If you watch a sports event in the US, gambling ads are everywhere. Andy thinks this is a sign that our society is turning to a bunch of pagans. Instead of trying to find happiness in stuff, Andy thinks we should turn to the wisdom of 17th century thinker Blaise Pascal and embrace our own emptiness and brokenness instead.…

Swear words don't seem to pack the same punch anymore, and Andy thinks it all has to do with the decline of protestantism and the "polite society". It turns out that this also has some big ministry implications for those of us here in the Secular Age. With the topic, this episode features some salty language & swear words. Be sure to grab Andy's bo…

Derek's children are addicted to YouTube Kids and Andy thinks it's all connected to the work of Byung-Chul Han and Martin Heidegger. YouTube along with other social media, are vapid reflections of us that don't call us further into our own being, and that's the problem. Andy and Derek discuss. Be sure to grab Andy's book "When Church Stops Working"…

We're back from a hiatus with more new episodes to come! Andy attends a graduation ceremony held in a church where the school papered over God's name on the wall. What does this say about the secular age we live in? What's the deeper meaning for those of us in minisry? Andy's **brand new** book "WHEN CHURCH STOPS WORKING" is out now. Grab it on Ama…

Aliens have been in the news a bit, and Derek wants to know what Andy thinks would happen to the Church if aliens are real. Andy's **brand new** book "WHEN CHURCH STOPS WORKING" is out now. Grab it on Amazon or, better yet, your local bookstore. Special thanks to Baker Publishing for sponsoring our podcast.…

Churches are obsessed with mission statements, but Andy thinks that watch words are even more important. Andy's **brand new** book "WHEN CHURCH STOPS WORKING" is out now. Grab it on Amazon or, better yet, your local bookstore. Special thanks to Baker Publishing for sponsoring our podcast.By When Church Stops Working

Andy thinks there's something deeply wrong with having "bucket lists". Andy's **brand new** book "WHEN CHURCH STOPS WORKING" is out now. Grab it on Amazon or, better yet, your local bookstore. Special thanks to Baker Publishing for sponsoring our podcast.By When Church Stops Working

Andy sent Derek a text at 1:00am about our modern desire to look backward at life. It led them to talk about the Holy Land, cathedrals, whiskey, and the tension in modern youth ministry. Be sure to grab Andy's brand new book - The Church After Innovation - out now. Get your copy on Amazon today along with all of Andy's other books. Special thanks t…

Andy likes a streaming TV show about Jesus and says it's good. Derek is skeptical. This leads to a conversation about art, faith, beauty, truth, and the Church. Be sure to grab Andy's brand new book - The Church After Innovation - out now. Get your copy on Amazon today along with all of Andy's other books. Special thanks to Baker Publishing for spo…

The robots are coming for us all. Andy is worried it has the potential to take away the meaning from artistic expression and end the Age of Authenticity. Derek, on the other hand, uses it to enhance his sermons. Only time can tell who is right. Be sure to grab Andy's brand new book - The Church After Innovation - out now. Get your copy on Amazon to…

Everyone talks about how "different" these times are for culture and for the Church. Andy doesn't think so. In fact, Andy doesn't think much has changed since the 1960s, and this insight has some big implications for ministry today. Be sure to grab Andy's brand new book - The Church After Innovation - out now. Get your copy on Amazon today along wi…

Andy doesn't think that you should say you're "proud of yourself". It's a throwaway phrase that we use all the time, but Andy thinks there's something more going on there. It turns out there's a lot in this simple phrase about how we see our lives, how we engage with church and spirituality, and how we get sucked into the toxic positivity of self h…

It's cold outside which makes it a perfect time for Andy's TV recommendations. This time Andy discusses a new show on HBO which leads to a larger conversation about how to embrace the uncontrollable. It turns out that sometimes trying to control everything squeezes the life out of us and our ministries. Be sure to grab Andy's brand new book - The C…

We're excited for another listener question episode - this time from Matthew Codd. Fundamentalism is rampant on both sides of modern politics, social media, and even the Church. Andy has thoughts on this and what it means for those of us in ministry. Be sure to grab Andy's brand new book - The Church After Innovation - out now. Get your copy on Ama…

Andy has a big problem with saying "you're fine" after someone apologizes. And it all has to do with our culture's desire for singular uniqueness and the constant state of judging each other. It turns out this little phrase reveals big implications for the Church and our society. Be sure to grab Andy's brand new book - The Church After Innovation -…

This week Pastor Andrew Esqueda has a great question for the pod about the tension church leaders feel balancing relevance & resonance. Andy also has a *brand new book* - The Church After Innovation - out now. Get your copy on Amazon today along with all of Andy's other books. Special thanks to Baker Publishing for sponsoring our podcast.…

Ministry is hard in a world of black-and-white divisive issues, political polarization, and different opinions. How can leaders make sense of it all? Andy thinks that Karl Barth might have some clues - especially when we take a step back to let "God be God". Special thanks to our sponsor Baker Publishing. New episodes drop every other week. Thanks …

We're back with a new name, a new schedule, and a new sponsor! This week we're digging into the new name question with Andy. What does it mean when the Church "stops working"? Is that even possible? And what does that mean for those in ministry? Special thanks to our new sponsor Baker Publishing. New episodes drop every other week. Thanks for liste…

Andy's brand new book - Churches and the Crisis of Decline - is out now! Derek took some time to sit down with Andy to talk about the book, the real "crisis" the church is facing (hint - it's not decline), and the importance for church leaders to simply wait for God to act. Grab your copy of the book here - https://tinyurl.com/4pnbkdre www.newtimer…

Everyone loves Ted Lasso. But Andy thinks that this points to a bigger issue in our culture & church. When we're always trying to be positive and smooth, life becomes an exhausting performance where we hide our jagged edges. And this isn't always healthy, and it's definitely not the point of the Gospel. Andy's book The Congregation in a Secular Age…

We've talked about "resonance" a lot on the podcast, but what does it look like in the real world? This week Andy shares a personal story from a family trip to Hawaii featuring messy dolphins and finding beauty in the midst of it all. Andy's book The Congregation in a Secular Age is out now. Be sure to grab your copy today: https://tinyurl.com/yxu2…

We're back from summer break with a new batch of episodes and it's....been....quite the year. There's a lot going on with the global COVID pandemic, political turmoil, issues of equality and justice, and more. And so to kick things off, Andy talks about the perspective thinkers like Taylor and Rosa can give us during historic times like these. Also…

It's the middle of summer and who knows if we'll ever watch movies in the theater again. But...we DO have another episode of Andy's Movie Club featuring a movie that you can stream at-home and watch along with us! This time we're watching the Amazon original movie "Brad's Status" starring Ben Stiller. If you're old like us you'll love it and identi…

We're excited to introduce Andy's Movie Club - a new type of episode that gives you the chance to stay inside on a screen. Because who hasn't been doing that lately!? Join us as we explore Hulu's new documentary WeWork and look at what insights it has for the Church and for building community. Andy's new book The Congregation in a Secular Age is ou…

How does sin work in the Age of Authenticity? And why are both grace and sin eclipsed in a secular age? We dig into the listener mailbag this week to explore all that and more. Huge shout-out to Zoe for the great question this week. The Congregation in a Secular Age is out now. Be sure to grab your copy today: https://tinyurl.com/yxu2mcx2 And, as a…

The trilogy is complete. Andy's *brand new* book - the Congregation in a Secular Age - is out now. It's book #3 in his Secular Age trilogy and, unlike other third installments of trilogies, features no Ewoks whatsoever. Some of the themes are familiar to listeners of the pod, but we took a turn and got into some fascinating talk about ministry & th…

Andy saw Pixar's Soul over Christmas break and can't wait to talk about it. It's a beautiful film with wonderful reflections on life, love, and ministry. Spoilers abound, so be sure to watch the movie before diving in! Andy's *brand new* book, the Congregation in a Secular Age just launched. Be sure to grab your copy today: https://tinyurl.com/yxu2…

It's a karate episode for Christmas! Dr. Andrew Root has been watching Cobra Kai lately and sees a big connection between the evil dojo & Charles Taylor's triangle of Humanism vs. Neo-Nietzscheanism vs. Transcendance. And, truth be told, this Taylor's triangle reaches far beyond Netflix 80s revival shows. Join Andy & Derek as they hop on zoom for a…

What do pastors do all week? In the world of the Immanent Frame - where the only thing that matters is what you can touch and see - this question doesn't have a great answer. What does ministry look like in a secular world with the immanent frame? How can waiting for God to act actually be the faithful response? And where does Karl Barth fit in to …

We dig into the mailbag again for a great question on the Church and buildings. Do we need them? And do we do when the local church closes down and becomes a Chili's? Or a Boston Pizza if you're in Canada... Join us as we socially distance on Andy's deck discussing this and more on this episode of New Time Religion. Also - the listener hotline is s…

We've opened up the listener mailbag to answer a question about how to actually "do" the stuff Andy writes about in his books. This leads Andy to reflect on how often, "doing stuff" is the problem. Join us as we grill brats on the deck, discuss what German philosophers would think about Michael Jordan, and discover the gift of simply "being" in rel…

We've been living in this pandemic for a while now and Andy thinks our culture's response to it is a product of the Age of Authenticity. Andy's new book "The End of Youth Ministry?" is out now. Check it out via Amazon or on the Kindle Store. The New Time Religion hotline is open at 651-800-1089. Call to leave a question for a future episode! www.ne…

The story of how we arrived in the Secular Age is a fascinating one, and on today's episode Andy shows how the Western world went from Secular 1 to Secular 2 to Secular 3 and what it all means for the Church & ministry. Andy's new book "The End of Youth Ministry?" is out now. Check it out via Amazon or on the Kindle Store. The New Time Religion hot…

Why are some churches heavy on duty and obligation while for others participation feels optional? Andy's new book "The End of Youth Ministry" is out now. Save 40% off the cover price via this link: https://direct2church.com/products/end-of-youth-ministry-9781540961396 You can also order it on Amazon & the Kindle E-book Store. The NTR hotline is ope…

Derek talks to Andy about his new book "The End of Youth Ministry" which is out now. Order it today and save 40% by visiting this link: https://direct2church.com/products/end-of-youth-ministry-9781540961396 You can also order it on Amazon & the Kindle E-book Store. The NTR hotline is open at 651-800-1089. Call to leave a question for a future episo…

A lot has happened since our last episode. Join us as Andy covers the COVID-19 pandemic, the new world wide slow-down, how the future is changing, and how the Church responds. Andy's new book "The End of Youth Ministry" is out now. Pre-order today and save 40% by visiting this link: https://direct2church.com/products/end-of-youth-ministry-978154096…

There are a lot of great stories out there. Star Wars. Marvel. Harry Potter. And then there's the Bible. Why should people care about it when there are so many other options for stories? And what makes Scripture different? On today's episode Andy & Derek explore narratives, how they make meaning, and what it means for the Church to embrace people's…

Does God still speak to us today? Can God break into the secular world? These questions haunted the Swiss theologian Karl Barth, and an experience early in his ministry shaped the way he saw God breaking into the secular world. Later, the German theologian and martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer would wrestle with these same questions. In today's episode An…

In the modern age society and the Church are obsessed with numbers and growth. The downside is that this a quick path to burnout, exhaustion, emptiness, and depression. Sociologist Hartmut Rosa thinks that the answer to this speeding up is finding resonance in our lives and relationships, and Andy thinks this is a valuable lesson that the Church ne…

For centuries the Church kept time and looked backward - emphasizing the wisdom of the generations that went before. Now, we've shifted. We're obsessed with looking forward and finding "the new". Join us this week as we explore what this means for the Church and for our own lives. New Time Religion featuring Dr. Andrew Root and Derek Tronsgard. www…

Andy thinks that recognition and identity mixed with outrage and Twitter is ruining the world. He might be right. Join us this week as we talk politics, religion, and other things you shouldn't discuss in polite company. New Time Religion featuring Dr. Andrew Root and Derek Tronsgard. www.newtimereligion.org www.twitter.com/newtimereligion www.face…

Youth Group just isn't what it used to be. Why is that? And what does it have to do with Stranger Things, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and the Age of Authenticity? Find out today on New Time Religion featuring Dr. Andrew Root and Derek Tronsgard. www.newtimereligion.org www.twitter.com/newtimereligion www.facebook.com/newtimereligion Call our new …

New Time Religion is back from Summer Vacation! In today's world prayer can feel awkward, weird, and disjointed. Turns out there's a reason - and it's called the "immanent frame". Dr. Andrew Root and Derek Tronsgard talk about what the immanent frame is, how it shapes our world, and why prayer is just the thing to bring back some meaning and myster…

What does it mean to live the Good Life? Is it wealth? Fame? Recognition? Or something else entirely? Dr. Andy Root & Derek Tronsgard hash it out after some inspiration from the Amazon documentary "Generation Wealth". So what does it mean to live the Good Life? And what does it mean for the Church? www.twitter.com/newtimereligion www.facebook.com/n…

Modern life is hard up. Trying to keep up in the Secular Age leaves us numb, without meaning, and asleep at the wheel. Thankfully, Bill Murray is here to wake us up. But what does this mean for the Church? www.twitter.com/newtimereligion www.facebook.com/newtimereligion www.newtimereligion.orgBy newtimereligion

There are a lot of other things competing with the Church. Why are people choosing other "things" over church? Why is finding your thing in the Age of Authenticity so important? And how can the church respond to it all? Andy Root lays it all out in this week's episode. www.newtimereligion.org www.facebook.com/newtimereligion www.twitter.com/newtime…

In the Age of Authenticity we get to choose our own identity. Mr. Rogers gets it. The Fyre Festival gets it. But does the Church get it? And what do we do when keeping up your identity is so exhausting? New Time Religion featuring Dr. Andrew Root produced by Derek Tronsgard. www.newtimereligion.org twitter.com/newtimereligion facebook.com/newtimere…

The church is changing. Or is it declining? Or maybe even dying? New Time Religion, a new podcast featuring Dr. Andrew Root with producer Derek Tronsgard tells the story of how the Church got here and where it's going. Join us each week as Andy drills down with the help of social theorists like Charles Taylor, history, theology, philosophy, and, of…

New Time Religion with Andy Root. A new church podcast for the secular age.By newtimereligion