ERLC Podcast

In this episode, Josh, Lindsay, and Brent discuss protesting over George Floyd’s death, the SBC leaders joint statement on George Floyd’s death, the SBC Advance event, churches reopening and singing, NASCAR, and creative graduation ceremonies. Lindsay also gives a rundown of this week’s ERLC content including a piece by Brad Walker with A prayer of help and lament during racial injustice and riots, Daniel Patterson with How ministry is continuing during COVID-19, and Lindsay Nicolet with How can I teach my kids about race and racial unity? Also in this episode, the hosts are joined by Ashley Unzicker for a conversation about life and ministry.

About Ashley

Ashley Unzicker is a Graduate student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in N.C. She currently serves on the ERLC Leadership Council and the Development Team at Hope Reins–a horse ranch that pairs rescued horses with children in crisis to provide hope and healing. She serves on the worship team, the women’s discipleship team, and hosts a small group at Summit RDU. She has written articles featured in Facts and Trends and LifeWay Pastors about evangelism and caring for the abused. She is married to Todd Unzicker, with whom she has three children. Twitter: @AshleyUnzicker

ERLC Content

• Brad Walker with A prayer of help and lament during racial injustice and riots
• Daniel Patterson with How ministry is continuing during COVID-19: Good news from SBC churches
• Lindsay Nicolet with How can I teach my kids about race and racial unity? A roundtable discussion

Culture

1. Protests over death of George Floyd, police killings spread to London, Berlin, Toronto
2. SBC Leaders Issue Joint Statement on Death of George Floyd
3. Trump threatens military force if violence in states isn't stopped
4. Trump’s interview with Sean Spicer
5. SBC Advance event
6. Racial healing, Great Commission, Cooperative Program headline SBC Advance
7. Can churches reopen like businesses?
8. Scientists to choirs: Group singing can spread the coronavirus, despite what CDC may say
9. Coronavirus hospitalizations keep falling
10. SpaceX and NASA make history with launch

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

In this episode, Josh, Lindsay, and Brent recap the Memorial Day weekend, discuss coronavirus milestones, George Floyd’s death, rising home sales in America, CDC guidelines for churches, cicadas, and KFC testing a chicken sandwich. Lindsay also gives a rundown of this week’s ERLC content including a piece by Jessica Burke with "4 ways we try and help our children understand suffering," Grace Liu with "What Christians can do to address COVID-19 and the racial divide," and Catherine Boyle with "4 suggestions for shepherding pastors during the coronavirus." Also in this episode, the hosts are joined by Lemanuel Williams for a conversation about life and ministry.

About Lemanuel

Lemanuel “Manny” Williams serves as the Director of Discipleship for Redemption City Church in Franklin, Tennessee. Manny and his wife Sarah just celebrated one year of marriage. Currently, he is a Hunt Scholar at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is finishing his M.Div. When he isn’t working, doing school work, or attending to the needs of the church, he spends his time reading, writing, attempting carpentry, being a music junkie, playing ball (football and basketball), watching the New England Patriots and the Boston Celtics, eating good food, and enjoying good company and conversation. Twitter: @LRWillams

ERLC Content

• Jessica Burke with 4 ways we try and help our children understand suffering
• Grace Liu with What Christians can do to address COVID-19 and the racial divide
• Catherine Boyle with 4 suggestions for shepherding pastors during the coronavirus

Culture

1. Memorial Day weekend recap
2. U.S. coronavirus death toll crosses 100,000
3. Pompeo says Hong Kong is no longer autonomous from China, jeopardizing billions of dollars in trade
4. Pastors Urge Prayer After George Floyd's Death
5. SpaceX postpones historic launch due to weather
6. SBC leaders commend CDC guidance for churches
7. Rising home sales show Americans are looking past the coronavirus
8. Trump threatens to move GOP convention
9. Texas Democrats host virtual state convention
10. Maryland county bans communion
11. Federal appeals court upholds

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

In this episode, Josh, Lindsay, and Brent discuss the weather around the world (floods in Michigan, tropical storms in the Atlantic, and a cyclone near India and Bangladesh), falling U.S. birth rates, LifeWay cancelling summer camps, Chuck E. Cheese pizza, and minor league baseball. Lindsay also gives a rundown of this week’s ERLC content including a piece from Aaron Mercer with "A warning about rising anti-Semitism," Grace Liu with "How should college students engage with their families during this season of staying at home", and Hanna Welch on how suffering is "Never for Nothing." Also in this episode, the hosts are joined by Charles Clark for a conversation about life and ministry.

About Charles

Charles Clark was elected vice president of mobilization in January 2020. Clark most recently served with IMB as affinity group leader for the Americas. Clark has more than 15 years of experience with IMB. Growing up as a missionary kid in the Americas, Clark began his career with IMB as a church planter in 2004 after working more than 30 years in the corporate industry in progressive leadership roles. Clark completed his corporate career as vice president of e-Business with Occidental Chemical Corporation and vice president of global solutions with HAHT Commerce. He and his wife, Karen, have three grown children and nine grandchildren Twitter: @CharlesDClark1

ERLC Content

• Aaron Mercer with A warning about rising anti-Semitism
• Grace Liu with How should college students engage with their families during this season of staying at home?
• Hanna Welch with Suffering is Never for Nothing: Heeding words of wisdom from Elisabeth Elliot

Culture

1. Catastrophic flooding in Michigan as dams fail
2. Tropical Storm Arthur, the season's first named storm brought wind and rain and the threat of rip currents, and high surf to the Southeast Coast
3. All 50 states now reopening
4. U.S. Birthrates fall to historic low
5. Ravi Zacharias passed away this week
6. More than 80 killed in India and Bangladesh as Cyclone Amphan heaps misery on coronavirus-hit areas
7. China's Xi announces $2B for coronavirus response as WHO faces calls for investigation
8. Trump halts funding for the World Health Organization

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

In this episode, Josh, Lindsay, and Brent discuss how schools might reopen, IMB relocating missionaries, Shanghai Disneyland, the 2020 Gerber Baby, and Hamilton. Lindsay also gives a rundown of this week’s ERLC content including a piece from Jessie Sandberg on a 91-year-old’s perspective on loneliness and isolation, Herbie Newell on Why International adoption is still a viable instrument in child welfare, and Josh Wester on Why Planned Parenthood doesn’t fit on Mother’s Day. Also in this episode, the hosts are joined by Greg Pickering for a conversation about life and ministry.

About Greg

Greg Pickering is Lead Pastor of Brazos Pointe Fellowship in Lake Jackson, Texas; a church he planted in 2001. He actively supports and coaches church planters through the Houston Church Planting Network and NAMB’s SEND City Initiative in Seattle, Wash. He also serves as NAMB’s South Texas Ambassador. Greg married his college sweetheart, Kathy. They are the parents of two adult married sons, and have three grandsons. Greg graduated from Texas A&M University with a BBA in Finance, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a MA in Religious Education. Twitter: @ghpickering

ERLC Content

• Jessie Sandberg with A 91-year-old's perspective on loneliness and isolation
• Herbie Newell on Why international adoption is still a viable instrument in child welfare
• Josh Wester with Why Planned Parenthood doesn’t fit on Mother’s Day

Culture

1. Coronavirus FAQs: Do Temperature Screenings Help? Can Mosquitoes Spread It?
2. District of Columbia extends stay at home order three plus weeks.
3. CSU plans to cancel most in-person classes and go online in the fall
4. Pence's press secretary tests positive for coronavirus, Trump says
5. IMB temporarily relocates missionaries
6. ERLC urges support for churches, non-profits
7. Shanghai Disneyland reopens with timed entry and social distancing
8. 2020 Gerber baby is first adopted baby chosen for campaign
9. Google says that the majority of its employees will work from home until 2021

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

In this episode, Josh, Lindsay, and Brent discuss reopening churches, Mother’s Day, a growing mental health crisis, Nicolas Cage Cast as Tiger King Joe Exotic, and mini pancakes. Lindsay also gives a rundown of this week’s ERLC content including a piece from Jared Kennedy with 12 things to consider with reopening children’s ministry, Eric Costanzo with 7 ways to serve our immigrant and refugee neighbors during a pandemic, and Alex Ward with 5 mothers who helped shaped Christian history. Also in this episode, the hosts are joined by Chelsea Sobolik for a conversation about life and ministry.

About Chelsea

Chelsea Patterson Sobolik serves as a Policy Director in the Washington, D.C. office. Previously, she worked in the U.S. House of Representatives on pro-life policies, domestic and international religious freedom, adoption, and foster care issues. Chelsea is the author of Longing for Motherhood – Holding onto Hope in the Midst of Childlessness. She has a B.A. in International Relations from Liberty University, and lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband Michael. Twitter: @chelspat

ERLC Content

• Jared Kennedy with 12 things to consider when reopening your children's ministry.
• Daniel Patterson and Jenn Kintner with What should churches do as they consider reopening after the coronavirus?
• Eric Costanzo with 7 ways to serve our immigrant and refugee neighbors during a pandemic.
• Alex Ward with 5 mothers who helped shape Christian history.

Culture

1. A Message from President George W. Bush
2. The Covid-19 Riddle: Why Does theVirus Wallop Some Places and Spare Others?
3. The coronavirus pandemic is pushing America into a mental health crisis
4. Don’t Forget the Other Pandemic Killing Thousands of Americans
5. Illinois Governor Pritzker confirms churches will not be allowed to have services with more than 50 people until there is a vaccine
6. A Georgia man was chased and killed while jogging, his mother says
7. Supreme Court Arguments Resume — But With A Twist
8. Supreme Court considers abortion mandate again
9. Poland postpones presidential election
10. 5.5 magnitude earthquake rattles Puerto Rico, damages buildings in Ponc

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

In this episode, Josh, Lindsay, and Brent discuss presidential race updates, food supply shortages, LifeWay cut backs, and the golden age of reruns. Lindsay also gives a rundown of this week’s ERLC content including a piece from Mike McCarty on why home is not always a safe place, Lindsay Nicolet’s interview with First Baptist Church of Picayune on how they are providing childcare for essential workers, and Dane Hays on what to do when disagreeing with family and friends about social distancing. Also in this episode, the hosts are joined by Sara for a conversation about life and ministry.

About Sara: Sara Groves is singer/ songwriter and recording artist with a passion for justice and a heart of mercy. She has joined forces with International Justice Mission to advocate for victims of human trafficking for the past 12 years. Sara has produced a string of successful albums including her latest, Abide With Me, a collection of hymns recorded in a 110-year-old church, and Joy of Every Longing Heart (Christmas). Twitter: @grovesroad

ERLC Content

• ​Mike McCarty with Why home is not always a safe place during stay-at-home orders: The increased risk of sexual abuse during COVID-19.
• Lindsay Nicolet with How one church provided childcare for essential workers during the pandemic.
• Dane Hays with What should you do when disagreeing with family and friends about social distancing?

Culture

1. Rep. Justin Amash announced on Tuesday that he has "launched an exploratory committee" to seek the Libertarian Party's 2020 nomination for a possible third-party presidential run.
2. Trump EO; Meat plant workers to Trump: Employees aren't going to show up
3. Biden announces a committee to help with VP selection
4. Biden is also dealing with allegations of a potential sexual assault that happened several decades ago.
5. 9 Ways Schools Will Look Different When (And If) They Reopen
6. LifeWay announces budget cuts and staff reductions amid COVID-19
7. Coronavirus reaches 1 million cases
8. Another 3.8 million Americans file for unemployment
9. California to close all beaches
10. Costco will start requiring customers to wear masks Monday
11. More than $400,000 so far raised for

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

In this episode, Josh, Lindsay, and Brent discuss facemask requirements, unemployment rates, cats with Coronavirus, and Zoom fatigue. Lindsay also gives a rundown of this week’s ERLC content including a piece from Casey B. Hough on 3 ways to lead Christ’s sheep through the valley of the shadow of COVID-19, Ericka Andersen on quarantine as an opportunity for churches emerging stronger, and Josh Wester on why religious liberty is so important to Baptists. Also in this episode, the hosts are joined by Dan Darling for a conversation about life and ministry.

About Dan

Daniel Darling is the Vice President for Communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention (ERLC). Dan is a bestselling author of several books, including Teen People of the Bible, Crash Course, iFaith, Real, Activist Faith, The Original Jesus, The Dignity Revolution, The Characters of Christmas and the forthcoming, A Way With Words, releasing in September 2020. He is the general editor, along with Trillia Newbell, of a small group study on racial reconciliation, The Church and the Racial Divide and is a contributor to The Worldview Study Bible and The Couples Devotional Bible. Dan has served churches in Illinois and Tennessee. He and his wife Angela have four children and reside in the Nashville area. They attend Green Hill Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, where Dan serves as Pastor of Teaching and Discipleship. Twitter: @dandarling

ERLC Content

• ​​Casey B. Hough with 3 ways to lead Christ’s sheep through the valley of the shadow of COVID-19
• Ericka Andersen with The quarantine is an opportunity for churches to emerge stronger
• Josh Wester with Why is religious liberty so important to Baptists?

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

In this episode, Josh, Lindsay, and Brent discuss what sports will be coming back first, SNL’s new set up for social distancing, Apple’s new budget iPhone, government restrictions and religious liberty. Lindsay also gives a rundown of this week’s ERLC content including a piece from Joe Carter on When will our church buildings reopen, Aaron Mercer on coronavirus testing international religious freedom, Melissa Affolter and Jonathan Holmes on how to help the rise of domestic abuse, and Jeff Pickering with a Q&A for churches on government restrictions with a religious liberty attorney. Also in this episode, the hosts are joined by John Inazu for a conversation about life and ministry.

About John

John Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. He is the author of Liberty's Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of Assembly and Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference, and he authored Uncommon Ground with Tim Keller. You can follow him on Twitter: @JohnInazu

ERLC Content

• Joe Carter with When will our church buildings reopen?
• Aaron Mercer with The coronavirus pandemic is testing international religious freedom commitments
• Melissa Affolter and Jonathan Holmes with How to help during the rise of domestic abuse due to social isolation
• Jeff Pickering with A Q&A for churches on government restrictions with a religious liberty attorney: Navigating the tension between church and state during a pandemic

Culture

1. Deadly tornadoes sweep across the South on Easter Sunday
2. Amazon announced it is now “creating an additional 75,000 jobs to help serve customers during this unprecedented time.”
3. Universities begin considering canceling in-person classes until 2021
4. 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits in the last four weeks
5. Large pork processing facility in the US is closing until further notice
6. Walmart CEO says we’re in the ‘hair color’ phase of panic buying

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

In this episode, Josh, Lindsay, and Brent discuss Bernie Sanders ending his presidential bid, an important ruling on abortion, Queen Elizabeth’s speech on COVID-19, more laughs from the Cuomo brothers, and a very different looking Easter. Lindsay also gives a rundown of this week’s ERLC content including a piece from Alex Ward on coronavirus and Holy Week, Chelsea Sobolik on the pandemic’s effects on the vulnerable, and Stephen Grcevich on the church and mental health concerns during this crisis. Also in this episode, the hosts are joined by the ERLC’s Catherine Parks for a conversation about life and ministry.

About Catherine

Catherine Parks has loved reading biographies since she was a kid. When she's not reading, she loves playing volleyball and basketball, traveling with her family, and helping lead worship for her church. She's the author of Empowered and Real: The Surprising Secret to Deeper Relationships and lives in Nashville, Tenn., with her husband, two children, and a cute dog named Ollie. You can follow her on Twitter: @CathParks

ERLC Content

• Alex Ward on What Holy Week reminds us of in the midst of a pandemic
• Chelsea Patterson Sobolik on How the coronavirus is affecting vulnerable children: And how Christians can help
• Stephen Grcevich with How churches can promote mental health through the coronavirus pandemic
• PLUS: Dan Darling in National Review and Russell Moore in Christianity Today (on Easter Sunday)

Culture

1. A new White House Press Secretary
2. Wisconsin’s complicated primary
3. Bernie drops out
4. Ruling: Abortions are not essential services
5. Are abortions essential during

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.

In this episode, Josh, Lindsay, and Brent talk about the extension of social distancing, staggering unemployment numbers, the rise of Zoom bombing, and the brothers who won’t stop making America laugh. Lindsay also gives a rundown of this week’s ERLC content including a piece from Scott James on praying for medical providers, Lieryn Barnett on caring for your mental health, Aaron Mercer on international religious freedom, and Russell Moore on how churches should think through pursuing SBA-backed loans available through the CARES Act. Also in this episode, the hosts are joined by Jen Wilkin for a conversation about life and ministry.

About Jen

Jen Wilkin is a wife, a mother of four, and an advocate for women to love God with their minds through the faithful study of his Word. She writes, speaks, and teaches women the Bible. Jen is the author of multiple books including None Like Him, Women of the Word, and In His Image. She and her family are based at The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas. You can follow her on Twitter: @jenniferwilkin

ERLC Content

• Scott James with Six ways you can pray for medical providers
• Lieryn Barnett on 3 suggestions for keeping your mental health in check during COVID-19
• Aaron Mercer with Are U.S.-India relations good for religious freedom?
• Russell Moore with Do SBA-backed loans violate the separation of church and state?

Culture

1. 6.5 million people file for unemployment. Nearly ten million have filed in the last two weeks
2. Social distancing extended until April 30th
3. Joe Diffie passes away from Covid-19 + Ellis Marsalis at 85
4. The DNC delayed until August
5. Are abortions essential during coronavirus?
6. Zoom announces steps for call security
7. Southern Baptists donate masks, supplies
8. State Conventions gather to pray virtually
9. Facebook

Listen to more episodes of The ERLC Podcast at erlc.com/podcast.