Mike Cosper, a Louisville-based writer and Senior Producer at Christianity Today, discusses the insights from his book, "The Church in Dark Times." He examines how dangerous ideologies infiltrate church leadership and their impact on communities. Cosper shares lessons learned from past church failures, advocating for a focus on genuine relationships over mere attendance. He also explores the significance of patience and strategic growth in renewal efforts, highlighting the value of small, intimate church communities amidst challenging times.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Baptism in a Megachurch
Mike Cosper was baptized at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas.
This megachurch, potentially the largest in the US at the time, had a massive baptismal.
insights INSIGHT
Ideology's Appeal
Ideology, offering simple solutions to complex problems, creates manageable narratives.
This is attractive in a confusing world, driving people towards meaning and purpose.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Driscoll's Ideology
Mark Driscoll's ideology at Mars Hill prioritized reaching men, believing it would solve most problems.
This led to the justification of harmful actions, prioritizing mission over individuals.
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Church in Dark Times - Understanding and Resisting the Evil That Seduced the Evangelical Movement
Church in Dark Times - Understanding and Resisting the Evil That Seduced the Evangelical Movement
Mike Cosper
Unceasing Worship
Unceasing Worship
Harold Best
Dynamics of Spiritual Renewal
Dynamics of Spiritual Renewal
Richard Loveless
The Journals of Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton
The journals of Thomas Merton are a comprehensive and intimate record of his life, covering over 2,500 pages across seven volumes. These journals reflect Merton's spiritual growth, his experiences as a Trappist monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani, and his engagement with various social issues such as civil rights and nonviolence. The journals are characterized by their vivid descriptions, personal reflections, and the blending of private and public themes, making them a unique and valuable resource for understanding Merton's life and work[1][4][5].
Ever wonder how we got to "this moment" as a country, as a church?
Many people are thinking about these questions. Many of them are evangelicals, who stand out in American culture as a group of incredible influence: lots of sucess growing churches, and, as our politicians know, lots of power in the polls.
This isn't an episode to pile on to evangelicals, but to learn together from mistakes Christians might, with God's grace and wisdom, learn better to recognize and resist. We talk about dangerous ideologies in politics and church, how they work their way into leadership, and what we might learn more broadly from church leadership downfalls. Then we pivot: what makes churches and communities healthy? What might renewal look like? Can American Christians live for the long game instead of worshipping hype and shortcuts?
Mike Cosper is a Louisville-based writer and podcaster focused on faith and culture and Senior Producer of Podcasts at Christianity Today. Along with The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill, he has hostedCultivated: A podcast about faith and work and the weekly “news and issues” podcast, The Bulletin, to name a few. He is also a music producer and author of several books including The Church in Dark Times.
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