The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast

ChurchLeaders
  • 4.4 (14)
  • Christianity
  • Updated weekly

The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast helps Christian leaders navigate and lead through the cultural issues of our day by giving voice to recognizable names in ministry, subject matter experts, and local pastors and leaders. Whatever area of ministry you serve in, our goal is to help you lead better every day.

  1. 3 days ago

    Arthur Brooks on the Science of Happiness and the Inner Life of Church Leaders

    Why are so many ministry leaders struggling with unhappiness, and how can the tools of behavioral science intersect with Christian theology to bring true joy? In this episode, Ed Stetzer sits down with social scientist, Harvard professor, and bestselling author Arthur Brooks to discuss his latest insights on the science of happiness and its profound implications for church leaders. Brooks unpacks the four pillars of a happy life (faith, family, friendship, and work that serves other people) and addresses why pastors often score low on personal enjoyment despite their high sense of vocational meaning. Tracing the distinctions between worldly pleasure and holy enjoyment, Brooks addresses the reality of spiritual desolation, drawing on the wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola to explain why feeling distant from God doesn’t make a leader a fraud. From practical self-management routines to redefining ministry success away from numerical idolatry, this conversation offers pastors a vital roadmap to sustain their inner lives and lead with authentic joy. ABOUT OUR GUEST Arthur C. Brooks is a social scientist, author, and speaker known for his work on happiness, leadership, meaning, and human flourishing. He serves as a professor at Harvard University, where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness. Brooks previously served as president of the American Enterprise Institute and has written bestselling books including From Strength to Strength and Build the Life You Want, co-authored with Oprah Winfrey. Drawing from research, personal experience, and moral philosophy, Brooks helps audiences think deeply about purpose, relationships, and well-being. He is a sought-after speaker among business, academic, nonprofit, and faith-based audiences.

    41 min

  2. 9 Jun

    N.T. Wright on God’s Homecoming and the Meaning of Heaven

    What if our common understanding of heaven and the afterlife misses the plot of the biblical narrative? In this episode, Ed Stetzer connects with biblical scholar and theologian N. T. Wright to talk about his book, God’s Homecoming. Wright explains how popular Christian ideas about escaping the physical world to live in a disembodied heaven are rooted more in Platonism than the text of Scripture. Tracing themes from Genesis to Revelation, Wright highlights God's design for heaven and earth to work together, culminating in a future resurrection and a renewed creation. He discusses the current role of the Holy Spirit in looking after believers between death and the final resurrection, and how the church can act as a local model of this new creation today. For leaders navigating modern ministry, this conversation provides a challenge to align our language, hope, and social action with a historic, biblical framework. ABOUT OUR GUEST N. T. Wright is a leading New Testament scholar, theologian, and former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England. He is widely known for his work on the historical Jesus, the Apostle Paul, resurrection theology, and the kingdom of God. Wright has taught at Oxford, Cambridge, and McGill University and currently serves as Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He has written influential books including Simply Christian, Surprised by Hope, and Paul and the Faithfulness of God. Wright is respected for making complex theology accessible to pastors, students, scholars, and everyday Christians around the world.

    51 min

  3. 26 May

    Carl Trueman on the Desecration of Man

    What does it mean to be human in an age that celebrates the destruction of the sacred? In this timely episode, Ed Stetzer sits down with renowned historian and author Carl Trueman to discuss his latest work, The Desecration of Man. Following the success of The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, Trueman explores how the rejection of external authority and the ascent of "expressive individualism" have led us to a point where we no longer just ignore meaning—we actively delight in smashing it. From the pervasive influence of technology and AI to the complex ethical landscapes of IVF and surrogacy, Trueman traces the roots of our modern malaise back to thinkers like Rousseau, Freud, and Nietzsche. Together, Ed and Carl wrestle with how the church can offer a "consecrated" alternative, pointing to the Imago Dei as the only stable foundation for human dignity. This is a vital conversation for leaders seeking to navigate a culture that is rapidly reconfiguring the very definition of humanity. ABOUT OUR GUEST Carl Trueman is a theologian, historian, and author known for his work on church history, theology, culture, and the modern self. He serves as a professor at Grove City College and previously taught at Westminster Theological Seminary and the University of Nottingham. Trueman is widely recognized for his thoughtful analysis of contemporary culture through the lens of historic Christianity. His bestselling book The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self has significantly shaped evangelical discussions about identity, expressive individualism, and cultural change.  A frequent conference speaker and commentator, Trueman combines scholarly depth and cultural insight as he helps Christians think carefully about faithfulness and truth in a rapidly changing world.

    36 min

  4. 08/01/2025

    Joby Martin: What Happens When Pastors Finally Understand Grace

    Get notes on this podcast here:  https://churchleaders.com/news/503438-joby-martin-pastors-understand-grace.html Joby Martin joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to discuss what happens when a church leader has truly been run over by the "grace train" and understands the profound love and grace of God. Last week, we ran our second-most listened to episode of the year, with Jennie Allen. Jennie explains why our emotions are good gifts from God and how that truth fits with the command to take every thought captive. Check out our conversation with her here: https://churchleaders.com/podcast/464670-jennie-allen-church-leaders-emotions.html    ► Listen on Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-churchleaders-podcast/id988990685 Visit ChurchLeaders Website: https://churchleaders.com Find ChurchLeaders on Facebook: https://facebook.com/churchleaders Follow ChurchLeaders on X: https://x.com/ChurchLead Follow ChurchLeaders on Instagram: https://instagram.com/churchlead/ Follow ChurchLeaders on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/churchleaders/ "Run Over by the Grace Train: How the Unstoppable Love of God Transforms Everything" by Joby Martin The Church of Eleven22 Check out Joby's website Follow Joby on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

    25 min

  5. 29/12/2024

    Best of 2024: Jennie Allen—Why Church Leaders Need To Pay Attention to Their Emotions

    Get notes on this podcast here:  https://churchleaders.com/podcast/464670-jennie-allen-church-leaders-emotions.html In our next most listened to episode of 2024, Jennie Allen joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to explain why our emotions are good gifts from God and how that truth fits with the command to take every thought captive.  Last week, we revisited our conversation with Jon Acuff, who shared why church leaders should wholeheartedly pursue their potential and how they can do so in a way that honors God. Check out our conversation with him here:  https://churchleaders.com/podcast/466196-jon-acuff-success-without-destroying-church.html   ► Listen on Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-churchleaders-podcast/id988990685 Visit ChurchLeaders Website: https://churchleaders.com Find ChurchLeaders on Facebook: https://facebook.com/churchleaders Follow ChurchLeaders on X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChurchLead Follow ChurchLeaders on Instagram: https://instagram.com/churchlead/ Follow ChurchLeaders on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/churchleaders/   "Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts" by Jennie Allen "Untangle Your Emotions: Naming What You Feel and Knowing What to Do About It" by Jennie Allen IF:Gathering Check out Jennie's website Follow Jennie on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and YouTube

    33 min

  6. 22/12/2024

    Best of 2024: Jon Acuff—How To Pursue Success Without Destroying Your Church

    Get notes on this podcast here:  https://churchleaders.com/podcast/466196-jon-acuff-success-without-destroying-church.html In our top performing episode of 2024, Jon Acuff joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to explain why church leaders should wholeheartedly pursue their potential and how they can do so in a way that honors God. Last week, Dr. Libin Abraham joined us to share what God has taught him about the calling of a pastor and the importance of focusing on the local church. Check out our conversation with him here:  https://churchleaders.com/podcast/502503-libin-abraham-gods-job-description-pastor.html ► Listen on Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-churchleaders-podcast/id988990685 Visit ChurchLeaders Website: https://churchleaders.com Find ChurchLeaders on Facebook: https://facebook.com/churchleaders Follow ChurchLeaders on X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChurchLead Follow ChurchLeaders on Instagram: https://instagram.com/churchlead/ Follow ChurchLeaders on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/churchleaders/ "All It Takes Is a Goal: The 3-Step Plan to Ditch Regret and Tap Into Your Massive Potential" by Jon Acuff "Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking (Overcome Toxic Thought Patterns and Take Control of Your Mindset)" by Jon Acuff "Stuff Christians Like" by Jon Acuff Check out Jon's website Follow Jon on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter and YouTube

    39 min

  7. 18/12/2024

    Libin Abraham on God's Surprising Job Description for the Pastor

    Get notes on this podcast here:  https://churchleaders.com/podcast/502503-libin-abraham-gods-job-description-pastor.html Dr. Libin Abraham joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to share what God has taught him about the calling of a pastor and the importance of focusing on the local church. Barna CEO David Kinnaman joined us last week to share what the research shows about how pastors are doing and how they can best disciple their people. Check out our conversation with him here:  https://churchleaders.com/podcast/502143-david-kinnaman-pastors-skill-set-preaching.html    ► Listen on Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-churchleaders-podcast/id988990685   Visit ChurchLeaders Website: https://churchleaders.com Find ChurchLeaders on Facebook: https://facebook.com/churchleaders Follow ChurchLeaders on X: https://x.com/ChurchLead Follow ChurchLeaders on Instagram: https://instagram.com/churchlead/ Follow ChurchLeaders on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/churchleaders/    Bent Tree Bible Fellowship Follow Libin on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter

    32 min

  8. 11/12/2024

    David Kinnaman: Pastors 'Need a More Robust and Broad Skill Set' Beyond Preaching

    Get notes on this podcast here:  https://churchleaders.com/podcast/502143-david-kinnaman-pastors-skill-set-preaching.html Barna CEO David Kinnaman joins "The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast" to share what the research shows about how pastors are doing and how they can most effectively disciple their people. Nona Jones joined us last week to share what God has taught her about rejection and how she came to see it, not as an enemy, but as a gift. Check out our conversation with her here: https://churchleaders.com/podcast/501752-nona-jones-rejection-gift-god.html    ► Listen on Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-churchleaders-podcast/id988990685 Visit ChurchLeaders Website: https://churchleaders.com Find ChurchLeaders on Facebook: https://facebook.com/churchleaders Follow ChurchLeaders on X: https://x.com/ChurchLead Follow ChurchLeaders on Instagram: https://instagram.com/churchlead/ Follow ChurchLeaders on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/churchleaders/ "Faith for Exiles: 5 Ways for a New Generation to Follow Jesus in Digital Babylon" by David Kinnaman Barna Group State of the Church State of Pastors Summit RightNow Conference "Ex-Christians Aren't the Only Ones Deconstructing Faith" by Barna Group

    34 min
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4.4
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast helps Christian leaders navigate and lead through the cultural issues of our day by giving voice to recognizable names in ministry, subject matter experts, and local pastors and leaders. Whatever area of ministry you serve in, our goal is to help you lead better every day.

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