Imaginatively Missional
On this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew, Matt, and Michael discuss a recent survey revealing that the majority of US pastors believe people in their congregations lack commitment. At the core of the survey is the gap between the pulpit and the pew. It's reminiscent of the classic story of the monkey and the …
Continue reading "Ep 117: The Pessimistic Perception of Pastoral Ministry"
On this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew and Michael are joined by Greg Henson, president of Kairos University to discuss the seminary's role in stewarding followers of Jesus in theological education. Kairos University's unique collaborative innovation focuses on theological education that is affordable, accessible, relevant, and faithful. Its watchword is easily summarized as discipling …
Continue reading "Ep 116: Stewarding Followers of Jesus in Theological Education"
On this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew, Matt, and Michael are joined by Dr. Scott Manor, president of Knox Theological Seminary to discuss theological education and the church. Accessibility is one of the major issues confronting seminaries around the country. Innovative seminaries are stepping away from the traditional campus model and taking seminary to …
Continue reading "Ep 115: Theological Education for the Church"
I recently met with the Vice President of Church Planting Strategy from a well respected church planting organization in the United States to talk about new metrics for church planting. During the course of our conversation, he referenced the Great Opportunity study conducted by Pinetops Foundation in 2018. The study indicated the need to double or triple …
On this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, we begin a multi-part series on theological education. In part one, we focus in on church planters and theological education. While enrollment in theological education is at an all-time high, according to the Association of Theological Schools, the question remains whether or not seminary is still relevant. We …
Continue reading "Ep 114: Church Planters and Theological Education"
There are many cultural myths about Jesus; ways in which people have come to describe Him that arise from particular traditions. Often they are not matters of right or wrong, but rather expressions which have helped people relate to Jesus from their unique backgrounds. For example, in our sensitivity to race and ethnicity, when we …
On this Ephesiology Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Dietrich Schindler who has been church planting in Europe for more than three decades. Dr. Schindler shares about his work and writings as they relate to the spread of the gospel through church planting across the continent. In his recent book, Shift: The Road to Level …
On this Ephesiology Podcast, we take some time to talk with Alan Hirsch and Mike Frost about the revised and updated edition of ReJesus: Remaking the Church in Our Founder's Image. Alan comments, "If you don't get Jesus right, you only make bad religion bad." Michael and Alan share various flaws in our thinking about …
On this special edition of the Ephesiology Podcast, Michael speaks with Ruslan Khmyz, president of Kyiv Theological Seminary about what is happening in Ukraine. He shares the story of how he and his family were stirred by God to leave Kyiv just as the bomb and missiles were hitting targets in the city. You'll hear …
Continue reading "Ep 111: A Conversation with the President of Kyiv Theological Seminary"
Has Power Corrupted Our Witness? On this Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew and Matt discuss insights and cultural implications from David Brooks' (New York Times) opinion article "The Dissenters Trying to Save Evangelicalism from Itself." Find us on your favorite podcast app. Just search "Ephesiology." Partner with Ephesiology If you've benefited from the Ephesiology Podcast, would you consider …
Ever since C. Peter Wagner declared church planting as the greatest strategy for the spread the gospel around the world (1990), church planters have taken up the banner of what is no doubt one of the most obvious results of making disciples in the book of Acts. Indeed, Tim Keller writes, “The continual planting of …
Continue reading "Reflections on the State of Church Planting in the US"
In this week’s episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, we’re talking for a 3rd installment with Brad Watson about what the church in Los Angeles looks like these days. How have they discipled and pursued the mission of God through the COVID era? How has evangelism pushed forward? What was the greatest wake-up call to Angelenos …
On this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew, Matt, and Michael look back to episode 69 and our discussion of what to expect in 2021. Will 2022 be different? Or should we expect more of the same? Don't miss this podcast as we give special attention to unity in diversity and the mission of the …
Peyton Jones joins us on this Ephesiology Podcast to talk about his latest book, Church Plantology: The Art and Science of Church Planting. We talk about church starting versus church planting as well as current trends focusing on marketing the church. No discussion about church planting is incomplete without a conversation about APEST. Peyton dives …
Continue reading "Ep 107: The Art and Science of Planting Churches"
We are joined on this Ephesiology Podcast by Kathy Richard Bhatia, co-editor of the Ephesiology book Social Injustice, Volume II: Evangelical Voices in Tumultuous Times. Having been born in Baghdad and raised in the Middle East, Kathy brings a unique background to talk about issues of justice. This present volume is a 10-year anniversary bringing …
Continue reading "Ep 106: Evangelical Voices in Tumultuous Times"
On this Ephesiology Podcast, we continue our conversation about the widely popular Rise and Fall of Mars Hill with some reflections on the Young, Restless, and Reformed (YRR). Join Andrew, Matt, and Michael as they react to the podcast and the impact of YRR on contemporary evangelicalism. Andrew and Matt share how they were personally …
Continue reading "Ep 105: The Young, Restless, and Reformed"
The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill has been one of this year's most popular podcast series. On this Ephesiology Podcast, we begin to unpack the issues in light of an Ephesiological framework for a New Testament movement. Andrew and Matt lead the discussion from places of personal experience with leaders who have abused their authority in ministry. Don't miss this longer than usual episode of the Ephesiology Podcast.
On this Ephesiology Podcast, we're talking about Christmas past, present, and future. What are the things we long for in our Christmas pasts? What do we look forward to this Christmas? And what is our hope for Christmas futures? Join our podcasters for our Christmas special as we reflect on the most miraculous of miracles …
On this Ephesiology Podcast, we are very grateful for how God has used Ephesiology as a resource for the global church. Our podcasters reflect on the growth of the podcast audience as well as that of Ephesiology Master Classes. We're so thankful for you and hopeful that Ephesiology is contributing in a small way to …
On this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, we interview Dr. Randy Newman about his new book Mere Evangelism: 10 Insights from C.S. Lewis to Help You Share Your Faith. Dr. Newman walks us through Lewis' ideas of engaging our culture with the gospel. We talk about pre-evangelism which paves the way for evangelism. Randy suggests Lewis was a wonderful model of this pattern in his radio program and fiction writing.
This week on the Ephesiology Podcast Andrew, Matt, and Michael discuss the interesting topic of a biblical worldview. With more than 8,000 denominations and so many different expressions of Christianity, our podcasters rightly ask the question, "Who determines what a biblical worldview looks like?" To get there, they discuss a definition of worldview and consider …
This week on the Ephesiology Podcast we talk about what unites us. Andrew, Matt, and Michael are joined by Father Matt as they discuss the development of early church creeds, church history, and the remarkable unity of the church in her first three hundred years. Such unity strove to preserve the apostolic tradition that had …
On this Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew and Michael discuss the recent Barna study on the American Worldview. The shocking, but not altogether surprising, data revealed that only 6 percent of Americans hold an identifiable "biblical" worldview. Our podcasters talk about the survey as well as correlating factors that have impacted this phenomenon. In the end, to …
On this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, we interview Dr. Randy Newman about his new book Mere Evangelism: 10 Insights from C.S. Lewis to Help You Share Your Faith. Dr. Newman walks us through Lewis' ideas of engaging our culture with the gospel. We talk about pre-evangelism which paves the way for evangelism. Randy suggests Lewis was a wonderful model of this pattern in his radio program and fiction writing.
Over the past 10 years, social media use has exploded and provided people with platforms to voice their thoughts and ideas, even criticisms of the thoughts and ideas of others. How do we navigate such criticism? Or differentiate criticism from critique? On this Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew, Matt, and Michael talk about the need for us …
We continue in our series After Evangelicalism, What? with the provocative topic of church planting. Starting new churches has long been considered one of the most strategic methods of evangelism. However, with more churches closing than starting in 2019, we rightly reconsider its strategic nature. Should we plant a church where the church is already …
Continue reading "Ep 95: Church Planting Where the Church is Planted?"
In this Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew, Matt, and Michael begin a conversation about what might come after evangelicalism. Many have been disenchanted by a distorted form of evangelicalism in the United States. The inclination toward nationalism, moral failures of high profile pastors, power struggles in prominent churches have led some evangelicals to reconsider their allegiance to …
In this Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew, Matt, and Michael share what they are looking forward to as they begin moving from the New Testament movement in Ephesus to the first and second century church. After emerging from one of the most polemical years in recent memory, our podcasters cast a hopeful tone for a future that …
One only needs to consult an online job board to observe the vast number of staff openings in churches across the United States. As do others, I receive regular requests from headhunters for recommendations of people to fill this or that ministry position. However, a question has been raised, at least in my mind, regarding …
Continue reading "The Solution to Your Church Staffing Needs"
During my doctoral studies in the early 2000s, Paul Hiebert shared a story that I have never forgotten. Dr. Hiebert was a master at using illustrations and case studies to highlight essential missiological principles. His years of experience in India and as a world renowned missiological anthropologist made those attending his classes sit on the edge of …
Looking for a loophole, (the religious scholar) asked, “And just how would you define ‘my COVID neighbor’?” (Luke 10:29ish). Join us on this Ephesiology Podcast, as Andrew and Mattas look into God’s call to love our neighbors faithfully through this crazy season we still find ourselves in. To comment on this episode and future episodes, be …
On this Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew and Matt team up to tackle the complicated notion that America is a Christian country. In light of the Capitol insurrection, we ask, "Is the myth of a Christian America preventing us from embracing God’s actual desire for his church?" Join Matt and Andrew as they wonder a better way forward. …
The events in Washington D.C. last Wednesday were troubling and tragic. The political, economic, and societal turmoil in the United States continue to find new expressions in 2021. While we all have high hopes for the new year, the reality of Wednesday's shocking display of utter disregard for the democrat process makes us wonder if …
Continue reading "Ep 70: Crisis at the Capitol, Crisis in the Church"
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 …
It's a new year and many optimistically look to a 2021 that will be markedly different from what we experienced in 2020. The reality is, the change of the calendar does not necessarily mean that all is better. In this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, Matt shares some insights into what he expects in 2021. …
Contemporary church leadership tends to model itself after various social structures of leadership whether in business or politics. The DNA of the New Testament church looked altogether different as Jesus instituted a leadership style that was counter-cultural and unique for His church. Join Matt, Andrew, and Michael as they continue to discuss the non-hierarchical leadership …
Continue reading "Ep 68: The Non-Hierarchical Leadership of the New Testament Church"
The Christian movement in Asia Minor is a wonderful example of a group of churches and APEST leaders who took doctrine and morality seriously. Writing to a few of these churches in Ephesus less than four decades after Paul's initial engagement of people in the city began (Acts 19), Jesus applauded them for the good …
For all of us, 2020 has been a challenging year. In spite of the reality of the global pandemic, a contentious election cycle, and intense racial outcries, we can still genuinely celebrate the hope of Jesus who brought good news that is for all people. In this episode of the Ephesiology Podcast, join Matt, Andrew, …
On this third Sunday of Advent, our family gathered together in the living room for a devoted time of prayer, scripture reading, and the Lord’s supper — just as we have done every Sunday since the pandemic began in March of 2020. This week we read from Luke 2, specifically the story of the shepherds …
Continue reading "Good News for All People: The Three ‘Advents’ of 2020"
Leadership is one of the most important issues confronting the church today. In this podcast, Andrew, Matt, and Michael address the distinction between hierarchical and flat leadership. A discussion originating with a recent blog on the topic, Michael focuses attention on how the Trinity is a model for the body of Christ and how Jesus …
Continue reading "Ep 66: The Dark Side of Hierarchical Leadership"
It seems to be a regular occurrence these days. Another evangelical pastor falls into moral failure. Carl Lentz is the latest causality. The celebrity pastor of Hillsong Church’s New York City branch is a further example of the dark side of hierarchical leadership where a pastor-centric ecclesiology places a charismatic person as the lead of …
I am absolutely convinced that there has never been a genuine missional movement—the kind that has both exponential growth as well as transformational impact across a wide domain—that does not have APEST ministry. APEST, which stands for Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd and Teacher, comes from Ephesians 4, and I strongly believe movements need all five …
I am absolutely convinced that there has never been a genuine missional movement—the kind that has both exponential growth as well as transformational impact across a wide domain—that does not have APEST ministry. APEST, which stands for Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd and Teacher, comes from Ephesians 4, and I strongly believe movements need all five …
On this week's Ephesiology Podcast, Michael talks with Jeff Christopherson about his upcoming course on Church Planting. Jeff brings years of experience and wisdom from his career as a serial church planter. The course, based on his book Kingdom Matrix, focuses on equipping church planters in fundamentals based upon Kingdom concepts. Jeff explains that church …
I am absolutely convinced that there has never been a genuine missional movement—the kind that has both exponential growth as well as transformational impact across a wide domain—that does not have APEST ministry. APEST, which stands for Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd and Teacher, comes from Ephesians 4, and I strongly believe movements need all five …
I am absolutely convinced that there has never been a genuine missional movement—the kind that has both exponential growth as well as transformational impact across a wide domain—that does not have APEST ministry. APEST, which stands for Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd and Teacher, comes from Ephesians 4, and I strongly believe movements need all five …
I am absolutely convinced that there has never been a genuine missional movement—the kind that has both exponential growth as well as transformational impact across a wide domain—that does not have APEST ministry. APEST, which stands for Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd and Teacher, comes from Ephesians 4, and I strongly believe movements need all five …
On this week's Ephesiology Podcast, Michael talks with Kathryn Richards Bhatia, assistant professor of social justice in our Master of Arts Missiology of Movement degree, about ministry to the exploited and marginalized. As one of the three markers of the early church, social justice is a vital ministry that emulates the life of first century …
Jesus was often counter-cultural. He upset a lot of people because He would frequently break the status quo and do the will of His Father (Matthew 12:50) instead of “following the rules” society had established. On the heels of the vice presidential debate and the “super spreading” event that caused the hospitalization of the president …
Years ago when I was a student involved in Cru at Texas A&M, a single photocopied sheet circulated among students allegedly originating from Dr. Bill Bright. As I recall the story, Dr. Bright had been studying John and Charles Wesley’s Holy Club that had formed on the campus of Oxford in 1729. The club composed …
This week’s podcast dials in on Christianity’s relationship to governments as Andrew and Michael explore a subject appropriate for Christians around the world. Based on a lecture from an Ephesiology Master Class, The Church in Times of Crisis, Michael unpacks four areas in the New Testament where we learn about this important topic: Jesus, Acts …
Today on the Ephesiology Podcast, Andrew and Michael catch up with Brad Watson from Soma. In June, Andrew, Michael, and Brad talked about the impact of the pandemic on Soma's work in LA County. The extreme lockdown had produced positive results as they reached their community with the gospel. It's been four months and we …
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