Red Letter Challenge

06/12/2026

📦 Is your faith transforming your life… or has it become another box to check?

Following Jesus was never meant to be a Sunday-only experience.

It’s a daily invitation to live differently, love differently, forgive differently, and lead differently in every area of life. Real discipleship isn’t just knowing what Jesus said, it’s putting His words into practice at home, at work, in your neighborhood, and wherever God has placed you.

When faith moves beyond routine and becomes a way of life, everything begins to change.

What if Jesus isn’t just calling you to believe in Him, but to become more like Him?

🎙️ Watch the full episode or listen on your favorite podcast platform:
https://redletterpodcast.com

06/11/2026

❤️ What if the life Jesus calls you to isn’t just better for others, but better for you?

Forgiveness is hard. Loving difficult people is hard. Serving sacrificially is hard.

Yet time and time again, the way of Jesus leads to deeper peace, healthier relationships, stronger families, and lasting joy that the world can’t offer.

Matt Peeples reminds us that following Jesus isn’t about earning God’s love or chasing prosperity, it’s about trusting the One who knows the best way to live.

His path isn’t always the easiest.

But it is always the best.

🎙️ Watch the full episode or listen on your favorite podcast platform:
https://redletterpodcast.com

06/11/2026

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🚨 What if we’ve had the mission backward?

Too often, we expect people who don’t know Jesus to adapt to our schedules, traditions, and church culture before they ever hear the Gospel.

But what if the Church was never meant to wait behind its walls?

Matt Peeples reminds us that Jesus sends His people into neighborhoods, workplaces, coffee shops, and everyday conversations to meet people where they are. The Gospel moves through ordinary believers living on mission every day.

The goal isn’t simply to invite people into our rhythm.

It’s to bring the hope of Christ into their lives.

🎙️ Watch the full episode or listen on your favorite podcast platform:
https://redletterpodcast.com

06/10/2026

🚨 What if we’ve made disciple-making far more complicated than Jesus ever intended?

The mission wasn’t to build bigger programs. It was to equip everyday believers to make everyday disciples.

Matt Peeples shares why the Church may be overcomplicating what Jesus made beautifully simple and why the greatest impact often happens outside the church building, through ordinary people living extraordinary faith.

The question isn’t, “How do we get more people into church?”

The question is, “How do we help more people follow Jesus where they already are?”

🔥 This conversation might completely change the way you think about discipleship.

▶️ Watch the full episode or listen on your favorite podcast platform at:
https://redletterpodcast.com

06/08/2026

Peter got down out of the boat and walks on water.


📷; .church

06/05/2026

Why is pastoral formation becoming one of the most debated topics in the LCMS today?

With nearly 90 overtures focused on pastoral formation heading into convention, it’s clear that the future of ministry leadership is a conversation the church can’t ignore.

In this clip from The Red Letter Disciple Podcast, Zach Zehnder sits down with Dr. Andy Bartelt to discuss the growing debate surrounding theological education, pastoral preparation, and why he felt compelled to write a thoughtful reflection on the state of pastoral formation in the LCMS.

This conversation goes beyond policies and programs. It’s about preparing faithful leaders to serve Christ and His Church for generations to come.

▶️ Watch the full episode:https://redletterpodcast.com

🎧 Or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

06/04/2026

What happens when the loudest voices aren’t actually the majority?

As the LCMS heads toward convention, many fear the conversation around pastoral formation has become increasingly divided. But Dr. Andy Bartelt offers a different perspective.

In this clip from The Red Letter Disciple Podcast, he shares why he believes most church leaders are actually much closer to agreement than many realize, and why finding common ground may be the key to moving forward.

Rather than allowing the extremes to dominate the conversation, what if the future of the church depends on listening to the faithful voices in the middle?

This is a powerful discussion about unity, wisdom, leadership, and the future of pastoral formation in the LCMS.

▶️ Watch the full episode: https://redletterpodcast.com

🎧 Or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

06/03/2026

God’s doing some amazing things with our young adults here in Omaha!

The work has been happening behind the scenes. Last night our young adults leadership team met again, shared a meal, cast vision, and kept building toward what this ministry is becoming. Stay tuned.

06/03/2026

Are pastors called to protect the truth, proclaim the Gospel, or both?

In this compelling moment from The Red Letter Disciple Podcast, Zach Zehnder explores a tension that has existed throughout church history: the balance between guarding sound doctrine and boldly sharing the Gospel.

Zach argues that healthy church leadership requires both. Some leaders are naturally wired to protect. Others are wired to proclaim. The challenge is learning how to work together rather than against one another.

As conversations around pastoral formation continue throughout the LCMS, Zach raises an important concern: Have we stopped talking with one another and started talking about one another?

This clip is a thoughtful call for humility, dialogue, and a willingness to engage practical issues without turning every disagreement into a battle.

▶️ Watch the full episode: https://redletterpodcast.com

🎧 Or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

06/01/2026

We spent last weekend being treated so well by who just finished Serving Challenge! They made sure we didn’t leave without some Faygo Pop (NOT soda) and Better Made Special potato chips!