Pastoring in the midst of a pandemic has been challenging. Melissa Pillman (Pastor of Missio Dei Wrigleyville) sits down with Scot and Laura to process the difficult moments and growth that have come from the last few years of pastoring. Finding hope as a pastor is possible in the midst of chaos. This is the first episode in a multi-part series exploring the joys and challenges of everyday pastors.

In the famous words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him, come and die." Scot talks about Paul's invitation to christoformity through sacrifice in this lecture. In order for the community to function as the church it was designed for, sacrifice is the only option. If you'd like to learn more about what Paul is talking about here you can learn more in Scot's new Book, Reading Romans Backwards. Find it *here >>> amzn.to/2OxbmxS *amazon affiliate link

How did an idea to make a few videos about understanding Bible books turn into a vast library of videos with over 100 million views? Tim Mackie and Jon Collins tell the story of how The Bible Project came to be and share what drives their creative process. The Bible Project has created some of the most helpful resources for the Church today and I think you’ll agree that their most exciting projects are still ahead of them! Check out all of the Bible Project videos and resources here >> thebibleproject.com Check out their newest resource still in beta testing >> classroom.bible

Throughout Holy Week, two competing approaches to peacemaking collide. Jason What if we've embraced the wrong one? At the start of Holy Week, tears streamed down Jesus' face as he cried out, "If only you knew the things that make for peace." From that moment, until a week later when he triumphantly declared, "Peace be with you," Jesus spent each day confronting injustice, calling out oppressors and contending for peace. But what if—despite all our familiarity with the events of Holy Week—we still don't know how Jesus makes peace? And what if—despite clinging to the cross of Christ for our salvation—we've actually embraced a different approach to peacemaking? One that justifies killing enemies. One whose methods include nailing criminals to crosses. We desperately need to recover the radical vision of peacemaking that Jesus embodied throughout Holy Week. And we urgently need to be trained in his way of making peace. So, come. Let's journey together day-by-day through Jesus' final week and discover anew why he is called the Prince of Peace.

Emotions are foundational to understanding every aspect of Life. Becky Castle Miller talks with Scot about the recent history of emotions in the church and how it has impacted our discipleship. Jesus unquestionably experienced emotions and what we can learn from His emotions can help us be better disciples today.

How did a libertine who lacks even the most basic knowledge of the Christian faith win 81 percent of the white evangelical vote in 2016? Why have white evangelicals become a presidential reprobate’s staunchest supporters? Scot and Laura investigate these questions evaluated by acclaimed historian Kristin Kobes Du Mez. She asks these questions and more in Jesus and John Wayne, which delves beyond facile headlines to explain how white evangelicals have brought us to our fractured political moment. Challenging the commonly held assumption that the “moral majority” backed Donald Trump for purely pragmatic reasons, Du Mez reveals that Donald Trump in fact represents the fulfillment, rather than the betrayal, of white evangelicals’ most deeply held values. Purchase* Jesus and John Wayne here 👉 https://amzn.to/3npuMSo *This is an amazon affiliate link.

It is traditional to think we should praise Abraham for his willingness to sacrifice his son as proof of his love for God. But have we misread the point of the story? Is it possible that a careful reading of Genesis 22 could reveal that God was not pleased with Abraham's silent obedience? Richard Middleton provides a fresh interpretation of Genesis 22 and reinforces the church's resurgent interest in lament as an appropriate response to God. Belief in God doesn’t mean you’re forced to say what you think God wants you to say. God can and wants to hear your raw and honest requests. 📖 Purchase* your copy of Abraham's Silence The Binding of Isaac, the Suffering of Job, and How to Talk Back to God - https://amzn.to/36aoKRS

Racial tension is at a high point. The embodiment of the Kingdom found in the New Testament and lived out through the Church was to be a vision of unity and diversity. The Church in America, unfortunately, has remained one of the most segregated organizations instead of being a vision for unity and diversity. Pastor Derwin Gray and Transformation Church is a shining light of how the Church can be the type of diverse community it was intended to be. Hear about Pastor Derwin’s journey of planting Transformation Church, the challenges they faced from being a multiethnic church, and the steps any church can take to become a richer expression of the diverse Kingdom of God. Suggested Resources: Building a Multiethnic Church | Previously released as - The High Definition Leader by Derwin L. Gray (https://amzn.to/3J1Sezv) The Fellowship of Differents by Scot McKnight (amzn.to/2XvuIGa) Follow Pastor Derwin on his website (www.derwinlgray.com), Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/Derwin-L-G…/117534411600257) Twitter (twitter.com/derwinlgray) Instagram (www.instagram.com/derwinlgray/)

John Barclay, an expert on grace in the Roman world, discusses the multifaceted nature of grace, reciprocal relationships through gift-giving, the six perfections of grace, and the concepts of worth and grace as seen through the lens of Paul's teachings.

Scot McKnight talks with his co-host Laura Tarro about the steps on her journey in church planting with the Evangelical Covenant Church. There are so many steps to this process and Laura boils down the major components she is walking through right now. God has given Laura and her launch team a vision for the church He has invited them to be. Church planting is always on the cutting edge of the Kingdom taking root.