How Do You Form Faith When Everything Keeps Changing? | Mark Matlock on Resilience and Discipleship

In this thought-provoking episode of the Upword Podcast, host Dan Johnson sits down with Mark Matlock to explore the shifting spiritual landscape in America. Drawing from his latest book, Faith for the Curious, and years of research with Barna Group, Mark unpacks the rise of the “spiritually curious” — a growing group of people who are open to spirituality but not necessarily aligned with traditional Christian beliefs.Together, they discuss:The difference between the spiritually curious, curious skeptics, and naturalistsHow Gen Z is both in revival and retreat — and what that means for the ChurchWhy traditional evangelism methods may fall short in today’s cultureThe importance of long-term relationships over quick conversionsHow churches can better engage those deconstructing their faithThe role of curiosity, ambiguity, and meaningful relationships in discipleshipWhether you're a ministry leader, student, or simply curious about faith trends, this episode offers deep insights into how we can better understand and walk alongside those exploring spirituality in a post-Christian world.🔗 Resources & Links:Learn more about Faith for the Curious = https://shop.barna.com/collections/featured-work/products/faith-for-the-curiousExplore Barna’s research on Gen Z and spiritual opennessConnect with Mark Matlock at markmatlock.comSend us Fan MailCONNECT WITH USSubscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave ConourEdited by Dave Conour