The One Thing 425 From nominal to all-in: the new face of faith (Stephen McApline)
Young men are trickling back into churches, but are they here to stay — and are we ready for them? Steve McAlpine joins to unpack the subtle but significant shifts in cultural currents and what churches must rethink to disciple a new kind of Christian convert.
Key points:
Why Google searches for “Bible” and “Christianity” are spiking — and what it might mean.
The end of nominalism and the rise of “full-fat” faith.
What young men are really looking for when they show up at church.
Why Sunday attendance and midweek group aren’t enough.
The critical role of Christian households in modeling a different life.
Why tone, not just truth, matters more than ever.
Stephen McAlpine worked as a National Communicator for City Bible Forum, and was also pastoring a church in Perth. He has degrees in journalism and theology and enjoys combining the two through writing and blogging, especially on matters of church planting and cultural negotiation for Christians in the increasingly complex West.
TOOL BOX:
Disruptive Witness by Alan Noble
You Are Not Your Own by Alan Noble
First Things – journal of religion and public life
“Full Fat Faith” article by James Marriott (The Times, UK)
Wes Huff – Christian apologist (his YouTube channel)
Questioning Christianity by Dan Paterson
Stephen's Substack – a great place to start working through a platform for cultural commentary and analysis
CREDITS:
This episode was brought to you by Trellis
The One Thing is brought to you by Reach Australia
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