Todd A. Biermann joins host Elizabeth Pittman on this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast to discuss his new Bible journal with CPH, Everyday Word: A Two-Year Bible Journal. Todd is the executive director of Concordia Center for the Family.

Get a copy of the Bible journal at cph.org/everydayword.

Show Notes

Listen to the episode to hear from author Todd A. Biermann as he discusses his new Bible journal from CPH, Everyday Word: A Two-Year Bible Journal. He describes how this journal came to life, what makes this Bible journal unique, how a family or small group may use the journal together, advice he’d give to those who want to start regularly reading the Bible, and more.

Questions

• You’ve described Everyday Word as “the fruit of a journey” that began during one of the most challenging seasons of your ministry. Can you share more about that moment and how this journal came to life?
• What personal spiritual lessons did you learn as you developed and used this two-year plan yourself?
• How would you describe what makes this Bible journal unique compared to other reading plans or devotionals?
• Why do you think it’s important to read Scripture daily—but not necessarily to rush through it in a year?
• Each weekly unit includes six components—Historical Context, Law and Gospel Themes, Life Application Starters, Prayer Starters, Memory Verses, and Daily Readings and Notes. How do these pieces work together to deepen someone’s engagement with God’s Word?
• What might it look like in practice for a family or small group to use Everyday Word together?
• How can pastors or church leaders use Everyday Word to help members stay connected to Scripture throughout the week?
• For someone who feels intimidated by the idea of reading the whole Bible, how does this resource make that goal more achievable—and more joyful?
• You suggest that people return to the journal again and again over the years. What new discoveries might readers expect to find each time they start over?
• How might Everyday Word become a spiritual legacy—a record of faith that can be passed down through generations?
• What impact do you hope this journal will have on the broader Church and on individuals’ confidence in God’s Word?
• What encouragement would you give to someone who wants to start reading the Bible regularly but struggles to stay consistent?
• What’s one step listeners can take today to begin—or renew—their own journey in Scripture?

About the Guest

Todd A. Biermann, after having served as a parish pastor in Minnesota, Ohio and Michigan for 34 years, is now fulfilling the Call as Executive Director of Concordia Center for the Family, a Recognized Service Organization of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, a Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He resides in Republic, Missouri, with his beloved bride, Heather, who shares his passion for building up marriages and families in God’s way.

Dr. David J. Peter joins this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast to discuss the 2025 Advent series, Every Heart Prepare, which he authored in partnership with CPH.

Order your church’s Advent materials at cph.org/advent.

Show Notes

We do so much to prepare for Christmas. One way we prepare is by decorating our homes, yards, and churches with evergreens, lights, the crèche, and presents. This season, reflect upon these common Christmas decorations and how they help us see Christ and prepare for His coming with this Advent and Christmas series.

Dr. David J. Peter discusses Every Heart Prepare, the all-inclusive Advent preaching and worship series that features sermons and sermon notes, Bible studies, children’s messages, a children’s Christmas service, and more. He talks about what first inspired him to write about common Christmas decorations and how they relate to Advent, advice he would give pastors for using these materials in their congregations, and what part of this series was most meaningful to him.

Dr. Peter is also the author of Organizing for Ministry and Mission: Options for Church Structure (CPH, 2023).

Questions

• What first inspired you to connect common Christmas decorations with themes of Advent preparation?
• Why should pastors use this series for their congregation?
• What advice would you give pastors on adapting or customizing these materials for their specific congregational setting?
• The evergreen tree has long symbolized eternal life. How does your sermon connect that symbol to Christ’s coming?
• Light is such a powerful biblical image. How does the “Lights” sermon draw people into the message of Jesus as the Light of the World?
• The crèche—often a quiet, simple decoration—has deep theological meaning. How do you help congregations rediscover its significance?
• On Christmas, the focus turns to wrapped presents. How do you use the imagery of gifts to reveal the meaning of God’s greatest gift, Jesus Christ?
• What part of this series was most meaningful for you personally, and why?

About the Guest

Dr. David J. Peter has served as a professor of practical theology and the dean of faculty at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, where he has regularly led courses for practicing pastors. His areas of expertise include pastoral ministry and researching congregational dynamics. Dr. Peter has also gained many insights from students about the realities of administration and leadership in congregations throughout his years of preaching and instructing. Before joining the Seminary, Dr. Peter served as a visiting instructor of theology at Concordia University in Nebraska, Seward from 1987 to 1988. He also served as associate pastor at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Peoria, Illinois, from 1988 to 1995 and then as senior pastor from 1995 to 1998. Dr. Peter received his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Concordia Seminary, his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln., and a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.

On this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, host Elizabeth Pittman is joined by guest and author Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing. The pair discusses Reed‘s newest book with CPH, Hope in the Wilderness: Practical Insights from the Book of Numbers, which tackles the Book of Numbers in a chapter-by-chapter exploration.

Get the book today at cph.org.

Show Notes

In-between times. You’ve likely been here too. Waiting for a new job to start. Transitioning from engaged to married. Packing up your belongings but unable to move into that new house yet. The Book of Numbers is also about the in-between times and, most importantly, how to survive during them.

Listen to the episode now as author R. Reed Lessing discusses how his newest book helps you tackle the Book of Numbers with helpful maps, diagrams, and connections to the rest of the Bible. Reed also talks about why studying the Book of Numbers is valuable, who the Levites were and what we can learn from them today, why the ark of the covenant is important, what lessons we can take away from Numbers, and more.

Questions

• Why is a study of Numbers worth the journey?
• Who are the Levites? What should we know about their role? What can our pastors today learn from them?
• How does Numbers equip us for the in-between times?
• What’s the danger of not learning how to embrace the in-between times?
• We hear the Aaronic benediction in worship—give us a closer look at this blessing. Does it have a trinitarian framework?
• What is “Vitamin F” and why do we need it?
• Why is the ark of the covenant important?
• What can we learn from what you call “the worst day of Moses’ life”?

About the Guest

Dr. R. Reed Lessing is The Edwin F. and Esther L. Laatsch Chair of Old Testament Studies at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota. He also serves as the University’s Director for the Center of Biblical Studies and oversees the University’s Pre-Seminary Program. Previously, he was Senior Pastor at Saint Michael Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and before that, Professor of Exegetical Theology and Director of the Graduate School at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and received a B.A. in pre-seminary studies from St. John’s College, Winfield, Kansas, in 1981. He earned his M.Div. (1985), S.T.M. (1989), and Ph.D. (2001) degrees from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He was ordained into the office of the holy ministry on June 29, 1986. From 1986 to 1999, he served pastorates in West Monroe, Louisiana, and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

On this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, host Elizabeth Pittman is joined by Benjamin Kolodziej. They explore the history of American Lutheran Church music and Kolodziej’s new book on this topic, Portraits in American Lutheran Sacred Music, 1847–1947.

Get the new book at cph.org.

Show Notes

Thirteen composers. Thirteen biographies of foundational Lutheran musicians.

Envisioned by Walter Buszin, Portraits in American Lutheran Sacred Music, 1847–1947 is a groundbreaking collection of biographies and historical records of important church figures, places, and instruments that carried the foundation of Lutheran church music. During the episode, author Benjamin Kolodziej discusses the robust history of the people, places, and instruments noted in the book, where the idea for this collection of portraits came from, advice he would give to aspiring church musicians, and more.

About the Guest

Benjamin Kolodziej holds an undergraduate degree in organ performance as well as graduate degrees in sacred music and theology from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. His primary organ studies have been with Robert Anderson, Larry Palmer, Richard DeLong, George Baker, and Jon Gillock. He has performed solo organ concerts in Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy and throughout the UK. A frequent performer for concerts and hymn festivals in the USA, his venues have included St. Patrick’s Cathedral and St. Thomas Church in New York City, Washington National Cathedral, and St. Philip’s Cathedral in Atlanta. He is a frequent writer on topics of organ and church music for national publications, including The American Organist. Kolodziej is organist and choirmaster at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Dallas, Texas, and is also organist at Perkins Chapel at Southern Methodist University, where he plays for one hundred weddings a year. As a hobby, he collects antiquarian hymnals and theological literature. He is a member of Faith Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Plano, Texas.

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, host Elizabeth Pittman is joined by Rev. Dr. Carl C. Fickenscher II, author of the new book Looking Forward to Sunday Morning: Reflections on the Church Year. The duo discusses the contents of the readings that we hear at church on Sunday morning, how they relate thematically, and what we can learn to look forward to as we spend time in the Word.

Get the book now on cph.org!

Show Notes
How often do you think about the contents of upcoming weekly worship services and how they interconnect thematically? However rare or frequent this is, there is something to be learned, and certainly something to look forward to.

Listen to the episode to hear how this resource from CPH based on Carl Fickenscher II’s fan-favorite radio show walks through the propers of each week of the three-year-lectionary (the Introit, Gradual, Collect, and so on), helping you prepare for worship and better understand its interconnected pieces. Carl also talks about how the lectionary is a valuable tool for the church, what he hopes readers learn to look forward to during Sunday morning worship, what church leaders can take from this book to help their members be more excited about Sunday morning worship, and more.

Questions

• Why is the lectionary a valuable tool for the church?
• How might pastors use this book differently from laypersons?
• What are the things about Sunday morning you hope your readers look forward to--besides the coffee, doughnuts, and baked goods?
• How can Sunday morning make a bigger impact on the other hours of our week?
• Is there anything pastors and other church leaders can take from this book to help their members be more excited about Sunday mornings?

About the Guest
Rev. Dr. Carl Fickenscher is a professor of pastoral ministry and missions at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, teaching primarily the area of homiletics. He and his wife, Claire, are parents of Rachel, Daniel, and Gabriel, and very proud grandparents.

2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. Pastor Timothy Winterstein joins host Elizabeth Pittman on this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast to discuss his new Bible Study, Worshiped and Glorified: A Study of the Nicene Creed.

Order Pastor Winterstein’s new book on cph.org today!

Show Notes
Pastor Winterstein’s new eight-session Bible study, Worshiped and Glorified: A Study of the Nicene Creed, unpacks the historical context, significance, and scriptural foundation of the phrases of the Nicene Creed. In his writing, he illuminates the intricacies and implications of the Nicene Creed, from why we needed (and still need) it, to each phrase’s historical background, purpose, and scriptural foundation.

During the episode, Pastor Winterstein talks about why the Nicene Creed was written, how it’s important to Christians in today’s world, how the Nicene Creed guides our Bible reading, and more.

Questions

• How did you come to be interested in the Nicene Creed and the historical context out of which it arose?
• Why is it important for Christians today to know how and why the Creed arose?
• Which phrase or phrases from the Nicene Creed are most significant in your mind?
• What are some ways the Nicene Creed addresses false teachings that have cropped up in the Christian Church in our day?
• How can the Nicene Creed help guide our Bible reading, study, and devotional life?

About the Guest
Timothy Winterstein is the pastor of University Lutheran Church on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. He is married to Tennille, and they have four children: Lucia, Jonas, Salem, and Cyrus. He is pursuing a PhD in Theology and Culture at Concordia Seminary, St Louis. With his brother, Jay, he hosts a film and theology podcast at saintsandcinema.com.

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, Christina Hergenrader joins as guest to talk about her newest Bible Study, Everlasting: Peaks, Valleys, and Grace in the Psalms.

Get a copy of the book at cph.org/everlasting.

Show Notes

Anxious. Worthy. Ashamed. Nostalgic. Lonely. Secure. This is just a handful of emotions we observe in the Psalms—and in our day-to-day lives, too. In her newest women’s Bible study, beloved author Christina Hergenrader guides readers through 25 psalms, digging into their genres, perplex emotions, glimpses of Jesus, and more.

During the episode, Christina discusses what led her to explore emotions and the Psalms, what it’s like sharing personal stories in the book, why Christians struggle to believe that our emotions matter to God, how she envisions readers will use Everlasting, and more.

Questions

• What led you to explore emotions and the psalms in Everlasting?
• You talk about reading the psalms with new eyes at this stage of life. What shifted for you?
• How did your experience with the Executive Coaching Program at the Townsend Institute influence your approach to this study?
• You share personal stories throughout Everlasting. Is it hard for you to be vulnerable when sharing these?
• What do the Psalms teach us about the relationship between faith and emotional honesty?
• How would you encourage someone who is afraid to be emotionally vulnerable with God?
• Was there a particular psalm that surprised you as you studied it?
• Why do you think that many Christians struggle to believe that our emotions matter to God?
• Talk about the Psalms of lament and exhaustion.
• If someone is feeling disconnected from their faith, what would you say to them?
• Why are Messianic Psalms important?
• What is the danger of leaving nostalgia unchecked?
• Why was it important for you to encourage readers to write their own psalms? How do you suggest they approach this?
• How do you envision readers using Everlasting?

About the Guest
Christina Hergenrader is busy doing what she loves. As a wife, mother, Christian teacher, and writer, she finds that life continues to keep her on her toes. After growing up in Galveston Island, Texas, Christina moved to Nebraska and attended Concordia University Nebraska, where she pursued her passion: education. With a teaching degree in hand, she moved to Houston, Texas, with her husband, Mike, to start her first job. At the end of the year, Christina was named “Teacher of the Year” by Houston’s Lutheran School Association. She also received the “Young Alumnus of the Year” award from her alma mater, Concordia-Seward. Later, Christina earned a master’s degree in Creative Writing. She also began writing and sharing devotions with her classes. Encouraged by their feedback, Christina submitted a manuscript to Concordia Publishing House. Since then, she has written several books, Bible studies and articles that have been published by CPH. When she’s not writing, Christina loves spending time with her husband and four children, teaching, speaking to women’s groups, traveling, photography, and spending time in prayer.

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, Elizabeth Pittman is joined by Rev. Dr R. Lee Hagan, author of Faithful, Hopeful, and Bold: Encouragement for the Church. During the episode, Hagan reminds listeners that wherever God’s Word is proclaimed, there is hope for His people.

Get Hagan’s new book at cph.org/hagan.

Show Notes

Our world is constantly shifting, changing, and moving away from Christianity. This post-Christian culture feels bleak and full of hopelessness for the next generation and the future of our congregations. Yet, the current generations are not the first to have faced this struggle.

In his new book, Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan brings readers 12 different stories and reflections that address the hopelessness and struggle in today’s churches. The book is perfect for church leaders to find spiritual encouragement and strengthen the faith in their own congregations. Hagan discusses the ins and outs of writing the book with host Elizabeth Pittman, as well as how church leaders should respond to the despair felt for the future of the church, how leadership is centered in discipleship, what it means to be bold as a church leader today, and more.

Questions

• What inspired you to write Faithful, Hopeful, and Bold? Why is it important for us today?
• The book opens by acknowledging the despair many Christians feel about the future of the church. What do you think are the root causes of that despair, and how should church leaders respond?
• In the reflection “Small Church, Big Savior,” you highlight the strength that comes from Christ to even the smallest congregations. What encouragement would you give to pastors or leaders of small churches?
• You mention that even in the closing of congregations, God’s Word has not failed. Can you share a story or moment that illustrates that truth?
• In “Living as Exiles,” you compare our current culture to the exile experience in Scripture. How can congregations faithfully live as exiles without retreating or becoming combative?
• You write that “leaders are followers first.” In a culture obsessed with leadership, how can the church cultivate a different vision of leadership grounded in discipleship?
• What does it mean to be “bold” as a church leader today—and how does boldness differ from brashness or arrogance?
• You discuss grief over the past in “For Such a Time as This.” How can churches move from nostalgia to opportunity without losing their history or identity?
• How do you define success in ministry today, especially when metrics like attendance or offerings may be declining?
• You describe hope as a “gift of God” and “antidote to despair.” What practices can help church leaders personally stay rooted in that hope?
• Your final chapter is titled Quo Vademus? or “Where do we go from here?” If a church leader finishes your book and asks that very question—what’s one step you hope they take next?
• How do you envision this book being used in congregational settings or among pastors?
• What’s your prayer for the Church today as we seek to be faithful, hopeful, and bold in Christ?

About the Guest
Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan serves as president of the Missouri District-LCMS and as chairman of the LCMS Council of Presidents. He is a 1992 graduate of Concordia College (now University), Seward, Nebraska. He graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis with a Master of Divinity in 1996 and Doctor of Ministry in 2011.