All posts by chrismorton82@gmail.com

Christmas: What do you Want Your Church to Take Away? | #34 Tear Gas & Gumdrops

Kyle and Chris sit down for a Bible and Theology heavy conversation, trying to answer the question: what is it that we want our church to take-away from their experience of Christmas?

Tear Gas and Gumdrops is Kyle Sapp (Preaching Minister) and Chris Morton (Church Planter). If you appreciate this podcast, please take a moment to subscribe on iTunes and leave us a review. It helps a lot!

How to Help Your Church Grieve During the Holidays (with Kate Blackshear) | #33 Tear Gas & Gumdrops

Grief is the normal and natural reaction to a loss any kind.

The holidays are going to trigger grief for many in your church. Even the most well-meaning, Jesus-loving folks may find themselves ill-equipped to respond.

This episode features Kate Blackshear, a hospice chaplain and pastoral counselor. Kate’s ministry and passion focuses on helping people during experiences of grief. In this episode, you’ll learn what grief is, as well as tips on how to respond and how not to respond. You’ll also hear about the grief sharing opportunities Kate has created in her church community.

If you’d like to learn more, you can contact Kate Blackshear at katyblackshear@gmail.com.

Tear Gas and Gumdrops is Kyle Sapp (Preaching Minister) and Chris Morton (Church Planter). If you appreciate this podcast, please take a moment to subscribe on iTunes and leave us a review. It helps a lot!

20 Ways to Deal with a Stressful Holiday Get-Together | #32 Tear Gas & Gumdrops

Why is that holidays can be so hard? Is it the political tension still in the air? Is it old family grudges? Bad food?

Whatever the problem is, it’s compounded by a lack of imagination and planning. If you want to have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas, come with a plan to make memories.

This podcast will help you enjoy the Holidays, and give you ideas to pass on to your church.

Tear Gas and Gumdrops is Kyle Sapp (Preaching Minister) and Chris Morton (Church Planter). If you appreciate this podcast, please take a moment to subscribe on iTunes and leave us a review. It helps a lot!

Six Tips for Creating Positive Environments | #31 Tear Gas & Gumdrops

Ministry happens within an environment. If that environment isn’t positive, then there’s no way people with learn to be more like Jesus. With the tension of the holidays and the post-election fallout upon us, creating a positive environment in our churches and ministries is more important than ever.

In this episode, Kyle and Chris discuss what a positive environment is, six tips on creating a positive environment, and the beautiful new Dr. Strange movie.

Tear Gas and Gumdrops is Kyle Sapp (Preaching Minister) and Chris Morton (Church Planter). If you appreciate this podcast, please take a moment to subscribe on iTunes and leave us a review. It helps a lot!

Elections, Church Membership, Johnny Cash and Wolverine | #30 Tear Gas & Gumdrops

It’s a teaser! A big brainstorming session to discuss the upcoming season. You’ll hear thoughts on pre-school. the Logan trailer, the Election and what it means for churches to create a sense of belonging.

Tear Gas and Gumdrops is Kyle Sapp (Preaching Minister) and Chris Morton (Church Planter). If you appreciate this podcast, please take a moment to subscribe on iTunes and leave us a review. It helps a lot!

Wes Woodell: Immature Apostles, Finding Your Fit and Getting the Help You Need | #29 Tear Gas & Gumdrops

“Always be in Kindergarten.”

That’s the advice Wes Woodell gives on how he went from a dysfunctional Campus Ministry to making disciples who plant new churches. Get a glimpse of Wes’s whirlwind journey, and  be inspired to get the help you need to do what God is calling you to do.

Get to know Wes on his blog here.

Tear Gas and Gumdrops is Kyle Sapp (Young Adults and future Preaching Minister) and Chris Morton (Church Planter). If you appreciate this podcast, please take a moment to subscribe on iTunes and leave us a review. It helps a lot!

Neediness, People-Pleasing and Getting Over Ourselves | #28 Tear Gas and Gumdrops

Live from Pepperdine, Chris and Kyle discuss Enneagram, people pleasing and their slow process of getting over themselves in order to focus on ministry and mission.

Tear Gas and Gumdrops is Kyle Sapp (Young Adults and future Preaching Minister) and Chris Morton (Church Planter). If you appreciate this podcast, please take a moment to subscribe on iTunes and leave us a review. It helps a lot!

Mandy Smith on Learning How to Be Vulnerable | #27 Tear Gas and Gumdrops

Queen of the Podcasts, Mandy Smith joins us to discuss how her Tear Gas Moment taught her how to be comfortable in her calling to pastoral leadership.

You can learn a lot more about this in her most recent book The Vulnerable Pastor: How Human Limitations Empower Our Ministry. 

Tear Gas and Gumdrops is Kyle Sapp (Young Adults and future Preaching Minister) and Chris Morton (Church Planter). If you appreciate this podcast, please take a moment to subscribe on iTunes and leave us a review. It helps a lot!

Just a Couple of Amateur Sermonsmiths | #26 Tear Gas and Gumdrops

There’s a really good podcast about the art of Sermon Prep called Sermonsmith. This is not it. You should subscribe to Sermonsmith.

In this episode, two new-ish preachers reflect on why sermons are different than other public speaking. They also workshop their approach to preparing a sermon.

We’re still learning this, so leave us your suggestions in the comments!

Tear Gas and Gumdrops is Kyle Sapp (Young Adults and future Preaching Minister) and Chris Morton (Church Planter). If you appreciate this podcast, please take a moment to subscribe on iTunes and leave us a review. It helps a lot!

Caleb Borchers: What to Do When You’re Called to Plant a Church, but Not Ready For It | #25 Tear Gas & Gumdrops

Often, when people talk about church planting, especially among the unchurched, it’s with a rah–rah zeal. But the truth is, it’s really hard, and not many people know how to do it.

In this episode Kyle Sapp (Preacher) and Chris Morton (Church Planter) interview Caleb Borchers of The Feast in Providence, Rhode Island. You’ll hear what happened when he and his wife felt called to plant, but all traffic lights were yellow.

Tear Gas and Gumdrops is Kyle Sapp (Young Adults and future Preaching Minister) and Chris Morton (Church Planter). If you appreciate this podcast, please take a moment to subscribe on iTunes and leave us a review. It helps a lot!