In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer engages with Dr. Carmen Imes about her book 'Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters.' They explore the themes of identity, vocation, and belonging within the context of the church, discussing the significance of ecclesia and its roots in the Old Testament. The conversation emphasizes the continuity of God's people from the Old Testament to the New Testament, the importance of community in faith, and the call for believers to actively participate in the church despite its imperfections. Dr. Imes invites listeners to recognize their role in the church and the blessings that come from being part of a community of faith. from Carmen Joy Imes on Substack or view her YouTube channel.  Buy the book: Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters at ivpress.com (use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount) 🔗 Learn more about Useful to God: www.usefultogod.com 📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation! For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Series of Books02:54 Exploring the Theme of Identity, Vocation, and Belonging06:05 Understanding Ecclesia and the Church's Roots08:55 Continuity of God's People: Old Testament to New Testament12:02 The Family Language in the New Testament15:10 The Multicultural Family of God17:57 The Exodus: From Serving Pharaoh to Serving God24:19 The Call to Faithfulness Over Success30:10 Incorporating the Outsider: A Familial Metaphor33:27 The Church's Role in Community and Conflict39:11 Sacrifice and Service in the Church41:55 An Invitation to Engage with the Church Keywords church, community, belonging, identity, vocation, ecclesia, Old Testament, New Testament, God's family, faith Takeaways The church is a community that reflects God's character.Belonging to the church requires active participation and commitment.The theme of identity, vocation, and belonging is central to understanding faith.Ecclesia has roots in the Old Testament, emphasizing community gathering.The church is not just a place for individual growth but a family.God's people have always included a diverse, multicultural community.The New Testament emphasizes unity among believers despite differences.Faithfulness is more important than success in the Christian life.Church hurt should not deter us from engaging with the community.The church is called to reflect God's love and grace to the world. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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