The Art of Holiness

Today, we’re talking to someone I met while helping another friend with her doctoral work. One of her professors on that journey was Winn Collier, who is the Director of The Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination, and Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary. He is also the authorized biographer for Eugene Peterson’s story. His biography of Peterson, called A Burning in My Bones, was released in 2021. He has other books to his credit, as well, and it is actually one of those other books we'll talk about today. His book, Holy Curiosity, looks a nine questions Jesus asked people he met on the journey. Collier’s study of those questions unleashes in me a curiosity about questions in general and how we might use them in the work of becoming holy. In this conversation, we'll talk about questions and imagination and Eugene Peterson and curiosity and holiness. Enjoy. 

Today, I’m talking to Amy and Rob Dixon, authors, academics, and ministry leaders. Amy is an editor, marketer, and the author of several children’s books. Rob serves on the faculty of Fuller and on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Together, they've written a marvelous children's book called Penny Preaches,  illustrated by Jennifer Davison. This beautiful book is why I got in touch with them. Rob has also written book on a related topic called Together in Ministry: Women and Men in Flourishing Partnerships. Relevant conversation, close to my heart. I hope you get some good stuff from this one. 

Sean McGever talks like an academic, but he has the heart of a pastor and the gifts of a prophet. He has a PhD from the University of Aberdeen, and serves on the faculty of Grand Canyon University. He is also an area director for Young Life in Phoenix, Arizona and has written books on evangelism and the theology of conversion. Today I want to talk with him about his latest book — Ownership: The Evangelical Legacy of Slavery in Edwards, Wesley, and Whitefield. McGever wants to get us beyond the subject matter to the deeper issue of how we live this life, how we make decisions, what legacy we want to leave. He is using history to do a very pastoral thing, and I am honored to have this opportunity to learn from someone who takes the notion of witness seriously. 

Dr. Matt O'Reilly is Lead Pastor of Christ Church in Birmingham, Alabama, a fellow of the Center for Pastor Theologians, and Director of Research at Wesley Biblical Seminary, where he provides leadership for their Doctor of Ministry program. He has a ton of honors to his credit, and it doesn't take much of a listen to understand why. Today we talk to him about two things he is passionate about: holiness and Methodism. He has published books on both this month -- Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification (published by Seedbed) and Reconstructing Methodism (published by The Francis Asbury Society). I hope you will be as encouraged as I am by the relevance of both topics for our real lives in this real world today. 

Caleb Campbell has been a pastor at Desert Springs Bible Church in Phoenix, Arizona, since 2006 and lead pastor since 2015. He is a doctoral student at Fuller Theological Seminary and serves as the regional director for the Surge Network. Today, we’re talking to him about a passion of his that syncs with this season. Caleb has just released a book called Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor, that addresses the whole issue of Christian nationalism. But listen! He does so from the perspective of a missionary and pastor. It is a compassionate look at part of our culture that needs the tender care of Jesus. I’ll tell you now that parts of this conversation may rattle your worldview, but I’m asking you to listen all the way through and consider how God might have you rethink your response to those with whom you disagree in this election season. 

This is Lo's second time on our podcast, but he brings a whole new subject to the table this time. Urban Hymnal is a very cool project unfolding in the heart of Houston, Texas. It is a collection of (hundreds, yall!) creatives and young adults gathering weekly for worship and community. Lo and the design team have developed a beautiful structure to hang it all on, so there is a lot to learn here. I hope you'll listen with a spirit open to all the Spirit is doing. 

Dr. Elesha Coffman is a professor at Baylor University and the author of several books … including her latest, Turning Points in American Church History: How Pivotal Events Shaped a Nation and a Faith. I want to thank Scot McKnight for his review of this one, which got me very interested. So let’s talk history and Holy Spirit … 

This is one of those conversations I just wanted to have because I don’t know a lot of house church pastors and what they do seems like a whole other world to me and I want to know more. So today, we’re interviewing Jeremy and Jenny Auvil, who had a remarkably strong experience as pastors of a house church in Alabama. Jeremy is currently serving as the Lead Pastor of Clearbranch Methodist, a GMC church in Trussville, Alabama. He comes to Clearbranch after years of serving in student ministry, as an associate, and for a number of years as the pastor of a house church called Crosshaven. Jenny manages a network of fitness centers and is remains very involved in the ministry life of their family. I’m talking to them today because I’m curious about their experience as house church hosts and I love the creativity at play in the house church model. Can it work in a Global Methodist world? That’s what we’ll talk about today. 

Oops! Uploaded the wrong "Bryan Loritts" earlier this week, so let's try this again. Dr. Loritts has written a deep and inviting book about the art of friendship. In an age when we are all scattered, smothered and covered (thank you, Waffle House, for that imagery), it is good to be reminded of the importance of being unified, loving, and full of grace. I hope you find much to inspire you toward relational health as you listen in ... 

Dr. Bryan Loritts is a prolific writer, dynamic preacher, and strong advocate for multiethnic communities of faith. We've talked with him before on The Art of Holiness. This time, we have a great conversation around his latest book, Enduring Friendships: : Sticking Together in An Age of Unfriending. It is a great conversation, well timed for a season when division is is our go-to. Here, we discover another option ... the way of Jesus.