Theology on Mission

Dave and Mike sit down with Michael Gorman to talk about mission, the book of John and his new book, "Abide & Go: Missional Theosis in the Gospel of John." Michael Gorman is the Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology at St. Mary's Seminary and University. He is one of the leading Pauline scholars and has written more books than Mike and Dave have read combined.

Just in time for Christmas, we talk about Advent! ;) Fitch and Moore repurpose the four Sundays in Advent around the themes of God's disruptive and generous presence in this world. As we anticipate Jesus' birth and second coming we wait with hope. Bonus: Fitch grills Mike about his personal life and relational aspirations!

What should church leaders do when caught in the middle of a conflict? Fitch and Moore discuss practices for navigating the conversation regarding human sexuality.

A recent article from The Gospel Coalition observes the "slippery slope" of belief from Progressive to Atheist. Dave and Mike contend that Progressives are just Conservatives--different teams unaware of the Christendom field they are fighting on. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/3-beliefs-progressive-christians-atheists-share/

Is this even a question Christians should be asking? Does it reek of privilege and entitlement? Fitch and Moore discuss if/how Christians should vote in the upcoming election. Fitch does an average Hauerwas impression and examines how our culture means we now "vote for commercials, not people."

Mike sits down with Jonathan "Pastah J" Brooks to talk about his new book "Church Forsaken: Practicing Presence in Neglected Neighborhoods." Pastah J leads Canaan Community Church in West Englewood, Chicago. They discuss the history of Englewood, community development principles, and what the buzzword "presence" actually means.

How should the church engage "elite culture"? Should our books be on the New York Times bestseller list? Our influence wielded in the halls of power? James Davidson Hunter's book "To Change the World" has a unique proposal for engaging "elite culture." Dave and Mike discuss Hunter's proposal and Mike teaches Dave about the 90s evangelical movement "See You At The Pole."

New season! New co-host! Mike Moore joins Dave Fitch to talk about the B-I-B-L-E. How do we appeal to the Bible in midst of conflict? How does a pastor steward their leadership position? And where the heck did Holsclaw go?

When a leader falls, whose fault is it? Is it the leaders character? Is it the institutional pressures? And what can the church learn from it? David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw talk about the huge leadership failings and transitions happening at Willowcreek Community Church, and discuss what it means for leadership in the church at large. And Geoff shares some big news about taking a pastoral position in Grand Rapids, MI (details are here: http://geoffreyholsclaw.net/god-moving-us-grand-rapids/. And here is the PDF of Fitch's chapter on Leadership: http://www.seminary.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Leadership-Ch.-3-Great-Giveaway-pdf.pdf You can get the entire "Great Giveaway" the classic Fitch book, here: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Giveaway-Reclaiming-Organizations-Psychotherapy/dp/080106483X/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480030757&sr=1-4&keywords=David+E+Fitch

Why are we so anxious and depressed? Is it us or is it our culture? David Fitch and Geoff Holsclaw conclude season 3 by talking about the recent celebrity suicides, and what it says about our culture that demand our happiness but still judges us as failures. You can find the House Gathering resource here on our FB page—and please like the page if you haven't already (https://www.facebook.com/TheologyOnMission/posts/2053138735006701) The two articles we talked about were: "Americans are depressed and suicidal because something is wrong with our culture," by Kirsten Powers (https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/06/09/kate-spade-suicide-anthony-bourdain-depression-culture-success-column/687388002/) "Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?" Jean Twenge (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/)