Episodes

  • The Ethics of the Creation Order: Why Gender Matters | Ep. 231

    The Ethics of the Creation Order: Why Gender Matters | Ep. 231
    Feb 21 2025

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Foundation—God’s Design in Creation

    Genesis 1:27 – “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

    • Gender is not a social construct, but a divine ordinance established at creation.
    • Genesis 2 highlights the intentionality in the creation of male and female, reflecting God’s image in a complementary way.
    • Marriage (Genesis 2:24) is designed to reflect Christ’s relationship with the Church (Ephesians 5:22-33).

    Discussion Question:How does this divine design inform the institution of marriage?

    2. The Fall and the Distortion of Gender Roles

    Genesis 3:16 – The consequences of sin led to a distortion of gender roles, leading to dysfunction in relationships.

    • The Fall introduced brokenness into gender dynamics—struggles for control, passivity, and domination.
    • Instead of complementing each other, men and women often experience conflict in their roles.

    Discussion Question:How does Jesus redeem and restore gender roles?

    Answer: The Gospel restores what was lost! In Christ:

    • Men and women find their true identity in alignment with God’s will.
    • Ephesians 5:22-33 calls husbands to love sacrificially and wives to respect—not about hierarchy, but servanthood and love.

    3. Cultural Challenges and the Church’s Response

    • Today’s culture views gender as fluid and self-defined, often detached from biblical truth.
    • The Church must stand firm on biblical gender identity while engaging with compassion.

    Practical Ways to Uphold Biblical Gender Roles:

    1. Teach & Model biblical marriage in homes and churches.
    2. Support & Disciple men and women in their God-given roles.
    3. Speak Truth in Love—grace-filled cultural engagement.
    4. Pray for a revival of biblical truth in our world.

    Closing Encouragement

    Q: What encouragement would you offer to those struggling with gender identity?
    A: God’s design is good and for our joy. If you’re struggling:

    • Seek God’s truth in His Word.
    • Connect with a biblical community.
    • Trust Christ’s power to restore what is broken.

    Final Thoughts & Call to Action

    Loved this episode? Don’t forget to:
    Subscribe to the Chasing Elephants Podcast
    Share this episode with others
    Continue standing on God’s truth with grace and love

    Until next time, keep seeking biblical wisdom in a culture full of shifting perspectives. God bless!
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    39 mins
  • The Four Loves to Christian Leadership | Ep. 230

    The Four Loves to Christian Leadership | Ep. 230
    Feb 14 2025
    Key Discussion PointsC.S. Lewis’s The Four Loves: A Brief OverviewC.S. Lewis’s classic book The Four Loves breaks down the four distinct forms of love that humans experience. Each love, while good, requires God’s divine love (Agape) to be fully redeemed and effective.Affection (Storge) – The love that naturally develops in families and close communities.Friendship (Philia) – The deep bond of trust and companionship between people with shared interests.Romantic Love (Eros) – The passionate love that moves individuals toward deep commitment.Charity (Agape) – The selfless, sacrificial love that reflects Christ’s love for humanity.In this episode, we apply these loves to leadership and examine how Christian leaders can integrate them into their ministries, teams, and organizations.The Four Loves in Christian Leadership1. Affection (Storge) – Cultivating a Caring CommunityWhat It Means:Storge is the love of familiarity, warmth, and deep-rooted connection. It is seen in family relationships and close-knit communities.Leadership Application:Foster a culture of care and belonging in leadership teams and congregations.Ensure people feel valued beyond their roles or contributions.Beware of pitfalls like favoritism or complacency.Practical Takeaway:Develop mentorship and pastoral care strategies.Make time for personal connections and genuine encouragement.Lead with empathy and presence, ensuring your team feels seen and supported.2. Friendship (Philia) – The Power of Brotherhood and Sisterhood in LeadershipWhat It Means:Philia is the love of deep friendship and shared purpose. It is not based on obligation but on mutual respect and commitment to a common mission.Leadership Application:Cultivate strong, trusting relationships with fellow leaders.Emphasize team-based leadership over top-down authority.Guard against exclusivity or favoritism that could hinder inclusivity.Practical Takeaway:Build a healthy leadership community that encourages accountability.Develop peer mentorship and co-leadership models.Foster an atmosphere of encouragement and collaboration.3. Romantic Love (Eros) – Passion and Devotion to a CallingWhat It Means:Eros, in leadership, is not merely romantic love but also represents a deep passion for one’s calling. Passionate leaders inspire, but they must guard against self-centered ambition.Leadership Application:Lead with passion and conviction while staying humble.Avoid letting ambition override the needs of people.Ensure passion is fueled by Agape (selfless love) rather than personal success.Practical Takeaway:Regularly evaluate motivations to ensure they align with God’s calling.Maintain accountability with fellow leaders.Stay rooted in service over self-promotion.4. Charity (Agape) – The Ultimate Model of Servant LeadershipWhat It Means:Agape is the selfless, sacrificial love that mirrors Christ’s love for humanity. It is the highest form of love and the foundation for true servant leadership.Leadership Application:Make decisions that prioritize people over power.Lead with humility, grace, and a heart for service.Recognize that Agape often requires sacrifice but yields eternal impact.Practical Takeaway:Adopt a servant leadership mindset, following Jesus’s example.Make leadership about equipping and empowering others.Seek to love without expectation, embodying the heart of Christ.Closing Thoughts: Leading with LoveA Christ-centered leader embodies all four loves in leadership:1. Storge (Affection) → Cultivating a family-like community.2. Philia (Friendship) → Building deep, trusting relationships.3. Eros (Passion) → Leading with inspiration and conviction.4. Agape (Charity) → Serving with unconditional love.By applying these principles, Christian leaders reflect the love of Christ and create thriving, impactful ministries.Reflective Questions for ListenersWhich of the four loves is most challenging for you as a leader? Why?How can leaders balance passion (Eros) for their mission without becoming consumed by personal ambition?What are practical ways Christian leaders can cultivate Agape in their leadership today?Join the Conversation!We’d love to hear your thoughts! Connect with us on social media and share how you apply The Four Loves in your leadership journey.Follow & Subscribe for more episodes on faith, leadership, and life!Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.#ChasingElephantsPodcast #Leadership #C.S. Lewis #TheFourLoves #ChristianLeadership
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    1 hr
  • A Candid Conversation with Dr. Robert Smith | Ep. 229

    A Candid Conversation with Dr. Robert Smith | Ep. 229
    Feb 7 2025

    Dr. Smith, author of the acclaimed Doctrine That Dances, shares wisdom that bridges the past and present, offering a powerful perspective on how history informs faith and how the church can inspire the future. Haven’t read Doctrine That Dances yet? Trust us—this book is a game-changer.

    Tune in for an enlightening conversation that promises to educate, inspire, and challenge listeners to celebrate history while looking forward with hope.

    Show Notes

    • Featured Guest: Dr. Robert Smith – Professor, scholar, theologian, and author ofDoctrine That Dances
    • Topics Discussed:
      • The origins and importance of Black History Month
      • The enduring legacy of the Black church
      • Challenges and opportunities facing the Black church today
    • Recommended Reading:Doctrine That Dances by Dr. Robert Smith
    • Follow Us: Stay connected with us on @slulead and subscribe to the podcast for more inspiring episodes.
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    29 mins
  • 'Voices from the Trenches (Part 2) | Ep.228

    'Voices from the Trenches (Part 2) | Ep.228
    Jan 31 2025

    In this special two-part series, Jeff dives deep into the heart of student ministry with three dynamic and seasoned youth pastors who are on the frontlines every day. Together, they unpack the trends, challenges, and real-time issues shaping the landscape of ministry in today’s world.

    Meet the Guests:

    Tim Wadsworth: Director of Student Ministries at North Hills Church, Greenville, SC.

    Jason Stanland: Middle School Pastor at Fruitcove Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL.

    Bryan Howell: High School Pastor at Hunter Street Baptist Church, Hoover, AL.

    With over 40 years of combined experience, these leaders share their invaluable insights, offering wisdom, encouragement, and practical tools for anyone passionate about student ministry.Part Two: Parental Engagement

    Discussion Focus:

    • The vital role parents play in the spiritual formation of their teenagers.
    • Strategies for equipping, encouraging, and partnering with parents in ministry.
    • Real-life examples of bridging the gap between the church and home.

    Don’t miss this candid and insightful conversation with leaders who truly understand the trenches of student ministry. Whether you’re a youth pastor, volunteer, parent, or church leader, this episode will challenge and inspire you to navigate the ever-evolving world of student ministry with clarity and confidence.

    Listen now and join the conversation!
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    20 mins
  • Voices from the Trenches (Part 1) | Ep.227

    Voices from the Trenches (Part 1) | Ep.227
    Jan 24 2025

    In this special two-part series, Jeff dives deep into the heart of student ministry with three dynamic and seasoned youth pastors who are on the frontlines every day. Together, they unpack the trends, challenges, and real-time issues shaping the landscape of ministry in today’s world.

    Meet the Guests:

    • Tim Wadsworth: Director of Student Ministries at North Hills Church, Greenville, SC.
    • Jason Stanland: Middle School Pastor at Fruitcove Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL.
    • Bryan Howell: High School Pastor at Hunter Street Baptist Church, Hoover, AL.

    With over 40 years of combined experience, these leaders share their invaluable insights, offering wisdom, encouragement, and practical tools for anyone passionate about student ministry.

    Show Notes:

    Part One: Trends & Challenges
    Discussion Focus:

    • Exploring current cultural ideologies and perspectives influencing students today.
    • Unpacking the mindsets shaping how students engage with faith, community, and their world.
    • How these trends impact ministry strategies, programming, and effectiveness.
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    35 mins
  • Dream like the King | Ep.226

    Dream like the King | Ep.226
    Jan 17 2025
    Dr. Jeff Wallace and Dr. Brent Crowe break down leadership principles exemplified in the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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    31 mins
  • Reaching the Next Generation (feat. Shane Pruitt) - Ep. 225

    Reaching the Next Generation (feat. Shane Pruitt) - Ep. 225
    Jan 10 2025
    Tune into a conversation with none other than Shane Pruitt and Jeff Wallace about the current state of Youth Ministry.
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    37 mins
  • New Year's Resolution? - Ep.224

    New Year's Resolution? - Ep.224
    Jan 3 2025
    Make New Years resolutions that don't just stick but that maximize your impact for the glory of God. Don't be one of the 80% that fail on their resolutions by mid-January. Tune in as Brent & Jeff discuss a framework to setting goals through making margin, creating rhythms and serving with impact.
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    23 mins