Church and Main

Voting as a Moral Act with Bryan McGraw | Episode 176

Could your vote be an act of pure democratic expression or merely a move in a complex game of strategic power? Grapple with the profound implications of casting a ballot as I'm joined by Brian McGraw, an associate professor at Wheaton College, to navigate the treacherous waters of sincere versus strategic voting. We dissect the impact of a polarized political landscape where negative partisanship often seems to overshadow individual values, and delve into the significance of our first votes and the indelible mark they leave on our civic consciousness.
Voting is more than a checkmark on a ballot; it's an ethical statement, a declaration of our societal vision. As we brace for the Presidential election, consider this a toolkit for the conscientious voter. Hear about the challenges of staying informed amidst the deluge of candidate information and how post-election engagement with our communities can keep the democratic spirit alive. 
 
Show Notes:
How to Think About Voting by Byran McGraw and Timothy Taylor
How to Think About Voting in 2024 (National Affairs Podcast)
 
Lectionary Q Podcast
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Paul Moore on Caring About Mainline Decline | BONUS

Welcome to a Bonus episode that is part of a series called "Church and Main Shorts," snippets from recent episodes.  In an interview from December 2023,  Paul Moore on fostering growth within mainline churches. Moore discusses the challenges faced by denominations in embracing change and the importance of shifting mindsets towards growth. He emphasizes the need for revitalizing congregations by prioritizing youth and family ministries to ensure a sustainable future. 
Listen to the full episode: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-cqwn6-15bd448
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Theological Humility in the Local Church With David Emery | Episode 175

Amidst a climate of political upheaval and social unrest, the church's mission has never been more critical. In today's conversation with Pastor David Emery, we confront the tough questions of unity and division, exploring how the church can become a beacon of hope and understanding in a world marked by stark lines in the sand. He shares his commitment to fostering spaces for constructive dialogue and learning, setting a table where all are welcome, and where love transcends politics. It's a poignant reminder of the powerful role faith communities play in healing divides and exemplifying the teachings of Jesus in everyday life.
Harvard Avenue Christian Church websiteGrowing Mainline Churches with Paul Moore (Episode 164) A Church Grows Again With Dawn Darwin Weaks (Episode 136)
Lectionary Q Podcast
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Should We Listen to Trump Supporters? | Episode 174

It's been a while since Dennis has done a solo episode.  In this solo pod, he focuses on how we should love Trump supporters as Jesus called us to love our enemies and how this might defeat the former President at the ballot box.Why We Might Want to Listen to Trump SupportersStill More Thoughts on Talking to Trump SupportersLectionary Q PodcastMake a  Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-mainTwitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmainFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmainWebsite: https://churchandmain.org/YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHglj

Navigating Faith in a Divided World With Joy J. Moore | Episode 173

In this episode, host Dennis Sanders interviews Professor Joy J. Moore about the divisiveness in society and the church, the temptation to make a name for ourselves, and the idolatry of politics. They also discuss the lack of focus on racial reconciliation and the need for grace and humility in the process. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing our shared humanity and the role of the church in promoting reconciliation.Show Notes:Joy J Moore's BioWorking Together Toward Racial Reconciliation (article from Fuller Seminary)Sermon Brainwave PodcastLectionary Q PodcastMake a  Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-mainTwitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmainFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmainWebsite: https://churchandmain.org/YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHglj

Transforming the Offering Plate into a Spiritual Journey with Kirby Gould | Episode 172

So, in this latest chat I had on the podcast, I got to hang out with Kirby Gould of the Christian Church Foundation, and we really dug into what it means to be good stewards in our church communities. We chatted about how different generations think about giving, took a peek back at the Greek origins of the whole stewardship concept, and highlighted just how big a deal gratitude is in this mix.Kirby shares an idea about shaking things up and giving stewardship campaigns a makeover to make them more upbeat. We also marveled at how folks during the Great Depression were super generous, which is pretty inspiring. We didn't stop there; we also riffed on how the Bible nudges us to be generous, brainstormed some fresh ways churches can bring in funds, and talked about how giving from the heart is really where it's at these days.Wrapping things up, we looked ahead, thinking about how stewardship can keep evolving as a spiritual habit that's all about finding joy in giving. Show Notes:Kirby Gould's BioStewardship As A Spiritual DisciplineCenter for Faith and Giving WebsiteLectionary Q PodcastMake a  Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-mainTwitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmainFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmainWebsite: https://churchandmain.org/YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHglj

Breathing Fresh Life into Humanist Conservatism with Jeffrey Tyler Syck | Episode 171

Guest Jeffrey Tyler Syck dives into the multifaceted world of American conservatism. He and Dennis unpack the nuances of traditional, national, and humanist conservatism, examining the influence of faith on these ideologies. Tyler discusses the decline of humanist conservatism and its potential resurgence, considering the role of churches in fostering values like community and social justice. The conversation offers a rich exploration of conservatism's philosophical roots and its place in modern political life, with a hopeful look at its future in American politics.Show Notes:Jeffrey Tyler Syck's home pageConservatism’s Path Not TakenConservatism’s Humanist Road Not TakenLectionary Q PodcastMake a  Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-mainTwitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmainFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmainWebsite: https://churchandmain.org/YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHglj

Is the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Really as Simple as It Seems? with Frederick Schmidt| Episode 170

So, in this latest chat on "Church and Main," I got to hang out with frequent guest Reverend Frederick Schmidt. We dove into how people tend to oversimplify the whole Israeli-Palestinian situation. We're all about getting into the nitty-gritty and understanding the full picture, especially the parts that don't get enough attention, like the real-life struggles of Palestinians and the issues with their leaders.Show Notes:Christian Leaders, Hamas, And Fundamentalist IslamWhispered in Gaza VideosLectionary Q PodcastMake a  Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-mainTwitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmainFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmainWebsite: https://churchandmain.org/YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHglj

Death, Dying and Caregiving with Andrew Donaldson | Episode 169

The sight of former President Jimmy Carter at his wife's funeral gave a lesson in what it means to be actively dying, even if the lesson was lost on those commenting on social media.  In this episode, frequent guest Andrew Donaldson joins the show as he and Dennis talk about death and dying as well as being caregivers to their parents following health emergencies recently.Show notes:We Should Talk More About Dying, Cause You Will by Andrew DonaldsonLectionary Q PodcastMake a  Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-mainTwitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmainFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmainWebsite: https://churchandmain.org/YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHglj

January 6 in Three Acts with Andrew Donaldson and Dennis Sanders | Episode 168

This episode originally aired January 5, 2022.On the three-year anniversary of January 6, 2021, and at the start of a momentous presidential election year, Dennis reflects on the day and the American future in three acts with fellow podcaster and writer Andrew Donaldson.Heard Tell with Andrew DonaldsonLectionary Q PodcastMake a  Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-mainTwitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmainFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmainWebsite: https://churchandmain.org/YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHgljChapters0:00:34 Introduction to Church in Maine podcast0:06:10 Introduction: Setting the Stage for January 6th0:08:10 Act 3: Concluding Thoughts on January 6th0:10:04 Praying in Light of Today's Events0:12:03 Failing to Uphold the Ideals of Unity0:12:37 Seeking God's Help in Uncertain Times0:14:36 Reflecting on the January 6th Insurrection Investigation0:15:53 Setting the Context for the January 6th Committee0:18:00 Doubts on Obtaining Truth from the Committee0:24:21 Recognizing the Disease: Lack of Respect in Government0:27:59 Relitigating January 6th: Counterproductive and Damaging0:30:48 Waking Up to a Nightmare: 1983 and its Significance0:33:37 Abel Archer and the Close Call of Nuclear War0:35:36 Generation X and the Fear of Nuclear War0:38:50 Palpable fear and uncertainty in America0:41:22 January 6th: Epiphany and the Story of King Herod0:43:47 Bethlehem's Horror & January 6th Parallels0:45:49 Living, Helping, and Trusting Amidst Turmoil0:46:50 The Ultimate Defeat of Evil0:48:25 Praying for Strength and Trust in Hard Times