Vision For Life

Are students who enter institutions of higher learning fundamentally in need of equipping or transformation? Is the goal of Christian higher ed to produce trained workers or vocationally-minded followers of Jesus? Or is the dichotomy not that simple? Dr. Earl Waggoner, Dean of the School of Biblical and Theological Studies at Colorado Christian University, sits down with Dave and Autumn to discuss...

Institutions of Christian higher education are responding in various ways to the cultural and technological pressures of our day. The William Tennent School of Theology, based in Colorado, utilizes a retreat plus cohort model to provide theological training that is “academically rigorous and theologically robust, while also stoking affection(s) for Jesus.” Dave and Autumn speak with Dr. Michael Mo...

In an era of rapid cultural and technological change, institutions of higher education are grappling with questions about the nature of institutions, the purpose of higher education, the response to cultural pressures, and what modalities will lead to their desired outcome. In part two of this five-part series, Dave and Autumn consider the opportunity for churches to respond thoughtfully to the st...

Historically, the University owes its existence to the Church, as the Medieval Church played a central, if not exclusive, role in establishing the earliest universities. In the 18th century, the School began to separate itself from its Christian roots and ceded increasing control to the State. Even so, the School and the Church shared some common purpose: to shape individuals into participants in...

Does Scripture teach or emphasize a “moment” of salvation? What is a biblical understanding of “conversion?” Hunter and Autumn respond to a listener's question about justification with an examination of Jesus’ teaching on new birth from John 3:1-15.

Does “Church as Family” convey an unrealistic portrait of the church, leading people to believe they will encounter loyal, committed, honorable brothers and sisters, perpetuating disillusionment and hurt if they don’t? Would we better serve people to gently adjust their expectations to level with the messy, dysfunctional family that seems to match their experience? Trevin Wax considers these quest...

Jesus spoke of His followers, the inhabitants of the kingdom of God, in familial terms. Being connected to Christ implies a simultaneous connection to members of His body, whom He calls family. This new family is distinct, marked by a fullness not found in the kingdoms of the world. This new family grows together in distinct expressions of kingdom life and is characterized by the corporate rhythms...

Jesus spoke of His followers, the inhabitants of the kingdom of God, in familial terms. Being connected to Christ necessarily implies a simultaneous connection to members of His body, whom He calls family. This new family is distinct, marked by a fullness not found in the kingdoms of the world. This new family grows together in distinct expressions of kingdom life and is characterized by the corpo...

Jesus spoke of His followers, the inhabitants of the kingdom of God, in familial terms. Being connected to Christ necessarily implies a simultaneous connection to members of His body, whom He calls family. This new family is distinct, marked by a fullness not found in the kingdoms of the world. This new family grows together in distinct expressions of kingdom life and is marked by the corporate rh...

Jesus spoke of His followers, the inhabitants of the kingdom of God, in familial terms. Connection to Christ results in connection to His body, which he also calls His family. This new family is distinct, marked by a fullness not found in the kingdoms of the world. This new family grows together in distinct expressions of kingdom life and is marked by the corporate rhythms of generosity, community...

Regular, personal time with God spent in Scripture and in prayer connects us relationally to our Father and allows us to experience His presence. Building the habit of daily life with God requires a regular time and a regular plan. Hunter and Autumn discuss how to craft a plan to connect with God personally, and they share their own anticipated Bible reading, Bible study, and prayer plans for 2024...

Hunter and Autumn share some of the books that challenged, informed, encouraged, inspired, and delighted them during 2023. --Spiritual Life-- Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation by Collin Hansen (AG & HB) Outgrowing the Ingrown Church by Jack Miller (HB) --Theology and Bible-- The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory by Abigail Favale (AG & HB) Love Thy Body by Nancy Pearcey...

Family gatherings, holiday parties, music about joy and peace, and images of smiling people holding gifts fill the days leading up to Christmas. And yet, “all is merry and bright” rings hollow for many people experiencing grief and loss during this season. In religious communities, we sometimes jump directly to the “hope” portion of the story without lingering in the waiting, the longing, and the...

Adam and Autumn discuss the music that characterizes the season of Advent and examine its purpose and central themes. The songs of Advent give us language to live out of the past reality of God’s promises fulfilled in Christ’s first coming and look toward the future hope of Christ’s second coming. The songs of Advent encourage us to prepare our hearts for the coming King and invite us into the wai...

“Forty million Americans have stopped attending church in the past 25 years. That’s something like 12 percent of the population, and it represents the largest concentrated change in church attendance in American history.” Religious abuse, moral failure of church leaders, and the pressures of culture that lead to deconstruction of faith all contribute to “dechurching.” Surprisingly, research reveal...

Hunter and Autumn discuss “Outgrowing the Ingrown Church,” a book that has impacted Fellowship Denver’s leadership team and led to the development of a new rhythm in the corporate life of our church that we call “Pursuit.” Miller, the author, challenges churches to ask whether they have become “ingrown” and are existing according to their own means rather than the power of the Spirit. Resources me...

Hunter and Autumn continue their discussion of the conflict in Israel by considering Israel’s historical context and the origins of the modern nation-state. They also ask how present-day Christians might understand and relate to the modern nation-state of Israel. Resources mentioned in this episode: " The Decolonization Narrative Is Dangerous And False " by Simon Sebag Montefiore " Jerusalem: The...

Autumn and Hunter discuss articles that have helped them understand the war between Israel and Hamas and the fractures it has also revealed in American culture. Resources mentioned in this episode: " Israel’s 9/11 - The Need for Moral Clarity " by Bernard Howard & Ivan Mesa, The Gospel Coalition " ‘Bothsidesism’ About Hamas Is a Moral Failure " by Russell Moore, Christianity Today " The Progressiv...

Autumn spent the past 12 weeks on sabbatical; now she’s back, returning to the rhythm of work and ministry. A ministry sabbatical is a defined season for a ministry leader and congregation to set aside the leader’s typical responsibilities for rest and renewal to effect longevity and sustained excellence in ministry. In today’s conversation, Hunter asks Autumn to share what she’s been doing and le...

Resources mentioned in this episode: "Outgrowing the Ingrown Church" by C. John Miller "The Power of Prayer" by Charles Spurgeon