Pastor Efrem Smith is an internationally recognized leader who uses motivational speaking and preaching to equip people for a life of transformation. He consults on issues of multi-ethnicity, leadership, and community development. Efrem is the former president and CEO of World Impact: an urban mission, church planting and leadership-development organization. He’s the author of several books, including his latest, “Killing Us Softly.” 

Efrem is a graduate of Saint John’s University and Luther Theological Seminary, and received an honorary doctor of ministry degree from Ashland Theological Seminary, and most recently earned his Doctor of Ministry degree in Church Leadership and Reconciliation Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. 

Efrem's latest book is The Post-Black and Post-White Church: Becoming the Beloved Community in a Multi-Ethnic World. In this podcast conversation, we talk about how 2020 opened up many important race conversations and how the church dealt with--and continues to deal with (or not deal with)--those important conversations.

S2 Ep1107: Learning from the Race Conversations in 2020: Dr. Efrem Smith

Helping believers think Christianly about theological and cultural issues by engaging in curious conversations with a diverse range of thoughtful people.

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Austin Fischer is the Lead Pastor at Vista Community Church near Austin, TX and is the author of several books, including the recently released Us for Them: Seeking Higher Ground in the Cultural Holy Wars, which forms the basis for our discussion in this episode. We focus primarily on how to lead people in our ideologically polarized society, especially when it comes to political and social issues.
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Pastoring People Who Are Living on Different Ideological Planets: Austin Fischer

Noah Filipiak is church planter and pastor of Mosaic Church in Grand Rapids, MI and is the author of Beyond the Battle and Needed Navigation. He hosts The Flip Side Podcast and blogs at noahfilipiak.com. 
In this podcast conversation, we talk about pornography and discipleship, focusing specifically on the need for the church (parents, leaders, etc.) to disciple their people better in this conversation, why things are not getting any better in terms of the quantity of porn that people are consuming, the rise in porn use among girls and women, how porn rewires your brain and is incredibly addictive, and how parents and church leaders can go about addressing this issue well.
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Needed Navigation: A Teen's Guide to His or Her Identity in Christ in a Sex and Porn-Filled World https://amzn.to/3WnoFCo 
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The Porn Epidemic and Christian Discipleship: Noah Filipiak

Alisa Childers recently had Dr. Christopher Yuan on her YouTube channel to discuss various problems they see in what they call "Side B Christianity," and my name often came up in their critiques. They also offered several critiques of the Exiles in Babylon 2024 conference, which I hosted last month. 

In this episode, I work through their conversation and respond to several things where I believe they have misrepresented what I actually believe. My goal in this episode is not to attack Alisa or Christopher, nor is it to stir up disunity; rather, I simply want to clarify what I believe about important matters related to sexuality and gender, especially in places where others are claiming I believe things that I actually don't. 

Here's the original YouTube conversation between Alisa and Christopher: https://youtu.be/aRNC9b_SZto?si=-5-dCclHfD-ySeFR

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A Response to Alisa Childers and Christopher Yuan

Mia Hughes, a journalist for the think tank Environmental Progress, discusses the controversy surrounding pediatric medical transition and the collision of trans rights with the rights of women and the LGB community. She authored the recently released WPATH files, which expose the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) as an activist group with questionable medical practices. The conversation delves into the history of WPATH, its influence on healthcare for trans-identified people, and the lack of evidence supporting its treatment protocols.

Mia highlights the ethical dilemmas and potential harm caused by the medicalization of gender identity and the irreversible interventions performed on minors. The conversation delves into the harmful effects of gender-affirming medical treatments, particularly on adolescents. Mia discusses the leaked internal discussions from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and highlights the lack of scientific evidence and the political activism within the organization. They emphasize the importance of informed consent and the need to protect vulnerable individuals, especially minors, from irreversible medical interventions. The conversation also touches on the potential for future lawsuits and the contrasting approaches to gender-affirming care in North America and Europe.

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Transgender Health Care and the Scandals Revealed in the WPATH Files: Mia Hughes

Elizabeth Woodson, a Bible teacher and theologian, discusses her passion for Bible study, discipleship, and theological education in the local church. She shares her personal journey of searching for the relevance of the gospel in her own life and how it led her to pursue theological education. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of creating pathways for discipleship and theological education within the church, so that believers can understand and apply the truths of Scripture in their everyday lives.
She also discusses the challenges of busyness and the need for churches to provide meaningful and accessible opportunities for learning and growth. In a post-COVID world, churches have had to explore new opportunities for theological education and discipleship. People are hungry for connection, support, and answers to their questions. There is an opportunity to disciple adults in the basics of the faith and help them grow deeper in their faith. The early church valued theological education and had a rigorous catechism process for new converts. The church today can learn from the past and prioritize discipleship.
Singleness in the church is often misunderstood and undervalued. The church needs to have a deeper theology of singleness and provide community and support for single individuals. The church should prioritize friendships and create a culture where singleness is seen as a beautiful season. The church needs to navigate the volatile political climate with grace, honoring people and holding true to the teachings of Jesus.
Elizabeth Woodson is a Bible teacher, theologian, author, and the Founder of The Woodson Institute, an organization that equips believers to understand and grow in their Christian faith. With over a decade of experience in church ministry, Elizabeth is passionate about creating pathways for discipleship and theological education in the local church. Elizabeth is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a Masters in Christian Education. She is also the author of Embrace Your Life: How To Find Joy When The Life You Have Is Not The Life You Hoped For and From Beginning To Forever: A Study of the Grand Narrative of Scripture. 
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S2 Ep1107: Learning from the Race Conversations in 2020: Dr. Efrem Smith

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