Imitating Jesus Icon Ministries

Ryan and Lewie reflect on a disciple-making conference they recently attended - what they found encouraging and clarifying, and what they thought was missing in the conversations happening there.

Ryan and Lewie reflect on our 20th anniversary, including Icon's origin story, a powerful moment at the anniversary celebration, and how our anniversary and reflection experience informs and inspires us moving forward.

In Part 1 we talked about deconstruction being an intellectual, emotional, and relational process. In this episode we offer thoughts, practices, and encouragement especially for parents, pastors, and friends to those who are deconstructing.

We also consider the doubts and failures in Jesus' disciples, and how Jesus orchestrated circumstances perfectly to expose his disciples' limits and offer opportunities for transformation. Therefore, in the disciple-making process we can expect major doubts and failures.

As disciple-makers and spiritual leaders, what systems and environments do we create that either incentivize our disciples to hide their fears and doubts or welcome them as a natural part of the journey?

Big idea: build muscles that help us hold space for doubt, questions, and dissonance; be curious; create safe places; let go of control; be a loving presence

Join Ryan and Lewie and our guests, Jeff Hayden and Anna Robinson, around the table as they share their thoughts and personal experiences with this important and relevant topic.

Recommended reading: After Doubt by AJ Swaboda

What is deconstruction? What is it not? Why does it happen? Is it good or bad? What is it about our cultural moment that contributes to deconstruction? What do I do if I (or a loved one) feel an internal dissonance about God, the Bible, church, my faith, etc? What is the role of questions, doubt, and resistance in discipleship?

Join Ryan and Lewie and our guests, Jeff Hayden and Anna Robinson around the table as they discuss this important and relevant topic.

This season we're exploring elements of the disciple-making process in our series - This is the Way We Role. Here we talk with our friend and co-worker, Anna Robinson*, about The Role of Culture in Disciple-Making. 

In this episode, we explore the questions: 


What is culture?
How can we recognize the hallmarks of our own culture, both the good and positive contributions as well as the blind spots?
How does culture affect spiritual formation and making disciples?



*Anna lives in Wheaton, IL and is in the process of completing her Masters of Divinity. Her heart for ministry is especially with those struggling to feel welcome in the church.

This season we're exploring elements of the disciple-making process in our series - This is the Way We Role. In this episode we talk with our friend, Rabbi Zak Michaels, about The Role of Community in Disciple-Making, specifically the household.



In Part 2 we learn about the rhythms of Jewish households. These rhythms began as commands given to the people of God and that can be read about in the Bible. Rabbi Zak shows us how rich the Jewish tradition is with intentionality and symbolism. The Jewish approach begins with the children in mind, passing on rhythms that create regular opportunities to teach our children - and remind ourselves - of the story of God to which we belong, the unchanging love He has for His people, and His beautiful and enduring work of redemption in us, around us, and through us. 



Rabbi Zak explains and illustrates Jewish practices and rhythms that occur within the home and how they create an environment for Christ-like spiritual formation. We, specifically, explore the weekly practice of celebrating Sabbath. Rabbi Zak defines Sabbath and shares the fullness of how we can practice it as a family and in community with others.



Listen to Part 1 here.

*Rabbi Zak's hope is to be able to be a bridge between Judaism and Christianity, offering knowledge and understanding that could bring about healing and reconciliation so we can be in the world, together, with God's light and peace shining upon us all.