S2:E4 John Mitchell & the CRA

Dave: Welcome to Church on Mission, the podcast of the Christian Restoration Association. I am Dave Jones, as always with Jim Book, and today we have a special guest John Mitchell, the director of the CRA. Jim, why don't you introduce John to our listeners

jim: Absolutely. And I I gotta make sure I get this right because John's my boss. So let me preface my remarks by saying, the finest man I've ever known in my life. Okay, now that we got that out of the way, John really is Yeah, we're all up for budget review, and I thought this might be a good time to tell everybody just how much I love my boss. Seriously, John and I have been friends for a long time. We came on the board together, John. I was going through some old CRAs.

Dave: Absolutely. And I I gotta make sure I get this right 'cause John's my boss. So let me preface my remarks by saying, the finest man I've ever known in my life. Okay, now that we got that out of the way, it's almost pay raise time, right? Yeah, we're all we're up for budget review and I thought this might be a good time to tell everybody just how much I love my boss. Seriously, John and I have been friends for a long time. We came on the board together, John. I was going through some O CRAs, Restoration Herald magazines and on the front covers, like introducing our two newest

jim: Ma our Restoration Herald magazines on the front covers like introducing our two newest members, John Mitchell and Jim Book.

Dave: I love our rich history. But since John's been with us, we've developed an incredible vision for the future.

jim: But since John's been with us, we've developed an incredible vision for the future. And so John, I mean, one of the things that you did

Dave: but John, I mean one of the things that you did before I got on and you still do, is you really helped manage the restoration.

jim: before I got on and you still do, is you really manage the restoration talk to us a little bit about how important this magazine is to our movement.

John Mitchell: Well, I'll be glad to. I appreciate you guys asking me to be on the podcast this week. You mentioned about the CRA, and we're here, I like to say it, we defend and disseminate New Testament Christianity. Maybe disseminate is not a word everybody's familiar with, but we defend New Testament Christianity and advance New Testament Christianity. That's what we're about. We've been doing that for over a hundred years. If you know your history, we came about at a time when there was a lot of threats from liberalism and

Dave: CRA and we're here, I like to say it, we defend and disseminate New Testament Christianity. Maybe disseminate is not a word everybody's familiar with, but we defend New Testament Christianity and advance New Testament Christianity. That's what we're about. We've been doing that for over a hundred years. If you know your history, we came about in a time when there was a lot of threats from liberalism and open membership and some other issues that were c inconsistent with what the New Testament teaches. And our

John Mitchell: open membership and some other issues that were c inconsistent with what the New Testament teaches. And our the Restoration Herald is our primary vehicle in how we do that. We have several avenues that we do to defend and disseminate, but education is one of them. And the Restoration Herald is one of our primary education vehicles.

Dave: The Restoration Herald is our primary vehicle in how we do that. We have several avenues that we do to defend in the seminar, but education is one of them and the Restoration Herald is one of our primary education vehicles.

John Mitchell: I think it's a critical publication. if you survey

Dave: And I think it's a critical publication. survey the Brotherhood, I mean over the history of our churches we've always had tendencies of people to drift here and drift there and they want to sacrifice baptism for forgiveness of sins or the Lord's Supper or leadership roles, whatever it

John Mitchell: the Brotherhood, I mean over the history of our churches, we've always had tendencies of people to drift here and drift there and they want to sacrifice baptism for the forgiveness of sins or the Lord's Supper or leadership roles, whatever it is.

Dave: is. And we've just been steadfast on that and we continue to put articles out, not so much to say why are you doing this, but explain what's behind these things.

John Mitchell: And we've just been steadfast on that. And we continue to put articles out, not so much to say, why are you doing this, but explain what's behind these things. Explain why baptism is for the forgiveness of sins and explain what New Testament polity actually looks like to defend the inspiration of and the inerrancy of the scriptures. Restoration Herald just fills that void. I

Dave: Explain why baptism is for the forgiveness of sins and explain what New Testament polity actually looks like to defend the inspiration of and the inerrancy of the Restoration Herald just fills that

John Mitchell: continue to be overwhelmed with the number of people that tell me how. important the magazine is and how encouraged they are to read it. You know, a lot of times in located ministry you feel like you're the only one and you get some information in once a month from a magazine, you realize, hey, I'm not the only one. There are other people out there that are standing for New Testament Christianity. We also publish a lot of books. We publish sound Bible resources. We're trying here to publish a wide per spectrum. That's what

Dave: for that. We also publish a lot of books. We publish sound Bible resources. We're trying here to publish a wide perspectrum.

John Mitchell: I that's the way I like to describe it. We have Books that we publish that are good for new believers, Christianity 101 books. We have commentaries, we have devotional books, we have books on history, and er just about everything in between. And we have a lot of books that we're we publish that are being used in small groups and Bible school classes to help work through and study books, particularly in the New Testament. And we that's that's our efforts to really defend and help advance the cause of New Testament Christianity.

Dave: That we publish that are good for new believers, Christianity 101 books, we have commentaries, we have devotional books, we have books on history, and ev just about everything in between. And we have a lot of books that we're we publish that are being used in small groups and Bible school classes to help work through and study books, particularly in the New Testament. And we that's that's our efforts to really defend and help advance the cause of New Testament Christianity. And and we've got a great website. Cra.org, T H E Cra

jim: Yes.

Dave: dot org and a bookstore where you can order everything there. And the Restoration Herald has recently been launched online as well as the print edition.

John Mitchell: Right, we we launched that actually a year and a half ago. It it came out of a conversation with four youth ministers. I sat down and I wanted to talk with them about strategies to get younger people reading the herald. Well, one of them was so honest and he looked at me and he goes, We want your content. We're not going to read your magazine. And I really appreciated his honesty. And what he meant was, I know you

Dave: really appreciated his honesty and what he meant was I know

John Mitchell: can come up with all the strategies you want, but a 25-year-old is not going to pick pick up a paper magazine and read it. And that's when I realized we had to regroup. We completely redid our website as a follow-up to that conversation I had with those four young men.

Dave: And that's I realized we had to regroup. We completely redid our the as a follow-up to that conversation I had with those four young men. We completely relaunched our website to make it herald-centric. So if you go to our website, you'll see the Restoration Herald right on the front page. And every, well not every, all the content of the magazine is available at no charge on our website.

John Mitchell: We completely relaunched our website and to make it Herald-centric. So if you go to our website, you'll see the Restoration Herald right on the front page. And every, or not every, all the content of the of the magazine is available at no charge on our website.

jim: John, you do a great job of spreading the wealth so beautifully, making sure the authors are hitting on all cylinders. Now that's hard to do, but I will say this, and it has nothing to do with the fact that I've been writing for it. Take my article out. If your church isn't getting this, you're doing a disservice to your church. When I travel, I take stacks with me, and

Dave: on practical mystery, light on theology. John, you do a great job of spreading the wealth so beautifully, making sure the authors are hitting on all cylinders. Now that's hard to do. But I will say this and it has nothing to do with the fact that I've been writing for take my article out. If your church isn't hitting this, you're doing a disservice to you to your church. When I travel

jim: we even let churches get a free year's subscription.

Dave: I take stacks with me and we even let churches get a free year subscription of a one bundle. But I I really encourage ch churches when I preach, man, if you're not getting this, man, you are missing out. It is a re ridiculously you can and just get it. Just get it. John, you you had a vision though

jim: W a one bundle. But I I really encourage ch churches when I preach, man, if you're not getting this, man, you are missing out. It is a ridiculously good magazine John, you you had a vision though to develop this magazine, not just for the United States of America.

Dave: developed this magazine

jim: But now you put the Restoration Herald out for our friends across the pond in Africa. Can you talk about how that vision all came about?

Dave: not just for the United States of America but now you put the Restoration Herald out for our friends across the pond in Africa.

John Mitchell: Yes, that was Al Surhal, who is the director of Hippo Valley Christian Mission, approached me

Dave: Yes, that was Al Surhal, who is the director of Hippo Valley Christian Mission, approached me

John Mitchell: probably almost three years ago with an idea that he had, and I'll give him credit for having the idea, to publish a sister publication

Dave: Yeah.

John Mitchell: over in Zimbabwe. And I traveled over there about two and a half years ago and worked with a guy named Emmanuel Timbo who

Dave: about two and half years ago and worked with a guy named Emmanuel Timber.

John Mitchell: has become who's become the editor, and we launched the Restoration Herald Africa.

Dave: editor and we launched the Restoration Herald Africa, it's 100% funded by us. We're funding all of the printing, all of the writing. It's 100% funded by the CRA. I kind of serve as the executive editor for lack of a better term. Manual Timbo does the hard work. But that is published quarterly, patterned very much like our magazine, looks similar to ours. It has been a huge hit.

John Mitchell: It's a hundred percent funded by us. We're funding all of the printing, all of the writing. It's a hundred percent funded by the CRA. I kind of serve as the executive editor for lack of a better term, but Manuel Timbo does the hard work. But that is published quarterly. It's patterned very much like our magazine, looks similar to ours. It has been a huge hit. the what's going on in Zimbabwe is kind of beyond the scope of this podcast, I think, but they've had a lot of issues over there in the churches.

Dave: what's going on in Zimbabwe is kind of beyond the scope of this podcast, I think. But they've had a lot of issues over there in the churches

John Mitchell: With some doctrinal things, some charismatic issues. And the idea was to get sound biblical teaching out to the churches in Zimbabwe. And it has been a huge hit. And not only is it going to Zimbabwe, it's going up to Zambia, Kenya, over to Mozambique. There's multi I think Uganda, there are multiple countries that are getting the Restoration Herald Africa. It's really been a blessing

Dave: with some doctrinal things, some charismatic issues, and the idea was to get sound biblical teaching out to the churches in Zimbabwe, and it has been a huge hit. And not only is it going to Zimbabwe, it's going up to Zambia, Kenya, over to Mozambique. There's multi I think Uganda, there are multiple countries that are getting the Restoration Herald Africa. It's really been a

John Mitchell: to the churches. We launched it two years ago.

Dave: To the churches. We launched it two years ago. I was over there this past February for a different event that we have launched over in.

John Mitchell: I was over there this past February for a different event that we have launched over in Zimbabwe and I got a lot of feedback. I had a chance to talk to some of the African preachers, and they're so thankful for that Restoration Herald. It's really, really helping them. The lessons in our Herald w probably the single most surprising thing I've learned since I've been at CRA is how many churches use the lessons. There's a lot of elders out there, Sunday school teachers, they're working

Dave: The lessons in our Herald probably the single most surprising thing I've learned since I've been at CRA is how many churches use the lessons. There's a lot of elders out there, Sunday school teachers, they're working

John Mitchell: Full-time job, they've got families, they've got a lot of activities going on. Meanwhile, they're trying to get ready for a weekly lesson, and the lesson allows them to have something that they can take and teach from. Well, that same thing has happened in Zimbabwe. They're using

Dave: a full-time job, they've got families, they've got a lot of activities going on. Meanwhile they're trying to get ready for a weekly lesson and the lesson allows them to have something that they can take and teach from. Well that same thing is happening in Zimbabwe.

John Mitchell: the lessons they're in the Herald to teach weekly. The lessons are sound, they're very very well done. So that Restoration Herald

Dave: using the lessons they're in the herald to teach weekly. The lessons are sound, they're well very well done.

John Mitchell: Africa has been a huge hit and it's been a good mission for us too.

Dave: been a good mission for us too.

jim: I just really appreciate the fact you use a lot of

Dave: Okay, just really

jim: their preachers, you highlight their programs, their massive events are going on in Zimbabwe and the surrounding countries, and you let them kind of discuss the issues pertaining to African culture, African churches,

Dave: them kinda discuss the issues pertaining

jim: and yet the CRA, under your leadership had the vision to expand our influence and roll over there. so I I really I I commend you for that and I'm excited about being a part of this new

Dave: Yet the CRA under your leadership has a vision to expand our influence and roll over there. so I I really I I commend you for that and I'm

jim: movement in in sub Saharan Africa.

Dave: in and sub Saharan Africa. Yeah, and that's a good point. When Al approached me he had the idea that we would have a lot of American writers and reprint a lot of articles from over here and I said you you don't want to do that. You want to get your own guy

John Mitchell: Yeah, that's a good point. When Al approached me, he had the idea that we would have a lot of American writers and reprint a lot of articles from over here. And I said, You you don't want to do that. You want to get your own guys writing. They know the culture. It's people that they know. I have a philosophy in the Herald. I want the readers to be able to meet the writers. I get asked sometimes, hey, are you gonna reprint some old Jack Cottrell articles? And no, I don't I don't want to do that. And nothing is Jack Cottrell. I want people to be able to

Dave: Letting know I have a philosophy in the Herald. I want the readers to be able to meet the writers. I get asked sometimes, hey, are you gonna reprint some old Jack Cocktrell articles? And no, I don't want to do that. And nothing is Jack Cocktrell. I want people to be able to meet the writers. If they go to Hillsborough, if they go to Winter Worship and Workshop, I want them to be able to say, Hey, you write for the Herald. Same thing's true in Africa. It doesn't do any good for me to write an article that people are never gonna see me. I want them to be able to

John Mitchell: Meet the writers. If they go to Hillsborough, if they go to Winnow Worship and Workshop, I want them to be able to say, Hey, you write for the Herald. Same thing's true in Africa. It doesn't do any good for me to write an article that the people are never gonna see me. I want them to be able to have the guys that are in Africa ministering to them right where as they travel to various events in Africa, they can meet the writers.

jim: we were in a hotel in Victoria Falls and it was the the magazines were sitting in the in the in the lobby and I thought I I don't know if we have sitting in our hotels, but they do there.

Dave: Well, John, also on the website there's job postings for preachers if any church is looking or a opportunity for other ministry roles within the church. It's a great tab that they could select on the website. And then there's events going on as well. And I wanted to spend some time today talking about two of the events we have, one here in Ohio and one in Florida, and in particular just talk about why it's so important for ministers, elders, and other members of the church to be participants. in both events that we have coming up.

John Mitchell: Well, appreciate that. In October, we have our biennial every two years CRA Bible conference. The old symposium is kind of morphed into what I call a Bible conference now. It's a themed event, and we're doing the one this year on rekindle the restoration. I love the restoration movement. And I came out of a denominational background and I have what I call yeah but religion. You go to a place, I know the Bible says that but. I know the Bible says that but.

Dave: I know the Bible says that but. I know the Bible says that but. And I grew up in that yeah but environment. And that always bothered me. And the thing I love about the Restoration Movement is we are not yeah but religion. If the Bible says baptize for forgiveness of sins, then we'll baptize for forgiveness of sins. If the Bible says that Paul wrote Ephesians, then Paul wrote Ephesians. We don't have yeah but religion. And I love that. And I love the principles of the Restoration Movement, that where the scriptures speak, we speak. The Bible only makes Christians

John Mitchell: And I grew up in that yeah but environment. And that always bothered me. And the thing I love about the restoration movement is we are not yeah but religion. If the Bible says baptize for forgiveness of sins, then we'll baptize for forgiveness of sins. If the Bible says that Paul wrote Ephesians, then Paul wrote Ephesians. We don't have yeah but religion. And I love that. And I love the principles of the restoration movement that where the scriptures speak, we speak. The Bible only makes Christians only.

Dave: only.

John Mitchell: We're doing this event this fall.

Dave: We're doing this event this fall

John Mitchell: Because one of the things I hear a lot on the road is people are concerned about where are we as a restoration movement. And I think we're fine. But what I what we want to do is take the principles that started this great movement that created so many of these solid churches, and take those principles and just present them to people and say, listen, these principles were valid 200 years ago, they're valid

Dave: because one of the things I hear a lot on the road is people are concerned about where are we as a recreational movement. And I think we're fine. But what I we want to do is take the principles that started this great movement that created so many of these solid churches, take those principles and just present them to people and say, Listen, these principles were valid two hundred years ago, they're

John Mitchell: today. The idea of taking the Bible only still works. The Bible is our only rule of faith in practice. Taking the guidance that where the scriptures speak, we speak, that still works.

Dave: and practice. Taking the guidance that with the scriptures speak, we speak. That still works.

John Mitchell: And the principles that drove the movement 200 years ago, they're still valid. And I think we have a great future. And that's the idea behind the event. It's October, I think 22nd and 23rd. It's a Thursday and Friday in October. Starts on a Thursday afternoon and ends at noon on Friday. So it's less than 24 hours. So you can come into town on Thursday, spend the night, and be out of town on Friday afternoon.

Dave: And the principles that drove the movement 200 years ago, they're still valid. And I think we have a great future. And that's the idea behind the event. It's October, I think 22nd and 23rd. It's a Thursday and Friday and October starts on a Thursday afternoon and ends at noon on Friday, so it's less than 24 hours. So you come into town on Thursday, spend the night and be out of town on Friday afternoon.

John Mitchell: There's seven sessions, they're all related to principles related to the restoration movement. Then we also have a banquet.

Dave: Seven sessions, they're all related to principles related to the restoration movement. And we also have a banquet.

John Mitchell: We give a award out every two years called the Sword and Trial Award that we give to individuals who have the sword. They've defended New Testament Christianity and trial. They've built the New Testament church. And we have three awardees that were given this year. So that event's in October. I think it's going to be great. The last couple we've done, we've gotten tremendous feedback. We've had real good attendance. So I would really encourage the people

Dave: We give a award out every two years called the Sword and Trial Award that we give to individuals who have the sword. They the New Testament Christianity and trial. They've built the New Testament church. We have three awardees that we're giving this year. So that events in October. I think it's gonna be great. Last couple we've done, we've gotten tremendous feedback. We've got real good attendance. So I would really encourage

John Mitchell: to check that out. There's a lot of information on our website about what the topics are and who

Dave: people to check that out. There's a lot of information on our website about what the topics

John Mitchell: the speakers are. And of course they have any questions, they can always get in touch with us. So that's our October event. I'm super excited about.

Dave: John, what's the nature of the the sermons or the lessons during that conference?

John Mitchell: They're I would say they tend to be kind of academic oriented, but they're not nerdy. So the idea is not so much to be a rah-rah Jim Book kind of a message, but it to to have kind of an academic approach on whatever the topic is. I see Jim down there. But it that's

jim: What

John Mitchell: the approach behind it. So I don't have the schedule in front of me, but that's

Dave: Schedule in front of me.

John Mitchell: the idea behind it is to be kind of academically oriented, however, but to But not just purely academic, but why are the academics the proper way to go to build the church in a practical way?

Dave: and then in in in Florida, the start of next year. We've done this for years in Florida. I think there's been some changes the last few years. Tell us about what's going on there.

John Mitchell: Yeah, we there was an event called the Florida Florida Bible Conference that, if I remember right, it was in four different locations, the last of which was at Kissimmee Christian Church. And after the last one we did a couple years ago, it was clear we had to make a tweak. we relaunched the Florida Bible Conference to the Florida Ministry Summit. It's a two-day event, 25th and 26th of February, the Florida Ministry Summit. It's going to be a great event. We have a main session in the morning and a main session in the afternoon, or main session in the evening. Then there are workshops in the morning and

Dave: session in the evening. Then there are workshops in the

John Mitchell: the afternoon. And I'm particularly excited about this. The workshops are what is called the Axe Model. This is one of the brainchilds of Jim.

Dave: Axe model. This is one of the brainchilds of Jim,

John Mitchell: And that's an acronym. A stands for accelerated growth. C is for culturally relevant. T is for theologically sound. And S is for spirit-driven. Each one of the workshops is going to address that topic.

Dave: and that's an acronym. A stands for accelerated growth. C is for culturally relevant. T is for theologically sound, and S is for spirit-driven. Each one of the workshops is going to address that

John Mitchell: Then following the workshop, there's going to be kind of a focus group if you want

Dave: The kind of focus group.

John Mitchell: to hang around and interface with the presenter on some ideas. So it's designed to be a very practical event.

Dave: On some ideas. It's designed to be a very practical event

John Mitchell: At the same time encouraging people in the church.

Dave: at the same time encouraging people in the church.

John Mitchell: We moved it up to the villages at Fairway Christian Church. If you've never been to Fairway, it's a spectacular building. And the villages is a spectacular location. We had over 300 people there. And I think we are probably, I don't know if we'll double this year, but I would not be surprised to see if we get 500 people there. Because we had a number of people come

Dave: We moved it up to the villages at Fairway Christian Church. If you've never been to Fairway, it's a spectacular building. The villages is a spectacular location. We had over 300 people there. And I think we are probably, I don't know if we'll double this year, but I would not be surprised to see if we get 500 people there. We had a number of people.

John Mitchell: by themselves because they weren't sure what was going to happen. And I'm expecting to be a very good turnout.

Dave: themselves because they weren't sure what was going to happen. And I'm expecting to be a very good turnout.

John Mitchell: It it was a great event last year and it I'm real excited about this next year. And from a CRA standpoint, from a selfish standpoint, it's given us a good inroads to a lot of churches

Dave: It was a great event last year, and I'm really excited about this next year. And from a CRA standpoint, from a selfish standpoint, it's given us a good in-roads to a lot of

John Mitchell: in Florida. But I don't want to be selfish. Really want I want the churches everywhere to be so strong. And we have a lot of good churches in Florida. And this event is really going to serve to strengthen and grow the churches down there. And Florida Ministry Summit, 25th and 26th of February

Dave: selfish really want I want the churches everywhere to be so strong and we have a lot of good churches in Florida and this event is really going to serve to strengthen grow the churches down there. Florida Ministry Summit 25th and 26th of February village.

jim: I and I just can't say enough how much I appreciate the vision that you brought and redeveloping, kind of redirecting

Dave: I and I just can't say enough how much I appreciate the vision you brought and

jim: where we're going. And and if I could just repeat what John said, yeah, it is it is primarily Florida churches that'll be coming, but not exclusive. I I can't think of a better way for a preacher in Ohio or Indiana or Kentucky. February, Florida, you can golf.

Dave: Repeat what John said. Yeah, it is it is primarily Florida churches will be coming, but not exclusive. I I can't think of a better way for a preacher in Ohio or Indiana or Kentucky. February, Florida?

jim: Get out of your snow in and the cold weather and come on up.

Dave: out of these snow in the cold weather and come on up down to Florida. And bring bring bring your leadership with you. The material is so biblical slash practical that you're gonna walk away

jim: down to Florida and bring bring your leadership with you. The material is so biblical slash practical that you're gonna walk away supercharged and challenged and you get to do it in a beautiful part of Florida. And I John, I think we will double. I think we'll double the number this year. And again, your your vision and redirecting it is to be applauded.

Dave: And you get to do it in a beautiful part of Florida. But and I John, I think we will double. I think we'll double the number this year. And again, your vision and redirecting it is to be applauded. Well, I mentioned I I appreciate you mentioning the idea about practical. If you look at the history of our organization, we have been primarily a theological organization. And there's nothing wrong with that. Baptism needs to be defended. And we have a lot of evocational preachers.

John Mitchell: Well, I mentioned I I appreciate you mentioning the idea about practical. If you look at the history of our organization, we have been primarily a theological organization, and there's nothing wrong with that. Baptism needs to be defended. And we have a lot of bivocational preachers, we have a lot of elders that are preaching in congregations occasionally, teaching. Not everybody has the formal background, and someone's got to provide the resources to defend and teach these New Testament teachings and and

Dave: We have a lot of elders that are preaching in congregations occasionally, teaching. Not everybody has the formal background. Someone's got to provide the resources to defend and teach these New Testament teachings.

John Mitchell: principles. We've done a tremendous job of that over a hundred

Dave: We've done a tremendous job that

John Mitchell: years. We always haven't been the best at practical ministry. That's where Jim's ministry is so strong. And some of these events, like the Florida Ministry Summit, we're trying to package that more than just being another preaching event, but an event that actually provides practical ministry ideas that you can take and use. The last one we had several workshops that fit that bill completely. And I'm confident this is gonna be particularly the culturally relevant.

Dave: At practical ministry. That's where Jim's ministry is so strong. And some of these events, like the Florida Ministry Summit, we're trying to package that more than just being another preaching event, but an event that actually provides practical ministry ideas that you can take and use. The last one we had several workshops that fit that bill completely. And I'm confident this is going to be, particularly the culturally relevant,

John Mitchell: accelerated growth. It's gonna be very practical oriented workshops that people will get some good ideas

Dave: accelerated growth, it's going to be very practical-oriented workshops that people will get some.

John Mitchell: on. Balancing the practical with the theological is something I've been working hard trying to do.

Dave: The practical with theological trying to do. John, for a number of years you've been traveling the country visiting different churches and and seeing what's going on in the Brotherhood Can you just speak for a few moments why it's so important for our churches to To grab a hold of the mission one twenty concept and to really just move forward in the in the cause of Christ?

John Mitchell: Yes, I think the mission one twenty, the timing is really really perfect. And and I say that because of this. If you look at what's going on in our country and our culture, this socialism and some of the other stuff that's going on, I think there's a tendency, and I almost see this in some of the churches I where they wanna they wanna have a bunker mentality.

Dave: think there's a tendency and I almost see this in some of the churches I but they wanna they wanna have a bunker mentality

John Mitchell: We've got to huddle around and ride this storm out. Well that that's not the right approach. People need Christ.

Dave: Need Christ.

John Mitchell: And it sounds like pre sappy preacher talk, but the solution to our country's problems is Christ, getting people back to a biblical worldview, back to God is on the throne, not your inner inner feelings, this triumph of the inner self. That's not the future. And what I like about Mission 120 is it's forcing people to look out. This challenge to get to 120 people if you're running 60, or this challenge to baptize

Dave: And it sounds like pre sapy preacher talk, but the solution to our country's problems is Christ. Getting people back to a biblical worldview, back to God is on the throne, not your inner inner feelings, this triumph of the inner self. That's not the future. And what I like about Mission 120 is it's forcing people to look out. This challenge to get to 120 people if you're running 60, or this challenge

John Mitchell: 120 people. That is forcing congregations, okay, what are we going to do to reach our neighbors? We can't huddle in here inside the walls of our buildings for 10 years waiting for the socialism wave to run its course. We've got to go out and reach people and spread the good news of Christ. That's the solution to our problem, problems that we have in this country. So that's what I love about Mission 120. It's forcing people to look out. And as I travel, I

Dave: That is forcing congregations, okay, what are we gonna do to reach our neighbors? We can't huddle in here inside the walls of our buildings for ten years waiting for the socialism wave to run its course. We've gotta go out and reach people and spread the good news of Christ. That's the solution to our problem, the problems that we have in this country. So that's what I love about mission one twenty, it's forcing people to look out. And as I travel,

John Mitchell: see congregations that they are huddled and they need to.

Dave: See congregations that they are huddled. They need to they need to open up the doors, open up their windows, and look out and get moving. And that's what Mission 120 is getting them to focus on. How can I win my neighbor's life?

John Mitchell: They need to open up the doors, open up their windows and look out and get moving. And that's what mission 120 is getting them to focus on. How can I win my neighbors to Christ?

Dave: Yeah, we really focus a lot in the podcast on practical ways that churches can develop in their ministry. One of those areas we've talked about before is the facility where the church worships and there's a term you use the buildings are tired. And the CRA has a solution through our recycled riches loans. speak to that a little bit, John, as far as the need for churches to to maybe expand their building, improve their building and make sure they have a presentable product, if you will.

John Mitchell: Yeah, we have a program called Recycled Riches where we provide zero interest loans to congregations. And it that might be a fifty hundred, hundred and twenty-five thousand dollar project. They just need it. And I think that's very important. You talk to younger people and I say younger, well once again I'll define that as under forty. When they walk into a building or congregation, they want to feel like it's twenty twenty-six. They don't want to feel like they're walking into nineteen seventy-five. And a lot of our buildings have that feeling and nothing personal against the people that are in the building or the work they're doing. But I think there's a lot of truth to people visit you and they've made a decision fairly quickly if they're gonna come back. And a lot of that is just what does it look like? Does

Dave: into a building or congregation, they want to feel like it's 2026. They don't want to feel like they're walking into 1975. And a lot of our buildings have that feeling and nothing personal against the people that are in the building or the work they're doing. But I think there's a lot of truth to people visit you and they've made a decision fairly quickly if they're going to come back. And a lot of that is just what does it look

John Mitchell: it look like they're up to speed? Does it look like

Dave: like we I I'm entering a building that's twenty twenty six. And we do have a lot of buildings that just need updated. We have the ability to provide funds and it's zero interest. So it's not gonna cost you anywhere near all the interest you would get from a bank. that's a great program we have recycled.

John Mitchell: We I've I'm entering in a building that's 2026. And we do have a lot of buildings that just need updated. We have the ability to provide funds and it's zero interest. So it's not going to cost you anywhere near all the interest you would get from a bank. So that's a great program. We have recycled riches. And like I said again, I want to reiterate the people in some of these tired buildings, the people are great, but they already know each other. It's the outreach standpoint

Dave: And like I said again, I want to reiterate, the people in some of these entire buildings, the people are great. But they already know each other. It's the out

John Mitchell: that your building, your facility becomes such a critical component. of your ability to do effective outreach. And I think sometimes we're hesitant to admit that we want to say things, hey, we'll just win people to Jesus. Well yeah, you're gonna win them to Jesus, but you're gonna win them to Jesus while they're sitting in your building listening to the gospel preached. And if they're in that building thinking, wow, this was like when my grandmother came to church, that's not gonna get the job done.

Dave: outreach. I think sometimes we're hesitant to admit that. We want to say things like we'll just win people to Jesus. Well yeah you're going to win them to Jesus, but you're going to win them to Jesus while they're sitting in your building listening to the gospel preached. And if they're in that building thinking, wow, this was like when my grandmother came to church, that's not going to get the job done.

jim: And John, there's so many wonderful stories of how the Recycle Riches program through the CRA has

Dave: And John, there's so many wonderful stories of how the Recycle Riches program

jim: transformed not just the physical presence but the spiritual energy in the church.

Dave: CRA has transformed not just the physical presence a

jim: and we've we've watched a number of churches who've received the loan and and and the tool, again, it's the it's only a tool.

Dave: up with. Yeah. and we we've watched a number of churches who receive the loan and and and the tool, again, it's the it's only a tool, but the tool, I think, is if it's used effectively.

jim: But the tool, I think, is if it's used effectively, will help generate people, excitement, programs, and ministries

Dave: people,

jim: And again, it it it helped so many churches.

Dave: And again, it it it's helped John, we've covered a lot of ground today and we've been from Cincinnati to Florida to Zimbabwe and the math doesn't add up for me. It seems like you're giving away the Restoration Herald online that that the conferences, the the amount we charge for people to come doesn't seem to cover the amount of the conference. The work going on in Zimbabwe, obviously there's a lot subsidizing the work going on there. How does the CRA fund itself and make sure all of this Dynamic work continues.

John Mitchell: We launched last year an annual event that we call the CRA Give Day. We were incorporated on September 26, 1925. September 26th is our give day. There's a link on our website and we'll have some people use the website link. We'll have some people mail us checks but we're encouraging people to participate in give day.

Dave: that we call the CRA Give Day. We were incorporated on September twenty-sixth, nineteen twenty-five. September twenty-sixth is our There's a link on our website and we'll have some people use the website link. We'll have some people mail us checks. But we're encouraging people to participate. I I chuckle sometimes, I'll read an article online and it'll talk about a book and I'll think, I'm interested in that book. And I'll click on the link and go over there. It'll be $34 for a hundred and eighty page book. And we we sell 200 page books for $15. And I just think, wow, how much any how much less expensive the books we but we're trying to get resources in people's hands. We're not trying to gouge people but all that takes money. So they give

John Mitchell: chuckle sometimes, I'll read an article online and it'll talk about a book and I'll think, I'm interested in that book. And I'll click on the link and go over there. It'll be $34 for a hundred and eighty page book. And we we sell 200 page books for $15. And I just think wow how much any how much less expensive the books we but we're trying to get resources in people's hands. We're not trying to gouge people but all that takes money. So the give day

jim: Ha

John Mitchell: is

Dave: Day is coming up on September 26th. And we have a goal this year to get $50,000 on our give day. If we make our goal, then we'll be in great shape this

John Mitchell: coming up on September 26th and we have a goal this year to get fifty thousand dollars on a give day if we make our goal then we'll be in great shape this year

Dave: what again, dollars. Fifty thousand. I'd love to see us a hundred and fifty thousand, you know, we can't. So preachers, people, laymen, you know, see what you can do and let's make this a major

jim: Fifty thousand. I'd love to see us a hundred and fifty thousand, you know, we can. So preachers, people, laymen, you know, see what you can do and let's make this a major, major day of victory financially for the CRA.

Dave: Major day of victory financially for the CRA. And one

John Mitchell: And one of the biggest

Dave: of the biggest things that the preachers and elders can do for us in terms of give day is to get the word out to the congregation. I call it the trickle down. That's one of the challenges. There are preachers and elders out there that are big fans of the CRA, they're big fans of the Herald. They don't always do everything can be done to get the words of the congregation. That's the biggest help

John Mitchell: things that the preachers and elders can do for us in terms of give day is to get the word out to the congregation. I call it the trickle down. That's one of the challenges. There are preachers and elders out there that are big fans of the CRA, they're big fans of the Herald. They don't always do everything can be done to get the word to the congregation. That's the biggest help is

Dave: is if you believe in the work we're doing, you think it's worth supporting. There'll be some people that are sitting in your chairs and pews out there that are willing to give us a hundred, two hundred dollar gift on give.

John Mitchell: If you believe in the work we're doing, you think it's worth supporting, there'll be some people that are sitting in your chairs and pews out there that are willing to give us a hundred, two hundred dollar gift on give day. I'm usually a quality over quantity guy, but when it comes to giving, I just want quantity.

Dave: I'm usually a quality over quantity guy, but when it comes to giving, I just want John, we're just so grateful for you and your leadership not only with the CRA, the Brotherhood our friendship and the guidance you you give so many of us through your ministry, your preaching, your teaching and your writing. So we're just so thankful to have you a part of what what the CRA is doing, but really the broader brotherhood in Christianity. And and Jim, as you've traveled over the years, you've had a third party view and now a first hand view of the work the CRA is doing in local churches. What are you seeing as some of the key benefits of the CRA at the local level and churches, ministers, elder And others and and what impact the CRA is having on them. Well, I I first of all, John, it's so many churches appreciate your leadership, your vibe, and you know, and you know, kind of the direction you're taking us. And and we want to compliment everyone who blazed the trail before John. But John has kind of brought a personality, kind of more of

jim: Well, I I first of all, John, so many churches appreciate your leadership, your vibe in you know, and you know, kind of the direction you're taking us. And and we want to compliment everyone who blazed the trail before John. But John has kind of brought a personality, kind of a a more of an adventurous, hey, let's see what we can do in regard to to broadening our scope of influence and still maintaining the integrity, as John said, of our message.

Dave: Adventurous, hey, let's see what we can do in regard to broadening our scope of influence and still maintaining the integrity, as John said, of our message and our high view of scripture. Number two, I I look now at the CRA as not just an organization with a rich history, because we've always had a great history, and I applaud that. I love history, I'm a huge history fan, but the CRA is now focusing a tremendous amount of energy on our future. Well, who and what are they going to

jim: And our high view of scripture. Number two, I I look now at the CRA as not just an organization with a rich history, because we've always had a great history, and I applaud that. I love history. I'm a huge history fan. But the CRA is now focusing a tremendous amount of energy on our future. Well, who and what are they going to be talking about from years

Dave: to be talking about from years to come, about this generation, this leadership, this board.

jim: to come about this generation, this leadership, this board? number three,

Dave: number three, we we have always had of of of

jim: We we have always had a strong base of churches that have had, you know, rich traditions in the restoration movement, which we love. But now we're having a an influence on churches that may not have been in our wheelhouse, the the the churches that have have been accustomed to coming to our events, we're now reaching another audience of people that just didn't know much about us, but now they do. And so that has been wonderful.

Dave: churches that have had, you know, rich traditions in the restoration movement, which we love. But now we're having a an influence on churches that may not have been in our wheelhouse, the the the churches that have have been accustomed to coming to our events, we're now reaching another audience of people that just didn't know much about us, but now they do. And so that has been wonderful.

jim: We're excited about that. And again, it you're we're maintaining our high view of scripture. we are a a a biblically conservative organization and we we applaud that, we value that, we have a strong base, but I see our influence now expanding and that is a very exciting. And so John, again, complimenting your vision for the future is is exciting.

Dave: We're excited about that. And again, it you're we're maintaining our high view of scripture. we are a a biblically conservative organization and we we applaud that, we value that, we have a strong base, but I see our influence now expanding and that is a very exciting. And so John, again complementing your vision for the future is is exciting.

John Mitchell: Well, I think it's goes back to one of the the restoration movement was about unity. It was in your union and truth. That was part of their thing. And it doesn't do it doesn't do the the churches any good to have a stovepipe approach where we're over here with ourselves, you're over there with yourself. There's a lot of synergy from having everybody together. And that's a lot of, and I as I travel, I you know, I go to places like Florida, and there's a lot of churches down there. They're doing good, they're doing good work, and we're not really connected to them. And the more we're connected to each other, the more energy we get. So I don't, I'm not a big I don't want to be a little in my little sandbox and play by myself. I want to have a big ocean where we're out there together working for the Lord. That's why I think it's important is there's they have ideas, we have ideas, they have resources, we have resources. The more we can work together, the more energy. And momentum we can get And I think that there's something too when people just observe and they realize everybody's getting along. And everybody's on the same team and we're all trying to move the church. I think that kind of positive energy people appreciate and they support. They don't they want to be for things, not against. I mean, how many of us we've voted many times and when you go to the voting booth to vote against something, never seems to go well. When you go the voting booth to vote for something, it tends to work. Well, that's the way I want us to be in our churches. I don't want us to be against things. I want us to be for things. And I want us to be for moving the New Testament church forward. And we can do that best when we work together.