In this episode, Matt and Dalton talk about the church's work in disaster response, particularly the best way to respond to disasters so that we don't end up getting in the way.

On Church: Episode 34, The Denomination and Me

Aug 3rd, 2017 33m 36s

In this episode, Matt and Dalton talk about the relationship between the denomination and the local church, and they try to answer the question of just how much to talk about denominational issues at the local church level.

On Church: Episode 33, Stuff They Didn't Teach Us In Seminary

Jul 5th, 2017 25m 42s

In this episode, Matt and Dalton talk about stuff they didn't learn in seminary--but wish they had.

On Church: Episode 32, Complaints Department

May 15th, 2017 29m 25s

In this episode, Dalton and Matt talk about the clergy complaint process in the United Methodist Church, including recent developments in the Judicial Council that affect the entire denomination. This one's super nerdy, but honestly so are the

On Church: Episode 31, Clergy and Doubt

Apr 27th, 2017 27m 48s

In this episode, Matt and Dalton talk about what happens when clergy lose faith, and about the connection between faith and doubt.

On Church: Episode 30, On Booze

Mar 14th, 2017 33m 2s

In this episode, Matt and Dalton talk about the unique relationship between the church and alcohol, including the history of alcohol in church and the problems alcohol can cause in church and in life. Pour yourself a virgin (Mary) mojito and ha

On Church: Episode 29, Jesus was a Refugee

Feb 21st, 2017 23m 52s

In this episode, Matt and Dalton talk about the world refugee crisis, the church's response, and what the Bible actually says (as opposed to what the hosts at Fox and Friends think it says).

On Church: Episode 28, Cult of Personality

Jan 30th, 2017 32m 5s

In this episode, Dalton and Matt talk about the cult of personality that so often arises around pastors. So often, celebrity pastors encounter spectacular falls--but all clergy are susceptible to falling from grace. How can we avoid temptation

On Church: Episode 27, THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH

Jan 4th, 2017 19m 10s

Happy New Year, everybody! In this episode, Matt and Dalton talk about the future of the church. What will it look like? How will we do church in the coming years? We look into the crystal ball and speculate.

On Church: Episode 26, Evangelism

Dec 9th, 2016 29m 58s

In this episode, Dalton and Matt talk about the sticky topic of evangelism: why Dalton loves it, why Matt doesn't, and why ultimately they actually agree about it.

On Church: Episode 25, Cleaning Up Messes

Nov 28th, 2016 28m 42s

In this episode, Dalton and Matt talk about that most wonderful of pastoral tasks, cleaning up messes. In fact, the only thing clergy may be better up than cleaning up messes are making their own. Take a listen.

On Church: Episode 24, Lay Leadership

Nov 10th, 2016 26m 18s

In this episode, Matt and Dalton talk about the joys and challenges of working with lay leadership in the church, including strategies for recruiting good leaders and setting them up to lead.

On Church: Episode 23, Clergy Health and Wholeness

Oct 10th, 2016 26m 6s

In this episode, we welcome the Rev. Monica Harbarger, the Executive Director of United Counseling in Birmingham, AL. She talks with us about clergy health--such as it is--and strategies for maintaining mental and physical wholeness, even as cl

Episode 22, Navigating Controversial Topics

Sep 22nd, 2016 29m 45s

In this episode, Dalton and Matt talk about navigating controversial topics in preaching and in church life. Matt thinks we should have titled this episode "You won't believe what TD Jakes did!" but that's a ridiculous title.

On Church: Episode 21, Popeable

Sep 5th, 2016 27m 29s

In this episode, Matt and Dalton talk about the genius of Pope Francis, whose influence has reached into the protestant church.

On Church: Episode 20, Change

Aug 24th, 2016 31m 43s

In this episode, Dalton and Matt talk about how to navigate change in the church, especially in a new appointment or call.

On Church: Episode 18, Why We Worship

Jul 12th, 2016 30m 26s

In this episode, Matt and Dalton talk about why--and how--we worship: not alone, but corporately.

On Church: Episode 17, The Fringe and Me

Jun 30th, 2016 32m 30s

In this episode, Matt and Dalton talk about fringe groups, especially Westboro Baptist Church, and how the church is called to respond to these groups.

On Church: Episode 16, The Power of Storytelling

Jun 15th, 2016 34m 8s

In this episode, Dalton and Matt talk about the power of story in the life of the church.

On Church: Episode 15, How We Got to Where We Are on LGBTQ issues

May 31st, 2016 23m 24s

In this episode, and in the wake of General Conference, Dalton and Matt talk about the history of LGBTQ issues in the United Methodist Church. They also speak to the Rev. Cynthia Meyer, who shares her story of being brought up on charges for be

On Church: Episode 14, General Conference Madness

May 16th, 2016 21m 53s

In this episode, Dalton checks in from Portland during the 2016 session of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church.

On Church: Episode 13, That Awkward Moment

May 2nd, 2016 23m 5s

In this episode, Matt and Dalton talk about what it is like when people find out they are pastors, and how weird people think it is that they do what they do.

On Church: Episode 12, CHURCH GROWTH

Apr 18th, 2016 28m 58s

In this episode, Matt and Dalton talk about the church growth movement and its implications for the church today.

On Church: Episode 11, The Resurrection Conversation

Mar 31st, 2016 19m 37s

In this episode, Matt and Dalton talk the season of Easter and the particular challenges of talking about the Resurrection. Again.

On Church: Episode 10: Faith and Politics

Mar 15th, 2016 30m 57s

In this episode, Matt and Dalton talk about the intersection of faith and politics: like mixing ice cream and manure, in that the ice cream doesn't bother the manure, but the manure makes the ice cream taste terrible.