As You Go

Brace for the profound... In life, there are beginnings, and there are endings.
I know, I know. Your mind just got blown.
But, in all seriousness, those beginnings often include some form of arrival, and, with those endings, some form of departure. It is the second one we're talking about on this episode of As You Go, and not only because this happens to be Bo Bowen's last episode as host of the podcast.
On this episode, Bo sits down for one more long-form conversation, with some old and new guests, to discuss the spiritual and emotional impact that comes with leaving a place, a church, a job, a town... Every guest brings their own stories, experiences, and lessons learned from times in which they were compelled - one way or another - to leave the life they knew and go to a new place. In this conversation, we talk about everything from the sadness and sentimental struggle of deciding to leave, to the spiritual significance behind the act of leaving, to some helpful reminders on how to leave well (even when the circumstances may tempt you to leave not-so-well).
And, yes, this is Bo's last episode as host, as he also finds himself in the process of leaving. Beginning April 1, 2019, Bo will begin a new position as senior pastor at Northeast Church in Braselton, Georgia. So, while we consider this episode his swan song, we are thankful he invited plenty of others along to share the mic.
As always, if you have any comments, questions, or would like to share your own stories, you can contact us at [email protected], or go to our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/asyougopodcast. You can also follow us on Twitter at @asyougopodcast.

Heaven. A glorious place. Pearly gates. Streets of gold. A crystal sea. And so many clouds!
Hell. A terrifying place. Fiery pits. Sulphur fumes. Dank caves. And so many pitchforks!
Misinterpreted or not, these are just some of the images that come to mind when we think of the proverbial carrot and stick of the Christian view of eternity. And, for more than fifteen-hundred years, these images have proven extremely influential to human beings. To this very day, even people who reject everything about Christianity are familiar with the concepts of heaven and hell. They are integral aspects of the life of faith, and have been speculated about and re-imagined by believers and non-believers alike. Even if you don't believe in heaven or hell, there's no getting around how powerful and persuasive these two concepts can be.
On this episode of As You Go, Bo sits down with regular co-hosts Jeff Reams (Missions Pastor at Dunwoody Baptist Church and host of The Mission Life Podcast) and Katie Phillips (Writer and Editor with Shaunti Feldhahn Ministries) to discuss how their own upbringings in the Church were influenced (or not) by the concepts of heaven and hell. In what ways has the hope of heaven drawn them deeper into a desire for God, and in what ways has a fear of hell changed the way they viewed the life of faith? How should Christians talk about these two enigmatic concepts with non-believers? What about with children?
If you would like to share your own thoughts on this episode, you can write to us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/asyougopodcast. We're also on Twitter and Instagram at @asyougopodcast. We'd love to hear from you!
Show Notes:
The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller, Penguin Books, 2009.

In the last two decades, majority views on gender and sexuality have undergone a significant shift. And in the last half-decade or so, one of the most controversial issues to emerge within this subject matter is the issue of gender identity (i.e., "gender expression," "gender dysphoria," etc.). Whether for better or worse, not very long ago in Western society an anatomical/biological male could choose to "identity" as female in gender (or vice versa) only to be immediately dismissed as mentally impaired. But in most communities, that response has either softened, or completely changed.
But with the normalization of separating from one's biological identity from one's gender expression, there remains several points of concern that should not be overlooked no matter what side of this issue, or related issues, you find yourself standing on. Hard questions must still be asked of this new normal. Most notably, perhaps, is what age or stage of life is healthy and appropriate in which to choose one's gender identity and sexual orientation? How young is too young? And what does empirical science have to say in response to what is very often a decision driven by social experience and emotion?
On this episode of As You Go, Bo sits down with Dr. Allen Jackson, senior pastor of Dunwoody Baptist Church in Dunwoody, Georgia. Prior to pastoring at DBC, Allen spent much of his adult life and ministry career as a professor and writer, training student pastors and other seminarians and engaging in research on a wide range of subjects pertaining to child and adolescent development. Together, Allen and Bo discuss the ramifications of gender identification and how the issue has changed over the last several years. They focus much of their conversation on the growing trend of choosing one's gender identity prior to, or during, puberty, and the dangers inherent in doing so as attested in pediatric research.
This is a wide-ranging topic, to be sure, and not a little controversial. However, in their conversation Allen and Bo seek to respect differing viewpoints and stances while providing honest observations and interpretations of research data in order to help listeners remain adequately informed about such a polarizing issue in today's society. For Christians especially, while some might like this issue to go away, the fact is that all of us must recognize a need to not only address it, but also to carefully understand and reflect on it, and to pursue an attitude of grace and patience no matter what our personal feelings may be. This episode may help you in that journey.
If you would like to offer your own comments, or feedback, on this episode, you can send an e-mail to [email protected], or go to our Facebook site, www.facebook.com/asyougopodcast and offer a comment beneath the episode post. You can also tweet to us at @asyougopodcast.
SHOW NOTES:
(Helpful articles and books, including those mentioned by Dr. Jackson):
Articles:
"Responding to the Transgender Revolution" by Robert S. Smith (copyright 2017)
"The Transgender Revolution and the Rubble of Empty Promises" by Russell Moore (copyright 2017)
"The Gender-Fluid Generation: Young People on Being Male, Female, or Non-Binary" by Sarah Marsh and The Guardian readers (copyright 2016)
"Sexuality and Gender: Findings from the Biological, Psychological, and Social Sciences" by Lawrence S. Mayer and Paul R. McHugh (copyright 2016)
"Misunderstanding a New Kind of Gender Dysphoria" by Lisa Marchiano (copyright 2017)
"Women's Service in the Church: The Biblical Basis" by N.T. Wright (copyright 2016)
Books:
The Bible and Homosexual Practice by Robert J. Gagnon
Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church's Debate on Same-Sex Relationships by James V. Brownson
Transgender by Vaughan Roberts
God and the Transgender Debate: What Does the Bible Actually Say About Gender Identity by Andrew T. Walker
Love is an Orientation: Elevating the Gay Conversation with the Gay Community by Andrew Marin
Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture by Mark A. Yarhouse

While simultaneously changing the world through technological innovation, social media platforms, and award-winning artistic pursuits, the Millennial generation is simultaneously decried as a generation of entitled, lazy, ill-prepared men and women who have not had the rock-solid upbringing of previous generations. There are plenty of news pundits, politicians, and even preachers pointing at these young people in their twenties and early thirties and blaming them for a miscellany of breakdowns in our society.
And yet, the Millennial generation has confidently entered the global workforce and are currently receiving the baton from the Boomers and Gen-Xers who have proceeded them. So, who are these people, and what do they really think about society, not to mention issues of faith and culture?
On this episode of As You Go, Bo sits down with three twenty-something Millennials (and trusty producer-sidekick, Ross, who just makes the birthdate cut) to discuss what it's like to be a Millennial in a society that simultaneously maligns you yet follows your lead in so many areas. The conversation meanders through student debt, marriage, and professionalism, but ultimately arrives at a discussion of what American Millennials think of the Church. What does it take to recognize that Millennials are no longer "the Church of the future," but rather are "the Church of Now"? How can communities of faith authentically connect with this rising generation, and what outdated modes of ministry need to go in order to truly become a place of healing and strength for our world today?
If you would like to contact us at As You Go, you can send an e-mail to [email protected], or you can visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/asyougopodcast. You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @asyougopodcast. And, remember, if you like the show, the best way to show that appreciation is to leave a nice review on iTunes. It helps more people find the show and enjoy it just as you do.

It's the Season 4 premiere of the As You Go Podcast! We're glad to be back with another year of great conversations (and we don't plan to cut this season short due to marriage ceremonies, unexpected surgeries, and house moves...)
On this episode of AYG, Bo sits down with fellow pastors Jeff Reams (DBC Missions Pastor and MissionLife Podcast host) and Robert Comeaux (DBC Worship & Arts Pastor) to discuss their recent experience studying and preparing sermons on some of Jesus' parables. Their discussion focuses on the unique nature of reading and interpreting the parables of Jesus, as well as the idiosyncrasies and occasional difficulties encountered when preaching about what are already inherently sermons in story form. How should believers extrapolate the lessons within a parable? Are parables meant to be read symbolically or allegorically? Do we do a disservice to parables when we teach them through expository sermons?
We would love to hear your thoughts on our conversation, and find out what your favorite (or least favorite?) parable is. Please let us know what you think of this, and future, episodes by checking us out online: www.facebook.com/asyougopodcast and through our Twitter and Instagram handle, @asyougopodcast. You can also e-mail us directly at [email protected]. Who knows? We might read your comments during a future episode...
Also, please take a couple minutes to rate and review this podcast on iTunes or Stitcher to help raise the profile of the show and help other people find it and enjoy it just like you do.