LIVING FAITH BIBLE INSTITUTE

 

In ministry circles we often repeat the phrase, “God doesn’t call the equipped—He equips the called.” But what if that well-meaning statement leaves out something essential? Throughout Scripture, the men God used most were not rushed into leadership—they were shaped, tested, humbled, and prepared long before they were ever placed in front of people. Moses learned obscurity before shepherding a nation, David fought private battles before public ones, Joseph managed faithfully before ruling, and the disciples followed long before they were sent. In this episode we explore the difference between being trained and being formed—between gaining ministry skills and becoming the kind of person God can trust with souls—and why recovering a biblical view of preparation may be one of the most important conversations for the next generation of church leaders. 

Today we’re joined by Mitch Dobson, an instructor of Bible Survey at the Living Faith Bible Institute. His heart for discipleship and leadership development makes him especially well-suited for a conversation about how God prepares people for ministry, not just in knowledge but in character.

And don't forget to catch this week's episode of SoundMind!

What actually produces real change in a person? In this searching and deeply personal episode, Jonathan Kindler wrestles with a question that sits at the center of therapy, discipleship, and spiritual formation: is relief the same thing as transformation? Drawing from clinical experience, Scripture, and vivid storytelling, he explores the difference between symptom reduction and surrender—between feeling better and becoming new.

Church buildings don’t just house Christians—they are built to facilitate so much more—each building quietly tells a story about what your church values. Long before a word is preached, the space itself establishes the way in which people will engage—how people understand authority, worship, and the mission. For each denomination, and each tradition the building guides believers to better understand their theology in different ways. 

From persecuted Anabaptists meeting in homes and fields, to simple Baptist meetinghouses in the New World, to revival-era preaching spaces, suburban church complexes, and today’s eclectic mix of megachurches, old buildings and minimalist spaces—by examining what Baptists have built—we ask a foundational question for today: what do our meeting spaces say about what we believe, prioritize and whether our buildings still serve the mission they were meant to support? 

In today’s episode of the Postscript, I’m joined by Dr. David Bains professor at Howard College of Arts and Sciences at Samford University. Dr. Bains teaches courses that examine the interaction between theology, culture and religious life. His research has appeared in over a dozen books and journals. Today we hope that Dr. Bains will help us better understand the correlation between the historic Baptist mission and the buildings in which they met.

And don't forget to catch this week's episode of SoundMind!

When did therapy become the primary place we bring our soul? In this reflective episode, Jonathan Kindler explores the quiet cultural shift from shared life to contained care. Blending scripture, clinical insight, and personal confession, he examines how autonomy, privacy, and modern therapy culture have reshaped the way we understand healing, formation, and growth. This episode doesn’t diminish therapy. It places it in context—asking deeper questions about proximity, surrender, and the kind of transformation Scripture describes.

 

 

Church planting involves people, prayer, and the teaching of God’s word—but sooner or later—every church planter runs headlong into a very practical question: where do we actually gather? In a city like London, that question isn’t a footnote—it’s a weekly dilemma. Do you invite strangers into your home or relegate meetings to public spaces until trust is built? When does a Bible study become a church family, and what kind of space helps that happen? And what do you do when historic church buildings are closing, but you’ve been priced out? Today’s conversation is about that tension: staying faithful to evangelism and discipleship while navigating a city where “space” is scarce, expensive, but important. 

Our guest is Brian Clark, an experienced church planter who previously planted a church in London in the Chislehurst area—and by God’s grace, that work is now healthy and autonomous. Brian and his family are now stepping out to plant a second church, but even with experience and a deep knowledge of the city, he’s facing fresh uncertainties: how to build fellowship, how to move from street evangelism to intimate community, and how to think creatively about meeting spaces when traditional options feel out of reach.

And don't forget to catch this week's episode of SoundMind!

 

 

Has therapy quietly become the default answer to every kind of pain? In this opening episode of the Confessions of a Therapist series, Jonathan Kindler steps inside the tension many people feel but rarely say out loud. Blending scripture, personal story, and lived clinical insight, Jonathan explores the difference between help and healing, why distress is not always dysfunction, and how modern culture may be asking therapy to carry weight it was never meant to hold.

Greeting, LFBI Students!

I wanted to remind everyone of three important tasks about managing your account for LFBI. I have included step-by-step instructions below for (1) uploading a profile picture, (2) filling out your profile, and (3) ensuring that you are receiving emails sent to your student email address.

Please make sure that you have completed these steps, and let me know if you have questions or issues. I'd be glad to help.

Did you recently listen to the Postscript interview with Brandon Peterson, Bible student and designer of KJVCOMPARE.COM?

KJVCompare.com is an online tool designed to compare the King James Version with modern English Bible translations side by side. It highlights textual differences at the verse and word level, helping readers see where wording, structure, or content diverges. The site is especially useful for pastors, teachers, and students who want a clear, accessible way to evaluate translation philosophy and textual decisions.

Brandon is recruiting Bible students who would be interested in volunteering time to studying and helping generate content for the website. If you are interested in serving in one of the following volunteer roles, he would love to hear from you:

Researcher – Examines modern Bible versions and comparison resources to identify verses for inclusion on the site, then passes findings to Inputters. (A great fit for curious students who enjoy careful reading and comparison.)

Inputter – Enters verses provided by Researchers into the site and works alongside Quality Control to refine and improve entries. (Ideal for strong communicators who are comfortable multitasking on a computer.)

Quality Control – Reviews verses, highlights, categories, and notes to suggest corrections or improvements. (Best suited for careful, balanced thinkers with a strong attention to detail.)

If you believe the Lord may be leading you to help in this work—or if you know another student who might be interested—please feel free to reach out or forward this information. You can contact us through Patreon messages or by email at peterson6x@gmail.com.

Thank you for your consideration, and God bless.