Surveys show that Christian worship services can be boring, irrelevant, and hypocritical today – and many people are dropping out. But original Christianity was the most rewarding adventure a person could have. So the bi-weekly Saving Christianity podcast tells why the original Christians had such peace, healing, and hope, and how we can have those same wonderful traits today.
The story of Jane Albright, the historic basketball coach. Voted "Coach of the Year" twice; USA Gold Medal team; "Heart of a Coach" and "Integrity in Coaching" awards for Christian coaching. Stricken with an aneurysm during an awards banquet and given a 5% chance of survival – God healed her instantly.
The story of "Mickie's" Spiritual search for peace and how she found it. Her trek into the Spirit-filled Christian life included surviving a plane crash in a hurricane, and being attacked by a madman in a grocery store. With tenderness and sincerity, she explains her miracles and her final enlightenment.
The story of "Major Tom," a pilot in Vietnam. He flew combat for two years and earned 29 medals – while the average pilot only lasted for 16 minutes. This is the story of how Tom survived, and returned to Vietnam as a missionary to people he once tried to kill.
An exposé of our most cherished Christian principle: That we have inner spirits that go to heaven when we die. Rare evidence that our spirits exist, with little-known facts from the Bible and today's newspapers about spirits who went to heaven and returned to tell it. A very different episode.
A follow-on to Episode 31, this episode continues discussing the unusual Spirit-guided supernatural worship that the Early Christians experienced – and that today's Christians should experience too. John and Owen discuss this issue boldly, and give examples from Early Christian writing and Christian writing today. This episode should not be missed.
John and Owen unravel a huge mystery: Why don't today's worship services make Christians more Spiritual ? Most Christians attend church at least several times a year. Yet Gallup polls reveal that today's average Christian is no more Spiritual than a non-Christian. This episode tells why, and what Christians should do.
A follow-on to Episode 29, this episode continues discussing the unusual small group structure that the original Christians used. It covers the six parts of a small group and the three types of small groups. It also covers the unique principles of Like-Mindedness, Participation, and Contribution in small group worship.
A ground-breaking episode on the small group structure that Early Christians used the first three centuries of history. John and Owen call it the "Lost Key," since Christians don't use it today. But the "Key" unlocks Spiritual growth for Christians – so it's vital for Christians to understand and use it.
As a follow-on episode to Episode 26, this episode continues the discussion of the supernatural gifts of the Spirit that all Christians should be expressing, and gives more details on when, where, how, and why all Christians be should expressing the Gifts of the Spirit to help themselves and others.
Co-hosts John Shields and wife Kit, and Owen Allen and wife Joanna, tell true miracle stories of things that happened to them or Christians they know. Stories include: Surviving the worst plane crash in history; a car that ran without gas; and a hospital room in which two angels lived.
A humorous but serious discussion of the amazing, miraculous, supernatural abilities called the "Gifts of the Spirit." A clear explanation of why every Christian should be expressing the gifts in daily life, since all Christians are indwelled by the Holy Spirit and have the Gifts of the Spirit within themselves.
Part Two of an unusual discussion on the most important, necessary power in any Christian's life: "The Fruit of the Spirit." This episode builds on Part One, with personal experiences and memories by Owen and John. A unique explanation. (Episode 24 is Part One of "The Fruit of the Spirit.")
A serious but humorous discussion of the most important and necessary power in any Christian's life – "The Fruit of the Spirit." This unique episode tells what the "fruit" is, and how it works, and why it's necessary. A desperately needed episode. (This is Part One. Episode 25 is Part Two.)
John 7:38 is one of Owen Allen's favorite verses. It's where Jesus promises "Rivers of Living Water" to all Christians. But what are those "Rivers"? Why did they flow for the first time the day Christianity was founded? How can every Christian experience them? This episode answers all those questions.
This episode continues John's summary of the amazing transformation in people when they become Christians. John talks in-depth about the power of the Holy Spirit and specifically what the Spirit does for Christians. What is "Spiritual power"? (This is episode answers that question. Episode 20 is "The Change, Part One.")
The story of Peter, the most misunderstood apostle. Tells how his brother introduced him to Jesus, how Jesus named him "Peter" and moved into his house to perform miracles. Tells why Peter was crucified upside down at a racetrack, and why tourists today walk over his grave without knowing it.
This episode summarizes the amazing transformation that happens to everyone who becomes a Christian. It describes the five-part change that happens to Christians, and explains the "Great Journey" on earth that we call "Christianity" and the "Good News." (This Episode is Part One. Episode 22 is "The Change, Part Two.")
The incredible story of Paul, possibly the most Spiritual apostle. Reveals the source of his Spiritual power, and how a rabbi named "Saul" from Turkey became the apostle Paul. Tells how he escaped the Great Fire of Rome, and how he was beheaded in a meadow beside an Italian road.
What is happiness? How many people have it? Where does it come from? How do we keep it? This episode gives the facts about this elusive emotion. It reveals the role that happiness plays in the lives of Christians and non-Christians, and reveals why so few people ever find it.
What is a "mature" Christian? What are the benefits of "maturity"? What role does the "Fruit of the Spirit" play? Why do some Christians grow, while others don't? What's the best "model" for growth – and are Christians using that model today? This episode answers these vitally important questions and more.
A fascinating probe by Shields and Allen, co-hosts of the podcast, into the controversial subject of "Spirit-filling." Spirit-filling is one of the most important Christian experiences. But what is it? How does it happen? Why don't more Christians experience it? The co-hosts offer answers to all these questions and more.
A hard-hitting, truth-telling episode on Spiritual growth. Includes First Century principles that few (if any) other books, radio and TV shows, or podcasts offer. The episode opens the door to rapid Spiritual growth for Christians with specific instructions for how to be Spirit-filled, and for how Christians know they're Spirit-filled.
A conversation between Shields, Wolfe, and Allen, the producers of the "Saving Christianity" podcast. The three admit the consequences of living as infant Christians with true stories that are humorous, tragic, and surprising. They confess their own struggles with Spiritual immaturity, and they reveal the true solution to the crisis.
This episode is an honest exposé of the unique Spiritual event that changes a person into an infant Christian. It describes how infant Christians are created, and what happens to them afterwards. The show reveals what motivates infant Christians, and reveals a decision that every infant Christian needs to make.
An interview of John Shields, co-founder of the "Saving Christianity" podcast, by Shannon Wolfe, the podcast's producer. Shannon questions John in a direct way about growing up on a Virginia tobacco farm – how becoming a Christian changed his life – how he became a pastor – and why he co-founded this podcast.
An interview of Owen Allen, co-founder of the "Saving Christianity" podcast, by Shannon Wolfe, the podcast's producer. Shannon probes Owen's life with vigor, asking questions about how Owen grew up in Florida – the miracles in his life – why he wrote the book, Saving Christianity – and why he co-founded this podcast.
An introduction to Christian Family Online's unique series of Motivational Diagrams. This episode describes the "Three Circles" Spiritual Growth flowcharts in the book Saving Christianity – and provides a mental image for listeners to visualize their Spiritual growth. These unusual diagrams are not available in any other podcast, book, or video.
The convention that met in San Francisco to discover why there's so much trouble in the world. The definition of a "natural" person, and the truth about human nature. Where fear and hate come from – and the biggest challenge that people face, with one decision that every person must make.
The details for "getting back to the basics" of Christianity, and for living the kind of supernatural life that the Early Christians lived. The three ground rules for living the "Early Christian Lifestyle" – and the biggest mistake Christian teachers make today, with the five words that many Christians can't define.
Star of radio and TV, Manwell Grady, discusses Spiritual experiences with Owen and John. The three are honest about their successes and failures in today's hostile society – but tell how today's Christians can live the "Early Christian Lifestyle" that the original Christians lived, with the same peace, love, and miracles.
A comparison of two Organizational Designs: One that promotes Spiritual growth, and one that suppresses it. The suppressive design is dominant today and came from Emperor Constantine. Thus, today's Christians have the "wrong ancestors." Their worship services came from Constantine – not Early Christianity. Happily, this episode gives the surprising solution.
This episode describes the damage the Emperor Constantine did to Christianity. He built the first "churches," and designed them like courthouses to intimidate worshipers. He named "Sun Day," appointed royal "priests" to supervise worshipers, and much more. These actions founded Institutional Christianity, and are the root of today's Christian crisis.
This episode reveals the source of today's Christian crisis. It's the story of Constantine, the murderous Fourth Century dictator who ended the miraculous original Christian lifestyle. He's the creator of the formal, ritualistic, unspiritual, worship programs that Christians have today. This episode is unique, with many new and shocking facts.
Christianity is in a crisis today. Millions are dropping out, hundreds of churches are closing, thousands of pastors leaving. The average Christian is now no more Spiritual than a non-Christian – the opposite of how it should be. This episode explains why this is happening and what to do about it.
A comparison of the original Christian lifestyle with how Christians live today. Reveals the strange name Christians were originally called (it wasn't "Christians"). Tells why the first Christians used the "fish" symbol, and why all Christians can – and should – live with more peace, healing, and hope in today's confusing world.
An introduction to the Early Christian Lifestyle. Tells why other people thought the original Christians were "a new race of humans," and why that fact has been "buried" for 1,700 years. The episode opens a "Time Capsule" that reveals how to live today like an original Christian - with amazing results.
Radio and TV host Manwell Grady interviews the co-hosts of Saving Christianity. He asks about their careers, educations, and families, and asks why they created such a challenging podcast. The interview is blunt and honest about today's Christian crisis, with clear advice for Christians feeling overwhelmed by today's hostile world.