Rethink & Return with Jason Shepperd
ABOUT PODCAST // Rethink & Return Podcast brings thought leadership and teaching to pastors, church leaders and the greater Church by rethinking the modern church and returning to the ways of the New Testament church we see in Scripture. With undeniable relevance today, this podcast covers topics like House Church, the stewardship of church space, culture, leadership, and more – as well as supplemental resources and in-depth exposition of Church Project’s weekly sermons. ABOUT HOST // This podcast’s weekly content is created and shared by Jason Shepperd, Founder and Lead Pastor of Church Project and Church Project Network. With decades of experience in planting and leading churches, Jason has started and scaled a movement of thousands of people, gathered in many House Churches locally, and also in different cities, states, and countries defined by a common eDNA (Ecclesiological DNA): decentralized from primary place and priest, that distributes pastoral leadership to empowered lay pastors, who fully pastor diverse, discipleship geographically-based House Church communities which carry out all of the functions of the church. Church Project has focused over $16.5 million in their first 15 years toward gospel-centered ministries and church planting. Jason also leads Church Project Network, a collective of churches aligned around a commitment to be a “Church of House Churches,” and Good City, a city centrality for local ministry collaboration and support. Website: jasonshepperd.com Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com Have Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.com Church Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.com Good City: goodcity.org “A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology”: https://a.co/d/0vgpSjV
Episodes
This episode covers the call to bring our “first and best” to God through the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. The conversation unpacks how giving is more than a financial act—it’s worship, it’s protection against greed, and it’s a pathway to joy. Listeners will learn why generosity keeps our hearts soft, how idolatry can creep in when we withhold, and practical steps for starting a lifestyle of giving that honors God first.
Web...
This episode covers the unseen side of leadership—the toll it takes, the rhythms that sustain it, and the deep responsibility that comes with leading a local church. Jason unpacks how to build rest into your life without losing momentum, why seasons of ministry require different approaches, and the expectations every leader should place on themselves. Whether you’re a church planter, a ministry leader, or someone carrying influence...
This episode covers the vital role of the local church in God’s plan, reminding us that while the world prepares us to live against Jesus, we are called to prepare one another to live for Him. From 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10, we see that though full redemption will not come this side of heaven, God has chosen the local church as His primary instrument for gospel work until Christ returns. We are called to gratitude, endurance, and Spir...
This episode covers what happens when pastors get honest about their shortcomings, their struggles with comparison, and the temptation to trade conviction for comfort. Jason sits down with Peter Mutabazi — foster dad, leader, and advocate — to talk about why so many churches feel like corporations, why some leaders feel stuck on stage, and how authenticity can rebuild trust in a lonely calling.
Website: jasonshepperd.com
Audio Devo...
This episode covers the journey from rescue to redemption through the lens of Peter Mutabazi’s remarkable story. In this episode of Rethink and Return, Jason and Dave reflect on Peter’s transformation—from a nameless orphan in a gutter to a man fathering dozens through foster care—and how his life vividly illustrates the gospel. They challenge us to move beyond healing into purpose, from survival to sacrifice, and into the kind of ...
This episode covers the weight of pastoring and how easily ministry can distort your identity. From comparison and discouragement to decentralization and leadership clarity, this conversation challenges pastors to stay rooted in who God created them to be. Faithfulness requires grit, but also a willingness to say “no,” stay small, and remember why you started.
Website: jasonshepperd.com
Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com
Have Convers...
This episode covers the sacred nature of work and the call to pursue both rest and excellence. From the beginning, God modeled meaningful work in creation, revealing that labor is not a curse but a reflection of His character. Rooted in Genesis 1 and 2, this conversation reframes work—not as a means to earn or prove, but as an act of worship. Whether in ministry or the marketplace, we’re invited to work with all our might, not for ...
This episode is a continuation of Jason's conversation with Jeff about church planting. While planting a church is a huge step in the process, Jason and Jeff break down the weight of building a team that loves Jesus and loves the mission of the church. To be part of a church is to be part of the whole church, united in Christ to spread the gospel throughout our city.
Website: jasonshepperd.com
Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com
...
This episode covers the qualities needed to plant a church. Church planting is hard, but not impossible. Having people by your side, resting well, and enduring the struggle are all ways pastors can remain diligent in their pursuit of bringing the gospel to their local community and beyond.
Website: jasonshepperd.com
Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com
Have Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.com
Church Project Network: chur...
This episode covers the hope and purpose found in suffering. Through the lens of the gospel, we see that pain is never wasted—God uses it to refine us, draw us closer to Him, and reveal His strength in our weakness. Suffering is not the absence of God’s love, but often the place where His presence is most deeply known. In Christ, even our hardest moments are filled with eternal meaning and future glory.
Website: jasonshepperd.com
Au...
This episode covers the importance of evangelism and discipleship in the church. The local church is a gift, and a local church is about people. But it is a pastor's responsibility to properly equip the church to spread the gospel and make more disciples.
// ABOUT TIM HAWKS //
Tim Hawks has served as the Lead Pastor of Hill Country Bible Church Austin for over 30 years which, by God’s grace and faithful provision, has formed the...
This episode covers the danger of spiritual ignorance and the burden of trying to earn God's favor through our own efforts. We unpack the contrast between living by the flesh versus living by divine promise, and what it means to be truly free in God's grace and in His covenant. This conversation challenges listeners to consider their spiritual path and let Scripture shape every part of life.
Website: jasonshepperd.com
Aud...
This episode covers the importance of returning to the practices of discipleship we see in the New Testament. With so much emphasis these days placed on the size of a church, it is crucial that discipleship be at the center of the church's efforts. Dedicating our time a resources to discipleship will cause a cultural revolution that will help change the trajectory of the modern church.
// ABOUT BOBBY HARRINGTON //
Bobby Harring...
This episode covers the will of God and the reality of life. While we experience hardships and trials, we can live with confidence that God's will can and will be accomplished. It is God's desire that all come to a knowledge of the hope that we have in Jesus. This is the zeal we need to carry out the Gospel in our communities and around the world.
Website: jasonshepperd.com
Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com
Have Conversati...
This episode covers the power of the local church and discipleship. While it is important to gather collectively, it is equally important to be connected to individuals in the body that you can grow with. Discipleship and evangelism must be at the forefront of every church.
// ABOUT BILL HULL //
Bill Hull is a writer and discipleship evangelist as well as the founder of T-Net International, a ministry devoted to transforming churches...
This episode covers the distinction between the life that we lived before Christ and the new life we have upon receiving salvation through our faith in Christ. Before Christ, we were enslaved to gods and forces that cannot satisfy. But even in our walk with Jesus, those forces can still present themselves. We must be mindful to not turn back to our old ways and keep our eyes focused on Christ.
Website: jasonshepperd.com
Audio Devoti...
This episode covers the difficulties of planting and starting a church. Many people who start do not have the support or resources to grow and sustain a church plant. It is difficulties like these that cause so many church plants across the country to fail.
Website: jasonshepperd.com
Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com
Have Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.com
Church Project Network: churchprojectnetwork.com
Good City: go...
This episode covers the power of the gift of salvation. Upon our salvation, God gives us His spirit and makes us heirs of Jesus's inheritance. All of the promises of God have been given to us through salvation in Jesus and we will delight in His promises upon His return.
Website: jasonshepperd.com
Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com
Have Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.com
Church Project Network: churchprojectnetwor...
This episode covers the difficulties that pastors experience in pastoral leadership. While there there many high points that come from being a pastor, the low points can be painful at times. We should be mindful of these challenges, but continue to seek Christ in our pursuit of unwavering pastoral leadership.
Website: jasonshepperd.com
Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com
Have Conversations Toward Salvation: goodgodgospel.com
Church Pr...
This episode covers sonship and being adopted as sons and daughters of Christ. While everyone is a creation of God, knitted in their mother's womb, the only way to be a child of God is through faith in Jesus Christ. And within the body of Christ, there is no distinction that carries any relevance. Our identity in Christ levels the ground we all stand on.
Website: jasonshepperd.com
Audio Devotionals: startwith7.com
Have Conversa...
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