In today's episode, Matt and Jonathan discuss teaching Bible studies. What's different about prepping a Bible study from prepping a sermon? How do we typically approach leading a Bible study at Good Shepherd and why? How do you deal with troublesome ideas (or people) that come up while you're teaching? And why are Bible studies a great time to exercise pastoral care for parishioners?

In this episode Matt and Jonathan talk about what true repentance looks like. Can you be repentant and yet still have a besetting sin? What does it mean to "sincerely repent?" If you're sinning a lot, then should you come to the Lord's Table or skip that week? And how can a pastor counsel those in his parish who just can't kick some sinful habit?

This week we're bringing you one of Matt's sermons from Advent 2024. The text is on Luke 3:7-20.

In this episode, Matt and Jonathan discuss that little pastoral qualification that runs around your house, is way too loud, eats all your food, and can sometimes be hard to manage. You guessed it - this episode is for the children.

What does God mean when He says a pastor's children need to be "submissive" and "believers"? What about pastors whose kids leave the house and deconstruct their faith? Why is this a qualification for pastors anyway?

In this episode, Matt and Jonathan talk about the danger of treating the Bible like it's only a textbook. While learning the ins and outs of good Bible study is important, it's possible to let Bible study tactics actually keep one from submitting to God's word. It's easy to dissect Scripture. It's a lot harder to allow the Scripture to dissect us. But that's what it's meant to do.

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart," Hebrews 4:12.

We start this episode off with an exciting announcement about Matt. Then we talk about books. What are some of our go-to books for pastors to read? Whether it be history, theology, philosophy, fantasy, biography - you name it - reading good books is important to pastoral ministry. We talk about why...

In Christ,

The Cranmer Fellows

In this episode Matt and Jonathan talk about the relationship between the Bible and the Church Fathers.

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that tradition is as authoritative as the Scriptures. On the other side of the pendulum there are those who say Scripture is the only authority - there's no reason to read the Fathers. But what exactly did the Reformers mean by "sola Scriptura?" And where do we think the Fathers stand in relation to Scripture interpretation?

In this episode Matt and Jonathan talk about last Sunday's service. We observed All Saints Day with our bishop who confirmed 16 people and consecrated Church of the Good Shepherd. It's been around 15 years since the Episcopal Church kicked Good Shepherd out of its building. Now Good Shepherd has paid off the mortgage for our current building. Matt and Jonathan discuss how all of this stuff combined into one Sunday made for such a meaningful service. We also talk about how simply preaching the word of God has been Good Shepherd's strategy all these years. Thanks be to God for all that He's done!

- The Cranmer Fellows

Matt and Jon are at their diocesan clergy conference this week, so here's a sermon by Matt from a few weeks ago. The text is Acts 21:27-22:1.

The Cranmer Fellows

In this episode Matt and Jon discuss the recent moral failing of Dr. Steven Lawson. Lawson has done a tremendous amount of good work for the church, but all men are sinners. Matt and Jon talk about what happened with Lawson, why he can’t be restored to the pastoral office, and some safeguards that are helpful for pastors to avoid falling into sexual sin.

Matt and Jon respect Lawson for his work in the kingdom of God and we pray for his repentance and restoration in his marriage and other relationships.

- The Cranmer Fellows