The Thinking Kingdom Podcast

Excel Still More Inc.

Join hosts Austin McCrickard and Nate Miller as they engage in spiritual conversations with various guests to deepen our faith and understanding of Scripture. As citizens of God’s kingdom, we hope this podcast will help you walk in a manner worthy of that citizenship as you apply these teachings to your kingdom walk; we want you Thinking Kingdom every day to God’s glory through Christ Jesus!

  1. 5d ago

    On the Modern Mars Hill w Marco Arroyo of In Between Sundays

    Is the internet the modern-day Mars Hill? And are Christians prepared to defend their faith in today's marketplace of ideas? In this episode of Thinking Kingdom, we're joined by Marco Arroyo of In Between Sundays to discuss the growing importance of Christian apologetics, the challenges of defending biblical truth online, and the opportunities social media provides for reaching people with the gospel. Marco shares his personal journey into the Churches of Christ, how his apologetics ministry began, and the conversations that have shaped his work—including his interactions with prominent Christian apologists like Trent Horn. Together, we explore some of the most important theological conversations happening today: The Modern Mars Hill: Why YouTube and social media have become important arenas for Christian apologetics. Faith, Baptism, and Salvation: How should we understand the relationship between faith, obedience, and baptism? Are faith and baptism really competing ideas? Defending the Faith: What can we learn from conversations with Catholics, Protestants, and Eastern Orthodox Christians? Apostolic Succession: Does the church need an unbroken succession of bishops to maintain its legitimacy? Faithful Engagement: How can Christians confidently defend biblical truth while maintaining humility, love, and a willingness to learn? The Future of Apologetics: Why we need more Christians willing to engage difficult questions in the public square. Our goal isn't simply to win arguments, but to encourage deeper biblical understanding, strengthen faith, and point people toward Jesus Christ. Whether you're passionate about apologetics, curious about the Churches of Christ, or simply looking to deepen your understanding of Scripture, we hope this conversation challenges and encourages you. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Marco Arroyo 02:27 – Versle: Testing Our Bible Knowledge 06:09 – The Story Behind In Between Sundays 08:21 – The Internet as the Modern Mars Hill 13:11 – Marco's Conversion and Journey of Faith 16:00 – Trent Horn, Bryce Crawford, and Christian Apologetics 19:04 – Growing an Online Apologetics Ministry 22:48 – Why Baptism Remains a Major Theological Debate 27:58 – Faith, Obedience, and a Holistic Reading of Scripture 37:36 – Eastern Orthodoxy and Apostolic Succession 42:43 – Why the Churches of Christ Need More Apologists 47:45 – Biblical Authority, Division, and Christian Unity 50:10 – Closing Thoughts Connect With Us Thinking Kingdom Podcast Website: https://www.thinkingkingdom.org Marco Arroyo – In Between Sundays YouTube: / @ibsmarco Patreon: / inbetweensundays If you enjoyed this conversation, consider liking, subscribing, and sharing this episode. Leave a comment with your thoughts or questions—we'd love to hear from you! #ThinkingKingdom #ChristianApologetics #ChurchesOfChrist

  2. May 28

    Strategic Planning for the Church with Neal Pollard

    How should churches think about strategic planning? In this episode of the *Thinking Kingdom Podcast*, we sit down with Neal Pollard to discuss vision, leadership, goal-setting, and how intentional planning can help congregations grow spiritually, evangelistically, and organizationally. We explore practical topics like: Strategic planning in the church Vision statements and mission alignment SWOT analysis for congregations Mobilizing members into ministry Church growth and leadership culture Avoiding “consumer Christianity” Building effective ministry pipelines Church relocation and long-term vision Evangelism, outreach, and measurable goals How churches can better utilize deacons and ministry leaders Neal also shares stories from his work at Bear Valley and Cumberland Trace, including how strategic planning helped create new ministry opportunities, strengthen outreach, and unify church leadership around a common vision. If you’re a preacher, elder, deacon, ministry leader, or church member wanting to think more intentionally about the future of the church, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and encouragement. 📌 Be sure to like, subscribe, and share the episode! #ThinkingKingdomPodcast #ChurchLeadership #StrategicPlanning #ChurchGrowth #ChristianLeadership #Elders #Deacons #Evangelism #ChurchMinistry #LeadershipDevelopment #ChurchVision #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #MinistryLeadership #ChurchOfChrist

  3. May 11

    Ephesians Study - Chapter 4

    In this episode of the Thinking Kingdom Podcast, we dive into Ephesians 4—the turning point where theology meets real life. After exploring the deep truths of salvation in Ephesians 1–3, Paul shifts gears with a simple but weighty idea: “So what?” What does it actually look like to live out the gospel? We unpack: What it means to “walk worthy” of your calling, Why unity in the church is fragile—and worth fighting for, The significance of the “seven ones” (one body, one Spirit, one hope, etc.) How Psalm 68 shapes Paul’s view of Christ as the conquering King who gives gifts The role of leaders and spiritual gifts in building up the body Why doctrine and unity aren’t enemies—but deeply connected What it means to put off the old self and put on the new And how the Christian life isn’t just behavior modification—it’s a radical transformation We also get real about: Growing up in the church vs. real transformation Why Christians are often quick to divide instead of unify The challenge of living a faith that actually shapes your daily life If you’ve ever wondered whether your faith is truly shaping how you live—or just sitting on the sidelines—this conversation is for you. 👉 Is your Christianity your life… or just part of it? ⏱️ Topics Covered: Ephesians 4 overview, Unity vs. division in the church, Spiritual gifts & leadership, Psalm 68 and spiritual warfare themes, Christian maturity and growth, Practical Christian living 🏷️ Tags Ephesians 4, Bible study, Christian podcast, Thinking Kingdom podcast, walk worthy, unity in the church, spiritual gifts, Psalm 68, biblical theology, Paul the apostle, New Testament teaching, Christian living, church leadership, doctrine and unity, spiritual growth, discipleship, Bible teaching, Christian encouragement, theology podcast, faith and practice, exegesis, Christian maturity, scripture study, church unity, gospel application

  4. Apr 21

    Ephesians Study Chapter 3

    Ephesians 3 | The Mystery Revealed & The Powers Defeated Welcome back to the Thinking Kingdom Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into Ephesians chapter 3 and uncover one of the most overlooked—but powerful—truths in Scripture: the mystery of Christ. What does Paul mean when he says the mystery has now been revealed? Why does the inclusion of the Gentiles matter so much? And how does this message actually confront the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places? We explore how Paul’s worldview—shaped by passages like Deuteronomy 32 and Psalm 68—completely reframes the gospel. This isn’t just about personal salvation… it’s about cosmic victory. 🔥 In this episode, we cover: What the “mystery” in Ephesians 3 really is Why the inclusion of the Gentiles was shocking in the 1st century How the gospel message challenges spiritual powers The connection between Ephesians, Psalm 68, and the divine council worldview Why the church is central to God’s eternal plan Paul’s prayer and what it teaches us about strength, love, and spiritual power This is one of those passages that changes how you see everything—the church, the gospel, and even the unseen realm. 👉 Stick around to the end as we unpack Paul’s powerful prayer and what it means for us today. 📌 Key Takeaway: The gospel doesn’t just save—it reclaims. It declares that Jesus is King over all powers, and through the church, God is putting His wisdom on display to the entire universe. #Tags: #BibleStudy #Ephesians #Ephesians3 #ThinkingKingdom #ChristianPodcast #DivineCouncil #SpiritualWarfare #GospelMessage #JesusIsKing #BiblicalTheology #PaulineTheology #BibleTeaching #Church #ChristianLiving #Faith #Theology #UnseenRealm #Deuteronomy32 #Psalm68 #Acts2 #NewTestament #ChristianContent

  5. Apr 21

    Ephesians Study Chapter 2

    32 views Apr 8, 2026 Ephesians Study *Ephesians 2: From Death to Life | Thinking Kingdom Podcast* In this episode of the Thinking Kingdom Podcast*, we dive deep into one of the most powerful chapters in Scripture—**Ephesians 2**. What does it really mean that we were *dead in our sins… and are now alive in Christ? We kick things off with a fun tier ranking of the Pauline epistles before getting into the heart of the discussion. From there, we explore: The contrast between our old life and new life in ChristWhat Paul means by being “saved by grace through faith” (Eph. 2:8–9)How faith, works, baptism, and obedience actually fit togetherThe role of spiritual forces in our former way of lifeHow Jesus breaks down the barrier between Jew and GentileWhy the church isn’t optional—but central to God’s planThe connection between Ephesians 2 and Psalm 68’s victory imagery We also tackle some big theological questions, including: Is “faith alone” really what Paul is teaching?What does “workmanship” actually mean? (Hint: you’re not just a worker—you’re a masterpiece.)How should we understand salvation without turning it into a checklist? This chapter isn’t just theology—it’s identity. You were dead… but God. --- 📖 *Key Text:* Ephesians 2 🎙️ *Podcast:* Thinking Kingdom If this episode challenged or encouraged you, make sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it! --- *Tags:* Ephesians 2, Bible study, Christian podcast, Thinking Kingdom podcast, grace through faith, faith vs works, salvation explained, Paul theology, New Testament study, Churches of Christ, baptism and salvation, faith alone debate, gospel teaching, Bible teaching, Christian theology, spiritual warfare, unseen realm, Psalm 68, divine council, Jesus saves, church and salvation, Christian living, Bible podcast, scripture study, exegesis, Christian discussion

About

Join hosts Austin McCrickard and Nate Miller as they engage in spiritual conversations with various guests to deepen our faith and understanding of Scripture. As citizens of God’s kingdom, we hope this podcast will help you walk in a manner worthy of that citizenship as you apply these teachings to your kingdom walk; we want you Thinking Kingdom every day to God’s glory through Christ Jesus!