Praise Hands Podcast

"We're still learning how to live a message of the Gospel that doesn't favor any one color over another." - Dr. Amos Yong

Dr. Amos Yong is a theologian and professor currently serving as the Dean of the School of Theology and the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Seminary. He is also the author of numerous books on Pentecostal theology, race, and ethics, including "Who Is the Holy Spirit? A Walk with the Apostles."

In this interview on the Praise Hands Podcast, Dr. Yong examines crucial contemporary issues through Biblical exegesis and his own background as an Asian American, addressing the following:

• A Biblical examination of Christ and the Holy Spirit
• The conflicted racial history of Pentecostalism
• How Christianity can overcome limitations of Western constructs

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've moved compassion further and further down the list of priorities and moved safety, protection, and money up. I'm hoping we can use this crisis to re-evaluate this." Ben Walker

From shortages of necessary equipment to inadequate staffing levels, COVID-19 is exposing the cracks in a healthcare system that many of us take for granted. In Part 2 of our conversation on the COVID-19 crisis and healthcare, Robby continues his conversation with healthcare insider Ben Walker as they discuss:

• How to equitably address rising healthcare costs • Centralization and decentralization in church and state • Christianity's history of caring for the sick

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.

"In a time of crisis, we start weighing the good of society versus the good of the person." Ben Walker

In light of Covid-19, an important question is emerging: "what roles should individuals, businesses, and governments play in finding solutions for a global health crisis, and who should decide?" To help answer this question, Robby invited his old friends and healthcare insiders Ben Walker and Ian Patterson on the show.

In this timely episode, hear Ben and Ian discuss:

• Arguments for and against tighter government regulation
• How the FDA blocked initial testing for Covid-19
• Balancing consumer choice and human equality

Learn more about Ian Patterson at https://ipatterson.com and https://twitter.com/ianesque.

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.

"You can't take a wait and see attitude with your church finances. The time to pivot is now." Mark DeYmaz

Mark DeYmaz and Luke Dooley are the creators of the Church Economics Accelerator, which helps ministry leaders leverage church assets to bless their communities and generate sustainable income. They've been helping churches prepare for a scenario like COVID-19 for years, and you'll want to share this episode with every church leader you know.

In this timely episode, hear Mark and Luke discuss how churches can: • Reduce their tithe dependency through creative thinking • Minimize job loss in their communities in light of COVID-19 • Position themselves to lead well in shifting economic landscapes

Check out Mark DeYmaz's latest book The Coming Revolution in Church Economics and find out more about him by visiting www.markdeymaz.com. Learn more about Luke Dooley's work and the Church Economics Accelerator at www.churcheconomics.org.

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.

"Are you going to chase the dollar, or are you going to help preserve a community?" - Derek Minor

Nashville-based Derek Minor is a rapper, producer, and entrepreneur whose initiative "Ownership is the New Black" works to develop the next generation of Black owners. In light of the recent Nashville tornado, Derek and Robby talk about how racially-discriminatory government policies have made the Black community particularly vulnerable to displacement through natural disasters and gentrification.

In this episode of the Praise Hands Podcast, hear Derek talk about: • How to shift from "consumer power to ownership power" • How Christian music and social justice can co-exist • The tragic ending of the "Black Wall Street" in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Listen to Derek's music at https://www.derekminor.com and learn more about Ownership is the New Black at https://www.weownnow.com.

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

"It shocks me that every Christian on the planet doesn't see themselves as a cultural translator." Brock Shinen

As an in-demand lawyer and consultant in the worship music industry, Brock Shinen understands the complex and sometimes messy relationship between churches, creatives, and business.

In this third episode of the Praise Hands Podcast series "Can I Trust The Church?", Brock shares from his new book "The Christian Entrepreneur", touching on the following topics:

• The dangers of separating faith and business
• What it means to be a "cultural translator"
• "Win-win" relationships between churches and creatives

Learn more about Brock's work at https://www.brockshinen.com and https://www.worshipmusicindustry.com.

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

"The church has tried to protect position instead of holding up repentance as the greatest prize." Andrea Burke

"There is such a weight on shepherding people - each of your sheep are not the same. Although there are godly principles, if you're going into ministry, that means you're ministering to a flock of individual sheep." Sharona Sledge

Amidst imperfect people and imperfect churches, the devastating consequences of moral failure and sexual sin affect us all. In this second episode of the Praise Hands Podcast series "Can I Trust The Church?", worship leaders Andrea Burke and Sharona Sledge share how they navigated guilt, deceit, and betrayal in their evolving relationships with God and the church.

Listen now to hear Andrea and Sharona talk about: ● Dismantling "church shame" through a culture of confession ● When and how to confront signs of abuse or wrongdoing ● How to find freedom from sexual sin and help others do the same

Learn more about Andrea at www.andreagburke.com. Learn more about Sharona at www.sharonasledge.com.

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

"People trust pastors to handle their money and assume that everything is okay. It's not." Gina Zurlo

By the year 2025, as much as $100 Billion per year in Christian-donated dollars will be lost due to embezzlement, estimates Gordon-Conwell's Center for the Study of Global Christianity. The Center's co-director is Gina Zurlo, who, along with co-authoring The World Christian Encyclopedia, was named among BBC's 100 most influential and inspiring women of 2019.

In this paradigm-shifting episode, hear Gina share about: • The Pros And Cons of Entrepreneurial Christianity • Practical Ideas For Relationship Across Faith Backgrounds • The Biggest Trends Shaping The Future Of Christianity

Follow Gina's work at http://twitter.com/csgc and http://globalchristianity.org.

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

"People want diversity to happen organically, but sometimes you have to be intentional on the way to organic." Patrick Chappell

Growing up Black in the South, Patrick Chappell attended both predominantly Black and White churches and often felt like an outsider in each. But his pain led him to his purpose: creating grace-filled spaces for diverse relationships and intentional conversations.

Learn from Patrick's story and expertise on the following topics:

• How he survived a childhood of physical abuse and deep-seated racism
• Why leaders must proactively pursue those on the fringes
• How intentional, encouraging words can overcome fear and division

Follow Patrick at https://www.instagram.com/patrickchappell and subscribe to the Patrick Podcast.

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

"If you want to change a society then you have to tell an alternative story."

NYC-native Ricky Ortiz had a heart to reach his city, but knew that traditional church planting financial models would prove difficult in the high-cost Big Apple. A few years later, Ricky's thriving Meta Church serves as inspiration for church planters across the US. In this episode, hear Ricky share the strategic steps he's taken to develop socioeconomic diversity and financial sustainability in an urban context.

Hear Ricky's wisdom on topics like:

• Inspiring A Shared Vision In Your Local Church
• Why He's Okay With Members Missing Sunday Morning
• Tips For Reducing Your Church's Tithe Dependency

Follow Ricky at Instagram.com/rico6886/ and Meta Church at Instagram.com/metanyc.

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