Ministry Deep Dive

Travis has a deep conversation with James Choung on our need and desire for revival. Revival has had a lot of misunderstandings grow up around it over the years. Choung and his writing mate, Ryan Pfeiffer, have sought to restore the concept of revival by defining it and providing a way forward on how we can position ourselves so that true revival can happen. Very few people are talking about true, biblical revival. Current conversations within contemporary Christianity are on deconstruction, social justice issues, vaccinations, masks, and the state of the church, but how many are talking about the need for revival? Very few. While the aforementioned subjects must be discussed, the only true hope for sustained change and reconciliation between people is a movement of the Spirit of God. Is revival even possible in our postmodern, technologically addicted, skepticism-filled world? Join Travis & James as they discuss our need for revival and how only God can truly make a sustained and lasting change. James serves as Vice President of Strategy & Innovation — overseeing evangelism, discipleship, planting, growth, missions, multiethnic initiatives, and the Creative Labs — at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA. You can learn more about him and his book, Longing for Revival.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!Takeaways: A genuine relationship with God necessitates two-way communication rather than a mere adherence to rules and principles. Revival, as discussed in the podcast, is characterized by a deep longing for God and a return to Holy Spirit-led transformation. The concept of revival should be redefined to encompass breakthroughs in word, deed, and power within the modern church context. Consecration is essential for creating space for God to work and facilitating a deeper connection with Him. The modern church often exhibits a complacency that stifles spiritual longing and prayer, leading to a need for revival. Through understanding our spiritual heritage and the importance of community, we can discern God's voice and foster a revival mindset.

What have we been up to? Not much. Just moving across states, finding and adjusting to new schools, missing church, dealing with biblical plagues, and getting covid :-)Despite the setbacks, we go back to Scripture and pick up our study of Acts. If you want to understand a person, you need to know where they have come from and if you understand where they come from, their story goes from black and white into 4K-it's that way with Saul who later becomes Paul. In many ways, he becomes the template of life change, but that is for next week. This week Travis constructs Paul's backstory, piecing together his early ministry of persecution, then takes our contemporary idea of what makes a good person and uses them to ask Paul that question, "Are you good?" Listen in as Paul makes his answer via the ancient Scriptures and turns our contemporary conversation of good people upside down. Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Travis has a conversation with well-known scholar Philip Jenkins. Jenkins is an award-winning author and scholar. Travis & Philip discuss Dr. Jenkins's book, Fertility and Faith, and how secularization may affect the institutional practice of religion worldwide. Dr. Philip Jenkins has a doctorate from Cambridge in history, and taught at Penn State University and Baylor University's Institute for Studies of Religion. He is a well-known commentator on religion, past and present, having written about 30 books including The Next Christendom, The New Faces of Christianity: Believing the Bible in the Global South and God's Continent: Christianity, Islam and Europe's Religious Crisis, The Lost History of Christianity, Jesus Wars, just to name a few. He has published articles and op-ed pieces in several media outlets across the U.S. and Europe, including the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, New Republic, Foreign Policy, First Things, and Christian Century. The Economist has called him “one of America's best scholars of religion.” He has been interviewed on several television and radio shows, including CNN documentaries and news specials covering a variety of topics, such as global Christianity, the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, as well as serial murder, and aspects of violent crime. Jenkins is much heard on talk radio, including multiple appearances on NPR's All Things Considered, and on various BBC and RTE programs. In North America, he has been a guest on widely syndicated radio programs such as NPR’s Fresh Air, as well as the nationally broadcast Canadian shows Tapestry and Ideas. His influence goes beyond North America to newspapers and radio stations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Brazil. Now, in the highlight of his life ;-), he is on Apollos Watered! Travis & Phil discuss tacos, sushi, the 80's movie Matewan, and the possible correlation between secularization, religious institutions, birth rates, and gender roles in society. It's not just a European thing, but a global thing. It's truly a deep and heady conversation that helps us wrestle with our world and our place in it. Takeaways: Fertility rates in the United States have declined to European levels, signaling a demographic shift. The relationship between secularism and declining birth rates is evident across various cultures. Understanding the trends in global fertility can provide insights into religious institutional health. The rapid decline of religious practices in Europe raises questions about the future of the American faith. As societies become more secular, the role of family structures and values is changing significantly. Immigration can introduce new religious communities, potentially reshaping the landscape of faith in the West. Get Fertility and Faith and be sure to check out many of Philip's other books.Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. There are people ready to come to faith, but there aren't people who are willing to open up their homes, be vulnerable, and live an authentic life of faith in front of them. Are you? Travis and Nik delve into ministering in our modern culture are not often as hard as we make it. It is rather simple but requires a certain degree of time and vulnerability. They discuss households coming to faith, the lost (but certainly re-discoverable) art of hospitality, listening to people, and more importantly to the Lord. They also talk about the church wherever it is and rediscovering the burden of Jesus being known in parts of the world where He is not yet known. This episode is filled with laughter, insight, heartbreak, hope, and practical tools to help you so that you can fulfill Christ's mission for your life. Learn more about Nik Ripken Ministries, the book, and the movie. Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Travis & Nik continue their conversation with the persecuted church and our contemporary witness in the West. Nik shows us that it's at the point of witness that we identify with the persecuted or the persecutor. If we witness, we may well be persecuted, if we do not witness, we may never suffer. They also discuss modern western Christians' lack of desire to send children to the mission field, and how pagan parents bless their children who desire to be missionaries more than believing parents. Additionally, they discuss Black Hawk Down, snow-plow parenting, modern-day Judas's, identifying with brothers and sisters in chains, suffering for your faith, and the need to change the flow of the river of current western ministry perspectives. Learn more about Nik Ripken Ministries, the book, and the movie. Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!Travis Michael Fleming and Nik Ripken engage in a profound exploration of the concept of Christian witness, particularly in the context of persecution, as delineated in Ripken's own experiences across various hostile regions. The discussion underscores the assertion that the act of witnessing is inherently tied to the potential for persecution; those who choose to remain silent about their faith significantly reduce their likelihood of facing adversity. This key point serves as a foundational premise for the dialogue, emphasizing the necessity of an active witness in the life of a believer.Fleming and Ripken navigate through the dichotomy between the ease of practicing faith in Western societies and the harsh realities that many Christians endure in oppressive regimes. They present compelling narratives that illuminate the courage of believers who, despite suffering severe consequences, continue to proclaim their faith. These stories are not merely cautionary tales but serve as powerful reminders of the strength and resilience found in the global Church, particularly among those who face persecution.The episode also invites listeners to reflect on their own practices of faith-sharing, challenging the complacency that can arise in environments of relative freedom. Ripken's emphasis on the need for an active witness resonates as a call to action for Christians, urging them to leverage their freedom to proclaim the Gospel boldly. Ultimately, the conversation is a stirring reminder of the responsibilities that come with faith, encouraging believers to embody the message of Christ in their communities and to honor those who have suffered for their convictions.Takeaways: The essence of persecution is often determined by one's willingness to witness for Christ, reflecting a profound challenge to our faith. To share one's faith openly is to invite potential suffering, yet it is through this very act that the authenticity of faith is tested and revealed. The testimonies of persecuted Christians provide invaluable lessons on resilience and the unwavering commitment to witness amidst adversity. Understanding the experiences of believers in oppressive regimes can deepen our appreciation for the freedoms we possess in the West, and compel us to act accordingly. The narrative emphasizes that maintaining silence about one's faith may result in a lack of suffering, but it also stifles the transformative potential of the Gospel. Persecuted Christians often view their suffering as an integral aspect of their faith journey, illustrating that true discipleship involves both sacrifice and witness.

Is the blood of the martyrs really the seed of the church? Join Travis and special guest Nik Ripken as they talk about all things Kentucky, family, the persecuted church, and Nik's book, The Insanity of Obedience. Growing up in Kentucky, obeying Christ's call to go to the nations, Nik & Ruth Ripken went to Malawi, South Africa, and Kenya. Sensing God's call to work among the Somalians, they did-and found themselves facing unfiltered evil, unimaginable family pain, and friends' martyrdom. They discovered lessons of faith from brothers and sisters in persecution that challenge, encourage, and inspire us. This is a must-listen!Learn more about Nik Ripken Ministries, the book, and the movie. Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

In this engaging discussion, Mike Goheen, a missiology expert from The Missional Training Center, shares his insights on reintroducing Christianity to a consumer-driven West. He emphasizes the Bible as the true narrative of the world, advocating for a more profound biblical storytelling approach. Mike explores the vital role of lament in faith and the need for theological education that prepares leaders for modern challenges. He also discusses the interplay between faith and nationalism, urging Western Christians to adopt a global perspective and revitalizing family faith practices.

Mike Goheen, the Director of Theological Education at the Missional Training Center, shares his insights on reintroducing Christianity in the West. He discusses the stark contrast in how cultures respond to the Gospel, exploring why Americans often tune out faith conversations. Goheen analyzes the Enlightenment's impact on Western Christianity and highlights the need for a cohesive understanding of the biblical narrative in our individualistic society. Tune in for a deep discussion that will challenge and inspire your view on modern faith.

What is happening with Apollos Watered?! Some incredible stuff that can help you water your world! Who do you want to hear from? What do you want us to talk about? What is a resource that can help in your walk with God? And is there a way to get some of those resources at a discounted price? Yes! Travis & Kevin, the original tag team duo crazy enough to do this thing, sit down to discuss all that God has done over the past year and what we have planned in the year ahead to help you so that you can water your world. Listen in and hear about our journey, how God brought it into existence, what we value, where we are headed, and how you can be part of it! We have big news! The New Living Translation is now the official translation of Apollos Watered! Check out Kevin's article Understanding the Bible Changes Everything. This is an exciting partnership that is meant to help you grow to become more like Jesus! As always, thanks for listening! You are our heroes! Please keep the hero thing going by giving us a great review and be sure to share it with others! Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!

Join Travis for the second part of his Deep Conversation with Audrey Frank. Travis and Audrey discuss shame and the shame bearers in Muslim society...women. What does that mean? What does it mean to the women of Afghanistan in light of recent events? What does our modern cancel culture have to do with ancient concepts of shame? Everything! Listen in and discover shame, shame bearers, and the One who takes our shame away. Check out the first part: #64 | Finding Hope, Shedding Shame, Pt. 1 | Audrey FrankLearn more about shame: #34 | Rediscovering Hospitality: A Lesson from Eastern Cultures | Jayson Georges#69 | The Insanity of God, Pt. 1 | Nik Ripken#70 | The Insanity of God, Pt. 2 | Nik Ripken#71 | The Insanity of God, Pt. 3 | Nik Ripken#112 | Truth, Trauma, and Transformation, Pt. 1 | Jami Staples#113 | Truth, Trauma, and Transformation, Pt. 2 | Jami Staples#117 | Defending Shame, Pt. 1 | Te-Li Lau#118 | Defending Shame, Pt. 2 | Te-Li LauBe sure to check her out and get her book, Covered Glory. Sign up for the Apollos Watered newsletter.Help support the ministry of Apollos Watered and transform your world today!The dialogue between Travis Michael Fleming and Audrey Frank delves into the profound and often underexplored concepts of honor and shame, particularly as they pertain to contemporary culture, including the pervasive phenomenon of cancel culture. Throughout their discussion, they illuminate how these ancient constructs are not merely relics of the past but are intricately woven into the fabric of modern societal interactions and expectations. The conversation reveals that while we may perceive shame as an archaic notion, its manifestations are prevalent in today’s world, influencing behaviors, relationships, and even the very discourse surrounding faith and identity. Audrey Frank articulates compelling narratives, drawing from her experiences and observations within various cultural contexts, particularly the honor-shame dynamics prevalent in many societies globally. She challenges the Western-centric view that often regards shame as solely negative, by emphasizing that it can serve as a mechanism for accountability and moral reflection. The interview further posits that understanding these cultural frameworks can enhance our comprehension of the Gospel message, particularly in its capacity to offer redemption and restore dignity to those burdened by shame. This thematic exploration not only resonates with individuals from honor-shame backgrounds but also invites listeners to reflect on their own cultural narratives and the ways in which they may inadvertently perpetuate cycles of shame in their communities.Moreover, the conversation underscores the importance of recognizing the spiritual implications of shame and honor within the context of Christian faith. Travis and Audrey assert that the Gospel speaks profoundly to these issues, presenting Jesus as the ultimate redeemer who transforms shame into honor. This exploration serves as a clarion call for believers to engage meaningfully with those who may feel marginalized or shamed, advocating for an understanding that transcends mere doctrinal discussions, and instead fosters genuine empathy and connection. In summary, this episode serves as a rich tapestry of insights that challenge listeners to reevaluate their perspectives on shame and honor in a world that increasingly grapples with these timeless themes.Takeaways: The ancient concept of shame significantly influences modern societal issues, including cancel culture, which is discussed extensively in the podcast. Travis Michael Fleming and Audrey Frank delve into the dynamics of honor and shame across various cultures, highlighting its relevance beyond just Islamic contexts. The conversation emphasizes that understanding the intersection of faith and cultural dynamics is crucial for effective discipleship in today's world. Audrey shares poignant stories from her experiences that illustrate how Christ can transform the notion of shame into honor for individuals from diverse backgrounds. The podcast argues that the principles of honor and shame are inherently present in many cultures, urging listeners to reconsider their perspectives on these concepts. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the Bible through the lens of honor and shame to better understand its implications for their faith and relationships.