Wikigod Podcast

In this special WikiGod bonus episode, David Fitch wikiis God with us about his new book, Faithful Presence: Seven Disciplines That Shape the Church for Mission. David talks about how the world is longing for presence and how God wants to be present by the church. But that means Jesus-people need a practice to make space for the presence of God as we become present to others. There are seven disciplines to make this a possibility - disciplines that can be cultivated in all the circles where we find ourselves. David talks about: Eucharist happening where we don't even know it yet, tending to the presence of Christ, the seven disciplines, the disciplines as "social sacraments," the close, porous, and half-circles of our lives, mutual submission as the core of the Christian walk, the non-hierarchical nature of the church, how presence is different from faithful presence.   Stay Connected    "Like" WikiGod to get updates on Facebook. Follow WikiGod on Twitter. Neve

In this, the last weekly episode after 100 consecutive weeks over 2 years, Mark reviews the journey of the WikiGod Project, and walks through his key "personal waypoints" that led from "there" to "here." You'll hear about: Exponential 2015 and Michael Frost's "live a questionable life'" Hugh Halter and "my house as a missional outpost;" Karen Wilk and "don't invite them to church;" John Fuder and "your neighbourhood person of peace;" Bivo Conference in Denver and "the power of working and living among;" The Abundant Community and "the 3 marks of competent community;" The Art of Neighbouring's block map; World Vision's workshop and "community sites of significance;" Tamarack Institute and "knowing neighbours' names;" The One Thing "Mark needs to focus on…;" Rick Tobias and "pastoring the people;" Howard Lawrence and The Abundant Community Initiative in Edmonton.   Reflecting on all the ideas, stops, and starts of the last many years, Mark can only conclude that God see

This week, we wiki God with Brett McBride, Lead Pastor of The Peoples Church and former Executive Director of Urban Promise Toronto. Brett talks to Mark about: how the voice of a friend rocked him into making his faith his own, how patient, understanding parents gave him a safe place to fall, how urban ministry made him a learner/listener rather than a dispenser of "aid," the differences between parachurch and local church and how they complement one another, what the institutional church has to offer, how large churches can and must resist the temptation to navel-gaze or huddle up, but rather incarnate where people and God are in the neighbourhood. "People live their lives in the neighbourhood. And we're emphasizing to each of us as members of this community, 'You don't need to leave your home, your street, and drive here so you can do ministry. Your ministry is where [God] has planted you to live, work, play, and enjoy life. We want to equip and learn together what it means to incarnate and

Stop me if you've heard this: "We pray to ask God to intervene." "God knows everything, so what's the point of praying?" "Praying doesn't change God, it changes us." Is there another way to think about prayer? Inspired by last week's Anne Woolger's account of prayer in the creation of Matthew House, this week Mark talks about God as the one "in whom we live and move and have our being" (Paul quoting the philosopher Epimenides), how God is not a removed "genie" up in the dome above us but rather thicker than the molecular realm all around us, and how prayer closes a loop in our partnership with a God who needs collaboration to ameliorate healing and shalom in the world. An announcement to wrap up the episode: after 2 years, September 5 will be the last weekly WikiGod episode. WikiGod Podcast will move to a "Seasons" schedule so Mark can start to pursue a new full-time neighbourhood initiative and attempt to find funding for the venture ahead. A 10-interview-episode WikiGod

This week, Mark reflects on a theological throwdown that happened on his Facebook wall this past week and wonders about how everything we say of God can be met with opposition from very smart and spiritual friends. Then he references an article by Dr. Daniel Kirk (Use Your Imagination...) to discuss how we all tend to insist on different and even conflicting characteristics about God; the attributes of God that I emphasize say more about me than about God; when the church becomes more about doing than talking, we will experience greater things.   Stay Connected   Join the mailing list to get the new weekly Monday WikiGod digest and a transcript of the guest quotes for every interview episode!   "Like" WikiGod to get updates on Facebook. Follow WikiGod on Twitter. Leave a voice message on the Speakpipe. Never miss an episode! "Subscribe" or "Listen Later" on iTunes, Stitcher, PocketCasts, Overcast,and Tune

This week, Mark wikiis God with Michael W. Smith, prolific musical artist and winner of three Grammy Awards, an AMA Award, and 45 Dove Awards. He also has recorded 31 No. 1 hit songs, fourteen gold albums, and five platinum albums. Michael phones in from Tennessee and talks to Mark about: his parents' and his church's positive and lasting influence, his many conversion experiences, how he discovered his passion for writing music, the challenges of the music industry and to being a musical celebrity, what it was like to found and pastor a church, and what Michael feels is his contribution to the Kingdom of God. For a free resource - a transcript of the each upcoming guest-episode's quotes - head over to www.wikigodpod.com/mailinglist!   Follow Up This Week's Guest Check out what Michael is up to: www.michaelwsmith.com   Stay Connected   Join the mailing list at wikigodpod.com/mailinglist to get the new weekly Monday WikiGod digest and a

This week, Mark takes on the subjectivity of the previous B-side's claim that "I can only believe in a God I like," and challenges us to think about the God we believe in through the lens of data, experience, and interpretation. You'll hear about: why it's important to be religious and not just spiritual, how each of us is an event contingent on previous events, that "the data can only be the data of experience, and there is no experience that does not interpret its data" (- John Cobb), how sacred texts are "evidence/data" through which we can explore new experiences, how healthy submission only happens with I'm convinced that my best interests are at heart, an exercise: because of the data I experience in _______, I believe in a God who _________.    Stay Connected   Join the mailing list to get the new weekly Monday WikiGod digest and a transcript of the guest quotes for every interview episode!   "Like" WikiGod to get updates on Facebook. Follow WikiGod on 

This week, Mark wikiis God with Dion Oxford, longtime Toronto anti-poverty advocate and founder of The Salvation Army Gateway downtown men's shelter and Causeway. Dion talks to Mark about: how a young man's life changed when he became friends with "those people," being frustrated with the church while deeply loving it; the important difference between judging and criticizing; intentional decisions around eliminating feelings of "us and them;" how ministry should not and cannot be one-sided; how the world can only make sense in a God-paradigm; how our lives are a mingling of wounding and blessing. For a free resource - a transcript of the each upcoming guest-episode's quotes - head over to www.wikigodpod.com/mailinglist!   Follow Up This Week's Guest Read Dion's blog: dionoxford.com/ Get involved at The Salvation Army Gateway: thegateway.ca/ Get involved with Causeway: thecauseway.ca/   Stay Connected   Join the mailing list at wikigodpo

This week, Mark makes the observation: a person who believes in God has to be mostly-to-completely satisfied with the God he or she believes in. Put another way: a person will generally not worship and/or be devoted to an unlikeable God.  Well, if I only believe in a God I like, then that means: I can dialogue with other people's views of the God they like, I need to own my own preferences about my God, I can acknowledge the subjectivity of my religion/tradition and yours, too, I should examine what I like about God, what I don't like, and examine what I'm doing about it.   Stay Connected   Join the mailing list to get the new weekly Monday WikiGod digest and a transcript of the guest quotes for every interview episode!   "Like" WikiGod to get updates on Facebook. Follow WikiGod on Twitter. Leave a voice message on the Speakpipe. Never miss an episode! "Subscribe" or "Listen Later" on iTunes, Stitcher, PocketCasts, Over

This week, Mark sits down for WikiGod's first ever over-the-phone, non-Torontonian interview. Dr. Jerry L. Martin is the author of God: An Autobiography, as told to a philosopher. Jerry talks to Mark about: what it was like to be interrupted by a divine voice for over a year; how Jerry learned to discern and obey; how God is a self-developing and perfecting God; how God became a Person only when God encountered persons; how the world religions in their essential teachings reveal different aspects of God in the way that others cannot; where and how we stray when we give our cultural mores a divine halo with our religious dogma; what it is to be in harmony with God and have purpose in the world.   For a free resource - a transcript of the each upcoming guest-episode's quotes - head over to www.wikigodpod.com/mailinglist!   Follow Up This Week's Guest Explore Jerry's website: http://godanautobiography.com/ Drop in on the Theology Without Walls forum: http://tww

This week, Mark rather giddily fields a voicemail sent through the website. Evie asks how the third perspective of God's power in Episode 79b - the "limited view" of God - deals with accounts of miracles and Jesus' resurrection in the Scriptures, and what that means for how Scripture itself is regarded in this view. Mark shares: how this perspective (process theology) challenges our tendency to see the world as theists rather than giving a real place to human, natural and divine agency in concert; how a different idea of the way the world works can redefine our idea of the word "miracle;" how the resurrection of Jesus is explained by some Christians as literal and by others as figurative; how a rigorous view of Scripture needs to hold onto the widely-varying versions of accounts in the Bible itself.   Stay Connected   Join the mailing list to get the new weekly Monday WikiGod digest and a transcript of the guest quotes for every interview episode!  

This week, Mark sits down with Joanna la Fleur, Director of Creative Communications at C4 Church. Among many insights, you'll learn about: how early-life experiences of her parents' inclusion and hospitality shaped her faith; how the world of church work and business are similar and where they differ; how to consider the role of technology in our lives and churches; how communication technology can foster community in churches; how churches' thoughtful communication can rehabilitate popular misconceptions of Christians; our call to be translators in and to our world. For a free resource - a transcript of the each upcoming guest-episode's quotes - head over to www.wikigodpod.com/mailinglist!   Follow Up This Week's Guest See Joanna's work on her website: http://joannalafleur.com   See Joanna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannalafleur Follow Joanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoannalaFleur See what C4 Church is all about: http://www.c4church.com &nb

This week, Mark recalls his interview with Dr. John Neufeld and how it came about, highlighting the positive regard that emerges when meeting and discussing face-to-face rather than merely blogging or podcasting about someone or about an opposing viewpoint.  Then, as promised, Mark provides a brief survey of the three views of God's power. You'll learn about the three theological perspectives that hold that: God's power is unlimited and God can intervene in the world whenever and however God wills; God's power is self-limited and God can only intervene to the extent that God has self-allowed; God's power is limited and God can only intervene with lure, love, and a call to every atom towards self-actualization.   Stay Connected   Join the mailing list to get the new weekly Monday WikiGod digest and a transcript of the guest quotes for every interview episode!   "Like" WikiGod to get updates on Facebook. Follow WikiGod on Twitter. Leave a voice messag

This week, Mark sits down with 30-year minister and Back to the Bible Canada's Bible teacher, Dr. John Neufeld. Arranged by FaithStrongToday, their conversation illustrates how believers on opposite ends of the theological spectrum can amicably dialogue, listen, and learn from each other's perspectives. You'll hear John talk about: two influences that brought him to faith, how Reform theology made him feel "home," the relationship between Anabaptist and Reform theology, how and why he came to adopt Biblical inerrancy, the theology of "meticulous sovereignty," how the thought that God controls every event can be a great comfort, the Great Commission as the primary task of the church. For a free resource - a transcript of the each upcoming guest-episode's quotes - head over to www.wikigodpod.com/mailinglist!   Follow Up This Week's Guest Explore Back to the Bible Canada's website: backtothebible.ca/ Hear John on Joy1250 every weekday at 9:00AM: joy1250.c

There has been a lot of feedback and encouragement around Mark's recent reconciliation incident discussed in Episode 77b). So this week, Mark reflects further and shares the method he used to bring it about - to "put my offender in my shoes" for a few minutes. You'll learn about: the difference between "wanting him to feel how I felt" and "wanting him to feel what I felt," why it's important to circumvent the "left, logic brain" in writing a victim impact statement, how to create a three-part, "I see, I feel, I learn" rubric and why it's powerful and effective. Get today's episode, and look forward to next week's Episode 79 (and something totally different) with Back to the Bible Canada's Dr. John Neufeld and an email with your free transcript resource!   Stay Connected   Join the mailing list to get the new weekly Monday WikiGod digest and a transcript of the guest quotes for every interview episode!   "Like" WikiGod to get updates on Facebook

This week, Mark sits down with non-profit freelance photographer and entrepreneur Paul Bettings. Among many insights, you'll learn about: how a teenager discovered his passion when he least expected it, overcoming obstacles to achieve innovative and fulfilling goals, the ongoing faith challenges presented by a negative church upbringing, how introversion is a strength when acknowledged and embraced, how a serious photographer hones his craft to "get the shot," and coming to terms with the mystery of God in the face of poverty and suffering.  For a free resource - a transcript of the each upcoming guest-episode's quotes - head over to www.wikigodpod.com/mailinglist!   Follow Up This Week's Guest Explore Paul's website: paulbettings.com/ Read Paul's blog: paulbettings.wordpress.com/ Follow Paul on Twitter: twitter.com/pbets Find Paul no Instagram: instagram.com/pbets/   Stay Connected Join the mailing list at wikigodpod.com/mailinglist to get the new we

This week, Mark reflects on one of the monumental events to happen to him - and it was last weekend. Today's "B-side" explores themes of: using discernment about when to confront an abuser; the ways that forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation; the importance of clarity around confrontation;   how reconciliation is infinitely more rewarding than forgiveness. Get today's episode, and look forward to next week's Episode 78 with non-profit freelance photographer and entrepreneur Paul Bettings and an email with your free transcript resource!   Stay Connected   Join the mailing list to get the new weekly Monday WikiGod digest and a transcript of the guest quotes for every interview episode!   "Like" WikiGod to get updates on Facebook. Follow WikiGod on Twitter. Leave a voice message on the Speakpipe. Never miss an episode! "Subscribe" or "Listen Later" on iTunes, Stitcher, PocketCasts, Overcast,and TuneIn.   Reach Out Leav

This week, Mark continues our dive into Toronto's hip-hop scene when he sits down for a riveting chat with Juno-nominated rapper and hip-hop artist Eternia. You'll learn about: how a young girl discovered her passion and "went pro;" navigating the complexities of a broken home and reconstructing broken relationships; how early impressions of God can keep us out of - and then ultimately lead us back to - deep faith;  the power and subjectivity of a prayer experience and a God who pursues; the correlations between church "community" and the hip-hop "community;" the commitment required of a Jesus-centred life. For a free resource - a transcript of Eternia's quotes - head over to www.wikigodpod.com/mailinglist!   Follow Up This Week's Guest Get Eternia's music: eternia.bandcamp.com Follow Eternia on Twitter: twitter.com/therealEternia "Like" Eternia on Facebook: facebook.com/eterniamusic/ See Eternia's music videos on YouTube: youtube.com/user/Eternia777 Check out E

It's the first episode of the new "B-sides" format! This week, Mark reflects on last week's conversation with Darrell Winger. Today's "B-side" explores the themes of: intellectual humility, how the possibility of "not knowing" is the prerequisite fordeep listening, why Jesus wanted churches and Christians to be interdependent,and how, ultimately, needing and not knowing are the foundation ofcommunity. Get today's episode, and look forward to next week's Episode 77with Juno-nominated rapper and hip-hop artist Eternia and an email with your free transcript resource!   Stay Connected   Join the mailing list to get the new weekly Monday WikiGod digest and a transcript of the guest quotes for every interview episode!   "Like" WikiGod to get updates on Facebook. Follow WikiGod on Twitter. Leave a voice message on the Speakpipe. Never miss an episode! "Subscribe" or "Listen Later" on iTunes, Stitcher, PocketCasts, Overcast,and TuneIn.   Rea

This week, Mark delivers his final preamble to an interview episode, announcing a return to weekly episodes - one week devoted to the guest interview ("interview episode") and the next week to Mark's thoughts and reflections on the conversation + the input of listeners like you via email, Twitter, Facebook, the Speakpipe, of the comment section (the "B-Side episode").  Join the mailing list to get the new weekly Monday WikiGod digest and a transcript of the guest quotes for every interview episode - starting this week!  Then Mark sits down with Darrell Winger, CEO of World Relief Canada and former longtime Bishop/Executive Director at BIC Canada. You'll learn about: Darrell's early years and what constitutes a healthy family and church environment;  how to be ecumenical - how that environment fostered in him a passion for collaborative thinking; the pressures of pastoring in a traditional church model and their need to change; some of the ways the North American church unwitti