
You're Not Crazy
Are you a young pastor who might be tempted to give up, to even hate the ministry, wondering what on earth you signed up for? In this new podcast, pastors Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry set out to encourage and remind you that you're not crazy.
Latest episodes

11 snips
Jun 16, 2022 • 25min
Gospel-Focused Sermon Preparation
The hosts dive into the art of sermon preparation, emphasizing not just information transfer but cultivating encounters with Jesus. They highlight the importance of divine guidance and developing a gospel-centered culture within the church. Personal stories illustrate the balance between thoughtful preparation and the need for spiritual reliance. The conversation touches on the emotional journey of preaching and the crucial role of clarity, including the usefulness of scripture journals for deeper engagement.

Jun 9, 2022 • 22min
The Role of Positivity in a Pastor’s Life
In this episode of “You’re Not Crazy,” Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss the role of positivity in the life of a pastor and how to build positivity in a world that would prefer cynicism.• Introductions (0:00)• Best book in the last 10 years (1:02)• Staying positive in a cynical world (6:34)• Resourcing positivity (9:25)• Irritating Scripture (14:02)• Getting more granular (17:31)• Recommended resource: A Dozen Things God Did with Your Sin by Sam Storms (19:33)

11 snips
Jun 2, 2022 • 24min
Biblical Criticism and Correction
In this podcast, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss biblical criticism and correction within the context of gospel culture. They emphasize the importance of receiving correction from Godly friends and the need for face-to-face communication. They also recommend resources like the ESV Devotional Psalter and 'In the Lord I Take Refuge' for personal reflection and prayer.

May 26, 2022 • 24min
Friendship and Gospel Culture
“I think what I most deeply needed to know was not just that I was forgiven, but that if it came to the worst, I wouldn't be alone.” – T. J. TimsIn this episode of You’re Not Crazy, Sam Allberry and his pastor, T. J. Tims, discuss the topic of friendship and gospel culture.• Introduction to T. J. Tims (0:00)• Friendship is a gospel issue (2:28)• The honesty and freedom in true friendship (4:22)• Friendship can’t be about friendship (9:01)• Creating space between the systems in our churches (13:56)• The ministry of lingering (18:07)Explore more from TGC on the topic of friendship.

May 19, 2022 • 24min
Receiving and Extending the Comfort of the Lord
“Maturity in the Christian life is needing Jesus more, not needing Jesus less. We don't graduate out of needing him.” – Sam AllberryIn this episode of You’re Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry address, from Scripture and their own experience, the exceptionally important role of the minister to bring comfort to suffering people.Comfort to the suffering (00:00)Does Jesus regret getting involved with you? (2:18)Pastors who sin and suffer caring for people who sin and suffer (7:39)How painful the goodness of the Lord will be (12:01)3x5 cards in a cupboard (15:05)Not supposed to feel pain (19:18)Recommended resource: Suffering Wisely and Well by Eric Ortlund (21:37)Explore more from TGC on the topic of suffering.

7 snips
May 12, 2022 • 24min
What Makes Christian Leadership “Christian”?
Season 2 of “You’re Not Crazy” launches with a lively conversation between Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discussing what makes Christian leadership distinctly “Christian.” • Introduction—why is anyone even listening? One great experience from the last year (00:00)• Answering the main questions (6:02) • Gentle and lowly, like Jesus (7:26) • The opposite of that (8:39) • It’s not a strategy (10:00) • Christian leadership is not leadership that advances Christian orthodoxy (11:57) • PR for Jesus (15:25) • The arch-enemy of authentic ministry (16:43) • It’s emotional and relational (19:06) • Recommended Resource: Letters Along the Way: From a Senior Saint to a Junior Saint Explore more from TGC on the topic of Spiritual Leadership.

May 5, 2022 • 1min
Coming May 12: You're Not Crazy Season Two
This season, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry gather again to discuss more topics that center around gospel-centered pastoral leadership. Ray Ortlund describes that, "Christian leadership is leadership that is, itself, operating with, moving forward in, flavored by Christ Himself."Any young pastor who might be tempted to give up and is wondering, What on earth have I signed up for? You're not crazy.

21 snips
Oct 18, 2021 • 29min
The Cost of Gospel Culture
In this episode, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss the cost of building and sustaining gospel culture. - Introduction—where you’d really like to preach (and Ray Ortlund’s kilt. And bagpipes.) - There’s a cost (4:08) - It’s not always going to be easy (6:27) - Nullifying the grace of God (8:56) - Time for some decisions (16:31) - Not just icing on the cake (20:36) - Linking arms together—contacting us for prayer (22:16) - Recommended resource: ESV Expository Commentaries (22:58) https://www.crossway.org/articles/introducing-the-esv-expository-commentary-series/ Explore more from TGC on the topic of Gospel Culture and leadership. (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/topics/gospel/) To reach out directly to Ray and Sam with questions or prayer-related requests, please email notcrazy@tgc.org We want to thank Crossway for helping to make this podcast possible. For more gospel-centered resources and Bibles visit Crossway.org SUBSCRIBE TODAY Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youre-not-crazy/id1579561852 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2gjO1xAJVSomEdK6dVwnQh Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9FQm9Xbmlfbg%3D%3D Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/645475 TGC Website: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/youre-not-crazy/

12 snips
Oct 11, 2021 • 33min
Gospel Culture and Renewal
In this episode, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss gospel culture, renewal, revival, and awakening. • Introduction—favorite piece of music• Nothing less than another Great Awakening (2:00)• Regular ministry of the gospel with unusual amounts of fruit (2:57)• The kingdom is at hand (4:29)• Modeling repentance (6:54)• Repentance is personal (12:04)• When repentance is the norm (14:10)• Jesus Movement (19:02)• Fullness of the power of God (22:33)• Your church is fully equipped for the next Great Awakening (25:51)• Because we do not ask… (27:10)• Recommended resource: Help! I’m Married to My Pastor by Jani Ortlund (30:42) Explore more from TGC on the topic of Revival. To reach out directly to Ray and Sam with questions or prayer-related requests, please email notcrazy@tgc.org PODCAST SPONSORSHIPWe want to thank Crossway for helping to make this podcast possible. For more gospel-centered resources and Bibles visit Crossway.orgSUBSCRIBE TODAYApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youre-not-crazy/id1579561852Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2gjO1xAJVSomEdK6dVwnQhGoogle Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9FQm9Xbmlfbg%3D%3DStitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/645475TGC Website: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/youre-not-crazy/

Oct 4, 2021 • 30min
Gospel Culture and Social Media
In this episode, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss pastors, social media, and gospel culture.- 00:00 Introduction—favorite animals- 1:29 Social media platforms- 3:21 Why Tweet?- 6:20 Jesus-honoring Instagram- 7:03 Social media landmines- 8:32 Knowing the limits- 10:45 Once on the Internet, it lasts forever- 13:18 The message worthy of the platform- 14:16 Stop these things- 16:47 Do these instead- 22:11 Live peaceably with all…online- 27: 17 Recommended resource: The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosario ButterfieldExplore more from TGC on pastors and social media
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