GROUNDWORK: The House of God: Who's In, Who's Out?

What really makes someone a Christian—and how far can churches differ before they drift outside the boundaries of historic faith? In this deep and practical conversation, Pastor Mike sits down again with Dr. Kevin Mannoia—global church leader, theologian, and longtime friend of Solid Ground—to explore one of the most misunderstood topics in the Christian world: ecumenical unity. Why has the word “ecumenical” become controversial? What actually unites Christians across denominations? Where is the line between Christian diversity and a different faith altogether? And how can we appreciate the breadth of the global Church without losing clarity about Jesus at the center? Using the powerful metaphor of “the House of God—one foundation, many rooms,” Dr. Mannoia helps us understand: Why unity isn’t liberal, modernist, or dangerous How cultural “barnacles” distort biblical words like evangelical and ecumenical What truly binds the global Church together (hint: it’s not style, structure, or denomination) Why Jesus—His person, mission, and centrality—defines the boundaries of the household How to appreciate other Christian traditions without losing clarity about the gospel Why humility, curiosity, and mission matter more than institutional labels You’ll hear stories of cross-denominational friendship, surprising spiritual encounters, and even a moment when the Holy Spirit met Pastor Mike in an unexpected place with an unexpected blessing. This conversation will stretch your mind, deepen your faith, and help you better understand the beautiful diversity of the global Body of Christ—without losing the center that holds us all together.