Episodes

Let's be honest, our mind is usually kicking our butts! The battle of the mind is a real thing. Starting today, Pastor Adam and Pastor Matt are trying to get their minds right! Maybe you are, too! Pastor Adam shares that he personally really wants to think like Jesus thinks. Maybe you do, too. Here's the good news: you can actually think like Jesus thinks! Join us today as we kick off an 11-episode series looking at the ten very specific ways that Jesus thinks. Before we jump into the way that J...

In the last episode of our series of questions from a rookie pastor to the veteran pastor, Matt asks Pastor Adam if he could go back, knowing what he knows now, would he do this ministry thing all over again? Get ready for an honest, open, unplanned and off the cuff reflection and answer. There are days where we would not do it all over again. There are days where we would absolutely do it all over again. But, if we are honest, most days are in the middle somewhere. To answer this, it always hel...

We've got only 2 questions left, and today, the rookie pastor asks Pastor Adam to look forward into the future and talk about the plans for maximizing the rest of his ministry. After 20+ years, what does the next phase look life? How do you end well? Pastor Adam talks through his personal convictions on retirement (spoiler - it might ruffle some feathers), seeing leadership continue with his family, pouring into the next generation, getting healthy physically and mentally, and listening to God's...

Super short episode where Pastor Adam gives the rookie pastor a list of books that influenced his life. Other than the Bible, there are several books that have had and continue to have a profound impact. maybe these will help: Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning Henri Nouwen, In the name of Jesus; C.S Lewis, The Problem of Pain; C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters; Elisabeth Elliot, The Path of Loneliness; Henry Cloud/John Townsend, Boundaries.

The danger of church leadership is focusing all our attention non helping other people be intentional in their personal discipleship and evangelism and not actually doing it ourselves. Out of all of the these questions in this series, Pastor Adam says this is the one that he feels he has had the most success in. Pastor Matt, the rookie pastor, asks Pastor Adam how he keeps evangelism intentional in his life personally? Pastor Adam states that is is not a program or a plan. He says the key to bei...

No matter what your job is, it is tempting, and quite easy, to place your work before your spouse. Things get so pressing in our work, that the consistent things and people in the background can be relegated to the background instead of intentionally lifted to the foreground. Pastor Adam answers the rookie pastor's question with brutal honesty, admitting significant failure, and points to primary ministry responsibilities.

Let's dispel a myth: Pastor and spiritual leaders are great at praying and reading Scripture. That's just not true. All followers of Jesus, no matter the maturity level, struggle at times with reading the Word and praying. Pastor Adam shares with rookie pastor, Matt Dalton, about how he fights to be consistent in these spiritual disciplines. He talks about how he fights to be consistent in these spiritual disciplines. He talks about finding a dedicated time that works in each season of life, kno...

Continuing in our series of questions from a rookie pastor to a veteran pastor, today we ask Pastor Adam, "knowing what you know now, what would you say to yourself when you first started ministry?" It's such a hard question to answer, because it makes you think about all the things you didn't know in the past and how it negatively affected you. However, Pastor Adam gets personal and real once again and give these answers: 1. It's not a sprint. It's not a marathon. It's an Ironman. 2. Balance is...

After a break to celebrate our 1ooth episode, we are back in our current series where Pastor Adam is answering questions from rookie pastor, Matt Dalton. This week Adam talks through his biggest joy in ministry. It's all about family. From kids, to spouse, to extended family, Pastor Adam shares some of the biggest joys of his life in ministry. Adam shares about a current journey he feels like God has him on right now, and how he is taking steps to be obedient in that leading. If you have recentl...

The Messy Walk Podcast turns 100! Join us for the 100th episode as Pastor Adam Cook shares the details about how we actually make the podcast happen, thanks some people working behind the scenes, reminisces about past guests, and talks about the future of the podcast. Thanks for being a faithful listener of the Messy Walk Podcast. This walk with Jesus is not easy. It is quite messy. It is frustrating at times. But, we are in this together. You are not alone in your walk with Christ. And, the Mes...

We've had some good questions and answers so far in this series, but this one might take the cake. The rookie asks the veteran about his biggest mistake in ministry, and Pastor Adam doesn't hold back. This is honest, transparent, and raw and can help anyone avoid the natural tendency to carry weight that you weren't meant to carry. Pastor Adam says this is his favorite Messy Walk Podcast episode in a very long time, maybe even ever.

Unfortunately, we've all seen the headlines and documentaries about pastor and leaders falling from grace into some sort of scandal with money, sex, relationships, power-trips, or cover ups. Even worse, many of us know someone who isn't famous, but local to us, who has had the same issues. Today, rookie pastor, Matt Dalton, is asking veteran pastor, Adam Cook, about what has kept him from having one of these catastrophes. The answer is helpful in so many ways.

Have you ever seen someone have the "no regrets" tattoo, but it is misspelled to say "no regerts?" It's kinda funny. It's kinda sad. And, at the same time, it's a whole-lot-a true. It is often like that. We say we want to live a life of no regrets, but that just isn't an accurate representation of life. We all have regrets- especially as Christians. Continuing our current series, rookie pastor, Matt Dalton, asks veteran pastor, Adam Cook, a tough question about his regrets in ministry. Spoiler a...

One of the best ways to learn is by asking questions. And, on this messy walk with Jesus, we are all trying to learn and grow. If we will put aside our pride and take time to ask someone farther ahead than us, we can avoid some of their mistakes, be prepared for the future, and probably be reassured that we aren't crazy. For the next several weeks, rookie pastor, Matt Dalton, will host a series of questions to a veteran pastor, Adam Cook. These questions apply to anyone in any capacity of minist...

Yes, you read that correctly! Episode 95 of our podcast is actually a rebroadcast of a previous episode. Pastor Adam Cook and Pastor Matt Dalton, along with some other pastors, are currently on a mission trip with Casas por Cristo in the Dominican Republic. In this episode, Allie Crabbs explains what the purpose is behind Casas por Cristo. She also explains a little about how life in the Dominican Republic differs from life in America.

After a two week break from Christmas and New Year's, the Messy Walk Podcast is back! We wrap up a lengthy series on the decline of the church in America with this 11th episode of Symptoms of a Dead Church. Today, Pastor Adam in joined by special guest, Marcie Hodges. Marcie grew up Catholic, has been a follower of Jesus for a long time, and is an airline flight attendant with Southwest Airlines. Her vast travels and interactions with people all over the country give her a unique perspective on ...

As the American church declines in attendance and membership, and we struggle to understand it, maybe our definition of "church" needs some work. Join Pastor Adam and special guest, Scott Limerick, for an honest look at issues in the American church. Scott currently serves with Compassion International as he works with local churches in America to rescue children out of poverty in the name of Jesus across the world. Scott shares his own messy walk, his encounter with Jesus, and his unique perspe...

Some of the reasons why the church in America is in decline are complex and compounded by many variables. Other reasons are quite simple. Special guest host, Olivea Cook, sits down with her dad, Pastor Adam, to discuss her perspective on this decline. And, her answer is quite simple. Coming from the point of view of a teenage Christian, Olivea shares her thoughts on young people being disillusioned with the church by Christians who are (without a better way to say it) fake. When we fail to pract...

What if one of the main causes of the decline of Christianity in America is not organizational? What if the root is not something the church is ignoring or doing wrong? What if it is deeper than that? Pastor Adam sits down with Mike Wallace, a pastor's kid and a retired police detective who spent 4 decades on the force, to discuss the lack of Godly male leadership in our communities. Through issues of his own, Mike discusses the need for me to be like Jesus and the sacrifice that requires. This ...

So, the church in America is declining. What is causing that? Well, the fact that more and more pastors and ministry leaders are considering quitting might be a bigger reason than we think. The number that is really scary (and telling) is that over 50% of young pastors (millennials) are seriously considering leaving the ministry all together. Pastor Adam sits down with Missionary Josh Crabbs to discuss the leadership shortage in the church, what's causing it, and what we can do about it. This ho...

What is causing such a steep decline in Christianity in the American Church? According to guest host Heaven Leigh Dalton (yes, that's really her name), it comes down to deep divisions in the church and personal preferences. Maybe the church is alienating people and becoming less attractive to the younger generation because we are dying on the wrong hill(s). Join Pastor Adam and Heaven for a deep discussion on political polarity, division, disunity, personal preferences, and way too much focus on...

Join us on a shorter episode for a pause from our current series as Chloe discusses what God is doing in her life right now and Adam discusses what's next for the Messy Walk Podcast. Great things are ahead!

On today's episode of the Messy Walk Podcast, Pastor Adam is joined by special guest Ian Duggar! Ian is a missionary in the Dominican Republic with an organization called Casas por Cristo along with his wife Alyssa. Join Pastor Adam Cook and Ian Duggar as they discuss Ian's perspective on why the church in America is in decline. This conversation was recorded on an iPhone in the Dominican Republic. Listen to Ian's unique perspective on the disunity in the church and the complacency of Christians...

On today's episode of the Messy Walk Podcast, Chloe is joined by special guest Tara Ferris! Tara has a blog called "The Church Hopper" where her goal is to visit all of the churches in Danville, Virginia (known to be the "city of churches"), and write honestly about her experiences at each church. We knew she was the perfect candidate to be part of this series because of all her experience with various local churches! Join Chloe and Tara as they discuss Tara's perspective on why the American chu...