The Exchange with Ed Stetzer

Each week, Ed Stetzer sits down with pastors, scholars, and leaders to make sense of the technology and culture reshaping the church.

The Exchange with Ed Stetzer is a christianity podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts The Exchange with Ed Stetzer, a christianity show with 0 episodes published.

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  Episode #511

  Alister McGrath: Atheists Take a Leap of Faith Too

  Sep 29, 202639 min

  Alister McGrath says no one can prove what matters most, so atheists and Christians alike live by belief and live with doubt. The conversation Can Christians hold beliefs they cannot prove? McGrath begins from a claim about human life: meaning, moral value, and purpose cannot be established by reason or the scientific method, yet people do not flourish without them. He extends the point to atheism, recalling that when he pressed Richard Dawkins on whether atheism could be proven, Dawkins conceded it could not.  Does a Christian worldview compete with science? Ed raised the objection McGrath's debate partners would make: that the Christian lens is a fantasy laid over the observable world. McGrath answers that science is a tool built for particular questions, and that using it to settle moral values is like using a thermometer to find the meaning of life. McGrath closes on what he calls Christianity's existential payload, a truth that changes a life. From the conversation "There are certain places it cannot go. It cannot talk about things like the meaning of life. It cannot talk about moral values, for example, because these both lie beyond the scope of the scientific method." Alister McGrath "I can prove really shallow truths, but not deep truths of meaning or moral value or purpose." Alister McGrath "The great big pictures of life which held sway for so long are just being junked, and there's nothing obvious that's going to replace them." Alister McGrath "Doubt is saying, 'I need to go into this deeper. My present understanding of this is not good enough.' Doubt is an invitation to explore, to go deeper." Alister McGrath About Alister McGrath Alister McGrath is emeritus Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford and President of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. He holds doctorates in molecular biophysics, theology, and intellectual history, and his books include Dawkins' God and C.S. Lewis: A Life . His latest book is Why We Believe: Finding Meaning in Uncertain Times .  Website: https://alistermcgrath.weebly.com/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlisterMcGrath   Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/086154921X Presenting sponsor: Gloo , a technology company for the faith and flourishing ecosystem. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #510

  Lisa Harper: An Unkind Theologian Is a Bad One

  Sep 22, 202631 min

  Lisa Harper says church leaders, herself included, have watered down theology, and that doctrine that leaves character unchanged falls short. The conversation How should pastors teach theology to their people? For years Harper gave her neighborhood Bible study a story, a short exegesis, and a takeaway, following homiletic rules she learned in her thirties. She now says it was her desire to be understood that was watering down her doctrine. Her test case is the hypostatic union. Stetzer frames the vocabulary question in plain terms: people who learn to order at Starbucks can learn theological language at church. Does correct doctrine excuse bad character? Stetzer names a pattern he sees: leaders who check every doctrinal box, treat people poorly, and get a pass. Harper rejects the assumption that their theology is good. She claims gaining information is important, since it informs our understanding of Jesus, but she believes that theology solely bound to academics is lifeless.  How much of your own story belongs in a sermon? Harper’s test on whether a story is appropriate to share is if Jesus remains the hero. She names two failures she has corrected in herself: telling stories that belong to someone else, and humor at her own expense that made her the emphasis. She argues that stories of darkness can also become self-aggrandizing when listeners rally around the speaker's pain. On the opposite end is editing so much that teaching becomes performance. From the conversation "Show me somebody who has strong theology but doesn't have humility, and I would say that the information hasn't softened the heart yet." — Lisa Harper "I think the onus is on us, and I don't think we've done a good job." — Lisa Harper "I don't want to edit so much when I'm teaching that it becomes performative instead of testimonial." — Lisa Harper "If you can learn to order coffee at Starbucks, you can learn some theological language at church." — Ed Stetzer About Lisa Harper Lisa Harper is a Bible teacher, speaker, and author of more than a dozen books and Bible studies, including A Jesus-Shaped Life: How Diving Deeper into Theology Can Transform Us and Our World with the Radical Kindness of God . She hosts the Back Porch Theology podcast and founded The Kerygma Summit, an annual gathering of theologians and Bible teachers. She holds a Master of Theological Studies from Covenant Seminary. Website: https://www.lisaharper.org Podcast: https://www.lisaharper.org/backporchtheology Instagram: https://instagram.com/lisadharper Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialLisaDHarper Book: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Shaped-Life-Theology-Transform-Kindness/dp/0800744764 The Exchange is presented by Gloo , a technology company for the faith and flourishing ecosystem. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #507

  A Message from Ed Stetzer on Season Relaunch

  Aug 4, 20263 min

  In this special mini-episode, Ed Stetzer shares a brief personal update following an unexpected health issue and surgery over the summer. While he is doing well and making progress in recovery, the official relaunch of the Stetzer Church Leaders podcast is being pushed back by just a couple of weeks to allow for extra healing time. Ed expresses his gratitude for all the support and prayers as he prepares to return with a brand-new season (and YouTube channel) very soon!

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  Episode #506

  Jaclyn Jones on Why Church Members Drift Away From Giving (And How Pastors Can Turn the Tide)

  Jul 21, 202615 min

  Why do some church members remain deeply committed and generous for years while others quietly drift away from giving? In this episode, Ed Stetzer sits down with Jaclyn Jones, Chief Philanthropic Economist at Masterworks, to unpack the findings of the Faithful Giving Project . Stripping away assumptions about age, income, and education, Jones shares data that reveals a link between a believer’s active spiritual formation and their capacity for sustained generosity. From analyzing the gaps between casual givers and deeply committed disciples to dismantling the fear pastors often have around discussing money from the pulpit, this conversation provides ministry leaders with a fresh perspective on how to view generosity not as a transactional obligation, but as a vital marker of spiritual discipleship. ABOUT OUR GUEST Jaclyn Jones serves as Chief Philanthropic Economist at Masterworks. A researcher, speaker, and fundraising strategist, she helps Christian organizations translate donor data into stronger relationships and sustainable revenue growth.

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  Episode #505

  Brad Hill on the Discipleship Deficit, AI Competitors, and Redefining Success in the Local Church

  Jul 7, 202625 min

  While data points to an encouraging rise in spiritual interest and openness across the nation, local congregations face a critical bottleneck: spiritual formation is not keeping pace with spiritual curiosity. In this episode of the Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast, Ed Stetzer sits down with Brad Hill, Chief Partner Success Officer at Gloo, to explore the latest State of the Church research data and dissect the modern trends that every ministry leader must understand to guide people effectively. Hill highlights four critical trends reshaping the landscape of ministry, ranging from an unprecedented spiritual vibe shift among Gen Z—particularly young men—to surprising surges in weekly prayer practices. He also addresses the rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence within the pews, highlighting data showing that one-third of practicing Christians trust AI tools for spiritual guidance just as much as their local pastor. From exploring redemptive uses of emerging technology to shifting success metrics away from traditional "butts, budgets, and baptisms," this conversation provides church leaders with a practical framework to build discipleship in your church. ABOUT OUR GUEST Brad Hill has been deeply involved in solving technology challenges for the church for over 25 years. He serves as Chief Partner Success Officer (www.gloo.com), and is responsible for putting their platform capabilities to work for churches, networks, and the expanding portfolio of brands in the Gloo family. Prior to Gloo, Brad was President at Ministry Brands. As a former church tech founder himself, Brad has the perspective to see and leverage patterns in tech innovation that can help the Church further its mission. In addition to his experience starting, building and coaching companies for Kingdom and business impact, Brad has also served in lay leadership at several churches across multiple denominations. Brad lives in Knoxville, TN with his wife and two kids.

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