Theology on Mission

www.seminary.edu/TMapply There is a mass exodus of Christians under the age of 40 out of evangelicalism. What will become of those who stay? What kind of leader will emerge after processing and deconstructing the beliefs and practices of evangelicalism? In this podcast Fitch and Moore propose what qualities and virtues are needed in this new kind of leadership. *Figure 7 of this report finds that 7% of 18-29 identify as White Evangelical Protestant. According to this report White Evangelical Protestant has the oldest median age (56), suggesting a widening gap in generational practices. https://www.prri.org/research/2020-census-of-american-religion/ **Check out our Brady Lectures with Michael Gorman: https://www.seminary.edu/brady_gorman/ Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission, or Doctorate in Contextual Theology alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, Greg Boyd, Drew Hart, Michael Gorman and more.

www.seminary.edu/TMapply Fitch and Moore sit down to talk about the new book, "What is the Church and Why Does it Exist?" This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Seminary Now, a new streaming video platform with short courses from leading professors and authors like David Fitch, Scot McKnight, Brenda Salter McNeil, Greg Boyd, Tish Harrison Warren, Esau McCaulley, and many more. Subscribe to access all the courses for only $20/month–or get Seminary Now for your whole church. Theology on Mission podcast listeners can get 30% off an individual subscription with discount code TM30. Check it out today. Check out Fitch's book here: https://www.amazon.com/What-Church-Does-Exist-Jesus/dp/1513805703

Fitch & Moore unpack the 5 top issues for church leaders to navigate as we come out of COVID. 1) People's broken relationship-spaces for relational connection 2) People's deconstructing their faith--spaces for deconstruction 3) People's anger/rage at various coercions/abuse--spaces for lament 4) People's fatigue from drudgery--spaces for celebration of God's power and hope for a future 5) People's grief over losses of friends, family, security--spaces for grieving and comfort As opposed to ramping up services...focus on developing social spaces! Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, Greg Boyd, and next years visiting professor Drew Hart and Brady Lecturer Willie Jennings. Apply here: https://www.seminary.edu/apply/

Fitch and Moore sit down with Andrew Draper to discuss his superb work "A Theology of Race and Place: Liberation and Reconciliation in the Works of Jennings and Carter." Dr. Andrew Draper is a pastor in Muncie, Indiana and has written extensively on black theology, ethics, and the church. In this episode Andrew shares his expert insight into the work of Jennings and Carter and the implications it has for the church. Below are a few links that introduce you to the work of Willie Jennings, J. Kameron Carter, and our new friend, Andrew Draper. Andrew's book: https://www.amazon.com/Theology-Race-Place-Liberation-Reconciliation/dp/149828082X Andrew's recent lecture at Fuller: https://fullerstudio.fuller.edu/the-end-of-mission-christian-witness-and-the-decentering-of-whiteness-andrew-t-draper/ An important article to understanding the work of Wille Jennings (Fitch references this) https://divinity.duke.edu/sites/divinity.duke.edu/files/DukeDivinityMag_Spring15.WEB_.compressed.pdf Audio with J. Kameron Carter: https://cct.biola.edu/witness-possibility-j-cameron-carter/ Come explore Northern's Master's in Theology & Mission alongside Fitch, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones, Greg Boyd, Drew Hart and more.

Here is the audio from our recent webinar. We hope to be back in the studio soon! Check out our Master's in Theology & Mission with classes taught by Dave Fitch, Greg Boyd, Nijay Gupta, Beth Jones. Past visiting professors and lecturers have included Stanley Hauerwas, Michael Gorman, Fleming Rutledge, Reggie Williams, Soong Chan Rah, and Kyuboem Lee. https://www.seminary.edu/programs/theologyandmission/

Fitch & Mike sit down with Dr. Drew Hart, professor at Messiah University to discuss his new book, "Who Will Be My Witness?"

How does a local church discern through disagreements? How do we decided what "issues" are essential? Here are the steps proposed in this episode, following the apostles work in Acts 15 1) The apostles and elders (leaders) met to consider the question (v6) 2) They observed what the Holy Spirit was doing (v8-9, 12) 3) A whole community listened and discerned (v12) They wokred with the leaders (v22). There was mutality of listening, consensus, etc. 4) Scripture was carefully considered...drawing its past meaning into the present (v15-19) 5) They wrote down their discernment in a letter "it seems good to the Holy Spirit and to us...." (v26) Lastly, check out our Church Planting Webinar in a few weeks with Hugh Halter: https://www.seminary.edu/churchplantingwebinar_mission/

What would it look like for us to focus our ministry on increasing density, rather than increasing numbers? Listen to find out!

Dive into innovative church planting models that prioritize community engagement over mere attendance. Explore the need for inclusivity and diverse leadership to foster transformative relationships in various neighborhoods. The discussion also highlights sustainable practices empowering ethnic communities and innovative funding strategies, especially in a post-COVID world. With practical examples and a mission-oriented lifestyle focus, listeners are encouraged to engage meaningfully and create authentic connections in their local context.

How do we respond to a post-Trump presidency? Fitch suggests a few different approaches drawing on authors who write about post-Nazi Germany and Ta Nehisi Coates. To be clear, we aren't accusing those who voted for Trump of being Nazi’s! We are offering perspectives (some from post Nazi Germany) for those of us who can’t relate or find it difficult to engage the 74 million who did vote for Trump.