The One Thing

• 424 The AI debate: what's a Christian to do?

  AI is knocking at the church door. Do we let it in? We debate that topic today with Emma Wilkins and Paul Matthews as they wrestle with how pastors and gospel workers can engage with AI.AI is knocking at the church door. Do we let it in? We debate that topic right here today, hear arguments from both Emma Wilkins and Paul Matthews as they wrestle with how pastors and gospel workers can engage with AI.Highlights:Healthy debate on AI’s benefits and risksConcerns about replacing human creativity and relationshipsAI as a tool for translation, accessibility, and teachingThe importance of pastoral transparency and trustCalling churches to keep teaching what it means to be humanPaul Matthews is a teacher, AI tech founder and consultant. He is a regular keynote speaker for education conferences, Ed Tech festivals, and spoke at TEDxHobart in 2024.Emma Wilkins is Tasmanian journalist and freelance writer. Emma is also an Associate for the Centre for Public Christianity, and serves on the AFES (Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students) board of directors. She attends Crossroads Presbyterian Church.TOOL BOX:Five Lies of the AI World by Paul MatthewsMade in Our Image by Stephen DriscollTOT Ep 398 on Sunflower AI technologyArticles on managing AI change and discipleshipPaul’s TEDx talkCREDITS:This episode was brought to you by Stanton DahlThe One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠Support Reach Australia's online library

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• 423 The hidden weight of ministry: why coaching matters for pastors' wives (Cathie Heard)

  Ministry wives carry unseen pressures and influence. It’s the role no one defines but everyone watches. Cathie Heard talks about what ministry wives are really carrying, and why support can’t wait.We cover:The ambiguity of a pastor’s wife’s role and the hidden pressures it createsWhat gospel coaching really is (and what it’s not)The strange tension of being influential but unseenWhat churches risk by ignoring this groupHow coaching helps women ask better questions — of themselves and othersTOOL BOX:Wives Network - Reach AustraliaChurch Planting PodcastCREDITS:This episode was brought to you by TrellisThe One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠Support Reach Australia's online library

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• 422 Preaching to two audiences (Al Stewart)

  If your preaching only speaks to Christians, you're missing half the room. Al Stewart lays out why preaching to both believers and unbelievers is not optional. It is essential for any church that wants to grow through gospel impact. This is a sharp call to lift your preaching game, build a culture of invitation, and make every sermon count for eternity.What’s discussed:• Why preaching should always assume two audiences• How to critique worldviews without alienating people• Preaching Psalm 1 to Christians and non-Christians• How to handle historical books like Chronicles• The importance of trust for invitation culture• Practical tips for preparation and next steps• What small groups can learn from this modelTOOL BOX:This week we recommend you find your own passage and think about how you’ll apply it to two different audiencesFor a great example check out: Preaching by Tim KellerCREDITS:This episode was brought to you by EA InsuranceThe One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠Support Reach Australia's online library

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• 421 Ditching the "couples bias" in church (Dani Treweek)

  Churches often revolve around couples and families, but what message does that send to the growing number of single Christians? This episode unpacks the hidden assumptions behind “couples bias” and what it means to build churches where singles aren’t just welcomed, but necessary. We cover:Why the nuclear family isn’t the centre of church lifeHow singleness points to eternity, just like marriageWhat pastors miss when they overlook single adultsEasy fixes that do more harm than goodHow married people can be better friends to singlesThe challenge to name all the single people in your churchRev. Dr Danielle (Dani) Treweek is a theological researcher, author, and speaker with a focus on singleness, sexuality, and worldview formation. She leads the Single Minded ministry and serves as Sydney Anglican Diocesan Research Officer. She writes for Christianity Today, ABC Religion & Ethics, and The Gospel Coalition Australia.TOOL BOX:The Meaning of Singleness by Danielle TreweekSingle Ever After by Danielle TreweekDani’s website with further resourcesNo Greater Love by Rebecca McLaughlinCREDITS:This episode was brought to you by YouthworksThe One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠Support Reach Australia's online library

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• 420 Church in the city: a different way to do small groups (Jess Ngo)

  City life changes the way small groups work. Jess Ngo from Scots Presbyterian Church Sydney shares what she’s learned leading groups in the CBD — where people move in and out quickly, apartments are small, and the community is incredibly multicultural.She talks about why they meet at the church building, how they keep studies short and sharp, and why raising up new leaders every year is so important.Jess shares how they’ve adapted — meeting at the church building, keeping studies tight, and raising leaders every year — and why it matters to shape groups for your own context.Jess is a pastoral assistant of Scots Presbyterian Church in the middle of the Sydney CBD.TOOLBOX:Ep 418 Measuring small group health with Richard SweatmanEp 419 Are small groups a strategy with Silas ThiemLeading Small Groups that Thrive by Hartwig, Davis and SniffScots Hub Leadership DescriptionCREDITS:This episode was brought to you by ChurchSuiteThe One Thing is brought to you by ⁠⁠Reach Australia⁠⁠To pray for Reach Australia, join our ⁠⁠WhatsApp Group⁠⁠For ideas or questions please email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠Support Reach Australia's online library

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