When did the pulpit become the prize? It’s a question that’s hard to ignore when you look around and see people scrambling for positions rather than pursuing God. We talk a lot about preaching, but not nearly enough about the weight that comes with it—the sleepless nights, the pressure to get it right, the private battles no one sees.

In this episode, Pastor E and creative visionary Rod Pickens go deep on what it really means to walk in faith, lead with integrity, and obey God when it’s uncomfortable. They unpack the difference between being a “Christian” and being a believer, and why so many are more committed to the performance of religion than the purpose behind it.

Pastor E opens up about the pressure of pastoral leadership, the courage it takes to apologize as a leader, and the heart behind his ministry—a space stripped of religious pretense where people can meet God as they are. He challenges the traditions that keep people out and shares how creating a welcoming, pulpit-free environment makes room for radical transformation.

Rod shares the backstory behind his show Supernatural Encounters, his struggle with delayed obedience, and how using your God-given gifts—whether on camera or in the community—can be the very thing that sets someone else free.

From becoming the Word to recognizing the difference between “good things” and “God things,” this conversation is a masterclass in authenticity, divine timing, and faith in motion.

In This Episode:

• [00:05] Introduction to the podcast

• [00:36] The role of forgiveness and authenticity

• [01:13] Obedience and using your gifts

• [02:08] Believers vs. Christians

• [03:20] Challenges of church culture and the pulpit

• [04:07] The weight and responsibility of pastoring

• [05:00] The gospel beyond the pulpit

• [06:00] The power and authority of the gospel

• [06:36] Personal challenges of being a pastor

• [08:00] Church expectations and authentic ministry

• [09:57] Breaking traditional church norms

• [11:53] Becoming the Word

• [12:39] Ministry in motion and community

• [13:09] Obedience, procrastination, and faith

• [14:22] Good things vs. God things

• [14:41] Delays in answering God’s call

• [15:05] Rod on taking long to jump into God’s calling/delayed obedience

• [16:32] The cost of mistakes in ministry

• [16:56] Closing and call to action

Notable Quotes

• [07:47] "I would tell anybody, make sure that God has really called you to this. I'm watching young kids now up there, and they're... It's sad, but they're learning to do church Instead of becoming a church." — Pastor E

• [02:48] "If God really wanted us to be Christians, He would have said that, yo, I want you to be. But he said believers and make more of them. So that's our assignment." — Pastor E

• [05:07] "The pulpit is not the only place that God wants to bring the message. You got convenience stores, you got malls, you got street corners, you got talent shows, you know, you got career fields, you got neighborhoods." — Rod

Resource and Links

Let's Talk About It Podcast

• Apple

• Spotify

Rod Pickens

• Linktree

Pastor Eric Brown

• Website

• Email