Podcast appearances and mentions of Dallas Willard

“Values are the goods we prize and pursue—the things we regard as genuinely worth having, becoming, and giving ourselves to.” —Dallas WillardWe must take the time to ask ourselves: How do the values we profess align with the values of God's Kingdom?Core values quietly shape our lives. They influence what captures our attention, how we spend our time, what we celebrate, what we resist, and who we are becoming. They form the culture of our homes, our communities, and our organizations long before they ever appear on a website or in a mission statement.Values are aspirational. They do not simply describe who we are today; they help orient us toward who we long to become.Some of our values are explicit. Many are not. Whether we recognize them or not, we are all being formed—every day—by the values our culture rewards, the stories we believe, and the practices we repeat. The invitation is not to shame ourselves for this reality, but to become more awake to it.In this next episode of the Become Good Soil Foundations Series, we invite you into a conversation that has been unfolding in our own lives for more than two decades. Together, we'll explore the core values that have gradually emerged as guides for the work of Become Good Soil—and, more importantly, for our own apprenticeship to Jesus.Living our values is deeply personal. No two lives will embody them in exactly the same way. Sometimes it is surprisingly difficult to trace a straight line between what we do and the values quietly shaping those choices. Unearthing and reorienting those hidden values asks us to slow down, pay attention, and become curious about the formation already taking place within us.Over the years, we've come to recognize roughly a dozen values that we hope increasingly inform everything we do at Become Good Soil. We certainly haven't mastered them. In many ways, these values continue to expose us, invite us, and call us further up and further in. While each deserves an episode—or perhaps a lifetime of reflection—we are grateful for the opportunity to begin the conversation.What follows is a two-part introduction to the core values we hope will continue to shape our lives, our work, and, perhaps, offer a companion for your own journey and the life of your community.It's all been prologue. The best is yet to come.For the Kingdom,Morgan & Cherie

How do you actually learn to love God?In this reflection on Psalm 31, John Ortberg explores one surprising pathway to loving God more deeply: curiosity.Drawing from theologian Cornelius Plantinga Jr., relationship researcher John Gottman, and Dallas Willard, John invites us to think about building a "love map" for God.This episode explores:- Psalm 31 and loving God- Curiosity as a spiritual discipline- John Gottman's concept of love maps- Fascinating biblical images of God- The mystery and wonder of God's character- Learning to love God with all your mindScriptures:- Psalm 31- Deuteronomy 6:5- Matthew 22:37- Luke 23:46- Psalm 78#Psalm31 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #LoveGod #SpiritualFormation #DallasWillard #JohnGottman #BibleStudy #Psalms #ChristianFaith

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/

Help bring to life a new Renovaré course: renovare.org/streams.Nathan Foster talks with author and priest Ragan Sutterfield on the sacramental nature of birding and other patient pursuits which train our attention so that we can live awake to our transcendent God and the invisible realm of his kingdom.

What is the secret to deep relationships?In this teaching on Psalm 133, John Ortberg explores intimacy, connection, loneliness, and the small daily habits that strengthen relationships.Drawing from the work of relationship researcher John Gottman, John explains the powerful idea of "bids for connection"—the small invitations people make every day to share life together.This episode explores:- Psalm 133 and unity- What intimacy really means- The epidemic of loneliness- John Gottman's relationship research- Turning toward connection- Jesus as the master of connection- God's invitation to relationship throughout ScriptureFeaturing reflections on:- John Gottman- Dallas Willard- Robert PutnamScriptures:- Psalm 133- Genesis 2- Genesis 3- Genesis 4#Psalm133 #JohnOrtberg #Relationships #Connection #Intimacy #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #JohnGottman #BibleStudy #Psalms

In this episode, Brant Hansen argues that holding onto offense is killing us - spiritually, physically, and relationally. He had to decide whether the offense he experienced as a young person should be held on to or if he should release it. It led him to a simple, uncomfortable conclusion: righteous human anger doesn't exist in scripture, and the anger we carry, however justified it feels, is not what faithful people are called to hold. We talk about forgiveness, hypocrisy in the church, and what Jesus actually intended when he told us to love our enemies.Brant is an author of several bestselling books, including Unoffendable, and a syndicated radio host on more than 200 stations. His podcast, “The Brant and Sherri Oddcast” has more than 20 million downloads. He's been featured many times on outlets like Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, and Good Morning America.Brant and wife Carolyn live in South Florida. His latest book, Living Unoffended releases June 9.Brant's Book:Living UnoffendedBrant's Recommendation:The Matter With ThingsConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeSupport the podcast and the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Support the show

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/

Seth and Luke talk about what it means to abide or remain in Christ, how we can do that, and some of Dallas Willard's wisdom on practicing spiritual disciplines.

Help bring to life a new Renovaré course: renovare.org/streams.In this bonus episode we share a conversation from a Renovaré webinar called Shaped by the Word. Host Carolyn Arends speaks with Tim Mackie and Carla Harding about how Scripture functions in the lives of Jesus' disciples to form us and draw us into a living relationship with Father Son and Spirit. 

Can you really live without lack?In this reflection on Psalm 23, John Ortberg draws from Life Without Lack to explore one of the most beloved passages in all of Scripture.What does it mean to say, "The Lord is my shepherd"? What if "I shall not want" is not a promise that life will be easy, but an invitation to stop being driven by fear, scarcity, and unsatisfied desire?This episode explores:- Psalm 23 and the Kingdom of God- Dallas Willard's vision of life without lack- Freedom from fear and anxiety- God's presence as the center of the spiritual life- Green pastures, still waters, and restored souls- Goodness and mercy following us every dayFeaturing reflections from:- Dallas Willard- Charles Spurgeon- C.S. Lewis- Walter BrueggemannScriptures:- Psalm 23- Matthew 6:33- John 4:14- Matthew 5:44#Psalm23 #JohnOrtberg #DallasWillard #LifeWithoutLack #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Psalms #KingdomOfGod

Got a question? Let us know!Host: HeatherGuests: Doug, Joe, ChelleWEEKEND CHITCHATQuick catch-up: What did y'all get into this weekend?BIBLE READING CHALLENGEWhat stood out to you from this week's reading?Wrapped up 1 ChroniclesBegan 2 ChroniclesContinued through the Gospel of JohnSUNDAY DISHDoug, this week you continued Losing Myself by walking through Moses' first painful encounter with Pharaoh in Exodus 5 and 6. Moses obeys God, Pharaoh makes things worse, and the people suffer, raising a question many of us have asked: What do we do when faithfulness seems to fail? The invitation was to stop naming our failures, bring our frustrations honestly to God, and keep trusting the God who has a name, hears our groans, and keeps His promises.Q1: Harder Than ExpectedLet's start light.What's something you've tried to get better at that ended up being way harder than you expected?Q2: The Need to Prove OurselvesDoug, you talked about losing yourself as letting go of proving yourself and learning to trust Jesus instead.What do you think people are most often trying to prove—and why?Q3: When Obedience Doesn't Change the SituationPharaoh asks, "Who is the Lord?" and later God responds by revealing His name, His nearness, and His promises.How does that help us understand what God is doing when obedience hasn't changed the situation yet?Follow-up:Where do you see people today needing God to reveal not just an answer, but Himself?Q4: Formation Before ResultsYou referenced Dallas Willard's idea that we often want the right outcomes without embracing the kind of life that forms them.Why does spiritual growth often expose our untrained habits before it produces visible change?Follow-up:What's one ordinary practice that helps bridge that gap without turning faith into self-improvement?Q5: When Becoming Feels Like FailureThe big idea was:"Losing yourself may feel like failure before it feels like becoming."Doug, you illustrated that through Ransom's karate belt test.How does that idea hit you personally, especially in seasons when obedience, repentance, or growth seems to make life messier instead of better?Follow-up:How can we help people stay in the process instead of labeling themselves as failures?Q6: Becoming Someone NewDoug, you invited us to fill in the blank:"Jesus is helping me become ______."What's the wisdom in naming what Jesus is forming in us instead of only focusing on what we're doing wrong?Follow-up:What might one small step toward that becoming look like this week—even if the first board doesn't break?JOIN US SUNDAY!That's all the time we have for today!We're excited about this coming Sunday as we continue our Losing Myself series.Be sure to share this episode, and maybe invite someone you've been thinking about bringing with you. We'll be here at 9 and 10:45, and we'd love to connect with you and your guests. If you can't join us in person, catch us on YouTube at 1PM.Until then, don't forget—we're here for good.Go BE LOVE!Stay Connected Website: https://believerschurch.org/ Bible Reading Plan: https://believerschurch.org/bible-reading-plan/Believers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/believerschurch.va/ Believers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believers_church/Subscribe to The Outlet: https://believerschurch.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=66f00f86238de86688d2480e6&id=729c3f381f

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/

Happy 250th Anniversary of 'Murica. You're in for a treat . This is part 1 of multiple on the Second Chapter "The English and American Public Culture." "The American Founders read the Bible," Oxford University Rhodes Scholar Daniel Dreisbach says in his first sentence of his Oxford University Press book. "They knew the Bible from cover to cover." "Its ideas shaped their habits of mind." "The Bible left its mark on the political culture of the era." Dreisbach's first sentence in his chapter 2 is: Ready ? "Anglo-Americans are people of the Book, and that Book is the Bible." WOW ! We had the author, Dr. Daniel L. Dreisbach, D.Phil. (Oxford), JD (University of Virginia Law School) on the podcast for Thanksgiving, Fall 2022. We're going to make a fair use, do a transformative reading of the book. We'd like to thank Dr. Dreisbach for writing this, and thank Oxford University Press for making it available. Support publishers when they make something worth reading. Support the publisher and throw some bidness their way. Support your brick and mortar book dealer. This episode was filmed Thursday 28 May 2026 years after Jesus in the backyard of my long-time (nearly a quarter of a century) Epistemology mentor Dr. Doug Geivett (PhD, USC under Dallas Willard), a student himself of the famous late-great Republican professor, the late-great Dallas Willard of USC's Philosophy Department. The Republican Professor is a pro-correctly-and-adequately-articulating-the-Bible's-appropriate-influence-on-American-politics podcast. Therefore, welcome again, through his writing, Dr. Daniel L. Dreisbach, D.Phil., J.D. The Republican Professor is produced and hosted by Dr. Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. Warmly, Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. The Republican Professor Podcast The Republican Professor Newsletter on Substack https://therepublicanprofessor.substack.com/ https://www.therepublicanprofessor.com/podcast/ https://www.therepublicanprofessor.com/articles/ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRepublicanProfessor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRepublicanProfessor Twitter: @RepublicanProf Instagram: @the_republican_professor

Corrie ten Boom once said, “If the devil can't make you sin, he'll make you busy.” That's a sobering thought, especially in a world where many of us feel like life is moving faster than we can keep up. Deadlines, family responsibilities, bills, errands, emails, appointments, and unexpected needs can make every day feel like a sprint. And when life moves that fast, it's easy to make financial decisions on the fly. We don't always neglect stewardship out of carelessness. Sometimes, we neglect it because we're tired. We stop paying attention. We spend reactively instead of prayerfully. We put off conversations we need to have. We ignore creeping lifestyle inflation. We delay generosity until things “settle down.” Before long, the pace of life begins shaping our financial decisions more than the wisdom of God does. The Spiritual Danger of Distraction Busyness can be more spiritually dangerous than it first appears because it doesn't always oppose faithfulness with rebellion. Sometimes it opposes faithfulness with distraction. Jesus warned about this in Luke 8, when He described the seed that fell among the thorns. He said it was choked by “the cares and riches and pleasures of life” (Luke 8:14). In other words, ordinary life can become so crowded that it chokes out what truly matters. We can spend hours worrying, scrolling, comparing, impulse buying, chasing the next opportunity, or reacting to every headline while neglecting the simple habits that build faithful stewardship: planning, giving, saving, communicating, and trusting God. Jesus highlights a similar tension in Luke 10. Martha is working hard, serving diligently, and doing good things. But Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet, listening. Jesus gently says, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary” (Luke 10:41–42). Martha wasn't doing something sinful. She was doing something useful. But even useful things can become disordered things when they crowd out what matters most. That applies to stewardship, too. It's possible to work hard, earn income, pay bills, and stay active, yet slowly lose sight of the heart of stewardship: trusting God, aligning our resources with His priorities, and handling money with wisdom and intentionality. Stewardship Is Worship Stewardship is never just about transactions. It's about worship. Every dollar we earn, spend, save, or give becomes an opportunity to express what we believe about God. Do we trust Him? Do we believe He is our provider? Do we see money as ours to control—or His to manage? That's why financial faithfulness requires more than good intentions. It requires margin—not just margin in your bank account, but margin in your soul. Dallas Willard once said, “Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day.” That certainly has implications for our finances as well. Hurry can lead to impulse spending, neglected planning, avoidable debt, forgotten generosity, and anxiety-driven decisions. When our lives are hurried, our money often becomes hurried, too. So what does it look like to remain financially faithful in a busy season? Slow Down Long Enough to Notice Proverbs 27:23 says, “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds.” In an agrarian society, a person's wealth was often tied up in flocks and herds. To know their condition meant slowing down enough to count them, care for them, and manage them wisely. Today, your “flock” may be your bank account, budget, bills, giving plan, savings, or debt. Awareness is often the first step toward wisdom. You can't faithfully steward what you never stop to notice. Prioritize What Matters Most If generosity, saving, debt reduction, or wise planning matter to you, don't leave them to chance. Put them on the calendar. Automate what you can. Schedule the budget conversation. Decide in advance what you will give. Review your spending before the month gets away from you. What gets scheduled often gets done. What gets ignored often drifts. Faithful stewardship rarely happens by accident, especially in a busy season. Simplify Where Possible Sometimes the problem isn't just a busy calendar. It's an overcomplicated life. Too many commitments. Too many subscriptions. Too many obligations. Too many purchases to manage and maintain. Simplicity can be an act of stewardship. It creates room to pay attention, to say yes wisely, to say no faithfully, and to focus your resources on what God has truly entrusted to you. Remember That Small Faithfulness Matters You may not have time today for a complete financial overhaul. But you may have time to review one statement, cancel one unnecessary expense, pray over one decision, or have one honest conversation. Small acts of faithfulness matter. Over time, small decisions can reshape your habits, your household, and your heart. The goal isn't to do everything at once. The goal is to take the next faithful step. Keep the Goal in View The goal of stewardship is not perfect financial performance. It's faithfulness. God is not asking you to control every outcome or master every detail. He is inviting you to trust Him, seek His wisdom, and handle what He has entrusted to you with care. So in a busy season, don't let hurry make your financial decisions for you. Slow down. Pay attention. Make room for what matters. And remember: faithful stewardship begins not with a frantic rush to do more, but with a quiet willingness to seek God first. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I'm 71½ and have been using CDs to make charitable gifts. Is there a way to know whether Roth conversions from my IRA still make sense? Is now an optimal time to do more conversions? And once I begin taking RMDs, can I still do Roth conversions? My husband and I are setting up a trust, but he doesn't know much about my health. I'd like to name another relative as my medical power of attorney. Is that allowed, and could my husband override that decision? Also, is the ‘Five Wishes' document a good tool for end-of-life and medical preferences? I'm 67 and receiving Social Security and Medicare. My wife is 60, works part-time as a teacher, and is on Obamacare. If she retires at 62 and starts Social Security, will my benefit be reduced? And can she stay on Obamacare until 65, or does she need to enroll in Medicare at 65? We own two homes in different states and plan to sell one in the next three to four years. For the capital gains exclusion on a primary residence, do the two years of ownership and use have to be consecutive, or can they be any 24 months within the last five years? And if we split time between both homes, can we still qualify? My husband and I are 70 and 72, and we own five rental properties. We may sell them when he's around 78. From a tax and Medicare premium standpoint, is it better to sell them all in one year or spread the sales over multiple years? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Five Wishes Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/

Three Renovaré staff members—Carolyn Arends, Monty Harrington, and Brandan Spencer—joined Nathan on Life with God to describe the team's pilgrimage to Montgomery to give sustained attention to injustice against Black people in the United States and celebrate the legacy of God-empowered resistance and resilience.

What does bowling have to do with spiritual life?In this teaching on Psalm 19, John Ortberg explores anxiety, surrender, creation, grace, and the deep human longing for soul rest.Using a surprisingly powerful bowling illustration, John reflects on how most people continue trying to control outcomes long after the “ball” has already left their hands. Psalm 19 offers another way: let go, trust God, delight in creation, and allow your soul to rest.This episode explores:- Why modern people struggle with rest- The connection between anxiety and control- Creation as medicine for the soul- Why the law of God is actually a gift- Soul fragmentation and divided living- How love restores wholenessFeaturing reflections on:- Dallas Willard- Theodore Roosevelt- Martin Luther- Psalm 19Scriptures:-Psalm 19-Matthew 22:37–39-James 2:8#Psalm19 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #DallasWillard #SoulRest #Anxiety #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Psalms

What does it really cost to follow Jesus? And what does it cost us when we don't?In this powerful conversation, Steve Adams welcomes Morgan Snyder to the Embracing Brokenness Podcast for a deep and honest discussion about discipleship, formation, healing, risk, and the slow work of becoming whole in Christ.Morgan reflects on his 26 years in formal relationship with Wild at Heart, his transition with his wife Cherie into the Become Good Soil movement, and the deeper work of apprenticeship to Jesus in the second half of life. He shares why he and Cherie are now focused on “going deeper with fewer,” investing in the thirsty few who long for more of God and the abundant life.Together, Steve and Morgan explore the danger of consumer Christianity, the difference between information and formation, the invitation to become wholehearted men and women, and why brokenness is not the end of the story but often the beginning of deeper restoration.This episode is for anyone who feels stuck, spiritually dry, overextended, or aware that simply “believing the right things” has not produced the healing, maturity, intimacy, and purpose they long for. Morgan reminds us that God is not far away. He meets us at the end of our rope, in our need, in our pain, and in the ordinary moments where we create space to notice His voice.Learn more about Morgan and Cherie Snyder's work at Become Good Soil:https://becomegoodsoil.comLearn more about Embracing Brokenness Ministries:https://embracingbrokenness.orgChapters00:00 — God Meets Us at the End of Our Rope01:00 — Welcome to the Embracing Brokenness Podcast01:32 — Introducing Morgan Snyder02:14 — Morgan's History with John Eldredge and Wild at Heart03:34 — Becoming Good Soil and Going Deeper with Fewer04:55 — Husband and Wife Ministry in the Second Half of Life05:45 — Don't Waste Your Pain07:01 — Preferring a Circle Over a Platform08:00 — The Hidden Years and Carrying Water09:11 — Steve's First Wild at Heart Retreat11:08 — Trusting the Slow Work of God12:33 — The Interior Work of Becoming Whole14:23 — We Are All Being Discipled by Something16:21 — Leaving Platform, Salary, and Momentum17:45 — Brokenness, Anesthesia, and the Fire in the House21:22 — The Cost of Not Following Jesus22:36 — Sabbath as Resistance23:48 — God as the Father Who Initiates Our Children24:56 — Why Embrace Brokenness?27:16 — Living Where God Has to Show Up29:16 — Becoming the Kind of Person God Can Entrust30:25 — Risk at the Core of Discipleship31:05 — Prison Ministry and Holy Ground34:11 — What Is Burdening Morgan's Heart?35:48 — Dallas Willard and the Discipleship Crisis37:40 — Power, Service, and the Vulnerable39:52 — The Incomplete Gospel41:57 — Consumer Christianity and Hyper-Individualism43:53 — Information Is Not Enough45:22 — What If God Feels Distant?46:31 — How Do I Find God?47:31 — Creating Space to Notice God48:37 — The Gift of Margin49:35 — Micro-Shifts That Change a Life50:31 — Start with What Is Necessary51:08 — Becoming a King and Practical Resources52:02 — Become Good Soil and the Thirsty Few53:28 — Participating in the Restoration of All Things54:05 — Closing Thoughts

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/

Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done Introduction In this message, Coleton walks through one of the most important lines in the Lord's Prayer: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” — Matthew 6:10 Jesus is not giving His followers empty religious words to repeat. He is teaching them how to partner with God in the renewal of the world. This prayer is not passive resignation. It is an invitation into participation with God. Coleton structures the sermon around three major questions: What is Jesus telling us to ask for? Why doesn't God just do it without our prayers? What does this mean for our prayers practically? Throughout the message, Coleton emphasizes a central truth: prayer matters because God has chosen to work through the prayers of His people. 1. What Is Jesus Telling Us to Ask For? We Are Asking for God's Kingdom and God's Will Coleton explains that Jesus teaches us to pray for two connected realities: God's Kingdom to come God's will to be done These cannot be separated. God's Kingdom is the place where God's will is actually happening. Coleton uses a quote from Dallas Willard to explain this idea clearly: “God's own ‘kingdom,' or ‘rule,' is the range of His effective will, where what He wants done is done.” — Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy The sermon explains that every person has a small “kingdom” — a sphere where their choices shape reality. God's Kingdom is the sphere where His desires, purposes, goodness, and authority reign completely. So when Jesus teaches us to pray, “Your kingdom come,” He is teaching us to pray: Let more of what God wants happen here. Let more of heaven invade earth. Let the qualities of God's reign spread into places where they are absent. Coleton says we see the qualities of God's Kingdom most clearly in Jesus. When Jesus walked the earth, He announced: “The Kingdom of God has come upon you.” Then He demonstrated what that Kingdom looked like. Coleton walks through example after example from the Gospels: Abundance Where There Was Scarcity John 2 Mark 6 Jesus multiplies provision and turns lack into overflowing abundance. Truth Where There Was Hypocrisy John 3 Matthew 23 Jesus exposes false religion and reveals truth that leads to life. Freedom Where There Was Bondage Mark 5 Jesus delivers people oppressed by evil and restores them to wholeness. Healing Where There Was Disease Matthew 8 Mark 5 The Kingdom of God pushes back sickness and brokenness. Restoration Where There Was Alienation John 4 Jesus restores dignity and relationship to the Samaritan woman. Hospitality Where There Was Hatred Luke 19 Jesus welcomes Zacchaeus when everyone else rejected him. Life Where There Was Death John 11 Jesus raises Lazarus and reveals that death does not get the final word. Hope Where There Was Despair Mark 5 Jesus enters impossible situations and brings hope again. Love Where There Was Hatred Acts 9 The Gospel transforms persecutors into followers of Jesus. Justice Where There Was Oppression Acts 16 God breaks chains and overturns systems of darkness. Coleton repeatedly reminds the church: When Jesus extended the Kingdom, He extended these qualities into people's lives. So praying “Your Kingdom come” means praying: Bring freedom here. Bring healing here. Bring justice here. Bring peace here. Bring restoration here. Bring hope here. This prayer is asking for the realities of heaven to invade earth. 2. Why Doesn't God Just Do It Without Our Prayers? This becomes the heart of the sermon. Coleton addresses a question many people quietly wrestle with: “If God is sovereign, why does prayer matter at all?” His answer is simple and profound: Because God has sovereignly chosen to work through people. God Has Always Worked Through Human Partnership Coleton goes back to Genesis. God did not need Adam and Eve to tend the garden. He could have done everything Himself. Yet He intentionally gave humanity responsibility, authority, and participation. God chose partnership. Coleton quotes Dallas Willard again: “We are meant to exercise our ‘rule' only in union with God, as He acts with us.” Human beings were designed to work alongside God in stewarding creation. Prayer is part of that design. Prayer Is Not an Afterthought — It Is Part of the Way God Ordered the World Coleton strongly emphasizes: God does not need intercessors. He chooses intercessors. He quotes Tyler Staton: “Prayer is the means by which we push back the curse that's infected the world and infected us.” This is one of the central ideas of the sermon: Prayer is how God has chosen for His Kingdom to advance. Coleton gives practical analogies: God could have nourished us without food — but He chose food. God could have sustained life without oxygen and blood — but He chose those means. God could have worked without prayer — but He chose prayer. Prayer is not magic. Prayer is partnership. Your Prayers Actually Matter Coleton passionately confronts the idea that prayer changes nothing. He says believing prayer does not matter fundamentally misunderstands how God designed the world. He points to passages showing the consequences of prayerlessness: We Miss Things When We Don't Pray 2 Chronicles 16:9 We Make Bad Decisions Without Seeking God Joshua 9:14 Some Things Do Not Happen Apart From Prayer Mark 9:29 Coleton makes an important clarification: This is not because God is angry or withholding. It is because this is the structure God established. He quotes Charles Spurgeon: “If you may have everything by asking, and nothing without asking, I beg you to see how absolutely vital prayer is.” Even Jesus intercedes now for believers. If prayer did not matter, Jesus would not still be praying. 3. What This Means for Our Prayers There Is Power in Your Praying Coleton wants believers to leave with confidence. Not confidence in themselves. Not confidence in perfect wording. Confidence that God has chosen to work through prayer. He says: Prayer works powerfully because God has set it up that way. Coleton quotes Skye Jethani: “We are active participants with God in the writing, directing, design, and action that unfolds.” Prayer is participation in God's work in the world. Because of that, believers should actually expect God to move when they pray. Leonard Ravenhill's quote drives this home: “You cannot estimate the power of prayer… because He has committed Himself to answer it.” 4. Practical Ways to Pray “Your Kingdom Come” Coleton closes the sermon with deeply practical guidance. Pray for Kingdom Qualities Where They Are Missing He encourages believers to look for brokenness and pray specifically for God's Kingdom to invade those places. Tyler Staton's quote summarizes this beautifully: “Ask for Jesus to come anywhere and everywhere you know God's kingdom of love and peace is lacking.” Examples: Pray for friends who do not know Jesus. Pray for healing. Pray for Memphis. Pray for injustice. Pray for broken families. Pray for mental and emotional struggles. Coleton encourages practices like: Prayer walks Prayer drives People watching and praying Using reminders like a “Pray for Memphis” hat Prayer becomes a lifestyle of seeing the world through the eyes of God's Kingdom. Pray the Promises of God Coleton teaches believers to pray Scripture because God is faithful to His promises. He quotes John Wesley: “The best we can say to God in prayer is, what he hath said to us.” He then walks through promises believers can pray confidently: Comfort “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4 Freedom and New Life “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 Peace Philippians 4:6–7 Greater Works John 14:12 Rest Matthew 11:28–29 Provision Matthew 6:33 Philippians 4:19 Malachi 3:10 Wisdom James 1:5 Restoration Joel 2:25–26 Isaiah 61:3–4 Strength 2 Corinthians 12:9 Isaiah 40:31 Coleton encourages believers to pray these promises boldly because they reveal God's heart and His Kingdom. Pray for the Things Jesus Did Coleton says the Gospels reveal what the Kingdom of God looks like. So believers should read about Jesus: healing, restoring, forgiving, freeing, reconciling, and pray for those same Kingdom realities to happen around them today. Trust God When Prayers Aren't Answered the Way You Want Coleton ends with honesty and pastoral wisdom. Not every prayer is answered the way we expect. Paul prayed for the “thorn in the flesh” to leave, but God said: “My grace is sufficient for you.” Sometimes God's Kingdom advances through weakness rather than the removal of suffering. Coleton reminds the church: The apostles experienced miracles. The apostles also experienced tragedy. Yet they never stopped believing in prayer. The call of the believer is not to understand everything perfectly, but to trust God in the mystery. Final Challenge Coleton closes by bringing everything back to one foundational truth: Prayer has power because this is how God designed the world to function. Just as: food satisfies hunger, water quenches thirst, oxygen sustains life, God has chosen prayer as one of the primary ways His Kingdom advances in the earth. Jesus teaches His followers to pray because prayer truly matters. Discipleship Group Questions When you hear the phrase “Your Kingdom come,” what do you naturally think about, and how did this message expand your understanding of it? Which “Kingdom quality” from Jesus' ministry (healing, restoration, justice, freedom, hope, etc.) do you most long to see break into your own life or your community right now? Why do you think God chose to work through human partnership and prayer instead of simply doing everything Himself? What keeps you from believing your prayers truly matter, and how did this sermon challenge that mindset? What is one practical way you can begin intentionally praying for God's Kingdom to come in Memphis, your family, your workplace, or your neighborhood this week? Culture of Gospel Share this with someone in your life who doesn't know Jesus What if prayer is not about escaping the world, but partnering with God to heal it? Jesus taught that God's Kingdom brings hope where there is despair, healing where there is brokenness, and love where there is hatred—and He invites ordinary people to become part of that renewal.  

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/

Nathan talks with Grace Pouch about her new book Savoring Childhood and how small steps toward a slower, simpler lifestyle create space for a deeply rooted life of love for God and others.Grace's book Savoring ChildhoodA few excerpts:A sample chapter from the publisher"Animal Friends""Simple Tastes""Joy is in the Waiting" on Christianity TodayGrace's website gracepouch.comFollow along for reflections on family life, spiritual formation, and the slow work of renewal on Grace's Substack @GrapplePie, and on Instagram @Grace.Pate.Pouch 

On Sunday, Pastor Russell Johnson continued through the book of Nehemiah, covering chapter 8 and a crisis that came from inside the community rather than from its enemies. Pastor Russell opened with the story of American contractors from Vermont and New York during the War of 1812 who supplied two-thirds of the advancing British army because the profits were too good to refuse — "myopic, self-defeating, and imprudent at the deepest level." Before entering the text, he established Proverbs 9:10 as the lens for the chapter, defining wisdom as "the skill of living well" and the fear of the Lord as "a settled, life-shaping orientation toward God." He then walked through three layers of economic devastation inside Jerusalem — families unable to eat, landowners mortgaging everything to survive a famine, and families whose children were already enslaved to pay crushing debts — all caused by wealthy Jewish nobles exploiting their own people. Pastor Russell called it "what the absence of the fear of God produces — it makes you dumb and can even make you mean." He traced Nehemiah's response as wisdom in action: anger proportional to the wrong, deliberate reflection before speaking, a public assembly to confront a community-wide sin, and an immediate demand for full restoration. He then walked through Nehemiah's twelve-year record as governor — declining his food allowance, feeding 150 people daily at his own expense, refusing to acquire land — all driven by the fear of God rather than political calculation. Pastor Russell closed with an honest acknowledgment that injustice among God's people is real, a direct apology to those wounded by the church, and a Dallas Willard quote defining disciples as "people who are constantly revising their affairs to carry through on their decision to follow Jesus."

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/

Ryan Maher is a pastor and co-leader of digital ministries like Trust God Bro, Her True Worth, and The Prayer Channel, and he's also the author of The God Worth Trusting. He and Brian talk about the book and how it explores God's goodness and the truth of human suffering. Ryan also reflects on the early days of Instagram and reaching people with the good news of the gospel in the digital age.Links & Episode Notes Ryan Maher Trust God Bro Her True Worth Prayer Channel The God Worth Trusting: Restoring Faith in a Good God Moving Mountains by John Eldredge Bible App Scripture References John 16:33 1 John 5:19 Ephesians 5:1 Hebrews 6:10 2 Corinthians 10:5 “Never believe anything bad about God.”—Dallas Willard

J. P. Moreland is the Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology and author of numerous books including Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace. In this very candid conversation with Wayne Rice and John Coulombe, J.P talks openly about how his struggle with anxiety, depression, cancer and other health issues have shaped his faith, the relationship he has with his family, and his view of death and dying. He also offers a glimpse into the life of his colleague, mentor and friend, the late Dallas Willard.Resources mentioned during this podcast:Renovation of the Heart by Dallas WillardImagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You – A Spiritual Exploration of Life, Purpose, and Eternal Hope in the Face of Death and Grief by John Burke“Stand to Reason” (podcast) with Greg Koukl and others“Reasonable Faith” (podcast) with William Lane CraigA Reason for God by Tim KellerFinding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace by J. P. MorelandDallas Willard Ministries (website) dwillard.orgKingdom Apprenticeship: Dallas Willard's Formational Theology and Missional Vision by Keas Keasler (InterVarsity Press)More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowellMetaEthics by Dave Horner and J.P. Moreland

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/

On Nathan Foster's recent trip to England, he recorded an in-person conversation with Roy Searle, board member for Renovaré Britain and Ireland and elder in the Northumbria Community, about seeking and finding God in the era of “great unravelling.”Show NotesRoy is a Companion in the Northumbria Community and a former Pioneer Ambassador with the Baptist Union of Great Britain. A popular speaker, writer, leadership mentor, spiritual director, retreat leader and advisor, he is passionate about encouraging people to know the transforming love of God, helping them to realize their potential and encouraging people to love both God and neighbor and live generously. He is a Fellow of St. John's College, Durham, an Associate Tutor at Spurgeons College, London, a member of the Renovaré Board in Britain and Ireland and an associate of The Commons Co-operative.Roy's latest book - Forming Communities of Hope in the Great Unraveling by Alan J. Roxburgh and Roy SearleThe Northumbria Community websiteCeltic Daily PrayerCeltic Spirituality - A Beginners GuideThe Patrick Compline is an evening prayer from the Celtic Daily Prayer collection — a collection and practice used by the Northumbria Community as part of their shared rule, or community rhythm.

Did you enjoy this teaching? We have a free study guide on this entire series if you'd like to walk through it with a friend or small group! Just download, print and go! Get it here... Becomenew.com/study-guidesSubmission.Just hearing that word can feel… uncomfortable.In a culture that prizes independence, autonomy, and “doing life your way,” the idea of submitting to someone else can sound outdated—or even dangerous. But what if submission, rightly understood, is actually a pathway to freedom?In today's teaching, we explore the spiritual discipline of submission—not as control or coercion, but as a humble, intentional decision to learn from those who are further along in wisdom and character. Drawing from Scripture, the wisdom of Dallas Willard, and real-life examples, this message reframes submission as a powerful tool for growth, accountability, and transformation.Because sometimes the fastest way forward… is learning to follow.Welcome home. Change starts today.

What if the thing you most want to hide… is the very thing keeping you stuck?In today's teaching, we explore the powerful (and often avoided) spiritual practice of confession—the act of telling the truth about your life to God and to a trusted person. It may feel uncomfortable, even painful, but it might also be the key to real freedom.Drawing from Scripture, the wisdom of Dallas Willard, and insights from recovery communities like AA, this message shows how confession breaks the cycle of shame, removes hidden burdens, and restores connection with God and others.Because healing begins the moment you stop pretending.Welcome home. Change starts today.

What if worship isn't just something you do at church… but something that could transform your entire life?In today's teaching, we explore the true meaning of worship—not as music or a moment, but as a way of seeing and responding to the goodness, beauty, and greatness of God in everyday life.Drawing from Scripture, the wisdom of Dallas Willard, and even the simple joy of things like coffee and nature, this message shows how worship awakens awe, restores your heart, and reconnects your life to what really matters.

In this topical teaching, "Navigating the Hurried Life," Dave Bigler explores the modern epidemic of "hurry sickness," which he defines as a continuous struggle to achieve more and more in less and less time. The talk begins by identifying the pervasive problem of "More, Better, Faster," illustrating how technological advancements have unexpectedly led to increased productivity without a corresponding increase in rest. Drawing on insights from various authors and theologians like C.S. Lewis and Dallas Willard, Bigler argues that our fast-paced society creates a "noise" that prevents us from hearing God, ultimately identifying hurry as a major enemy of spiritual life.The teaching further delves into the "Biology of Hurry," contrasting the high beta "fight or flight" sympathetic state with the alpha "rest and digest" parasympathetic state. Bigler explains that while the fight-or-flight response is designed for survival, many people live in this state perpetually, which shuts down parts of the brain responsible for logic, empathy, and spiritual reflection. As a solution, he advocates for the intentional practice of Sabbath—incorporating the four rules of "Cease, Concede, Consecrate, and Construct"—to restore the soul and transition into a state of peace and receptivity to God's guidance. He concludes by challenging listeners to set specific, measurable goals to integrate Sabbath rest into their own lives, emphasizing its necessity for spiritual health and a deeper relationship with God.Notes for this teaching: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12YLjqbc-T8EfKmLbxTcm5Sm8G6QJI5sZ-EH8O_rtdBs/edit?usp=sharing

What if the reason you feel anxious, exhausted, or constantly “on”… is because you're living for other people's approval?In today's teaching, we explore the powerful and often overlooked spiritual discipline of secrecy—doing good without anyone knowing. It sounds simple… but it might be one of the hardest things you'll ever try.Drawing from the teachings of Dallas Willard and the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, this message reveals how secrecy frees you from approval addiction, comparison, and the exhausting need to manage your image.Because the goal isn't to be seen as good…it's to become good—quietly, deeply, and freely.

In this episode, Chris examines Dallas Willard's powerful VIM framework (Vision, Intention, Means) and why many men remain stuck in pornography despite strong accountability and safeguards. Drawing on Willard's teaching on spiritual formation, Chris explores why lasting freedom requires deeper transformation—not just behavior management. Chris then plugs this into his Transformational Recovery Matrix to show […] The post Castimonia Purity Podcast Episode 135 – Beyond Pornography: Why Behavior Change Isn't Enough appeared first on CASTIMONIA.

Silence might be the most uncomfortable… and most transformative… practice in your life.In a world filled with constant noise, distraction, and the pressure to always say something, the discipline of silence feels almost impossible. But what if silence is actually the doorway to peace, trust, and deeper connection with God?In this teaching, we explore why silence matters, how it reshapes your inner life, and why learning not to speak can bring surprising freedom. Drawing from the wisdom of Dallas Willard and the example of Jesus, you'll discover how silence helps you let go of control, release the need for approval, and experience a deeper sense of being “at home” with God.If your life feels noisy, anxious, or driven by the need to prove yourself… this might be exactly what you need.ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 4.12.23ORIGINAL SERIES: Home

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/  

By Friday afternoon, a lot of us are emotional messes. We just can't see it. Everyone around us can, but we're too depleted to notice. The warning signs are there, though: irritability, impatience, self-pity, loss of perspective, and a vulnerability to temptation. When you're physically tired, your body sends signals, and you want to sleep. But emotional depletion is harder to detect and harder to admit. Dallas Willard pointed out that Jesus was busy but never in a hurry. He took strategic breaks, slipped away to the mountains, and leaned into the rhythm of rest. Dallas's prescription for spiritual growth was simple: ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. Hurry is the enemy of peace, love, joy, and passion. So, when was the last time you truly rested? Not caught up. Not powered through. Actually rested.Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside's conviction that God's grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God's presence and activity in your life.

Dale Young spent five decades in business before realizing his greatest work was helping others connect their professional identity with their identity in Christ. In this episode, Addison Williams sits down with Dale to talk about his upcoming book, The Power of Aligning Your Faith and Business, and the framework he developed through coaching over 70 entrepreneurs. Dale shares how he built a million-dollar managed services contract on biblical principles, why masks show up in the workplace, and what it looks like to slow down long enough to hear from God. Episode Highlights Dale accepted Christ in 1998 after two decades in business and immediately started integrating faith into his work, even when coworkers pushed back. He managed a client project for 15 years by leading with care for his team, honest communication, and follow-through, all rooted in biblical principles. Dale breaks down his Triad of Significant Impact framework: Identity (who you are), Community (where you belong), and Calling (why you are here). Masks in the workplace often come from old defensive patterns that no longer serve us. Dale walks clients through Clifton Strengths, values assessments, and spiritual gifts to help them see what they've been missing. Dale emphasizes slowing down, referencing Dallas Willard's advice to ""ruthlessly eliminate hurry"" and pointing out that Jesus moved at about three miles an hour. Sabbath is for relationship with Christ, not checking a rest box. Five intentional minutes with God beats a full day of distracted downtime. Dale draws a clear distinction between inheritance (what you leave to someone) and legacy (what you leave in someone) and challenges listeners to sit with that question for five minutes. At 72, Dale is launching his second career as an entrepreneur and coach because retirement is nowhere in scripture. He prefers the word ""refire."" Dale's message is simple: know who you are, find where you belong, and pursue the calling God wired into you. His book, The Power of Aligning Your Faith and Business, releases soon. Check the links below to connect with Dale, grab the book, and start building a legacy worth leaving. Purchase The Power of Aligning Your Faith and Business here: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Aligning-Your-Faith-Business/dp/B0GV829964 Website: https://coachdale.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachdale/ ==== *Connect With Follower Of One* Join us over in our Online Community(http://community.followerofone.org) *Get social with us* https://www.facebook.com/followerofone  https://instagram.com/followerofone1 https://twitter.com/followerofone1  https://www.linkedin.com/company/follower-of-one  https://plinkhq.com/i/1482955686  ====

Dallas Willard believed that the aim of God in human history is the formation of a community of loving persons — people apprenticed to Jesus, shaped by his character, and prepared to co-reign with him in eternity. In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Dan Hummel sits down with Keas Keasler, author of the first comprehensive academic study of Willard's theology. Together they trace Willard's life from Depression-era Missouri to the halls of USC, unpack the philosophical roots of his spiritual formation theology, and ask why his vision for discipleship feels especially urgent in the church today.WHAT YOU WILL LEARNWhy Keas Keasler spent seven years researching Dallas Willard — and what he discovered that surprised himThe key biographical facts of Willard's life: a broken childhood, a pivotal choice between philosophy and seminary, and 47 years at USCHow Willard's friendship with Richard Foster and a small Quaker church in Southern California helped birth the modern spiritual formation movementWhy Willard chose phenomenology — the study of consciousness — and how it shaped his theology of transformationWhat it means that Willard was a committed metaphysical and epistemic realist — and why that grounds everything he taughtWillard's vision of humans as co-rulers with God: what it means, what the parable of the pounds has to do with it, and why formation is training for that callingThe famous Willard line: “Grace is not opposed to effort, but to earning” — and the sophisticated theology behind itThe Golden Triangle of spiritual formation: the Holy Spirit, the spiritual disciplines, and the ordinary decisions of daily lifeThe “sanctification gap” that Richard Lovelace identified in the 1970s — and why it has only widened sinceWhy there is a crisis of character in the church today, and what Willard's vision offers as a remedyGUEST BIOKeas Keasler (PhD, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) is Associate Professor of Spiritual Theology at Friends University, where he also serves as Program Director of the MA in Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership. He is a Research Affiliate of the Martin Institute for Christianity and Culture and the Dallas Willard Research Center at Westmont College. An ordained Baptist minister, Keasler has traveled to over forty countries and preached on six continents.RESOURCES & LINKSKingdom Apprenticeship by Keas Keasler (IVP Academic)Hearing God by Dallas Willard (IVP)Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas WillardThe Divine Conspiracy by Dallas WillardRenovation of the Heart by Dallas WillardBecoming Dallas Willard by Gary MoonThe Kingdom Among Us by Michael Stewart RobbCelebration of Discipline by Richard FosterConversatio.org – Dallas WSend us Fan MailCONNECT WITH USSubscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave ConourEdited by Dave Conour

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/

Lori Melton joins Nate on the Life With God podcast this week to share about the spiritual practice she writes about in her new book, Journey with a Giant. 

Summer Programs 2026 is coming!In this catch-up and course preview conversation, Claire and Rachel reconnect with Dr. Elizabeth Sung, who shares her journey through systematic theology to moral theology and questions of spiritual formation. She shares her reflections on the good life and how biblical principles from the gospel can transform our understanding of flourishing here and now. She shares her lived experience and perspectives on the depth and breadth of salvation, love, shalom, and spiritual formation. Lisa offers reflections on the particular pitfalls of "false gospels," the expansiveness of agape love, and the delusions of the false self. Lisa shares her insights and takeaways from the Scriptures, the writings of Dallas Willard, and other key theologians and spiritual writers in ways that have touched and formed her own life.Lisa's BioElizabeth (Lisa) Sung, PhD, is a systematic theologian and spiritual director. She served as Visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Regent College from 2022 to 2025, and continues to teach courses for Regent as a Faculty Teaching Fellow. She now serves as Theologian-in-Residence at The InterVarsity Institute, where she brings her life and her ministry and academic experience 15 years as a full-time theology professor at 3 major seminaries in the US and Canada, preceded by 13 years as a campus minister, mostly serving graduate students at The University of Chicago, to her work. Lisa's primary specialization is theological anthropology, and secondarily (in connection with it), soteriology. Currently, she is writing two books: Race, Racism, and Christian Moral Identity and a volume on theological anthropology. She also speaks on these topics at churches, conferences, and professional development workshops. We are glad to say that Lisa will be back with us this summer from June 8-12, teaching “The Good Life and Christ: A Theological Reframing of the Gospel of Salvation.”Previous Podcast AppearancesDo Racial Categories Contribute to Racism? (August 2022)Regent College PodcastThanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social MediaFacebookInstagramYoutubeKeep in TouchRegent CollegeSummer ProgramsRegent College Newsletter

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're joined by Scott Worthington, Lead Pastor of Hope Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. After serving on staff for over 15 years, Scott stepped into the lead pastor role in 2022 following founding pastor Vance Pitman. In this conversation, Scott shares candid insights from that transition—what he learned, what surprised him, and how he's helping the church move forward in a new season. Are you navigating a leadership transition—or preparing for one? Wondering how to honor the past while leading into the future? Scott offers practical wisdom on succession, culture, and leading through change with humility and clarity. When transition happens faster than expected. // Scott's transition didn't follow a long, multi-year succession plan. While there had been informal conversations about the future, the actual handoff happened in a matter of months when Vance stepped into a new national role. Moving from a worship/creative role into the senior pastor seat required rapid adjustment. One of Scott's biggest realizations was that strong personal relationships don't eliminate the complexity of leadership transition. Even with deep trust, there were moments of tension, especially when his leadership instincts differed from the mentor who had shaped him. Learning to lead without feeling like he was disappointing his former pastor became a key internal challenge. Hold tightly to mission, loosely to strategy. // As Scott stepped into leadership, he quickly identified what could not change: the church's mission, vision, and core discipleship philosophy. For years, Hope Church had emphasized abiding in Christ as the foundation of ministry, rooted in John 15. That DNA remained non-negotiable. However, strategy was a different story. Scott embraced the idea that while the mission is fixed, methods must evolve. Ask the hard question: are we making disciples? // Early in his leadership, Scott gathered his team and asked a deceptively simple but weighty question: Are we actually making disciples? While there were encouraging stories of life change, the broader picture required honest evaluation. The disruptions of COVID had reshaped engagement, and the church needed to recalibrate. This question became the catalyst for new strategic direction, pushing the team to rethink how they measured spiritual growth and engagement. Introducing “spiritual cartography.” // One of the key strategic shifts Scott led was helping people identify where they are on their spiritual journey – a concept he calls “spiritual cartography.” The church began consistently communicating that everyone is somewhere spiritually and every Jesus follower has a next step. This language became embedded in sermons, staff culture, signage, and communication. To support this, they developed a simple “Discovery Tool” that helps people assess their current spiritual stage and identify next steps. Listening before leading. // In the early days of transition, Scott prioritized listening over directing. Rather than immediately implementing changes, he met with every department on staff, asking questions about culture, strengths, and areas for growth. Importantly, he resisted the urge to defend or explain, focusing instead on gathering insight. These conversations provided valuable data that shaped future decisions. His posture of humility helped build trust across the team during a potentially fragile season. Growing into the role. // One of Scott's personal challenges was preaching. Having only preached 37 times before becoming lead pastor, he knew this was an area for growth. He joined a preaching cohort, studied extensively, and committed to getting reps. Over time, he began finding his own voice and learning not to imitate his predecessor but to lead authentically while still reflecting the influence of years under his leadership. A final reminder for leaders. // Scott closes with a powerful encouragement: ministry flows from intimacy with Jesus, not activity for Him. Leaders can easily drift into busyness and neglect their relationship with Christ. But as he reminds us, apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. True fruitfulness comes from abiding in Him. To learn more about Hope Church, visit hopechurchlv.com or follow @hopechurchlv on social media. Plus, don’t miss Hope’s spiritual cartography Discovery Tool. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Lastly, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Portable Church Your church is doing really well right now, and your leadership team is looking for solutions to keep momentum going! It could be time to start a new location. Maybe you have hesitated in the past few years, but you know it's time to step out in faith again and launch that next location. Portable Church has assembled a bundle of resources to help you leverage your growing momentum into a new location by sending a part of your congregation back to their neighborhood on Mission. This bundle of resources will give you a step-by-step plan to launch that new or next location, and a 5 minute readiness tool that will help you know your church is ready to do it! Click here to watch the free webinar “Launch a New Location in 150 Days or Less” and grab the bundle of resources for your church! Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey, friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. So glad that you have decided to tune in. Really looking forward to today’s conversation. This is one of those issues that literally thousands of churches across the country are at some phase of working on. And so I know that this is going to be a practical conversation for you. Excited to have Scott Worthington with us today. He is the lead pastor at Hope Church, a church in Las Vegas. It’s a multisite church with three locations, if I can count correctly, in Nevada. They were founded in 2001 by Vance Pitman, and then he passed the baton to Scott, who stepped into the senior pastor role in 2022. Super excited to have Scott on the show today. Welcome. So glad you’re here.Scott Worthington — Thank you so much, Rich. It is a privilege. Grateful to be here with you today.Rich Birch — I’m honored that you’re you’re here and taking some time out. I know you’ve lots going on. Tell us a little bit of the Hope Church story, kind of cast a bit of the picture. If we were to arrive this weekend, what would we experience, that sort of thing?Scott Worthington — Yeah, Hope Church is an incredible church here in Las Vegas, as you said, three locations, three congregations what we call them. And yeah, I began to attend Hope Church right out of college in 2006, 2007, and been here for, I guess, 20 years now.Scott Worthington — And Vance Pitman, you mentioned his name. He was my pastor. He is the founding pastor here. He planted this church in 2001. Three dudes from the South moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, and 18 people started in his living room. It’s an incredible story of just church planting, and I don’t know how much we’ll get into that, but obviously that’s not my story to tell. That’s his, but it really is a miracle of God of what he’s done here. Scott Worthington — And then, yeah, Vance was my pastor for 16 years. I started as an intern in the student ministry and kind of just as God opened doors, walked through those doors, and eventually, I was the most surprised guy in the room when when Pastor Vance tapped tapped me on the shoulder in 2022, and he was being called to go lead a church planting organization here in North America. And yeah, he said, I think you’re supposed to be the senior pastor.Scott Worthington — And so we walked through our whole process, and it has been such a privilege now going on four years of leading the church that I’ve loved for 20. So it’s been a it’s been a wild, amazing, ah grace-filled ride, man.Rich Birch — Love it. I am looking forward diving into that today and helping people understand kind of what you learned through that process a little bit. I wonder if we could start, what’s your like, you know, you’re at a conference or you’re talking to somebody and they’re like, explain to me how the transition went. What’s the kind of the two minute version? I know it’s like, there’s a lot there, but how, how, how did that from that initial conversation through till, okay, you know, you’re now the lead pastor. What’s that look like?Scott Worthington — Yeah, the transition in the beginning, I would say it was it was really great. And and and the things that I’ll share publicly here is they’ve all been dealt with and things have been reconciled.Rich Birch — Yes.Scott Worthington — I’m so i’m so grateful. Pastor Vance is actually coming—our 25th anniversary is this September, and he is coming to preach our 25th anniversary. I’m so, so looking forward to that. Scott Worthington — But you know In the beginning, there’s there’s multiple ways to do transitions. Of course, there’s so many. Some people, especially when you got a kind of larger than life guy like Pastor Vance, they they’ll bring in another kind of larger than life big name somewhere. And we just felt like, and I say we, that was our whole lead pastoral staff, our stewardship team, which is our board. We just felt like um that that wasn’t the that wasn’t the move for us, that God wasn’t leading. Scott Worthington — I wasn’t so much a part of those conversations because my name was the leading name. And Vance just said, I think God has raised up the next leader right from within. And so that’s already a little different in that sometimes it’s like a five-year run or a six-year run and it’s like there’s a whole plan. This was this was a matter of months. I’m going from being one of the worship pastors here to being the lead pastor. And it was it it was very healthy in the beginning. And even even throughout the hard, it was good. And God’s grace has been all over it. But man, we just didn’t know what we didn’t know. Scott Worthington — One of the things we took for granted, I think, is that because of the relationship between Vance and I—I mean, he was my pastor for 16 years. We had a podcast together. I mean, we traveled together. I was the student pastor to his kids. I mean, it’s one of my really, really good friends, my mentor, my my pastor. Scott Worthington — And some of the advice that many people have written books on and done podcasts on and what what you should do in transition, frankly, we just thought, I don’t know if we need to do that. I mean, it’s Scott and Vance. It’s it’s it’s all good. And and there was just things that we didn’t know. I didn’t know how to handle. I don’t know if he knew how to handle. And again, I want to be careful. I don’t want to put words in his mouth. We’ve talked a lot about all this. I can speak for me. Scott Worthington — When Vance had an opinion that may have differed from mine in the way I should be doing something, I didn’t realize how hard that was gonna be for me to feel like I was disappointing my pastor. You know what mean? Rich Birch — Interesting. Scott Worthington — And really, really good, deep conversations have been had since then. But yeah, of course, you know we all know theologically, Joshua isn’t called to be Moses. You know, Joshua had to do things differently. And and it was harder for me to do that than I realized, Rich.Scott Worthington — It was it was harder for me to go right when I’ve been trained so long to go left by Pastor Vance, but I really felt God leading us right in some ways. And that was actually more difficult for me than I than I anticipated.Rich Birch — Yeah, I’d love to double click click on that part, because I think that that the core of all of these transitions, right, is this tension of like, hey, there’s some stuff that’s essential to preserve. And then by definition, like I think that’s a really apropos, you know, Moses to Joshua, I think is a really good, vivid example. There’s also things that need to evolve and change. How what helped you distinguish between those two as you think about, hmm, here’s some stuff we should really keep. And then here’s some stuff we should maybe start thinking differently about.Scott Worthington — Yeah, I would say to start with the what I needed to keep, I mean, I’ve been discipled here. I didn’t give my life to Christ at this church, but I joke and say, I wish God would have saved me at this church. So would have literally been, you know, the entire story. But I got saved here in another church in town and and quickly kind of made the transition through some circumstances here to Hope.Scott Worthington — But everything I know about ministry, I learned from, from, this church and from pastor Vance. And, uh, I mean, my wife and I were married to this church. We began having kids in this church. I’ve I’ve, joked that my entire adult life has been lived in the context of discipleship at Hope Church. And so all of the things, I mean, our mission, our vision, our values, everything has shaped me as a husband, a father, a Jesus follower, a pastor.Scott Worthington — You know, I’m so grateful that God’s given Vance, such a platform around the world. I mean, he he literally travels all over the country and all over the world preaching about this idea that of John 15, right? Apart from him, we can do nothing. That our our primary call is to intimacy with Jesus, not ministry for Jesus. And I mean, these are things that I just rattle off because they’re so in me. And and that was what was so embedded in the culture of Hope Church from the very beginning when it was 18 people in his living room, now to thousands. And I knew there’s no way I could do anything other than that.Scott Worthington — And so, you know, our mission, our vision is hasn’t changed. We we exist to connect people to live life with Jesus follower. And we believe a Jesus follower abides in Christ, connects in community and shares in the mission. I mean, these are things that I’ve heard for years 20 years and I’m still preaching to this day because they’ve changed me.Rich Birch — Right. Yep.Scott Worthington — Those were things that were, I mean, they, those were not changing. But I think it’s that old Andy Stanley line, you know, you, you marry the, the, the mission and you date the strategy. And so there were some ways that we were—and I might’ve butchered that. I have no idea. Sorry, Andy, if you listen…Rich Birch — It’s fine. Exactly.Scott Worthington — Yeah, I knew there were some things strategically that maybe we could start to play with that would help people deeper abide in Christ, connect in community and share in the mission.Scott Worthington — So those were the things that we started as a team. And that’s what I’m I’m also grateful for, the tracks that Vance laid down of of doing things together with with a plurality of elders. And so this isn’t me on a mountain, you know, coming up with the ideas and and and saying, this is this is what the Lord says. Scott Worthington — There’s an incredible team of pastors around me, especially as I’m I’m younger in the pastorate here, helping me make those decisions and helping me understand what what we should be. And of course, I’m I’m driving with vision, but man, they are such gifts to me. And and that was all stuff that I I picked up the baton from Vance. He led that way. And so I’ve tried to to continue that and and really tap into the guys around me.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s great. I’d love to double click on that around some strategic decisions that you’ve sensed with your team. Hey, there we need to maybe to go in a new direction. What led you to that? What was kind of the data? What were you seeing? What what was the the thing that kind of precursed even making those decisions? And then if there’s an example of one or two, that’d be interesting as well.Scott Worthington — Yeah. So of of course, every person listening this podcast, they know, man, COVID was just such a shakeup for everybody. Rich Birch — Yep.Scott Worthington — And we were interesting because not only do we have COVID here and, you know, I know depending on where you’re listening, you had different restrictions and all that, but we, we, we had a lot ah here in in Vegas. We we had really taken a lot of our cues at that time from California. And so if you know what California did, we were, we were kind of right behind them. Scott Worthington — And yeah, we, so we, going into kind of reopening, if you will, we also just built a new building. And so we had a new building, reopening, the shakeup that COVID brought all of us. Then it sounds like a long time, but we know one or two years of ministry goes by in a flash. And so within one or two years of kind of reopening and reestablishing who our church really is, not just, you know, watching on YouTube, but also in the room and really the the core of the community, that’s when the transition happened. So it all happened so fast. So we really had to take a step back and go, okay, who, who is our church? Are we making disciples, right?Scott Worthington — That’s just our our mission to connect people to live a life of Jesus follower is just a contextualized version of the Great Commission, right? To make disciples. So are we doing that? And that’s a that’s a hard question to ask because you you got to be prepared to really deal with the results, right? Scott Worthington — Like when you ask your leadership team, and that’s what I did that very first lead team retreat we took two months after I began leading Hope. um I said, guys, I’m gonna ask a question that sounds silly, but it needs to be asked. Are we making disciples? Are we making, ah helping people abide in Christ, connect to community and share in the mission? And of course we have stories of like, yes, this person that just recently got saved, you know, out of the harvest, into the harvest kind of thing.Scott Worthington — But when you really started to drill down kind of on this new, I hate to say new church, but I mean, out of COVID, we all know… Rich Birch — Sure. Scott Worthington — …man, it was, they were like, you’re making new people, it’s growing. And then you’re going, wait, where’d all those other people go? That they got used to Sundays by the pool… Rich Birch — Right. Scott Worthington — …you know, like, and we’re we’re just asking good, hard questions that I think leads you to start making strategic choices that, that pushed the mission forward. And so, yeah, we’re we’re asking those hard questions and then we’re saying, okay, does the the does the strategy we used to have, does that accomplish the mission now in this season and this time?Scott Worthington — And of course, we we saw some fruit there, incredible fruit, but new leader, new season, in some ways, a lot of a new church. Let’s move forward with maybe some different strategic initiatives. Scott Worthington — And that’s when we started to to kind of ask the question, which will lead to maybe some practical stuff, where are people spiritually? That’s kind of where we’ve been leading over the last few years. Asking a question, you know, the the super nerdy form of this is is spiritual cartography. It’s really nerdy. But like really helping people understand everyone is somewhere spiritually. We want to so help you see where you are spiritually and then help you take a next step. And really just like putting it on the bottom shelf. How do we help people grow in their faith and take next steps? And that’s basically kind of the strategy we’ve been operating off of for the last couple of years. And it’s it’s been incredible.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s cool. I love that. I wonder if you could, you know, give us a little bit of detail around that spiritual cartography. Love that. That’s a great turn of phrase. But how how are we how are you helping people see more clearly where they are and then provide those steps that maybe looks a little different? It’s been a shift than, say, 10 years ago kind of thing as a church.Scott Worthington — Yeah, I’d say, you know, everyone, again, leaders listening know this, but it starts with language. So we just started very strategically saying a couple of things. Number one, saying, hey, we believe everyone is on the spiritual journey somewhere or everyone is a certain place on the spiritual journey.Scott Worthington — And we believe every Jesus follower has a next step. I like that language because it connects our mission to the strategy, right? If we exist to connect people to live the life with Jesus follower, we say, hey, every Jesus follower has a next step. If it’s about following Jesus, I joke with our church, not to insult your intelligence, but following Jesus implies movement. It implies you are taking steps. You cannot be following if you’re standing still.Scott Worthington — And you know this, but I mean there there are people in churches that have checked all the boxes: I give, I serve, I got baptized. And then they think, I’ve checked all the main assimilation boxes. I guess I must be done growing. And we know that is not the case. There’s always more of Christ. There’s always more of of his movement in our lives. Scott Worthington — And so that was language that we just, I mean, I end every email with that. We we talk about that in staff meeting. I mean, we are constantly using where are people on the spiritual journey and how do you take your next step? Or their staff, I’m I’m encouraging what’s, what’s your next step?Scott Worthington — With me, I’m always saying, Hey, I believe God’s leading me in my next step to this. And so language, I think starts it. And then of course you’ve got to give people handlebars. You’ve got to, and of course, including language, by the way, is is signage. I mean, there’s signs all over our campus now that, Hey, we want to help you take your next step.Scott Worthington — And then we developed what we call our Discovery tool, which I think has been really helpful tool that we’ve given people. It’s it’s very simple. It is, I think it’s 20 questions that just gauge to help people understand where they are on their spiritual journey.Scott Worthington — And I know some people might be thinking, well, that sounds like you’re labeling folks. And that is the number one pushback that we get on this. And I get it. I get it. People think if you tell people that where they are on the spiritual journey, they’re gonna feel like they’re labeled and they they can’t, you know whatever it may be. And I think Dallas Willard said, I’ll probably butcher this quote too, but he said, the only thing worse than helping people see where they are spiritually is not helping people where they are spiritually.Rich Birch — That’s good.Scott Worthington — Like it’s one of those, like, yes, there are dangers, if you will. Because you know, on the wrong hand, somebody could weaponize it and be like, well, you’re this way spiritually and I’m this way spiritually. But at the end of the day, as a church, we want to help people take next steps in their faith. Rich Birch — Yep. That’s good.Scott Worthington — And so that tool has been really helpful. So there’s like wayfinding signs all over our campus where they can scan a QR code and and take that tool. And we do that in our services. And we’re trying to help people just take a next step.Rich Birch — That’s great. I love that. That’s so good. Maybe we’ll link to that. I think I’ve seen that actually on your site or I saw that somewhere when I was poking around to even give people a sense of that. Don’t take the test though, friends. Just look at it because we don’t want to stuff your system with a bunch of you know bad data. But yeah, that’s that’s fantastic.Rich Birch — Pivoting a little bit to your team. So one of the interesting dynamics when any you know there’s a kind of lead pastor transition is obviously there was a team there when when you joined and they’re amazing people that God’s been using them, done great things. But a part of your early job is to assess kind of where things at and staff health and try to gain actual kind of insight from them and to think about the future.Rich Birch — When you think about those early days, what were you doing to to kind of establish yourself and and assess where things were at with your team?Scott Worthington — Yeah, I, again, because of the nature of our transition, I was not a new guy, right? That was, ah that I think is a lot of of transition leaders. They’re going, all right, need to establish myself and people need to get to know me. I’ve been here, ah there’s one other guy that’s been on staff longer than I have at this point. He’s one of my best friends. He’s still on our staff. He’s incredible. He’s been here 20 years. I’ve been here 19. Scott Worthington — And ah so I’m a known… it wasn’t like, hi, my name’s Scott. Let me let me get to know you. But now that I am the leader, what I wanted to do is I wanted to get to know the culture. I wanted to get to know what, What is really happening on our staff level, especially through a transition? You know, people people get all kinds of feels. And some people are like, uh-oh, what’s going to happen? Or some people may be excited or what it may be. Scott Worthington — So actually sat down, I recommend, depending on your size of or scope, whoever’s listening, this could be really helpful or maybe impossible to do. But you know, we had at that time probably a staff of about 80. And I literally brought every staff team in. You know, so you got small groups and worship and you know whatever it may be, break up with your departments. And whether it was the lead pastor of that ministry or the intern, I invited them all in.Scott Worthington — And I had them, I asked them five questions and I said, the point of this little 20 minute meetup is for me to talk less and you to talk more. I’m just going to take notes. And I asked, they were all culture questions. Where do you feel you know where do you feel most motivated for the mission right now at Hope Church? Stuff like that. Very much like, where do you feel like we have a strong culture and where do you feel like we need to grow as a culture? And I tried to be true to my word. I gave the questions and then I shut up and let them talk.Scott Worthington — And man, to hear, you know, the intern right next to the lead pastor of that ministry, just share honestly. And I didn’t give feedback. I didn’t defend. And there were things that you wanted to, right? You wanted to go, well, wait a minute, let me tell you why that is. And I just knew I’m getting data right now that will help me make decisions to help shape the culture that we want here at Hope. Rich Birch — Sure. Scott Worthington — And not to say that the culture was bad. Of course, I’m not saying that.Rich Birch — Yeah.Scott Worthington — But again, new leader, I need to see kind of what we’re dealing with it as you go forward and where people’s hearts and minds are as we as we walk through a major transition with our founding pastor. And so that was super, super clarifying and helpful for me as the leader. Then I can make decisions with my team to help um you know drive that culture to a better place.Rich Birch — That’s cool. The church has continued to grow and impact people, which is incredible. And that’s, you know, I think both to you, you know, to both of you guys’ credit… Scott Worthington — Yeah. Rich Birch — …to that you, you handled this transition in a way that it wasn’t like, Hey, things collapsed. So, you know, you just honor you for that. That’s, that’s incredible. Rich Birch — When you think about those early, you know, maybe year or two, what were some early signs that you felt as a leader, okay people are with me. Like this is, because there’s the like, there’s the someone’s going to take over, this is being foist upon you, but then eventually people decide are they going to follow you or not. Scott Worthington — Yeah. Rich Birch — What were some of those signs, where you’re, oh no, I think I think that’s going to work; people are going to follow me.Scott Worthington — Yeah, I think, man, it was just, it’s, it’s all God’s grace because, yeah, I know looking back now I was, I made some mistakes. You know, there’s that balance and anybody who’s, who’s led a transition knows this. Like there’s the balance of wanting to, you know, wanting to continue to do what, what God has been doing here at Hope. But then, you know, okay, I think I have this idea. And, you know, we, we did a couple ideas that were like, those are great. And then a couple ideas that were like, that was horrible. Let’s never do that again. Rich Birch — Love it. Scott Worthington — And even even through those, you know, some hard conversations with some longtime members that that had some questions. By the way, I think that’s another great tip. Like invite those in. And when somebody’s been at our church for 8, 10, 12, 20 years, and they request a meeting, it’d be really easy for me to be like you know, Come on, old timer. No, man, these are gifted saints who have given so much to this church. Like I would relish a meeting and and a lunch with them, even if it’s hard to hear. Scott Worthington — There were some, there were some like, hey, I got i got some questions on what we’re doing. And ah yeah, I would say, man when when even through some of that, God was continuing to save people here. Our baptism numbers are are higher than they’ve ever been. And I know, you know, I’m pretty hard on myself. So I know the mistakes that I’ve made. I know that, I mean, gosh, anybody who’s listened to this, who knows who Vance is, I don’t say this because I’m on a public podcast. I’ve said this behind closed doors. He’s one of, if not my favorite preacher of this generation. I mean, the dude can preach the paint off the walls. And up until this, this a funny little nugget up until, you know, I wasn’t the preacher here. I wasn’t even the secondary preacher. I was, I preached six or seven times a year. I was the one of the worship guys. I led the creative ministry. And when I began to lead Hope Church, I counted them because they’re all on one file on my computer. I had preached 37 times to adults in my whole life. Scott Worthington — Which, even if you hear that, like, that’s kind of crazy that Vance would hand off the baton to somebody who preached 37 times. So I knew, listen, I need to grow in my preaching. I’ve preached, you know, less than a few dozen times and I’m taking over for one of the greatest preachers ever. And a guy that I’ve sat under is preaching for 16 years and just grown so much. So all of that, and still God’s growing our church. Still people are getting baptized. It shows a couple of things, Rich. It’s not, it has nothing to do with me. It’s all his grace. But also they they do they do trust me.Scott Worthington — There were there were there were elements and and and initiatives we did and things we we we tried and and people showed up and and people were encouraging. And it was like, man, there there are glimpses of God’s grace that they’re with us. Not just me, my my leadership team. And and ah those were pretty evident really early on. And and I praise God for that, man, because those were those were wind in our sails.Rich Birch — I’d love to hear more about what you were doing to grow your preaching. That’s incredible. i think there are oftentimes in a transition like this, the the person that people are looking for is the like, who’s the person that’s been up 20 times a year or whatever. Scott Worthington — Yeah. Rich Birch — So what have you done to grow that side? What’s what’s that development track look like for you?Scott Worthington — Yeah, right in the beginning, I jumped into a I jumped into a preaching cohort that was a kind of a national thing that I that I got a part of. And I got to be a travel a few places with a group of guys for eight months. And and we just we just learned how to be better preachers from some of the best in the world. It was awesome. Scott Worthington — And I’m just a natural learner. And so I’ve just devoured the preaching books. And and then I knew everyone, you can do all that. At the end of the day, it’s reps, it’s reps.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s true.Scott Worthington — So as I look back at like those first couple months of sermons, I could tell I was I was trying to be, not trying to be Vance. I don’t think I’ve ever done that. But you know trying, it was just a little outside of me. And I praise God for the grace that our church has given me. But I feel like now I’m I’m finally a few years in finding my voice and finding what I’m good at and what I’m not.Scott Worthington — And and and so, yeah, it’s just it’s reps. But then also just learning from the pros, man. dDoing preaching cohorts and, you know, doing, you know, online modules and and and then listening to a ton of preaching and eating the meat, spitting out the bones. And I think all of that maybe just kind of contributed. And and I praise God, I’m still 39 years old and I have more than 37 reps under my belt now, but it’s still not a lot in comparison to many guys listening to this. And I can’t, I joke, I was like, I can’t wait to see the preacher I am at 50 years old. Another 11 years, man, I can’t wait. I can’t wait.Rich Birch — Yeah. Yeah. That’s fantastic. Well, and that is, you know, there’s an interesting tension there I’ve said. So I’m not, um I used to think I was a good communicator and then I worked for some really great communicators. And so then I was like, oh man, I’m not very good at this. But, and so I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this part of what we do. And there is an interesting thing where, um like I’ve said to people, when we would have someone come and guest speak, you know I would say, listen, you you can’t ignore the community. The fact that the community has been developed under Vance teaching… Scott Worthington — Yeah. Rich Birch — …and they’re they’re used to that. And so it’s not that you you don’t need to imitate him… Scott Worthington — Yeah. Rich Birch —…but you would you would be dumb to not at least consider that as you’re preaching, right? You need to think through, you can’t be like, oh, maybe something’s totally different because it’s just hard to make that transition. And so you’ve got to at least consider that in the in the transition.Scott Worthington — And the thing with that is, again, because of the nature of our transition, some things just naturally come out, not because I’m trying to be Vance, but it’s because I’ve sat under his teaching for 16 years, right?Rich Birch — Yes, 100%. 100%. Scott Worthington — Like it naturally comes out of me Rich Birch — Yes. Yes.Scott Worthington — And it’s not like, oh, he’s copying Vance. It’s like, no, I’m i’m actually being the disciple that God raises up… Rich Birch — I’ve been influenced. Yeah. yesScott Worthington — …in churches that you are in for a long time.Rich Birch — Yes. Yeah, 100%, which is great, which is fantastic. So think I want you to put on kind of the theoretical hat. I want you to think about two different groups of people. First, the the successor is kind of the heir apparent sitting in a church today. They’re waiting in the wings. They haven’t been identified maybe even publicly, there’s been some conversation. What would you say to that person to be working on? I know that wasn’t your situation. It was kind of jumped quickly, but I would love to get your thoughts. What would you say to a leader that reaches out to you and asks, you know, hey, what what advice would you give them?Scott Worthington — I would say, yeah, and and just to to rewind real quick, it’s funny, there actually was, when Vance and I were doing our podcast, you know before and after a podcast, there would be these kind of these kind of statements of like, man, one day in eight or nine years when I retire, I think you’re the guy. But again, that was eight or nine years. So there was definitely kind of talks and it seemed like Vance kind of knew at some point, but then when he got the call to go lead the church funding organization, it was it just kind of got you know shifted into into… Rich Birch — Accelerated. Yeah. Scott Worthington — …yeah, accelerated, yeah. So, but I would say, man, in those in those moments, I just I just tried to remain humble and like, God, if if this is if this is what you want, awesome. If if it’s not, I also love what I’m doing.Scott Worthington — One of the things that I think, again, kind of feels weird saying this, but I’ve been you know told this and I do I do affirm it. I think one of the reasons why God opened the door and and put it on Vance’s heart and the leader’s heart at the time to to ask me to step into this is this was not something I was like shooting for. Rich Birch — That’s good. That’s goodScott Worthington — And and you know I got one of my best friends got back to plant a church in New York, New York City next year. We’re sending them out in in a couple months. Like he knew from a very early age that God put on his heart to plant a church. I’m not saying that’s bad. I think there are guys listening, people listening to this right now that are like, I am called to plant a church. That’s awesome. Or or called to lead a church. That was just not my story. Scott Worthington — I, whether I was a student pastor or the worship pastor, like I was grateful to be a part of whatever God had me doing. And it’s it’s that idea that Jesus says, right? Being faithful with little and then maybe being entrusted with much. And that doesn’t mean you’re always gonna get the top seat on the organization. But I was just like, okay, Lord, if that if that’s what you have for me one day when Vance retires, awesome. Prepare me now for that. Scott Worthington — And we know, again, back to Joshua and Moses, we know, man, Joshua shows up way back in the story. And he’s just the he’s just the dude that sent out to be a spy. Nobody at the time knew that he was going to be the leader, but God knew. And Joshua was faithful with what he had in front of him. Rich Birch — That’s good.Scott Worthington — Because I also have heard of transitions getting weird where like it doesn’t happen. Right? The heir apparent is like behind the scenes. It’s it’s it’s stamped and then five years come and go. And it’s like, hey, I don’t think this is it. And so if you put all of your eggs and like, I am the guy, rather than just holding it open to be like, Lord, this is what right now seems to be the plan. But you know many are the plans of a man, but the Lord directs the steps. So um yeah, I would say remain humble, remain dependent and ah be faithful in what’s put in your hands now. And if he opens that door, joyfully walk through it because his grace will sustain you.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s fantastic. And the the other person I’m thinking about is somebody is in like the first 90 days, this transition has just taken place. When you look back to the early days of your transition, either what did you wish somebody said to you? Or maybe here was something that went well. Or, you know, maybe here’s here’s a pothole that I want you to avoid, and particularly in that first window, the first couple months, as you’ve started to walk into that.Scott Worthington — Yeah, it’s kind of the, I feel like pretty, pretty age old advice, but, you know, be careful with how fast you try to change things. I don’t think there’s a couple of things that I did that I definitely would go back and go, hey, that was, that was not, not wise. But I got some, some great advice. I had some great guys around me. And I think you have to listen more than you talk in those early days. You’ve you’ve got to learn, and again, it depends on if you’re the new guy or you’re like me, you came up in the organization, but you’re still now the new at the new seat. There’s still just a lot of learning.Scott Worthington — I mean, I remember the first time I sat down, it was it was before the official transition, of course, but it was it was right right around the summer of ’22 when I first sat down with like the the financial books for the first time. And I’d never seen any of that. And I just knew in that moment, I have so much to learn. That was an area that I just had never even even been in a back room in. And so um it was just, again, that humble posture. Like I have so much to learn here and I need to ask a lot more questions than I need to give directives. I need to ah I need to listen more than I need to talk.Scott Worthington — Of course, there’s moments when I’m leading my staff and all the things where I need to give vision and direction. And I’m not saying abdicate your responsibility as a leader, but um man, you don’t know what you don’t know, especially in those first 90 days. And I would even say six months to a year… Rich Birch — Right. Scott Worthington — …where you’re just learning things. And then I just took a lot of people out to coffee, lot of people to lunch in our church. And I just, I started to ask questions about how they feel about the culture of Hope and how we can grow and how we can get better. Scott Worthington — And yeah, I gave my staff a lot of access. Some people will be like, oh, that’s dangerous. I literally put a glass door in my office and I said, hey, at any point you guys want to swing by if you got questions about what you see. I’ve called them just softball tosses. Like what are those softball tosses that you can do, you know, eating lunch in the break room, if you if you have a break room, or taking your staff to lunch. Because people are looking for you to become now the bougie senior leader that doesn’t have time for the staff.Scott Worthington — At least that’s been in my spirit. Like people are looking like, oh, now, you know, now Scott’s the the top guy. And I just was like, I’ve never been that guy. I’ve never been the the guy that isolates. And so I’m still going to eat my lunch in the break room. I’ll never forget. We had a staff member come in and it was like three weeks after the transition. She said, what are you doing in here? And she was genuinely shocked that I was eating lunch in the break room. And I laughed and I said, I’ve been eating lunch in this break room for 15 years. And and that was an easy win. Like that created a culture. Scott Worthington — And now I eat lunch with our staff in the break room. And I know, you know, depending on the the scope this scope and scale of whoever’s listening, that could be different. But a large church like us, like they they didn’t expect that from me. And so um it was an easy win. So man, look for easy wins. Listen more than you talk and and just be humble that that you’re going to learn a lot in those those early days.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. I think the the posture of humility goes a long way. And it’s interesting how those, it’s like a relatively small thing, but like something as simple as like, hey, you know, eat in the break room, I think can can speak volumes to people and earn you chips… Scott Worthington — Yeah. Yeah. Rich Birch — …for then, you know, other things that are coming. Scott, this has been a super helpful conversation. Any last words as we wrap up today’s conversation?Scott Worthington — Yeah, I would just, I think I want to encourage the listeners with what the discipleship that I’ve learned here at to Hope for so long. Because I know, I know, I know, even this morning, ministry leaders can can get so busy that they they start to think, I can skip out on my time with the Lord. And again I just honor Pastor Vance for teaching me this for so many years. It really cannot be said enough that your primary call on your life, if you’re listening to this and you’re in ministry and you got a big role and a big title and a big church, and you’re even a small role, a small title, small church, you have responsibility over people. Jesus was not lying when he said, apart from me, you can do nothing. But if we abide in him, we bear much fruit. Scott Worthington — Dude, it’s crazy as the enemy deceives us into thinking, well, we can skip that part so that I can go make much fruit. You can’t. It’s a dead branch cut off from the vine. You can’t bear any fruit. But connected to the vine, spending that time with Jesus, really cultivating a true, deep relationship with the Lord actually is what produces the fruit. And I don’t know maybe somebody needs to hear that this morning like I need to hear that.Rich Birch — No, that’s fantastic. Scott, thank you so much for being here today, for taking some time to spend with us. If people want to track with you or with the church, where do we want to send them online?Scott Worthington — Yeah, hopechurchlv.com, hopechurchlv.com. That’s got all our stuff. And we’re on the socials with all the the same handle, hopechurchlv. And any way we can serve the the greater kingdom, man, we’re down for it.Rich Birch — Great. Thanks so much for being here today. I appreciate that.Scott Worthington — Thank you, guys.

“To be sure, the kingdom has been here as long as we humans have been here, and longer. But it has been made available to us through simple confidence in Jesus, the Anointed, only from the time he became a public figure. It is a kingdom that, in the person of Jesus, welcomes us just as we are, just where we are, and makes it possible for us to translate our “ordinary” life into an eternal one.” —Dallas Willard, The Divine ConspiracyHow would you answer this question: What is the gospel that Jesus preached?When I (Cherie) first encountered this question, I was both arrested and bewildered. I had some sense of what I thought the “gospel” might be, but I could not, for the life of me, articulate what it was that Jesus himself preached. I was new in my adult faith in Jesus and spent most of my devotional time reading the Psalms, the Gospel of John, and Paul's letters.This question launched me on a treasure hunt that changed my life—and continues to propel me today. It led me first deep into Matthew's account of the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus, then into Mark's and Luke's, and back again to John. Over the past twenty years, I have returned again and again to these profound and sweeping accounts of the earthly ministry of the Anointed One.What was the gospel that Jesus preached? And what does an apprenticeship look like when it seeks not only to have faith in Jesus, but to practice living the faith of Jesus?Let's remember it together. Join us for this episode of the Become Good Soil podcast. Indeed, the Kingdom of God is at hand.It's all been prologue. The best is yet to come.For the Kingdom,Cherie and Morgan 

In this episode of Leadership Lean In Chad Veach continues the thoughts of Disciplines to Engage In from Dallas Willard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nate talks with author and Renovaré Institute alum Emily Bain Murphy about her new middle grade fiction book and the potency of stories for spiritual formation.

How do you confront someone's behavior without becoming condemning yourself?In this episode, John walks through a common real-life situation — dealing with a difficult family member — and explains the three elements required for genuine change.Drawing on insights from Henry Cloud, Dallas Willard, and research on conflict and relationships, John shows why condemnation rarely leads to transformation.You'll discover:- why grace must come first- how truth can be spoken without hostility- why the emotional tone of a conversation matters- the surprising role patience plays in change- why grace + truth + time are all necessaryReal growth rarely happens overnight. But when grace, truth, and time come together, relationships can begin to change in ways condemnation never could.Because there is now no condemnation.

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this episode is, “The Gospel Is Bigger.” In this episode, Smith discusses an article from Christianity Today that led him to the thought above. Smith cites Dallas Willard, John Mark Comer, and Scot McKnight to explain his thoughts above. James Bryan Smith's thought from above this week is, “God is the most joyous being in the universe.” In this epiode Smith explains how and why God is joyous. He gives examples from the book of Job and The Divine Conspiracy. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Related Episodes: 1. God Is Joyous 2. God is Looking for You 3. Conversation with AJ Swoboda and Nijay Gupta 4. Love Has You 5. Deny The post The Gospel Is Bigger appeared first on Apprentice Institute.