Brad Edwards, John Houmes, and Jake Meador explore the cultural restlessness and disenchantment prevalent in contemporary society. They discuss how technology, particularly smartphones, has impacted identity and belonging, leading to a sense of exile in place. The conversation delves into the atrophy of social connections and the role of the church in providing meaning and community in a disenchanted world. They also examine the mental energy required to maintain relationships and the tension between the desire for control and the search for transcendence. In this conversation, the speakers explore the themes of community building, the role of the church in personal development, the ethics surrounding the value of life, and the importance of caring for the vulnerable in society. They discuss how spiritual growth is often misconstrued as self-actualization and emphasize the need for ordinary acts of kindness and connection in a disenchanted world. The conversation culminates in a reflection on how individuals can create a sense of home and community through simple, sincere gestures of care and hospitality.Was this episode helpful or encouraging in some way? Great! Then you won't want to miss what's next so SUBSCRIBE now and send this episode to a friend! We appreciate it! 🙏You can also leave a review (it really helps)Follow UsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/PostEverythingPodcastInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/_posteverythingX: https://twitter.com/_PostEverything

Kyle Worley, pastor at Mosaic Church and author of 'Home with God', dives into the powerful doctrine of union with Christ. He discusses how this concept provides a sense of belonging and identity amidst feelings of exile. The conversation highlights the importance of community in faith, emphasizing collective worship over individualism. They explore the transformative impact of understanding one's identity in Christ, the significance of the Lord's Supper, and how this doctrine can heal disillusionment with the church.

Join a thought-provoking discussion on the cultural phenomenon of a 'vibe shift,' as the speakers dive into the emotional transitions from cynicism to hope within society. They explore the impact of technology and social media, stressing the importance of evolving institutions during turbulent times. The relevance of community and the church in providing stability amidst change is highlighted. Plus, get a sneak peek into the exciting themes and guests coming in the upcoming season, featuring intriguing talks on faith and contemporary issues.

Brad and John discuss with Andy Crouch the importance of institutions and the decline of institutionalism in society. Crouch highlights the denial of power in Christian circles and the rise of social media as a counterfeit institution. The influence of social media on honor and shame dynamics is explored, as well as the loss of forgiveness and humility in society. The conversation explores the language of shame and victimhood, particularly in the context of political discussions. The cross is shown to be way out of victimhood, offering a path of forgiveness and redemption. The power of friendship and hospitality is discussed as a means of building meaningful connections and creating lasting change. Finally, the need for trust and thread to build institutions is explored, emphasizing the importance of long-term thinking and investment.Was this episode helpful or encouraging in some way? Great! Then you won't want to miss what's next so SUBSCRIBE now and send this episode to a friend! We appreciate it! 🙏You can also leave a review (it really helps), or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram to join the conversation!

In this episode, Brad Edwards, John Houmes, and our guest Michael Sacasas explore the complex issues surrounding the outsourcing of virtue in the age of social media. We delve into the challenges of moderating content on online platforms and the blurred boundaries of free speech. Drawing parallels to historical and bureaucratic settings, we discuss the difficulties of governing large communities.Throughout the conversation, we discuss the consequences of relying on algorithms and the impact on individual judgment and responsibility. We highlight the overwhelming abundance of information in the digital media landscape, the shift from a narrative experience to a database experience, and the importance of media literacy in navigating conflicting opinions and finding the truth.The discussion also touches on the pressure to speak on social media, the use of emotionally charged language for attention, and the tendency to default to tribal thinking. We emphasize the need for critical thinking, patience, and humility when encountering these complex issues.L. M. Sacasas is associate director of the Christian Study Center of Gainesville, Florida and author of The Convivial Society, a newsletter about technology and society.Was this episode helpful or encouraging in some way? Great! Then you won't want to miss what's next so SUBSCRIBE now and send this episode to a friend! We appreciate it! 🙏You can also leave a review (it really helps), or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram to join the conversation!

There are few voices on leadership with as consistent of a track record in anticipating needed shifts in our approach to leadership as Dr. Tod Bolsinger. As the author of multiple books (including one we've referenced heavily - "Canoeing the Mountains") and Associate Professor of Leadership Formation at Fuller Seminary, he brings a rare combination of academic depth and practical breadth to "rethinking leadership."Listen in as we pick his brain on everything from the need for institutions to adapt, the uselessness of "casting vision" in a liminal age, and how to know when we need "build greenhouses" or "burn our canoes" to draw new mental maps...Was this episode helpful or encouraging in some way? Great! Then you won't want to miss what's next so SUBSCRIBE now and send this episode to a friend! We appreciate it! 🙏You can also leave a review (it really helps), or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram to join the conversation!RESOURCES(BOOK) Canoeing the Mountains, by Tod Bolsingerhttps://www.amazon.com/Canoeing-Mountains-Christian-Leadership-Uncharted/dp/0830841474/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1682619232&sr=8-1 (BOOK) Tempered Resilience: How Leaders Are Formed in the Crucible of Change by Tod Bolsinger https://a.co/d/5rXG5JF

On this episode, join Brad Edwards, John Houmes, and guest Steve Cuss who shares about his personal journey of understanding anxiety from a systems perspective. He discusses how recognizing his own anxiety patterns and the false beliefs that fueled them helped him lead with less reactivity. Steve also touches on how admitting mistakes publicly freed him to be human with his community and built trust. You'll learn about the importance he places on prioritizing community care over being the sole caregiver, and how that empowered others in his church to support one another through challenging seasons. It's a thoughtful discussion around managing anxiety from the inside out in order to better shepherd God's people.Was this episode helpful or encouraging in some way? Great! Then you won't want to miss what's next so SUBSCRIBE now and send this episode to a friend! We appreciate it! 🙏You can also leave a review (it really helps), or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram to join the conversation!

What does J.K.Rowling’s Harry Potter function as an “Intuitional Religion?" How might "fandom" be scratching our itch for community, ritual, meaning, or purpose? Is “hustle culture” our striving to achieve The Good Life (TM), or a symptom of having given up hope of ever receiving it?In this wide ranging conversation with Tara Isabella Burton, we explore the slow boil shift of American religious identity from Institutionalism to Intuitionism, and how the vacuum of institutional trust has been flooded with every kind of “weird internet, horseshoe theory land mine.” Plus: why we should ALL “touch grass.”CORRECTION: At one point Brad said that Hogwarts Legacy was on track to be "the best-selling video game of all time." That was only kinda accurate: it has already broken the best-selling INITIAL RELEASE of a video game of all time (not total sales). A minor distinction, but we care too much about getting the facts right not to correct the record.Was this episode helpful or encouraging in some way? Great! Then you won't want to miss what's next so SUBSCRIBE now and send this episode to a friend! We appreciate it! 🙏You can also leave a review (it really helps), or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram to join the conversation!

In January of 1969, 22-year-old Dan Houmes was drafted into the U.S. Army, even though he had plans to avoid it. By the summer of that year, Dan was deployed to Vietnam and assigned to the First Cav. He would spend his one year tour of duty riding in helicopters with the men of Company B, nicknamed "Pigiron", to find and fight an enemy hidden in the jungle. LFTJ is a podcast series about Dan's story, his story of life not going the way he wanted it to go, and the lessons of faith he learned in the jungles of Vietnam. Dan's story is told by him and his son, John Houmes. Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lessons-from-the-jungle/id1774557574 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/6WKgoNg5jxqbFNE3aOAxcE?si=7cd417cbae6a4069 Amazon Music:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c099678-53db-4069-9f8d-710fea74e2aa/lessons-from-the-jungleFor Episode Video Clips:InstagramYoutubeEmail Us:lessonfromjunglepod@gmail.com

David Cassidy shares his journey from a Lutheran upbringing to a charismatic ministry, discussing his experiences in various congregations and countries. He reflects on the impact of recent political elections on pastoral care, noting the exhaustion and realignment within churches. Cassidy emphasizes the importance of gratitude from a Christian perspective, highlighting how it can reshape our approach to life and relationships amidst political turmoil. Brad, John, and David explore the themes of political distraction, the significance of the Advent season, the necessity of waiting in ministry, and the evolution of church leadership and planting in a changing cultural landscape. They emphasize the importance of reflection, patience, and innovative approaches to establishing lasting communities of faith.Was this episode helpful or encouraging in some way? Great! Then you won't want to miss what's next so SUBSCRIBE now and send this episode to a friend! We appreciate it! 🙏You can also leave a review (it really helps)Follow UsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/PostEverythingPodcastInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/_posteverythingX: https://twitter.com/_PostEverything