Episodes

  • Do Christians Actually Need Daily Quiet Time?

    Do Christians Actually Need Daily Quiet Time?
    Jun 30 2025
    Do Christians Actually Need Daily Quiet Time? Let me start with a confession: I tried to become a millionaire at QuickTrip this morning. Not through some elaborate business scheme or scratch-off lottery tickets, but through the tried-and-true method of spilling scalding coffee on my crotch and suing for damages. Turns out QuickTrip has gotten smart about their McDonald's-style hot coffee lawsuits. They've apparently just turned down the temperature so when their coffee inevitably shoots out of the spout directly into your lap, you don't actually get burned. Smart business move. Terrible for my get-rich-quick scheme. This minor disappointment happened on my way to grab coffee because I'd run out of espresso at home. My wife and I have this auto-ship thing for coffee, but we're always pushing it back because we think we're not drinking it fast enough. Classic overestimation of our own self-control. It's like when you buy a gym membership in January and then push back your first workout until February... then March... then next January. But here's the thing – even without coffee, even after failing at accidental lawsuit fortune, I still had to face the day. And that meant confronting a question that's been bouncing around Christian circles for decades: Do I really need to do a daily quiet time? The Quiet Time Identity Crisis First, let's establish what we're talking about here. A quiet time, for the uninitiated, is that sacred Christian ritual where you're supposed to read your Bible, pray, journal, and sit in contemplative silence while God presumably downloads wisdom directly into your brain like some kind of spiritual Wi-Fi connection. It's the Christian equivalent of kale smoothies – everyone knows they should be doing it, most people aren't, and the ones who are won't stop talking about it. I've been doing a version of this for seven and a half years now, thanks to a men's group from church. We dissolved the group six months ago, but for seven straight years, we'd message each other every morning with a simple "done" after completing whatever Bible study we were working through. Usually five to ten-minute lessons – we're not talking about seminary-level theological deep dives here. But here's where it gets weird: I've been doing my quiet time in the bathroom. On the toilet, specifically. I used to use an actual paper Bible, but then I realized that was probably disgusting, so now I just use my phone and a Bible app. Not sponsored, by the way, though if Life Church wants to cut me a check for the endorsement, I'm available. This bathroom setup has worked for me because it's consistent. I wake up, I go to the bathroom, I read. It's part of my morning routine like brushing my teeth or wondering why I stayed up so late watching YouTube videos about conspiracy theories involving birds (different story for another time). But lately, I've been wondering: Am I doing this because it's genuinely helping my spiritual life, or am I just checking a box? Is this relationship-building with God, or is it just ritual at this point? The Pride Problem Here's the uncomfortable truth: A lot of my quiet time motivation comes from pride. For seven years, I couldn't let the men's group down by not texting "done." Even now, months after the group dissolved, I still feel this compulsion to maintain the streak. It's like those people who refuse to break their Wordle streak even though they've stopped enjoying the game. There's also the modeling aspect. We're told as Christians that we should be examples to others, especially to our families. Our pastor makes sure to do his quiet time in a visible place so his family can see him prioritizing God. Meanwhile, I'm in the bathroom with my phone. Not exactly the inspiring spiritual leadership moment you'd see on a church brochure. My wife knows I do it, but my daughter doesn't. Though to be fair, explaining to a kid that Daddy has special God time in the bathroom might create more questions than answers. The Requirement Question So here's the big question that started this whole mental journey: Is a daily quiet time actually required? Like, biblically speaking? I've looked, and I can't find anywhere in Scripture that says, "Thou shalt read these words every single morning, preferably while caffeinated." It's not the eleventh commandment. Moses didn't drop a third tablet that said, "Also, get a Bible app." Jesus did set a precedent by withdrawing to quiet places to pray and talk with God. He'd leave his disciples behind – who, let's be honest, couldn't even stay awake to pray with him for an hour when he really needed them. So there's definitely biblical support for the concept of intentional time with God. But required? Logistically speaking, no. There's no verse that says you have to do a daily quiet time or you're going to Christian jail. Spiritually speaking? That's where it gets complicated. The Discipline Debate Here's the thing about spiritual disciplines: they're a ...
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    35 mins
  • The Summer Slump | Vacations, VBS, and Vanishing Volunteers

    The Summer Slump | Vacations, VBS, and Vanishing Volunteers
    Jun 23 2025
    Summer Church Attendance You know it's summer when your youth pastor starts doing mental math every Wednesday night, trying to figure out why attendance dropped from 75 kids to, like, 12. And somehow those 12 kids are all the ones whose parents make them come no matter what—the homeschooled kids who wear polo shirts tucked into khakis and know every verse to "How Great Thou Art" by heart. Welcome to what churches across America like to call "the summer slump," which sounds way more official than "everyone decided the lake is more important than Jesus for three months straight." The Great Vanishing Act Let me paint you a picture. School lets out, and suddenly church attendance starts looking like a game of musical chairs where half the chairs just walked away. We're talking about what the Bible Bros Podcast guys call "the VVV's of summer"—Vacations, VBS, and Vanishing volunteers. Though honestly, that third V could just as easily stand for "Very convenient excuses." It's fascinating how creative people get with their summer church avoidance. You've got your classic "we're traveling" folks, which is legitimate until you realize their "travel" is to the lake that's literally 10 minutes from the church. Then there are the parents who suddenly discover their kid is the next Derek Jeter and has to play in every single baseball tournament within a three-state radius. Funny how little Timmy wasn't quite so athletically gifted during the winter worship services. But here's what really gets me—and this is straight from the mouths of youth pastors who've seen it all—sometimes people will say they can't make it to church because of their kid's tournament, but they'll "watch online instead." Then Sunday comes around, and you can literally see on Facebook that they're not online either. The church streaming platform has a participant list, Karen. We can see you're not there. You're probably at Cracker Barrel talking about how the sermon "just hits different" when you're eating biscuits and gravy. Mission Trips: The Good, The Bad, and The Zip Lines Now, not every reason for missing church is bogus. Take mission trips, for instance. Some churches do these incredible, life-changing experiences where you're actually ministering 24/7. The guys on the podcast talked about trips to Peru where they were doing street theater, going door to door, buying out entire bakeries to give away free bread while telling people about the Bread of Life. That's the real deal right there. But then you've got the other kind of mission trips—the ones that sound more like summer camp with a sprinkle of Jesus dust on top. "Yeah, we're gonna do VBS for two hours, then we're going zip-lining. Tomorrow we'll have a Bible study, then it's go-kart time!" Look, I'm not saying fun is bad. But somewhere along the way, "mission trip" started meaning "vacation with a tax write-off." When your mission trip itinerary looks like a Disney World FastPass schedule, maybe we need to have a conversation about priorities. The funniest part is how these things have evolved over the years. Used to be, mission trips meant sleeping on the floor in buildings with dead rats, outdoor showers with those solar water bags hanging in the sun, and PVC pipe plumbing that may or may not actually work. Now it's like, "We're staying at the Hampton Inn because the kids need their rest for tomorrow's ministry... and jet skiing." The Lake People Phenomenon Can we talk about lake people for a second? Because if your church is anywhere near a body of water larger than a puddle, you know exactly what I'm talking about. These are the folks who treat their boat like it's their church pew from June through August. One of the podcast hosts actually became a Christian because of lake people, in the most backward way possible. His friend invited him to the lake, he said he had to go to church first, and the guy was like, "Well, that sounds lame, but I really want to go to the lake, so... fine." Boom. Life changed. Sometimes God works through our selfishness, apparently. But here's the thing about lake people—they're not necessarily bad people. They're just people who've discovered that sitting on a pontoon boat with a cooler full of sandwiches feels a lot more peaceful than sitting in a sanctuary with a screaming toddler three rows up. Can you blame them? Have you ever tried to have a spiritual moment while someone's kid is doing interpretive dance to "Amazing Grace"? The Sports Industrial Complex And then we have the parents who've been convinced that their 8-year-old's weekend baseball tournament is somehow more important than, you know, worshiping the Creator of the universe. These tournaments are always exactly two hours away—never one hour, never three hours. Always two hours. Just far enough that you "can't possibly make it back for church" but close enough that you definitely could if you actually wanted to. The best part is when these same parents complain that their ...
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    32 mins
  • Swipe Left or Right on Bible Characters — A Deeply Theological Dating App Style Review

    Swipe Left or Right on Bible Characters — A Deeply Theological Dating App Style Review
    Jun 9 2025
    Swiping Through Scripture — One Bible Character at a Time When Bible Study Meets a Dating App

    Welcome to the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, where theology meets swipe culture — kind of. In this episode, Andrew and Dusty channel their inner youth group energy and decide to play a little game: swiping left or right on Bible characters. Yes, it’s as ridiculous and wonderful as it sounds.

    If you're new here, this isn't your grandma’s Bible study. This is a Christian Comedy Podcast made for the guys in the back row of church — the ones who definitely don’t have a WWJD bracelet but still know what Jesus would do... because they probably made a meme about it.

    If you're looking for a Christian Podcast for Men that's not all protein powder, prayer circles, and yelling — you've found it.

    Let the Swiping Begin

    The episode kicks off with some classic confusion. Andrew opens the podcast solo, claiming to be alone — until Dusty shows up like a sitcom character entering stage left. Immediately, we’re off-script, talking about chairs and dogs, and whether Andrew needs either of them. Spoiler: he does not.

    But eventually, they land the plane: today’s episode is about swiping left or right on Bible characters. Not romantically. This isn’t Christian Mingle. It’s more like: “Would we be friends with this guy?”

    Defining the Game

    The rules are simple:

    • Swipe right = You’d let them in your life. Friends. Bros. Small group material.

    • Swipe left = Hard pass. Let them go be someone else’s burden.

    As Dusty clarifies: “Not to sleep with them… we’re both married.”

    This is not about biblical compatibility. It’s about vibes. And maybe a little theology. But mostly vibes.

    Andrew, the self-proclaimed introvert, threatens to swipe left on everyone and delete the app entirely. Relatable.

    First Up: Adam

    Adam. The OG human. Made from dust. Given the Garden of Eden and told not to eat one fruit — and, well, here we are.

    His resume:

    • Made in God’s image.

    • Given dominion over the Earth.

    • Took a nap and woke up with a wife.

    • Walked closely with God.

    Sounds like a solid dude… except for the whole "plunge humanity into sin" thing. But hey, nobody’s perfect.

    Andrew reads the description like a dating profile: “Innocent. Works with his hands. Loves animals. Bit of a fruit issue.”

    Dusty, channeling every youth pastor ever, considers it: "If you’re looking for a godly man to be your best friend..."

    So... swipe right? Swipe left? They never fully commit. Which, honestly, is very on brand for this show.

    The Vibe of the Episode

    What makes this episode peak Christian Comedy Podcast isn’t the theological depth — though Adam’s backstory does get some airtime — it’s the tone.

    Dusty’s goofy. Andrew’s dry. Together, they somehow make ancient Bible figures feel like candidates on a reality show.

    And they do it without ever actually getting to another character. That’s right. One episode. One guy. Adam. And still 30 minutes of content.

    This is a Christian Podcast for Men who can’t commit to a Bible reading plan but can commit to laughing about it. And honestly? That’s a ministry.

    Swipe Carefully

    While the episode starts with the promise of a whole list of Bible characters, it very quickly becomes a character study of Adam, some dog commentary, and a lot of side trails. And that’s what makes this podcast work.

    It’s not polished. It’s not prepped. It’s two dudes riffing about scripture like they’re on a coffee break at a men’s retreat.

    If you’re the type of guy who’s tried to lead a Bible study with memes, or if your theology degree came from YouTube comments — the Bible Belt Bros are your people.

    This episode isn’t deep. But it’s honest. It’s funny. And it’s exactly what the Christian Comedy Podcast world needed — a swipe mechanic for Bible characters.

    So if you’re tired of serious sermons and just want a laugh, maybe even at the expense of Adam — grab your metaphorical phone and swipe right on this show.
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    42 mins
  • Dusty Takes a Personality Test and Tries to Guess Andrews Spiritual Gifts

    Dusty Takes a Personality Test and Tries to Guess Andrews Spiritual Gifts
    Jun 2 2025

    What do zookeeping, spiritual gift tests, and wildly questionable discernment scores have in common? This episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, that’s what. Join Andrew and Dusty as they tackle deep theological mysteries like “Did Jesus stand on soapboxes?” and “Can ‘Helps’ actually be a spiritual gift, or is that just Christian for ‘people pleaser’?” It’s equal parts hilarious roast and accidental insight—plus, Andrew might be changing careers to feed giraffes.

    Andrew and Dusty begin with a signature tangent: Andrew has a new life plan. He’s applying to be a zookeeper. This revelation comes out of nowhere and isn't revisited with any serious theological backing—Andrew just thinks it’d be fun to work with animals and carry a stick around. It’s an entertaining cold open that sets the tone for the rest of the episode: part hilarious detour, part unfiltered theological musing.

    From there, Andrew jumps into his soapbox of the week, questioning whether Jesus ever got on a soapbox himself. This thought led him down a short-lived research rabbit hole where he promptly forgot all the facts he found. The core of the soapbox was a reflection on how little of Jesus’ words are actually recorded in the Bible. Andrew estimated that the average person speaks around 16,000 words a day, and with only 37,000 to 57,000 of Jesus’ words recorded, we may only have about two and a half days’ worth of His teachings. This realization leads the hosts to muse about the massive gaps between what Jesus did and what was documented.

    That theological pondering quickly transitions into the main topic: spiritual gifts and personality tests. Andrew recently took an online spiritual gifts test and shares the results. His highest-ranking gift is "Helps," while scoring zero in "Discernment." Dusty immediately challenges both the legitimacy of the test and the results. His response to "Helps" being a spiritual gift is sarcastic and dismissive: "That’s not a gift, that’s being a good person."

    The conversation turns into a comedic breakdown of the spiritual gifts Andrew allegedly has. Dusty goes down the list from the test and calls out each one, essentially rejecting them as false based on his own observations. Andrew’s attempts to defend his gifts are countered by Dusty’s suspicion that Andrew just clicked random answers to finish the test quickly. The comedic tension lies in Dusty’s confidence that he knows Andrew better than the test does—and his high score in "Discernment" is his excuse for not believing a word of it.

    Andrew tries to explain that the value of these tests lies in helping people understand where they fit within the church. He reflects on the fivefold ministry—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—and how different gifts align with different roles. He acknowledges that he’s probably more of a behind-the-scenes support person, not someone who should be leading from the front.

    Despite the jokes, there’s a sincere moment where Andrew explains how understanding his gifts gave him confidence in knowing he doesn’t have to perform upfront to serve. This leads to a brief mention of how churches often misuse or overemphasize certain gifts while undervaluing others like Helps.

    Dusty, however, maintains a skeptical tone throughout, poking fun at the idea that clicking through multiple-choice questions can reveal deep spiritual truths. He particularly critiques the "Discernment" category, arguing that someone without it could still use a "gift of Helps" in all the wrong ways—"like helping a guy rob a bank."

    The episode never fully lands on whether spiritual gift tests are helpful, accurate, or biblical, but the guys do land on one thing: they’re entertaining. Andrew’s earnest attempt to understand his calling and Dusty’s relentless commentary make for a dynamic mix of introspection and comic relief.

    As the episode wraps, the spiritual gift discussion takes a backseat to more sarcasm and lighthearted back-and-forth. Andrew continues defending the test. Dusty continues roasting him. And in the end, listeners are left with a few laughs, some lingering questions about their own gifts, and the image of Andrew at the Tulsa Zoo holding a stick.

    This episode doesn’t offer clear answers about spiritual gifts or the effectiveness of online tests. But it does offer an honest look at two friends navigating faith with humor, skepticism, and the occasional zookeeper application.

    #ChristianPodcast #ChristianComedyPodcast
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    30 mins
  • Evangelism by Legislation: Finally a law that ensures kids will ignore both Math and Moses at the same time

    Evangelism by Legislation: Finally a law that ensures kids will ignore both Math and Moses at the same time
    May 26 2025
    After weeks of guest overload, this episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast finally brings Dusty and Andrew back together, unfiltered and unaccompanied—basically a bro version of couples therapy, if therapy involved mall stories, public education law, and sarcastic jabs about the King James Bible. The conversation opens like most deep theological discussions do—at the mall. Turns out both guys used to work there. Andrew was Dusty’s boss. (Let that sink in. Andrew, the man currently co-hosting a podcast in what we assume is a spare bedroom, once supervised someone else’s paycheck.) They recall working at a watch store, greeting mall walkers at ungodly hours, and the time Dusty got his gas siphoned right out of his truck. Because nothing says “servant leadership” like buying your own gas back. Also, Scheels. Apparently it’s the only reason anyone goes to the mall anymore—unless your kids want to ride a carousel. Which brings us to the first theological point: kids ruin everything. Even your hatred for malls. Promises, Politics, and Prayer Time So Texas introduced something called “Promise Month,” and if you're thinking it has anything to do with abstinence, purity rings, or teenage awkwardness, you're not alone. That was the assumption too. But no, “Promise Month” is a Christian-themed state proposal meant to highlight America’s biblical roots—with an extra helping of “mandated prayer and Bible time in schools.” Because if there’s anything kids love more than algebra, it’s Old Testament genealogy during fourth period. It was proposed in April. Announced in May. Which is like throwing a surprise birthday party a month late and expecting people to still bring presents. Oklahoma’s Mandatory Bible & the King James Confusion Meanwhile in Oklahoma, the state superintendent rolled out a plan requiring every student from grades 5 through 12 to be equipped with a King James Bible. That’s right—the version where even the verbs are confused. It’s not so much the Bible requirement that raised eyebrows, but the very specific demand for that translation. As Dusty put it, “We don’t need all those 'thee’s' and 'thou’s' confusing a bunch of fifth graders.” Honestly, trying to decipher King James in middle school is like making a toddler learn to type on a typewriter. What followed was a comedic deep-dive into all the Bible versions that could (or absolutely should not) be used in classrooms, including the Message Bible, children’s Bibles, and the somewhat mythical "Gangsta Bible"—which we’re 85% sure started as a meme and ended up in a dorm room somewhere. Religious Freedom, First Amendments, and Forced Morality The guys don’t shy away from the meat of the issue: Should religious content be forced in public schools? Andrew, ever the realist, points out that forcing biblical teaching through legislation rarely works. It's like trying to make someone fall in love with your grandma’s casserole recipe—it doesn't matter how many times you make it, they’re still gonna complain about the mushrooms. Dusty argues that teaching the Bible as historical text (rather than spiritual doctrine) makes sense, the same way we discuss Gandhi, Buddha, or even Elvis (we assume) in world history. It’s context. Not conversion. That’s the line the hosts keep coming back to—Christianity, at its best, invites rather than mandates. Alabama: Ten Commandments and Ten More Arguments Just when you think things couldn’t get more theologically spicy, Alabama comes through with Ten Commandments in classrooms and a full-on Pride flag ban. Because if there’s one thing that really gets kids interested in moral values, it’s wall décor. Dusty and Andrew play devil’s advocate here (ironically). If you’re going to allow Christian symbols in public spaces, shouldn’t other religions get equal footing? Do we need a wall of competing sacred texts in every classroom like some kind of spiritual debate team? The most repeated line in this episode might be: “We force feed everything.” Politics. Religion. Sports opinions. Even marketing emails (Dusty would know—he works in marketing). The takeaway? Everyone wants their beliefs visible. Until someone else’s beliefs show up. Then suddenly we all remember we have First Amendment rights we haven't read since high school. Pivoting ever so gracefully, the podcast veers into the topic of Oklahoma’s potential ban on cell phones in schools. This sparked what may be the most unintentionally hilarious section of the episode. Apparently, Dusty's son starts his Tesla with his phone. Which feels like a very specific attack on Elon Musk. And now the state wants to take away that phone, essentially asking kids to walk home in 115-degree heat because Dad's truck won't start without an iOS update. The argument here isn’t really about Teslas, though. It’s about access. If every kid already has a Bible on their phone, do we really need to ...
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    37 mins
  • Rusty Gunn | Church That Matters Lead Pastor and SEND Network Oklahoma Director

    Rusty Gunn | Church That Matters Lead Pastor and SEND Network Oklahoma Director
    May 19 2025

    In this special episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, Andrew and Dusty sit down with their long-time pastor and mentor, Rusty Gunn, for an honest conversation about leadership, calling, and transition.

    For the past 16 years, Rusty has faithfully led Church That Matters, shaping its culture, guiding its mission, and investing deeply in the lives of those around him. Now, as he prepares to step into a new role as SEND Network’s Church Planting Director for Oklahoma, Rusty reflects on the journey that brought him here and the next season ahead.

    Together, we explore what it means to hand off leadership well, the importance of a strong local church presence, and how that ties into a broader vision for church planting and apostolic mission work. Rusty shares candid thoughts on balancing ministry and family, the emotional weight of transition, and the lasting impact of a church that stays rooted while reaching outward.

    We close with reflections on church culture, leadership dynamics, and the future of Church That Matters as it continues to grow and evolve.

    This conversation is a meaningful look at legacy, leadership, and the ongoing mission of the church.
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    40 mins
  • From Youth Pastor to Lead Pastor with Kyle Henderson

    From Youth Pastor to Lead Pastor with Kyle Henderson
    May 12 2025
    What happens when the “youth guy” suddenly finds himself stepping into the lead pastor role? On this episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, we sit down with Kyle Henderson from Church That Matters. Kyle shares the unexpected journey that’s leading him from youth ministry (and whatever else needed doing) to becoming the Lead Pastor this September. We dig into what that shift looks like, the excitement and challenges ahead, and how God sometimes calls you into roles you didn’t even apply for. This episode is packed with leadership insights, fun stories, and a sneak peek at what’s coming for Church That Matters. Whether you’re in ministry, thinking about leadership transitions, or just here for the Bros banter, this convo with Kyle is one you don’t want to miss. When You’re the Last to Know You’re the Pastor Some people feel called to be a Lead Pastor. Others get called into the office and find out they already are one. That was basically Kyle Henderson’s story on this episode of the Bible Belt Bros Christian Comedy Podcast. A longtime youth pastor, volunteer wrangler, and guy-who-fixes-everything, Kyle didn’t so much apply to be the new Lead Pastor at Church That Matters — he kind of tripped into it. No Resume, No Tryout, Just… “Hey, You’re Next” It started like most things in church leadership: casually. A conversation at a staff retreat. Someone asked, “Who do you think would be a good Lead Pastor if something ever happened?” Kyle threw out a name or two. Then the Lead Pastor looked him in the eye and said, “What if it’s you?” Cue awkward laughter. Cue silence. Cue every youth pastor's worst nightmare: responsibility. Kyle wasn’t gunning for it. He wasn’t dropping hints. But apparently everyone else around him had already seen it. The only person not in the loop… was Kyle. “I’m Just the Youth Guy” There’s something beautifully ironic about youth pastors. They’re often treated like they’re in the minors, like their job is some kind of ministry spring training. But they’re also the ones cleaning up messes, managing chaos, mentoring students, fixing tech, and running services when the real adults are out of town. Kyle was that guy. He did all the things. The late nights. The camps. The sermons. The leadership development. The emergency plumbing issues. He wasn’t climbing a ladder. He was just doing what needed to be done. And then suddenly, someone handed him the ladder and said, "You’re at the top now." The Calling Nobody Wants (But Everybody Sees) There’s something kind of biblical about this. Moses didn’t want the job. Neither did Jonah. Or Paul. Or honestly, most people God used. The ones who aren’t chasing the spotlight are usually the ones most ready for it. Not because they have the best ideas, but because they’ve learned how to serve without needing credit. Kyle didn’t say yes right away. He wrestled with it. Felt the weight of it. Wondered if he could do it. That’s how you know someone’s probably ready: they’re scared. Spiritual PTSD from Youth Ministry Kyle’s years in youth ministry were preparation. Not on purpose. More like spiritual bootcamp with dodgeballs. He learned to improvise. To build teams. To pray through crises. To disciple students. To host events with zero budget and leftover pizza. That kind of ministry doesn’t give you a stage. It gives you scars. But it also gives you a deep sense of how people actually grow — not in the hype, but in the hard stuff. And when the Lead Pastor seat opened up, Kyle wasn’t the obvious choice because of charisma. He was the right choice because of consistency. Leadership Without the Ego Trip What makes Kyle different is he’s not trying to be a CEO pastor. He’s not coming in with a 42-page vision plan or rebranding the church overnight. He’s not here to be famous. He’s here to be faithful. His biggest fear? Not preaching. Not meetings. Not the pressure. His fear is letting people down. Missing what God is saying. Getting caught up in noise and forgetting why he’s even up there. Which — let’s be honest — is the most honest thing a pastor can say. What Makes This Episode Matter If you’re in ministry, or ever sat under a leader who didn’t want the job but still showed up — this episode hits different. It’s a reminder that God still promotes people through faithfulness, not self-promotion. That churches still grow when the guy up front isn’t trying to go viral. That maybe, just maybe, the best kind of leader is the one who never wanted to be one in the first place. Ministry Promotion Doesn’t Need a Mic Drop If you’re out here stacking chairs, running youth lock-ins, and wondering if anyone notices — they do. More importantly, God does. And when the time’s right, don’t be surprised if He hands you a mic you didn’t ask for. Just ask Kyle. Stay connected with Bible Belt Bros Christian Comedy Podcast on our website | https://...
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    47 mins
  • Stand-Up and Shotguns with Comedian Jeremy Alder

    Stand-Up and Shotguns with Comedian Jeremy Alder
    May 5 2025

    This week on the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, Dusty and Andrew welcome a special guest whose resume includes both pulpits and punchlines — comedian and former preacher Jeremy Alder. From awkward church giveaways to parallel thinking in comedy, this episode blends hilarious storytelling with deep reflections on faith, creativity, and cringe-worthy church culture.

    The episode opens with a bang — quite literally — as Jeremy learns about Dusty and Andrew's church events that include shotgun giveaways and bacon-themed men’s ministries. If that sounds wild to you, buckle up. It only gets better (or weirder). The guys dive into their own church experiences, where sermons get recycled like old youth group T-shirts and pastors sometimes unintentionally moonlight as stand-up comics.

    Jeremy brings a unique perspective as someone who once preached weekly and now headlines comedy shows. He discusses how difficult it is to write fresh content — whether it’s a sermon or a comedy set — and gives credit to pastors who have to deliver new material week after week. The trio explore the fine line between originality and influence, and how the internet has made it nearly impossible for comics and pastors alike to avoid being accused of plagiarism, even when it’s just parallel thinking.

    Throughout the episode, they unpack:

    • Why sermon recycling is the church’s version of a "greatest hits" tour

    • How Jeremy’s journey from youth pastor to stand-up comic shaped his voice and storytelling style

    • Why pastors and comedians both get called out for plagiarism (but only one gets cancelled)

    • What it means to bring vulnerability and real-life baggage into faith communities — without the fake Sunday morning filter

    • The awkward overlap between gun culture and church culture, and why Jeremy thinks it doesn’t always align with the gospel (and why that probably won’t go over well in Oklahoma)

    From hilarious stories about bombing at casinos to thoughtful discussions about faith, fallibility, and finding your voice, this episode proves that deep conversations don’t have to be boring — and funny people can still love Jesus.

    Jeremy also shares details about his new comedy album “Almost a Grown Man”, currently streaming on Spotify, Apple, and everywhere else fine comedy is sold (or streamed for free). If you're tired of church podcasts that feel like lectures or stand-up that lacks soul, this episode hits the sweet spot.

    Follow Jeremy and stay up to date on upcoming shows!

    https://www.jeremyalder.com/

    https://www.instagram.com/jeremy.alder/

    https://twitter.com/JeremyAlder

    https://www.facebook.com/jeremyaldercomedy/
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    31 mins