Real Life Theology Podcast

Renew.org Podcasts

We renew the teachings of Jesus to fuel disciple making. We envision disciple-making disciples among all nations and ethnic groups. The Renew.org Network Podcast champions all biblical truth, including hard topics, by sharing discussions, webinars, public presentations and other similar resources.

  1. How to Find Ministerial Staff (feat. Greg Comp)

    1 DAY AGO

    How to Find Ministerial Staff (feat. Greg Comp)

    Check out RENEW.org's Jobs board: https://jobs.renew.org/  Get early access to all of the 2025 RENEW Gathering Breakout Tracks: https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/  Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology.  Today’s episode will help us understand how to effectively find, attract, and integrate ministerial staff through modern strategies and interim solutions for enhanced church leadership transition. In this episode titled "How to Find Ministerial Staff," Greg Comp, a retired vocational minister, provides a detailed guide on effective strategies for churches to find ministerial staff.  Greg discusses his experience with Next Step Church Services and Renew.org, delineating the collaborative efforts in helping churches connect with suitable pastoral candidates. He highlights the challenges that churches face today due to outdated word-of-mouth and traditional networks that have largely become ineffective. He emphasizes the strategic value of having an interim pastor to guide churches through transitions, pointing out the benefits of intentional versus unintentional interim leadership. He argues that many churches have an inflated view of their attractiveness, which can deter candidates in a competitive pastoral marketplace. He calls for churches to make a paradigm shift rather than just seeking a quick personnel change. Greg also lists various interim solutions for churches in between pastors, such as rotations of current staff, weekend supply preaching, and part-time interim pastors. He shares insights on the challenges and inefficacies experienced with these approaches and advocates for intentional interim pastorship as the best practice. Specific tools and resources are discussed, including steps to create online postings for ministerial positions that attract high-quality candidates. He advises keeping these postings simple and focused on the church and community profiles while deferring detailed qualifications and responsibilities until later in the process. Greg further elaborates on how Renew.org's job board functions, illustrating how both churches and candidates can leverage it to find matches suitable for their needs. He underscores the importance of keeping listings current and compelling to stimulate interest and facilitate conversations. In conclusion, Greg re-emphasizes the value of interim pastors, describing their role in conducting health assessments of churches to identify areas needing improvement before a new permanent pastor is installed.

    29 min
  2. How to be a Heretic (feat. Chad Harrington)

    30 SEPT

    How to be a Heretic (feat. Chad Harrington)

    Get early access to all of the 2025 RENEW Gathering Breakout Tracks: https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/  Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology.  Today’s episode will help us identify and avoid theological heresies by grounding our beliefs in the apostolic tradition, embracing the unity of God, and understanding the holistic nature of salvation. This episode, titled "How to be a Heretic," is a comprehensive discussion led by Chad Harrington who is both a business owner and a church ordination leader. The speaker dives into their diverse background, which includes theological training at Ozark Christian College and Asbury Theological Seminary, a brief stint in content marketing, and the founding of a media company focused on self-publishing and traditional book publishing. Their journey highlights a non-traditional calling to teach and write for the church.

    58 min
  3. Dangers of Progressive Christianity (feat. Dave Stovall)

    23 SEPT

    Dangers of Progressive Christianity (feat. Dave Stovall)

    Get early access to all of the 2025 RENEW Gathering Breakout Tracks: https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/  Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology.  Today’s episode will help us understand the delicate balance between grace and truth in addressing the challenges of Progressive Christianity, through the lens of personal transformation and effective discipleship. This episode, titled "Dangers of Progressive Christianity," features a workshop led by Daniel McCoy, Editorial Director of renew.org, and his guest Dave Stovall, a recording artist, worship leader, and author of "Losing My Faith in Progressive Christianity." The workshop aims to address the challenges and perils associated with Progressive Christianity through Dave’s personal journey. Daniel introduces Dave, thanking the audience for attending and sets the tone with a prayer, emphasizing empathy and wisdom in addressing the topic. Dave begins by sharing his background in a Southern Baptist church in Alabama, where he experienced teaching focused rigidly on black-and-white issues, leading him to question the interpretation of various scriptures. Dave describes his college years as a period of deep spiritual struggle, where he felt disconnected from God and faced criticism when he expressed doubts. His journey into Progressive Christianity began as he sought guidance from authors and bloggers, whose alternative theological perspectives resonated with him. This shift culminated in his adoption of progressive and universalist beliefs, particularly influenced by Rob Bell’s "Love Wins." Despite initially feeling liberated and guilt-free under these new beliefs, Dave encountered a turning point when he became a father and questioned what faith he should instill in his children. This led him to a pivotal moment of sincere prayer, asking God to reveal the truth, regardless of where it led him. Subsequently, Dave met Bobby Harrington from Harpeth Christian Church, who played a crucial role in guiding him back to a more traditional understanding of Christianity. Bobby’s approach involved patient mentorship, emphasizing the importance of understanding the original intent of scriptures, historical context, and guiding Dave through a process of rebuilding his faith within a supportive community. Throughout the workshop, Dave shares insights on the seductive appeal of Progressive Christianity, especially its emphasis on compassion and empathy, and the potential it holds for leading individuals away from foundational Christian beliefs. He highlights the importance of balancing grace and truth, suggesting that this balance is essential for genuine love and effective ministry. Daniel supplements the discussion by addressing how to define Progressive Christianity and the distinctions between essentials of faith, important beliefs, and personal preferences. He stresses the necessity of theological alignment within church leadership and the dangers of a church culture that leans too heavily on grace without truth. The workshop closes with practical advice for church leaders on fostering an environment where questions and doubts can be addressed openly without fear of judgment. The speakers emphasize the crucial role of discipleship and community in preventing young people from drifting into Progressive Christianity. In conclusion, the episode provides a comprehensive exploration of Dave Stovall’s personal transformation from a Progressive Christian back to traditional faith, underscoring the importance of maintaining theological integrity while practicing compassion. The discussion is enriched by reflections on the relationship between empathy, truth, and discipleship within the church. It serves as both a cautionary tale and a guide for those navigating similar spiritual challenges.

    56 min
  4. Church Planting (feat. Brett Andrews & Patrick Bradley)

    16 SEPT

    Church Planting (feat. Brett Andrews & Patrick Bradley)

    Get early access to all of the 2025 RENEW Gathering Breakout Tracks: https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/  Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology.  Today’s episode will help us understand the foundational principles and strategies for effective church planting, emphasizing reliance on divine guidance, addressing challenges, and ensuring doctrinal soundness for sustainable growth. In this episode of "Church Planting," the speaker delves into the foundational principles and motivations for starting new churches. The central theme revolves around reliance on divine guidance, as captured by Psalm 127:1, emphasizing that unless the Lord builds the house, labor is in vain. The speaker reinforces the need for absolute confidence in Jesus to build the church, highlighting that human effort alone is insufficient without divine support. The discussion transitions to the "why" of church planting, rooted in addressing the lostness of people akin to sheep without a shepherd. This point is emphasized with personal anecdotes, such as observing aimless shoppers at Wegmans and Vince Antonucci's transformation from a non-Christian skeptic to a passionate church planter motivated by his previous lostness. The speaker also acknowledges the significant challenges faced in church planting, such as feelings of unfruitfulness, betrayal, and scarcity of resources. He cites the importance of resilience and God's calling to reach lost people as the sustaining force during tough times. The narrative shifts to historical insights from the Book of Acts, illustrating the explosive growth of the early church through continuous discipleship and church planting, moving from addition to multiplication. The episode then explores the critical aspects of ensuring the health and doctrinal soundness of new churches. The speaker warns against the dangers of doctrinal drift and the potential for churches to adopt popular but unbiblical stances. This concern leads into a detailed explanation of the Renew Movement's approach to church planting, emphasizing sound theology, disciple-making, and structured support systems like assessment, training, and coaching. The Renew Movement aims to catalyze a church planting movement of healthy churches, overcoming common fears such as scarcity of resources, lack of expertise, and long-term health. The discussion underscores the importance of ordinary churches becoming church planting churches, challenging the notion that only large, resource-rich congregations can plant churches. The Renew Movement's unique strategy involves collaborative partnerships among churches—both large and small—to support new plants. This model includes financial contributions, shared leadership, and hands-on involvement, fostering a sense of ownership and vision among all participating congregations. The goal is to create a sustainable cycle of churches planting churches, reaching lost people, and expanding God's kingdom. In conclusion, the episode emphasizes the need for a shift from church growth to kingdom growth, highlighting the importance of surrender to Jesus' lordship and genuine discipleship. The speaker calls for a collective effort among churches to embrace the mission of church planting, ensuring doctrinal soundness and long-term health to effectively expand the kingdom of God. The session ends with a prayer, reaffirming the commitment to follow Jesus' guidance in building His church.

    43 min
  5. Disciple Making Culture (feat. Kerry Cox & Robert Cox)

    9 SEPT

    Disciple Making Culture (feat. Kerry Cox & Robert Cox)

    Get early access to all of the 2025 RENEW Gathering Breakout Tracks: https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/  Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology.  Today’s episode will help us understand the essential principles and practices for creating and maintaining a thriving, disciple-making church culture, emphasizing intentionality, accountability, and the power of community. "Disciple Making Culture" is an in-depth episode focusing on the journey and principles behind creating a thriving, disciple-making church culture. The conversation begins with the speakers, a father and son duo who planted a church in 2004 near St. Louis, sharing their experiences of church growth and the subsequent planting of other churches. A pivotal moment comes when a mentor, Bobby, recognizes the importance of their deliberate culture and urges them to protect it. The speakers emphasize the distinction between a church with disciple makers and a disciple-making church. They outline key principles, starting with crystallizing what it means to be a disciple and ensuring all church leaders are on the same page. They argue that a clear, biblical definition of discipleship aids in shaping a culture where making disciples is central. Following this, they stress the importance of integrating discipleship from the very beginning of the conversion process. They describe a structured approach where new believers are taken through studies to ingrain the principles of discipleship deeply from the start, emphasizing that every member is expected to be a disciple and a disciple maker. The discussion highlights the necessity of accountability and modeling by leaders. Leaders are called to be examples, not just instructors, as hypocrisy among leaders can severely damage the church's mission. Celebrating successes and correcting drifts are also crucial to maintaining the church's culture, ensuring that minor deviations do not become major issues. The speakers share personal anecdotes to illustrate their points, including the transformation of individuals through dedicated discipleship and the impact of a supportive church culture on their own families. They mention the importance of creating systems and rhythms that reinforce discipleship, using events, retreats, and conferences to keep the focus on disciple-making. Ultimately, the episode underscores the challenges and rewards of maintaining a disciple-making culture. It highlights that while such a structure might limit church growth in terms of numbers, it profoundly impacts the quality of spiritual growth and commitment among members. The conversation reflects a passionate plea for churches to return to biblical principles of discipleship, emphasizing intentionality, accountability, and the power of community in fostering lasting spiritual transformation.

    53 min
  6. Following Jesus in an LGBTQ+ World (feat. Guy Hammond)

    2 SEPT

    Following Jesus in an LGBTQ+ World (feat. Guy Hammond)

    Get early access to all of the 2025 RENEW Gathering Breakout Tracks: https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/  Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology.  Today’s episode will help us navigate LGBTQ+ issues within Christianity by balancing compassionate engagement and traditional biblical teachings, encouraging hospitable conversations and deeper understanding. The episode centers around a class led by Guy Hammond, the executive director of Strength in Weakness Ministries, which aims to help Christians navigate issues related to LGBTQ+ individuals from a perspective of traditional biblical sexual ethics. The session highlights that churches must discuss culturally relevant and controversial topics such as LGBTQ+ issues to remain pertinent. Guy begins by introducing himself and explaining the purpose and history of his ministry, which has grown to support Christians across 90 countries by running support groups for homosexually attracted Christians and parents with LGBTQ+ children. Guy shares his personal journey, detailing his early life as a gay man, his struggles with faith, and his eventual decision to embrace Christianity while rejecting homosexual practices. He emphasizes that he did not choose his attractions but believes that living according to biblical teachings requires celibacy for homosexually attracted individuals. He also discusses his late wife Kathy's pragmatic approach to his future remarriage and his current marriage to Laura, demonstrating his perspective on love and companionship within a Christian framework. Ellen Radcliffe, the Ministry's Chief Operating Officer, also speaks, sharing her similar background of living a lesbian lifestyle before turning to faith. Ellen underscores the importance of leading others to fall in love with God rather than merely adhering to a set of beliefs. She discusses her therapeutic work and her belief in the "messy middle space," a term describing the intersection of truth and grace where Christians can accept people without necessarily approving of their actions. Ellen asserts that understanding individuals as beloved children of God is crucial to navigating LGBTQ+ conversations within Christianity. The session covers practical strategies for churches to engage with LGBTQ+ topics, emphasizing the difference between acceptance and approval, and the necessity of hospitality toward those who are different. Guy argues that many Christians are not homophobic but rather uneducated about LGBTQ+ issues, which leads to avoidance behaviors. He stresses that the transformation into a Christian life is not quick and that churches should be prepared to welcome LGBTQ+ individuals for extended periods while they navigate their faith journey. Guy outlines four key messages for engaging with LGBTQ+ individuals: God’s unconditional love, the freedom to live as one chooses, the trustworthiness of the Bible, and the high but worthwhile cost of following Jesus. He underscores the need for Christians to demonstrate the superiority of a life with Jesus over a life without by being exemplary in their own faith and knowledge of Christ. The episode concludes by offering workshops and educational materials, including a new book and a documentary that Guy hopes will aid churches in addressing LGBTQ+ topics effectively. Guy invites ministers and church leaders to engage with his ministry for further training and support, thereby equipping themselves to handle these issues with compassion, truth, and hospitality.

    49 min
  7. The Conviction about God's Word that Guides. (feat. Orpheus. Heyward)

    26 AUG

    The Conviction about God's Word that Guides. (feat. Orpheus. Heyward)

    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.

    22 min
  8. The New Restoration Movement of Love, Mercy, and Compassion. (feat. Mike Williams)

    21 AUG

    The New Restoration Movement of Love, Mercy, and Compassion. (feat. Mike Williams)

    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.

    15 min
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We renew the teachings of Jesus to fuel disciple making. We envision disciple-making disciples among all nations and ethnic groups. The Renew.org Network Podcast champions all biblical truth, including hard topics, by sharing discussions, webinars, public presentations and other similar resources.

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