Praise Hands Podcast

"The church must shift from a mindset of being reformed to being reformers."

As an innovation strategist, Doug Paul has advised Christian leaders across the US, and his book Ready or Not: Kingdom Innovation for a Brave New World provides a roadmap for church leaders who are eager to shift their ministry during a COVID-19 and post-COVID culture.

On this episode of the Praise Hands Podcast, hear Doug and Robby chat about:

• The relationship between diversity and creativity
• Predictions about the future of the church
• Systemic change in church, tech, & racial justice

Each week on the Praise Hands Podcast, join Robby Valderrama and learn from creative, cross-cultural solutionists at the American intersection of church, race, music, and economics. Donate, volunteer, and join the Praise Hands Facebook Group at http://praisehands.com/getinvolved. Join the Year End Giving Campaign by becoming a monthly or one-time supporter at http://praisehands.com/donate. All donors in December 2020 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a copy of Doug's new book "Ready Or Not".

Learn more about Doug at DougPaul.org.

"In the American church, we conflate worship and music… *everything* that we do should bring glory to God as our living worship." Dr. Emmett Price

Dr. Emmett Price III is a leading expert on African American Music, Christian Worship and the Black Christian Experience, and leads the Institute for the Study of the Black Christian Experience at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

In this Praise Hands Podcast interview, Dr. Price switches seamlessly between his academic, pastoral, and musical hats, addressing the following:

• What Our Educational Models Can Learn From Jesus
• The Redemptive Song of Black America
• The Church's Responsibility To Lead Cross-Culturally

Each week on the Praise Hands Podcast, join Robby Valderrama and learn from creative, cross-cultural solutionists at the American intersection of church, race, music, and economics. Donate, volunteer, and join the Praise Hands Facebook Group at http://praisehands.com/getinvolved. Join the Year End Giving Campaign by becoming a monthly or one-time supporter at http://praisehands.com/donate.

"What would it look like for love, not fear, to shape our policies?" Shane Claiborne

As an activist, author, and speaker, Shane Claiborne has shaped a generation's view of Jesus and social change. His radical activism has led him to Iraq and Afghanistan (for anti-war efforts), jail (for homeless advocacy), Calcutta (for work with Mother Teresa), and to Washington DC, where today's interview took place a few steps from The White House.

In this episode highlighting the 2020 Presidential Election, Shane shares:

• Why the death penalty is incompatible with Christian teaching

• How the American church has neglected the teachings of Jesus

• How restorative justice and forgiveness can fix the US prison system

Each week on the Praise Hands Podcast, join Robby Valderrama and learn from creative, cross-cultural solutionists at the American intersection of church, race, music, and economics. Donate, volunteer, and join the Praise Hands Facebook Group at http://praisehands.com/getinvolved.

Learn more about Shane at http://shaneclaiborne.com and http://redletterchristians.org and buy his books Jesus for President, The Irresistible Revolution, and Executing Grace at BookShop.org to support an indie bookstore.

"We have to get back to families supporting each other and not depending on government agencies."

As a retired CPA, certified fraud examiner, and IRS agent who specialized in auditing pastors, Sherry Peel Jackson now helps churches and families achieve financial sustainability while preventing government overreach.

Tune in to hear Sherry discuss:

• Shocking revelations about the U.S. income tax code
• What churches and families can learn from President Trump's alleged tax strategy
• How home-based businesses can turn your passion into profit

DISCLAIMER: This is not meant to be tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

Each week on the Praise Hands Podcast, join Robby Valderrama and learn from creative, cross-cultural solutionists at the American intersection of church, race, music, and economics. Donate, volunteer, and join the Praise Hands Facebook Group at http://praisehands.com/getinvolved.

Learn more at sherrypeeljackson.com.

"Whether it's material, spiritual, or emotional, everyone has experienced poverty."

Amidst national conversations about eviction moratoriums, Matt Pritchard's nonprofit HomeStart has saved 2,500 Boston-area households from eviction, with 95% of these households maintaining their housing long-term.

Lean in as Matt shares:

• What he learned by choosing to live in a shelter for a year
• How personal growth fuels organizational impact
• Why he avoids the term "Homeless People"

Each week on the Praise Hands Podcast, join Robby Valderrama and learn from creative, cross-cultural solutionists at the American intersection of church, race, music, and economics. Support the show at http://praisehands.com/donate.

"What's happened in 2020 can't unresurrect Jesus." Dr. Esau McCaulley

Dr. Esau McCaulley is an author, priest, and New Testament scholar whose work has been featured in outlets such the New York Times, Christianity Today, and the Washington Post. He completed his doctoral studies under the direction of N.T. Wright, and recently released his book "Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope".

In this second episode of Season 4, Esau and Robby chat about: • Why voting can be a profoundly Christian act • How Christianity addresses the brokenness of the world • Why we must articulate Christian beliefs in public conversations

Each week on the Praise Hands Podcast, join Robby Valderrama and learn from creative, cross-cultural solutionists at the American intersection of church, race, music, and economics. Support the show at http://praisehands.com/donate.

"The Christian faith is a narrative. Which narrative is shaping what I do every day?" Dr. Rob Hewell

Dr. Rob Hewell is the Professor of Worship and Director of Online Learning Initiatives for Ouachita Baptist University, and the author of the provocative and timely book "Worship Beyond Nationalism".

In this opening episode of Praise Hands Podcast Season 4, Dr. Hewell and Robby Valderrama speak frankly about:

• The inherently political nature of Christian worship
• The priority of the Kingdom of God over earthly allegiances
• The tension of unity in the church and partisan convictions

Each week on the Praise Hands Podcast, join Robby Valderrama and learn from creative, cross-cultural solutionists at the American intersection of church, race, music, and economics. Support the show at http://praisehands.com/donate.

"We must work to view the world through our neighbor's eyes." Derek Ham

Would you be willing to walk a mile in the shoes of a Black man in the South at the height of the Civil Rights Movement? Or respond to a life-threatening dispatch call in the place of a modern-day police officer? Through virtual reality simulations, storyteller Derek Ham helps communities do just that, creating a bridge of empathy between people of color and law enforcement officers.

Hear Derek share about: • His unlikely journey as an African American male in tech • How virtual reality can disrupt implicit bias and prejudice • How the non-violent usage of gaming echoes the non-violent protests of MLK Jr

Each week on the Praise Hands Podcast, join Robby Valderrama and learn from creative, cross-cultural solutionists at the American intersection of church, race, music, and economics. Support the show at http://praisehandspodcast.com/donate.

"It's in the broken pieces that we find the church being reshaped to fit the mission of God in new places, new people and new contexts." - Brian Sanders

The Underground Network is a diverse movement of microchurches living out the mission of God at the edges of society. In this episode, hear founder Brian Sanders share how their model of ministry activates the creativity of the church, and hear medical clinic director Kathryn Eng share how their Underground Clinic is doing exactly that in Tampa, Florida.

Listen to Episode 38 to hear Brian and Kathryn share:

• Why their church hub is a co-working space, not a sanctuary
• How to use healthcare to show and share the Gospel
• Why the hierarchy must serve the decentralized in the 21st Century

Each week on the Praise Hands Podcast, join Robby Valderrama and learn from creative, cross-cultural solutionists at the American intersection of church, race, music, and economics. Support the show at http://praisehands.com/donate.

"Poverty as an economic condition only misses both the problem and the cure." - Jason Janz

Non-profit thought leader Jason Janz is the CEO of CrossPurpose, a Denver-based nonprofit committed to abolishing economic, relational, and spiritual poverty in its neighborhood. In addition to talking through his booklet "Black Swan Leadership: Ten Recommendations For Your Non-Profit During A Pandemic", he and Robby chat about:

• Best practices for collaboration between local churches and nonprofits • Why the current social disruption may be an "innovator's Disneyland" • Mobilizing human and financial capital to fight poverty

Each week on the Praise Hands Podcast, join Robby Valderrama and learn from creative, cross-cultural solutionists at the American intersection of church, race, music, and economics. Support the show at http://praisehands.com/donate.