
Provoke & Inspire Podcast
Provoke & Inspire is a weekly podcast featuring four artists, ministry leaders, and passionate followers of Jesus (Ben, David, Luke, and Chad) with decades of front-line experience and the stories to back it up! Every week they discuss how Jesus might respond to current events and issues facing the church today.
Latest episodes

Jun 13, 2023 • 37min
Episode 481: Why Does Christian Music Suck?
Why does Christian music, and Christian art in general, have a reputation of being sub-par, disingenuous, boring, or simply bad? Is this really the case, and if so - why?The regulars weigh in on this issue and discuss why this might have been the case, and what we can do about it as followers of Jesus.-------------------------------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

Jun 6, 2023 • 41min
Episode 480: What Can Be Learned From Hillsong’s Demise?
The FX Media Network just recently released a four part docu-series titled, "The Secrets of Hillsong," revealing the scandals of Frank and Brian Houston, as well as Carl Lentz. Chad and Ben discuss the megachurch model, the trappings of money and fame, and the often fatal combination it seems to produces when combined with ministry. -------------------------------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

May 30, 2023 • 49min
Episode 479: Do I Have to Listen to Christian Music Even if It Sucks?
Is there spiritual harm in listening to secular music? Can we be influenced by it? Should we consume any secular art? After writer and teacher, Jackie Hill Perry, speaks out against listening to secular music, the regulars are back together again and talk through these important questions. -------------------------------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

May 22, 2023 • 32min
Special Guest Dr. Timothy Keller (Classic Replay)
Dr. Timothy Keller was a constant source of inspiration and encouragement. His unwavering commitment to the Gospel, Biblical truth, and love for people made him a powerful tool in God's hands. We had the privilege of interviewing him back in 2019. He was deep, insightful, and even tolerated David's random question at the end! He ran the race well until the end!Send us a text

May 16, 2023 • 20min
Episode 478: How Do I Reach Someone Who Is Far From God? (Part 4)
How should we navigate the different issues that we will face when sharing the gospel with people outside of the church? Can we relevantly communicate the gospel with someone who has no relationship with church, or is far from God? Closing out this four part series, Ben references the writings of the Apostle Paul and talks about how we can demonstrate the power of God to people through sharing our personal stories.To listen to one of the past three episodes from this series, click the episode link below!Part 1.Part 2.Part 3.-------------------------------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

May 9, 2023 • 18min
Episode 477: How Do I Reach Someone Who Is Far From God? (Part 3)
Can we relevantly communicate the gospel with someone who has no relationship with church, or is far from God? How should we navigate the different issues that we will face when sharing the gospel with people outside of the church?In this episode of the four part series, Ben gives practical steps on how we can have good answers to hard questions, along with four thoughts on how to approach difficult subjects.Books mentioned in this episode...The Reason for God - Tim KellerThe Case for Faith - Lee StrobelLove Thy Body - Nancy PearceyHumble Apologetics - John StackhouseA People to Be Loved - Preston SprinkleIs God A Moral Monster? - Paul CopanFor the extensive resource list mentioned by Ben, email us at provokeandinspire@steiger.org!-------------------------------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on InstagramJoin the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

May 2, 2023 • 18min
Episode 476: How Do I Reach Someone Who Is Far From God? (Part 2)
Is it possible to relevantly communicate the gospel with someone who has no relationship with church, or knowledge of God; someone who is so far removed from the religious demographic our churches are trying to reach?Ben goes solo again to address this topic, drawing from Romans 1 as well as the writings of Augustine for answers.To listen to the two episodes mentioned in this podcast from "anything goes" by Emma Chamberlain:my spiritual journeydo we need religion?-------------------------------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on InstagramJoin the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

Apr 25, 2023 • 20min
Episode 475: How Do I Reach Someone Who Is Far From God? (Part 1)
Is it possible to relevantly communicate the gospel with someone who has no relationship with church, or knowledge of God; someone who is so far removed from the religious demographic our churches are trying to reach?In this episode Ben goes solo to address this topic, drawing answers from the book of Nehemiah, among other sources.-------------------------------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think!Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

Apr 18, 2023 • 38min
Episode 474: Carl Lentz, Moral Failure, and the Time to Return to Ministry
Can someone be permanently disqualified from ministry? What does the Bible have to say on this topic, and how should we view the return of former Hillsong NYC pastor Carl Lentz? All of this and more is discussed by the regulars on this week's episode. Check it out! -------------------------------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think!Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

Apr 11, 2023 • 52min
Episode 473: Deconstructing Faith and Finding Jesus W/ Philip Yancey!
For this week's special episode, Ben is joined by American author, Philip Yancey, who explores the most basic questions and the deepest mysteries of the Christian faith.Together, they talk through Philip's story and his new book, "Where the Light Fell: A Memoir", deconstruction, and how you can speak to someone who is far from God.-----------------------------------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think!Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram!Follow Ben on Instagram.Click here to join the Provoke & Inspire Community!Send us a text