The Grimké Podcast
The Grimké Podcast is a production of Grimké Seminary and focuses on topics related to pastoral ministry, both contemporary and timeless. Episodes are aimed at men training to serve as pastors and church planters. The show connects theological education with the everyday work of the local church. It is hosted and produced by the seminary as part of its mission to equip faithful church leaders.
Episodes
The Vanishing Black Church w/ Delano Squires | Grimké Books Vol. III
In 1965, when one in four black children was born out of wedlock, it was called a national crisis. Today it's seven in ten, and the silence is deafening. So how did marriage become optional, and who will lead the way back? In Volume III of the Grimké Review of Books, Delano Squires of the Heritage Foundation joins the profs to discuss his new book, The Vanishing Black Family: why slavery couldn't
Dress Like a Man | S3 E2
The way you dress says something about you whether you like it or not. Scripture has a category for respectable apparel and a warning about the two ditches on either side of it, and yet a generation of Christians has been taught that clothes are neutral, that the Lord looks on the heart, and that any standard of dress is legalism with a pocket square. So does it really matter what you wear? This w
How to Handle Sheep, Goats, Wolves, and Hirelings | S3 E1
Scarcely one man in a dozen in the pulpit talks like a man. Spurgeon said that in the 1800s, and today the one who still does is the man everyone calls abusive. The Bible's dominant image for leading God's people isn't manager, life coach, or feel-good chaplain—it's shepherd, a kingly word for a man who leads, feeds, guards, and knows how to say no. So what does true shepherding actually look like
12 Organizational Steps You Must Take | S2 E20
Jonathan Edwards wasn't run off over his doctrine—he was run off because he mishandled one sensitive case. Botch organizational leadership and you can tank your church, get fired, and make a lot of people miserable on the way out, no matter how faithfully you pray, study, and preach. So what does faithful organizational leadership actually look like, and where do pastors most often get it wrong? F
Churchman: Afterthoughts | S2 E19
The Churchmen Conference is in the books, and the profs are ready to offer some afterthoughts. They unpack what happens when hundreds of men gather around Christ and his church, why you can't replace community with content, what the word "churchman" actually means, and why the church should be 101-level for biblical masculinity, not a graduate elective, and discuss the "tithe life" Christians who
8 Reasons to Go Back to Seminary | S2 E18
The internet is full of guys telling young men to skip seminary: it's too expensive, too soft, too outdated, and besides, AI can teach you everything now. The profs aren't buying it. In this episode they make the case for going to seminary, or going back, with eight reasons that reframe the whole debate around one idea: it was never about degrees, it's about divinity. Along the way: why Thomas Jef
Missional Revisited | S2 E17
Somewhere along the way, "missional" went from a rallying cry to a punchline, and a lot of young, theology-loving guys quietly stopped talking about reaching lost people at all. Fresh off the SBC and PCA conventions, the profs revisit the word everybody used in 2005, nobody trusts in 2025, and almost no one actually understands. Where did "missional" even come from (hint: not the conservatives)? H
Christ Over Eastern Orthodoxy & More w/ David Schrock | S2 E16
This week the guys sit down with David Schrock, pastor of Occoquan Bible Church in Northern Virginia and one of the leaders of Christ Over All, to trace his journey from a basketball-obsessed teenager to a pastor-theologian with a PhD on the priesthood and the extent of the atonement. Along the way they get into how COVID exposed the church's weakness on church and state, why the Christian nationa
Big Tent, Bitter Tent, Better Tent | S2 E15
A "big tent" sounds generous—who wouldn't want a church with room for everyone? But what happens when the tent gets so wide the walls fall down? This week the profs walk through the big tent that means well but drifts into compromise, the bitter tent that keeps adding rules until it shrinks to "us four and no more," and the better tent that holds a firm line on doctrine while prioritizing the actu
Don’t Be an Idiot: The Jews, Gays, Whites, Blacks, Trump, Bigfoot, and the Nephilim | S2 E14
Scripture calls Christians to be wise—not fools, and certainly not idiots. Yet too many believers get pulled off mission by every cultural firestorm, picking up half-baked opinions on homosexuality, race, the Jews, immigration, Trump and politics, even Bigfoot and the Nephilim, and end up reactionary, distracted, or downright unbecoming instead of faithful. This week, the profs walk through six fl
Stay Single or Get Married | S2 E13
From a wedding in Eden to the wedding of the Lamb, Scripture frames marriage as God’s normative gift for humanity. And yet U.S. marriage rates have collapsed from roughly 90% to under 50% in only a few generations while at the same time many churches have responded with warnings about “marriage idolatry." How should we think about singleness? When does delaying marriage become disobedience? And wh
How to Get Converted and Stay Converted | S2 E12
Jesus says that unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. True conversion is not a decision card or a raised hand but a comprehensive turning of the whole life to Christ. But what does genuine conversion look like, and how can the church recover a biblical vision of it? This week, the profs trace the history of conversion theology, expose the errors of decisionism and false con
Preaching Do’s, Don’ts, and How-To’s | S2 E11
Paul tells pastors to "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season." (2 Tim 4:2) But there is far more to preaching than meets the eye and on this episode of the Grimké Podcast the guys discuss what to do, what not to do, and how to preach faithfully for the glory of God and the good of the church.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming up...
(00:20) Intro
(5:51) Christ in the Old Testament
(10:18)
Readings in Nationalism for Christians | Grimké Books Vol.II
Christ is Lord of Lords and King of Kings—but is he Lord of America? China? The UK? Volume II of the Grimké Review of Books is your primer to the discussion surrounding Christian Nationalism. The profs discuss the biblical warrant for nationalism, our Reformed political heritage, reasons Christians are uncomfortable with Christian Nationalism, and many great books to get you started on your way to
How to Make Disciples | S2 E10
Before ascending into heaven, Jesus said, “Make disciples.” Faithful pastors must leave it all on the court for this people-making mission—working in the Spirit to help people follow and become more like Christ (Col 1:28–29). But how do you make a disciple? How does discipleship often go wrong in local churches? This week, the profs answer these questions and more.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up…
(
The Truth Game: The Only Game the Church Should Play | S2 E9
There’s only one game in town for Bible-believing pastors—the truth game. While faithful pastors happily reject pragmatism, relativism, standpoint epistemology, and the like, the modern world’s war on truth has devastating effects in the church. This week, the profs discuss the nature of objective truth and how pastors can stand as men of conviction.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up…
(00:32) What Is
Readings in Complementarity | Grimké Books Vol. I
In this inaugural episode of The Grimké Review of Books, we discuss a few important works foundational to our modern complementarian debates. Most notably, we engage with Gregg Allison’s recent book, Complementarity (2025), and Stephen B. Clark’s Man and Woman in Christ (1980).
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up…
(00:36) Loving Books through a Digital Revolution
Pt. I — Clark & The Precomplementrai
Ministry Goals for 2026 | S2 E8
It's 2026, and there’s certainly a lot going on in the world (with surely more to come). While there are many pressing theological issues to consider, the profs have put together 11 things that every pastor should work hard to accomplish this year.
Want to help us reach more pastors and churches? Be sure to Like 👍🏼 this episode and Subscribe 🔔 to the channel.
BROWSE ALL EPISODES OF THE GRIMKÉ PO
In the Mood for Love | S2 E7
Liberals pervert it. Conservatives won’t talk about it. It’s no surprise that many evangelicals can’t answer the question, “What is love?” This week, the profs discuss “feeling loved,” the relationship between God’s love and wrath, gospel-centered pitfalls, and much more.
Want to help us reach more pastors and churches? Be sure to Like 👍🏼 this episode and Subscribe 🔔 to the channel.
BROWSE ALL E
Third Way Wars: There Has to be a Better Way | S2 E6
Jesus isn't the happy medium between the culture's left/right impulses. “Third Way” thinking, while often well-intended, boasts a Christ constrained by the cultural moment and a gospel that seeks to appease everyone. This week, the profs discuss Third Way (ism), cultural postures, the Unconverted Right, the offense of the gospel, and much more — Welcome to the Third Way Wars.
Want to help us reac
Where Have All the Pastors Gone? Making Men for Ministry | S2 E5
How exactly do men get into ministry? Some churches operate as if pastors are manufactured, packaged, and shipped from seminaries, eager to answer their church’s latest job posting. This week, we discuss how faithful men are made for ministry, the challenges churches face in finding good help, and the pastor’s role in raising and training the next pastoral crop.
Want to help us reach more pastors
Finish Well: Don’t Tap Out! | S2 E4
No one accepts the call of the pastoral office thinking, “One day I’m going to tap out.” Every pastor wants to finish well, completing his ministry with joy, fruitfulness, and a lasting legacy. This week, the profs discuss the challenges of complacency, entitlement, drift, and more that lead to pastors failing to finish well.
Want to help us reach more pastors and churches? Be sure to Like 👍🏼 th
Who Appointed You? Ordination for Christian Ministry | S2 E3
What does it mean for a man to be “called” to the elder’s office? Who ordains men for ministry? What do you do when you feel called to pastoral ministry? This week, the profs answer these questions (and more) about ordination. Listen to our personal stories as well as the role the seminary plays in the process.
Want to help us reach more pastors and churches? Be sure to Like 👍🏼 this episode and S
Jesus Isn’t a Democrat or Republican—But He’s Always Right | S2 E2
Let’s settle this one for good—Is Jesus a Democrat or a Republican? Or—“How, then, shall we vote?” In these increasingly turbulent political times, Christians can’t afford to shy away from the question with platitudes. This week, the profs discuss the Reformed view of political engagement and whether or not one party is closer to the mark.
Want to help us reach more pastors and churches? Be sure t
Michael Foster: It’s Still Good to Be a Man | S2 E1
The Grimke Podcast is back for Season 2 with a special episode featuring Michael Foster, author of It’s Good to Be a Man and senior pastor of East River Church in Batavia, OH. Profs Joe Holland and Bryan Laughlin interview Pastor Michael on hope for churches and young men amid the decades-long war on masculinity.
Want to help us reach more pastors and churches? Be sure to Like 👍🏼 this episode and
Mercy and the Church with Mez McConnell | BONUS
During the final panel at Christianity Tomorrow, Bryan Laughlin, Joe Holland, and Dr. Doug Logan Jr. sat down with Mez McConnell to talk about service to the poor. We discussed the Reformed church’s (often) tenuous relationship with the poor, as well as with the good, the bad, and the ugly of local church mercy ministries. (Discussed on July 30, 2025)
WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.
https://youtu.be
Preacher Talk with H. B. Charles Jr. | BONUS
It was a joy to chat with the legendary H. B. Charles Jr. on the subject of preaching and preachers. In this panel, Dr. Charles, along with profs Holland, Logan, and Laughlin, discussed the significance of preaching in a man's life, sermon prep, and how to get the most out of sitting under sound preaching. (Discussed on July 29, 2025)
WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.
https://youtu.be/PNxBWFTLp3g/
W
The Christianity Tomorrow Panel | BONUS
On the first evening of our men’s conference, Christianity Tomorrow, Joe Holland, Dr. Doug Logan Jr., Steve Robinson, and Bryan Laughlin discuss what churches and churchmen can and must do to face the challenges that will confront our compromised society. (Discussed on July 28, 2025)
WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.
https://youtu.be/FYR7T5GbHFY/
WATCH ALL CONFERENCE TALKS.
https://www.youtube.com
Rare Calvinism: What It Is and Why It’s Good | S1 E24
SEASON 1 FINALE — Listen to the end for more info on SEASON 2 // Are Calvinists just stogie-smoking, know-it-alls? Is Reformed Theology only about Predestination and the Doctrines of Grace? This week, the profs champion the view of Calvinism that once brought about great unity, mission, and order to the Protestant world. Along the way, they critique six common Calvinist stereotypes.
CHAPTERS.
(00
Tilly Dillehay & Abigail Dodds: It’s Good to Be a Woman | S1 E23
Tilly Dillehay and Abigail Dodds (both authors and co-hosts of the Home Fires podcast) join us to talk about ministering to women in the local church. Together, we highlight the need to look to and learn from older women (Titus 2), as well as the challenges women face in marriage and at various life stages. Want to support the podcast? Be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with the ladies in yo
The Right Hills to Die On: The Use and Misuse of Theological Triage | S1 E22
In 2005, Dr. Albert Mohler coined the term “theological triage”—an old idea of prioritizing doctrine into primary issues, secondary issues, etc. A more recent example is found in Dr. Gavin Ortlund's book, Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage (Crossway, 2020). This week, the profs discuss the (often) emotional and uncritical misappropriations of theological triage in C
What AI CAN’T Do for Your Ministry | S1 E21
While AI may be a fantastic tool for many things, Christians cannot afford to adopt it uncritically. This week, the profs discuss human nature and the obvious (and not-so-obvious) dangers of the AI revolution.
FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION.
✦ Check out Dr. Doug Ponder's Sermon on Using AI Biblically:
✦ https://youtu.be/iMqjNvkoma8
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up...
(00:34) AI Can't Rap
(03:11) AI Can
No Women Pastors: The SBC’S Future Depends on It | S1 E20
The “Baptist Faith & Message 2000”—the unified statement of faith for Southern Baptists (SBC)—is clear: “No Women Pastors.” So, why are Southern Baptists at a loss to stem the egalitarian tide? This week, the profs discuss the aftermath of the SBC’s latest meeting in Dallas, TX (June 10–11, 2025) and the failure of the Law-Sanchez Amendment. The profs offer insight into the underlying causes o
Arrested Development in the Church | S1 E19
Any half-hearted New Testament reader learns that Christians ought to expect to grow and mature throughout life. However, many churches are in a state of arrested development—they continually reinforce environments that keep folks dumb, busy, and morally stunted. This week, the profs discuss factors contributing to our dearth of spiritual formation along with helpful remedies to encourage Christia
God’s Law Is Good for Everyone | S1 E18
Conversations about the relationship of law and gospel are as old as the church. The Reformed tradition has always championed that pastors must know, love, and utilize God’s law in their preaching and teaching. This week, the profs discuss natural law, the recent “moral clap-back” of our culture, the necessary link between law and gospel, and the intrinsic goodness of “the perfect law of liberty”
The New Pragmatism | S1 E17
Seasons change, but the temptation to chase “what works” in ministry is alive and well. This week, we aim to trace the history of pragmatism in the modern church to help pastors avoid today’s common pitfalls.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up...
(00:52) What is Pragmatism, Really?
(10:36) Christianity Tomorrow Men’s Conference Promo
(11:21) Satellite Campuses and Pastors on Screens
(14:55) Proto: Alt
Lexical Babel: Why Words Matter | S1 E16
You don't have to be a language geek to realize how important words are to everyday life, especially inside the church. This week, the profs discuss the worldview battle over words and who controls the dictionary. In the second half, they model how pastors ought to carefully use and/or critique sneaky words that are common in the church today.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up...
(00:46) Introductio
40 Years of Pastoral Ministry & Leadership with Dr. Ray Evans | S1 E15
Dr. Ray Evans has faithfully pastored for forty years in Bedford, UK. Dr. Evans is a recognized expert in leadership and how churches grow, now offering counsel to countless pastors through the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC). This week, Professor Bryan Laughlin and Dean Steve Robinson chat with Dr. Evans over coffee about his fascinating story of life and ministry.
SKIP AH
Revitalization for Every Church | S1 E14
What does it take to see a church filled with new life? This week, the profs meet in Liverpool, UK, to talk about church revitalization. We discuss how to assess church culture, handle conflict, build new (and dismantle existing) church programs and practices, and more.
Want to help us reach more pastors and churches? Be sure to Like 👍🏼 this episode and Subscribe 🔔 to the channel.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:
How a Church Becomes Egalitarian | S1 E13
We’re often surprised when confessionally complementarian pastors change their minds about women in the pastorate. However, major theological shifts happen over time following long periods of cultural slide. This week, the profs discuss how to spot the warning signs and strengthen your church’s defenses against egalitarianism (evangelical feminism).
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up...
(00:52) Introd
Overcoming the Church’s Decline in the UK | S1 E12
This week, Professors Laughlin and Ponder discuss the realities of pastoral ministry in the UK with Steve Robinson, Dean of Grimké Europe. Despite declining church attendance and cultural influence in the UK, many churches continue to reach men and women with the gospel. How do they do it? Together, we explore new missional strategies, cultural assumptions, and partnerships.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Co
Loving and Serving Your Church with Steve Robinson | BONUS
Ordinary servants in your church play a crucial role in helping people experience the love of Jesus. In this bonus conversation, Chancellor Laughlin speaks with Steve Robinson—Dean of Grimké Europe—to discuss Steve’s latest book, “Serve: Loving Your Church with Your Heart, Time, and Gifts.” The book is part of the “Love Your Church“ Series, based on a book of the same name by our very own Dr. Tony
The Liverpool Church Planting Movement with Steve Robinson | S1 E11
Steve Robinson is Dean of Grimké Europe and Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church in Liverpool, UK. In this episode, Professor Laughlin interviews Steve Robinson about his life as a cop, an international evangelist, and a church planter in Liverpool.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up...
(00:29) Introduction
(01:10) A Cop Turned Evangelist
(05:32) Steve’s Theological Awakening
(09:26) Liverpool’s Need f
Leadership and Emotional Sabotage with Dr. Joe Rigney | S1 E10
This week, we’re talking with Dr. Joe Rigney about his book, Leadership and Emotional Sabotage. In this extended interview, we discuss Edwin Friedman, the Empathy Wars, building resilient families and elder teams, the recent cultural “Vibe Shift,” and more. Dr. Rigney is Fellow of Theology at New Saint Andrews College and Associate Pastor of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho.
READ OUR BOOK REVIEWS.
The Coddling of the American Church | S1 E9
Playing off of the bestseller "The Coddling of the American Mind" (Lukianoff & Haidt, 2018), the profs talk about the dangers and symptoms of coddling in the church—excessive concern for the safety of others that keep them from dealing with the truth of God's word.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up...
(00:49) Introduction: What Is Coddling?
(06:08) Fragility: Safetyism In the Church
(21:40) Stop
Reflections on the Ongoing Life and Ministry of Dr. John Piper | S1 E8
Pastor John Piper has impacted millions of evangelicals throughout his ministry. This week, the profs reflect on Dr. Piper's contributions to the church, discussing his written works, preaching, and undeniable love of God's word.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up...
(00:39) John Piper: Remember Your Leaders
(02:50) Dr. Ponder: “Don’t Waste Your Life”
(07:29) Prof. Laughlin: Desiring God and Christian
Can the Church Talk about Politics? | S1 E7
In a recently published article—“Can the Church Talk about Politics?”—Prof. Bryan Laughlin and Dr. Doug Ponder explain how and why the church can and must talk about politics. In this episode, the profs discuss how to think properly about the nature of politics, the role of the state, and common errors and objections made by modern evangelicals.
READ THE ARTICLE ON SOLA ECCLESIA.
https://solaeccl
What They Won’t Tell Pastors | S1 E6
With plenty of “What they didn't teach me in seminary” videos floating around, is it possible we’re still missing several big issues? We think so. This week, the profs discuss wielding biblical authority in the church, building a healthy elder culture, and suffering well.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up...
(00:40) Give100 to The Grimké Foundation
(01:19) Introduction: What’s Missing from “What They
Becoming a Preacher with Matt Cohen | BONUS
Matt Cohen sits down with Joe Holland to discuss his journey from elite gymnastics to becoming a preacher and pastor. In this interview, Profs Cohen and Holland explore the great need for postgraduate studies in preaching and Grimké’s vision for training gospel preachers for the church. Matt Cohen is Dean of the Center for Christ-Centered Preaching at Grimké Seminary and the Lead Pastor at Citylig
Leadership in an Anti-Christian Age | S1 E5
Like the men of Issachar, wise pastors should understand the times and know what the people of God should do (1 Chr. 12:32). This week, the profs highlight the acids of our anti-Christian age, offering critical wisdom for pastors to navigate it.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up...
(00:42) Introductions
(01:34) Men of Issachar and Our Anti-Christian Age
(03:36) I. Understanding the Times
(05:05) —The
The Grimké Effect in Your Church with Justin Honaker | BONUS
Listen in as Prof Holland interviews Grimké graduate Justin Honaker (MTS, 2021)—a former coal miner and pharmacist turned pastor. Pastor Honaker talks about his journey to pastoral ministry, life in the mountains, and how Grimké has shaped his church and relationships with other men in ministry. Justin Honaker is the Lead Pastor of Lebanon Community Fellowship in Lebanon, VA, and the Fraternity Di
The Man-Centered Problem in the Gospel-Centered Movement | S1 E4
With the best intentions, the Gospel-Centered Movement attempted to refocus churches on the primacy and centrality of the gospel in all of life. This week, the profs discuss the movement’s benefits and unintended man-fearing, sin-minimizing effects.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up...
(00:53) Introduction: Gospel Centrality
(04:15) Correctives for Evangelicalism
(08:21) The Gospel-Centered Movement
Pastoral Training in the UK with Dr. Andrew Newell | BONUS
Enjoy this dialogue with Dr. Andrew J. Newell, Professor of Historical Theology and Culture at both Grimké Europe and Grimké Seminary. Dr. Newell explains the historical challenges of training ministers in the UK and the growing distrust of public institutions with Prof. Laughlin and Dr. Ponder.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up...
(00:38) Intro: Who Can Train Pastors?
(06:21) Theological Education t
Seminary Is for Men | S1 E3
In this episode, the profs discuss the church's role in training pastors in distinctly masculine ways and spaces.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up...
(00:39) Introduction
(01:48) Pastors Train Pastors
(05:06) Edgy or Biblical?
(17:21) Institutions & Instructors Fit for the Task
(25:22) Seminaries Aren't for Anakin Skywalkers
(32:23) Mature Practitioners
(36:46) Pastoring Is Inherently Masculine
A Crisis in Pastoral Ministry | S1 E2
It’s no surprise—many pastors aren’t doing well. In fact, many don’t even know what a pastor is or who he must be. In this episode, the profs consider the scourge of pragmatism and professionalism on the ministry as well as biblical solutions to our current crisis.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up...
(00:37) Introduction
(02:20) “As the Ministry Doth Rise and Fall”
(06:10) Reasons Pastors Leave the
How We Got Here: Church Planting Then and Now | S1 E1
In this episode, the profs reflect on their experiences from the church planting explosion of the early 2000s. As church planters, they consider its beginning, biblical framework, failures, and hope for its future. The Grimké Podcast is hosted by Joe Holland, featuring Bryan Laughlin, with Doug Logan Jr., and Doug Ponder.
SKIP AHEAD.
(00:00) Coming Up...
(00:32) Introduction
(02:15) Dr. Logan’s C
