Deep Roots

Pastoral ministry is deeply rewarding — but it can also be deeply lonely.In this episode of Deep Roots, Jonny Reid sits down with Andrew Nicholls, Director of Pastoral Care at Oak Hill College, to explore what it really takes to sustain ministry over the long haul.Andrew shares his journey from medicine to pastoral ministry, the lessons he learned about truly knowing people (not just preaching to them), and insights from a five-month study leave in South Africa, Kenya, the United States, and Australia.They discuss:Why pastors must understand people — not just theologyThe difference between warning the idle, encouraging the disheartened, and helping the weakThe loneliness many ministers experienceThe growing model of pastoral supervision in SydneyHow churches might better sustain their leadersA new small group resource designed to deepen Christian conversationsIf you’re in ministry — or care about those who are — this episode offers wisdom, honesty, and hope.👤 ABOUT ANDREW NICHOLLS Andrew Nicholls serves as Director of Pastoral Care at Oak Hill College. Before theological training, Andrew worked as a doctor for ten years before moving into pastoral ministry in South West London. He later trained in biblical counselling with the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) in Philadelphia.He co-authored: Real Change (with Helen Thorne) — a small group resource on spiritual growth🔗 Oak Hill College: https://www.oakhill.ac.uk🔗 CCEF: https://www.ccef.org📌 SHOW NOTES In This Episode:From medicine to ministry: Andrew’s storyWhy preaching isn’t enough without knowing your peopleLessons from South Africa on cross-cultural pastoral conversationsLearning from CCEF in PhiladelphiaWhat Sydney’s model of pastoral supervision can teach the UK churchBuilding resilience in ministry Why “one another” ministry mattersA new small group course on deepening Christian conversations0:00 Introduction 0:35 Andrew’s Journey: From Medicine to Ministry 4:34 Knowing Scripture and Knowing People 5:03 Warn, Encourage, Help — Discernment in Pastoral Care 8:27 The Gift of Study Leave 11:56 Learning Across Cultures 15:29 Pastoral Supervision in Sydney 21:05 Supporting Ministers in the UK 25:03 Deepening Christian Conversations 27:14 Why Pastoral Care Matters in Theological Training 28:23 Outro#DeepRootsPodcast #ChristianLeadership #PastoralCare #ChurchLife #MinistryMatters #PastoralSupervision #ChurchLeadership #TheologicalTraining #MinistryResilience #BiblicalCounseling #ClergyCare #LeadershipDevelopment #ChristianFormation #SustainableMinistry

What if mission isn’t just one theme in the Bible — but the very framework that holds the whole story together?In this episode of Oak Hill College’s Deep Roots Podcast, Chris Howles is joined by Revd Dr Christopher J. H. Wright, one of the world’s leading Old Testament scholars and a key voice in global mission theology. Together, they explore what it means to read Scripture through a missional lens — seeing the Bible not as a collection of disconnected texts, but as the unfolding story of the God who is on mission to redeem the world.Chris Wright reflects on the newly released second edition of The Mission of God, first published 20 years ago and now widely used as a core text in theological education around the world. He explains why mission is not something the church does occasionally, but something the church is, and why every Christian is called to participate in God’s purposes — wherever they are.From Luke 24 to Genesis, from Israel’s calling to the Great Commission, this conversation offers deep biblical insight alongside practical wisdom for pastors, leaders, students, and anyone who wants their life to count within God’s great story.Whether you preach, teach, lead, or simply read the Bible devotionally, this episode will reshape how you see Scripture — and your place within it.🎙️ In This EpisodeWhat it means to read the Bible as one unified mission storyWhy mission is not just an activity but the reason the church existsA missional reading of Luke 24 and the Old TestamentHow pastors and churches can move beyond a once-a-year “mission Sunday”Key updates in the second edition of The Mission of GodWhy every Christian is a “mission partner” — wherever they live and work👤 About the Guest: Chris WrightRevd Dr Christopher J. H. Wright is an Old Testament scholar, author, and international ambassador for Langham Partnership, a global ministry founded by John Stott to equip church leaders in the Majority World through theological education, preaching, and literature.He has taught in India and the UK, served at All Nations Christian College, and written extensively on mission, Scripture, and biblical theology.📚 Featured BooksThe Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative (2nd Edition)The Great Story and the Great CommissionNumerous other works on biblical theology, mission, and ethics🔗 Helpful Links🌍 Langham Partnership: https://langham.org📖 Chris Wright’s website (books, sermons, articles): https://christopherjwright.com🎓 Oak Hill College: https://www.oakhill.ac.uk#DeepRootsPodcast #ChristianPodcast #BibleAndMission #MissionalChurch #BiblicalTheology

In this episode of Deep Roots, the podcast from Oak Hill College, Jonny Reid, Director of Engagement at Oak Hill College and church elder in Oxfordshire, speaks with Luke Foster, Tutor in Doctrine and Church History.They explore liberation theology through the lens of Luke’s personal story—growing up in the Roman Catholic cultural context of the Philippines, serving the Anglican church in Chile, and researching the theology of Gustavo Gutierrez.Luke explains that liberation theology is not simply a “social gospel,” but at its heart a theological response to inhumanity—asking how we speak of God as Father to people who haven’t even been told they are persons.Jonny and Luke discuss how to engage other theological traditions wisely with grace, confidence, and discernment. The conversation highlights:The resonant pastoral question at the heart of liberation theologyConcerns about continuity between nature and graceThe distinctive Christology of the Protestant Reformed traditionWhy modern theology still matters for churches todayA thoughtful, warm, and robust discussion on theology, gospel proclamation, culture, and pastoral care.🎓 Want more from Luke Foster? Check out his book club in January on the Beatific Vision and the book To Gaze Upon God. https://www.oakhill.ac.uk/our-courses/short-courses/to-gaze-upon-god 📖 Explore courses and training at Oak Hill College. https://www.oakhill.ac.uk/our-courses0:00 – Opening Moment & Podcast Introduction1:30 – Luke’s Personal Story & Journey into Liberation Theology6:00 – The Historical & Cultural Context of Liberation Theology12:30 – Liberation Theology: Core Question Beyond the Stereotypes18:30 – Gutierrez’s Answer & Catholic Theological Paradigm25:00 – Theological Concerns & Instability of the Catholic Answer31:00 – Resources in the Protestant Reformed Tradition36:30 – Engaging Other Theological Traditions with Wisdom & Grace41:00 – Final Reflections, Application to Ministry & Outro#biblical #theology #pastoral #ministry #theological #traditions #liberationtheology #Reformation #Protestant #doctrine #incarnation #sacraments #gospel #culture #churchhistory #Bonhoeffer #C.S.Lewis #Calvin #romancatholicism #Gospelproclamation

Why should Christians—especially pastors and Bible teachers—bother with biblical languages today? In this episode of Deep Roots, Jonny Reid sits down with Rev. Dr. Andrew Cowan, Oak Hill College’s new tutor in Greek and New Testament, to explore the real value of learning Scripture in its original languages.Andrew reflects on how Greek first came alive for him, how it has deepened his devotional life, and why slowing down in the text changes everything. Together, they address the most common misconceptions: Is it too time-consuming? Can you ever become proficient? Don’t modern translations and digital tools make languages unnecessary? What if you think you’re “not a linguist”?They also unpack practical examples from Colossians, Revelation, and John 1 that show how Greek and Hebrew reveal nuance, structure, and richness that translations inevitably flatten.Whether you're a ministry leader trying to keep your languages alive, a student considering theological training, or simply an interested believer who wants to understand Scripture more deeply, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and a reminder that God’s Word is worth the effort.Topics covered:Why Andrew first fell in love with GreekSpiritual impact of reading Scripture slowlyFour misconceptions about biblical languagesWhether modern translations make Greek/Hebrew unnecessaryHow not to misuse “a little Greek”Textual examples: Colossians 1, Revelation, John 1How to start learning Greek or Hebrew todayHow pastors can revive rusty language skillsTools: Daily Dose of Greek, Alpha with Angela, reading groupsWhy God’s Word is worth the effortResources mentioned:Exegetical Fallacies – D.A. CarsonDaily Dose of GreekAlpha With Angela (YouTube)Greek/Hebrew reading groups & refresher retreats at Oak Hill College00:00 – Intro: Why Study Biblical Languages Today? 02:00 – Andrew's Journey Into Greek & Hebrew 06:30 – How Languages Deepen the Way We Read Scripture 12:00 – The Four Big Misconceptions 18:30 – The Danger of Knowing Just a Little Greek 24:30 – Key Payoff Example: Colossians 1:28–29 31:30 – Greek, Grammar & Theology 40:30 – The Bigger Picture: Structure, Wordplay & Nuance 48:00 – How to Start Learning Greek or Hebrew 55:30 – Reviving Rusty Languages for Ministry 01:03:00 – Resources, Community & Learning Support 01:10:00 – Final Answer: Because the Word of God Is Worth It 01:14:00 – Oak Hill’s Training Pathways & Close

What does it mean for the local church to truly “send well”? In this episode of Oak Hill College’s Deep Roots podcast, host Chris Howles sits down with Bradley Bell and Larry McCrary from The Upstream Collective (USA) to explore what it looks like for churches to reclaim their biblical role in global mission.Together, they unpack the vision behind the Upstream Collective’s motto — “The church sends, we help” — and discuss key insights from their book The Sending Church Applied, including their “Periodic Table of Sending.”🕊️ Topics include:Why every believer is a “sent one”How churches can move from reactive to proactive mission sendingThe four stages of a healthy sending culture — Establishing, Developing, Engaging, and MultiplyingThe crucial role of care, commissioning, and re-entry for missionariesPractical steps for pastors and leaders to start cultivating a sending culture📚 Resources mentioned:The Sending Church Applied by Bradley Bell, Larry McCrary, and colleaguesLearn more about The Upstream Collective: https://www.theupstreamcollective.orgExplore Oak Hill College’s Cross-Cultural Training: https://www.oakhill.ac.uk🎧 Subscribe for more conversations helping you grow deep roots in theology, mission, and ministry.🔗 Learn more about Oak Hill’s courses and resources: https://www.oakhill.ac.uk🎧 Subscribe to Deep Roots for more conversations on theology and ministry.#DeepRootsPodcast #MinistryLife #OakHillCollege #mission #upstreamcollective

What happens when leaders don’t truly know themselves? In this episode of Deep Roots, Jonny Reid talks with Dr. Mark Stirling, Programme Director of Oak Hill’s MA in Contemporary Christian Leadership. Together they explore why self-awareness and self-deception are such critical issues in ministry — and how our blind spots can quietly harm those we serve.Mark shares personal stories and lessons from years in pastoral ministry and medicine, and practical wisdom for cultivating humility, accountability, and honest relationships in leadership. 📖 Topics include: Why self-awareness is central to Christian leadership How fear, insecurity, and image-shaping distort ministry The loneliness of leadership — and how to resist it Building honest relationships that help us see ourselves clearly What true maturity and self-knowledge look like in Christ Whether you’re a pastor, elder, or ministry trainee, this episode will help you lead with greater integrity and grace. 🔗 Learn more about Oak Hill’s courses and resources: https://www.oakhill.ac.uk 🎧 Subscribe to Deep Roots for more conversations on theology and ministry. #DeepRootsPodcast #ChristianLeadership #SelfAwareness #MinistryLife #OakHillCollege

This time on the Deep Roots Podcast, we are joined by @EmuMusic - Philip Percival and Alanna Glover talk with Jonny Reid about three big questions that the church needs to wrestle with in church music and singing.https://emumusic.comhttps://www.oakhill.ac.uk

Technology is changing at lightning speed—but how do we keep up without losing our sanity? In this episode of Deep Roots, Jonny Reid and Robin Barfield dive into the moral panics of the past (yes, people once feared cheap paperbacks!), the accelerating pace of digital change, and how it impacts everything from anxiety to Christian ministry. They also explore how online theological education is shaping a new generation of learners. Whether you're a pastor, a student, or just someone trying to navigate the digital age wisely, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!Everyday Dadding - Are smartphones rewiring my kids brain? - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5UNqVNhYs18TPgzeiw0Dlx?si=157456c8a292410f

Fresh off of the plane from Seoul, South Korea, Chris Howles the Director of Cross-Cultural Training here at Oak Hill College shares his experience from The Fourth Lausanne Congress. 5000 believers gathered from every country in the world to Seoul to connect, share and converse with one another and Chris shares how this congress has shaped his thoughts around cross-cultural mission. Tune in to hear his conversation with Eric Ortlund.Find out more about Oak Hill CollegeRead Chris' blog on LausanneFind out more about Langham Publishing Listen to "Meet An African Pastor"

Oak Hill Visiting Lecturer Natalie Brand in conversation about a beautiful doctrine that's at the center of the gospel and church life together. Deep Roots is a podcast produced by Oak Hill College. Join us for monthly conversations about theology and ministry. To find out more about Oak Hill College visit: www.oakhill.ac.uk

Kristi Mair talks with Eric Ortlund and Andrew Nicholls about how we actually come to know what is true, and how that underlies much of the Christian life. The conversation explores, among other things, how facts on their own are not enough, and why knowing the person telling you counts for so much. These are compelling issues for people entrusted with a liberating truth!

Eric Ortlund and Andrew Nicholls talk with Tim Ward about sermon application and why it's crucial to think through what preaching actually is.

David Baldwin and Tim Ward are joined by Jeremy, a graduate of Oak Hill who worked for a number of years as a language consultant living among Kurdish people. There are 300,000 Kurdish people in the UK, and plenty of fascinating and useful insights come out from Jeremy's long experience and deep reflection.

Kristi Mair and Andrew Nicholls chat to Oak Hill's new Principal Revd Dr James Robson about how God has shaped his life and his longing for the best kind of theological education.

Sofi Abebe digs deep into 1 Peter, drawing on her research, in conversation with Matt Bingham and Tim Ward.

Kristi Mair and Tim Ward hear from Matt Bingham about his upcoming book on the spiritual lives of great saints from the past.

Our Muslim neighbours are people made in God's image, worthy of our respect, who need to hear about Jesus. Rob Scott has lived and ministered among Muslim people in London for many years. He speaks about his own experiences with Muslim friends, getting to know them, learning about their lives and faith and fears, and reading the Bible with them. He opens up about how Muslim people in Britain have insights into Western culture that Western Christians can sometimes be blind to. And he helps us grasp what it might actually feel like for a Muslim person to step inside a church, or even a Christian's home.Deep Roots is a podcast produced by Oak Hill College. Join us for monthly conversations about theology and ministry.To find out more about Oak Hill College visit: www.oakhill.ac.uk

Why do so few churches do it? Are there good reasons to consider it seriously? Our guests Adrian and Jon think there are. Today's two guests are Adrian Reynolds, Head of National Ministries at the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, and Jon Tuckwell, Vicar of Christ Church Cockfosters, just down the road from Oak Hill. Deep Roots is a podcast produced by Oak Hill College. Join us for monthly conversations about theology and ministry. To find out more about Oak Hill College visit: www.oakhill.ac.uk

Deep Roots is a podcast produced by Oak Hill College. Join us for monthly conversations about theology and ministry. To find out more about Oak Hill College visit: www.oakhill.ac.uk

David, Sydney and Tim focus on the role of characters in John's Gospel. Why are they there? How should we relate to them?