Ministry Deep Dive

Travis, Jay Moon & Bud Simon keep the conversation going with tips on how to share the good news of Jesus in a diverse world. Travis, Jay, & Bud discuss their book, Intercultural Evangelism, and talk through some of the mindset shifts that need to occur for us to share Jesus effectively with those who come from different cultural backgrounds. They discuss four cultural operating systems that shape how people think: innocence/guilt, honor/shame, fear/power, and throw a new one into the mix: indifference/belonging w/purpose-specifically identifying the challenges at work in our post-everything, identity-obsessed, desire-to-belong-world. Drawing upon their experiences as missionaries, Jay Moon and Bud Simon act as guides along the path of faith, showing us how to share Jesus in a pluralistic world that is increasingly unfamiliar with the Christian faith. This insightful, practical conversation will decrease the cringe factor and increase your confidence as you share Jesus with those in your everyday world!Learn more about W. Jay Moon and W. Bud Simon.Get the book Effective Intercultural Evangelism.Get the Faith Sharing Card Game.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Travis welcomes Jay Moon & Bud Simon to the show! Have you ever tried to share Jesus with someone from a different religion and crashed and burned? Have you found the approaches you've been taught for sharing Jesus to be ineffective? Especially with people who have no familiarity with Jesus or the Christian faith? Drawing upon their experiences as missionaries, Jay Moon and Bud Simon act as guides along the path of faith, showing us how to share Jesus in a pluralistic world that is increasingly unfamiliar with the Christian faith. This insightful, practical conversation will decrease the cringe factor and increase your confidence as you share Jesus with those in your everyday world!Learn more about W. Jay Moon and W. Bud Simon.Get the book Effective Intercultural Evangelism.Get the Faith Sharing Card Game.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Travis welcomes J.D. Payne to the show! Church buildings and Christian resources are everywhere in North America, but increasingly we have lost the ability to speak to our neighbors who are on the “outside” of the church The Church is exploding in other parts of the world, but we see more and more empty churches here in the United States. What gives? Many churches in the West believe that unbelievers would come if we just had better buildings, programs, or preachers. Others believe that is all about how to market yourself. But Christians are quickly becoming a minority in our culture. We are increasingly aware that the “if you build it they will come” mindset is no longer working. People simply aren’t coming to us. What are we to do?We need a new way of thinking, or perhaps an old one. J.D. Payne has a solution: adopt the mindset of the apostles. We often forget that the earliest Christians were a faith minority in the first century. They didn't possess a lot of cultural power or capital. In fact, they operated in a hostile world, yet they grew quickly. What if we were to develop a similar mindset—one that doesn’t ask unbelievers to come to us, instead asking how we might go to them? What if we took the time to cultivate an apostolic imagination? If you have a holy discontent with the status quo. If you think our contemporary approaches are failing, then this episode is for you. It is illuminating, and hope-giving, and will encourage and equip you to begin to think differently so that you can reach people where you are in a fresh and life-giving way. Check out J.D.'s page.His podcast Strike the Match.His books.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Travis welcomes Jami Staples back to the show for the second part of our conversation. Jami is the founder and CEO of The Truth Collective and in this second part of our conversation, she discusses the lies that women believe, how trauma plays into our understanding of sin, and how Jesus heals our trauma. Trauma has become the new mission field for sharing Jesus. It's a challenging and eye-opening conversation that helps us heal and offer Jesus as a healer to others. Learn more about The Truth Collective. For those working with Muslims:#57 | How To Build Bridges With Muslims | Fouad Masri#64 | Finding Hope, Shedding Shame, Pt. 1 | Audrey Frank#65 | Finding Hope, Shedding Shame, Pt. 2 | Audrey Frank#93 | Misconceptions of Persecution & Pain in Contemporary Christianity, Pt 1 | Nik Ripken#94 | Misconceptions of Persecution & Pain in Contemporary Christianity, Pt 2 | Nik Ripken#69 | The Insanity of God, Pt. 1 | Nik Ripken#70 | The Insanity of God, Pt. 2 | Nik Ripken#71 | The Insanity of God, Pt. 3 | Nik RipkenFor those who want to understand more about brain science and neurotheology:#107 Jim Wilder, Pt. 1-God on the Brain (intro to neurotheology) #108 Jim Wilder, Pt. 2-God on the Brain (intro to neurotheology)#109 Michel Hendricks, Pt. 1-Relational Reformation#110 Michel Hendricks, Pt. 2-Relational Reformation#120 Marcus Warner, Our Walk, Wounds, & Warfare, Pt. 1#121 Marcus Warner, Our Walk, Wounds, & Warfare, Pt. 2#140 Jim Wilder, Pt. 1-Enemy Mode#141 Jim Wilder, Pt. 2-Enemy Mode#142 Marcus Warner, RARE Leadership, Pt. 1#143 Marcus Warner, RARE Leadership, Pt. 2Check out the NLT.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Travis welcomes Jami Staples to the show, the founder and CEO of The Truth Collective. What does transformation look like? How do those in trauma come to know Jesus and be transformed by Him? What do they have to say to us? How do we experience healing as they have? Jami is one of those once-in-a-lifetime kinds of people you meet who is articulate, frank, fun, and willing to challenge the status quo. She has a heart for women, specifically Muslim women to come to know Jesus and be transformed by Him. She is open, honest, and raw. You will be challenged as she shares her heart, and be surprised at her vulnerability. She has a high justice button that makes you want to step up to help the traumatized and the marginalized. And she knows how the healing power of Jesus can help you heal as well. A must-listen for men and women. Learn more about The Truth Collective. For those working with Muslims:#57 | How To Build Bridges With Muslims | Fouad Masri#64 | Finding Hope, Shedding Shame, Pt. 1 | Audrey Frank#65 | Finding Hope, Shedding Shame, Pt. 2 | Audrey Frank#93 | Misconceptions of Persecution & Pain in Contemporary Christianity, Pt 1 | Nik Ripken#94 | Misconceptions of Persecution & Pain in Contemporary Christianity, Pt 2 | Nik Ripken#69 | The Insanity of God, Pt. 1 | Nik Ripken#70 | The Insanity of God, Pt. 2 | Nik Ripken#71 | The Insanity of God, Pt. 3 | Nik RipkenFor those who want to understand more about brain science and neurotheology:#107 Jim Wilder, Pt. 1-God on the Brain (intro to neurotheology) #108 Jim Wilder, Pt. 2-God on the Brain (intro to neurotheology)#109 Michel Hendricks, Pt. 1-Relational Reformation#110 Michel Hendricks, Pt. 2-Relational Reformation#120 Marcus Warner, Our Walk, Wounds, & Warfare, Pt. 1#121 Marcus Warner, Our Walk, Wounds, & Warfare, Pt. 2#140 Jim Wilder, Pt. 1-Enemy Mode#141 Jim Wilder, Pt. 2-Enemy Mode#142 Marcus Warner, RARE Leadership, Pt. 1#143 Marcus Warner, RARE Leadership, Pt. 2Check out the NLT.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!Takeaways: The conversation delves into the significant impact of witnessing injustices against Muslim women and its effect on personal faith. Jamie Staples illustrates how identity trauma can hinder individuals from fully embracing their faith and sharing their testimonies. The podcast highlights the importance of understanding cultural contexts when engaging with Muslim communities in America. Travis and Jamie emphasize the need for Christian women to confront their identity struggles in order to effectively share the gospel. The episode discusses the creative approach of using art and storytelling to address and heal trauma in women from various backgrounds. Listeners are encouraged to seek deeper connections and community engagement with Muslim individuals in their own neighborhoods.

Travis welcomes John Plake to the show! John is the director of Ministry Intelligence at the American Bible Society and is the editor-in-chief of the State of the Bible series. John is a researcher with a pastor’s heart. He bridges the worlds of social science, business intelligence, and spiritual formation, helping Christian leaders understand how people grow in Christ. Over 32 years of full-time ministry, John has served as a pastor, missionary, professor, and researcher. He is an ordained minister with a Ph.D. in intercultural studies. He lives with his family in Wilmington, Delaware.Travis and John talk about the State of the Bible 2022 report and the changes that have occurred over the past few years. They discuss what God is doing in the world, how the culture is shifting, and the goals of how to get people to engage God through Bible reading. The numbers from the American Bible Society reveal a shift in the culture. A shift that appears as a dark foreboding cloud of change, but in the midst of that there is a glimmer of hope as transformation can be seen in those who truly engage God's Word. This is a conversation that is eye-opening, dizzying, and inspiring at the same time. It will help you grow and see how God is changing you when you engage His Word and how He desires to transform all who read His Word with a heart to understand. Check out the American Bible Society.Download the State of the Bible 2022 report.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Travis and Michel Hendricks continue their discussion on the relational reformation that is taking place in the church. Far too often, our church models have been built on the best practices established by churches considered to be "successful" because they know how to attract a crowd. Many of these successful churches have more of a performance mentality that they have pursued in the worship service. Many of these well-intentioned leaders have sought to get people to church thinking that they needed to have the service as a performance for people to come to and be part of so that they can hear the Word and come to know Jesus. But what if that model, while successful in the short term, is actually detrimental in the long term because it fails to take in a key part of our relational make-up? The stats are out, that many are leaving the church and doing so for a variety of reasons. Some see it as a purification time, while others see it as a symptom of a larger problem-the church doesn't care about relationships the way that God does and doesn't understand how spiritual formation actually works. Travis and Michel continue discussing his book, The Other Half of Church, which he co-authored with one of our previous guests, Jim Wilder. The book has become the go-to text for this relational reformation and rightly so because they have hit on something that many within the church have been saying and feeling for years: there is more and the Bible tells us all about it! Listen in as they talk about how God has wired our brains for relationships and joy and how we can return to this relational joy the way that God intended! Learn more about Life Model Works.Check out Michel's books.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!Takeaways: The essence of the church lies fundamentally in its ability to love both one another and those outside its community, as exemplified by Jesus' teachings. A relational reformation within the church is imperative, focusing on nurturing genuine relationships rather than merely measuring attendance or other metrics. The integration of relational skills into church practices is crucial; teaching individuals how to love, including their enemies, is often overlooked. True discipleship involves more than just knowledge; it requires embodying love and relational maturity, encouraging individuals to practice these principles within their communities. Churches must shift from a performance-based model to one that emphasizes relational depth, fostering an environment where individuals feel valued and cherished. The church's effectiveness in embodying love is directly linked to its members' emotional and relational maturity, which must be cultivated intentionally.

Travis welcomes Michel Hendricks to the show! In the past few decades, so much of church and the Christian life has been about simply gaining information that leads us to believe and hopefully do the right things. However, as time has gone on, many Christ-followers have felt that there is more. Could there be something that we are missing? As the pandemic revealed, we are built for connection to God first and then with others second. In fact, our brains are divinely wired for both, and yet many within the church have neglected this important part of our makeup. However, in recent years there has been a relational reformation-a hunger to recover the connection with people the way God intended and we now have the brain science to show us what the Bible has been talking about for millennia. Travis and Michel discuss his book, The Other Half of Church, which he co-authored with our previous guest Jim Wilder. The book has become the go-to text for this relational reformation and rightly so because they have hit on something that many within the church have been saying and feeling for years: there is more and the Bible tells us all about it! Listen in as they talk about how God has wired our brains for relationships and joy and how we can return to this relational joy the way that God intended! Learn more about Life Model Works.Check out Michel's books.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!Takeaways: The foundational essence of joy in our lives serves as a vital prerequisite for effective discipleship, much like a gas tank is essential for a vehicle's operation. Experiencing joy is not merely a fleeting emotion; it is intrinsically connected to our growth and maturation in character, especially within a Christian context. In order to foster a thriving community of faith, we must prioritize relational elements such as joy and hesed, which cultivate an environment conducive to spiritual development. Our group identity plays a significant role in shaping our behavior and character, emphasizing the importance of belonging and attachment within our spiritual journeys.

This is Jim Wilder Part 2! Travis and Jim talk about how God has divinely wired our minds for human relationships and how they form us to become more like Jesus. We often talk about becoming like Jesus and how the Bible forms us, but rarely do we talk about how our relationships form us. In fact, the Church has often unbiblically separated the message of Jesus apart from relationships and if we are to grow in our faith and if the church is to be strengthened, we need to rediscover this divine connection. Travis and Jim have a far-ranging discussion that includes the connection between shame and status in our society, how our brains go into what is called “enemy mode” and “relational” modes when we are communicating with people, and what Jim calls the “Life Model Works” which is a tool and organization that Jim helped develop to “link brain science with the Bible to create simple, practical tools for churches to build authentic community. This episode is a listening must for those who want to go deeper in their walk with Christ as we seek to understand how our brain works in shaping us through the day-to-day relationships of life.Learn more about Life Model Works.Check out Jim's books.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!Takeaways: The importance of relationships in shaping our identity and aligning with Christ's teachings cannot be overstated. Understanding the dynamics of shame, both healthy and toxic, is crucial for personal and communal growth in faith. Brain science increasingly confirms that our emotional and relational health significantly influences our spiritual maturity. The concept of 'enemy mode' illustrates how our responses can hinder authentic communication and community within the church.

Travis welcomes Jim Wilder to the show! Jim is a neurotheologian who specializes in helping us become fully human Christ-followers. Travis and Jim discuss neurotheology, how the brain works, and how God has wired the truth of who He is into our brains. It's one of the most fun and informative conversations and it's sure to deepen your relationship with God and others. This is truly a must-listen! Listen to other episodes with Jim Wilder:#108 Jim Wilder, Pt. 2-God on the Brain (intro to neurotheology)And other episodes on neurotheology: #109 Michel Hendricks, Pt. 1-Relational Reformation#110 Michel Hendricks, Pt. 2-Relational Reformation#120 Marcus Warner, Our Walk, Wounds, & Warfare, Pt. 1#121 Marcus Warner, Our Walk, Wounds, & Warfare, Pt. 2#140 Jim Wilder, Pt. 1-Enemy Mode#141 Jim Wilder, Pt. 2-Enemy Mode#142 Marcus Warner, RARE Leadership, Pt. 1#143 Marcus Warner, RARE Leadership, Pt. 2Learn more about Life Model Works.Check out Jim's books.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!