Hitting the Wall: A Conversation With John Mark Comer, Matt Chandler, and Beau Hughes
Jun 28, 2024
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Listen to John Mark Comer, Matt Chandler, and Beau Hughes discuss hitting walls in discipleship, struggles with spiritual growth, Enlightenment influence on evangelicalism, transformation through relationship with Jesus, communal practices in modern churches, and emphasizing Sabbath in family and community practices.
Embrace vulnerability and face personal struggles authentically for true spiritual growth.
Transition church teachings from informational to formational for a holistic discipleship journey.
Deep dives
Origin and Personal Journey to Spiritual Formation
The journey towards spiritual formation arose from pain and failure in the speaker's life, leading him to explore the concept through apprenticeship to Jesus. Personal insights such as starting points unique to individuals, struggles with kindness and inner peace, and the realization of the need for authentic growth contributed to his path towards spiritual formation.
The Honesty of Addiction Community and Spiritual Bypassing
Comparisons are drawn between the honesty in addiction communities versus the lack thereof in evangelical cultures when facing personal struggles. The concept of spiritual bypassing, using spiritual terms to avoid deep internal issues, is highlighted as a common practice among evangelical Christians. The discussion emphasizes the need for honesty and facing personal challenges rather than masking them with spiritual language.
The Shift from Informational to Formational Teaching in Churches
The importance of transitioning church teachings from purely informational to formational is underscored, advocating for a rule of faith coupled with a rule of life for believers. While most churches focus on doctrinal statements, integrating shared rhythms of formation and communal practices can enhance discipleship on a more holistic level. The significance of establishing shared life practices within church communities is emphasized.
Practical Application of Spiritual Formation in Daily Life and Community
Encouragement is given to integrate the teachings of Jesus into daily life through communal practices like Sabbath observance. The speaker advocates for practical, accessible approaches to spiritual formation, such as enacting shared practices within families and small communities. Embracing embodied practices in spiritual growth while moving beyond mere intellectual learning is highlighted as vital for individuals and churches alike.
What do you do when you hit a wall in your apprenticeship to Jesus? Beau Hughes, lead pastor of The Village Church, Denton, interviews John Mark and Matt Chandler, lead pastor of The Village Church, Flower Mound about their journeys of discipleship and formation. Together, John Mark and Matt encourage us to open our lives for God to bring transformation in the deepest part of our selves.
This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Ekaterina from La Mirada, California; Matthew from Hagerstown, Maryland; Katrina from West Linn, Oregon; Chris from Austin, Texas; and Ruth from Hamilton, Michigan. Thank you all so much!
If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.
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