Ep. 133 - Progress in Preaching: Christ Centered & Clear Preaching

What does faithful leadership for women in the church look like while living under God-given authority? And how can we help the next generation of women see their place in the work God has called His church to do? In this second part of our Thriving In and Under Authority breakout session from Unite 2026, Sarah Rogers shares a conversation with a young woman struggling to understand where she fits in ministry. Many women are asking this question. Looking at Deborah's life in Judges 4–5, Sarah helps us consider what faithful female leadership looks like and how we can raise up women who know God's Word, willingly live under His good design, and use their gifts to strengthen the church. Whether you're leading a Bible study, discipling a younger woman, serving alongside your pastors, or wondering where you fit in your church's life, this conversation is for you.   HIGHLIGHTS “If you're leading a small group or a Bible study at your church, if you are pursuing cross-cultural ministry, if you are discipling anyone younger than you, if you are a mother, you have authority in different spheres in your life.” “We have to teach it (submission) because it does not come naturally to us. If you've been married for any number of days, you know that submission to your husband does not always come naturally.” “We're not to self-protect because the Lord is protecting us, because as we follow Him in His good design, He is setting us up for flourishing. And we're not to self-promote. Our only boast is in Him.” “Deborah was a true partner in carrying out the word of God. She lived out her role as a helper, as there from Genesis 2. She was a necessary ally to Barak, supporting him with life-giving, faith-filled words.” “We need to call godly women to serve, not for their own self-promotion, but for the benefit of others, just like Deborah did.” “First, we have to model submission to God's word and proper authorities in our own lives. I think this is why this is given to the older women in Titus 2, because they are to teach it, but we cannot just teach this with our words. It has to be modeled.” “We need to lead women's ministries to enhance, beautify, and extend the work of the pastors by raising the water level all over our churches of women who love and handle the Scriptures faithfully.” “We get to be women who come alongside our husbands and our pastors to remind them what God has said about Himself, who He is, and literally encourage them, give them courage to face the things that are scary, to face the things that are discouraging, and to be reminded of what is true about God.” “As modern mothers in the church, let's nurture a generation of faith-filled women who thrive in authority and under authority to the glory of God.”   DIG DEEPER Sarah describes two responses to authority: self-protection and self-promotion. Which do you struggle with most? How does the gospel challenge both? Read Judges 4-5. What can we learn from Deborah's faith in God and her willingness to serve others? Who has helped you grow in your knowledge of God's Word and love for Christ? How can you do the same for other women? How does Christ's humility and obedience help us understand what it means to live under godly authority? How are you using your gifts and influence to strengthen your local church and support its mission? What is one practical way you can encourage another woman to grow in Christ and serve faithfully in the church?

Today, in the first episode of our crossover series with The Christ Centered & Clear Podcast, Nate and Jon Akin are joined by Josh Wredberg to have a conversation about Christ-centered and clear preaching. The discussion touches on the origin and mission of Christ-Centered & Clear, the need for ongoing development and feedback in our preaching, and the role that our preaching cohorts can play in fostering that development.

Chopo Mwanza gives a talk on "Multiplying Ministers" from Ephesians 4:7-16. This talk was originally given at the 2026 Pillar Unite Conference in Wake Forest, NC.

Nate Akin gives a talk on "Multiplying the Mission" from several key New Testament passages. This talk was originally given at the 2026 Pillar Unite Conference in Wake Forest, NC.

Nate Akin talks with Matt Boswell about Doxology and Theology, which exists to glorify God by equipping churches in the practice of gospel-centered worship. They discuss the purpose of worship, how theology shapes worship, pastoral leadership in shaping the congregational gathering, the vision behind Doxology and Theology, and more. Matt is a member of our network and the Lead Pastor of The Trails Church in Celina, TX. Learn more at doxologyandtheology.org.

Have you ever struggled to see how authority and flourishing in the local church could go together? You're not alone. In this episode, Betsy takes us into the first part of the women's breakout session at Unite 2026, Thriving In and Under Authority. She shares part of her own story and walks us through Scripture, from creation and the fall to the gospel, helping us understand the goodness of God's design for women in the local church and how His grace enables us to flourish under Christ's lordship. So, put on your earbuds and take a seat with us as we open God's Word together and consider the joy of serving Christ faithfully in His church. HIGHLIGHTS "We could desire to serve God while at the same time wanting to serve Him on our own terms." "Do we trust God's wisdom and goodness for how He has ordered the church?" "God's good design for the church is not limiting, as if God is withholding something from us. His design is good." "As disciples, Christian women, we are to know doctrine. We are to receive instruction. We are to become women who know our Bibles and recognize truth." "Equality is not erasing our God-given distinctions." "When we begin to doubt God's goodness, His order will feel restrictive." "The heart of the fall is that idea that we can be our own authority and that we can decide for ourselves." "Redemption does not take or does not make God's original wisdom obsolete." DIG DEEPER When you think about authority and limitations in the local church, what comes to mind? How have your experiences, cultural assumptions, or personal desires shaped the way you understand God's design? Do we trust God's wisdom and goodness for how He has ordered the church? Where are you most tempted to question His goodness when His Word challenges your preferences? How does understanding that Paul grounds his instructions in 1 Timothy 2:11-14 in creation, rather than merely in the culture of his day, shape the way you approach this passage? In what ways might you be tempted to measure your fruitfulness in the church by a position, platform, or title rather than by faithfulness to Christ? How do Christ's perfect obedience and humility, especially as described in Philippians 2, help you see submission through the lens of the gospel? Read Titus 2:3-5 alongside Titus 2:11-14. How does remembering that God's grace not only saves us but also trains us change the way you approach your calling to serve and disciple others in the local church?

Nate Akin talks with Steele Wright about his new book on Andrew Fuller. They discuss the influence of Jean Claude on Fuller's preaching, how historical figures shape modern homiletics, expository preaching, and more. Steele is a member of our network and the Lead Pastor of Lonsdale Community Church in Knoxville, TN. Get a copy of his new book here.    

Dave Kiehn talks with Ben and Stacy Reaoch about the story behind their family devotional book, "The Word in Our Home", and discuss practical ways to incorporate Bible reading into family life. Ben serves as the Lead Pastor of Three Rivers Grace Church, a Pillar Network church in Pittsburgh, PA. Learn more and get a copy of the book here. 

Dave Kiehn talks with Sam Masters about church planting and ministry in Argentina, the importance of church partnerships, infrastructure development, and the vision to make Cordoba a gospel hub. Learn more about the Cordoba Gospel Hub here - https://thecrecerfoundation.org/cgh/.

Nate Akin, Dave Kiehn, Phil Newton, Brandon Langley, & Matt Rogers discuss pastoral residencies, mentoring, training shepherds for the local church, the current pastor shortage, plus Pillar's new book, "Churches Multiplying Pastors." You can get the new book here - https://a.co/d/08rJ3AsW