The Monday Christian Podcast

Are you like me? Do you have a hard time knowing when you should say something or not? I know I do. Confrontation can be tricky. It's more complicated when your feelings are hurt. Listen as Cesar and Ezra explore this topic.

Ouch! Love hurts sometimes. Problem is us Christians are called to love everyone. This means we are no strangers to pain caused by relationships. The question is, how do we deal with it? In this episode Cesar and Ezra explore how to deal with emotional pain.

In this episode, Cesar finishes his story about his broken relationship, and Ezra gives advice on how to invest in relationships.

Relationships are complicated, messy, and time-consuming, but they are also essential. Join us in part 1 of a 2-part episode on relationships. In this episode, Ezra focuses on the value of relationships and Cesar opens up about some not-so-great relationships in his life.

Is there room for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the church? Can we pull any good out of DEI? What's the connection between DEI and relationships in the church? In this episode, two friends start off disagreeing but find common ground.

Trump is back! But did he ever leave? It's hard to think of another person currently on this globe that is talked about more. Join us in this episode as two friends discuss how they navigate the polarizing world of Trump.

Immigration. If you are anything like us, you wrestle with how a Christian should feel and think about this topic. Should we err on the side of grace? Should we err on the side of justice and national loyalty? Is there a third option that we are missing? Listen to this episode as we wrestle with what the Christian perspective should be with our current immigration situation.

"AI is taking over everything!" Who hasn't heard that before? In this episode, Cesar and Ezra discuss what it means for something or someone to take over your life completely.

I'm a good person, right? Well maybe but it's a common mistake to believe that is enough. Sit with Ezra and Cesar as they discuss the problem of moralism and how it might work on the surface but always fails to address the heart of the issue.

If you find it hard to read your Bible or pray you are not alone. We all experience this at times. Join us this episode as we explore what to do when we feel like a bad Christians.

Tod Bolsinger is the founder and principal at AE Sloan Leadership Inc., the executive director of the DePree Center Church Leadership Institute, and associate professor of leadership formation at Fuller Seminary. He is the author of Canoeing the Mountains and Tempered Resilience. Tod and his wife, Beth, split their time between Pasadena, California, and Ketchum, Idaho.

Key Points

• How to influence change in an organization 
• The practical side of leadership
• Leading at a pace others can follow
• How to take people where they need to go

Resources

Tod Bolsinger is the founder and principal at AE Sloan Leadership Inc., the executive director of the DePree Center Church Leadership Institute, and associate professor of leadership formation at Fuller Seminary. He is the author of Canoeing the Mountains and Tempered Resilience. Tod and his wife, Beth, split their time between Pasadena, California, and Ketchum, Idaho.

Key Points

• Tod's faith journey
• Leading in unprecedented times 
• Defining true leadership
• Tod's new four-part leadership book series 

Resources

C. Ryan Fields (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is senior pastor of Faith Evangelical Free Church in Acton, Massachusetts. Ryan grew up going to church but didn't know Jesus personally as Lord and Savior until high school; since his conversion to Christ, God has been at work in his life, teaching him what it means, slowly but surely, to live as a child of God rather than a slave to sin. His pastoral training included MDiv, ThM, and PhD studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is ordained with the Evangelical Free Church of America and previously served as Associate Pastor at Creekside Community Church in Gainesville, FL. He is married to Emily, and together, they seek to serve the church and raise their three daughters (Penelope, Amelie, and Madeline).

Key Points

• How do I build meaningful relationships with those who have different perspectives?
• What does it look like to put a healthy view of catholicity into context in a local setting? 
• Practical advice for those looking for a church
• Practical advice for pastors who want to help their congregations realize they are part of one body

Resources 

C. Ryan Fields (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is senior pastor of Faith Evangelical Free Church in Acton, Massachusetts. Ryan grew up going to church but didn't know Jesus personally as Lord and Savior until high school; since his conversion to Christ, God has been at work in his life, teaching him what it means, slowly but surely, to live as a child of God rather than a slave to sin. His pastoral training included MDiv, ThM, and PhD studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is ordained with the Evangelical Free Church of America and previously served as Associate Pastor at Creekside Community Church in Gainesville, FL. He is married to Emily, and together, they seek to serve the church and raise their three daughters (Penelope, Amelie, and Madeline).

Key Points

• Ryan's personal faith journey
• What is catholicity? 
• How catholicity is different from Roman Catholicism? 
• How this changes how we read Scripture 
• How this reshapes our view of the church

Resources 

Yolanda M. Solomon is the director of discipleship at Epiphany Church in Brooklyn, New York, where she teaches and creates discipleship curriculum and resources. She has also worked in campus ministry at Columbia University in New York, where she was blessed to serve undergraduate students for seven years. Yolanda is a disciple of Christ, a Brooklyn native, and a lifelong Knicks fan, which richly fuels her prayer life. She lives in Brooklyn with her family.

Key Points

• Coming to faith in Christ
• Discipling others in politically tumultuous times
• Building relationships with people of diverse perspectives
• Loving those with whom we disagree

Resources 

Yolanda M. Solomon is the director of discipleship at Epiphany Church in Brooklyn, New York, where she teaches and creates discipleship curriculum and resources. She has also worked in campus ministry at Columbia University in New York, where she was blessed to serve undergraduate students for seven years. Yolanda is a disciple of Christ, a Brooklyn native, and a lifelong Knicks fan, which richly fuels her prayer life. She lives in Brooklyn with her family.

Key Points

• What is Holy Collaboration? 
• What discipleship looks like
• Reading widely and learning from multiple perspectives
• The importance of discipling others 

Resources 

Russell W. Joyce is the director of Foursquare Multiply, the church planting movement of the Foursquare denomination for the United States, while also serving as lead pastor of Faith Center, a historic church in the Foursquare movement. In 2017 he planted a church in Brooklyn, New York, with the Hope Church NYC family of churches before transitioning in 2021. He co-hosts the Same Jesus Podcast and currently calls the Pacific Northwest home with his wife, Anna, and two sons.

Key Points

• The life of Jacob and learning to walk with a limp
• Church planting and ministering to others
• How brokenness can change the way we love others
• Seeing yourself as God sees you

Resources 

Russell W. Joyce is the director of Foursquare Multiply, the church planting movement of the Foursquare denomination for the United States, while also serving as lead pastor of Faith Center, a historic church in the Foursquare movement. In 2017 he planted a church in Brooklyn, New York, with the Hope Church NYC family of churches before transitioning in 2021. He co-hosts the Same Jesus Podcast and currently calls the Pacific Northwest home with his wife, Anna, and two sons.

Key Points

• Being born with a rare craniofacial disorder called Goldenhar syndrome
• Growing up different
• "Let me kiss you" 
• Finding a Christ who sees all of us
• How brokenness changes us

Resources 

Alain is husband to Rachel and Dad to Annie, Erin and Finn. Alain has the privilege to serve as Lead Pastor of Emmanuel Church, oversee the Tobar Church Network in Ireland and serve as the Director of the 24-7 Prayer Communities Network. Alain is excited about seeing a ‘new thing’ happening in the nation of Ireland in these days.  Other things he is passionate about are reading, hanging out with friends, most sports and Liverpool Football Club. 

Key Points

00:00 Introduction and Importance of Understanding the Narrative of Scripture

00:39 The Role of Prayer in Embodying the God Story

08:06 Approaching the Bible as a Love Letter

21:38 The Importance of Community in the Christian Journey

25:48 Encountering God and Being Transformed

Resources:

Alain is husband to Rachel and Dad to Annie, Erin and Finn. Alain has the privilege to serve as Lead Pastor of Emmanuel Church, oversee the Tobar Church Network in Ireland and serve as the Director of the 24-7 Prayer Communities Network. Alain is excited about seeing a ‘new thing’ happening in the nation of Ireland in these days.  Other things he is passionate about are reading, hanging out with friends, most sports and Liverpool Football Club. 

Key Points:

00:00 Alan's Faith Journey and Background
03:03 The Importance of Understanding the God Story
14:05 The Impact of Context on Scripture Understanding
20:55 Roadblocks to Accepting the God Story
25:26 Contextualizing Passions within the God Story
28:11 Engaging with the God Story: Resources and Tools

Resources:

The Revd Dr Hannah Steele is Director of St Mellitus College, London. As well as Living His Story, she is author of New World, New Church? (SCM Press, 2017). Alongside her academic work, Hannah has spent time engaged in mission and evangelism among students in central London as a staff worker with UCCF. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s 2021 Lent Book, her first devotional study, was a Sunday Times bestseller.

Links:

The Revd Dr Hannah Steele is Director of St Mellitus College, London. As well as Living His Story, she is author of New World, New Church? (SCM Press, 2017). Alongside her academic work, Hannah has spent time engaged in mission and evangelism among students in central London as a staff worker with UCCF. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s 2021 Lent Book, her first devotional study, was a Sunday Times bestseller.

Key Points:

00:00 Introduction and Faith Journey

02:01 Raising Kids to Discover Christ

03:46 Living Out Faith, Hope, and Love

08:32 Ministering in a Post-Christian Context

12:59 Redefining Mission and Addressing Negative Connotations

23:58 The Openness of the Younger Generation

Links:

D. Brent Sandy (PhD, Duke University) taught New Testament and Greek at Wheaton College and chaired the Department of Religious Studies at Grace College. He is co-author (with John Walton) of The Lost World of Scripture: Ancient Literary Culture and Biblical Authority and author of Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Importance of Hearing the Word of God

08:20 Getting on the Wavelength of Scripture and Cultural Context

14:44 Different Translations and Passion for God's Word

25:25 Developing a Holistic Approach to Outreach

Resources:

D. Brent Sandy (PhD, Duke University) taught New Testament and Greek at Wheaton College and chaired the Department of Religious Studies at Grace College. He is co-author (with John Walton) of The Lost World of Scripture: Ancient Literary Culture and Biblical Authority and author of Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic.

Resources:

Kori de Leon, the Founding Director of Adoring Christ Ministries, is an author, speaker, podcaster, and host of the annual EquipHer Conference in Houston, Texas. Kori's recent publication, the Bible study “Upheld,” was released by IVP Publishing. She is also a contributor to LifeWay Publishing’s new women’s study Bible, and has authored “Age of Crowns” (Moody Publishing), as well as, “Adoring Christ: Beholding Jesus and Becoming Like Him.” Her writings are featured in various journals, blogs, devotions, and online ministries, including “Proverbs 31: Encouragement for Today.” In this conversation, Kori shares about how Isaiah 40-48 points us to Jesus. 

Key Points:

00:00 Introduction and Connecting the Old Testament to the Life of Christ
10:16 Trusting in God's Sovereignty and Sustaining Power
14:21 Finding Hope and Confidence in God's Faithfulness

Resources 

Kori de Leon, the Founding Director of Adoring Christ Ministries, is an author, speaker, podcaster, and host of the annual EquipHer Conference in Houston, Texas. Kori's recent publication, the Bible study “Upheld,” was released by IVP Publishing. She is also a contributor to LifeWay Publishing’s new women’s study Bible, and has authored “Age of Crowns” (Moody Publishing), as well as, “Adoring Christ: Beholding Jesus and Becoming Like Him.” Her writings are featured in various journals, blogs, devotions, and online ministries, including “Proverbs 31: Encouragement for Today.” In this conversation, Kori shares about her ministry and her study on Isaiah 40-48.

Key Points

00:00 Introduction and Ministry Background
13:39 Living on Mission in Challenging Times
24:23 Delighting in God's Work on Our Behalf
30:09 Mocking Idols and Trusting in God's Faithfulness

Resources

Dr. Sandra Richter discusses the transformative power of her book, 'The Epic of Eden,' which helps readers see the Old Testament from a new perspective. She explains her approach of reanimating the characters of the Bible as real people and making the Old Testament relevant to a 21st-century audience. Dr. Richter also addresses the challenges of understanding the cultural context of the Old Testament and the perception of God moving slowly. She emphasizes the importance of worship and finding comfort amid doubts and questions. Lastly, she highlights the value of learning from people with great faith.

Chapters

01:59 The Epic of Eden and Changing Perspectives
04:26 Helping Students Develop a Hunger for God's Word
06:53 The Cultural Gap in Approaching the Old Testament
10:25 The Perception of God Moving Slowly
11:35 The Uncertainty and Comfort in Faith
19:54 Finding Peace amid Doubts and Questions

Links:

Summary

In this conversation, Ezra and David discuss the book of Hebrews and how it helps readers understand the Old Testament. They emphasize the importance of reorienting focus on Jesus and seeing him as the central character throughout the scriptures. They also explore the concept of delighting in God's Word and developing a deeper relationship with God through scripture. Additionally, they discuss the value of reading Psalms and Proverbs with a focus on Jesus and how it can transform one's perspective. Dave also shares his personal faith journey and the impact of his encounter with Christ.

Talking Points:

Update on Dave and TMC

The Impact of Hebrews

The Purpose of Hebrews and Understanding the Old Testament

Seeing Jesus in the Psalms

Delighting in God's Word

Developing a Relationship with God through Scripture

Going Deeper in Bible Study

Dave's Faith Journey

Links:

In this podcast episode, Ezra and David catch up on life updates and discuss the importance of connecting the Old Testament and the New Testament. They explore how Genesis helps us understand the cross and the significance of reading Scripture through the lens of Jesus. They also address the question of how to hear God's voice through Scripture and navigate doubts about the Bible. Finally, they encourage listeners to trust God and wrestle with questions while finding encouragement in the words of those who have suffered.

Talking Points:

• Life Updates
• Connecting the Old Testament and the New Testament
• Hearing God's Voice Through Scripture
• Addressing Doubts About the Bible
• Genesis and the Cross
• Trusting God while Wrestling with Questions

Links:

In this conversation, Ezra Byer and Darryl Dash discuss how to develop a strong rhythm in reading the Bible and maintaining spiritual vibrancy. They explore the hiddenness of God and the importance of living by faith and responding like Jesus. They also address the relevance and impact of the Bible, especially the Old Testament, and how to approach hard passages. They emphasize the unique nature of Scripture and its transformative power. The conversation concludes with a message of hope for those experiencing spiritual drought.

• Developing a Strong Rhythm in Reading the Bible
• Maintaining Spiritual Vibrancy
• Understanding How to Read Scripture
• Engaging with the Old Testament
• Addressing Hard Passages in Scripture
• The Transformative Power of Scripture
• Spiritual Drought

Links:

In this episode, Ezra Byer interviews Darrell Dash, a senior pastor and author, about the importance of habits in personal and spiritual growth. They discuss the Christian approach to habits and how they can accelerate spiritual growth. They also explore different types of habit personalities and the time it takes to form strong habits. The conversation delves into the value of eliminating distractions, balancing pushing oneself and good routines, and the challenges of instilling good habits in a busy life. The episode concludes with practical habits for personal growth and a preview of the next episode.

Episode Talking Points:

• Passion for Habits and Personal Transformation
• Christian Approach to Habits
• The Importance of Disciplines in Spiritual Growth
• The Value of Eliminating Distractions
• Instilling Good Habits in a Busy Life
• Leadership and Setting the Pace

Links:

This conversation introduces the Daily Devotional and provides an overview of what to expect. It emphasizes the importance of reflecting on the past year and the need for growth in one's walk with God. The conversation explores the concept of guilt and the 1% rule for personal improvement. It also delves into the desire for authenticity. The structure of the Daily Devotional is explained, and the audience is encouraged to engage by leaving comments and questions.

Episode Talking Points:

• New TMC Devotional
• New Beginnings for 2024
• Stagnation in the Christian Faith
• Dealing with Guilt
• The 1% Rule
• Authenticity in Relationships
• Engaging with the Devotional

Links:

Pastor Jim Halbert has many years of experience as a church planter, lead pastor of a multi-site congregation, adjunct professor, and has taught in Africa, Europe, and Asia. 

With a Doctorate in Transformational Leadership, Jim has a heart for leaders walking through challenging ministry seasons. He is passionate about listening to their stories and helping them pursue God and His purposes for them. 

Jim loves teaching Scripture in its historical and cultural context and has led groups to Israel on several occasions. 

Episode Talking Points

• God's love is beyond our comprehension
• Security from our identity in Christ
• Freedom to explore
• We can call on God when we're in distress
• God is our refuge
• Trusting God's attachment love

Resources

Christina Bieber Lake (PhD, Emory University) is the Clyde S. Kilby professor of English at Wheaton College, where she teaches contemporary American literature and theory. She is the author of Prophets of the Posthuman: American Fiction, Biotechnology, and the Ethics of Personhood and The Incarnational Art of Flannery O’Connor. She lives in Wheaton, Illinois, with her husband, Stephen, and their son.

Talking Points

• Why teachers are misunderstood
• Rhythms of a teacher
• Completely Uninterrupted Reading Blocks (CURB)
• Unique challenges of teaching at different levels

Resources

Douglas Groothuis (PhD, University of Oregon) is professor of philosophy at Denver Seminary. He is the author of numerous books, including Christian Apologetics, Fire in the Streets, Philosophy in Seven Sentences, Unmasking the New Age, Truth Decay, On Pascal, On Jesus, and Walking Through Twilight. He has written for scholarly journals such as Religious Studies, Sophia, Research in Philosophy and Technology, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, and Philosophia Christi, as well as for numerous popular magazines.

Episode Talking Points:

• World religions
• Sharing your faith
• Interacting with others who have different worldviews

Resources:

Brian Russell (Ph.D.) is an award-winning professor of biblical studies and former dean at Asbury Theological Seminary as well as a transformational coach for pastors and spiritually-minded professionals. His personal mission is to seek out, study, and embody the deepest truths about God so that he can share them compellingly, lovingly, and transformationally with others. He is the author of The Song of the Sea: The Date of Composition and Influence of Exodus 15:1–21 (Peter Lang, 2007); Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed 2014); (re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade 2015); and his newly released Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life (Paraclete Press, 2021). He is also host of the Deep Dive Spirituality Conversations podcast.

Episode Talking Points:

• Teaching the Bible
• The influence of scripture 
• The story of the Bible
• Dealing with hard passages 
• Walking through a dark night of the soul 
• Keeping the Bible fresh in our lives 
• Contemplative Spiritual Formation 

Resources:

Micah E. Davis is a pastor and he believes the written and spoken word are a medium to illicit heart change and life transformation. He has committed his life to using words for good. Micah lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with his wife Rylei and their Australian Kelpie, Leo. In his free time, he can often be found hiking, reading, or drinking a cold glass of sweet tea.

Episode Talking Points

• Living in Indianapolis
• Church planting
• Having a father who had a moral failure
• Wrestling with faith
• Finding our life's purpose
• Listening in community with others

Resources

Eric has a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Whitworth University, Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Portland Seminary at George Fox University.

Gaining a heart for ministry through Young Life in Maryland as a teenager, Eric went on to start a new club at a neighboring high school. He served for seven years as an Associate Pastor at Marine View Presbyterian Church in Tacoma. After that, Eric founded Colbert Presbyterian in 1997. He also has written three books: Wade In The Water, Letters to a Young Pastor (with Eugene H. Peterson), and Letters to a Young Congregation. Outside of CPC, Eric serves as an advisor for doctoral students at Portland Seminary, and as a trustee at Whitworth University.

Eric is married to Elizabeth, who is a Spiritual Director and Yoga Instructor. They have six children, and three grandchildren.

Episode Talking Point:

• Eric's relationship with his father
• Writing a letter to his dad
• Avoiding workaholism
• Being Present
• Operating in a social media age
• Guarding our souls

Resources:

Barry Rowan is a Harvard Business School graduate who spent his entire career serving in C-Suite roles. He has been instrumental in building and transforming eight businesses, primarily in the technology and communication space, with one selling for $10 billion. His leadership experience spans both private and public companies, including Gogo (the inflight connectivity company), Vonage, Nextel Partners, and Fluke Corporation.

Based on his belief in giving back, Barry serves on both for-profit and non-profit boards, mentors young leaders, and leads international study trips. His non-profit boards have included InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Seattle Pacific University, Gordon College, the Gonzaga University Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, and advisory boards for Harvard Business School. He also served as president of Bellevue Christian School.

Episode Talking Points: 

• Christian Leadership 
• Surrender 
• Who is God? 
• Sacrifice 
• Success as a Christian 
• Wrestling with God 

Resources

Msuega Tese is a co-founder and Executive Director of Integrated Solutions Angola Lda (ISA). Under Tese’s leadership, ISA has become the brand leading enterprise customers in Angola to turn to for high-end professional IT services. While Tese owes his expertise to his education and decades of experience, his journey to leadership began at a very young age.

Episode Talking Points: 

• Leadership
• Church hypocrisy
• Who is God?
• Supernatural prayer
• Bringing value to the workplace
• Leading like Jesus
• How to become a leader

Resources: