TEN FOOT POLE

Pastors A.J. and Andrew go on some long tangents but bring us home to some super powerful topics.  John the Baptist is beheaded on a sacrificial altar of power.  Many people in our world are sacrificed on similar altars. Who is sacrificed? What privileges do we have and how do we recognize them and understand them in our world? What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus in the world filled with altars of power?  We dive into Mark ...

Pastor Emily and Pastor A.J. veer away from the lectionary once again to talk about a bit of an uncomfortable topic: the destruction of Sodom.  Join in this conversation as we dispel the homophobia in this text and discuss the true issue at play here: hospitality.  What does it mean for us to be hospitable as children of God? Dive into our conversation about radical welcome in the name of Christ.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does ...

So grateful to welcome back Pastor Kelsey to bring home our Pride Month showcase episodes.  Pastor Kelsey came out as queer and then was led into ministry.  Pastor Kelsey shares that even in the midst of judgment and discrimination, Jesus loves you and makes space for you.  We briefly talk about Mark 5:21-43 for Sunday, June 30th, 2024. 

Discussion Questions:

1. What parts of your identity were you scared others would not accept?

2...

Pastor Colby is the author of Unclobber: Rethinking our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality. He joined Pastor A.J. for the amazing recording in front of a live audience at the Delaware-Maryland Synod Assembly in June 2024.  Pastor Colby shares his story and “coming out of the theological closet”.  Unclobber walks through the 6 passages of scripture that are commonly used to exclude and abuse the LGBTQ+ community at the hands of “G...

On this week’s episode, Pastor A.J. welcomes Jamie Bruesehoff, author of “Raising Kids Beyond the Binary: Celebrating God’sTransgender and Gender-Diverse Children”.  Transgender and gender-diverse humans are the target of so much hate and political stigma, and as called followers of Christ, what can we do to protect, advocate, and welcome those beloved children of God in our midst?  Jamie shares her story, some tips, and what all t...

Pastor A.J. and Rabbi Evan dive into the “fall” of humanity.  What are the different perspectives and theological meanings to this story in Judaism and Christianity?  What are the differences? We talk about how this story affects our understanding of good and evil and our very relationship with our creator God.  For those that follow the RCL this episode talks about Genesis 3:8-15 for Sunday, June 9th, 2024.

Discussion Questions:

1...

Is the Sabbath for us or are we for the Sabbath? Jesus challenges us once again by breaking the rules and paves the way for us to evaluate how we do church.  Who is church for? How important are your giant stained glass windows? Pastor Andrea and Pastor A.J. dive into the gospel lesson, Mark 2:23-3:6, for Sunday, June 2nd, 2024. 

Discussion Questions:

1. Does your church have very strong feelings about where things are located in t...

What’s it like to be heirs to the kingdom? Or have you been told that your “sins of the flesh” keep you out?  Well, my friends, Pastor Jon and Pastor A.J. talk about what it means to be a part of the body of Christ, a member of the second part of the Trinity, and who it’s for.  Guess what, it’s you!  This episode talks about Romans 8:12-17 for Trinity Sunday, May 26, 2024 with some Galatians 5 scattered in there. 

Discussion Questi...

“Maybe that’s the real gift of the Spirit: to hear and discern God’s Good News.” Is Pentecost really just the disciples' graduation from disciple school? Or is it more like their “confirmation”? Where it’s really the beginning of the next chapter of their faith and ministry. All glitter ashes aside, Pastor A.J. and Pastor Joe dive into some Pentecost, graduation, new wine, and confirmation based conversation about Acts 2:1-21 f...

Is Judas a bad guy? Why or why not?  Pastor Kyle and Pastor A.J. dive into all the possibilities and offer some grace for our faith’s biggest villain. Judas Iscariot is the guy who sells out Jesus, but he also was included as a chosen disciple.  What does it mean that Jesus chose him? Is it a mistake? Or is he just a part of the story because we need a villain? Let’s talk about it.  Pastor Kyle and Pastor A.J. dive into Acts 1:15-2...

Down the rabbit hole we go!  We finally found a topic that makes Pastor A.J. uncomfortable! What if Jesus’ last commandment to the disciples is not what it seems? What does that mean for us? Is there a Johannine "messianic secret commandment" that we missed? Does it mean anything to us a couple thousand years later? Join Pastor A.J. and Brother Ryan as we venture down the rabbit hole where things may not be what they seem...

Happy *almost* Mental Health Awareness Month! To kick off Mental Health Awareness month, Pastor A.J. shares part of the story of the prophet, Elijah.  Elijah experiences some trauma, burnout, depression, and some suicidal ideation.  It’s uncomfortable stuff. Frequently, the response to mental health from Christianity has been less than helpful.  Sometimes pastors act like psychiatrists and sometimes the “Christian” approach is just...

Archivist and historians, Melinda and Andy, share a dark secret from St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charleston, South Carolina: St. Matthew's was an enslaver. Melinda and Andy dive into what we know and don't know about Alexander, his life, and work here. We talk about the implications of a church-owned slave. What does this mean for us today? Why is this important for us to talk about? Tune in for this 20...

This week Pastor Kelsey and Pastor A.J. dive into 1st John again.  We will discuss sin, who sins, who gets forgiveness, and what it all means.  We will look at different perspectives on sin and grace, and ultimately, find the good news in Jesus.  This episode talks about 1st John 3:1-7 for Sunday, April 14, 2024.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are experiences that you have had that have made you more compassionate towards others?

2....

We are back!  Our season 3 part 2 premiere’s with a podcast favorite guest, Pastor Allison.  She and Pastor A.J. discuss light and dark and the problem with some of this language in the Bible. Do you get uncomfortable with light and dark imagery in the Bible? No? Well let’s open ourselves up to other perspectives of why this language is harmful and who it harms. Pastor Allison and Pastor A.J. will explore other ways to express...

Bathsheba is certainly another matriarch that makes lemonade out of lemons. Is it to protect her family and future children? She is a victim on a sexual power move and scandal that costs her husband his life. What is she to do in the midst of such horror and trauma? With God’s help, she becomes a queen and wise leader. Let’s talk about it.

Find downloadable materials for your Advent study group on our website! www.tenfootpolepodca...

Ruth is one of only two women who have a book dedicated to them in our scriptures. Ruth’s story tells us a lot more about Naomi than Ruth. Naomi orchestrates a marriage proposal to secure a good life for her widowed daughter-in-law through deceit and indecency. Let’s talk about it.

Find downloadable materials for your Advent study group on our website! www.tenfootpolepodcast.com/unladylike

1. Dr. Wiseman says, “These women ha...

It is unusual that Rahab be included in Jesus’ genealogy because she is not referenced in a genealogy anywhere else, in fact, Rabbinic tradition has her marrying Joshua, not Salmon. So what is the significance of Rahab being here? It could be because of her faith in God and covenant with the people of Israel. It could be because she is a foreigner in Jesus’ family uplifting this God and faith above just those who are ancestrally Is...