TGC Podcast

The Gospel Coalition hosted a workshop titled “Embracing the Beauty of Diversity” with Jackie Hill Perry, Jamie Ivey, and Ithohan Omolere at the 2018 Woman’s Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. The panel addressed the necessity and importance of diversity for Christians, beginning with God as the author of diversity and leading into how that should directly affect the lives of believers. They discussed what it means to celebrate diversity on an individual level, within families and friendships, and within the church. This episode of The Gospel Coalition podcast is sponsored by Austin Stone Worship. Austin Stone Worship's new album, WITHIN, is an honest, worship-filled overflow of broken sinners experiencing the relentless pursuit of a holy and loving God. As you listen, we pray your heart is stirred to love and worship Jesus. Listen to WITHIN on all streaming services, and find album resources at austinstoneworship.com.

The Gospel Coalition hosted a breakout panel titled “The Priority of Scripture in Our Doctrine of God” with John Currie, David Garner, Jonny Gibson, and Scott Oliphint at the 2019 National Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. The panel described the role of the Bible in our understanding of the Doctrine of God as formative, doxological, and pastoral. Scripture informs us from the very beginning of who God is, drives us to respond to God in unfettered worship, and equips God’s people for the work of ministry.

"God's sovereignty means that my son's death is not meaningless; it's not an accident. God is in control of all things, and that means that his death is meaningful."From Psalm 130 and his own personal experience of tragedy and loss, Cameron Cole addressed the process of continuing to trust in Jesus through deep, lasting pain and suffering. He emphasized the importance of a rich, biblical theology to prepare believers to suffer with great hope.  This episode of The Gospel Coalition Podcast is brought to you by Rooted Reservoir, an online resource by Rooted Ministry. Rooted Reservoir offers youth ministry curriculum, training videos, teaching illustrations, and an online community, to help youth ministers disciple students toward lifelong faith in Jesus Christ. Sign up by Wednesday, September 30, and save $20 with code TGC at RootedMinistry.com.

Eden Chen spoke at The Gospel Coalition’s first west coast conference in Fullerton, California, October of 2018, on the topic of faith and work. He focused on three practical topics for church leaders seeking to engage their people on the subject—calling, excellence, and evangelism.Chen addressed the role of the church in developing each of those aspects of engaging faith in the workplace and how Christians can utilize the workspace as an incredible opportunity for both excellence and evangelism. This episode of The Gospel Coalition podcast is sponsored by The Good Book Company, publisher of 'Wherever You Go, I Want You To Know,' a new beautifully illustrated kids book by Melissa Kruger, where she helps parents say to their children, “whatever you do, wherever you start, I pray you love Jesus, with all of your heart.” Learn more at thegoodbook.com.

"A transition in the heart most often leads to a transition and change in life."Noël Piper and her daughter, Talitha, teamed up to lead a workshop session at The Gospel Coalition’s 2018 Women’s Conference titled, “God’s Grace in Life’s Transitions.” Life, it often seems, is a constant stream of transitions—changes in our situations that can be major stressors in our lives. From moving to a new city to a job or school change to relationship changes or the death of a loved one, we face consistent change, and we must decide how we will allow ourselves to be shaped by it.Noël and Talitha encourage us to learn about God and ourselves through each of the transitions he brings about in our lives and to carefully recognize how God works through those pivotal moments. This episode of The Gospel Coalition podcast is sponsored by The Good Book Company, publisher of 'Wherever You Go, I Want You To Know,' a new beautifully illustrated kids book by Melissa Kruger, where she helps parents say to their children, “whatever you do, wherever you start, I pray you love Jesus, with all of your heart.” Learn more at thegoodbook.com.

The Gospel Coalition hosted a breakout panel titled, “Faithful Endurance: The Joy of Shepherding People for a Lifetime” with H. B. Charles, Dave Harvey, Richard Phillips, Jeff Robinson, and Juan Sanchez at the 2019 National Conference to address the present trend of short stays in pastoral roles within churches.Knowing that the average length of tenure for an evangelical pastor is slightly less than three years, it is no surprise that instability plagues our churches, which is neither healthy for the congregation nor the pastor. The panel discussed the value of faithful pastors who dedicate their lives to single congregations for decades at a time and the formative process through which faithfulness to a single congregation builds godly character into pastors and their churches.

"What if every anxiety was an opportunity for you to look at the cross and remember that Jesus' sacrifice covered this circumstance? Do not be afraid."Laura Powell led a workshop during The Gospel Coalition’s 2018 Women’s Conference titled, “Journey with John Flavel Toward Fearlessness.” Fear is a common emotion that drives each one of us in one way or another on a daily basis.In her message, Powell defined the types of fear people face and referenced the writings of Puritan preacher John Flavel along the way to bring context and clarity. Powell’s message reminded her listeners—and reminds us today—that the fear of the Lord is good, that sin caused our fears to be fallen, and that our fears are redeemed by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

During a breakout session at The Gospel Coalition’s 2019 National Conference, Josh Byers and Tim Challies teamed up to deliver a message titled, “How Visual Theology Displays the Truth About God.” There may be no time quite like the present in which the world has been so acutely aware of the importance of visual communication.The power of images to shape culture, communication, and education is undeniable, including within the church. Yet imagery has been troublesome at times in church history. In order to help people within our churches become good theologians, we must teach sound doctrine in words, but we also need to engage them visually in order to undergird and communicate truth in ways we might not otherwise clearly accomplish.

"Awareness of death weakens our attachments to false hopes."Matthew McCullough delivered a message during a breakout session at The Gospel Coalition’s 2019 National Conference titled, “Remember Death: The Surprising Path to Living Hope” based on his book by the same name. McCullough focuses on the importance of paying careful attention to death, removing the taboo around the subject, allowing it to deepen our spiritual walk, and encourage us with hope.In a culture that prioritizes pleasures, certainly death seems a morbid and unexpected topic of conversation. Yet McCullough focuses on two benefits in the lives of Christians, not in simply preparing for death, but in knowingly living with death on the horizon—learning to number our days.

Jackie Hill Perry delivered a message during a breakout session at The Gospel Coalition’s 2019 National Conference titled “Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was and Who God Has Always Been” based on her book by the same name. In it, she addresses same-sex attraction through her own story couched within the larger story of God. She encourages listeners to trust that that the simplicity of the gospel message—even when it seems to bear no fruit—can and does lead people out of sin and into a life that glorifies God. She calls the church to think holistically and frame the work of loving and serving same-sex attracted people in the fullness of the gospel. Simply love those in need of the gospel and help them understand it in its simplest form—Jesus loves you and died for your sins.