Episode Description:
In this week’s episode of In the Sandbox, Matt Rall and Rachel Billups welcome the dynamic duo behind The Bearded Theologians, Matt Franks and Zach Bechtold. It's a conversation that blends deep theological reflection with humor, friendship, and a bit of nerddom. From Xbox theology to reclaiming lost words of faith, this crossover episode is packed with inspiration and laughs.
Discover the story of how two pastors turned a typhoon-filled mission trip into a nine-year podcasting adventure. They share their journey of exploring faith, fostering creativity, and creating safe spaces for theological conversations.
Whether you're here for their insights on rhythm and rest or just to find out why Sk8er Boi is the ultimate karaoke choice, there's something for everyone. Grab your shovel and join us in the sandbox as dreams take flight!
What You’ll Hear:
Origins of The Bearded Theologians: From Facebook banter to the Philippines, how Matt and Zach started their podcasting journey.
The Power of Friendship: How their bond fuels creativity and theological exploration.
Reclaiming Words: A thoughtful discussion on rescuing and redefining hijacked Christian terms like evangelism.
Finding God in the Ordinary: How sharing where they see God at work brings new life to their conversations.
Balancing Hustle and Rest: Insights on the spiritual discipline of taking a step back.
Speed Round Fun: Hot dogs or tacos? And yes, someone Googled “How tall is Big Bird.”
Key Quotes:
“Creativity isn’t born in the hustle—it’s born in rest.”
“Connectionalism works when it’s rooted in relationship.”
“We want to show what healthy theological conversations look like—unscripted, real, and full of love.”
Resources and Links:
The Bearded Theologians: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Hub for Innovation: Website | Email
Next Steps:
Subscribe to In the Sandbox for more creative conversations.
Follow The Bearded Theologians for their weekly episodes and insights.
Share this episode with a friend who needs a little faith and fun in their day.
