Podcasts are a great opportunity to learn while commuting. Here are my top five recommendations for podcasts that cover the practical side. There’s something here for everyone, no matter where you are on your ministry journey.
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The Bible Study Magazine Podcast is a fantastic new resource for helping new Christians begin studying their bibles using a variety of tools. The first season of the podcast is focused on helping leaders to assist those who they’re discipling achieve “biblical literacy” which they do define in one of the episodes. Additionally, new Christians are also empowered for their own attainment of biblical literacy.
The beginning interview between Mark and the expert is helpful but then fleshed out with both affirmations and sometimes contradictory views from a panel. This format leads to an increased depth with a deep accessibility for people with different theological views as well as the eventual audience of novice Christians.
All ages and experiences will gain something from this podcast either for personal or leadership application.
The topics that are looked at in this great podcast are quite varied which leads to its benefit. For the first season they’ve covered: Old Testament Use in the New Testament with practical implications included, ethical concerns including marijuana which is obviously of peak concern, ritual theology, spiritual warfare, among significant others.
The rapport between the two hosts means that the episodes without guests are just as good as the ones with them. The guests are pulled from a variety of ministries within both church and academic worlds leading to an intense depth of experience for ministry and personal applications.
The only downside for this podcast is that they discuss food trucks from Portland for a short section of the podcast and none of the food I’ve ordered via a delivery service is cold by the time it’s arrived, if it’s not seized by customs.
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The topics that are looked at in this great podcast are quite varied which leads to its benefit. For the first season they’ve covered: Old Testament Use in the New Testament with practical implications included, ethical concerns including marijuana which is obviously of peak concern, ritual theology, spiritual warfare, among significant others.
The rapport between the two hosts means that the episodes without guests are just as good as the ones with them. The guests are pulled from a variety of ministries within both church and academic worlds leading to an intense depth of experience for ministry and personal applications.
The only downside for this podcast is that they discuss food trucks from Portland for a short section of the podcast and none of the food I’ve ordered via a delivery service is cold by the time it’s arrived, if it’s not seized by customs.
3
The one local podcast in this list, John Dickson is a scholar with years of practical experience in the local church. This podcast has one complete season under its belt and includes a wide variety of topics that aren’t always covered by other podcasts including his own work on the nature of history, science, work, benefits of the church for the community at large, and manuscripts of the New Testament.
The interviews are carried out well and when Dickson stops the podcast and says he has a trademark “5 minute Jesus” for us, the application with his background in pastoral ministry, comes screaming through.
This podcast is applicable to high school students through to seniors.
NT Wright is a widely known name in biblical studies, but what may not be as well known is his significant pastoral experience as a Bishop within his Anglican tradition. This pastoral heart comes out as he answers questions provided by the public. His co-host Justin, an experienced podcaster, organises the questions into topics for Wright to answer. The topics ranging from purely academic to intensely personal pastoral questions. Each episode based on these pastoral questions is prefaced with the necessity of having an inperson discussion and prayer with a pastor. His pastoral character is evident by the insistance of the repeated response and the emotion evident in the answer to the questions posed. The more theologically focussed questions are answered well and aimed at a popular audience. Although the answers given may not fit within your tradition, his reputation makes this an unmissable resource.
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NT Wright is a widely known name in biblical studies, but what may not be as well known is his significant pastoral experience as a Bishop within his Anglican tradition. This pastoral heart comes out as he answers questions provided by the public. His co-host Justin, an experienced podcaster, organises the questions into topics for Wright to answer. The topics ranging from purely academic to intensely personal pastoral questions. Each episode based on these pastoral questions is prefaced with the necessity of having an inperson discussion and prayer with a pastor. His pastoral character is evident by the insistance of the repeated response and the emotion evident in the answer to the questions posed. The more theologically focussed questions are answered well and aimed at a popular audience. Although the answers given may not fit within your tradition, his reputation makes this an unmissable resource.
5
This podcast is from the Center for Pastor Theologians. The content within the podcast may suit bible college students and ministry leaders due to the level of discussion therein. This is a distinctive of the CPT podcast, which makes the podcast essential listening for those aiming for ministry. They do discuss areas that may be essential for this such as combining postgraduate study with ministry work.
There are a wide variety of topics included, and some match up with their conference topics and guests for example, but the scope is so large that any description of it would overlook something.
Comment below which of these podcasts you enjoy the most.
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