The Learning Laborers podcast is honored to host Dr. Carmen Joy Imes. Carmen is an Old Testament professor at Biola University and in this episode, we discuss her forthcoming book - Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters (which you can pre-order here).

The conversation covers the biblical foundation of the "family" metaphor for God's people, examining how both the Old and New Testament share this important motif. Just as the people of Israel formed a community around the presence of God, so too the church has been called to rally together as a family around Christ. Carmen also shares practical ways that churches can learn to foster community and wait on God together, while at the same time appreciating their place in the global family of God.

Resources from Carmen:

Becoming God's Family

Torah Tuesday Video Series

LL Episodes Mentioned:

Transfiguration Episode⁠Matthew Kimbrough Interview⁠

Other Resources Mentioned:

Churches and the Crisis of Decline by Andrew Root

Paul and the Resurrection of Israel by Jason Staples

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

Exodus (The Story of God Bible Commentary) by Christopher J. H. Wright

00:00 Welcome to the Learning Laborers Podcast02:57 Introducing Dr. Carmen Joy IMEs and Her Work03:54 The Church's Identity and Mission: Old Testament Insights09:11 The Importance of Waiting and Faithfulness20:12 Practical Ways to Foster a Posture of Waiting in Church26:11 The Role of Worship and Community in Spiritual Growth37:05 The Analogy of Drifting Off Course38:40 The Ark of the Covenant and Its Significance42:36 Jesus and the Reconstitution of Israel49:50 Challenges of Consumerism in the Church50:56 Practical Steps for Church Unity01:00:17 The Global Family of God01:04:47 Lightning Round and Final Thoughts