We recently had the immense pleasure of hosting an insightful interview with the Reverend Dr. Casey Sigmund, a dynamic leader whose work is reigniting passion in ministry. Dr. Sigmund currently serves at St. Paul's School of Theology and is the visionary behind the Pause Play Center for Preachers. The conversation explored various aspects of preaching, including creative approaches, the importance of presence and energy, and the evolution of preaching in the digital age, with participants sharing personal experiences and insights about sermon preparation and delivery. 

Don't miss our latest conversation with Reverend Joe Graves, a United Methodist pastor and church planter! Joe shares his incredibly personal and practical experiences, diving into: ⛪️ His journey as part of a clergy couple and the realities of balancing leadership and family life in ministry. 🤝 The vital, but often complicated, relationship between parent churches and their plants, and why mutual support is non-negotiable.

The Bearded Theologians were honored to host Chris Wilterdink who is the Executive Director, Congregational Vitality & Intentional Discipleship; Director, Young People’s Ministries for The United Methodist Church. We explored a few things about discipleship. Plus, learn about resources for young people at UMCYoungpeople.org. Connect with the Bearded Theologians at #TheBeardedTheologians #UMC #ChurchPodcast #Vitality #NewEpisode #Faith

This week we sat down and talked about humility. Connect with the Bearded Theologians at You can find the Beardcast on Youtube, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify, Castbox, or wherever else you listen to Podcast.

The Bearded Theologians welcomed back Rev. Justin Coleman to discuss his work as Senior Pastor and his insights on the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, which he explored through personal experiences and spiritual practices. Justin shared his journey with Ignatian spiritual exercises and emphasized the importance of balancing scriptural, traditional, and experiential approaches in modern Methodist spirituality. You can find his article that we reference here:

This week Matt and Zach caught up with Rev. Matt Rawle ( to check in on how things are going. Connect with the Bearded Theologians at You can find the Beardcast on Youtube, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify, Castbox, or wherever else you listen to Podcast.

Matt and Zach sat down with Rev. Kellen Roggenbuck who is the Executive Director of NextGen Ministries at ⁠Wisconsin Conference United Methodist Church⁠. Kellen has a new book out called ⁠Called Out: Discerning God's Plan for Your Church⁠ and the Beards talked about the book and a few other things. Check it out. Check out us out at www.beardedtheologians.com

In this episode of the show, Zach and Matt dive deep into the first psalm, Psalm 1. They explore the psalm's central themes of righteousness and wickedness, discussing its structure and balance between lament and celebration. The hosts also draw connections between the psalm's imagery and biblical creation narratives, specifically from Genesis 1 and 2. Zach and Matt highlight the significance of being "planted by a stream of water" and how this imagery relates to God's intimate knowledge of the righteous.

Rev. Kara Eidson has spent a decade crafting a beautiful and meaningful way to celebrate Advent, and now she’s sharing it with the world. Her new book, The Advent Tree, is more than just a story; it’s a full worship resource for the Advent season. It weaves together the history of the Hebrew people leading up to Jesus’s birth with various worship materials, making it a powerful tool for churches and families alike.

This week on the Beardcast Matt and Zach look at Luke 13:10-17. Check out their thoughts on orthodoxy (right belief) vs orthopraxy (right practice). Connect with the Bearded Theologians at You can find the Beardcast on Youtube, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify, Castbox, or wherever else you listen to Podcast. #BeardedTheologians #Beardcast #Theology #TheologicalDiscussion #TheologicalReflection #Podcast #Vodcast #ReligiousDiscussion #Faith #FaithJourney #Christianity #ChristianLiving #BibleStudy #Gospel #HolyDisruptions #SermonOnThePlain #Baptism #Peace #Grace #Hope #Love #Joy #Advent #Church #Discipleship

Closing out our series on Colossians. Connect with the Bearded Theologians at You can find the Beardcast on Youtube, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify, Castbox, or wherever else you listen to Podcast.

We're the Bearded Theologians, Zach Bechtold and Matt Franks, and we're tackling theology... and, well, whatever else crosses our minds. Join us for a laid-back approach to theological conversation an...

Last week we recorded a 2nd episode to share with you this week. Matt and Zach just dropped some serious wisdom on Paul's letter to the Colossians, specifically Chapter 3, verses 12-17. They really dug into the dangers of individualism in modern Christianity. It's so easy to make faith all about "me," but Paul's message is clear: we're called to live together!

In this inspiring and wide-ranging conversation, Bishop Kristen Stone King shares her journey through ministry, her passion for creative spiritual leadership, and her commitment to inclusive, justice-centered work within the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church. From her roots in campus ministry to her current role as bishop, Bishop Kristen reflects on the joys and challenges of ministry in today’s world—especially the need to support LGBTQ+ inclusion, engage indigenous communities, and revitalize rural churches through innovative models like the Montana Plan and the circuit rider approach.

Zach and Rev discussed Paul's letter to the Colossians, focusing on its tone, purpose, and challenging language. They explored the themes of service, struggle, and God's energy working through believers, while acknowledging the historical context of Paul's writing style. Connect with the Bearded Theologians at You can find the Beardcast on Youtube, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify, Castbox, or wherever else you listen to Podcast.

In this insightful discussion, Matt Franks and Zach Bech dive deep into strategies for finding peace amidst the chaos of our modern world. They share candid personal experiences and draw upon their professional insights to explore how to effectively manage information overload and maintain a healthy perspective. Discover how modern media impacts our viewpoints and learn the importance of mindful information consumption.

On this Beardcast (6.26.25), Zach and Rev dive into Galatians 5:1, 13-15, exploring the true meaning of freedom! Discover how liberation doesn't come from rules, but from the transformative power of love. Don't miss this powerful discussion on standing firm in the freedom Christ offers and serving one another through love. #Beardcast #Galatians #FreedomInChrist #Love

The meeting focused on outdoor worship services, with participants sharing their experiences and plans for upcoming events. They discussed the challenges and benefits of outdoor worship, including connecting with nature and the community, as well as adapting to weather conditions and simplifying setups. The conversation also touched on personal moments of spiritual significance, highlighting the importance of community support in their faith journeys.

The Beards discuss Psalm 47, focusing on its joyful tone and inclusive message about God's love for all people. Matt emphasizes God's influence and control in our lives, while Zach highlights how the psalm speaks of God as king over all nations, not just Israel. They reflect on the meaning of words like "awesome" in modern context and consider how the psalm relates to Ascension Day.

Ready to rethink summer church? Zach and Matt chat about embracing the unique rhythm of the season for impactful discipleship. From outdoor worship to community brunches and game nights, they share how their churches are getting creative with summer programming. Plus, hear about Rev's "VIPP" program, designed for flexible, one-time events that boost engagement and spiritual growth. Discover how summer offers a prime chance to experiment, connect, and prioritize rest.

What happens when generations connect within the church? Christiana Embree, director of Refocus Ministry, shares her expertise on the crucial role of intergenerational relationships and the real struggles churches face in fostering them. You'll be inspired by stories of churches that revolutionized their community impact through sports and engagement, and discover the deep connection forged through prayer partnerships across ages.

Let's talk about Jesus and His challenging conversation with some religious leaders in John 10:22-30. Read the scripture text (here) We'll dive into what it means to truly hear His voice as a disciple. We're also excited to share some personal ministry news: Zach's certification as an end-of-life doula and Rev.'s new Sunday night gathering, the Disciples Table.

Matt and Zach sat down with Ben Gosden, the insightful pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church, to discuss his brand new book, "Grace Rediscovered." Ben bravely shares his personal journey with alcoholism, offering a raw and honest account of his struggles and highlighting the vital role the 12-step program played in his recovery. His vulnerability shines a light on the importance of seeking help and finding solace in community.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Easter preparations with Matt and Zach! They discuss their approaches to the upcoming services, from music and scripture focus to preaching on hope and the significance of Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Tune in for insights on crafting a meaningful Easter experience. Connect with the Bearded Theologians at You can find the Beardcast on Youtube, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify, Castbox, or wherever else you listen to Podcast.

In this episode, Matt Rawle discusses his groundbreaking new book, "Faith Over Fear: Abraham's Imperfect Journey," offering a fresh perspective on the biblical figure of Abraham. Forget the idealized image – Matt argues that Abraham's story is far more complex and, at times, problematic. He unpacks instances where Abraham's actions, such as including Lot as a "backup plan" and his shocking decision to have Sarah pose as his sister to Pharaoh, actively endangered God's covenant.