New Churches Masterclass | Season 1 | Episode 3

On Being a Pastor-Theologian

Kevin Vanhoozer

The pastor theologian is not an academic specialist but a shepherd who interprets all of life through the lens of God’s Word for the sake of forming disciples. Rooted in the church and shaped by Scripture, Kevin Vanhoozer explains that pastor theologians cultivate biblical, doctrinal, and cultural literacy through preaching, catechesis, prayer, and communal reading—guiding believers to live in Christ and for Christ in a complex world.

Published on August 18, 2025

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About the Podcast

New Churches Masterclass

The New Churches Masterclass podcast is your go-to source for practical, gospel-centered training to fuel faithful ministry. Each episode features sessions from a variety of masterclass courses—covering theology, preaching, church planting, sending churches, and more. Whether you're a pastor, planter, or ministry leader, you’ll gain the biblical foundations, practical tools, and leadership insights you need to strengthen your ministry and serve your community well. Learn from trusted practitioners as they equip you to think deeply, preach clearly, lead boldly, and multiply the mission. No matter where you are in your ministry journey, the New Churches Masterclass podcast will help you grow and endure.

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Meet the Author

Kevin Vanhoozer

Kevin J. Vanhoozer (PhD, Cambridge University) is Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Before that, he was Senior Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He is the author or editor of over twenty books, including Is There a Meaning in this Text?, First Theology, The Drama of Doctrine, and Remythologizing Theology.

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