The Pastor Theologians Podcast

In this episode, Joel sits down with Gerald Hiestand, CPT Co-Founder and Senior Pastor of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, IL, to discuss his new book, Justification and the Churches: Pastoral Questions at the Heart of Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Theology. The book explores the distinctive histories of each tradition and their respective questions in regards to the doctrine of justification. While maintaining clear theological differences between the traditions, Hiestand seeks to show how misunderstandings of terminology and approach have led to inaccurate and sometimes ungracious perspectives across the three Nicene traditions of the church. He argues that a better understanding of each tradition's approach to justification can lead to a richer and fuller understanding of the gospel.Check out Gerald's new book at https://bakeracademic.com/products/9781540970213_justification-and-the-churchesLearn about our Eighth Pastor Theologian FellowshipSupport the CPT Mission

In this episode, Joel sits down with Gayle Doornbos of Dordt University (Sioux Center, IA) and Joey Sherrard of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church (TN), two CPT fellows who spoke at our conference, Finding Church: Ecclesial Identity in a Time of Cultural Crisis. The three of them discuss major themes and takeaways from the jam-packed two-and-a-half days of the conference.Learn about our Eighth Pastor Theologian FellowshipSupport the CPT Mission

In this episode, Joel Lawrence talks with Joe Stevens, Pastor of Redeemer Fellowship in Saraland, AL, who shares the story of his journey as the son of a church deacon and preacher, to becoming a young preacher in need of training, and through a ministry and educational journey that led him to plant and lead a church while completing his PhD. Joe shares how these experiences have given him a deep passion for preaching the gospel and serving his church and the broader church as a Pastor Theologian.Learn about our Eighth Pastor Theologian FellowshipSupport the CPT Mission

In this episode, Joel Lawrence talks with Bonnie Kristian, Deputy Editor at Christianity Today and author of In Defense of Evangelicalism: A Response to Its Cultured Despisers. Kristian discusses what evangelicalism is and why it has become so negatively perceived in contemporary culture. While addressing legitimate critiques of the movement, she also discusses why she believes that Evangelicalism's genuine strengths should not be overlooked.Learn about our Eighth Pastor Theologian FellowshipSupport the CPT Mission

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.Learn about our Eighth Pastor Theologian FellowshipSupport the CPT Mission

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.Learn about our Eighth Pastor Theologian FellowshipSupport the CPT Mission

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. Learn about our Eighth Pastor Theologian FellowshipSupport the CPT Mission

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. Learn about our Eighth Pastor Theologian FellowshipSupport the CPT Mission

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.Learn about our Eighth Pastor Theologian FellowshipSupport the CPT Mission

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.Learn about our Eighth Pastor Theologian FellowshipSupport the CPT Mission