We’ve built churches that run on doing and learning—but rarely teach believers how to rely on the Spirit. Dr. Mike Clarensau, author of A Spirit Empowered Life, joins host Jake Doberenz on Christianity Without Compromise (then called Theology Meets World) to challenge the modern tendency to substitute knowledge for power. Drawing from Scripture and decades of church consulting, Mike explores how the Holy Spirit equips ordinary people for extraordinary missions, why biblical faith was never meant to be lived alone, and how today’s churches often settle for safe strategy over spiritual empowerment. If Sunday is your biggest day, you’re missing the point.

Key Takeaways:

Church culture often reduces discipleship to learning and doing—ignoring the Holy Spirit’s role in providing power, direction, and transformation.

The Spirit-empowered life is marked not by spiritual qualifications but by desperate dependence on God’s strength in real-world situations.

Outward-focused churches that engage their communities all week—not just on Sundays—are the healthiest and most Spirit-reliant congregations.

Important Links:

A Spirit Empowered Life: Discover the World-changing Journey God has Designed for You by Mike Clarensau

Running with the Horses: The Quest for Life at Its Best by Eugene Peterson

https://www.clarensaucommunications.com/

Dr. Mike Clarensau is a church consultant, college professor, freelance writer, and Statistician for the General Council of the Assemblies of God. Formerly the Director of the Healthy Church Network, he led efforts to revitalize plateaued and declining congregations and continues contributing to church health research and writing. A sought-after speaker, Mike has traveled extensively to camps, conferences, and churches nationwide. Mike’s books include When Prophets Want to Die, Subject to Change, A Spirit-Empowered Life, From Belonging to Becoming, Give Them What They Want, and We Build People.

Get full access to Smashing Idols: Stories & Reflections on Following Jesus at jakedoberenz.substack.com/subscribe