In this conversation, Kim Cook talks about the challenges of clergy burnout and the impact of clergy health on congregations. She discusses the importance of peer support, the effects of the pandemic on clergy, and the need for churches to care for their pastors. She also emphasizes the necessity of a holistic approach to well-being, including physical health and emotional support. Kim is a licensed clinical social worker and the Clinical Director at Elu; she works with families, couples, individuals, and groups on a variety of issues, including mental health, spiritual growth, trauma, parenting, and adoption/foster care. Kim has a Bachelor of Social Work from Messiah College, a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Arts from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. For more information about Kim, go to www.eluccc.org.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kim Cook and ELU

04:18 The Integration of Psychology and Theology

08:36 Understanding Stress and Clergy Burnout

12:39 The Impact of Clergy Health on Congregations

16:52 Isolation and Support Systems for Clergy

21:17 The Aftermath of the Pandemic on Clergy

25:29 Addressing Trauma and Church Hurt

29:17 Coping with Grief and Loss in Ministry

33:44 Final Thoughts and Resources

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Pam Durso shares her journey to becoming President of Central Baptist Theological Seminary, her experiences during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and her insights on the role of women in ministry. She discusses the evolution of theological education and reflects on the challenges and joys of leadership in a diverse and changing environment. Pam has B.A. and Ph.D. (Church History) degrees from Baylor University and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. An ordained minister, she is the author and editor of several books, including The Story of Baptists in the United States and This is What a Preacher Looks Like: Sermons by Baptist Women in Ministry. You can follow Pam on social media and learn more about Central at cbts.edu.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Pam Durso

01:48 Pam's Journey to Seminary Presidency

05:27 Navigating Leadership During COVID-19

08:46 The Baptist Identity and Personal Faith

13:02 Challenges and Encouragements in Ministry

17:18 The Importance of Story in Ministry

21:25 Supporting Women in Ministry

25:48 The Evolution of Central Baptist Theological Seminary

30:22 Reflections on Church and State

34:12 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

In this episode, Dr. Pam Durso shares her journey to becoming President of Central Baptist Theological Seminary during a pandemic and her reflections on the role of women in ministry. She discusses her Baptist identity, the challenges she faced in her career, and the importance of community in theological education. Pam also emphasizes the need for churches to support women in leadership roles and reflects on the evolution of seminary education in a diverse and changing world. She has B.A. and Ph.D. (Church History) degrees from Baylor University and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She’s an author and editor of numerous books, including “The Story of Baptists in the United States” and “This is What a Preacher Looks Like: Sermons by Baptist Women in Ministry.” You can follow Pam on social media and learn more about Central Seminary at cbts.edu.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Pam Durso

02:05 Pam's Journey to Seminary Presidency

05:50 Navigating Leadership During COVID-19

09:09 The Baptist Identity and Personal Faith

13:25 Challenges and Encouragements in Ministry

17:41 The Importance of Story in Ministry

21:47 Supporting Women in Ministry

26:12 The Evolution of Central Baptist Theological Seminary

30:45 Reflections on Church and State

34:44 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

In this episode, Pastor Danny reflects on a recent sermon, using a baseball game analogy to illustrate the importance of following the right path in life. He discusses the greatest commandments of loving God and loving one's neighbor, emphasizing the need for true compassion and authenticity in the church. He also challenges listeners to embrace hospitality and community engagement, urging them to focus on genuine love rather than mere religious observance.

In this episode, Dr. Wanda Hardee Kidd talks with Pastor Danny about her experiences in college ministry, the importance of listening in evangelism, and the challenges faced by women in ministry. She reflects on her personal journey through grief and healing during a road trip, and discusses the impact of the SBC and 2000 Baptist Faith & Message. She also emphasizes the need for community engagement and humor in ministry. Wanda has Master of Divinity and Religious Education degrees from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Drew University. You can read her blog at themanythoughtsofwandakidd.com and listen to her road trip experiences on the podcast "Journey Through the Desert."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Wanda Hardy-Kidd

01:46 Listening Evangelism: A New Approach

05:08 The Value of Storytelling in Ministry

07:45 Challenges in Connecting with Young Adults

10:15 Reflections on Gender and Ministry

13:10 Impact of the Southern Baptist Convention

15:47 Journey Through the Desert: A Personal Road Trip

19:10 Sacred Moments and Clergy Burnout

21:35 Community Engagement and Hurricane Recovery

24:17 Humor as a Superpower in Ministry

27:04 Inspiration and Mentorship in Life

29:35 Final Thoughts and Future Endeavors

In this episode, Dr. Brian Kaylor talks with Pastor Danny about the origins, dangers, and influences of Christian Nationalism. He offers historical context on topics like flags in houses of worship, the Pledge of Allegiance, and “In God We Trust.” Much of the conversation stems from his book, "Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism.” Brian is a Baptist minister with a Ph.D. in Political Communication and Advocacy Studies, and is President and Editor in Chief of the Word & Way. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including The Boston Globe, Houston Chronicle, and The Washington Post. You can follow his podcast “Dangerous Dogma” and Subscribe to Brian’s insights at publicwitness.wordandway.org

There are many implications relating to the IRS's decision not to enforce the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits churches from endorsing political candidates. Pastor Danny talks about the potential consequences of this shift, including the risk of churches becoming politically partisan and losing their spiritual integrity. The church must be careful to focus on its mission of spreading the gospel rather than get caught up in political endorsements. Pastors should guard their prophetic voice and promote the true source of hope, who is Jesus Christ.

"Let not your heart be troubled" is a challenging and encouraging instruction from Jesus. Pastor Danny refers to these words recorded in John 14 as part of Jesus’ farewell discourse. Jesus wanted the disciples to realize that his departure from them was necessary and real, but temporary. These words are often quoted during times of death, loss and grief. Yet, they are also timely for believers who deal with the uncertainty that often occurs in daily life.

In this episode, Pastor Danny reflects on the themes of courage, faith, and the importance of liberty of conscience through the lens of historical and biblical narratives. He discusses Randy Pausch's last lecture, the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and the significance of religious freedom, emphasizing the need for conviction in the face of adversity.

In this episode, Danny offers his experiences and insights from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly in St. Louis. This includes references to remarks made by keynote speakers at luncheons and worship services. Danny also offers a few takeaways from the Assembly, which includes a visit to Busch Stadium to watch the Cardinals (sadly, they lost to the Cubs).