Real Life Theology Podcast

The Call To Disciple Making (feat. Josh Howard) | S7 Ep. 7

For more information about other Renew.Org podcasts visit: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ 
Transforming Lives Through Disciple Making Movements: A Worker's Journey in India
Josh Howard, a worker who has lived in India for over 15 years, shares his transformative experience of leading and witnessing disciple making movements in India. Starting with a moment of prayer and inviting the Holy Spirit to guide the session, Josh introduces himself, mentioning his background and family. He highlights the importance of asking oneself whether they are a disciple worth reproducing and shares a powerful narrative of initial failures and eventual successes in disciple making. Through his story, Josh emphasizes the critical role of prayer and fasting in achieving spiritual breakthroughs and the unexpected results of equipping ordinary people to start discipleship movements. Highlighting key lessons learned, such as the necessity of relinquishing control and allowing the Holy Spirit to work, Josh's narrative encourages viewers to reconsider their approach to discipleship and the potential within every individual to initiate a movement that can profoundly impact their nation and beyond. His story is a testament to the power of God working through ordinary individuals to achieve extraordinary things.
Key Takeaways 00:00 Opening Prayer and Invitation for the Holy Spirit01:30 Introduction and Personal Background02:39 The Journey of Faith and Discipleship in India03:19 Challenges and Breakthroughs in Disciple Making05:45 The Power of Prayer, Fasting, and Humility09:27 Launching a Movement: Expectations vs. Reality12:13 Learning from Unexpected Success14:22 The Potential in Every Believer for Disciple Making17:00 The Key to Movement: Releasing Control and Embracing God's Will
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Ron Johnson Movements in Denver CO | S7 Ep. 6

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Transforming Faith: From Traditional Churches to Disciple Movements
Ron Johnson, the founding pastor of Restoration Church, shares his journey from skepticism to embracing disciple-making movements (DMM) in the U.S. and abroad, including Nepal and India. Initially focused on planting Pavilion Model churches, Johnson's perspective shifted during COVID-19 as he saw the potential for rapid expansion through DMM. His church has since initiated numerous discovery Bible studies, leading to hundreds of baptisms and the establishment of over 1,200 simple churches. Johnson emphasizes the transition from a church growth mindset to a kingdom mindset, the importance of moving from addition to multiplication, and shifting from knowledge-based to obedience-based discipleship. Despite challenges, Johnson advocates for running traditional and movement-based approaches in parallel, highlighting the unique challenges and rewards of each approach.
Key Takeaways 00:00 Introduction: Meet Ron Johnson00:20 The Journey Begins: Embracing Disciple Making Movements00:31 The Impact of COVID on Church Growth and Strategy01:59 A Shift in Strategy: From Traditional Churches to Movements02:51 The Role of the Holy Spirit and Prayer in Movement Growth03:16 Embracing Diversity: The Global South's Influence03:46 Lessons Learned and the Path Forward05:17 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
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See Below for additional information: This episode on the Real Life Theology Podcast features Ron Johnson, a follower of Jesus Christ and a pastor at Restoration Church. Ron shares his journey of transitioning from traditional church models to disciple-making movements. He discusses the impact of COVID, the growth of simple churches, the role of prayer and the Holy Spirit, and the challenges of balancing prevailing model church practices with a movement strategy. Ron emphasizes the importance of shifting mindset from church growth to kingdom focus and obedience-based discipleship. He reflects on the hybrid approach and concludes that running prevailing model and movement separately but complimentary is more effective. Ron's story showcases the growth of over 1,200 simple churches in their city and thousands more globally, driven by a diverse community and a strong emphasis on prayer and obedience to God.
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Navigating Church Leadership in a Changing World | S7 Ep. 5

Navigating Church Leadership and Discipleship in a Changing World
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Piggybacking off the past 4 episodes this track goes into detail on some very relevant questions about discipleship, and culture. This session engaged with individuals who asked some critical questions so that we could draw some important lessons from them.
This episode features a discussion on church leadership, discipleship, and the innovative approaches to ensure the sustainability and growth of church missions within changing cultural contexts. Leaders share experiences and strategies on financial modeling, making disciples who make disciples, and the concept of failing forward as a method to discover effective practices in ministry. The dialogue also tackles the critique of traditional church models and the necessity of church planting, alongside enhancing existing churches to fulfill the mission of spreading the gospel more effectively in today's world. Critical points include rethinking financial models to support outreach and discipleship, embracing failure as a learning tool for improvement, and the challenge of balancing the need for new church plants with the call for unity and efficiency within the existing church landscape.
Key Takeaways
00:00 Opening Remarks and Q&A Session Kickoff00:54 Deep Dive into Financial Models and Church Budgeting03:44 Embracing Failure and Innovation in Church Leadership07:53 Rethinking Church Models: A Case Study on Cutting Sermons08:49 The Debate on Church Planting in Saturated Areas17:50 Revolutionary vs. Evolutionary Change in Churches
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Watch our 2024 Gathering Main Session Recordings
 
 
     

How To Start a Disciple Making Movement | S7 Ep. 4

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In this engaging discussion, three friends, Ryan, Russ, and Tom, share their journeys toward fostering disciple-making movements within their respective churches. Each speaker highlights the fundamental importance of prayer, obedience, and sharing the teachings of Jesus as core to sparking spiritual movements. Ryan begins by reflecting on his personal challenges and realizations, emphasizing the pivotal role of prayer in connecting with God and facilitating change. He shares how his church has incorporated various forms of prayer into their regular activities, emphasizing the power of prayer in disciple-making. Russ and Tom further elaborate on the practical aspects of creating disciple-making communities, stressing simplicity, the Holy Spirit's guidance, and practical tools like the Discovery Bible Study. Collectively, they underline the transformative potential of seeking God wholeheartedly and the need for churches to focus on supporting discipleship in practical, everyday contexts.
Key Takeaways 
00:00 Welcoming the Panel: Insights into Disciple Making Movements00:30 Practical Steps Towards Disciple Making: Ryan's Journey01:24 The Power of Prayer in Disciple Making04:22 A Moment of Prayer and Reflection06:04 Expanding the Prayer Movement: Ryan's Church Initiatives07:25 Russ's Perspective: Friendship and Practical Disciple Making10:19 Tom's Unique Approach to Disciple Making and Multiplication14:49 Concluding Thoughts on Disciple Making and Prayer18:38 The Essential Principles of Disciple Making Movements
 
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Practical Next Steps to Shift Culture and Launch New Churches | S7 Ep. 3

Jeff Duerler starts off this track by talking about some practical next steps to shift culture and launch new churches. He shares his own experience with his church on steps they have taken towards the disciple-making movement. Jeff hands it off to Paul Huyghebaert who continues the conversation and shares his personal experience. 
 
For more information about other Renew.Org podcasts visit: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ 

Disciple Making Culture (feat. Paul Huyghebaert with Todd Wilson | S7 Ep. 2

In this episode, Paul Huybhebaert and Todd Wilson talk about the culture of disciple-making. Todd Wilson talks about a national study on disciple-making conducted by Discipleship.org and talks about the current state of disciple-making in the Church in the United States. Furthermore, Todd talks about the operating system of the church.
 
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Disciple Making Movement (feat. Paul Huyghebaert with Josh Howard) | S7 Ep. 1

In this episode we kick off Season 7 of the Real Life Theology Podcast (Moving Towards a Disciple Making Movement), Paul Huyghebaert engages Josh Howard in a conversation about disciple-making movements where Josh shares some of his personal experiences of making disciples in India. 
 
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Navigating Complex Cultural and Ethical Questions as a Christian Leader

Navigating Complex Cultural and Ethical Questions as a Christian Leader (feat. Chad Ragsdale and Daniel McCoy).
This video script discusses how Christian leaders can thoughtfully navigate difficult cultural and ethical questions while staying true to their faith. The conversation covers a wide range of topics including handling accusations of Christian nationalism, preaching on controversial topics, engaging with culture wars, and the Christian approach to professions that involve ethical complexities like military service. It emphasizes the importance of understanding different perspectives, showing grace, and having nuanced, informed convictions that don’t compromise on core beliefs. The talk also addresses how to deal with disagreements within the Christian community and the significance of not allowing cultural issues to dictate the focus of the church’s message.
Key Takeaways 
00:00 Introduction to Hypothetical Scenarios
00:08 Dealing with Criticism as a Church Leader
01:00 Understanding the Importance of Relationship in Communication
02:06 Addressing Misunderstandings within the Church
04:04 Navigating Political Conversations in the Church
05:23 Balancing Biblical Teachings and Current Issues
06:54 Addressing Controversial Topics in the Church
08:34 The Role of Church Leaders in Guiding their Congregation
11:12 Navigating Family Disagreements on Cultural Issues
13:53 Understanding the Complexity of Christian Beliefs
20:16 Addressing Differences in Teaching within the Church
24:44 Navigating Concerns about Media References in Sermons
26:35 Creative Approaches to Introducing Jesus
27:53 Addressing Criticisms of Church Spending
28:18 Navigating Cultural Criticisms and Cynicism
29:24 The Role of Extravagance in Worship
29:55 Debating Church Resource Allocation
32:06 Navigating Disagreements on Cultural Celebrations
34:44 The Intersection of Christianity and Fantasy
39:16 Navigating the Decision to Join the Military as a Christian
44:22 Understanding the Nuances of Christian Engagement with Culture
49:25 The Importance of Accuracy and Conviction in Apologetics
 
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Navigating Complex Issues in Faith and Modern Life

Navigating Complex Issues in Faith and Modern Life (feat. Chad Ragsdale and Daniel McCoy).
This extensive discourse features a dialogue with Chad Ragsdale, discussing how various philosophies outside the church influence Christian thinking negatively, with a focus on emotional reasoning and the impact of technology on faith. Ragsdale expresses concerns over the church's adaptation to modern cultures, emphasizing the need for sober-mindedness against hollow and deceptive philosophies. The conversation also explores the conflict between following one's heart versus adhering to biblical truths, the challenges posed by a technologically driven culture, and the philosophical shift towards a therapeutic societal approach. Further, it delves into practical applications of faith in modern societal roles like the military and law enforcement, touching on navigating political landscapes as Christians. The dialogue also touches on dealing with disagreements within the church community, the importance of nuance in forming convictions, and balancing the dynamic between embracing cultural shifts and maintaining spiritual integrity.
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Key Takeaways 
00:00 Introduction and the Dangers of External Philosophies
00:51 The Seduction of Emotional Reasoning
02:29 The Impact of Technology on Our Thought Processes
03:41 The Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Our Lives
04:46 The Dangers of Offloading Our Abilities to Technology
06:57 The Influence of Emotional Reasoning and Technology on Our Faith
07:11 The Struggle to Cultivate a Genuine Inner Life
09:19 The Impact of Moral Therapeutic Deism on Our Decisions
12:34 The Role of Church Leaders in Addressing Cultural Philosophies
19:14 The Importance of Deep Thinking in Our Spiritual Life
22:00 The Challenge of Addressing Controversial Issues in the Church
22:50 Navigating Disagreements and Differences
23:01 Understanding the Complexity of Social Issues
23:05 The Role of Passion and Perspective in Faith
 
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Navigating Differences and Fostering Unity among Christians

Navigating Differences and Fostering Unity among Christians in Today's Culture (feat. Chad Ragsdale and Daniel McCoy).
In today’s episode we continue the discussion on how Christians can navigate differences within their community and engage with the broader culture effectively. Today’s episode explores the concept of postures versus gestures, emphasizing the need for biblical wisdom to discern when certain responses are appropriate. The discussion highlights the dangers of adopting rigid postures, like hostility or accommodation, as one's default position towards cultural issues and the importance of a balanced, thoughtful approach. Specific issues such as political courage, the transgender moment, and the porn industry are mentioned as examples requiring discernment. The speaker introduces the problems posed by 'Heresy Hunters' and 'Tower Topplers' within the church, individuals who create divisiveness by labeling others too quickly or attacking their beliefs. To combat these issues and foster unity, the presentation suggests focusing on faith, asking two key questions to understand others better, recognizing the importance of different levels of doctrinal importance, and thinking like a missionary to connect more effectively both within the church and with the outside world. The role of empathy, grace, and technology's impact on our ability to think well are also discussed as part of the broader challenge of maintaining Christian unity in a post-Christian culture.
 
This session was filmed at Ozark Christian College 
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Key Takeaways 
0:00 Episodes 2 The Disciples Mind Workshop (Ozark CC) 
05:32 The Role of Humility in Thinking
07:26 The Importance of Thinking Well
07:39 The Role of Thinking in Connecting with Others
08:09 The Power of Thoughtful Leadership
09:02 The Impact of Disunity in the Church
09:32 The Three Worlds of Evangelicalism
10:49 The Challenge of Hostility Within the Church
11:06 The Dangers of Heresy Hunters and Tower Topplers
16:45 The Role of Thinking in Promoting Unity
17:00 Four Key Elements to Consider for Unity
18:29 The Importance of Empathy and Understanding
 
Join us this April at our 2024 Courageous Renewal Gathering
 
 
     

Navigating Faith and Thinking Critically in Today’s World

Navigating Faith and Thinking Critically in Today’s World (feat. Chad Ragsdale and Daniel McCoy).
Welcome back to the Real Life Theology Podcast. In today's episode, Chad Ragsdale, the Academic Dean at Ozark, and Daniel McCoy, the Editorial Director for Renew.org, explore the importance of critical thinking and a biblical worldview for Christians navigating today’s complex cultural challenges. This session was taken live from an Event at Ozark Christian College, therefore I am honored to get to share it with you today. They introduce their new book, 'The Disciple's Mind,' aimed at encouraging Christians to think more biblically and critically. The session includes discussions on the impact of competing ideas in society, the necessity of loving God with our minds, and practical advice on promoting unity and thoughtful engagement within the church. The speakers also address common obstacles to effective thinking, such as tribalism, emotional reasoning, and the influence of technology. This insightful session, enriched by audience interaction, emphasizes the importance of wisdom, understanding, and empathy in our responses to both cultural issues and within church communities.
This session was filmed at Ozark Christian College 
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Key Takeaways 
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
04:11 Presenters' Background and Purpose of the Session
08:05 The Importance of Thinking Biblically and Critically
09:52 Historical Examples of Destructive Ideas
13:42 The Need for Discipleship of the Mind
14:51 Understanding the World as a Christian
 
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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