Passing The Pulpit

This Christmas, we’re exploring the spiritual rhythm of returning to the manger year after year. Like the shepherds, the Magi, and generations of faithful believers, we are invited to make an annual pilgrimage—not just to a place, but into the story of Jesus’ birth, His humility, and God’s faithfulness.

In this episode, we reflect on how these yearly journeys shape our faith: they help us remember God’s promises, reflect on His work in our lives, and build trust that carries us through the year. We’ll discuss how pilgrimage—whether literal or spiritual—connects us to God, to our communities, and to the generations of believers who have gone before us.

In this episode of Passing the Pulpit, host Matt Redder sits down with Jason McMullen, an experienced Executive Pastor, to unpack what it really looks like to serve in one of the most pivotal — yet often misunderstood — roles in the church.

Together, they discuss the unique calling of the Executive Pastor, what the journey into this kind of ministry can look like, and the balance between spiritual leadership and organizational oversight. You’ll hear practical wisdom on leading teams, partnering with the Lead Pastor, navigating challenges, and staying grounded in faith while managing the complex realities of church life.

Whether you’re currently serving in ministry, exploring your calling, or simply curious about what makes the church thrive behind the scenes, this conversation offers insight, encouragement, and direction for the road ahead.

AI is shaping our world faster than most of us can keep up with—but what does it mean for the Church, for ministry, and for everyday faith? In this episode, The Intersection of Faith and AI, we sit down with Kai, a former pastor turned Senior Research Analyst at Brotherhood Mutual, who now helps organizations navigate the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence.

Kai's mission is to make AI accessible to everyone. After a decade in ministry and nonprofit communications, Kai joined Brotherhood Mutual in 2020, where he now works as a Senior Research Analyst in the Research & Development Department. There, he has guided his company through responsible AI adoption by creating policies, discovering use cases, and facilitating safe environments for experimentation.

In addition to his corporate work, Kai collaborates with AI in FW, a local group fostering conversation and discernment around AI in northeast Indiana. He also advises organizations on how to approach AI in ways that serve their mission, rather than distracting from it. Kai lives in Fort Wayne with his wife and their three elementary-aged kids. 

Ronn Read has spent decades pastoring in diverse contexts across multiple states, faithfully leading through seasons of change and challenge. Along the way, he has gathered a wealth of hard-earned wisdom—wisdom he generously shares with us in today’s conversation. In this episode, Ronn offers stories, insights, and encouragement that will inspire both leaders and congregations alike.

What happens when your calling takes you somewhere unexpected? For years, pastoral ministry was the center of life — preaching, shepherding, leading God’s people. But then comes a shift… into secular/marketplace leadership.

How do you hold on to your identity when your role changes? How do you carry your sense of purpose into a new world, a new culture, a new mission field?

In this episode, we’re joined again by Johnny Levy talking about faith, calling, and the surprising ways God shows up — even outside the church walls."

My guest today - Johnny Levy is a CEO, Author, Poet, Connector, Dreamer. He creates communities of authentic connection for mutual progress and writes about his passions: Superpowers, Faith, Identity, Creativity, Human Stories.

In this episode, we sit down with a local pastor who made a bold move — transitioning from leading a large traditional church to creating a business-on-mission model that’s been thriving for over fifteen years. He now runs a vibrant coffee house that serves the community throughout the week and transforms into a church on Sundays.

We dive into his incredible journey of blessing the community, building relationships, and hosting events that bring people together. He shares practical insights on what it looks like to integrate faith and business, foster authentic connections, and create spaces where people experience God’s love outside the walls of a traditional church.

Whether you’re a pastor, church planter, entrepreneur, or someone passionate about community impact, this conversation will inspire you to think creatively about ministry in today’s culture.

Can a machine capture divine inspiration, or is that uniquely human?

In this thought-provoking conversation, pastor and pioneering CEO Johnny Levy shares how artificial intelligence is reshaping creativity, identity, and the future of ministry. Together, we explore the promises and pitfalls of AI in sermon writing, leadership, and spiritual formation.

From AI-generated storytelling to the irreplaceable role of the Holy Spirit, we wrestle with questions every ministry leader is facing: Where does technology help, and where does it hinder? Along the way, Johnny offers practical insights on using AI as a tool without losing sight of authenticity, resilience, and the sacred calling of the pastor.

Tune in to discover how faith and technology can work in harmony, and why the heart of ministry still beats strongest through human connection and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

(00:02) Exploring AI Impact in Ministry
(13:01) AI vs Holy Spirit in Sermons
(25:04) Navigating Use of AI in Ministry
(28:46) Navigating AI Tools in Ministry
(37:31) AI vs Human Connection in Ministry

Coming Soon!!

Ever wonder how seasoned pastors navigate ministry's toughest challenges? Passing the Pulpit brings generations together for insightful, encouraging conversations where veteran leaders mentor emerging ones on life, faith, and shepherding God's people. Each episode mixes hard-won wisdom with youthful enthusiasm, covering everything from church planting and powerful preaching to conflict resolution and soul care—complete with stories of triumphs and hilarious missteps.