Advertise on podcast: The Issues Podcast

Why does the local church matter—and can listening to sermons online ever take its place? In this episode, Stephen, Martin, and Tom discuss the biblical foundation and practical value of belonging to a local church. From membership and baptism to fellowship, accountability, and pastoral care, they explore how God uses a congregation to help believers grow, serve, and fulfill the Great Commission. Along the way, the conversation includes an honest debate about the local and universal church, differing perspectives on livestreaming, and an encouraging story of pastors working together to plant another church in their own community. With humor and practical insight, this episode challenges every believer to consider the importance of faithful participation in the life of a local church.

Stephen, Tom, and Martin are joined by Anthony Collins, an active participant in Indiana Republican politics, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of conservatism in America. They discuss how Trump has changed the Republican Party’s tone, economic philosophy, immigration policy, and approach to foreign affairs—and whether the coalition he built can survive without him. The conversation also includes the personalities who may shape the party’s future, including J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis, and others. Can Republicans maintain the populist movement Trump created while recovering a clear identity, consistent principles, and a Christian spirit toward those with whom they disagree? It’s politics, principle, personality, and plenty of discourse on this episode of The Issues Podcast.

This week on The Issues Podcast, we introduce a brand-new segment: “Baptist Behaving Badly”—a look at some of the issues, controversies, and lessons coming out of the Baptist world. Then we turn our attention to the main topic: Made for Heaven. Heaven is more than simply the place a Christian goes after death—it is the home God is preparing us for even now. Through the church, His creation, His Word, the songs we sing, the people we love, the trials we endure, and our daily walk with Him, God gradually loosens our grip on this world and teaches us to long for the next. Join Stephen Russ, Tom Brennan, and Martin Wickens for a thoughtful (and occasionally not-so-serious) conversation about how God prepares His people so that when heaven comes, it feels less like entering a strange place and more like finally going home.

The Lindsay Clancy case has sparked intense debate over mental illness, criminal responsibility, postpartum psychosis, and the meaning of justice. In this episode of The Issues Podcast, Stephen, Martin, and Tom examine the case and wrestle with the difficult questions surrounding it. How should mental illness affect criminal responsibility? What role should compassion play when a horrific crime has been committed? Can we acknowledge the reality of postpartum mental illness without minimizing the lives of the victims? And what happens when public sympathy begins to influence the way society thinks about justice? Plus, Tom is back—and the guys explain the new live format of The Issues Podcast.

The recent revelations involving Kenny Baldwin have prompted difficult but necessary conversations within the church. In this episode, Stephen Russ, Tom Brennan, and Martin Shipe examine the biblical qualifications for church leadership, discuss how churches should respond when leaders fall into serious sin, and explore practical safeguards that can help protect the vulnerable and strengthen accountability. They also address the importance of transparency, church governance, and maintaining a biblical perspective during times of crisis.

In this special episode of The Issues Podcast, host Martin Wickens sits down with church planters Marty Montgomery and Josh Levesque during the missions conference at Bedford Bible Church. Through personal testimonies, practical insights, and honest reflections, Marty and Josh share how God led them into church planting, not through ambition, but through surrender, faithfulness, and obedience. They discuss the unique challenges of their fields, from urban ministry in Dearborn to long-term growth in Springfield, while offering encouragement to pastors, young leaders, and anyone seeking God’s direction for their life and ministry. Whether you’re a church planter, a ministry leader, or simply burdened for the work of the Gospel, this episode will challenge you to trust God’s leading, avoid the trap of comparison, and remain faithful where He has placed you.

In this episode of the Issues Podcast, Stephen and Martin unpack what true spiritual leadership looks like from 1 Corinthians 4, addressing why it is often misunderstood in today’s churches and why fewer young men seem willing to step into leadership roles. They explore the tension between faithfulness and success, the dangers of personality-driven ministry, and the challenge of developing the next generation of leaders. With honest discussion about ministry realities, delegation, and the long-term work of discipleship, this conversation encourages believers to pursue leadership that is humble, biblical, and ultimately accountable to Christ.

In this episode, we sit down and walk through Job 31 together, unpacking Job’s final defense and what it reveals about true integrity. As the conversation develops, we explore how Job invites his entire life to be examined from his thought life and purity, to his treatment of others, his handling of wealth, and even his response to his enemies. Along the way, we highlight the nature of integrity and how it flows from a genuine fear of God, not just outward behavior. If you’ve ever wondered what real, biblical integrity looks like in everyday life, this conversation will give you a clear and challenging picture.

In this episode of The Issues Podcast, Stephen Russ and Martin Wickens respond to the disturbing church invasion in Minnesota and explore what it means to protect religious liberty, uphold lawful protest, and remain faithful to Christ in a hostile culture. They discuss church security, the role of government, Christian self-defense, and the balance between loving enemies and seeking justice, always returning to the truth that the Gospel is the ultimate answer to society’s deepest problems.

Few topics ignite more passion—and confusion—than the Bible translation debate. In this candid episode, Stephen Russ, Martin Wickens, and Joe Shakour sit down for the conversation many have been asking for but few have been willing to have. From the opening prayer, it’s clear this isn’t a fight to win—it’s a truth to clarify. Together they walk through: How we actually got our English Bible and why the history matters Why the textual issue raises so much heat, and how to bring light instead Why they reject the Alexandrian text family and remain committed to the traditional text What the King James translators actually did—and why their method still holds up Bad arguments for the KJV (and why they hurt more than they help) Readability, accuracy, and the next generation—can we confidently hand our kids a KJV? Why this topic is worth discussing again, and how to talk about it without tearing each other apart If you've ever wondered why these men remain convinced of the King James Bible—or if you’ve wrestled with the questions yourself—this is the episode that finally gives a thoughtful, charitable, biblically grounded answer. This is one of the most important episodes the Issues Podcast has ever released. If you care about Scripture, clarity, or the next generation, don’t skip this one. Resource List: The King James Version Defended — E.F. Hills A More Sure Word — R.B. Ouellette The Traditional Text — Dean Burgon The Causes of the Corruption of the Traditional Text — Dean Burgon The Test for Truth — Dean Burgon (writings) Articles & Pamphlets — Trinitarian Bible Society (TBS) Articles & Research — Institute for New Testament Textual Research (INTF)

🎙️ Issues Podcast — “Dispensationalism: A Biblical Defense” In this timely and engaging episode, Stephen Russ sits down with Martin Wickens and Joe Shakour to discuss one of the most debated theological subjects today: Dispensationalism—what it is, what it isn’t, and why it matters more than ever. This episode speaks to: What the Bible means by “dispensation” and how Scripture itself shows God dealing with humanity in distinct stewardships Why hyper-dispensationalism is dangerous, especially when it alters the Gospel or invents multiple ways of salvation How to think biblically about Israel today without collapsing into political reactionism or cultural pressure Why covenant promises to Israel still matter—not because Israel is perfect, but because God is faithful How a literal hermeneutic preserves clarity, consistency, and confidence in the Word of God Where premillennial hope fits into the believer’s daily life, not as speculation, but as comfort and motivation This episode cuts through noise and social-media theology, calling believers back to a simple, Scriptural, Christ-honoring framework for understanding God’s plan through the ages. 📖 “A dispensational view doesn’t complicate the Bible—it allows the Bible to say what it says.”

In this thought-provoking conversation, Pastor Stephen Russ and Martin Wickens sit down with Pastor Joe Shakour, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Wilson, North Carolina. They discuss the Shakour’s remarkable journey from a Catholic-Charismatic background to his engagement with deep theological issues. Pastor Shakour opens up about: His parents’ conversion during the Jesus Movement and his own early faith journey Wrestling with textual criticism, biblical languages, and why he holds to the King James Bible and the Textus Receptus His perspective on staying biblically grounded without checking your brain at the door Lessons learned through his battle with Calvinism and how returning to simple, contextual Bible study brought clarity His heart for addiction recovery ministry and what it looks like to be light in dark and difficult places This episode challenges young men in ministry to think deeply, live purely, and lead humbly—anchored in Scripture and driven by love for Christ. 📖 “The Bible wasn’t given to make you smart—it was given to make you holy.” – Pastor Joe Shakour

What is true revival? In this episode of The Issues Podcast, Pastor Stephen Russ and Pastor Martin Wickens continue the conversation on revival—what it is, what it isn’t, and how believers can steward the stirring we’re seeing in our nation today. From the Welsh Revival to the Haystack Prayer Meeting, we explore Jonathan Edwards’ five marks of genuine revival: 1️⃣ Exalting Christ 2️⃣ Opposing Satan’s kingdom 3️⃣ Loving God’s Word 4️⃣ Pursuing truth 5️⃣ Demonstrating love for God and man This is a thoughtful, biblical, and balanced discussion on revival, awakening, and how Christians should respond to the current spiritual interest in our culture. 🎧 Listen now on The Issues Podcast — available wherever you get your podcasts, or visit theissuespod.com.

Busyness doesn’t equal godliness. In this episode, Martin and Stephen tackle the subtle but dangerous trap of equating a packed schedule with spiritual growth. They discuss practical ways to evaluate your schedule, set healthy boundaries, and keep your priorities aligned with what truly matters.

The word “revival” is being talked about everywhere—but what does it really mean? In today’s episode, we dig into the heart of the matter: What is true revival? Is it happening right now? And what role, if any, do we play in ushering it in?Join us for a thoughtful and timely conversation you won’t want to miss.