What Your Pastor Really Thinks

In this episode of What Your Pastor Really Thinks, Pastors Matt Wolf and Drew Tarwater tackle one of the most complex and sensitive topics facing Christians today: gender identity. With candor, compassion, and a commitment to biblical truth, they explore how followers of Jesus can navigate issues of gender identity in the workplace, the church, and personal relationships.

The pastors discuss how Christians can balance grace and truth, address the challenges of pronoun usage and name changes, and respond to new legal mandates such as Colorado's recent legislation around gender identity in schools and workplaces. Drawing on biblical teaching from Genesis, the life of Jesus, and practical pastoral experience, they offer guidance for believers wrestling with real-world situations involving family, friends, coworkers, and children.

Whether you're a parent, a teacher, an employer, or simply trying to understand how to lovingly and faithfully engage with our culture, this conversation provides honest insight and helpful principles. The pastors also offer recommended resources, including books by Preston Sprinkle and Jackie Hill Perry, to help deepen your understanding of identity through a biblical lens.

As always, What Your Pastor Really Thinks is brought to you by Converge Rocky Mountain, a movement of churches working together to help people meet, know, and follow Jesus.

In this episode of What Your Pastor Really Thinks, Pastors Drew Tarwater, Ryan McBride, and Matt Wolf dive into one of the most challenging and foundational questions in the Christian faith: Does the Bible prove God exists—or does it simply presume He does? Together, they explore the reliability of Scripture, the tension between faith and science, and how believers can respond to skepticism in a thoughtful, honest way.

With references to historical evidence, textual preservation, and personal faith journeys, this conversation balances scholarly insight with real-world application. Whether you're a committed believer, an honest skeptic, or someone in between, this episode offers tools to better understand what you believe—and why it matters.

Have questions? Stick around for a preview of an upcoming Q&A episode and learn how to join the conversation.

 Welcome to What Your Pastor Really Thinks—a podcast where pastors Drew Tarwater, Matt Wolf, and Ryan McBride, led by host Rob Blausey, dive into the real questions most sermons skip. With honesty, humor, and a bit of salty wisdom, they tackle faith, culture, theology, and even unexpected topics like aliens and New Year’s resolutions.

Each episode brings fresh perspective: Matt speaks from an urban church context, Drew from the suburbs, and Ryan from a rural mountain town. Together, they challenge cultural norms and explore how biblical truth applies in today’s world—helping listeners develop a faith-informed worldview.

Meet the Pastors:

Pastor Matt Wolf leads Arise Church in Denver, CO. A graduate of Denver Seminary, Matt is known for dynamic teaching and cultivating a Christ-centered, mission-driven community. He’s passionate about equipping believers to live out their faith and building strong relationships within the city.

Pastor Drew Tarwater serves as Lead Pastor at Forefront Church in Denver’s Harvey Park. With a background in theology from Midwestern Seminary, Drew brings over a decade of ministry experience and a heart for discipleship, accessibility, and community impact.

Pastor Ryan McBride leads Catalyst Church in Cañon City, CO. A Grand Canyon University grad, Ryan is recognized for his engaging teaching and focus on spiritual growth, relational connection, and community outreach. He blends biblical depth with down-to-earth leadership.

Whether you're curious how pastors handle real-life issues or just want an honest look behind the pulpit, What Your Pastor Really Thinks invites you into the conversation—straight from the source.

In this episode of What Your Pastor Really Thinks, Pastors Ryan McBride, Matt Wolf, and Drew Tarwater tackle a surprisingly hot topic: Summer Church. Is church really "out for summer"? From dwindling attendance to camping weekends, they explore the rhythms, frustrations, and opportunities that arise when warm weather and worship collide—especially in Colorado, where the mountains beckon every Saturday morning.

The pastors candidly share how their churches adapt through creative scheduling, outdoor services, online worship options, and community events like Whitewater Festival and Blossom Fest. They also discuss how habits around church attendance affect spiritual health—and why consistency matters for families and pastors alike.

Whether you're a pastor preparing for the June slump or a churchgoer tempted to "take the summer off," this episode offers real talk, practical tips, and a few good-natured rants to keep your faith rhythm strong all summer long.

Connect with us: [email protected]

Keywords: summer church, church attendance, Colorado churches, church habits, pastor podcast, faith and vacations, outdoor worship, spiritual routines, Catalyst Church, Arise Church Denver, Forefront Church, Sunday service decline, live stream church, keystone habits, faith-based summer, family church rhythms, church volunteering, community service church, whitewater festival church, blossom fest church, church in the park, online church summer, spiritual consistency

In this thought-provoking episode of What Your Pastor Really Thinks, Pastors Matt Wolf, Ryan McBride, and Drew Tarwater tackle one of the most challenging theological questions: If God's foreknowledge is perfect—why does He allow suffering, tragedy, and evil in the world?

From natural disasters like the Joplin tornado to personal loss and deep spiritual confusion, the pastors explore questions many believers wrestle with:

• Why pray if God already knows everything?
  

• Does free will limit divine intervention?
  

• How can we reconcile God’s goodness with our daily suffering?
  

With scripture, real-life stories, and candid personal insights, this episode invites listeners into a conversation about trust, sovereignty, the nature of heaven, and why pain is never wasted in God’s hands.

Welcome to What Your Pastor Really Thinks, a unique podcast where pastors Drew Tarwater, Matt Wolf, and Ryan McBride, led by your host Rob Blausey, dive into thought-provoking topics that most sermons don’t cover. With humor, honesty, and a bit of salty wisdom, these pastors tackle real-life questions about faith, culture, theology, and even a few unexpected themes—like aliens and New Year's resolutions.

Each episode brings insight from different perspectives, with Matt representing urban life, Drew from the suburbs, and Ryan as the rural mountain man. Together, they challenge cultural norms and provide biblical perspectives on controversial and trending topics, aiming to help listeners develop their own worldview grounded in faith.

Pastor Matt Wolf is the Lead Pastor of Arise Church in Denver, Colorado, where he is passionate about helping people encounter Jesus, grow in their faith, and live on mission for God’s Kingdom. With a heart for the city and a vision for a thriving, Christ-centered community, Pastor Matt has been instrumental in leading Arise Church to be a beacon of hope and love in the Denver area.

With extensive pastoral experience, Matt emphasizes dynamic biblical teaching, intentional discipleship, and a commitment to outreach. He is deeply focused on equipping believers to live out their faith in their daily lives and empowering the church to be a force for good in the local community. Under his leadership, Arise Church has cultivated a culture of authentic relationships and spiritual growth.

Pastor Drew Tarwater serves as the Lead Pastor of Forefront Church in Harvey Park, Denver, Colorado. Known for his passion for making the gospel accessible to everyone, Pastor Drew brings over a decade of ministry experience to the Denver community. With a heart for discipleship and church growth, he emphasizes biblical teaching, relational connection, and a commitment to serving the neighborhood.

Pastor Drew’s ministry journey began with a calling to equip believers to grow in their faith and engage with their communities. A graduate of Midwestern Seminary, he blends deep theological insight with a practical, down-to-earth approach to ministry. Drew’s leadership at Forefront Church has been marked by his vision to see people transformed by the love of Christ and actively live out their faith in everyday life.

Pastor Ryan McBride Pastor Ryan McBride is the Lead Pastor of Catalyst Church in Cañon City, Colorado, where he is dedicated to creating a vibrant, Christ-centered community. Known for his engaging teaching style and heart for discipleship, Pastor Ryan is passionate about helping people encounter God, grow in their faith, and discover their unique purpose in God’s Kingdom.

With years of pastoral experience, Ryan combines a deep love for scripture with a practical approach to ministry. He is committed to equipping believers to live out their faith authentically and serve their neighbors with compassion and love. His leadership at Catalyst Church has been marked by a focus on relational connection, fostering spiritual growth, and reaching the community with the hope of the gospel.

Can artificial intelligence bring you closer to Jesus—or is it a digital distraction? In this episode of What Your Pastor Really Thinks, Pastors Matt Wolf, Ryan McBride, and Drew Tarwater dive into the rapidly growing world of AI and explore how it intersects with faith, ethics, and the church.

From using ChatGPT for sermon research and meal planning to debating whether AI-generated worship songs are spiritually authentic, the pastors get real about where the line is—and how not to cross it. They unpack everything from AI-powered relationship tools to digital discipleship, discussing whether AI is a helpful assistant or a dangerous substitute.

This is a thought-provoking, often hilarious, and always honest conversation about technology, theology, and the future of ministry.

Keywords for YouTube/Spotify: AI and church, artificial intelligence ethics, Christian podcast, Jesus and AI, ChatGPT and pastors, digital faith, sermon prep tools, AI worship music, Christian technology debate, faith and culture

Hashtags: #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndCulture #AIandJesus #ChurchTech #PastorTalk #SermonPrep #WhatYourPastorReallyThinks #EthicsInAI #ChristianLeadership

In this episode of What Your Pastor Really Thinks, Rob sits down with Pastors Matt Wolf, Ryan McBride, and Drew Tarwater to take on one of the most culturally relevant—and spiritually challenging—questions facing the church today: “Does Jesus love my drug use?”

From marijuana and microdosing psychedelics to medically prescribed cannabis, the pastors offer a raw and honest conversation about legality, spiritual leadership, biblical interpretation, and what it really means to be sober-minded. With firsthand experience, practical wisdom, and deep theological insights, they explore how substances can either dull or deepen our dependence on Christ.

Whether you're wrestling with personal habits, leading a church, or trying to understand where faith intersects with modern culture, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a call to intentionality.

Have questions or want help taking a next step? Reach out to Rob at [email protected] — and don't forget to subscribe and share.

This week on What Your Pastor Really Thinks, we’re digging into one of the Bible’s most controversial ideas: the notion that God might send evil spirits. With insights from 1 Samuel 16 and real-life stories of spiritual warfare, Pastors Drew Tarwater and Matt Wolfe join host Rob Blausey to discuss God's sovereignty, biblical interpretation, and the spiritual realities often ignored in modern culture.

Key topics include:

• What the Bible really means when it says “an evil spirit from the Lord”
  

• The difference between God sending and God allowing
  

• Real-life experiences of people leaving the occult
  

• How to protect your home and heart from spiritual darkness
  

• What it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit
  

Whether you’re skeptical, curious, or seeking clarity, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and encourage you to pursue spiritual truth with intentionality.

Need prayer, support, or want to ask a question for a future episode? Email Rob at [email protected].

 What Your Pastor Really Thinks – Ep. Taxes: Paying Thine Taxes

It's tax season, and we're diving headfirst into the topic that makes everyone sweat—yes, taxes. In this episode, Pastors Matt Wolf and Drew Tarwater join host Rob Blausey for a candid, thought-provoking, and at times hilarious conversation about what Scripture really says about paying taxes, the ethics of tax loopholes, and how Christians should navigate gray areas with integrity.

We explore:

Whether you're frustrated about your tax bill or just curious how faith and finances intersect, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Have questions or want help? Email Rob at [email protected]

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real, raw, and relevant conversations on faith, theology, and culture.

Welcome to What Your Pastor Really Thinks, a unique podcast where pastors Drew Tarwater, Matt Wolf, and Ryan McBride, led by your host Rob Blausey, dive into thought-provoking topics that most sermons don’t cover. With humor, honesty, and a bit of salty wisdom, these pastors tackle real-life questions about faith, culture, theology, and even a few unexpected themes—like aliens and New Year's resolutions.

Each episode brings insight from different perspectives, with Matt representing urban life, Drew from the suburbs, and Ryan as the rural mountain man. Together, they challenge cultural norms and provide biblical perspectives on controversial and trending topics, aiming to help listeners develop their own worldview grounded in faith.

In this episode of What Your Pastor Really Thinks, we dive into the real meaning behind Lent and St. Patrick’s Day! Our pastors discuss their personal experiences with Lent, fasting, and church traditions, while also exploring the incredible story of St. Patrick—beyond the green beer and parades.

🌟 Topics Covered: ✅ Why some churches observe Lent (and why others don’t) ✅ St. Patrick: His journey from slavery to spreading the gospel ✅ The myths vs. reality of St. Patrick’s Day (Snakes? Shamrocks? We break it down!) ✅ How faith and culture intersect in modern churches ✅ The power of dreams and how God still speaks today

Join us for an insightful and entertaining discussion that might just change the way you view these traditions. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep-dive conversations!

📩 Have a question for our pastors? Drop it in the comments or email [email protected]

#Lent #StPatricksDay #ChristianPodcast #WhatYourPastorReallyThinks #Faith #ChurchTraditions

In this special Q&A episode, Pastors Matt Wolf, Ryan McBride, and Drew Tarwater tackle some of the toughest and most intriguing questions sent in by listeners. From the reality of spiritual forces to whether pastors are held to a higher standard, this episode is packed with deep theological insights, engaging discussions, and a few surprises.

📢 Join the Conversation: What are your thoughts on these topics? Have more questions? Drop them in the comments or email us at [email protected]

👍 Like, Subscribe, and Follow for more real conversations on faith, theology, and culture!