Church and Main

 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...

Where can we find hope in the current political context?  For Methodist pastor Drew McIntyre, that hope took place in an empty tomb when Jesus rose from the dead. Drew and I talk about the distinction between hope and optimism, and the cultural pessimism prevalent in society today. We also look at the significance of the bodily resurrection of Jesus as the foundation of hope, the role of the churc...

 I speak with Cathie Caimano, an Episcopal priest who discusses her journey and the concept of "free-range ministry" as a solution for small congregations. She advocates for flexible, part-time ministry models that empower lay leadership and foster community engagement.  Suggested Reading and Listening: Free Range Priest website Related Episodes: Luther Seminary and the Future of Mainline Protesta...

In this episode, I take some time to explore the significant changes at Luther Seminary and their implications for mainline Protestantism. With the decision to sell its remaining property by 2027, a reflection of long-standing financial struggles, I discuss insights from Rob Myalis, an ELCA pastor and Luther alumnus, on sustaining a pipeline of pastors. We look at the shift towards experiential le...

Can evangelism be done in a way that’s both ethical and inclusive? Denise Dollinger and Christina Cernansky, hosts of the podcast "Emissaries of Renewal," join me to discuss the nuances of ethical evangelism. DeDe and CeCe examine the concepts of radical hospitality and inclusivity in today’s religious context, advocating for a reimagined evangelism that prioritizes love and community over guilt a...

In this episode, I talk to Jacob Smith, the rector of Calvary St. George's Episcopal Parish in Manhattan. We compare politics to Halloween and religion to a celebration called All Saints Day, discussing how faith, politics, and today's issues connect. Jacob believes faith should guide our political actions and promote kindness and inclusivity instead of division. We also discuss the problems the c...

In this episode,  we look at the shifting dynamics between Canada and the United States amid rising nationalism, influenced by recent U.S. political rhetoric. I speak with David Harrison, an Anglican priest, about the impact on Canadian Christians navigating economic challenges and national identity. We discuss how churches are providing community support while upholding Christian values in the fa...

In this episode, I chat with David Zahl, founder of Mockingbird Ministries and author of "The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace in a Worn-Out World." We explore the essential role of grace in providing relief amid modern pressures and its importance in fostering genuine connections. Zoll emphasizes the need for vulnerability in relationships and critiques the church's tendency toward condemnation....

Summary In this conversation, Ben DeHart shares his unique faith journey, growing up in a mixed-religion household and finding his way into the church through an evangelical community. He discusses his transition to St. John's in Brooklyn, the dynamics of the Park Slope community, and the importance of preaching in revitalizing a church. Ben emphasizes the need for engaging sermons that resonate w...

In this episode, we examine the intersection of faith and the working class with Brian Dijkema, president of CARDUS. We discuss how traditional churches connect—or fail to connect—with blue-collar workers amid shifting socioeconomic dynamics. Brian shares insights on the historical involvement of churches in labor movements and the challenges they face today in attracting diverse congregations. Br...

I had a conversation with Andrew Root, who is a theologian and wrote the book "Evangelism in an Age of Despair." We explored how evangelism can serve as a way to comfort others, stressing the importance of real human connections during hard times instead of just trying to get people to attend church. Root criticizes how faith is treated like a product and compares evangelism to the care given in h...

In this episode, I explore the complex topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within contemporary church teachings and societal dynamics. I engage in a conversation with George Yancey, a Professor of Sociology and Religion, who shares his insights on DEI’s role in fostering inclusive communities amid a polarized political climate. Together, we analyze the implications of DEI, its successe...

We explore the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) with Susie Hayward, a former senior advisor with extensive experience in religion and inclusive societies. Hayward shares insights into USIP's mission, history, and the recent challenges it faces following actions by the Department of Governmental Efficiency. We discuss her personal journey, emphasizing the intersection of faith, activism, and...