What if the greatest barrier to kingdom collaboration isn’t theology—but ego?

In this episode, we sit down with leaders from GACX (Global Alliance for Church Multiplication) to explore a radically different vision of partnership—one that doesn’t begin with “what do I gain?” but with “what can I give?” From global church planting networks to theological education, we wrestle with a provocative idea: real collaboration may require us not just to win—but to lose. And in that loss, discover how the kingdom actually advances.

Church multiplication, GACX, Global mission networks, Missiology, Kingdom collaboration, Partnership theology, Church planting movements, Theological education, Missional leadership, Younger leaders in mission, Organizational discipleship, Collaboration vs competition, Unreached people groups, Microchurch / movement ecclesiology, Competency-based theological education.

(Based on transcript timing)

00:00 – Opening + Prayer
Setting the tone: mission, Jesus, and kingdom focus

01:40 – Episode Intro + Guests
Joey Shaw & Valerie Hamilton (GACX)

04:00 – Humanizing the Guests
Poetry, basketball, third-culture identity

11:00 – What is GACX?
Vision: a church for every 1,000 people
Collaboration over duplication

13:00 – The Challenge of Partnership
Why collaboration is hard in practice

15:00 – Rethinking Partnership
From “win-win” → “lose-win”

20:00 – A Case Study in Kingdom Collaboration
Real-time resource sharing across organizations

24:00 – Personal Reflection on Ego & Leadership
The hidden struggle behind collaboration

25:00 – Future Vision of GACX
Initiative groups, global forums, younger leaders

29:00 – Organizational Discipleship
Can institutions live cruciform lives?

32:00 – Biblical Framework (Deuteronomy)
Giving without recognition

34:00 – Theological Education & Movements
Bridging formal and informal systems

38:00 – The Future of Seminaries
Decline, innovation, and new models

41:00 – Two-Loop Theory of Change
Bridging old and emerging systems

43:00 – Final Reflections + Call to Action

If this episode encouraged you, please leave a review and share it with others exploring missional living in post-Christian contexts. Thanks for doing theology in community with us today!

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Michael is the missiologist in residence with East West where he focuses on equipping and empowering church leaders in evangelism, discipleship, leadership, and catalyzing church planting movements in the most difficult to reach places on the planet. He is the author of Ephesiology: The Study of the Ephesian Movement as well as many other books and academic articles. He has lectured at universities around the world and serves as affiliate faculty at Kairos University where he facilitates the degree programs in partnership with Ephesiology Master Classes.

Andrew is a proud husband, father and pastor who desires all to know the one true King. He is honored to serve at West Village Church in Victoria, BC. Previously, he’s ministered in Houston, Chicago, Indy, Flagstaff and Tempe in a variety of church contexts. Andrew has a BA in Christian Ministry from Trinity International University and an MA from Phoenix Seminary. He is currently a Doctor of Ministry student at Kairos University and is the co-host of the Ephesiology Podcast. When not at work, he’s an avid disc golfing, vinyl playing, Spider-Man following/collecting fellow. Go Pacers.

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