What happens when someone you dearly love tells you they identify as transgender? How do we balance unyielding Scriptural truth with genuine Christlike love, and where does Sunday worship fit into it all?

In this episode, Charlie Ungemach sits down with Pastor Josh Rathje (Crown of Life Lutheran Church, Fort Myers, FL) and Pastor Mike Cherney (Truth and Love Ministries) for a dynamic, three-part conversation.

First, the guys address one of the heaviest questions facing young Christians today: how to respond when a loved one comes out. They break down why listening must come before lecturing, how to distinguish between identity and deep-seated pain, and why an announcement like this should be a relationship-building conversation rather than a relationship-ending one.

Next, they react to a viral social media clip debating modern church culture—tackling whether worship services are meant for "seekers" or believers, and why an approachable pastor acting as a Seelsorger (soul caretaker) matters far more than high-tech stage setups.

Finally, the panel grounds the entire discussion in Martin Luther’s Large Catechism, pointing to the Church, the Means of Grace, and the reality that outside of Christ’s gospel, there is no forgiveness of sins.

Pastor Josh

Church: https://crownlifelutheran.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jrathje10/

Pastor Mike

TILM: https://tilm.org/

Graveyard Shift Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LBKNpQCyLMG5TrJbOH7Y9?si=8bf9b793c922402e

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeaftermike/

Gird Up

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girdup_podcast/

Website: https://www.girdupministries.com/