Bearded Theologians

Welcome to the Bearded Theologians Website

Join Rev. Matt Franks and Rev. Zach Bechtold as they navigate the messy, beautiful world of faith and ministry. From deep theological dives to the practical “how-to” of church work and discipleship, Matt and Zach offer an unfiltered look at what it means to lead and follow today. We don’t have all the answers, but we’ve got the conversation covered.

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You can find the show on Youtube, Apple, Spotify, Castbox, Amazon, or wherever else you listen to Podcast.

Latest from the Bearded Theologians

2.5.26 Bearded Theologians with Master Brewer Austin McIlroy

The Bearded Theologians sit down with Austin McIlroy, the Master Brewer and co-founder of Cabin Boys Brewery in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We dive into Austin’s personal journey—from his beginnings in homebrewing to opening a staple of the Oklahoma craft beer scene. Austin also gives us the “origin story” of the brewery’s brew: The Bearded Theologian. Beyond the recipes, we explore the heartbeat of Cabin Boys. Austin explains how their brewery is built on a foundation of…

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1.29.26 Beardcast on Why Scripture?

Zach and Matt are getting real about the Bible. Join them as they wrestle with a big question: Why is Scripture actually important? Beyond the theory, they share their personal reflections and engage in a spiritual check-in, looking back at their week to answer: “Where have we seen God at work?” If you’re looking for a grounded, spiritual perspective on faith in practice, this one is for you. Connect with the Bearded Theologians at https://www.linktr.ee/Beardedtheologians You can find the…

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1.22.26 Bearded Theologians on Growing Pains: Navigating the Evolution of Faith

Zach and Matt explored the concept of discipleship growth, discussing how individuals can evolve in their faith while acknowledging past beliefs and practices that may no longer align with their current understanding. They reflected on personal and communal growth, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the Holy Spirit’s ongoing work in their lives. Both speakers shared experiences of spiritual development, including Zach’s observation of a youth-led worship service and Matt’s journey of healing and renewal in…

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1.15.16 Bearded Theologians with Rev. Rachel Billups

Happy 10th Anniversary to The Bearded Theologians! 🥳 We are excited to kick off a decade of podcasting. Our first guest of the new decade is Rachel Billups. Rachel leads the New Albany United Methodist Church. She is also the author of the transformative new book, Unlikely Lent. 📖 Buy “Unlikely Advent”: https://a.co/d/aOS2Nzo Don’t forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE! Help us celebrate 10 years by diving into our archives and sharing this episode with a friend. #Lent #SpiritualDisciplines #RachelBillups…

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1.8.26 Bearded Theologians with Rev. Dr. Kaury Edwards

In this episode, we sit down with Reverend Kaury Edwards. He is the author of Failure Sparked Innovation. We talk about why our biggest setbacks are often the catalysts for our greatest breakthroughs. Enjoyed this conversation? Make sure to SUBSCRIBE for more interviews on leadership, innovation, and ministry. 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode! #ChurchLeadership #MinistryInnovation #FreshExpressions #KariEdwards #ChurchPlanting #FailingForward

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