Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology. 

Check out our 2025 RENEW Gathering Digital Access Pass: 

https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/ 

Today’s episode will help us understand the theological and social perspectives surrounding the inclusion and fear experienced by African Americans in the context of Christian unity.

Orpheus. Heyward discusses the importance of theological foundations, focusing on the Great Commission and the inclusivity of the Gospel for all ethnic groups. It highlights the biblical story of Peter's vision in Acts 10, emphasizing God's acceptance of ethnic diversity. Orpheus. Heyward addresses the historical trauma faced by African Americans, particularly in the context of religious exclusion and the formation of the black church. The need for understanding and addressing these historical wounds is stressed, particularly within predominantly Caucasian religious spaces. The speaker shares personal experiences and suggests open dialogue and empathy as key steps towards racial unity and reconciliation within the Christian community. Examples include discussions on the Trayvon Martin and George Floyd incidents and the importance of including African American narratives in the larger Christian history. The message concludes with a call for authentic inclusion, collaboration on the mission of God, and the significance of understanding historical pain to create a more inclusive and unified Christian community.

Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology. 

Check out our free eBook on: Facing Your Church’s Future: 6 Steps to Consider in 10 Minutes

https://renew.org/product/facing-your-churchs-future-6-steps-to-consider-in-10-minutes/ 

Today’s episode will help us understand the crucial role of love, mercy, and compassion in the modern church and how we can engage the younger generation in revitalizing the mission of the Christian faith.

Mike Williams addresses the perception that contemporary church practices have become inward-focused, missing their broader societal impact. He discusses the concerns of young Christians who find traditional churches irrelevant and instead pursue non-profit initiatives to address human suffering. The speaker draws on historical examples and biblical teachings to stress the need for a modern restoration of the church's commitment to love, mercy, and compassion, akin to the early Christian community's transformative influence on Roman society. Emphasizing an apostolic response over antagonism or apathy, the call is for the church to engage actively in redemptive work, thereby reclaiming its relevance and effectively spreading the teachings of Jesus.

Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology. 

Check out our free eBook on: Preview of Holy Spirit: Filled, Empowered, and Led

https://renew.org/product/preview-of-holy-spirit-filled-empowered-and-led/ 

Today’s episode will help us understand the critical need to develop effective leadership pipelines within the Independent Christian Church in America to ensure its growth and sustainability.

Doug Crozier discusses the growth and challenges of the Independent Christian Church in America. He highlights the rapid increase in large congregations since the early 90s and attributes the growth to non-denominationalism, a strong belief in the Word of God, and leadership development. Doug Crozier criticizes the decline in Christian college enrollment for ministry degrees, linking it to financial concerns and inadequate pastoral compensation. Proposed solutions include better financial support for pastors, building endowments for Bible colleges, and substantial contributions from megachurch leaders. The need for pastoral care and maintaining current leaders to ensure ongoing growth is also emphasized.

Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology. 

Check out our free eBook on: Revisiting the Master Plan of Evangelism

https://renew.org/product/demo-ebook-post-01-copy-2/ 

Today’s episode will help us understand the importance of disciple making and how to practically apply the principles of Jesus' ministry to modern-day church cultures.

Josh Howard discusses the crucial importance of good theology and experiencing the love of Christ in relationships. He emphasizes the insufficiency of programs, great preaching, praise, worship, and social justice alone. Instead, it advocates for a return to Jesus' method of disciple making. Josh Howard highlights a recent study revealing that only 1 in 19 churches focus on disciple making. Josh Howard, a missionary in India for 15 years, shares his journey of learning discipleship from Indian believers who modeled profound faith and sacrifice. He notes the success of a disciple-making movement that has led to over 130,000 conversions. The script calls for unity among Christians, focusing on Jesus' mission and the urgent need for discipleship to fulfill the Great Commission.

Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology. 

Check out our free eBook on: Preview of Holy Spirit: Filled, Empowered, and Led

https://renew.org/product/preview-of-holy-spirit-filled-empowered-and-led/ 

Today’s episode will help us understand the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in personal and communal spiritual growth through the teachings and experiences shared by Dave Clayton.

Dave Clayton emphasizes the necessity of the Holy Spirit's presence in ministry. He begins with a prayer and a personal anecdote of the speaker forgetting his soon-to-be wife at their rehearsal dinner. This story serves as a parable illustrating how ministers can easily focus on tasks and strategies, neglecting the Holy Spirit, akin to attending a party but missing the presence of the guest of honor. Dave Clayton argues that true ministry must involve intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit, citing biblical examples of Jesus' reliance on the Spirit. Key points include the Holy Spirit affirming leaders' identity as children of God, providing freedom from sin, enabling abundant fruitfulness, and offering deep spiritual fullness. Dave Clayton calls for humility, holiness, and hunger for the Spirit's guidance to rejuvenate the church's mission.

Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology. 

Check out our free eBook on: Becoming a Disciple Maker: The Pursuit of Level 5 Disciple Making

https://renew.org/product/becoming-a-disciple-maker-the-pursuit-of-level-5-disciple-making/ 

Today’s episode will help us understand the deep divisions in society and the church, as well as explore how different ideological 'caps' can shape our beliefs and actions.

Daniel McCoy discusses the deep political and ideological divisions within Christian families and churches, highlighting the tension between conservative and progressive viewpoints. He introduces two archetypal church members, Spencer the Specifist, who demands more specific and conservative preaching, and Amber the Ambiguous, who advocates for a more inclusive and less definitive approach. Daniel McCoy then draws parallels between modern political divisions and historic events, like the French Revolution and Constantine's reign, cautioning against aligning the gospel too closely with political ideologies. It also explains the impact of intersectional feminism on Christian beliefs and emphasizes the need to balance social justice and biblical teachings without succumbing to polarized, ready-made versions of the gospel.

Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology. 

Check out our free eBook on: Multipliers: A summary of the best church planting insights by the co-founder and CEO of the world’s largest gathering of church planters every year.

https://renew.org/product/multipliers/ 

Today’s episode will help us understand the importance of making disciples who make disciples, starting new churches, and ensuring that these churches remain committed to biblical teaching and authority.

This episode features Brett Andrews talking about the importance of discipleship and church planting as central to the mission of spreading the teachings of Jesus. Emphasizing that discipleship should naturally lead to the development of new churches, the speaker explains that New Life’s vision aligns with Passion for Planting and the Renew Movement, aiming to create a church-planting network. The episode highlights the need for individual disciples to grow and make disciples, eventually leading to reproducing churches and networks. The significance of proper theological foundations and accountability in new church plants is stressed, advocating for adherence to biblical teachings. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of community and structured support for church planters. 

Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology. 

Check out our free eBook on: The Kingdom Unleashed https://renew.org/product/the-kingdom-unleashed/ 

Today's episode will help us explore the conviction about God's word that guides us towards unity within the restoration movement.

Orpheus Heyward emphasizes the importance of unity in the Restoration Movement, grounded in the belief that Jesus Christ and Scripture serve as the final authority. Key points include handling the word of God with integrity, recognizing and managing biases in interpreting Scripture, and understanding the role of preachers. Orpheus Heyward discusses the historical context and significance of specific biblical passages, such as 2 Timothy 3:16 and Acts 2:42. An anecdote about cooperation between Churches of Christ and the Christian Church highlights the need to focus on core doctrines rather than divisive issues like instrumental music in worship. The speaker advocates for scriptural integrity and not letting personal or traditional biases hinder fellowship among believers.

Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology. 

Check out our free eBook on: Preview of ‘What Are You Waiting For?’ https://renew.org/product/preview-of-what-are-you-waiting-for/ 

Today’s episode will help us understand the importance of starting a new restoration movement, the impact of university choices on young adults' lives, and the necessity to overcome sectarianism for a united revolutionary effort.

Mike Williams reflects on a previous speech given two years ago about initiating a new restoration movement at Harding University. He discusses the need for a renewed movement inspired by revolutionary change rather than traditional methods, highlighting the shortcomings of current approaches to keep youth engaged with the church. The speaker addresses the importance of the 'defining decade' in young adults' lives, emphasizing the role of faith-based higher education in shaping future leaders and revolutionaries. Personal anecdotes and larger calls for ecumenical unity underscore the urgency of abandoning sectarianism and fostering a dynamic, engaged faith community.

Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology. 

Exploring Scientology: An Interview with Susanna Johansson.

Key Takeaways