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Church and Main is a podcast at the intersection of faith and modern life. Join Pastor Dennis Sanders as he shares the stories of faith interacting with the ever-changing world of the 21st century.
Episodes
Friday Aug 02, 2024
Friday Aug 02, 2024
Mark Tooley comes to the podcast to discuss the stark differences between Christian nationalism and traditional Christian conservatism, shedding light on a topic often muddled by media coverage. Tooley provides insights into why these two ideologies are frequently conflated and elucidates the unique characteristics that set them apart.
Christian Conservatism vs. Christian Nationalism by Mark Tooley
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Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Jack Haberer returns to talk about his latest book, "Swimming with the Sharks: Leading the Full Spectrum Church in a Red and Blue World." Using encounters with sharks as a metaphor, we explore the divisive forces in society and the importance of empathy in bridging divides. Jack challenges binary thinking, encourages partnership over proselytizing, and emphasizes biblical teachings on love and compassion.
Suggested Reading and Listening:
Related Episodes:
Voting as a Moral Act with Bryan McGraw | Episode 176
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Monday Jul 22, 2024
Monday Jul 22, 2024
In this episode, Loren Richmond Jr. and I discuss President Biden's surprising exit from the 2024 race and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. We then touch on navigating cognitive decline in loved ones and highlight the significance of supportive relationships in guiding individuals through transitions and tough decisions. Emphasizing the role of faith communities in addressing societal challenges, we promote empathy and understanding in navigating transitions gracefully.
Suggested Reading and Listening:
My husband was slowing down. He needed protecting. by Sally Quinn
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Friday Jul 19, 2024
Friday Jul 19, 2024
Retired pastor Robert Cornwall discusses recent political events, emphasizing the importance of Christians responding to polarization and violence by seeing each other as children of God and fostering unity. The conversation explores the motives behind the assassination attempt on Trump, highlighting concerns about increasing polarization and violence in politics. Cornwall stresses the need for faith over political allegiances and courage in maintaining relationships across divides. The discussion touches on Christian nationalism, patriotism, and the complexities of balancing political participation with religious convictions in the current political landscape. Cornwall reflects on the upcoming general election and encourages trusting in God's presence, unity, and bridge-building during times of division.
Suggested Reading and Listening:
Donald Trump and the Vibes of Destiny by Dennis Sanders
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Monday Jul 15, 2024
Monday Jul 15, 2024
What happens when you replace human-driven church growth strategies with a prayer-centered approach? In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Jeff, who recently completed his doctoral dissertation on the role of prayer in evangelism, to explore just that. Pastor Geoff Mitchell opens up about his personal prayer journey, especially amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. His experiences of prayer walking through Midtown Memphis and the resulting transformation in his spiritual life underscore a powerful message: true church growth relies on divine activity more than human effort.
Suggested Reading and Listening:
Is There Hope for Liberal Christianity with Geoff Mitchell | Episode 37
The Future of the Disciples of Christ with Geoff Mitchell | Episode 105
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Sunday Jul 07, 2024
Sunday Jul 07, 2024
In this episode, theologian Ted Smith explores the transformation of denominations in the United States, moving from broad structures to more specialized affinity groups. The shift is driven by societal changes, leading to more homogeneous and smaller denominations. Smith highlights advantages like reduced conflict, clearer paths to ordination, and lower institutional overhead. Despite benefits, challenges include the loss of diverse viewpoints and potential alignment with political movements. The discussion also addresses the evolution of theological education in response to current trends and the evolving landscape for seminaries.
Suggested Reading and Listening:
The Aftermath of the United Methodist General Conference with Drew McIntyre | Episode 187
Inclusion, Pluralism and the Presbyterian Church (USA) with Jack Haberer | Episode 188
Predictions About the Future of the Christian Church with Ryan Burge (Russell Moore Show)
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Tuesday Jul 02, 2024
Tuesday Jul 02, 2024
In this solo episode, Dennis looks at the first Presidential debate and the tendency in American politics to see our presidential candidates as saviors.
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Sunday Jun 23, 2024
Sunday Jun 23, 2024
The 226th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is set to meet soon in Salt Lake City. One of the many issues to be discussed is a proposal called the "Olympia Overture," which would formally prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ Presbyterians, but could according to some make it hard for those with different theological interpretations to remain in the denomination. In this episode, I talked with retired PC(USA) pastor and former editor of Presbyterian Outlook Jack Haberer about the proposal and what it would mean for the denomination.
Suggested Reading:
Embracing Diversity Without Exclusion (article by Jack Haberer)
Articles for and against the Olympia Overture
A Statement in Support of the Olympia Overture from Past Moderators and Vice Moderators
The Aftermath of the United Methodist General Conference with Drew McIntyre | Episode 187
Donate: Venmo- @churchandmainpod |TipTopJar- https://tiptopjar.com/electricparson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain
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Threads: https://www.threads.net/@churchandmainpod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@churchmainpodcast
Website: https://churchandmain.org/