Theology on Mission

In this engaging conversation, Andy Crouch, a thought leader in culture and theology, discusses the complexities of power in the Christian faith alongside David Fitch. They tackle the challenges facing evangelicalism, emphasizing the need for a theology that embraces creative over coercive power. The duo examines historical narratives of power, contrasting violent myths with the peaceful creativity of Genesis. They also highlight the modern dilemma of navigating technology and materialism, proposing a return to genuine worship and reliance on God.

The hosts delve into the crucial role of church leaders in addressing cultural issues. They discuss the emergence of 'organic intellectuals' and the need for leaders to be both theologically grounded and community-engaged. The conversation highlights the challenges of declining church attendance and critiques traditional institutions' rigidity. Emphasis is placed on redefining church leadership to tackle modern issues like racism and gender while fostering meaningful discourse. The discussion sets the stage for engaging pro-life dialogues in the upcoming season.

Listen to The Pastor’s Table on your favorite platform: https://pod.link/1661366136 In a world where we can see the abuses of power everywhere.David Fitch & Mike Moore from The Theology on Mission Podcast join Mark and Tara Beth to discuss power dynamics in the church's life.  Church leaders must discern power and avoid its abuses and traumas. By learning from the church's historical pitfalls, Christians can be empowered to relinquish worldly power and make space for God to disrupt and transform our culture for his kingdom.In this episode they explore the appropriate exercise of power within the church, distinguishing between God's and worldly power, and the importance of mutual submission and humility. The conversation addresses how pastors can discern when they are misusing power and the need for a community and friends to hold them accountable. Timestamps:01:08 Meet the Guests: Dr. Mike Moore and Dr. David Fitch03:35 The Challenge of Power in Pastoral Leadership05:00 Distinguishing God's Power from Worldly Power07:33 Recognizing and Managing Misuse of Power10:45 Spiritual Authority and Mutual Submission26:40 Practical Applications and Organizational Structures33:34 Concluding Thoughts 

Pastors face unexpected challenges all the time.  Tara Beth and Mark talk about the many active struggles of ministry. Antagonism and all sorts of sources have created a polarized world. Often this blows up in the church.  Mark and Tara Beth share their insights from mediating conflicts, understanding underlying issues, and knowing when it might be time to move on from a pastoral role. Pastors foster a reconciling presence as Christ was a reconciling force through his ministry.  Listen to The Pastor’s Table on your favorite platform: https://pod.link/1661366136 Outline: 00:00 Introduction and Banter01:58 Special Guests Introduction04:23 Challenges of Ministry10:01 Antagonism in the Church18:09 Historical Context of Marriage18:49 Modern Affluence and Marriage Dynamics19:56 Pastoral Leadership in Conflict21:56 Understanding Congregational Antagonisms23:18 Modeling Reconciliation in Church29:53 Social Media's Impact on Pastors38:12 Differentiation and Pastoral Identity39:28 When It's Time to Leave41:03 Final Thoughts and Podcast Wrap-Up

Palestine is the birthplace of Christianity.  Despite the generations-long crisis existing between Israel and Palestinian, there are followers of Jesus faithfully living out their faith. David Fitch and Mike Moore sit down with Reverend Jack Sara, President of Bethlehem Bible College and a native Palestinian pastor. They delve into the pressing issues Christians face on the ground in the Gaza crisis and beyond. Pastor Jack shares his deeply personal account of living and ministering in a land torn by conflict, tracing the legacy of Palestinian Christians and their pursuit of peace amidst ongoing violence. From the challenges of navigating daily life under occupation to fostering interfaith understanding and resilience, this conversation sheds light on the work of the kingdom of Jesus in regions afflicted by long-standing hostilities. Listen in as we explore the role of faith, the power of nonviolent reconciliation, and the hope that persists for a better future in Palestine.Learn more about and support the work being done at Bethlehem Bible College at https://bethbc.edu/ Timestamps: 02:32 Pastor Jack's Personal and Family History Amidst Conflict03:06 The Role of Christianity in Palestine's Turbulent Context06:46 Challenges and Hopes for Palestinian Christians16:46 The Impact of Palestinian Christians Beyond Their Numbers22:27 Supporting Palestinian Christians: Insights and Actions38:03 Closing Thoughts and Prayer for Peace

Countless hurdles stand in the way of people encountering the gospel. The religious trauma faced by so many people is clearly one of the largest obstacles to even hearing the gospel.  Charles Kiser and Elanie Heath recover the God of love from the structures of hate that pervade Christian communities in America today. In their new guide, Elanie and Charles work toward bringing this reformation to fruition through ministering specifically to the spiritually traumatized.  Fitch talks with Charles about this new book and how our faith communities can be better attuned to the trauma of others. Start making deeper connections and better cultivate communities of wounded healers.  Learn more the book and connect with Charles at his website:  https://www.charleskiser.com 

Explore the concept of finding freedom through constraint in spiritual disciplines practiced within a Christian community. Jared Patrick Boyd discusses reimagining spiritual practices as a communal way of life, emphasizing the importance of constraints in shaping us into the way of Christ. Learn about the six core practices of constraint that can lead to a greater freedom to love as God loves.

The podcast explores the burden and gift of everyday life, emphasizing the challenges of living with mental illness. It discusses the importance of community support in enduring mental health struggles and the evolving attitudes towards integrating mental health with spirituality in evangelical circles. Alan Noble's insights on 'Getting Out of Bed' provide valuable perspectives for pastors addressing mental health challenges.

How did Jesus interact and weld power?  In this thought-provoking episode of Theology on Mission Podcast, we dive deep into this riveting theological discussion with our special guest, Matt Tebbe.Matt Tebbe, a theologian and author of "Having the Mind of Christ," brings his unique insights to the table as we delve into the polarizing topic of 'power' as seen in theological perspectives. We grapple with intriguing questions regarding the nature of power, the difference between worldly and godly power, and the implications of these two distinct forms of power in various social and cultural contexts.Building on the foundation of our previous discussions, we continue our exploration of power in the context of Jesus' life and teachings. We ponder over the transformative power of Jesus, examining different biblical narratives where Jesus interacts with societal norms and challenges power structures.Matt presents his interpretation of how Jesus used power to promote justice and love. He discusses 'power redistribution' and describes how Jesus navigated balancing power dynamics through love. Contrary to redistributing worldly power, Dave Fitch argues that Jesus entered spaces, disrupted the worldly power, and permitted a new power - the power of the Kingdom - to work.Despite the disagreements and differences, this conversation provides an enriching understanding of how differently we reckon with power, providing a path towards addressing power issues that many face in faith establishments.Learn more about Matt Tebbe’s Gravity Commons organization at https://gravitycommons.com/community/ and The Table at https://www.thetableindy.org/ 

What if we considered ourselves “exiles in Babylon” and turned to Scripture, not political parties, to shape our most passionate values? Politics are dividing our churches like never before. In his new book, Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire, Dr. Preston Sprinkle reminds us that the first-century church was not an apolitical gathering, where Christians left their Roman politics at the door. It also wasn’t where Christians mounted a Roman flag next to—or above—a Christian one. Church was a place where God’s plan for governing the world was revealed, where one could witness what it means to follow the Creator’s design for human flourishing. Fitch, Mike, and Preston explore why: Israel’s exile to Babylon profoundly shaped the political identity of God’s people—and still does today. Christians should see themselves as foreigners in the country where they live. The gospel of Jesus’ kingdom was politically subversive. The church today should view its political identity as fundamentally separate from the empire. Total allegiance to a political party dilutes the church’s witness. Discover a more biblical, powerful way to live in a secular world. Discover what it means to live in exile.Get your copy of Exiles: https://www.prestonsprinkle.com/books/exiles