Voxology Rethinking Preaching, Mental Health, and What Church Is For- w/ Skye Jethani
How sermon-centric church models are limiting spiritual formation—and what we should consider doing instead. In this episode, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Bonnie Lewis serve up laughter, listener mail, and meaningful critique as they unpack everything from naming conventions to how churches center around teaching rather than transformation. Plus, Mike sits down with Skye Jethani (Holy Post podcast, With God Daily, author of "With") to tackle his recent article challenging the long-held assumption that preaching should be the church’s primary method of disciple formation.
From mental health feedback to listener encouragements, free events, and a rich discussion about ecclesiology in the digital age, this conversation will challenge you to seriously reconsider what church is for and what participation actually looks like for Jesus followers today.
Key Takeaways: • The Problem with Sermon-Centric Models – Why dedicating 50–80% of church resources on a single weekly teaching moment may no longer serve the mission of forming disciples. • Preaching vs. Teaching – Skye and Mike unpack the biblical and functional differences between proclamation (preaching) and instruction (teaching), and why conflating the two can be harmful. • Faith Formation in a Digital World – Given the immense access to podcasts, videos, and devotionals, is Sunday still the most effective day for learning? • What Gathering Could Look Like – Exploring more holistic and participative alternatives for congregational life: meals, small groups, application-centered learning, and communal responses. • Listener Feedback – Important discussions around mental health language, being vulnerable in Christian communities, and how the words we use shape our engagement with one another.
Guest Highlights: Skye Jethani – Author, speaker, podcaster, and former pastor, Sky shares his critique of the sermon-centric church model and explores healthier and more sustainable ways the church can disciple people in today’s cultural and technological landscape. His Daily Devotional at WithGodDaily.com has become a vital spiritual practice for many.
Resources Mentioned: • Heated Conversation: Why We Changed Our Mind (Women in Ministry Event) – [Eventbrite Link] • Q Commons Costa Mesa (Free Event) – [QCommons.com → Costa Mesa] • With God Daily Devotional App – withgoddaily.com • "With" by Sky Jethani – Amazon • Sky’s Article: “The Case Against Sermon-Centric Sundays” (Premier Christianity) – Premier Christianity
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Learn more about the Voxology Podcast
Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify
Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon
The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio
Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook
Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre
Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford
Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy