The Follower Podcast

In this episode of the podcast Matthew sits down with Jean du Rand of Chapel Co Music and Suns. 

The conversation is vulnerable and honest as Jean shares about his own journey as a faith informed musician and walking the line between creating authentic, meaningful music and embracing the simple joy of creating for its own sake. 

Beyond that, Matthew and Jean discuss the metaphors we use to frame our ideas of God, prayer as frequency, and walking the borders between the subculture of Christian faith and people who are seeking for truth.

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To find out more about the work of Follower you can visit www.wearefollower.com

In this live recording of The Follower Podcast in collaboration with The Salt Creative Collective, Matthew sits down with Sarah Mdaka to talk about her journey as a poet and story teller. Sarah shares some of her poetry in the conversation as well as her thoughts on how to navigate the creative space as a follower of Jesus.

This is the second in a series of conversations on art and faith. 

To find out more about Follower you can visit www.wearefollower.com

In this live recording of The Follower Podcast, Matthew sits down with Poet, Performer and Entrepreneur, Puno Selesho to talk about art and faith and how creative people can honor their vocation to bring beauty out of chaos for a world in need of Truth.

Summary

In this conversation, Matthew Lewis and Liam Burns explore the intersection of technology, particularly AI, and Christian faith. They discuss the implications of living in a technological age, the challenges of maintaining human identity, and -the importance of community and connection in a digital world. The conversation emphasizes the need for discernment in technology use, the dangers of quick fixes, and the value of embracing limitations as part of the human experience. Ultimately, they encourage a long-term perspective on spiritual formation and the importance of hope in navigating these complex issues.

 

Takeaways

- We must navigate technology with hope and discernment.
- Technology has always been a part of human existence.
- The temptation of quick fixes can lead to disconnection.
- AI can enhance our capabilities but may also diminish our skills.
- Convenience often comes at the cost of meaningful relationships.
- Christian identity is rooted in being gifted, broken, and limited.
- Community and embodied relationships are essential for growth.
- Technology can reduce us to consumers rather than creators.
- The long game of Christian formation requires patience and commitment.
- Embracing our limitations can lead to a more fulfilling life.

 

Timestamps

00:00 Navigating the Technological Landscape
03:04 The Role of Technology in Human Identity
05:51 The Temptation of Quick Fixes
08:53 Understanding AI and Its Implications
11:55 The Cost of Convenience
14:59 The Dangers of Disconnection
17:51 Embracing Our Limitations
20:53 The Christian Response to Technology
24:03 The Future of Humanity in a Technological Age
26:40 The Call to Community and Presence
29:48 Long-Term Perspectives on Technology
32:41 Conclusion: Who Are We Becoming?

Summary

In this conversation, Matthew Lewis and Liam Burns explore the challenges and opportunities facing the church today, particularly in relation to Gen Z. They discuss the importance of avoiding idolatry, the need for intergenerational relationships, and the significance of creating spaces for authentic discipleship and character formation. The conversation emphasizes the importance of serving young people rather than using them for the church's success, and the necessity of understanding the historical context of youth culture in shaping current ministry practices.

 

Key Topics

The church must be a greenhouse for Christ-likeness.

Idolatry is a significant challenge for Christians today.

We need to resist leveraging young people for success.

Your gifts aren't going anywhere; take your time.

Formation into Christlikeness takes an ecosystem of inputs.

We must serve this generation, not use them.

The dignity of being God's people is essential.

Create contexts that build resilience.

Intergenerational relationships are vital for growth.

The church's role is to facilitate authentic discipleship.

 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Recap of Previous Episode
02:51 Idolatry and the Temptation of Control
05:56 The Dignity of Being God's People
08:51 Gen Z and the Search for the Real
12:00 Formation and Character Development in Ministry
14:40 The Dangers of Youth Culture in the Church
17:53 Intergenerational Relationships and Their Importance
29:13 Reimagining Human Relationships
29:50 The Hubris of Youth in Ministry
31:45 The Role of Older Generations
35:55 Historical Perspectives on Authenticity
38:42 The Shift in Meaning-Making
42:49 Creating Greenhouses for Christ-likeness
44:46 The Ecosystem of Spiritual Formation
50:49 Advice for Young and Older Generations