Bearded Theologians

4.16.26 Bearded Theologians Sunday Morning Preview

In this episode of the Bearded Theologians Podcast, Matt Franks and Zach Bechtold discussed their upcoming Sunday sermons and shared personal reflections on faith and ministry.Connect with the Bearded Theologians at www.beardedtheologians.com

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4.9.26 BeardedTheologians on Post Resurrection Slump

Apr 1000:20:47Tap to summarize

Easter is over — but the season isn't. Matt and Zach dive into one of the church calendar's most underestimated stretches: Eastertide, the fifty days between resurrection Sunday and Pentecost. It's the season when attendance tends to drift and energy can quietly fade — and it's exactly when intentional leadership matters most. In this episode, they get real about what it actually takes to sustain momentum after the high of Easter Sunday, from strategic sermon planning to creating experiences that give people a reason to keep showing up. Along the way, Matt shares a baptism moment that stopped the room, and Zach recounts what made this year's outdoor sunrise service one for the books. If you've ever felt the post-Easter slump creeping in, this conversation is your game plan. Connect with the Bearded Theologians at https://www.linktr.ee/Beardedtheologians You can find the Beardcast on Youtube, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify, Castbox, or wherever else you listen to Podcast.

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4.2.26 BeardedTheologians Hope For Easter

Apr 300:17:28Tap to summarize

In this episode, Zach and Matt reflect on their approaches to Easter and the deep meaning within the resurrection story. Zach explores the theme of grief and hope. He invites us to sit in the discomfort of the story rather than rushing ahead. It's in that tension that the power of the empty tomb truly comes alive.Matt highlights the unlikeliness of the resurrection, drawing attention to the surprising and often overlooked details—like the women being the first to proclaim the good news. Together, they consider how God continues to work in unexpected ways through unexpected people.They also reflect on how deeply relatable the disciples are in the Gospel narratives—their fear, doubt, and wonder mirroring our own experiences of faith. Even in stories we’ve heard countless times, there’s always something new to discover when we approach them with fresh eyes.The episode closes with personal glimpses of where they’ve seen God at work during Holy Week—from meaningful moments in ministry to the quiet beauty of worship.Join the conversation as we prepare for Easter and explore the hope that meets us, even in the midst of grief.Connect with the Bearded Theologians at https://www.linktr.ee/BeardedtheologiansYou can find the Beardcast on Youtube, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify, Castbox, or wherever else you listen to Podcast.

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3.26.26 Bearded Theologians reflect on Palm Sunday

Mar 2700:23:20Tap to summarize

On this episode of the Bearded Theologians Podcast, Matt Franks and Zach Bechtold take a thoughtful and honest look at Palm Sunday and the journey into Holy Week.Together, they explore different approaches to worship during this sacred time, including the tension between combining everything into a single Palm/Passion Sunday or allowing each service—Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter—to stand on its own. Matt shares why he values creating space for the full story to unfold, giving us time to sit with the weight of Good Friday before rushing to the joy of Easter morning.The conversation invites listeners to slow down, to feel the movement of the week, and to recognize how the depth of the story shapes the power of resurrection hope.As always, Matt and Zach also reflect on where they’ve seen God at work in their lives. This episode is a reminder that Holy Week isn’t just something we remember—it’s something we experience.👉 Listen in, reflect deeply, and prepare your heart for the journey to Easter.#BeardedTheologians #PalmSunday #HolyWeek #FaithPodcast #ProgressiveChristianityConnect with the Bearded Theologians at https://www.linktr.ee/BeardedtheologiansYou can find the Beardcast on Youtube, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify, Castbox, or wherever else you listen to Podcast.

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