Expositors Collective

In this episode of the Expositors Collective Podcast, we are joined by Brenda Leavenworth for a thoughtful and encouraging conversation about theology, leadership, and faithful service in the local church. Brenda is the founder and Director of When She Leads, a global ministry devoted to equipping women who lead and serve through conferences, leadership cohorts, and a podcast focused on Scripture-shaped ministry.
Brenda shares about her own journey of growing in theological confidence and teaching clarity, emphasising that strong theology is not reserved for specialists but is essential for anyone serving God’s people. She reflects on the formative role of careful study, patience, and faithful practice over time, and explains why editing and restraint are acts of love in ministry communication.
The conversation also explores the state of women’s ministry today, including the need for biblically grounded leadership and the danger of treating women’s discipleship as an afterthought. Brenda speaks candidly about leadership transitions, age, and the wisdom of building multigenerational teams that strengthen the church rather than centre it on personalities.
Throughout the episode, Brenda’s heart for Scripture is clear. Her commitment to verse-by-verse teaching, doctrinal depth, and practical application shapes everything from her writing to the vision behind When She Leads. The result is a conversation that challenges listeners to pursue theological depth, steward influence wisely, and serve Christ’s church with humility and faithfulness.

About Brenda Leavenworth
Brenda Leavenworth is a Bible teacher, author, and speaker who has written more than thirty Bible studies, including Far Above Rubies and her most recent collaboration, The Ologies. She holds a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Christian Leadership and serves as Department Head of Women’s Ministry and Strategic Leadership at Reliance Church in Temecula, California.
She is also a devoted pastor’s wife, mother of three, and grandmother of ten. Brenda’s life and ministry reflect a steady passion to see women rooted in the Word of God, strengthened by sound doctrine, and equipped to lead and serve faithfully in the context God has placed them.

Resources Mentioned
When She Leads
https://whensheleads.org
WSL: Spiritual Gifts 
https://goodlion.io/podcast/when-she-leads/episode/spiritual-gifts-part-1 
WSL : Rachel Neglia 
https://goodlion.io/podcast/when-she-leads/episode/wsl-ireland-conference-2023-rachel-neglia-insecurity-in-ministry
Haddon Robinson, Biblical Preaching
https://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Preaching-Haddon-Robinson/dp/0310244173

Tim Keller, Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Scepticism
https://www.amazon.com/Preaching-Communicating-Skepticism-Timothy-Keller/dp/1596385537

Connect
For information about our upcoming training events visit ExpositorsCollective.com 

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In this episode, Clay and Mike reminisce about their Bible College days with their former Dean of Men, Pastor Sean Houseman. What begins with shared memories quickly develops into an encouraging and challenging conversation about teaching and preaching sacred Scripture with wisdom, patience, and humility.
Drawing on years of pastoral experience, Sean reflects on how the Bible actually works as a book, cautioning against flattening all passages into proverb-like statements. Together, they explore how Scripture often unfolds like a treasure map, building its points carefully and leading readers toward conclusions over time, rather than offering instant answers.
The conversation also touches on the subtle temptations faced by Bible teachers, including the pressure to appear especially spiritual, and the importance of being who God has actually made us to be rather than performing for others.
This episode was originally released in October 2018 and remains a helpful listen for anyone involved in teaching, preaching, or simply wanting to handle God’s word more faithfully.

For information about our upcoming training events visit ExpositorsCollective.com 

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In this episode of the Expositors Collective, Mike Neglia sits down with Pastor Bob Hiller to explore the essential distinction between preaching the Law and preaching the Gospel. Drawing from his experience at Community Lutheran Church, Bob discusses the preacher's primary task: to "hand over the goods" by actively proclaiming the forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus
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A Note on this Recording
This episode was originally recorded and released in December 2020 As you listen, you will notice references to the unique challenges of that time, including discussions regarding social distancing and masks. While the cultural context reflects the peak of the pandemic, the theological insights regarding homiletics and the proclamation of Christ remain as relevant today as ever.
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Episode Highlights
• Handing Over the Goods: Bob Hiller defines the core of the Gospel as the literal delivery of God's forgiveness to the listener.
• The Law and the Gospel: Understanding the functional difference between God’s requirements (the Law) and His gift of grace (the Gospel).
• Pastoral Perspective: Insights from Bob’s ministry at Community Lutheran Church in Escondido, California.
• Face-to-Face Proclamation: A friendly, deep-dive conversation on how to ensure Jesus is the centre of every message.
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Key Takeaways for Preachers
• Focus on Forgiveness: Preaching is not merely sharing information; it is the act of proclaiming the forgiveness of sins.
• Clarity in Mission: The goal of the expositor is to ensure the "goods" of the Gospel are clearly handed over to the congregation.
• Timeless Truths: Despite the time-bound nature of the original 2020 recording, the necessity of distinguishing between Law and Gospel is a foundational pillar of biblical preaching.

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Dr Don Sunukjian has devoted his life to the craft of preaching, both in the pulpit and in the classroom. With doctoral training in theology and communication, along with 21 years of experience as a senior pastor, he brings together rigorous scholarship and real pastoral wisdom. He now serves as Professor Emeritus of Christian Ministry and Leadership at Biola University.
In this conversation, Don joins Mike Neglia to talk about oral clarity in preaching and why vivid, real-life examples are essential for establishing relevance. Together, they explore how preachers can communicate biblical truth with accuracy, interest, and persuasive force, helping listeners not only understand the message but feel its weight.
Dr Sunukjian has made significant contributions to the field of homiletics and biblical studies, writing for resources such as The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Biblical Preaching, Bibliotheca Sacra, Walvoord: A Tribute, and The Big Idea of Biblical Preaching. He has led pastors’ conferences across the United States and continues to maintain an active preaching ministry.
This re-released conversation remains a timely reminder that faithful preaching requires both careful preparation and thoughtful communication.

Recommended Resources
An Invitation to Biblical Preaching : https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/442010.Invitation_to_Biblical_Preaching
How Don Sunukjian Preaches (Homiletix) : https://homiletix.com/don-sunukjian-how-i-preach/ 
Biblical Sermons (Baker Academic) : https://bakeracademic.com/products/9781540967916_biblical-preaching

For information about our upcoming training events visit ExpositorsCollective.com 

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Recorded at the Expositors Collective gathering in Longmont, Colorado, this panel discussion helps pastors and Bible teachers think carefully about how Scripture has been understood, preserved, and proclaimed throughout church history, and why those distinctions still matter for ministry today.
The conversation begins with practical clarity around the Apocrypha. The panel explains what the Apocryphal books are, how they relate to the biblical canon, and why pastors should understand their historical role without confusion or alarmism. Rather than treating the topic as merely academic, the speakers show how these questions directly affect pastoral confidence and congregational trust.
From there, the discussion broadens to the role of church councils in defining and guarding Christian doctrine. Listeners are reminded that the core beliefs of the faith were not invented late, but carefully articulated in response to real theological challenges. Even historical heresies, the panel argues, served the church by forcing clarity about what Christians believe and why.
A major emphasis throughout the session is the importance of distinguishing teaching from preaching. The panel explores why Bible studies should prioritise understanding rather than monologue, and why sermons must move beyond explanation to proclamation. Pastors are encouraged to be clear about their aim in each context, recognising that clarity serves both faithfulness and fruitfulness.
The conversation also calls pastors to humility, urging them to learn from faithful voices of the past rather than assuming novelty equals faithfulness. Church history is presented not as a museum of dead ideas, but as a living resource that strengthens discernment and safeguards the gospel.
The session concludes with a pastoral appeal for brokenhearted preachers who do more than convey information. The church does not merely need accurate teachers, but faithful proclaimers who handle the truth carefully and speak it with conviction, compassion, and love.

For information about our upcoming training events visit ExpositorsCollective.com 

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