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Church Potluck returns for 2023! In this episode, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Huggins (college chaplain) cautions Christians about the distracting and disruptive features of modern technology. Dr. Huggins is joined by Matthew Lee (philosophy), Michael Bailey (political science), and host Dale McConkey (sociology). The focal point of the conversation is Chaplain Huggins' article, "Proceed with Caution: Lessons from Saint Augustine, Jonathan Edwards, and Miroslav Volf" in the newly released book Technē: Christian Visions of Technology (Gerald Hiestand and Todd A. Wilson, editors).

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Christmas is supposed to be a happy, joyful time full of festive celebration. So what happens when you don't feel like celebrating? Join us for an informative and heartfelt discussion about the challenges of grieving during the holidays. Why can the holidays be so difficult? What do we in the Church do well -- and not so well -- when it comes to helping others grieve? How can we who are grieving cope, and how can we help others cope?

This episode's guests:
Chris Barbieri, Floyd Atrium hospital chaplain and United Methodist minister)
Gabrielle Marquez, Berry College chaplain's office
Michael Bailey, Political Science, Berry College
Dale McConkey (Host), Sociology, Berry College and pastor at Mount Tabor UMC 

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BONUS "LEFTOVER" EPISODE! After our Christmas and Culture church potluck (Episode 4), we noticed that Curt Hersey (Communication) still had a lot on his plate. So we packed up the leftovers and warmed them up for this episode on Christmas media: TV shows, movies, and music. Is Hollywood conspiring to take Christ out of Christmas? What's the story behind "A Charlie Brown Christmas"? Are Hallmark Christmas movies a good thing? What about Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You"? Listen and find out!

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Why is Christmas so commercialized? Why has it become politicized? How should Christians respond to these trends? Join Curt Hersey (Communication), Tom Kennedy (Philosophy), Mike Bailey (Political Science), and Dale McConkey (Sociology) as they share their personal reflections and cultural analyses of Christmas in our contemporary culture.

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If you are looking for a deep scholarly dive into the biblical and liturgical meanings of Christmas, this is the podcast for you! What does the Church get wrong about Christmas? How do different traditions understand the Nativity? Join Jonathan Parker and Jordan Rowan Fannin (religion professors and church leaders) along with Michael Papazian (philosophy professor and Armenian Orthodox scholar) and Dale McConkey (sociologist and United Methodist pastor) as they consider the meanings Christians bestow upon the birth of Jesus.

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The panelists from our inaugural episode return to discuss the 2022 midterm elections in greater detail. After an overview of the results, we consider the impact of abortion policy on young voters and Christian conservatives. We also explore the religious rhetoric in the Raphael Warnork - Herschel Walker senate race and then briefly consider other issues like Ron DeSantis' "God Made a Fighter" ad, the LDS/Mormon Church's support of the Respect for Marriage Act (which protects same-sex marriage), and Trump's announcement of his 2024 Presidential campaign. We conclude the episode with a "second helping" in which Mike Bailey shares his experiences as a poll worker and poll watcher.

The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

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Welcome to our inaugural episode of Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Thought! Thanks for bearing with us as we learn the ropes of this new medium for us. Our first episode begins with a look at Hulu's new documentary, "God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty," which explores the events surrounding Jerry Fallwell, Jr., deposed president of Liberty University and son of the late renowned televangelist and conservative political operative, Jerry Falwell, Sr. Given that we recorded this episode the day after the 2022 midterm elections, we also discuss the fusion between evangelical Christianity and conservative politics. Our guests are Abbie Vegter, Tom Kennedy, and Michael Bailey. Hosted by Dale McConkey. Thanks to our audio techs, Joey Fletcher and Alyssa Freyman.

The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.