Real Life Theology Podcast

Disciple Making Culture (feat. Kerry Cox & Robert Cox)

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Today’s episode will help us understand the essential principles and practices for creating and maintaining a thriving, disciple-making church culture, emphasizing intentionality, accountability, and the power of community.
"Disciple Making Culture" is an in-depth episode focusing on the journey and principles behind creating a thriving, disciple-making church culture. The conversation begins with the speakers, a father and son duo who planted a church in 2004 near St. Louis, sharing their experiences of church growth and the subsequent planting of other churches. A pivotal moment comes when a mentor, Bobby, recognizes the importance of their deliberate culture and urges them to protect it.
The speakers emphasize the distinction between a church with disciple makers and a disciple-making church. They outline key principles, starting with crystallizing what it means to be a disciple and ensuring all church leaders are on the same page. They argue that a clear, biblical definition of discipleship aids in shaping a culture where making disciples is central.
Following this, they stress the importance of integrating discipleship from the very beginning of the conversion process. They describe a structured approach where new believers are taken through studies to ingrain the principles of discipleship deeply from the start, emphasizing that every member is expected to be a disciple and a disciple maker.
The discussion highlights the necessity of accountability and modeling by leaders. Leaders are called to be examples, not just instructors, as hypocrisy among leaders can severely damage the church's mission. Celebrating successes and correcting drifts are also crucial to maintaining the church's culture, ensuring that minor deviations do not become major issues.
The speakers share personal anecdotes to illustrate their points, including the transformation of individuals through dedicated discipleship and the impact of a supportive church culture on their own families. They mention the importance of creating systems and rhythms that reinforce discipleship, using events, retreats, and conferences to keep the focus on disciple-making.
Ultimately, the episode underscores the challenges and rewards of maintaining a disciple-making culture. It highlights that while such a structure might limit church growth in terms of numbers, it profoundly impacts the quality of spiritual growth and commitment among members. The conversation reflects a passionate plea for churches to return to biblical principles of discipleship, emphasizing intentionality, accountability, and the power of community in fostering lasting spiritual transformation.

Following Jesus in an LGBTQ+ World (feat. Guy Hammond)

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Today’s episode will help us navigate LGBTQ+ issues within Christianity by balancing compassionate engagement and traditional biblical teachings, encouraging hospitable conversations and deeper understanding.
The episode centers around a class led by Guy Hammond, the executive director of Strength in Weakness Ministries, which aims to help Christians navigate issues related to LGBTQ+ individuals from a perspective of traditional biblical sexual ethics. The session highlights that churches must discuss culturally relevant and controversial topics such as LGBTQ+ issues to remain pertinent. Guy begins by introducing himself and explaining the purpose and history of his ministry, which has grown to support Christians across 90 countries by running support groups for homosexually attracted Christians and parents with LGBTQ+ children.
Guy shares his personal journey, detailing his early life as a gay man, his struggles with faith, and his eventual decision to embrace Christianity while rejecting homosexual practices. He emphasizes that he did not choose his attractions but believes that living according to biblical teachings requires celibacy for homosexually attracted individuals. He also discusses his late wife Kathy's pragmatic approach to his future remarriage and his current marriage to Laura, demonstrating his perspective on love and companionship within a Christian framework.
Ellen Radcliffe, the Ministry's Chief Operating Officer, also speaks, sharing her similar background of living a lesbian lifestyle before turning to faith. Ellen underscores the importance of leading others to fall in love with God rather than merely adhering to a set of beliefs. She discusses her therapeutic work and her belief in the "messy middle space," a term describing the intersection of truth and grace where Christians can accept people without necessarily approving of their actions. Ellen asserts that understanding individuals as beloved children of God is crucial to navigating LGBTQ+ conversations within Christianity.
The session covers practical strategies for churches to engage with LGBTQ+ topics, emphasizing the difference between acceptance and approval, and the necessity of hospitality toward those who are different. Guy argues that many Christians are not homophobic but rather uneducated about LGBTQ+ issues, which leads to avoidance behaviors. He stresses that the transformation into a Christian life is not quick and that churches should be prepared to welcome LGBTQ+ individuals for extended periods while they navigate their faith journey.
Guy outlines four key messages for engaging with LGBTQ+ individuals: God’s unconditional love, the freedom to live as one chooses, the trustworthiness of the Bible, and the high but worthwhile cost of following Jesus. He underscores the need for Christians to demonstrate the superiority of a life with Jesus over a life without by being exemplary in their own faith and knowledge of Christ.
The episode concludes by offering workshops and educational materials, including a new book and a documentary that Guy hopes will aid churches in addressing LGBTQ+ topics effectively. Guy invites ministers and church leaders to engage with his ministry for further training and support, thereby equipping themselves to handle these issues with compassion, truth, and hospitality.
 

The Conviction about God's Word that Guides. (feat. Orpheus. Heyward)

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Today’s episode will help us understand the theological and social perspectives surrounding the inclusion and fear experienced by African Americans in the context of Christian unity.
Orpheus. Heyward discusses the importance of theological foundations, focusing on the Great Commission and the inclusivity of the Gospel for all ethnic groups. It highlights the biblical story of Peter's vision in Acts 10, emphasizing God's acceptance of ethnic diversity. Orpheus. Heyward addresses the historical trauma faced by African Americans, particularly in the context of religious exclusion and the formation of the black church. The need for understanding and addressing these historical wounds is stressed, particularly within predominantly Caucasian religious spaces. The speaker shares personal experiences and suggests open dialogue and empathy as key steps towards racial unity and reconciliation within the Christian community. Examples include discussions on the Trayvon Martin and George Floyd incidents and the importance of including African American narratives in the larger Christian history. The message concludes with a call for authentic inclusion, collaboration on the mission of God, and the significance of understanding historical pain to create a more inclusive and unified Christian community.

The New Restoration Movement of Love, Mercy, and Compassion. (feat. Mike Williams)

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Today’s episode will help us understand the crucial role of love, mercy, and compassion in the modern church and how we can engage the younger generation in revitalizing the mission of the Christian faith.
Mike Williams addresses the perception that contemporary church practices have become inward-focused, missing their broader societal impact. He discusses the concerns of young Christians who find traditional churches irrelevant and instead pursue non-profit initiatives to address human suffering. The speaker draws on historical examples and biblical teachings to stress the need for a modern restoration of the church's commitment to love, mercy, and compassion, akin to the early Christian community's transformative influence on Roman society. Emphasizing an apostolic response over antagonism or apathy, the call is for the church to engage actively in redemptive work, thereby reclaiming its relevance and effectively spreading the teachings of Jesus.

The Leadership Pipeline we must develop (fet. Doug Crozier)

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Today’s episode will help us understand the critical need to develop effective leadership pipelines within the Independent Christian Church in America to ensure its growth and sustainability.
Doug Crozier discusses the growth and challenges of the Independent Christian Church in America. He highlights the rapid increase in large congregations since the early 90s and attributes the growth to non-denominationalism, a strong belief in the Word of God, and leadership development. Doug Crozier criticizes the decline in Christian college enrollment for ministry degrees, linking it to financial concerns and inadequate pastoral compensation. Proposed solutions include better financial support for pastors, building endowments for Bible colleges, and substantial contributions from megachurch leaders. The need for pastoral care and maintaining current leaders to ensure ongoing growth is also emphasized.

The Disciple Making Movement I Witnessed (feat Josh Howard)

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Today’s episode will help us understand the importance of disciple making and how to practically apply the principles of Jesus' ministry to modern-day church cultures.
Josh Howard discusses the crucial importance of good theology and experiencing the love of Christ in relationships. He emphasizes the insufficiency of programs, great preaching, praise, worship, and social justice alone. Instead, it advocates for a return to Jesus' method of disciple making. Josh Howard highlights a recent study revealing that only 1 in 19 churches focus on disciple making. Josh Howard, a missionary in India for 15 years, shares his journey of learning discipleship from Indian believers who modeled profound faith and sacrifice. He notes the success of a disciple-making movement that has led to over 130,000 conversions. The script calls for unity among Christians, focusing on Jesus' mission and the urgent need for discipleship to fulfill the Great Commission.

The Holy Spirit Power We Need (feat Dave Clayton)

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Check out our free eBook on: Preview of Holy Spirit: Filled, Empowered, and Led
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Today’s episode will help us understand the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in personal and communal spiritual growth through the teachings and experiences shared by Dave Clayton.
Dave Clayton emphasizes the necessity of the Holy Spirit's presence in ministry. He begins with a prayer and a personal anecdote of the speaker forgetting his soon-to-be wife at their rehearsal dinner. This story serves as a parable illustrating how ministers can easily focus on tasks and strategies, neglecting the Holy Spirit, akin to attending a party but missing the presence of the guest of honor. Dave Clayton argues that true ministry must involve intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit, citing biblical examples of Jesus' reliance on the Spirit. Key points include the Holy Spirit affirming leaders' identity as children of God, providing freedom from sin, enabling abundant fruitfulness, and offering deep spiritual fullness. Dave Clayton calls for humility, holiness, and hunger for the Spirit's guidance to rejuvenate the church's mission.

The Crisis We Face (feat. Daniel McCoy)

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Check out our free eBook on: Becoming a Disciple Maker: The Pursuit of Level 5 Disciple Making
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Today’s episode will help us understand the deep divisions in society and the church, as well as explore how different ideological 'caps' can shape our beliefs and actions.
Daniel McCoy discusses the deep political and ideological divisions within Christian families and churches, highlighting the tension between conservative and progressive viewpoints. He introduces two archetypal church members, Spencer the Specifist, who demands more specific and conservative preaching, and Amber the Ambiguous, who advocates for a more inclusive and less definitive approach. Daniel McCoy then draws parallels between modern political divisions and historic events, like the French Revolution and Constantine's reign, cautioning against aligning the gospel too closely with political ideologies. It also explains the impact of intersectional feminism on Christian beliefs and emphasizes the need to balance social justice and biblical teachings without succumbing to polarized, ready-made versions of the gospel.

Renew Movement Church Planting Vision (feat Brett Andrews)

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Today’s episode will help us understand the importance of making disciples who make disciples, starting new churches, and ensuring that these churches remain committed to biblical teaching and authority.
This episode features Brett Andrews talking about the importance of discipleship and church planting as central to the mission of spreading the teachings of Jesus. Emphasizing that discipleship should naturally lead to the development of new churches, the speaker explains that New Life’s vision aligns with Passion for Planting and the Renew Movement, aiming to create a church-planting network. The episode highlights the need for individual disciples to grow and make disciples, eventually leading to reproducing churches and networks. The significance of proper theological foundations and accountability in new church plants is stressed, advocating for adherence to biblical teachings. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of community and structured support for church planters. 

Race Conversations at Harding (Feat. Orpheus Heyward)

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Today's episode will help us explore the conviction about God's word that guides us towards unity within the restoration movement.
Orpheus Heyward emphasizes the importance of unity in the Restoration Movement, grounded in the belief that Jesus Christ and Scripture serve as the final authority. Key points include handling the word of God with integrity, recognizing and managing biases in interpreting Scripture, and understanding the role of preachers. Orpheus Heyward discusses the historical context and significance of specific biblical passages, such as 2 Timothy 3:16 and Acts 2:42. An anecdote about cooperation between Churches of Christ and the Christian Church highlights the need to focus on core doctrines rather than divisive issues like instrumental music in worship. The speaker advocates for scriptural integrity and not letting personal or traditional biases hinder fellowship among believers.

Why Harding Hosted a Gathering of 40 leaders (feat. Mike Williams)

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Today’s episode will help us understand the importance of starting a new restoration movement, the impact of university choices on young adults' lives, and the necessity to overcome sectarianism for a united revolutionary effort.
Mike Williams reflects on a previous speech given two years ago about initiating a new restoration movement at Harding University. He discusses the need for a renewed movement inspired by revolutionary change rather than traditional methods, highlighting the shortcomings of current approaches to keep youth engaged with the church. The speaker addresses the importance of the 'defining decade' in young adults' lives, emphasizing the role of faith-based higher education in shaping future leaders and revolutionaries. Personal anecdotes and larger calls for ecumenical unity underscore the urgency of abandoning sectarianism and fostering a dynamic, engaged faith community.

Bridge-Building Conversations: A Conversation with Susanna Johansson on Scientology and Christianity

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Today’s episode will help us understand the core beliefs and common misconceptions about Scientology, while fostering interfaith dialogue and cooperation between Scientologists and Christians.
Exploring Scientology: An Interview with Susanna Johansson.Join Daniel McCoy, editorial director at Renew.org, and Dyron a World Religions professor at Pepperdine University, as they engage in a fascinating conversation with Susanna Kane, Director of Public Affairs for the Church of Scientology in Western United States. This episode delves into various aspects of Scientology, including its history, beliefs, misconceptions, and similarities and differences with Christianity. Susanna shares her experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance of interfaith dialogue and understanding. Don't miss this insightful discussion aimed at fostering mutual respect and cooperation across different faiths.
Key Takeaways 00:00 Introduction and Malibu Life02:43 Exploring Scientology: An Overview08:31 Scientology vs. Christianity: Key Differences and Similarities13:50 Interview with Susanna Kane: Insights from a Scientologist24:31 Persecution and Misunderstanding of New Religions25:09 The Evolution of Religious Movements28:02 Understanding Christianity's Branches31:06 Christianity's Cultural Integration34:15 Personal Reflections on Religion40:57 Interfaith Collaboration and Humanitarian EffortsSure, I'd be happy to provide a summary of this episode titled "Conversation About Scientology."