In a January 27, 1855, sermon, C. H. Spurgeon proclaimed, “I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead.”
Spurgeon clearly believed that theology matters to life, and because he was a preacher, to ministry as well. The question is, do we?
In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I’m talking with Dr. Allen Tennison about the practical importance of theology. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.
Dr. Allen Tennison is theological counsel to the Assemblies of God and chair of its Commission on Doctrines and Practices. An ordained AG minister, he holds a Ph.D. in systematic theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Before coming to the national office, he served as a professor and dean of the College of Church Leadership at North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by ReStory Ministries, host of Compassion Without Compromise.
Whether you are a Christian leader, concerned parent, or conflicted adult, you will leave this conference equipped with theological, scientific and restorative responses to LGBTQ issues. The main conference speaker is Dr. Linda Seiler, who experienced an 11-year spiritual journey to Jesus Christ and away from transgender desires and same-sex attractions.
The conference takes place October 6–7, 2023, at Connection Point Church in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Visit ReStoryMinistries.org/Conferences for more information and to register.
“Over the past few years, I’ve been diving deeply into the Book of Proverbs — especially the first nine chapters,” writes Dr. Greg Mundis. “Here’s what I’ve concluded from Proverbs: Wise words have no effect if they are not received by willing hearts.”
That’s a valuable life lesson for everyone, but especially for leaders. So, in this episode of the Influence Podcast, I’m talking to Dr. Mundis about what wisdom the Book of Proverbs shines on the task of leadership.
I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.
For the past 12 years, Dr. Greg Mundis has served as executive director of Assemblies of God World Missions. AGWM is the missions arm of the U.S. Assemblies of God and fields 2,640 missionaries serving 252 countries, territories and provinces. He recently announced his retirement, effective September 30, 2023. He is author of Wisdom to Lead: The Guided and Guarded Heart.
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This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project.
A subscription to Bible Engagement Project equips you with kids curriculum for elementary and preschoolers and small group resources for youth and adults. The curriculum library will give your church a deeper understanding of the Bible and help every age grow in their faith. The resources are available in English and Spanish.
Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to download sample lessons.
The Assemblies of God held its 60th General Council two weeks ago in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Michael Clarensau presented a report to the General Presbytery about statistical trends among AG churches and ministers.
“2022 data demonstrated a strong step forward in many important measures, suggesting that recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is clearly underway,” he wrote.
“Consider the following: Main worship attendance increased 10% over 2021, the largest single-year increase of this millennium. Total Spirit baptisms grew by 11% and total water baptisms grew by 8% when compared to 2021. The rate of growing churches increased for the first time in a decade (since 2012).”
In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I’m talking with Dr. Clarensau about these hopeful trends, as well as more challenging ones that need to be monitored. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.
Dr. Michael Clarensau is Statistician of the Assemblies of God. An ordained AG minister with decades of experience as a minister, leadership coach, and church revitalization consultant. He is the author, most recently, of When Prophets Want to Die: The Hardest Lessons God Will Ever Try to Teach You.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
· “Measuring Up: How to use church statistics more effectively”
· “Acts 2 Journey Special Report: Measuring Church Health”
SPONSOR COPY
This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project.
A subscription to Bible Engagement Project equips you with kids curriculum for elementary and preschoolers and small group resources for youth and adults. The curriculum library will give your church a deeper understanding of the Bible and help every age grow in their faith. The resources are available in English and Spanish.
Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to download sample lessons.
This past June, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in 303 Creative v. Elenis. That case involved a website designer named Lorie Smith who believed that a provision of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act violated her rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Specifically, Smith believed that CADA compelled her to create speech contrary to her personal convictions.
The Supreme Court found in Smith’s favor, ruling: “The First Amendment prohibits Colorado from forcing a website designer to creative expressive designs speaking messages with which the designer disagrees.”
In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I’m talking with Kristen Waggoner, who successfully argued Lorie Smith’s case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.
Kristen Waggoner is CEO, president, and general counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom, the world’s largest Christian legal organization. Waggoner and the ADF team serve as legal counsel to The General Council of the Assemblies of God as a part of ADF’s church and ministry alliance program. She is an AG layperson.
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This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project.
A subscription to Bible Engagement Project equips you with kids curriculum for elementary and preschoolers and small group resources for youth and adults. The curriculum library will give your church a deeper understanding of the Bible and help every age grow in their faith. The resources are available in English and Spanish.
Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to download sample lessons.
“By prayer, God invites us to participate in the outcomes of our world,” writes Rick DuBose. “That is a profound and humbling truth. You need to recognize the responsibility of the authority God has given you.”
He goes on to say, “The future of all you are responsible for is determined at the altar. It is determined by your willingness to go there and pray.”
In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I’m talking with DuBose about five altars Christians must build if they and their churches want to have effective ministries of prayer.
I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.
Rick DuBose is assistant general superintendent of the Assemblies of God and author of In Jesus’ Name: Five Altars of Prayer That Move Heaven and Earth, published by Chosen.
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This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project.
A subscription to Bible Engagement Project equips you with kids curriculum for elementary and preschoolers and small group resources for youth and adults. The curriculum library will give your church a deeper understanding of the Bible and help every age grow in their faith. The resources are available in English and Spanish.
Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to download sample lessons.