When War Scatters the Church: Lessons from Ukraine - with Sharon Markey

What does it really mean to be an apprentice of Jesus in a fragmented world? In this episode of Theology for the People, Pastor Heath Hardesty shares how his years as an apprentice plumber shaped his vision for discipleship and following Jesus.Heath is the Lead Pastor of Valley Community Church (VCC) in Pleasanton, California, and the author of the recent book, All Things Together: How Apprenticeship to Jesus Is the Way of Flourishing in a Fragmented World.In this episode, we discuss:Why apprenticeship is a better paradigm for following Jesus than “just” discipleship classesThe four pillars of apprenticeship: union, abiding, obeying, and imagingHow sin fragments our lives and how Jesus reintegrates usPractical spiritual practices for ordinary TuesdaysWhy following Jesus is a fully embodied way of life—not just information in our headsWhether you’re feeling spiritually stagnant or longing for a more integrated faith, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.📖 All Things Together releases October 14 and is available wherever books are sold.

What does faithful, biblical care for widows look like, and why does the Bible say that it is at the heart of "pure religion"?Susan VandePol became a widow when her husband—a Los Angeles City firefighter—died following a line-of-duty exposure. Out of her own grief the Lord led her to create practical protocols for fire departments and churches, and to host deeply healing widows’ retreats.In this conversation we cover:• Why you don’t “stop” being a widow—even after remarriage• How Scripture frames widowhood (the “quartet of the vulnerable,” James 1:27, Luke 18)• “Pruning” grief: letting God move grief toward health and fruit• Presence over platitudes: what helps, what harms• A simple, sustainable church protocol (care that intentionally extends to two years)• How ministering to widows purifies the whole churchResources mentioned:• Church Protocol for Widow Care – Matters of Life and Breath (download free)• Fire Department Widow Protocol – Matters of Life and Breath (free)• Widows’ Retreat (West Michigan, Oct 17–19) – registration details via the Matters of Life and Breath websiteAbout Susan VandePolWidow, author, and founder of Matters of Life and Breath, Susan equips churches and first-responder communities to care wisely and biblically for widows. She and her husband (a trauma specialist) also serve internationally with grief and trauma care.⏩ If this helped you, please share it with a friend and subscribe for more conversations that bring theology to the people!

In this episode of Theology for the People, Pastor Nick Cady is joined by Pastor Stephen Pomeroy from White Fields Community Church to explore the fascinating story of the conversion of the Vikings.Stephen, who also hosts the Viking Legacy and Lore podcast, shares how his personal heritage sparked an interest in Viking history and mythology, and how he approaches it from a Christian perspective. Together we discuss:What the Viking Age was and how it endedThe political and spiritual dynamics behind Viking conversion to ChristianityThe concept of the monomyth and how stories across cultures point to the true story of JesusParallels between Norse mythology and biblical truthLessons for engaging neo-paganism and modern spiritual seekersThis conversation blends history, theology, and mission — showing how God’s truth reaches across cultures and centuries.📌 Subscribe for more episodes of Theology for the People where we bring theological conversations down to earth in a way that is understandable, practical, and engaging.Visit TheologyforthePeople.com for more helpful articles and many topics related to Theology.

In this episode of Theology for the People, Nick Cady talks with Sharon Markey — missionary, pastor’s wife, and author of the forthcoming book Finding Home Again. Sharon shares her family’s story of serving in Ukraine for nearly two decades, planting churches in Kyiv, and how the war suddenly uprooted their lives.We discuss:What it means to be a refugee and how displacement affects faith and identityThe church’s role in caring for hurting and displaced peopleHow Ukrainians are bringing gospel light into post-Christian EuropeThe reality of life in Ukraine today and how Christians can pray and helpSharon’s hope for her new book and how it can inspire compassion and faith👉 Learn more about Sharon’s book at sharontmarkey.com👉 Support their ministry: bridgeua.orgNew episodes release every Monday. Subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations!

In this episode of Theology for the People, Nick Cady sits down with pastor and author Matt McCullough to discuss his new book Remember Heaven. Building on the themes of his previous book Remember Death, Matt explores how the biblical vision of heaven is meant to shape our lives here and now—not just as a future hope, but as a present motivation for rest, urgency, and faithful discipleship.Together they talk about:How our cultural views of heaven often miss the God-centered reality the Bible presentsWhy remembering heaven matters in a distracted and comfort-driven worldHow heaven gives us peace in anxiety, urgency in mission, and love in communityWhat the Bible actually says (and doesn’t say) about the afterlifeHow the local church functions as a “colony of heaven” in the country of deathThis is a hopeful, practical conversation that will encourage you to set your mind on things above and live today in light of eternity.📘 Remember Heaven is available now wherever books are sold.🔗 Learn more about Matt and his ministry at edgefieldnashville.org🔗 Visit TheologyforthePeople.com for articles and content

In this episode of Theology for the People, Nick Cady speaks with David Mathis, author of A Little Theology of Exercise: Enjoying Christ in Body and Soul, to explore the spiritual significance of physical health. This conversation looks at the theology of the body, and how caring for our bodies can actually deepen our discipleship, improve our service to others, and shape how we glorify God with our entire being.We also explore cultural trends around fitness, how to avoid idolatry of the body, and how anyone — regardless of age or ability — can engage in God-honoring movement. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or someone who avoids the gym at all costs, this episode is a helpful and grace-filled look at how physical exercise fits into the Christian life.Visit TheologyforthePeople.com for articles and more content and make sure to subscribe to the channel and share the episode with someone who would benefit from it!

In this episode, Nick Cady is joined by Sandra Peoples — a disability ministry consultant, author, and pastor's wife — to discuss her new book: Accessible Church: A Gospel-Centered Vision for Including People with Disabilities and Their FamiliesSandra shares from personal experience as both a sister and mother of individuals with disabilities, and she casts a compelling vision for churches to become accessible and inclusive to people of all ability levels.They explore the theological foundations for understanding disability, the relational and spiritual impacts of accessibility, and practical ways churches of any size can serve individuals and families affected by disability. Whether you're a pastor, ministry leader, or church member, this conversation will challenge and equip you to take steps toward a more inclusive and grace-filled church culture.👉 Learn more about Sandra’s work and resources at sandrapeoples.comFind articles and more content at TheologyforthePeople.com

In this episode of Theology for the People, Nick talks with Dr. Drew Martin, professor of theology and church history at Covenant Theological Seminary. Drew shares about his pastoral journey, his transition to academia, and why he wrote his new book on Francis Grimké — an influential but often overlooked African American Presbyterian pastor, church leader, and early civil rights advocate.They discuss Grimké’s life: born into slavery, educated at Princeton, and pastoring 15th Street Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, for nearly 50 years. Drew explains Grimké’s passion for preaching the gospel and fighting racial prejudice, his wisdom in holding together faith and social action without confusing them, and what the church today can learn from Grimké’s example.📖 Get Drew’s book: Francis Grimké on the Christian Life (Crossway’s Theologians on the Christian Life Series)🔗 Connect with Drew at Covenant Theological Seminary.If you enjoy this conversation, be sure to subscribe and share this episode with friends who want to deepen their understanding of faithful ministry, church history, and engaging society with gospel clarity.Visit theologyforthepeople.com for articles and additional content.

In this episode host Nick Cady talks with Matt Smethurst about his new book Tim Keller on the Christian Life. Matt shares about his ministry journey, why Tim Keller’s legacy is still so valuable for the church today, and what he discovered while sifting through Keller’s sermons, books, and endnotes. They discuss Keller’s approach to contextualization, evangelism, friendship, and what it means to taste and see that the Lord is good. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Keller’s work or just curious about his influence, this conversation will deepen your appreciation for how the gospel changes everything.Show Notes:Matt’s background in missions and church plantingResponding to recent critiques of Keller’s ministryHow Keller’s focus on gospel clarity shaped his preachingWhat surprised Matt most in Keller’s workLessons for pastors, leaders, and everyday believers📚 Check out Matt’s books:Tim Keller on the Christian LifeBefore You Open Your BibleBefore You Share Your FaithDeacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the ChurchVisit theologyforthepeople.com for articles and more content.

What does it mean to follow Jesus in an age of constant distraction and digital overload?In this episode of Theology for the People, Nick Cady is joined by Brett McCracken — senior editor at The Gospel Coalition and editor of the new book Scrolling Ourselves to Death. Drawing inspiration from Neil Postman’s classic Amusing Ourselves to Death, this conversation explores how modern technology is shaping our souls, eroding our attention, and forming a plausibility structure that makes it harder to believe in transcendent truth.They discuss:How social media is forming us spirituallyThe dangers of disembodied discipleshipWhy embodied church gatherings still matterHow the internet fosters epistemological chaosPractical ways churches and families can reclaim real life in the digital ageWhether you’re a pastor, parent, or just a thoughtful Christian navigating life with a smartphone, this episode will challenge and encourage you to think more deeply about how you engage with technology.📘 Get the book Scrolling Ourselves to DeathVisit TheologyForThePeople.com