Episode 153 :: Dennis Allen:: Stories of Evaluating the Methods of the Mission and Jesus’ Call to Discipleship

Simply Stories Podcast

Today, I have Dennis Allen on the podcast. Dennis followed his heart to the Air Force as fighter pilot, and suddenly was hit with a life altering diagnosis that ended his military career. Propelled into the business world, he would ultimately become a consultant to guide businesses how to better address internal issues, shore up where they might be struggling, and reevaluate leadership. In his work, he began to see the similarities in the issues he was unpacking within businesses and modern Western discipleship, and the Church. Thus his book The Discipleship Dilemma: Rethinking and Reforming How the Church Does Discipleship was born.

In our conversation he shares with us his personal story of God quite literally giving him a new heart and growing his heart to help leaders in churches as well as every member of the Body of Christ refresh and recapture their vision for Jesus’ call to go and make disciples of all nations. We unpack what discipleship is and isn’t, and how to address some of the issues going unaddressed in churches and hurting hearts who are questioning God because of their encounters with His people. Its a challenging message and conversation, but its a really really good one. I hope you’ll circle up for this family meeting of sorts and dive deep with us.

There are all kinds of ways this conversation could land on you and wherever you are in life as a whole and your relationship with God or with His church. I want you to know that no matter what, there is room for the wrestling and questions, and that is part of being a disciple in fact. There is hope for redemption, friends. Above all else, there is a God who loves you dearly and made you on purpose. Seek Him, and you WILL find him. I hope this podcast can be a tool to point you to places in scripture where you can learn to know Him more, but also to resources, tools and people that could perhaps aid you in your journey. Just know that you’re not alone. We’re all learning. Praise God He’s not finished with us. Just remember. You matter to the Lord. Your story matters.

Connecting with Dennis:

Book

Facebook

Instagram

Website

Episode Sponsor: Tony Crabtree of Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty

Facebook

Instagram

Tik Tok

Website

YouTube

References:

Pistol Pete Maravich

Jim Fixx The Running Book

Definition of orthodoxy

Definition of orthopraxy

Definition of heterodoxy

Young LIfe

Simeon the Styllite Elder

Billy Graham

Theodoret (wrote about Simeon)

The Bedouin world

To follow a rabbi as a Jewish student

Constantine’s impact on Christianity (we have great episodes on this part 1 and 2)

Clericalism

The word for “take heart” - Tharseo

CRU

Christ is the cornerstone

You have never met a mere mortal - C.S. Lewis

The Jesus Storybook Bible - Sally Lloyd Jones

Billy Graham’s Interview at the end of his life

William Wilberforce “You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say you did not know.”

Scripture References:

Matthew 28:19- Go and make disciples

John 6:66- From that time on many stopped following Jesus

John 14:6- Jesus is the way, the truth and the life

Psalm 143:3, 1 Peter 5:8- We have an enemy of our soul

James 3:1-5 Responsibility and accountability for leaders

Micah 6:8- do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God

Acts 15- Early Church arguments

The Church is the Bride of Christ

Matthew 16:18, Romans 8:36-39- Nothing can stop the church

Matthew 16:24-26-If you are my follow Me you must take up the cross and follow Me

Ephesians 4:11-16 (not GAlatians) - some are called to be evangelists

1 Peter 4:12-19 - we have the reason for the hope

1 Corinthians 12-We all have spiritual gifts

Jeremiah 29:11- plans for hope and a future

Romans 11:11-31-You are grafted into the family of God

John 15-without Christ we can do nothing

2 Pter 1:3-we have all been given what we need for life and godliness

John 21:22- do you understand what it means to be a disciple?

John 16:33- Take heart I have overcome the world

Exodus 14:13-14-Don’t be afraid (before Red Sea crossing)

Psalm 91:4-6- We live under the shelter of His wings

Luke 15:11-32- Prodigal sons and daughters

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