If you want to explore more, check out resources at RENEW.org. We recommend the article “Is Discipleship Required?” — a thoughtful look at why following Jesus means embracing discipleship. You can read it here: renew.org/is-discipleship-required. Until next time, keep pursuing real life in Christ.

Today’s episode will help us see how strategic partnerships—like those formed through the Solomon Foundation—can strengthen churches, fuel growth, and create lasting impact in communities and leaders’ lives.

Doug Fultz & Ken Idleman dives into the power of partnerships in ministry, with a special focus on the work of the Solomon Foundation.

The episode kicks off with a relaxed, personal atmosphere—participants introduce themselves, share ministry backgrounds, and even chat about career goals and growing cities. From that casual start, the conversation naturally shifts into a deeper discussion about how strategic partnerships can fuel church growth and community impact.

Doug Fultz and Ken Idleman lead the way, drawing from decades of ministry experience. Ken shares how biblical partnerships—from Moses and Aaron to Jesus and the disciples—have always been key to mission success. He reflects on his own ministry journey and the critical role partnerships played in growing churches and building strong communities.

Doug focuses on the practical side—how networking among pastors and church leaders led to church plants and revitalization efforts. He highlights how the Solomon Foundation acts not just as a lender, but as a true ministry partner. With flexible financing and a heart for the local church, the Foundation helps churches grow—sometimes starting with no down payment at all.

Real-life stories bring the impact to life:

• Nathan Freeman’s church in Jacksonville grew from meeting in a funeral home to owning a $9M facility.
• Southern Hills Christian Church expanded significantly thanks to customized financial solutions.
• Even unique ministries, like a fully inmate-led church inside Angola Prison and Louisiana’s Keep It Real reentry program, are thriving with support from the Foundation.

Doug and Ken also stress that partnerships go beyond money. The Solomon Foundation invests in the spiritual health of leaders, offering mentorship, counseling, and encouragement.

They wrap up by inviting listeners to see partnership as a way to make real kingdom impact—not just financially, but relationally and spiritually. This episode is a strong reminder that ministry isn't meant to be done alone—and that with the right partners, churches can do more than just survive; they can flourish.

View the book from Renée Sproles: “Male & Female: A Biblical Look at Gender” https://renew.org/product/male-female-a-biblical-look-at-gender/

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Today’s episode will help us understand God’s design for men and women by exploring how Scripture defines their distinct yet complementary roles in leadership, the church, and the home.

Renee Sproles takes a thoughtful dive into what the Bible says about the roles of men and women, focusing on leadership, responsibility, and God’s design for both sexes.

Renee opens with gratitude and a prayer, asking for God’s guidance and recognizing Jesus as the Creator who leads with kindness, justice, and righteousness. She outlines her goal: to look at the big picture of Scripture before narrowing in on specific texts about gender roles in the home and church.

She shares her personal journey—from embracing egalitarianism (the idea that men and women have interchangeable roles) to developing a more nuanced view shaped by Scripture and life experience. Raised in a strict complementarian setting where women had little voice in church, she was struck by the contrast in her parents’ equal partnership in business. That tension sparked her curiosity and deeper study.

Renee distinguishes between circumstantial evidence (the broader biblical narrative) and specific evidence (direct instructions). Both are needed to understand gender roles fully. She likens circumstantial evidence to a feast—rich and nourishing—and specific evidence to medicine—necessary but insufficient on its own.

Starting in Genesis, she explains that male and female identities are rooted in creation. Adam, formed first, is given the priestly task of tending the garden and passing on God’s commands. Eve, created as his strong helper, reflects the same term used for God’s help to Israel—implying strength, not weakness. These archetypes—original roles, not stereotypes—set the tone for male leadership and female partnership.

Biblical women like Sarah, Abigail, and Deborah are held up as examples of faith, wisdom, and courage. While men were called to lead as priests and prophets, women also played crucial roles, though in different ways—especially in prophecy and support.

In the New Testament, Renee notes how Jesus elevated women’s status but still chose male apostles, reinforcing the pattern of male leadership. Women, however, were vital in ministry—praying, teaching, and serving alongside Jesus.

Paul’s letters, especially 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy, are examined closely. Renee argues Paul’s teachings on male headship and women’s roles in church leadership are grounded in creation, not just cultural concerns. His call for women to learn quietly and avoid authoritative teaching over men is tied to the order established in Genesis.

She also addresses common pushbacks—like claims that Paul was only dealing with false teachers or cultural norms. Instead, she contends Paul’s instructions are rooted in timeless biblical principles.

The episode ends by framing spiritual leadership as a shepherd-like role—one that provides space, safety, and growth. In Renee’s view, male leadership in the church is meant to serve and protect, just as it was in Eden.

In short, this episode offers a deep, scripture-based look at gender roles in Christianity, encouraging men and women to live out their God-given callings with humility, grace, and mutual respect.

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Today’s episode will help us discover how consistent, community-driven Bible reading can transform our faith, deepen our understanding of Scripture, and build a culture of spiritual growth.

The Transformative Power of Reading the Bible: Tina's Approach

In this insightful video, Tina shares her profound experience and method of integrating daily Bible reading into her spiritual routine and church culture. She emphasizes the importance of not just relying on second-hand teachings but committing to reading the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation annually. Highlighting her own journey from biblical illiteracy to spiritual transformation, Tina discusses the impact of understanding scripture contextually and the benefits of a disciplined Bible study routine. She introduces her book 'Step Into Scripture' as a guide to help others embark on this life-changing journey. Tina also delves into practical ways her church has successfully structured Bible studies to foster community, accountability, and deeper biblical understanding among their members. Join Tina in exploring how the Word of God can transform lives through dedicated, intentional, and strategic Bible reading.

https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/

Key Takeaways

00:00 Introduction and Housekeeping

01:31 Getting to Know Each Other

09:00 Personal Testimony and Spiritual Growth

12:24 The Importance of Reading the Whole Bible

19:26 Warnings Against Simplicity

31:00 Wisdom vs. Folly

33:49 Personal Journey of Discernment

34:57 The Birth and Growth of Glacier Church

36:18 The Importance of Teachability

37:44 Commitment to Biblical Literacy

39:22 Introducing 'Step Into Scripture'

40:29 Structure and Benefits of the Book

47:31 Implementing the Study in Church

56:20 Q&A Session

01:06:18 Closing Prayer and Final Thoughts

In this episode, titled “Tina Wilson,” Tina shares her journey of discovering the power of daily Bible reading and how it's transformed her personal faith and ministry.

She opens with some housekeeping for the live podcast recording and a light, friendly chat with the audience about their backgrounds, setting a warm, welcoming tone. Tina then gets personal, reflecting on a turning point in high school when her now-husband challenged her to back up her beliefs with scripture. That challenge led her to read the Book of Acts—and later, the entire Bible—revealing how much she didn’t know, even after growing up in church.

In college, with no church community around, scripture became her anchor. She’s now read the Bible every year since, a habit that’s deeply shaped her walk with God and inspired her to help others do the same. Tina makes a strong case for reading the whole Bible, warning against spiritual simplicity—what Proverbs describes as naivety or lack of discernment—which can open the door to deception and division. Instead, she encourages a posture of teachability: humility, openness, and the willingness to grow.

Tina also introduces her Bible reading guide, Step Into Scripture, designed to help people engage the Bible chronologically in a year. The four-part structure—Shadows, Signposts, Sounds, and Source—traces key biblical themes and how they point to Jesus.

She shares how her church has embraced this model through small group discussions, daily readings, and communal celebrations every 14 weeks. These gatherings not only deepen biblical understanding but build spiritual momentum and lasting community.

Tina wraps up with a Q&A, offering practical tips and encouragement for building a culture of Bible reading wherever you are. Her story is a powerful reminder that consistent engagement with God’s Word can radically change lives—and communities.