By Andy Hale
This week on the CBF Podcast Conversation, we’re joined by Marc Alan Schelske—pastor, writer, and host of The Apprenticeship Way podcast—to explore his latest book, Walking Otherward: The Path of Jesus into Other-Centered, Co-Suffering Love. In this deeply reflective conversation, Marc challenges us to reconsider what it truly means to follow Jesus. Far from a path of comfort or self-justification, the way of Christ leads us into solidarity with the hurting, a relinquishing of power, and a radical posture of compassion. Drawing from personal experience, Scripture, and spiritual practice, Marc explores the themes of deconstruction, humility, and the cost of living a Cruciform life. He invites listeners to examine the forces—cultural, theological, and psychological—that often shape our faith more than Christ’s call to love.
Together, we unpack why deconstruction need not mean despair, how churches can support the questioning without shame, and what it means to discern redemptive suffering from performative martyrdom. Marc speaks with rare pastoral wisdom about shifting from a faith obsessed with being right to one grounded in humility, presence, and empathy. Whether it’s Lent, spiritual formation, or the subtle ways we protect ourselves from truly seeing others’ pain, this conversation presses us to embody our beliefs in ways that echo the cross—not as a symbol of triumphalism, but as the deepest expression of self-giving love. Don’t miss this profound invitation to walk otherward.
Subscribe or Livestream
CBF’s podcast shares stories from across the Fellowship and innovative practices of those working to renew God’s world. The vision is to share ideas, stories, and innovations from ministers, authors, and practitioners.
Join this audio Podcast by subscribing on iTunes, SoundCloud, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook.
Sponsorship
This podcast is presented by:
- Baylor’s Garland School of Social Work: Social workers can be found addressing the full scope of the human experience in churches, schools, prisons, government agencies, senior living centers, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies.
- Baptist Seminary of Kentucky: BSK equips leaders through their Homegrown Initiative, offering ministry leaders training and growth that fits into their busy schedules.
- The Gardner-Webb School of Divinity: The Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity aims to equip, nurture, encourage, and support men and women for their very best service in the Kingdom of God.
- The Center for Congregational Health: Strengthening congregations through consulting, leadership coaching, and intentional ministry.
- The Baptist House of Studies at Union Presbyterian Seminary: Exists by God’s grace to educate, inspire, and support generations of bold, faithful servant leaders as they seek actively to participate in God’s mission in the world.
- Community Transformation Center: Through educational opportunities, community conversations, and research initiatives in collaboration with universities and local leaders, PBACTC is at the forefront of integrating spiritual care into holistic community development.
Listener Support
We invite you, the listeners, to join us in connecting with the Podcast. Become a monthly listener supporter and receive some perks, including name recognition, questions for upcoming guests, free books from the Podcast, joining the Podcast for an interview, and a VIP experience with the General Assembly Podcast guests.
There are five levels of listener support, starting at $5 per month…learn more and become a supporter today at www.cbf.net/podcastsupport.
Andy Hale is the creator and host of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Podcast. Hale is the Associate Executive Coordinator of CBF North Carolina. He’s also served as CBF’s Church Start Specialist, the founding pastor of Mosaic Church of Clayton, and the senior pastor of University Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. Follow on Twitter @haleandy.