Jonathan Huggins

Jonathan Huggins joins us on the podcast today with a sermon for the season of Advent reflecting on peace. How does the Gospel redefine shalom—peace—with God, within ourselves, and with others? How can we maintain relational and psychological rest in our souls when facing the anxiety-producing situations of our modern world? 

Peace JONATHAN HUGGINS
Center for Pastor Theologians
What We're Reading — December 2024

For our December episode on books, we, the CPT staff, have been reading (and, on this occasion, watching):

What We're Reading — December 2024
Caleb Campbell
Church and Caesar in Acts 17 | Chris Ganski

Today, Chris Ganski shares a sermon on Acts 17:1-9. In the wake of the 2024 election, the book of Acts can be an excellent resource to consider the relationship between church and politics. In the context of Acts 17, does Caesar have anything to fear from the church? What is the church, and what does it mean to belong to the church? How does the church’s identity influence our understanding of the gospel as political? This and more on today’s podcast. 

Church and Caesar in Acts 17 | Chris Ganski
Caleb Campbell
Pastoring Post-Election | Caleb Campbell

Pastor Caleb Campbell joins the podcast to discuss how pastors might guide their congregations through the results of the 2024 election, drawing from his experience pastoring in Phoenix, AZ. He also discusses his book "Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor." How can we helpfully engage those in their community who align with combative political perspectives? How can pastors support members who are struggling to have conversations with family members, or for whom the election stirs up difficult emotions? This and more on today's episode. 

Pastoring Post-Election | Caleb Campbell
Douglas Estes
On Tolkien and Theology | Part II | Douglas ...

Douglas Estes joins the podcast once again to discuss the second volume of a collection of essays he edited on theology in the works and worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien. We talk about the role of narrative fiction in shaping pastoral theology and how works like The Lord of the Rings can serve those who lead the church in the present day.

On Tolkien and Theology | Part II | Douglas Estes

The Enneagram and Pastoral Ministry | Todd Wilson

The Enneagram and Pastoral Ministry | Todd Wilson

In this episode, we continue our conversation with CPT President Todd Wilson about his new book, The Enneagram Goes to Church: Wisdom for Leadership, Worship, and Congregational Life. How can the Enneagram help us cultivate pastoral wisdom and relational, emotional intelligence? What self-knowledge can it offer pastors? What insight can it give in to the insecurities and compulsions that drive us to protect ourselves from shame, fear, or our own anger? How can Christ work in our hearts and minds through a tool like the Enneagram?

Why I Wrote a Book about the Enneagram | Todd Wilson

Why I Wrote a Book about the Enneagram | Todd Wilson

Why did a trained New Testament scholar and longtime pastor become so interested in the enneagram? On today's episode, CPT President Todd Wilson shares his journey of discovering the enneagram and discusses many of the common objections and questions about it within evangelical circles. What are the theological convictions undergirding its "appropriation" for pastoral and formational use in the church? Todd's new book, The Enneagram Goes to Church: Wisdom for Leadership, Worship, and Church Life, releases on March 16, 2021 (Intervarsity Press).

Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Jennifer Powell McNutt

Becoming a Pastor Theologian | Jennifer Powell McNutt

On today's episode, we are joined by CPT Fellow Jennifer Powell McNutt. She serves as the Dyrness Chair of Biblical and Theological Studies at Wheaton College and is an ordained minister in the PCUSA. We discuss her story of family, faith, and education, including discerning a call to ministry as a woman. We also explore some of her research on the Enlightenment, Calvin, and Reformed tradition's legacy of the pastor theologians in Calvin's Geneva.

An Historically-Rooted Liturgy | John Yates

An Historically-Rooted Liturgy | John Yates

What are some of the distinctives of Anglican worship forms? What does a liturgy that is both historically rooted and culturally and linguistically responsive serve God's people? What are the advantages and disadvantages of these forms? This week, we continue our conversation with CPT Fellow, John Yates. We discuss these and other questions, including what to make of the recent trend towards more "liturgical" forms of worship and the future direction of the Anglican Communion.

The Pastor as Public Theologian | Kevin Vanhoozer

The Pastor as Public Theologian | Kevin Vanhoozer

The public theologian ministers the reality of the gospel to the time and place of their congregational life. Pastors work in a place, a particular community making disciples and teaching them how to live out the life and work of God in them as citizens in the city of God. How does the act of preaching relate to the pastor's work as a public theologian? This episode features a conference talk by CPT theological mentor, Kevin Vanhoozer.

Weariness and the Ordinary Means of Grace | Ryan Davidson

Weariness and the Ordinary Means of Grace | Ryan Davidson

As the pandemic continues, how can pastors and Christians cope with the feelings of weariness, isolation, and depression in these unique circumstances? What challenges has the length of the crisis raised for pastors and churches? How can we be attuned to our embodiment and the ordinary means of grace as we tend to our emotional and spiritual health? CPT fellow Ryan Davidson joins again for this episode.