John Ortberg on Pain, desperation, what we can learn from AA and the danger of fauxnerability.

In this deeply moving and insightful conversation, Alan Briggs sits down with bestselling author and pastor John Ortberg to explore the profound relationship between pain, spiritual growth, and authentic community. Drawing from his own personal journey, the teachings of Jesus, and the wisdom of the AA movement, John shares how embracing our brokenness can lead to deep transformation.

About John

John Ortberg was born in Rockford, Illinois. He earned his undergraduate degree from Wheaton College, and his M.Div. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has also studied at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. From 1985 to 1990 he served as senior pastor at Simi Valley Community Church, and then from 1990 to 1994 at Horizons Community Church (now Baseline Community Church) in Claremont, California. He then moved from California to Illinois to serve as a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois until 2003, when he became the senior pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, a multi-campus church in Northern California. Now, John leads the ministry Become New focused on helping people grow spiritually one day at a time through daily teaching and community. 

John's wife, Nancy, is also a pastor and published author. She currently leads Transforming the Bay with Christ in San Jose, California. John and Nancy have three children: Laura, Daniel, and John III. 

A central theme of John’s teaching is spiritual formation, the transforming of human character through authentic experiences with God. John was a friend and mentee of the late Dallas Willard, a Christian teacher and author who wrote works such as The Divine Conspiracy and Renovation of the Heart. John draws much of his inspiration from Dallas. Today John continues to work alongside authors and teachers such as John Mark Comer, the founder and leader of Practicing the Way.

John has been a speaker at many events including: Promise Keepers, Global Leadership Summit, Catalyst, and Practicing the Way.

John is currently working on a new book based on the Become New teaching series “Ashes to Beauty” in which he explores the importance of embracing personal inadequacy as a means to experience spiritual renewal.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why pain is often the greatest catalyst for spiritual growth
✅ The lessons John has learned from suffering and how they changed him
✅ How true connection and healing come through vulnerability
✅ What the church can learn from AA and the 12-step journey
✅ The power of confession, community, and finding a fully disclosing friend
✅ Why hitting rock bottom may actually be the beginning of real hope

Key Quotes:

💬 "There is no barrier to my joyfully serving God today."
💬 "We can only be fully loved when we are fully known."
💬 "The worse your story, the warmer your welcome—who does that sound like? That’s Jesus."
💬 "God’s address is at the end of your rope."

Resources & Links:

📖 John Ortberg’s latest book: Steps – Get Your Copy Here
🎧 John Ortberg’s Daily Podcast: Listen Here
📚 Recommended Reading: Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer