Make Peace With War

Dive into episode 8 of the Make Peace With War podcast's Church-ish series where we put the spotlight on women in ministry. We break down the outdated notion that women can't hold top-level leadership roles in the church, discussing both complementarian and egalitarian perspectives and explaining where the former might miss the mark. The episode stresses the vital importance of women's voices in the church. We go beyond merely questioning traditional viewpoints and champion the idea that female leadership brings essential balance and enrichment to our faith communities. Don't miss this engaging and enlightening episode that's sure to spark important conversations about gender equality within the church. #egalitarian #complementarian #women #ministry #church #church-ish #makepeacewithwar

Join us in this very timely episode of the Make Peace With War podcast's Church-ish series, where we candidly tackle the touchy subjects of money, access, and power in today's churches. We dissect the 'pay-to-play' approach - its beginnings, its effects, and why it's so widespread. We also spotlight the need for financial openness in promoting a healthier spiritual community. This isn't just about challenging norms - it's a rally cry for everyone - leaders and members - to reevaluate and reshape a more welcoming, balanced, and Christ-focused church. Join us as we challenge both the status quo and ourselves. #churchish #makepeacewithwar #giving #ministry #church #healthyleader #toxicleader

This is Part 6 of the MPW series called "Church-ish", where I and my co-hosts, Jennifer Foster and Natalie Biggs, dive into some of the idiosyncrasies and challenges of the modern-day church and discuss some of the things that need to be changed to better love people and make disciples. In this episode, we dive into some deep conversations with my friend and Natalie's husband, Jason Biggs, about the “bubble” culture that is experienced in some churches. We get pretty personal and explore the idea of “quiet firing”, the unhealthy “all in or all out” mindset and what it is like when deep relationships are torn apart as a result of these toxic issues. We also discuss what can be done to stop those things from destroying relationships.  #makepeacewithwar #churchish #toxicleader #healthyleader #healthysoul #church #ministry

This is the second of two episodes of Part 5 of the MPW series called "Church-ish", where I and some of my friends dive into some of the idiosyncrasies and challenges of the modern-day church and discuss some of the things that need to be changed to better love people and make disciples. Jennifer Foster, along with her now ex-husband, launched and pastored the fastest growing church in the history of North America in 2015 in Houston, TX. She has an abundance of wisdom and experience as a result of that journey. Natalie Biggs has 20+ years of experience in corporate America and spent a significant amount of time as an executive in some very well-known corporations before moving into executive leadership in the church world. In Part 5 of the Church-ish series, Jennifer, Natalie, and I discuss where we are in our own faith walks and how uncertainty doesn't mean faithlessness. #healthysoul #makepeacewithwar #healthychurch #healthyleader #toxicleader #church #churchhurt #divorce #loss #death #cancer

This is the first of two episodes of Part 5 of the MPW series called "Church-ish", where I and some of my friends dive into some of the idiosyncrasies and challenges of the modern-day church and discuss some of the things that need to be changed to better love people and make disciples. Jennifer Foster, along with her now ex-husband, launched and pastored the fastest growing church in the history of North America in 2015 in Houston, TX. She has an abundance of wisdom and experience as a result of that journey. Natalie Biggs has 20+ years of experience in corporate America and spent a significant amount of time as an executive in some very well-known corporations before moving into executive leadership in the church world. In Part 5 of the Church-ish series, Jennifer, Natalie, and I discuss where we are in our own faith walks and how uncertainty doesn't mean faithlessness. #healthysoul #makepeacewithwar #healthychurch #healthyleader #toxicleader #church #churchhurt #divorce #loss #death #cancer

This is Part 4 of the MPW series called "Church-ish", where I and some of my friends dive into some of the idiosyncrasies and challenges of the modern-day church and discuss some of the things that need to be changed to better love people and make disciples. Jennifer Foster, along with her now ex-husband, launched and pastored the fastest growing church in the history of North America in 2015 in Houston, TX. She has an abundance of wisdom and experience as a result of that journey. Natalie Biggs has 20+ years of experience in corporate America and spent a significant amount of time as an executive in some very well-known corporations before moving into executive leadership in the church world. In Part 4 of the Church-ish series, Jennifer, Natalie, and I discuss the challenges of mixing the call of God with the celebrity-hungry culture that is prevalent in the modern church and what can happen when ambition overshadows the anointing of God on a ministry. #makepeacewithwar #healthyleader #toxicleader #churchleadership #leadership #church #celebritypastor #pastor #ambition

Church-ish Part 3: The Dangers of Franchise Church (w/ guest Derrick Airhart) This is Part 3 of the MPW series called "Church-ish", where I and some of my friends dive into some of the idiosyncrasies of the modern-day church and discuss some of the things that need to be changed to better love people and make disciples. Jennifer Foster, along with her now ex-husband, launched and pastored the fastest growing church in the history of North America in 2015 in Houston, TX. She has an abundance of wisdom and experience as a result of that journey. Natalie Biggs has 20+ years of experience in corporate America and spent a significant amount of time as an executive in some very well-known corporations before moving into executive leadership in the church world. In Part 3 of the Church-ish series, Jennifer, Natalie, and I are joined by Pastor Derrick Airhart to discuss the prevalence of the “plug and play” church model and the dangers of trying to conform a unique ministry into that model. #makepeacewithwar #healthyleader #toxicleader #churchleadership #leadership #church #franchise #arc #churchplanting

This is Part 2 of a new series called "Church-ish", where I and some of my friends dive into some of the idiosyncrasies of the modern-day church and discuss some of the things that need to be changed to better love people and make disciples. Jennifer Foster, along with her now ex-husband, launched and pastored the fastest growing church in the history of North America in 2015 in Houston, TX. She has an abundance of wisdom and experience as a result of that journey. Natalie Biggs has 20+ years of experience in corporate America and spent a significant amount of time as an executive in some very well-known corporations before moving into executive leadership in the church world. In Part 2 of the Church-ish series, we dive into the Asbury Revival, what revival is and what it isn't, the different reactions within the Body of Christ to the revival, and much more. #makepeacewithwar #healthyleader #toxicleader #churchleadership #leadership #church #asburyuniversity #asburyrevival #revival

This is Part 1 of a new series called "Church-ish", where I and some of my friends dive into some of the systems of the modern-day church and discuss some of the things that need to be changed to better love people and make disciples. Jennifer Foster, along with her now ex-husband, launched and pastored the fastest growing church in the history of North America in 2015 in Houston, TX. She has an abundance of wisdom and experience as a result of that journey. Natalie Biggs has 20+ years of experience in corporate America and spent a significant amount of time as an executive in some very well-known corporations before moving into executive leadership in the church world. In Part 1 of this series, we spend time talking about the "why" behind conversations like this, along with getting into church operating as a business and the weight that can place on pastors, church leaders, and staff. #makepeacewithwar #healthyleader #toxicleader #churchleadership #leadership #church

In this episode of Make Peace With War, I spoke with my longtime counselor and dear friend/family member, Jacque Truitt. Jacque is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has been in private practice for over 30 years and owned a large multisite professional practice in Pasadena, TX before going into individual practice. Jacque and I talk about what happens after the battle is over and how we deal with loss and grief and unanswered prayers. Specifically, we address what has been going on with me and our children after the passing of my beautiful wife, Hevyn, who was the guest on Make Peace With War's first episode.

For this pilot episode of Make Peace With War, I wanted to have a special guest that personified fighting for peace in the middle of chaos. I couldn't think of anyone better than my wife, Hevyn. She's been fighting sarcoma cancer for almost four years now, and it's progressed to stage four with only 4-5 months to live as of almost two months ago. In this episode, we'll talk about her journey and discuss how to find peace in the messy middle when there aren't any good answers.