Faith and Unity: A Restoration Movement Conversation with Jason Ishmael

The Journey of Faith and Unity: A Conversation with Jason Ishmael
Today we feature Jason Ishmeal, lead pastor of Antioch Christian Church in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area. Daniel and Jason talk about the Restoration movement, some of its history but they emphasize the conversation about unity and faith in our culture today. In this episode Jason discusses his early calling to ministry, the influence of his diverse religious upbringing, and his pastoral journey at the church in Eastern Iowa. Jason Ishmael shares insights into his passion for unity within the church, derived from his extensive study in Church History and Historical Theology, looking critically at both the past division and potential for unity within Christianity. Drawing from his education and personal experiences, he emphasizes the importance of unity, not for its own sake but as a mission to follow Jesus’s command to spread the Gospel. The discussion also goes into the challenges and opportunities of leading a church within the Restoration Movement, fostering a community geared towards discipleship, and leveraging every aspect of church life towards fulfilling the Great Commission. If you are interested in more conversations about Unity, Faith, the restoration movement and more visit Renew.org. 
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Key Takeaways 
00:00 Introduction to Jason Ishmael and Antioch Christian Church
00:48 Jason's Early Calling to Ministry and Religious Background
02:30 Finding a Vibrant Community of Faith
04:06 The Impact of Antioch Christian Church in Eastern Iowa
06:12 Jason's Academic Journey in Church History and Theology
08:16 Exploring the Challenges and Controversies in Church History
15:46 Discovering the Restoration Movement
20:37 Restoration Movement Principles in Leadership
22:32 Reflecting on Restoration Movement History and Unity
29:19 The Gathering and Discipleship Strategies
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering
 
 
     

Unity, Truth, and Winning the World to Christ

Exploring the Core Values of the Restoration Movement. Unity, Truth, and Winning the World to Christ (feat. Daniel McCoy and Dr. Rick Cherok). 
 
Today’s episode dives into the significance of the Restoration Movement, emphasizing its focus on unity and truth. Daniel McCoy Editorial Director for RENEW.org and Dr. Rick Cherok, a history professor at Ozark Christian college highlights the value of the Restoration movement. They emphasize Jesus' prayer for unity and the importance of adhering to God's word. The Restoration Movement is portrayed as a call to return to the biblical church model, continuously reforming the church to align with scripture. The discussion covers the movement's goal of showing a unified Christian witness in a divided world, touching on social justice and collaboration across denominations. Personal anecdotes illustrate the perils of division among Christians and stress the importance of embodying Christ to the world. They further explore the concept of unity, balancing essential and non-essential doctrines, and the challenges of defining truth. Historical figures and their perspectives on error, heresy, and scripture's transformative power are also discussed. The need for ongoing church reform and the importance of restoration movement principles like unity, truth, and evangelization for the modern church are emphasized, cautioning against straying from these foundational values.
 
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Key Takeaways 
00:00 Introduction to the Restoration Movement
01:22 The Importance of Unity and Truth in the Church
03:12 The Restoration Movement's Approach to Church Unity
05:47 The Role of the Church in Society
06:59 Understanding Biblical Unity
07:32 The Essentials and Non-Essentials of Scripture
10:18 The Importance of Scripture in Guiding Church Practices
12:44 The Role of the Restoration Movement in Modern Christianity
17:19 The Importance of Church Heritage and Connection
21:05 The Balance Between Unity and Truth in the Church
22:59 The Dangers of Overemphasizing Unity or Truth
28:29 Conclusion: The Faith Once for All
 
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering
 
 
     

Who is Alexander Campbell? (feat. Dr. Rick Cherok and Daniel McCoy)

[Part 2]
Today's episode of the Real Life Theology Podcast goes deep into the life, contributions, and challenges faced by the influential religious reformer, Alexander Campbell. It explores Campbell's journey from Ireland to America, his relentless commitment to delivering biblical Christianity, and his drive for unity. Dr. Rick Cherok, a keen admirer of Campbell, a well known professor of history at Ozark Christian College, discusses lesser-known aspects of Campbell's life, including his tenacity, fearlessness, and ability to remain constant in achieving his goals, as well as engrossing personal anecdotes. The interview further illuminates Campbell's far-reaching impact as a powerful Christian apologist of the pre-Civil War era in America, his role in sparking social reform, and how his life and beliefs could be relevant for 21st-century Christians seeking a biblical justice route not grounded in liberalism. The narrative highlights Campbell's resilience even in the face of significant adversity and underscores his fervent faith and dedication to his mission of bringing the world to Christ, which shaped his powerful legacy.
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Key Takeaways00:00 Introduction to Alexander Campbell
00:18 Campbell's Journey to America
00:36 Campbell's Early Life and Education
01:00 Campbell's Influence and Recognition
01:26 Campbell's Role in Biblical Christianity
01:57 Campbell's Publishing Endeavors
02:28 Campbell's Debates and Theological Discussions
03:37 Campbell's Encounter with Robert Owen
06:28 Campbell's Influence and Legacy
07:36 Campbell's Vision for Evangelism
09:51 Campbell's Approach to Social Reform
18:41 Admiring Campbell's Characteristics
22:26 Conclusion: Reflecting on Campbell's Life
22:49 Campbell's Struggles and Faith
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering
 
 
     

The Story of The Restoration Movement (feat. Dr. Rick Cherok & Daniel McCoy)

Do you know the History of the Restoration Movement? 
[Part 1] 
Today we launch a new series featuring Dr. Rick Cherok a professor of history at Ozark Christian College. Today's discussion leads us to the foundation of the Restoration Movement. Dr. Cherok provides us with a detailed history of the restoration movement, starting from its roots in the 19th century to its current divisions. This interview includes discussion on the ideologies of different groups including Disciples of Christ, Christian Church, and Church of Christ. The DNA of the restoration moment involves individuals uniting based on the principles of biblical Christianity. 
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Key Takeaways
00:00 Understanding the Restoration Movement
01:21 The Struggle for Unity and Biblical Christianity
04:13 The Role of Key Leaders in the Movement
05:10 The Impact of Theological Liberalism
06:52 The Restoration Movement and Protestantism
08:20 The Challenges of Maintaining Biblical Christianity
14:39 The Impact of the American Civil War on the Movement
19:24 The Division within the Movement
21:56 The Current State of the Restoration Movement
22:20 Conclusion: The Ongoing Reformation of the Church
 
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering