Speak The Truth

Michael interviews Adam Westlake, a worship leader and biblical counselor, about using music and singing as a growth assignment in counseling. Westlake describes singing as “integrative work” that aligns what believers know and feel, citing Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5 on singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and discussing James’ connection between suffering, prayer, and cheerful singing. They argue singing is often under-practiced outside Sunday services yet can help sufferers express truth “slant,” foster solidarity, and provide “portable theology” the Spirit brings to mind. They address concerns about emotional manipulation, emphasizing tethering emotion to what is true about Jesus, and note the value of varied song forms. Westlake shares a daily text-based devotional, “Sing,” and the episode ends with him leading the doxology.00:00 Podcast Welcome00:37 Meet Adam Westlake01:04 Why Singing Matters04:53 Singing in Suffering07:39 Worship Leading and Counseling09:56 Emotion and Worship13:26 Music as Homework17:22 Daily Sing Devotional19:41 Doxology and FarewellEpisode MentionsRegister Now for the 2026 Called to Counsel Conference All My Questions - Bethany Bernard (Spotify) Sing - Daily Devotional with the Worship Initiative Adam Westlake Counseling

Michael previews a 2026 “Understanding Emotions” track with track leader Brad Hambrick, focused on anger, bitterness, and pride. Hambrick shares his roles as pastor of counseling at The Summit Church and assistant professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and introduces the track team: Jeremy Pierre, Shannon MCCoy, and Andrew Dealy. The track aims to provide deep, practical biblical theology, emphasize how sinful emotions distort good God-given purposes, and help counselors cultivate self-awareness in those who deny their struggles. Session topics include Pierre on flesh and spirit and how distortions occur; Dealy on counseling pride and developing humble confidence; Hambrick on recognizing sinful anger and pursuing “constructive displeasure of mercy”; MCCoy on identifying bitterness and moving toward healthy lament; and a concluding Pierre-led discussion with possible audience questions. 00:00 Podcast Welcome01:03 Meet Brad Hambrick02:49 Why This Emotions Track03:02 Anger Pride Bitterness Framework04:46 Session Lineup Overview07:01 Conference Details and WrapEpisode MentionsResister Now

Michael interviews track leader Greg Wilson about the “Hidden Abuse” track at the ABC (Called to Counsel) conference at Doxology Bible Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Wilson, a Dallas–Fort Worth biblical and licensed counselor who leads Soul Care Associates, introduces the track team: Chris Moles (PeaceWorks), Kirsten Christianson (Bethlehem Baptist Church), and Tim St. John (counseling pastor in Southern California). The track’s objective is to help attendees recognize coercive control and other abuse that is often hidden in relationships, and to respond in ways that honor the Lord and help both victims and perpetrators. Wilson outlines eight sessions: fear in hidden abuse; identifying coercive behavior patterns; helping victims; two sessions on perpetrators and God’s kingdom; two sessions on how coercive control thrives in churches and how churches can resist it; and a concluding Q&A panel. The track will use a case study (“Sarah”) from the Peace Interrupted podcast.00:00 Podcast Welcome00:19 Meet Greg Wilson01:29 Hidden Abuse Track01:52 Greg's Background02:56 Track Team06:23 Why Hidden Abuse08:45 Who Track Helps10:37 Eight Session Overview15:35 Q and A Panel16:38 Sarah Case Study18:34 Register and ClosingEpisode MentionsRegister for the ABC 2026 Called to Counsel Conference When Home Hurts: A Guide for Responding Wisely to Domestic Abuse in Your Church - Wilson & PierreThe Heart of Domestic Abuse: Gospel Solutions for Men Who Use Control and Violence in the Home - Moles Caring for Families Caught in Domestic Abuse: A Guide toward Protection, Refuge, and Hope - Moles, Christianson, Wilson, and OthersThe Path to Peace: A 90-Day Journey from Control to Christ-Like Love - Moles (Men of Peace Devotional) Sarah's Story - Peace Interrupted Youtube ChannelChrismoles.org

This episode of Speak the Truth previews the Pastors and Church Leadership track for the 2026 Call to Council Conference (April 23–25, Fort Worth, Texas, at Doxology Bible Church) through a conversation with track leader Robert Cheong, executive director of Gospel Care Ministries and former pastor of care at Sojourn Church Midtown. Cheong explains the track was born from pastors feeling overwhelmed by counseling resources and uncertain how counseling fits with broader ministry responsibilities. He introduces the track team—Garrett Higbee, Dwayne Bond, Joe Keller, and Cheong—highlighting their extensive ministry experience. The objective is to help pastors and leaders grow in confidence in applying the gospel to personal life, shepherding and ministry issues, and leadership challenges, with Q&A after sessions and a final panel. The track aims to encourage weary leaders and serve pastors, church leaders, and non-counselor attendees.00:00 Welcome and Conference Intro01:08 Meet Robert Cheong01:47 Why This Track Exists03:37 Pastors and Leaders Track Overview03:53 Track Team Lineup05:47 Track Objectives and Format07:25 What Youll Learn in Practice08:33 Who This Track Is For11:39 Register and ClosingEpisode MentionsRegister for the Pastors & Church Leadership Track Check out Gospel Care Ministries - Robert Cheong Soul Care Consulting - Garrett Higbee Proximus Group - Dwayne Bond

On the Speak the Truth podcast, the host interviews pastor and SoulCare Consulting International leader Lee Lewis about developing a culture of biblical care in local churches. Lewis argues that care must extend beyond Sunday services and formal counseling to include ongoing one-another ministry, preventative care, and equipping rhythms, with elders casting and sustaining the vision. He highlights common challenges such as siloed ministries, dependence on professionals, and unsustainable pastor-centered models, pointing to biblical patterns like Ephesians 4, Matthew 28, Exodus 18, Acts 6, and 2 Timothy 2:2. Lewis explains SoulCare’s “Transformed” training continuum (T1–T6) from mutual care and small group leadership through coaching, pastoral care, and formal/intensive counseling, including tools like an SOS triage matrix. The episode also describes SoulCare’s church “360” assessment and multi-year roadmap to contextualize and scale care.00:00 Road Trip Intro00:24 Meet Lee Lewis00:57 Why Culture Matters04:33 One Another Rhythms08:38 Elders Cast Vision09:48 Scalability Exodus 1811:34 From Concept to Tools13:07 Discipleship Continuum13:26 Transformed Framework13:32 T1 Mutual Care14:23 T2 Small Group Leaders15:11 T3 Coaching Model15:46 T4 Pastoral Care16:10 T5-T6 Counseling Track16:31 Soul Care Continuum17:02 360 Health Assessment19:01 Roadmap and Scaling20:01 Case Study Success21:32 Relational Progressions23:44 Reclaiming Counseling25:16 Final EncouragementEpisode MentionsMade to Minister Conference 2025 - Lee's HandoutSoul Care Consulting International Discipleship Continuum (T2 Material)

In this bonus episode of Speak the Truth, Michael welcome's Pete Potloff to introduce a new track for the 2026 Call to Counsel conference: “Counseling Through Colossians.” They reflect on recording at Salem Heights since 2019 and share plans for remodeling space into a counseling center and future training facilities. Pete explains that the track will walk expositionally through the four chapters of Colossians to show how to counsel from a full book of the Bible rather than topically, aiming to help attendees rightly handle Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15). Track speakers include Pete Potloff, Lee Lewis, Jonathan Holmes, and Nathan Scroggins, and sessions will include case studies and suggested homework, covering themes like Christ’s preeminence, godly wisdom, avoiding legalism, renewed mindset, and the Christ-ruled life.00:00 Podcast Welcome00:24 Reunion and Memories01:19 Church Growth Plans02:06 New Colossians Track03:08 Meet the Speakers03:58 Practical Workshop Format05:19 Session Topics Overview06:58 Who Should Attend08:21 Register and ClosingEpisode MentionsRegister for the Counseling Through Colossians

In this episode of Speak the Truth, Michael interviews Chris Minott, Director of Soul Care and Biblical Counseling at Summit Church in Fort Myers, Florida, about codependency within ongoing discussions of trauma. Minott explains codependency’s cultural origin in the late 1970s around addiction-affected relationships and defines it as overly responsible, controlling, identity-seeking behavior that continues even when the addict recovers. She frames codependency biblically as relational idolatry and fear of man, drawing on Ed Welch’s When People Are Big and God Is Small, and describes manifestations such as people-pleasing, caretaking, rescuing, and helpless-victim patterns. Using Galatians 6:1–5, she distinguishes burden-bearing from carrying one’s own load, offers tools to clarify responsibility versus concern and entrusting concerns to God, emphasizes God’s attributes, and points to Jesus’ example (including Lazarus) for compassionate, truth-filled love.00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup00:49 Meet Chris Minott03:37 What Codependency Means04:44 Cultural Roots and Heart Issues09:39 Common Codependency Patterns14:03 Burden Bearing vs Enabling16:16 Tools for Healthy Boundaries23:07 Jesus as the Model25:07 Final Thanks and Wrap UpEpisode MentionsCounseling Codependency Handout - Chris Minott