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Cold takes only on a subject that seems to rile up evangelical social media every new moon. Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss the ins and outs of ministry sabbaticals, and why people seem to get so upset about them.

It's possible Jared just wanted to trick Ronni into talking about UFO's again, but on this new installment in the FTC Film Club feature, the guys discuss the artistic excellence and spiritual resonance of M. Night Shyamalan's 2002 film, Signs.

It's a new installment of the FTC Mailbag, in which Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz respond to your submitted questions and topics. On this episode, the guys speak to: applying to be a lay elder, cultivating the soul, keeping your mind from wandering during spiritual disciplines, preaching's importance in a church, responding to a Catholic challenge on the sufficiency of Scripture, and breaking out of introverted ruts. If you've a question or topic to submit for a future episode, you can always email us at [email protected]

Should "Christian celebrity" even be a thing? How should we think about Christians and fame? How should we think about the concept of public ministry and platform? On this ep of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss the challenges -- and potential -- of Christian celebrities and Christian celebrity culture.

The phrase comes from 2 Corinthians 10:5 -- "taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." But what does it mean? And how do we do it? In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss how to cultivate a Christ-captivated imagination.

Why do we experience such distance between the idea of doctrine and delight? Why do we insist on a separation between learning doctrine and practical life? This week Jared Wilson talks to Ronni Kurtz about Ronni's new book Theology for Life: A Joy-Filled Introduction to Christian Doctrine (Baker Books) releasing this week. Theology for Life takes a distinctive approach to introducing Christian doctrine. Each chapter does two things: first, it explains a crucial doctrine clearly and accessibly; then, it shows you how to delight in that doctrine and be shaped by it into the person God calls you to be. Good theology, Kurtz argues, isn't simply about learning--it's about living. And it produces not division or drudgery, but joy. Available now wherever Christian books are sold.

It's that time of year again. Kids are a mix of excited and sad. Parents are a mix of excited and sad! In this episode of the pod, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss the back to school experience, why it always comes with a mix of emotions, and offer some counsel for students (and for parents) in making the best of their new season of studies.

In this installment of the regular Mailbag feature, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss your submitted questions and topics, including: "blank slate" student ministry, questions for pastoral search teams, premarital counseling, unrepentant friends in church, the dynamic between elders and deacons, and what exactly Luke meant when he said Satan "took" Jesus. As always, you can submit a question or topic for the Mailbag any time by emailing [email protected]

A podcast you're going to listen to or watch via the Internet warns about voices on the Internet. Not all cultural and theological pundits are helpful to your growth in Christ. Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss the strange phenomenon of being "discipled by the Internet." What does it look like? Why can it be harmful? And how do we recognize the dangers in order to be more wise in our consumption of online media?

They've apologized and said they won't do it again? Doesn't grace require we just accept that and move on? Well, maybe. But maybe repentance is a little deeper than just saying "sorry." In this episode, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz talk about the signs of genuine repentance -- how to genuinely by grace turn from sin to Jesus. And what that looks like, even practically.

What's the big deal about expository preaching? Does it really matter if we preach through books of the Bible? Can't we just do something more "relevant" or innovative? In this episode, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz talk about the biblical, theological, and pastoral importance of preaching expositionally and warn about some challenges and pitfalls in the practice.

The mailbag is full! In this installment of our regular listener-submitted feature, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz dig into the private reserves of messages in order to tackle questions and topics like siblings serving on an elder team, theological triage in speaking engagements, what new members should ask about the church they’re joining, finding your preaching voice, and differences of views among elders. As always, if you’d like to submit a question or topic for the Mailbag, you can email us at [email protected] Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/_iGGkJdw5Xw

In the latest installment of our occasional Grab Bag feature, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz ask each other surprise questions. We’d tell you what they are, but we want you to be surprised too. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/X4m_DAV9V0c

It’s a new installment of the FTC Film Club, and we have found a film the boys are especially fired up to discuss. After a bit of banter about the new Steven Spielberg film Disclosure Day, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz launch into a spirited discussion of the 2012 film adaptation of the musical Les Miserables. And Jared offers a theory on Russell Crowe’s singing voice that he hopes will make you reconsider any criticism you have of this incredible movie. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/vj4agJ4PQOs

Having trouble making sense of the Bible? Don’t know how or where to start? Bible study can sometimes feel overwhelming, but Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz are here to help. On this episode, they share a little bit about their personal disciplines in Scripture reading before offering some practical steps to read the Bible in a way that’s more spiritually fruitful. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/1AjAHppX914