Past Speakers

Through two engaging lectures, Dr. Lundgren helped us think carefully about the role of courage in pastoral leadership, particularly in a cultural moment increasingly shaped by a desire for safety and risk avoidance. Drawing from themes in his recent work, he explored how secular assumptions about safety can subtly influence the church’s instincts, and he challenged us to recover a more robust, biblically grounded vision—one that holds together safety as a creational good while recognizing the call to costly, courageous discipleship.

Participants were encouraged to wrestle with the tension between prudence and boldness, and to consider how pastors can faithfully lead in ways that prioritize obedience to Christ over personal or cultural comfort. The sessions were both clarifying and convicting, offering practical guidance for ministry in an age marked by both fear and opportunity.

As always, the gathering included meaningful discussion and concluded with a shared meal, providing space for continued conversation and fellowship.

We had the privilege of welcoming Dr. Bryan Chapell to the Pastor-Theologian Collective for a rich and encouraging time of learning focused on homiletics. Widely known for his influential work Christ-Centered Preaching, Dr. Chapell delivered two insightful lectures that challenged and equipped those in attendance to grow in faithful, gospel-centered proclamation.

Throughout the sessions, Dr. Chapell walked participants through a comprehensive handout, guiding us through the core principles of Christ-centered exposition. He emphasized the centrality of God’s redemptive work in every text of Scripture, highlighting the importance of identifying the Fallen Condition Focus (FCF), understanding the redemptive trajectory of the Bible, and ensuring that both explanation and application are rooted in the gospel.

He also provided practical frameworks for approaching any passage through a Christ-centered lens—whether predictive, preparatory, resultant, or reflective of Christ’s work—while reinforcing the theological foundation that the “imperative rests on the indicative.” The sessions concluded with a compelling reminder that true transformation in preaching and in the Christian life flows not merely from knowledge, but from a greater love for Christ that reshapes both heart and practice.

The morning included thoughtful discussion, meaningful interaction, and concluded with a shared meal, providing further opportunity for fellowship and reflection.

David Kalas, author of The Gospel According to Leviticus: Finding God’s Love in God’s Law, has served as a pastor for over 30 years in Virginia and Wisconsin. A graduate of the University of Virginia with a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, he now serves as Dean of Students at Providence Academy in Green Bay, WI, and attends Life Bridge Christian Church. He is also the author of When Did God Become a Christian and Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Eden, and founded The 3x5 Club—an online resource to help Christians grow in their study of God’s Word (the3x5club.com).

Drawing on his experience as a pastor and professor of homiletics, Dr. Lucas O’Neill presented a compelling case for Christocentric Preaching (XCP) in Session 1. Then in Session 2, he thoughtfully engaged common objections to XCP, offering clear and pastoral responses.

After serving for 20 years as “the Bachelor Pastor” of a large multi-site church, Dr. DeWitt brings a uniquely personal and pastoral perspective to the topic of loneliness. In two insightful sessions, he thoughtfully distinguished between loneliness, aloneness, and solitude. With wisdom and compassion, he also addressed the often-overlooked struggles of loneliness in leadership.

PTC Green Bay was richly blessed by the skillful teaching of Dr. Steven Mathewson. His two sessions on preaching Old Testament poetry were both practical and insightful, offering valuable guidance for preachers at every stage—from those just starting out to seasoned ministers.

A highly respected New Testament scholar, Dr. Tom Schreiner tackled the important and often debated topic of women in ministry, providing a careful exegetical and theological perspective on relevant biblical texts.

For its inaugural gathering, PTC Green Bay welcomed Dr. Chris Brauns, author of Unpacking Forgiveness, to lead a thoughtful exploration of biblical forgiveness. Using his “Forgiveness Quiz” as a starting point, Dr. Brauns guided those gathered in digging deep into what true, gospel-shaped forgiveness looks like in the life of a believer.

Known for his clarity and precision, Dr. Andy Naselli provided a thoughtful, biblically grounded introduction to the doctrine of predestination, exploring its theological and pastoral implications.

A leading voice in the conversation on pastoral theology, Dr. Gerald Hiestand traced the historical role of the pastor-theologian - specifically here in America - and its development and called us as church leaders to embrace a vision of shepherding that was both intellectually rigorous and deeply pastoral.

A seasoned pastor and theologian, Dr. Mike Bullmore unpacked the heart of the Christian faith—the gospel—showing how its power transforms both individuals and communities. He left us with five simple words: "Christ died for my sins."

With a passion for discipleship, Drew Sodestrom challenged and equipped believers to embrace the process of spiritual formation, highlighting how true disciples are shaped in the everyday rhythms of life.

A skilled interpreter of wisdom literature, Douglas Sean O’Donnell walked through Job with clarity and pastoral sensitivity, helping us wrestle with suffering, divine justice, and God’s sovereign purposes.

With a deep love for biblical theology and pastoral ministry, Dr. Jared Compton unpacked Hebrews 2, highlighting Jesus as the God-man, deepening our understanding of who we are and the relevance of that reality to our faith.

A trusted biblical scholar and pastor, Dr. Mickey Klink gave a fresh reading of John 3:16 and provided a deep insightful overview into the Gospel of John, helping us engage with its theological richness and pastoral significance.

Jeremy led us through a thoughtful engagement with the Scriptures centering around the Lord’s Supper. He helped set the foundation for our Pastor-Theologian Collective, equipping us with a strong biblical and theological framework, preparing us for PTCs to come.