Pastor Writer: Conversations on Reading, Writing, and the Christian Life

Together, Jeff and Terra have co-founded the counseling and organizational development firm Living Wholehearted and also a grass-roots movement, Courageous Girls that helps moms walk with their daughters in every stage of their growing years. Jeff is an executive coach and organizational development specialist. Terra a licensed marriage & family therapist. The two host the Living Wholehearted Podcast and are coauthors of the recently released book, Shrinking the Integrity Gap: Between What Leaders Preach and Live.In our discussion, we explore the topic of integrity and the gaps between what we preach and what we live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC.The church also owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, The Miracle Theatre, as well as the DC Dream Center.Mark holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times best-selling author of 18 books including, The Circle Maker, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase and he has recently released Double Blessing, Whisper, and Play the Man. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harold Senkbeil was a parish pastor for 31 years prior to accepting a position as Associate Professor of Ministry and Mission at Concordia Theological Seminary.Since 2008 he has served as Executive Director and Emeritus Director for Spiritual Care for DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel and spends his time teaching and encouraging pastors to hone their skills in the ancient art of the cure of souls.Last summer, he released the book, The Care of Souls: Cultivating A Pastor's Heart. The book has since won: The 2020 Christianity Today Book Award for Church/Pastoral Leadership 2019 Gospel Coalition Ministry Book of the Year 2020 ECPA Christian Book Award Winner for Ministry Resources. Herold has also recently released another new book entitled Christ and Calamity: Grace and Gratitude in the Darkest Valley. He joins me to talk about the success of his book and about pastoring during these challenging times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dane Ortlund is the former chief publishing officer and Bible publisher at Crossway. Recently, he has left Crossway, receiving a call to full-time pastoral ministry. He has served as an editor for the Knowing the Bible series and the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series and is the author of several books, including Edwards on the Christian Life and a book I recently finished reading: Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brandon O'Brien is Director of Content Development and Distribution for Redeemer City to City, an organization that supports church planting in global cities.Brandon is the author of several books, including a recently released book entitled Writing for LIfe & Ministry: A Practical Guide to the Writing Process for Teachers & preachers. He lives with his wife, Amy, and two children in Uptown Manhattan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam Griffin is the lead pastor of Eastside Community Church in East Dallas, Texas. He previously served as an elder and spiritual formation pastor at the Village Church.This month he released a book he co-authored with Matt Chandler entitled, "Family Discipleship: Leading Your Home through Time, Moments, and Milestones." He joined me to talk about how the book came about and how parents can better take responsibility for disciplining their families. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eugene Cho is the director of Bread for the World, a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision-makers to end hunger at home and abroad. He is also the founder and former Senior Pastor of Quest Church – an urban, multi-cultural and multigenerational church in Seattle, Washington.Eugene has been featured in multiple news outlets including The New York Times, The Seattle Times, Christianity Today, The Guardian and numerous other media outlets. For his entrepreneurial work and spirit, He was honored as one of 50 Everyday American Heroes and a recipient ofthe Frederick Douglass 200—a list of 200 people around the world who best embody the spirit and work of Frederick Douglass,His first book, Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World?, released in 2014 and his second book, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian’s Guide to Engaging in Politics, released in March of this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a pastor and a parent, I know personally how hard it is to keep up with the culture my kids are consuming. I also know the impulse to ignore it and pretend it’s all ok. But the world isn’t that simple. Culture is a complicated mix of opportunities and risks. We have little chance of guiding our kids through that landscape without learning to discern a way first for ourselves. The Pop Culture Parent is the perfect companion for that endeavor. Full of theological and practical help, it belongs on every parent’s nightstand.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A few weeks ago I announced I had signed a publishing contract with Zondervan. I'm about 3/4 of the way through the manuscript and due to have it completed by the end of the year. Unfortunately, this past week we received some bad news about the project.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Karen Stiller is a freelance editor and writer. You can read her writing in Reader's Digest Canada, The Walrus, and Christianity Today. She is a senior editor of Faith Today (Canada's Christian magazine) and host of the Evangelical Fellowship fo Canada podcast. She lives in Ottawa with her husband Brent who serves as an Anglican priest.She joins me to talk about her new book, The Minister's Wife which was released this past May. In it, she shares her personal experience of faith, doubt, friendship, loneliness, forgiveness, and more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices