The Concordia Publishing House Podcast

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The Overlooked Gift of Church | Christa Petzold Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, author Christa Petzold joins Elizabeth Pittman to discuss her book coming out this May, Gathered by Christ: The Overlooked Gift of Church. During their discussion, Christa helps listeners see the church through the eyes of Christ.
Find out more about Christa’s upcoming book by visiting books.cph.org/gathered-by-christ.
Show Notes:
Through our fallen world of sin, humans—including those within the Church—can hurt others and push people out the door rather than inviting them in. Christa Petzold empathizes and understands how Christians in the Church have hurt others, but she brings light and emphasis to the ways that Jesus sees the Church as His community of believers, founded securely on Him and His Word.

During the episode Christa dives into why many have felt rejected by the modern Church and why it’s important to remember who created the Church – God Himself. Listen to this episode to hear Christa explain why the Church is a blessing, what regular church attendance looks like, how Jesus sees the Church, and more.
Questions Covered

· What are the benefits of studying the history of those who came before us in the faith?

·You remind us that the church is created by God and not by man. How can remembering this inform the way we view and participate in our own congregations?

·Why is the Church referred to as she/female? What’s with the Church/bride analogy?

· What role does the pastor fill in the life of the Church?

· What are some ways that we can honor the office of pastor and support our pastors in our churches? What do you think are some of the challenges pastors and their families face in ministry?

· Lex orandi, lex credenda. Why do our practices in our local congregation matter so much?

· For those who don’t know, can you define what church hopping is and why it’s not a good approach to church attendance?

· Your book explains why the Church is both necessary and a blessing in the lives of Christians. Do you have suggestions about how we can lovingly and kindly broach the necessity of Church with people in our lives who have fallen away from attending the Church?

· Speaking of Church attendance, a recent study from Lifeway Research found that most Protestant pastors and churchgoers define regular church attendance as twice a month or more - wondering what your thoughts are on this. (Article about the survey: https://research.lifeway.com/2023/02/21/most-pastors-churchgoers-see-more-than-monthly-attendance-as-standard/?ecid=PDM265108&bid=1771054513)

· In a nutshell, how does Jesus see the Church?

· What is your favorite part of Church and why?

About the Guest
Christa Petzold is a pastor’s wife and stay-at-home mother of four. She holds a master’s degree in theology from Concordia University Irvine and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and Lutheran secondary education from Concordia University Wisconsin. She lives with her family in Bartlett, Illinois, and spends her time homeschooling, teaching theology, writing, reading, and studying Church history. She and her husband, Jonathan, are the authors of Male and Female: Embracing Your Role in God’s Design.

Meant for Good | Donna Snow Mar 04, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, host Elizabeth Pittman welcomes Donna Snow back as a guest to discuss her newest book, Meant for Good: A Study of Joseph, and the magnificent story of Joseph as he faithfully waited for God’s plans to come together.

Find out more about Donna’s new Bible study by visiting books.cph.org/meant-for-good.
Show Notes:
Joseph’s life and its portrayal in Genesis is an epic journey through Scripture. In this episode, Donna talks about what listeners and readers can expect to learn from her upcoming Bible study that focuses on the life of Joseph – a phenomenal character laid out in Scripture. Donna also shares her love of pulling history and culture together to help a Bible story make sense in today’s world. Listen to the full episode to hear Donna’s reflections on what she found fascinating in Joseph’s story, how she describes “spiritual dehydration”, and more.
Questions Covered

· What can readers of your previous studies expect from your newest study?

· Your latest study is set in ancient Egypt. Your introduction does a great job setting the reader up with historical and Biblical context for both Joseph and Egypt. Ancient Egypt in Joseph’s time sounds fascinating – what were some of the most interesting tidbits about ancient Egypt or Joseph’s life that you uncovered as you prepared to write this study?

· You wrote in your introduction about Joseph being one of the most Christlike figures in Scripture. Can you elaborate on this point?

· Joseph found himself in a dark spot when he was sent to Egypt. Even when we’re in the midst of dark circumstances, there can be benefits. What are some of the benefits these situations can teach us? How did that play out for Joseph?

· You write about experiencing spiritual dehydration (in the context of experiencing seasons of famine that Joseph’s dreams foretold). Can you define what you mean by this? You share concrete warning signs of spiritual hydration – course talk, fatigue, anger, the presence of sin, and poor decision-making; are there any other warning signs to watch out for? And what guidance can you share for those who are experiencing spiritual dehydration?

· What are some lessons about forgiveness we can take away from Joseph’s story?

· How do we know if we’re actually forgiven someone? You share four litmus tests for this in (Week 4, Day 2) that are very helpful. Can you talk about these tests a little more? (As a recap, those 4 tests are: general thoughts test, failure test, revenge test, and opportunity to help test.)
About the Guest

A soul-stirring, engaging speaker, author, Bible teacher, and worship leader, Donna Pyle has a passion for studying and teaching God’s Word. Her clear, down-to-earth style encourages women of all ages to wholeheartedly love, serve, and live for Jesus Christ. Since launching Artesian Ministries in 2007, Donna has scratched out over 20 Bible studies and enjoys the incredible privilege of traveling throughout the U.S. and internationally to speak and teach where the Lord opens doors. Donna writes regularly on her blog, Hydrated Living, as she seeks to find beauty in the quiet and sacred in the chaos, treasuring that this path is a holy experience planned by God before the beginning of time. A native, life-long Texan, Donna fuels her incredible journey with the Word, coffee, chocolate, family, friends and worship.

The Art of Nonprofit Governance | Dr. Kurt Senske Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Kurt Senske joins host Elizabeth Pittman in this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast to talk about his newest book, The CEO and the Board: The Art of Nonprofit Governance as a Competitive Advantage. Dr. Senske discusses the key points made in his book regarding the relationships between CEOs and boards and how strong governance models are made.

Get a copy of his new book on cph.org.
Show Notes:
The world is increasingly uncertain, complex, and competitive. The governance model that many boards and CEOs are currently using may not be best suited for their future.

In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Senske reveals how the time has come for leadership teams to collectively work together to implement an evolving, adaptive model of governance that is tailored to the current situation of their unique organization. Laid out in his book, Dr. Senske gives listeners a preview of how he goes through different facets of how nonprofits can make effective changes to craft an intentional relationship between the board and the CEO for organizational success. He also discusses the inspiration for the book, how he came to write it, and his experience on 11 different boards of directors through the years.
Questions Covered

- What has it been like have a new book launched during your retirement?

- What are some of the most common questions you are getting about your book?

- What would you say to a consultant who tells an organization that there is one governance model that they should be using?

- When it comes to choosing the right model, what are the roles and responsibility of every board and CEO, regardless of the model that they're going to use?

- You talk about appropriately diverse boards for your situation. What do you mean by that?

- You mentioned three non-negotiables for every board member. Tell us about those.

- Tell us more about emotional intelligence and what it is when it comes to boards.

- Tell us some of the hallmarks of both positive and negative leadership.

- How can an organization cultivate that servant leadership?

- Why is it so important that we not only name the elephant in the room, but we deal with it?

- What does a healthy CEO board relationship look like?

- What is the competitive advantage that organizations will gain as they master this art of governance?

- What do we have as a unique advantage in this as Christian organizations?

- How can you see your book being useful to pastors and church leaders?

About the Guest
Dr. Kurt Senske spent twenty-three years as CEO of Upbring, where he more than quadrupled the size of the agency and steered the once-troubled agency back to financial strength. Dr. Senske is the founder and now principal of CEO-Board Services, a consulting firm that specializes in working with mission-oriented organizational leaders and boards around issues of governance, strategy, organizational structure, succession planning, coaching, and mergers and acquisitions.

Jesus Said What? | Rev. Dr. Christopher Kennedy Feb 25, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, host Elizabeth Pittman is joined by Pastor Chris Kennedy. The duo discuss his new book, Jesus Said What?and some of our Savior’s words that many people may struggle to understand at first glance. Kennedy sits down to urge readers and listeners alike to look to Scripture to interpret Scripture.

Get a copy of his book on cph.org.
Show Notes:
In his new book, Pastor Kennedy brings clarity to 15 of Jesus' most difficult teachings on topics such as money, relationships, and consequences for sin.
During this episode he dives into writing his third book with CPH and how this title differed from the last two. Pastor Kennedy goes over some of Jesus’ words that didn’t make it into the book, and the verses that people seemed to be most curious about. He also previews a few of the actual phrases from Jesus that he deciphers in the book and encourages listeners to continue their learning with the tools provided in Jesus Said What?.
Questions Covered

- Tell listeners a little bit about how writing your third book differed from the first and the second.

- What are a few of the verses that might have come in just under the first tier that you didn't have room for in the book? What were some of those verses that people were really curious about?

- If we don't know those original languages in the Scripture, is that hurting us?

- When someone asks ‘What translation of the Bible should I be reading?’, what is your advice to them?

- What is Jesus’ overriding concern that you mention in the book and what steps does He take to try to help us understand?

- Why is it so important that we look to the fundamental rule of “Scripture interprets Scripture” when we're trying to understand these verses?

- Let’s at a few of the verses that you cover in the book:

o “Unforgivable sin”

o “Make friends by unrighteous wealth”

o “No forgiveness for the unforgiving”

- Tell us about the tools that you provide in the book and how they can help readers.

About the Guest

Pastor Christopher Kennedy is a writer, podcaster, and pastor. He is also author of Equipped: The Armor of God for Everyday Struggles and Grace under Pressure: Responding Faithfully to Stress. He serves a large congregation in San Antonio, Texas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communication, a master’s degree in theology, and a doctorate in ministry. Chris and his wife are parents of four.

God, I Need to Talk to You | Peggy Kuethe Feb 04, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of the Concordia Publishing House Podcast, Elizabeth Pittman is joined by CPH colleague Peggy Kuethe, who is Senior Editor of Children & Family Resources at CPH. The pair discusses the beloved children’s books in the series God, I Need to Talk to You and talk about the new editions coming this spring.

The new God, I Need to Talk to You books will be available on cph.org in March 2023.

Show Notes:

Talking with your children about the hard things in life is not always easy. In this episode, CPH editor Peggy Kuethe talks about the resources that the God, I Need to Talk to You books provide to parents and families when discussing difficult topics such as anger, greed, bullying, feeling sad, and more. Peggy and Elizabeth also preview the new editions coming out in March 2023 that will cover timely topics including screen time, violence, worrying, and loving others.
Questions Covered

· These new releases cover hard topics to talk about - fear, patience, loving others, screen time, violence, and worrying. What are some signs that children are struggling with these?

· What are some age-appropriate conversation starters to discuss these topics with the young ones?

· How do you teach and encourage children to pray?

· How do you help children understand what God is?

· These books provide an excellent framework for addressing these weighty topics - think about their behavior, pray about it, and look to the Scripture. Can you discuss a little how parents and others charged with caring for children (relatives, teachers, etc.) can use this framework with children for any difficult topic?
About the Guest

Peggy Kuethe is Senior Editor of Children & Family Resources at Concordia Publishing House.

Reading Galatians | Dr. A. Andrew Das Jan 07, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, guest and author Dr. Andrew Das and host Elizabeth Pittman examine the Biblical book of Galatians. Packed with vital issues concerning the Christian faith, the pair dive into who the Galatians were, the issues they faced, and how believers can relate to them today.

Dr. Das wrote the Concordia Commentary edition on the book of Galatians, which is available on the CPH website. He also did a series on Galatians on the CPH YouTube channel that you can watch here.
Show Notes:
The central issue in Galatians can be seen as a matter of identity. As the author of the letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul speaks of embodying Christ in his own life and in the lives of the Galatians. In this episode Dr. Das shares his knowledge into this prevalent theme that is present throughout Galatians and talks about how it relates to our lives as Christians living in the modern world. Dr. Das also analyzes several concepts in Paul’s writing, dissects Martin Luther’s commentary on Galatians, and more in this episode.
Learn more about Dr. Das: http://andrewdas.net/
Read Dr. Das’s bio on cph.org: https://www.cph.org/m-124-a-andrew-das
Questions Covered

Who were the Galatians?
What is “the Gospel” Paul preached versus the “different gospel” to which the Galatians turned?
Galatians is loaded with vital issues for the Christian faith. What particular issues plagued the church in Galatia, and are there equivalent issues plaguing the church today?
Luther's commentary on the Galatians is usually considered a classic, why is that?
Are we saved through faith alone (“Abraham believed … and it was credited as righteousness”) or through faith plus doing “works of the Law”?
Which came first, the Law or the Gospel promise?
What does it mean for Paul and for us to say “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20)?
What does Paul mean when he says “there is neither male nor female” but those baptized into Christ “are all one”?
What are “the works of the flesh” and “the works of the Spirit” (Galatians 5)?

About the Guest

Considered among the leading Pauline theorists of the last century, Dr. A. Andrew Das is the Donald W. and Betty J. Buik Chair and Professor of Religious Studies at Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois. He teaches in biblical studies, early Christianity, and Second Temple Judaism. Dr. Das was an invited member of the Society of Biblical Literature’s Paul and Scripture Seminar and has presented at the Society of Biblical Literature; the African Society of Biblical Scholars; the Chicago Society of Biblical Research; the international Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, of which he is an elected member; and the Evangelical Theological Society. He is also a member of the Catholic Biblical Association of America and serves on the Holman Christian Standard Bible revision committee. Dr. Das is a prolific writer, having authored several books and articles, including his major academic commentary on Galatians (CPH 2014). Dr. Das received his Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, and did his graduate work at Yale University, Duke Universit

Organizing for Ministry & Mission | Dr. David Peter Jan 04, 2023

Show notes

Every congregation needs to determine its organizational strategy in order to best proclaim the Gospel. In the first episode of season four of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, host Elizabeth Pittman is joined by Dr. David Peter from Concordia Seminary St. Louis to discuss his new book, Organizing for Ministry and Mission: Options for Church Structure. Available on cph.org now.
Show Notes:
Organization is never optional.

In order for any church to best administer sacraments and care for its members, all congregations must take a thoughtful approach to structural details in order to carry out its goals for ministry and mission. Dr. David Peter dives into this idea and why he chose this topic as the main theme in his new book in this episode. While Church congregations are more than just an organization, it is vital to think of it as both a part of the body of Christ and an organization that requires intentional leadership and purposeful guidance in organizational structure.
David’s Bio: https://www.csl.edu/directory/david-peter/
Questions Covered

· Why do we need organization in the church?

· Why do you think the need for organization often overlooked?

· What theological dynamics are at work in parish organization?

· What guidance did CFW Walther have about congregational organization? What can we take away from his guidance today?

· You write that organizing your church is not optional. What are the models of organization that are common today, and how can congregations organize for the better?

· How will a church know if it's selected the right organizing model?

· From a laity perspective - what tips/advice do you have for members to get involved in the church and why would you encourage congregants to get involved in opportunities to help run the church?

· How has the COVID experience changed the ways in which church boards function?

· What advice do you have for congregational board(s)/members?

· Can you talk about some common mistakes you see church leaders make and how to overcome them?

About the Guest

Dr. David J. Peter has spent twenty-three years in the parish, experiencing the realities of pastoral ministry and researching congregational dynamics. As a professor of practical theology and the dean of faculty at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, he regularly leads courses for practicing pastors. He has also gained many insights from students about the realities of administration and leadership in congregations.

Reading Isaiah | Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing Dec 21, 2022

Show notes

Reading Isaiah | Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing
Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing joins host Elizabeth Pittman in this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast to discuss the ins and outs of reading the book of Isaiah. Take a deep dive into Isaiah and learn about the influence it has on the Gospel story by tuning in.

Reed has written two Concordia Commentaries on the book of Isaiah, including the volume on Isaiah 40 -55 and Isaiah 56- 66.
Show Notes:
Prophet. Husband. Jerusalem native. Martyr.
In this episode, author Reed Lessing and host Elizabeth Pittman discuss who Isaiah was as a figure in the Bible. They also investigate the hows and whys of the writing in Isaiah and the lasting impact it takes on the rest of the Bible, especially within the content of the New Testament. Plus, the duo examines specific verses that will be used over the next several weeks in the Lutheran church’s lectionaries.
Reed’s Bio: www.cph.org/m-137-r-reed-lessing.aspx
Reed’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/lessingr
Reed’s Instagram: @lessingr
Questions Covered

· Who was Isaiah?

· Was Isaiah’s ministry “successful”?

· Why is there a big change of focus in Isaiah 40-66 (compared to Isaiah 1-39)?

· Who is “the Servant of Yahweh”? Is the “Servant” Israel, or Jesus Christ, or both?

· What are the distinctive prophecies about the “Servant”/Jesus Christ in these chapters: Isaiah 42, Isaiah 49, Isaiah 50, Isaiah 53, and Isaiah 61?

· Does Isaiah say that salvation is only for Israel, or also for Gentiles?

· Does Isaiah prophesy about the church?

· What does Isaiah say about eternity?

About the Guest

Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing serves as Professor of Theology and Ministry at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota. 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.

Leaning on Jesus During the Holidays | Deb Burma Dec 17, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, author and speaker Deb Burma talks with host Elizabeth Pittman about what it means to lean in to what really matters as we approach the beginning of a new year.

Deb has written several books for Concordia Publishing House, including Be Still & Know: A Study of Rest and Refuge and Joy: A Study of Philippians. She also has a new Bible study coming out in May 2023 titled Leaning on Jesus: A Study of God’s Strength. Find her books on the CPH website here.
Show Notes:

Advent is a time of preparation and expectation for Christians to reflect on the fact that we are never alone. The same can be said about preparing for the New Year and everything that leads to it. In this episode, Deb dives into the experience of being overwhelmed and distracted throughout the holiday season and how we can lean in to God’s strength to relax our anxieties.

Deb also answers the question – Can there be space for both reflecting on Jesus this season as well as the hustle and bustle of worldly commitments? Listen now to hear her insight into this timely topic and more.
Deb’s website: debburma.com
Deb’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/deb.burma
Deb’s Instagram: @debburma

About the Guest
Deb Burma is a sought-after Christian speaker for women’s conferences, retreats, and ministry events. Her assortment of books and devotionals include best-selling Bible studies, Be Still & Know: A Study of Rest and Refuge, JOY: A Study of Philippians and Living a Chocolate Life, along with Beautiful Feet, Stepping Out, and more. Deb is a follower of Jesus, a pastor’s wife, and a mom. She’s a blogger, a women’s ministry leader, and a self-proclaimed coffee/chocolate connoisseur. Above all, she is a grace-filled child of God.

Christian Critical Thinking Skills | Tobin Beck Nov 09, 2022

Show notes

Tobin Beck joins host Elizabeth Pittman for this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast to discuss the seemingly ever-increasing divisiveness our society is experiencing, and how we can practically respond and critically reflect on cultural issues as Christians.

Learn more about Tobin by visiting www.cune.edu.
Show Notes:

We are all seeing disagreements and disputes play out in the news and on social media today as political tensions rise and the gap between groups widens. Professor Tobin Beck from Concordia University Nebraska talks about his process for critical thinking when reflecting on the cultural issues we face today, so that we can have healthier and more productive conversations. As a journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he shares what he has learned from different roles in the industry and what he now is able to share with his students in the classroom.

Learn more about Tobin: www.cune.edu/today/directory/people/tobin-beck.

Questions Covered

· What are you experiencing – and do you have any thoughts – on the divisiveness we are seeing today and how it’s impacting students?

· Tell us about the difference between political commentary and news and ethics. What should be looking at as we filter information?

· Have you had any students who have tried your process and it worked?

· When we find ourselves in an emotional situation or a kneejerk reaction coming on, how can we catch ourselves?

· How do you get to a place where you can have online dialogue in a respectful way? Are there benefits?

· What encouragements do you have for listeners as midterm elections approach and as family holidays draw near where you may have conversations with people who hold different opinions than your own?

About the Guest

Tobin Beck teaches journalism and global issues classes at Concordia University Nebraska. He is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience, including 13 years of experience as a global news service writer-editor-senior manager in Washington, D.C. He has written and edited for newspapers, radio, television, the web, and magazines. He taught at American University in Washington, D.C., and at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Tobin grew up in Seward, where his father, Theodore, taught music at Concordia.

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