Episode 339 - John Carroll, "Dallas Willard's Legacy Through the School of Kingdom Living"
Feb 28, 2025
auto_awesome
John Carroll, a key leader at the School of Kingdom Living, shares his inspiring journey from corporate healthcare to ministry, influenced by mentors like James Bryan Smith. He discusses the transformative 18-month program designed to deepen relationships with God and how Dallas Willard's teachings shape spiritual growth. The conversation addresses the importance of mentorship, healing past church wounds, and the role of genuine learning in faith development, inviting listeners to embrace practical steps to embody the kingdom of God in their lives.
John Carroll's journey emphasizes the transformative power of mentorship in spiritual formation and vocational direction within ministry.
The School of Kingdom Living provides a structured 18-month program aimed at deepening individual spiritual relationships and enhancing community engagement.
Deep dives
John's Journey to the School of Kingdom Living
John shares his journey to the School of Kingdom Living, highlighting his initial meeting with Jim Smith and the profound impact of Dallas Willard on his spiritual formation. After transitioning from a successful career in corporate healthcare to pursuing seminary, he connected with Smith, who recognized John's potential and wanted to invest in him. This relationship nurtured John's passion for spiritual formation and ultimately led to him taking on a leadership role within Dallas Willard Ministries. His experiences emphasize the power of mentorship and divine guidance in shaping one's vocation and ministry direction.
The Comprehensive Program Structure
The School of Kingdom Living offers an 18-month certificate program focused on spiritual formation, designed to help individuals cultivate a deeper relationship with God. This comprehensive program includes four week-long residencies that cover essential topics such as developing a conversational relationship with God, understanding the present availability of the kingdom, character formation into Christlikeness, and missional spirituality. Students learn to integrate biblical teachings into their everyday lives, emphasizing action and practical steps in alignment with Jesus's teachings. This structure ensures that participants not only gain knowledge but also experience transformation within their personal and spiritual lives.
Impact on Church and Community
The program not only benefits individual students but also has a broader impact on their churches and communities. Many graduates report increased confidence and capability to engage in church activities, teach, and lead spiritual initiatives, thus revitalizing their congregations. As pastors complete the program, they often return with fresh insights that positively influence their preaching and pastoral care, creating a ripple effect in their communities. This highlights the program's dual focus on personal transformation and community engagement, aiming to foster holistic growth in both the individuals and the ministries they touch.
Welcome to today's episode of "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick." In this insightful discussion, Michael sits down with John Carroll, a key leader from the School of Kingdom Living, which is an integral part of Dallas Willard Ministries. Michael and John dive deep into the profound impact of Dallas Willard's teachings on spiritual formation and how John's journey from corporate healthcare into ministry has been shaped by mentors like James Bryan Smith. They explore how the School of Kingdom Living is designed to guide individuals into a deeper relationship with God through an 18-month program, emphasizing the practical steps to live out the kingdom of God in everyday life.
ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST: - Follow us on YouTube - Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS - Like us on Facebook - Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - Follow Michael on Twitter - Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com
Thanks for listening!
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode