Top Theology Stories of 2023 with Collin Hansen and Melissa Kruger

Join Collin Hansen and Melissa Kruger for their annual recap discussion on the biggest stories affecting the church around the world in the last year. This conversation was originally featured on TGC's Gospelbound podcast.

In this final season episode of As in Heaven, Jim Davis and Michael Graham are joined by Trevin Wax to discuss what it looks like to help individuals reconstruct their faith and for evangelicals—as a movement—to rebuild their witness.This episode is part of As in Heaven’s third season, devoted to The Great Dechurching—the largest and fastest religious shift in U.S. history. To learn more about this phenomenon on which the episodes of this season are based, order The Great Dechurching by Michael Graham and Jim Davis.Recommended resource: Reconstructing Faith with Trevin Wax (podcast)

In this final episode of season three of As in Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Mike Aitcheson welcome Irwyn Ince to discuss the value of churches that seek to be both missional and confessional. When churches seek to hold both of these things in harmony, they become places that people won't want to leave.Episode time stamps:Episode and guest introduction (0:00)Confessional versus missional theology (3:43)Why is the language of mission so important? (9:53)The ground level of orthodoxy (18:00)An overflow of the doctrine of the Trinity (25:03)The polarization of the church and culture (32:30)The significance of Biblical ethics (37:36)The multifaceted glory of the essence of God (42:55)Practical ways to apply a missional mindset (49:15)This episode is part of As in Heaven’s third season, devoted to The Great Dechurching—the largest and fastest religious shift in U.S. history. To learn more about this phenomenon on which the episodes of this season are based, preorder The Great Dechurching by Michael Graham and Jim Davis.

In this episode of As in Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Michael Graham welcome Jake Meador to discuss the merits of having a posture of a "church in exile." They explore how this exilic posture could help us close the back door of the church and regain our prophetic voice.Episode time stamps:Episode and guest introduction (0:00)Moving from empire to exile (4:37)Centrality of patience (11:38)Role of attention in a digital age (16:53)Advantages of living in a state of exile (23:08)Learning from others across broader church history (29:41)Advice for clergy and business owners in secular workplaces (36:11)Relational wisdom in a low-trust environment (43:31)This episode is part of As In Heaven’s third season, devoted to The Great Dechurching—the largest and fastest religious shift in U.S. history. To learn more about this phenomenon on which the episodes of this season are based, preorder The Great Dechurching by Michael Graham and Jim Davis.

In this episode of As In Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Michael Graham welcome Andrew Wilson and Glen Scrivener to discuss European perspectives on dechurching in America, drawing from insights in the UK, Australia, and Italy to compare and contrast the dechurching movement.Episode time stamps:Episode and topic introduction (0:00)Losing cultural prestige and normativity in the states (7:02)The benefits of standing up to the cultural tide (12:25)The difference between secular traditional and secular progressive (15:39)Britain, Italy, and the catholic vs. protestant split (19:03)David Goodhart and nationalism (22:22)The difference between exile and sojourning (25:49)What’s the state of the church in 2024? (35:40)Final thoughts and encouragement (41:20)This episode is part of As in Heaven’s third season, devoted to The Great Dechurching—the largest and fastest religious shift in U.S. history. To learn more about this phenomenon on which the episodes of this season are based, preorder The Great Dechurching by Michael Graham and Jim Davis.

In this episode of As In Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Mike Aitcheson welcome Robert Cunningham to discuss the complexities of our ever-shifting culture. They share insights into pastoring through election cycles, polarizing cultural moments, and how not to grow weary.Episode time stamps:Episode and topic introduction (0:00)The impact of cultural issues on the dechurching phenomenon (7:31)How can we bring people back to the church? (14:46)Pastoring through cultural changes (19:06)What does it look like to switch churches? (27:59)What role does the pastor play in shaping members for this cultural moment? (32:27)Pastors are tired. How can they care for themselves well? (41:16)This episode is part of As in Heaven’s third season, devoted to The Great Dechurching—the largest and fastest religious shift in U.S. history. To learn more about this phenomenon on which the episodes of this season are based, preorder The Great Dechurching by Michael Graham and Jim Davis.

In this episode of As in Heaven, Jim Davis and Mike Aitcheson welcome Sam Allberry and Michael Keller to discuss preaching in light of the dechurched phenomenon. The guests share insights from their own preaching preparation, cultural insights from their context, and how they question cultural assumptions.Episode time stamps:Episode and topic introduction (0:00)The role of preaching in worship (3:15)How do you break the ice with new members? (8:55)The process of preparing for a sermon (13:32)The moral responsibility of a preacher to convict (22:25)The value of biblical community (23:42)How do you get feedback from your congregation? (25:27)How do you see yourself as a young minister? (27:55)Two sides of the same coin of preaching (30:19)The difference between culture and context (32:03)The importance of contextualization (34:54)The beauty of expository preaching (43:07)How will "Chat GPT" affect preaching? (47:50)This episode is part of As in Heaven’s third season, devoted to The Great Dechurching—the largest and fastest religious shift in U.S. history. To learn more about this phenomenon on which the episodes of this season are based, preorder The Great Dechurching by Michael Graham and Jim Davis. 

In this episode of As In Heaven, Jim Davis and Mike Aitcheson welcome Jen Wilkin to discuss the importance of seeing and honoring women's gifts and abilities in the church as it pertains to dechurching in America. When understanding God's design for the roles of women in the church, it is important that we seek to honor and value women in the midst of seeking biblical fidelity and clarity. Jen Wilkin shares several personal stories from both positive and negative experiences as well as stories of how The Village Church came to draft their shorter and longer position papers on the role of women in the church.Episode time stamps:Episode and guest introduction (0:00)Core for idols male pastors to work through in order to lead a healthy church (7:06)What does it look like for women to flourish in the church? (21:30)The process of writing The Village Church position papers (24:23)Why clarity is kind and why it matters (30:54)Why listening is so important in spiritual formation (33:59)

In this episode of As in Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Mike Aitcheson welcome guest David Platt to discuss the role of political syncretism (taking political positions of neutrality) in dechurching in America. In their conversation, they unpack the ways political syncretism has diminished trust among many in their local church and the broader evangelical church.Episode time stamps:What does it mean to leave the church by politics? (0:55)Idolatry in the church (6:52)Praying for the president (16:50)Make sure the Word is clear and the message is proclaimed (22:26)What role does a pastor play when handing voter guides? (27:07)We live in a different kingdom (32:24)The power of love and compassion (35:43)Love God and others (41:45)Learn more about dechurching alongside Jim Davis and Michael Graham in this 5-session weekly online cohort through The Keller Center. 

In this episode of As In Heaven, Jim Davis is joined by his wife, Angela Davis, a mental health counselor, and Benjamin Kandt to discuss the role mental health plays in dechurching, the relation between worship and mental health, and how mental health intersects with the church's ministry to the dechurched. They offer insight into the painful reality of loneliness and despair that marks many who have left the church. You'll learn how we can engage the hurts of this group of people and how we can act to hear and offer healing through love and the gospel.