When Church Stops Working featuring Andrew Root

Feb 03 2025 53 ep. 20 mins 89
When Church Stops Working featuring Andrew Root Podcast artwork

When Church Stops Working featuring Dr. Andrew Root. A ministry podcast for the Secular Age.

  Religion & Spirituality
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The Election that Ended the Century

Feb 03 2025 21 mins  
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.

Are We In a Bonhoeffer Moment?

Oct 28 2024 19 mins  
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.

Preachers vs. Peloton

Aug 14 2024 20 mins  
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.

The Theological Turn in Children's Ministry

Jun 06 2024 16 mins  
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.

Wagering Can't Win Happiness

Apr 29 2024 19 mins  
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.

F*** Isn't F*** Anymore

Mar 21 2024 25 mins  
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

Existential Problems in YouTube Kids

Mar 07 2024 12 mins  
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 Ama

Papering Over God

Feb 14 2024 21 mins  
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 boo

If Aliens Are Real

Aug 14 2023 23 mins  
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.

Mission Statements or Watch Words

Jun 07 2023 23 mins  
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.