The Pastor Theologians Podcast

In this episode, Joel Lawrence speaks with Keith Johnson, Professor of Theology at Wheaton College about his new book, Karl Barth and the Idolatry of the Nation: Confronting Christian Nationalism. The conversation explores Barth's context as an influential theologian amidst the rise of the Third Reich and its influence over the church in Germany during the 1930s. Johnson avoids overly simplified parallels to the modern American church, but suggests many important principles and areas of discernment that can be retrieve from Barth's theological resistance to the cultural pressures upon the church in his day.

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In this episode of the CPT Podcast, Joel talks with CPT Fellow Bobbie Schaeperkoetter about her journey of faith and ministry and her new book, With God Every Day: A Flexible Framework for Spiritual Practice. Bobbie shares how God has shaped her through a surprising journey into pastoral ministry and spiritual formation, and how her work at Capital City Christian Church has centered on helping people develop a deeper relationship with God through daily encounters with Scripture.

The conversation explores practical ways to cultivate life with God through spiritual practices and also encourages pastors to see their own relationship with God as the foundation of their ministry.

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In this episode of the CPT Podcast, we talk with Dr. Michael Niebauer about his new book, From Word to Worship: How the Lectionary Welcomes You Into Sacred Time Through Story, Symbol, and Sacrament. Michael discusses how the lectionary helps Christians encounter Scripture as a unified story and see connections between biblical texts, the church calendar, and Christian worship. He also shares how his ministry in nursing homes has shaped his understanding of pastoral ministry and preaching.

The conversation explores Niebauer’s approach to reading Scripture, his interest in the interpretive practices of early Christians, and the way the lectionary can shape the church’s theological imagination. 

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The CPT Podcast welcomes one of our Fellows, Joseph Lear, Pastor of preaching and theology at Resurrection Assembly of God in Iowa City, Iowa, to discuss his journey from growing up as a missionary kid in West Africa to pastoral ministry and theological scholarship. Joseph reflects on how his experiences shaped his understanding of the gospel, the church, and ministry across cultures.

The conversation also explores his new book, Resurrecting Worship: A Pentecostal Liturgy for Slow Burn Revival, and the role of worship, liturgy, and dependence on the Spirit in revitalizing the local church. Joseph discusses the relationship between Pentecostalism and historic liturgical practices, worship and justice, and the pastor’s role in leading while trusting God for renewal. 

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Join us for 2026 CPT National Conference in Oak Park, IL on October 19-21! This year's theme is Finding Church: Ecclesial Identity in a Time of Cultural Crisis. Register by September 15 for the best rate.

In this week's episode, we welcome Dr. Walter Strickland II, associate professor of systematic and contextual theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and pastor of Imago Dei Church, to discuss his work on ecclesiology and the contributions of African American Christian traditions to the broader church. Drawing from his own journey across different church traditions and years of theological study, Walter reflects on how the African American church has cultivated a distinctive vision of Christian faith shaped by both deep piety and faithful protest.

The conversation explores how the African American ecclesial tradition can help the American church navigate cultural crisis through practices of lament, perseverance, discipleship, and engagement with the world. Walter highlights the importance of learning from Christians who have lived faithfully on the margins and considers how African American Christian formation can strengthen the church's witness in a time of increasing cultural uncertainty.

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In this summer replay episode, Joel Lawrence and Matt Kim talk with pastor, lawyer, and theologian K. Edward Copeland about how the gospel shapes the church’s engagement with today’s social and political tensions. Ed shares his unique journey—from overcoming a childhood speech impediment to decades of ministry and justice work—and offers a compelling vision of the gospel as God’s reconciling work for people, systems, and the whole cosmos. Drawing on the African American preaching tradition and the posture of exile, he explains how preaching can form Christians who discern cultural idols, process societal events theologically, and live faithfully amid fractured times. The result is a conversation full of wisdom, hope, and clarity for pastors and congregations navigating the complexities of modern life.

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This summer replay episode features a conversation with Joey Sherrard about his new book The Augustinian Pastor, exploring how the life and theology of Augustine can shape modern pastoral ministry. Drawing from his own journey—especially rediscovering Augustine during COVID—Sherrard highlights how Augustine’s work as a hands-on pastor was itself the outworking of and context in which he did his theological reflection. Key themes include the importance of pastoral friendship, the ongoing struggle with pride and sin, and the cultivation of humility through dependence on God. Pastors should see their ordinary work not as a barrier to theological depth, but as the very place where rich, enduring theology is formed.

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In this episode of the CPT Podcast, we welcome Dr. Matt O’Reilly, lead pastor of Christ Church, Birmingham, and a leader in the Global Methodist Church, to talk about what it means to be an ecclesial theologian. O’Reilly describes the ecclesial theologian as a pastor who provides theological leadership from within the local church. Rather than simply translating academic theology for laypeople, ecclesial theologians engage in constructive theology that shapes every aspect of church life—from preaching and discipleship to finances, property, staffing, and mission.  

The conversation explores O’Reilly’s leadership in the emerging Global Methodist Church, including his role in drafting unified Articles of Faith and chairing the Doctrine and Sacraments Committee for the denomination’s General Conference in Johannesburg. O’Reilly argues that theological study is not a distraction from pastoral ministry but an essential part of it—one that can deepen a pastor’s leadership, renew the mind, and become an act of worship.

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In this Summer Replay episode, CPT Fellow Matt Erickson reflects on his journey into pastoral ministry and the experiences that led him to write The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry. Drawing on biblical images of planting, tending, and growth, Matt offers a vision of pastoral ministry rooted in patience, community, and dependence on God rather than performance or control. The conversation explores how pastors can cultivate a deep life with God, empower others for ministry, and faithfully plant for fruit they may not live to see.

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In this special bonus episode, Joel Lawrence, Rae Paul, and Steve Williamson preview the 2026 CPT Conference, Finding Church: Ecclesial Identity in a Time of Cultural Crisis. They discuss the vision behind this year’s theme, the conference’s unique blend of theology, worship, and community, and what attendees can expect from this gathering for pastors, ministry leaders, and all who love the church. 

Attend the 2026 CPT Conference