After a several-month hiatus from extra-curricular writing, including here on Substack as well as Churchleaders.com, I’m happy to get back into the swing of regular contributions on this platform. I’ve been surprised at the growth of the subscriber community here on Church Talk—a couple of you have even been kind enough to opt for the paid subscription tier out of appreciation and generosity, even though I don’t currently offer paid exclusive content. I’m incredibly grateful.
As we get rolling into a regular rhythm again, I wanted to share a couple of personal updates as well as provide a chance to get some feedback from you!
Update 1: Planting Churches with the World Assemblies of God Fellowship
Part of the reason for my writing hiatus has been because the first half of 2024 was an especially busy season. I was blessed to be in the Côte d’Ivoire, Chile, and Türkiye as a part of my work with the Church Planting Commission of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship. The WAGF has a faith-filled, strategic goal to plant over 630,000 churches by 2033, which would triple the size of the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination in the span of a decade. The past several months have been such an inspiration as national leaders from all around the world are developing strategies to plant new churches with a “from all to all” missiology that prioritizes the role of women and the next generation as well as reaching the remaining unreached peoples of the world. Big things are in store in the months and years to come!
Update 2: My Next Book is Finished!
The other significant reason for my hiatus was that most of my writing efforts have been poured into a timely completion of the manuscript of my next book AI and the People of God, set to be published with IVP in early 2025. My heart in writing this book is to empower Christians, as well as church leadership, to think well about artificial intelligence—a tech which already wields tremendous influence on our lives and which only promises to influence more. It’s not a “10 steps to grow your church instagram.” Instead, it’s intended to lay a strong foundation about how we think about concepts like Christian mission, the image of God, humanity, and more, in light of AI. (With some practical considerations thrown in, too.)
Update 3: Check out our new podcast!
Earlier this year, Tara and I were approached by Christians for Biblical Equality to host a segment of their Mutuality Matters Podcast. Our particular segment usually goes live the third week of every month and focuses on addressing issues related to headship theology, in the church, home, and society. We’re only a few episodes in but have had some incredible guests. We hope you find it of value.
Update 4: I Need Your Feedback
Church Talk is roughly a year old, now. Because of this, I’d like to hear from you about where you’d like to see some of this whole thing go in the second year. Would you be so kind as to answer these short (anonymous) questions?