Episodes

Church planting and church revitalization are two sides of the same coin. However, there are still many who wonder why plant churches at all. Why not just revitalize churches? In the last episode of Season 1, John and Caleb look at the reasons why we should value and support Church planting and how they are a powerful tool in spreading the gospel. We do not have to choose between church planting and church revitalization. They work hand-in-hand. Church plants help fulfill the Great Commission Ne...

Last week, John and Caleb introduced the topic of church revitalization in the Knowing God Podcast. In this second part, John and Caleb talk about how churches return to health, gain a healthier place in their communities, and shepherd their members to greater purpose and ministry. Outline: Pastors must pray, preach, and stay. Establish a sense of urgency. Define the present reality but be a voice of hope. Cast vision that defines a better future. Lead through change. Be intentional with relatio...

With 80-90% of all churches either in a plateau or in decline, church revitalization is a vital ministry for most pastors. In this episode of Knowing God Podcast, John and Caleb introduce the topic of church revitalization. The goal for all churches, regardless of age and where they are on the life cycle, is to be healthy. Thus, pastors who are church revitalizers are often pointing their congregations to greater health so that they might be more faithful to the Great Commission. Outline: Defini...

Digital engagement strategies for churches are here to stay. While it is safe to say that Covid-19 altered the way we experience church, the internet was already shaping the way we experience life and worship long before March of 2020. In this episode, John and Caleb conclude their discussion of digitizing church by offering some “yellow lights,” or appropriate ways to extend the church’s mission digitally with wisdom. Yellow lights: Wisdom is needed with digital engagement. We must acknowledge ...

Last week, John and Caleb introduced the all-important discussion of digitizing church. In this episode of Knowing God Podcast, we look at how innovators are using the internet with little restraint. Is this the correct approach? And should we readily adopt any new digital method to help fulfill the Great Commission? These “green lights” will be assessed in our conversation. Green lights: The church can use any digital tool possible. VR church is in its infancy, and this is a new mission field. ...

Beginning in March of 2020, churches were forced to pivot their strategies and port most or all of their ministries to an online environment. COVID-19 certainly changed the way we experienced church. However, churches were experimenting with digital ministries long before the pandemic. In this episode of Knowing God, Caleb and John discuss what some “red lights” might be to digitizing church. Follow-up episodes in the next two weeks will look at applying wisdom of utilizing the internet to exten...

What are the different activities within the life of the church that God uses to bless his people? And what do we miss if we neglect involvement in a local church? Historically, the “means of grace” have been understood as the activities within a church to encourage holiness to its people and provide grace. In this episode, Caleb and John differentiate how this has been understood in the Protestant tradition and how we churches use ordinary means to bring benefits to its membership. Outline: The...

The subject of church discipline causes many to be squeamish at best and hostile at worst. Why would a church that is about loving people seek to discipline its membership? Many people avoid discipline of any kind, but when discipline is rightly applied it is a sign of love, security, and protection. In the same way, church discipline is a sign of a healthy church. In this episode, Caleb and John discuss why this is so and how church discipline is to be applied. Outline: Case study in 1 Corinthi...

If you are a believer in Christ, you are then a member of the universal church. So why would you seek to become a member of a local church? Is local church membership even biblical? In this episode, John and Caleb discuss the merits of joining a local church and why it is a spiritual benefit to believers. Outline (From Mark Dever’s Book Why Should I Join a Church?) Church membership: Displays the gospel Is required by the Bible Provides a way to love one another Empowers evangelism Brings assura...

All of us have had our “normal” lives interrupted in the last few years because of Covid-19. The last two years have witnessed unprecedented disruptions, political animosity, racial unrest, economic instability, and general anxiety. How has this affected our churches and our pastors? In this episode, John and Caleb discuss their own respective journeys of health and highlight ways that churches can be places of healing for those who are weary. https://www.barna.com/research/pastors-well-being/ R...