181. Courage in an Age of Cowards: An Interview With Matthew Everhard

In this conversation, Kendall Lankford sits down with Matthew Everhard to talk honestly about fear, courage, and the state of the modern church. Drawing from Matthew’s book Bold as a Lion, the two reflect on how recent cultural crises—especially COVID—exposed a deep failure of nerve among many Christian leaders. Rather than speaking in abstractions, they dig into what fear actually looks like in real life, how it quietly governs decisions, and why cowardice has become so respectable in the church.Matthew presses the point that courage is not a personality trait reserved for a few bold men, but a Christian obligation rooted in the promises of God. They discuss the fear of man, the fear of death, the role of pastors in setting the emotional and spiritual temperature of a congregation, and how bad theology often produces timid Christians. The conversation closes with practical wisdom on identifying your fears, confronting them honestly, and learning to live with settled confidence in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.This is a bracing, clarifying conversation—especially for pastors, fathers, and men who want to lead faithfully in an age that rewards fear and punishes conviction.Key TakeawaysFear touches every human being, but it should not rule the Christian lifeBold as a Lion takes its title from Proverbs 28:1The COVID era revealed how much fear had already taken root in church leadershipChristians, of all people, should be least afraid of deathCowardice is not merely unfortunate—it is spiritually dangerousPastors must deal honestly with the fear of man if they want to lead wellCultural pressures often shape the church more than ScriptureYou cannot fight fear until you identify what you’re actually afraid ofThe gospel doesn’t just comfort us—it emboldens usCourage grows through obedience, clarity, and dependence on GodQuotes from the Episode“Boldness is contagious—and it has to be led.”“The Spirit of the Lord came upon him.”“We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.”Chapters00:00 – Why courage matters01:55 – The heart behind Bold as a Lion03:30 – COVID and the collapse of pastoral nerve06:36 – Luther, history, and fearless faith10:16 – Why pastors must lead with courage12:45 – The fear of man in ministry15:22 – Cultural pressure and Christian compromise20:52 – Eschatology and bravery24:11 – Thinking like victors, not victims28:19 – Different kinds of fear30:42 – Naming and confronting fear34:37 – How the gospel breaks fear’s power38:46 – Practical steps toward courage42:11 – Courage in everyday Christian living47:48 – Standing firm in a fearful worldKeywordsfear, courage, Christian leadership, pastors, boldness, COVID-19, church, fear of man, gospel courage, living faithfully