Advertise on podcast: Between Sundays with The Chandlers

In this episode of Between Sundays, Lauren and I talk about something that’s foundational to life in Christ but often overlooked: friendship. God made us for connection. You and I were not designed to walk this life alone, and yet so many of us are doing just that. We unpack the epidemic of loneliness, how real transformation happens in community, how to pursue meaningful friendships, and how to discern who is safe to be vulnerable with. It’s not easy. It takes time. It takes risk. But it is also worth it. Our hope is that this conversation gives you vision and practical tools to form the kind of deep, gospel-centered friendships we all need. In This Episode [00:00] Lauren’s Dad Joke[02:00] The "At the Table" Series and the Loneliness Epidemic[04:49] Transformation Happens in Community[06:00] What Real Friendship Looks Like (and Why It’s Hard to Find)[09:02] Risk, Vulnerability, and the Role of Wisdom[10:00] How to Spot a Fool (and Why You Shouldn’t Be Friends with One)[13:10] Wise vs. Simple vs. Foolish: Who Can You Trust?[15:00] Belonging Deficits and Misreading Social Cues[18:00] Hurt, Healing, and How We Grow in Relationships[21:00] You Are Becoming Like Your Closest Friends[23:00] Inside Lauren’s Closest Friendships: A 20-Year Story[31:00] Evaluating Your Current Friendships[34:00] Inviting Friends Into the Journey (Without Breaking Up With Them) Resources and Mentions Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 22:24–25 – On choosing friends wiselyU.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 report on loneliness as an epidemicThe Overcomers: The King's Table episode - On Male FriendshipsBecoming Like Jesus - Matt’s Forthcoming Book FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: Follow Lauren | Follow Matt | Youtube | Website | Newsletter If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Thank you to our Sponsors Global Christian Relief GCR comes alongside persecuted Christians with prayer, Bibles, and real help so the church can endure and shine as a light for the Gospel. Stand with the persecuted Church and be a lifeline of prayer and support. — visit Globalchristianrelief.org to learn more. – Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

Hey friends—Matt Chandler here. If you’ve followed The Overcomers, you know I’ve spent years telling stories of God’s grace amidst unimaginable pain. But we’re starting a new chapter doing something Lauren and I have desired to do for awhile now. We are pulling up two chairs and inviting you into the kinds of conversations we’ve had over two decades of marriage—some tender, some funny, all rooted in grace and truth. In this first episode, we walk through our first seven years of marriage. We talk about unmet expectations, brokenness, and the power of covenant love. We dig into how God met us—not with quick fixes, but with the slow, steady work of transformation. If you’re married, want to be, or walking with someone who is, our prayer is this gives you some practical steps for building a strong marriage and reminds you we are all in need of God’s work in our lives. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: Follow Lauren | Follow Matt | Youtube | Website | Newsletter If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Thank you to our Sponsors Global Christian Relief GCR comes alongside persecuted Christians with prayer, Bibles, and real help so the church can endure and shine as a light for the Gospel. Stand with the persecuted Church and be a lifeline of prayer and support. — visit Globalchristianrelief.org to learn more. – Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

Between Sundays with the Chandlers is a candid podcast hosted by Matt and Lauren Chandler that invites listeners into the everyday conversations that happen between church services and busy weeks. With warmth, honesty, and humor, the Chandlers talk about real life, marriage, parenting, faith, leadership, suffering, joy, and the ordinary moments that shape who we’re becoming. Rather than polished answers or Sunday morning soundbites, Between Sundays offers thoughtful reflections rooted in Scripture and lived experience. Matt and Lauren share openly about the challenges and blessings of walking with Jesus in the middle of work, family life, and personal growth, creating space for listeners to feel seen, encouraged, and grounded. This podcast is for anyone who wants faith to connect to real life, not just on Sundays, but in the in-between moments where discipleship is actually lived. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: Matt | Lauren | Youtube | Website | Newsletter If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Thank you to our Sponsors! Global Christian Relief: We’re grateful for partners like Global Christian Relief. They are on the front lines supporting our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world — delivering food, shelter, Bibles, and hope where it’s needed most, and calling the Church to pray boldly and stand faithfully with them.Visit GlobalChristianRelief.org to learn how you can pray, give, and stand with believers who are a light for Jesus in the darkest places. Global Christian Relief is helping faithful believers stand firm for the Gospel. – Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

I got to sit down with Olga Reed, a longtime member of The Village Church and someone I deeply admire. Olga walks us through her story—from battling depression and loneliness as a first-generation college student, to coming to faith in Christ, and then surviving one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history at Virginia Tech. Her testimony is a resounding declaration that the darkness did not win and Christ was at work even in the darkest places. Through pain, trauma, and even survivor's guilt, Olga clung to the Word of God, discovered healing in community, and found that Jesus is better than life.  In This Episode Meet Olga Reed: First-Gen Faith and Virginia TechDepression, Isolation, and Searching for BelongingSurrender to Jesus: "Fine"Finding Cru and Her First Bible StudyApril 15: The Suicide AttemptApril 16, 2007: Waking to SirensAfter the Shooting: Fear, Grief, and LonelinessHope in Romans 8 and the Power of ScriptureTriggers, Therapy, and Talking About ItEvil Exists, But So Does Resurrection FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Thank you to our Sponsors Qava.tvQAVA is a Christian streaming platform that helps you understand the Bible and live out your faith with confidence. Think of it as digital discipleship in your pocket. Visit qava.tv/theovercomers and use code OVERCOME50 for 50% off your first 6 months. That’s only $4.99 a month! Overcoming the Darkness by Nate PickowiczThis book offers biblical wisdom and the stories of faithful saints to help you see God’s faithfulness in the darkest seasons. Grab Overcoming the Darkness today at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever good books are sold. On Our Way Home by Colleen ChaoThrough Scripture and her own journey of suffering, Colleen Chao reminds us that all our longings point to the joy of our true Home with Christ. Get your copy of On Our Way Home at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever good books are sold.  – Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

In this episode, I sit down with my lovely wife Lauren to explore her story. She shares about growing up as a “good girl,” always chasing approval, achievement, and the A+. But beneath that pursuit was a deeper struggle: the fear of being weak, broken, or not enough. We talk about how that mindset shaped our marriage, her ministry, and her identity—and the powerful moment when she finally laid it all down at Recovery. This conversation is filled with the kind of grace that sets people free. If you’ve ever struggled with perfectionism, people-pleasing, or performance-driven faith, I believe this episode will offer truth and healing to where you are. In This EpisodeChildhood roots of perfectionism and people-pleasingHow "being good" can become a way to avoid needing GodMarriage as the first wake-up call to graceHitting the idol of achievement in music ministryThe surrender chip moment: Letting go of controlEmbracing powerlessness and understanding graceHow fixed mindset stifled creativity and risk-takingMoving toward a growth mindset in songwritingLearning to say “no” and disappoint people with peaceParenting and people-pleasing under the spotlightShame, criticism, and trusting God with your reputationRemaining vigilant: How perfectionism tries to sneak back inFinal encouragement for those stuck in performanceResources Beth Moore's Bible Study: Believing GodTVC Recovery MinistryFollow Lauren FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Thank you to our Sponsors Qava.tvQAVA is a Christian streaming platform that helps you understand the Bible and live out your faith with confidence. Think of it as digital discipleship in your pocket. Visit qava.tv/theovercomers and use code OVERCOME50 for 50% off your first 6 months. That’s only $4.99 a month! Overcoming the Darkness by Nate PickowiczThis book offers biblical wisdom and the stories of faithful saints to help you see God’s faithfulness in the darkest seasons. Grab Overcoming the Darkness today at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever good books are sold. On Our Way Home by Colleen ChaoThrough Scripture and her own journey of suffering, Colleen Chao reminds us that all our longings point to the joy of our true Home with Christ. Get your copy of On Our Way Home at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever good books are sold.  – Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Josh Turner—pastor, leader, and now author of Into the Storm. Josh’s story is one of unexpected suffering and surprising strength. We talk about his daughter Riley, born with a rare condition, undiagnosed for 12 years, and now living life with courage and clarity most adults don’t have. Josh shares what it was like walking through that pain while pastoring, wrestling with God’s sovereignty, and being forced to reexamine what he actually believed about suffering. That experience, by the grace of God, moved Josh from being just a servant of God to living like a son. We also dive into the ministry he now leads, 10Ten Project, which helps pastors get healthy before they burn out or blow up. This episode isn’t just for church leaders—it’s for anyone walking through pain, anyone looking for hope, and anyone needing to be reminded: God is doing more than you think He is. In This Episode Suffering as a young pastor and preparing the church for itJosh’s early ministry influences and meeting MattThe story of Riley’s birth and undiagnosed conditionWrestling theologically with suffering and God’s sovereigntyTransition from servant to son – a pastor’s identity crisisWhy 10Ten exists: helping pastors finish wellHow many pastors are emotionally unawareReal stories from intensives and ministry breakdownsA theology of suffering is essential for everyoneEncouragement to those in suffering or leadership burnout Guest Resources  Into the Storm by Josh Turner10Ten ProjectFollow JoshuaFollow 10Ten ProjectFOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Thank you to our Sponsors Overcoming the Darkness by Nate PickowiczThis book offers biblical wisdom and the stories of faithful saints to help you see God’s faithfulness in the darkest seasons. Grab Overcoming the Darkness today at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever good books are sold. On Our Way Home by Colleen ChaoThrough Scripture and her own journey of suffering, Colleen Chao reminds us that all our longings point to the joy of our true Home with Christ. Get your copy of On Our Way Home at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever good books are sold.  – Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

I sat down with artist, writer and friend Josh Nadeau to explore his path from theological precocity to personal crisis and ultimately, redemptive beauty. Josh shares how growing up steeped in Reformed theology didn’t insulate him from a slow descent into apathy, addiction, spiritual numbness, and walking through life “as a ghost”. It was beauty—raw, embodied, soul-stirring beauty—that woke him up. We talk about deconstruction, embodiment, addiction, the love of God, and why aesthetics — embodied faith — might be what Saints are made from. If you’re barely hanging on or wondering what a holy life could look like beyond checklists, I commend his book Room For Good Things to Run Wild to you. In This EpisodeGrowing up “super Christian” and deeply catechizedUniversity: the intellectual wrestling match of faithBurnout, apathy, and alcohol: five years of slow unravelingRock bottom: bourbon at 5am and the call of hidden musicChurchy clichés and the need for something that can bear the weightThe boxing gym: embodied weakness and discipleshipGnosticism, disembodied faith, and hunger for incarnationTheology of the Body & rediscovering the sacred in fleshBecoming a saint: not instant, not easy, but beautifulGod’s love beyond usefulness, the danger of returning to slaveryWhy Josh wrote Room for Good Things to Run WildBeauty as the apologetic for a disenchanted ageSpeaking to the silent middle: the “4 out of 10” Christian life Guest Resources Room for Good Things to Run Wild by Josh Nadeau Josh’s InstagramJosh’s Substack FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Thank you to our SponsorsOvercoming the Darkness by Nate Pickowicz This book offers biblical wisdom and the stories of faithful saints to help you see God’s faithfulness in the darkest seasons. Grab Overcoming the Darkness today at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever good books are sold. On Our Way Home by Colleen Chao Through Scripture and her own journey of suffering, Colleen Chao reminds us that all our longings point to the joy of our true Home with Christ. Get your copy of On Our Way Home at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever good books are sold.  – Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

In this episode, I sit down with JP and Ashley Graves—longtime friends and members of our church—with a story that’s both difficult and deeply hopeful. We talk about alcohol—not just as a drink, but as an idol that slowly took the throne in JP’s life and nearly destroyed their marriage. What started as casual drinking turned into dependence, deceit, and despair. Ashley shares what it was like to live with a man she barely recognized, and JP walks us through the moment of surrender that led to healing. This isn’t just about sobriety—it’s about learning to recognize the lies you may be believing and the power of Jesus to meet us in our mess, pull us out, and redeem what feels too far gone. If you’re feeling stuck, ashamed, or maybe you aren’t sure if your drinking is a problem—this episode is for you. In This Episode A Fun Marriage with a Hidden Struggle: JP and Ashley share their early faith journeys, how they met, and the beginnings of alcohol use in their marriage.Numbing with Alcohol Becomes Normal: COVID, cultural norms, and unprocessed pain escalate drinking into full dependency—especially for JP.Deception, Distance, and Despair: JP begins hiding alcohol, Ashley senses the loss of connection, and both begin living separate lives under one roof.A Daughter’s Baptism and a Drunken Confession: JP breaks down the night before he’s supposed to baptize their daughter, leading to a confession that changes everything.Recovery, Rebuilding, and Radical Forgiveness: JP enters counseling and AA. Ashley processes her pain and begins to hope again as God starts to restore.For the One Who Feels Hopeless: JP and Ashley speak directly to listeners—those stuck in addiction and those silently suffering beside them. Resources  If you are struggling with alcohol, I want to encourage you to find help. Find a Recovery program at a local church or if you are local to Dallas, Check out Recovery at The Village Church. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Thank you to our Sponsors Covenant Eyes Victory by Covenant Eyes is a powerful tool that helps Christians who are serious and want to quit porn for good or never start. Victory combines industry-leading technology with decades of experience and leadership in recovery content, accountability, and behavior change. The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life. Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free. Acts 29 This episode of The Overcomers is sponsored by Acts 29, with an invitation to the Acts 29 Conference this coming October in Dallas. To learn more and register, visit acts29.com/conference. Overcomers listeners will receive a special discount of $20 off registration prices using the code OVERCOMERS in all caps anytime before October 1. – Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

I sat down with Luke Lezon and Will Chung to explore how Gen Z and Millennials are wrestling with identity, dignity, and discipleship in a rapidly shifting culture. These young pastors are preaching into cities like Orlando and LA—transient places that offer gospel-sending opportunities—and we unpacked the dangers of comfort culture and over-therapeutic narratives. We talked about how the call to follow Christ includes self-denial, repentance, and mission. Each of us shared stories of wilderness seasons, pastoral burnout, and the deep healing required to lead from wholeness. This is a deep dive into the joys and costs of courageous ministry today. I pray it encourages you — whatever context you’re in. In This Episode [02:00] Identity vs. Dignity: Will’s Pastoral Lens[05:30] Cultural Pressures and Fragile Worth[06:30] Luke on the “Identity Fair” and a Better Story[07:45] Gospel Ministry in a Collapsing Secularism[08:45] Ministering in Transient Cities: Orlando & LA[10:00] Mission Field Mindsets and “Sending Capacity”[12:00] Five-Year Discipleship Windows[14:00] Lies This Generation Believes About God[17:30] The Overcorrection of Self-Care & Gospel Rest[21:00] Rest vs. Replenishment: Jefferson Bethke’s Shift[23:00] Gen Z’s Pain Tolerance & Hunger for Mission[24:00] Will’s 2020 Breakdown: Performing to Be Enough[29:00] Depression and Identity[31:00] Luke’s Story: Betrayal, Leadership, and God’s Timing[35:00] “Cut Robes, Don’t Kill Kings”: Leading Through Hurt[38:00] Repentance + Healing = Transformation[41:00] Therapy, Trauma, and the Gospel of Repentance[45:00] What Christian Therapy Is—and What It’s Not[47:00] Courage in the Pulpit: What It Looks Like Now[50:00] Don’t Be Lazy with the Word: Clarity Over Comfort[52:00] Hermeneutical Bubbles and Pastoral Cowardice[54:00] What the Church Needs to Repent Of (Apathy)[56:00] The Radical Disciple and the Lost Mission[58:00] Stop Selling Out for Ministry Success[01:01:00] Hearing from God, Not Social Media[01:04:00] Final Words + A Call to Spiritual Fathers Guest Resources Follow LukeLuke’s ChurchFollow WillWill’s ChurchFOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Thank you to our Sponsors Covenant Eyes Victory by Covenant Eyes is a powerful tool that helps Christians who are serious and want to quit porn for good or never start. Victory combines industry-leading technology with decades of experience and leadership in recovery content, accountability, and behavior change. The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life. Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free. Acts 29 This episode of The Overcomers is sponsored by Acts 29, with an invitation to the Acts 29 Conference this coming October in Dallas. To learn more and register, visit acts29.com/conference. Overcomers listeners will receive a special discount of $20 off registration prices using the code OVERCOMERS in all caps anytime before October 1. – Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur and restaurateur Marty Bryan—founder of Marty B’s Restaurant—and Eric Loper, a former tech executive turned faith-driven consultant. Together, we dive into what it really looks like to integrate your faith into your business—whether you’re the CEO or just starting out. Marty shares the story behind Marty B’s, a now nine-restaurant enterprise built on Christian values and radical hospitality. Eric opens up about leaving a high-powered tech role to launch companies that give 100% of their profits to ministry. We talk ambition, humility, leadership, and why bold faith in the workplace might cost you—but is worth it every time. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a manager in a Fortune 500 company, or just trying to live out your faith at work, this conversation is for you. In This Episode Why Faith and Business Don’t Need to Be SeparateMarty’s Journey: From Learning the Industry to Owning 9 RestaurantsEric’s Story: Leaving Big Tech to Build Kingdom-Focused VenturesIntegrating Faith in a Hospitality BusinessMen’s and Women’s Bible Breakfasts at Marty B’sStarting Worship Nights and Staying BoldAmbition, Ego, and Kingdom ImpactBuilding Team and Culture Through HospitalityHandling Pushback, Staying FaithfulBeing Salt and Light in Secular WorkplacesPrayer as a Witness in the WorkplaceCulture Building: Alignment and DriftSystems, Structure, and Knowing Your StrengthsTruth Telling as a Cultural Foundation Resources Mentioned First Liberty Institute – Legal help for religious freedom casesMarty B’s Restaurants FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Thank you to our Sponsors Covenant Eyes Victory by Covenant Eyes is a powerful tool that helps Christians who are serious and want to quit porn for good or never start. Victory combines industry-leading technology with decades of experience and leadership in recovery content, accountability, and behavior change. The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life. Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free. Moody Publishers Find Grace Beyond Salvation and I Choose Joy wherever you get your books or at Moodypublishers.com Acts 29 This episode of The Overcomers is sponsored by Acts 29, with an invitation to the Acts 29 Conference this coming October in Dallas. To learn more and register, visit acts29.com/conference. Overcomers listeners will receive a special discount of $20 off registration prices using the code OVERCOMERS in all caps anytime before October 1. – Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

This is a sobering yet hope-filled episode. I sit down with Summer Vinson Berger and Adam Paa to discuss the pain, complexity, and redemptive potential of shepherding care in the local church. From owning massive failures in 2015 to building a robust, gospel-centered care framework at The Village Church, we discuss stories, strategies, and heartfelt convictions about what real, redemptive care looks like when the church chooses humility over image. Whether you’re walking through trauma, burnout, addiction, or just longing for your church to care better—you’ll find wisdom and honesty here. This episode is a call to take the mess seriously, to listen better, and to believe that Jesus still heals through His body. In This Episode The Weight of Shepherding2015: Owning the Failures of CareIntroducing Summer Berger and Adam PaaBuilding a Comprehensive Care MinistryWhat Is Redemptive Care?Why Recovery Must Stay MessyThe Three Buckets of RecoveryMinistry through Recovery: A Front Door to the ChurchIntegrating Gospel and TherapyPsychology Catching Up to ScriptureGratitude, Paul, and NeuroscienceCommon Grace and CounselingWhen Churches Resist Therapeutic ToolsWhy Shepherding Is So ComplexTrust, Time, and Trauma RecoveryThe Risk of Mislabeling ProblemsThe Weight and Cost of Church HurtTraining Churches to Respond BetterA Call to Action for Pastors and the Broken FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Thank you to our Sponsors Covenant Eyes Victory by Covenant Eyes is a powerful tool that helps Christians who are serious and want to quit porn for good or never start. Victory combines industry-leading technology with decades of experience and leadership in recovery content, accountability, and behavior change. The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life. Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free. Moody Publishers Find Grace Beyond Salvation and I Choose Joy wherever you get your books or at Moodypublishers.com Acts 29 This episode of The Overcomers is sponsored by Acts 29, with an invitation to the Acts 29 Conference this coming October in Dallas. To learn more and register, visit acts29.com/conference. Overcomers listeners will receive a special discount of $20 off registration prices using the code OVERCOMERS in all caps anytime before October 1. – Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

Today I unpack the gritty, grace-filled realities of planting churches with three faithful men—Ronnie, Travis, and Spencer—who are living it right now. We talk about the surprising slowness of fruit, the wounds of unmet expectations, and the refining power of suffering. We also celebrate the deep friendships, family sacrifices, and the sacred calling of building from scratch. Whether you’re dreaming of planting, deep in the trenches, or a church member wondering how to help—this one will stir your heart and steady your hands. In This Episode Why Church Planting Still MattersFirst-Year Surprises: Slow Growth, Big WorkVision Matters More Than You ThinkHeart Maintenance in the HustleQuestioning the Call: When Doubt Creeps InFamily and Friendship on the FrontlinesWhen Kids Feel the CostPaper Cuts and PerseveranceGod's Provision in ScarcityThe Power of Sending ChurchesPreaching and Leading from the TrenchesA Word for the Weary PlanterA Call to the Comfortable: Join the Work Resources Mentioned Book: Planting Missional Churches by Ed Stetzer - https://a.co/d/dij4kT2  Organizations & Networks: NAMB (North American Mission Board) – namb.netSend Network – sendnetwork.comActs 29 Church Planting Network – acts29.com FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter – Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

This episode is special to me. I sit down with two of my heroes in the faith—Ray Ortlund and Crawford Loritts. These men have been anchors for me in moments of doubt and discouragement, and I wanted to ask them the questions that most pastors eventually ask themselves: How do you stay faithful for the long haul? How do you finish well when so many don't? We talk about the rhythms that sustained them over decades, the call of ministry that’s far more than a career, and what it looks like to fight pride and pursue humility every single day. We also dive deep into marriage, legacy, and the sacredness of being a pastor. If you're in the trenches—especially in your 20s to 40s—this one's for you. I want to finish well, and I know you do too. In This Episode [02:00] Rhythms That Sustain the Soul[05:00] The Call of God vs. a Career in Ministry[08:00] Shepherding, Not Hiring: A Vision for Pastoral Ministry[13:00] The Crisis of Calling in a Careerist Culture[16:00] The Tragedy of Falling Away[20:00] Discerning the Dangers in Different Seasons[25:00] Kill the Lion: Confronting Sin Early[30:00] The Deception of Success[33:00] The Call to Vulnerability and Brotherhood[36:00] Marriage, Legacy, and Intimacy[40:00] Cultivating Lifelong Love with Your Spouse[45:00] Final Encouragement: Stay Low, Stay Faithful Resources Finishing Strong by Steve FarrarDangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Thank you to our Sponsors Covenant Eyes Victory by Covenant Eyes is a powerful tool that helps Christians who are serious and want to quit porn for good or never start. Victory combines industry-leading technology with decades of experience and leadership in recovery content, accountability, and behavior change. The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life. Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free. – Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

In this episode, I sat down with three close friends—Zack Brown, Kasey Brown, and PJ Kratohvil—all veterans who served overseas in the Army and Marines. We unpack what life in the military gave them, what it took, and how faith became the thread that started to stitch them back together. From life growing up to the trauma of combat, and from isolation to post-traumatic growth, this conversation is raw, redemptive, and real. If you’ve ever wondered how to care well for the veterans in your life—or if you're a veteran yourself looking for hope—this one’s for you. In This Episode [00:00] Meet Zach, Casey, and PJ: Army and Marine Corps Vets[03:00] Church Kids with No Relationship: How Faith Rekindled in Combat[07:00] Not Called to Be Good Men: Deconstructing Religious Misconceptions[10:00] Gold and Shadow: What Military Life Taught Them[16:00] Isolation After Return: Why Veterans Struggle in Civilian Life[22:00] Surface-Level Friendships and the Mission That’s Missing[26:00] War, Guilt, and God’s Grace: Wrestling with Moral Injury[31:00] Misconceptions About Vets and What They Really Need[36:00] “You're Not Special”: The Lie of Isolation and the Need for Brotherhood[41:00] Welcome Home, Not Just Thank You: Honoring Veterans Well[44:00] Jobs, Purpose, and the Path to Healing[47:00] Faith and Freedom: How Jesus Heals the Warrior’s Heart[54:00] Organizations on the Frontlines of Veteran Healing Resources Books On Combat by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman On Killing by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman On Spiritual Combat by Lt. Col. Dave GrossmanTribe by Sebastian Junger Veteran Support Organizations TRG (Therapeutic Recreation Group) Website  InstagramDenton County MVPN (Military Veteran Peer Network) WebsiteVictory Therapy Center WebsiteGallantFew (provides free counseling for veterans) WebsiteCasualties of War (Founded by Zack Brown) Website FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Thank you to our Sponsors Covenant Eyes Victory by Covenant Eyes is a powerful tool that helps Christians who are serious and want to quit porn for good or never start. Victory combines industry-leading technology with decades of experience and leadership in recovery content, accountability, and behavior change. The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life. Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free. Communio Communio is not another program. It’s a non-profit organization that comes alongside churches, training and equipping them to evangelize through the renewal of healthy relationships, marriages, and the family. Family structure is key for passing on faith to children, yet 72 percent of churches lack significant relationship ministry. That’s where Communio comes in. Communio has worked with hundreds of churches across the country. These churches have seen divorce rates drop – attendance rise – weekly generosity increase – and marriage and family bonds restored.  Visit: communio.org/overcomers to learn more about the Communio impact and how Communio can come alongside your church.  – Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

In this episode, I sat down with Mason King and Nick Crawford—two of my fellow elders at The Village—to talk about plurality. Not because it’s trendy, but because it’s biblical, and because it has been a safeguard in my ministry. Early on, I had all the power, all the control—and I knew it. It was efficient, it was fast, and it was dangerous. So we talk about why one-man leadership is a bad idea, what true elder plurality actually looks like, and how it’s protected us, humbled us, and served the body over the years. If you’re planting a church, rethinking leadership, or just wondering how to build something that lasts—this one’s for you. In This Episode [03:00] The Biblical Case for Plurality[06:00] Why We Avoid Plurality[12:00] What Plurality Has Given Us[16:00] Shield-to-Shield Leadership[21:00] How We Choose Elders[30:00] When Plurality Prevents Church Hurt[38:00] Signs of Fake Plurality[43:00] First Steps Toward Plurality[49:00] Final Encouragements to Young Leaders FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You! Thank you to our Sponsors Covenant Eyes Victory by Covenant Eyes is a powerful tool that helps Christians who are serious and want to quit porn for good or never start. Victory combines industry-leading technology with decades of experience and leadership in recovery content, accountability, and behavior change. The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life. Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free. Communio Communio is not another program. It’s a non-profit organization that comes alongside churches, training and equipping them to evangelize through the renewal of healthy relationships, marriages, and the family. Family structure is key for passing on faith to children, yet 72 percent of churches lack significant relationship ministry. That’s where Communio comes in. Communio has worked with hundreds of churches across the country. These churches have seen divorce rates drop – attendance rise – weekly generosity increase – and marriage and family bonds restored.  Visit: communio.org/overcomers to learn more about the Communio impact and how Communio can come alongside your church.  – Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.  For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]