Season 5 of the Gospel for Life podcast is behind us. Here's a recap of some of the highlights.
Faithfully Present
In this episode, I talk to author Adam Ramsey about his book Faithfully Present: Embracing God's Timing and Location. Ramsey focuses on his central theme: living fully and faithfully in the time and place God has us.
Ramsey says that time and location restrict us, but we can still maximize our current situation for God's glory. Topics discussed include resisting the urge to go beyond our limits, finding beauty in daily life, and honoring God in the present.
Check out the episode and show notes.
The Lies That Bind
Canadian pastor Chris Quiring discusses his book The Lies That Bind: Exposing The Lies Keeping You From A Rich And Meaningful Life. The book explores the problem of deception by Satan. Quiring explains that Satan's main strategy is deception, based on Jesus' words in John 8:44, calling Satan the "father of lies." He explains how lies can control and complicate our lives, stopping us from understanding our true identity in Christ. Quiring highlights the importance of recognizing the genuine truth in order to uncover counterfeits, using forgeries and Satan's lies as a comparison. The episode shows how important it is to find lies, track them back to their origin, and replace them with God's truth. We can use the Word of God as a powerful weapon against deception.
A key theme in the discussion is the role of community and collective discernment in recognizing and combating Satan's lies. Quiring says that it's important for believers to have support from their community to recognize these lies, because individual decisions are often based on emotions rather than logic, which makes them vulnerable to deception. The episode highlights the importance of matching daily habits with spiritual truths, showing that even small actions can affect one's spiritual journey. The conversation ends with thoughts on the revival in church communities, where people find again the importance of truth, community, and worship together, highlighting their crucial role in spiritual growth and life change.
Check out the episode and show notes.
The Influential Mentor
In this episode, we can learn about Howard Hendricks, a respected professor and mentor, as Maina Mwaura describes his profound influence. Howard Hendricks was not just an educator, but also touched many lives with his teachings and his good character. Hendricks taught over 10,000 students and wrote 23 books. He is remembered for his wisdom and godliness. He is known for inspiring leaders like Tony Evans and Andy Stanley, by emphasizing that true impact comes from both skill and humility. Hendricks' courage in addressing cultural issues and advocating for racial integration further highlights his commitment to righteousness and serving God.
Maina Mwaura reflects on the life-changing lessons he learned while writing about Hendricks. The episode shows how Hendricks' honesty about his weaknesses and his unwillingness to seek personal glory emphasized the importance of serving others without expecting anything in return. Hendricks' legacy is a strong reminder of the influence that sincere mentorship, based on character and humility, can have on others. Maina shares how chronicling Hendricks' life taught him to rely on God's providence, serve faithfully, and appreciate unseen blessings during challenging times.
Check out the episode and show notes.
Introducing Church History
I interviewed Perry Edwards, the author of the book Introduction to Early Church History: The First 500 Years. The focus is on the importance of church history, how it helps us understand theology, and the challenges early Christians faced. Edwards, with extensive experience teaching church history through Carey Outreach Ministries, emphasizes the importance of studying the early church. This study provides valuable insights into the challenges that modern Christians encounter.
People, especially evangelicals, often have a limited view of church history and think it started in the 16th century Reformation. Edwards stresses that theological battles and persecutions have continued throughout history. He suggests that understanding the past helps Christians approach current challenges with greater perspective. The episode suggests that pastors and church communities should include church history in their teachings. Edwards says that stories from the early church, such as those of monks and martyrs, can inspire today's believers to reflect on their own faith and dedication.
Check out the episode and show notes.
The Unwavering Pastor
The podcast episode with Jonathan Dodson focuses on his helpful book, The Unwavering Pastor, which offers valuable support and guidance for pastors facing ministry challenges. Dodson speaks honestly about the pastor's inner experiences, including the many joys and sorrows that come with the job. Dodson gives valuable advice to pastors, urging them to face difficulties with grace and stay true to the gospel by connecting their insights with Biblical wisdom. The conversation discusses betrayal and pain in pastoral ministry. It explores how these challenges can bring us closer to Christ, who also suffered.
In the episode, it's important for pastors to be open about their weaknesses and learn from more experienced peers to improve their leadership. 2 Corinthians and 2 Timothy are identified as rich resources for understanding suffering in ministry, while Dodson's quotes reinforce the idea that engaging with suffering helps pastors develop greater compassion, modeled after Christ's own example. We should face challenges with the support of Jesus. He is a Savior who understands pain and deeply cares for those who suffer.
Check out the episode and show notes.
The Beauty of Small Churches
Ron Johnston, the executive director of Small Church Connections, talks about the important role and specific challenges that small churches face in a society that values big size. Ron emphasizes the importance of being content and valuing individual ministry, regardless of the church's size, drawing from his personal experiences as a pastor in small churches. The focus on church growth started with the Church Growth Movement in the 1950s. This often makes us overlook the beauty and effectiveness of smaller congregations. Ron emphasizes that small churches have unique strengths, like nurturing strong relationships and intergenerational dynamics, which allow them to have a significant impact despite their size.
Small Church Connections supports small churches in Canada through encouragement, retreats, and research initiatives. Ron encourages pastors and members of small churches to see their roles as a divine calling, focusing on the eternal significance and rewards of their work. He affirms that ministry is mainly about people, making small churches feel valued regardless of their size. They remain integral parts of the body of Christ and are involved in transformative moments in their communities.
Check out the episode and show notes.
Reprise: Why We're Not Emergent
In this podcast episode, I revisit a 16-year-old interview with Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck, who wrote the book Why We're Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be. The episode revisits the ideas and problems related to the emerging church movement from 2008. Leaders like Brian McLaren were advocating for a rethinking of traditional church doctrines. The podcast discusses how the concerns of the time, like social justice and caring for the poor, made the emerging church attractive to many, while traditional churches were criticized for not addressing these issues well.
DeYoung and Kluck emphasize the importance of good doctrine and authentic community in churches, rather than seeking cultural relevance. They highlight the rich diversity found in "uncool" churches, where individuals from various backgrounds worship and learn together. The speakers argue that instead of striving to be trendy, churches should focus on preaching the Word. This episode reflects on past church dynamics and highlights enduring principles that are still applicable today.
Check out the episode and show notes.
Season 6 of the podcast will be launching in September.
