Biblical Higher Ed Talk

Hosted by ABHE

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141

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Your mission in biblical higher ed is all about changing lives for Christ. As you train the next generation of leaders, you need ideas and strategies tailored to help them flourish. On Biblical Higher Ed Talk, we dive into just that to equip you with insights and knowledge that empowers you and your institution to flourish. We’ll engage leaders and practitioners in biblical higher education and beyond, tapping their wisdom for navigating the complexities you face in higher education and hearing them share how you can take your institution from its current state to its future potential. Embark on a journey with us into finding the next steps to help you lead more effectively, expand your impact, and deepen your faith. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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October 27, 202639 min

Building Better Leaders: Inside ABHE’s Leadership Academy

Leadership development is more than skill-building. It is an act of faithful stewardship. Eric Brandt , Director of ABHE’s Leadership Academy , shares how the growing platform is helping faculty, administrators, presidents, and board members pursue biblically grounded, spiritually vital, and professionally relevant development. With a growing catalog of micro courses and learning paths, the Leadership Academy is designed to remove barriers to professional development while keeping spiritual formation at the center. Eric explains the philosophy shaping the Academy, the early signs of engagement across ABHE institutions, and an exciting collaboration with BibleProject and Logos designed to strengthen the biblical and theological foundations of faculty across disciplines. ___ Tune In to Discover ▫️Why ongoing professional development is essential to faithful stewardship and sustained effectiveness ▫️How ABHE’s Leadership Academy serves faculty, administrators, presidents, and board members ▫️The philosophy of learning and spiritual formation shaping every Leadership Academy course ▫️How micro courses turn professional learning into practical changes leaders can immediately apply ▫️Why biblical and theological foundations matter for faculty across every academic discipline ___ Inside the Episode 02:03 - One Leadership Academy course Eric believes every higher education leader should take 06:13 - Why professional development is essential for faithful stewardship 09:28 - What the ABHE Leadership Academy is and who it serves 13:03 - The educational philosophy shaping the Academy 20:57 - Early results and engagement across ABHE institutions 24:32 - New courses, spiritual practices, and application-focused learning 35:15 - Personalized and community-based learning in the Academy’s future ___ To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. ___ The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is brought to you by The Association of Biblical Higher Education and is proud to be part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network . Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

October 20, 202632 min

When Leadership Means Making Room for What’s Next

Leadership looks different when viewed from the other side of the president’s chair. After a career devoted to biblical and Christian higher education, Dr. Sherilyn Emberton , President Emeritus of Huntington University , reflects on the experiences that shaped her leadership, the burdens few people see, and the lessons she wishes she had understood earlier. With candor and wisdom, Sherilyn discusses navigating difficult decisions, learning to slow the pace of leadership, creating a healthy presidential succession, and opening doors for the next generation of executive leaders. She also shares encouragement for women pursuing leadership in Christian higher education and explains why mission clarity and collaboration will be essential as institutions navigate the challenges ahead. ___ Tune In to Discover ▫️What years in presidential leadership taught her about time, relationships, pressure, and dependence on God ▫️How outgoing leaders can intentionally create space for their successors to thrive ▫️Why leaders sometimes need to slow their pace instead of asking everyone around them to keep up ▫️What Sherilyn wants women pursuing executive leadership to understand about preparation, confidence, and calling ▫️Why mission clarity and collaboration give Sherilyn hope for the future of Christian higher education ___ Inside the Episode 08:29 - A difficult leadership moment and an unforgettable act of encouragement 14:31 - The hidden weight and relational loneliness of presidential leadership 16:50 - How dependence on God deepened under the pressures of the presidency 18:44 - The advice Sherilyn would give herself on her first day as president 21:42 - Lessons for women called to executive leadership in Christian higher education 28:47 - Why mission clarity and collaboration are critical to the future of Christian higher education ___ To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. ___ The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is brought to you by The Association of Biblical Higher Education and is proud to be part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network . Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

October 13, 202634 min

Theological Education Needs More Than a New Model

The future of theological education will require more than new programs, delivery models, or financial strategies. Greg Henson believes lasting innovation begins when institutions are willing to examine their assumptions, loosen their grip on inherited practices, and discern where God is already at work. Drawing from the journey of Kairos University and the emerging work of the Novare Center, Greg explores a vision for theological education rooted in discipleship, generous collaboration, organizational formation, and faithful stewardship. Rather than treating innovation as another technical solution, he challenges schools, churches, denominations, and ministry leaders to rethink what it means to learn and work together as the body of Christ. The result is a hopeful picture of theological education that is not defined by decline, but by communities willing to follow the Spirit into fresh expressions of ministry formation ___ Tune In to Discover ▫️Why theological education should extend far beyond graduate degrees and traditional seminary models ▫️What it means to move from transactional partnerships toward generous collaboration as a way of being ▫️ Why technical changes alone cannot address the deeper challenges facing theological education ▫️How the Novare Center is helping organizations cultivate faithful stewards, thriving communities, and new pathways for ministry formation ▫️ Why innovation requires institutions to examine inherited assumptions rather than simply repackage existing programs ___ Inside the Episode 02:10 - The collection of shifts every theological education leader should be watching 03:47 - Why theological education cannot be restricted to graduate degrees 05:01 - What churches need from seminaries willing to become true collaborators 09:47 - Why the Novare Center was created and the deeper problem it seeks to address 12:05 - Why theological education needs adaptive change, not simply new programs or delivery models 20:28 - Amplifying innovative work already happening across theological education 24:59 - Assessing an organization’s readiness for collaboration, innovation, and alignment ___ To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. ___ The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is brought to you by The Association of Biblical Higher Education and is proud to be part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

October 6, 202636 min

The President’s Chair Changes Everything

Stepping into the presidency of an institution you already know and love brings unique advantages, but it also changes the weight of leadership. After more than two decades at Johnson University , Dr. Daniel Overdorf reflects on his first two years as president and what he has learned about trust, relationships, communication, and carrying responsibility for an institution whose mission has eternal significance. Dr. Overdorf shares the realities of moving from colleague to president, including how relationships change when former peers become members of the team you lead. He offers practical wisdom for boards considering internal candidates and for new presidents entering their first days of leadership. Through it all, Daniel returns to a central conviction: Christian higher education must remain clear and unapologetic about its Christ-centered mission, equipping students not simply for careers, but for lives that matter eternally. ___ Tune In to Discover ▫️The advantages and challenges of moving from an internal leadership role into the presidency ▫️Why trust and open communication are essential when former peers become people you lead ▫️What boards should consider when choosing between internal and external presidential candidates ▫️Why new presidents should prioritize listening well, listening widely, and acting on what they hear ▫️How mission clarity can become one of Christian higher education’s greatest opportunities ___ Inside the Episode 06:35 - The unexpected weight of carrying responsibility for an entire institution 12:39 - Navigating the transition from colleague and peer to president 21:40 - Leadership lessons from Daniel’s first two years in the president’s chair 26:24 - Why new presidents should listen well and listen widely 27:30 - “Clarity is kindness,” and why leaders must clearly communicate mission and direction 29:14 - Turning a listening tour into meaningful changes in institutional communication 33:19 - Why Christian higher education must be clear and overt about its Christ-centered purpose ___ To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. ___ The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is brought to you by The Association of Biblical Higher Education and is proud to be part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network . Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

September 29, 202637 min

Rethinking Ministry Preparation: Where the Classroom Meets the Church

Preparing the next generation for ministry takes more than a classroom. John Larson , Vice President of Ministry Training and Academic Instruction at Highlands College , believes students need rigorous academic formation alongside hands-on experience in the life and ministry of the local church. John shares how Highlands College intentionally integrates higher education with Church of the Highlands, creating an environment where students develop both character and competence for ministry. He also explores the college’s decision not to participate in federal Title IV funding, the tensions involved in using active ministry practitioners as instructors, and why Christian higher education has a unique opportunity to equip a generation eager to make a meaningful difference for the Kingdom. ___ Tune In to Discover ▫️Why grit may be one of the most important qualities future ministry leaders can develop ▫️How Highlands College integrates classroom learning with practical ministry experience in the local church ▫️Why active ministry practitioners play an important role in preparing students for real-world ministry ▫️How active learning and collaborative learning spaces shape the student experience at Highlands ▫️What gives John hope about a highly missional generation of students entering Christian higher education ___ Inside the Episode 03:15 - Why ministry leaders need grit before they graduate 06:24 - Why the local church and Christian college should never be strangers 07:49 - How Highlands College integrates ministry training with Church of the Highlands 18:22 - The value and challenge of putting active ministry practitioners in the classroom 23:11 - Why higher education leaders must become chief learners 25:52 - Inside Highlands College’s active and collaborative learning environment 27:56 - Why Highlands chooses not to participate in federal Title IV funding 32:25 - What a highly missional generation of students could mean for Christian higher education ___ To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. ___ The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is brought to you by The Association of Biblical Higher Education and is proud to be part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network . Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

September 22, 202631 min

Firm Center, Soft Edges: Leading Christian Higher Education with Conviction

Christian higher education is navigating powerful headwinds, but Dr. Barry H. Corey believes the answer is neither retreat nor compromise. As President of Biola University , Dr. Corey reflects on nearly two decades of presidential leadership and the calling, humility, courage, and conviction required to remain faithful through seasons of change. From resisting the twin dangers of nostalgia and institutional amnesia to preparing students for a world being reshaped by AI, Dr. Corey offers a compelling vision for Christian higher education rooted in a “firm center” and “soft edges.” He challenges leaders to hold tightly to biblical truth while leading with kindness, excellence, and courage, trusting that God’s tailwinds remain stronger than the cultural headwinds. ___ Tune In to Discover ▫️Why a clear sense of calling can sustain leaders through both self-doubt and success ▫️How long-term leaders must adapt as their institutions and leadership strengths change ▫️What it means to lead with “thick skin and a tender heart” ▫️Why Christian colleges should prepare students with a firm center, soft edges, and a commitment to excellence ▫️ Why both nostalgia and institutional amnesia can threaten the future of Christian colleges ___ Inside the Episode 11:52 - How presidential leadership must evolve over time 16:24 - Why leaders need thick skin, tender hearts, and relationships outside their institutions 18:38 - Trusting God’s “tailwinds” when leadership headwinds grow stronger 21:42 - Firm center, soft edges, and preparing students for a rapidly changing world 23:58 - Thinking theologically about AI, technology, and innovation 28:16 - The dangers of nostalgia and amnesia in Christian higher education ___ To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. ___ The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is brought to you by The Association of Biblical Higher Education and is proud to be part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network . Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

September 15, 202637 min

Finishing Well: A Lifetime of Faithful Leadership

As David Medders prepares to transition toward retirement after decades of ministry and service to biblical higher education, he reflects on the convictions that have shaped his life, leadership, and calling. From surrendering his life fully to Christ as a young teenager to serving generations of students, presidents, and institutional leaders, David shares lessons forged through nearly five decades of ministry. He reflects on the future of biblical higher education, the danger of leadership pride, the importance of treating every person with dignity, and why the ultimate goal of Christian education must reach beyond professional preparation to life-transforming encounters with the living God. ___ Tune In to Discover ▫️Why surrendering control and trusting the sovereignty of God has shaped David’s approach to leadership ▫️What David believes biblical higher education looks like “on our best day” ▫️How humility protects leaders from the dangers that accompany prestige, privilege, and power ▫️Why the greatest opportunity for biblical higher education is connecting emerging generations with the person of Christ ▫️What finishing well looks like after nearly five decades of ministry and leadership ___ Inside the Episode 01:56 - The leadership lesson David wishes he had learned decades earlier 05:18 - The decision to fully surrender his life to Christ and how it changed everything 08:39 - David reflects on his ABHE transition and intentionally handing leadership responsibilities to the next generation 15:14 - Why seeing God call a new generation of leaders gives David hope for biblical higher education 19:21 - “On our best day,” the three qualities that define biblical higher education 26:14 - The greatest opportunity and challenge facing biblical higher education today 29:41 - Why humility and the way leaders treat others reveal the true character of Christian leadership 34:38 - What it means to finish well and the legacy David hopes to leave ___ To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. ___ The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is brought to you by The Association of Biblical Higher Education and is proud to be part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network . Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

September 8, 20263 min

What’s Ahead in Season 8.

Season 8 of Biblical Higher Ed Talk is here. Philip Dearborn, President of ABHE, offers a quick look ahead through conversations with presidents and thought leaders, along with timely discussions of the challenges and opportunities facing biblical higher education. Through it all, the focus remains the same: practical encouragement for leaders who want to stay kingdom-focused. ___ Tune In to Discover ▫️What’s ahead for Season 8 of Biblical Higher Ed Talk ▫️The challenges and opportunities shaping biblical higher education ▫️The leaders and voices joining the conversation this season. ▫️Why staying Kingdom-focused matters in a changing higher education landscape. ___ To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website, or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. ___ The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is brought to you by The Association of Biblical Higher Education and is proud to be part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network . Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

September 1, 202643 min

Summer Series 2026 - Jason Ballard

Join Philip Dearborn, President of ABHE, for a special summer series created to encourage and support leaders in Christian higher education. Every other week, we’ll revisit some of the most popular conversations from past seasons, with practical insights and meaningful reminders about the importance of Christ-centered education. This episode originally aired February 2026 ___ What kind of church will exist for our children and grandchildren? In this thoughtful and forward-looking conversation, Jason Ballard reflects on the health of the church in Canada, the growing leadership pipeline crisis, and why long-term faithfulness matters more than short-term urgency. Drawing from his pastoral experience and national leadership work, Jason challenges listeners to think beyond programs and productivity toward formation, partnership, and generational impact. ___ Tune In to Discover ✅The current state of the evangelical church in Canada and what gives reason for hope ✅Key challenges facing churches in an increasingly complex cultural moment ✅Why leadership exhaustion and scarcity threaten the future of the church ✅Practical ways churches can empower and develop young leaders ✅How churches and biblical higher education can work together for long-term impact ___ Inside the Episode 01:44 – A realistic and hopeful look at the evangelical church in Canada 06:08 – Cultural pressure, distraction, and the challenges facing today’s church 12:05 – The looming leadership pipeline crisis 15:50 – Why the future of church leadership matters personally and deeply\ 20:51 – Creating a culture that empowers and releases young leaders 27:35 – Bringing theological education closer to the life of the local church 32:01 – Healing the divide between the church and the academy 38:40 – Leading with a long-term, generational vision of faithfulness ___ To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website , or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is brought to you by The Association of Biblical Higher Ed and is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

August 18, 202634 min

Summer Series 2026 - Bill McCarthy

Join Philip Dearborn, President of ABHE, for a special summer series created to encourage and support leaders in Christian higher education. Every other week, we’ll revisit some of the most popular conversations from past seasons, with practical insights and meaningful reminders about the importance of Christ-centered education. This episode originally aired February 2026 ___ What does faithful leadership look like when vision is bold, change is constant, and the stakes are eternal? In this wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation, Bill McCarthy , Chairman of the Board and former CEO of Logos Bible Software , reflects on decades of leadership across technology, business, and ministry partnership. From operationalizing vision to building culture and investing in global evangelism, Bill offers hard-won wisdom for leaders navigating complexity while staying anchored in faith and mission. ___ Tune In to Discover ✅The four leadership responsibilities every effective leader must embrace ✅Why turning vision into action is often the hardest leadership challenge ✅How culture shapes long-term organizational health and impact ✅What faith-driven leadership looks like in seasons of rapid change ✅Why investing in the global church remains a defining priority ___ Inside the Episode 02:14 – Four core responsibilities every leader must carry 06:48 – Why operationalizing strategy is harder than setting vision 12:21 – Navigating organizational change, chaos, and stability 16:09 – How culture reinforces mission and builds trust 23:05 – Where Bill’s passion for evangelism and global ministry began 26:48 – Scaling Logos to serve the global church 32:06 – A word of encouragement for leaders in biblical higher education ___ To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or our website , or search for Biblical Higher Ed Talk in your favorite podcast player. The Biblical Higher Ed Talk podcast is brought to you by The Association of Biblical Higher Ed and is proud to be a part of The Higher Ed Marketer Podcast Network. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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