Church Chat

Josh and Emily
  • 5.0 (2)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

The last thing you need is another leadership podcast. This isn't that. We don't take ourselves too seriously, but we do have some serious conversations. Your hosts, Josh Ott and Emily Gardner, have real, down-to-earth, transparent conversations about all things ministry. Each episode captures relatable, meaningful, and encouraging conversations, delving deeply into topics that matter to those serving in the local church. They go beyond theoretical ministry principles to the lived realities of pastors and church staff. The Hosts Josh Ott is Lead Pastor of Grace Free Church in Cressona, PA and Strategy Specialist for EFCA East. Emily Gardner is the Communications Director for EFCA East.

  1. Faith, Tech, and the Future of Ministry with Chris Nerreau

    11/04/2025

    Faith, Tech, and the Future of Ministry with Chris Nerreau

    Welcome to Season 3 of Church Chat, the show that has the conversations about ministry you wish you were having. Today, we're talking to Chris Nerreau, VP of Technology at Sermon Ai. We chat about building a software as a service business from scratch, AI and the intersection of technology and ministry, guardrails for Christian AI use, how AI can be a good barometer on character, how we can use AI to make more space for relational ministry, dealing with a resistance to change and more! Mentioned in this episode: Sermon Ai Chris Nerreau is the founder of, and current VP of Technology at, SermonAi, a platform created from the conviction that nothing should stand between God’s Word and God’s people. With more than thirty years of experience in technical sales and manufacturing systems, he’s dedicated his career to harnessing innovation for meaningful transformation. Drawing on his dual background in technology and ministry, Chris founded SermonAi to remove barriers that hinder faithful preaching and study—empowering pastors to research deeply, write faithfully, and preach powerfully. He and his wife, Karen, have been married for more than thirty years and are blessed with three children and two grandchildren. Connect with Chris: LinkedInFacebook Listen to more Church Chat episodes. Connect with EFCA East efcaeast.comInstagramFacebook Thanks to our episode sponsor: Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

    52 min
  2. Preventing Church Hurt with Matt Saxinger

    07/22/2025

    Preventing Church Hurt with Matt Saxinger

    Welcome to season 2 of Church Chat, the show that has the conversations about ministry you wish you were having. Today, we're talking to Matt Saxinger, Lead Pastor of Susquehanna Valley Church. We chat about fail culture vs try culture, why now is the church hurt era, how to avoid church hurt, tools for church culture shaping, where trust breaks down most often in the church, helping hurting congregants heal, what makes a church safe or unsafe and more! Mentioned in this episode: Toxic Work Environments and Building Healthy Teams with Matt SaxingerSharon Says So on Carey Neiuwhof Podcast Matt Saxinger has served in the EFCA for 14 years. He is currently the Lead Pastor at Susquehanna Valley Church in Harrisburg, PA. He has a heart for the gospel and seeing the next generation rise up in leadership. Connect with Matt: InstagramFacebook Listen to more Church Chat episodes. Connect with EFCA East efcaeast.comInstagramFacebook Thanks to our episode sponsor: Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

    1h 15m
  3. Unrealistic Expectations and Habits That Matter with Tony Balsamo

    06/17/2025

    Unrealistic Expectations and Habits That Matter with Tony Balsamo

    Welcome to season 2 of Church Chat, the show that has the conversations about ministry you wish you were having. Today, we're talking to Tony Balsamo, Lead Pastor of Integrity Church and one of our District Superintendents here at EFCA East. We chat about the strengths and weaknesses of being bi-vocational, longevity in churches, platforming other people, submitting to the process, what to do with the barrage of cultural expectations on churches and pastors, the one thing pastors should be better at, and more! Tony Balsamo serves as founding and lead pastor of Integrity Church. He loves to teach, preach and lead people towards a passionate love for Jesus. Tony aslo serves as a co-District Superintendent of EFCA East, a district of the EFCA spanning from New York to Virginia. He loves to connect with, coach, and encourage pastors in the district as they share in the mission of multiplying transformational churches among all people. Tony began his education at Trinity College, earning an Associates in Theological Studies, and continued his education at Masters International University of Divinity, earning his Bachelor of Biblical Studies, Masters in Ministry, and Doctorate in Practical Theology. Tony continues to serve as an adjunct professor at Masters. Born and raised on Long Island, Tony married the love of his life, Laura, in 1996 and enjoys time with their 4 sons, Joshua, David, Jonathan, and Gabriel. He loves being outside camping, hiking, biking, and driving long distances with his family. Listen to more Church Chat episodes. Connect with EFCA East efcaeast.comInstagramFacebook Thanks to our episode sponsor: Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

    1h 1m
  4. Curiosity Over Judgement with Greg Wollenhaupt

    05/20/2025

    Curiosity Over Judgement with Greg Wollenhaupt

    Welcome to season 2 of Church Chat, the show that has the conversations about ministry you wish you were having. Today, we're talking to Greg Wollenhaupt, Care Director at Faith Church in Allentown, PA. We chat about reinventing yourself in ministry, what it looks like to serve in one church for decades, the losses associated with growth, creating an environment where people feel like they belong, the importance of sabbaticals, advice for a thriving ministry marriage, ministering while grieving and more! By day, Greg Wollenhaupt is the compassionate Care Director at Faith Church, ensuring that every member feels supported and valued. By night (and weekend), he's the reigning Poppop of six energetic grandchildren, a title he holds with a touch of exhaustion. Married to the amazing Sue Wollenhaupt, Greg knows that behind every great man is an even greater woman, reminding him where he left his keys. An aficionado of glamping, Greg believes in experiencing the great outdoors with all the comforts of home, because why should nature mean sacrificing a good cup of coffee or a comfy chair? His idea of roughing it includes a fully stocked RV and a reliable Wi-Fi signal. Whether he's providing care at church, sharing stories with his grandkids, or setting up the perfect glamp-site, Greg does it all with a smile, a joke, and perhaps a marshmallow or two. Connect With Greg: EmailFacebook Listen to more Church Chat episodes. Connect with EFCA East efcaeast.comInstagramFacebook Thanks to our episode sponsor: Trinity Evangelical Divinity SchoolTEDS Bulletin

    48 min
  5. Saying Yes, Leaving Well, and Staying Connected with Marc Ramirez

    04/13/2025

    Saying Yes, Leaving Well, and Staying Connected with Marc Ramirez

    Welcome to season 2 of Church Chat, the show that has the conversations about ministry you wish you were having. Today, we're talking to Marc Ramirez, District Superintendent of EFCA Southeast. We chat about how to discern God's will for a big transition, staying connected to the local church when your role changes, understanding church context, being an influencer vs a decider, how to maximize interactions with people you lead but don't see very often, how to leave well, leading with clarity, and more! Marc Ramirez is the District Superintendent of EFCA Southeast. For 18 years previously, Marc served as both an associate pastor and senior pastor of Fellowship Church. During that time, he implemented a vision and strategy that led to significant growth in church attendance, church staff and the expansion of the church worship center. Marc has also functioned in leadership roles with his district cluster group and pastoral care team. Marc received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Misericordia University, Pennsylvania, and a Masters from Liberty Theological Seminary, Virginia. Before serving as a pastor, Marc worked for 12 years in the corporate sector, including time in South Florida. Connect With Marc: EmailFacebook Mentioned In This Episode: EFCA SoutheastChurch Chat Cedrick Brown Listen to more Church Chat episodes. Connect with EFCA East efcaeast.comInstagramFacebook Thanks to our episode sponsor: Trinity Evangelical Divinity SchoolHenry Center LecturesTEDS Bulletin

    57 min
  6. Persevering in Ministry and Publishing with Benjamin Vrbicek

    03/25/2025

    Persevering in Ministry and Publishing with Benjamin Vrbicek

    Welcome to Church Chat, the show that has the conversations about ministry you wish you were having. Today, we're talking to Benjamin Vrbicek, Lead Pastor of Community EFC in Harrisburg, PA. We chat about questioning your calling, creative solutions when your church doesn't have the resources it needs, cultivating healthy relationships with your elder board, an amillenial ordination, persevering through rejection, how writing and reading influences preaching, books, and more! Benjamin Vrbicek, is the Lead Pastor of Community EFC in Harrisburg, PA. He and his wife, Brooke, have six children. Benjamin enjoys reading, wrestling with his children, dating his wife, eating at Chipotle, and riding his bicycle in the early hours of the morning. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri and a masters in divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary. He has written for Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, and For The Church. He is a content creator for Gospel-Centered Discipleship and a member of the Gospel-Centered Discipleship Writers’ Guild. Connect with Benjamin: BlogInstagramFacebook Mentioned In This Episode: Steve Anderson on Church ChatJason Abbott on EFCA East blogAmillennial OrdinationAll The Light We Cannot See by Anthony DoerrFour Seasons In Rome by Anthony DoerrJared WilsonThe Imperfect Pastor by Zack EswineThe Storm-Tossed Family by Russell MooreHannah Coulter by Wendell Berry Listen to more Church Chat episodes. Connect with EFCA East efcaeast.comInstagramFacebook Thanks to our episode sponsor: Trinity Evangelical Divinity SchoolHenry Center LecturesTEDS Bulletin

    1h 8m
  7. A Chat With The Theology Yoda, Greg Strand

    03/04/2025

    A Chat With The Theology Yoda, Greg Strand

    Welcome to Church Chat, the show that has the conversations about ministry you wish you were having. Today, we're talking to Greg Strand, EFCA Executive Director of Theology and Credentialing. We chat about doctrinal purity, the significance of silence, theological guardrails, EFCA's denials and affirmations, cancel culture and the Church, theological anthropology, the next generation of theologians, and re-framing deconstruction. Greg Strand is EFCA executive director of theology and credentialing, and he serves on the Board of Ministerial Standing as well as the Spiritual Heritage Committee. He and his family are members of Northfield (Minnesota) EFC. Mentioned In This Episode: The Significance of SilenceThe Six Way Fracturing of EvangelicalismLife Together by Dietrich BonhofferEFCA's Denials and AffirmationsEvangelical ConvictionsThe Evangelical Free Church on Learning to Say Yes and No by Trevin Wax (September 19, 2024).Baby Dedication Service Sample by Greg Strand (May 8, 2022).The Bible, Dogmatic Rank, and a Statement of Faith from the Spiritual Heritage CommitteeTheological AnthropologyTyler Staton Ruth Sermon Series Listen to more Church Chat episodes. Connect with EFCA East efcaeast.comInstagramFacebook Thanks to our episode sponsor: Trinity Evangelical Divinity SchoolHenry Center Lectures

    1h 9m
  8. How Faith Makes Us Feel Better with Josh Ott

    01/30/2025

    How Faith Makes Us Feel Better with Josh Ott

    Welcome to season 2 of Church Chat, the show that has the conversations about ministry you wish you were having. Today we're talking about Josh's new book - Embracing All Of It: How Our Faith Makes Us Feel Better. We chat about why Josh chose to write a book in the first place, giving the gift of seconds, why feelings are so hard to navigate, flexing your feelings muscles, breaking the mental and physical cycle of doing, the importance of baby steps, the paradox of feelings and more! Josh Ott, is the Lead Pastor of Grace Free Church in Schuylkill County, PA. With over 22 years of ministry experience, Josh is known for his dynamic preaching and insightful teaching, connecting with people of all ages and backgrounds. In addition to his pastoral work, he is a sought-after speaker, coach, and strategy specialist. BUY THE BOOK Mentioned In This Episode: Emotional Claustrophobia and The Power of Silence with Ashley WelbornConcepts That Permeate and Nurturing Your Own Soul with Tony HuntCedrick fails at 2 Truths and A LieTake a vacation from your problems - What About Bob clip Listen to more Church Chat episodes. Connect with EFCA East efcaeast.comInstagramFacebook Thanks to our episode sponsor: Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

    1h 10m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The last thing you need is another leadership podcast. This isn't that. We don't take ourselves too seriously, but we do have some serious conversations. Your hosts, Josh Ott and Emily Gardner, have real, down-to-earth, transparent conversations about all things ministry. Each episode captures relatable, meaningful, and encouraging conversations, delving deeply into topics that matter to those serving in the local church. They go beyond theoretical ministry principles to the lived realities of pastors and church staff. The Hosts Josh Ott is Lead Pastor of Grace Free Church in Cressona, PA and Strategy Specialist for EFCA East. Emily Gardner is the Communications Director for EFCA East.

Information

  • Creator
    Josh and Emily
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 EFCA East
  • Show Website
    Church Chat