Pastor With No Answers

Please, pretty please, no sensitive ears need to tune in on this one.  There's your warning.  The dynamic duo, Josh and Adrian, of the Dirty Rotten Church Kids podcast join us to talk through their journey from church planters to “de-churched” and what led to them to starting Dirty Rotten Church Kids Podcast.   We talk pastors who like to tell others every time they have sex with their wives, the power of community and whether “are you a Christian” is an annoying question.  At top of episode, Chip Judd, John Mark McMillan and Joey discuss their enneagram numbers, a “road rash” moment Joey is still shocked that he fell into, and a season in which Chip was an “unhealthy enneagram 8.”   Oh, and way back in the day, John Mark used to look for fights.   Dirty Rotten Church Kids:https://www.instagram.com/dirtyrottenchurchkidsChip Judd:https://chipjudd.com/category/mindshift/John Mark:https://www.johnmarkmcmillan.com/https://www.instagram.com/johnmarkmcmillanJoey/PWNA Instagram:  www.instagram.com/joeysvendsenC

One of the few women to translate the Bible, Bonnie Lewis discusses her journey that led to this wonderful masterpiece. The journey was wrought with outside criticism revolving around a female’s audaciousness to do such a thing as translate the Bible.  Bonnie's  “inner Fundamentalist" wasn’t so quick to let her off the hook in pursuing this endeavor;  but over time, her Maker made paths straight and vision cleared to proceed.  Part of Pastor With No Answers extended family, Bonnie, shares her journey that led to her writing the enlightening idiomatic translation of the Bible.  It’s called Timshel, a collection of the most commonly heard stories in the Old and New Testament.  So, what do we make out of the chauvinistic nature of the Bible?  When everyone is getting a different meaning out of the Bible, how do we know what to trust?  And what finite being gets to be an authority of  God’s work?  We discuss this and more.We also discuss a survival story from the big Texas snow that occurred this past w

Our guest does not call this suicide, nor labels as euthanasia.  Working with Compassion and Choices, Rev. Madison Shockley advocates for the humane option for the terminally ill to choose the means and timing of their impending death.  Rather than facing the prospect of a ruthless and painful journey leading to the end, he advocates for freedom and peace that comes by giving them the driver seat of when and how they will die.  You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more gracious, loving and biblically sound outlook on this endeavor that is now legalized in numerous American States. We discuss real-life instances in which people have benefitted from this option and how one goes about ending his or her life with this medical aid.  We also dissect evangelically-postured objections to one being able to take the timing of death into his own hands. Before any of this, Ellen Mauro, Jack Hoey III and Joey discuss and debate spanking kids and reflect on parenting children as an Enneagram 5.Compassion and Choices:https://co

I mean, we’re not really persecuted here in the states, are we?  And any flack the church receives is likely our own fault, right?  Chip Judd and John Mark McMillan discuss with Joey whether Christians are persecuted in America. John Mark has an example of a time he was.  Also discussed here is the all too common ostracization (and cancelling) of a person for simply having one unpopular opinion.  Lastly, we look at the short-comings of science as well as that of post-modernism.  Chip Judd: https://chipjudd.com/category/mindshift/John Mark: https://www.johnmarkmcmillan.com/https://www.instagram.com/johnmarkmcmillanJoey/PWNA Instagram:  www.instagram.com/joeysvendsenCurrent DonorSee: https://donorsee.com/pwnahelpsGet notifications each time we start raising money to get more information on our current opportunity to “save the day” for team humanity. Text PWNAd to 31010. Support:Join us as a patron! https://www.patreon.com/pwnapodor leave a Venmo tip right @  https://venmo.com/joey-svendsenJoin the discussion:ht

*This is a brand-new interview.  For you old school listeners, we also interviewed Matt during the making of Small Group the movie.*It is out now and available everywhere! A filmmaker and his wife move across the country to make a documentary about Christianity's decline. To "pull back the curtain," they use a hidden camera and go undercover at a local small group. As their relationship with the group grows, negative assumptions about Christians and the Church break down, putting them in an awkward position. How will their new friends respond when the truth is revealed?  It's Small Group the movie.  This movie brilliantly looks at mega-church culture through non-dualistic lenses, poking fun at and exposing the ridiculous while also showing the good things undeniably found any time people gather for the purpose of true love and community.  Matt Chastain, writer and director (and acted in) joins us to talk, after Joey viewed this movie on his own.   Small Group and Matt Chastainhttps://small

Kicking off the episode is a quick discussion (with Chip Judd) on pastors and suicide.  Is there a correlation between the pastoral role and having mental illness? Joey reflects on his vocation and whether being a pastor is harmful to his health.  Then the “PreachersNSneakers Guy,” (we call him Vic) joins Joey and co-host Jack Hoey to discuss celebrity pastors. Did these pastors start “doing ministry” with good intentions?  How did they get completely off the tracks?  Is it immoral to preach the gospel while wearing $3000 worth of attire?  Why do people keep following celebrity pastors?   Let's just say we try to keep this episode from being a "Steven Furtick Episode." Joey, Jack and "Vic" are on the same page in three accounts.  Each loves the church, each loves these pastors who are celebrities, and all three also hate “celebrity pastor culture."Get Tyler’s brand new book "PreachersNSneakers: Authenticity in an Age of For-Profit Faith and (Wannabe) Celebrities."Preach

While I (Joey) personally find very primitive and archaic the belief in a God-ordained predestination of souls, Chris Date's holding to this position  doesn’t lessen the amount of respect I have for him as a biblical scholar.  Chip, Chris and I discuss and debate the philosophical components of whether people can have real choice while at the same time, God also ordaining that choice they will freely make.  In other words, can God ordain that people have real choice while also ordaining what choice they will make?  Chris thinks so.  We have plenty of “if I treated my kids the way God does” analogies, talk a bit about whether Jack and Jill had real choice to go up the hill if the author writes it (you'll have to listen) and even ponder marital affairs being “God ordained.”  Chris Date and Rethinking Hellhttp://www.theopologetics.com/http://www.youtube.com/theopologetics/https://fuller.academia.edu/ChristopherDatehttp://www.rethinkinghell.com/http://www.youtube.com/rethinkinghell/Chip Judd's &quo

Chris Singleton, former professional athlete, author and motivational speaker lost his mother in the infamous “Charleston Church Shooting” (Summer of 2015 at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church).  Chris recounts that dreadful day of losing his mother and shares how those moments transpired behind those dreadful closed doors. Chris, son of slain Pastor Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, speaks on the miracle of forgiveness and how folks like Dylan Roof (shooter) are the way they are because of being misled and misinformed.   Together, Joey and Chris speculate how far along society is in bridging the race gap.  **Other episodes with related content listed at very bottom.**In honor of black history month, we celebrate these lives (along with their families):Pastor Sharonda Coleman-Singleton (45)Pastor Clementa C. Pinckney (41)Cynthia Marie Graham Hurd (54)Susie Jackson (87)Ethel Lee Lance (70)Pastor Depayne Middleton-Doctor (49)Tywanza Sanders (26)Pastor Daniel L. SimmonsMyra Thompson (59) Chris Singleton:https:

We’re in an age now where atrocities at the hands of Christian leaders are the norm.  Unspeakable hypocrisy, abuse and scandal.  On this episode we discuss the current state of evangelicalism and the church, we process the recent news on Ravi Zacharias' abuses on women and reflect on the actions and downfalls of other pastors, including Ellen Mauro's and Joey's former pastor, Mark Driscoll.  Joey and his wife Pricilla also went to Hooters in Charlotte NC.  Still negatively affected days after, Joey recounts the archaic and disheartening environment they found themselves in while he enjoyed some decently good wings.  Past interviews with former Mars Hill Church Elders' Wives (direct downloads):Trisha Wilkerson: https://bit.ly/3pzmEPwJen Smidt: https://bit.ly/3doTKPUTony Jones:https://reverendhunter.com/mediahttps://twitter.com/jonestony Ellen Mauro:https://www.instagram.com/ellenmauroJoey/PWNA Instagram:  www.instagram.com/joeysvendsenCurrent DonorSee: https://donorsee.com/pwnahelpsGet noti

When Kathy Yokeley’s daughter Natalie was born, the perfect family she’d dreamed of was complete; a loving husband, beautiful little son and daughter, fulfilling church involvement, an enjoyable career, and even a family dog. And then thirteen years before the release of this episode (2/15/21), it all came crashing as Kathy’s twelve year-old, Natalie, was diagnosed with inoperable spinal cord cancer.  Nine nightmarish months later (23 days after her 13th birthday), her precious daughter was gone.  Kathy’s book, “Not My Plans” is not only one mother’s story of loss and pain, but also of ultimate healing when the God she loved and trusted allowed her worst fear to come true. There’s no easy answers to such deep pain, but narratives of God’s infinite faithfulness in times of darkness such as these are all too common for those who lean upon that miraculous faithfulness.We tribute to you, Natalie, and your ongoing legacy encapsulated in a short, thirteen-year life that has been outlasted by your legacy of courage,

With co-hosts Pricilla Svendsen and Ellen Mauro, Joey proposes that there are many good lies. (29:00) Honesty can be unloving while in many situations, lying can be the best way to love someone.  You’ll have to be the judge as to whether his theory is on point or full of ....... We also have Dave McAbee, (9:00) an aspiring Horror Movie writer who recently released a Hallmark movie, “For the Love of Jessee."  And it wasn’t easy, considering the original lead actor died 6 weeks before filming. Also, a sneak peak of what is to come on Pastor With No Answers (5:30)For the Love of Jessee and David McAbeehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt7411120 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4039062 Joey/PWNA Instagram:  www.instagram.com/joeysvendsenCurrent DonorSee: https://donorsee.com/pwnahelpsGet notifications each time we start raising money to get more information on our current opportunity to “save the day” for team humanity. Text PWNAd to 31010. Support:Join us as a patron! https://www.patreon.com/pwnapodor leave a Venmo ti

Jimmy Hinton’s life calling is to bring awareness to sexual abuse, especially on predators who thrive in churches.  This was Jimmy’s life story, his father revered for decades by his congregants while he was secretly taking advantage of many children in the flock for 27 years.  Jimmy and even his mom was unaware until later in life when his little sister came forward with the abuse done to her, at the hand of her father.  When this story broke, it was picked up by CNN.  Hear Jimmy's heart-breaking recollection and how he currently processes the relationship he has with his dad.  What is it about church cultures that make it so easy for abusers to abuse?  What is it about “blind sheep” who go to the defense on behalf of these predators?  Important questions that need to be processed and answered.  With tons of research, Jimmy lets us in to the mind of an abuser.  Joey also shares a time in which he was being "groomed" by his high school teacher.   Friend of this podcast, Derek Minor, joins us at

Lisa shares a bit of her story and provides feedback on our latest episode with Preston Sprinkle and Brandan Robertson where we discuss Sprinkle’s latest book, “Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say.”  At the top of the episode Joey spends some time with his wife (Pricilla) and good friend (Ellen Mauro) talking about chauvinistic southern culture, how Joey treats his daughters differently from his sons and how Ellen and Pricilla don’t want doors held open for them.  Oh, yeah and neither one of them like the word “panties.” Pricilla: https://www.instagram.com/pricillala/ Ellen: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmauro/ Joey/PWNA Instagram:  www.instagram.com/joeysvendsen Current DonorSee: https://donorsee.com/pwnahelps Get notifications each time we start raising money to get more information on our current opportunity to “save the day” for team humanity. Text PWNAd to 31010.   Support: Join us as a patron! https://www.patreon.com/pwnapod or leave a Venmo tip right @  https

A conversation on transgenderism through lenses of science, theology and real-life stories.  Preston Sprinkle, President of “The Center for Faith, Sexuality and Gender,” wrote a new book called “Embodied,” with the purpose of helping readers understand the complexities and emotions of this highly relevant and polarizing discussion.  Also joining the conversation is Rev. Brandan Robertson, (author, activist, theologian and part of the LGBTQ community himself) who brings an opposing outlook on people we know as transgender individuals.  Both of these men aim to walk in the steps of Jesus' love, and given their different views pertaining to this discussion, the means to love a transgender person will likely look a great deal different between the two of them.Part two of this episode will be released this Wednesday as we have Lisa Salazar respond to the content of this episode.  Lisa is a transgender woman who happens to also be a Christian.  Preston:https://www.centerforfaith.com/about/leadership/dr-preston

Love your neighbor, love your enemy.  Jamie Lee Finch (the Liturgists) and Propaganda (Red Couch Podcast)  discuss with Joey  “loving others” in the context of people’s personal journeys, social media “venting,” and the ability or inability to humanize others.  Should we respond to “ignorant hate” differently than how we respond to just straight up, ‘ol hate?  Do some legitimately have a harder time loving because of their place in society and past experiences?  And should we be cautious in using the word “should” when it comes to another person's ability to love well?   Jamie:https://jamieleefinch.com/https://twitter.com/jamieleefinchPropaganda:https://www.prophiphop.com/https://twitter.com/prophiphopSupport the Podcast:Become a patron:    https://www.patreon.com/pwnapodLeave a tip:    https://venmo.com/joey-svendsenJoin the discussion:    https://www.facebook.com/groups/PWNAtalkCurrent DonorSee Giving Opportunity: https://donorsee.com/pwnahelps(Text PWNAd to 31010 to receive notifications each time we

Does God need our prayers to help Him stop evil?   If He can defeat evil without us, why doesn't he?  Today's guests appear to have some concrete direction on making sense of the "problem of evil." But they go in two different directions.  Oord proposes that God simply lacks the power to stop bad things from happening and needs our partnership to minimize the effects of evil.  Chip believes that an all-powerful God has willfully given humanity dominion over this world and suggests that people possess a God-given duty of using the "weapon of prayer" to unleash God's power in order to stop evil.  So, is God innately limited?  Or is He self-limited?   Both outlooks are a bit unnerving.  Maybe, let's just stick with good old-fashion mystery. Thomas Oord appeared on episode 209 to discuss his book on Open Theology, "God Can't."  Unique and intriguing territory is covered in this follow-up conversation, discussing his follow-up book, "Questions and Answers

If we accepted our place as kids, would our prayers sound a lot different?  By the way, did you know the Apostle Paul’s prayers sound NOTHING like most of ours? What if life was mainly for our enjoyment?  What does it mean that God really wanted to spare us from the knowledge of good and evil?  Enjoy a sermon from your friendly, bald neighborhood pastor.  Current DonorSee: https://donorsee.com/pwnahelpsGet notifications each time we start raising money to get more information on our current opportunity to “save the day” for team humanity. Text PWNAd to 31010. Join us as a patron! https://www.patreon.com/pwnapodJoin the discussion:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/PWNAtalk Socials: https://twitter.com/pwnapodhttps://twitter.com/joeysvendsenhttps://www.facebook.com/PWNApodCALL 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 [email protected] for correspondenceMusic courtesy of:http://www.derekminor.com/Executive

Author, speaker, activist, former pastor, and friend to this podcast, Brian McLaren, just released his newest book “Faith After Doubt.”  He submits to us that questions and doubt are not the enemies of faith, but rather a portal to a more mature and fruitful kind of faith. We also talk a bit about “Learning to See,” his new podcast with Fr. Richard Rohr and Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis.Brian McLaren:https://brianmclaren.net/https://twitter.com/brianmclaren Instagram account: www.instagram.com/PWNApodCurrent DonorSee: https://donorsee.com/pwnahelpsGet notifications each time we start raising money to get more information on our current opportunity to “save the day” for team humanity. Text PWNAd to 31010.Join us as a patron! https://www.patreon.com/pwnapodJoin the discussion:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/PWNAtalkSocials: 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 vo

Grieving During the Holidays Part II (Part one, episode 208), Liz Miller joins Joey and Pricilla to talk through her dreadful first couple of holiday seasons without her husband of 6 years.  What does that kind of suffering feel like? Liz explains that when you’re going through this sort of suffering, any future seasons of joy seem impossible. She shares some tips, including the need to offer grace in all directions.  It’s typically uncharted territory to the sufferer as well as the loved ones around them who make mistakes, even saying hurtful things out of complete ignorance and with good intentions.  Oh yeah, and don’t send Christmas cards to people like Liz.  Give it a few years, for crying out loud.  We talk about her late husband, laugh about some memories of him as we tribute to Joshua Miller and the short life him and Liz shared.  Our hearts are with those who are experiencing this sort of grief and at the very least, know you are not alone.  Team humanity, we love you, and may God be with you in your

Crystal Cheatum created a bible app that “ditches toxic theology and provides resources for marginalized communities of faith.”  We learn a bit about her upbringing, discuss faith essentials and hear what theological positions cannot be represented by contributors to the bible studies and devotions on this app.  Crystal is a gracious soul, honors others' journeys, and recognizes the impact a person's upbringing has on his or her religious outlook.  Unlike a lot of the antagonistic approaches seen often these days, her posture bids well for more conservative theological thinkers to understand more progressive outlooks of God and the bible.  The app is “Christo-Centric,” the majority of the included bible studies are written by ministers or seminarians, but people of all spiritual walks can find a home here.  Crystal has a podcast and offers various workshops.  She also shares a bit about the harm of purity culture and her experience of doing the Lords work as a Lesbian woman.  https://www.crystalchea