The Dean’s Podcasts
MINISTER’S LETTER 3/11/2022
Friends in Christ, today I want to share some podcasts that I find encouraging as a Christian leader.
Let me start with my best podcast discovery this year, which I now count as the most encouraging thing I listen to. It's called "You're Not Crazy".
It's hosted by Sam Allberry and Ray Ortlund. Sam is an English Anglican Minister and author, now based in the USA, who preached here earlier this year. Ray is a semi-retired, founding pastor of the independent church Sam is now based at in Nashville. Interestingly, though Presbyterian in background, Ray has been confimed in the Anglican Church of North America, so he can serve as 'Canon Theologian to ACNA, as part of his pastor to pastors ministry.
The podcast is aimed at younger pastors who might be finding the ministry confusing, challenging or discouraging, But it's earned a much wider following from Christians interested in good and godly leadership. I love it because every episode seems biblical, honest, and not-too-long at ~30 minutes. Ray and Sam are humble, encouraging, and almost too-good-to-be-true positive, as they call us back to "gospel culture" shaped by Christ. They often sum it up in the phrase from Romans 15:7
...welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Give "You're Not Crazy" a go.
Sam Allberry also recorded a great guest 10 minute "single" for John Dickson's "Undeceptions" podcast. It's a super helpful ten minutes on what it means to be "in Christ". Even as an experienced minister, some new thoughts struck me! If you prefer to read, then Rory Shiner's "One Forever" is the best short book on this topic of "union with Christ", as theologians call it, which is so central to the New Testament.
I listen to some episodes of "Undeceptions" which range over wide topics of interest and are directed at believer and sceptic alike. But be warned: they often last over an hour.
You might be interested to know that our former Dean, Phillip Jensen, has teamed up again with Tony Payne, who co-wrote most of his books, to produce the new "Two Ways News". The first episodes have already been terrifically interesting. It's 'classic Phillip' – incisive biblical and social analysis. This is a successor podcast to Tony Payne's solo "Payneful Truth" and all those (often shorter 15-25 minute) back episodes are available too.
Two other things you might want to know: you can also read a text version of "Two Ways News" via E-newsletter or browser if you prefer. And secondly, it's not just aimed at pastors, or even just leaders, but anyone wanting to be a thoughtful, active, engaged, biblical follower (a.k.a. disciple) of Jesus!
Lastly on the Christian scene, pastors and other leaders should stay in touch with Dominic Steele's Pastor's Heart podcast, also available via video. Of all these podcasts, it's the most applied to what's going on in and around the church scene in Sydney and Australia, although he is also very conscious of his international audience, including many in Africa. (Dominic has been the only one brave enough ever to have me on!)
Beyond that, to stay in touch and informed about global current affairs, I reckon nothing beats the "The Inquiry". None of us is without our biases, but unlike much mainline media, the BBC World Service is not entirely captured by political correctness (or any other political leaning). Each episode presents four experts, seeking an answer to one question, all in 24 minutes. The most recent examples include:
Is it time for Britain to return the Rosetta Stone?
Will the protests in Iran bring change?
Is Putin’s war in Ukraine at a turning point?
What’s the future of the Commonwealth under King Charles III?
If you like, you can recommend a podcast series to me in reply. I might try it out on a run or a dog walk. But please tell me just a little about what it is about and why you like it, and preferably supply the link to the homepage.
Warmly in Christ,
Sandy Grant
Dean of Sydney