Some conversations find you before you knew you needed to have them.

This was one of those.

In this episode of The Follower Podcast, Matthew sits down with long time friend Dean Cothill to talk about everything from terrible sunburns, to sneaking backstage at a Switchfoot concert, to the courageous vulnerability of honest faith and the power of remembering whose story we are in.

The conversation was sparked by a beautiful article Dean posted on his Substack account, which you can read here. We've recorded a reading of that article at the end of the conversation, so make sure you listen all the way through.

As always, we hope this conversation helps you know and walk with Jesus.

If you did find it helpful please leave a review and share it with your world, it helps us get these conversations in people's ears.

In this episode, Matthew sits down with Ama Asantewa Diaka to hear her story of faith and Art.

As a poet, performer, writer, entrepreneur and activist, Ama encourages us to think beyond the boundaries of our religiosity to meet God on the margins and cultivate new realities with Him there.

You can find out more about Ama including information on how to get her books by visiting her instagram account here.

In this episode Matthew sits down with Christine Westhoff to discuss art, the prophetic, and her new book About The Voice of God.

In an age of volatile polarisation and the tragic abuse of the prophetic in multiple contexts, this is an important, life-giving conversation for artists who need a broader view of the calling, and for those who don't see themselves as artists but need an invitation into deeper more generative friendship with Jesus.

Find out all about Christine's ministry as-well as where to get here book at the following links:

https://www.akouo.net

https://www.reframingtheprophetic.com

Find the book called Against The Machine that we referred to in the Podcast here.

In this episode of the podcast Matthew sits down with Jean du Rand of Chapel Co Music and Suns.

The conversation is vulnerable and honest as Jean shares about his own journey as a faith informed musician and walking the line between creating authentic, meaningful music and embracing the simple joy of creating for its own sake.

Beyond that, Matthew and Jean discuss the metaphors we use to frame our ideas of God, prayer as frequency, and walking the borders between the subculture of Christian faith and people who are seeking for truth.

If this episode was helpful or inspiring in some way please leave a review and share it with your world. It helps us get the conversations out to a broader audience.

To find out more about the work of Follower you can visit www.wearefollower.com

In this live recording of The Follower Podcast in collaboration with The Salt Creative Collective, Matthew sits down with Sarah Mdaka to talk about her journey as a poet and story teller. Sarah shares some of her poetry in the conversation as well as her thoughts on how to navigate the creative space as a follower of Jesus.

This is the second in a series of conversations on art and faith.

To find out more about Follower you can visit www.wearefollower.com

In this live recording of The Follower Podcast, Matthew sits down with Poet, Performer and Entrepreneur, Puno Selesho to talk about art and faith and how creative people can honor their vocation to bring beauty out of chaos for a world in need of Truth.

Summary

In this conversation, Matthew Lewis and Liam Burns explore the intersection of technology, particularly AI, and Christian faith. They discuss the implications of living in a technological age, the challenges of maintaining human identity, and -the importance of community and connection in a digital world. The conversation emphasizes the need for discernment in technology use, the dangers of quick fixes, and the value of embracing limitations as part of the human experience. Ultimately, they encourage a long-term perspective on spiritual formation and the importance of hope in navigating these complex issues.

Takeaways

- We must navigate technology with hope and discernment. - Technology has always been a part of human existence. - The temptation of quick fixes can lead to disconnection. - AI can enhance our capabilities but may also diminish our skills. - Convenience often comes at the cost of meaningful relationships. - Christian identity is rooted in being gifted, broken, and limited. - Community and embodied relationships are essential for growth. - Technology can reduce us to consumers rather than creators. - The long game of Christian formation requires patience and commitment. - Embracing our limitations can lead to a more fulfilling life.

Timestamps

00:00 Navigating the Technological Landscape 03:04 The Role of Technology in Human Identity 05:51 The Temptation of Quick Fixes 08:53 Understanding AI and Its Implications 11:55 The Cost of Convenience 14:59 The Dangers of Disconnection 17:51 Embracing Our Limitations 20:53 The Christian Response to Technology 24:03 The Future of Humanity in a Technological Age 26:40 The Call to Community and Presence 29:48 Long-Term Perspectives on Technology 32:41 Conclusion: Who Are We Becoming?

Summary

In this conversation, Matthew Lewis and Liam Burns explore the challenges and opportunities facing the church today, particularly in relation to Gen Z. They discuss the importance of avoiding idolatry, the need for intergenerational relationships, and the significance of creating spaces for authentic discipleship and character formation. The conversation emphasizes the importance of serving young people rather than using them for the church's success, and the necessity of understanding the historical context of youth culture in shaping current ministry practices.

Key Topics

• The church must be a greenhouse for Christ-likeness.
• Idolatry is a significant challenge for Christians today.
• We need to resist leveraging young people for success.
• Your gifts aren't going anywhere; take your time.
• Formation into Christlikeness takes an ecosystem of inputs.
• We must serve this generation, not use them.
• The dignity of being God's people is essential.
• Create contexts that build resilience.
• Intergenerational relationships are vital for growth.
• The church's role is to facilitate authentic discipleship.

Chapters