The Shock Absorber

MINI-SERIES: Part 2 of our sneak peek of Berea as Stu continues the first tutorial from the Berea Internship.

Churches may share the same faith, but their theology, strategy, and practice often differ. They begin by using the Wesleyan Quadrilateral (Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience) as a diagnostic tool to assess how churches develop their ministry frameworks. What does it truly mean to build a ministry that is based on the Bible? And when tough decisions arise, what do churches and individuals default to—what is their ultimate authority?

They then explore the different strategies of churches by looking at how different churches raise up young people using Mark Senter III’s Four Views of Youth Ministry. From there, they examine how churches move from theology to practice. Stu draws on Little Country Church by Lovesong to illustrate how churches can come together around Jesus through the Word of God, rather than rigid institutional programs. They discuss how some churches institutionalise practice, while others, with a theological authority and a strong strategy can have a flexible practice.

Finally, Tim challenges listeners to assess their own ministry framework—send in your responses!!

00:00 Recognising churches are different
11:10 What authority do you default to?
18:23 Thinking through strategic differences among churches
25:09 Examining different practices of churches
37:25 Tim's challenge to our listeners

DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE

The Wesleyan Quadrilateral
The Four Views of Youth Ministry, by Mark Senter III

CONTACT US

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Shock Absorber Website: shockabsorber.com.au
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MINI-SERIES: Get a taster for what Berea is like as Stu runs the first tutorial from the Berea Internship.

As Saturday Night Live celebrates its 50th anniversary, the guys explore how institutions evolve, questioning how ideas can be institutionalised while still remaining relevant over time.

Stu then starts up the Berea tutorial with a deep dive into ministry frameworks, beginning with Berea’s spiral method of learning—where content is introduced in layers, revisited, and explored more deeply over time. The key question: What does it look like to develop a ministry framework? Rather than prescribing what to think, he emphasises how to think about ministry, recognising that every church—whether intentionally or not—operates within a particular framework.

The question is what is Jesus’ Theology-Strategy-Practice. Looking at Matthew 22:37-40 and the parable of the Good Samaritan, we get an insight into how the Soul Revival ministry began. Instead of running a culturally relevant program, they shifted to a countercultural model—prioritising deep, relationships that have been won for us by Christ. It led to an important realisation: rather than institutionalising programs and ideas, their ministry should institutionalise friendships. Drawing from Bonhoeffer’s vision of expanding friendships, they explore how discipleship flourishes when relationships are at the core of Christian community.

Looking at history, they discuss how discipleship and mission thrived in multi-generational settings and critique the Homogeneous Unit Principle, which often led to generational gaps and people leaving the church. Instead, they advocate for a ministry framework rooted in inclusivity, relational discipleship, and a mission that extends across all ages and life stages.

00:00 Intro
01:21 CULTURAL ARTEFACT: Saturday Night Live turns 50
11:20 Berea begins: What is your ministry framework?
19:15 What is Jesus's Theology-Strategy-Practice?
34:56 Challenging the paradigm of friendship
40:53 Generation gaps and losing people from church

DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE

“SNL50” Brought the Stars, Nostalgia, and More Questions About the Future
More Cowbell Sketch
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Black Jeopardy with Tom Hanks - SNL

CONTACT US

Shock Absorber Email: [email protected]
Shock Absorber Website: shockabsorber.com.au
Soul Revival Shop: soulrevival.shop

Check out what else Soul Revival is up to here

MINI-SERIES: The PRACTICE of in-house ministry training with Joel, Tim and Stu.

As the next Federal election approaches, political leaders in Australia have started appearing on podcasts to connect with voters in a more direct and unfiltered way. But how does this approach compare to political campaigning in the United States? They explore the differences between the Australian and US election strategies, looking at how media engagement, party structures, and voter outreach shape the way campaigns unfold in each country.

Shifting gears, they take a deep dive into the Practice of Berea, Soul Revival Church’s internal training ministry that has recently undergone a re-structure. Designed to help people grow in faith, theological understanding, and leadership capacity, the re-tooling of Berea has been developed through collaboration while building on the strong foundations of previous training efforts. The new structure consists of three delivery elements—Essentials, Next Steps, and Deep Dives—which function as a kind of catechism for Soul Revival Church. The goal is to create a clear and accessible pathway for people to deepen their faith, understand the church’s theological distinctions as an Anglican community, and find meaningful ways to serve.

They also break down what the Next Steps stage looks like in practice, which is focused on training for service teams and developing practical skills that enhance leadership and ministry involvement. By creating a structured system that supports people at all levels, Berea aims to help individuals know where they are in their faith journey and providing an accessible point of entry.

Looking to the future, they discuss how this new approach will strengthen relationships, grow the church community, grow a cohesive leadership culture and expand leadership teams

00:00 Intro
01:21 CULTURAL ARTEFACT: Australian political leaders on podcasts
15:49 Breaking down the new Berea structure
28:39 Building a training system for all service teams
34:24 Growing a cohesive leadership culture

DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE

'If you think it's biased, it is biased': Albanese and Dutton turn to podcasts ahead of election
Straight Talk - Anthony Albanese
Straight Talk - Peter Dutton
1960 U.S. Presidential Debate (JFK v Nixon)
John Howard & Mark Latham handshake
Jeremy's Chip Lunch episode

CONTACT US

Shock Absorber Email: [email protected]
Shock Absorber Website: shockabsorber.com.au
Soul Revival Shop: soulrevival.shop

Check out what else Soul Revival is up to here

MINI-SERIES: Tim, Joel and Stu use Berea as a way of investigating the strategy of in-house ministry training.

This episode begins with the launch of Tim’s book, The Child in God's Church, which explores theologically integrating children into the life of the church. Rather than seeing young people as a future project or a problem to solve, the discussion emphasises that they are already part of the church today. This shift in perspective shapes how discipleship and involvement of children and young people in the body of Christ take place.

A key aspect of the discussion is Berea, Soul Revival's internal ministry training hub, which was designed as an affordable and flexible model to supplement further theological study, disciple people publicly, and foster a collaborative approach to ministry. Berea was where the idea of the Shock Absorber originated, and embraces a teaching model that de-emphasises the expert and allows both top-down and bottom-up contributions. It creates a space where younger people can actively shape ministry while also learning alongside their leaders. By prioritising relationships over rigid institutional structures, Berea ensures that Soul Revival’s culture is passed through generations while remaining firmly rooted in biblical truths and traditional church expressions.

The discussion explores the importance of the third place strategy and engaging in training content within the context of community. Ministry is not only about imparting knowledge but also about creating spaces where people can wrestle with and apply theological ideas together.

This approach has shaped Soul Revival from its early days, where the permission to explore new ideas became foundational. Berea now functions as the Shock Absorber of the church, balancing tradition with innovation. Drawing inspiration from movements like L'Abri, the 1960s social revolutions at Berkeley, and the Jesus Movement, it fosters an environment where young people's desire and ability to enact change can be harnessed within a biblical framework.

Through an emphasis on Christian conviction, character, and competency, Berea unites generations in an ongoing conversation about what it means to be faithful Christians in today’s world and acts as a safeguard for the church’s teaching. Rather than simply replacing thought leadership over time, this model sustains it—preserving the gospel while allowing each generation to engage with it in meaningful ways.

00:00 Intro and Tim's recently launched book: The Child in God's Church
14:29 A strategy of in-house ministry training
27:40 Embracing third place community in training
32:53 The designer of holistic church strategy
43:01 Continuing thought leadership rather than replacing it

DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE

Get The Child in God's Church

• Youthworks
• Koorong
• The Wandering Bookseller
• Amazon
• Apple

The Coming Revolution in Youth Ministry, by Mark Senter III
Berkeley in the Sixties

CONTACT US

Shock Absorber Email: [email protected]
Shock Absorber Website: shockabsorber.com.au
Soul Revival Shop: soulrevival.shop

Check out what else Soul Revival is up to here

MINI-SERIES: Tim, Joel and Stu chat Theology-Strategy-Practice for internal ministry training, based off Soul Revival's which is called Berea. They explore why teaching how to think—rather than what to think—is essential for Christian discipleship.

They begin by unpacking Apple’s controversial Crush ad for the iPad Pro, which sparked backlash for its destruction of cultural artefacts. The discussion moves beyond the ad itself to the broader issue of cultural erasure—how progressive movements often attempt to reset culture by dismissing the past. Historically, new ideas were met with skepticism, but in today’s world, rapid cultural shifts are often embraced without question. Has Apple, once the disruptor, now become just another institution enforcing its own version of progress? And how do we prevent against the institutionalisation of ideas in the church?

From there, the conversation shifts to the importance of internal training ministries within churches. Why should churches invest in spaces where people can wrestle with ideas rather than simply be told what to believe? This leads to the story of Berea, a ministry that began in Stu’s house over 20 years ago. Inspired by the Jesus Movement of the 1960s, social movements out of Berkeley, and the intellectual community of L'Abri in Switzerland, Berea was built on the idea of setting aside time to ask, What does it look like to be a Christian today? and How should that shape ministry?

The hosts then explore the core idea of Berea—focusing on how to think biblically while remaining grounded in Christian convictions. They discuss how bureaucracies often spread ideas while losing sight of founding principles, a problem that applies just as much to ministry as it does to government. Instead of institutionalising church practices, what if discipleship was built around relationships with God and each other? What if, rather than relying on structured courses and programs, churches created spaces where Christians could sit, read, and think deeply about Scripture? By reclaiming the pre-industrial revolution model of learning through apprenticeship, Berea has helped many rethink their theological convictions—sometimes even leading them to leave Soul Revival in love.

Finally, they reflect on the ongoing nature of spiritual growth. Christians are called to continually expand their thoughts, affections, and feelings toward God. Learning doesn’t stop—it’s a lifelong pursuit.

00:00 Intro and CULTURAL ARTEFACT: Apple's iPad Pro ad: Crushed
18:47 Why even have an internal training ministry?
20:42 The genesis of Berea
43:06 How to think, not what to think
01:28:00 We are called to never stop growing

DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE

Crush! | iPad Pro | Apple
Social media minimum age legislation passed
The Coming Revolution in Youth Ministry, by Mark Senter III
The Great Evangelical Disaster, by Francis Schaeffer

CONTACT US

Shock Absorber Email: [email protected]
Shock Absorber Website: shockabsorber.com.au
Soul Revival Shop: soulrevival.shop

Check out what else Soul Revival is up to here

MINI-SERIES: Theology-Strategy-Practice for ministry teams. Stu, Tim and Joel look at the practice element of ministry teams. They explore how friendship fuels the heart of ministry.

They kick things off by reflecting on Wes Huff’s appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience and the cultural shift toward appreciating Christianity’s influence on the West. Is this a Bob Dylan or a Jesus Christ Superstar moment?

From there, they dive into the often-quoted observation that 20% of the people in church do 80% of the work. Why is it critical to talk about who is serving in the body of Christ, and how can churches value people beyond just their contributions?

They share how Soul Revival Church has intentionally moved away from a professionalised or approach to ministry teams and instead embraced the idea of “ministry as mates”—where friendship is foundational to serving together. When inviting someone to join a ministry, the question isn’t “Can you fill this role?” but “Do you want to be friends with us?”

They discuss how Soul Revival’s 10 service teams operate across seven gatherings, balancing a hybrid model of generalist and specialist pastor ministry models. They explain how this structure—organised by the Soul Revival Council—creates a space for volunteers to serve well without turning church into another workplace. At Soul Revival, friendship is the cultural engine that powers everything from preventing burnout to building a vision of Christian community that loves and serves together.

Finally, they take a deep dive into the logistics: how the coordinator model and ministry pairs allow service teams to grow organically, scaling from small beginnings to larger expressions of ministry. They also highlight how the Soul Revival Council ensures all ministries, big and small, have a voice.

00:00 Intro and CULTURAL ARTEFACTS: Wes Huff on Joe Rogan
20:33 Who is serving the body of Christ?
28:58 Friendship, service over professionalism
34:52 Love being sincere. Creating something bigger than ourselves
49:39 "Don't ask me to be friends with people"
55:48 People don't want to turn up to work again
1:08:20 Reducing frustration in churches

DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE

Joe Rogan Experience #2252 - Wesley Huff
Alex O'Connor on Wes Huff's episode
Gavin Ortlund Wes Huff's episode
Joe Rogan Experience #2219 - Donald Trump
Joe Rogan Experience #2221 - JD Vance
Bob Dylan Recalls Moment He Met Jesus
Amy Grant Reflects on Christian Music Beginnings, Mainstream Breakout
The Rest is History: Christmas
Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind, by Tom Holland
The Purpose Driven Church, by Rick Warren

CONTACT US

Shock Absorber Email: [email protected]
Shock Absorber Website: shockabsorber.com.au
Soul Revival Shop: soulrevival.shop

Check out what else Soul Revival is up to here

MINI-SERIES: Theology-Strategy-Practice for ministry teams - this time it's strategy behind church ministry teams.

The guys delve into Soul Revival's Strategy of ministry teams. Starting with cultural artefacts, debating the depiction of AI in fiction versus reality and sharing stories about our favorite libraries, setting the stage for a discussion on deeper societal reflections.

Next, they explore insights from a chapter of Stu's PhD, focusing on how the church can influence each other's social life by allowing Jesus to guide our friendships and placing the Bible at the forefront. This leads them to reflect on the explicitly Christian approach of partnering with Jesus as He grows the church, emphasising spiritual growth over mere social or organisational efficiency.

The discussion then shifts to church strategy. Are churches open to reevaluating their methods and finding their 'light bulb moment'? They explore the idea of embracing 'otherness'—building friendships across differences rather than settling in being pleasant strangers. By leaning into the concept of church as a 'third place' community, they consider how such inclusivity can bring glory to God. Instead, they propose a relational approach to ministry—doing it as friends—which, in today's culture, might seem counter-cultural to even Christians.

Finally, they look at whether efficiency should be the core metric in measuring Christian ministry. and offer an alternative that has served Soul Revival well, where 70-80% of the congregation actively serves in it's 10 ministry teams: serving together as friends. They conclude with practical thoughts on fostering relational ministry, emphasising spending time together and building something greater than ourselves beyond just having efficient rosters at church.

00:00 Intro and CULTURAL ARTEFACTS: AI fact or fiction? Your favourite library
09:44 Allowing church to influence social life
18:35 Are churches open to considering their strategy?
28:17 Ministry as friends is counter-cultural
40:14 Is efficiency a good metric for Christian ministry?
52:52 Something bigger than ourselves over efficient rosters

DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE:

Joel's episode on the Aspire podcast
Aaron Smith on The Shock Absorber
Donald Robinson Library at Moore College
State Library Victoria
National Library of Australia
The Great Good Place, by Ray Oldenburg
L'Abri

CONTACT US:

Shock Absorber Email: [email protected]
Shock Absorber Website: shockabsorber.com.au
Soul Revival Shop: soulrevival.shop

Check out what else Soul Revival is up to here

MINI-SERIES: Theology-Strategy-Practice for ministry teams, kicking things off by diving deep into the theology behind church ministry teams.

Drawing from Ephesians 4 and Acts 6, Joel, Tim and Stu explore the Biblical foundation that shapes our understanding of ministry teams and the essential role of pastors as leaders who raise up others — both paid and unpaid — to serve and love the church community.

They also tackle some pressing challenges facing modern churches: the decline of volunteerism, the professionalisation of ministry, and the misconception that paying someone to "do the job" will solve the problem. In many ways, churches have become so concerned with appearing professional and successful that there is a fear of appearing amateur.

This episode raises critical questions: Is the decline in serving due to church structure or a symptom of cultural shifts? Why do we expect pastors to be experts at everything, and how does this align with the vision of the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12? We discuss the pressures on pastors, the tension between generalist and specialist roles, and the emerging dynamic where churchgoers act more like consumers than active participants.

Tim wraps things up with a powerful metaphor, likening ministry teams to dragon boating: everyone pulling together in rhythm, with the pastor beating the drum to keep the pace.

MINI-SERIES: Young People in the Church [PRACTICE]

In this episode, Joel and Tim dive into the critical importance of practice in youth and children’s ministry, exploring its role within Soul Revival's Theology-Strategy-Practice framework. They discuss how churches can be an essential pillar of stability for young people, providing relationships and networks that foster genuine community.

They unpack the ways Christians have uncritically adopted industrialised models of faith formation and psycho-social development within church. They challenge the notion that children's faith is "incomplete" and argue that we’re not waiting for kids to become Christians — they are fully part of the Kingdom and have a faith of their own.

They also explore three of Soul Revival's key practices in youth and children's ministry as examples, youth leadership, leadership training and Kids Chill. These practices illustrate how fostering relational stability and a village-like community can help form faith more effectively. Ultimately, they emphasise that it takes a village not just to raise children, but to raise all of us, highlighting the need to reclaim community and relational stability within the church through Shock Absorber principles.

00:00 Intro
02:40 CULTURAL ARTEFACT: Primary school concerts
07:57 Institutionalised transition points created by schooling
16:58 Faith formation has been uncritically mapped onto our industrialised society
35:03 Breaking down some of Soul Revival youth and children's Practices
58:30 Recapturing "It takes a village to raise a child"

DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE

It Takes a Church to Raise a Parent, by Rachel Turner

CONTACT US:

Shock Absorber Email: [email protected]
Shock Absorber Website: shockabsorber.com.au
Soul Revival Shop: soulrevival.shop

Check out what else Soul Revival is up to here

MINI-SERIES: Young People in the Church [STRATEGY]

In this episode of The Shock Absorber Podcast, Joel, Stu, and Tim explore the critical importance of strategy in youth and children’s ministry as part of our Theology-Strategy-Practice framework. Strategy isn’t optional—it’s essential for creating meaningful, lasting ministry impact. Without it, churches risk creating transient, hollow experiences for young people, with disastrous consequences.

After briefly reflecting on the movie Hidden Figures, the team delves into why having a clear strategy is often overlooked and why its absence can have a devastating effect on both young people's faith and the wider church community. A major issue is the transience often modeled to young people, which can destabilize their sense of commitment and support during transitional periods of life.

The episode concludes with a discussion on how an intergenerational approach, including age-specific and family ministry, can bring stability. They explore how the Shock Absorber model of top-down and bottom-up ministry empowers young people to contribute to the church while drawing on the Biblical wisdom of older generations.

00:00 Intro
04:08 CULTURAL ARTEFACT: Hidden Figures
08:00 Strategy matters, it's not incidental
18:47 No youth strategy can result in disastrous consequences
27:22 Modelled transience is the problem
32:48 Avoid a transient, hollowed out expression of church
44:51 Age specific and family ministry belongs within church strategy
51:19 Ministry that's top down and bottom up [The Shock Absorber]

DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE

The Rest is History, America in '68
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Hidden Figures
Steve John video on youth pastors

CONTACT US

Shock Absorber Email: [email protected]
Shock Absorber Website: shockabsorber.com.au
Soul Revival Shop: soulrevival.shop

Check out what else Soul Revival is up to here