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.
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1:30:34
Examining the Current and Future State of the Global Church
It’s important to remember as Christians in America that the global church consists of churches from all countries and continents. God is building his church continually, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. He displays his faithfulness even amid the brokenness we witness in our local church contexts. Christ came to rescue his Bride, and he won’t stop perfecting her until he returns.In this episode of Glo, Blair Linne, Aixa de López, Sharon Dickens, and Soojin Park discuss what God is doing in their local congregations and share hopeful stories and statistics of God’s work around the world. The hosts close their conversation and the first season of Glo by praying for churches that God has placed on their hearts. May we listen closely to the stories of God’s work worldwide and be encouraged to persevere in our faith and devotion to his church, knowing he remains faithful.Episode time stamps:Episode and topic introduction (0:00)Aixa's hope for the church in Guatemala (3:43)God's work at 20schemes in Scotland (6:07)Hope in the American church (9:25)The local church as a healing agent (12:54)Hopeful statistics about the global church (15:24)Encouraging stories from different parts of the world (17:04)Praising God for believers doing work in hard places (26:09)Praying for churches around the world (29:30)What is one part of the world you've always wanted to visit? (46:00)
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48:49
Supporting Mental Health with Dignity and Grace
"Part of the promise of the new heaven and new earth is that you are going to have a new mind." – Soojin ParkIn this episode of Glo, Blair Linne, Aixa de López, Sharon Dickens, and Soojin Park discuss the importance of creating a safe space within the local church for Christians to share their emotional and mental health struggles and receive encouragement without shame. They vulnerably share their own stories of struggling with mental health and describe how the hope of eternity, when we will be fully restored in body and mind, gives us the endurance to persevere.The struggle with anxiety and depression is one that might require medical help, professional counseling, and tools of God's common grace in order to find healing, and we serve a God who meets us in our weakness and lovingly bears our burdens. By fostering open and compassionate conversations about mental health within the body of Christ, may we create an atmosphere where those silently suffering can find hope.Episode time stamps:Episode and topic introduction (0:00)The stigma of mental health in the church (5:13)Mental health as a Christian woman (7:36)Postpartum depression and anxiety (10:57)Biblical joy and the range of human emotion (14:42)We don't have to edit our prayers when we are struggling (17:21)Pray without ceasing and cast your cares on the Lord (20:30)Depression and a future renewal of our minds (22:19)How to walk with someone who is struggling with mental health (25:03)Recommended resources (28:40) Recommended resources: Rhythms of Renewal by Rebekah LyonsThe Wounded Heart by Dan AllenderA Small Book for the Anxious Heart by Edward T. WelchDepression: Looking up from the Stubborn Darkness by Edward T. WelchBlame it on the Brain by Edward T. WelchSpiritual Depression by D. Martyn Lloyd JonesThe Emotional Life of Our Lord by B. B. WarfieldThe Allender Center
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36:29
Exploring the Intersection of Christianity and the Arts
As believers, we create because we have been created by the One who fashioned everything together, with no point of reference. In this episode of Glo, Blair Linne, Aixa de López, Sharon Dickens, and Soojin Park talk about how all creation, especially the arts, points us to God—the creator himself. They discuss broadening our definition of "art," the difference between art for the church and art from the church, how art can move us to worship the person of Christ, and more.Episode time stamps:Topic introduction (0:00)Graphic Design and Christ (3:59)The peace in drawing and painting (6:19)What does it mean to be creative? (8:36)Shakespeare, Great British Baking Show, and hip-hop dance (10:18)Art is everywhere (11:36)Valuing art (14:03)How we find meaning in art (15:52)Why do we become afraid of the unfamiliar? (17:51)Art for the church and art from the church (20:49)Music as a bridge to art (24:47)
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31:14
Pursuing Biblical Community in a Digital Age
With the rise of digital technology and the COVID-19 pandemic, it's easy to fall into a pattern of exclusively engaging with church and community online. However, as Christians, we are called to gather with one another and to stir one another up to love and good works in physical community. So, how do we break out of our comfort zones and embrace meaningful connections with other believers, as God intended?In this episode of Glo, Blair Linne, Aixa de López, Sharon Dickens, and Soojin Park discuss the trend of online church engagement, why some of us might find online church more comfortable, God's design for connection and community, and why isolation is dangerous for our hearts. You'll be both challenged and encouraged to pursue genuine biblical relationships in a world increasingly dominated by technology.Episode time stamps: The global pandemic and its impact on church (1:15)Coming back to church after the pandemic (4:42)Fears preventing people from coming back to church (8:28)Dangers of relying on online community for spiritual growth (11:59The importance of being connected to a community of christ-followers (14:50)Those who have become disconnected: Say, "I miss you." (16:58)Created for worship together (19:24)Online resources that have helped point the hosts to Christ (20:34)
Glo is a podcast from The Gospel Coalition, hosted by Blair Linne, Sharon Dickens, Aixa de López, and Soojin Park—four women from diverse backgrounds, united around a common desire to magnify Christ. Throughout these episodes, you’ll hear conversations about God’s work around the world, in different cultural contexts. When we look at the global church, we see that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not losing steam, but flourishing in new and amazing ways. God is still at work.
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