CitySites Podcast Network

For a long time, I have felt that pastors may be evolving into something more that the image of the Shepherd. I realize that most of us have never seen a real shepherd, but the idea of caring for people was the image that Jesus left us, defining what a human shepherd does.  Today, the pastor is required to do more than just care for people spiritually, they often must do the fund raising, be the administrator, and in some cases, th...

One of my favorite topics to discuss is in the Book of Revelation, the message of Jesus to the Seven Churches. He outlines the good things He sees, but He also gives a warning. That warning comes with the admonition that if changes aren’t made, He would remove their candlestick which is their call to represent Him. Dr. Jay Christianson of HighBeam Ministry, joins me for a conversation about these Seven Churches.

Challenging the Cult...

In this uplifting episode, Dr. Nathan Unruh sits down with Adam Weber, pastor of Embrace Church in Sioux Falls and author of multiple bestselling books. Known for his authenticity, humor, and heart for people, Adam shares his journey of building a multi-campus church and staying grounded through the ups and downs of leadership and life. Together, they dive into the power of vulnerability, the importance of staying connected to purp...

I have found more churches taking a neutral stand on the issues of our day. In this episode, I asked my guest, Chris Heeb, of Chris Heeb Ministry, if Jesus were to add another letter to the seven letters to the Churches in the Book of Revelation, what would He say to us? That’s a good question, isn’t it?  Would He say we have become compromised, non-committal, and neutral on issues we should confront?  Join us for our conversation ...

In the day in which we live, we need to add our voice against the terrors in our day. Human trafficking, abortion, transgenderism, freedom of speech, religious freedom, and so many more trends that need a voice of descent. I realize our message is Christ, but if the Church fails to push back the darkness … the darkness will curtail the truth-telling of the Gospel. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Jay Christianson of HighBeam Minist...

Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on the Woundedness of Men. In this final episode of this series, Pastor Walt tells us that men struggle with their identity. For most men, their identity comes from what they do, what they have, and even what they drive. A man’s identity is critical for his self-esteem, his perspective on how he fits into society, and how he sees women. Why do men struggle with who they are? Compared to women...

Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on the Woundedness of Men. Pastor Walt tells us that men struggle with insecurity. Why do men feel so insecure? It stems from their wounds, the wounds from the father, other men, women. Men struggle with criticism and rejection. They are intimated by men they see as successful, and feel that other men are better than they are. Men feel like outsiders, like they don’t fit it. Men who reflect o...

Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on the Woundedness of Men. Pastor Walt tells us that wounded men have characteristics that have developed as a result of their woundedness … they can’t have intimacy with other men, they can’t receive correction from older men, they don’t have self-esteem, they have no confidence, they are confused, they don’t know what their role in the home or society is. Pastor Walt shares that the Church ...

Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on the Woundedness of Men. In this episode, Pastor Walt shares that women say they feel safer with other women than they do with men. Women say with other women they don’t have to worry about a man who is not caring and using his power in fits of rage. Pastor Walt says that this is a fallen world, and there is a divide and a conflict between men and women. Satan has done a good job of going a...

Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on the Woundedness of Men. Pastor Walt asks what do women really want from men? Women say they want a men who can stand up to her, who can stand up for her, who can say no to her, a man who is authentic, who is congruent, who is secure in himself, a man who doesn’t compromise his own values, who asks for clarification, who doesn’t make assumptions, a man who can lead the relationship, who can...

Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on the Woundedness of Men. Pastor Walt tells us that God did not mess up … we, as a society mess up. This generation of men is vastly different than previous generations. 100 years ago, men needed each other, worked together, talked together, interacted with one another … not now, not in these generations. This generation is compassionate, less judgmental, and more connected to society … but ...

Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on the Woundedness of Men. Pastor Walt speaks directly to men and shares that men’s hearts are wounded. Young men haven’t learned to receive correction. The father is the one the son watches. The father is the one who teaches the son. But many fathers are missing in the family. God created the family unit and that was His plan, but when you have the head of the family missing, something is mi...

Pastor Walt continues Thinking Out Loud on the Woundedness of Men. Real men are supposed to be strong, courageous, competent, and masterful. Real men are not supposed to show emotions, just keep it all bottled up inside. Real men don't eat quiche. Most men don’t have any male friends, they don’t know how to be a friend to other men. Most men don’t know how to engage other men … they just talk about sports or politics but nothing me...

In this episode, Pastor Walt shares that it's not a man's world anymore. Men seem to be less like men, and men have been emasculated for several decades. Pastor Walt asks why would a man want to be more effeminate? This is Satan’s strategy. His strategy is to confuse and counterfeit what God has created. Pastor Walt tells us that men are actually looking for clear direction. Men who are leaders in the church need to give men clear ...

On any Easter Sunday, I’m sure we will hear all kinds of sermons on the importance of the Resurrection. In fact, as some have said already, if there wasn’t a resurrection, there would be no Gospel. In this episode, I share some thoughts about the revolution Jesus started on Easter Morning. It is a revolution like no other, it was a revolution of God entering our world to pay for our sins on the Cross. By His death and His resurrect...

Idolatry is rarely talked about today … especially when it concerns making good things into idols. I know this might seem odd to you, but God says, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Now, He didn’t define idols as good or bad, He just said nothing should come before Me. I think we understand what idols are when they are a bad influence, but when good things become idols, that’s more troubling to us. Dr. Jay Christianson of H...

In this episode, Dr. Lenny and Larry Kutzler discuss where is your trust? As humans, we are prone to trusting in ourselves, and self-assurance is how we are encouraged throughout our lives. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Lenny’s Corner with Dr. Lennard Stoeklen

In your corner of the world, there ar...

The Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade in June of 2022, and since then, some States have scrambled to reinstate abortion rights in their jurisdiction. Thank God for those States who said no to abortion. But, in the State of Minnesota, they not only approved abortion rights for Minnesotan’s, but also became a sanctuary abortion State for people living in those States who have banned the procedure. In this episode, I talk with Bria...

I am convinced that churches follow the pastor’s lead. So, if the pastor is silent on issues they should be speaking on, the church will be silent too. It is important we encourage pastors to be proactive in ministering the Word of God on issues facing us today.  I speak with a pastor about issues he sees in the church that need to be addressed. Pastor Jason Erickson leads Risen Church in Brainerd, Minnesota, and he has identified ...