Description

Spencer Shaw, minister and host of Thinking Theologically, is on Christianity Without Compromise (then called Theology Meets World) with host Jake Doberenz to discuss how church culture—whether toxic, apathetic, or unintentional—is shaping the future of discipleship in America. Drawing from his new book Cultivating Culture, Spencer identifies the church itself as a major factor in its own decline, arguing that many congregations unknowingly cultivate environments that repel rather than reflect the gospel. He outlines why most churches don’t realize they even have a culture, explores what scripture—especially Paul’s letters—says about creating a healthy one, and challenges leaders to think spiritually rather than strategically when shaping the soul of a congregation.

Key takeaways:

• Churches are unintentionally creating harmful cultures — not through bad theology, but through neglecting how their everyday habits and decisions form people spiritually.
• Paul’s letters were about shaping culture, not just doctrine — especially around reconciliation, forgiveness, and bearing with one another in love.
• Church leaders must stop enabling gossip and conflict avoidance — unaddressed relational patterns undermine everything else a church tries to do.

Important Links:

• “Cultivating Culture: Creating Spirit-Powered Churches for the Future” by Spencer Shaw
• “A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing” by Scot McKnight

Spencer Shaw is the Preaching Minister at the Lumberton Church of Christ in Lumberton, Texas. He has a B.A. in Preaching Ministry with a Minor in Family Science and a Master of Divinity from Oklahoma Christian University and is pursuing a Ph.D. in New Testament with an emphasis in the Historical Jesus and early Christianity. Spencer hosts the podcast Thinking Theologically.

Follow this show and Jake’s writings at jakedoberenz.substack.com.