The Pastor Theologians Podcast
A theology podcast for the church. The pastor theologians podcast consists of conversations and teaching resources at the intersection of theological scholarship and life and ministry in the local church. The vision for this show is to help equip pastors to be theologians for today’s complex world.
Episodes
295 episodes
Jonathan Griffith | Gathered for Good
This episode features a conversation* with Pastor Jonathan Griffiths on his ministry journey—from Toronto to Oxford and Cambridge—and the theological vision behind his book Gathered for Good. The discussion explores the importance of t...
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50:57
BONUS | Matt Erickson on Books and Preaching
A short bonus episode where CPT fellow Matt Erickson shares two formative books for his ministry—Eugene Peterson’s Working the Angles and Tim Keller’s Preaching—highlighting how they shape his approach to prayer, Scripture, pa...
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9:25
The Pastor as Gardener | Matt Erickson
In this episode of the The CPT Podcast, hosts Zachary Wagner and Joel Lawrence interview Matt Erickson about his path to pastoral ministry and the ideas behind his book The Pastor as Gardener. Erickson shares his conversion in high sch...
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44:18
Preaching as Theology | Nicole Martin (Preaching and the Pastor Theologian Episode 10)
In this final episode of the Preaching in the Pastor-Theologian series, Joel Lawrence and Matt Kim are joined by Nicole Martin—pastor, preacher, and President/CEO of Christianity Today—for a wide-ranging conversation that brin...
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47:42
A PhD in Preaching | Todd Still (Preaching and the Pastor Theologian Episode 9)
In this episode, Joel Lawrence and Matt Kim welcome Todd Still, Delancey Dean and Professor of Christian Scriptures at Truett Seminary, for a rich conversation on theological education and the formation of preachers. Drawing on his own journey ...
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53:07
Social Media, Attention, and AI | Dan Brendsel (Preaching and the Pastor Theologian Episode 8)
Joel Lawrence and Matt Kim speak with CPT Fellow Dan Brendsel about preaching in an age shaped by social media, attention economics, and artificial intelligence, exploring how technology subtly reinforces idolatry and the illusion of control. B...
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47:39
Political Movements, Social Change, and the Preacher | Ed Copeland (Preaching and the Pastor Theologian Episode 7)
In this episode, Joel Lawrence and Matt Kim talk with pastor, lawyer, and theologian K. Edward Copeland about how the gospel shapes the church’s engagement with today’s social and political tensions. Ed shares his unique journey—from overcoming...
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56:05
Cultural Intelligence and the Preacher | Gerald Hiestand (Preaching and the Pastor Theologian Episode 6)
In this conversation, hosts Joel Lawrence and Matt Kim speak with Gerald Hiestand—senior pastor of Calvary Memorial Church and co-founder of the Center for Pastor Theologians—about cultural intelligence and the work of preaching. Drawing from h...
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58:21
Who Is Preaching For? | Ahmi Lee (Preaching and the Pastor Theologian Episode 5)
Joel Lawrence and Matt Kim talk with Ahmi Lee about her vision for preaching as participation in God’s “grand drama.” Drawing from her global upbringing, pastoral experience, and theological training, Lee explains how preaching should bridge te...
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44:54
The Sermon, Discipleship, and the Life of the Church | Jonathan Bailes (Preaching and the Pastor Theologian Episode 4)
Joel Lawrence and Matt Kim speak with Anglican priest and theologian Jonathan Bailes about the deep connection between preaching, discipleship, and the daily life of the church. Bailes reflects on the formative role of preaching within a liturg...
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52:53
Preaching for Theological Formation | Paul Hoffman (Preaching and the Pastor Theologian Episode 3)
Joel Lawrence and Matt Kim speak with Paul Hoffman, senior pastor of Evangelical Friends Church in Newport, Rhode Island, about his ministry journey and upcoming transition to a faculty role at Samford University. The conversation centers on th...
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52:44
Keep Careful Watch on Your Life | Jim Samra (Preaching and the Pastor Theologian Episode 2)
CPT fellow and senior pastor of Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, Jim Samra, joins Joel Lawrence and Matt Kim for episode two of Preaching and the Pastor Theologian. Together, they explore the connection between a pastor’s inner life and...
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48:34
Speaking God, Listening Church | Kimlyn Bender (Preaching and the Pastor Theologian Episode 1)
Episode One of “Preaching and the Pastor Theologian” Hosts Joel Lawrence and Matt Kim introduce a ten-part exploration of the theology of preaching, launched through the CPT’s Compelling Preaching Initiative funded by the Lilly...
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52:57
Building Thriving Congregations | Steve Williamson
CPT Manager of Church Programs, Steve Williamson, joins Zach and Joel to discuss this year's slate of cohorts for church leaders, exploring ecclesial identity, the arts, and cultural apologetics.Learn more and apply at:
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29:40
Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Joey Sherrard
In this episode of the CPT Podcast, Zach Wagner and Joel Lawrence talk with CPT fellow Joey Sherrard, discipleship pastor at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church. Joey shares his story of coming to faith, studying theology at Rho...
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42:41
Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Shaun Brown
Shaun Brown, senior minister at Rocky Mount Christian Church and a fellow in the St. Hildegard Fellowship, joins the podcast to explore his journey through the Stone-Campbell movement, academic theology, and vocational ministry. Shaun shares ho...
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46:14
What Makes a Good Shepherd? | Amy Peeler
Amy Peeler for a rich conversation exploring pastoral identity, theological formation, and the upcoming Pastor Theologians Conference, Good Shepherds: Pastoral Identity and the Future of the Church. Amy shares insights from her latest ...
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27:49
Joy and Sorrow | Chris Bruno
Chris Bruno joins the podcast today to tell us about his recent book, Sharing Christ in Joy and Sorrow: A Theology of Philippians. What are the ke...
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Season 7
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Episode 27
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42:03
Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Ed Gerber
Ed Gerber joins us to share his story of becoming a pastor theologian. How can the Lord use even a significant break up to prepare someone for ministry? How can those who prepare future ministry leaders be both preachers and teachers to their s...
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Season 7
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Episode 26
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48:36
What We're Reading — June 2025
For our June episode on books, we, the CPT staff, have been reading:JD Vance, Hillbilly Elegy (2016)Rémi Brague,
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Season 7
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Episode 25
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34:36
Encountering God in the Bible | Michael Niebauer
Today on the podcast we are joined by Rev. Dr. Michael Niebauer as he shares about his recent book, Four Mountains: Encountering God in the Bible from Ede...
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Season 7
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Episode 24
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48:49
Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Jason Meyer
Jason Meyer, lead pastor of Urban Refuge Church in Minneapolis, MN, joins the podcast today to tell us about his journey towards becoming a pastor theologian. After serving eight years as a pastor at Bethlehem Baptist, Jason shares what he lear...
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Season 7
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Episode 23
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1:03:09
Feed My Sheep | Doug Sweeney
CPT board member Doug Sweeney joins the podcast today. He previews his topic for the 2025 CPT Conference,
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Season 7
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Episode 22
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51:20