So We Speak

This week we're flipping things around - Terry interviews Cole about how he came to Christ, learned how to disciple other believers, and felt called into ministry.

On this episode, I asked Terry Feix to tell a little bit of his story. He shares his testimony, his path into ministry, and how he learned to teach. It's amazing how God can equip and grow us in every season, even when we feel like we're doing things that have nothing to do with our faith. One of my favorite parts of this story is seeing how the Lord uses every experience we go through to mold us into the people he created us to be.

This week we're back with Michael McAfee talking about his new book, Not What You Think. Sometimes it's hard to know what to do with the Bible when it comes to evangelism. Often, it's best to let the Bible do the work and begin reading together. We also talk about the creative process and writing. Thanks to all of you supporting So We Speak! Help this ministry by listening, sharing the podcast, or making a donation.

Happy New Year! Thanks to everyone who supported So We Speak in 2018!! Ever wonder why most people can't keep their New Year's resolutions? There's are some key differences between goals and resolutions. In this episode, we discuss the ways you can get the most out of your goals in 2019. Envision the future you want to create then set your goals. Make them as specific as possible. Write them down. We talk about how to make this method work in your business, personal, and spiritual life. Happy goal setting! Support the podcast by giving a monthly gift or a one-time donation!

2018 has been an amazing year at So We Speak! Help us kick off 2019 by supporting the site and the podcast! Click here to give. Here are the top 5 podcasts from this year: How to Teach and Preach With Terry Feix The Fords on Parenting, Seminary, and Desert Island Books Quiet Times, Prayer, and Bible Study Christians and Politics, Tim Keller, and Heroes of the Faith Grieving and the Gospel, Hope, and Desert Island Books with Lance Ward Check back on New Years' Day for the first episode of 2019!

Here it is! The mega list of best books of 2018. We break down the best books we read in each category. How do you like to read? Reading habits, trends, and paper vs. plastic when it comes to books (0:00) Christian Books (12:45) History, Biography, and Politics (19:14) Academic (39:22) Commentaries (51:44) Most Overrated Books (55:08) Leadership and Business (1:07:43) A Hilarious Conversation About Faxing (1:08:15) Fiction (1:09:24) Top 5 Lists (1:15:13) Terry’s Picks: The Work of Theology - Stanley Hauerwas Lectures to My Students - Charles Spurgeon Love Thy Body - Nancy Pearcey Deep Work - Cal Newport Napoleon - Paul Johnson Cole’s Picks: Revelation - Peter Leithart Fooled By Randomness - Nassim Taleb Spurgeon on the Christian Life - Matthew Barrett Paul and the Faithfulness of God - N.T. Wright Shoe Dog - Phil Knight

What can the church world learn from the corporate world? Which lessons from business work in the church? This week Terry Feix and Blake Bastin join the podcast to talk about their transition from the corporate world into the church. We talk about acquiring a wide variety of knowledge, mentorship, management, and productivity.

Lance Ward is back on the podcast and we're talking about how to walk with others through pain and suffering. What do you say when someone you know is going through a tough time? We also spend some time talking about writing and the effects the craft and discipline of writing out our thoughts and prayers can have on our hearts. Here's a great resource if you want to think more about caring for those who are suffering: Don't Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart by Kenneth Haugk.

Want to understandthe book of Romans? In this episode, we tackle Romans and talk advent traditions and Christmas. Terry just finished an 11-week series over this letter which you can find here. It's a great time to begin new advent traditions! Let us know what you're doing this year on Facebook and Twitter!

This week, Lance Ward joins the podcast to talk about his journey in ministry from pastoring a church in Texas to Hospice chaplaincy to congregational care. We talk about the way God has guided his career, weeping with those who weep, and the highs and lows of ministry. Lance's Desert Island Books: The Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan Knowing God - J.I. Packer The Holiness of God - R.C. Sproul David Copperfield - Charles Dickens Letters From a Nut - Ted Nancy

This week, Michael McAfee joins the podcast from the Museum of the Bible to talk about the problem of biblical illiteracy and the work of the Museum over the last year. We talk preaching, reading, the church, and desert island books. Michael's Desert Island Books: Don't Waste Your Life - John Piper The Reason For God - Tim Keller 9 Marks of a Healthy Church - Mark Dever Spiritual Disciplines for a Godly Life - Donald Whitney Radical - David Platt Piper Scripture Trilogy: A Peculiar Glory Reading the Bible Supernaturally Expository Exultation

In this episode, I'm joined by Blake Bastin, the Director of Finance and Administration at Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City. I've always loved Blake's story. We discuss his path into ministry, how to grow, and of course, desert island books. Blake Bastin's Desert Island Books: Knowing God - J. I. Packer The Holiness of God - R. C. Sproul The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

In this episode, we wanted to cover one of the most important, and most controversial topics in the Christian faith: the Bible. We cover the inerrancy/infallibility debate, discuss what it means for the Bible to be authoritative, and we even mention Andy Stanley. The authority of the Bible may just be the most relevant topic in American Christianity. Thanks for listening and reviewing!

This week Joel Harder joins the podcast to talk about the midterm elections and his ministry, Capital Commission. We discuss the power of prayer and the methods he uses to engage elected officials with the gospel. I think you'll really enjoy thinking through this conversation leading up to the election! Here's the prayer tool from Capital Commission - https://www.pray1tim2.org/ Joel's Desert Island Books: The Spirit of the Disciplines - Dallas Willard Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life & Praying the Bible - Donald Whitney God and Other Minds - Alvin Plantinga The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams Spurgeon - Arnold Dallimore Thanks for listening and leaving reviews! Support the podcast, get more content, and submit your questions on our Patreon!

In this episode, we discuss the value of apologetics, the different styles of arguments, and some of the major players. Next, we cover Mohler's triage example and talk about why it might be a good thing that we have different denominations. Thanks for listening!

Ben Williams joins the show to discuss pastoral identity and church life. Although we didn't know it at the time, this podcast couldn't have come at a better moment. It's a fitting tribute to the legacy of Eugene Peterson, who has just gone on Hospice care this week. We discuss the impact he has had on so many pastors. Ben's Desert Island Books: 1. The Great Divorce - CS Lewis 2. Life Together - Deitrich Bonhoeffer 3. Under the Unpredictable Plant - Eugene Peterson 4. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien 5. The Collected Works of GK Chesterton

Today, we continue our conversation about Christians and politics, specifically, how should Christians vote? Heroes of the Faith: Charles Spurgeon Spurgeon on the Christian Life - Michael Reeves Charles Spurgeon - Arnold Dallimore Living By Revealed Truth - Tom Nettles Letters of C. H. Spurgeon - Ian Murray The Pastor in Prayer - Banner of Truth

Given all that's happened in the last few weeks, we thought it would be fun to give everybody access to our coverage of the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings. Here's the Weekly Speak from today - our weekly news coverage with Christian analysis. Sign up to get the Weekly Speak every Monday morning - here. Thanks for listening and we'll see you all tomorrow for part 2 of last week's episode on Christians and politics.

In this episode we discuss Tim Keller's op-ed in the New York Times, "How Do Christians Fit Into the Two-Party System? They Don't" For other resources on this topic see: Tim Keller - Coming Together on Culture - Part 1 / Part 2 / Response Tim Keller - Center Church Heroes of the Faith: John Wesley Two Silver Spoons - Desiring God "What Wesley Practiced and Preached About Money" - CT Collected Sermons of John Wesley "Almost Christian" - John Wesley

In this episode, we learn from one of the masters. We ask Terry about how he prepares his lessons and what he's learned about teaching. Here are some resources we recommend: The ESV Study Bible The ESV Study Bible Atlas Biblical Preaching - Haddon Robinson Saving Eutychus - Gary Millar and Phil Campbell Best Commentaries - Ligonier Ministry Best Commentaries - NT and OT - Andrew Wilson Articles on Preaching, How I Preach - Hershael York

This week we’ve got some special guests on the podcast! Julia and Jarrett Ford join us to talk about raising kids in a Christian home, moving to a new place, and the best parenting advice they’ve received. To hear more from the Fords, check out Julia’s blog Of Light and Heat! Desert Island Books: Julia: A Severe Mercy - Sheldon Vanaucken Harry Potter - JK Rowling God’s Kingdom Through God’s Covenant - Peter Gentry and Stephen Wellum Be Still My Soul - Elisabeth Elliot Crossword Puzzles Jarrett: Notes from the Underground - Fyodor Dostoevsky Harry Potter Warranted Christian Belief - Alvin Plantinga Woodworking and Handyman Manuals My Glorious Brothers - Howard Fast

This week, we discuss the Nashville statement on sexuality, a document commissioned and signed one year ago by the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Resources mentioned in this episode: Nashville Statement The Jesus We Missed - Patrick Henry Reardon Ed Whelan on Twitter To get more podcasts and to listen to our monthly Q&A signup on our Patreon!

In this episode, we discuss one of the most important parts of the Christian life - quiet times. What do you need to do every day to grow in your relationship with Christ? We talk about the importance of Bible reading plans, prayer, and doing anything necessary to meet with God each day. For resources that can be helpful as you study and pray through the Bible, we suggest: The ESV Study Bible The MacArthur Study Bible Tyndale Commentary Series - this is a series that provides more depth than a study Bible but still has valuable content for your personal time in the Word Eat This Book - Eugene Peterson

In this episode, we pick up where we left off, discussing Willowcreek and the Catholic Church. This time, we discuss the nature of sin and repentance. What does it look like to truly repent? In Romans 2:24, Paul writes, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." What do we do when we find ourselves in this kind of situation? The Cost of Discipleship - Deitrich Bonhoeffer Cole's Desert Island Books: Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien The Last Lion - William Manchester Commentary on the Psalms - WS Plumer Revelation - Peter Leithart Harry Potter - JK Rowling

Is the church a business? Do secular leadership tactics work in the Church? This week we talk about the nature of leadership and power in the church. In the midst of the scandals at Willowcreek and in the Catholic Church, it’s time to have an honest conversation about what got us here and what to do about it. “If we continue to use worldly power, we shouldn’t be surprised when we reap worldly outcomes.” It’s Time to Reckon With Celebrity Power - Andy Crouch The Contemplative Pastor - Eugene Peterson What Is the Mission of the Church? - Kevin DeYoung Terry’s Top 5 Books: The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien Winston Churchill - Martin Gilbert The Memoirs of Henry Kissinger 100 Greatest Poems - Leslie Pockell Collected Works of Friedrich Nietzsche

In this episode, Cole and Terry discuss the Revoice conference, a gathering for celibate Christians who struggle with same-sex attraction. The conference raised important issues of identity, desire, friendship, and sexual terminology. It will be interesting to watch the impact of the conference over the next couple of years. Books and resources mentioned: C.S. Lewis - The Four Loves Wesley Hill - Spiritual Friendship Doug Wilson - Plodcast Ep. 47