Karl Vaters talks with Brad Edwards about the shift that’s happened over the last decade or so in how people perceive institutions, especially the institutional church.

In this conversation they talk about how the rise of radical individualism has replaced once-trusted institutions, why a distrust in institutions is problematic, and why institutions—especially the church—still matter.

Brad is a church planter and pastor of The Table Church in Lafayette, CO. He’s also the author of, The Reason for Church: Why the Body of Christ Still Matters in an Age of Anxiety, Division, and Radical Individualism. This conversation also includes an overview of the reasons behind the loss of institutionalism, and especially five Church Defeaters:

• Church Defeater 1: Spiritual Pragmatism
• Church Defeater 2: The Sacred Self
• Church Defeater 3: Counterfeit Institutions
• Church Defeater 4: (Un)Civil religions
• Church Defeater 5: Virtuous Victimhood

(CONGRATULATIONS to Brad on his book being named Book of the Year by Christianity Today magazine!)

Links:

• The Reason for Church: Why the Body of Christ Still Matters in an Age of Anxiety, Division, and Radical Individualism
• Mere Orthodoxy

BONUS TALK

Our Role in the Grand Narrative of Scripture, with Brad Edwards

Karl Vaters talks with Brad Edwards about the importance of understanding the metanarrative of scripture as a foundational teaching for life and faith.

In particular, their conversation addresses two storytelling terms. First, Main Character Syndrome, which helps us understand and clarify the dangers of the hyper-individualism of our current age. Second, the MacGuffin, a term coined by movie director Alfred Hitchcock that helps us see what our role in God’s story really is.

Links:

• The Reason for Church: Why the Body of Christ Still Matters in an Age of Anxiety, Division, and Radical Individualism

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Do you know how to spot if someone in your congregation has a gambling problem? Once it’s been spotted or confessed, do you know what to do?

Karl Vaters talks with Dr. Don Lichi about one of the fastest-growing addictions in the world, including:

• How is gambling defined?
• Why does it have such a strong grip on some people?
• Who is most likely to be addicted?
• How to get help

And more

Donald Lichi is vice president emeritus of Emerge Counseling Ministries, and author of the article, Is Gambling a Problem in the Church? You Bet! in Influence magazine.

Links:

• Is Gambling a Problem in the Church? You Bet! (article)
• Emerge Counseling Ministries
• Broken Windows of the Soul: A Pastor and Christian Psychologist Discuss Sexual Sins and the Prescription to Heal Them
• YouVersion Bible App

Bonus Chat

What to Do if You’re a Pastor with a Gambling Problem, with Donald Lichi

Pastors are not immune to the temptations of gambling and other addictions.

In this short conversation, Karl Vaters talks with Dr. Don Lichi about how to recognize those tendencies in yourself, and what to do if you’re trapped in it. They also talk about who you should/should not share these problems with, and how to engage in preventative measures.

Links:

• Is Gambling a Problem in the Church? You Bet! (article)
• Emerge Counseling Ministries
• Broken Windows of the Soul: A Pastor and Christian Psychologist Discuss Sexual Sins and the Prescription to Heal Them

To get Bonus Content every week, click here to become a Financial Partner, or here to subscribe to the Free Weekly Newsletter.

Karl Vaters talks with Dr. Jeff Forrey about grief, recovery, and how your church can help people, both inside and outside the congregation, deal with grief in healthy ways.

Grief has no rules, but there are healthy ways through it. And churches—small churches especially—are uniquely suited to provide real comfort for people in these difficult seasons of loss.

Karl and Jeff talk about some important principles, including:

• Why do we need help with grief?
• What kind of damage can we experience if we don’t deal with grief properly?
• What's a typical time frame for experiencing grief?
• What common mistakes are made in responding to grievers?

And more

Jeff Forrey oversees GriefShare, which can come alongside your church to equip you to be a resource for people in need.

Links:

• GriefShare
• Church Initiative
• DivorceCare Session 1 Preview
• GriefShare on Facebook
• GriefShare on Instagram
• GriefShare on YouTube
• CCEF.org
• Grieving Room, by Leanne Friesen

There is no bonus material for this episode.