I Heart PCA - the Podcast: Recent Episodes
Doug Serven
What is right, good, and beautiful about our little denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America. Doug and Justin interview various people and pastors looking for redemptive themes, important theological nuggets, good stories, and a few laughs.
The hosts talk to the sibling power duo - The Pfeutzes - about rocks and chalks, counseling, enneagram, Covenant Seminary, and more.
The hosts speak with Bruce O'Neil and Bruce Harrington about their experiences as a pastor and an elder and how they got there. They dish out some delicious advice. We don't talk about other PCAs.
Bruce Harrington will publish a book - Grace-Centered Economics, so be looking for that. We didn't get to talk about it unfortunately.
The hosts talk to artist, author, and museum curator Sunni Mercer about these art pieces, her work on the OKC Memorial and the cultural center in Little Rock, her book TIG and the upcoming Thelma - and the PCA.
We discuss this other PCA.
The hosts talk to Bobby Griffith about his church in Pennsylvania, his entry into the PCA (and later exit), his PhD, his church planting days, and a bit about this PCA.
The hosts talk to Doug (the other one) about his life and ministry in the PCA, his love for LA teams, and his hopes for all of us.
And we discuss this other PCA.
The hosts speak with journalist Megan Fowler (our favorite Megan Fowler) about Pennsylvania, Walt Turner, snow, overtures, and this PCA.
Not this Megan Fowler.
The hosts talk to Bill Thomas, director of the Southwest Church Planting Network about life, work, church, sports, and this PCA.
Bill wants emails! bill@plantchurch.org. Email him anything. Advice. Tips. Recipes. Gossip. Recs.
The hosts talk to Josh Eby, who started and directs Vida House, among other things like Peru Mission and his important work helping churches find pastors.
We talk about this PCA.
The hosts discuss cohorts, church planting during the pandemic, and the color orange with Chris and Casey.
They talk about this PCA.
The hosts discuss politics, OKC, OU, DC and more with Chuck Garriott, the director of Ministry to State.
And this PCA.
The hosts get to talk to Wendy about the best podcast she's been on, her books, her church plant, and this PCA.
The hosts talk to Rev. Chris Accardy from Grace for Granada Church in Granada, Mississippi, about being a PK, wandering from the Lord, returning, the call to ministry, his heart for the lost - and more. We neglect to talk about another PCA.
The hosts talk to Reed DePace about his church and ministry, his chapter in Hear Us Emmanuel, sports, and doggies.
We discuss this PCA.
This episode has a PCA disco song - for Denise Tlustos.
The I Heart PCA interns had the brilliant idea to write some new lyrics to country songs - makes sense, right? Here you go.
One important note - all of these singers are from foreign countries. They weren't corrected if they got a word or two wrong. And they had some doozy lyrics to work with (sorry about that). We think they're wonderful. And please don't tell the artists!
So:
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I Try to Think about Morton - this is what we do when we don't want to think about the pandemic or politics
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Shoes - a tribute to some of the great Presbyterian pastors who are still living and ministry as of the recording of this song
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Nothing Loves Like Liturgy Does - duh
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Buy Me Some Votes - how we can get what we want passed at GA
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Diggin' Up Bones - sorry to break it to you, but not everything in the PCA world is awesome
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Are you Sure - a slow ballad about whether or not you want to join a church, presbytery, or denomination
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You Can't Get There From Here - you want to escape frustration at GA?
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Weight Gain - when we hyper focus on one sin area
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Just Because - when you leave a church to go somewhere else
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Pastors Sweetheart - oh yeah
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Fears Gonna Live Here - how we make a lot of decisions and declarations and blogs and conferences
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Step Inside My House - this one is about one PCA pastor who shall remain nameless unless he names himself
The hosts talk to Mike about his church plant in Halifax, sports, tv, Canadian stuff, and the PCA.
We also discuss this PCA.
This episode has a PCA Country song - Weight Gain.
Here are the lyrics:
Well I just came up from Atlanta
I had the ear of the PCA headquarters
I was thinking about the overtures the year before
I’d taken a bit of time
Thought I might go on by
Then the reality came floodin in
And you closed that door
Chorus
Forget that weight gain baby
Everything else matters more
Keep focused on the grey
Crashin in the gay
Forget about that weight gain baby
To keep other issues way at bay
Wish I had the heart
To kick porn to the end of the chart
I’ll keep the slander part
Forget that weight gain baby
Forget that weight gain
Forget about that weight gain
Every time I talk to you
I hear the jealous lies
I feel like I’ve got to justify
My full on compromise
Every time I hear rebuke
My conscience won’t fire up
I double down. It’s not a kook.
My stocks are going up
Chorus
When I read on Proverbs 6
I stumble on the list
So I’ll start a blog
And forget my log
The wolves within my midst
And every time I think I’ve got it
The libs we’ll beat them back
I wish the Spirit would come through
We’ll make that front attack
Forget about that weight gain baby
Everything matters way way more
Koreans just can't pray
They don't do it the right way.
Forget about that weight gain baby
Wish I had the heart
To kick my porn addiction
And I’ll keep the slander part
Forget about that weight gain baby
Forget about that weight gain baby
Forget about that weight gain baby
The hosts talk to Michael Keller from Redeemer Lincoln Square about his church, his journey into the PCA, his pool rugby skills, his taste in musicals, his parents, and his dissertation.
We talk about this PCA.
The concluding theme song is from Jadyn Edgar, our guest in S2E4.
This podcast is sponsored by Storied Publishing. Publish your dream.
The hosts talk to Ashley about her books, speaking, embarrassing moments, and when to get a haircut. And the PCA.
And this PCA.
And at the end, there's this:
아마 비탈길이 미끄러울걸
마치 어장에 던져진 붉은색 청어
잠시나마 진정된 블로그
모든 허위 임차인은 반대하니까 꺼져
SJW CRT 그리고 Side B
우리가 다 커버 해치를 쏘고 이단들은 질식
우리세상에서 가장 작은 텐트
우린 우리의 모든결정 의견을 담아네
우린 개혁에 두려워하지않아
우리 주님의 말씀은 주일에 전하니까
9 points and the 9 point sevens
누군 들어오고 나가 천국에 갈때까지
우린 개혁에 두려워하지않아
우리 주님의 말씀은 주일에 전하니까
9 points twos and the 9 point sevens
누군 들어오고 나가 천국에 갈때까지
The hosts talk to Jenilyn about her ministry, the PCA, her book, and the figjam.
We discuss this PCA.
This episode is brought to you by Storied Publishing. It has a PCA Country song at the end. Here are the lyrics:
Just because I asked a friend about the article
Just because I donated money somewhere
Just because I rang the number of the stated clerk
They think I still care
Just because I hate By Faith articles
Where the progressives linger everywhere
Just because I’m not the brooding guy I used to be
They think I still care
But if they’re happy thinking I’ll blog and post a little less
Then let that silly notion bring them cheer
But how could they ever be so foolish
Oh where would they get such an idea
Just because I blogged about them
Just because I held that conference somewhere
Just because I offered imprecatory prayers
They still think I care
The hosts talk to Esther Meek about the PCA, epistemology, philosophy, her books, and other exciting things.
We discuss this PCA.
It's all brought to you by Storied Publishing. Be like Esther - publish your book!
The hosts talk to Steve Froehlich about life in Ithaca as the pastor of New Life, his journey into the PCA, pronouns, and kicking cancer to the curb.
Playing along? - Load up this PCA.
The hosts talk to one of the world's Travis Scotts about his time in New Zealand. his book, bowling in Pittsburgh, Murder by Death, and much more.
We talk about this PCA.
There is a PCA country song at the end. Here are the lyrics:
I ain’t smart, but I damn sure wanna be
Pastorin like this just ain’t workin’ for me
I wish I had a voice in the denominational bucket
There are some overtures to which I say suck it
I know everybody says donuts can’t buy happiness
But they could buy me some votes
It could buy me the church to pull it
It could buy me a Yeti one ten iced down with some silver bullet
I know what they say, donuts can’t buy everything
Well, maybe so,
But they could buy me some votes
They call me grace boy, Kellerite, Side B promoter
But that could change if I had another thousand voters
I keep hearing that donuts are the root of all evil
And you can’t fit a camel through the eye of a needle
I’m sure that’s probably true
But it still sounds pretty cool
Cause they could buy me some votes
It could buy me a church to pull it
A blog or post or group finds the silver bullet
Yeah, I know what they say, politics can’t buy everything
Well maybe so,
But it could buy me some votes
I float the slippery slope with a beer
I hear the end of the PCA is getting really near
Well, that would get me a whole new presby deal
And it could buy me some votes
It could buy me a platform to pull it
It could buy me a facebook group to expose all progressive bullets
Yeah, I know what they say, donuts can’t buy everything
Well maybe so
But we’ve got the votes
Yeah I know what they say, grace can’t mean what it means
Well maybe so,
But we’ve got the votes
Do we got the votes?
Doug and Justin talk to Dan Doriani about tennis, seminary, his podcast, and joy.
We talk about this other PCA.
Listen to the hosts talk to Lloyd Kim, the director for Mission to the World, the PCA's missionary agency. We talk about how he got into the PCA, ask his advice, and how we can all help join in.
The PCA we also talk about is on this link.
This episode has a PCA country song. Here are the lyrics:
Hughes Oliphant Old
Wrote books so bold
Looking for a modified time
With a cool attitude
About the new worship views
We’ll worship both morning and night
I said enthusiastic hellos
To the ancient lingos
So let’s give low church a fight
Cause nothing loves it like liturgy does
Nothing can
I can’t take the Hillsong buzz
Like liturgy does
I’d sure like to find
An old prayer tonight
I’m putting this service together
The boys around here
Livestream I fear
They don’t have church calendar tether
My modern professors
Greek an Hebrew expressors
Helped give low church a fight
Cause nothing loves like liturgy does
Nothing can
I can’t take that Baptist church buzz
Like liturgy does
We said the confession
Checked off by the session
We regulated every principle
Moved on to the sermon
My wheels were all turnin
Making sure it’s all expositional
I held up the bread
It’s by faith then I said
You’re drinking the blood all right
The hosts chat with David Cassidy about Spanish River church, picks, sermons, books, and more. We talk about this PCA.
This podcast is brought to you by Storied Publishing. They publish books with redemptive themes. Check out their title, and write one yourself!
Here is the first bit of the PCA Country song you hear at the end:
You know this world is full of preachers
While all of us are chosen
Some tear your heart out when they preach
Imagine life without them
All your Presby heroes
Ewan’s accent that walks through your best dreams
There will never be another
David’s preach it to the bones
Russ Whitfield chased away the blues
Howie brought us heaven
Or Ince and Alex
Lord, I wonder who’s gonna fill their shoes
Who’s gonna fill their shoes
Who’s gonna stand that tall
Who’s gonna vote at GA
Keep us laughing through it all
Who’s gonna give his heart and soul
To get to me and you?
Lord, I wonder who’s gonna fill their shoes?
God bless the boys from Memphis
That tank top sure does tempt us
Bob’s donuts won that close vote that one year
Sauls and Dalbey’s outreach
Twit out there for a tenth speech
And Coffin’s cheat sheet helps beat down our fears
The hosts talk to Maria about what's going on with her in Baltimore with BALM, and about her book A Thousand Resurrections, her chapter in HUE2, and her new book Stronger Together.
We talk about this PCA and give it a rating.
This pod is brought to you by Storied Publishing, where you can find that Hear Us Emmanuel book.
This episode has a PCA Country Song at the end, and it's about what we think about when we're trying not to think about.... you can fill in whatever you'd like to not be thinking about but there was something in mind. Here's how it starts:
I try to think about Morton
Dabney
Keller’s latest book
I think about the cds
and dvds
how RC got me hooked
I try to think about Khandjian
And his fandom
Anything to get me through
I just can’t concentrate
You’re all I hear about these days
We talk to Jadyn about what it's like to be a PK - and Taylor Swift. She drops her advice to the PCA, and we vote on this other PCA.
The podcast is brought to you by Storied Publishing. They've got you covered on books to buy and ways to publish your own work. Give them a holler.
Greg Johnson talks about Memorial Presbyterian Church and his new book Still Time to Care as he unpacks his life, faith, ministry, and the misunderstandings that swirl around him.
We discuss our next PCA.
The pod is brought to you by Storied Publishing - you've got a book in you? Let's talk! We can help.
The hosts talk to Tom Gibbs about all he's done in the PCA, and now his new role as President of Covenant Theological Seminary.
We evaluate a PCA.
And if you want to buy books or figure out the process of writing and publishing one, check out Storied Publishing.
In this episode the hosts talk to three guests—Chuck Isaac, Jeff White, and Max Rodriguez—about their thoughts on ministry on the US Mexico border. They are pastors and leaders at Christ the King and Las Tierras in El Paso.
If you want to play along with the Best PCA game, here is the first entry.
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The pod is brought to you by Storied Publishing - you've got a book in you? Let's talk! We can help.
Season 2 kick off for I Heart PCA. Doug and Justin give a bit of an update and overview of the new features on the pod for this time around. But it's still the same basic format where we talk to people about what's up in our denomination. You heard it here first. All the news that's fit to print.
The podcast is brought to you by Storied Publishing. They help get your ideas out there and into a book. Got a book in you? Give them a holler.
You'll hear about re-written country songs, but don't tell because we don't want to get in trouble for copyrights. The production team hired one main singer over and over, and she's not from around here, so her accent comes through. Instead of redoing them, we decided we heart them exactly this way. But it renders some lyrics a bit tricky to understand. Here's the first go:
Last night I pulled the books out from my growing massive drawers
I laid some on the table and I read a bit til four
I found some things I’d forgotten right up til the break of dawn
Yeah, I’ve been sittin’ alone digging up bones
Thinkin’ bout the first blast and the monstrosities of women rift
Some anti-semitism from the reformers is always a great gift
There’s a Servetus lurking in the corner of each and every home
Yeah tonight I’m sittin’ alone digging up bones
In this episode of Everything Just Changed by Brad and Bryce, they interview Pastor Mark Sayres.
RUF Campus minister (ordained PCA pastor) Kris Cooper starts to tell his story on how he ended up with us. Follow along on his journey and give him some love! Pop over to some of the books about topics like this that White Blackbird has put out over the years.
By special request, here are all the theme songs, and they're put in their general order of creation and execution. This compilation goes out to Super Fan Denise Tlustos. Let's put some suckers in seers and tank top in tears. Our oatmeal lumpy and our Calvinists grumpy.
If listeners would like to submit new songs, contact the producers and they can be added. Feel free to fiddle around with the lyrics - mix and match and add news ones (as long as they're I Heart PCA positive) - go for it. Thanks to those who contributed already (and in the White Blackbird ads).
Last shout out to - Roy Taylor!! Contact the producers so you can be on the show and drop your dimes. You were mentioned so many times, so don't ghost I Heart PCA!
No REGERTS on any of these.
What's next? Jazz, Latin, Weird Al, Marching band, what else?
The hosts talk to Rachael and Tim about their important work on the study committee, their stories, writings, advocacy - and HOPE. Watch Rachael's powerful speech here. No ads for White Blackbird books in this one, so visit their site here.
The hosts talked to Mike and Tim about their roles, churches, TYILUMS, social media in moderation -- and the PCA.
The hosts talk to Alan and Matt about - OBU, Shawnee, church planting, English professors, bison, and the PCA.
One of the hosts' favorite conversations - with Wayne Sparkman, about the PCA, its historical center, and all the goodies you can find in there. A place for your stuff to head toward.
The hosts talk to Richard Doster about By Faith magazine which is amazing, journalism movies, a bit of sports - and the PCA.
I Heart PCA features an episode by Everything Just Changed. Hosts Brad and Bryce talk about individualism - what is it, what it does, where it came from, and how to combat it.
The hosts talk to Casey about how she got in the PCA through RUF, what the future holds for women in the PCA, Memphis, WILLIE NELSON, some sports - and love for Christ and his church.
The hosts talk to Irwyn about his journey into the PCA, moderating, writing in HUE and The Beautiful Community, pastoring, and CrossFit.
The hosts get to talk to Ronnie Garcia about church planting, Puerto Rico, hurricanes, his chapter in HUE2 (wait, did they?), and Houston sports, including the Astros cheating scandal—and... the PCA.
The hosts talk to Ewan & Dennis about their chapters in Heal Us, Emmanuel and Christ in the Time of Corona, as well as the way the made their way into the PCA, and.... yeah... football. But not the pandemic. We reformatted a song to make it applicable and even better.
The hosts get to talk about PCA legend Randy Nabors about his journey into the PCA, his work in our denomination, the military, New England stuff, his books like Insufficient, and much more. We heart Randy.
The hosts talk to Christina about her non-profit End it For Good, growing up in the PCA (!!) and.... sports.
The hosts talk to power couple Robin & Rob about - tattoos, not dating pastors, adoption, Montana, their chapters in Hear Us, Emmanuel, and - the PCA.
The hosts talk to Jeremy and Jason about - the PCA - as well as their chapters in Christ in the Time of Corona, sabbaticals, the minor prophets, adoption, rockets, astros, longhorns, and cowboys. Most of this goes fairly well.
The hosts talk to Joel about the northeast, Dallas, seminary, the BCO, GA, his big party, sports, and - the PCA.
A battle of the last names. The hosts talk to Caitelen and Austin about music, worship, a tank top incident and - the PCA.
The hosts talk to Kevin Twit about RUF, Indelible Grace, HUE, Nashville, and all the music. He's hearted the PCA for a while for sure.
Two sisters-in-law dish it up from Seattle. We talk about their chapters in CoCo, about The Almost Dancer, Texas, Oklahoma, football, RUF, and of course the PCA.
In this episode, the hosts talk to Jen about her books, especially focusing in on lament and hope. We get some Canada references in after the mispronouncing of her name. And - the PCA.
I Heart PCA talks to Duke Kwon about pastoring in the PCA, his chapters in HUE and HUE2, his upcoming book with Greg Thompson about reparations, and pre-Jack Sparrow Johnny Depp.
The hosts talk to Jim Pocta - elder in the PCA, counselor, one of the authors of a PCA Study Committee Report. He discusses his experience and how and why in the world he was asked to do such a thankless job. You'll want to listen to hear his story!
The hosts talk with Steven Garber about how he's influenced them with his writings. He gives an update on where he's been and what he's doing and - sports. This podcast is the first time you'll hear a ukulele theme song!! (and it's from a special guest artist)
The hosts talk to Justin Wells about his latest projects, being a movie mogul, how he got in the PCA, and what he thinks about everything. Creativity in the PCA in the arts theme.
Your pandemicly challenged hosts try to get Jonathan Song to sing Oceans. And they talk about more music, names, the PCA, moving presbyteries, and what it's like to be recently married. Jon Song delivers for the most part.
In this episode, Doug and Justin get to the upper Midwest up to the land of Schlitz, Pabst, Milwaukee's Best, Laverne and Shirley. We bring to you the pastor of Friends of Sinners church, the man who has the least easy PCA pastor's name to spell - Dan Quakkelaar (imagine if he moved to ABQ!). He talks about his dad (see: Doing God's Work), his football career, and mostly about his love for Christ and his church.
Your I Heart PCA hosts talk to one of the best people in the PCA—Barbara Jones! Barbara is the Senior National Diversity Director for Mission to the World, but we talk about Michael Jordan, our denomination, mission trips, and her lead chapter in Hear Us, Emmanuel.
(Editor's Note- The first version of this episode had an ad by the-supposed-Morgan-Freeman that the producers missed. They producers are sorry to have allowed "Mr. Freeman" this time since it was not scheduled. They have been - yet again - reprimanded, and the podcast was fixed a day later. I Heart PCA apologizes to the original listeners who had to have that distraction.)
The indefatigable hosts call in Matthew Howell. Matt went to high school with JS, then was a student at OU, then went to seminary at RTS-C and ended up at RUF, and now is a pastor in MEM-USA. Call or email him with every pastoral question possible. He also free-styles, and he will leave you a rap message. We talk about many of these issues (though some were edited out), and you get a few glimpses of Inedible Grapes and the Mattechisms. Will you heart the PCA after this? It could be the dividing line on where you stand, the one in the sand, the shot, the in the room where it happened moment, the Krispy Kreme stock price futures of the PCA.
Doug and Justin talk to Brittany Smith about the PCA, her job as RUF Campus Staff at the University of Arizona, the book she edited (Co-laborers, Co-heirs: A Family Conversation), and her favorite parts about working with Doug at OU back in the day. We left off her board games and how much she makes selling on EBay - for next time.
[The producers apology a previous un-ready version of this was published first. That has been corrected and the producers have been reprimanded.]
Doug and Justin talk with Jim Wert - elder, former moderator, and coocoo for anything that i any way pertains to Tolkien. He just can't help it, so we pelt him with questions at the end.
The hosts talk to Greg Thompson about what's going on his life and ministry including phone calls to Sho Baraka, Union: The Musical, his work in Philly and Memphis - and of course the PCA (Covenant Seminary, RUF, Trinity in Charlottesville). And white supremacy.
Doug and Justin talk to Sarah about Covenant Seminary, RUF, San Antonio Tex Mex, Orlando theme parks, and her writing for CoCo. And her book, A Living Hope: A Study of 1 Peter.
We talk to Bryce about church planting in California, his own podcast, and sports - sort of, not much really.
Doug and Justin talk with Mark Dalbey (President of Covenant Seminary) and Lee Roland (pastor, principal and author of Fantastic Voyage: A Story of School Turnaround and Achievement By Overcoming Poverty and Addressing Race).
We discuss race, training pastors, the church, and we get into a little bit of Oklahoma history and - running backs.
Doug and Justin talk with Ray Cannata about how and why he hearts the PCA - including Katrina, the PCA Standing Judicial Committee (or is it Commission?), his krewe, the Rooted book, LSU, and he settles once and for all who killed JFK.
Yes, the producers know this is not the second episode but we had to stick with our naming nomenclature or else it will be even more confusing. Or will it?
Check out Rooted!
We wanted to bring this to you earlier than we had planned since we discuss current events a little more than usual. We talk to Scott about his books, his church, his mentor (TK), his hot chicken, his favorite hockey players, and he name drops quite a bit.
We bumped this episode up because we didn't want it to have to wait. Alexander Jun is a Korean-American PCA elder professor former moderator author. Wayland Cubit is a Black Baptist OKC police officer candidate for Sheriff for Oklahoma County. We discuss current events regarding George Floyd, and we go back to LA and Rodney King, pulling it all together for today. We end up talking a little football of course.
Mike K is a pastor, author, and he throws good parties. We talk about Miami, Baltimore, football, stumbling, grace - and the PCA.
Check out Mike's book, A Sometimes Stumbling Life!
