Reading in Church & Other Distractions

I really enjoy listening to this podcast as I’m preparing a message. When listening to it, the informative yet conversational tone feels as if you’re in the room talking with two friends who really enjoy the topic. There’s humor and friendship evident in this podcast which makes it so very engaging. Whether you’re a pastor looking for resources in preaching or a Sunday school teacher or just someone looking for a devotional, everyone will find something good in this podcast.

Things I like about Reading in Church podcast: regular weekly installments Hosts who walk the fine line between warm humor and due respect for the subject matter The format, generally, is perfect; nugget size pieces of scripture covering a variety of canonical books Treats you can expect: linguistic insights Impromptu bible jokes Nerdy bible trivia This podcast is not for you if: You enjoy conspiracies or bible codes that involve lots of big charts You can only name 3 books of the canon, and one of them is “Revelations” You view laughter as inappropriate in sacred contexts Serious summary: an OT scholar and an NT scholar read the four Lectionary texts and have an unscripted discussion about them. Give it a listen. If it’s for you, you’ll know pretty quickly.

I'm always hesitant to listen to theology podcasts, because I catch myself getting burnt out by the hosts' personalities halfway through an episode. I don't get that with this podcast, and it's such a relief. I love their ability to admit what they don't know, and depend on one anothers' expertise. Their humility allows for a richer engagement with the text, and all listeners benefit. Well done.

If you have ever been part of a Lectionary Study Group - okay, a good Lectionary Study Group - and then things changed (some kind of life event, as they say) and you are no longer part of that group, these guys let you listen in, and laugh. And learn, and love Scripture. I would have to Yelp them a little low on letting you get a word in edgewise. **2 stars. But, if you want to laugh, probe, wrestle, see the beauty of the Lectionary pairings, or gripe when there seems to be none, these guys are for you. Sure, the get off a little bit with the inside understandings - darn gnosticism - but they are my podcast friends - which is not something I thought I would hear myself saying. I guess they come closest to my radio relationship with TonyEvans (20 years ago - when I was in the car during his normal "slot" on Christian radio.). I do find that I really need to hear them a second time, perhaps a third, to really get the depth of what they have to offer.... headphones while spreading Weed and Feed usually gives me that extra chance.