Discipleship Conversations

“A church culture that is radically hospitable to the Word of God through the diverse voices within the congregation preaching in a rotating basis empowered by the gifting of the Holy Spirit.” This is how Tiffany Dahlman defines the open pulpit. In this episode, Jeremy and Steven talk with Tiffany about how the practice of the open pulpit forms a culture of radical hospitality to the word of God. In our conversation, Tiffany addresses questions about the role of the lead minister in this model, the impact on those participating in the preaching rotation, and how expository preaching from a diversity of voices forms a church community.

Tiffany Dalhman is the lead minister for Courtyard Church of Christ in Fayetteville, NC. You can contact her at [email protected]. You can catch her presentation at Pepperdine University on the open pulpit here: Step Outside the Box.

In this episode, Jeremy and Steven talk with Charles Kiser about his forthcoming book “Trauma-Informed Evangelism: Cultivating Communities of Wounded Healers” which address questions such as: How do we love our neighbors well who carry religious trauma? How do we embody the good news of the way of Jesus in ways that are actually good news for those who have been hurt, harmed, and even abused in the name of the gospel of Jesus, in the name of a version of God or Christianity? Charles helps us reframe evangelism in the terms of being and becoming the gospel in ways that are not only appropriate in relationships with neighbors who have experienced spiritual trauma, but change our understanding of evangelism altogether.

Charles is the lead minister with Storyline Community in Dallas. Trauma-Informed Evangelism, which he co-authors with Elaine Heath, comes out April 2023. Pre-order a copy wherever you get your books. Connect with Charles and learn more about the book on his webpage at www.charleskiser.com.

In this episode, Jeremy and Steven talk with Rex Butts about his new book Gospel Portraits: Reading Scripture as Participants in the Mission of God. Leaning into guitar playing interests, Rex likens our interaction with the story of the Bible to that of members of a blues band. Knowing the key and tempo of the song and following the structure of 12 bar blues, the improvisation of these musicians brings the song to life. For Rex, this serves as a model of how we can live out the story in a way that is faithful to the good news of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God but in a way that is contextualized for the local community in which we live.

Rex is the lead minister with the Newark Church of Christ in Newark, DE. Gospel Portraits is out now wherever you get your books. Connect with Rex via his  Facebook author page or email him at [email protected]. Rex also writes for and manages the Mission Alive blog, Missional Church Planting.

Whether one is learning to play the bass or the game of chess, growing in our skill level occurs best when we are not thinking about being better than others. Rather it is when we approach the instrument or game as a learner. The same goes with growing as a disciple. In this episode, Jeremy and Steven talk about how growing is like setting down one layer of experience, encounter, or knowledge after another.

Find us at www.discipleshipconversations.com or on your favorite podcast app. Review, rate, and share the podcast with your friends.

In this episode, Jeremy and Steven talk with Seth Bouchelle, a New York City missionary, about not inviting people to church, but rather helping them to start a church with their community of friends and family.

In addition to planting churches, Seth serves as the Director of Equipping for Exponent Group, coaching traditional churches in evangelism and cross-cultural ministry. He is the co-author of Mosaic: A Ministry Handbook for a Globalizing World and author of Lost Faith: A Practical Theology for Post-Christendom Ministry.

In this episode, Jeremy and Steven talk with Seth Bouchelle, a New York City missionary, about his journey from a food service job in Amarillo to planting churches in New York City. Learn how this journey helped him change his understanding and practice of evangelism.

In addition to planting churches, Seth serves as the Director of Equipping for Exponent Group, coaching traditional churches in evangelism and cross-cultural ministry. He is the co-author of Mosaic: A Ministry Handbook for a Globalizing World and author of Lost Faith: A Practical Theology for Post-Christendom Ministry. Contact Seth through Exponent Group.

What happens when you live discipleship as the hospitality of Christ for the people in front of you? You learn to be still, to be present, to listen, and to receive the story of others rather than passing judgment. Listen in as Jeremy and Steven talk with Tiffany Dahlman about her experience in ministry—planting a church, becoming a preacher, and helping others process church hurt.

Tiffany Dalhman is the Lead Minister for Courtyard Church of Christ in Fayetteville, NC. You can contact her at [email protected].

“As the pastor I come to the whole process trusting in the wisdom of the community.” This is how Cheryl Russell (New Heritage Fellowship) approaches the shared pulpit. Listen in as Jeremy and Steven talk with Chery about how this practice plays a role in formation of the church family and amplifies the hospitality it has to offer guests.

Find us at www.discipleshipconversations.com or on your favorite podcast app. Review, rate, and share the podcast with your friends.

How does a church take up presence in a neighborhood? One way to is to focus around a “parish house.” What is a parish house, you might ask? Join us in this conversation, as we continue talking with Nathan Pickard, minister at the Newmarket Church of Christ in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. In this conversation, Nathan shares the story of how his church came upon the idea of buying a house in the neighborhood (the “parish”) and inviting a family to live with them–them being both the church and the neighborhood.

Find Nathan at http://newmarketchurchofchrist.ca. Use church email. Or personally contact Steven or Jeremy

Resources

https://www.newmarketchurchofchrist.ca/parish-house

https://www.amazon.com/Praying-Neighborhood-Nathan-Pickard-ebook/dp/B01GIMKDQY/

What does it look like for the church to go to the neighborhood? What does it look like for the church to be present with and in a neighborhood, not as a program or ministry, but as a way of life? Join us in this conversation as we talk with Nathan Pickard, minister at the Newmarket Church of Christ in Newmarket, Ontario. Nathan shares stories, wisdom, and insights that his church has gained along the way as they have learned how to be the church in their neighborhood.