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Jeff McCullough is on a quest to learn about all things Latter-day Saints. He’s not looking for a debate. He’s looking to explore and learn, and to fight criticism with curiosity. Jeff is a Protestant, Evangelical Pastor with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, and the creator of the HelloSaints YouTube channel. He completed his undergraduate in Digital Media from a Free-Methodist school, Greenville University, and received a Masters in Biblical Studies from Moody Theological Seminary. Jeff is married with four children, lives in the St. Louis, Missouri area, and has worked in pastoral ministry for almost 15 years. 
Highlights
1:30 Introduction to Jeff and his background 3:10 Jeff is not the typical Leading Saints guest. He was born and raised Evangelical Protestant. He is now an Evangelical Pastor. 6:15 Often our doctrines and practices can become elevated to a point that we begin to major in the minors. What is most important is the spiritual reality of your soul before the one that created you. 7:55 What was the moment that you thought you wanted to become a Pastor? 9:10 The steps Jeff took to become a Pastor 12:15 Why Jeff started Hello Saints. A channel where Jeff explores the church in a respectful way. 21:20 What you can expect on Jeff’s channel. He invites his audience to be curious and connect. 23:40 Negative culture. Why aren’t we talking about it more? 25:30 We can all maintain our dignity and disagree with people without tearing each other down 29:00 Is it a good or bad thing to live in “the Utah bubble?” Do we need more diversity? 31:10 Missionary work in our church and measuring our success based on baptisms. What are we missing? 33:10 What are sinner’s prayers? 35:30 Jeff talks about his religion and focusing on the wrong things. Let’s focus less on the numbers and more on how you are living out your testimony. 37:15 Is Jesus looking for a checklist and that we’ve checked all the boxes? 38:45 Jeff talks about how he guides his congregation, as to not focus on the numbers and the sinners’ prayers 41:45 Kurt and Jeff share their perspectives on church programs. While the programs are inspired and great sometimes they feel like homework. The most important part of the gospel is creating and strengthening our relationship with Jesus Christ. 47:45 Anything that we ever build, even with the best intentions or in ministry, will at some point lose its focus and become an idol. We’ll have to tear it down and go at it again. 49:50 What Jeff wished he had known when he first became a Pastor 46:45 Jeff shares his view on the Book of Mormon and why he hasn’t read it 1:06:00 Jeff’s view on Brigham Young and Joseph Smith and the things he struggles with pertaining to the church. 1:10:10 The thing that intrigues Jeff the most about Joseph Smith 1:12:40 Final thoughts and wrap up
Links
HelloSaints YouTube channel Instagram: @hello.saints HelloSaints Patreon Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Watch on YouTube! Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
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Great discussion. I’m interested in why he thought it was provocative to say his goal is to point his sermons to Christ? I think we often do this very badly as LDS but not for lack of our leaders constantly asking trying to have make Christ the focus of all of our meetings.
Kurt–
Thank you very much for inviting Pastor Jeff with Hello Saints back a second time. I have really enjoyed both podcasts where he has been your guest. Very insightful.
This was an insightful interview and very enjoyable and friendly in nature. Kurt asked some very pointed questions and were honestly and fairly answered by pastor Jeff McCullough: incredibly honest and thoughtful. Having lived outside of the Intermountain West Church enclave most of my life as well as 8 years outside the U.S., I am always fascinated by others perspectives of the Church and its members. Whether country culture, ethnic culture, belief culture, male culture, etc., others’ perspectives from outside one’s culture can be so enlightening and give so much understanding and create an opportunity for a change of heart and an embrace of community.
Okay Pastor Jeff, you were talking in the video about the Book of Mormon evidence or lack there of.
So, may I refer you to the findings of Wayne May on YouTube?
Here are a few links to help point these many several evidences of which he covers in lenght.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6k8moYz-Gs&list=PLf8HmGNrmygMgZmrbQ2bwl3z3Jd4hqJQw
Thank you
As a member of an evangelical church married to a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I have regularly attended services at both churches for 13 years. I admit 40 years ago i was agaibst The Church of Jesus Christ. I dont plan to leave my church but have found I have grown spiritually through both chyrches and the people. I have only watched the Temple tour, but am interested to watch more from a perspective i have been seeking.
This is why I am excited about Hello Saints: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has really never had an outsider with guarded bias, and a peaceable demeanor fairly and publicly assess our beliefs