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What Difference Does the Imago Dei Make? By Mike McGarry

In this thought-provoking workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Mike McGarry explores how a proper understanding of the Imago Dei—the image of God—shapes our identity and discipleship. Arguing that much of today’s cultural confusion stems from forgetting what it means to be human, Mike walks through the biblical storyline of creation, fall, redemption, and glorification to show how the Imago Dei is a unifying thread throughout Scripture. He also offers practical insight into why this matters for youth and family discipleship today. Mike is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as an ordained youth pastor for nearly twenty years in Massachusetts. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, with an emphasis on Ministry to Emerging Generations, and is the author of multiple books on youth ministry. Rooted Resources: Youth Pastor Theologian Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World (Real World Theology) by Mike McGarry Calvin, Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life, and The Image of God for Youth: Part 1 by Dan Wolf Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates Register for Rooted 2025 Conference in Chicago

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In this thought-provoking workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Mike McGarry explores how a proper understanding of the Imago Dei—the image of God—shapes our identity and discipleship. Arguing that much of today’s cultural confusion stems from forgetting what it means to be human, Mike walks through the biblical storyline of creation, fall, redemption, and glorification to show how the Imago Dei is a unifying thread throughout Scripture. He also offers practical insight into why this matters for youth and family discipleship today. Mike is the Founder and Director of Youth Pastor Theologian and served as an ordained youth pastor for nearly twenty years in Massachusetts. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, with an emphasis on Ministry to Emerging Generations, and is the author of multiple books on youth ministry. Rooted Resources: Youth Pastor Theologian Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World (Real World Theology) by Mike McGarry Calvin, Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life, and The Image of God for Youth: Part 1 by Dan Wolf Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates Register for Rooted 2025 Conference in Chicago

First published

09/30/2025

Genres

religion spirituality christianity education society

Duration

44 minutes

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Youth Ministry Unscripted: The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast

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Episode Description

<p>In this thought-provoking workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference in Dallas, Mike McGarry explores how a proper understanding of the <i>Imago Dei</i>—the image of God—shapes our identity and discipleship. Arguing that much of today’s cultural confusion stems from forgetting what it means to be human, Mike walks through the biblical storyline of creation, fall, redemption, and glorification to show how the <i>Imago Dei</i> is a unifying thread throughout Scripture. He also offers practical insight into why this matters for youth and family discipleship today.</p><p>Mike is the Founder and Director of <i>Youth Pastor Theologian</i> and served as an ordained youth pastor for nearly twenty years in Massachusetts. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, with an emphasis on Ministry to Emerging Generations, and is the author of multiple books on youth ministry.</p><p>Rooted Resources:</p><p><a href="https://www.youthpastortheologian.com/about" target="_blank">Youth Pastor Theologian</a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Iconic-Reflecting-Image-World-Theology/dp/1645075133/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QOY52LNSHMJR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CBOs9CTH116wUNTYQmg4qjII2cSgJMtqFfZOd8S0qaA.juh-DLWQpdAw7mSH3GW14Jm_JzXI626wobdgCeMFiXc&dib_tag=se&keywords=mike+mcgarry+iconic&qid=1758638123&sprefix=Mike+McGarry%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World (Real World Theology)</a> by Mike McGarry</p><p><a href="https://rootedministry.com/calvin-terrence-malicks-the-tree-of-life-and-the-image-of-god-for-youth-part-1/" target="_blank">Calvin, Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life, and The Image of God for Youth: Part 1</a> by Dan Wolf</p><p>Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates </p><p><a href="https://www.rooted-conference.com/offers/Tvj8biEg/checkout" target="_blank">Register</a> for Rooted 2025 Conference in Chicago</p> <p><p>Follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/therootedministry" target="_blank">@therootedministry</a> on Instagram for more updates and</p><p>Subscribe to <i>Youth Ministry Unscripted</i> wherever you listen to podcasts</p></p>

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