My Favorite Podcasts

With the technology available today it easier than ever to take your favorite speakers with you. Honestly, I listen to Podcasts more than music on my iPod. As a pastor it is easy to be so involved in church that sometimes you don’t get much out of it - don’t get me wrong, I do grow spiritually from our services, but sometimes it is good to just allow other leaders and ministries shape you.

So here is a list of the Podcasts on my iPod. Here are the rules I have imposed on my Podcast subscriptions…you have to keep my interested, the quality (both material and audio) must be good, and it must ‘move’ me. So as you read this list, you will see some surprising speakers listed - some I have theological disagreements with, but nevertheless (fyi - that’s the biggest word I’ve ever typed!) I listen to them. Here we go in no particular order…

Catalyst is an amazing conference that I’ve never been to, but their Podcast is incredible.

Ed Young - incredible! I love his Creative Pastors Podcast and his Ed Young Podcast.

Gregg Matte is the pastor of Houston’s First Baptist Church and founder of Breakaway - a ministry to college students at Texas A&M. Gregg became the pastor at HFBC at 33 and truly is incredible. Honestly this is the Podcast I listen to MOST! Love his heart and passion. He is playing on my drives home from the office A LOT!

Charles Stanley. Incredible. So steady, grounded. I really like him a lot. Plus he raised Andy Stanley - how could he not be incredible?

Craig Groeschel. LifeChurch is redefining how we all do church. You have to listen to him!

Mark Driscoll. Okay, there are some theological and stylistic bones I have with him, but his church is amazing. His heart for church planting and the city of Seattle is inspiring. He is an expository preacher and I enjoy seeing his thought process in Bible study.

Andy Stanley. You knew it was coming! He is THE leader that is shaping church culture more than anyone (in my humble opinion)!!! This guy pushes me like crazy. “Choosing to Cheat” changed my life and his simple process has changed the way I lead. A few personal observations on Andy - I think he uses the words “environment” and “leverage” more than anyone in history. I challenge you to listen to his talks a find one with out both of those words said several times. Seriously - ANDY HAS DONE SO MUCH. Many of us owe him so much! ANDY - CALL ME!!!

Chad Gilligan. Not a household name, but I guy I know personally and love to listen to. He pastorsCalvary Assembly of God in Toledo and is an incredible guy. Check him out!

Bill Hybels. Need I say more?

Louie Giglio. My hero! He is hands down the BEST speaker I’ve ever heard. I also hope my hair looks that good when it is gray - if I still have it. Louie is one of my biggest influences. He’s amazing!

And last but not least…

Stan Tharp at Christian Life Center. Sure I work there, but P. Stan is incredible. Since I get to work with him, I know his heart and ministry. I have grown so much in the past 4 years. It is a pleasure to lead our regional campus. Sometimes I’m even on this Podcast…love speaking weekends at CLC!

Well, that’s who I have. Anyone I missed?