Joel and Tim explore what it means to live and raise children as elect exiles in a world with different values. They reflect on social media, culture, and the ways Christians can tell the alternate story of Jesus — distinctive, thoughtful, and rooted in grace.
The discussion covers family and intergenerational ministry, schools, and creating spaces for children to engage meaningfully with the church. They highlight the importance of modelling commitment through consistent presence and participation.
Over-commitment to church isn’t the problem — intentionality, faithfulness, and living in deep community are. By prioritising time together, parents and churches equip the next generation to confidently live as elect exiles in Christ.
🕓 Timestamps
00:00 Mass deletion in NYC + Freya India
18:32 The Christian story as the alternate story
31:59 How do we raise children as aliens in a foreign world?
40:34 The role of schools in raising children as exiles
54:17 Committing to the alternate story
1:07:40 Tim’s Takeaway
📌 Discussed on this episode
Time To Refuse
Gen Z held an anti-social media event. Here's how they heard about it
Italian Brain Rot
We Are The Slop, by Freya India
Is Sora the Beginning of the End for OpenAI?
Parenting Beyond Your Capacity: Connect Your Family to a Wider Community, by Reggie Joiner and Carey Nieuwenhof
Raising Boys, by Steve Biddulph
Joel and Tim explore Soul Revival Church’s 2025 Planning Day — and how the church can prepare for God to grow them, being ready if He chooses to do that.
They begin by talking about writing, storytelling, and collective memory — how churches pass down faith through shared stories that shape who they are. Tim reflects on his recent work about how intergenerational communities strengthen faith by remembering together.
The conversation then turns to independent media and creativity, drawing lessons from writers like Ryan Holiday and Jonathan Wilson. Joel and Tim reflect on how Christians can balance curiosity with focus — doing a few things well, recognising that God made people finite so they can’t chase every idea.
At the heart of the episode is Soul Revival’s collaborative Planning Day, where the whole church community — not just leaders — comes together to reflect, celebrate, and plan for the year ahead. It’s a unique approach that embodies their belief in the church as a family, where every generation contributes.
Finally, they look forward to the 2025 Planning Day and the church’s 2030 Double Up Vision, discussing what it means to grow deeply in discipleship and mission, not just in numbers. The episode closes with a reminder to keep telling the stories of God’s faithfulness — because those stories shape who the church is and who it will become.
🕓 Timestamps
00:00 Writing, independent media & being finite beings
20:00 Why have a Planning Day?
27:38 Benefits of collaboration & community input
40:01 Preparing for growth and God’s work
45:45 What’s happening at the 2025 Planning Day
1:06:05 Keep telling your church’s story
Discussed on this episode
Ryan Holiday Reading Recommendation Email
The Painted Porch bookstore
Brass Check
Daily Stoic podcast
Bookmarked
It Was What It Was podcast
Wilson's World (of football)
The Blizzard
Libero podcast
Breaking Points
Tim's Substack
So Good They Can't Ignore You, by Cal Newport
Mensch: Beyond the Cones, by Jonathan Harding
Good to Great, by Jim Collins
Brady Shearer
Joel and Tim return from a short break to wrestle with a timeless question — are Christians today still exiles? Drawing from 1 Peter, they explore what it means to live faithfully in a world that doesn’t always share our values.
With both Joel and Tim preaching on 1 Peter they delve into the different ways they have approached the sermon preparation process. Joel focuses on identity, inheritance, and how God’s power sustains us through trials. Tim looks at the cultural lens — what it means to live as “God’s elect exiles” in a post-Christendom world. Together, they reflect on how Scripture calls us to faithfulness, hope, and distinctiveness as followers of Jesus.
Their discussion expands to cultural engagement too — especially around the banning of books and the idea of reading behind enemy lines. Why should Christians engage with opposing ideas rather than fear them? How do we hold convictions without closing our minds? They argue that wrestling with uncomfortable ideas, when rooted in truth, helps us understand God’s world better and strengthens our witness in it.
They also touch on Tim’s new book chapter Why Your Family Needs the Intergenerational Church, the discipline of walking as a form of reflection, and the process of preparing sermons that let Scripture lead.
🎙️ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro & catching up
15:51 – On the banning of books and reading behind enemy lines
30:37 – Preaching on 1 Peter
1:03:24 – What we hope for after the sermon
📌 Discussed on this episode
Why Most Smart People Become Stupid - Ryan Holiday on Modern Wisdom
Joel's sermon on 1 Peter
Govett's Leap
Soren Kirkegaard
Dominion, by Tom Holland
MINI-SERIES: World — Mission Is for Everyone
Mission doesn’t just belong to a few — it’s everyone’s call.
Joel, Tim, and Jai continue the service team mini-series on World, unpacking why God’s plan has always been for His salvation to reach all nations and how that shapes the life of the church today.
They trace the theology of mission through Matthew 28, Psalm 67, and Isaiah 49, showing how Israel was blessed to be a blessing, and how Jesus’ death and resurrection brings salvation that explodes out to the whole world. Mission isn’t an optional extra for “professionals” overseas — it’s the daily call of every believer. If you’ve got good news, you want to share it.
They explore how Soul Revival approaches mission: intergenerational ministry that naturally creates missional opportunities, long-term partnerships with CMS and Indigenous leaders in North West NSW, and supporting global mission through financial and prayer support. They discuss how prayer unites us across cultures and continents, reminding us that God is the one who grows His kingdom and graciously includes us in His work.
Along the way they reflect on evangelism as simply sharing what you love, the challenge of awkwardness when talking about faith, and how kindness, gentleness, and genuine relationships open doors to gospel witness.
📌 Episode Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: Dua Lipa memes, Banksy, and the speed of culture
10:04 – The World Team: mission is for everyone
20:12 – Theology of World: God’s salvation for all nations
42:01 – Strategy of World: local, regional, and overseas mission
58:30 – Practice of World: prayer, partnerships, and living it out
Discussed:
Dua Lipa t-shirt meme goes viral
Life of Brian "You're all individuals"
Shock Absorber episode with Michael Duckett
MINI-SERIES: Welcoming — Don’t Expect Them to Know
Welcoming doesn't just happen on accident.
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Joel, Tim, and Jai continue our mini-series on Welcoming, unpacking why we can’t assume newcomers will automatically understand the culture of our church. First impressions give people dignity, remove the unknowns, and either open the door to belonging or make someone turn away. That’s why intentional welcoming matters.
They trace the theology behind hospitality—drawing on Hebrews 13, Romans 12, and 1 Peter—and wrestle with the difference between a polite greeting and a genuine welcome that leads to belonging. Are we hosts who take ownership of our community, or guests who hope someone else will do the work of welcoming? The way we answer that question shapes discipleship and the life of the body.
Practically, they explore Soul Revival’s approach: Come – Stay – Grow, meals that move people past small talk, “New-ish” conversations with the Senior Pastor, intergenerational ministry, and the importance of follow-up that builds trust rather than treating people like data points. Small, consistent practices—recognisable faces, invitations to dinner or community groups, and thoughtful training—compound over time to pull newcomers into long-term belonging.
📌 Episode Timestamps
00:00 – Intro and examples of welcoming
21:28 – Theology of Welcoming
44:55 – What is hospitality?
51:22 – The Strategy of Welcoming
1:12:09 – Practice of Welcoming
Discussed on this episode:
The Adventures of Tintin
Asterix
The Adventures of Tintin movie
My Father the Hero
Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson
Gary Vee's Jay Cutler jersey story
The Missing Piece in Digital Ministry: Churches Skip Strategy Between Theology and Practice
In the final episode of our mini-series on Communications, Joel, Digital Pastor at Soul Revival Church, shares at the inaugural Virtual Church Assist Conference how Soul Revival’s digital ministry has grown over the last five years—and the key factor behind it: a consistent and solid ministry framework.
He talks about how Soul Revival's Theology → Strategy → Practice framework that has allowed he and the team to produce podcasts, coordinate content, and engage communities online in a meaningful way. The piece many churches and ministries miss is a well thought out, well articulated strategy—most skip straight from Theology to Practice, which can limit impact and effectiveness.
Joel walks through how to connect digital efforts with core biblical convictions, build intergenerational relationships, and create authentic, engaging content—all guided by a clear strategy. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your church’s online presence or rethink how ministry fits together from Theology to Practice, this talk provides practical insights and ideas to implement immediately.
Let us know: “How does your ministry framework connect your theology to the practice of serving your community?”
0:00 – Welcome & Introduction
1:20 – Thanks to Sam & VCA, first-time speaking, intention of the talk
3:10 – About Joel & Soul Revival Church
4:30 – Background in youth ministry, joining staff in 2020
5:50 – Family & personal context
7:00 – Digital Ministry: Early Years & COVID
7:40 – Pre-recording podcasts & early content
9:10 – Streaming all six gatherings during first lockdown
10:50 – Adapting to podcast-style format in second lockdown
12:30 – Week Away Online: experimenting with virtual ministry
14:20 – Key lessons learned from early experimentation
16:00 – Iterative Approach to Branding & Digital Content
16:40 – Chip Lunch Podcast evolution & rebrand
18:20 – Apparel lines & website relaunch as part of ministry practice
20:00 – Ministry Framework Overview
20:30 – Theology → Strategy → Practice explained
22:10 – Why Strategy is often missing
23:30 – Concrete example: Soul Revival Church strategy
25:00 – Relational Distinctives & Intergenerational Ministry
25:40 – Friendship, low-key long-term relational focus
27:20 – Intergenerational gatherings & inclusivity
29:00 – Ministry Teams, Meals & Third Space Community
29:40 – Teams prevent burnout & encourage collaboration
31:10 – Meals as relational practice
32:30 – Third space community & welcoming new people
34:00 – Practice of Digital Ministry
34:30 – External-to-internal continuum
35:40 – Providing value: authentic, insightful, entertaining content
37:10 – Example: Chip Lunch Podcast storytelling & engagement
39:00 – Questions to Guide Your Ministry
39:30 – Theology: How Jesus changes ministry
40:20 – Strategy: Aligning practice with convictions
41:10 – Practice: Flexibility & experimentation
42:00 – Practical Tips & Closing Thoughts
42:30 – “What rockets could you blow up?” – experimentation
43:20 – Encouragement to work on ministry, not just in it
44:00 – Thanks & conclusion
Incarnate church is the main thing — digital ministry is second, and it should always intentionally draw people into gathering together.
In this episode of our service teams mini-series, Tim, Joel and Brayden explore the practice of Communications. Starting with a trip back to 90s culture and the optimism of the Britpop era, they draw out how the internet has reshaped culture, attention, and community. From there, they reflect on what Soul Revival has learnt since COVID, when church was forced online and new opportunities — and challenges — emerged.
The team walks through Soul Revival’s approach to communications: discipleship and mission as the goal, not metrics; using the website as a newcomer’s shopfront; creating podcasts like The Shock Absorber and Chip Lunch; and using newsletters, technology, and content as tools that always point back to the physical church gathering.
Ultimately, communications is about creating touchpoints for people to grow in loving God and loving others, while never replacing the joy of gathered community around Jesus.
MINI-SERIES: Communications Service Team — Strategy
Stu, Tim, and Joel discuss why church communications need strategy. Drawing on Andy Crouch and Jay Kim, they explore how technology, online community, and AI affect formation—and why embodied relationships remain central.
Christians have always used tools to communicate, from Paul’s letters to AI, but digital spaces can’t replace real-life discipleship. At Soul Revival, that’s meant pursuing an 80/20 balance: online tools supplementing, not replacing, physical community.
They also contrast God’s truth-telling with AI’s flattery, reflect on formation in the mess of real life, and ask what kind of discipleship our content is shaping.
00:00 – Technology and Christian formation
10:06 – Online vs physical presence
21:05 – What clear strategy looks like
27:24 – AI vs God’s communication
33:45 – Content for formation, not just consumption
40:33 – Why discomfort grows us
Discussed on this episode:
Practicing the Way podcast
AI discussion guide
New Social Movement Theory
Third Place Theory
Why Grok Fell in Love With Hitler
Bowling Alone, by Robert Putnam
Think Biblically podcast
Chip Lunch podcast
“If we were meant to fully grasp God, we wouldn’t need Him—exploring faith, wonder, and dependence.”
With Stu out sick, Tim and Joel take a break from their mini-series on the Communications Service Team to chat about what’s caught their eyes and minds this week.
They explore Tim’s German heritage, wrestling with the tension between beauty and atrocity in culture, the challenge of engaging with complex heroes, and what it means for Christians to hold a non-anxious presence in a fallen world.
They also dive into Joel’s reflections on Augustine’s Enchiridion, helping us understand the dual nature of Jesus, the process of sanctification, and the grace of never fully grasping God.
Finally, they discuss the impact of technology on our lives—additive vs. extractive—and how our relationship with God shapes how we consume, create, and live in the world.
📌 Episode Timestamps:
00:00 – Tim on German culture, Wagner & wrestling with flawed heroes
25:09 – Augustine, the Apostles’ Creed & why we can’t fully grasp God
38:32 – Additive vs extractive technology, AI, and discipleship
Discussed on this episode:
Puff the Magic Dragon
Katya Hoyer's Zeitgeist Substack
Blood and Iron: The Rise and Fall of the German Empire 1871–1918, Katya Hoyer
Richard Wagner
Martyr Made podcast
LutheranSatire's St. Patrick's Bad Analogies
Spiritual formation and AI: A deep dive with Andy Crouch and Jay Kim
On Additive and Extractive Technologies, by Cal Newport
Are Podcasts Destroying Our Brains?
The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance
How We Work by Basecamp
Feel Good Productivity, by Ali Abdaal
Libero podcast
Motorsport Magazine podcast
Stu, Tim, and Joel explore the theology of communication, from the Sydney Sweeney ad controversy to how Christians can share the gospel wisely in a media-driven world.
MINI-SERIES: Theology of Communications
------------------------
The Shock Absorber continues it's mini-series on Soul Revival’s service teams — this time focusing on the Communications Team and the theology that underpins everything we say and share.
We break down the recent Sydney Sweeney ad controversy, explore the impact of the attention economy, and reflect on how God communicates through creation, scripture, and ultimately, His Son.
The conversation also tackles the dangers of church consumerism, the opportunities and pitfalls of online Christian content, and how believers can reclaim their missional voice in a media-saturated world.
American Apparel ad archive
Trust Me I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator, by Ryan Holiday
Monty Python's The Life of Brian
The War on Attention is a Spiritual War, by Ben Crosby
What Jaguar's controversial rebrand can teach us
Lessons from the Bud Light Boycott, One Year Later
Culture Making with Andy Crouch
The Quiet Revival: Gen Z leads rise in church attendance
Light Church, Swindon
Jon Crist
Blackboard Jungle
Why Soul Revival go away for a whole week as a church.
Joel, Ethan and Jai share why Soul Revival Church spends five whole days away together each year at Week Away—our annual church camp. We talk about how extended time and proximity help deepen existing relationships and spark new ones, all while growing together in God’s word.
We explore the beauty and challenge of having so much free time, the impact of late-night conversations, and why we love designing keepsake apparel each year. It’s about forming lasting memories, building unity in Jesus, and living out the Christian life together—one week at a time.
DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE
Socks on Bones
If I Were You podcast
Living with the Underworld, by Peter Bolt
Soul Revival Apparel
Liberti Church
U2's Songs of Innocence
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The Shock Absorber Podcast is a project of Soul Revival Church, where we explore how theology, strategy and practice intersect to help churches thrive in a changing world.
CONTACT US:
📧 Email
🌐 Website
🛍️ Soul Revival Shop
🔗 Linktree (everything else)
MINI-SERIES: Part 5 on the Practice of Arts: Word ministry
In this episode, Stu, Joel and Brayden why God's word remains central to everything Soul Revival does as a church. They reflect on their earliest (and often awkward!). We’re talking theology, history, practical training, and how God’s Word really does simplify church life when we keep it central.
They trace the influence of the Reformation and Anglican Prayer Book on how Soul Revival structures church services, unpack the role of the service leader, and talk through the value of liturgy, creeds, and communal prayer. Whether it’s Bible reading, leading from up front, or preaching itself, Word ministry reminds us that we’re not crafting vision—we’re responding to God’s vision.
DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE
Crisis of Confidence, by Carl Trueman
BMX Bandits
Dr Bonamy
"Simpson eh?"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Shock Absorber Podcast is a project of Soul Revival Church, where we explore how theology, strategy and practice intersect to help churches thrive in a changing world.
CONTACT US:
📧 Email: joel@shockabsorber.com.au
🌐 Website: https://www.shockabsorber.com.au
🛍️ Soul Revival Shop: https://www.soulrevivalchurch.com/shop
🔗 Linktree (everything else): https://linktr.ee/JesusChangesEverything
In a short break from our Arts service team series, we hear about Tim's trip to Kentucky to present and be part of the Intergenerational Ministry Conference. This is a crossover episode from our Chip Lunch podcast.
Brayden and Joel are joined by Jamie who makes his first appearance on the podcast as they continue our mini-series on the Arts Service Team at Soul Revival Church—this time focusing on the often-unseen but essential work of tech ministry, including sound, slide presentations, and livestreaming.
They begin by reminiscing about the early days of church tech—think overhead projectors and the high-stakes task of getting the lyrics right. It’s a lighthearted entry into a deeper conversation about serving in a ministry that’s usually only noticed when something goes wrong. Together, they reflect on how a focus on excellence, teamwork, and humility helps keep the goal clear: to point people to God’s word.
They explore how tech ministry can sometimes walk a tightrope—striving to do things well without falling into the trap of performance or perfectionism. They speak about the relational challenges that can arise between teams (like music and tech), and how grounding everything in a servant-hearted attitude—because we follow a servant Saviour—helps the church grow in unity.
They also outline the structure of Soul Revival’s tech teams across different gatherings, share how tech can be a gateway into ministry for youth and new volunteers, and encourage those serving to remember that even behind-the-scenes roles are vital in leading others to Jesus.
They finish on a helpful reminder: we don’t have to be perfect to lead. In fact, our imperfections often reveal the grace and goodness of God more clearly those new or old to church.
Timestamps
00:00 – First encounters with church tech & OHP nostalgia
04:57 – Tech ministry: only noticed when a mistake is made
18:26 – Excellence vs relationships, avoiding burnout
26:44 – Tech team structure & entry points into ministry
33:39 – Serving imperfectly but faithfully, centred on God’s word
CONTACT US:
📧 Email: joel@shockabsorber.com.au
🌐 Website: https://www.shockabsorber.com.au
🛍️ Soul Revival Shop: https://www.soulrevivalchurch.com/shop
🔗 Linktree (everything else): https://linktr.ee/JesusChangesEverything
SERVICE TEAM MINI-SERIES: Practice of Arts (Music)
Brayden and Joel continue our mini-series on the Arts Service Team by diving into the practice of music ministry—particularly how preparation and intentionality help music serve the church community.
They begin by sharing memories of their favourite live music performances, reflecting on the joy, spontaneity, and relational nature of playing music in real time. Whether it's the energy between bandmates or the connection with a crowd, they explore how God has designed music to be not just emotional and expressive but deeply spiritual and communal.
From there, the conversation shifts into the practical rhythms of music ministry at Soul Revival. Brayden shares how intentional preparation—from reading the Bible passage ahead of the service to carefully choosing songs that support the flow of the gathering—helps keep the ministry Word-based and congregational. They explore the delicate balance between excellence and authenticity, affirming that it’s okay to make mistakes when the goal is to serve God and others, not perform.
The discussion also touches on recruiting team members using the "3 Cs" (Conviction, Character, Competency) and creating low-pressure environments for young people to grow in ministry. They highlight how Soul Revival’s Shock Absorber approach allows for leadership development without the heavy burden of perfectionism. The episode finishes with a hopeful look at the future of the Arts team and a celebration of those who give their time and talent to build a culture of service and friendship in the church.
00:00 Live music energy, starting bands, God's gift of music
17:24 Preparation and song selection, intentionality not performance
42:02 Recruiting musicians, the 3 Cs, Shock Absorber approach to training
58:31 Gratitude and hope for the future of the Arts ministry
DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:
VH1 Behind The Music
Led Zeppelin - Dazed And Confused Live
Get Yer Ya Ya's Out, The Rolling Stones
Let There Be Rock, AC/DC
Brayden's Chip Lunch
Arctic Monkeys
U2
Paul McCartney
Neil Young
Roger Waters
Jack White
The White Stripes, Under Blackpool Lights
Audioslave
Rage Against The Machine
Limp Bizkit
The Darkness
Justin Hawkins
The Hives
CONTACT US:
📧 Email: joel@shockabsorber.com.au
🌐 Website: shockabsorber.com.au
🛍️ Soul Revival Shop
🔗 Linktree (everything else)
SERVICE TEAM MINI-SERIES: Strategy of Arts
Joel, Stu and Brayden begin with a light-hearted yet thoughtful conversation about how music listening has changed over the decades—from records and tapes to CDs and streaming. They share memories of burning CDs and crafting the perfect mixtape, reflecting on how streaming has opened up access to a wider range of music than ever before.
But the discussion quickly turns to a deeper question: What does it mean to serve from the front of church—especially in music? The hosts unpack the difference between producing a polished product and building authentic Christian community. Drawing parallels to hospitality teams, they explore why churches rely on volunteers, not professionals, and how serving together in music and other arts is an act of friendship and worship—not performance.
They consider how Christian ministry can be counter-cultural in a world that prizes individualism and professionalism. Instead of treating music as a product, the Shock Absorber team frames it as a way of serving others and participating in the shared life of the church.
The second half dives into Soul Revival’s intergenerational approach to Arts ministry, where tradition meets cultural context under the authority of God’s word. They talk about how liturgical elements like the Book of Common Prayer provide a theological grounding that allows people of all ages to express their faith together in reverent, meaningful ways.
Brayden shares insights from his role leading Arts at Soul Revival—how involving young people in roles like handing out communion or leading youth bands deepens cross-generational discipleship. They explore how a team-based ministry structure, built around relationships and scalability, allows every arts-related role (from music to tech to preaching) to be integrated and sustainable.
Finally, they reflect on the freedom Soul Revival’s strategy offers gatherings like Yarrawarrah, where the absence of a music team doesn’t limit the ministry but creates visibility and missional engagement in a new way—offering a fresh model of what church can look like.
00:00 What have you been listening to?
04:18 From tapes to streaming: music access over time
15:34 Why we don't pay musicians at church
24:54 Intergenerational Arts ministry & liturgy
44:25 Youth bands and bottom-up leadership
52:48 Building and scaling team structures
1:03:46 Music-less gatherings & redefining church viability
DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE:
CONTACT US:
Shock Absorber Email: joel@shockabsorber.com.au
Website: https://www.shockabsorber.com.au
Soul Revival Shop: https://www.soulrevivalchurch.com/shop
Explore more: https://linktr.ee/JesusChangesEverything
MINI-SERIES: Theology of Arts service team
Brayden (Arts Pastor at Soul Revival Church) joins Joel and Stu to discuss the theology of the Arts team at Soul Revival Church
Starting with a quick take on “Italian brain rot” (yes, it’s a real AI meme phenomenon), Joel and Tim quickly shift into a deeper critique of internet culture, generational shifts, and the loss of long-term creative effort in favor of instant gratification. What does the rise of AI-generated content, TikTok trends, and nostalgia-fueled memes say about our society’s priorities?
From there, the conversation takes a turn into why memory matters—not just as nostalgia, but as a cornerstone of identity, faith, and flourishing communities. Tim unpacks key ideas from sociology and anthropology, weaving in concepts like vicarious memory, collaborative remembering, and mutual participation to explain why intergenerational ministry works and how churches can preserve meaning across generations, stories—sacred and silly—shape who we are.
00:00 Intro
01:18 – Italian brain rot and the decline of creative effort
21:00 – Memory, ministry, church
34:10 – The role of collective and vicarious memory
49:10 – Mutual participation: Becoming part of the story
55:10 – What shapes church culture
1:01:35 – Inclusive memory: How storytelling welcomes everyone
DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE
Learning Fast and Slow: Why AI Won’t Revolutionize Education
Remembering to Believe: How Collective Remembering Shapes Faith Formation
Perennial Seller, by Ryan Holiday
The Life and Death of Australian Soccer, by Joe Gorman
A Season with Verona, by Tim Parks
CONTACT US
Shock Absorber Email: joel@shockabsorber.com.au
Shock Absorber Website: shockabsorber.com.au
Soul Revival Shop: soulrevival.shop
Check out what else Soul Revival is up to here
Stu, Tim and Joel hosts dive into a discussion sparked by Stu's recent visit to Texas, where he observed the strong sense of identity, friendliness, and open expression of faith that characterises much of Texan culture. They compare this with Australian cultural values like egalitarianism and mateship, examining how national myths shape the way communities live and relate to one another.
From there, the conversation explores how Christianity functions as a movement rather than a rigid institution—one that adapts to cultural contexts while maintaining universal principles such as love for neighbour, kindness, and human dignity. The hosts discuss how these principles have historically contributed to the flourishing of societies and continue to do so today, often through everyday people rather than powerful institutions.
They touch on how Christians can thoughtfully engage in politics without being co-opted by partisan agendas, referencing thinkers like Christopher Watkin and historical figures like Dietrich Bonhoeffer to illustrate a balanced, gospel-centred approach. They finish with an encouragement from Stu to "get on the bus".
00:00 "God, family, and state"
10:28 Christianity and tolerance
19:31 The influence of Christianity on Western Civilisation
34:49 Christianity as a movement vs. institution
46:56 Political engagement, Bonhoeffer, diagonalisation
1:00:00 Get on the bus
DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE
The Years of Lyndon Johnson, by Robert Caro
We Are Repaganizing, by Louise Perry
Dominion, Tom Holland
The Book that Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization, by Vishal Mangalwadi:
Preston Sprinkle
Michael Bird
Richard Dawkins says he's a cultural Christian
Jan Hus
The Quiet Revival: Gen Z leads rise in church attendance
Biblical Critical Theory, by Christopher Watkin
CONTACT US
Shock Absorber Email: joel@shockabsorber.com.au
Shock Absorber Website: shockabsorber.com.au
Soul Revival Shop: soulrevival.shop
Check out what else Soul Revival is up to here
Is Christianity really in decline — or is something deeper happening beneath the surface?
In this episode, the guys take a break from their recent mini-series' on Soul Reviaval's service teams to unpack a fascinating new report from Christian research group McCrindle on the state of Christianity in Australia. While headlines often focus on the drop in people identifying as Christian — from 61% in 2011 to 44% in 2021 — the data reveals a surprising undercurrent: over 784,000 Australians have moved from having no religion to identifying as Christian.
They explore what might be behind this shift, especially among older Australians where crisis moments like divorce or bereavement can lead to renewed spiritual searching. Meanwhile, Gen Z is showing a greater openness to spiritual conversations than any other generation — and a stronger link between belief and practice, with more regular church attendance than their parents or grandparents.
The episode also dives into the gap between cultural identity and active faith, why church attendance as a percentage of population is actually rising, and the growing need for intergenerational ministry. They reflect on how young people are searching for meaning, and why many are walking away from Christianity — often because the vision presented to them isn’t compelling or connected to real life.
With regional areas shifting faster than the cities, and the population dividing into categories like prodigals, nomads, and resilient disciples, the team considers what this means for mission, discipleship, and the future of the church in Australia.