Ministry in a Secular Age featuring Dr. Andrew Root

Andy has thoughts about thoughts and prayers. This is our season finale. We'll be back in April of 2026 with episodes twice a week until November 2026. Stay tuned for more and thanks for listening!

Andy thinks ideas from Charles Taylor's recent works about resonance, poetry, and beauty can be found in the zombie show "The Last of Us". And it says a lot about what ministry looks like in a Secular Age.

Andy has returned from traveling abroad with news of a Quiet Revival happening in European churches. Andy and Derek discuss reasons for this and what it could mean for ministries in this secular age.

Andy discusses Charlie Kirk's death and how interpreting it is tied deeply to Charles Taylor's Triangle. Andy thinks this is not only helpful for those of us in ministry, but for society at large to break the cycle of ressentiment that perpetuates these sorts of violent acts. Our call-in line is open! Call us at ‪(612) 405-8071‬ to leave a question for a future episode!

All churches need money to run. But sometimes Derek feels more like a small business owner than a pastor sometimes. Andy explains how money actually has more power than God in the Secular Age, but this gives churches an opportunity to talk about money, stewardship, budgets, and promises in a new way. Our call-in line is open! Call us at ‪(612) 405-8071‬ to leave a question for a future episode!

Andy has a brand new book out called "A Pilgrimage into Letting Go". He talks about the book and why it's important for pastors, parents, and all people to practice the art of letting go. Our call-in line is open! Call us at ‪(612) 405-8071‬ to leave a question for a future episode!

Derek wonders about what the Gospel is when Christianity is formed in an Empire. Andy dusts off the works of an obscure scholar who saw history as separate times of First, Second, and Third Culture. And Fourth Culture is on the way whether we like it or not. Our call-in line is open! Call us at ‪(612) 405-8071‬ to leave a question for a future episode!

Derek's friend doesn't believe in the moon landing. Andy explains that modern-day conspiracy theories rooted in the Three Horsemen of the Hermeneutics of Suspicion: Nietzsche, Freud, and Marx. It surprisingly has a lot to do with ministry in a Secular Age. Our call-in line is open! Call us at ‪(612) 405-8071‬ to leave a question for a future episode!

This week we dive into a listener question (thanks, Leanne!) about marriage, kids, and family life in the Age of Authenticity and how it's different now in this secular age. We unpack this along with what it means for the church. Andy's brand new book "Evangelism in an Age of Despair" is out now! You can grab it here or wherever else you get your books: bit.ly/41zuNIN

Andy just released his new book, "Evangelism in an Age of Despair". In it, he makes a compelling case that evangelism isn’t wellness or therapy—it’s a radical, counter-cultural act. In this episode, Andy unpacks what that means and how it could transform your church’s approach to ministry. Andy's brand new book "Evangelism in an Age of Despair" is out now! You can grab it here or wherever else you get your books: bit.ly/41zuNIN

Andy just published a brand new book, "Evangelism in an Age of Despair". It reminded Derek of his church's Google reviews and a woman who rated a funeral 5 stars. Andy thinks this is what evangelism is all about. Andy's brand new book is out now! You can grab it here or wherever else you get your books: bit.ly/41zuNIN

Andy thinks this recent election marked the end of the 20th century. Andy and Derek are joined by special guest Rev. David J. Wood to discuss what the election means for faith communities and how our rich tradition of faith & theology can shape our imaginations to lead congregations during these historic times.

With the election in America approaching there has been much talk of churches and pastors being in a "Bonhoeffer moment". Andy looks at Bonhoeffer's time vs. ours and what it means for us in ministry.

Derek's peloton has started preaching to him and he feels weird about it. Andy thinks this is because we live in an age of secular mysticism, and it has a lot to do with how the Church can preach to the Secular Age.