Theology on Mission

Lisa Swartz has written a phenomenal ethnography that explores the interplay of gender and power within American evangelicalism. Swartz surveys the gender narratives at two evangelical seminaries--Southern Seminary and Asbury Seminary. She joins the podcast to talk about Reformed evangelicalism, Genesis 1-3, culture studies and more. Dr. Swartz is assistant professor of sociology at Asbury University. If you want to learn from our team of excellent scholars like Fitch, Greg Boyd, Nijay Gupta, Jeannine Brown, Lyn Cohick, Drew Hart, check us out at www.seminary.edu

Who is one person we are consistently told should be on our show? Andrew Root! Andy joined us to talk about Charles Taylor, parenting, church planting and more. Andrew Root, PhD (Princeton Theological Seminary) is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary. He is most recently the author of four volume Ministry in a Secular Age series. If you want to learn from our team of excellent scholars like Fitch, Greg Boyd, Nijay Gupta, Jeannine Brown, Lyn Cohick, Drew Hart, check us out at www.seminary.edu

If you have listened to Theology on Mission you are well aware that there has been no greater influence on our show than Stanley Hauerwas. In this episode Stanley joins us to talk about the current state of the church in America--politics, abortion, friendship, and evangelicalism. Stanley Hauerwas was a longtime professor at Duke University, serving as the Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke Divinity School. If you want to learn from our team of excellent scholars like Fitch, Greg Boyd, Nijay Gupta, Jeannine Brown, Lyn Cohick, Drew Hart, check us out at www.seminary.edu

Welcome to season eight! Fitch is convinced house gatherings will renew the church. After all...it's biblical! Moore isn't as convinced. If you want to learn from our team of excellent scholars like Fitch, Greg Boyd, Nijay Gupta, Jeannine Brown, Lyn Cohick, Drew Hart, check us out at www.seminary.edu

We are teaming up with V3 and JR Woodward to offer a Masters in Church Planting! You can read more about our partnership here: https://www.seminary.edu/programs/v3andmatm/ We had some challenges with the audio, but the content is still gold! Learn more about V3 cohorts here: https://thev3movement.org/training/

A few months ago Fitch and Moore recorded this episode and forgot about it! In this episode they chat all things church planting and how to gather a people for mission.

Luke Bretherton kindly grace the podcast to discuss the relationship between the church and the world, the place of politics in the Christian life, and gives us a masterful Hauerwas impersonation. Luke Bretherton is Robert E. Cushman Distinguished Professor of Moral and Political Theology and senior fellow of the Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University. Check out Luke's newest book on political theology: Christ and the Common Life: Political Theology and the Case for Democracy.

Behind the podcast the book Fitch and Mike have talked about the most this year is Jonathan Tran's "Asian Americans and the Spirit of Racial Capitalism." In this episode (part one) Dr. Tran discusses the contemporary state of anti-racism, the racialized underpinnings of our political economy, and the station of the church in our discourse and practices. Jonathan Tran is the Associate Professor of Philosophical Theology and George W. Baines Chair of Religion at Baylor University. We are delighted that Dr. Tran will be teaching in our new doctoral program. If you want to learn from him and other scholars like Fitch, Greg Boyd, Nijay Gupta, Jeannine Brown, Lyn Cohick, Drew Hart, check us out at www.seminary.edu

Behind the podcast the book Fitch and Mike have talked about the most this year is Jonathan Tran's "Asian Americans and the Spirit of Racial Capitalism." In this episode (part one) Dr. Tran discusses the contemporary state of anti-racism, the racialized underpinnings of our political economy, and the station of the church in our discourse and practices. Jonathan Tran is the Associate Professor of Philosophical Theology and George W. Baines Chair of Religion at Baylor University. We are delighted that Dr. Tran will be teaching in our new doctoral program. If you want to learn from him and other scholars like Fitch, Greg Boyd, Nijay Gupta, Jeannine Brown, Lyn Cohick, Drew Hart, check us out at www.seminary.edu

Mike published an article in Christian Today detailing an emerging group, the 'Umms'. Unlike “Nones” and “Dones,” many church-adjacent Christians want to return to a local body—but they feel stuck. Building off the biblical metaphor of home, Fitch and Moore discuss a new social architecture for the church. https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/march-web-only/church-statistics-return-in-person-nones-dones-umms.html

In Christendom, where the culture largely supports Christian life and values, the church's role with children is to teach and reinforce doctrine. In post Christendom we will not be able to disciple our children if the adults/parents do not have a vibrant life with God in Christ. Fitch and Moore take on this topic in the most recent episode. Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission, or Doctorate in Contextual Theology alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, Lynn Cohick and visiting professors like Greg Boyd, Drew Hart, Michael Gorman and more.

What difference does Jesus, Lord of the world, Ruler of all, make in a world of war and violence? What can Christians do while millions suffer in Ukraine? Here are a few commitments to consider for those of us committed to Christological non-violence. 1) Refuse (to participate) in Evil 2) Stand with the Oppressed 3) Promote Truth 4) Pray 5)Lastly, consider the place of the police force.

Fitch is reading Luke Bretherton's book "Christ and the Common Life." This brings us to questions about how the church relates to capitalism, accumulation, and the common life. How should we steward our finances, practice generosity, understand debt, and own property? Join us in March for the first session of the Theology on Mission Book Club. We will be discussing Brian Zahnd's book "When Everything is on Fire." Limited to 30 guests, sign up here: northernseminary.formstack.com/forms/the…book_club Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission, or Doctorate in Contextual Theology alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, Lynn Cohick and visiting professors like Greg Boyd, Drew Hart, Michael Gorman and more.

Neil Young removed his music from Spotify because of vaccine misinformation shared by Joe Rogan, the host of the leading podcast show on Spotify. What can we learn from Neil Young about witness and how does power work in relation to truth claims? (We had a bunch of audio challenges on this episode, so you might hear our voices modulate quite a bit) Join us in March for the first session of the Theology on Mission Book Club. We will be discussing Brian Zahnd's book "When Everything is on Fire." Limited to 30 guests, sign up here: https://northernseminary.formstack.com/forms/theology_on_mission_book_club Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission, or Doctorate in Contextual Theology alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, Lynn Cohick and visiting professors like Greg Boyd, Drew Hart, Michael Gorman and more.

Here is our "cold take" on the Rise and Fall of Mars Hill Podcast. Fitch and Moore discuss the misogyny and power abuse that was embedded in the practice and leadership of Mark Driscoll and what it means for the church today. Join us in March for the first session of the Theology on Mission Book Club. We will be discussing Brian Zahnd's book "When Everything is on Fire." Limited to 30 guests, sign up here: https://northernseminary.formstack.com/forms/theology_on_mission_book_club Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission, or Doctorate in Contextual Theology alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, Lynn Cohick and visiting professors like Greg Boyd, Drew Hart, Michael Gorman and more.

What is so controversial about saying Scripture interpretation is shaped by your social location? Fitch & Moore take up a debate about the place of social location in doing faithful and contextual biblical study. Here are the articles mentioned: https://www.9marks.org/article/editors-note-defending-sound-doctrine-against-the-deconstruction-of-american-evangelicalism/ https://michaelfbird.substack.com/p/some-parts-of-evangelicalism-do-not Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission, or Doctorate in Contextual Theology alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, Lynn Cohick and visiting professors like Greg Boyd, Drew Hart, Michael Gorman and more.

This coming June 9-10, 2022, we are welcoming Dr. Rev. Willie Jennings to deliver our annual lectures. Follow this link to register in person or Livestream: https://www.seminary.edu/jennings/

It is the leader who submits. The word submission has been used and misused by leaders to underwrite abuse and coercion in the church. In this episode Fitch and Moore propose that it is the leader who submits! They explore biblical texts like Mark 10:42-45, Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 5:21, and Hebrews 13 to explore how the act of submission by leaders is the way the Spirit leads a church into discernment. Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission, or Doctorate in Contextual Theology alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, Lynn Cohick and visiting professors like Greg Boyd, Drew Hart, Michael Gorman and more.

Fitch and Moore explore three ways that Jesus gets de-centered from the work of justice. There is a temptation to make justice separate from the church, so how do we recover the centrality of Jesus for the work of justice? Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission, or Doctorate in Contextual Theology alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, Lynn Cohick and visiting professors like Greg Boyd, Drew Hart, Michael Gorman and more. www.seminary.edu

Fitch & Moore discuss how social spaces are an integral component of ecclesiology. In these social spaces there are places for conversation, this is where discipleship and mission occurs. Specifically they focus on the gathering in the house and the movements of conversation that occur in that social space. Here is the outline for the practice of conversation in the church, drawing from 1 Cor. 14 1) Invocation 2) Listening 3) Discerning 4) Prayer Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission, or Doctorate in Contextual Theology alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, Lynn Cohick and visiting professors like Greg Boyd, Drew Hart, Michael Gorman and more.

This is the second lecture from the Brady Theology & Mission Lecture with Dr. Michael Gorman. If you would like a copy of the presentation that follows this presentation email Mike at mdmoore@seminary.edu Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission, or Doctorate in Contextual Theology alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, Lynn Cohick and visiting professors like Greg Boyd, Drew Hart, Michael Gorman and more.

Welcome to season 7! This episode is the first lecture from the Brady Theology & Mission Lecture with Dr. Michael Gorman. If you would like a copy of the presentation that follows this presentation email Mike at mdmoore@seminary.edu Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission, or Doctorate in Contextual Theology alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, and visiting professors like Greg Boyd, Drew Hart, Michael Gorman and more.

Beth Felker Jones joins us again to discuss a recent article from Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon on pastoral care. What is the role of pastoral care in the life of ministry and how do we attend to suffering in the church? Here is the article by Hauerwas and Willimon: https://tinyurl.com/u45rfc2w Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission, or Doctorate in Contextual Theology alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Felker Jones, Greg Boyd, Drew Hart, Michael Gorman and more. www.seminary.edu/TMapply

Fitch & Moore sit down with Beth Felker Jones, Professor of Theology at Northern Seminary. They discuss the shifts in contemporary theology and the state of theology in the American church. Apply to Northern today! www.seminary.edu/TMapply Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission, or Doctorate in Contextual Theology alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, Greg Boyd, Drew Hart, Michael Gorman and more.

Michael Gorman will be delivering IN PERSON the Theology & Mission Lectures at Northern Seminary on September 23 & 24th. Register here: https://www.seminary.edu/michael_gorman/ There is a livestream option. In this episode 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.

There is a mass exodus of Christians under the age of 40 out of evangelicalism. What will become of those who stay? What kind of leader will emerge after processing and deconstructing the beliefs and practices of evangelicalism? In this podcast Fitch and Moore propose what qualities and virtues are needed in this new kind of leadership. *Figure 7 of this report finds that 7% of 18-29 identify as White Evangelical Protestant. According to this report White Evangelical Protestant has the oldest median age (56), suggesting a widening gap in generational practices. https://www.prri.org/research/2020-census-of-american-religion/ **Check out our Brady Lectures with Michael Gorman: https://www.seminary.edu/brady_gorman/ Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission, or Doctorate in Contextual Theology alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, Greg Boyd, Drew Hart, Michael Gorman and more.

Fitch and Moore sit down to talk about the new book, "What is the Church and Why Does it Exist?" This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Seminary Now, a new streaming video platform with short courses from leading professors and authors like David Fitch, Scot McKnight, Brenda Salter McNeil, Greg Boyd, Tish Harrison Warren, Esau McCaulley, and many more. Subscribe to access all the courses for only $20/month–or get Seminary Now for your whole church. Theology on Mission podcast listeners can get 30% off an individual subscription with discount code TM30. Check it out today. Check out Fitch's book here: https://www.amazon.com/What-Church-Does-Exist-Jesus/dp/1513805703

Fitch & Moore unpack the 5 top issues for church leaders to navigate as we come out of COVID. 1) People's broken relationship-spaces for relational connection 2) People's deconstructing their faith--spaces for deconstruction 3) People's anger/rage at various coercions/abuse--spaces for lament 4) People's fatigue from drudgery--spaces for celebration of God's power and hope for a future 5) People's grief over losses of friends, family, security--spaces for grieving and comfort As opposed to ramping up services...focus on developing social spaces! Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, Greg Boyd, and next years visiting professor Drew Hart and Brady Lecturer Willie Jennings.

Fitch and Moore sit down with Andrew Draper to discuss his superb work "A Theology of Race and Place: Liberation and Reconciliation in the Works of Jennings and Carter." Dr. Andrew Draper is a pastor in Muncie, Indiana and has written extensively on black theology, ethics, and the church. In this episode Andrew shares his expert insight into the work of Jennings and Carter and the implications it has for the church. Below are a few links that introduce you to the work of Willie Jennings, J. Kameron Carter, and our new friend, Andrew Draper. Andrew's book: https://www.amazon.com/Theology-Race-Place-Liberation-Reconciliation/dp/149828082X Andrew's recent lecture at Fuller: https://fullerstudio.fuller.edu/the-end-of-mission-christian-witness-and-the-decentering-of-whiteness-andrew-t-draper/ An important article to understanding the work of Wille Jennings (Fitch references this) https://divinity.duke.edu/sites/divinity.duke.edu/files/DukeDivinityMag_Spring15.WEB_.compressed.pdf Audio with J. Kameron Carter: https://cct.biola.edu/witness-possibility-j-cameron-carter/ Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, Greg Boyd, Drew Hart and more.

Here is the audio from our recent webinar. We hope to be back in the studio soon! Check out our Master's in Theology & Mission with classes taught by Dave Fitch, Greg Boyd, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones. Past visiting professors and lecturers have included Stanley Hauerwas, Michael Gorman, Fleming Rutledge, Reggie Williams, Soong Chan Rah, and Kyuboem Lee. https://www.seminary.edu/programs/theologyandmission/

Fitch & Mike sit down with Dr. Drew Hart, professor at Messiah University to discuss his new book, "Who Will Be My Witness?"

How does a local church discern through disagreements? How do we decided what "issues" are essential? Here are the steps proposed in this episode, following the apostles work in Acts 15 1) The apostles and elders (leaders) met to consider the question (v6) 2) They observed what the Holy Spirit was doing (v8-9, 12) 3) A whole community listened and discerned (v12) They wokred with the leaders (v22). There was mutality of listening, consensus, etc. 4) Scripture was carefully considered...drawing its past meaning into the present (v15-19) 5) They wrote down their discernment in a letter "it seems good to the Holy Spirit and to us...." (v26)

What would it look like for us to focus our ministry on increasing density, rather than increasing numbers? Listen to find out!

This bonus episode is the audio from our webinar with Hugh Halter on church planting. Our conversation kicks off the introduction of the Church Planting Institute at Northern Seminary. Check us out at churchpi.com

How do we respond to a post-Trump presidency? Fitch suggests a few different approaches drawing on authors who write about post-Nazi Germany and Ta Nehisi Coates. To be clear, we aren't accusing those who voted for Trump of being Nazi’s! We are offering perspectives (some from post Nazi Germany) for those of us who can’t relate or find it difficult to engage the 74 million who did vote for Trump.

"To pursue liturgy for our own depths of formation and ignore the cultural engagement of those outside the faith is a luxury of Christendom." --Dave Fitch In this episode we discuss the "post-evangelical" turn towards liturgy and the great joy of celebrating Advent. We contend that Advent is for the formation of Christians and for the purposes of engaging those outside of liturgical traditions of the church. Check out Fitch's article here: https://www.missioalliance.org/advent-for-the-rest-of-us-avoiding-exclusion-welcoming-wonder/

Just in time! On the eve of the election Fitch and Moore describe a 'Third Way' approach to theology of church and culture. Some suggest a 'Third Way' approach is merely a position of privilege that too easily compromises and disengages. This episode corrects those fallacies and outlines how Third Way politics provides a different way of being with Jesus in the world. Show Notes: THIRD WAY POLITICS AND ITS FALLACIES Intro 1.) COMPROMISE? Third Way has often implied compromise- arriving at a solution to the conflict by way of the middle. Although I encourage listening and discerning in the middle of conflict, in no way do I suggest compromise. Instead, I suggest a conflict, when open to God’s presence and working, leads us into a future neither side could imagine within the existing frameworks they are working in – ‘a way beyond’. 2.) DISENGAGEMENT? Third Way has often implied dis-engagement. Although I often encourage refusing to engage a conflictual injustice in the world on the terms dictated by the world (antagonism), in no way does this imply disengagement. I advocate a different kind of engagement, through actual physical presence, resistance (getting in between) to the violence, questioning, speaking truth sincerely to power (parrhesia). In this way we stick a wrench into the machinery of injustice and open space for God to work. I call it the ‘way beyond.’ 3.) REFUSE TO TAKE SIDES? Third Way has often implied refusing to takes sides. Although I often encourage people not to take sides within an ideological antagonism, in ways that pour flames onto the same enemy making machine, in no way does this imply we do not take sides with the poor, the oppressed, and speaking out of these places against unjust policies and wicked powers. Too often when we rush to take a side in an existing conflict, we do not examine the framework which sustains the injustice, and even if we (think we) ‘win’ the contest for justice, if we stay within the same frame, we perpetrate more of the same injustice, power structures. I see this over and over again when it comes to sexuality, race, economic, injustices. I’m looking for a way that disrupts the existing frame and moves us to a way beyond. 4.) WITNESS ONLY? Third Way has often implied, when it comes to justice, that all we need to do is be the church in our local context. Although I strongly encourage that justice must take shape locally in a social body first, this is no way implies we do not engage injustices in the world actively. It is a fact (I conend) that only by modelling a different way of justice in a social body can a society be disrupted and have imagination for what God would do for His justice. But these local bodies ferment a revolution in a way no national politics ever could. This form of politics leads to ‘way beyond’ current political imaginations. 5.) BE HUMBLE AND LISTEN … and everything will turn out all right… actually this posture id different from/more than “give up and be nice”… it’s a presence, a opening space to ask questions, it is subtle disruptive

In this episode, Fitch and Moore explore critical theory and what is has to offer the church. The conversation follows Fitch's response to Tim Keller's article on biblical justice and covers an expanse of topics: race, sexuality, ideology, identity politics and more. Here is Fitch's recent article: https://www.christianitytoday.com/scot-mcknight/2020/august/critical-theory-tim-keller-and-david-fitch.html Here is the previous article:https://www.christianitytoday.com/scot-mcknight/2020/august/tim-keller-david-fitch-and-justice.html Tim Keller's article: https://quarterly.gospelinlife.com/a-biblical-critique-of-secular-justice-and-critical-theory/

Dave wrote an article at Christianity Today that responded to Tim Keller's recent piece on justice. In this podcast, Fitch and Moore explore how "justice" is up for grabs post-Christendom. They agree with Keller's assessment of the culture, but diverge when it comes to the issue of foundations and posture. (audio volume gets a little funky on Mike's mic during the podcast) Read the pieces below: https://www.christianitytoday.com/scot-mcknight/2020/august/tim-keller-david-fitch-and-justice.html https://quarterly.gospelinlife.com/a-biblical-critique-of-secular-justice-and-critical-theory/

Fitch and Moore look at the fundamentalism of evangelicalism in North America and how it has led to the backlash of progressive evangelicalism. They explore the backlashes to purity culture, penal substitutionary atonement, the inerrancy of Scripture, making a decision for Christ, and more. (One note: there is some reverb in Fitch's microphone)

This podcast starts pretty meta: two white men speaking about white men speaking. How should white men position themselves in leading the church? Fitch and Moore suggest the practice of silence, listening, and going to where you are invited, before speaking.

UPDATED: Greg Armstrong joins again to examine the evolution and ideology of the word "racist." The word "racist" has changed from meaning prejudice to including the unconscious systems of white supremacy. Now, drawing from the work of John McWhorter's, we see the third wave that equates the word "racist" equated with subjective feelings. What does this mean for the church as we try to unwind the antagonisms rife in this cultural moment? Here is McWhorter's article:  https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/07/racism-concept-change/594526/

How do we make sense of the protests and riots that have erupted after the murder of George Floyd. Greg Armstrong, Director of Admissions at Northern and pastor of Renew Church (Lombard, IL) joins Mike and Dave as they discuss the church's response to and participation in public demonstrations.

Over the last month, a little theological scuffle has emerged regarding what the "gospel" means. Reformed pastor, Greg Gilbert, criticized Scot Mcknight and Matthew Bates formulations of a "kingship gospel." You can see the articles and conversation below in the links. Here is where Theology on Mission jumps in. What are the social implications of how we define the gospel? How does our atonement influence our posture and practice in the world? Essentially, what difference does the gospel make? Fitch and Moore give a quick review of this theological conversation and explore how our soteriology integrates with the social reality of the church. Greg Gilbert's Sermon: https://www.9marks.org/article/a-t4g-2020-sermon-what-is-and-isnt-the-gospel/ Scot McKnight's Response: https://www.christianitytoday.com/scot-mcknight/2020/april/king-jesus-gospel-mere-kingship-no.html Matthew Bate's Response: https://www.christianitytoday.com/scot-mcknight/2020/april/good-news-are-t4g-tgc-leaders-starting-to-change-their-gosp.html

Is video killing the church? This week we invite Geoff Holsclaw on the podcast to discuss church growth in the era of video church. Should we be concerned about falling into attractional modes of worship with the increase of online Sunday worship? Holsclaw critiques missiologists who 1) see this as a church growth moment 2) who see this as setting the church back decades. Rather, he proposes this moment will reveal the church for what it is. These articles provide the backdrop to our conversation. Carey Nieuwhof: https://careynieuwhof.com/half-of-all-churches-are-instantly-growing-heres-why-and-heres-what-to-do/ Michael Frost: https://mikefrost.net/coronavirus-could-set-the-church-back-25-years/

"I'm more apt to catch a bullet than the coronavirus" That is a sentiment Mike has heard repeatedly in his church. What can we learn from populations in America that have lived under constant threats of "coronaviruses" of imminent death? Pastor Joe Mitchell joins Mike and Fitch to discuss how to suffer well during this time. Drawing from eschatology and critiques of the religious marketplace they raise questions for our cultural moment.

These are unprecedented times and an uncertain future for the global church. How is the church to respond with restrictions on gatherings, mass anxiety, and an uncertain future? Fitch and Moore draw from their distinct contexts and discuss this somber moment. They give instructions for how small gatherings can take place in homes Check out Fitch's article on this issue: https://www.missioalliance.org/faithful-presence-during-a-pandemic/ One such idea is a letter to share with neighbors. Here is a sample if you would like to use: Hey neighbors It’s ________ from (address). In light of COVID-19 many of us will have to stay home in isolation and  we want you to have our phone number. If you run out of supplies or need someone to pick up groceries and drop them off at your door we are happy to help out as much as we can. If there is anything else please don’t hesitate to reach out. Sincerely

Studies suggest that around 70-80% of pastors experience depression. For many in the ministry, depression is inevitable. The question isn't, "Will I become depressed?" The question is, "Who will I journey through depression with?" Fitch and Moore discuss their own experience through depression and the key postures and practices for persevering in ministry.

When you gather around the table as the church how should we talk and listen to each other? Fitch proposes three questions to ask around any table fellowship: Are you lonely? Are you angry? Are you lost? Fitch and Moore talk about the need to be embodied around a table on a regular basis amidst a hurried and isolated culture.

We are back for 2020! Fitch and Moore discuss volunteerism and how it encourages and discourages mission for the church. How does volunteering in the community actually hinder the work of the church? And how do we pastor our churches that default to a volunteer mentality? Here are four tips for moving the church from volunteerism: 1) Seek and follow the apostles 2) More than a project this is a social space to participate in 3) This is a space of God's presence that requires prayer 4) This is a rhythm of our lives

Mike's college professor, J. Denny Weaver joins the show to talk about his work on atonement and the crucifixion. Almost 20 years ago Weaver's book, "The Nonviolent Atonement," was published and contributed significantly to Anabaptist interpretations of atonement.