TGC Podcast

In spring 2022, TGC released a five-part video debate series featuring prominent Christian thinkers discussing some of the most divisive issues facing the church today. On today’s episode, we’re featuring the third debate, where Scott Klusendorf and Karen Swallow Prior discuss the pro-life cause and what it should, and should not, encompass. Pastor Jim Davis from Orlando Grace Church moderates this debate.To watch videos from the debates and download free resources for further discussion with your staff or small group, visit goodfaithdebates.com 

In spring 2022, TGC released a five-part video debate series featuring prominent Christian thinkers discussing some of the most divisive issues facing the church today. On today’s episode, we’re featuring the second debate, where Sean DeMars and Rebecca McLaughlin discuss whether “woke church” is a step toward theological compromise. Pastor Jim Davis from Orlando Grace Church moderates this debate. To watch videos from the debates and download free resources for further discussion with your staff or small group, visit goodfaithdebates.com

In spring 2022, TGC released a five-part video debate series featuring prominent Christian thinkers discussing some of the most divisive issues facing the church today. On today’s episode, we’re featuring the first debate, where Bob Thune and Andrew Wilson discuss the topic of gun control. Pastor Jim Davis from Orlando Grace Church moderates this debate. To watch videos from the debates and download free resources for further discussion with your staff or small group, visit goodfaithdebates.com

John Yates leads a pastoral panel with Matt Carter, Vermon Pierre, and Afshin Ziafat in a discussion on how hard ministry can be and what it takes to not lose heart. They discuss their personal experience of carrying the weight of the church and encountering criticism and fatigue. Together, they suggest how to prevent burnout by having: great mentors, friends inside the church, and a safe place to confess sin. They close with an emphasis on the importance of being surrounded by other believers and letting them speak into your life.

On today’s bonus episode of TGC Podcast, we’re featuring a selection from TGC’s narrative podcast, Recorded. In "Escape from Kabul", TGC senior writer Sarah Zylstra tells the story of God's dramatic work through the underground church in Afghanistan. To hear the full episode, subscribe to Recorded on Apple Podcasts. 

At TGC21, Darryl Williamson explains how Hebrews 12 uncovers the purpose of opposition in the Christian life. Spiritual conflict has been our defining reality since the fall of man, and God has used the church—people—to show himself to the world.Williamson says as we consider Christ, we cannot miss the cross and the way of suffering. Jesus doesn’t tell us to avoid suffering. Instead, he says to not be afraid about what we are about to suffer. The purpose of this suffering, Williamson explains, is to endure and remain faithful through it. We’re to share in Christ’s afflictions and therefore share in his glory and rejoice in his faithfulness.

Sam Allberry leads a breakout session at TGCW21 on receiving the gift of singleness. Allberry encourages Christians, both married and single, with three reasons why singleness is a gift and not a curse.He explains that the culture, and even sometimes the church, has taught us that we can only find happiness and intimacy through marriage. But the true, Biblical view of singleness shows us that:Singleness is good, and we should embrace it as a gift.Singleness allows us to find intimacy and deep friendship within the church—our true family.Singleness reveals our longing for Jesus, our true and perfect Bridegroom, and we can rejoice in the marriage we have in Christ.With this in view, singleness can become an opportunity to taste the goodness of God. When singleness is seen as a gift, the single Christian can therefore be thankful to God—and gratitude changes everything.

Courtney Doctor, Vanessa Hawkins, Melissa Kruger, and Trillia Newbell discuss what discipleship is and why it is important, especially within the local church. The panel defines discipleship as a lifelong growing in the knowledge of the Lord, a growing in his likeness, and a growing in affection for Christ until he returns.Kruger explains that discipleship isn’t “you becoming like me,” but instead becoming like the Lord together. A practical path to discipleship is outlined during the discussion:Ask boldly for someone to disciple you.Find it within systems in your local church.When you ask, express what you want, when you want it, and for how long.By following these guidelines, discipleship is more attainable for you and your mentor. Kruger describes that discipleship is like tethering a young sapling to an old oak tree. The sun and rain still make the sapling grow, but it is guided in the right direction by the help of standing beside the older, more mature tree. The panel closes with the reason why we should be a part of discipleship—it impacts all of eternity.

Julius Kim closes the Book of James with an explanation of why we should pray, tying together all the teachings from TGCW21. Kim connects all the previous teachings on steadfastness by describing what James meant in his closing statements of the book. Kim explains that what we pray about reveals the priorities of our hearts.In his letter, James teaches us exactly what we should pray and why, listing four reasons why we should remain steadfast in prayer:God hears us.God heals us.God forgives us.God fortifies us.Kim argues that when we pray, it is a grace by which we are strengthened, calling us all to steadfast prayer in the midst of suffering—just like our example, Christ Jesus.

At TGCW21, Nancy Guthrie teaches on James chapters 4 and 5 and paints a picture of two different songs being sung to us—the world’s song of self-indulgence and self-accomplishment, and the song of God’s sovereign plan of patient endurance through suffering. She explains that we must reject the world’s song and instead, sing the song of Scripture, which tells us to wait patiently for the coming of the Lord.Singing God’s song of Scripture so that it comes out in our dreams, ambitions, and plans is the way to endure suffering. Guthrie encourages steadfast waiting with two reminders:1. The prophets suffered and were blessed, and so will we be.2. Consider Job, who refused to give up on God, and be sure that God will work in and through the worst things in our lives to refine us as we wait on him.