Sam Allberry: You're Not Crazy

In this episode of The Bounce, host Bob LaPine is joined by Dr. Jonathan Arnold and Dr. Zachariah Carter to explore the rich history of prayer in the Christian church. The conversation begins with Bob reflecting on his own journey from advocating spontaneous prayer to appreciating the depth and structure of historical prayers. This episode is particularly insightful for pastors, church planters, and laypeople passionate about deepening their prayer life and corporate worship.Listeners will be introduced to the new book, Cloud of Witnesses: A Treasury of Prayers and Petitions Through the Ages, edited by Jonathan Arnold and Zach Carter. The book compiles prayers from various epochs of church history, providing a valuable resource for personal devotion and corporate worship.Key highlights of the episode include:The debate between spontaneous and structured prayers and their roles in personal and corporate settings.How prayer practices have evolved over time, reflecting the changing needs and contexts of the church.The significance of incorporating ancient prayers into modern worship to recognize God's ongoing work through history.Practical insights for pastors on leading corporate prayer and fostering a praying church.Personal stories and experiences from the hosts and guests that illuminate the transformative power of historical prayers.Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the role of prayer in the Christian life and how the wisdom of past saints can enrich our present practices.Action Items:Consider incorporating structured prayers from church history into your corporate worship services.Use prayers from historical collections devotionally to improve your personal prayer life and expand the vocabulary of prayer topics.Encourage daily reading of historical prayers, using them as outlines to express personal concerns to God.Join us for a thoughtful discussion that bridges the past and present, offering practical steps to enhance both personal and communal prayer life.

Join us on this transformative episode of "The Bounce" as host Bob Lepine, lead pastor at Redeemer Community Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, engages in a profound discussion with Scott Thomas on what it means to be a gospel-shaped leader. Scott, the past president of Acts 29 and executive pastor at Immanuel Church in Nashville, Tennessee, brings a wealth of experience to the table, sharing insights from his extensive background in church leadership and church planting.In this episode, Scott and Bob delve into the essence of gospel-centered leadership, emphasizing the importance of building our lives and ministries on the foundation of the gospel. Scott introduces key concepts from his book "The Gospel-Shaped Leader," highlighting how self-awareness, self-management, relational awareness, and relational management are crucial for effective and impactful leadership.Listeners will learn practical steps to integrate gospel principles into their leadership styles, fostering a healthier church culture that thrives on humility, accountability, and teachability. Scott also touches on the significance of empathy and the power of community in supporting leaders through their journey.Whether you're a seasoned pastor or a new ministry leader, this episode offers valuable guidance on cultivating a leadership approach that aligns with the teachings of Jesus and enhances the overall health and effectiveness of your ministry.

In this insightful episode of "The Bounce," host Bob Lepine, lead pastor at Redeemer Community Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, dives deep into the intricacies of setting up effective counseling programs in churches. Joined by Brad Hambrick, pastor of counseling at The Summit Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, and assistant professor of biblical counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, this conversation sheds light on the practical steps and challenges involved in addressing specialized discipleship needs within congregations.Brad shares his wealth of experience and knowledge on developing church-based counseling initiatives, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between discipleship and professional counseling needs. He introduces the concept of G4 groups—gospel-centered, group-based counseling ministries designed to handle various life struggles from addiction to emotional issues—highlighting how these groups can serve as a sustainable model for churches of all sizes.Listeners will gain valuable insights into the role of church leadership in mobilizing and equipping lay leaders for counseling roles, creating support systems for both those receiving care and those providing it. Brad also discusses the significance of maintaining collaboration with licensed professionals for comprehensive care.Whether you're a pastor overwhelmed with counseling demands or a ministry leader seeking to enhance your church's care resources, this episode provides practical advice and encouragement to help you navigate the complexities of church-based counseling.

In this episode of "The Bounce," host Bob Lepine engages with prominent pastors Colin Smith, Herschel York, and Alistair Begg in a roundtable discussion on the state of the church in America and broader evangelical Christianity. The conversation, set against the backdrop of the Basics Conference at Parkside Church, explores a range of topics from the theological depth of modern evangelicalism to the impact of cultural trends on church practices and preaching.Key points discussed include:The perceived decline in theological robustness within broad evangelicalism, contrasted with a rise in theological interest among younger demographics.The challenge of maintaining gospel integrity in a culture increasingly driven by emotionalism and individualism.Practical insights on preaching effectively—balancing bold proclamation with pastoral sensitivity, especially on contentious issues like sexuality and gender.The impact of societal changes on church attendance and commitment, highlighting the need for pastors to adapt without compromising the gospel message.The pastors collectively stress the importance of focusing on the timeless truths of the gospel amidst rapidly changing cultural and political landscapes. They encourage pastors to foster resilience and creativity in their ministries, aiming to engage both long-time believers and the unchurched with the transformative power of the gospel.Listeners are left with a sense of both urgency and hope—urgency in addressing the spiritual needs of contemporary society, and hope in the enduring power of the gospel to change lives and influence communities.

In this episode of "The Bounce," host Bob Levine converses with Alistair Begg about the intricacies and personal experiences related to the pastoral call to ministry. They delve into Alistair's personal journey, exploring the early influences and significant moments that shaped his understanding and acceptance of his ministerial calling. The discussion uncovers the multifaceted nature of recognizing and responding to a call to ministry, emphasizing the importance of external affirmation and the challenges of establishing the right priorities and rhythms in pastoral life.Listeners will find practical advice on managing the demands of pastoral ministry, alongside deep theological insights into the nature of calling and service. This episode is particularly useful for those in ministry or considering a pastoral vocation, offering both encouragement and caution derived from seasoned pastoral experience.Upcoming Event Mention: Alistair Begg will be the featured speaker at the Great Commission Collective annual conference focused on "Extravagant Grace," taking place from October 21-24 in Davenport, Iowa. More details and registration information can be found on the GCC website.

In this enlightening episode of "The Bounce," host Bob Lepine and author and pastor Cary Schmidt delve into the critical issue of ministerial exhaustion and how to maintain resilience in pastoral roles. Schmidt, drawing from his extensive experience and his new book, Steady Strength, shares personal insights on reversing the dangerous drift toward depletion that many leaders face. The discussion opens with an exploration of the personal and professional challenges Schmidt has encountered over his 34 years in ministry, particularly focusing on his transformative last 11 years revitalizing a struggling church in New England. This episode not only illuminates the paradox of pastoral strength—where true power is found in acknowledged weakness and dependency on God—but also offers practical advice on developing a sustainable ministry lifestyle that prioritizes spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. Through a blend of theological insight and practical wisdom, this conversation aims to equip pastors with the tools to thrive in their calling by fostering a gospel-centered life that embraces limitations and cultivates genuine strength.This episode is a must-listen for any church leaders looking to navigate the complexities of pastoral duties while ensuring their own spiritual health remains a priority.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Bounce, host Bob Lepine engages with Sam Allberry, pastor and author, in a deep dive into the concept of gospel-centered culture within churches. Tackling the challenging realities of pastoral ministry, they explore the themes of honesty, grace, and truth, as discussed in the book You're Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Weary Churches, co-authored by Alberry and Ray Ortlund. The conversation uncovers the often-unspoken struggles within theologically conservative circles to foster environments where vulnerability is not just accepted but encouraged. Alberry shares personal anecdotes and wisdom on creating a church culture where members can freely confess and find support, emphasizing the importance of living out the gospel in community life. This episode offers listeners a candid look at the nuances of building a gospel-centered church, aiming to equip leaders with the tools to nurture an environment of grace and truth.

In this episode of The Bounce, host Bob Lepine dives into the world of church residency programs with Dave Harvey, Dave serves as the president of the Great Commission Collective. They explore how these residency programs are revolutionizing pastoral ministry and church planting, akin to medical residencies, by providing on-the-job training and mentorship for future church leaders. Dave also shares insights from his extensive experience in ministry and his recent book, "Stronger Together," emphasizing the importance of alignment and collaboration among churches. The conversation also covers the practicalities and benefits of establishing residency programs, the pivotal role of mentors, and how the Great Commission Collective supports these initiatives through resources like the church planter residency kit. This discussion is not just theoretical but deeply practical, offering guidance on how churches of all sizes can contribute to gospel ministry expansion through well-structured residency programs. Join Bob and Dave as they unpack the vision and mechanics behind these transformative programs, highlighting their potential to nurture the next generation of church leaders.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Bounce, host Bob Lepine is joined by Rosaria Butterfield to discuss her latest book, “Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age,” challenging prevalent misconceptions within Christianity. Rosaria addresses the urgent need for mature voices in the ongoing cultural conversation. The discussion navigates through the five lies Rosaria exposes in her book, tackling issues from homosexuality to feminism. Throughout, they emphasize the importance of love for enemies, proximity without compromise, and the need for Christians to be well-trained warriors in a hostile world. The episode concludes with a bold call to Christians to engage in the battle for truth with kindness, grace, and an unwavering commitment to biblical principles. Rosaria Butterfield has also written “Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert” and “The Gospel Comes with a House Key.” She is married to Kent Butterfield, a Reformed Presbyterian pastor in North Carolina, and is a homeschool mother, author, and speaker.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:-Rosaria’s latest book, “Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age”: https://rosariabutterfield.com/five-lies-”The Gospel Comes with a House Key” book: https://rosariabutterfield.com/the-gospel-comes-with-a-house-key-”Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert” book: https://rosariabutterfield.com/secret-thoughts-of-an-unlikely-convert - Great Commission Collective: https://www.gccollective.org

Join host Bob Lepine as he sits down with Sam Black for this impactful episode of The Bounce. Sam is the Director of Life Change Education at Covenant Eyes, and he shares his personal journey and the ministry's mission to address the often overlooked issue of pornography within the church. Covenant Eyes is an accountability software, which serves over 500,000 people weekly, creating a community of support and fostering lasting freedom from pornography. The conversation delves into the prevalence of pornography in the church, where at least two thirds of men and one third of women say they have an ongoing struggle with pornography. Sam addresses the three common factors contributing to ongoing struggles: early exposure, repetitive use, and underlying trauma. Bob and Sam explore the impact of pornography on various church ministries, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to healing. Sam provides practical insights into breaking the cycle of shame, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, support groups, and equipping pastors to address this issue.Join Bob and Sam and they discuss the pervasive influence of pornography and the transformative power of a safe and supportive healing process. Resources Mentioned in this Episode:- Sam Black’s book, “The Healing Church: What Churches Get Wrong about Pornography and How to Fix It”: https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Church-Churches-Wrong-Pornography-ebook/dp/B0BW817DKJ - Covenant Eyes: https://www.covenanteyes.com/- The Covenant Eyes app can be found on the Play Store and Apple App Store, and is compatible with Windows and Apple computer products.- The Victory app can be found on the Play Store and Apple App Store- Great Commission Collective: https://www.gccollective.org