Imaginatively Missional
What if we’ve misunderstood one of Jesus’ most familiar commands? In this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, a simple but unsettling shift is explored: not “make disciples,” but disciple as you are going. Drawing from a recent conversation between Dr. Tony Blair and Michael, Andrew and Michael reflect on how a closer reading of the Great …
In this episode of the Ephesiology podcast, Andrew, Michael, and Matt are visited again by Mark Thiessen Nation, exploring the profound impact of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life and writings on contemporary Christianity. In this episode, our hosts talk to Mark about the dangers of nationalism within the church. They discuss the importance of robust discipleship, the …
Continue reading "Episode 215: Bonhoeffer and Nationalism with Mark Thiessen Nation"
As Advent moves us toward Christmas, we find ourselves immersed in familiar rhythms: carols, candles, nativity scenes, and Scripture readings proclaiming “unto us a child is born.” It's a season of joyful worship and remembrance. But it’s also an invitation. It’s a summons to reorient our lives and communities around the one at the center …
In this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew Johnson, Michael, and Matt Till engage with Dr. Steve Bezner, exploring the implications of Bonhoeffer's theology for contemporary church leadership. They discuss the importance of maintaining a distinct Christian identity in a politically charged environment, the role of pastors in shepherding their congregations, and the need for …
Continue reading "Episode 214: Bonhoeffer the Pastor with Steve Bezner"
In this episode of the Ephesiology podcast, Andrew, Matt, and Michael welcome Watson Jones III, an executive pastor in Chicago, to discuss the current climate of shepherding in the city. They explore the challenges faced by the church in light of social issues, the historical context of the church's role in society, and the shifts …
Continue reading "Episode 213: Ministering in Chicago with Watson Jones III"
In this episode of the Ephesiology podcast, Andrew, Michael, and Matt engage with Dr. Wes Watkins to explore the dynamics of church movements, the importance of understanding movements in a contemporary context, and the integration of Motus Dei with Missio Dei. They discuss the characteristics of movements, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the …
Continue reading "Episode 212: Reactivating the Church as Movement"
In this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, Dr. Ralph Korner discusses the concept of ekklesia, its historical context, and its implications for the modern church. He emphasizes the importance of community, social justice, and the church's role in society, arguing against a separatist mentality and advocating for active engagement with the world. The conversation explores …
Continue reading "Episode 211: Rethinking Ekklesia with Dr. Ralph Korner"
In this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew, Matt, and Michael engage in a deep conversation with Mark Thiessen Nation about the life and works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. They explore Bonhoeffer's stance on pacifism, the influence of Eberhard Bethge, and the misrepresentation of Bonhoeffer in popular media. The discussion delves into the complexities of Bonhoeffer's …
Continue reading "Episode 210: Unpacking Bonhoeffer’s Legacy with Mark Thiessen Nation"
The decision to cease USAID funding has sparked concerns regarding the future of global development efforts particularly in regions heavily reliant on foreign assistance. While the immediate consequences of this policy shift are significant, this moment presents an opportunity to reevaluate traditional aid models and embrace more sustainable, locally led approaches. A church-driven, asset-based model …
In April 2024, our television and mobile screens were filled with images of long-range ballistics glowing in the night sky over Jerusalem. A barrage of missiles had been launched directly by Iran from hundreds of miles away into Israel. In the tense moments where we waited for spectacular images of destruction across a land considered …
On this Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew and Michael delve into the foundational importance of Christology within the context of innovative disruption. Emphasizing a return to understanding who Jesus is and how He defines Himself, they explore the implications of Christological clarity for mission and ecclesiology. Drawing from biblical texts and theological reflection, they discuss how a …
Continue reading "Episode 173: The Christology of our Mission"
On January 6th while the 117th Congress gathered to certify the 2020 election, an individual who identifies himself as Crazy Cripple filmed a group marching on the street toward the US Capitol. At about the 2 minute mark in the video, the group stops to pray. Ahead of the prayer, someone announces, “If you’re on …
On this week's podcast, hear what Matt Till is doing at Restoration Church. It isn't perfect, but they are seeing a community committed to prayer, Scripture, fellowship, worship, and missions. Join our podcasters to learn more about Restoration Church. To comment on this episode and future episodes, be sure to login. Find Us On: Search "Ephesiology" on …
In our continuing study of a New Testament movement, we ask the question, "What did the movement look like?" Join our podcasters as they explore the anatomy of the movement in Ephesus and its impact on the Roman province of Asia. Interested in more? Check out the Movement Maturity Matrix. To comment on this episode …
I am a millennial. As a member of that often-criticized generation, I have heard pretty much all of the negatives that people have thrown around, but the one that has hit the hardest is this: millennials are leaving the church because it is not exciting enough. This was something I first heard in a sermon …
"We are perfectly designed to achieve what we are seeing." Join us as we explore this profound statement in our interview with Alan Hirsch. Alan is one of the leading movement thinkers who believes that our movement rhetoric is beginning to see fruit. Among our topics: rediscovering the apostle, prophet, and evangelist; paradigm shifts; identifying …
If you’re on social media for any length of time, you inevitably come across a Christian marketing expert promising that he can help your church grow by using Facebook ads, websites with “plan your visit” buttons, canned sermon outlines, strategies to make your church lobby attractive, and more. Alongside of marketing, there are others who …
Are buildings, butts in seats, and bucks the measure of success for the church today? What about transformation of lives resulting in cultural impact? Join us as we continue our conversation on the state of the church in America. Keelan Cook joins our podcast to help us think through the shift needed for gospel impact. …
Continue reading "Ep 29: The State of the Church in America – Part 2"
Defining "disciple" and "discipleship" presents interesting issues in contemporary Christianity. Join our podcasters as they look at the New Testament understanding of what it means to be a disciple. Their study of the early Christian movements highlights several key characteristics for what it means to be a follower of Christ. To comment on this episode …
Continue reading "Ep 28: Maturing Disciples in a Movement, Part 1"
The growth of the church will rise and fall on leadership and having the right team will position the church for continued growth. Join us in the riveting episode when our podcasters unpack the roles of apostles, prophets, evangelists, and shepherd-teachers. Leadership in the church in Ephesus adopted forms from the culture that contributed to …
Join us for our next episode where we introduce the first of a multi-part series on leadership. Our podcasters are wrestling with the type of leadership that propelled the church on God's mission of more people following Jesus. In this episode, we begin to look at Paul's leadership. Was he a strategist? A lone ranger? …
We so thoroughly enjoyed our interview with Dave in our last episode that we had to continue talking about issues he is helping us wrestle through. Join us for a continued discussion on strategies, Paul, and church planting movements. To comment on this episode and future episodes, be sure to login. Find Us On: Search …
We are excited to have Dave as our guest on this week's podcast. As a cross-cultural worker in Chad, Dave brings some perspective that will help the Western church think about what it means to sacrifice in the midst of challenging ministry situations. To comment on this episode and future episodes, be sure to login. …
For decades, church planting has been touted as one of the most effective strategies to reach the lost. However, our podcasters are asking, "Is CPM a strategy or a result?" Join us as we search for the biblical command to church plant and re-orient our focus on Jesus as the head of the church. To …
The early Christian movement was uniquely diverse, but not without its problems. Join our podcasters and special guest Pastor Devlin Scott as they unpack Ephesians 2 and its implication for ministry today. To comment on this episode and future episodes, be sure to login. Discussion Forum Find Us On: Search "Ephesiology" on your preferred podcast …
Continue reading "Ep 21: The Movement and Ethnic Diversity, Part 2"
The early Christian movement was uniquely diverse, but not without its problems. Join our podcasters and special guest Pastor Devlin Scott as they unpack Ephesians 2 and its implication for ministry today. To comment on this episode and future episodes, be sure to login. Discussion Forum Find Us On: Search "Ephesiology" on your preferred podcast …
What is God's will? In this episode, our podcasters attempt to tackle one of the most important questions in the Christian life. Join them as they look at Ephesians chapter 1 and discuss this essential question. To comment on this episode and future episodes, be sure to login. Discussion Forum Find Us On: Search "Ephesiology" …
What is the church? This is the third installment of a three part series that explores ecclesiology. Join Matt, Andrew, and Michael in a discussion on how Ephesiology impacts our thinking about the church. Search "Ephesiology" on your preferred podcast app.
What is the church? This is the second installment of a three part series that explores ecclesiology. Join Matt, Andrew, and Michael in a discussion on how Ephesiology impacts our thinking about the church. Search "Ephesiology" on your preferred podcast app.
What is the church? This is the first of a three part series that explores ecclesiology. Join Matt, Andrew, and Michael in a discussion on how Ephesiology impacts our thinking about the church. Search "Ephesiology" on your preferred podcast app.
We are gearing up for more Ephesiology podcasts. Join us beginning later in August as we pick up our discussion on the New Testament movement in Ephesus. Find us on: Search "Ephesiology" on your preferred podcast app.
It is hard to believe that we have recorded 13 episodes. We trust that you have enjoyed our banter as we study the New Testament movement in Ephesus. As we head into the summer, our podcasters are going to take a much needed break. So, this is a great time to catch up on earlier …
Who is God? Join our podcasters as they discuss God's missionary nature and how He relentlessly pursues a relationship with people. This compelling view of God, a view that is theocentric as it understands that God is glorified most when more people worship him, is what our podcasters are calling "missiological theism." To comment on …
How did the early church connect God's story with the story of culture? This weeks podcast unpacks what is meant by missiological theology. The early writers, especially Paul and John, uniquely and brilliantly told the story of God in such a way that it connected with the story of people. This is one of the …
We are just at the beginning of wrestling through a New Testament movement and reflecting on the difference it can make where we live, work, and play. Join us for this special edition of the Ephesiology podcast as Andrew and Matt begin to unpack how Ephesiology is impacting how they think and act in their …
Many are asking the questions about the meaning of discipleship and what a disciple looks like. Instead, our podcasters are asking "What would a theocentric movement look like?" That is, what would it look like if we were completely focused on God? Join our next episode for an insightful discussion. To comment on this episode …
How does a church planting movement begin? Join us as we discuss the first step in launching a movement. Through a study of the Apostle Paul and his missionary effort in Athens, our podcasters will unpack what they call missiological exegesis. This first step toward a movement begins by understanding the people, their belief systems, …
Join us as we engage in a community dialogue about a church planting movement in the New Testament. This is the first of a multi-part series on launching a movement. Our first episode in this series addresses the importance of the theme of God's missionary activity and its impact on understanding Scripture. To comment on …
Join us as we engage in a community dialogue about a church planting movement in the New Testament. This is part three of a series addressing what many are calling the “legacy church.” In this episode, our podcasters drill down on diagnostic questions for the legacy church and unpack the concept of being disciples. To comment …
Continue reading "Ep 7: The Legacy Church and Movement Making, Part 3"
Palm Sunday is also regarded as the “triumphal entry” because the King had arrived in Jerusalem. But was it the way he was received worship, or something masquerading as it? To comment on this episode and future episodes, be sure to login. Discussion Forum Find us on: Search "Ephesiology" on your preferred podcast app.
Critics of CPM say that advocates practice eisegesis; they read into the biblical text something that is not there. Learn about this and more as we discuss the evidence for a church planting movement in the Book of Acts. To comment on this episode and future episodes, be sure to login. Discussion Forum Find us …
Join us as we begin to delve into understanding the idea of "movement." This episode is sure to raise your curiosity about whether or not a movement can actually occur in North America and Western Europe. We see it in the New Testament and we see it around the world. Can it happen in the …
Join us for this interesting discussion on the characteristics of a legacy church and of a church planting movement. What differentiates the two and what needs to happen to see a legacy church take on the identity of a movement? These and other topics are the focus on the second part of our three part …
Continue reading "Ep 3: The Legacy Church and Movement Making, Part 2"
Join us as we engage in a community dialogue about a church planting movement in the New Testament. This is the first episode of a three part series addressing what many are calling the "legacy church." Some use it pejoratively while others use it in recognition of the church's historic significance. This is a topic that …
Continue reading "Ep 2: The Legacy Church and Movement Making, Part 1"
Join us as we engage in a community dialogue about a church planting movement in the New Testament. This episode introduces our podcasters and the topic they will address over the next several weeks. It is sure to challenge how we think about movements in the New Testament. To comment on this episode and future …
Continue reading "Ep 1: Introducing the Ephesiology Podcast"
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