Man-Crushing Tuesday or, When Jason Micheli and Teer Hardy Flip the Script on Me

One of these days I will interview my daughters for the pathological podcast. What would garner more listens than to hear two PK’s talk about life in the fishbowl?

The risk in such a venture would be overexposure. Think about it. Some of my friends would learn more about me than with what I would be comfortable. What if it went viral? Perish the thought!

Before We Go That Far

Here is a test run of what that might look like were I to interview Kimberly and Tommie. Jason Micheli and Teer Hardy, of Crackers and Grape Juice fame, interview me. I confess to never having been talked to like Jason talks to me in this podcast. You will have to listen to find out just what that means! I will give you a hint. You will understand the title of this post better.

For sometime I have been pounding the keyboard insisting that readers here consider regularly reading Jason’s blog. There are a number of reasons. Here are two: 1) he is a gifted, thoughtful writer who knows how to use sarcasm, and 2) his context is different than my own.

Tear described the conversation this way,

On his podcast, Patheological, Todd infuses the roll of the pastor with actual theology.  That’s right, pastors in addition to preaching, pot-luck blessings, and hosptial visits are called to be theologians also.  Maybe not a theologian in the academic sense but more of a practical theologian.

Stretch Yourself

Three days a week my daughters and I make our way over to a small clubhouse where we stretch our bodies with a group of people hoping to stay in shape. Most who frequent regular gyms would think we are taking the easy route. Not so. At this writing, having worked out regularly for almost 2 years, I still find days where I wonder, “Why am I so sore?!”

One of the ways a pastor works at the goal of being a pastor-theologian is stretching. Reading inside what you already know, from people you already agree with, and from the approved sources of your particular tribe, denomination, or theological perspective only serves to reinforce what you have already decided. It keeps you in a constant feedback loop or living in a theological echo chamber.

So, in this podcast I am interview by two United Methodist ministers. And we have a great conversation covering a number of subjects, mostly personal. That is, the content is a small window into  my own personal faith journey as a pastor interested in theology and fulfilling my vocation beyond the pragmatics of ministry.

Virtual Yet Incarnational

Recently an article highlighted the ways young people harm their futures with social media posts. There are plenty of illustrations. But, there are other times where you meet people you wish lived across town rather than across the Country.

Jason described this well,

I first ‘met’ Todd when he reached out to me during my struggle with cancer to give me encouragement and to thank me for my blog. God and, I suppose, the internet work in mysterious ways, for I’ve never met Todd in the flesh but I count him a friend in a way that strikes me as thoroughly incarnational.

The feelings are mutual. And there you have it, man-crush Tuesday.

If you find the podcast helpful, share it with your friends. Share it with your pastor friends as well as folks you know involved in leadership that touches on the pastoral. Also, consider heading over to iTunes, login, search for patheological and give us a five star rating and a kind review.

About the Author
Husband to Patty. Daddy to Kimberly and Tommie. Grandpa Doc to Cohen, Max, Fox, and Marlee. Pastor to Snow Hill Baptist Church. Graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reading. Photography. Golf. Colorado. Jeeping. Friend. The views and opinions expressed here are my own and should not be construed as representing the corporate views of the church I pastor.

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