In this episode, we have the honor of welcoming not one, but two guests to the podcast: Pastor John Lowder and Pastor Dan Wolgast.

Pastor John is in the studio with us today. He is the lead pastor of Frontline Bible Church in Byron Center, MI, and the Director of Pastoral Care at the Grace Gospel Fellowship. He and Bryan have also been friends for a long time! Pastor John will be helping us interview our very special guest, Pastor Dan Wolgast.

We’re so excited to have Pastor Dan join us over the phone today! He is 75 years old and has been married to his wife Sheila for 54 years. They have one son and five lovely grandchildren. Pastor Dan was born and raised in Michigan, but he’s spent the last 40 years living in Wisconsin. He has pastored two churches and is currently a professor at Berean Bible Institute.

First episode of a new miniseries

Today’s episode is the first in a new miniseries we’ll be doing all about Grace. Specifically, Grace positive! Brett and Bryan just got back from the Refresh Pastor’s Conference in Arizona, and this was a major topic of discussion there. God’s grace is amazing, but when we talk about it, a lot of the time it doesn’t come across as very positive!

We want to air stories of pastors who embody “Grace” and do it in a gracious way. That’s why we’re doing this series – to interview pastors and church leaders who have been Grace guys for a long time and ask them why they still are after all these years.

So of course, we’re very excited about today’s interview with pastor Dan!

“How did you become a Mid-Acts Dispensationalist?”

Dan: “I was unsaved for 31 years. After finally realizing the world had nothing to offer me, I ended up going to a Mid-Acts church.

I’ve always been the kind of guy who wants you to speak the truth to me. If there were things in the Bible that didn’t add up for me, I wouldn’t have kept coming back to church.

So from the beginning, it was a joy to learn correct doctrine. It was clear right from the beginning and put me on solid ground.”

“How did you decide to become a pastor?”

Dan: “About 7 years after conversion, God made it very clear to me that I was supposed to be a pastor and teacher.”

“What is it about Mid-Acts Dispensationalism that has kept you dispensational all these years?”

Dan: “I can answer that in one word: freedom. Knowing the Bible doesn’t contradict itself when rightly divided is so freeing.

It goes beyond that – Jesus says the truth shall set you free. Paul says in 2 Corinthians, ‘Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.’ That’s what I’ve experienced in my life.”

“What does the freedom you’ve found mean practically in a person’s life?”

John: “I’ve come to understand the grace we are absolutely dependent on daily for sanctification. It’s the grace of God that leads us to godliness.

And I’ve found freedom from all the ceremonial stuff – the things you supposedly “have to do” in order to keep God happy. There is freedom when you understand Jew/Gentile equality in the church. Free from the ‘trappings’ that are often associated with Christianity.”

Dan: “I would agree with that of course. It’s your heart being free of guilt, fear, and condemnation.”

“Have there been times when your position on this has been tested?”

Dan: “Not really, no. There were times when I would think, ‘Is this all there is?’ When I was only hearing dispensational preaching from the pulpit. I was just feeling like there must be more to life. But when you’re hearing truth, that’s where freedom is, and that’s what keeps you on track.”

“How have you stayed so gracious?”

Dan: “Because of that freedom! It allows the Spirit freely to do His work. The Spirit is at work in your life. The Lord Jesus was filled with Grace and Truth, and when we need it, He fills us with it.”

“Anything else you want to share?”

Dan: “Always look for the freedom in the word of God, because it’s always there. The simple truths are the most profound. The word of Jesus Christ will always set you free, so always look for the freedom. Freedom means free to know the Lord, know who He is, and free to allow Him to do His work in your life.”

Thank you so much for joining us, pastor Dan!

Final thoughts

If you’ve enjoyed this episode of the Thriving Church Leadership podcast, be sure to keep an eye out for the rest of our “Grace Positive” miniseries. There is more goodness to come!

Need help?

Grace Gospel Fellowship would love to partner with your church leadership as you grow together. We offer many different resources to help you thrive in your calling to shepherd the church. Reach out to us at info@ggfusa.org to get started!