Derek Vreeland, author and discipleship pastor, discusses centering Jesus in cultural chaos, exploring dimensions of faith, creating a personalized lectionary, navigating publishing, and sharing resources with light-hearted sports banter.
Derek Vreeland emphasizes Jesus' self-giving love as a counterpoint to societal division.
He challenges traditional perceptions of masculinity, advocating for a more inclusive, Christ-centered approach.
Deep dives
Centering Jesus: The Heart of Faith and Discipleship
Centering Jesus is a book born from a daily Bible reading that explores the transformative power of Jesus. Inspired by a challenging season in 2020 filled with societal unrest, Derek Freeland delves into the crucial need for a fresh perspective on Jesus as the Lamb of God at the core of Christian life, offering a counterbalance to divisive cultural narratives and emphasizing Jesus' self-giving love as the guiding force.
Navigating Masculinity in the Church
With a critical eye on traditional perceptions of masculinity, Derek challenges the narrow definitions often present in church contexts. By emphasizing Jesus' example of self-giving love and rejecting hyper-aggressive stereotypes, he advocates for a more inclusive and Christ-centered approach to defining masculinity in congregational settings.
The Political Implications of the Gospel
Delving into the socio-political aspects of Christianity, Derek explores the prophetic ministry of the Church in addressing contemporary cultural idols. Drawing on experiences within his congregation and teachings from Brian Zond, he advocates for a gospel-centered approach that transcends divisive political ideologies and emphasizes the kingship of Jesus as a model for faithful political engagement.
The Four Sides of Faith and Christian Spirituality
Derek's in-depth examination of faith reveals its multi-dimensional nature through belief, confidence, trust, and allegiance. From doctrinal foundations to practical devotion, faith is portrayed as a dynamic interplay of theological virtue and practical action, centered on giving allegiance to the teachings and example of Jesus.
Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by Derek Vreeland, author of Centering Jesus. He is the discipleship pastor at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, MO, where he lives with his wife, Jenni.