The Cranmer Fellows Podcast

In this episode Matt and Jon discuss what it means to prepare to die and how pastors can help their people prepare for the day that comes to us all. This episode is dedicated to Warren Musselman - a faithful husband, father, and servant in Christ’s church. You can contribute toward the Cranmer Fellowship by becoming a paid subscriber Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Matt and Jonathan talk about Mark Dever’s 9 Marks of a Healthy Church.You can contribute toward the Cranmer Fellowship by becoming a paid subscriber! Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode we discuss some of our favorite stories of the resurrection and appearances of Jesus. You can contribute toward the Cranmer Fellowship by becoming a paid subscriber! Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Matt and Jon talk about the arguments for and against women’s ordination.You can contribute toward the Cranmer Fellowship by becoming a paid subscriber! Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Matt and Jonathan discuss a few of the famous alleged inconsistencies in the gospels and do their best to not make a shipwreck of their faith.You can contribute toward the Cranmer Fellowship by becoming a paid subscriber! Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Matt and Jon break down why they’re Anglican instead of Lutheran, Presbyterian, or other things.You can contribute toward the Cranmer Fellowship by becoming a paid subscriber! Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Matt and Jon discuss the 2nd century heretic, Marcion, and consider how his ideas of God and the Bible are still held by many today. Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Matt and Jon discuss the early church’s relationship to the New Testament writings. Did the church expect new books from God, and if so, how did they know if a book was from God?You can contribute toward the Cranmer Fellowship by becoming a paid subscriber! Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Matt and Jonathan walk through Matthew 16:13-20 and discuss whether Peter is the rock of the church and what the keys of the kingdom are. You can contribute toward the Cranmer Fellowship by becoming a paid subscriber! Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

Matt and Jon talk about common characteristics that false teachers have and what to do when you come in contact with one. You can contribute toward the Cranmer Fellowship by becoming a paid subscriber! Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

This week Matt and Jon talk about what Jude means when he says to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”You can contribute toward the Cranmer Fellowship by becoming a paid subscriber! Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Matt and Jonathan talk about Epiphany and who the wise men from the east were. If you would like to contribute toward the Cranmer Fellowship, you can do so by becoming a paid subscriber. Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

Today Matt and Jon discuss personal prayer and Scripture reading habits and the importance of discipline in the pastor’s life. If you would like to contribute toward the Cranmer Fellowship, you can do so by becoming a paid subscriber. Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

We're excited to be back with the podcast! There are a few updates we'd like to share. If you're interested in supporting our work at the Cranmer Fellowship, you can now become a paid subscriber.Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Matt and I will be back with you in January 2026! Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

Matt and Jon couldn't meet for a normal episode this week, so here's a pitch for our pastoral training program, The Cranmer Fellowship. If you or someone you know might be interested in learning more about the Fellowship, please contact us at [email protected]. Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

Here is Matt's sermon from Candlemas (2/2/2025) Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Matt and Jonathan talk about the relationship between justification by faith and progressive sanctification. We also discuss all those times in the Bible that so-and-so is considered blameless before God because they keep the commandments. Is it possible to be righteous in God's sight by your works? How can sinners, even really obedient ones, be called blameless in God's sight? Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Matt and Jonathan talk about what it means for a pastor to be compassionate. This is a bit touchy, because compassion, like empathy, is very loaded term. There is, like empathy, a wrong kind of "compassion." It's important for pastors especially to know the difference between biblical compassion and the counterfeit compassion the world is currently demanding the church live by. It's also important that pastors not let people's feelings inform their every decision in the church. That being said, a pastor isn't to be domineering over the flock. There's a lot to talk about. We hope it's helpful for you. Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

We're a week behind, but here's Matt's sermon from Ash Wednesday. We hope it serves as an encouragement to you as you go through Lent. Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode, Matt and Jonathan discuss teaching Bible studies. What's different about prepping a Bible study from prepping a sermon? How do we typically approach leading a Bible study at Good Shepherd and why? How do you deal with troublesome ideas (or people) that come up while you're teaching? And why are Bible studies a great time to exercise pastoral care for parishioners? Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Matt and Jonathan talk about what true repentance looks like. Can you be repentant and yet still have a besetting sin? What does it mean to "sincerely repent?" If you're sinning a lot, then should you come to the Lord's Table or skip that week? And how can a pastor counsel those in his parish who just can't kick some sinful habit? Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

This week we're bringing you one of Matt's sermons from Advent 2024. The text is on Luke 3:7-20. Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Matt and Jonathan discuss that little pastoral qualification that runs around your house, is way too loud, eats all your food, and can sometimes be hard to manage. You guessed it - this episode is for the children. What does God mean when He says a pastor's children need to be "submissive" and "believers"? What about pastors whose kids leave the house and deconstruct their faith? Why is this a qualification for pastors anyway? Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Matt and Jonathan talk about the danger of treating the Bible like it's only a textbook. While learning the ins and outs of good Bible study is important, it's possible to let Bible study tactics actually keep one from submitting to God's word. It's easy to dissect Scripture. It's a lot harder to allow the Scripture to dissect us. But that's what it's meant to do. "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart," Hebrews 4:12. Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

We start this episode off with an exciting announcement about Matt. Then we talk about books. What are some of our go-to books for pastors to read? Whether it be history, theology, philosophy, fantasy, biography - you name it - reading good books is important to pastoral ministry. We talk about why...In Christ,The Cranmer Fellows Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Matt and Jonathan talk about the relationship between the Bible and the Church Fathers. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that tradition is as authoritative as the Scriptures. On the other side of the pendulum there are those who say Scripture is the only authority - there's no reason to read the Fathers. But what exactly did the Reformers mean by "sola Scriptura?" And where do we think the Fathers stand in relation to Scripture interpretation? Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Matt and Jonathan talk about last Sunday's service. We observed All Saints Day with our bishop who confirmed 16 people and consecrated Church of the Good Shepherd. It's been around 15 years since the Episcopal Church kicked Good Shepherd out of its building. Now Good Shepherd has paid off the mortgage for our current building. Matt and Jonathan discuss how all of this stuff combined into one Sunday made for such a meaningful service. We also talk about how simply preaching the word of God has been Good Shepherd's strategy all these years. Thanks be to God for all that He's done!- The Cranmer Fellows Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

Matt and Jon are at their diocesan clergy conference this week, so here's a sermon by Matt from a few weeks ago. The text is Acts 21:27-22:1.The Cranmer Fellows Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Matt and Jon discuss the recent moral failing of Dr. Steven Lawson. Lawson has done a tremendous amount of good work for the church, but all men are sinners. Matt and Jon talk about what happened with Lawson, why he can’t be restored to the pastoral office, and some safeguards that are helpful for pastors to avoid falling into sexual sin. Matt and Jon respect Lawson for his work in the kingdom of God and we pray for his repentance and restoration in his marriage and other relationships. - The Cranmer Fellows Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

This is a Difficult Passage Episode. Today Matt and Jon sit down to discuss a bizarre passage in Judges 11. Jephthah, a judge in Israel, makes a tragic vow to God. If God gives him victory over his enemies he'll offer the first thing that comes out of his home to greet him as a burnt offering. What was he thinking? Well, either way - his daughter comes out to greet him once he gets back... Matt and Jon talk about the two primary views of this passage, share what they think, and discuss how one might preach Judges 11. Hope you enjoy!- The Cranmer Fellows Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

This week we continue talking about end times. We're diving more into postmillennialism, some different ways of approaching Revelation as an entire book, and some tips on teaching the darn thing. Enjoy!The Cranmer Fellows Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

We're back! And we're talking about the end of all things! In today's episode, we talk about the book of Revelation - how we interpreted it in the past and what's changed in our thinking. And we discuss a little bit of what we think about the Millennium.It's really good to be back recording! We hope you enjoy this episode. - The Cranmer Fellows Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

This is the second part to the conversation Jonathan and Scott had about training as preachers. We primarily talk about manuscript writing and delivery. In Christ,The Cranmer Fellows Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Jonathan is joined by Scott Pineau. Scott is one of the wardens at Church of the Good Shepherd and assists Matt and Jonathan in preaching. Scott and Jonathan talk about what it's like to be preachers in training. They discuss things they assumed about preaching that they no longer believe, what it's like having someone else edit and review their sermons, and how they prepare to preach.This is the first half of the conversation. The second half will come out next week.In Christ,The Cranmer Fellows Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

How successful is your ministry? Are your sermons impactful and meaningful? How full is your church? Are you getting results? Let's face it, as pastors we often equate our success in ministry with "greatness" and bigger numbers. But what do you do if God has assigned to you an "unexciting" ministry? Is God really in a church with 45-50 people? Definitely not 10 people, right? What about when you suffer in ministry - is God in the midst of that? Our guest today, Chad Bird, helps us see that not only is God present, but He's more present in these things than we realize. In today's episode Chad unpacks what Martin Luther meant when he wrote of the "theologian of the cross." The theologian of the cross understands that the things of God are rarely the mountain-top experiences. Rather, God reveals Himself in suffering, in un-met expectations, in ordinary life, in the word, in bread, in wine, in water. Pastor, if you've been weighed down by the burden of greatness, be encouraged to lay that aside and just be a normal minister who preaches the good news and administers the sacraments.  Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this special edition of the Cranmer Fellows Podcast, Matt and Jonathan set up a camera to record the first ever (and perhaps only ever) video pod. It's all because we have a special announcement regarding the Cranmer Fellowship at Church of the Good Shepherd.Are you discerning whether or not God is calling you to ministry in the church? Do you want to get hands on ministry experience? What about seminary? Is there a way to combine education and experiential training? Let's talk. Email us at [email protected]! Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

We have another sermon for you this week. This is from last Sunday and is taken from Acts 17:16-21.Enjoy! Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

This episode is the recording of Matt's Pentecost sermon this year. We hope it encourages you this week! In Christ,The Cranmer Fellows Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Carl Trueman to our diocesan synod. During that time we were privileged to sit down with Dr. Trueman to ask him questions about his pastoral experience. In this episode we talk about the call to pastoral ministry, earning and burning good will with parishioners, dealing with physical abuse in the church, balancing pastoral and scholarly work, and much more.We hope you enjoy the pod!In Christ,The Cranmer Fellows. Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Jonathan has the pleasure of sitting down with the director of Jews for Jesus in Jerusalem: Yoel Ben David. Yoel talks about how he came to faith from orthodox Judaism, what it's like sharing Jesus in Jerusalem, and his heart for serving the church as an Anglican pastor. We know you'll be encouraged by Yoel and his ministry! If you feel so inclined, please go to https://jewsforjesus.org/staff/yoel-ben-david and support his work over in Israel. In Christ,The Cranmer Fellows Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Jonathan sits down with Julian Dobbs - the bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Living Word in the ACNA. Jonathan and Bp. Julian discuss dealing with the demands of responsibility in ministry. The more power / authority one has, the more responsibility weighs on ones shoulders. How do pastors and bishops live with such demands upon them? We pray this brief episode will be a source of encouragement to you.In Christ,The Cranmer Fellows Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

Today we’re discussing what the Bible is all about. Jesus said it was all about him (Luke 24) - does our preaching and teaching agree with him? What does it mean for the Bible to be about Jesus? And how should a pastor pull this truth out in all of his preaching and teaching?We hope you enjoy the podcast.In Christ,The Cranmer Fellows Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

This week we're talking about being famous. No - not how we're famous... we have a bit of a ways to go yet. We're talking about the desire to be famous that most (all?) pastors struggle with. There's something in our flesh that makes us desire to be known - even when we get up to preach to 20 people. Why is our culture uniquely inclined toward celebrity pastors? And why is fame such a temptation for pastors in particular? And we talk about Mark Driscoll. In Christ,The Cranmer Fellows Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode we are listening to one of Matt's sermons preached almost 10 years ago. The sermon is taken from 1 Corinthians 15:35-49 and explores what our new bodies will be like after Jesus' second coming. We pray the sermon will encourage you this Eastertide. In Christ,The Cranmer Fellows Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

Today we are talking about leaving a church. There are times, of course, when you may need to leave a church due to moving from one city to another. But is there ever a time where you should leave your church to attend another one? In the West we sure like our choices. Churches are often seen as different products on a shelf - you get to pick which one you like. If the one you picked turns out not to be exactly what you wanted - that's fine! Leave and try something else out. But is that the Biblical way of thinking about the church? Should you leave a church because the music isn't to your liking, Billy in the third pew down from you is a jerk, or the "Associate Pastor" is a bit cringe? The Bible doesn't seem to think so.However, there are appropriate times to leave a church. In fact, there are necessary times to leave. What are good reasons for leaving a church? And if you sense there is a good reason to leave a church, how do you proceed? If you are a pastor: how do you handle someone leaving a church? What are some pitfalls you should watch out for once a parishioner says those fateful words, "Pastor, we need to talk"?We hope this episode is insightful and encouraging for you. Please rate the show and share with your friends and family! In Christ,The Cranmer Fellows Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

Today Matt and I answer an email we received from a listener about some of the differences between us and Anglo-Catholics. What distinguishes Anglo-Catholics from High Church Anglicans? Where did Anglo-Catholicism originate, and what was/is its purpose and role in the larger Anglican tradition? We also discuss how we think the 39 Articles should be interpreted and what it means for Scripture to be "prime" authority. Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

We're working backwards from talking about preaching and the sacraments to the importance of going to church in general. In this episode we discuss - what happens to you when you go to a local church, - why going to church and listening to a sermon is different (and more important) than listening to a sermon from years ago - how movie theater churches have changed people's thinking about the church (in a bad way)- the "marks of a true church" - and why saying, "we are the church" is not a reason to stop going to an actual churchDon't forget to subscribe and leave us a review! Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

Matt and Jon were not able to meet together this week, so here is a wonderful sermon on serving God's people through tribulation. We hope it's encouraging for you in your ministry! Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

We are finally finishing our discussion on the Lord's Supper! If you haven't listened to episode 35, then go ahead and give it a listen, because it introduces our topic and walks through the various views of what happens at communion. In part 2 we discuss what it means to partake of the Lord's Supper in a worthy manner, why we believe baptized children of believers should be allowed at the table, and why some Anglicans call the "table" an "altar." If you like this episode, please leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends and family - especially those you know who may be thinking about pastoral ministry. Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe

Here is a recording of our continuing series on the 39 Articles. This week Matt looks at Articles 16-18 on human free will, predestination, and election. Get full access to The Cranmer Fellows at thecranmerfellows.substack.com/subscribe