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. 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

    1h 7m
  2. 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

    1h 3m
  3. 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

    1h 1m
  4. 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

    1h 8m
  5. Apr 21

    Ephesians Study Chapter 1

    Dive back into the book of Ephesians with us as we explore the rich theology of Ephesians 1 through the lens of Psalm 68, the family of God, spiritual inheritance, the Holy Spirit as God’s pledge, and the cosmic reign of Christ for the benefit of the church. In this episode of the Thinking Kingdom Podcast, we talk about: Why Ephesians feels more like a theological essay than a typical letter How Psalm 68 may serve as a backdrop for understanding the whole book Predestination, election, and what it really means to be “chosen in Christ” The powerful family language of adoption, inheritance, and belonging The Holy Spirit as God’s seal and down payment on what is to come How Ephesians highlights not only what we receive from God, but what God receives in us Christ’s rule over every power and authority for the church’s good The church’s role in God’s cosmic mission against the forces of darkness This is a meaty one. If you enjoy deep Bible study, big-picture theology, and connections between the Old and New Testaments, this episode is for you. If you have questions or want us to clarify something from the episode, send us an email. We love hearing from you. Be sure to like, subscribe, and follow Thinking Kingdom on YouTube, Facebook, and the other platforms. And a huge thank you to our Patreon supporters for helping make this podcast possible. #ThinkingKingdom #Ephesians #BibleStudy #Psalm68 #HolySpirit #SpiritualWarfare #Church #Theology #DivineCouncil #ChristianPodcast

    1h 10m
  6. Mar 17

    Ephesians Study (2): Psalm 68 Part Two

    Welcome to the Thinking Kingdom Podcast as we begin a new series through the book of Ephesians. In this opening study, we lay the groundwork for the entire series by arguing that Psalm 68 provides a major theological backdrop for Ephesians — especially for understanding Ephesians 4 and Paul’s use of Psalm 68:18. What at first looks like a simple quotation opens up into something much bigger: themes of divine victory, spiritual warfare, God’s dwelling place, the defeat of hostile powers, and the giving of gifts to God’s people. We spend much of this episode exploring Psalm 68, especially the difficult and fascinating section about Mount Bashan, the “mountain of God/gods,” and why it is set in contrast with the mountain where Yahweh chooses to dwell. Along the way, we discuss the biblical significance of Bashan, its association with Rephaim territory, hostile spiritual powers, and why this matters for understanding Paul’s language in Ephesians about rulers, authorities, heavenly places, Christ’s ascension, and the church’s role in God’s victory. This episode is really about learning how to read the Bible more carefully. When the New Testament quotes the Old Testament, the context behind the quote matters. And when Paul reaches back to Psalm 68, we believe he is not merely borrowing a line — he is drawing on the whole message of the psalm. In this episode: Why we’re launching a long-form study of Ephesians How Psalm 68 may function as a theological framework for the letter Why Ephesians 4:8 sends us back to Psalm 68:18 The meaning of Mount Bashan and its rivalry with God’s chosen mountain The significance of Bashan, Hermon, Og, and the Rephaim Why the language of captives, ascension, gifts, and conquest matters How Christ’s victory in Ephesians and Colossians includes the defeat of spiritual powers Why phrases like “rulers and authorities” should not be ignored How the church fits into God’s ongoing display of victory and wisdom Key passages discussed: Psalm 68 Ephesians 1–4 Ephesians 6 Colossians 2:15 Joshua 12:4–5 Deuteronomy 3 2 Kings 6 1 Corinthians 2 Zephaniah 2 Isaiah 4X If you’ve never heard Ephesians taught through the lens of Psalm 68, this series will likely stretch the way you read Paul — and hopefully deepen the way you see Christ’s victory, the church’s mission, and the spiritual worldview of Scripture. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share. Questions or comments? Reach out to us at ThinkingKingdomPodcast@gmail.com A huge thank you to our Patreon supporters for helping make this podcast possible. #Ephesians #Psalm68 #BibleStudy #ThinkingKingdomPodcast #SpiritualWarfare #BiblicalTheology #Paul #OldTestament #NewTestament #ChristianPodcast #Bashan #HeavenlyPlaces #Colossians215 #Ephesians4

    38 min

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!