Efca Theology Podcast

In 2008, the EFCA adopted an updated, strengthened Statement of Faith. Following that update, the EFCA Spiritual Heritage Committee wrote the book, Evangelical Convictions: An Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the EFCA, to help pastors and church leaders better understand what we believe. On this episode of the podcast, Lois McMartin reads chapter 7 of Evangelical Convictions. Lois served as the director of Member Care for EFCA ReachGlobal.

In 2008, the EFCA adopted an updated, strengthened Statement of Faith. Following that update, the EFCA Spiritual Heritage Committee wrote the book, Evangelical Convictions: An Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the EFCA, to help pastors and church leaders better understand what we believe. On this episode of the podcast, Steven Weathers reads chapter 8 of Evangelical Convictions. Steven previously served as the multicultural ministries director for the EFCA.

In 2008, the EFCA adopted an updated, strengthened Statement of Faith. Following that update, the EFCA Spiritual Heritage Committee wrote the book Evangelical Convictions: An Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the EFCA to help pastors and church leaders better understand what we believe. In this episode, pastor Bill Kynes reads chapter 10 of Evangelical Convictions. You can read Evangelical Convictions Chapter 1 and the Introduction. Find the whole book (in print or a kindle version).

In June 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at The Compass Church in Naperville, Illinois, for our biennial EFCA One conference. We gathered under the theme, “Multiplying Disciplemakers.” On this episode of the podcast, we share Ed Stetzer’s concluding message from this conference focusing on Acts 2:42-47, “Evangelism and a Culture of Disciplemaking.” Ed serves as Billy Graham Chair of Church, Mission and Evangelism at Wheaton College and executive director of the Billy Graham Center.

In June 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at The Compass Church in Naperville, Illinois, for our biennial EFCA One conference. We gathered under the theme, “Multiplying Disciplemakers.” On this episode of the podcast, we share Pastor Eric Rivera’s message from the conference focusing on Luke 6:40, “Life Change in Disciplemaking.” Eric serves as the lead pastor at The Brook in Chicago, Illinois.

In June 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at The Compass Church in Naperville, Illinois, for our biennial EFCA One conference. We gathered under the theme, “Multiplying Disciplemakers.” On this episode of the podcast, we share Pastor Lawrence Scott’s message from the conference focusing on 2 Timothy 2:2, “Life-on-Life Investment in Disciplemaking.” Lawrence serves as the planting and lead pastor at Harvest Point Fellowship Church in Pearland, Texas.

In June 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at The Compass Church in Naperville, Illinois, for our biennial EFCA One conference. We gathered under the theme, “Multiplying Disciplemakers.” On this episode of the podcast, we share Pastor Colin Smith’s opening message from the conference focusing on Mark 8:34-38, “Commitment in Disciplemaking.” Colin serves as the senior pastor at The Orchard Evangelical Free Church, with several church sites in the Chicago area.

In February 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, for the annual Theology Conference. As part of this Conference, there was a luncheon lecture with Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer, entitled, “‘Did You Now Know That I Must Be About My Father’s Business?’: Becoming a Pastor-Theologian.” On this episode of the podcast, we learn from Kevin as he addresses becoming a pastor-theologian by asking and answering five key questions: (1) "Why pastor-theologian?", (2) "Why pastor as public theologian?", (3) "What are the roles of the pastor-theologians?", (4) "How do pastor-theologians make disciples?" and (5) "How can pastors grow into their role as theologians?" Kevin serves as research professor of systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.

In the fall of 2018, Greg Scharf joined Greg Strand, EFCA executive director of theology and credentialing, to address pastoral ministry and preaching. Greg is uniquely qualified to address these topics having served both as a pastor and professor. Greg has the title of professor emeritus of homiletics at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, having served at TEDS in the pastoral theology department from 1999-2018. Prior to his tenure at TEDS teaching pastors, Greg served as a pastor in the EFCA for almost 20 years. During this time, he mentored interns from TEDS, and he also developed an elder training program for the church. Greg Strand was one of those interns. In part two of this interview, we focus on preaching—preaching as an important aspect of and foundational to pastoral ministry, marks of a good sermon, marks of a good/faithful preacher, lessons for a young preacher, counsel for a seasoned preacher, and recommended resources.

In the fall of 2018, Greg Scharf joined Greg Strand, EFCA executive director of theology and credentialing, to address pastoral ministry and preaching. Greg is uniquely qualified to address these topics having served both as a pastor and professor. Greg has the title of professor emeritus of homiletics at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, having served at TEDS in the pastoral theology department from 1999-2018. Prior to his tenure at TEDS teaching pastors, Greg served as a pastor in the EFCA for almost 20 years. During this time, he mentored interns from TEDS, and he also developed an elder training program for the church. Greg Strand was one of those interns. In part one of this interview, we focus on pastoral ministry—models, training, preparation and the role of seminary, joys and struggles, privileges and pains, needs, challenges and temptations, faithfulness in life for a lifelong ministry.

In February 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus was on the theme, “The Doctrine of Creation: Theological Significance and Implications.” On this episode of the podcast, we share Dr. Michael Wittmer’s concluding message on "The Doctrine of Creation and Human Destiny.” Michael serves as professor of systematic theology and historical theology and director of the Center for Christian Worldview, and Bible, Religion and Ministry, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

In February 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus was on the theme, “The Doctrine of Creation: Theological Significance and Implications.” On this episode of the podcast, we share Dr. Jonathan Moo’s message on the topic “The Doctrine of Creation and Human Stewardship.” Jonathan serves as associate professor of theology at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington.

In February 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus was on the theme, “The Doctrine of Creation: Theological Significance and Implications.” On this episode of the podcast, we share Dr. Todd Wilson’s message on the topic “The Doctrine of Creation and Human Sexuality.” Todd serves as co-founder and president of The Center for Pastor Theologians in Oak Park, Illinois.

In February 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus was on the theme, “The Doctrine of Creation: Theological Significance and Implications.” On this episode of the podcast, we share Dr. Paige Comstock Cunningham’s message on the topic “The Doctrine of Creation and Human Dignity.” Paige serves as executive director of The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois.

In February 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus was on the theme, “The Doctrine of Creation: Theological Significance and Implications.” On this episode of the podcast, we share Dr. Tom Nelson’s message on the topic “The Doctrine of Creation and Human Work.” Tom serves as president of Made to Flourish and lead senior pastor of Christ Community Church (EFCA) in Leawood, Kansas.

In February 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus was on the theme, “The Doctrine of Creation: Theological Significance and Implications.” On this episode of the podcast, we share Dr. Hans Madueme’s message on the topic “The Doctrine of Creation and Human Origins,” or more specifically, “The Problem of Divine Revelation: Christology, Human Origins and the Ancient Near East.” Hans serves as associate professor of theological studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia.

In February 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus was on the theme, “The Doctrine of Creation: Theological Significance and Implications.” On this episode of the podcast, we share Dr. Tom McCall’s opening message of the conference, “The Doctrine of Creation and God.” Tom serves as professor of biblical and systematic theology and the director of Carl F.H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.

In February 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus was on the theme, “The Doctrine of Creation: Theological Significance and Implications.” On this episode of the podcast, we share Greg Strand’s introduction to the conference. Greg serves as the executive director of theology and credentialing in the EFCA.

In February 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus of the preconference was on the theme, “Evangel, Evangelical, Evangelicalism and the EFCA.” On this episode of the podcast, we share the third and final session, which is a panel discussion with Mark Noll and Daryl Williamson, moderated by Greg Strand, as they engage with one another and respond to questions asked by others. Mark serves as the research professor of history at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, and professor emeritus at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana. Darryl serves as the lead pastor of Living Faith Bible Fellowship in Tampa, Florida. Greg serves as the executive director of theology and credentialing in the EFCA.

In February 2019, EFCA pastors and church leaders gathered at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, for the annual Theology Conference. The focus of the preconference was on the theme, “Evangel, Evangelical, Evangelicalism and the EFCA.” On this episode of the podcast, we share Daryl Williamson’s message on the topic “'Evangelical' in the Early Twenty-First Century: An African-American Perspective.” Darryl serves as the lead pastor of Living Faith Bible Fellowship in Tampa, Florida.