In this episode, we continue to delve into the often overlooked topic of singleness within the church. We discuss cultural perceptions, theological perspectives, and the importance of empowering singles in leadership roles. The conversation emphasizes that singles are not less loved or blessed by God compared to married individuals, highlights the need for churches to value and celebrate the contributions of singles, and encourages singles to embrace their gift of singleness and recognize its potential for spiritual growth and community building.
Chapters
In this episode of the Imitating Jesus podcast, host Ryan Seibert and guests Lewie Clark and Anna Robinson discuss the essential role of singles in kingdom leadership, as highlighted in Lewie's new book, 'Single-Minded Service.' They explore the unique opportunities and challenges faced by singles in the church, address biases and misconceptions, and emphasize the importance of community and belonging for singles within the body of Christ. The conversation encourages singles to take initiative in creating their own communities and highlights the significant impact they can have on families and the church as a whole.
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:
*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.
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 this episode you'll hear how we met Rabbi Zak and his journey of coming to faith in Yeshua (Jesus). We ponder why/how the home is a sacred and holy place in Judaism. Rabbi Zak shares the life cycles in Judaism and how the home is a place for prayer, ritual, celebration, teaching, learning, participation, and gathering.
Big Idea: The home is a sacred and holy place. The home is where we learn to practice and live out our faith and is a process led by mom and dad.
Part 2 with Rabbi Zak will be released next month where we discuss more practical expressions of the family rhythms discussed in this episode.
*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.
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 and co-worker, Anna Robinson*, about The Role of Community in Disciple-Making.
Some highlights:
Recommended resource: With by Skye Jethani
*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.
As we continue in our series -- This is the Way We Role -- we talk about The Role of Prayer in Disciple-Making with our friend, Ethan - a bible college graduate and leader in our spiritual family who is committed to the disciple-making process and prayer.
In Part 2 we discuss intimidation, obstacles and agendas in prayer, praying God's word, prayer as part of our family cultures, and resources to grow our understanding and practice of prayer.
As we continue in our series -- This is the Way We Role -- we talk about The Role of Prayer in Disciple-Making with our friend, Ethan - a bible college graduate and leader in our spiritual family who is committed to the disciple-making process and prayer. We talk about a definition of prayer, praying for your disciple, and praying with your disciple (and how Jesus offered us an example in all of this).
One of the most acute pressure points in life and culture today is our collective and individual journeys toward mental health. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we thought we’d take an opportunity to dig a little deeper into this critical and relevant topic that affects us all. This is a four part series exploring topics concerning mental health, disciple-making and community with friends and guests, Dr. Kevin and Dr. David.
In Part 4 we discuss (1) how mental health affects belonging, (2) the difference that connectedness and hope make in our mental health journey, (3) boundaries and enablement, (4) the goal for all people to thrive and flourish, and (5) how Dr. Kevin and Dr David would counsel pastors on how to come alongside those with mental disorders.
Dr. Kevin
Kevin, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Counseling Psychology in 1992 from Texas A&M University (APA accredited) and became a licensed professional psychologist since 1994. Dr. Kevin has been a full-time faculty member for 30 years in the Department of Psychology and Counseling at the University of Central Arkansas where he currently teaches masters and doctoral students in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology and also serves as the training director for the Mental Health Counseling master’s program. Additionally, Dr. Kevin served 20 years as a disaster mental health counselor for the American Red Cross where he has provided disaster intervention in the aftermath of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and other disasters. Dr. Kevin has been a believer and follower of Jesus since college and has served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, house church leader, and Perspectives team member. For the past six years, Dr. Kevin has provided trauma and recovery workshops for volunteer agencies in Turkey, Jordan, Azerbaijan, and Lebanon working with Middle Eastern refugees and has also provided direct crisis interventions with refugees in Turkey, Jordan, and Greece.
Dr. David Wheeler
David Wheeler, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Counseling Psychology in 1996 from Texas A&M University (APA accredited) and became a licensed psychologist in 1997. He is currently the Clinical Vice President at the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home which is a psychiatric residential treatment facility. In recent years, he has led in the development of a curriculum for adolescent residents, The Community Model of Residential Care, that's designed to help youth develop skills required to be an effective member of almost any “community”, including their family, school, neighborhood, church, job, and other communities. Dr. Wheeler also has a small private practice where he primarily counsels adults and adolescents. In the past couple of years, David has been part of a small home church trying to learn and implement the Disciple Making Movement (DMM) concepts. It is his desire to help believers live healthily in spirit, mind/emotions, body, and relationships.
One of the most acute pressure points in life and culture today is our collective and individual journeys toward mental health. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we thought we’d take an opportunity to dig a little deeper into this critical and relevant topic that affects us all. This is a four part series exploring topics concerning mental health, disciple-making and community with friends and guests, Dr. Kevin and Dr. David.
In Part 3 we discuss (1) a compassion crisis in the church, (2) the role of medication for mental illness, (3) the gift of listening and how we often talk out of our own discomfort, and (4) advocating for our mental health.
Dr. Kevin
Kevin, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Counseling Psychology in 1992 from Texas A&M University (APA accredited) and became a licensed professional psychologist since 1994. Dr. Kevin has been a full-time faculty member for 30 years in the Department of Psychology and Counseling at the University of Central Arkansas where he currently teaches masters and doctoral students in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology and also serves as the training director for the Mental Health Counseling master’s program. Additionally, Dr. Kevin served 20 years as a disaster mental health counselor for the American Red Cross where he has provided disaster intervention in the aftermath of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and other disasters. Dr. Kevin has been a believer and follower of Jesus since college and has served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, house church leader, and Perspectives team member. For the past six years, Dr. Kevin has provided trauma and recovery workshops for volunteer agencies in Turkey, Jordan, Azerbaijan, and Lebanon working with Middle Eastern refugees and has also provided direct crisis interventions with refugees in Turkey, Jordan, and Greece.
Dr. David Wheeler
David Wheeler, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Counseling Psychology in 1996 from Texas A&M University (APA accredited) and became a licensed psychologist in 1997. He is currently the Clinical Vice President at the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home which is a psychiatric residential treatment facility. In recent years, he has led in the development of a curriculum for adolescent residents, The Community Model of Residential Care, that's designed to help youth develop skills required to be an effective member of almost any “community”, including their family, school, neighborhood, church, job, and other communities. Dr. Wheeler also has a small private practice where he primarily counsels adults and adolescents. In the past couple of years, David has been part of a small home church trying to learn and implement the Disciple Making Movement (DMM) concepts. It is his desire to help believers live healthily in spirit, mind/emotions, body, and relationships.
One of the most acute pressure points in life and culture today is our collective and individual journeys toward mental health. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we thought we’d take an opportunity to dig a little deeper into this critical and relevant topic that affects us all. So we recorded four episodes with two psychologist friends of ours, Dr. Kevin and Dr. David. This is a four part series exploring topics concerning mental health, disciple-making and community with friends and guests, Dr. Kevin and Dr. Wheeler.
In Part 2 we discuss (1) how the nature of God and Scripture inform our approach to mental health, (2) the Bible as a psychology textbook describing the depths of the human condition, (3) examples of mental illness and wholeness in the Bible, (4) sinful behavior, impairment and cognitive behavioral therapy, and (5) the importance of presence and getting in the ditch with your disciples and friends.
Dr. Kevin
Kevin, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Counseling Psychology in 1992 from Texas A&M University (APA accredited) and became a licensed professional psychologist since 1994. Dr. Kevin has been a full-time faculty member for 30 years in the Department of Psychology and Counseling at the University of Central Arkansas where he currently teaches masters and doctoral students in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology and also serves as the training director for the Mental Health Counseling master’s program. Additionally, Dr. Kevin served 20 years as a disaster mental health counselor for the American Red Cross where he has provided disaster intervention in the aftermath of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and other disasters. Dr. Kevin has been a believer and follower of Jesus since college and has served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, house church leader, and Perspectives team member. For the past six years, Dr. Kevin has provided trauma and recovery workshops for volunteer agencies in Turkey, Jordan, Azerbaijan, and Lebanon working with Middle Eastern refugees and has also provided direct crisis interventions with refugees in Turkey, Jordan, and Greece.
Dr. David Wheeler
David Wheeler, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Counseling Psychology in 1996 from Texas A&M University (APA accredited) and became a licensed psychologist in 1997. He is currently the Clinical Vice President at the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home which is a psychiatric residential treatment facility. In recent years, he has led in the development of a curriculum for adolescent residents, The Community Model of Residential Care, that's designed to help youth develop skills required to be an effective member of almost any “community”, including their family, school, neighborhood, church, job, and other communities. Dr. Wheeler also has a small private practice where he primarily counsels adults and adolescents. In the past couple of years, David has been part of a small home church trying to learn and implement the Disciple Making Movement (DMM) concepts. It is his desire to help believers live healthily in spirit, mind/emotions, body, and relationships.
One of the most acute pressure points in life and culture today is our collective and individual journeys toward mental health. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we thought we’d take an opportunity to dig a little deeper into this critical and relevant topic that affects us all. This is a four part series exploring topics concerning mental health, disciple-making and community with friends and guests, Dr. Kevin and Dr. David.
In Part 1 we discuss the intersection between mental health and spirituality, and we walk through a basic approach to mental health (like, what to do next if you (or a friend or your child) are suffering and you've run out of tools to help yourself or help them).
Dr. Kevin
Kevin, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Counseling Psychology in 1992 from Texas A&M University (APA accredited) and became a licensed professional psychologist since 1994. Dr. Kevin has been a full-time faculty member for 30 years in the Department of Psychology and Counseling at the University of Central Arkansas where he currently teaches masters and doctoral students in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology and also serves as the training director for the Mental Health Counseling master’s program. Additionally, Dr. Kevin served 20 years as a disaster mental health counselor for the American Red Cross where he has provided disaster intervention in the aftermath of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and other disasters. Dr. Kevin has been a believer and follower of Jesus since college and has served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, house church leader, and Perspectives team member. For the past six years, Dr. Kevin has provided trauma and recovery workshops for volunteer agencies in Turkey, Jordan, Azerbaijan, and Lebanon working with Middle Eastern refugees and has also provided direct crisis interventions with refugees in Turkey, Jordan, and Greece.
Dr. David
David Wheeler, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Counseling Psychology in 1996 from Texas A&M University (APA accredited) and became a licensed psychologist in 1997. He is currently the Clinical Vice President at the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home which is a psychiatric residential treatment facility. In recent years, he has led in the development of a curriculum for adolescent residents, The Community Model of Residential Care, that's designed to help youth develop skills required to be an effective member of almost any “community”, including their family, school, neighborhood, church, job, and other communities. Dr. Wheeler also has a small private practice where he primarily counsels adults and adolescents. In the past couple of years, David has been part of a small home church trying to learn and implement the Disciple Making Movement (DMM) concepts. It is his desire to help believers live healthily in spirit, mind/emotions, body, and relationships.This is a four part series exploring topics concerning mental health, disciple-making and community with friends and guests, Dr. Kevin and Dr. Wheeler. In Part 1 we discuss the intersection between mental health and spirituality, and we walk through a basic approach to mental health (like, what to do next if you (or a friend or your child) are suffering and you've run out of tools to help yourself or help them).
Dr. James Coakley is our guest today. He's a pastor, teacher, author, husband, father, and grandfather. He's been a professor of Bible and Theology at Moody Bible Institute for over twenty years and is a frequent tour leader to Bible lands. Dr. Coakley published a book in March 2023 called 14 Fresh Ways to Read the Bible. Rather than feeling inspired and energized when reading the Bible, we often feel confused, disenchanted, and removed. Dr. Coakley shares invaluable strategies that help us engage God's word and bring color and life to our Scripture study.
We kick off this fresh series by talking about The Role of Scripture in Disciple-Making with our friend, Monica Vanover - a woman who's a part of our spiritual family in Chicago and a bible college graduate committed to God's Word to guide us and bring life to us.
In Part 1 Monica shares about her own experiences with scripture as both a disciple and disciple-maker, ways to elevate and incorporate scripture in our relationships, and how to tailor-make the disciple-making experience for each unique person. We had too much to talk about, so we made a Part 2.
In this episode Monica answers the question, "If you were speaking to a room full of Christian pastors and leaders, what concerns would you address about how the Bible is represented in the disciple-making process?" We also discuss misconceptions about the Bible, giving people access to your life so they can see scripture come alive and lived out, Bible study and learning disabilities, and using scripture in our families with our children.
As we kick off this fresh series -- This is the Way We Role -- we talk about The Role of Scripture in Disciple-Making with our friend, Monica Vanover - a bible college graduate and woman in our spiritual family who is committed to the disciple-making process and God's Word to guide us and bring life to us. She shares with us how her mentor uses scripture in their relationship, and how she uses scripture in her own discipling relationships. (Secret: it begins with treasuring God's word yourself). We also talk about the importance of tailor-making the way you companion each person, considering their personal and unique story, knowledge, giftedness, learning differences, etc. Therefore, we can't short-circuit the relational component of disciple-making because we can't know these things about someone if we emphasize the transfer of information (knowledge) over doing life together (relationship).
Transitions, celebrations and suffering are often defining moments in our lives and the lives of our disciples. In this episode we talk about (1) God as a suffering God, (2) how our own suffering (rather than a certificate) qualifies us to make disciples, and (3) a Suffering Chart to help you and your disciple discover how God is working to comfort and shape him (and how our presence and empathy is the greatest gift we give our disciples).
"I know of no better way to connect with the heart of a disciple than to meet him in the crisis of faith--where he's wrestling to reconcile his pain with God's goodness--and share with him what I've learned about God through my own hardships." (pg 77-78)