#3 Overcoming Bible Burnout - Dr. Philip Collins
Episode 3 | 39 Minutes | Nov 26, 2024
Have you ever opened the Bible, read a passage, and walked away feeling like you didn’t get much out of it? You’re not alone.
Many people struggle with engaging scripture in a way that feels transformative, leaving them frustrated or disconnected. In this episode of Innovate for Good, Dr. Phil Collins, professor at Taylor University and general editor of the Abide Bible, shares how to move beyond simply reading the Bible to truly experiencing it. Learn practical ways to approach scripture that bring it to life, deepen your relationship with Christ, and transform the way you engage with God’s Word. If you’ve ever felt stuck or uninspired, this episode will give you fresh tools and insights to reignite your connection with the Bible.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
How to stop feeling frustrated when reading the Bible
Why scripture might feel dry or disconnected—and how to change that
Practical methods to make the Bible come alive, like journaling and praying scripture
How to engage scripture relationally instead of treating it like a textbook
The key to reading the Bible for transformation, not just information
Why community can unlock deeper understanding and connection with scripture
Simple practices to reignite your passion for God’s Word and experience true spiritual growth
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Dr. Phil Collins is a professor of Christian Ministries at Taylor University and the co-executive director of the Taylor University Center for Scripture Engagement. As the general editor of the Abide Bible, Dr. Collins has dedicated his career to helping individuals engage deeply with scripture to encounter Christ in a transformative way. With over 25 years of experience in youth ministry and teaching, he brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for equipping others to make scripture an integral part of their spiritual lives.
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Carley Fortosis (Host): Welcome everyone to the Innovate for Good podcast with One Collective, a podcast where we chat with people who are making a difference in their fields. My name is Carley Fortosis, and this is my coworker, Mark Foshager. We work as serving coaches with One Collective.
Today, we have Dr. Phil Collins joining us. He is a professor of Christian Ministries at Taylor University, co-executive director of the Taylor University Center for Scripture Engagement, and the general editor for the Abide Bible. Phil has a real passion for seeing people engage deeply with scripture, and that’s something we’ll be digging into today. Thank you for joining us, Phil, and welcome!
Phil Collins (Guest): Thank you! It’s so good to be with you both.
Carley Fortosis (Host): Wonderful. Before we dive in, Phil, after we finish recording, please stay on the call for a minute or two to let Riverside upload your local audio and video files. It saves the recording directly from each participant’s computer, and then it uploads everything automatically.
Phil Collins (Guest): Got it. That sounds good. I’ll stay on.
Mark Foshager (Host): Have you used Riverside before?
Phil Collins (Guest): No, I haven’t.
Carley Fortosis (Host): It functions pretty much like Zoom. So, Phil, what’s new with you? What have you been up to?
Phil Collins (Guest): Oh, lots! I’m teaching a master’s class right now, just finished three weeks of summer camp, and I’ve been visiting practicum students who are serving in different churches. I’ll actually be heading to Michigan this Sunday to see a couple of them. But the most exciting thing—about three weeks ago, I became a grandfather! And in a few weeks, we’ll have another grandson.
Carley Fortosis (Host): Oh, congratulations! That’s so exciting.
Phil Collins (Guest): Thank you. It is exciting.
Mark Foshager (Host): Are they local or far away?
Phil Collins (Guest): One’s in Milwaukee, and the other is right here in town.
Carley Fortosis (Host): Milwaukee—reminds me you’re from Wisconsin originally, right? Madison?
Phil Collins (Guest): That’s right. I grew up in Madison. My son moved to Milwaukee for a couple of years, and my brother still lives in Madison.
Mark Foshager (Host): Small world! I’m actually from Wauwatosa, which is right next to Milwaukee.
Phil Collins (Guest): That’s where my son is now! He and his family moved there for a couple of years.
Mark Foshager (Host): That’s fantastic. Wauwatosa is such a great place.
Phil Collins (Guest): It is.
Carley Fortosis (Host): My mom is from Madison! I love visiting there. It’s such a fun city with the lakes and vibrant atmosphere.
Phil Collins (Guest): Absolutely. Madison’s a fantastic place to visit.
Carley Fortosis (Host): All right, let’s dive in. Phil, can you share a little about your background? You’ve already mentioned your Wisconsin roots, but tell us more about your ministry and teaching journey.
Phil Collins (Guest): Sure! I started with Youth for Christ in Indiana and Illinois, working in the Chicago area for six and a half years. Before that, I was actually a Youth for Christ kid during high school. Later, I became a youth pastor in Indianapolis for 10 years. Now, I’m in my 26th year teaching full-time at Taylor University.
Carley Fortosis (Host): Aren’t you a Taylor alum as well?
Phil Collins (Guest): I am! It’s been amazing to return to the place where I was a student and now be teaching. At first, it felt a little surreal, but after all these years, it feels like home.
Carley Fortosis (Host): Your bio mentions it was a dream come true to work at Taylor. Was that because of your roots there?
Phil Collins (Guest): Absolutely. My experience as a student at Taylor was transformative. I always thought it would be incredible to teach there someday. I prepared for that opportunity by pursuing further education, and when I was asked to join as an adjunct professor, I jumped at the chance. Step by step, things fell into place, and I’m so grateful for it.
Mark Foshager (Host): You’ve worked with youth for quite some time—as a youth pastor, with Youth for Christ, and now at Taylor. What do you love most about working with students?
Phil Collins (Guest): I love being present during a time of significant transitions. Those moments of change often set the trajectory for someone’s life. It’s inspiring to see students grow, make decisions, and start walking paths that will impact their futures.
Carley Fortosis (Host): I completely agree. My time at Taylor was deeply shaped by professors who invested in me. Their influence has lasted long beyond graduation. I’m sure your students feel the same about you.
Phil Collins (Guest): I hope so. It’s an honor to be part of their lives during such a pivotal time.
Carley Fortosis (Host): Phil, I remember you mentioned a question that deeply impacted you regarding scripture. Can you share more about that and how it influenced your journey?
Phil Collins (Guest): Absolutely. About 15 years ago, I came across a question that stopped me in my tracks: “How do you help someone read the Bible so that they’re transformed?” As someone who had been reading the Bible daily since I was 12, I realized I didn’t have a clear answer. I’d always been told, and told others, that praying and reading your Bible were the keys to spiritual growth. But I never really taught people how to engage with scripture in a way that would truly transform them. That question set me on a journey to explore how scripture could be a catalyst for deep, meaningful change.
Carley Fortosis (Host): Welcome everyone to the Innovate for Good podcast with One Collective, a podcast where we chat with people who are making a difference in their fields. My name is Carley Fortosis, and this is my coworker, Mark Foshager. We work as serving coaches with One Collective.Today, we have Dr. Phil Collins joining us. He is a professor of Christian Ministries at Taylor University, co-executive director of the Taylor University Center for Scripture Engagement, and the general editor for the Abide Bible. Phil has a real passion for seeing people engage deeply with scripture, and that’s something we’ll be digging into today. Thank you for joining us, Phil, and welcome!
Phil Collins (Guest): Thank you! It’s so good to be with you both.
Carley Fortosis (Host): Wonderful. Before we dive in, Phil, after we finish recording, please stay on the call for a minute or two to let Riverside upload your local audio and video files. It saves the recording directly from each participant’s computer, and then it uploads everything automatically.
Phil Collins (Guest): Got it. That sounds good. I’ll stay on.
Mark Foshager (Host): Have you used Riverside before?
Phil Collins (Guest): No, I haven’t.
Carley Fortosis (Host): It functions pretty much like Zoom. So, Phil, what’s new with you? What have you been up to?
Phil Collins (Guest): Oh, lots! I’m teaching a master’s class right now, just finished three weeks of summer camp, and I’ve been visiting practicum students who are serving in different churches. I’ll actually be heading to Michigan this Sunday to see a couple of them. But the most exciting thing—about three weeks ago, I became a grandfather! And in a few weeks, we’ll have another grandson.
Carley Fortosis (Host): Oh, congratulations! That’s so exciting.
Phil Collins (Guest): Thank you. It is exciting.
Mark Foshager (Host): Are they local or far away?
Phil Collins (Guest): One’s in Milwaukee, and the other is right here in town.
Carley Fortosis (Host): Milwaukee—reminds me you’re from Wisconsin originally, right? Madison?
Phil Collins (Guest): That’s right. I grew up in Madison. My son moved to Milwaukee for a couple of years, and my brother still lives in Madison.
Mark Foshager (Host): Small world! I’m actually from Wauwatosa, which is right next to Milwaukee.
Phil Collins (Guest): That’s where my son is now! He and his family moved there for a couple of years.
Mark Foshager (Host): That’s fantastic. Wauwatosa is such a great place.
Phil Collins (Guest): It is.
Carley Fortosis (Host): My mom is from Madison! I love visiting there. It’s such a fun city with the lakes and vibrant atmosphere.
Phil Collins (Guest): Absolutely. Madison’s a fantastic place to visit.
Carley Fortosis (Host): All right, let’s dive in. Phil, can you share a little about your background? You’ve already mentioned your Wisconsin roots, but tell us more about your ministry and teaching journey.
Phil Collins (Guest): Sure! I started with Youth for Christ in Indiana and Illinois, working in the Chicago area for six and a half years. Before that, I was actually a Youth for Christ kid during high school. Later, I became a youth pastor in Indianapolis for 10 years. Now, I’m in my 26th year teaching full-time at Taylor University.
Carley Fortosis (Host): Aren’t you a Taylor alum as well?
Phil Collins (Guest): I am! It’s been amazing to return to the place where I was a student and now be teaching. At first, it felt a little surreal, but after all these years, it feels like home.
Carley Fortosis (Host): Your bio mentions it was a dream come true to work at Taylor. Was that because of your roots there?
Phil Collins (Guest): Absolutely. My experience as a student at Taylor was transformative. I always thought it would be incredible to teach there someday. I prepared for that opportunity by pursuing further education, and when I was asked to join as an adjunct professor, I jumped at the chance. Step by step, things fell into place, and I’m so grateful for it.
Mark Foshager (Host): You’ve worked with youth for quite some time—as a youth pastor, with Youth for Christ, and now at Taylor. What do you love most about working with students?
Phil Collins (Guest): I love being present during a time of significant transitions. Those moments of change often set the trajectory for someone’s life. It’s inspiring to see students grow, make decisions, and start walking paths that will impact their futures.
Carley Fortosis (Host): I completely agree. My time at Taylor was deeply shaped by professors who invested in me. Their influence has lasted long beyond graduation. I’m sure your students feel the same about you.
Phil Collins (Guest): I hope so. It’s an honor to be part of their lives during such a pivotal time.
Carley Fortosis (Host): Phil, I remember you mentioned a question that deeply impacted you regarding scripture. Can you share more about that and how it influenced your journey?
Phil Collins (Guest): Absolutely. About 15 years ago, I came across a question that stopped me in my tracks: “How do you help someone read the Bible so that they’re transformed?” As someone who had been reading the Bible daily since I was 12, I realized I didn’t have a clear answer. I’d always been told, and told others, that praying and reading your Bible were the keys to spiritual growth. But I never really taught people how to engage with scripture in a way that would truly transform them. That question set me on a journey to explore how scripture could be a catalyst for deep, meaningful change.
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