Andrew Root's Blog

S1E43 – Evangelism and the Theology of Consolation

Dr Andy Root, Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, helps us talk about Evangelism through the Lutheran lens of the Theology of the Cross and the Theology of Consolation.

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Reimagining Evangelism in an Age of Despair – Andy Root – 169 – FrontStage BackStage with Jason Daye

In this week’s conversation on FrontStage BackStage, host Jason Daye is joined by Andy Root. Andy is a Professor of Youth and Family Ministries at Luther Seminary. He is the host of the thought-provoking podcast When Church Stops Working, and just the title of that podcast probably gets your mind working. As pastors and ministry leaders, we really encourage you to check that podcast out. Andy has written a number of books, including his latest, entitled Evangelism in an Age of Despair.

Andrew Root: Evangelism in an Age of Despair

We talked with professor and author Andrew Root about the ironic reality that our modern pursuit of happiness has made us stressed, anxious, lonely, and depressed, and what evangelism and outreach might look like in this age of despair.

Andrew Root: Evangelism in an Age of Despair

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Reframing Evangelism: Following Jesus into Sorrow with Andy Root Part 2

The New Evangelism Message That’s Changing Everything. What if reframing evangelism isn’t about getting more people in church, but about learning to meet Jesus in the midst of sorrow? In part two of our conversation with ‪@LutherSeminary‬ professor Andy Root ‪@andrewroot5890‬, we explore a radically different approach to sharing faith that moves beyond happiness-hunting strategies to embrace God’s presence in brokenness. Andy Root, author of “Evangelism in an Age of Despair,” challenges churches to stop chasing evangelism success like gamblers at a table and instead learn what it means to journey with people into their deepest sorrows. Drawing insights from Blaise Pascal’s spiritual journey, this conversation reveals how reframing evangelism around sorrow and loss can actually lead to more authentic faith sharing.

Reframing Evangelism: Following Jesus into Sorrow with Andy Root Part 1

What If Your Church Is Already Doing Evangelism (and Just Doesn’t Know It)? Many church leaders struggle with how to evangelize in ways that feel authentic and faithful. In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, ‪@LutherSeminary‬ professor Andy Root ‪@andrewroot5890‬ offers a radically different approach – one that your congregation is probably already practicing without realizing it. Andy shows us how to evangelize through what he calls “a theology of consolation” – being present with people in their sadness and brokenness, because that’s where Jesus shows up. Instead of strategies and programs, this approach recognizes that the caring relationships churches build with neighbors are a form of sharing good news. Discover why “Swedish death cleaning teams” might be more evangelistic than visitor programs, how happiness-focused culture leaves people profoundly lonely, and why moving from strategy-based to presence-based ministry transforms everything about sharing faith. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable with traditional evangelism methods or wondered how to help your congregation recognize the evangelism they’re already doing, this conversation will reshape how you think about authentic witness.

In this episode of the Liminal Living podcast, Tom Rundel interviews Andrew Root, exploring themes of spirituality, the mystical connection humans have with dogs, and the complexities of faith within Lutheranism. They discuss Andrew’s personal experiences with grief and how these shaped his understanding of God. The conversation also delves into the redefinition of evangelism in contemporary society, emphasizing the importance of consolation and community in addressing the loneliness and despair prevalent in modern life. In this conversation, Andrew Root and Tom Rundel explore the themes of evangelism, grief, and the role of joy in the Christian community. They discuss the importance of ritual in modern life, the distinction between evangelism and lifestyle marketing, and Luther’s theology of the cross. The conversation emphasizes the need for a ministry of consolation that acknowledges suffering and grief while also celebrating joy and community. Root argues that true happiness is not the ultimate goal, but rather a deeper connection to God and each other through shared experiences of loss and pilgrimage.

I had a conversation with Andrew Root, who is a theologian and wrote the book “Evangelism in an Age of Despair.” We explored how evangelism can serve as a way to comfort others, stressing the importance of real human connections during hard times instead of just trying to get people to attend church. Root criticizes how faith is treated like a product and compares evangelism to the care given in hospitals. We also talked about how people are really focused on being happy and how the church should offer love and comfort to everyone, even those who are against us. Root wants people to try this approach, as it can create true hope and healing in today’s society.

Andy Root, the author of one of my favorite book series of all time (Ministry in a Secular Age) is back on the channel. We discuss his newest book (Evangelism in an Age of Despair), but especially focus on how the themes of this work overlap with the themes of the hit Apple TV show Severance. We discuss the definition of the “self,” existentialism and philosophy, grief, suffering, embodiment, community, and theorize a bit about the direction of the show.

Secular Mysticisms – A Conversation with Andrew Root

Depending on the person using them today, words like ‘secular’ and ‘secularism’ tend to be proclamations of triumph or cries of alarm. But for thinkers like Jacques Ellul and Charles Taylor, more measured and contemplative approaches to whatever secularism is and does are required to get a clear understanding of where we have been, where we are, and where we are going socially, culturally, politically, economically, and spiritually speaking. In this conversation, I speak with Andrew Root, an insightful reader of Charles Taylor, as well as Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Karl Barth. So, at one point in our dialogue you’ll hear me say: so, what do you (Andrew) think about Ellul’s treatment of our so-called secular age? On top of a few sidebar conversations about us both supporting losing hockey teams, the mysterious appeal (or lack thereof) of the Canadian coffee giant Tim Hortons, Andrew and I spend a good deal of time laying out the essential features of Taylor’s and Ellul’s understandings of secularism—where they are similar, where they are different, and so on—before he answers that question. Enjoy!

Andrew Root: Life Together in Turmoil & Bonhoeffer’s Experiment in Community

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Andrew Root. We discuss Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his time in the experimental underground seminary at Finkenwalde. This community became a site for him to enact his broader theological and ethical intuitions in community. We unpack the significance of Bonhoeffer’s relational theology, the establishment of illegal seminaries, Bonhoeffer’s radical commitment to living out the gospel in dire times, and his enduring legacy. The conversation also touches on Bonhoeffer’s formation of deep friendships, notably with Eberhard Bethge, and the practical implications of his ideas for contemporary theological education and church life.