Faith Revisited

S4:Ep13 The State of Christian Publishing with Len Wilson

Dive deep into the evolving world of Christian publishing in this episode featuring Len Wilson, Executive Director of Invite Resources and Publisher of Invite Press. We discuss the current state of the industry, weighing the pros and cons of authors self-publishing versus collaborating with traditional publishers. Discover what today's publishers are truly seeking and gather invaluable advice for unpublished authors striving to make their mark. Our returning special guest, Len Wilson, brings unique insights from his journey in the world of Christian literature and shares about this innovative publishing venture, Invite Resources. Whether you're an aspiring author or an avid reader, this episode offers a comprehensive look into the heart of Christian literary endeavors.

S4:Ep12 MLK I Have a Dream 60th Anniversary Interview

Ben interviews Urban Ministries Inc. CEO, Jeffrey Wright and Matthew Daniels, Author of Share The Dream in honor of the 60th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's I Have A Dream Speech. We hope you enjoy this episode of the Faith Revisited Podcast!

 

Share the Dream™ is a six-session video Bible study based on the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. You will look at six biblical principles that shaped Dr. King’s life and motivated him to speak on behalf of African Americans in the Civil Rights Movement: love, conscience, freedom, justice, perseverance, and hope.

Video Promotion for Share The Dream can be found here.

Learn more about Share The Dream here.

S4:Ep11 Adulting Part 2: Self, Spiritual, and Work

Tune in as Molly and Ben embark on a journey from the inside out, discussing the evolution of self, the spiritual odyssey of adulthood, and the trials and triumphs of the work world. They share personal anecdotes, shedding light on the moments they've grown the most, the challenges they've faced in maintaining a spiritual center, and the balance of pursuing purpose in their careers. It's an introspective dive into understanding the core of adulthood in their terms—being at peace with oneself, finding spiritual grounding, and carving out a meaningful professional path.

S4:Ep10 Adulting Part 1: Family, Marriage, and Friendships

In this episode, Molly and Ben delve deep into the intricacies of the relationships that define our lives: family, marriage, and friendships. From moments they felt like bona fide "adults" to the unexpected lessons that these relationships bring, this episode offers a heartfelt exploration of the bonds that challenge, sustain, and grow us. Join these two millennial church leaders as they candidly share stories, reflections, and insights on navigating life's most complex and valuable relationships and how faith influences those journeys.

Stay tuned next episode for Adulting Part 2: Self, Spiritual, and Work.

S4:Ep9 Centering Our Lives in Prayer with Dr. Brian Russell

As Christians, we believe prayer is an important practice in our spiritual lives. But knowing how to pray is a skill we must learn. Dr. Brian Russell is a professor of theology and spiritual coach and he's written a book about the practice of centering prayer as a pathway to grow deeper in our prayer lives. In this episode, Ben and Brian talk about the role of prayer, how to pray in different, more contemplative ways, and how this practice can shape us in deep ways as people of faith. 

 

Brian Russell (Ph.D.) is a professor of biblical studies and a transformational coach for pastors and spiritually-minded professionals. His personal mission is to seek out, study, and embody the deepest truths about God so that he can share them compellingly, lovingly, and transformationally with others. He is passionate about helping people just like you to grow in your love for God and neighbor.

 

He is the author of Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed 2014), (re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade 2015); and his latest Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God's Presence Can Change Your Life (Paraclete Press, 2021). He is also host of the Deep Dive Spirituality Conversations podcast. 
Contact: brian@brianrussellphd.com
Twitter: @briandrussell
Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife
Sign up for updates about centering prayer and invitations to Virtual Centering prayer gatherings co-hosted by Brian: www.centeringprayerbook.com

S4Ep8: The Secret Power of Kindness with Greg Atkinson

Bestselling Author, speaker and pastor Greg Atkinson joins Ben to discuss his new book and the important lessons of The Secret Power of Kindness. Each chapter of The Secret Power of Kindness is dedicated to different key of kindness to unlock. Beginning with forgiveness and followed by generosity, composure, acceptance, rest, wisdom,
empathy, patience, love, and unity.

"Kindness unlocks kindness and kindness is contagious."

We hope you enjoy Ben and Greg's discussion on the importance of kindness and hope for the future.

Greg has a free Kindness devotional on the YouVersion App - Linked Here.

Learn more about Greg Atkinson on his website - Linked Here.

Buy The Secret Power of Kindness Here!

S4:Ep7 Why Stay: Research on Marginalized Voices in the UMC

Ben interviews Nancy Malcom and AJ Ramierez, two UMC lay people and academic researchers who are studying why people are staying in the UMC in spite of the struggles to include LGBT+ persons. They have spent the last year interviewing LGBT+ persons and allys trying to flesh out why people want to remain in the UMC despite our impending denominational split. They give voice to voices who have been largely left out of most UMC discussions about denominational divisions. You will definitely want to hear more about their work and their passion for making the UMC a more inclusive space for all people.

 

Head to www.faithrevistedpodcast.com for links to all of their research articles.

S4:Ep6 Survival, Warfighting and Peacemaking with Greg Munck

Join us as we discuss how Greg Munck overcame a hard dealt hand and turned it into a life of service and honor for God. Greg and Molly talk about his new book being released this week, The Guide: Survival, Warfighting and Peacemaking. From an unstable childhood, to his military service and lasting effects after coming home from War, his relationship with God prevails and gives him purpose.

 

Greg Munck is the Lead Pastor at Crossline Community Church, a Life Coach, Public Speaker, and Founder of The Guide Soldier Foundation. Greg is a USMC combat-promoted veteran (Desert Storm-Kuwait) and has seen the horrors of war firsthand and suffers from PTSD.  Writing his new book, The Guide: Surviving, War-fighting, Peacemaking (May 9, 2023), and creating The Guide Video Series for Every Man ignited a passion in Greg to serve the warrior community and help combat the suicide epidemic among active duty military and veterans. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Instagram. Order his book, The Guide here.

S4:Ep5 The Myth of Church Size with Chad Brooks

In this episode, the Ben interviews Chad Brooks (Writing and Podcasts Linked Here) about the growing myth of church size and the struggles that many churches face in finding their identity in a post-COVID world.

Chad, a pastor and church consultant, shares his insights and experiences on how churches can overcome these challenges and find new ways to do ministry in a rapidly changing world.

Chad challenges the common assumption that bigger is always better when it comes to churches. He suggests that church size can be a myth that distracts churches from focusing on their core mission and identity. Instead, he encourages churches to embrace their unique strengths and identities, whether they are large or small.

Ben and Chad also discuss Chad's ongoing research on how churches are changing in size, scope of ministry, and how they function as a whole. He highlights the importance of churches staying true to their core values and mission while also being open to new ideas and approaches.

Finally, the Chad offers some practical suggestions for how churches can do ministry in new and innovative ways and how annual conferences can accommodate these new approaches.

Overall, this episode offers a thought-provoking discussion on the challenges and opportunities that churches face in today's world. It provides valuable insights and practical advice for churches seeking to find their identity and make a positive impact in their communities.

Chad's Twitter Here: RevChadBrooks

S4Ep4: Is Artificial Intelligence Taking Over The Church?

Ben and Molly have a fun talk about ChatGPT and other Artificial Intelligence platforms. Is AI taking over the church? What are ways you can utilize it? More importantly, how can you use technology to create more space for the things that truly matter. We hope you enjoy!

 

Open AI - Chat GPT

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