On this episode of The Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew and Michael sit down Dr. Emanuel Prinz—researcher, author, practitioner, professor, and soon-to-be PhD in International Theological Education. With stories of rebel leaders laying down their weapons and whole villages turning to Christ, Emanuel invites us into a world where communal conversion, catalytic leadership, and the slow work of the Spirit defy the Western obsession with speed and numbers. From the Sahara to seminary classrooms, from disciple-making catalysts to theological education, this conversation explores why Jesus is good news in communal cultures—and how He can be in yours too.
Show Notes
Key Topics Covered
- The anatomy of a movement: What distinguishes a catalyst?
- Multi-individual conversion in communal cultures
- How slow, faithful presence becomes a spark for rapid multiplication
- The role of theological education in shaping movements
- Polemical parallels: Jesus as healer, forgiver, liberator—and lover
- How movements start with people, not programs
Key Quotes from the Episode
- “We cannot manufacture a movement. But we can become the kind of person God uses to start one.” – Emanuel Prinz
- “What you’re talking about here is not necessarily a rapid process… but once it happens—because you’re focusing on the key leaders in a community—that’s when you get expansive multiplication.” – Michael T. Cooper
- “I wake up in the morning, and really, I am the Father’s beloved… everything you have highlighted flows out of this.” – Emanuel Prinz
Resources Mentioned
- Follow Dr. Prinz’s blog: www.catalyticleadership.info
- Buy the book: Movement Catalysts: Profile of an Apostolic Leader. https://www.amazon.com/Movement-Catalysts-Profile-apostolic-leader-ebook/dp/B0BHKY4845
- Check out Dr. Prinz’s course: Movement Essentials and Becoming a Catalyst – https://masterclasses.ephesiology.com/courses/movement-catalysts
- Ephesiology Masterclasses – Online courses exploring missiology, theology, and church planting (masterclasses.ephesiology.com)
Connect With Us
- Follow Ephesiology: Website | Twitter | Instagram
- Follow Andrew Johnson @thediscfan.bsky.social
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Our Podcasters
Michael is the missiologist in residence with East West where he focuses on equipping and empowering church leaders in evangelism, discipleship, leadership, and catalyzing church planting movements in the most difficult to reach places on the planet. He is the author of Ephesiology: The Study of the Ephesian Movement as well as many other books and academic articles. He has lectured at universities around the world and serves as affiliate faculty at Kairos University where he facilitates the degree programs in partnership with Ephesiology Master Classes.
Andrew is a proud husband, father and pastor who desires all to know the one true King. He is honored to serve at West Village Church in Victoria, BC. Previously, he’s ministered in Houston, Chicago, Indy, Flagstaff and Tempe in a variety of church contexts. Andrew has a BA in Christian Ministry from Trinity International University and an MA from Phoenix Seminary. He is currently a Doctor of Ministry student at Kairos University and is the co-host of the Ephesiology Podcast. When not at work, he’s an avid disc golfing, vinyl playing, Spider-Man following/collecting fellow. Go Pacers.
Matt Till has woven together roles as pastor, professor, podcaster, and Emmy Award–winning writer and producer. With over 25 years in ministry—including church planting, higher education and administration, and co-hosting the Ephesiology podcast—he has dedicated his life to engaging people and communities with compassion, justice, and inclusion. Today, as Senior Director for Social Justice and Community Engagement at TelosGO, Matt continues that calling. He and his wife are raising three children in South Florida, where he can often be found reading on the beach, sipping Cuban coffee, or savoring lechón asado with yuca con mojo.
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Ephesiology: A Study of the Ephesian Movement
If you want to understand principles for the growth of Christianity in the first century, the place to begin is the city of Ephesus. In this winsome study, Ephesiology offers readers a comprehensive view of the empowering work of the Holy Spirit in the most significant city of the New Testament, and compels us to ask the question: how can we effectively connect Christ to our culture?
“Masterfully handling the book of Ephesians and using its content as a definitive guide, Michael Cooper lays a theologically strong foundation that is both corrective and directive to disciple making movements. The principles he gleans from the book of Ephesians and related texts, help to ensure the on-going multiplication and maturation of a movement. Because these are supra-cultural principles, they are applicable anywhere in the world.”
Marvin J. Newell, Staff Missiologist, Missio Nexus, Author of Crossing Cultures in Scripture
Educating to Shift the Tracks of History
To shift the tracks of history requires leaders who are equipped to critically assess and engage the contours of contemporary culture. As a new initiative in collaboration with the Movement Leaders Collective, Kairos University, and Ephesiology, we deliver just-in-time theological education focused on issues important to you, mxAcademy is designed as the theological and missiological foundation to unlock your potential as a movement leader and catalytic thinker. mxAcademy is a dynamic and innovative educational experience rooted in mDNA.
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