In this episode of the Plain Speech podcast, Alex Kocman discusses the broad definition of persecution in a Christian context. Alex, who serves as the Director of Communications and Engagement at ABWE and an Elder at Faith Bible Fellowship Church, explores how persecution can come in varying degrees and forms, not just overt physical violence but also subtle societal pressures. He shares insights on how Christians are facing severe persecution worldwide, particularly in countries like Nigeria, Armenia, and regions of India. The conversation delves into the theological and practical implications of persecution, addressing the balance between suffering for Christ and not unnecessarily seeking martyrdom. Alex emphasizes the importance of maintaining a witness for Christ amidst cultural pressures and the role that different forms of opposition play in the sanctification of believers. The episode concludes with a reflection on how Christians should utilize their freedoms and resources to further the mission of the church globally.

00:00 Introduction to Alex Kocman

01:24 Defining Persecution

06:09 Global Hotspots of Persecution

14:37 Persecution in America

19:51 The Nature of Persecution and Christian Witness

33:05 The Pedestal of Persecution

34:20 Winsomeness Controversy and Cultural Shifts

36:15 Internal Conflicts Among Christians

37:15 Paul's Response to Opposition

38:41 The Role of Suffering in Christian Life

43:50 Balancing Truth and Compassion

51:59 Martyr Complex and Misguided Zeal

01:01:47 Holistic Christian Mission

01:03:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Plain Speech podcast, Eric Tuffendsam, an experienced musician and producer, discusses the complexities and issues within the Christian music industry. They delve into how market-driven motives compromise the spiritual aspect of worship music and how major secular record labels control a significant portion of the Christian music market. Eric raises concerns about the emotional manipulation in modern worship songs and emphasizes the importance of producing music that genuinely glorifies God. He introduces his own project, the Sower Project, aimed at creating biblically sound music and shares his vision for a resurgence of quality Christian music coming from the Reformed tradition.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:49 The Christian Music Industry's Hidden Truths

02:34 Ownership and Market Influence in Christian Music

05:31 Impact of Market Pressures on Music Content

09:12 Emotional Manipulation in Worship Music

11:31 Musical Formulas and Their Effects

17:17 Challenges in Creating Authentic Worship Music

29:12 Comparing Modern Worship Songs to Psalms

31:25 Exploring Worship Song Lyrics

34:22 The Business of Christian Music

40:21 Challenges for Aspiring Christian Musicians

47:43 Introducing the Sower Project

50:31 The Seed EP: A Gospel Journey

57:39 Encouraging Christian Artistry

59:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Recorded the day after Donald Trump's reelection, Davis shares his insights as a Pennsylvania voter on the election results and evangelical voter turnout. As a former military JAG officer, Davis recounts his transition from cynicism to actively defending religious rights during COVID-19. He shares personal anecdotes, including his legal defense of Navy SEALs against the COVID vaccine mandates and his experience representing Michael Cassidy. We also delve into the legal challenges Christians face concerning compelled speech, participation in pride events, and the importance of building supportive communities to uphold religious freedom.

00:00 Introduction and Election Aftermath

00:35 Evangelical Voter Turnout

01:27 Churches and Pastors' Role in Politics

02:07 Personal Reflections on COVID and Politics

03:03 Military Background and Legal Career

05:13 Defending Religious Freedom During COVID

10:20 Tucker Carlson Interview Experience

13:57 State of Religious Freedom in the Military

21:37 Legal Trends and Challenges for Christians

28:37 State Regulations on Marriage Licenses

29:00 Churches and Legal Vulnerabilities

30:10 Building Community and Support

30:21 Personal Experience During COVID

31:48 Challenges Faced by Churches

34:54 Legal Protections for Religious Beliefs

36:10 Case Studies of Religious Accommodations

44:47 Navigating Legal Challenges

46:17 Support Systems for Legal Battles

50:09 High-Profile Legal Cases

56:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Plain Speech Podcast, Michael Clary interviews Michael Cassidy, a Navy reserve pilot, who shares the story of taking down a Satanic statue at the Iowa State Capitol. Cassidy discusses his Christian upbringing, military career, and the viral incident that led to his labeling as a 'domestic extremist.' He reflects on the personal and professional repercussions, the ideological battles within the military, and the broader societal implications. Cassidy emphasizes the importance of standing firm in Christian beliefs despite societal pressures, and the need for Christians to engage actively in public life.

00:00 Introduction and Opening Thoughts

00:33 Meet Michael Cassidy: The Real-Life Smash Bail Guy

01:06 Michael's Background and Military Career

02:09 The Iowa Incident: Taking Down the Demon Statue

07:10 Legal Consequences and Media Attention

16:01 Impact on Michael's Career and Navy Investigations

20:30 Political and Cultural Reflections

28:52 Church Members as Domestic Extremists

29:55 Potential for Misuse of Extremist Labels

32:24 Historical Parallels and Christian Responsibility

34:06 The Satanic Temple and Its Agenda

39:36 Christian Response and Civil Disobedience

44:36 Rediscovering Christian Political Theory

51:43 Personal Growth and Faith

55:19 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Navigating the Political Landscape: A Christian Perspective on the 2024 Election

This is a video essay from this article originally published at Sola Ecclesia

In this episode of the Plain Speech Podcast, Michael Clary discusses cultural engagement in modern times from a pastoral perspective.

Over the past decade, pastors have faced unprecedented moral and emotional challenges in their ministry environments. This episode discusses the 'three worlds of evangelicalism' as proposed by Aaron Renn, detailing how American society's perception of Christianity has shifted from positive, to neutral, to negative. The script provides a detailed analysis of the challenges pastors face today and suggests two approaches: appeasement or engagement, emphasizing the importance of courage and biblical fidelity in a hostile cultural climate. It also offers practical advice for pastors on how to effectively lead their congregations in these turbulent times.

00:00 Introduction: Navigating Modern Ministry Challenges

00:24 The Three Worlds of Evangelicalism

01:02 The Shift to a Negative World

01:45 Pastoral Realities in the Negative World

02:55 The Influence of Social Media on Christian Thought

03:51 Recognizing Cultural Shifts in Congregations

05:20 The Dilemma of Addressing Controversial Issues

09:01 Strategies for Faithful Pastoral Leadership

15:36 Counting the Cost of Engagement

20:10 Conclusion: Encouragement for Faithful Shepherds

Understanding the Shift from Baptist to Presbyterian Traditions

In this episode of the Plain Speech Podcast, Michael Clary explores the factors behind Baptists transitioning to Presbyterian churches. Drawing from a piece he wrote on his Substack, Clary discusses the theological and cultural influences that guide these shifts, emphasizing the role of family discipleship in this movement. 

He theorizes that embattled Baptist families are seeking environments more focused on catechizing children and preserving Christian values amidst growing societal hostility. Clary also critiques the potential pitfalls for Baptist churches that may neglect child-focused discipleship in favor of broader evangelism efforts.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:33 Reading and Discussing the Substack Piece

01:10 Theological Sophistication and Personal Experience

02:24 Cultural and Theological Observations

04:25 Pipeline from Credo Baptist to Peadobaptist churches

07:15 Family Discipleship vs. Evangelism

13:53 Potential Shifts Towards Catholicism

15:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

https://dmichaelclary.substack.com/p/thoughts-on-the-baptist-to-presbyterian

In this episode of Plain Speech Podcast, host Michael Clary and Jason Storms of Operation Save America delve into the current state of anti-abortion activism in America. Jason shares his personal story of coming to faith in Christ and how his rise to lead Operation Save America. Michael and Jason also discuss the impact of the Dobbs decision, the usage of different terms such as “pro life,” “abolitionist,” “immediatist,” and “incrementalist”, and the challenges of passing legislation like the Equal Protection Bill. They also explore the balance between ideological purity and practical action within the broader anti-abortion movement.

00:00 Introduction to the Plain Speech Podcast

00:29 Jason Storms' Journey to Faith and Anti-Abortion Ministry

01:01 The Impact of Abortion on Personal Life

01:29 Operation Save America and Pro-Life Movement

03:00 Cultural and Personal Reflections on Masculinity

07:43 The Role of Men in the Abortion Debate

09:17 Reflections on the Dobbs Decision

15:44 Political Dynamics and the Pro-Life Movement

34:47 The Abolitionist Movement and Pro-Life Strategies

38:16 Unrest in the Abolitionist Movement

39:14 Pro-Life vs. Abolitionist: Defining the Terms

40:02 Social Media Conflicts and Misunderstandings

42:10 The Split Within the Abolitionist Movement

42:25 The Rise of AHA and Its Impact

43:27 Pro-Life and Abolitionist: Can They Coexist?

45:22 The Problem with Incremental Legislation

50:01 Chemical Abortions and Legal Loopholes

52:10 Balancing Ideology and Practicality

55:00 The Trump Debate: Pragmatism vs. Principle

01:01:33 Righteous Increments vs. Compromise

01:07:54 Unity in the Fight Against Abortion

01:12:06 Conclusion and Call to Action

https://www.operationsaveamerica.org/

Clerical Transgenderism: Women in Ministry and Feminism's Impact on the Church

Originally published at the Center for Baptist Leadership

This episode is a reading of my recent piece for the Center for Baptist Leadership, where I explore the recent controversy in women's Olympic boxing and what it reveals about egalitarianism and transgenderism. I also discuss how feminist ideologies have infiltrated the church, particularly in the area of women preaching. Highlighting the differences between masculine and feminine preaching styles, I argue for the importance of strong, masculine leadership in the church and the spiritual dangers of diluting these roles. Discover why biblical preaching is seen as a form of spiritual warfare and why it should be reserved for men.

00:00 Introduction to the Olympic Boxing Controversy

02:12 The Feminist Movement and Its Impact on Womanhood

02:38 Clerical Transgenderism: Women Preaching in the Church

03:04 Egalitarianism and Its Influence on Church Roles

04:18 Feminine-Coded Preaching and Its Consequences

07:31 The Call for Masculine Preaching

08:32 Conclusion: Upholding Biblical Preaching and Roles

In this episode of the Plain Speech Podcast, host Michael Clary interviews Will Spencer, a Christian convert with a background in new age and occult practices. They discuss Will's experiences with demonic spirits, ayahuasca ceremonies, and his eventual conversion to Christianity. The interview explores the seductive practices of these spirits, the impact of modern society's disenchantment, and the dangers of syncretizing Christianity with other religions. The conversation also touches on a controversial prayer at the Republican National Convention and the rising influence of psychedelic substances among public figures. Michael and Will emphasize the importance of discernment and preparedness for the increasing spiritual deception in today's world.

00:00 Introduction to Demonic Spirits

00:45 Welcome to the Plain Speech Podcast

02:29 Interview with Will Spencer Begins

02:43 Addressing Controversy and Podcast Rebranding

06:20 Will Spencer's Pre-Christian Beliefs

08:37 Encounter with Jesus at Burning Man

11:49 Ayahuasca and Spiritual Experiences

13:10 Reconciling Spiritual Experiences with Christianity

14:34 The Nature of Demonic Deception

24:40 The Mundane vs. The Supernatural

34:58 Rising Spiritual Interest Amid Declining Christianity

35:03 Testimonies of Spiritual Encounters

35:12 A Mother's Desperation and Spiritual Concerns

35:46 Preparing for Future Spiritual Challenges

36:06 Controversial Prayer at the Republican National Convention

36:27 Analyzing Harmeet Dhillon's Prayer

37:25 Theological Implications of Dhillon's Prayer

41:32 Russell Brand's Public Conversion

41:58 Influence of Progressive Spiritual Ideas

46:12 Syncretism in Modern Christianity

49:44 The Challenge of Discernment in Faith

52:11 Theological Assertions and Political Actions

01:02:07 The Rise of Psychedelics and Spiritualism

01:03:54 Final Thoughts and Future Conversations

Links for Will Spencer

https://renofmen.com/

https://x.com/RenOfMen

https://www.youtube.com/@renofmen