When you’re stuck in a Boeing 747 at 35,000 feet, how do you pass the time? If you’re J. D. Greear, odds are you talk with your neighbor about God. (And if that sounds awkward, trust us, he knows.) An author, theologian, and pastor of The Summit Church of Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, Greear is one of those rare birds who is so passionate about evangelism that he’ll take almost any opportunity to strike up a biblical back-and-forth—even if, by his own admission, he crashes and burns as often as not. You might think that someone with that much ministerial fire tends to shoot first and aim second—“the fields are ripe for harvest,” after all. In fact, though, Greear is a big fan of waiting. Whether he’s helping young college students plan for their futures or writing about how churches stand to “gain by losing,” Greear always tempers his missionary fervor with the knowledge that God’s work often involves long periods of preparation. It’s part of why he thinks the years people send in seminary are worthwhile. On this week’s episode of The Calling, Greear sits down with CT manging editor Richard Clark to discuss his latest book, running for president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and why the Holy Spirit is better than having Jesus as your senior pastor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices