From Boundaries to the Center: Embracing Centered Churches for Authentic Faith (Unified Series)

Jan 31, 2022

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Discover how shifting from bounded and fuzzy church models to a centered church approach can transform your faith community. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive deep into the distinctions between bounded, fuzzy, and centered churches, exploring how focusing on Jesus at the center fosters authenticity, inclusivity, and genuine discipleship.

Key Takeaways:

• Lines that Shame vs. Invitations to the Center – Understanding how bounded churches use boundaries that shame and exclude, while centered churches focus on inviting everyone towards Jesus without judgment.

• Authentic Community and Uneven Discipleship – Exploring how centered churches allow for uneven discipleship paths, encourage questioning and doubting, and foster genuine relationships without the pressure of conformity.

• Moving Beyond External Behaviors – Discussing the pitfalls of focusing solely on external behaviors and the importance of heart orientation and relational posture towards Jesus.

• Redefining Doctrine and Beliefs – Examining how centered churches use doctrine to clarify the center rather than as boundaries to exclude, allowing for diverse understandings within the community.

• Embracing the Messiness of Growth – Recognizing that while centered churches may be messier and lack rigid rules, they create space for real growth, transformation, and authentic faith journeys.

Resources Mentioned:

• "Centered-Set Church" by Mark Baker

• Paul Hiebert's Work on Set Theory

• Tim's Diagrams of Bounded, Fuzzy, and Centered Churches

• "If I Should Fall Behind" by Bruce Springsteen

Join us as we explore how embracing a centered church model can revolutionize your faith experience. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow the Voxology Podcast on social media to continue the conversation.

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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