You're Not Crazy

How to Build Gospel Culture: A Q&A Conversation

In this episode of You're Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry address listener questions. They discuss: How to lead a staff team in building a gospel culture, emphasizing the importance of eye contact, laughter, openness, and vulnerability. Imposter syndrome in Christian ministry, sharing stories, and insights on how to cope with feelings of inadequacy. The transformative power of the gospel and the need for a shift in preaching focus—from challenging people to presenting Christ and h...

Encouragement from Paul’s Final Words

In this episode of You're Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss 2 Timothy 4:9-22, uncovering the weight of Paul's personal instructions to Timothy—his last words before martyrdom that shed light on his character and personal life. Whether you're seeking to enrich your pastoral leadership journey or strengthen your faith, this conversation is for you.  Recommended resource: Humility: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness by Gavin Ortlund   A note from our sponsor, Crossway: In their new ...

What Motivates Us to Preach the Word?

In this episode of You're Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss the timeless relevance of 2 Timothy for pastors—emphasizing its guidance for preaching in various seasons. They highlight the importance of patience and understanding in pastoral ministry, addressing cultural trends where people seek teachings that align with their passions. Their discussion ends with reflections on Paul's perspective on impending death, emphasizing a sense of calm and fulfillment in ministry and the ...

How to Stand Firm in Your Faith and Calling

In this episode of You're Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss the importance of standing firm in the faith amid persecution and opposition. They emphasize the need for pastors to be open and vulnerable in their relationships, following the example of Paul and Timothy. They address the dangers of moralism and the transformative power of Scripture in the lives of pastors, emphasizing the need to hold onto the gospel and continue to follow Jesus with a strong sense of identity and ...

Ministering in the Midst of Godlessness

In this episode of You're Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss the challenges of serving in a godless world and emphasize the importance of relying on Jesus and holding onto hope. They reflect on the difficulties faced in pastoral ministry and the prevalence of self-centeredness and pleasure-seeking in society. As they warn against counterfeit Christianity and highlight the need for authenticity and true transformation, they also discuss the dangers of allowing unconverted indivi...

How a Gentle Spirit Silences Contention

In this episode of You're Not Crazy, Sam Allberry and Ray Ortlund discuss 2 Timothy 2:14-26 and the importance of avoiding a quarrelsome spirit in Christian leadership and the need for kindness, patience, and gentleness in dealing with others. Their conversation highlights how the apostle Paul's approach to correction is to first connect with others, not shame or reject them, and to do so in a way that makes it easy for them to repent and follow Jesus. Recommended resource: Lead: 12 Gospel ...

Strengthened by the Grace of Jesus

In this episode of You're Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry continue their study of 2 Timothy, emphasizing the strength that comes from the grace of Christ and the importance of passing on the gospel to the next generation. They also highlight the significance of remembering the risen Jesus, which enables pastors to face challenges in ministry with boldness and confidence. Recommended resource: Confronting Jesus: 9 Encounters with the Hero of the Gospels by Rebecca McLaughlin A note...

How to Live Unashamed of the Gospel

In this episode of You're Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry delve into 2 Timothy 1:8-18 and reflect on the recurring theme of shame in pastoral ministry, particularly the fear of being ashamed of the gospel. They discuss the temptation to feel ashamed in the face of opposition and the importance of holding firm to their faith, emphasizing that the gospel brings comfort, hope, and true, abundant life. Recommended resource: United to Christ, Walking in the Spirit: A Theology of Ephesia...

Drawing Encouragement from the Faith of the Saints

In this episode of You're Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry reflect on the importance of pastors honoring those who have come before them in the faith, and how it strengthens their own faith and encourages them to pour out their lives for the next generation. Though pastors may feel isolated in their studies and in their ministries, they have the communion of saints—including Paul and their own spiritual ancestors—cheering them on.  Recommended resource: Knowing God by J. I. Packer ...

Essential Elements of Pastoral Ministry

In this episode of You're Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry delve into the first few verses of 2 Timothy, highlighting what Paul says are the most essential elements for ministry. They discuss the importance of pastoral ministry being characterized by grace, mercy, and peace, and how these qualities should be evident in the way pastors love and serve their congregations. They emphasize the need for pastors to be vulnerable and genuine in their relationships with their flock and introd...

Introducing You’re Not Crazy Season 3

You're Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Young Pastors, hosted by Sam Allberry and Ray Ortlund, is returning for a third season in which the hosts will focus on the book of 2 Timothy. Over the course of ten episodes, Ray and Sam encourage pastors and ministry leaders through discussions on the essential elements of pastoral ministry, how to live unashamed of the gospel, the importance of a gentle spirit in the age of contention, and more. Tune in to You're Not Crazy season three, starting on Mon...

Your Questions, Answered

In the final episode of season two of You’re Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry answer pressing questions from you, the listeners. • Introduction (0:00) • Icebreaker: Where do you most love to be? (1:22) • Why does small talk matter? (4:45) • How do you encourage a culture of grace among team leaders across the church? (8:07) • How do you deal with people in the church who are opposed to gospel culture? (11:17) • How do you prioritize unhealthy areas to address? (15:25) • Is there ever...

Ground-Level Gospel Culture

“Romans 15:7 says, ‘Therefore welcome one another, as Christ has welcomed you for the glory of God.’ So, welcome one another. That’s gospel culture. That's the horizontal dimension of grace.” – T. J. Tims In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and special guest, T. J. Tims, discuss how pastors cultivate gospel culture in their churches at the ground level so that it becomes an intergenerational reality. • Introductions (0:00) • The horizontal dimension of grace (2:18) • What’s at...

Finding Rest For Your Soul

“We're like sprinters, we're hurtling down the track at top speed, giving it our best, giving it our all. But, we’re not made of titanium, and we can't live at full stretch all the time. We must pull back and be replenished, and experience rejuvenation for the next big push.” – Ray Ortlund In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry address the need for pastors to rest. In an unprecedented time fraught with fragmentation and a heartbreaking number of pastors collapsing...

Strength in Weakness

In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss the biblical idea of finding strength in weakness. • Introductions (0:00) • “Gospel Culture,” the album (1:08) • Boasting in weakness (5:07) • Liberatingly less (10:13) • Wonderfully ordinary (13:53) • A thorn to harass (15:50) • Where the power of Christ rests (19:16) • Recommended resource: Weakness is the Way: Life with Christ Our Strength by J.I. Packer (22:39)

Gospel-Focused Sermon Preparation

“We like instruction. We need instruction. But preaching is meant to be so much more than that. It's not just data transfer . . . it’s wanting people to encounter Jesus Himself.” – Sam Allberry In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss sermon preparation for a gospel culture. • Introductions (0:00) • What are we asking the Lord to do? (1:45) • Not developing our own brand (7:06) • Study and preparation, alliterated (11:06) • Digging (15:50) • Waiting (16:28)...

The Role of Positivity in a Pastor’s Life

In this episode of “You’re Not Crazy,” Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss the role of positivity in the life of a pastor and how to build positivity in a world that would prefer cynicism. • Introductions (0:00) • Best book in the last 10 years (1:02) • Staying positive in a cynical world (6:34) • Resourcing positivity (9:25) • Irritating Scripture (14:02) • Getting more granular (17:31) • Recommended resource: A Dozen Things God Did with Your Sin by Sam Storms (19:33)

Biblical Criticism and Correction

“One of the ways that ministers injure people is by rebukes that are too severe. People are never helped by being cornered and pressured and embarrassed, especially publicly embarrassed.” – Ray Ortlund In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss biblical criticism and correction. • Introducing Larry (0:00) • Gospel culture and criticism (1:52) • Blessed by correction (5:37) • Correction is a two-way street (8:40) • Reasonable and biblical (13:22) • Gentle rest...

Friendship and Gospel Culture

“I think what I most deeply needed to know was not just that I was forgiven, but that if it came to the worst, I wouldn't be alone.” – T. J. Tims In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, Sam Allberry and his pastor, T. J. Tims, discuss the topic of friendship and gospel culture. • Introduction to T. J. Tims (0:00) • Friendship is a gospel issue (2:28) • The honesty and freedom in true friendship (4:22) • Friendship can’t be about friendship (9:01) • Creating space between the systems in our ch...

Receiving and Extending the Comfort of the Lord

“Maturity in the Christian life is needing Jesus more, not needing Jesus less. We don't graduate out of needing him.” – Sam Allberry In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry address, from Scripture and their own experience, the exceptionally important role of the minister to bring comfort to suffering people. Comfort to the suffering (00:00) Does Jesus regret getting involved with you? (2:18) Pastors who sin and suffer caring for people who sin and suffer (7:39) ...

What Makes Christian Leadership “Christian”?

Season 2 of “You’re Not Crazy” launches with a lively conversation between Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discussing what makes Christian leadership distinctly “Christian.”  • Introduction—why is anyone even listening? One great experience from the last year (00:00) • Answering the main questions (6:02)  • Gentle and lowly, like Jesus (7:26)  • The opposite of that (8:39)  • It’s not a strategy (10:00)  • Christian leadership is not leadership that advances Christian orthodoxy (11:57)  ...

Coming May 12: You're Not Crazy Season Two

This season, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry gather again to discuss more topics that center around gospel-centered pastoral leadership.  Ray Ortlund describes that, "Christian leadership is leadership that is, itself, operating with, moving forward in, flavored by Christ Himself." Any young pastor who might be tempted to give up and is wondering, What on earth have I signed up for?  You're not crazy.

The Cost of Gospel Culture

In this episode, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss the cost of building and sustaining gospel culture.  - Introduction—where you’d really like to preach (and Ray Ortlund’s kilt. And bagpipes.)  - There’s a cost (4:08) - It’s not always going to be easy (6:27)  - Nullifying the grace of God (8:56)  - Time for some decisions (16:31)  - Not just icing on the cake (20:36)  - Linking arms together—contacting us for prayer (22:16)  - Recommended resource: ESV Expository Commentaries (22:...

Gospel Culture and Renewal

In this episode, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss gospel culture, renewal, revival, and awakening.   • Introduction—favorite piece of music • Nothing less than another Great Awakening (2:00) • Regular ministry of the gospel with unusual amounts of fruit (2:57) • The kingdom is at hand (4:29) • Modeling repentance (6:54) • Repentance is personal (12:04) • When repentance is the norm (14:10) • Jesus Movement (19:02) • Fullness of the power of God (22:33) • Your church is fully e...

Gospel Culture and Social Media

In this episode, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry discuss pastors, social media, and gospel culture. - 00:00 Introduction—favorite animals - 1:29 Social media platforms - 3:21 Why Tweet? - 6:20 Jesus-honoring Instagram - 7:03 Social media landmines - 8:32 Knowing the limits - 10:45 Once on the Internet, it lasts forever - 13:18 The message worthy of the platform - 14:16 Stop these things - 16:47 Do these instead - 22:11 Live peaceably with all…online - 27: 17 Recommended resource: The Gospel Co...

Gospel Culture and Leading

How to Cultivate Gospel Culture

In this episode: Introduction—best family vacation (0:00)  Not every church service needs utility (2:56) Gospel culture is not an optional add-on (4:53) Church culture reflects what we believe (6:46) Does anything go? (9:33) When you don’t have a gospel culture (12:00) Cultivating gospel culture long term (13:56) It starts with the pastor (16:32) Why the team follows the pastor (20:35) Gospel culture in your leadership team (23:41) It’s not “baptized corporate America” (24:43) Ho...

Gospel Culture and Preaching

In this episode: Introduction—favorite movies (0:00) Creating gospel culture (1:56) Two of the most important minutes of the service (3:43) It’s pastoral ministry (6:04) “How did you come…?” (9:52) Challenging messages are a total failure (11:17) Setting a tone for the glory of Christ (13:56) Pastoral prayer (14:52) Sermons that nurture gospel culture (21:27) Three Ps of preaching (25:01) It’s an anointing (28:45) Send people out with a message (32:02) Recommended resource: What...

Showing Gentleness and Grace

Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry address gentleness as a necessary characteristic of gospel culture. In this episode: Introduction—favorite sitcoms (0:00)  Let your gentleness be known to everyone (1:29) Gentle people believe that Jesus is real (3:58) Gentleness, sin, and politics (6:16) Church as a shock absorber (12:24) Gentleness when someone is wrong (16:31) It matters for pastors, too (18:47) It’s our superpower… (21:23) …And it’s not an option (22:50) Recommended resource: The D...

Staying Honest, Showing Honor

In this episode, Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry address gospel culture through the lens of confession and showing honor to one another with special guest, Russell Moore. Introduction—favorite concerts (0:00) “Therefore, confess your sins.” (2:12) Confession, prayer, and healing (6:48) Outdoing one another in showing honor (11:01) Celebrating evidence of grace (15:00) Practicing what we preach—showing honor to our friend (20:03) Recommended resource: Finding the Right Hills to Die On by ...

What Does the Bible Say About Gospel Culture?

Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry continue the conversation about gospel culture, focusing on the necessity of honesty, openness, and courage within gospel community. In this episode: Introduction—the need for enjoyment (0:00) Gospel culture in Scripture (6:09) Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you (8:08) A new kind of community (11:37) Stir up one another to love and good works (18:26) Doing what a good statement of faith cannot do (23:54) Recommended resource: Gentle and Lowly ...

What Is Gospel Culture?

Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry introduce the first episode of You’re Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Young Pastors and address the idea of gospel culture—the way gospel doctrine creates an orthodoxy of community that is equally as important. In this episode: Introductions to the podcast and hosts (0:00) Gospel sanity (1:55) What the gospel says—doctrine; what the gospel does—culture (3:39) You’re not crazy (7:43) Why this conversation matters to Sam (8:33) Why this conversation matters to ...

Hey Pastors! You're Not Crazy!

We're excited to announce You’re Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Young Pastors. Over the course of a few episodes we’ll be trying to explain why if you’re a young pastor you will want to see a connection between the grace of God received in Jesus and seeing that grace then express itself and shape and define the kind of church you are operate in, the kind of relationships we have in our churches. Gospel doctrine creates gospel culture. And this is especially helpful I think to any young pastor...

Hey, Pastors! You’re Not Crazy!

Introducing You’re Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Young Pastors, hosted by Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry. Throughout their discussions, Ray and Sam point young pastors back to the simplicity of gospel doctrine which creates a healthy gospel culture within the church. Navigating the tough, common issues that young pastors might face—from spiritual burnout to resenting ministry altogether—Ray and Sam tie each episode together with gospel hope and practical encouragement.  As recipients of the gr...