Craft & Character

Latest Episodes:

Becoming Strong Like Water with Aundi Kolber Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

Back by popular demand, author and therapist Aundi Kolber shares about her forthcoming book, Strong Like Water. This book debunks stoic, soul-depleting platitudes like “No pain, no gain,” instead showing that healing from trauma is only possible through freedom, safety, and compassion.

Aundi masterfully integrates psychology, neurology, and theology, and explains to Steve Carter three categories of strength: situational, transitional, and integrated. Steve and Aundi also reflect on how Jesus dignified pain一and entered into it himself一rather than denying it. If God himself engaged with the full spectrum of human emotion, as the church we must follow his example.

Whether navigating your own trauma, or as someone who longs to love people more deeply, Aundi is a seasoned guide who offers brilliant insights, along with practical resources and rhythms to implement in everyday life.

EPISODE LINKS

Aundi’s new book: Strong Like Water

Other books: Try Softer

Website: aundikolber.com

@aundikolber

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

A More Accessible Theology with Ricky Jenkins Feb 28, 2023

Show notes

UPDATE: Audio has been updated from the previous version. So, if you were only able to listen to the first 7 minutes, now you can hear the entire episode.

For Ricky Jenkins, lead pastor at Southwest Church in Indian Wells, CA, preaching is “an exchange between heaven and earth.”

He explains how diligent prep overlaps with sensitivity to the Spirit during the sermon一just as jazz music riffs freely while still submitting to the key to a song. Growing up in the black church taught him how to lean into the text while also leaning into the room. Like Paul, Ricky strives to not only share the gospel with his people, but also his very life (1 Thess. 2:8).

As a fourth-generation pastor, Ricky explains to Steve Carter the importance of leaving a spiritual legacy for your children一not a legacy built on likes, livestream stats, or church size一but one of simple, consistent fidelity to God’s Word over decades.

At the end of his race, Ricky hopes to hand his children a Bible saying, “Here you go. I’ve kept it intact. Your turn.”

Also, check out a special worship song: "Imagine" by Carrington Gaines. May this song bless you, as we eagerly anticipate Easter.

EPISODE LINKS

Church: Southwest Church

@rickyjenkins

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

4 Commitments of Preachers with Jared E. Alcántara Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

Some people transport us beyond our blind spots and comfort zones一introducing us to a chorus of diverse voices echoing across God’s kingdom, from both church history and our own age.

Jared Alcantara is one of those guides.

Growing up in a bi-cultural home in a diverse low-income neighborhood, and now as Professor of Preaching at Truett Theological Seminary, his homiletics classes prominently feature Black, Latino(a), and Asian North American preachers. He’s written two books on one of his preaching heroes, Gardner C. Taylor.

Jared talks with Steve Carter about his book, The Practices of Christian Preaching, which offers four practical ways to grow as a communicator:

Focused Attention
Concrete Goals
Constructive Feedback
Willingness to Take Risks

Jared explains that, although receiving feedback is vulnerable and humbling, no preacher, regardless of pedigree, can avoid plateauing without it. Ultimately, growth is not about accruing accolades or platform building: it’s so listeners will see and savor the beauty of God and the gospel.

EPISODE LINKS

Jared’s books about Gardner Taylor:

Learning From A Legend: What Gardner C. Taylor Can Teach Us About Preaching

Crossover Preaching(his dissertation)

Preaching Today article on Gardner C. Taylor: "Learning from a Legend"

Jared’s other books:

The Practices of Christian Preaching: Essentials For Effective Proclamation

How To Preach Proverbs

Book by Matthew Kim & Daniel Wong:

Finding Our Voice: A Vision For Asian North American Preaching

Book by K. Anders Ericsson:

Peak: How All of Us Can Achieve Extraordinary Things

Truett Seminary

@jaredealcantara

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

Developing a Preacher's Hermeneutic with Joe Grana Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

In this special episode, Steve Carter talks to one of his mentors, Dr. Joe Grana, a longtime professor and dean at Hope International University, and currently a teaching pastor at The Refinery Christian Church in Arizona.

Dr. Grana explains the importance of hermeneutics (the process of interpreting Scripture) and how it rescues teachers from the highly subjective “reader’s response” approach to Bible study. Rather than shoehorning a passage into what we think it means, preachers can discover its original (and timeless) meaning by following three basic steps:

Observation
Interpretation
Application

After showing these three steps in action, using Luke 4:14-21 as his anchor text, Dr. Grana shares his vision for 2023: to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

EPISODE LINKS

Church: The Refinery Church

Books recommended by Dr. Grana:

Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes

Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

RELATED PREACHING TODAY RESOURCES

Human Authors, Words of the Spirit, and Preaching Christ, by David E. Prince

A Preacher's Temptation: Forgetting or Neglecting Basic Hermeneutical Practices, by Douglas Sean O'Donnell

Preaching with No Regrets with Steve Sonderman Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

“Ministry to men is on their time, their turf, and their agenda.”

Steve Sonderman first heard those words from a mentor, and after pastoring at Elmbrook Church in Wisconsin for 34 years, serving as a chaplain for the Milwaukee Brewers, and launching No Regrets Men’s Ministry, he’s spent over three decades equipping the church to effectively disciple men.

He currently serves as the president of No Regrets full-time, and this year marks the 30-year anniversary of the organization’s annual men’s conference. Steve Carter listens to the fascinating story of how the conference began, and how its impact reaches far beyond a single day, through a leadership cohort designed to disciple men for a whole year after the event.

Steve Sonderman also drops some time-tested wisdom on how to engage men from the pulpit, including things like: relevance, relatable stories, authenticity, and application. Ultimately, his goal is to reach men for Jesus, root them in Jesus, release them for kingdom impact, and reproduce them as leaders in life.

You can find info on how to host or attend the No Regrets Men’s Conference here.

EPISODE LINKS

Steve’s books: How To Build a Life-Changing Men’s Ministry, Mobilizing Men for 1-on-1 Ministry

@noregretsmen

noregretsconference.org

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

Preaching on Mission with Jordan Gustafson + Andrew Richards Dec 27, 2022

Show notes

What topic is on every page of the Bible?

The answer is MISSION: God’s heart to seek and save those who are not yet a part of his family. This mission is not just something we read about in Scripture一it’s happening right now, and you can be a part of it!

In this final episode of 2022, Steve Carter, along with his friends at Food For the Hungry (FH), ask you to donate to the severe famine impacting 36 million people in Africa. Every 36 seconds, someone will die from hunger-related causes. As God’s people, we can make a difference!

Donate to FH’s Africa relief efforts HERE.

Steve Carter talks with Jordan Gustafson (Director of Organizational Partnerships) and Andrew Richards (Organizational Partnerships Manager) about FH’s mission to help impoverished communities around the world become self-sustaining. This episode is packed with practical wisdom about how to love and help those in need, whether they live next door or across the globe.

EPISODE LINKS

Donate to Africa here.

Website: www.fh.org

@food4thehungry

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

The Preaching Funnel with Jarrett Stevens Dec 13, 2022

Show notes

Most communicators know the agony of staring at scattered notes, wondering how to shape them into a compelling message.

Enter Jarrett Stevens, lead pastor Soul City Church in Chicago, who has spent 25 years honing his writing and outline process into what he now affectionately calls the “funnel of love.” Rather than a predictable formula, the funnel is like a trellis, undergirding messages with a thoughtful structure, while also letting them thrive in the freedom of the Spirit.

Steve Carter asks Jarrett about how to balance levity and gravitas: When should we use humor in sermons? And when should we hold back? They also chat about Jarrett’s helpful training course: The Communicator’s Masterclass.

EPISODE LINKS

Website: jarrettstevens.com

Church: soulcitychurch.com

@jarrettstevens

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

How to Preach Advent Like Never Before with Vanessa Stricker Nov 22, 2022

Show notes

For a lot of people, the holidays are physically frenetic, emotionally overwhelming, and spiritually distracting. Few slow down long enough to ponder what’s happening in their own souls, or to give more than a passing thought to the significance of this season: God coming to earth.

That’s why Steve Carter is excited to introduce you to an incredible Advent devotional, written by his good friend Vanessa Stricker, who is the Pastor of Peacemaking and Justice at One Life City Church in Fullerton, California.

Advent Reflections earnestly reminds individuals and families that hope, love, joy, and peace come from the God who does not shrink back from lament or suffering, but willingly embraces it to bring light into darkness. With Advent just days away, this is a great resource to guide you through the coming season, so that you might experience his nearness.

EPISODE LINKS

Buy Vanessa’s Advent Reflections here.

Vanessa’s blog: onthesideofgrace.com

Church: onelifecitychurch.org

@onthesideofgrace

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

PREACHING TODAY CHRISTMAS RESOURCES

My Favorite Christmas Theme: Create Meaningful and Memorable Christmas Services, by Bri Johns

Fear and Loathing in Bethlehem: As a Christian I love Christmas; but as a Preacher I dread it, by Paul Hoffman

Preach Nothing New This Christmas ... And It Will Be Novel: Do we always have to find a new spin on the Christmas story?, by Mandy Smith

Christmas and the Minor Prophets: For Advent let the 12 Minor Prophets lead us to Christmas, by Taylor Turkington

Mary Christmas!: Exploring the lives of the 4 Marys in the Christmas story, by Scott M. Gibson

Christmas Holiday Resource Page

Preaching to a Divided Nation with Paul A. Hoffman Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

The 2022 midterm elections, like most political events in our age, will undoubtedly spark new fires of division in our country一not only in the nation at large, but sadly, within the church. Enter Paul A. Hoffman, the lead pastor of Evangelical Friends Church in Newport, Rhode Island, and co-author of a new book: Preaching To A Divided Nation: A Seven-Step Model for Promoting Reconciliation and Unity.

Steve Carter asks Paul to walk through the seven crucial steps every Christian can take to live out the reconciliation-filled power of the gospel. In this click-bait-laden, polarized cultural moment, these steps help us start conversations rooted in what bonds us, not what divides us.

EPISODE LINKS

Paul’s books: Preaching To A Divided Nation, Reconciling Places

Church: efcnewport.com

@pastorhoffman

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

Paul's Christmas Preaching Article: Fear and Loathing in Bethlehem

How Every Preacher Must Fan the Flame with Jim Cymbala Oct 25, 2022

Show notes

In his new book, Fan the Flame: Let Jesus Renew Your Calling and Revive Your Church, Jim Cymbala distills the Spirit-fueled, Bible-saturated ethos of his 50+ years in ministry. As Steve Carter affectionately quips, "Jim is like a firehose of passion and wisdom."

In this episode, Jim explains why Acts 20 is the “spiritual selfie” every pastor should aspire to. He pushes back against the church growth movement一which is consumeristic in its mission and methods一instead imploring pastors to preach the full counsel of God, in the power of the Holy Spirit, for the singular purpose of pointing people to Christ.

Jim offers a practical picture of his daily devotions, which includes a mixture of devotionals, Scripture, singing, and prayer. Rather than formulaic, his routine reminds novices and veterans alike that, above all, the call of every pastor is to spend time with God.

EPISODE LINKS

Jim’s new book: Fan the Flame

Jim’s other books: Fresh Wind Fresh Fire, Spiritual Warfare Is Real

Church: brooklyntabernacle.org

Jim’s Facebook

@steveryancarter

@craft_character

Preaching in the Power of the Holy Spirit - Preaching Guide on Preaching Today

Preaching Today's Christmas Article: "My Favorite Christmas Theme," by Bri Johns

Christmas Resources Page on PreachingToday.com

Advent Resources Page on PreachingToday.com