by participating in this FREE video series, you’ll be well on your way to learning how to make greater disciples at your church. So register today and share the link with your pastor and church leader friends about it!
www.redletterchallenge.com/masterclass
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Nothing is Wasted Podcast
Nothing is Wasted website.
Davey Blackburn website
ACBC Biblical Counseling
Davey Blackburn Instagram
Key insights from the episode:
Grief is a long journey of untangling rage and bitterness to believe that I can trust God. – Davey Blackburn
What I’ve had to resolve to do is take that battle back up into the spiritual. – Davey Blackburn
I can’t say that God gave me an explanation as to why, but He gave me restoration. -Davey Blackburn
“God said, “This is not going to turn out the way you want, but I am going to use this.” – Davey Blackburn
One of the advantages was all of Christendom wrapped around me. – Davey Blackburn
My healing journey gave other people permission to talk about their pain. – Davey Blackburn
The only way for me to fight this battle was to proclaim the gospel. – Davey Blackburn
While I couldn’t protect Amanda, I could step into the spiritual realm and protect others. -Davey Blackburn
I have been stewarded an incredible healing journey. – Davey
Senseless things are done to us; we have to tap into meaning and purpose. – Davey Blackburn
The two years recovering from my wife’s death were the sweetest years of my life because I was closest to Jesus. -Davey Blackburn
Heaven becomes very real when you go through something horrific and tragic. – Davey Blackburn
I borrowed people’s faith along my healing journey- Davey Blackburn
It’s a beautiful thing, a difficult thing, but a beautiful thing to blend a family. – Davey Blackburn
Tragedy robs us of control, and we get paralyzed. God reminds us that He has given us some agency. -Davey Blackburn
Davey Blackburn’s challenge: Don’t run away from the pain you are experiencing. Lean into it and invite God into it.
Remember, this week we are launching a FREE-3 part video series called The Disciple Making for Churches Masterclass.
Hey, I’m Zach Zehnder, and for more than ten years, I’ve challenged and helped more than 1000 churches make greater disciples of Jesus! I’ve taken the best of everything I’ve learned and created a FREE masterclass to help your church make greater disciples.
In this three-part FREE video series, you’ll learn:
Video 1: The Problem with Disciple Making in Churches and the Best First Question to Ask
Video 2: The Number One Mistake to Avoid in Making Disciples
Video 3: The Top FAQs to Help Churches Make Disciples
Ultimately, by participating in this FREE video series, you’ll be well on your way to learning how to make greater disciples at your church. So register today and share the link with your pastor and church leader friends about it!
www.redletterchallenge.com/masterclass
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jason and Kathy Bergstrom insist that competing in American Ninja Warrior was not the hardest thing they have ever done. They are devoted to sharing their faith with others through building a backyard training course, owning a gym, and, last but not least, raising nine kids. Jason and Kathy are dedicated to making their life story all about God’s story. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. This week we are launching a FREE-3 part video series called The Disciple Making for Churches Masterclass.
Hey, I’m Zach Zehnder, and for more than ten years, I’ve challenged and helped more than 1000 churches make greater disciples of Jesus! I’ve taken the best of everything I’ve learned and created a FREE masterclass to help your church make greater disciples.
In this three-part FREE video series, you’ll learn:
Video 1: The Problem with Disciple Making in Churches and the Best First Question to Ask
Video 2: The Number One Mistake to Avoid in Making Disciples
Video 3: The Top FAQs to Help Churches Make Disciples
Ultimately, by participating in this FREE video series, you’ll be well on your way to learning how to make greater disciples at your church. So register today and share the link with your pastor and church leader friends about it!
www.redletterchallenge.com/masterclass
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Jungle Gym Ninja
Bergstrom.Dad Instagram
Bergstrom.Mom (Instagram)
Bergstrom Bunch Podcast
Key insights from the episode:
You don’t know what to expect when God's leading the journey! - Kathy Bergstrom
Raising nine kids is harder than competing in American Ninja Warrior. – Jason Bergstrom
Jason had only been training nine months before competing on ANW. – Kathy Bergstrom
When you love people, they bring people that need love to you. – Jason Bergstrom
Make your home a safe place with no physical or emotional harm. – Jason Bergstrom
God gave us our yelling voice for sporting events or emergencies. – Jason Bergstrom
Athletes are a dime a dozen, but having a story is unique to you. – Kathy Bergstrom
I think you learn the most from failure. – Jason Bergstrom
God will always give you more than you can handle so that you can learn dependency on Him. – Jason Bergstrom
God will never give you more than HE can handle. – Jason Bergstrom
The older you get, the more you have to lose, which leads to fear. – Jason Bergstrom
Your identity has to be bigger than this sport. – Kathy Bergstrom
We tell our students ANW is not the coolest thing they are going to do in their life. – Jason Bergstrom
Bergstrom’s challenge: Take a step of faith out of your comfort zone; one way is giving someone a compliment.
Remember, this week we are launching a FREE-3 part video series called The Disciple Making for Churches Masterclass.
In this three-part FREE video series, you’ll learn:
Video 1: The Problem with Disciple Making in Churches and the Best First Question to Ask
Video 2: The Number One Mistake to Avoid in Making Disciples
Video 3: The Top FAQs to Help Churches Make Disciples
Ultimately, by participating in this FREE video series, you’ll be well on your way to learning how to make greater disciples at your church. So register today and share the link with your pastor and church leader friends about it!
www.redletterchallenge.com/masterclass
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Season 4 of The Red Letter Disciple is back! Starting on June 6th, get ready for 12 power-packed weekly episodes featuring world-class guests. In this season, we’ll discuss a variety of topics including but not limited to how to be great disciples in the midst of a digital age. We’ll even talk how AI and robots are changing the world and what we can do about it. We’ll have some great discussions about how to take your story back, how to turn your pain into your purpose, how to fight against racism, how to make disciples in your church, and much, much more. Don’t miss it. You can follow along at www.redletterpodcast.com.
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Pastor Zach Zehnder provides a clear picture of habits that anyone can shoot in their journey of discipleship. In this podcast, he dives into his Being Challenge book. The five keystone habits will give anyone simple and clear Bible-based habits to incorporate into their life. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. At its core, Red Letter Living creates resources to challenge all people to be greater disciples of Jesus. If you are a pastor, consider a 40-day challenge to start the New Year or Lenten season. These 40-day challenges will help your church grow their small groups, bring unity in divided times, and give a much-needed break to your staff by providing turnkey resources. Let’s partner up. Find out more at www.redletterchallenge.com/join.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Jon Acuff’s Finish book: 92% of resolutions fail
Being Challenge: 40-day book to be like Jesus
The Bible Study by Zach Windahl
Key insights from the episode:
The systems you have to finish the goals are even more important than the goals themselves. - Zach Zehnder
A keystone habit is a habit that unintentionally carries over into other aspects of life. - Zach Zehnder
My discipleship flows out of my relationship with God. - Zach Zehnder
Keystone habits are important, but spiritual keystone habits are the best. Zach Zehnder
We don’t have to guess how to be in relationship with God, we can look to Jesus. - Zach Zehnder
Jesus talked about or practiced being alone over forty times in the Bible. - Zach Zehnder
Studying Scripture is vital to our lives today because that is where we discover who God is. - Zach Zehnder
Prayer gives us direction. - Zach Zehnder
Church interrupts the negative message of the world. - Zach Zehnder
Zach Zehnder’s Challenge: Take one small step on one of the Five Keystone Habits from Being Challenge.
How do you grow in your relationship with God? There was only one person who has ever existed in a perfect relationship with God, and His name was Jesus. Being Challenge introduces you to the habits that Jesus practiced, which are habits we are called to practice. The more we “Be” like Jesus, the more we will see our true identity. What are you waiting for? If you want to go deeper into leading yourself (and your church) to building the habits of Jesus, we’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Being Challenge.
Many Christians today aren’t great at maintaining the habits of Jesus.
Even the most “mature” Christians struggle with opening up in community, prioritizing prayer, and seeking regular solitude. But that doesn’t have to be your story.
The Being Challenge guides you through 40 days of practical, simple-to-understand challenges to help you learn, develop, and grow in the five keystone habits of Jesus.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
Some not-so-key insights:
Zach Zehnder has written or co-written 10 books and doesn’t have a single ghostwriter.
Michael Phelps has gills. - Chris Johnson
Many life coaches will start with people flossing their teeth to get them on the right track.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chestly Lunday isn’t intimidated by virtual reality, atheist youth, Metaverse, or the new digital age. He embraces the challenge of finding a way to share the gospel of Jesus using new tools and strategies. Rather than feeling like you need to choose, Chestly encourages churches to get real about who they are called to reach so that discipleship can happen on a day-to-day basis. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
From personal productivity, to team leadership, to leading change, and almost any other leadership challenge you’ll face, The Art of Leadership Academy has the answers to your questions—all for the fraction of what a typical conference or consultant would cost.
To learn more and to get instant access to every single course, call, and training the Academy has to offer, go to www.theartofleadershipacademy.com.
As a member of the Academy, I’d love to see and connect with you there. If you join, just search for my name on the App and send me a message!
Resources mentioned in the episode:
ChestlyLunday.com
REVEAL Study from Willow Creek
Digital Church Network
Key insights from the episode:
The two paradigms are 1) You have to be in a building to connect, and 2) you can connect no matter where you are. - Chestly Lunday
Everybody having the “church on internet” conversation is over 25. - Chestly Lunday
Our churches reach who they are perfectly designed to reach. - Chestly Lunday
Nobody is for everybody because everybody doesn’t show up to your church. - Chestly Lunday
If you are not clear about who you are, then you’ll get lost. - Chestly Lunday
Culture has been making disciples for decades, and it’s better at it than the church is. - Chestly Lunday
Information, experience, and relationship are the three pieces to transformation. - Chestly Lunday
In the digital age, what you are going to see is the primary product of the church is not Sunday morning any more, it’s discipleship. - Chestly Lunday
Chestly’s weekly Challenge:
For the disciple: What is God saying to you, and what are you going to do about it?
For the church leader: Figure out a discipleship process for your church.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We did an extensive study of everything that Jesus commanded of us and located 5 key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! Not only will you get results back immediately, but you will also be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Some not-so-key insights:
- Chestly wants Chris J’s wardrobe consultant.
- Is Chestly trying to bring back four-hour sermons?
- Zach never got the Taco Bell Mexican pizza.
- Chestly has been waiting for Rosie, the house robot from the Jetsons, for a long time!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The world’s greatest parody writer Eric Bramlett discusses the rift between the church and the theater community. He breaks down comedy, it’s place in the church, and why artists are our modern-day prophets. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Forgiving Challenge.
As Eric was talking in this interview, it showed me the power of God’s freedom that comes through forgiveness.
We’d love to help you and your church discover what freedom in forgiveness feels like by exploring the powerful forgiveness that Jesus offers to each and every one of us.
We’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Forgiving Challenge.
The Forgiving Challenge takes you on a life-changing journey to experience the gift of God’s grace so that you can share it with others. It also helps you identify and walk through the five phases leading to freedom.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
Resources mentioned in the episode:
The Beatles Xmas
Community Christian Church Naperville, IL
Porch Light Theater Group
Exponential.org
Key insights from the episode:
If you can make fun of yourself, it makes you relatable. - Eric Bramlett
Theater artists are actively participating in creation every day. They are so close to the creative work of God; they are just missing the source. - Eric Bramlett
Any churches that align themselves with a political party put walls around themselves. - Eric Bramlett
Historically the church has been pro-art, but in America, we just don’t see that anymore. - Eric Bramlett
The artists are our modern-day prophets if they are allowed the chance to speak. - Eric Bramlett
Eric Bramlett’s challenge: in the small stuff, extend and receive forgiveness.
As Eric was talking in this interview, it showed me the power of God’s freedom that comes through forgiveness.
We’d love to help you and your church discover what freedom in forgiveness feels like by exploring the powerful forgiveness that Jesus offers to each and every one of us.
We’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Forgiving Challenge.
The Forgiving Challenge takes you on a life-changing journey to experience the gift of God’s grace so that you can share it with others. It also helps you identify and walk through the five phases leading to freedom.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
Some not-so-key insights:
Eric measured all his parodies to Weird AL Yankovich, the king of parody.
Red Letter Living is #29 on the Christianity charts in Kenya.
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Pastor’s wives wear many hats. Sharon Zehnder’s hats are wife, mother, grief counselor, speaker, and author. Going back for her master’s degree after becoming empty nesters, Sharon proves that no matter what stage in life you are in, God’s always got more for you to do. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
How do you distribute the amazing Jesus-centered content that you are creating? Carey Nieuwhof, through the Influence Kickstarter, helped my organization clarify who its target is, and this has been a game-changer for our business. Carey Nieuwhof and The Art of Leadership Academy are offering this free mastermind that will help you amplify your reach and impact online by:
- Identifying your dream audience
- Learning how to get them to notice you and connect with you; and
- Figuring out which platforms are worth your time and effort and which aren’t
To register for free, visit influencekickstarter.com. Building online influence doesn’t have to be intimidating or complicated. And it also doesn’t have to be gimmicky or ruin your integrity.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Crosswords for Grief by Sharon Zehnder
Extreme Devotion: Daily Devotional Stories Of Ancient To Modern-Day Believers Who Sacrificed Everything For Christ by Voice of the Martyr
www.griefshare.org
Key insights from the episode:
Pastors' wives often feel overlooked. - Sharon Zehnder
Grief is the unexpected loss of a dream. - Sharon Zehnder
All of that loss is stacking up, and we are left unable to grieve. - Zach Zehnder
‘Companion-ing,’ or walking alongside someone, is how you help someone grieve. - Sharon Zehnder
Sometimes the less said is better. - Sharon Zehnder
You’ve got to be real, to feel, to heal. - Sharon Zehnder
The grief waits for you to deal with it. - Sharon Zehnder
Sharon Zehnder’s Challenge: Make someone feel important today.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We did an extensive study of everything that Jesus commanded of us and located 5 key targets into which Jesus invites His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! Not only will you get results back immediately, but you will also be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Some not-so-key insights:
Chris’s jacket screams, “Make me feel important!”
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
David Douglas has had more than one radical 180 degree change in his life. From living as a mailman and choosing to be an addiction recovery director to DNA testing revealing an entire family and seven siblings to this adopted child. Through all of the changes, Jesus has been faithful. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Every pastor knows small groups are important, yet a lot aren’t too happy with where their small groups are right now. You can grow your small groups right now. That’s right. We have helped more than 800 churches grow their small groups, and it’s not as hard as you think. Our super-simple, easily-doable 5-step guide to grow your small group strategy is found by clicking on this link.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Hand in Hand, Lake Country, FL
When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor...and Yourself by Steven Corbett and Brian Fikkert
Gritfest
GRIT 4 LIFE: God, Relationships, Integrity, and Truth by David Douglas
Addictionhelp.solutions
Key insights from the episode:
Most people look at the symptoms, but they are just symptoms of an underlying problem. - David Douglas
What the devil meant to destroy, God is using for good in your life. - Zach Zehnder
Each addiction has an underlying problem. - David Douglas
There is a high amount of addition is found in postal workers, firefighters, policemen, and EMTs. - Dave Douglas
Let’s not be so worried about all the things an addict did. Let’s talk about what they are going to do. -David Douglas
When you start your search into your past [as an adopted child], make sure you know who you are. - David Douglas
David Douglas’s Challenge: Tackle an issue you don’t like in your life by self-reflecting instead of self-condemnation. (Bonus challenge: treat your postal worker!)
As David was talking in this interview, it showed me the power of God’s freedom that comes through forgiveness.
We’d love to help you and your church discover what freedom in forgiveness feels like by exploring the powerful forgiveness that Jesus offers to each and every one of us.
We’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Forgiving Challenge.
The Forgiving Challenge takes you on a life-changing journey to experience the gift of God’s grace so that you can share it with others. It also helps you identify and walk through the five phases leading to freedom.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
Some not-so-key insights:
Dave absolutely did not deliver someone’s mail because of a dog.
The greatest gift David ever received as a mailman was chocolate chip cookies.
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Bill Woolsey is excited about seeing other people’s creative ideas come to life. After serving as a pastor, Bill started Five Two, an organization which helps entrepreneurs start things! Their proven approach clarifies, equips, and activates the unique callings of others. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Creating content is one thing. Distributing it is another. Carey Nieuwhof, through the Influence Kickstarter, helped my organization clarify who its target is, and this has been a game-changer for our business. Carey Nieuwhof and The Art of Leadership Academy are offering this free mastermind that will help you amplify your reach and impact online by:
- Identifying your dream audience
- Learning how to get them to notice you and connect with you; and
- Figuring out which platforms are worth your time and effort and which aren’t
To register for free, visit influencekickstarter.com. Building online influence doesn’t have to be intimidating or complicated. And it also doesn’t have to be gimmicky or ruin your integrity.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Five Two
Soaring Educational Services
Faith at Work Devotional from Five Two
Key insights from the episode:
Billions of people don’t think the way you do, and many of them live right next door to you. - Bill Woolsey
87% of the people in our churches don’t know their spiritual gifting. - Zach Zehnder
Five Two wants to help you clarify, equip, and activate your calling. -Bill Woolsey
The number one reason the young people from my church didn’t come back was that there were no other young people there. - Chris Johnson
The number one reason ventures fail is that they have something nobody wants. - Bill Woolsey
If you can get “Who is this for?” right…you’re there. - Bill Woolsey
Encourage means to literally “pour in courage.” - Bill Woolsey
Five Two: 111 new ventures since 2015 99,505 introductions to Jesus
What’s the platter you are going to serve Jesus on? - Bill Woolsey
Bill Woolsey’s Challenge: If God only allowed me to minister to just one type of person, who would that person be, and what would they be like?
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We did an extensive study of everything that Jesus commanded of us and located 5 key targets into which Jesus invites His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! Not only will you get results back immediately, but you will also be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Some not-so-key insights:
Mother Theresa and a friendly Mark Cuban would definitely not have dated. - Chris Johnson
Zach is starting a competitor ministry to Five Two called Seven and a Few.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Nona Jones is the Head of Global Faith Partnerships for Facebook/Meta and is a world-renowned author, pastor, and speaker. You wouldn’t think someone with her resume would ever worry about insecurity or compare herself to others. Hear her journey of how she is killing comparison, celebrating others, and using her social media as a ministry to others. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
From personal productivity, to team leadership, to leading change, and almost any other leadership challenge you’ll face, The Art of Leadership Academy has the answers to your questions—all for the fraction of what a typical conference or consultant would cost.
To learn more and to get instant access to every single course, call, and training the Academy has to offer, go to theartofleadershipacademy.com.
As a member of the Academy, I’d love to see and connect with you there. If you join, just search for my name on the App and send me a message!
Again that’s theartofleadershipacademy.com to sign up today.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Killing Comparison: Reject that You Aren’t Good Enough by Nona Jones
Global Faith Partnership
NonaJones.com
Key insights from the episode:
We get lost in the transactional nature of social media. - Nona Jones
Social technology gives us access to sides of people we don’t normally see. - Nona Jones
As believers, everything we post is an opportunity to bring others closer to Jesus. - Nona Jones
“It doesn’t matter how many followers you have if they are not following God too.” - Nona Jones
“Insecurity isn’t caused by social media, it is revealed by it. The real cause of insecurity is ‘What is your identity tied to?’” - Nona Jones
Physical appearance is an insecure foundation: 1) you will age and 2) standards change.
- Nona Jones
The biblical character Jonathan proves to us that God’s favor on someone else’s life is not a threat to the purpose on our own. - Nona Jones
Humility is fully occupying your lane of life. - Nona Jones
Where insecurity sees someone as a competitor, humility sees someone to celebrate. - Nona Jones
Nona Jones’s Challenge: Think about who is the person who triggered your insecurity. Reach out to that person, encourage them, and pray for them.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. So we did an extensive study on everything that Jesus commanded of us and located key targets. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. You will get results back immediately and be presented with practical steps and challenges to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
There is no better time for Tony Morgan’s The Unstuck Group ministry than now. He believes that healthy churches are often stuck in a hard season. His advice for balancing discipleship and evangelism is relevant to every church and every disciple; just walk across the street. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
As an author, podcaster, blogger, communicator, or content creator, do you ever feel like you put in the same amount of effort as others, but don’t see the same results? Carey Nieuwhof and The Art of Leadership Academy have a free mastermind that will help you amplify your reach and impact online by:
- Identifying your dream audience
- Learning how to get them to notice you and connect with you; and
- Figuring out which platforms are worth your time and effort and which aren’t
To register for free, visit influencekickstarter.com. Building online influence doesn’t have to be intimidating or complicated. And it also doesn’t have to be gimmicky or ruin your integrity.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
The Unstuck Group
The Unstuck Group Assessment
Key insights from the episode:
In most cases, it’s not that churches are unhealthy; they are healthy churches that are just stuck. - Tony Morgan
In-person attendance still seems to be a good barometer for engagement in many other areas of a church’s ministry. - Tony Morgan
For those that only engage online, are we actually going to be their church in a moment of crisis? - Tony Morgan
Is your online service going to be your front door or just another door? - Zach Zehnder
Traditional church pastors are starting to act like church planters. - Tony Morgan
Healthy churches need both a reach strategy and a healthy spiritual formation strategy. - Tony Morgan
A reach strategy should be a part of the life of every person who calls themselves a Christ follower. - Tony Morgan
Because of social media, we have more relationship connections than ever, but we don’t know how to do relationships. - Tony Morgan
When there’s an interruption, we lean in. -Tony Morgan
Rather than going across the globe, the biggest challenge I have is going across the street. - Tony Morgan
Tony Morgan’s Challenge: Be intentional about engaging with someone who you know but don’t really know.
For so many Christians, the discipleship process isn’t very clear.
They know they need to go to church, pray, not sin, and maybe attend a small group. While these are great things, they don’t outline a clear path leading people to live more like Jesus.
We’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Red Letter Challenge.
When you and your church take the challenge, you’ll have a clear 40-day discipleship path that will help you master five key areas of discipleship.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Myron Pierce opens up his story and how he went from a troubled teenager with a 200-year prison sentence to becoming a leader or leaders, an entrepreneur, a pastor, a father, a husband, an author, and so much more! To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. Pastors and church leaders, we create 40-day challenges that have helped more than 800 churches produce greater disciples. Not only this, but our resources grow small groups by more than 40%. If you are a pastor or church leader, not only can you find out more at this link, but you can also request a FREE 40-day challenge mailed to your door there.
As you plan for the end of this Fall or even the start of the New Year, we’d love to partner with you and we have some amazing deals with our ready-to-go church packs. But, first, get a FREE copy on us.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Digital Ministry: Pastoring In a Pandemic by Myron Pierce
Shift Omaha
The Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative
Own the Pond Summit
MyronPierce.com
Mission Church
Key insights from the episode:
Myron, a man who once had a 200 year sentence, is now speaking to 200 prisons.
In order for Paul to write “I can do all things through him who strengthens me”, he had to experience something to validate that conclusion. - Myron Pierce
I’ve survived prison, I’ve seen peopel stabbed, iv’e seen people die, i’ve seen gange riots break out, ive seen gang fights in prison….but God told me, “Your purpose is bigger than your prison.” - Myron Pierce
Gangs taught me how to disciple people. - Myron Pierce
Sometimes I don’t need to open my mouth for evangelism. I just need to actually do the work so that people can open their mouth for me. - Myron Pierce
The largest missional and entrepreneurial incubator on the planet is the local church. - Myron Pierce
“It used to be ‘Give a man to fish, feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, feed him for life.’ We say, “Own the pond!” - Myron Pierce
“What if we made 10% of North Omaha’s inner city population, 7,000 people, into entrepreneurs?”- Myron Pierce
Myron Pierce’s Challenge: Evaluate yourself: how much time are you spending making disciples? Use Myron’s HOPE method.
For so many Christians, the discipleship process isn’t very clear.
They know they need to go to church, pray, not sin, and maybe attend a small group. While these are great things, they don’t outline a clear path leading people to live more like Jesus.
We’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Red Letter Challenge.
When you and your church take the challenge, you’ll have a clear 40-day discipleship path that will help you master five key areas of discipleship.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
Some not-so-key insights:
Prison is like a WalMart that you can’t get out of. - Chris Johnson
We are going to blow the hinges off of hell! - Myron Pierce
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chief Curatorial Officer of the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C., Dr. Jeff Kloha, gives us a glimpse into the wonderful world of the museum, his opinions on YouVersion Bible App, and why he is optimistic about people’s Bible reading habits. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
As an author, podcaster, blogger, communicator, or content creator, do you ever feel like you put in the same amount of effort as others, but don’t see the same results? Carey Nieuwhof and The Art of Leadership Academy have a free mastermind that will help you amplify your reach and impact online by:
- Identifying your dream audience
- Learning how to get them to notice you and connect with you; and
- Figuring out which platforms are worth your time and effort and which aren’t
To register for free, visit influencekickstarter.com. Building online influence doesn’t have to be intimidating or complicated. And it also doesn’t have to be gimmicky or ruin your integrity.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
The Bible Museum
YouVersion Bible App
The Samaritans: A Biblical People Exhibit
Key insights from the episode:
When people hear the word ‘museum,’ most of them think “boring, dusty, old.” When people hear the word ‘Bible,’ what do they think? “Boring, dusty, old”….so what could possibly be more boring than The Museum of the Bible? It’s like “boring squared.” The goal was to create a space to showcase the Bible in an engaging way. - Jeff Kloha
Some positives that we should be focusing on with Bible reading statistics are that people who don’t read the Bible are open to reading it; they just don’t know how to get started. - Jeff Kloha
YouVersion’s findings indicate that more people are engaging during the week: Monday through Saturday than they were pre-COVID. - Jeff Kloha
Let’s be creative in how we are bringing God’s Word to people. - Jeff Kloha
The key to all this, and it’s always been this way, it’s up to us as individual people to come alongside, to find out where people are at, and to help them find their way into the Bible. - Jeff Kloha
It has always been the people of God bringing the Word of God to others. - Jeff Kloha
What really was the draw [to the job of chief curatorial officer] was to try to do something different. - Jeff Kloha
Beginner readers of the Bible need to go to the Psalms. - Jeff Kloha
The phrase “kingdom of God” occurs 105 times in the gospels. - Jeff Kloha
A non-negotiable is to love your neighbor. - Jeff Kloha
Dr. Jeff Kloha’s Challenge: Pick up the Bible and read for seven days in a row.
Dr. Kloha has given his life to help people understand God through the Bible. Did you know that studying Scripture is one of the 5 Keystone habits of Jesus? That’s right. If you want to go deeper into leading yourself (and your church) to building the habits of Jesus, we’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Being Challenge.
Many Christians today aren’t great at maintaining the habits of Jesus.
Even the most “mature” Christians struggle with opening up in community, prioritizing prayer, and seeking regular solitude. But that doesn’t have to be your story.
The Being Challenge guides you through 40 days of practical, simple-to-understand challenges to help you learn, develop, and grow in the five keystone habits of Jesus.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
Some not-so-key insights:
What could possibly be more boring than The Museum of the Bible? It’s like “boring squared.”
Being a chief curatorial officer does not mean Dr. Kloha goes around with a cowboy hat and bullwhip and collects artifacts.
Professor Kloha’s favorite classes to teach were the ones Zach and Chris were NOT in! (Just kidding!)
One of Dr. Jeff Kloha’s goals is to be less snarky than he was when he was a professor. As soon as he sees Zach and Chris, it all kicks back in.
Dr. Jeff Kloha threatened to give Zach and Chris a Greek quiz after the interview!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Pastor Mark Schulz may be retired, but he’s not tired! He shares what retirement has been like for him so far and why he believes God is calling him to minister to the LGBTQ community. Pastor Schulz also addresses how to avoid placing too much identity in your career, and last but not least, where to get the best pizza in Chicago! To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
very pastor knows small groups are important, yet a lot aren’t too happy with where there small groups are right now. You can grow your small groups right now. That’s right. We have helped more than 750 churches grow their small groups, and it’s not as hard as you think. Our super-simple, easily-doable 5-step guide to grow your small group strategy is found by clicking on this link.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Robert Colb - The Christian Faith
fullyandtruly.org
Markschulz@fullyandtruly.org
Key insights from the episode:
You can’t run away from God; eventually, He gets you where He wants you to be. - Mark Schulz
Don’t sweat the big stuff all the time. - Mark Schulz
When you show up in the little things, God works in big ways. - Zach Zehnder
I wasn’t ready for the “Now what do I do?” piece of retirement. - Mark Schulz
I’m one who believes that what you want to do and what you should be doing ought to be pretty meshed in your life. - Mark Schulz
How do I stay faithful to what God’s Word has to say and yet lead with love and grace, which is what I believe God wants us to do? - Mark Schulz
The good first right question to ask is not “Is being gay a sin?”; the good first question to ask is “Where is your source of identity?” - Mark Schulz
86% of the LGBT community grew up in a faith-based community. - Mark Schulz
75% of the gay community long to return to the faith of their youth if they felt like they would be welcome. (In the average American population, the same claim is 9%). - Mark Schulz
The first thing we need to do is listen more and talk less. - Mark Schulz
Mark Schulz’s Challenge: Have one spiritual conversation with someone this week.
As Mark was talking in this interview, it showed me how much collective work we have to when it comes to forgiveness.
We’d love to help you and your church discover what freedom in forgiveness feels like by exploring the powerful forgiveness that Jesus offers to each and every one of us.
We’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Forgiving Challenge.
The Forgiving Challenge takes you on a life-changing journey to experience the gift of God’s grace so that you can share it with others. It also helps you identify and walk through the five phases leading to freedom.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
Some not-so-key insights:
Luminati's is the best pizza in Chicago, and if you're going to get Chicago pizza, deep-dish is the way to go. - Mark Schulz
Write three wedding messages in seminary, and you never need to write another wedding message. - Chris Johnson
Maybe we ought to start serving mimosas and egg sandwiches at church. - Chris Johnson
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Todd Doxzon was an NFL player living from himself until a mentoring relationship with Kurt Warner, a number of trades, and a series of injuries took him out of the game forever. He refocused his life on following Christ after reading the entire Bible in a year. Doxzon planted Love Church in Omaha, NE, and is committed to sharing God’s best with others. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
The gap between how quickly you change and how quickly things change is called irrelevance. The Art of Leading Change course, taught by leadership expect Carey Nieuwhof, is a step-by-step guide to navigating the right changes and implementing them successfully. In the program, you get the entire playbook for leading change—from start to finish—including what changes are worth the risk, when to make changes, how quickly to make them, and how to communicate change. Plus, learn how to do this while minimizing the opposition and pushback. Until August 31st, you can sign up for The Art of Leading Change at it’s introductory price by visiting theartofleadingchange.com.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
180Ministries
Love Church
Key insights from the episode:
You can be a competitor and still love Jesus. I never knew! I always thought those were two mutually exclusive ideas. - Todd Doxzon
I found when I would excel athletically and would get attention, affirmation, and acceptance, my identity began to be based on performance. On one hand, it's good because it creates a crazy drive to succeed; on the other hand, what happens when that goes away? - Todd Doxzon
There’s a lot of people out there who are saying, “I’m gonna show you, Dad,” “I’m gonna show you, girlfriend,” so it’s power, but tragically, if it’s not converted into an identity of “I know who I am and I want to maximize what God’s given me,” then there are problems. It’s a mind shift. - Todd Doxon
If I'm fully convinced that I have all I need in Christ, then I'm not as needy for other people's approval or to desire to be in the “in crowd” anymore. We built bridges and reached these athletes through relationships and serving. - Todd Doxzon
There were little ways where you would just serve. We lead with service and unconditional love, not judgment, and it built bridges. - Todd Doxzon
When I’d go to a new team, one of the first things I would do is open up my Bible. Not in a weird way, but I wanted early on for them to know who I was. - Todd Doxzon
The blanket question I am asking all the time is, “Lord, what are you inviting me into in this season?” - Todd Doxzon
Bring it real. Don’t be a phony, bring it real. - Todd Doxzon
Words that the church and disciples are not known for as much are the things the world needs: fulfillment, joy, and happiness. - Zach Zehnder
We need to redefine and help people to see that, yes, God wants something great for you! God’s happy! Heaven is a party! What about any of this says God doesn’t care about happiness? - Zach Zehnder
Todd Doxzon’s Challenge: RESET: Rest, Evaluate, Saturate, Elevate, and Transition. Find some time to RESET this week.
Todd talked a lot about your identity being shaped by God, and not the other way around. Did you know that we find our identity in our relationship with God. But how do you grow in your relationship with God? There was only one person who has ever existed in a perfect relationship with God, and His name was Jesus. Being Challenge introduces you to the habits that Jesus practiced, which are habits we are called to practice. The more we “Be” like Jesus, the more we will see our true identity. What are you waiting for? If you want to go deeper into leading yourself (and your church) to building the habits of Jesus, we’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Being Challenge.
Many Christians today aren’t great at maintaining the habits of Jesus.
Even the most “mature” Christians struggle with opening up in community, prioritizing prayer, and seeking regular solitude. But that doesn’t have to be your story.
The Being Challenge guides you through 40 days of practical, simple-to-understand challenges to help you learn, develop, and grow in the five keystone habits of Jesus.
You can learn more about the challenge here!
Some not-so-key insights:
Todd Doxzon is the nicest Iowa State graduate Chris has ever met.
Alliteration and acronyms are Zach’s love languages outside of food.
Todd Doxzon’s best years were his first three years since he moved to Omaha, NE when he was four years old.
Watch the entire season for free:
We’ll be uploading every episode of season one of The Red Letter Disciple on our Youtube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here!
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
FLAME is a pioneer in the world of Hip-Hop and Rap music. He shares the journey that took him from a kid growing up in the inner-city who combined his interest in rap along with a terrible tragedy to being a Grammy-nominated performer and artist. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Season 2 of The Red Letter Disciple Podcast could not have been possible without Carey Nieuwhof and The Art of Leadership Academy. On August 22-23, the Art of Leadership Academy is hosting a FREE 2-day, value-packed “Church Disruption Summit.” Change is inevitable. Irrelevance isn’t.That’s why Carey Nieuwhof is hosting the Church Disruption Summit, a free value-packed event where he’ll dissect the “7 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Define the Church of 2032.” Sign up today at www.churchdisruptionsummit.com.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Concordia Seminary
The Cross Movement (CM)
Extra Nos Academy
Twitter: @flame314
TikTok: @flameextranos
Key insights from the episode:
“Educa-tainment” - Flame’s grandmother is credited with suggesting he rap to remember facts for tests and he fell in love with rap and hip-hop.
While hip-hop did start off with just the party vibe and telling the story of the inner city, it quickly turned to the gang culture, drug culture, and a celebration of criminal activity. The church was caught off-guard by the collection of young people that were excited about rap and combining it with the gospel. - Flame
We are in a season of trying to educate the elder giants of the faith that we, the young people they are passing the baton to; it may look different from the way we are trying to communicate this ancient truth from the scripture, but we do have the heart of God, we have the Holy Spirit leading us. - Flame
Hip-Hop and rap will be the fastest-growing worship song genre. We need to create content that will engage the youth. - Zach Zehnder
God is the creator of music, sound, and blending and pairing; if we can see hip-hop music as a thing that is innocent in and of itself, that has been usurped by the mainstream society or the devil, then we can ask, What if Christians can get a hold of it, yield it to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, then we can couple it with the gospel? - Flame
We’ve seen this musical journey before in terms of traditional gospel music coming from the blues; even some hymns have their origin in some mainstream things that were going on. - Flame
When you see the goodness of God’s creation being expressed out loud and being submitted to the Lordship of Christ, it’s the best of both worlds. - Flame
The way some people have sanctification arranged in the room, you’ll always stub your toe on it. - Flame
In the generic American church, baptism is seen as work; it is seen as something that we do when we are ready to prove to God that we are serious about Jesus, or we are ready to hit reset. But it’s upside down. Baptism is a gift from God to us. - Flame
You’re always going to see your own inconsistencies, your own hypocrisy, your own disintegration, so I feel like what Lutheranism did was bring me out of myself to focus on Christ and his finished work. Now with my sanctification, I can do good in the world as opposed to being so absorbed with ‘Am I good enough?’ ‘Am I pure enough?’ ‘Are my affections aligned with how Jesus would feel about this?’ I had to break out of that mindset. - Flame
People that are tapping out of Christianity because they feel overwhelmed by this unattainable thing, I think they'll be attracted back to their Lord when they hear Lutheranism expanded. - Flame
We need to be Lutheran out loud in the arts so that people can know afresh that Jesus is for us. - Flame
A big common issue in the world today is mental health and identity, and society answers that question by telling us to look within. - Flame
One of the best habits I have is I try to get back on Sundays so that I can worship with my church body. - Flame
Tragedy does one of two things, it presses you in, or it presses you out. For Flame, it seems like the tragedy in his life pressed him into God. - Zach Zehnder
Flame’s challenge: Hear God’s voice in a world of competing voices. Take some time to read a chapter or a verse from the Bible and listen to what He has to say to you today.
Lead yourself (and your church) to be more like Jesus.
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Join your hosts Zach Zehnder and Chris Johnson as they challenge you to become greater disciples of Jesus. In this preview episode, Zach and Chris will share what the listeners can look forward to in Season 2. So, subscribe, follow, rate and review on your favorite platform so you don’t miss out on any of the 13 new episodes. Season 2 starts August 16!
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Lifeway Research Executive Director Scott McConnell gives some encouraging data about discipleship and the church. He dives into the future of the church and shares what encourages him about the next generation. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Join the FREE webinar on August 11th at 1 PM CST called “Fund Your Vision—Don’t Let Money Limit Your Ministry.” Phil Ling, President of The Giving Church, will be joining me and we’ll dive into how The Giving Church has helped more than a thousand churches raise more than a billion dollars. They also commissioned a study with more than 4000 churches and uncovered some incredible data that we will bring out in this webinar. Phil will talk about what he has learned through both his experience and through this unique study. You won’t want to miss it. We will be giving away loads of free stuff as well! You can sign up at www.thegivingchurch.com/red and you can grab a FREE PDF “5 Ways to Grow Your Church’s Giving,” while you are there.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Lifeway Research
Most Teenagers Drop Out of Church When They Become Young Adults
Despite Stresses, Few Pastors Give Up on Ministry
Red Letter Challenge Assessment
5 Actions That Will Immediately Encourage Discipleship in Your Church
About Three-in-Ten U.S. Adults Are Now Religiously Unaffiliated
The Parent Adventure by Selma and Rodney Wilson and Scott McConnell
Americans Hold Complex, Conflicting Religious Beliefs, According to Latest State of Theology Study
Key insights from the episode:
Christians like to inflate the percentage of people leaving the church. One statistic that is not true is young adults leave the church and never come back. - Scott McConnell
Our latest research was in 2021, and only 1.5% of pastors are stepping away from the pastorate in a year. - Scott McConnell
We tend to overinflate leaving rates (young adults and pastors). - Scott McConnell
We tend to want to toss out membership numbers these days because they aren’t great, but they are still relevant and an important indicator - Scott McConnell
We are trying to understand the discipleship needs so we can help people take a step closer to Christ and to encourage them to spur one another on to love and good deeds. - Scott McConnell
If you are anything but a small congregation church you cannot cover all the discipleship needs for each person, so tools and assessments are going to be a great systematic tool. - Scott McConnell
One of the challenges we face in surveys is to ask about more than just actions, we try to get at their desires, heart issues, and beliefs. - Scott McConnell
We asked what statistically predicts a closer walk with God and found that praying for opportunities to share your faith with others moved into the top spot. - Scott McConnell
29% of Americans indicate no religious preference/atheist/agnostic and that percentage has gone up 1% every year for the past decade. - Scott McConnell
We spend significant time studying other world religions statistically, if we are about maximizing, then we need to be spending at least as much time reaching the atheist or agnostic. - Zach Zehnder
People, whether they are followers of another religion or no religion, still have core human needs and if we can be sharing the gospel in a way that points to Jesus and how he satisfies in a way that no other source can, that’s our opportunity. Scott McConnell
The numbers you see from statistics never tell the whole story. If the numbers look impossible, the Holy Spirit is still working. - Scott McConnell
People that are in a small group on a weekly basis are more likely to read their Bible, serve within and outside the church, tithe, and volunteer. - Scott McConnell
A young person is 3.5 more times to stay in church if at least three adults poured into them at a young age and they can name them. - Scott McConnell
Young people’s failures tend to be those that we pass on to them or reactions to the previous generation. - Scott McConnell
As parents, one of the biggest encouragement you can give is to keep engaging with your teens and trying even if you are only getting one word back. - Scott McConnell
Scott McConnell’s Challenge of the week: Have a short conversation with God about opportunities that you can have this week to share your faith.
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Danielle Strickland wakes up every morning determining to embrace love. She isn’t afraid to question long-time practices such as church buildings, ordination, and the addiction problems in our world today. Finally, don’t miss her battle to be the greatest Star Wars fan ever! To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Join the FREE webinar on August 11th at 1 PM CST called “Fund Your Vision—Don’t Let Money Limit Your Ministry.” Phil Ling, President of The Giving Church, will be joining me and we’ll dive into how The Giving Church has helped more than a thousand churches raise more than a billion dollars. They also commissioned a study with more than 4000 churches and uncovered some incredible data that we will bring out in this webinar. Phil will talk about what he has learned through both his experience and through this unique study. You won’t want to miss it. We will be giving away loads of free stuff as well! You can sign up at www.thegivingchurch.com/red and you can grab a FREE PDF “5 Ways to Grow Your Church’s Giving,” while you are there.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
ORU Chapel 2020: "The Discipleship Secret" by Danielle Strickland
Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love by Helen Fisher
Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps by Richard Rohr
Recovering (Pastoring for Life: Theological Wisdom for Ministering Well): From Brokenness and Addiction to Blessedness and Community by Aaron White
The Other Side of Hope: Flipping the Script on Cynicism and Despair and Rediscovering our Humanity byDanielle Strickland
jennariemersma.com
Altogether You: Experiencing personal and spiritual transformation with Internal Family Systems therapy by Jenna Ricemar
infinitumlife.com
Women Speakers Collective
Key insights from the episode:
We overcomplicate things we don’t want to do. – Danielle Strickland
The opposite of pleasure is duty, not pain. – Danielle Strickland
Serving people out of obligation is soul-destroying. – Danielle Strickland
When I move away from love, I move into obligation, safety, and disconnection. – Danielle Strickland
I think that the discipleship secret is not that we arrive at love and stay there, but that we keep moving towards love. – Danielle Strickland
I want to fall in love with Jesus again today. – Danielle Strickland
Anything that prevents people from encountering God needs to go. – Danielle Strickland
What did Jesus do that made him so safe that a woman felt so safe and wasn’t concerned about being abused? That is a worthwhile study. – Danielle Strickland
I think the number one problem with anything we do, the anti-discipleship posture, is “me-centered”. It can look like arrogance, but it can also look like insecurity. – Danielle Strickland
Danielle Strickland’s 5 tips for public speaking: 1) authenticity, 2) connection over performance, 3) don’t write it out, talk it out 4) posture of curiosity over judgment 5) answer the question, “So what?” – Danielle Strickland
Danielle Strickland’s Challenge of the Week: Connect with another person to walk with you in your faith.
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Often we benchmark our growth against ourselves when the real indicator of growth is if you are matching the growth of your community. Rich Birch breaks down ideas of tracking church growth and what actual measurements to use. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Join the FREE webinar on August 11th at 1PM CST called “Fund Your Vision—Don’t Let Money Limit Your Ministry.” Phil Ling, President of The Giving Church, will be joining me and we’ll dive into how The Giving Church has helped more than a thousand churches raise more than a billion dollars. They also commissioned a study with more than 4000 churches and uncovered some incredible data that we will bring out in this webinar. Phil will talk about what he has learned through both his experience and through this unique study. You won’t want to miss it. We will be giving away loads of free stuff as well! You can sign up at www.thegivingchurch.com/red and you can grab a FREE PDF “5 Ways to Grow Your Church’s Giving,” while you are there.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Unseminary Blog
Unseminary Podcast
7 Facts About Church Growth That Will Make You Think Twice
7 Startling Facts: An Up Close Look at Church Attendance in America
Church Growth Flywheel master class
Church Growth Flywheel book
Gallop Survey: Sermon Content Is What Appeals Most to Churchgoers
Warren Bird
Key insights from the episode:
It’s the practical things that hold churches back from growth, not theology. - Rich Birch
Executive pastors and those leading from the second or third chair live at the intersection of vision and execution. - Rich Birch
The way fast-growing churches think is not just to get first-time people in the door, but how do we build a community that ultimately moves people into a growing relationship with Jesus. - Rich Birch
Churches that are growing are benchmarking against the wrong thing: don’t benchmark against yourselves, benchmark against the growth of your community. - Rich Birch
Only 6% of churches in the country are growing faster than the community they are in. - Rich Birch
Our church attendance is in decline. If those trends continue, the actual church attendance in 2050 will be half of what it was in 1990 while at the same time, the population will double. - Rich Birch
No growth and staying small are not OK, if you remain where you are you will lose ground. - Rich Birch
The sweet spot is growth just over the growth of the community. - Rich Birch
Online giving presents a new challenge of a “set it and forget it” mentality. - Rich Birch
The healthy and ideal way to grow that is reasonable and sustainable is to grow 10% a year. - Rich Birch
The local church is the only organization that exists for people who are not here yet, every other business exists for its members. - Rich Birch
Fast-growing churches equip their members with all kinds of resources to help them invite their friends. - Rich Birch
70% of why people come to a church is because of the teaching. - Rich Birch
People will talk to their friends about what they are hearing at church if they think it will make a difference in their lives. - Rich Birch
Invitability: It’s not about you, it’s about your friends. - Rich Birch
People like to be a part of something that makes a difference. - Rich Birch
Rich’s Challenge of the Week: Practice inconvenient hospitality this week.
Some not-so-key insights:
Omaha is a slice of heaven. - Rich Birch
McDonald’s has the best poutine in Canada. - Rich Birch
Petting zoos (including turtles) can grow your church. - Rich Birch
I don’t want to build a better mousetrap to catch a bunch of church followers. - Rich Birch
I can watch church now with my egg sandwich and a mimosa. - Chris Johnson
Those that eat poutine have a three year longer expectancy. - Zach Zehnder
If it wasn’t for Canadians we would be pulling our shirts and jackets off because we couldn't fasten them. - Chris Johnson
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Josh Dotzler on Racism, How He Went from a Top Starter for Creighton Basketball to Inner City Pastor, and Why He Describes His Obedience to God as “Kicking and Screaming.” To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
On August 11th, I’ll be hosting a FREE webinar called “Fund Your Vision: Don’t Let Money Limit Your Ministry” with Phil Ling from the Giving Church. The Giving Church has helped more than a thousand churches raise more than a billion dollars. In addition, they commissioned a study with more than 4000 churches and uncovered some incredible data that will help grow your church’s giving. Phil will talk about what he has learned through both his experience and through this unique study. You won’t want to miss it. We will be giving away loads of free stuff as well! You can sign up at www.thegivingchurch.com/red and you can grab a FREE PDF “5 Ways to Grow Your Church’s Giving,” while you are there.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Abide.com
Letters from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr.
Church in Crisis by Josh Dotzler
JoshDotzler.com
Key insights from the episode:
I had a coach tell me that you need to be with as many girls as possible until you are 30, then you decide who you want to be with. But all these coaches didn’t have great marriages. Looking back, marriage was our first act of obedience to God. Obedience was what God constantly called us to; we have been obedient, kicking, and screaming. - Josh Dotzler
Let’s embrace the fact that when we are in this world, we are not always going to have an easy life.– Zach Zehnder
We partnered with the police to establish over 700 neighborhoods that could potentially be revitalized. - Josh Dotzler
You not only talked the talk, but you also walked the walk. – Chris Johnson
In inner-city communities, anyone who is successful moves out. They don’t stay. Abide means to stay and dwell. It’s the power of presence. Something happens when you live in and abide in the neighborhoods. - Josh Dotzler
It’s estimated crime is down 70-75% wherever we have a presence because of the intentionality of those families living in that community. – Josh Dotzler
Sundays are the greatest picture of our individual preferences. – Josh Dotzler
It wasn’t until my dad became a minority living in a predominately black community that he could start understanding what it was like for his wife to be black in a predominantly white culture. – Josh Dotzler
One of the things the black community needs the most is white advocates. - Josh Dotzler
The church must be more holistic even in our understanding of trying to
be the solution to racial reconciliation. – Josh Dotzler
Covid highlighted the crisis of the church. I heard more about compassion fatigue than ever during COVID. I’ve never heard a pastor talk about tithing fatigue or attendance fatigue, but compassion fatigue. I don’t think we’ve conditioned our congregations to allow compassion to be a consistent expression of who we are. - Josh Dotzler
Red letters cause us to cross red lines. I believe as we get into those red letters, it compels us to eliminate red lines and leads to a revolution. – Josh Dotzler
Josh Dotzler’s Challenge: Get in the game, small steps. Find areas of red lines in your city this week and go there and be present. (be a customer, pray, serve, get involved, volunteer, educate yourself, etc.)
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
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Rusty is all about simple. But simple doesn’t mean shallow. After a devastating staff suicide rocked his church, Rusty discusses how his church kept their focus in the midst of this tragedy, and how we can be of help today to those having suicidal thoughts. He also helps the listeners understand that discipleship is about transformation, not just information. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Don’t let obstacles stop you. One of my favorite things in the world is when we can take the obstacles of the enemy that were meant to destroy us and flip them for the glory of God. Phil Ling and his team at the Giving Church can help. If you need help in terms of plowing through giving obstacles, if you need coaching, consulting, or even experts in running capital campaigns, get connected with them. But first, enjoy a FREE PDF for how to grow your church’s giving today! Go over to www.thegivingchurch.com/red.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Kaywarren.com
After Amen by Rusty George
Pastorrustygeorge.com
Leading Simple Podcast
Key insights from the episode:
The wrong assumption was that if we give people more information, then transformation will happen. Some of the most knowledgeable people aren’t even Christians. -Rusty George
Discipleship is like golf. Hearing the word of God is a backswing, but doing the word of God is the follow-through. – Rusty George
For many of us, the most opportune time we get to behave like Jesus is in the parking lot of the church. – Rusty George
Suicide never makes things better. You are not a burden. The wake of devastation you will leave behind would be far greater than any burden you feel like you are right now. – Rusty George
If suicide happens in a church family, everyone wants someone to blame. The quicker you can shift the blame from who to blame to how can we help, the better you’ll be. – Rusty George
I’m not going to waste an opportunity to tell my story because it can help someone else out. – Rusty George
It’s assumed that all church leaders have it figured out when in fact, we are all struggling. – Rusty George
The lies from the enemies around suicide: 1) they’ll be better off without you, 2) no one will miss you, 3) you’re insignificant, or 4) don’t you want to be out of the pain? – Rusty George
Rusty George’s Challenge: Write down what you pray for.
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
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In today’s episode, Kadi Cole talks about the difference between leadership and discipleship, and specifically how to develop female leaders. She explains why the best discipleship happens when people are close to the leader and what that means for the church. And, as a self-proclaimed lover of potlucks, she gives us her breakdown of the best and worst foods to bring to a potluck. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Now could be the perfect time to launch a capital campaign. Go with a kingdom-minded, Christ-centered team that has proven results. That’s our friends from The Giving Church. They’ve helped more than 1000 churches raise more than a billion dollars. Crazy! Go on over to www.thegivingchurch.com/red and download a FREE PDF for how to grow your church’s giving today!
Resources mentioned in the episode:
- Developing Female Leaders: Navigate the Minefields and Release the Potential of Women in Your Church by Kadi Cole
- Leadership Academy
- Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Beach Gardens
Key insights from the episode:
For most of us, we interconnect leadership and discipleship, but they are two different things.
Leadership sits on top of discipleship. - Kadi Cole
In discipleship, we are all equal. However, leadership has qualifications. You can be removed from leadership, you cannot be removed from discipleship. - Kadi Cole
Most people won’t serve in full-time ministry roles or pastors, and we do our congregation a disservice when we don’t allow them to grow as disciples in their own spaces. - Zach Zehnder
It is almost universally the experience of women who have leadership gifts that they are not often asked into formal leadership roles in the church to find more organic influential ways outside the church. - Kadi Cole
The higher calling that Scripture talks about is not your career path but to follow Jesus with your whole life. - Kadi Cole
Women’s role in leadership in the church is not a theological issue; it’s a leadership issue. - Kadi Cole
You have to say it. Godly women will assume they are not welcome in leadership unless you say it. What men leaders can do is articulate where they want women to serve at church. - Kadi Cole
We need to systematize how we develop leaders so that organic leadership can happen.
- Kadi Cole
Small church accountability and familiarity are the foundation that allows you to grow exponentially. - Kadi Cole
God’s not looking for success; he’s looking for faithfulness. - Kadi Cole
The further away a new believer is from a mature leader, the harder discipleship is. - Kadi Cole
There are seasons for church, and God will send you the people you need in certain seasons. - Zach Zehnder
Mature believers need more accountability and more oversight, not less. - Kadi Cole
One of the ways you can tell God’s timing is by who he sends you. - Kadi Cole
Kadi Cole’s challenge: Find freedom and flexibility in the way in which you connect with God
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
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After describing himself as lacking ambition, Adam Griffin seems to prove himself wrong. Whether he is investing in the personal lives of teens, transforming children’s lives as a public school teacher, writing books with Pastor Matt Chandler, or leading a church plant to become its own autonomous church, Adam is relentlessly devoted to making disciples who follow Jesus. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Pastors, all of us have different gifts and strengths when it comes to leading the church God has entrusted to us. For me, I’ve always leaned on experts to help when I’ve got a kingdom vision that requires raising funds. Some of the best experts in the field are our Season 1 Partner, The Giving Church. They’ve helped more than 1000 churches raise more than a billion dollars. Crazy! Go on over to www.thegivingchurch.com/red and download a FREE PDF for how to grow your church’s giving!
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Eastside Church
Family Discipleship by Adam Griffin and Matt Chandler
The Village Church
Key insights from the episode:
A lot of the problems in youth ministry is that you are dealing with people who have adult-sized problems but child-sized maturity. - Adam Griffin
Throughout my ministry, I have struggled with a sinful lack of ambition. I have such crippling insecurity about things. I’ve always depended on the Lord to take me to the next thing. - Adam Griffin
Today, in American culture, there is an assumption that you cannot be both a Christian and be unbiased in a conversation. I don’t have to set aside the fact that I am a Christian to engage with culture. - Adam Griffin
We need to be training the next generation to be resilient. - Adam Griffin
Family discipleship is an ordinary everyday lifestyle. Let them see your flaws and share your own repentance. - Adam Griffin
You don’t have to be a theologian or scholar to fulfill the role God called you to follow Him and lead your kids to follow Him. - Adam Griffin
Most parents believe they are the primary spiritual leader of their kids, but hardly anyone has a plan to do that. - Zach
There are tons of resources on doing family discipleship, but none on how to make a plan. - Adam Griffin
The three aspects of Family Discipleship are 1) Time, 2) Moments, and 3) Milestones. - Adam Griffin
I’m always trying to reinvent ways to read the Bible in new ways. - Zach Zehnder
A church cannot be built around anyone but the man of Jesus Christ. - Adam Griffin
It’s harder to revitalize churches than plant new ones. - Adam Griffin
We need every single type of church to be the fullest and greatest expression collectively of Jesus we can be in the world. - Zach Zehnder
The younger generation doesn’t love brilliance or humor; they love novelty. But just as easily as they love a new thing, that new thing gets old. The gospel is ageless and timeless. - Adam Griffin
Adam’s Challenge of the Week: Check your emotional health, especially on how you compare to other people. Do you look at others and see their weaknesses and feel better about yourself or do you look at others and see their strengths and feel worse about yourself? Where has coveting sought into your heart? - Adam Griffin
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
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What story is your church or life telling? Story is the thread that knit the entire history of the world together. Peter McGowan has dedicated his life to helping people tell their own stories in order to ultimately tell the greatest story of Jesus. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Season 1 of The Red Letter Disciple Podcast could not have been possible without our friends from The Giving Church. Helping more than a thousand churches raise more than a billion dollars for kingdom dreams to come to fruition, do not let financial lids limit what God can do through your church or ministry. Go on over to www.thegivingchurch.com/red and download a FREE PDF for how to grow your church’s giving!
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Aimee Semple McPherson
Harry Potter author reveals books' Christian allegory
Mariner’s Chapel
Most pastors cannot produce more than 35 good sermons in a year (and only about one-quarter of those will be really good.)
Plain Joe
Storyland Studios
Steamboat Willie
YouVersion Bible
Key insights from the episode:
The church has forgotten to tell its story. - Peter McGowan
Story is not just oral or written tradition, it’s a broader vocabulary of design and interaction. - Peter McGowan
The Basic Idea: storytelling needs to be 1) emotional storytelling, 2) special storytelling, and 3) interactive storytelling. - Peter McGowan
Story can connect executive leadership with lower IT managers so that their visions are lined up. - Peter McGowan
The suspension of disbelief is what made Jesus a powerful storyteller. - Peter McGowan
Story is not some new marketing buzzword we just came up with; throughout human history, it’s been led by the storytellers. - Peter McGowan
The creator of the universe comes to this earth, he could have written the whole new testament, and the only thing he wrote down was something temporary in the dirt. - Peter McGowan
Steve Jobs invented the iPhone with a storyline of being able to do all of it without a keyboard. - Peter McGowan
Elon Musk is a modern-day storyteller the church should be listening to right now. - Peter McGowan
I don’t want to go back to the way we did things pre-Covid. - Zach Zehnder
The church is the only organization that does a new content service every week but it is a hamster wheel that burns them out. - Peter McGowan
Our ability to tolerate change and progress is what’s going to allow us to adapt. - Peter McGowan
So many churches think stewardship is saving everything they have and making every dollar stretch. We’re called to take risks and have that return on investment. - Peter McGowan
Peter’s Challenge of the Week: Ask a family or close friend a story or memory they have about the two of you. Why is that their favorite memory?
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
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Church planting is the future of Christianity. This is why Dave Ferguson is so passionate about reaching his goal of seeing 16% of churches in America be either a reproducing or a multiplying a church. Dave also helps us see as individuals how we can love our neighbors well. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Season 1 of The Red Letter Disciple Podcast could not have been possible without our friends from The Giving Church. Did you know 45% of those that give to church give $200 or less in a year? The potential to increase giving is certainly in your church and The Giving Church can help you unleash greater generosity. Go on over to www.thegivingchurch.com/red and download a FREE PDF for how to grow your church’s giving!
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Dave Ferguson website
Community Christian Church
New Thing
Exponential Conference
Pete Craig Alpha Craig course
Bless Book by Dave Ferguson
Key insights from the episode:
Exponential Conference’s mission is to get 16% of the churches in North America to be level 4 (a planted church) or level 5 (reproducing churches.
Current Landscape of American churches:
- 35% declining
- 35% plateau
- 30% growing
The five different levels of church growth: 1) a church in decline, 2) a plateau 3) growing 4) reproducing church planting 5) multiplying: church multiplying itself. Usually, people only think of the first three levels of growth, but the goal ought to be level 4 and level 5. - Dave Ferguson
In order to get to level 4 or 5, you have to reproduce micro before macro. Make disciples inside the church before you can recruit disciples outside of the church. - Dave Ferguson
Overseas churches are rapidly reproducing disciples. Part of the reason we don’t see that same growth in the United States is that we can’t figure out how to multiply disciples. - Dave Ferguson
India and Africa are growing the fastest because they are planting the gospel and making disciples, not worrying about the logistics of the church. There it is less about the production and more about the relationship. - Dave Ferguson
When Dave gets it right, the practice he does to stay focused is his RPMs through Journaling: Read, Prayer, and Meditation.
Prayer doesn’t always need to start with talking, but with silence and meditation. Create space for the Holy Spirit to move. - Dave Ferguson
The 5 steps on how to love your neighbor (BLESS)
-
Begin with Prayer
-
Listen
-
Eat
-
Serve
-
Story
Dave’s Challenge of the Week: Have an “I See In You (ICNU)” conversation with someone. Encourage someone close to you and speak a blessing over them.
(Example: I see in you, Chris, a future on a video in Exponential Conference.)
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
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On April 15th of 2013, Rebekah Gregory was attending the Boston Marathon. She and her son were three feet away when the bomb went off, and miraculously, God protected them both. Today she shares what she’s learned from this tragedy and how it’s forever changed her life. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Did you know that a Boeing 747 is made up of over 6 million parts?! Even if we had all the parts, none of us would know how to put everything together. Only the experts would know-how. Speaking of experts, our friends at The Giving Church have helped more than a thousand churches raise more than a billion dollars for kingdom dreams to come to fruition. If you need help with anything financially, as small as coaching or consulting or as big as a capital campaign, let these experts help you put your kingdom vision together. Go on over to www.thegivingchurch.com/red and download a FREE PDF for how to grow your church’s giving!
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Rebekah’s Angels
Rebekah’s instagram
Rebekah’s TikTok
Here’s a great TikTok to introduce you to Rebakah’s sense of humor.
Here’s another hilarious TikTok
Key insights from the episode:
I believe it’s a privilege to struggle. - Rebekah Gregory
The emotional trauma had almost more of an impact than the physical trauma on me and my son. - Rebekah Gregory
There are very limited resources available to help kids work through PTSD. - Rebekah Gregory
It’s often where we’re most broken that our purpose is revealed. - Zach Zehnder
We’ve helped over 250 families receive therapy treatment for their trauma. - Rebekah Gregory
God makes good things happen out of the bad. - One of Chris’ mentors
Forgiveness isn’t for the other person. It’s for you. - Rebekah Gregory
I wanted him to look at me. I wanted him to know that he didn’t defeat me. - Rebekah Gregory
I got to stand in front of the biggest enemy of my life and tell him he didn’t win. - Rebekah Gregory
Throw your expectations for your life out the window and appreciate what it is right now. - Rebekah Gregory
Life is beautiful, and I’m very blessed. - Rebekah Gregory, amputee and survivor of the Boston Bombing.
Rebekah’s Challenge of the Week: Throw the expectations you have of your life out the window. Appreciate what you have right now. So, count your blessings, not your problems.
Lead yourself (and your church) to find freedom in forgiveness.
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
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So many people start reading the Bible, get discouraged, and quit by Leviticus. Why does this happen? Today, Zach Windahl talks about the first time he understood the Bible, reconstructing his faith, and why he wrote The Bible Study. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Season 1 of The Red Letter Disciple Podcast could not have been possible without our friends from The Giving Church. Helping more than a thousand churches raise more than a billion dollars for kingdom dreams to come to fruition, do not let financial lids limit what God can do through your church or ministry. Go on over to www.thegivingchurch.com/red and download a FREE PDF for how to grow your church’s giving!
The Brand Sunday
The Bible Studyby Zach Windahl
B90X 90-Day Bible Reading Plan
Zach Windahl on TikTok
Zach Windahl on Instagram
The Brand Sunday on Instagram
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
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001: Carey Nieuwhof on Leadership vs. Discipleship, Living at Your Best, and What He Really Thinks About People With Traeger Grills.
Leadership and discipleship often look like two very different things. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Today, CEO, leadership expert, and founding pastor Carey Nieuwhof joins us for the first episode of the Red Letter Disciple Podcast. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com.
Season 1 of The Red Letter Disciple Podcast could not have been possible without our friends from The Giving Church. Did you know 45% of those that give to church give $200 or less in a year? The potential to increase giving is certainly in your church and The Giving Church can help you unleash greater generosity. Go on over to www.thegivingchurch.com/red and download a FREE PDF for how to grow your church’s giving!
Resources mentioned in the episode:
https://careynieuwhof.com/
At Your Best by Carey Nieuwhof
Red Letter Challenge 40-Day Discipleship Challenge
The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast
The Art of Leadership Academy
At Your Best Course
Episode 1 of the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast with Andy Stanley.
A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.
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Join your hosts Zach Zehnder and Chris Johnson for the 1st season of the Red Letter Disciple Podcast as they challenge you to become a greater disciple of Jesus.
The challenge begins on May 17th 2022!
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