Hey, what's that in Jared's hand? It's the grab bag! In this occasional feature, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz bring surprise questions for each other. Listen in to see which ones catch them off guard.

Cold takes only on a subject that seems to rile up evangelical social media every new moon. Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss the ins and outs of ministry sabbaticals, and why people seem to get so upset about them.

It's possible Jared just wanted to trick Ronni into talking about UFO's again, but on this new installment in the FTC Film Club feature, the guys discuss the artistic excellence and spiritual resonance of M. Night Shyamalan's 2002 film, Signs.

It's a new installment of the FTC Mailbag, in which Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz respond to your submitted questions and topics. On this episode, the guys speak to: applying to be a lay elder, cultivating the soul, keeping your mind from wandering during spiritual disciplines, preaching's importance in a church, responding to a Catholic challenge on the sufficiency of Scripture, and breaking out of introverted ruts. If you've a question or topic to submit for a future episode, you can always email us at [email protected]

Should "Christian celebrity" even be a thing? How should we think about Christians and fame? How should we think about the concept of public ministry and platform? On this ep of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss the challenges -- and potential -- of Christian celebrities and Christian celebrity culture.

The phrase comes from 2 Corinthians 10:5 -- "taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." But what does it mean? And how do we do it? In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss how to cultivate a Christ-captivated imagination.

Why do we experience such distance between the idea of doctrine and delight? Why do we insist on a separation between learning doctrine and practical life? This week Jared Wilson talks to Ronni Kurtz about Ronni's new book Theology for Life: A Joy-Filled Introduction to Christian Doctrine (Baker Books) releasing this week. Theology for Life takes a distinctive approach to introducing Christian doctrine. Each chapter does two things: first, it explains a crucial doctrine clearly and accessibly; then, it shows you how to delight in that doctrine and be shaped by it into the person God calls you to be. Good theology, Kurtz argues, isn't simply about learning--it's about living. And it produces not division or drudgery, but joy. Available now wherever Christian books are sold.

It's that time of year again. Kids are a mix of excited and sad. Parents are a mix of excited and sad! In this episode of the pod, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss the back to school experience, why it always comes with a mix of emotions, and offer some counsel for students (and for parents) in making the best of their new season of studies.

In this installment of the regular Mailbag feature, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss your submitted questions and topics, including: "blank slate" student ministry, questions for pastoral search teams, premarital counseling, unrepentant friends in church, the dynamic between elders and deacons, and what exactly Luke meant when he said Satan "took" Jesus. As always, you can submit a question or topic for the Mailbag any time by emailing [email protected]

A podcast you're going to listen to or watch via the Internet warns about voices on the Internet. Not all cultural and theological pundits are helpful to your growth in Christ. Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss the strange phenomenon of being "discipled by the Internet." What does it look like? Why can it be harmful? And how do we recognize the dangers in order to be more wise in our consumption of online media?

They've apologized and said they won't do it again? Doesn't grace require we just accept that and move on? Well, maybe. But maybe repentance is a little deeper than just saying "sorry." In this episode, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz talk about the signs of genuine repentance -- how to genuinely by grace turn from sin to Jesus. And what that looks like, even practically.