AUTHOR: Todd KorpiBOOK: AI Goes to ChurchBOOK INFO: https://www.ivpress.com/ai-goes-to-ch...EXCERT: https://www.ivpress.com/Media/Default...PRESS KIT: https://www.ivpress.com/Media/Default...BIO: https://www.ivpress.com/todd-korpi and https://www.toddkorpi.com/about

Dr. Will Ryan and Dr. Matt talk with Pastor Jon Gibson about his new Book Here and Now: Finding God in the Beautiful Collision between the Head & Heart.

Jon Gibson is the lead pastor of The Point (Seymour IN - www.gotothepoint.com). He hosts a weekly podcast called Get to the Point. His wife Heather and three daughters Morgan, Marlee and Mackenzie are the joys of his life. When he isn't talking about Jesus or dreaming about the future of The Point you'll either find him at home playing board games with his family, out hiking, up in a treestand or out fishing. Jon is an avid reader, loves to play the guitar, is passionate about the Green Bay Packers and enjoys long walks on the beach.

Buy the book: https://a.co/d/g0gVZvC

Here & Now invites readers on a reflective and deeply personal journey. With poetic honesty and pastoral warmth, Jon Gibson explores the longing we all carry to experience God not only in sacred places or past stories, but right here, in the gritty and beautiful moments of our lives. Drawing from Scripture, spiritual rhythms, and his own lived experiences Jon asks what it means to follow a God who moves with us in real time. Through fire and water, silence and song, longing and love, Here & Now offers a compelling invitation: to pay attention, to stay awake, and to find that God has been closer than we ever dared believe. For the weary, the searching, and those caught in the currents of everyday life—this is a guide to rediscovering the divine presence in the present tense.

In this episode Dr. Will Ryan and Dr. Matt interview Dr. Carmen Imes on her new book Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters.

Buy the book: https://a.co/d/7WM6q7F

Does the church still matter in our modern world?

After waves of disillusionment, #churchtoo movements, and political divides, it’s easy to question the value of investing in the church. Yet Carmen Joy Imes offers a profound answer that resonates through the pages of Becoming God’s Family. Exploring the familial and communal identity of the church, Imes traces the thread of God's presence in the gathered community of faith across the entire Bible. She invites readers into a vision of the church that is rooted deeply in Scripture and speaks directly to the challenges we face today. Imes reminds us of a powerful truth―God delights in the global, intergenerational family He has created.

Through this book, you'll discover that God keeps His promises. When God’s people gather together, God shows up. Whether you’re struggling to reconnect with the church, seeking a constructive vision for its role in our world, or longing to better understand its biblical foundations, this book offers clarity, hope, and encouragement.

What you'll find in Becoming God’s Family:

• A biblical foundation: Trace the theme of God’s presence through the entire biblical text, gaining new understanding of His communal and familial design for the church.
• Modern relevance: Imes addresses the disheartening realities of scandals, political polarization, and deconstruction with a constructive and hopeful perspective.
• Engaging and accessible content: Written by Imes, a respected Old Testament scholar, the book offers rich insights while staying accessible to a wide audience.
• Encouragement for community: Discover the global and intergenerational nature of God’s family and the joy of his presence among his people.

Becoming God’s Family is perfect for students and scholars of the Bible, church members looking for renewed purpose, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the church's biblical foundation. Step into God’s enduring promise―when we gather as his people, he is always present. Order your copy today and rediscover why the church still matters!

Christians are called to care for the vulnerable, but churches have not always led the way in becoming places safe from abuse. Increasingly, organizations and churches are recognizing the importance of the field of safeguarding: training and equipping people to prevent abuse, act when abuse happens, and promote healing for survivors.

Lisa Compton and Taylor Patterson have edited the first textbook on safeguarding designed specifically for faith-based ministries, churches, and seminaries. In Skills for Safeguarding, experts from universities around the world have contributed on topics in their areas of expertise. This book

• provides an understanding of trauma and abuse from a Christian integration perspective;
• gives insight into perpetrator dynamics and systems that enable abuse;
• teaches skills necessary to interact with victims and their families;
• includes questions for self-reflection and discussion; and more.

Safeguarders can be individuals hired by the church in a vocational role, but they can also be pastors and other church leaders, laypeople, mental health professionals, and anyone who desires to promote a safe environment. Ideally, every adult in the church should recognize their responsibility to safeguard and seek to grow in skills to better serve abuse survivors and cultivate a culture that protects the vulnerable. This book provides the essential starting place.

Buy the book: https://a.co/d/bBHkla0

Grow in Your Leadership Calling Through the Example of Jesus

Discover the profound impact of spirituality on leadership with Formed to Lead, a compelling exploration of how the Holy Spirit shapes effective leaders. Guided by Jason Jensen, a seasoned leader in spiritual foundations, Formed to Lead takes you through an inspiring narrative that bridges divine guidance and practical leadership.

You'll uncover the nature of Christian leadership by examining Jesus' leadership in Luke 3-4. Each chapter offers insights into the temptations of leadership, learning humility through discipleship, and encountering God in vulnerability. With group Bible studies and discussion questions, it’s perfect for individuals or groups seeking a deeper and more faith-driven approach to leadership.

Formed to Lead shows leaders how to:

• examine how a combination of tender humility and bold faith enhance faithful Christian leadership
• explore the connection between spiritual discipline and strong leadership qualities
• learn strategies to overcome common leadership challenges by drawing from Jesus' example
• discern the Holy Spirit’s movement in your own growth and in your leadership calling
• reflect on personal leadership journeys through guided discussion questions

Ideal for readers of Ruth Haley Barton and Henri Nouwen, Formed to Lead is a guide for aspiring leaders committed to following Jesus’ example. Join a community of like-minded individuals who are reshaping leadership through spirituality. Transform your approach and lead with humility, character, integrity, and discernment by reading Formed to Lead.

Buy the book: https://a.co/d/3JO6um9

Website: https://formedtolead.com

In this class Dr. Matt covers topics in Revelation 16-22. At the end of the episode he is joined for a Q&R session with Pastor Jon Gibson of The Point (Seymour IN www.gotothepoint.com)

Topics covered:

- The Characteristics of Babylon

- Armageddon

- Gog and Magog

-The Millennium

-The Final Judgement

-The New Creation

In this class Dr. Matt covers Revelation 12-15. Topics covered:- The Dragon-The Beasts-The Mark of the Beast-The Number of the Beast 666/616-The Mark of The Lamb-The WinepressConclusions:The first Beast in Revelation is Rome, but it is more than Rome. It is all who embody the Beast in every generation.The second Beast is Nero, but it is more than Nero. It is all who embody Nero and the way of the first Beast in every generation.All Empires are controlled by the hostile spiritual powers of Satan.The church is to have an Exile mindset in this age (Jeremiah 29:4-11)How do we slay the Dragon? With a whole life witness that mirrors the life of Jesus!

In this class Dr. Matt gives an overview of Revelation 4-11 showing the way that the church wins is by following the way and witness of the Lamb!Revelation 4:1-11Who is God?V8• Holy, holy holy- the set apart one• Lord, God Almighty- the sovereign one• Who was and is and is to come- the eternal oneV11• Creator• Sustainer“Flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder.”1. Seals = Revelation 8:52. Trumpets = Revelation 11:193. Bowls = Revelation 16:18Even when the world seems like it is spinning out of control, God is in control.Revelation 5• Lion of Judah- Gen 49:9-10• Root of David- Isaiah 11:1• Revelation uses “hearing” and “seeing” to interpret images and flip their meanings.• Jesus rules as a lamb (Rev 5:6)- Power under vs. Power over (Babylon)God’s wrath• God’s character: Exodus 34:6-7• God’s anger in the Bible is His removal of protection and handing people over to naturalconsequences of their choices.• Romans 1:18-32The “Judgements”Seals (Revelation 6:1-17, 8:1-2)Come = reveal yourselfSeals 1 and 2: The Pax Romana (false peace through violence/strength)Seal 3: Economic injustice of Rome.Seal 4: conquest → war → famine → death (Zech 1:8-17; 6:1-8; 2:6)Seal 5: KEY QUESTION: What happens to Christians in the middle of this Roman conquest?ANSWER: Christians die—and that’s how we win (witness). And the prayers of God’s peopleimpact heaven.Seal 6: Lights out for Empire (Isaiah 13:9-10; Ezek 32:7-8; Isaiah 34:4-5; Amos 8:9; Psalm 18)Seal 7: Eschatological peace (and the 7 trumpets)Trumpets (Rev 8:2-9:21, 11:15-19)The judgement is 1/3- still partial (Rev 12:12)Trumpets were used to warn and to worship in the OTThe Trumpets echo the 10 plagues of the ExodusThe purpose of the Exodus:1. Expose – to expose the gods and judge them2. Unveil – to unveil God’s glory and grace3. Repent – to lead God’s enemies to repentance (Rev 9:21)• The goal of the trumpets is to unveil evil, empire, and satan’s kingdom for what it is.• In the trumpets hell imploding on itself, this is not God being vindictive. Hell attacks its own here, itknows no loyalty or fidelity. You get the consequences of what you attach yourself to.• God is different, even when they refuse to repent from allegiance with Kingdom of Satan, God stillpursues His creation.Bowls (Rev 16:1-21)If the seals expose empire’s logic and the trumpets warn of its consequences, the bowls show evil collapsing under its own weight.Key Point: The bowls show the inevitable end of Empire and Evil—it destroys itself.The InterludesBetween the 6th and 7th in each of the 3 cycles there is an interlude which explains what God’s peopleare called to know and do.Seals Interlude (Rev 7:1-17)The message of the Seals= You are spiritually secure!• John hears 144,000 but sees every tribe, tongue, and nation worshipping the Lamb= the church• The Q: Who can stand? The Answer: God’s people can!Trumpets Interlude (Rev 10:1-11:14)The message of the Trumpets= Go witness! (like the faithful witness Rev 1:5)• 2 witnesses- killed in Jerusalem, dead for 3 days, came back to life, ascended to heaven = Jesus,but it is also the church (his body).• Olive tree and Lamp stand (Zech 4:14): This was the priest and king (Jesus) but in Revelation thechurch is a kingdom and priests to God (Ex 19:6; Rev 1:5-6; Rev 5:9-10; Rev 20:6) and the churchesare called lamp stands- we hold the light (Jesus- Rev 1:12-13. 20; Rev 2:1,5; Rev 21:23; Matt 5:16;John 8:12, 9:5, 12:46)Bowls Interlude (Rev 16:15)The message of the Bowls= Witness by what you do (deeds matter)!• White Clothes = deeds and purity (Rev 19:8; 2:4; 3:2; 14:13; 22:12)• To 5 of 7 church Jesus says “I know your deeds”• What we do (and don’t do) matters!We do not own the rights to the Revelation 1-11 video by Bible project and are using is with permission.