Ministry in a Secular Age featuring Dr. Andrew Root. A ministry podcast for the Secular Age.
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Andy sends Derek a screenshot of a Jim Loder passage he's frantically highlighted and it sparks a conversation about "convictional neurosis," the tendency in mainline churches to bury real encounters with God.
Andy and Derek discuss the complexities of ministering in communities, transparency, and whether the minister's personal life is the business of the congregation
Most churches talk about how they "want more young people". Andy and Derek dive into why age has become the metric for whether a church has a future and how this isn't really what holds churches together.
Andy answers a listener e-mail about "being as becoming", the difference it makes for those in ministry, and how it shapes and transforms our understanding about how God moves and acts in the secular age.
What does a private baptism request have to do with your podcast feed? More than you'd think. Derek and Andy unpack what happens when we try to optimize faith, remove friction and obligation, and whether what's left can still be called community at all. Andy's new book "Baal and the Gods of More" is out now!
Andy and Derek explore “post-human” ministry, AI, the future of vocation, and the meaning of life. Derek also shares his strategy for the coming robot apocalypse.
Andy and Derek discuss Andy's new book "Baal and the Gods of More". They discuss the trappings of resources and wanting more, and how the God of the Israelites calls us to grow into relationship rather than resources.
Derek texts Andy in the middle of the ICE raids in Minneapolis asking how the he's supposed to pastor through this. Andy thinks the answer has everything to do with Bonhoeffer — and nothing to do with heroism.
Andy saw Hamnet and wept in the theater. When he told other people, they called it "grief porn." Andy now thinks our culture has engineered away the spaces where feeling too much is the whole point. Andy and Derek dig into Byung-Chul Han, Shakespeare, and the ancient human need to mourn together in community. Meanwhile, Derek watched Hamnet alone and cried on his couch.
Andy has thoughts about thoughts and prayers. This is our season finale. We'll be back in April of 2026 with episodes twice a week until November 2026. Stay tuned for more and thanks for listening!
Andy thinks ideas from Charles Taylor's recent works about resonance, poetry, and beauty can be found in the zombie show "The Last of Us". And it says a lot about what ministry looks like in a Secular Age.
Andy has returned from traveling abroad with news of a Quiet Revival happening in European churches. Andy and Derek discuss reasons for this and what it could mean for ministries in this secular age.
Andy discusses Charlie Kirk's death and how interpreting it is tied deeply to Charles Taylor's Triangle. Andy thinks this is not only helpful for those of us in ministry, but for society at large to break the cycle of ressentiment that perpetuates these sorts of violent acts. Our call-in line is open! Call us at (612) 405-8071 to leave a question for a future episode!
All churches need money to run. But sometimes Derek feels more like a small business owner than a pastor sometimes. Andy explains how money actually has more power than God in the Secular Age, but this gives churches an opportunity to talk about money, stewardship, budgets, and promises in a new way. Our call-in line is open! Call us at (612) 405-8071 to leave a question for a future episode!
Andy has a brand new book out called "A Pilgrimage into Letting Go". He talks about the book and why it's important for pastors, parents, and all people to practice the art of letting go. Our call-in line is open! Call us at (612) 405-8071 to leave a question for a future episode!
Derek wonders about what the Gospel is when Christianity is formed in an Empire. Andy dusts off the works of an obscure scholar who saw history as separate times of First, Second, and Third Culture. And Fourth Culture is on the way whether we like it or not. Our call-in line is open! Call us at (612) 405-8071 to leave a question for a future episode!
Derek's friend doesn't believe in the moon landing. Andy explains that modern-day conspiracy theories rooted in the Three Horsemen of the Hermeneutics of Suspicion: Nietzsche, Freud, and Marx. It surprisingly has a lot to do with ministry in a Secular Age. Our call-in line is open! Call us at (612) 405-8071 to leave a question for a future episode!
This week we dive into a listener question (thanks, Leanne!) about marriage, kids, and family life in the Age of Authenticity and how it's different now in this secular age. We unpack this along with what it means for the church. Andy's brand new book "Evangelism in an Age of Despair" is out now! You can grab it here or wherever else you get your books: bit.ly/41zuNIN
Andy just released his new book, "Evangelism in an Age of Despair". In it, he makes a compelling case that evangelism isn’t wellness or therapy—it’s a radical, counter-cultural act. In this episode, Andy unpacks what that means and how it could transform your church’s approach to ministry. Andy's brand new book "Evangelism in an Age of Despair" is out now! You can grab it here or wherever else you…
Andy just published a brand new book, "Evangelism in an Age of Despair". It reminded Derek of his church's Google reviews and a woman who rated a funeral 5 stars. Andy thinks this is what evangelism is all about. Andy's brand new book is out now! You can grab it here or wherever else you get your books: bit.ly/41zuNIN
Andy thinks this recent election marked the end of the 20th century. Andy and Derek are joined by special guest Rev. David J. Wood to discuss what the election means for faith communities and how our rich tradition of faith & theology can shape our imaginations to lead congregations during these historic times.
With the election in America approaching there has been much talk of churches and pastors being in a "Bonhoeffer moment". Andy looks at Bonhoeffer's time vs. ours and what it means for us in ministry.
Derek's peloton has started preaching to him and he feels weird about it. Andy thinks this is because we live in an age of secular mysticism, and it has a lot to do with how the Church can preach to the Secular Age.
It's an interesting time for congregations and Children's Ministry. Andy talks about why a theological turn for Children's Ministry is sorely needed for churches today.
If you watch a sports event in the US, gambling ads are everywhere. Andy thinks this is a sign that our society is turning to a bunch of pagans. Instead of trying to find happiness in stuff, Andy thinks we should turn to the wisdom of 17th century thinker Blaise Pascal and embrace our own emptiness and brokenness instead.
Swear words don't seem to pack the same punch anymore, and Andy thinks it all has to do with the decline of protestantism and the "polite society". It turns out that this also has some big ministry implications for those of us here in the Secular Age. With the topic, this episode features some salty language & swear words. Be sure to grab Andy's book "When Church Stops Working" along with his…
Derek's children are addicted to YouTube Kids and Andy thinks it's all connected to the work of Byung-Chul Han and Martin Heidegger. YouTube along with other social media, are vapid reflections of us that don't call us further into our own being, and that's the problem. Andy and Derek discuss. Be sure to grab Andy's book "When Church Stops Working" along with his other books on Amazon or, better…
We're back from a hiatus with more new episodes to come! Andy attends a graduation ceremony held in a church where the school papered over God's name on the wall. What does this say about the secular age we live in? What's the deeper meaning for those of us in minisry? Andy's **brand new** book "WHEN CHURCH STOPS WORKING" is out now. Grab it on Amazon or, better yet, your local bookstore. Special…
Aliens have been in the news a bit, and Derek wants to know what Andy thinks would happen to the Church if aliens are real. Andy's **brand new** book "WHEN CHURCH STOPS WORKING" is out now. Grab it on Amazon or, better yet, your local bookstore. Special thanks to Baker Publishing for sponsoring our podcast.
Churches are obsessed with mission statements, but Andy thinks that watch words are even more important. Andy's **brand new** book "WHEN CHURCH STOPS WORKING" is out now. Grab it on Amazon or, better yet, your local bookstore. Special thanks to Baker Publishing for sponsoring our podcast.
Andy thinks there's something deeply wrong with having "bucket lists". Andy's **brand new** book "WHEN CHURCH STOPS WORKING" is out now. Grab it on Amazon or, better yet, your local bookstore. Special thanks to Baker Publishing for sponsoring our podcast.
Andy sent Derek a text at 1:00am about our modern desire to look backward at life. It led them to talk about the Holy Land, cathedrals, whiskey, and the tension in modern youth ministry. Be sure to grab Andy's brand new book - The Church After Innovation - out now. Get your copy on Amazon today along with all of Andy's other books. Special thanks to Baker Publishing for sponsoring our podcast.
Andy likes a streaming TV show about Jesus and says it's good. Derek is skeptical. This leads to a conversation about art, faith, beauty, truth, and the Church. Be sure to grab Andy's brand new book - The Church After Innovation - out now. Get your copy on Amazon today along with all of Andy's other books. Special thanks to Baker Publishing for sponsoring our podcast.
The robots are coming for us all. Andy is worried it has the potential to take away the meaning from artistic expression and end the Age of Authenticity. Derek, on the other hand, uses it to enhance his sermons. Only time can tell who is right. Be sure to grab Andy's brand new book - The Church After Innovation - out now. Get your copy on Amazon today along with all of Andy's other books. Special…
Everyone talks about how "different" these times are for culture and for the Church. Andy doesn't think so. In fact, Andy doesn't think much has changed since the 1960s, and this insight has some big implications for ministry today. Be sure to grab Andy's brand new book - The Church After Innovation - out now. Get your copy on Amazon today along with all of Andy's other books. Special thanks to…
Andy doesn't think that you should say you're "proud of yourself". It's a throwaway phrase that we use all the time, but Andy thinks there's something more going on there. It turns out there's a lot in this simple phrase about how we see our lives, how we engage with church and spirituality, and how we get sucked into the toxic positivity of self help. Be sure to grab Andy's brand new book - The…
It's cold outside which makes it a perfect time for Andy's TV recommendations. This time Andy discusses a new show on HBO which leads to a larger conversation about how to embrace the uncontrollable. It turns out that sometimes trying to control everything squeezes the life out of us and our ministries. Be sure to grab Andy's brand new book - The Church After Innovation - out now. Get your copy on…
We're excited for another listener question episode - this time from Matthew Codd. Fundamentalism is rampant on both sides of modern politics, social media, and even the Church. Andy has thoughts on this and what it means for those of us in ministry. Be sure to grab Andy's brand new book - The Church After Innovation - out now. Get your copy on Amazon today along with all of Andy's other books.…
Andy has a big problem with saying "you're fine" after someone apologizes. And it all has to do with our culture's desire for singular uniqueness and the constant state of judging each other. It turns out this little phrase reveals big implications for the Church and our society. Be sure to grab Andy's brand new book - The Church After Innovation - out now. Get your copy on Amazon today along with…
This week Pastor Andrew Esqueda has a great question for the pod about the tension church leaders feel balancing relevance & resonance. Andy also has a *brand new book* - The Church After Innovation - out now. Get your copy on Amazon today along with all of Andy's other books. Special thanks to Baker Publishing for sponsoring our podcast.
Ministry is hard in a world of black-and-white divisive issues, political polarization, and different opinions. How can leaders make sense of it all? Andy thinks that Karl Barth might have some clues - especially when we take a step back to let "God be God". Special thanks to our sponsor Baker Publishing. New episodes drop every other week. Thanks for listening.
We're back with a new name, a new schedule, and a new sponsor! This week we're digging into the new name question with Andy. What does it mean when the Church "stops working"? Is that even possible? And what does that mean for those in ministry? Special thanks to our new sponsor Baker Publishing. New episodes drop every other week. Thanks for listening!
Andy's brand new book - Churches and the Crisis of Decline - is out now! Derek took some time to sit down with Andy to talk about the book, the real "crisis" the church is facing (hint - it's not decline), and the importance for church leaders to simply wait for God to act. Grab your copy of the book here - https://tinyurl.com/4pnbkdre www.newtimereligion.org www.twitter.com/newtimereligion…
Everyone loves Ted Lasso. But Andy thinks that this points to a bigger issue in our culture & church. When we're always trying to be positive and smooth, life becomes an exhausting performance where we hide our jagged edges. And this isn't always healthy, and it's definitely not the point of the Gospel. Andy's book The Congregation in a Secular Age is out now. Be sure to grab your copy today:…
We've talked about "resonance" a lot on the podcast, but what does it look like in the real world? This week Andy shares a personal story from a family trip to Hawaii featuring messy dolphins and finding beauty in the midst of it all. Andy's book The Congregation in a Secular Age is out now. Be sure to grab your copy today: https://tinyurl.com/yxu2mcx2 www.newtimereligion.org…
We're back from summer break with a new batch of episodes and it's....been....quite the year. There's a lot going on with the global COVID pandemic, political turmoil, issues of equality and justice, and more. And so to kick things off, Andy talks about the perspective thinkers like Taylor and Rosa can give us during historic times like these. Also - did you know that dogs tell time through smell?…
It's the middle of summer and who knows if we'll ever watch movies in the theater again. But...we DO have another episode of Andy's Movie Club featuring a movie that you can stream at-home and watch along with us! This time we're watching the Amazon original movie "Brad's Status" starring Ben Stiller. If you're old like us you'll love it and identify with Brad and his mid-life crisis. If you're…
We're excited to introduce Andy's Movie Club - a new type of episode that gives you the chance to stay inside on a screen. Because who hasn't been doing that lately!? Join us as we explore Hulu's new documentary WeWork and look at what insights it has for the Church and for building community. Andy's new book The Congregation in a Secular Age is out now. Be sure to grab your copy today:…
How does sin work in the Age of Authenticity? And why are both grace and sin eclipsed in a secular age? We dig into the listener mailbag this week to explore all that and more. Huge shout-out to Zoe for the great question this week. The Congregation in a Secular Age is out now. Be sure to grab your copy today: https://tinyurl.com/yxu2mcx2 And, as always, the listener hotline is still open. Give us…
The trilogy is complete. Andy's *brand new* book - the Congregation in a Secular Age - is out now. It's book #3 in his Secular Age trilogy and, unlike other third installments of trilogies, features no Ewoks whatsoever. Some of the themes are familiar to listeners of the pod, but we took a turn and got into some fascinating talk about ministry & the pandemic. The Congregation in a Secular Age is…
