Shepherd's Study Podcast

What does faithful lament sound like when “I’m fine” simply isn’t true? In Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament, Mark Vroegop explores the biblical language God gives Christians for seasons of grief and suffering. Reviewer Josh Rathje considers the book’s four-part pattern of lament—turn, complain, ask, trust—along with its strengths and a few cautions for Lutheran readers. 

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

The subtitle of Carl Trueman's latest book speaks volumes: "How the rejection of God degrades our humanity." As society has moved further and further away from a broadly accepted concept of God in the post-Enlightenment era, there have been more knock-on effects than perhaps anyone anticipated. The idea is simple: when you remove God from the picture, everything else starts to unravel. Pastor Erik Janke joins Jared and Scott to discuss Trueman's latest foray into diagnosing the current cultural milieu.

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

When pastors fill out their tax forms, they list their profession as "Minister of the Gospel." Author Heath Curtis has a different idea for our job description: "I tell people what to think." Is this a useful framework for understanding the pastor's role and the office of preaching? Pastor Ryan Gurgel joins Jared and Scott to talk about Curtis's homiletics text, "Telling People What to Think."

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

A pastor takes care of the flock, and it is a joy to do so. But what about the times when the flock needs to take care of the pastor? Are pastors willing to bring that up? Author Christopher Ash believes so, and wrote this book to alleviate some of that perceived pressure that may be on pastors to talk about themselves. Scott and Jared welcome both Pastor Lucas Proeber and Prof. Brad Wordell onto the podcast to discuss Ash's work, "The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would Read (But Is To Embarrassed to Ask)."

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

More than just a biography of the Apostles, the book of Acts gives Christians an important look at what the Church looks like without Jesus' visible presence. One could read the book as a challenge to Christians throughout time: this is the mission of the Church, and now it's your turn. Pastor Joseph Neuberger joins Jared and Scott to discuss NT Wright's work on The Challenge of Acts.

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

Jacob, son of Isaac: Hero of Faith, or Perpetual Screw-Up? As one of the Patriarchs, Jacob is used in the Bible and in Luther's writing as a "Hall of Faith" member and forefather to look up to. As you read and re-read his account in Scripture, though, you see a picture of a man who struggled, failed, and had to be picked up time and again. There's no need to create a false dichotomy, though. The heroes of the Bible are called such not because of their greatness, but because of the greatness of God. Chad Bird uses Jacob's life as an example of what it means to be a disciple, and Pastor Joel Hopper joins Jared and Scott to examine what he has to say.

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

"Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, give rest to the weary, sustain the dying, calm the suffering, and pity the distressed; all for your love’s sake, O Christ our Redeemer." Have you ever led this prayer in a Compline service and wondered where it came from? Pastor Josh Koelpin joins Jared and Scott to examine this prayer and its contents through the work of Tisch Harrison Warren. 

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

Have you noticed a changing of the winds? Justin Brierly says he has. The subtitle for his book The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God serves as a summary: "Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again." How accurate is his claim? Pastor Evan Chartrand joins us on the pod to evaluate.

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

Spiritual discipline is a hotly discussed topic in popular Christendom, though not always in ways that we would identify as gospel-predominant. The Common Rule by Justin Earley is an award-winning book in which the author explores spiritual discipline with a cautious eye toward the legalism that often pervades the conversation. Did he manage to avoid the trap himself and provide a worthwhile read for us to establish healthy, practical frameworks for our lives as Christians? Let's discuss the book with Pastor Kurt Wetzel to find out!

This will also serve as Phil's last episode as co-host of the podcast. Thanks so much for your work, Phil! We welcome Scott as our new co-host and editor of the Shepherd's Study going forward!

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

Having a healthy church sounds like a good goal. However, determining the "health" of a church is only as useful as the criteria that are used to define "health" in the first place. In this book, Mark Dever lays out a set of criteria for us to consider for congregational health. Pastor Scott Henrich joins Phil and Jared to critique Devers' 9 Marks and evaluate the evaluation. 

The Shepherd’s Study podcast is produced by Grow in Grace to help pastors grow in the art and practice of pastoral ministry. Each episode features Lutheran pastors discussing a book that is salient to their work, much in the manner of an informal conversation that pops up at a circuit meeting.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’ own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.