Deconstructing Faith - 040

This week, John Bailey and Mark Renfroe discuss how this season of their podcast is closing and what comes next for them both in their mutual work at World Challenge. They will be part of new podcasts and traveling to leaders conferences around the world, and they are excited to invite their listeners with them on this next stage of their journey.View show notes: https://wcm.link/tgp48c

The differences between every individual can be an incredible catalyst for character growth. More often than not, however, we avoid those who have different personalities and interests because they make us uncomfortable. This week, John Bailey and Mark Renfroe discuss how we can make sure we grow and mature through challenging relationships with other people, whether it’s with family, in work or through church. This sounds easy until we’ve experienced real betrayal and pain at the hands of others. How do we forgive and rebuild relationships under less than ideal circumstances?https://wcm.link/tgp47c

How many of us view generosity as transactional, expecting favors or praise in return? Do we think generosity is primarily with money? This week, John Bailey and Mark Renfroe discuss the many misconceptions about generosity and the way that the Bible highlights true generosity. A delight in giving is characteristic of every loving relationship, nowhere more so than in our relationship with God who gives to us so generously.https://wcm.link/tgp46c

When Jesus commanded his followers to remember the poor, what exactly did he mean? What does caring for those caught in poverty look like for us? In this episode, John Bailey and Mark Renfroe explore why the Bible makes caring for the poor so imperative and how we practically accomplish this in the world today. There are several different types of poverty that we can encounter, and each must be addressed differently.https://wcm.link/tgp45c

How do we find a good mentor? What qualities are necessary to become a good mentor ourselves? This week, John Bailey and Mark Renfroe share their personal experiences with the mentors who defined their lives, the types of mentorship relationships they have had and the qualifications of good mentorship.View podcast show notes: https://wcm.link/tgp44c

How do believers deconstruct their faith and yet stay in church? This week, pastor and author Natalie Runion joins John Bailey to honestly discuss questioning Christianity and challenging church culture. Natalie lays out the genesis of her ministry Raised to Stay and why she chose to not give up on the church. Trying to defend Christianity in unsympathetic arenas can feel like it tears apart our faith. Being attacked by other believers while we work in ministry can tempt any leader to walk away. When we're in these places, what do we do?View podcast show notes: https://wcm.link/tgp43c

Sometimes life is very hard, and the biblical command to have Christ's peace seem impossible. This week, John Bailey and Mark Renfroe discuss how the Spirit groans within us during our trials and how this is key to having overcoming peace. Some people think peace can only happen when life is easy or fun, and some Christians dismiss the true anguish that life can bring, but those with true peace have found a way to acknowledge hardship and yet center themselves around God.View podcast show notes: https://wcm.link/tgp42c

How does a believer's spiritual life grow and flourish in the middle of a harsh life? In this episode, John Bailey and Mark Renfroe talk about a recent conference in Central Asia and how vibrant the church is in a culture that loathes Christianity. The contrast is striking between the wealthy, spiritually cold Western world and the impoverished but spiritually vibrant church in the East. We have many lessons to learn about holy peace from believers in other parts of the world.View podcast show notes: https://wcm.link/tgp41c

Mark Renfroe and Evan Wilkerson discuss reasons why the next generation might walk away from the Christian faith.View show notes: https://wcm.link/tgp40c

View podcast show notes: https://wcm.link/tgp39c