The Pastor In Training Podcast w/ Jeffery White

A Systematic Theology of Love with Thomas Jay Oord

What if love wasn’t just one topic in theology—but the center of everything? In this episode, we sit down with theologian Thomas Jay Oord to discuss his new book A Systematic Theology of Love: God and Creation. Oord argues that if Christians truly believe “God is love,” then love should shape how we understand God, creation, evil, and the future. We talk about why love has rarely been the organizing principle of systematic theology, how Oord defines love as acting to promote the well-being of others, and why traditional ideas about divine power—especially omnipotence—often clash with a genuinely loving God. He also introduces his concept of amipotence, a vision of God’s power expressed through uncontrolling love. Along the way we explore big questions: • Why hasn’t theology centered love before? • Can a loving God coexist with suffering and evil? • What does “amipotence” mean for how we understand God’s power? • And what would change if love truly became the center of Christian theology? Whether you’re a theology nerd, a pastor, or someone rethinking faith, this conversation invites you to reconsider what it really means to say God is love

The Christ Hymn: A quick deep dive into Philippians Ch 2:1-11

In this short video I provide a brief exegetical look at the Christ Hymn in Philippians chapter 2 verses 1-11. We dive into the context, the language and the scholarly views and commentary on this passage.

Faith That Disrupts: A Conversation with Mark Sandlin on Progressive Christianity, Inclusion, and Deconstruction

What if being faithful means being disruptive? In this episode of The Pastor in Training Podcast, Jeffery White sits down with Mark Sandlin — Presbyterian minister, co-founder of The Christian Left, and President & Co-Executive Director of ProgressiveChristianity.org. Mark has spent years challenging toxic theology and championing a faith that is courageous, inclusive, and rooted in the teachings of Jesus. We dive deep into: ✅ The difference between following Jesus and following the religion built around him ✅ Deconstruction without losing faith ✅ LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church ✅ How progressive Christianity can move from ideas to real-world action ✅ The future of the American church If you’ve ever wrestled with faith, church, or what it means to follow Jesus today — this episode is for you. Follow Mark Sandlin: 📌 Facebook: facebook.com/marksandlin [https://facebook.com/marksandlin] 📌 TikTok: tiktok.com/@marksandlin 📌 Website: progressivechristianity.org [https://progressivechristianity.org] 📌 Newsletter & Blog: southernfriedheresy.com [https://southernfriedheresy.com] Follow The Pastor in Training Podcast: 🎥 TikTok & Instagram: @thepastorintraining 📌 Facebook: facebook.com/thepastorintraining [https://facebook.com/thepastorintraining] 🎙 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube so you never miss an episode!

Faith That Disrupts: A Conversation with Mark Sandlin on Progressive Christianity, Inclusion, and Deconstruction

What if being faithful means being disruptive? In this episode of The Pastor in Training Podcast, Jeffery White sits down with Mark Sandlin — Presbyterian minister, co-founder of The Christian Left, and President & Co-Executive Director of ProgressiveChristianity.org. Mark has spent years challenging toxic theology and championing a faith that is courageous, inclusive, and rooted in the teachings of Jesus. We dive deep into: ✅ The difference between following Jesus and following the religion built around him ✅ Deconstruction without losing faith ✅ LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church ✅ How progressive Christianity can move from ideas to real-world action ✅ The future of the American church If you’ve ever wrestled with faith, church, or what it means to follow Jesus today — this episode is for you. Follow Mark Sandlin: 📌 Facebook: facebook.com/marksandlin [https://facebook.com/marksandlin] 📌 TikTok: tiktok.com/@marksandlin 📌 Website: progressivechristianity.org [https://progressivechristianity.org] 📌 Newsletter & Blog: southernfriedheresy.com [https://southernfriedheresy.com] Follow The Pastor in Training Podcast: 🎥 TikTok & Instagram: @thepastorintraining 📌 Facebook: facebook.com/thepastorintraining [https://facebook.com/thepastorintraining] 🎙 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube so you never miss an episode!

Digital Ministry, Holy Disruption, and the Church Without Walls — with Rev. Anne Russ

What does it mean to be the church in a digital world? In this episode, Jeffery White sits down with Rev. Anne Russ — pastor, digital disrupter, and sacred agitator — to talk about the evolving landscape of ministry beyond the pulpit. From TikTok theology to online community care, Anne brings wisdom, wit, and a prophetic voice to the conversation. We cover: * How to build authentic spiritual community online * Why digital spaces are real ministry spaces * The tension between tradition and innovation * What pastors (and skeptics) need to know about faith in the algorithm age Whether you're in ministry, deconstructing, or just curious about what church looks like in 2025 — this conversation is for you. 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow @thepastorintraining for more real talk on faith, justice, and life beyond the steeple.