Why Grace Isn’t About Doing More: A Conversation with Addison Andrix

The episode everyone has been waiting for is finally here.

In this conversation, I sit down with Addison Andrix, Bethany’s newly hired Coordinator of Confirmation, High School, and Young Adult Ministry.

Addison shares his story and what brings him to Bethany Lutheran Church. Addison grew up Lutheran in Minnesota and stayed connected to church through high school. And as most college kids he drifted a bit before finding his way back and rediscovering a deeper relationship with God through prayer, rest, Scripture, and community. 

During this conversation we talk about:

Growing up with faith as routine and stability

How ministry can quietly turn into a job

The difference between religious participation and a relationship with God

Why pray isn’t magic, but it does reorient us

Grace vs. performance (and why God isn’t keeping score)

What Sabbath can teach us about the freedom to stop pretending we’re in control

Why unconditional love is both central to faith and incredibly hard to live out

This conversation is more than meeting Addison, it’s about grace, burnout, trust and learning to navigate faith in real life.

🎧 Listen now and help us welcome Addison Andrix to Bethany Lutheran Church. Learn more at https://bethany-denver.org

Chapters:

00:00 – Meet Addison Andrix

02:10 – Growing Up Lutheran

05:15 – When Faith Turns Into a Job

08:45 – Prayer and Perspective

11:30 – College, Burnout, and Drifting Without Leaving

14:20 – “Caffeine and Jesus”

16:05 – Grace vs. Performance

18:10 – Rest, Sabbath, and Letting Things Be Good Enough

20:05 – Unconditional Love

22:00 – Why Addison Is Excited for Ministry

23:00 – Final Thoughts + How to Connect