A Better Vision for Human Flourishing with Andy Crouch

Igniting Imagination

Andy Crouch believes that one of the biggest challenges of pastoral ministry right now is not being seduced by the false vision of human flourishing that our culture offers and that technology optimizes. “You’re not going to get to the Kingdom of God by providing these religious goods and services that your system has been set up to provide and that technology can help you optimize,” Crouch says. “You're only going to get there by finding ways to reinvest in small communities, small enough for people to actually be known and to actually encounter God together.” This conversation begins with a robust discussion of how we have displaced the need for authentic relationships with the ease of technology and concludes with real clarity for how leaders in the church can lead us back to true community. To be clear, Crouch is not saying to get rid of technology and devices, rather he shows us how to put them in their proper place in our church and world. Andy articulates a deeply thoughtful, challenging, and compelling vision for the church’s role in restoring true community and facilitating human flourishing in the world. We can’t wait for you to listen!

Our Leadership Ministry team has returned again and again to Andy’s book and to this conversation with him… here are some key points in this episode:

• Gil reflects on Jacob’s Bones in light of the denominational divisions happening right now (01:36)
• Andy describes the false vision of human flourishing (12:18)
• The life we’re looking for, the true vision of human flourishing (15:20)
• Why there are no technological solutions to the problems technology has created (27:53)
• Putting tech in its proper place in our lives and in the church (30:32)
• Why Andy says “This is all very Wesleyan!” (34:30)
• Why the numbers 3 and 12 are SO important for leaders (42:42)

QUOTES

• “I think the task of every shepherd, whether you’re ordained or a lay shepherd like I am, is to find ways to circumvent the production system and get people into real relationships.” -Andy Crouch [33:57]
• “The problem is we think culture making requires scale because we think about the millions of consumers, but the actual creation of new culture happens in these tiny groups. And it’s because creation requires trust. It’s the most risky thing human beings do.” -Andy Crouch [48:40]

Andy Crouch’s bio

Andy Crouch is the author of four books; he is also a partner for theology and culture at Praxis, an organization that works as a creative engine for redemptive entrepreneurship. For more than ten years, Crouch was a producer and then executive editor at Christianity Today. His work and writing have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time, Best Christian Writing, and Best Spiritual Writing.

RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS

Read Gil Rendle’s paper “Jacob’s Bones” for free off our TMF website here.

This podcast is brought to you by the Leadership Ministry team at TMF and Wesleyan Investive. Leadership Ministry connects diverse, high-capacity leaders in conversations and environments that create a network of courage, learning, and innovation in order to help the church lean into its God-appointed mission.

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