
 Theology in the Raw Why the Church Still Matters: Dr. Carmen Imes
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 Nov 3, 2025  Dr. Carmen Joy Imes, an Associate Professor of Old Testament at Biola University's Talbot School, discusses why the church remains vital today. She shares her journey from diverse church experiences to a calling in missions, highlighting spiritual challenges faced in the Philippines. Carmen emphasizes the irreplaceable role of local pastors and community in faith formation, contrasting chapel services with active church involvement. She also explores themes from her trilogy, emphasizing the communal nature of salvation and the importance of serving beyond consumerism. 
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Formed By Diverse Church Experiences
- Carmen Joy Imes grew up in a home where church attendance was never optional and experienced both Reformed and charismatic congregations.
 - Those diverse church experiences shaped her theology and taught her liturgy, Holy Spirit work, and communal care.
 
A Childhood Call To Missions
- At age eight Carmen volunteered to be a missionary and at 12 felt repeatedly called by the Great Commission.
 - That early sense of calling propelled her into lifelong ministry and shaped her vocational focus.
 
Humbling Season In The Philippines
- Serving as a missionary in the Philippines triggered a long season of spiritual dryness for Carmen.
 - The experience humbled her and reshaped her understanding of useful ministry in cross-cultural contexts.
 





