Ministry Deep Dive

In this episode, Travis Michael Fleming sits down with Dr. James Davison Hunter to unpack the deep fractures in our political and cultural landscape—fractures that don’t just divide Republicans and Democrats but also cut through the pews of our churches. How can Christian leaders navigate these landmine differences without blowing up their churches or losing their way?Dr. Hunter, the author of Democracy and Solidarity, brings profound insight into how culture is formed, how power is wielded, and why our current moment feels so divisive. We’ll discuss the cultural forces shaping our worldview, the tension between democracy and solidarity, and how Christians can engage these challenges with wisdom, conviction, and grace.This conversation goes beyond political allegiances to the deeper question: How do we remain faithful to the gospel in an age of polarization? If you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or believer wrestling with these issues, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we explore a way forward—one that doesn’t compromise truth but seeks to embody the kingdom of God in a fractured world.Takeaways: Dr. Hunter articulates the notion that America's political crisis is rooted in a deep cultural fragmentation that undermines democratic cohesion. The concept of 'deep structures of culture' highlights the invisible, foundational beliefs that shape societal behavior and interactions. In discussing democracy, Dr. Hunter emphasizes the need for solidarity and shared moral frameworks to counteract divisive polarization in society. The historical context of America's founding illustrates a hybrid Enlightenment that integrates various cultural and religious influences into a unique democratic identity. Dr. Hunter argues that understanding the contradictions within the ideals of freedom and equality is essential for navigating contemporary political discourse. The podcast underscores the imperative for Christian leaders to foster unity and solidarity, reflecting Christ's teachings, amidst cultural and political disagreements. Keep up with updates from Apollos Watered: The Center for Discipleship & Cultural Apologetics.Get Kevin's perspective.Get Travis' book Blueprint: Kingdom Living in the Modern World.Join the movement of Apollos Watered and help transform leaders and churches today!

The more we are online, the more disembodied we are. As Christians, we want to be rooted in a time and in a place. In The Art of Living in Season, Sylvie Vanhoozer invites readers to join this community of little saints and to follow them not only at Christmas but also throughout the whole year. Each chapter introduces a new santon (little saint) and opens up another aspect of our annual pilgrimage toward Christ. Structured as weekly reflections and illustrated with Vanhoozer's own botanical illustrations, this book invites us to follow Christ in our own places and seasons of life, beginning by keeping in step with the rhythms of nature and the church calendar. The Art of Living in Season is a companion for everyday saints who wonder how they can follow Jesus-what they can give him-wherever, whenever, and whoever they are. Check out Sylvie's website and get the book.If you want to purchase a santon from France or another here. There is also an American website that sells these particular santons.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!In a thoughtful dialogue on Apollos Watered, Travis Michael Fleming and Sylvie Van Hooser explore the transformative themes found in her book, "The Art of Living in Season." Sylvie, a botanical artist, draws from her rich experiences across different cultures to advocate for a lifestyle that honors the natural rhythms of life, particularly as we transition into the Advent season. Their conversation emphasizes the significance of slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and embracing communal traditions that foster a deeper relationship with God and each other. Sylvie introduces listeners to the French tradition of the "creche," a nativity scene that incorporates little figurines representing local community members, embodying the essence of shared stories and collective faith during the holiday season.Throughout their discussion, Sylvie reflects on the disorienting pace of modern life, where technology often leads to isolation and a disconnect from the physical world. She shares her personal journey of navigating these challenges and highlights how intentionally incorporating seasonal practices can help individuals find stability and meaning amidst life's transitions. By rooting oneself in local customs and the church calendar, she suggests that individuals can cultivate a sense of belonging and purpose, inviting God into their everyday lives.The episode serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty of community, the importance of hospitality, and the need for a more profound engagement with the world around us. Sylvie’s message encourages listeners to reflect on their own practices and consider how they can reintroduce intentionality into their routines, fostering relationships that honor both the sacred and the ordinary. Ultimately, this conversation inspires a renewed commitment to embracing the seasons of life, allowing God's presence to permeate every moment and enriching our connections with one another.Takeaways: Incorporating seasonal practices can deepen our connection to faith and community. The creche tradition invites us to celebrate Advent with intentionality and connection. Slowing down during the holidays allows us to truly appreciate God's gifts around us. Engaging with the church calendar helps ground our spiritual lives in meaningful rhythms. Food and shared meals are vital to fostering relationships and expressing gratitude. Embracing the art of living in season can transform our everyday experiences into a joyful pilgrimage.

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What if the help that you are giving to people in the community or on a mission trip actually do the exact opposite of what you want? In other words, what if your helping hurts? Today's guest is Dr. Brian Fikkert. Dr. Fikkert is Professor of Economics and Community Development and the Founder of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College. He is coauthor of the best-selling book When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor…and Yourself as well as Helping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions, Helping Without Hurting in Church Benevolence, and From Dependence to Dignity: How to Alleviate Poverty Through Church-Centered Microfinance. Dr. Fikkert earned a Ph.D. in economics from Yale University, specializing in international economics and economic development. He is the author of numerous articles in both academic and popular journals. Prior to coming to Covenant College, he was a professor at the University of Maryland—College Park and a research fellow at the Center for Institutional Reform and the Informal Sector.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

In this second conversation with Michael Wear, Travis and Michael continue discussing his book, The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life. Travis and Michael discuss abortion, same-sex marriage, partisan politics, how politics is spiritually forming us, political exhaustion, helplessness, Dallas Willard, and so much more. Michael Wear is the Founder, President, and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution based in the nation's capital with the mission to contend for the credibility of Christian resources in public life, for the public good. For well over a decade, he has served as a trusted resource and advisor for a range of civic leaders on matters of faith and public life, including as a White House and presidential campaign staffer. Michael is a leading voice on building healthy civic pluralism in twenty-first-century America. He has argued that the spiritual health and civic character of individuals is deeply tied to the state of our politics and public affairs. Michael previously led Public Square Strategies, a consulting firm he founded that helps religious organizations, political organizations, businesses, and others effectively navigate the rapidly changing American religious and political landscape.Michael is the author of The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life, a paradigm-shifting book that advances a vision for spiritual formation in the context of political life. Michael’s first book, Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America, offers reflections, analysis, and ideas about the role of faith in the Obama years and what it means for today. He has co-authored or contributed to, several other books, including Compassion and Conviction: The AND Campaign's Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement, with Justin Giboney and Chris Butler. He also writes for The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Catapult Magazine, Christianity Today, and other publications on faith, politics, and culture.Learn more about Michael.Learn more about The Center for Christianity and Public Life.Get the book.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

We are in the political season and every election cycle, we hear that there is so much at stake and that this election is the most important ever. We hear about one scandal or another, and we hear about the issues (which are extremely important), but it's gotten to the point where it is a zero-sum game, and Christians are being used to engage in politics in a way that denigrates their testimony and sacrifices the content of their faith. Is there a way to protect life and honor Jesus at the same time? Michael Wear has an idea. Michael Wear is the Founder, President, and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution based in the nation's capital with the mission to contend for the credibility of Christian resources in public life, for the public good. For well over a decade, he has served as a trusted resource and advisor for a range of civic leaders on matters of faith and public life, including as a White House and presidential campaign staffer. Michael is a leading voice on building healthy civic pluralism in twenty-first-century America. He has argued that the spiritual health and civic character of individuals is deeply tied to the state of our politics and public affairs. Michael previously led Public Square Strategies, a consulting firm he founded that helps religious organizations, political organizations, businesses and others effectively navigate the rapidly changing American religious and political landscape.Michael is the author of The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life, a paradigm-shifting book that advances a vision for spiritual formation in the context of political life. Michael’s first book, Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America, offers reflections, analysis, and ideas about the role of faith in the Obama years and what it means for today. He has co-authored or contributed to, several other books, including Compassion and Conviction: The AND Campaign's Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement, with Justin Giboney and Chris Butler. He also writes for The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Catapult Magazine, Christianity Today, and other publications on faith, politics, and culture.Learn more about Michael.Learn more about The Center for Christianity and Public Life.Get the book.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

We are in a time where the cultural topography is shifting. The message hasn't changed, but our position in the culture has. Is there an example we can look to to find inspiration? Stephen O. Presley believes so. Drawing upon the first three centuries of Christianity, Stephen takes us on a journey into the mind of the early church of the first few centuries, showing us that their time is not so different from our own. While they employed a dynamic apologetic, we need to learn from their posture in the face of persecution. It's one of the most engaging and insightful conversations we have ever had on Apollos Watered. He serves as the Senior Fellow for Religion and Public Life at the Center for Religion Culture and Democracy (an initiative of First Liberty Institute) and Associate Professor of Church History at Southern Seminary. Stephen O. Presley earned his undergraduate degree at Baylor University, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He is married to Haley and they have four children and reside in McKinney, TX. Learn more about Stephen and get the book.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!Takeaways: The Christian life has often been perceived as fragmented, lacking integration among its various aspects. A vital component of engaging with contemporary culture involves fostering a local Christian community rooted in trust and love. Addressing the challenges faced in a postmodern world necessitates a holistic approach to Christian living, not solely reliant on political or charity actions. The early church serves as a model for living integrated lives, emphasizing the importance of a shared narrative in the face of cultural opposition. Hope is an essential theological virtue that must permeate our lives, guiding us through challenges and affirming Christ's reign. Cultural sanctification entails a dynamic interplay between indigenizing faith within cultures while maintaining its distinctiveness and relevance.

What should be our posture to the quickly changing, chaotic world around us? We all know about the early church in the book of Acts, but what about after that? What was the church's approach to the world around it in the second and third centuries? Can we learn anything from them? Stephen O. Presley believes that our time is not so similar from theirs and we can learn a great deal from how they interacted with the world. He serves as the Senior Fellow for Religion and Public Life at the Center for Religion Culture and Democracy (an initiative of First Liberty Institute) and Associate Professor of Church History at Southern Seminary. Stephen O. Presley earned his undergraduate degree at Baylor University, Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and Ph.D. from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He is married to Haley and they have four children and reside in McKinney, TX. Travis and Stephen talk about his new book, Cultural Sanctification, and how there is really nothing new under the sun. This was one of the best and most invigorating conversations ever had on Apollos Watered and it will help you in your calling to engage the world for Jesus.Learn more about Stephen and get the book.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

John Plake, of the American Bible Society is back to present us with the State of the Bible report for 2024. Stats tell stories, the question is, what story are the stats telling us right now? What is the state of Bible reading in America? What does that tell us? What does it mean for our churches? What does it mean for the different ethnic groups? What about different generations? There is some bad, but there is some hope as John shares with us what the data reveals about where God is working.Informative, challenging, and enriching, this is a conversation that will help you think through what God is doing, what He is calling us to do, and how we can join the opportunities He has created for us. Check out the American Bible Society.Download the State of the Bible Report.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Is the book Acts about the Holy Spirit? The apostles? Spiritual gifts? Or the interaction with cultures? What is the purpose of the church? What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus in a pluralistic society? How do we build a bridge to communicate the gospel and then confront the new culture with the gospel message? Is there a "pure" gospel? What does it mean when every theology is a contextual theology? Join Travis as he continues his discussion with Dean Flemming, as they discuss the need to contextualize the gospel so that our audience understands it, and is challenged by it. Today's guest is Dr. Dean Flemming. Dean Flemming (Ph.D., University of Aberdeen) is an award-winning author, Bible teacher, and seminar speaker. He is Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Mission at MidAmerica Nazarene University and teaches New Testament at the Missional Training Center in Phoenix, AZ. He served for 24 years as a theological educator in the Philippines and Germany and has taught in many global settings.Dean is the author of six books, including Contextualization in the New Testament, which won a Christianity Today book award, and a commentary on Philippians that received the Smith-Wynkoop book award. He writes especially on the connection between the New Testament and mission. An ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene, Dean has pastored churches in Ohio and Japan. He is active in his local church, which includes teaching an adult Bible class.Today, he joins Apollos Watered to discuss his book, Contextualization in the New Testament, and how the early church contextualized the message of Jesus to its audience and we must do the same thing as well. This conversation will help you to identify what contextualization is, why and how it was done in the early church, and how it might help you communicate the Gospel effectively today to those in your world. Learn more about Dean Flemming.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Join God in what He is doing in and through Apollos Watered by becoming one of our patrons today!