Church and Main

Lane Davis, an ordained minister and assistant professor of Church History, unpacks his insightful article, "How the Religious Left Ceded Power to the Religious Right." We explore Lane's journey from pastoral ministry to academia and discuss the historical decline of liberal Christianity's political influence. Lane reflects on pivotal moments, such as Pete Buttigieg’s candidacy, and critiques the...

In this special episode, we look at the tragic death of Rene Goode by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Joined by pastor Eric Elkin, we address the emotional aftermath and the impact of immigration policies on community safety. Eric shares his frustrations with ICE operations and the narratives that dehumanize victims. We emphasize the faith community's role in advocating for justice while navigating f...

In this episode, I chat with Brad Todd, a political commentator for CNN, about the significance of grace in our polarized society. We discuss the challenges of maintaining grace in civil discourse, the impact of recent political scandals, and the disconnect between clergy and congregants. Brad advocates for local initiatives that promote kindness and emphasizes that recognizing our shared humanity...

Episcopal priest and theologian Todd Brewer explores grace and charity through the contrasts of Roman and Christian gift-giving practices, Paul's perspective on charity, and reflects and the implications of these ideas for modern society.   Reckless Charity and Infinite Grace Notes From the Fragmented Ivory Tower Terrible Parables Podcast Go to Church Anyway. Grace and Mercy in Ones and Zeroes   D...

On the next-to-last episode of the year, Dennis joins Loren Richmond Jr. and David Emery to discuss the future of the Disciples of Christ. The trio examines the meaning of “no creed but Christ,” current generational and theological challenges, and the church’s evolving identity. They then emphasize the need for clear theology, a deeper sacramental life, collaboration among resilient local churches...

 I talk with Pastor Benjamin Duholm from Christ Lutheran Church in Dallas about the intersection of faith and the current political landscape. What does worship look like in an era of political polarization?  Dueholm explores the idea of liturgy extending beyond church walls to address societal issues. He offers practical advice for church leaders to focus on the gospel amid political pressures, e...

In this conversation, Yolanda Denson-Byers discusses the Pray Without Ceasing initiative in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which fosters community prayer and deepens relationships within the church. Yolanda highlights the importance of prayer in addressing social justice issues and how it can empower congregations to engage with their communities. She offers practical advice for churc...

Joseph Wolyniak discusses the profound impact of media and technology on the faith and political engagement of American Christians. He emphasizes the need for believers to be aware of how their beliefs and actions are influenced by external factors, rather than solely by the teachings of Jesus. Resisting Provocateur Politics Donate to Church and Main Join the Church and Main Email List churchandma...

 I speak with Quincy Worthington, pastor of Highland Park Presbyterian Church, about the intersection of faith and immigration amidst ongoing ICE actions in Chicago. Quincy shares his experiences and the role of his church in advocating for immigrant rights, highlighting the fear and challenges faced by families due to enforcement measures. Our conversation emphasizes the need for faith leaders to...

Jack Shitama, an ordained United Methodist minister, talks about the concept of societal regression and its implications for leadership and community engagement. Shitama explains how societal regression mirrors emotional regression in families, characterized by polarization and a desire for quick fixes. He discusses the role of non-anxious leaders in navigating these challenges and emphasizes the...

Tony Robinson discusses the significance of phrases like 'Kumbaya' and 'thoughts and prayers' in today's polarized society. He explores the cynicism surrounding these terms, the role of anger and contempt in political discourse, and the impact of technology on human interaction. Robinson emphasizes the need for genuine dialogue within faith communities and critiques the politicization of the churc...

 I chat with Andrew Berg, who authored “Counterintuitive Arguments for and Against U.S. Support for Israel.” Andrew challenges conventional political narratives and examines the moral implications of U.S. support from both conservative and progressive angles. Andrew emphasizes the need for empathy toward both Palestinians and Israelis and advocates for a reevaluation of accountability in support d...

 Professor Anthony Baker discusses the Barmen Declaration and its implications for American Christianity today. We analyze its historical context from the 1930s and why we are not currently experiencing a similar moment. Professor Baker emphasizes the declaration's intent to maintain the church's independence from the state, a principle that modern churches risk overlooking. We explore the complex...

Today we look at the compassionate conservatism and its relevance in today's political climate with historian John Fea. We examine the origins of this movement, rooted in social justice and faith-based initiatives, and its initial implementation during the George W. Bush administration, particularly through programs like PEPFAR. John highlights how the philosophy has deteriorated under the Trump a...

Todd Stavrakos discusses the mission of Pathways for Peace, focusing on fostering dialogue between the Jewish and mainline Christian communities regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. He highlights the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the complexities of the situation, including the roles of Hamas and the Israeli government. The discussion also touches on the historical context of the con...

I chat with Jason Micheli, a United Methodist pastor, on the pitfalls of pathos in politics, emphasizing its potential to overshadow core Christian tenets. Drawing on Jason's article "Deprive Them of Their Pathos," we reflect on Karl Barth’s theological insights, arguing against conflating faith with political ideologies. Our conversation addresses the challenges of preaching in a politically char...

In this episode, Ken Sundet Jones discusses the Iowa Preachers Project, emphasizing the importance of community among pastors and the need for compelling preaching in today's context. We look at the challenges pastors face, the significance of grace in preaching, and the transformative power of the gospel. Iowa Preachers Project Lutheran Toolkit by Ken Sundet Jones Donate to Church and Main Join t...

If there is one word that could describe our current politics, it would be anger. The anger in our politics doesn’t seem to move us forward towards solutions, but forces us to draw lines.  And this anger seems to infect our relationships, especially our churches.  How can we move past this anger and be faithful Christians who love each other regardless of our politics? Recently, I listened to an o...

This is a crossover episode with Future Christian and sort of a tradition with my colleague Loren Richmond Jr. as we converse from the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Memphis, TN. We did this together in person in 2023 when GA was in Louisville, KY.  We talked about the event and the state of the denomination. This year in Memphis, I didn’t make it in person, but...

A short note to let you all know I'm taking a break for the next two weeks and returning on August 29.  I share some notes on the future of the podcast and end with some hopeful words from the Mother of Jesus.   Resurrection Hope Amidst the Broken Politics of 2025 with Drew McIntyre | Episode 241 Should Christians Leave Trump's America? with Amy Mantravadi | Episode 245 The Church, The Trump Admin...

Is there value in historical analogies?  Yes and no. Many have tried to make comparisons between Donald Trump and Adolph Hitler that end up not being helpful to understand the times we are living in. But then there are other times when looking at how past societies dealt with creeping authoritarianism can serve as a lesson for contemporary politics.  In this conversation, Bethel University profess...

In this conversation, Amy Mantravadi discusses her article on 'the theology of staying,' where she reflects on the historical context of Christianity in Egypt and the challenges faced by Christians in the Middle East. The discussion also delves into Dietrich Bonhoeffer's experiences in Nazi Germany, exploring the complexities of staying or leaving in times of crisis and the church's role in societ...

In this conversation, Josh Linman shares his faith journey from being a pastor's kid to founding Common Good Creative, a company focused on enhancing church communication. He discusses the importance of storytelling, community connection, and the role of technology and AI in modern church communication. Linman emphasizes the need for churches to adapt their messaging to resonate with people's desi...

In this episode of Church and Main, Ryan Self, a gay Christian from Austin, Texas, discusses LGBTQ inclusion in church communities. Ryan shares his journey from a conservative background to more affirming spaces, highlighting the pitfalls of churches that claim inclusivity yet fail to embody it. We discuss the balance between activism and faith, critiques of superficial inclusivity, and the need f...

The Emergent Church seemed to be the future of the church, until it wasn't.  Andrew Crowson joins the podcast to discuss how the movement initially attracted young evangelicals by challenging traditional church norms, yet ultimately struggled with its identity and connection to foundational beliefs. Andrew shares insights from his experiences and his article "Are We Back?", pondering if today's co...