Upside Down People

Is the modern church accidentally creating consumers instead of disciples? Theologian Alastair Roberts and pastor Rory Shiner reveal why churches are struggling to form committed followers of Jesus, how consumer culture has quietly reshaped Christian community, and why a local sports club may understand discipleship better than many Sunday services.
Alastair Roberts is an independent theologian working with the Theophilus Institute and Davenant Institute, known for his work in theology, church history, liturgy, and cultural criticism. Rory Shiner is a Perth-based pastor and author who has spent years doing the ordinary, difficult work of building a local church.
They explain:
◼ Why many churches have unintentionally trained people to be consumers instead of participants—and how worship shifted from something people do to something people watch
◼ Why “what you win them with is what you win them to” and how low expectations can create churches where commitment never grows
◼ Why Jesus formed people through practices, habits, and embodied action—and why our hearts often follow what we repeatedly do
◼ What a grass-roots sports club reveals about koinonia, sacrifice, and belonging—and why genuine community requires everyone to have “skin in the game”

Why does the resurrection of Jesus still change everything in our chaotic world? UK pastor and evangelist Mike Hood reveals the powerful evidence, life-altering implications, and why this one historical event answers our deepest questions about meaning, love, justice, and hope.
Mike Hood is a pastor, evangelist, and author with years of experience helping skeptics and seekers explore faith. In his new book If That Changes Everything, he combines personal story, historical reasoning, and gospel hope.
He unpacks:◼️ Why the resurrection isn't a leap in the dark but a step onto solid ground◼️ How what happens after death radically shapes how we live right now◼️ The real reason many don't want the resurrection to be true◼️ Why the failure of the secular story is driving people back to church◼️ How Jesus' resurrection turns our daily labour from sandcastles into seeds that last forever"

If you want to grab a copy of Mike's book head over to The Good Book Company

Australian Christian Party Leader Maryka Groenewald reveals what it's really like being the first Christian MP in WA Parliament, bridging faith and politics, and why the Church can no longer stay silent.
Hon Maryka Groenewald MLC is the first Christian elected to any Parliament in Western Australia and the Leader of the Australian Christians. A bold voice for faith, life, family, and freedom, she is passionate about bridging the gap between the Church and politics.
Maryka shares her powerful journey from South Africa to the corridors of power, the hard truths about life, freedom, and cultural battles, and how Christians can engage meaningfully in politics without compromise.
She breaks down:◼️ Why disengaged churches create a vacuum that's now being filled◼️ The life issue, supporting women in crisis, and why adoption reform matters◼️ What true freedom of speech and conscience look like in Australia◼️ Navigating vicious preference deals, intimidation, and staying grounded in faith◼️ The personal cost of leadership and how to build resilience for the long haul

For more info head to https://marykagroenewald.com/

What if you’re chasing the wrong thing? Musician, clinical chaplain & former AFL chaplain of the West Coast Eagles Paul Morrison reveals the raw, unfiltered pains of grief, suffering, authentic faith and finding life on the other side of loss.
Paul Morrison, Director of Missions at Sonshine FM, just poured 18 months of deep despair, identity crisis and valley-season pain into his brand-new album, Valley of the Shadow, that we talk about and
He reveals:
◼️ The ONE mirror that instantly destroys performance-based identity
◼️ Why walking into other people’s grief was something that healed his own depression
◼️ The exact moment he realised “empty is enough” because Christ lives in him
◼️ Why most men have no idea who they are when they can’t “do” anymore
◼️ The song that became his “piss off” to grief, trauma and the devil himself
◼️ How fatherhood, loss and the ticking clock taught him to suck the marrow out of every single ordinary 

Link to the Album: Valley of the Shadow
(https://open.spotify.com/album/4lYH6Q3nItHiwJzVhgTt26?si=sRYfiygwTSenn7reYBeZxA)

Why has belief in God made a surprising comeback in the West? Veteran broadcaster and debate host Justin Brierley reveals the impacts behind the collapse of New Atheism, the power of real dialogue, and why Christianity still shapes our culture!
Justin Brierley is a writer, speaker, broadcaster and veteran of debate, known for hosting Unbelievable and his brand-new show Uncommon Ground.
He explains:◼️ Why New Atheism imploded from within and what replaced it◼️ The ONE historical truth that shows our deepest Western values are irreducibly Christian◼️ How to have genuinely good conversations in a polarised, rage-bait world◼️ The surprising intellectual case for Christianity that even secular thinkers can’t ignore◼️ Why “cultural Christianity” without Jesus at the centre is just another form of idolatry

Find out more about Justin and his work - https://justinbrierley.com/

Listen/ Watch Justin's Uncommon Ground Episodes - https://www.youtube.com/@justinbrierley