In this episode of the podcast, we dig back into the vault (aka Michael's computer) for another gem for the much-heralded "Tommy Tapes" delivered in 1995 during a church planting conference. 

In the public square, networking is an essential skill for flourishing. It is how relationships are made, opportunities opened, and agendas advanced.  And, while we should never see people as projects, we are called to "proclaim the excellencies of the one who called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light."  

Many Christians struggle with moving a networking conversation from initial contact, to a relationship to, hopefully, a conversation about the gospel. In this recording, Dr. Keller discusses the role intentionality can bring the relationship to the gospel. Dr, Keller, even references Christian Embassy (a Washington-based ministry to diplomats) as an example of the role networking plays in evangelism.  

How do we use inquiry, questions, a desire for belonging, and defeaters to engage people with the gospel? In other words, allowing them to lead themselves to the conversation. 

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Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

Faithful Presence is dedicated to Whole Life Discipleship, in the Whole of Life, for the Whole of the Public Square. Connect with us at faithful-presence.org.

Get full access to Faithful Presence at faithfulpresence.substack.com/subscribe

Michael and Jeremy discuss three recent articles from David Brooks, Peter Leithart, and Anne Snyder which all explore the ramifications of locating our identity in the therapeutic-driven constructions of culture:

David Brooks, "Hey America, Grow Up" from the New York Times 
Peter Leithart, "Man Up!" from First Things
Ann Snyder, "Words Against Flesh" from Comment Magazine

Other works referenced:
Flannery O'Connor, address at Georgetown University
William Butler Yeats, “The Second Coming”
Rod Dreher, "The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation"
Gene Edward Veith, "Post-Christian: A Guide to Contemporary Thought and Culture"
Rebecca McLaughlin, The Secular Creed: Engaging Five Contemporary Claims

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Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

Faithful Presence is dedicated to Whole Life Discipleship, in the Whole of Life, for the Whole of the Public Square. Connect with us at faithful-presence.org.

Get full access to Faithful Presence at faithfulpresence.substack.com/subscribe

The trial of Jesus in Matthew 27 provides some fairly pointed insight and commentary on how we view those serving and leading in government.  In this episode, Michael unpacks how the gospel upends our political values and exposes our political longings. 

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Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

Faithful Presence is dedicated to Whole Life Discipleship, in the Whole of Life, for the Whole of the Public Square. Connect with us at faithful-presence.org.

Get full access to Faithful Presence at faithfulpresence.substack.com/subscribe

In Washington, and everywhere else, flourishing and success often comes to those that freely use unrighteous and unjust means to get there and those who remain faithful often feel as though they do not receive what they deserve from God for being faithful. In this episode, Michael speaks to this situation using a number of Psalms. 

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Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

Faithful Presence is dedicated to Whole Life Discipleship, in the Whole of Life, for the Whole of the Public Square. Connect with us at faithful-presence.org.

Get full access to Faithful Presence at faithfulpresence.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode Michael outlines and examines the four questions of Faithful Presence which are: 
1: What is good that needs encouragement? 
2: What is broken that requires restoration? 
3: What is missing that awaits creation? 
4: What is evil that demands opposition? 

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Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

Faithful Presence is dedicated to Whole Life Discipleship, in the Whole of Life, for the Whole of the Public Square. Connect with us at faithful-presence.org.

Get full access to Faithful Presence at faithfulpresence.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Michael shares a rare recording of Dr. Tim Keller giving a seminar to a small group of church planters circa 1995 (before any of his published works).   While aimed at church planters, this talk is universally helpful in navigating culture in a post-modern and post-Christian world, overcoming defeaters to Christian faith claims, and making the gospel clear to seekers and skeptics. In this talk, Keller covers everything from avant-garde art and Camus to housing projects and the gender debate in a Master Class on reaching the secular man.  

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Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

Faithful Presence is dedicated to Whole Life Discipleship, in the Whole of Life, for the Whole of the Public Square. Connect with us at faithful-presence.org.

Get full access to Faithful Presence at faithfulpresence.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Michael explores three aspects of insecurity: uncertainty, weakness and unease, and how these realities of our humanity present both challenges and opportunities to trust in Christ. For those serving and leading in Washington, this episode will interact with how embracing our humanity is actually one of the biggest hurdles to living in a posture of faithful presence.

Michael also address how embracing his humanity played a large role in the long gap between episodes. 

Resources:  Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, Pete Scazzaro

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Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

Faithful Presence is dedicated to Whole Life Discipleship, in the Whole of Life, for the Whole of the Public Square. Connect with us at faithful-presence.org.

Get full access to Faithful Presence at faithfulpresence.substack.com/subscribe

In this season opener of the second season of The Faithful Presence Podcast, Michael shares a recent sermon that he gave on the final chapter on the book of Acts.

In this sermon, Michael addresses the fact that 2023 will probably not be much better than 2022, 2020, all the years before that, and what to do if we aren’t “living our best lives now.”

Intro music: "B-o-o-g-o-l-o-o" by the Diplomats of Solid Sound,  from their 2010 album, What Goes Around Comes Around.
Exit music: "Plenty Nasty" by the Diplomats of Solid Sound featuring the Diplomettes, from their 2008 self-titled album. 

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Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

Faithful Presence is dedicated to Whole Life Discipleship, in the Whole of Life, for the Whole of the Public Square. Connect with us at faithful-presence.org.

Get full access to Faithful Presence at faithfulpresence.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Michael speaks with the authors of a recent article published at The Washington Institute to reconsider the importance of those living on the margins in Christ's mission of making all things new. 

In reconsidering and recalibrating James Davidson Hunter's work, "To Change the World," Abe and Greg discuss the central place of "table fellowship" in disciple making, how common grace and particular grace meet in "middle grace," and the role of churches in mitigating polarization. 

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Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

Faithful Presence is dedicated to Whole Life Discipleship, in the Whole of Life, for the Whole of the Public Square. Connect with us at faithful-presence.org.

Get full access to Faithful Presence at faithfulpresence.substack.com/subscribe

Feeling exhausted and wondering if you should just leave Washington? Ever gotten burned by someone you thought was a confidant? Having difficulty navigating power differentials? Frustrated by the complications of "unspoken" agendas?

In this highly relevant episode Michael talks with two of the the authors of "Resilient Ministry" and "The Politics of Ministry" about how, as Christians, we can not only survive but thrive in one of the most demanding vocations around - serving and leading in government. 

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Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

Faithful Presence is dedicated to Whole Life Discipleship, in the Whole of Life, for the Whole of the Public Square. Connect with us at faithful-presence.org.

Get full access to Faithful Presence at faithfulpresence.substack.com/subscribe