The Cartographers

Why have so many people left the church? Is it a result of the pandemic, or are the issues much deeper? In the next several episodes we'll discuss what this is about and what can be done. Listen in for surprising trends and practical ways churches can love their neighbors. Michael Graham is a co-author of The Great Dechurching . The Cartographers is a production of Willowbrae Institute. Find out m...

What did we learn about the culture wars? What's providing us with hope? And, what's coming next on The Cartographers? We'd love it if you rated and reviewed the show. Share an episode with a friend! Other episodes in this series: Episode 1 : Stuck in the Middle Episode 2 : How'd we Get Stuck in the Middle? Episode 3 : A Culture War Alternative with Mark Labberton Episode 4 : Agent of Grace or Cul...

What if humor was more than just a way to break tension or get a laugh? Humor takes the air out of anger, leads towards forgiveness, and provides a way to opt out of culture war thinking. In this thoughtful, funny, and moving conversation, Bryce and Ashley sit down with Harrison Scott Key, author of How to Stay Married . They speak about restoration, faith, and the role humor plays. How to Stay Ma...

Are the culture wars a White thing? How do we think about race in America and the church? What might be the way forward? In this hopeful conversation with Pastor Brandon Washington he describes his multi-ethnic ministry and how the gospel compels us to strive for deliberate and sacrificial integration—the unity of believers of all ethnicities. Be sure to listen to other episodes in the series and...

When the world feels unstable, we double-down on fear and tribalism. Beauty is an antidote to culture war fear. Hear one New York writer's story of conversion and how the Christian gospel is more solid than secularism in this episode with Susannah Black Roberts. You can follow Suzannah Black Roberts on Twitter , Plough , or read her Substack with husband, Alistair Roberts. Resources mentioned: " B...

When your job is politics, how do you get away from the rhetoric and tribalism of the culture wars? In this episode, Bryce Hales and Ashley Hales talk with Peter Wehner, a contributing editor for The Atlantic and a former presidential speech writer, about navigating culture war topics. Pete Wehner is a Senior Fellow at Trinity Forum @trinityforum ; he writes for @nytimes & @TheAtlantic . He ha...

What happens if you've been a victim of the culture war? When Daniel Darling was fired from a prominent evangelical organization, he knew he needed not to capitulate to the culture wars, but to find a robust unity. His newest book, Agents of Grace, embodies one way to move beyond warring factionalism and embody the gospel Christians believe. Be sure to listen to the series to chart your way throug...

Need an alternative to online culture warmongering? On this episode, Bryce Hales and Ashley Hales talk with Mark Labberton, President Emeritus of Fuller Theological Seminary, about how exile is the paradigm we need for this cultural moment. Be sure to listen, subscribe and share. We'd love if you shared these episodes with a friend or family member as a starting point for conversation. Be sure to...

On this series, "Stuck in the Middle," we're talking to leaders like you who feel pulled into multiple directions in the latest iteration of the culture wars. (Here's the first episod e if you missed out on that). On this episode, Bryce Hales and Ashley Hales talk about the questions they bring to the table, the origin of the term "culture wars", what's involved (and get a short literary history i...

If you feel like you're stuck in the middle of polarization, disinformation, and decision fatigue this new series on the "culture wars" is for you! In this short intro, Bryce Hales and Ashley Hales share some of their hopes to help guide the conversation around partisanship and tribalism so that leaders can chart a pathway through the culture wars. In this series, you'll get more from thoughtful l...

How can we get out of bed each morning? Alan Noble's On Getting Out of Bed is a gentle reminder to do the next right thing when you or someone you love experiences mental affliction. In this conversation, Bryce Hales and Ashley Hales talk about Alan's work, what the redemption of Jesus means for depression and anxiety, and how to move beyond performing our pain. Resources mentioned: Alan's latest...

How do modernity, technology, brain science, and spiritual formation work together? In this wide-ranging and fascinating conversation, Bryce and Ashley sit down with Curt Thompson, MD, who deftly combines interpersonal neurobiology and Christian faith. We talk about institutions, the lack of fruitfulness amongst Christians, and developing a Christian imagination. A must-listen: practical, thoughtf...

Can the church be a place for disillusioned people? In this conversation, Bryce Hales and Ashley Hales talk with Sara Billups about the ways consumer-driven and end-times-focused Christian belief shaped a generation. Listen in for thoughtful commentary and a way forward. Resources mentioned: Sara Billups, Orphaned Believers: How a Generation of Christian Exiles can Find the Way Home Leigh Stein, "...

Bryce Hales and Ashley Hales interview Christopher Watkin about the story the bible tells as an interpretative lens. We speak about the issue of critical theory, how his book Biblical Critical Theory is useful, and how it might help us over and against a culture war lens. LINKS Christopher Watkin's book, Biblical Critical Theory Find out more about Christopher on his website The Cartographers is a...

How do we think about our days, weeks, and seasons? In this conversation with Glenn Packiam, Ashley Hales and Bryce Hales talk about emotional health for leaders, the difference between information and transformation, and how an intentional year fits in. Resources mentioned: Holly Packiam and Glenn Packiam, The Intentional Year Glenn Packiam, The Resilient Pastor and more resources at Barna The Ca...

What does it look like to grow old -- not just in years but in wisdom? How are young men growing in maturity? What does emotional health look like? Part of charting the cultural landscape for Christian leaders is paying attention to our spiritual health and the need for sage guides. Bryce Hales and Ashley Hales speak to counselor Chris Bruno about his new book, Sage. Resources mentioned: Chris Bru...

How do our limits lead us towards love? What is our understanding of the human person within the sphere of faith? How do we actually live out a kingdom ethnic in this day and age? Part of charting the cultural landscape for Christian leaders is a full understanding of the human person. In this conversation, Ashley Hales and Bryce Hales speak with David Zahl about his book, Low Anthropology . Resou...

How do we move through pain? What forms can we use to practice communal identity with others and promote honesty before God? How do liturgies form us? Part of charting the cultural landscape for Christian leaders is promoting forms for communal and historical identity, rather than a flippant individualism. In this interview, Ashley Hales speaks to writer Douglas McKelvey about his work in Every Mo...

Finding Holy is transitioning to The Cartographers: Mapping the Cultural Landscape for 21st century Christian Leaders. Join Ashley Hales and Bryce Hales as they have conversations with guests in a changing cultural landscape. Escape the same thoughtful commentary and questions, wise ways forward, and a new emphasis on the intersection between spiritual formation, imagination, individual and instit...

In this third conversation with Jen Pollock Michel, we talk about how a rule of life helps lower our time-anxiety. This is a practical tool to cooperation with the work of God and of grace in our lives. We talk about the power of attention, the way of wisdom, and practical ways to move through December and January. LINKS Jen’s new book, In Good Time Pre-order Bonus : Jen's free 4 week course on a...

In this second conversation this Advent season, Jen Pollock Michel and I talk about how to keep time (not save it or spend it). How do we approach the time that we have? We talk what a rule of life is. This is a timely conversation now, but is great for end-of-year and beginning-of-the-year thoughts, planning and goals! Here's how not to get overwhelmed. Listen in to this thoughtful, fun, and prac...

Do you feel rushed or overwhelmed this time of year? During Advent, Ashley speaks with Jen Pollock Michel about how we might better think about living in the time that is given to us. In this episode we talk about the time anxiety that attends us during the holiday rush and some practical steps forward. We're also giving away 5 copies of In Good Time ! To enter, rate and review the podcast and let...

What does it mean to practice time-keeping as a Christian? In this episode, Ashley sits down with Hannah Anderson to talk about Advent, our need for liturgies, and what creation can teach us. Listen in and grab a copy of Hannah's book. LINKS Hannah and Nathan's book, Heaven and Nature Sing Follow Hannah on Twitter Hannah's website Ashley’s most recent book, A Spacious Life is in paperback , ebook...

Are you overwhelmed? Ashley Hales talks with Ann Swindell about her devotional, The Path to Peace. As we walk through the lives of several biblical characters, we'll begin to see that the point is less to do with our circumstances and more about knowing God. Listen in to this hopeful conversation. LINKS Ann's website , including her writing courses Ann's book, The Path to Peace Ashley’s most recen...

In this conversation with Glenn Packiam, Ashley talks with Glenn about resilience, discipleship and ways to move forward. Chock full of hope, data, and practical steps. Listen in. LINKS Glenn's website Rockharbor Church Glenn's book, The Resilient Pastor Resilient pastor resources (podcast, cohorts, etc). Ashley’s most recent book, A Spacious Life is in paperback , ebook and audio . You can find o...