In this Global Campus Forum, Dr. Travis Montgomery hosts Jen Wilkin—author, Bible teacher, and co‑host of the Knowing Faith podcast—for an in‑depth conversation about Bible literacy and what it truly means to know Scripture well. Jen distinguishes between Bible literacy and Bible fluency, challenges devotional and quiet‑time paradigms that prioritize feelings over understanding, and calls Christians to become learners who can interpret, apply, and teach the Scriptures faithfully. Together they explore literacy trends in both church and society, the limits of sermon‑only discipleship, and how thoughtful instructional design can cultivate deep, durable engagement with God’s Word.

About the Podcast

Local Theologians is a podcast for everyday Christians and ministry leaders from Midwestern Seminary's Global Campus. Learn more about online theological education at mbts.edu/global.

Keywords

Bible literacy, Bible fluency, discipleship, theological education, Jen Wilkin, active learning, Bible study methods, Christian formation, discipleship, Knowing Faith, Deep Discipleship

Takeaways

• Bible literacy involves firsthand knowledge of Scripture, not merely knowledge about it.

• The goal of Bible literacy is Bible fluency—learning to inhabit the worldview and language of Scripture.

• Quiet‑time culture often prioritizes instant emotional payoff over long‑term formation.

• Scripture should first be read to understand who God is before applying it to the self.

• Deep learning requires faithful, repeated engagement—like deposits in a long‑term savings account.

• Effective discipleship requires scope and sequence, not only content or preferences.

• Active learning environments help believers move from dependence on teachers to confident participation.

• Theological growth occurs best when personal study, discussion, and teaching work together.

• Raising expectations does not discourage real learners; predictability and trust sustain commitment.

• Bible literacy fuels worship, clarity, confidence, and faithfulness to the Great Commission.

In this episode, Dr. Travis Montgomery talks with Dr. Mason Ballard—Lead Pastor of Resurrection Church in Charleston, WV—about the doctrine of catholicity (little‑c) and how recovering a sense of the church’s universality across time and space has transformed his ministry. Mason explains how Baptist convictions harmonize with the historic Christian confession of ‘one holy, catholic, and apostolic church,’ why ‘catholic’ doesn’t mean ‘Roman Catholic,’ and how embracing the wholeness of the global and historic church shapes worship, partnership, posture, and humility. They discuss practical expressions of catholicity in church planting, liturgy, ecumenical charity, and ministry context as well as cautions for those rediscovering ancient practices for the first time.

About the Podcast

Local Theologians is a podcast for everyday Christians and ministry leaders from Midwestern Seminary's Global Campus. Learn more about online theological education at mbts.edu/global.

Keywords

catholicity, universal church, Baptist identity, retrieval, liturgy, worship, church history, unity, ecumenism, Mason Ballard, Resurrection Church

Takeaways

• Catholicity means ‘universal’—a doctrine about the wholeness of Christ’s church across time and space.

• Affirming catholicity does not mean affirming Roman Catholicism; Baptists can joyfully confess the church’s universality.

• Catholicity shapes posture: awareness of the broader church, humility, charity, and discernment in cooperation.

• The doctrine calls pastors and churches to listen to voices from church history and global Christianity.

• Catholicity brings unity and diversity together—local expressions vary without abandoning shared essentials.

• Worship liturgy can be shaped by historic Christian practices while remaining contextual and convictional.

• Beware ‘cage‑stage’ retrieval—learn from tradition without constantly shifting traditions or despising one’s roots.

• Ecumenism is guided by convictions: partner where you can but remain rooted in Scripture and confessional clarity.

In this Global Campus Forum, Dr. Travis Montgomery interviews Dr. JT English—Lead Pastor of Storyline Church, co-founder of Training the Church, co-host of the Knowing Faith podcast, and author of *Deep Discipleship*—about the growing movement of church-based theological education. JT shares his story of coming to faith, discovering theological formation in seminary rather than the local church, and why he has devoted his life to bringing robust discipleship back into the heart of congregational life. Their conversation covers the value of theological education, why churches are reclaiming discipleship, how seminaries and churches partner well, and how ordinary believers can discern next steps toward deeper training and ministry involvement.

About the Podcast

Local Theologians is a podcast for everyday Christians and ministry leaders from Midwestern Seminary's Global Campus. Learn more about online theological education at mbts.edu/global.

Keywords

church-based theological education, discipleship, seminary partnership, deep discipleship, JT English, Training the Church, Knowing Faith podcast, ministry preparation, local church leadership

Takeaways

• Every Christian is called to deep discipleship—not just pastors or academics.

• Theological education was historically centered in the local church and is returning there today.

• Seminaries provide expertise, structure, and formation that local churches cannot fully replicate.

• Church-based training keeps developing leaders embedded in their congregations while they grow.

• The rise in online learning and delivery platforms has opened new hybrid models of formation.

• Pastors should invite hungry members into deeper study and help them discern calling.

• Churches can begin by asking key questions: What is a disciple? How do disciples grow? How will we send them?

• Programs like Deep Discipleship and local institutes help churches start without building everything from scratch.

• Preaching and classroom-style teaching complement one another—neither replaces the other.

• All Christians need theological formation, even if they do not pursue formal academic degrees.