What is Good: Christian Life Commission Podcast

In this episode, we talk social media feeds and algorithms, and how we as Christians should be more thoughtful of what we consume. David leads the discussion by taking the other CLC directors through the content of one of his workshops. Join us as we look at the menu of the restaurant "Healthy, Filling, Fattening and Harmful - Where we make the choice and we make sure you like it!"   TIMESTAMPS 1:...

In this episode, we are joined by special guest Dave Lyons, the Texas Baptists’ director of support services and information technology. Dave shares his wisdom with us about ways for churches to be more secure and mindful in their use of technology. He also gives advice on how to care for and show appreciation to our church volunteers who help with using tech. TIMESTAMPS: 2:44 - Dave shares how Go...

In this episode, Katie guides our discussion on the nature of artificial intelligence (AI). We discuss its rapid evolution; focusing mostly on ethical implications, and the impact AI can have on human relationships and spirituality. We share from our own experiences with using AI, and encourage our churches to navigate its use thoughtfully. TIMESTAMPS: 1:40 - Introduction 5:18 - What is your famil...

In this episode (after a brief introduction with Katie), David speaks to author Sam Black about his new book, “The Healing Church: What Churches Get Wrong about Pornography and How to Fix It.”  Sam shares about his work as the Director of Recovery Education at CovenantEyes and his years of experience helping those who struggle with addiction to pornography within the church, and his observations f...

In this episode, the whole team is here to discuss the importance of religious liberty, which is one of our four public policy priorities. John Litzler leads us, as we talk about the current state of religious freedoms in America, recent court cases related to this issue, the importance of preserving religious liberty for all for the sake of the gospel, and examples of religious freedom violations...

This episode is a little different — we’re taking you to the border. In October, the CLC hosted a small group of pastors in El Paso for a pilot experience we hope will grow into a series of immersive ministry trips across the state. Our goal was simple: to see, listen, and pray with those serving along the border, and to better understand what God is already doing through ministries like River Min...

In this episode, David and John talk to ex-gambling addict John Allman. Allman shares about the nature of addiction, his testimony of recovery, and the recovery ministry that he is involved in at his church. We also discuss the predatory nature of online sports betting, and the role that advocacy plays reducing its impact in Texas.   Timestamps: 2:50 - How did gambling give you a sense of identity...

In this episode of What is Good, Irene and David speak with Dr. Jeremy Everett, the founder and executive director of the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty. We discuss his book, “I Was Hungry” and talk about what it would take to end hunger in Texas. To learn more Dr. Everett’s work and the Hunger Free Community certificate program at hungerandpoverty.org     TIMESTAMPS: 1:54 - Who is you...

 In this episode of What is Good, Katie and David talk to two co-workers within our Texas Baptists family, Jennifer Howington and Sarah Johnson about the Special Friends Retreat. This retreat is specifically for individuals with special needs and their families. This is something the CLC cares about deeply, and we are excited to help get the word out. TIMESTAMPS: 1:26 - Introduction of our guests...

In this episode of What is Good, the Texas legislative session has just ended and it's time for a recap. All four CLC directors are back to discuss how things went for the CLC this year at the state capitol. John Litzler leads the discussion, sharing some of the bills that were passed that we supported, that align with our four public priorities: Sanctity of Human Life, Religious Liberty, Human Fl...

In this episode of What is Good, our directors discuss all things Texas Baptist Hunger Offering, as this year marks its 30th anniversary. We begin with memoirs of Phil Strickland, and his travels that lead to the creation of the Hunger Offering. Katie shares from her experiences overseeing the offering during the COVID pandemic. Irene shares about current ministries the Hunger Offering supports. T...

In this episode of What is Good, our directors summarize some of the workshops we have presented at the recent conferences Congreso and WMU Pursue. Katie shares about the ethical challenges of AI and the Christian response. Irene speaks on the power of women in ministry connecting with each other for encouragement and collaboration. David looks at Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan Woman as an...

In this episode of What is Good, we are excited to share with you a message from author Tim Alberta. This message was recorded on March 3rd, 2025, during our Advocacy Day conference where he was one of our keynote speakers. After being introduced by our CLC director, Katie Frugé, Tim Alberta speaks on the importance of Christian witness in politics and the public square in a time of increasing pol...

In this episode of What is Good, we are excited to share with you a message from the executive director for Texas Baptists, Dr. Julio Guarneri. This message was recorded on March 3rd, 2025, during our Advocacy Day conference where he was one of our keynote speakers. After being introduced by our CLC director, Katie Frugé, Dr. Guarneri challenges us from Hebrews 11 and 12 to consider these foundati...

In this episode of What is Good, we are excited to share with you a message from pastor Steve Bezner. It was recorded on March 3rd, 2025, during our Advocacy Day conference where he was one of our keynote speakers. After being introduced by our CLC director, Katie Frugé, Steve challenges us to understand the roles of Gospel and government in seeing the Kingdom of God realized "on earth as it is in...

In this episode, John and David are joined by Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. If you wonder what it is they do, then listen in as Brent shares about their work at our nations capitol and ways that the ERLC partners with state commissions like the CLC, as we advocate for kingdom values in the public square. Also, for the second week in a row, David's "Wh...

In this episode, Katie, John, and David talk about the upcoming CLC Advocacy Day. They discuss its purpose, keynote speaker lineup, and schedule, but also give insights into what it's like to advocate at the state capitol in Austin with your state senators and state house representatives. Advocacy Day is March 3-4, and you can learn more about the event here: texasclc.org/advocacy-day You can regi...

In this episode of What is Good, David speaks to Dr. Malinda Fasol-Leewright, a licensed professional counselor with over 20 years of experience and professor at a faith-based university. Together, they discuss practical ways to encourage those who say they are feeling anxious about what is going to happen in the next four years. TIMESTAMPS: 0:36 - Introducing our special guest, Dr. Malinda Fasol-...

In this episode of What is Good, Katie Fruge and David Sanchez discuss the curriculum of The After Party with one of the co-founders, Curtis Chang. The After Party is a free online course that helps Christians consider the "how" vs the "what" of politics. exploring what the Bible has to say and equipping us to better navigate challenging topics in today's difficult political environment.  TIMESTAM...

In today's episode of What is Good, Katie and John talk to CLC Commissioner and senior pastor of Houston Northwest Church, Dr. Steve Bezner about his new book Your Jesus is Too American . We find out what led him to write this book, discuss some of the main ideas, and of course ask him "What is Good?" Join us for this challenging and thoughtful discussion. TIMESTAMPS: 2:25 - Katie asks Steve how h...

In this episode, John Litzler leads us in asking how to have uplifting family conversations during the holidays. Growing up, there were two things you didn't talk about at the dinner table- politics and religion. Things have changed, and recently politics have become a sore subject during family get-togethers. Is there a way for us to model political discussions that don't lead to anger and divisi...

In this episode of What is Good, our Director of Hunger & Care, Irene Gallegos, shares with us her passion for public health. She guides us in a discussion of the factors of health and how more impoverished communities will have greater difficulty accessing help in times of need. We discuss what community development ministries to these areas can look like and the various ways the CLC strives to a...

In today's episode, the CLC discusses helpful biblical principles for making decisions in grey areas. If you are a pastor or even a small group leader, you’ve probably had someone ask you “What does the bible say about _____?” They are not usually wanting to know what is pleasing to God. They want a one verse proof text that shows how they are right and someone else is wrong. Or they want to know...

In today's episode, the CLC discusses a topic that is near and dear to Katie's heart - Disability and Dignity. Two of her three daughters have moderate to severe disabilities, and she has witnessed how the world often views disabilities negatively. In contrast, the scriptures challenge us to view those who have various disabilities as still possessing dignity and to treat them with respect and com...

In this episode of What is Good, the CLC continues our discussion of the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. The book addresses the current rise of mental illness among young people and makes the argument that this increase is due to two things. One, the impact of cell phones and social media; and two, the lessening of unsupervised free play during childhood. We had so much to say on th...