THINQ Media Podcast

Perhaps the most central calling for any Christian is to "go and make disciples." However, there remains a lack of true discipleship in so many western churches. In a season when everything's gone online, it's more important than ever for us to learn the strategies and principles necessary for effective digital discipleship. We dive into what this looks like in this episode, featuring a portion of an extended conversation with pastor Jon Tyson, author Annie F. Downs and IF: Gathering founder Jennie Allen. Want to hear this full Q&A on digital discipleship? Get free access to this conversation and more when you start a free trial to Q Media at qideas.org/qa.

Why is "fun" something we should be paying attention to, especially as Christian leaders? Annie F. Downs shares her perspective—and why this conversation matters—in this podcast interview with Q Ideas president Gabe Lyons. This conversation is part of our new Q Ideas Book Tour, where each month we go deeper with your favorite authors—and maybe some you haven't even heard of yet—for bonus content + extended conversations centered around their latest work. Learn more at qideas.org/booktour.

In the wake of the horrific racial injustice that came to light in 2020, we've been forced to reckon with the reality of racism and injustice in American society. From protests in the streets to social media campaigns, this is a moment that demands our attention, but still, many pastors and church leaders remain unsure of how to best engage. This podcast episode features three leaders—David Bailey, Mika Edmondson and Rasool Berry—who help guide us in this conversation. Want to hear this full Q&A on race + justice? Get free access to this and more when you start a free trial to Q Media at qideas.org/qa.

With its oldest members now filling college campuses and entering the workforce, Gen Z is emerging as an increasingly influential generation—a trend that is only likely to continue in the years to come. In the midst of this, what do pastors and church leaders need to know to best reach and engage this new generation? That a question we engage on this episode of the Q Podcast, featuring a portion of a conversation with Gen Z leaders Sadie Robertson Huff and Gabrielle Odom. Want to hear this full Q&A? Get free access to this and more when you start a free trial to Q Media at media.qideas.org/trial.

Perhaps more than ever, it seems many western Christians are feeling the need to deconstruct their faith. Amid this reality, many questions remain. Where do we get our desire to deconstruct? How can we know when this deconstruction is a helpful practice—and when can it negatively impact our faith? These are questions we dive into on this episode of the Q Podcast as we feature an excerpt of a conversation with John Mark Comer from our recent Q&A event. Want to go deeper into this conversation with John Mark Comer? Start a free trial to Q Media to get access to this full Q&A and more at media.qideas.org/trial.

In this episode, Gabe and Rebekah Lyons come together to reflect on some of their favorite Q Moments from 2020. As this chaotic year comes to a close, we know you'll appreciate the chance to take a step back and reflect on what the Q Community learned this year, so you can prepare well for what might lie ahead in 2021. Want to watch these full talks and conversations? Join the Q Media community! Get your first month free with code "freemonth" at qideas.org/about-qmedia.

In a year of racial unrest, what can we learn from the stories of two men who challenged segregation in the 1950s? That's a question we engage in this episode of the Q Podcast. Gabe Lyons is joined by Rev. Freddie Augustine and Gary Fleming. Now in their 70s, these two men played in one of the first integrated Little League baseball games when they were 12 years old. In this conversation, they talk about what that experience meant to them, how it's shaped their understanding of race in America, and the hope they have for the tensions we face now. To go deeper into this conversation, check out Long Time Coming—a documentary that tells the story of this historic baseball game. You can stream it on Q Media when you start a subscription at qideas.org/about-qmedia.

How should Christians think about the environment? That's a question Dr. Rusty Pritchard helps us engage in this episode of the Q Podcast. Rusty serves as Vice President of Tearfund USA, an organization that works alongside the local church to overcome poverty and injustice. He is also a resource economist who has worked at the interface between international economic development and global environment sustainability for nearly 30 years. In this conversation, Rusty helps us dive deep into the legacy of environmental injustice, the threat of climate change around the world, and the reality of skepticism in this conversation—pointing us to our unique role and worldview as Christians.

In our current moment, what is hindering the breakthrough of authentic prayer and revival? That's a question we dive into in this episode of the Q Podcast. Featuring an excerpt from a longer conversation on this critical topic from our recent Q&A gathering, this episode brings together leaders like Jon Tyson, Christine Caine and Corey Russel to get to the root of the problem in our churches and communities of faith when it comes to prayer and revival. To get access to this full conversation, plus seven more on the topics critical for Christian leadership in the year ahead, purchase a digital pass to watch Q&A on-demand at qideas.org/QA.

It's no secret that the isolation we've experienced in 2020 has led to a significant impact on mental health—particularly for pastors and church leaders. In this episode of the Q Podcast, we'll go deeper by listening to an excerpt from an important and timely conversation on mental health and suicide with psychiatrist Curt Thompson, pastor Scott Sauls and author Rebekah Lyons from our recent Q&A gathering. As the pandemic continues to affect our society—and our churches—in a myriad of ways, this conversation helps us understand how we can pursue a better way forward together. To get access to this full conversation, plus seven more on the topics critical for Christian leadership in the year ahead, purchase a digital pass to watch Q&A on-demand at qideas.org/QA.

Following the divisiveness of the U.S. Presidential election, Don Everts joins Gabe Lyons for a helpful and hopeful conversation about how we can create a better future by pursuing the common good in our neighborhoods. Don is the author of the new book, The Hopeful Neighborhood, and he serves as content developer for The Hopeful Neighborhood Project. In this interview, Don shares why he believes our neighborhoods are so important and the opportunity we have—particularly in a moment like this—to love and serve our neighbors well.

In this episode, Rod Dreher sits down with Gabe Lyons for an honest and sobering conversation about his new book, Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents. In this book, Rod draws upon the wisdom of Christian survivors of Soviet persecution to warn American Christians of approaching dangers. Rod shares what inspired this book, why he believes America is moving toward "soft" totalitarianism, and how we can prepare to live faithfully as Christians in a challenging season ahead.

More than ever in our lifetimes, the pandemic has forced us to consider the question—"what is the purpose of the Church?" Francis Chan helps us engage this topic on today's episode. Francis is perhaps most well-known for leaving his thriving megachurch in Northern California to start smaller, gospel-focused house churches. However, as the coronavirus began its spread around the globe, Francis and his family relocated to Hong Kong to serve as missionaries and spark a similar movement. In this episode, Francis shares how this pandemic moment might help the American Church become what he believes it ought to be.

How can parents best engage conversations about race with their kids? As the author of the children's book God's Very Good Idea, Trillia Newbell helps children and families learn to celebrate diversity, see how people from all ethnic and social backgrounds are valuable to God and understand how Jesus came to rescue all kinds of people. In this episode, Trillia points us toward theologically faithful, culturally smart and practical ways for us to teach our kids these important truths.

We are living in a culture that doesn't often like to talk about sin, but it is a very real and active problem that affects every aspect of our lives and our world. In this episode of the Q Podcast, Addison Bevere shares about the effects of sin in our culture and challenges us to recover an understanding of what it means to be saved from sin's power and penalty. Addison is the author of Saints: Becoming More Than "Christians."

Christian leaders and pastors within the American Church are debating whether to open, shut, stay virtual or enact civil disobedience. Through Q Sessions: Church & State, we recently hosted the only conversation brining all of these perspectives to bear in this essential moment. You can listen to an excerpt from that conversation on this episode of the Q Podcast. From John MacArthur to Andy Stanley, hear two conflicting opinions on how churches and pastors should move forward in a confusing moment.

As we wrestle with the global coronavirus pandemic, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Tim Keller offers thoughtful context, reflections and hope for the way forward. In this episode, he helps us better understand the larger trends shaping our current culture, and he points toward a post-pandemic future for the Church and the world.

In today's culture, what does it look like for faithful Christ-followers to never settle? That's a question Greg Holder helps us consider in this episode of the Q Podcast. Greg is the author of a new book called Never Settle: Choices, Chain Reactions and the Way Out of Lukewarminess. In this conversation, Greg helps us see how our everyday decisions, habits and relationships have incredible potential for world-changing, redemptive impact—especially amid a challenging, uncertain season like the one we're all currently living through.

In a divided, isolated and confusing cultural moment, what can we learn from the history of our country and those who came before us? From its founding to now, Pat Murdock argues that throughout American history, we see a long line of leaders, visionaries and change-makers who were inspired by the values of faith and liberty. As the executive director of the new Faith & Liberty Discovery Center coming to Philadelphia in 2021, Pat shares why this historical perspective is so important for our current moment—and how we can apply those same values to advance good today.

Nick Hall joins Gabe Lyons on this episode of the Q Podcast for a powerful conversation about our opportunity for evangelism and discipleship in this new cultural moment. Nick Hall serves as an evangelistic voice to this generation. He is the visionary of Together, author of the book Reset and the Founder and Chief Communicator for Pulse Movement, which exists to make Jesus known and to equip His followers to be disciples who multiply.

How can Christians reach their cities for the gospel—especially at a time when tensions, distrust and fear are high? This is something Kevin Palau and his team at City Gospel Movements have been working toward for 15+ years. As a branch of the Luis Palau Association, City Gospel Movements provides best practices to leaders who unite the Church in cities around the world. In this conversation with Gabe Lyons, Kevin shares what he and his team are currently learning in their own city of Portland, Oregon, and he challenges us to consider how we might ignite gospel movements in our local context.

How can the Church step up to better serve the most vulnerable children and families during a pandemic? This is a question Chris Palusky helps us consider in this episode of the Q Podcast. Chris serves as president and CEO of Bethany Christian Services, a global nonprofit with a mission to stand up for vulnerable children, refugees and families around the world, because family holds an incredible power to connect us, lift us up and transform lives. In this interview, Chris shares the most pressing needs in this moment, how COVID-19 has affected Bethany's work and how we can all be part of the solution.

What makes a Christian's perspective unique during a time of crisis, such as our global coronavirus pandemic? In this Q Talk, New York Times bestselling author Priscilla Shirer points to the hope we have in Christ that transforms the way we believe, think and act in this uncertain moment.

In a tense cultural moment, it can be hard for Christians to know how to best engage challenging and complex conversations about race and repair. In this episode, Arrabon founder David M. Bailey joins Gabe Lyons to reflect on our recent Q Session featuring ten talks on this one topic. David shares what stuck out the most to him from this live event, and he offers some hopeful, practical and productive ways we can continue to pursue racial justice this week, this year and over the next decade. To watch the talks David & Gabe mention in this episode, start a free trial to Q Media at qideas.org/sessions.

In a confusing and uncertain moment, leadership is needed now more than ever. But how can you lead well through a type of cultural crisis none of us have ever lived through before? Slingshot Group's David Miller argues, "there's no script for effective leadership. But you don't need one." In this podcast episode, David shares five core competencies that leaders need to navigate our new moment.

John Kingston joins Gabe Lyons for a candid, passionate and hopeful conversation about our current cultural moment and the future of America. A lawyer by training and a businessman by experience, John is a social entrepreneur at the forefront of a new campaign called American Awakening. Kingston first gained national attention in the 2016 and 2018 political cycles, with innovative and inclusive campaigns positioned at the extremes of American politics. With the core of his team, John later launched American Awakening, a campaign for the soul of America. He shares the heart behind this initiative, what we can learn from our current season, and how we can engage in awakening together.

Even before the pandemic, our culture felt increasingly complex and disruptive, leaving many pastors and church leaders unsure how to see clearly, lead confidently and engage effectively. That's why, in partnership with gloo, Barna Group embarked on its most comprehensive look at the state of the Church in its 35-year history. Barna president David Kinnaman introduced us to this idea in a talk he gave at the Q 2020 Virtual Summit. In today's podcast, David Kinnaman revisits the talk he gave at the Q 2020 Virtual Summit and goes deeper, updating us on the latest insights his team is learning.

Following up on her talk at the Q 2020 Virtual Summit, Valerie Bell shares a timely and necessary conversation with Gabe Lyons about discipleship among children and the future of the church. Valerie serves as the CEO of Awana, a world-wide nonprofit ministry focused on providing Bible-based evangelism and discipleship solutions for ages 2-18. Valerie is also the author of the book, Resilient: Child Discipleship and the Fearless Future of the Church.

Rev. Dr. Tony Cook joins Gabe Lyons for a hopeful conversation about why our neighborhoods matter now more than ever. Tony serves as the executive director of The Hopeful Neighborhood Project, a collaborative network committed to improving neighborhood well-being around the world. In this episode, Tony shares some of their insights, and he encourages us to not miss the opportunity to pursue the common good of our neighborhoods in this cultural moment.

In this episode, Mercy Multiplied founder Nancy Alcorn shares her story with the Q Community. Through a residential counseling program and outreach services, Mercy Multiplied equips people to live free and stay free through Jesus Christ. She shares what she's learned through this journey and offers practical advice for those leading their families, communities and churches.

JP DeGance joins Gabe Lyons for a thoughtful dialogue on how we advance good and overcome the polarization in our cities. JP is the founder of an organization called Communio, which consults with churches to equip them with data insights and ministry best practices to foster healthier relationships for singles, those preparing for marriage, married couples and those in marital crisis.

As COVID-19 continues to spread and alter the daily lives of many around the world, Gabe Lyons addresses the new reality we find ourselves in, pointing us toward the unique opportunities we have in this moment and the hope we can hold onto for the future. Gabe also gives the latest update on how Q is responding to these quickly changing times through the creation of the Q 2020 Virtual Summit, taking place this April 22-23. Learn how you and your family, church or community can be part of this two-day, unifying experience at qideas.org/2020.

How Can Liturgy Inform Our Faith? Almost four in 10 practicing Christians (38 percent) say they've never heard of or are not too familiar with the concept of Christian liturgy, and that statistic is even higher among evangelicals, according to 2017 research from Barna Group. However, for centuries Christians have grounded their faith with this practice. Douglas McKelvey, author of Every Moment Holy, and Justin Whitmel Earley, creator of the Common Rule, will lead us in a conversation about the impact of daily liturgical rhythms.

In our divided and isolated cultural moment, it can feel easy for us to become skeptical, jaded and distrustful of others. But Malcolm Gladwell argues that perhaps we're wired for just the opposite; perhaps we're wired to enter into deep relationship, trusting one another. Sharing research and stories from his newest book, Malcolm helps us understand why this is so essential and how we can improve in how we relate to others.

Special Release from Gabe Lyons: In this episode, Gabe Lyons Gabe Lyons takes a deep dive into some of the most important issues for the year ahead and reminds us why it's so important for Christians to gather, prepare and engage these critical topics and ideas. In a complicated and confusing cultural moment, Gabe argues that being educated and informed about these top issues equips us to lead more faithfully wherever we've been called. Gabe shares how this is the heart behind Q Conference (April 22-24 in Nashville, TN), and he invites listeners to make plans to attend Q 2020 for increased conversation, collaboration, connection and community. Learn more and register here.

Author, pastor and professor of intercultural studies D.A. Horton joins Gabe Lyons for a candid and hopeful conversation about how we can embrace Kingdom ethnicity in a divided world. Through this conversation, D.A. helps us step into the tension that so often surrounds conversations about race and ethnicity to offer us vision and practical guidance for Christians longing to embrace our Kingdom ethnicity, combating the hatred in our culture with the hope of Jesus Christ. D.A.'s latest book, Intensional: Kingdom Ethnicity in a Divided World, goes deeper into each of these topics and is available now.

How do we see and think beyond stereotypes? Americans on either side of the aisle have long been divided by party lines, but in recent years, this has filtered into our public square of relationships. The labels and the divisions continue to grow, causing more and more voters to feel entrenched or disenfranchised. Does it have to be this way? Justin Giboney, attorney and co-founder of the AND Campaign, will examine the reality — and the limits — of identity politics.

How Do We Move Forward From Tragic Decisions? Abortion-it's a polarizing issue in American discourse, but what happens when we go beyond the talking points and listen to someone's personal story? At 19, April Hernandez-Castillo found herself in an abusive relationship, she escaped, but shortly after, she discovered she was pregnant. Feeling like she had no other choice, she had to consider all options. She'll share about that experience-and its effects-with us.

Preacher, teacher, scholar and bestselling author Leonard Sweet joins Gabe Lyons for a thought-provoking conversation about our chaotic cultural moment and how Christians ought to prepare for an uncertain future. In his newest book, Rings of Fire, Leonard maps out the future for the church in a sweeping survey of the twenty-first century. In the face of eruptive and disruptive culture changes from economics and communications to bioethics and beyond, Len helps us understand how we fight fire with fire, not only catching up to our culture but leading our friends and neighbors to the feet of Christ.

Writer Seth Haines joins Gabe Lyons for a candid conversation about how we handle the inevitable pain of life and where we can find healing, wholeness and freedom. Seth is the author of the award-winning book, Coming Clean: A Story of Faith, and the newly released title, The Book of Waking Up: Experiencing the Divine Love That Reorders a Life. Seth shares how we can "wake up," embarking on a journey toward the only Love worth adoring, the only Love that cures a soul. Amid life's inevitable pain, author Seth Haines shares how we can find healing, wholeness and freedom.

How Do We Leave Things Better Than We Found Them? In a tired and cynical world, what if Christians became the best advertisement for Jesus? Over time, their movements would become irresistible to every nation, tribe and tongue. Building on ideas expressed in his recently released book, Irresistible Faith, Scott Sauls will give us a blueprint for pursuing this vision in our current moment, of redeemed individuals and a renewed community working for a restored world.

What Does It Mean To Be The Salt Of The Earth? Researching her latest book, Taste and See, Margaret Feinberg traveled far and wide - even 410 feet down into a salt mine - to understand how our appreciation of food affects the way we consume Scripture. In her talk, Margaret shares this experience and its spiritual implications.

What Responsibilities Come with Privilege? The notion that some might have it better than others, for no good reason, offends our sensibilities. Yet, until we talk about privilege, we'll never fully understand it or find our way forward. Through her own story, Amy Julia Becker will show us how a life behind a white picket fence can restrict even as it protects, preventing us from loving our neighbors well.

What is the future of evangelism? As attendance and membership at American churches continue to decline, the Pinetops Foundation estimates that within the next 30 years, between 28 to 42 million young people raised in Christian homes will choose to leave the faith. While some may see this as a discouraging statistic, Joshua Crossman sees it instead as a great opportunity—the single largest gospel opportunity in the history of America, in fact. In this episode of the Q Podcast, he shares his research and optimism for the future. Joshua Crossman shares what he believes to be the single-largest gospel opportunity in the history of America.

Entrepreneur and activist Bob Dalton joins Gabe Lyons for a candid conversation about how we can advance good in the midst of complicated issues. Bob is the founder of Sackcloth & Ashes, a social enterprise that donates a blanket to your local homeless shelter for every blanket you purchase. He shares how he was inspired to engage the homelessness issue, why blankets are so strategic and how his journey of social entrepreneurship has impacted his faith. Sackcloth & Ashes founder Bob Dalton shares how we can advance good in the midst of complicated issues.

As a college student, Blythe Hill decided to wear a dress every day for a month. What started as a simple style challenge has since blossomed into a global anti-human trafficking movement known as Dressember, raising $7.5 million for organizations like International Justice Mission, A21, Saving Innocence and more. In this episode of the Q Podcast, Blythe joins Gabe Lyons to share how the movement gained traction, what she's learned in the process and how others can join in their efforts. Dressember's founder shares how a simple style challenge grew to raise $7.5 million for anti-trafficking efforts.

Journalist Tom Junod joins Gabe Lyons for a conversation about the new movie, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. The film, which releases on November 22, focuses on Tom's real-life friendship with Fred Rogers, which began when Tom was assigned to write a profile on Mister Rogers for Esquire magazine in 1998. Tom shares how Mister Rogers' friendship shaped his own life, what made Mister Rogers unique, and why his legacy is needed today more than ever.

Gabe Lyons sits down with Alex Lerza, co-founder of the innovative app rTribe, which offers online counseling, coaching and healing in community to help anyone and everyone heal. Together, Gabe and Alex share a candid conversation surrounding what we misunderstand about technology and the redemptive opportunities within this space.

A decade after the release of his foundational book, When Helping Hurts, author Dr. Brian Fikkert has teamed up with Dr. Kelly Kapic to offer deeper reflections on the topics of poverty, human flourishing, and God's story of change for the poor and ourselves. In this podcast episode, Brian and Kelly sit down with Gabe Lyons to discuss these ideas and why they believe the opposite of poverty isn't the American dream. Get 30% off their new book, Becoming Whole, and its companion resource, The Field Guide to Becoming Whole, when you use promo code "Chalmers" at MoodyPublishers.com.

What Can One Person Do? Guided by the strength of her beliefs and convictions, Shannon Sedgwick Davis formed an unlikely alliance that helped stop the atrocities of Joseph Kony and his Lord's Resistance Army, which is responsible for terrorizing communities in four countries across Central and East Africa. It's an inspiring true story that proves there is no limit to what we can do, even in the face of impossible odds and unspeakable injustice. Learn more about her story in the book, To Stop A Warlord, available now.