In this episode Aaron sits down with his friend pastor Riley Taylor to discuss the importance of creativity in ministry. Aaron and Riley share a background in filmmaking and youth ministry, and have always believed in using their creative skills to enhance their ministry work. Riley explains that creativity in preaching can lead people to truth. By using creative elements like metaphors, stories, and illustrations, pastors can help people better understand and connect with biblical truths. He also stresses the importance of storytelling in ministry, as it can help people see the Gospel in a fresh light and make it more relevant to their lives. Both Aaron and Riley point out that God himself is a creative being, as evidenced by the creation story in Genesis 1. They believe that humans were created to be creative, and that using that creativity in ministry is a way of fulfilling our purpose. However, they also caution against letting ego and self-focus take over in the creative process, and emphasize the need for humility and surrender to God's will. Overall, this episode encourages ministers to embrace their creativity and use it as a tool for ministry, while remaining grounded in the truth and humility of Jesus. -------------- LINKS: Riley Taylor's Crazy Acts Flannel Graph Videos One of Riley's Creative Sermon Videos During Covid Sermon's from Riley's Church

In this episode, host Aaron Salvato dives deep into the theology of "Treasures in Heaven" as described by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount. As Christians, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of life and forget the deeper meanings behind Jesus' teachings. Aaron dives deep into the idea of heavenly treasures, explaining what they are, what they are not, and how we can pursue them. To begin, Aaron delves into the definition of heavenly treasures. He points out that while the Bible can be difficult to understand at times, there are many concepts that we grow up hearing but may not fully grasp. He goes on to explain that when we think of treasures, we often imagine gold, jewels, and other material possessions. However, heavenly treasures are something entirely different. Heavenly treasures are gained in the pursuit and practice of the things that matter most to God, such as the way we love and serve others, the way we obey God's commands, and the way we share the good news of Jesus with those around us. This pursuit is not about earning brownie points, but rather it is about affecting eternity and building the Kingdom of God. The episode also delves into the heart conditions that lead us to pursue earthly treasures like success, wealth, fame, and popularity. We discuss how we can easily make idols out of our desires, and how these treasures can become our masters. By contrast, pursuing heavenly treasures involves redirecting our desires towards something that is life-giving and freeing. The episode concludes with a discussion of where our hearts are directed and how pursuing treasures in heaven ultimately leads us to a deeper relationship with Christ. One of the most beautiful things about storing up treasures in heaven is that we can experience a taste of heaven right now. Rather than simply hoarding wealth and not touching it until some far-off distant future, we can experience the eternal riches of heaven right now if we abide in Christ through His Spirit. Aaron emphasizes that our treasures lead us somewhere, and that the most important aspect of the concept of treasures in Heaven is the idea that where our treasure is, our heart will be also. To truly thrive, we must declare Jesus as the King of our hearts and redirect our desires towards the eternal.

In this episode, we answer a question from one of our students at the GoodLion school of discipleship on the topic of servanthood, which is an essential element of Christian discipleship. At the heart of servanthood is the concept of selflessness, which requires us to put the needs of others before our own. As followers of Christ, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, and love is the biggest motivator for serving others. In today's world, we are constantly busy with various commitments and responsibilities, and it's easy to get caught up in our own needs and wants. However, we need to remember that as Christians, we are called to a different standard. We are called to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. One of the biggest challenges of servanthood is finding the time to serve. We often feel like we are too busy to serve, and it requires other sacrifices just to make time for it. But the reality is that serving others is not just an obligation or duty, but it's an opportunity to participate in the work that God is doing in the world. However, we must also be careful not to fall into the trap of chronic busyness or overload, where we feel overwhelmed by our commitments and responsibilities. This can lead to stress, burnout, fatigue, and other negative effects on our mental and physical health. So how do we balance the demands of our busy lives with the call to serve others? It all comes down to our priorities. We need to make intentional choices about how we use our time and rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to direct our actions and decisions. The key is to prioritize our relationship with God and make time to abide in Christ. We cannot pour out into others if we are not first filled up ourselves. By seeking God's presence and guidance in our lives, we can gain a sense of perspective and clarity that allows us to make better choices about how we use our time. At the same time, we need to be careful not to put too much pressure on ourselves to save the world. We cannot save anyone; only Jesus can. Our responsibility is to serve others with a joyful heart and to be faithful to the small acts of obedience that God calls us to. In doing so, we can be involved in laying the building bricks of the kingdom of God that will last into eternity. So let us all seek to be servants of Christ, putting the needs of others before our own and trusting in God's provision and guidance in our lives. Thank you for listening to the GoodLion podcast.

In this episode, host Aaron Salvato and three of his classmates from Western seminary sit down to discuss theological concepts surrounding the love and holiness of God's character. Aaron frames this episode as an experience of"secondhand seminary", a gateway into learning and diving deeper into one's faith. Aaron explains that historically, this concept has helped him grow in his walk with Christ through listening to friends and mentors who attended seminary share the things they were learning: "It would inspire me to go read some of the books that they were reading or listen to some of the lectures from theologians that they were benefiting from. I called it second-hand seminary, and it massively helped me grow as a young pastor." Aaron and his classmates, Johnny Golightly, Jon Markey, and Austin Palmer, are part of a cohort led by Professor Gerry Breshears, whom Aaron describes as "one of the best theological minds of our time! Gerry is a jedi master… a founding board member of the Bible Project and a longtime theology professor at Western seminar… despite his vast knowledge, he’s a humble and intensely caring prof who pushes his students to dive deeper and fall more in love with Jesus!” Although Aaron and his classmates had hoped to make this a multiple part series, they were not able to due to their busy schedules. Despite this, we believe that this episode still contains a lot of great conversation that will give listeners an opportunity to be a fly on the wall listening in to a conversation between seminary students sharing ideas about the faith, the character of God, and the way of Jesus. If you're interested in deepening your faith and learning more about the love and holiness of God's character, this episode is for you! ----- LINKS Dr. Joe Holden on Seminary, Biblical Authority and Holding Fast to Inerrancy - Great episode from Brian Brodersen Calvary Chapel: Seminary & Anti-intellectualism - Helpful content from CGN Mission & Methods podcast More podcasts from us featuring Gerry!

In this episode, Aaron is joined by guest Nate Holdridge to discuss the anonymity of pastoral work. While pastoral work may seem like a public job in this age of celebrity pastors, Nate argues that embracing the anonymous aspects of this work is a better path, and essential for the pastor's soul. Using Paul's image of the farmer and the field, Nate highlights that the pastor, like a farmer, is a mere worker employed by God. The only one in the equation that matters is God, who gives the growth. This means that good pastoral work has a tinge of anonymity, where pastors do work that is often unseen and are there for the service of the field. They cannot produce fruit on their own. Throughout the episode, Aaron and Nate discuss various topics, including the comparison game that can steal a pastor's joy, and the importance of faithfulness. They also delve into the idea that growth of depth is more valuable than numerical growth, and that workaholism can be harmful to the pastor's soul. The pressure that millennial pastors feel to live up to the older generations, and the pitfalls of pastors building a social media platform for themselves, are also explored. Nate shares his views on why pastors should consider the anonymous aspects of their work as a healthy antidote to the temptations and pressures that come with the public nature of pastoral work. We believe this episode will encourage pastors who are working hard but feeling unseen. No matter the size of your church or the length of your time in ministry, pastoral work is often challenging and can feel lonely. It is easy to get caught up in the comparison game, social media pressure, and the drive for numerical growth. However, we hope that this episode speaks to your heart and reminds you that it is the Lord who brings the harvest. May you be reminded that no matter how unseen your work may feel, it is essential and valued in the eyes of God. -- Nate Holdridge has served as senior pastor of Calvary Monterey on California’s central coast since 2008. Calvary’s vision is to see Jesus Famous. Nate teaches and writes with that aim at nateholdridge.com. Nate also leads the Jesus Famous Podcast, conducting interviews and discussions that help keep Jesus first. He has also written The No-Nonsense Biblical Man, Dear New Dad, Whole-Hearted Work, (un)Reasonable Faith, and more. Nate also serves as a member of the Executive Team of Calvary Global Network.

In this classic episode from season 2 of the Goodlion podcast, we join hosts Aaron Salvato and Brian Higgins on a deep dive into the Christian idea of "devotions." We explore the tension that many of us feel when it comes to devotions, often seeing them as just another chore. However, we discover that devotions are meant to be an opportunity to grow closer to God and become more devoted to Him and His kingdom.  Many Christians feel a tension when it comes to devotions. They often feel like devotions are just another chore, something they have to do, but don't really understand the purpose behind it. However, we believe that God is actually calling us into something deeper, a life of devotion. Together, Aaron and Brian highlight the importance of approaching devotions with the right heart and understanding.  Devotions are meant to be more than just a routine, they're meant to be an opportunity to grow closer to God and become more devoted to Him and His kingdom. When we approach devotions with the right heart and understanding, they have the power to transform our lives. We truly believe that this concept of devotions is one of the most important things for Christians to understand. Once you get it, it changes everything. Your relationship with God deepens, your faith becomes stronger, and you become more empowered to live a life closeness to Jesus.  Join us on this classic episode of the GoodLion Podcast!

In this episode Aaron chats with pastor Terry Michaels, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Austin Texas, for a conversation about a wound that's been inflicted on the church in recent times - division. The COVID-19 pandemic brought about challenges that tested the unity of the church, with masks and vaccines becoming sources of division, causing harm to its witness.  But in this episode, we're not here to point fingers or place blame. We're here to explore what it looks like to embrace radical peacemaking, to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and make peace within the church, instead of dividing the body of Christ over secondary issues. We'll delve into the hard questions and offer reflections on how we can move forward and heal the wounds inflicted during these challenging times.  Aaron says “Pastor Terry is a wise and loving soul, a grandfatherly figure whose words are like a warm hug on a cold winter's day. I'm honored to have him on the show, and I can't wait for you to experience his wisdom and love for yourself.” Join us for a conversation that's sure to inspire, challenge, and encourage.  ------ LINKS  Terry's Book, There and Back  Calvary Austin Sermons  GoodLion: Way of the Peacemaker (Peacemaking on Social Media)  GoodLion Resources on Peacemaking

As Christians, it is easy for us to come to God only when we want to escape the consequences of our sin, rather than coming to Him with a genuinely broken heart of repentance. Aaron reminds us that a true desire for repentance and change must come from a deep sense of sorrow for our sin and a recognition of the ways in which it has hurt God and others. The GoodLion Podcast is excited to bring you an episode featuring content that was left on the cutting room floor of Aaron Salvato's recent sermon titled "Crying Out to the Father." In this powerful message, Aaron shares about the importance of having a broken heart for our sin. In this episode, Aaron also discusses how having a broken heart for our sin is essential for our spiritual growth and intimacy with God. He encourages us to be honest with God about our sin, and to trust in His forgiveness and grace. Additionally, Aaron shares some personal experiences that illustrate the need for a broken heart for our sin. He challenges us to take a hard look at our own hearts and to seek God's help in breaking them for our sin. Overall, this bonus episode of the GoodLion Podcast is a powerful reminder of the importance of a broken heart for our sin and the transformative power of repentance. We hope that it will inspire and encourage you on your own spiritual journey.

The GoodLion Podcast is excited to bring you this special episode featuring a sermon from Aaron Salvato. Aaron recently preached at Calvary Chapel Vista on Psalm 86, a psalm that speaks to the fatherhood of God. In this sermon, Aaron delves into the tenderness and care with which God relates to us as his children. He shares his own experiences as a new father and the ways in which becoming a father has given him a deeper appreciation for the love and care of God. Aaron believes that many young Christians have lost sight of the fatherly love of God, and he encourages his listeners to cry out to God and seek to reconnect with him in this way. As you listen to this sermon, take time to reflect on your own relationship with God as your father. Consider the ways in which you can deepen your connection with him and experience his love and care in your life. Let this sermon be a reminder of the tenderness and compassion of God, and the importance of crying out to him in times of need. We hope that this sermon will encourage and inspire you in your own journey of faith. Thank you for tuning in to the GoodLion Podcast, and don't forget to join us next time for more thought-provoking content.

The GoodLion Podcast is a show that explores the intersection of faith and culture. Hosts Aaron Salvato and Brian Higgins have been doing the show for 8 seasons and have built a loyal audience of young adults and youth who are hungry for authentic conversations about spirituality and the world around them. In this episode, Aaron addresses a question that they often get from new listeners: "What is the GoodLion Podcast?" He explains that the he and Brian see the show as a platform for open and honest discussions about the Christian faith and how it relates to the issues that young people face in their daily lives. They believe that these are important conversation to have, as many young people are struggling to make sense of their faith in a world that is constantly changing and challenging them. Through the show, Aaron and Brian have seen God use their conversations to minister to people and help them grow in their faith. Aaron shares some of the ways that the GoodLion Podcast has been a ministry to their audience, including providing a sense of community and support for young people who may be feeling isolated in their faith. He also discusses how they have launched GoodLion Ministries as a way to grow what God is doing through GoodLion. Overall, this episode of the GoodLion Podcast is a great introduction to the show for those who are curious about what it's all about. Whether you're a long-time listener or just discovering the show for the first time, this episode will give you a better understanding of the heart and vision of the GoodLion Podcast and the ways that God is using it to minister to young people and help them grow in their faith.