Fasting Without Missing the Point: Prayer, Pride, and Self-Denial | The Church Resource Podcast
Release Date: 01/20/2026
Honoring the Pulpit as a Guest | The Church Resource Podcast
The Church Resource
In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass share practical insights on how to approach guest preaching with wisdom and humility. From asking the right questions and choosing the right message to understanding church culture and managing expectations, they cover what it takes to serve another congregation well. Whether you’re new to guest preaching or have years of experience, this episode will help you prepare effectively, avoid common mistakes, and honor the trust you’ve been given. If you have any recommendations for Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass...
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Raising and Becoming Godly Men | The Church Resource Podcast
The Church Resource
What does biblical manhood actually look like today? In this episode, Lucas Pinckard and Chris Respass explore Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men by Stephen Mansfield, a practical resource for building strong, godly men. They discuss its core principles, the importance of friendship and mentorship, and how it helps redefine masculinity with balance, purpose, and faith. Perfect for fathers, leaders, and men’s groups looking for a clear, approachable discipleship tool. If you have any recommendations for Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass email us at TheChurchResource@gmail.com
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Compassion | The Church Resource Podcast
The Church Resource
In this episode of The Church Resource, we discuss the balance between compassion and common sense in ministry. How do you care for people deeply without becoming overwhelmed or ineffective? Through real-life examples, we explore emotional boundaries, wise stewardship, and why sometimes the most compassionate answer is “no.” If you have any recommendations for Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass email us at TheChurchResource@gmail.com
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This Book Changes How You Read the Psalms | The Treasury of David | The Church Resource Podcast
The Church Resource
In this episode of The Church Resource, we take a deep dive into one of the most powerful and overlooked tools for studying the Psalms: The Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon. This isn’t your typical commentary. Spurgeon combines detailed exposition, insights from historic theologians, and practical “hints for preachers” to create something far richer—more like an encyclopedia for understanding and teaching the Psalms. We talk through what makes this resource unique, how it’s structured, and why it can transform your personal study, devotional life, or sermon preparation. Whether...
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My Decision vs Our Decision: The Leadership Mistake Most Pastors Make | The Church Resource Podcast
The Church Resource
In this episode, we tackle a question every pastor and church leader faces: when is it a “my decision” vs. an “our decision”? From governance structures to real-life leadership challenges, we unpack why involving others in decision-making isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. We share practical insights from years of ministry experience, including how collaboration builds trust, creates better outcomes, and strengthens unity within your leadership team. We also discuss the role of accountability, the importance of wise counsel, and how “holy dissenters” can actually protect your...
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How Pastors Should Pray for Their Congregation | The Church Resource Podcast
The Church Resource
How should pastors and church leaders pray for their congregations—especially when there isn’t a specific request? In this episode of The Church Resource, we dive into the practical and biblical side of praying for the people under our care. We discuss the difference between praying for specific needs and praying generally for a congregation, and why both matter. Looking at examples from Scripture—especially the prayers of Paul and the Psalms—we explore simple frameworks that can help pastors, prayer teams, and church members pray more intentionally. We also talk about real-life...
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Are Church Events Actually Worth It? | The Church Resource Podcast
The Church Resource
Are church events really worth it? In this episode of The Church Resource, we have an honest conversation about the role of events in church life. From lock-ins and concerts to conferences and community nights, many churches have built their ministries around events—but are they actually helping people grow, or just burning out volunteers? We talk about the balance between event-driven ministry and churches that avoid events altogether. The key isn’t doing more events—it’s doing the right events with a clear purpose. In this discussion, we cover: - How to know if an event is truly...
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Resurrection Sunday | The Church Resource Podcast
The Church Resource
How to Prepare for Resurrection Sunday | Practical + Spiritual Prep In this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass talk about how churches can prepare for Resurrection Sunday — without overcomplicating it. Is there really a difference between practical and spiritual preparation? How much is too much production? Should you preach a special Easter sermon? And why must the resurrection be preached every single week? If you have any recommendations for Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass email us at TheChurchResource@gmail.com
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Church Fathers | The Church Resource Podcast
The Church Resource
In this episode of The Church Resource, we tackle the growing interest in the early Church Fathers — the Christian leaders writing in the first few centuries after the apostles. How should we read figures like Augustine of Hippo? Is studying early church history necessary, helpful, or potentially misleading? We discuss why Scripture must remain primary, how doctrine developed over time, common pitfalls (like elevating historical writings to the level of the Bible), and the encouragement we can draw from the bold faith of early believers. We also mention resources like the Center for the...
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Serving Faithfully in Fruitless Seasons | The Church Resource Podcast
The Church Resource
What do you do when you’re serving faithfully… and it feels like nothing is happening? In this episode of The Church Resource Podcast, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass talk honestly about fruitless seasons in ministry — the discouragement, the comparison, and the pressure to measure success by numbers. Lucas shares a personal story of walking through 13 months with no baptisms, followed by an unexpected season of fruitfulness, and the struggle that came with it. If you have any recommendations for Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass email us at TheChurchResource@gmail.com
info_outlineIn this episode of The Church Resource, Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass have a practical, honest conversation about fasting in the life of the church—why we do it, how to plan it wisely, and how to avoid missing the point.
As many churches consider beginning-of-the-year fasts, they explore key leadership questions: When should a church fast? How long should it last? How restrictive should it be? Drawing from real ministry experience, they discuss why some churches fast midyear while others fast in January, and how factors like congregational background, health, fellowship, and major events shape those decisions.
The conversation introduces tiered fasting approaches—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—and explains how offering levels can help people participate meaningfully without turning fasting into a competition. Lucas and Chris also address common pitfalls, including turning a fast into a diet, obsessing over recipes or weight loss, and replacing one distraction with another.
At the heart of the discussion is a reminder that fasting is about self-denial and prayer, not personal achievement. They unpack how fasting reveals temptation, pride, and vanity, and how it can deepen prayer by making it more Scripture-driven, more personal, and more focused on others.
If you have any recommendations for Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass email us at TheChurchResource@gmail.com