Pastor With No Answers: The MIXTAPE Era

Latest Episodes:

306 - What If the Gospel is WAY Better News Than We Think? (w/ Andy Squyres) Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

[Theme song not included, all music on this episode by Andy Squyres]

“Joey Svendsen here. This is a conversation for the ages for me and the epitome of where I’m at in how I view my faith, God and my church . May we all accept the freedom from our arrogance. May we strive to progress in our love."

Musician/song-writer Andy Squyres discusses with Joey the following post he made on his Instagram:
The good news of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is always given by people who only partially understand it, and it is received by people who probably know a little less. The preaching of the Gospel is the active work of displaying our partial understanding (or misunderstanding) of God to those who also have only a partial understanding. There is no systematic theology or statement of belief which provides ultimate understanding of God.
It is not impossible to understand the Gospel, but it is never accurate to claim to have all understanding of it. All communication of Christ IS the communication of our limited understanding of him. Or in other words, it is the bold proclamation of our misunderstanding.
The communication of the Gospel, whether by word or deed, can in no way happen perfectly
because the God story can only come through imperfect vessels with limited understanding.
This is the brilliance of God and is a testimony to his reliance on patient love rather than on control. His good news always travels by imperfect means and yet it never stops producing peace. This isn’t to say that all presentations of the gospel are on equal footing or that we should never wrestle through theological systems of thought. We should always seek the face of Christ in order to see him better. But we can trust that God’s grace is sufficient at the point of our limited understanding and we can rely on the fact that he is the author and finisher of our faith.
So who is the preacher you don’t like? What is the church, mega church, denomination that you have proclaimed judgement upon? I have my list. I am guilty of holding court in my mind and pronouncing guilty verdicts on many different communities of faith who have come to different conclusions that I have. This is arrogance which came to set us free from. In the Church, we are witnessing a massive “leaving church” movement and I can actually see the justification for it, but I worry that there is no place to go. Because here is the actual truth: hypocrisy abounds EVERYWHERE. There is no human community that has eradicated hypocrisy from its midst. Progress in love is our only aim.

Andy Squyres:
https://twitter.com/andysquyres
https://andysquyres.com/
https://www.instagram.com/andysquyres

E-mail Joey here.

Support Joey's work by Being a Patron / (Venmo)

PWNA Theme Song by Stoy Prioleau (aka: Riggy Roc): Apple Music

Closing song by Derek Minor and other music by Mechanical River.

305 - Unraptured: How End Times Theology Gets It Wrong (w/ Zach Hunt): Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

So many of us evangelicals (current or former) have done it. We thought the rapture happened, can’t find our Christian loved-ones, so we call our born-again, spirit-filled grandma. If the rapture happened, she’d be gone! We sigh a deep relief when she answers, “Hey, sweetie.”
End times theology, the book of Revelation, the mark of the beast, the tribulation, a 1000-year reign, the Left Behind series and that “scary-ass” 70s movie they made us watch in youth group. Author and theologian, Zach Hunt, says “not so fast, the book of Revelation is about liberation and hope.” He shares with Jack Hoey and Joey Svendsen the content he wrote in his book, Unraptured: How End Times Theology Gets It Wrong . Did Paul and Jesus think God was coming back in their lifetime? How is a belief in the rapture anti-biblical? Oh, yeah and what is it about Dolly Parton and Tom Hanks that make them both perfect candidates for the Anti-Christ.

Zach Hunt:
https://twitter.com/zaackhunt
https://zackhunt.net/

Jack Hoey:
https://twitter.com/jackthelesser

Joey/PWNA Instagram: www.instagram.com/joeysvendsen
Current DonorSee giving opportunity: https://donorsee.com/pwnahelps
Support Us:
Join us as a patron! https://www.patreon.com/pwnapod
or leave a Venmo tip right @ https://venmo.com/joey-svendsen
Join the discussion:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PWNAtalk
Socials:
https://twitter.com/joeysvendsen
https://www.facebook.com/PWNApod
E-mail PWNAcontact@gmail.com for correspondence.
Music on this episode courtesy of Derek Minor: http://www.derekminor.com
Other music originally composed by Joel Hamilton + friends
https://mechanicalriver.bandcamp.com/
http://embassyfreqs.com/
Executive Producer of PWNApod: Jared Svendsen

E-mail Joey here.

Support Joey's work by Being a Patron / (Venmo)

PWNA Theme Song by Stoy Prioleau (aka: Riggy Roc): Apple Music

Closing song by Derek Minor and other music by Mechanical River.

304 - Pro-Choice or Pro-Life (Part 2): "Christian, Pro-Choice" w/ Melissa Florer-Bixler Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

Mennonite Pastor, Duke Graduate and author, Melissa F-B, joins to talk about what she calls “reproductive justice.” Is a living embryo an actual living person? Is it mere tissue waste? “No” and “no,” according to Melissa. We discuss these matters and reflect on a truth that many evangelical Christians do not want to face: their pro-life stances are actually conditional and far from consistent. Just ask a beautiful (and desperate) couple who went the in vitro fertilization route, were successful, but have additional frozen embryos that will never be used. What does a consistent pro-life stance look like and what sorts of hypocrisies are currently rampant in those who claim pro-life? Within discussions along these lines, is there an important distinction between human life and personhood?

At the top of the episode, Joey talks with friends Ellen Mauro and Hayne Griffen about whether the "woke culture" wants to eliminate gender differences. Joey embarrassingly reflects on how he didn't want his son to say "whoopsies" back in 2012 because it sounded too feminine and Ellen doesn't let her daughter say "panties."
Part ONE:
303 - Pro-Choice or Pro-Life (Part 1): Pro-Grace
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1511929/8809719

Melissa:
https://www.melissaflorerbixler.com/
https://twitter.com/MelissaFloBix
Ellen Mauro:
https://www.instagram.com/ellenmauro

E-mail Joey here.

Support Joey's work by Being a Patron / (Venmo)

PWNA Theme Song by Stoy Prioleau (aka: Riggy Roc): Apple Music

Closing song by Derek Minor and other music by Mechanical River.

303 - Pro-Choice or Pro-Life (Part 1): Pro-Grace Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

While some people call ProGrace.org “Pro-Life Lite,” others label it as teetering on pro-choice. Angie Weszely and her organization (Pro-Grace) takes heat from both sides, and as you’ll hear in this episode, Angie doesn’t believe Jesus would own either label. He always starts with grace, and this seems to be something unfortunately lacking in many hearts of those in the pro-life camp. Co-host Ellen Mauro, who considers herself a “pro-life liberal” and one who is pro-life but votes pro-choice, joins us to talk about perhaps the most polarizing and potentially heated issues of the century.
ProGrace.org is a movement that offers training and other resources founded on a belief for God to give us a creative solution based on His wisdom and provision - and His love for BOTH the woman and the child.
[Preview in Intro] of Pro-Choice or Pro-Life (Part 2): Melissa Florer-Bixler

Angie Weszely:
https://twitter.com/angieweszely
https://prograce.org/

Ellen Mauro:
https://www.instagram.com/ellenmauro

E-mail Joey here.

Support Joey's work by Being a Patron / (Venmo)

PWNA Theme Song by Stoy Prioleau (aka: Riggy Roc): Apple Music

Closing song by Derek Minor and other music by Mechanical River.

302 - What if God Shows Justice by Healing (not Punishment) Jul 06, 2021

Show notes

One of the sensei’s of deconstruction, Phil Drysdale, brings history, psychology, and philosophy into the “deconstruction conservation.” Joey processes how he feels God graciously treats people who lose their faith. Phil supposes that no one chooses to walk away from God and how those who stop believing are usually the ones who followed Christianity with the most zeal. Could we all just be doing the best we can with what we’ve been given? Are really bad things typically done with good intentions? All people think they’re the good guys but we’re all a mess. What if God administers justice by healing us all?
At the top of the episode, Ellen and Joey welcome a new guest host, Hayne Griffen to talk suicide, masturbation and how Christianity has robbed women of body autonomy.
Phil Drysdale: https://www.instagram.com/phildrysdale
Joey/PWNA Instagram: www.instagram.com/joeysvendsen
Current DonorSee giving opportunity: https://donorsee.com/pwnahelps

Support Us:
Join us as a patron! https://www.patreon.com/pwnapod
or leave a Venmo tip right @ https://venmo.com/joey-svendsen
Join the discussion:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PWNAtalk
Socials:
https://twitter.com/joeysvendsen
https://www.facebook.com/PWNApod

E-mail PWNAcontact@gmail.com for correspondence.
Theme Song courtesy of Derek Minor: http://www.derekminor.com
Other music originally composed by Joel Hamilton and friends.
https://mechanicalriver.bandcamp.com/
http://embassyfreqs.com/

Executive Producer of PWNApod: Jared Svendsen

E-mail Joey here.

Support Joey's work by Being a Patron / (Venmo)

PWNA Theme Song by Stoy Prioleau (aka: Riggy Roc): Apple Music

Closing song by Derek Minor and other music by Mechanical River.

301 - The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill Church: Commentary and Reflections Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

Christianity Today released episode one of a podcast series that narrates and reflects on the rise and fall of the late Mars Hill Church in Seattle, formerly led by Pastor Mark Driscoll.

Dr. Tony Jones (former friend of Mark Driscoll), who appears on this documentary, joins us alongside Ellen Mauro (remained a part of the Mars Hill Church family until the very end) and Jack Hoey (former admirer of Mark Driscoll) to discuss the content of this new documentary series. Are pastors with similar track records as Driscoll's, aware of the harm they are causing? Are they hearing from God? If not, do they believe they are? Did anything good happen at Mars Hill Church, considering what we now know? We reflect on these questions and propose a few more: If one is known for his charisma, should this disqualify her from leading a church? Is evangelicalism’s main vehicle entrepreneurialism?
So many people who loved and sacrificed for the church community of Mars Hill are still hurting to this day. Many of them are still asking, “How did I not see what was really happening?”
Podcast being discussed in this episode: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill/
Dr. Tony Jones: https://reverendhunter.com/
Ellen Mauro: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmauro
Jack Hoey: @jackthelesser (twitter and Instagram)

Joey/PWNA Instagram: www.instagram.com/joeysvendsen
Current DonorSee giving opportunity: https://donorsee.com/pwnahelps
Support Us:
Join us as a patron! https://www.patreon.com/pwnapod
or leave a Venmo tip right @ https://venmo.com/joey-svendsen
Join the discussion:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PWNAtalk
Socials:
https://twitter.com/pwnapod
https://twitter.com/joeysvendsen
https://www.facebook.com/PWNApod
E-mail PWNAcontact@gmail.com for correspondence.
Theme Song courtesy of Derek Minor: http://www.derekminor.com
Other music originally composed by Joel Hamilton + friends
https://mechanicalriver.bandcamp.com/
http://embassyfreqs.com/
Guest Producer: Andrew Holder
E-mail Andrew for all podcast editing/production needs andrewholder74@gmail.com
Executive Producer of PWNApod: Jared Svendsen

E-mail Joey here.

Support Joey's work by Being a Patron / (Venmo)

PWNA Theme Song by Stoy Prioleau (aka: Riggy Roc): Apple Music

Closing song by Derek Minor and other music by Mechanical River.

300 - Celebrating 300 Episodes! w/ Mars Hill, My Wife, Westboro, Grief & Legalism Jun 15, 2021

Show notes

Over the years, Pastor With No Answers has had a big tent, allowing for a wide array of perspectives, some of which would get your ass canceled by the liberals and others getting you completely cancelled by the conservatives.
The intent of this podcast however has always been to be a platform for people, not a position. A podcast where real people share their real journeys and utilize a public space to share candidly, raw and honest personal reflections, right or wrong, for better or for worst. It's a "pro people's podcast" that operates with the following belief:
If we can find a common ground of love, we can also find a way to learn from one another and change personally for the better.
Today, as we celebrate 300 episodes, representing the hearts and souls of people, we relive key moments of 5 different episodes that represent why this podcast exists (enjoy some fun, pivotal and light-hearted moments in between these five focal points):
Episode 11:
A pastor who didn’t want us to air this episode, offended by the vulgarity we discussed. We ended up airing the episode, keeping him anonymous and voice disguised.

Episode 251:
Interview with a leader at Westboro Baptist “Church”

Episode 120:
Joey’s and Pricilla recounting the day Pricilla flew out to say her last good-byes to her ailing father. Joey implored Pricilla before her departure, to make sure her dad is saved, so he wouldn't spend eternity in hell. They two discuss that sort of "christian thinking" and how Joey has changed in how he sees these things.

Episodes 74 and 81:
Mars Hill Women, in the context of love, speak out on the atrocities of Mark Driscoll.
**Joey also processes his current processing of being connected to leadership who endorses Mark Driscoll's continued leadership in ministry. **

Episode 150:
After doing everything "by the book" (i.e. Bible), a father faces the prospect of God's promises not working the way he always believed they would.

Thank you so much, listeners!

Joey/PWNA Instagram: www.instagram.com/joeysvendsen
Current DonorSee giving opportunity: https://donorsee.com/pwnahelps
Support Us:
Join us as a patron! https://www.patreon.com/pwnapod
or leave a Venmo tip right @ https://venmo.com/joey-svendsen
Join the discussion:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PWNAtalk
Socials:
https://twitter.com/pwnapod
https://twitter.com/joeysvendsen
https://www.facebook.com/PWNApod
E-mail PWNAcontact@gmail.com for correspondence.
Theme Song courtesy of Derek Minor: http://www.derekminor.com
Other music originally composed by Joel Hamilton + friends
https://mechanicalriver.bandcamp.com/
http://embassyfreqs.com/
Executive Producer of PWNApod: Jared Svendsen

E-mail Joey here.

Support Joey's work by Being a Patron / (Venmo)

PWNA Theme Song by Stoy Prioleau (aka: Riggy Roc): Apple Music

Closing song by Derek Minor and other music by Mechanical River.

299 - "I Used to Try and De-gay People" -- today's guest Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

Randy Thomas (former leader at Exodus International) has been a Christian for most of his life. Early in life, after living as a gay man for years, he was convinced that he could no longer continue living in what he perceived to be a life of sin. Not only did he fight his same-sex attraction, he became one of the top leaders at Exodus International, a nationally-acclaimed organization where Christians were sent to either undo their “gayness” or learn how to have victory through celibacy.
Fast forward 30 years and Randy is back out of the closet, engaged to a man and deeply regrets his involvement at Exodus. He still prioritizes his faith and is a committed follower of Christ. No matter your feelings or beliefs surrounding this conversation, all listeners are encouraged to hear a sincere man’s true story. The spirit of a human. May we walk together in love.

Randy Thomas:
https://www.instagram.com/rthomasart
Joey/PWNA Instagram: www.instagram.com/joeysvendsen

Current DonorSee giving opportunity: https://donorsee.com/pwnahelps

Support Us:
Join us as a patron! https://www.patreon.com/pwnapod
or leave a Venmo tip right @ https://venmo.com/joey-svendsen
Join the discussion:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PWNAtalk
Socials:
https://twitter.com/joeysvendsen
https://www.facebook.com/PWNApod

E-mail PWNAcontact@gmail.com for correspondence.
Theme Song courtesy of Derek Minor: http://www.derekminor.com
Other music originally composed by Joel Hamilton//Cakewolf
https://mechanicalriver.bandcamp.com/
http://embassyfreqs.com/

Executive Producer of PWNApod: Jared Svendsen

E-mail Joey here.

Support Joey's work by Being a Patron / (Venmo)

PWNA Theme Song by Stoy Prioleau (aka: Riggy Roc): Apple Music

Closing song by Derek Minor and other music by Mechanical River.

298 - Pain Can Always Be Good (a Sermon from the Answerless Pastor) Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

Every now and then, I give you a message that I had the opportunity to share with the local group of believers I get to be a part of. In this message, I talk about pain, investigate the blessing that comes out of pain, hypothesize on the choices we have when we encounter pain, and submit to you that in a person's own journey of pain, we typically have very little business trying to talk some one out of their pain. Can I say pain one more time?
I also answer some questions that many of you have had when it comes to my pastoring in a southern evangelical culture where I find myself seeing the world very differently than many of my church family members.
Joey/PWNA Instagram: www.instagram.com/joeysvendsen
Current DonorSee giving opportunity: https://donorsee.com/pwnahelps
Support Us:
Join us as a patron! https://www.patreon.com/pwnapod
or leave a Venmo tip right @ https://venmo.com/joey-svendsen
Join the discussion:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PWNAtalk
Socials:
https://twitter.com/joeysvendsen
https://www.facebook.com/PWNApod
CALL 507-403-PWNA (7962): Questions, Comments, Feedback, Pushback, frustration?
Air it out on our voicemail and we may air it on an episode.
E-mail PWNAcontact@gmail.com for correspondence.
Music courtesy of Derek Minor:
http://www.derekminor.com
and Joel Hamilton:
https://mechanicalriver.bandcamp.com
http://embassyfreqs.com/
Executive Producer of PWNApod: Jared Svendsen

E-mail Joey here.

Support Joey's work by Being a Patron / (Venmo)

PWNA Theme Song by Stoy Prioleau (aka: Riggy Roc): Apple Music

Closing song by Derek Minor and other music by Mechanical River.

297 - Humanizing the Human Trafficker May 25, 2021

Show notes

David Zach, professional musician and song-writer (his music is heard throughout this episode), works for a non-profit, The Exodus Road, who are on the front lines of the fight to end human trafficking. There's currently 40 million people, some still infants, who are enslaved and David has drank, smoked, laughed, and talked music with traffickers only to see them arrested the next day. His reaction to seeing them brought to justice may surprise you.
Rollercoaster of an emotional episode, we discuss the accessibility of websites that give American "consumers" instructions on how and who to make the connections with, in order to have sex with kids overseas. We compare modern-day slavery to the transatlantic slavery of the 16th to 19th centuries. We grapple with humanizing the Apostle Paul, Thomas Jefferson and the very traffickers David has spent time with, despite their views, and/or practices in enslaving fellow humans. We marvel at the bravery he's observed in the very teen girls who are stuck in sex trafficking and learn how we can all be a part of opposing this dark and rampant, evil side of humanity.
The Exodus Road
https://theexodusroad.com
David's Music
https://fanlink.to/ImagoAmor
Joey/PWNA Instagram: www.instagram.com/joeysvendsen
Current DonorSee giving opportunity: https://donorsee.com/pwnahelps
Support Us:
Join us as a patron! https://www.patreon.com/pwnapod
or leave a Venmo tip right @ https://venmo.com/joey-svendsen
Join the discussion:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PWNAtalk
Socials:
https://twitter.com/pwnapod
https://twitter.com/joeysvendsen
https://www.facebook.com/PWNApod
CALL 507-403-PWNA (7962): Questions, Comments, Feedback, Pushback, frustration?
Air it out on our voicemail and we may air it on an episode.
E-mail PWNAcontact@gmail.com for correspondence.
Music courtesy of Derek Minor: http://www.derekminor.com
*This episode is supported by chapter markers for your convenience*
Executive Producer of PWNApod: Jared Svendsen

E-mail Joey here.

Support Joey's work by Being a Patron / (Venmo)

PWNA Theme Song by Stoy Prioleau (aka: Riggy Roc): Apple Music

Closing song by Derek Minor and other music by Mechanical River.

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