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Welcome back to our series unpacking the foundational values of the Soma family of churches! In this episode, hosts Justin Westcott and Paul Dean dive into one of our most challenging and urgent convictions: Kingdom Collaboration.

Paul and Justin anchor the conversation in John 17, unpacking Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer where He pleads that His disciples would be one, just as the Father and Son are one, so that the world may believe. Moving beyond the tragic history of Christian infighting, sectarian competition, and logo-protecting tribalism, they discuss how kingdom collaboration requires setting aside ego to display a functional spiritual family. They break down the essential difference between unity and uniformity, showing how clarifying core doctrine (like the Apostles' Creed or Lausanne Covenant) allows distinct church families to partner across secondary differences without compromising their convictions.

In the second half, Justin and Paul welcome Tim Gray, Soma regional leader for the Lower Midwest, director of the St. Louis Collective, and co-leader with the Servant Leader Institute (SLI). Tim shares decades of hard-won wisdom collaborating on the ground in the St. Louis metro area alongside Acts 29, the Send Network (SBC), and independent churches.

Tim shares inspiring real-world stories of unity in action: from cross-denominational leader residencies and shared baptismal pools after natural disasters, to joint prayer walks through historically broken and violent neighborhoods like East St. Louis with Pastor Kempton Turner. Together, they issue a bold challenge to church leaders: kill the comfort idol, embrace the relational risk, and remember that our oneness in Christ is the church’s greatest apologetic to a watching world.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The John 17 Mandate: Why our unity is directly tied to the credibility of the gospel message.
• Unity vs. Uniformity: Partnering deeply on primary truths while holding secondary issues in grace.
• The "Hills to Die On" Framework: Establishing doctrinal clarity to collaborate with freedom and wisdom.
• Dispatches from St. Louis: How the Servant Leader Institute equips planters across diverse networks without poaching leaders.
• Disaster Relief & Baptisms: Beautiful stories of churches sharing buildings and resources after crisis.
• The Cost of Risk: Why stepping into messy relational partnerships is the only antidote to cynicism and pride.

About Soma: Soma is a family of churches across North America and around the world working toward gospel saturation. We are passionate about connecting, equipping, and mobilizing disciple-makers to live out the gospel in community on the mission of Jesus in everyday life.

Connect & Support

• Website: We Are Soma (Connect with regional leaders and find equipping resources).
• Support: Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube and leave us a review!

Co-Hosts: Justin Westcott and Paul Dean

Produced by Zach Smith