Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer

A Church Called Tov

In this latest Craft & Character podcast, Steve Carter interviews New Testament scholar Scot McKnight and author Laura Barringer about their latest book, A Church Called Tov. Scot and Laura unpack the stories of abuse at Willow Creek, Harvest, and the SBC that led them to write these words. This is a different kind of episode than we have ever done—but we feel it is paramount to talk honestly as pastors, preachers, and teachers about our burden to do whatever we can to create cultures of goodness and not abuse. This episode will teach you about the Hebrew word “tov” and how we can bring “tov” to the pulpit and to our churches. It will also move you to consider what a pastor is truly called to be in this day and age.

Who are Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer?

Scot McKnight, a New Testament scholar who has written widely on the historical Jesus and Christian spirituality, is a Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lombard, Illinois. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornerstone University, a master’s from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a doctorate from the University of Nottingham. He has written 50 books, including the popular The Jesus Creed, which won an award from Christianity Today in 2004. You can read more from Scot at his blog, Jesus Creed.

Laura Barringer is a teacher of first- and second-grade students. She is the coauthor of Sharing God’s Love: The Jesus Creed for Children and wrote a teacher lesson and activity guide to accompany the book. She is also coauthor of A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing (October 2020). Laura is a graduate of Wheaton College currently resides in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, Mark, and three beagles.

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About the Host

Steve Carter is a renowned pastor, speaker, author, and the former lead teaching pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago.

As host, Steve sits down with ministry leaders to talk about the art of mastering communication while growing in personal character.

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Craft & Character

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