The One Thing

• 428 Nobody needs another mini-sermon: rethinking public prayer (Natalie Ray)

  Public prayer often gets treated like a warm-up act in church. But what if it’s one of the most spiritually potent moments in the whole service? Natalie Ray wants us to stop coasting and start leading prayers that actually lead.Why public prayer is often flat — and how to fix itWhat changes when we treat prayer as intercession, not narrationThe real reason your church probably struggles with prayerHow the Lord’s Prayer can reshape more than just the words we sayNatalie leads the Magnification and Maturity ministries at Toongabbie Anglican ChurchTOOL BOX:Prayerfulness by Peter AdamPreparing to Lead Intercessions in Church by Peter AdamBe Thou My Vision by Jonathan GibsonOperation WorldEvery Moment HolyCREDITS: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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• 427 Are acronyms anti-gospel? (aka AAAG) (Dominic Steele)

  Acronyms might save time, but are they costing us people? Dominic Steele wants pastors to rethink their acronym addiction — not just because it’s annoying, but because it is anti-gospel.Why church leaders cling to acronyms that no one understandBiblical principles that challenge coded languageHow acronyms can quietly push people away from churchThe hidden arrogance behind insider shorthandPractical ways to audit your church’s insider languageDominic is the senior pastor of Village Church in Annandale and the host of The Pastors Heart.TOOL BOX:Reach Australia DigitalThe Pastors HeartDo an audit of your ministry today!CREDITS: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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• 426 Ministry teams suck (unless you get these 4 things right)

  Most ministry teams don’t fall apart because of conflict. They often drift because people stop showing up — in body, heart, or prayer.In this episode, Dave Moore talks about what helps teams become healthy, dependable, and deeply Christian. He unpacks the four things that make a team worth being part of — the kind that actually helps people follow Jesus together.In this episode:The four things every team needs to get rightThe quiet crisis of people in ministry who’ve stopped showing upWhat happens when Christians act like Christians in conflict and frustrationWhy your team needs a prayer, not just a vision statementHow one personality tool helped a team move from endless “I wonder…” meetings to real progressDave Moore became a Christian through SRE at primary school. Dave is the Executive Pastor at Hunter Bible Church in Newcastle. He is also an author and the Founding Director of Safe Ministry Check online.TOOL BOX:The Team Member’s Handbook by Dave MooreThe Team Leader’s Handbook by Dave MooreEpisode 393 Handing Volunteer Team Leaders Responsibility with Dave MooreCREDITS:This episode was brought to you by Safe Ministry CheckThe 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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• 425 From nominal to all-in: the new face of faith (Stephen McApline)

  Young men are trickling back into churches, but are they here to stay — and are we ready for them? Steve McAlpine joins to unpack the subtle but significant shifts in cultural currents and what churches must rethink to disciple a new kind of Christian convert.Key points:Why Google searches for “Bible” and “Christianity” are spiking — and what it might mean.The end of nominalism and the rise of “full-fat” faith.What young men are really looking for when they show up at church.Why Sunday attendance and midweek group aren’t enough.The critical role of Christian households in modeling a different life.Why tone, not just truth, matters more than ever.Stephen McAlpine worked as a National Communicator for City Bible Forum, and was also pastoring a church in Perth. He has degrees in journalism and theology and enjoys combining the two through writing and blogging, especially on matters of church planting and cultural negotiation for Christians in the increasingly complex West.TOOL BOX:Disruptive Witness by Alan NobleYou Are Not Your Own by Alan NobleFirst Things – journal of religion and public life“Full Fat Faith” article by James Marriott (The Times, UK)Wes Huff – Christian apologist (his YouTube channel)Questioning Christianity by Dan PatersonStephen's Substack  – a great place to start working through a platform for cultural commentary and analysisCREDITS: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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• 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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