The Naked Preacher Podcast

At this point in my vocational journey, I'm pretty sure that any preacher who tells you she or he never gets anxious is either A) Lying, or B) Not doing their job right. Honestly, I just think anxiety comes with the human experience. And that's good news, because it means it's something common to us all, and even though it can sometimes seem overwhelming, we can learn to manage it.

Losing someone is painful. Often, the best route through that pain is to talk about it. But what if you're a preacher? Is talking about the pain of grief ok? Is it "safe" to speak about the questions and frustrations of loss in front of those you serve--especially if you're the one who's supposed to be the "pillar of strength" who has all the answers? In Dr. Tony Cartledge's case,

I don't know where I'd be if God didn't call women to ministry. My life has been immeasurably impacted by women God has equipped to be pastors; their shepherding has helped guide me to the fulfillment and faith I enjoy today. Not everybody has had an experience like mine, however; some women, in fact, have been taught that it is against God's nature to call them for this sacred wor

Despite what many may think, ministry can be a physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing gig. If those who have dedicated their lives to caring for others aren't careful, they can forget the importance of caring for themselves, and something that used to give them life can quickly drain it. That's not a problem for Rev. Mike Womble, a good friend with whom I am blessed to serve

Sadly, traumatic events--such as abuse--are common in our society. And even more sadly, we rarely create spaces where victims of such trauma feel safe and welcome to share their experiences without shame. The result is that many walk around carrying burdens they didn't ask for and don't deserve, but they hold them and hide them because they're terrified of what might happen if they

Like any other group of people, it's unfair to paint preachers with a broad brush. Truth be told, we run the gamut from good to bad, helpful to hurtful, wise to flat-out weird, and we can sometimes seem stranger than fiction. Well, almost. That's where Clyde Edgerton comes in. Clyde is an acclaimed author, the writer of 10 novels and two autobiographical books. He's had his work ad

Race can be a frightening issue for preachers to tackle, especially in such polarized times as ours. Nevertheless, it's an important issue that demands attention if we are to create deeper understanding and equity in our society--not to mention a community that more accurately reflects the colorful Kingdom of God. So how do preachers talk about race? To help him explore the questio

Much like those who only show up at Christmas and Easter, it's been a while since you've heard from me, but the Naked Preacher Podcast is back! Season 2 is officially on the way, with new episodes dropping every two weeks starting Monday, April 26. To hear what's coming up, check out this quick teaser, and be sure to subscribe so new episodes will hit your feed soon!

This episode is a re-publish of the inaugural "Naked Preacher Podcast" show! I just had a great conversation yesterday with 16 colleagues in ministry which reminded me of the value of vulnerability. We all need one another in this life and, as humans, crave spaces where we can be our authentic selves. This podcast is dedicated to all those "people of the cloth" who help make their

Stop me if you’ve heard this one—a lawyer, a pastor, and a stand-up comic walk into a church… No? Then you’ve never heard of Susan Sparks, who is not only a lawyer, and not only a preacher, but also a bonafide comedian, and she’s joining me today to help me talk about the value of humor in ministry. It’s not always easy to pull off, and it requires some vulnerability, b