Everything is never enough. It’s a feeling many of us know well, yet we struggle to name it. In this episode, we sit down with Bobby Jamieson to explore the ancient yet strikingly modern wisdom of Ecclesiastes.

Bobby shares how a 2021 sermon series turned into a personal spiritual challenge, forcing him to wrestle with the "vanity" of life and the pursuit of satisfaction. From stories of raising his four kids to deep insights on evangelism and apologetics, Bobby helps us piece together the "big picture" of a book that often feels like a riddle. If you’ve ever felt the emptiness of having it all or wondered why our modern world feels increasingly lonely, this conversation offers a profound look at how the Bible meets our search for purpose.

Bobby Jamieson is the author of several books, including Sound Doctrine: How a Church Grows in the Love and Holiness of God, Going Public: Why Baptism Is Required for Church Membership, Jesus' Death and Heavenly Offering in Hebrews, The Paradox of Sonship: Christology in The Epistle to the Hebrews, and The Path to Being a Pastor: A Guide for the Aspiring.

Native Exiles is a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@alderwood.cc or visit us on our website at alderwood.cc/ne.

Carolyn Taketa’s career spans three decades of navigating complex leadership landscapes, from the high-stakes environment of the courtroom to the heart of pastoral ministry. In this episode, Pastor Wyatt sits down with Carolyn to explore her journey from the corporate world to her role as a groups pastor and executive coach. Together, they discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing women in church leadership and what it looks like to follow a calling across different professional spheres.

Beyond her career transitions, Carolyn’s true passion lies in cultivating emotionally healthy leaders. She shares her insights on encouraging and equipping women—both inside and outside the church—to lead with integrity and soul. Whether you are navigating a career pivot or seeking to grow in your own leadership capacity, Carolyn’s wealth of experience offers a grounded perspective on staying faithful to your calling while leading others well.

Native Exiles is a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we explore the tension of following Jesus while being in the world but not of it. For more questions and inquiries, reach us at hello@alderwood.cc or visit us online at alderwood.cc/ne/.

This episode of Native Exiles offers a deep dive into several of the key biblical passages that shape the conversation around women in church leadership. Rather than focusing primarily on modern debates, the discussion returns to the text itself, examining passages such as 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 14. You can view the Alderwood position paper at alderwood.cc/essentials.

Attention is given to the historical context, language, and theological arguments surrounding these passages, asking what they may have meant within the life of the early church. From that foundation, the episode considers the implications for modern congregations: how these texts have been interpreted across Christian traditions and what they might mean for the structure and leadership of churches today. The goal is a careful, Scripture-centered exploration of leadership, authority, and the role of women in the church.

Native Exiles is a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. For more questions and inquiries, reach us at hello@alderwood.cc or visit us on our website at alderwood.cc/ne/