Craft & Character

As we kick off 2024, Mark Scandrette offers up profound wisdom from the nine sayings of Jesus from the Beatitudes. It’s what Mark writes about in his latest book, The Ninefofd Path of Jesus. This episode is an invitation to the postures that the beatitudes provide us personally but also how to communicate these from pulpit. Mark unpacks his preaching methodology, how he arranges a sermon to be practice focused to help the congregation try on the concept. 

EPISODE LINKS

Mark’s book: The Ninefold Path of Jesus

Website: www.markscandrette.com

The Ninefold Path website: https://ninefoldpath.org/

IG: @scandrette

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

Do you ever feel like the tyranny of the urgent runs your life? Do you ever feel shame for wanting to take a day off or go on a vacation?

As pastors, the needs are great and time is limited. Sadly, for many this means neglecting the things that matter most: our relationship with God, family, and the health of our souls.

In this episode, Mark Dance, Director of Pastoral Wellness for Guidestone Financial Resources, explains to Steve Carter that orienting our lives around the two greatest commandments一loving God and neighbor一can be a joyful, restful experience. To deny yourself, as Jesus commands, doesn’t mean you should neglect yourself.

In his new book, Start to Finish, Mark explains how to reclaim the life God wants for you as a leader一a life defined by balance, peace, friendship, rest, and wisdom.

Every dollar from book sales go to Mission:Dignity, an organization that honors retirement-age ministers, workers, and widows struggling to meet basic needs through advocacy and financial assistance.

EPISODE LINKS

Mark’s books: Start to Finish: The Pastor’s Guide to Leading a Resilient Life and Ministry

Website: https://markdance.net

Guidestone: https://www.guidestone.org/

@markdance

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

How much does your upbringing influence your life now? The answer for all of us is ... more than we realize.

In today’s episode, Ike Miller一who pastors Bright City Church alongside his wife Sharon一shares about his new book called Good Baggage: How Your Difficult Childhood Prepared You for Healthy Relationships.

Growing up in a dysfunctional family impacted by alcoholism and divorce, Ike shares firsthand wisdom about:

During the holidays一a season laden with complex family dynamics and packed schedules一let this episode remind you that God is with you, loves you, and is working through your story.

EPISODE LINKS

Ike’s book: Good Baggage

Website: https://ikemiller.com

Church: Bright City Church

@ikefmiller

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

Every pastor needs a pastor一someone to offer wisdom, empathy, and an example of finishing well. Lee Eclov is a shepherd to shepherds, and in this episode he shares with Steve Carter:

If you’re a pastor, please don’t miss this episode! Lee’s voice resounds with grace, is seasoned from decades of ministry, and offers countless insights that will help you finish well.

EPISODE LINKS

Lee’s books: Shepherding the Shepherd: Devotions for a Pastor’s Soul

Website: https://leeeclov.com

Sign-Up for Lee Eclov's Weekly Pastor's Devotional Newsletter: https://newsletters.christianitytoday.com/preachingtoday/subscribe.html

@leeeclov

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

As the world continues to progress technologically, how do we begin to approach this theologically. Jason Thacker, a professor of ethics and author joins Steve Carter on the craft and character podcast to help us better understand what is at stake and what we can do about it. Technology is not a net neutral conversation; but rather one we must approach with greater wisdom and discernment. With the advent of AI and other technological advancements, we as preachers have an opportunity to help our people understand what formation, ethics, and life in the kingdom truly looks like

Jason Thacker serves as an assistant professor of philosophy and ethics at Boyce College in Louisville, Kentucky. He also is a senior fellow in Christian ethics and director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is the author of several books including Following Jesus in a Digital Age and The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity. He also serves as the editor of The Digital Public Square: Christian Ethics in a Technological Society and co-editor of the Essentials in Christian Ethics series with B&H Academic. He is the project leader and lead drafter of Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles.

EPISODE LINKS

Website - jasonthacker.com

Books - Following Jesus in a Digital Age, The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity

@jasonthacker

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

As headlines convulse with the latest news about the Israel-Hamas war, how should followers of Jesus respond?

Jon Huckins, professor, author, and founder of Journey Home, shares with Steve Carter about what peacemaking looks like一first in our own hearts, then in the world God calls us to love. This convicting conversation point us toward the way of Jesus, helping us see the image of God in people on all sides of the conflict.

Jon and Steve, who recently hiked the Camino de Santiago together, reflect on the lost art of pilgrimage and how it helps us relinquish control, reawaken to the Spirit’s movement, forgive, and rest in the love of God. This inner work, in which we allow God to calm the storm inside, is the first step toward spreading peace around us.

Ultimately, the conflict is not a call to coldly evaluate political and religious “sides.” It’s an invitation to pray fervently for all people, inviting the Spirit to transform us in the process.

EPISODE LINKS

Jon’s organization

Website: https://jonhuckins.net

Journey Home

Jon’s books: Mending the Divides, Thin Places, Teaching Through the Art of Storytelling

@jonhuckins

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

As a leader, how well do you know your people and city? As a preacher, how much does your context shape your content?

For Micah Davis, the pastor of teaching and vision at a new church plant, The Sanctuary in Indianapolis, there’s a deep connection between who he serves and how he leads. After hearing God whisper “pastor your neighborhood” during a prayer walk, he’s ignited by the realization that God raises up particular people in specific places一a vision that excites and fuels his church plant.

In this conversation with Steve Carter, Micah highlights some key aspects of planting a church, especially in a Gen Z, urban context:

This conversation will rekindle your heart for the place and people God is calling you to lead and teach.

Also, check out Micah’s forthcoming book: Trailblazers: A Journey to Discover God’s Purpose For Your Life.

EPISODE LINKS

Micah’s books: Trailblazers: A Journey to Discover God’s Purpose For Your Life

Website: https://www.micahedavis.com/

Church: https://sanctuaryindy.com/

@micahedavis

The book Micah mentions: Joshua Becker, The More of Less

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

If you’re a parent, how do you nurture and guide your children? If you’re a pastor or leader, are you truly creating an environment that draws kids to Jesus? The responsibility of stewarding young hearts can feel immense, but the good news is: you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Today’s guest is author Kayla Craig, whose new book, Every Season Sacred, is a collection of practical tools and reflective prayers to help families build a culture of discipleship in the ebb and flow of everyday life.

Kayla speaks candidly with Steve Carter about the chaos of family schedules and the mystery of finding God in the midst of daily commutes, fast food drive-thrus, and the scattered moments of the day一all of which are opportunities to be intentional with our kids. This episode will inspire and equip you to lead your children well, in a way that works best for your stage of life.

EPISODE LINKS

Kayla’s books: Every Season Sacred, To Light Their Way

Website: https://kaylacraig.com/

@kayla_craig

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

How do we call out injustice and seek shalom without becoming self-righteous?

In their new book, Pivot: The Priorities, Practices, and Powers That Can Transform Your Church Into a Tov Culture, father-daughter duo Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer follow up their previous book, A Church Called Tov一charting a course for those seeking to create a healthier church culture.

In this episode, they share with Steve Carter:

This book is a must-read for any pastor, leader, discipler, human, who aches to see the church become tov.

EPISODE LINKS

Scot and Laura’s co-written books: Pivot, A Church Called Tov

Laura’s website: https://www.laurabarringer.net/

Scot’s Substack: https://scotmcknight.substack.com/

https://www.churchcalledtov.org/

@scotmcknight

@laurambarringer

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

Want to become a better preacher? Listen to hip hop. 

That’s the advice of Dr. Theon Hill一an enthusiastic hip hop fan who serves as Associate Professor of Communication at Wheaton College. As an expert in rhetoric, Dr. Hill explains to Steve Carter:

Throughout this episode, Dr. Hill walks Steve Carter through Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, highlighting simple principles every preacher can put into immediate practice. As the 60th anniversary of King’s famous address arrives on August 28th, Preaching Today invites you to celebrate “Share the Dream Sunday.”  

EPISODE LINKS

The Jazz of Preaching by Kirk Byron Jones

Share the Dream Sunday resources from Preaching Today

@steveryancarter

@craft_character