Study guide for individual participants and groups:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1htVBoQ21Z36FyOJbpdyFdwkahyg3hpVh/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104137624006892725169&rtpof=true&sd=true

Grief is the subject today on STG. We're grateful for Charleen sharing about her calling to help others live through the messiness of grief without losing faith. Grief can be an opportunity to turn to God for help.

Charleen Burghardt has been through her own share of messy chapters—battling dyslexia and anxiety, navigating the pain of divorce, and learning to be a single mom to two incredible kids with special needs. She has faced chronic illness with her sons and supported loved ones through mental health struggles.

But here’s what she learned: God doesn’t wait for the mess to clear before he shows up. He meets us right in it. Sometimes quietly. Sometimes in ways we don’t expect. But always with grace.

You can find Charleen's new book, blog, and other information about her ministry at www.charleenburghardt.com. Whether you’re grieving, healing, or just trying to breathe through the chaos, there is God's grace for you.

Charleen's background includes a Master’s in Christian Education and a completed Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) residency, equipping her to serve others with both theological depth and compassionate presence. She lives with her husband in San Antonio, Texas, and has three adult children. She loves hiking, exploring nature, reading, learning new things, coffee, and all things chocolate.

Study Guide for individual participants and groups:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CttvITHoAZv3h-nZ2Ii5rIAYaElUQUTx/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104137624006892725169&rtpof=true&sd=true

Sandy Richter joins STG for an epic conversation! MidTex people won't want to miss Annual Awakening this year as Dr. Richter will be our special speaker for the conference. You will not want to miss her teaching nor the gem of an easter egg at the end of this episode.

Sandy Richter is the Robert H. Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. She holds a Masters Degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and her PhD in Hebrew Bible from Harvard University’s Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations Department. She has taught at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wesley Biblical Seminary and Wheaton College, and is a veteran of many years of leading student groups in field archaeology and historical geography in Israel.

Her ambition? To make the real people and places of the Old Testament come alive for her students. She is recognized in the Church for her book, The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (IVP Academic) and the Epic of Eden adult Bible Study series that has grown from that project. In the academy, she is known for her work in Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomistic History and the role of Mt. Ebal in the history of Israelite religion. She is also deeply invested in environmental theology (see Stewards of Eden), often addressing both lay and academic audiences on the topic. Her current research involves a forthcoming commentary on Deuteronomy with Eerdmans, a textbook for the introduction of the Old Testament with Zondervan, and a children’s book on environmental theology. She is married to Steven Tsoukalas and has two (perfect) college-aged daughters.

https://sandyrichter.org/

If I'm visiting the zoo with my boys, we'd much rather spend time checking out the elephants over the rabbits. However, when it comes to church, Telford says we need to be more like rabbits. Listen in for more context around this important point Telford makes.

If you've ever wondered whether God is still working today in the same ways He did in the Book of Acts and all throughout scripture, then this is an episode for you. We worship the same God who doesn't change. Dr. Telford Work joins STG to encourage us all regarding his work exploring and participating in disciple-making movements around the world. The stories he shares are full of the miracle-working power of God. He shared so many that we had to include more encouragement in the easter egg after the outro of the episode.

Telford Work is Professor of Theology at Westmont College. His most recent books are What About Evolution? and Jesus—The End and the Beginning. A recent focus is disciple-making movement (DMM) strategies and their implications (see link below). His course lectures on Christian doctrine, theological ethics, and New Testament are online at YouTube. His Ph.D. in Religion (Theology and Ethics) is from Duke University. He also holds an M.A. in Theological and Biblical Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary and a B.A. in Political Science from Stanford University. He is the Scoutmaster for his boys’ Scout Troop and on a team of volunteer chaplains for the Santa Barbara County Jail.

https://telfordwork.net/dmm/

The question in the title isn't about U.S. seminaries nor is it asking who is a better leader and/or theologian. While the topic of theological education in the GMC is at the heart of our conversation today, the title question is directed toward which historical figure will be more representative of GMC worship life and practice going forward. In other words, will the GMC embrace more of the Anglican side of our heritage or equally hold space for the broader evangelical and charismatic worlds that are also part of our history? To the extent we choose to embrace all of the above, we will face challenges concerning how flexible or firm rules for faith and practice can be.

To set the record straight for everyone, insert laugh track, is Dr. Andy Miller III! Dr. Andy Miller III was named President of Wesley Biblical Seminary on July 1, 2024. Dr. Miller previously served WBS as Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs. He is the ninth permanent president to lead the seminary, which is in its fiftieth year of developing trusted leaders for faithful churches through biblical and theological education.

Prior to joining WBS in 2021, Dr. Miller had an extensive ministry in the Salvation Army, serving as a pastor, leader, and administrator as a Corps Officer and Area Commander. He holds a Ph.D. in historical theology from Nazarene Theological College (University of Manchester) and a Doctor of Ministry from Perkins School of Theology (Southern Methodist University). He is also an alumnus of Asbury Theological Seminary and Asbury University. He is an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church and a delegate to its upcoming Convening General Conference.

Originally from the Midwest, Dr. Miller is married to Abby Adams Miller, who served with him as a Salvation Army Officer. She homeschools their three children, Andy, Titus, and Georgia. The Millers reside in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

Wesley Biblical Seminary: wbs.edu

More To The Story Podcast: https://www.andymilleriii.com/media/podcast

Sanctitas Et Scriptura: https://wbs.edu/news/sanctitas-et-scriptura/?fbclid=IwY2xjawO5GoZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFLa21WeG5VOExvcWE4U2Jxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrOHWSPcxh2ZPDVG6fsMaY3CCioBSOug3a6iSjRnl_JiIMgY5lfhqUS-np4Y_aem_ihDgo7Yaq9wx11XTzvgOMw

What should we be protesting? What does it mean to still be a Protestant Christian in the 21st century? Answers to these questions and more follow in our conversation with Dr. Jones. At the very end of the show notes are important links to Beth's work and Northern Seminary, where she is Professor of Theology and leads their Doctor of Ministry program which has a special focus on theology.

Beth Felker Jones (PhD, Duke University) is a Midwestern writer and professor who has published numerous theological books, short stories, and is working on her first novel. A lifelong book lover, she writes about relationships, identity, and redemption. For more information about Beth's work, please explore the following links:

https://www.ivpress.com/why-i-am-protestant?srsltid=AfmBOor8bBVMruzH3zTKr9rrN3a-qJ2mOqiA85yMxWP5SmqK8uBD_O3k

https://bethfelkerjones.substack.com/

https://www.seminary.edu/faculty/beth-felker-jones/

https://bethfelkerjones.com/

Brace yourself for an especially challenging conversation that is full of hope! Yes, God can use you to uniquely advance His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven by making disciples of Jesus Christ. Do you believe it? We pray you will after listening to this conversation.

Jeremy Smith is the Lead Pastor of Crosspoint Church in NW Florida. Crosspoint Church is a church of six physical locations with a special vision to do the work of multiplying disciples of Jesus. This special focus is called The Re-Awakening Initiative. The Re-Awakening Initiative is powered by Replicate Ministries, and is igniting a powerful disciple-making movement across churches and communities — and they want YOU to be a part of it.

This transformational initiative equips pastors and leaders with personalized plans, actionable strategies, and real-world training to inspire growth and re-energize their churches. Through immersive experiences like Pastor Huddles, Co-Lab Workshops, and Movement Ready Training Days, they’re helping churches discover clarity, build momentum, and multiply disciples. Find out more here: https://crosspoint.church/reawakening/.

Robert McCormick is a pastor and practitioner using the Re-Awakening Initiative resources for his local church context. Robert joined the staff at Madison Methodist Church in February of 2024 as the Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Assimilation. Prior to coming to MMC, he served at Trinity Methodist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi for over 6 years as the Director of Student Ministries and Associate Pastor.