The Concordia Publishing House Podcast

In this episode, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Pastor Scott Stiegemeyer to discuss his book, Responding to Transgenderism in Light of God’s Word, part of CPH’s Apropos series. Drawing on more than a decade of teaching and writing in bioethics, Pastor Stiegemeyer explains why quick answers fall short on complex human questions, why clear definitions of words like sex and gender matter, and how Christians can avoid the twin errors of demonization and affirmation while speaking the truth in love. Get your copy of Responding to Transgenderism in Light of God’s Word at cph.org. Episode Timestamps0:00 — Introduction & Welcoming Scott Stiegemeyer1:45 — How a Bioethics Paper Started It All3:45 — Why Open with Bob Newhart?6:00 — Slow Down: Tools for the Pastoral Toolbox9:00 — Defining Our Terms: Sex and Gender11:45 — The Difference Between Hurt and Harm14:00 — Is It Unloving to Disagree?18:00 — Holding Firm Beliefs Without Getting Defensive19:00 — Coffee, Donuts, and a Protest in Pittsburgh24:45 — Avoiding Demonization and Affirmation28:15 — Law and Gospel: Christ the Conqueror and the Cleansing Blood of Jesus32:00 — Lutheran Schools as Part of the Solution37:45 — The Whole Church’s Role in Forming Children38:15 — Be Not Afraid: “There’s No Panic in Heaven”40:15 — ClosingAbout the GuestScott Stiegemeyer is an associate professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University Irvine. He has served as a parish pastor in LCMS congregations in the Pittsburgh and Chicago areas and attended Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he earned his master of divinity degree. Resources MentionedResponding to Transgenderism in Light of God’s Word by Scott Stiegemeyer — cph.orgConcordia Publishing HouseBringing you God’s enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.orgFollow CPH on social: @concordiapubLCMS FoundationHelping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

In this episode, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Tim Kurth to discuss his new book, Principles for Good Order: Creating Organizational Harmony Through Effective Governance, which adapts John Carver’s Policy Governance model for Lutheran congregations, schools, and ministry organizations. Drawing on decades of service as a Lutheran school teacher, DCE, and leader at the Lutheran Church Extension Fund, Tim explains why well-meaning board members so often stumble, how executive limitations can actually free pastors to lead, and how confession and absolution can shape the way boards and pastors work together — and he shares why he sees great hope in the next generation of Lutheran leaders.Get your copy of Principles for Good Order at cph.org/goodorder. Episode Timestamps0:00 — Introduction & Welcoming Tim Kurth2:00 — Why Good Order Matters for Lutheran Organizations4:00 — Why Good People Struggle in the Boardroom6:00 — The Sunday School Space Expert: A Lesson in Board Boundaries7:45 — The Pastor, the Food Pantry, and the Power of a Board10:00 — The Board as Servant Leader of the Voters13:00 — Why Policies Need to Be Written Down14:00 — The Three Lanes: Voters, Board, and Pastor17:30 — Right-Hand and Left-Hand Kingdom Responsibilities19:30 — Executive Limitations: Why “Shall Not” Can Be Freeing22:00 — When Limitations Go Too Far24:30 — Supporting Pastors Who Feel Ill-Equipped to Lead29:00 — The Supplement to the Diploma of Vocation as a Monitoring Tool32:00 — How Principles Based Governance Fits Lutheran Confessions and Polity34:30 — Confession, Repentance, and Absolution in the Boardroom39:30 — Hope for the Next Generation of Lutheran Leaders42:45 — Where to Connect with Tim44:00 — ClosingAbout the GuestTim Kurth retired from his role as Vice President of Ministry Solutions at the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) in 2026. Previously, he was a Lutheran school teacher as well as a Director of Christian Education (DCE) for congregations in the Chicago area. Throughout his years of service, Tim helped to start a Lutheran high school and develop international nonprofit ministries. He enjoys participating in short-term missions, which has taken him to a total of six countries. Tim is a father to two and grandfather to three and currently lives in the Indianapolis area.Resources MentionedPrinciples for Good Order: Creating Organizational Harmony Through Effective Governance by Tim Kurth — cph.orgTim’s website: principlesbasedgovernance.comConcordia Publishing HouseBringing you God’s enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.orgFollow CPH on social: @concordiapubLCMS FoundationHelping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

In this episode, host Elizabeth Pitman sits down with Dr. Jenna Londgren to discuss her new women's Bible study, Strong in the Lord: A Women's Bible Study on Faith and Mental Health. A college professor, licensed marriage and family therapist, and mom of four, Jenna explores the connection between faith and emotional health — from recognizing when you're weary and overwhelmed to guarding your heart, building self-awareness, and modeling emotional intelligence for your kids. She shares practical, Scripture-rooted practices for finding rest and strength in Christ, even in life's most exhausting seasons.Get Jenna’s new book at cph.org/strong. Episode Timestamps0:00 — Introduction & Welcoming Jenna Londgren2:00 — Meet Dr. Jenna Londgren: Professor, Therapist, and Mom of Four4:00 — Why Strong in the Lord Was Designed to Feel Like a Gift6:00 — The Power of Doing the Study in Community10:00 — What to Do When You Reach Your Breaking Point13:00 — Finding the Peace That Surpasses Understanding15:00 — Building Self-Awareness and Naming Your Needs17:00 — Guarding Your Heart by Inviting In What's Good20:00 — Choosing Joy Without Guilt22:00 — Why We Can't Just Ignore Our Emotions24:00 — Teaching Kids Emotional Intelligence27:00 — Letting Loved Ones Sit With Hard Feelings31:00 — The “I Feel Llama” Icebreaker and Naming Emotions34:00 — A Caution for Finding Mental Health Resources Online37:00 — Hope for a Woman in a Dark Season39:00 — A Journal Prompt to Try This WeekAbout the GuestDr. Jennifer K. Londgren is the coordinator of the alcohol and drug studies program and an associate professor of health science at Minnesota State University. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, nationally certified counselor, and board-certified telemental health provider with clinical expertise in addiction, anxiety disorders, and women's issues. She presents at local and national levels on self-care, well-being, stress and burnout, and innovative teaching techniques.Resources MentionedStrong in the Lord: A Women's Bible Study on Faith and Mental Health by Jennifer K. Londgren — cph.orgConcordia Publishing HouseBringing you God's enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.orgFollow CPH on social: @concordiapubLCMS FoundationHelping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

In this episode, host Elizabeth Pitman sits down with Andrew R. Jones to discuss his new book, Ten Treasures of Learning to Pray, the third and final installment in his trilogy built around Martin Luther's framework of oratio, meditatio, and tentatio. Andy walks through several of the treasures God deposits into our lives through prayer — from persistence and solitude to forgiveness — and shares the biblical prayer guides, like Hannah and Hagar, who have shaped his own life of faith.Episode Timestamps0:00 — Introduction & Welcoming Andy Jones Back1:15 — Andy's Feelings as the Trilogy Comes to a Close2:00 — Understanding Luther's Oratio, Meditatio, and Tentatio5:00 — What Sets Ten Treasures of Learning to Pray Apart7:00 — Why Prayer Is a Treasure9:00 — The Story of Andy's Grandfather and His Baseball Cards11:00 — The Treasure of Persistence14:00 — Solitude and Community as Paired Treasures17:00 — Forgiveness: A Treasure to Be Hoarded and Shared19:00 — Why We Can't Forgive Ourselves22:00 — Andy's Favorite Prayer Guides: Hannah and Hagar24:00 — How to Pray Using the Collect Format27:00 — A Prayer Practice to Try This Week29:00 — ClosingAbout the GuestAndrew R. Jones lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he enjoys running, hiking, and adventuring with his wife, Stephanie. He has served the church in a variety of roles and locations, utilizing the gifts of speaking, teaching, and writing. As a curious author and parish pastor, he is known for conveying deep spiritual concepts in ways everyone can understand. You can find his weekly writings on his Substack, Bible Curious.Resources MentionedTen Treasures of Learning to Pray by Andrew R. Jones — cph.orgTen Lies Satan Loves to Tell by Andrew R. Jones - cph.orgTen Questions to Ask Every Time You Read the Bible - cph.orgConcordia Publishing HouseBringing you God's enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.orgFollow CPH on social: @concordiapubLCMS FoundationHelping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast 

In this episode, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Dr. Andrew E. Steinmann to discuss his latest book, co-authored with Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing, Wrestling with God: Understanding Difficult Old Testament Passages. Andrew makes the case for why the Old Testament is indispensable to the Christian faith, and walks through some of Scripture's most perplexing passages — from the mysteries of Job to the hidden hand of God in Esther.Episode Timestamps0:00 — Introduction & Welcoming Dr. Andrew Steinmann Back1:52 — Why We Shouldn't Skip the Old Testament4:00 — Wrestling with Perplexing Passages in Job7:00 — Proverbs 8 and Christ's Role in Creation8:00 — Understanding How Numbers Are Used in the Old Testament12:00 — Where Is God in Ruth, Esther, and Song of Songs?17:00 — Coincidence or Providence? God Behind the Scenes in Esther19:00 — Discovering the Trinity Throughout the Old Testament23:00 — The Aaronic Benediction and the Three Persons of God25:00 — Advice for Those Struggling with Difficult Passages27:00 — The Writing Partnership Behind Wrestling with God29:00 — ClosingAbout the GuestDr. Andrew Steinmann taught at Concordia University Chicago as a Distinguished Professor of Theology and Hebrew beginning in 2000 until retiring in July of 2023. At Concordia, he taught a wide variety of classes, including Hebrew I and II, Hebrew Readings, Readings in Hebrew, and Introduction to the Old Testament. His research interests are focused on Hebrew, Aramaic languages, apocalyptic literature, wisdom literature, and biblical chronology. Throughout his career, Dr. Steinmann has written over 50 articles and book reviews that have been published in national and international journals. He serves as a regular guest on numerous radio programs. Dr. Steinmann holds the following degrees: PhD, Near Eastern Studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; MDiv, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana; BSChE, chemical engineering, University of Cincinnati. Dr. Steinmann is married to Rebecca. Resources MentionedWrestling with God: Understanding Difficult Old Testament Passages by Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing and Dr. Andrew E. Steinmann — cph.orgConcordia Publishing House: Bringing you God's enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.orgFollow CPH on social: @concordiapubLCMS Foundation: Helping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

In this episode, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with returning guest Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing to discuss his latest book, co-authored with Dr. Andrew E. Steinmann, Wrestling with God: Understanding Difficult Old Testament Passages. Reed shares why we shouldn't skip or soften the Old Testament's hardest passages — and what we gain when we lean into them instead.Episode Timestamps0:12 — Introduction & Welcoming Reed Lessing Back1:52 — Why We Shouldn't Skip or Soften the Old Testament4:00 — What Still Perplexes the Scholars: Long Lifespans & the Trinity5:50 — The Challenge of Distance: Hebrew Language Barriers8:00 — Understanding Violence in the Old Testament14:00 — Modern Israel vs. Biblical Israel: A Grievous Confusion21:00 — The Key Question: Who Is Israel?22:00 — Why the Church Skips the Psalms of Lament26:00 — Where Reed Turns for Comfort in Hard Times28:00 — What Didn't Make the Cut29:45 — Encouragement for Those Wrestling with Scripture33:00 — Looking Ahead: The Next Book in the Trilogy34:00 — ClosingAbout the GuestDr. R. Reed Lessing is the The Edwin F. and Esther L. Laatsch Chair of Old Testament Studies at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota. He also serves as the University’s Director for the Center of Biblical Studies and oversees the University’s Pre-Seminary Program. Previously he was Senior Pastor at Saint Michael Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and before that, Professor of Exegetical Theology and Director of the Graduate School at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and received the B.A. in pre-seminary studies from St. John’s College, Winfield, Kansas, in 1981. He earned his M.Div. (1985), S.T.M. (1989), and Ph.D. (2001) degrees from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He was ordained into the office of the holy ministry on June 29, 1986. From 1986 to 1999, he served pastorates in West Monroe, Louisiana, and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.Resources MentionedWrestling with God: Understanding Difficult Old Testament Passages by Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing and Dr. Andrew E. Steinmann — cph.orgConcordia Publishing HouseBringing you God's enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.orgFollow CPH on social: @concordiapubLCMS FoundationHelping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

In this episode, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Rev. Dr. Leonard Payton, author of Prayerful Living in a Post-Christian Culture. Dr. Payton brings pastoral wisdom and biblical depth to the challenge of faithful Christian living amid cultural upheaval. Episode Timestamps0:12 — Introduction1:52 — Dr. Payton’s Ministry Context: Pastoring in a Progressive Community3:15 — How a Weekly Newsletter Became a Book4:30 — A “What and Why” Book, Not a How-To5:15 — Citizens of Heaven: Nationalism, Patriotism & Ultimate Allegiance7:15 — Intercessory Prayer as the Christian’s Most Powerful Cultural Tool10:30 — Prayer as a Priestly Act: Finding Peace Amid Cultural Chaos11:32 — The Three Systemic Evils: Idolatry, Sexual Perversion & Greed15:00 — Personal and Communal Repentance in a Fragmented Society16:16 — Looking Ahead: A Less Anxious, More Prayerful Church17:26 — Closing: The Battle Is Already WonAbout the GuestAfter spending many years as a church musician, Rev. Dr. Payton attended Concordia Theological Seminary and entered the ministry. He now serves at St. John Lutheran Church in Forest Park, Illinois. He has been happily married to Lori, his childhood sweetheart, since 1979, and they have four children and nine grandchildren. He likes to garden and to share that passion in their congregation’s community garden. Resources MentionedPrayerful Living in a Post-Christian Culture by Rev. Dr. Leonard Payton — cph.orgConcordia Publishing House: Bringing you God’s enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.orgFollow CPH on social: @concordiapubLCMS Foundation: Helping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

In this episode, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Dr. A. Andrew Das, author of Dinner with the Doctor: Luke’s Gospel for the Hungry. Dr. Das brings his scholarly expertise to a broader audience, guiding readers through the unique voice, motifs, and theology of Luke’s gospel. He explores Luke’s distinctive emphasis on food, women, and possessions; the meaning of “today” in Luke’s theology of salvation; the importance of reading scripture in its first-century context; and how the book serves both pastors and laypeople hungry for deeper engagement with God’s Word.Episode Timestamps0:49 — Introduction1:42 — Each Gospel Writer's Unique Voice5:11 — Luke's "Today" — A Different Theology of Salvation7:25 — Luke's Unique Motifs: Food, Women & Possessions9:58 — Reading Luke in His First-Century Context13:36 — The Rich Man and Lazarus: Wealth & the Possessions Motif16:23 — Dr. Das's Favorite Lucan Passages17:52 — How to Use This Book: Pastors & Lay Readers20:05 — The Art of Good Biblical Interpretation23:02 — What's Next: A Preview of Mark's Gospel25:08 — Closing & Where to Find the BookAbout the GuestDr. A. Andrew Das is the Niebuhr Distinguished Chair and professor of religious studies at Elmhurst University. He has authored several books with leading publishers in biblical studies, including Paul and the Stories of Israel (Fortress, 2016); Galatians, Concordia Commentary (CPH, 2014); Solving the Romans Debate (Fortress, 2007); Paul and the Jews (Hendrickson, 2001); and Paul, the Law, and the Covenant (Hendrickson, 2001). Dr. Das is also researching key women and their leadership in the Pauline communities and writings. Dr. Das received graduate degrees from Yale University and Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. He also did doctoral work at Duke University. He teaches in biblical studies, early Christianity, and Second Temple Judaism. Resources MentionedDinner with the Doctor: Luke’s Gospel for the Hungry by Dr. A. Andrew Das — cph.orgConcordia Publishing House: Bringing you God’s enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.orgFollow CPH on social: @concordiapubLCMS Foundation: Helping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

How do we actually raise our children in the faith? In this episode, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Rev. Dr. W. Mart Thompson, author of Family Discipleship with Christ. Dr. Thompson maps out a partnership between the home and the congregation that is both theologically grounded and practically usable. He draws on Luther’s Small Catechism, extensive field research, and his own experience of daily prayer with his family to help parents and pastors understand what faithful, grace-filled family discipleship looks like in today’s changing cultural landscape.Episode Timestamps1:51 — Introduction — Welcome & book overview2:30 — The quest begins — a seminary student’s question that launched a lifetime of research5:00 — Map and compass — the Lewis & Clark framework for navigating family discipleship8:00 — The compass of new creational wisdom — God’s design, sin, and grace working together11:30 — Defining family discipleship — the partnership of home and congregation14:00 — Starting with common ground — the bold claim that all parents want the best for their children17:30 — Secular liturgies — how culture forms children’s hearts away from Christ21:30 — Parents as the primary faith-formers — why God has creationally positioned them for this work24:30 — The Flathead Lake aha moment — Luther’s catechism as a daily family prayer book29:00 — The congregational paradigm shift — from church-centered to a home-and-congregation partnership33:30 — Seven things for the congregation, seven for the home — the map in practice37:30 — Tools in the book — the family audit, family mission statement, and bibliography41:30 — All kinds of families — how this approach serves non-traditional and single-parent households44:00 — Closing encouragement — there is always more grace in ChristAbout the GuestRev. Dr. W. Mart Thompson is associate professor of practical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He presents at workshops and conferences on the vocation of raising children in the faith and is the project manager for the Family Discipleship Initiative at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in partnership with the Concordia Center for the Family. Prior to being called to the seminary, he served as a campus pastor, sole pastor, and senior pastor. Mart, and his wife, Cheryl, are blessed with three children who are married and have children of their own, in whose homes the legacy of family discipleship continues. Resources MentionedFamily Discipleship with Christ by Rev. Dr. W. Mart Thompson — cph.orgDr. Thompson’s blog post on family discipleship (a dialogue between a professor and a seminary student, forthcoming) — concordiatheology.orgConcordia Publishing House: Bringing you God’s enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.orgFollow CPH on social: @concordiapubLCMS Foundation: Helping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

We live in a world that constantly tells us to look inward — to follow our heart, trust our feelings, and find our identity within ourselves. But Christians are called to a completely different posture. In this episode, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Rev. Joshua Pfeiffer, author of Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself. Pastor Pfeiffer draws on Lutheran theology and cultural analysis to help us understand what it means to lift our eyes up to God and out to our neighbor — and why that posture changes everything about how we live the Christian life.Episode Timestamps1:51 — Introduction — Welcome & book overview2:00 — The spiritual posture of looking: how the Nicene Creed sparked the idea for the book5:00 — Expressive individualism: what it is and how it shapes both culture and the church9:30 — Pastoral approach: helping people find their identity in Christ rather than in self-expression12:30 — Two realms and two kinds of righteousness: the Lutheran theological foundation of the book16:00 — Looking up — faith, worship, and lifting our eyes to Christ in the divine service20:30 — Looking out — love within the Christian community and why it has a special priority27:00 — Looking inward rightly — self-examination, mortification, and avoiding the downward spiral32:00 — Looking forward — the resurrection hope and living with one eye on the horizon35:30 — How Pastor Pfeiffer hopes readers and congregations will use the bookAbout the GuestRev. Joshua Pfeiffer is pastor of the Tarrington Lutheran Parish in the southeastern state of Victoria in Australia, where he lives with his wife, Kimberley, and their four children. He served various congregations in Australia before moving to the United States for graduate studies. He hosts a YouTube channel and enjoys mountain biking, hiking, golf, and other outdoor activities. Resources MentionedLift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself by Rev. Joshua Pfeiffer — cph.orgConcordia Publishing HouseBringing you God’s enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.orgFollow CPH on social: @concordiapub\LCMS Foundation – Helping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast