Q Ideas

Does God form us in all circumstances?

Many of us who have experienced painful challenges know that God can find us in any place and any moment of our lives. Bianca Olthoff knows the depth of this truth firsthand. Working and worshiping with incarcerated women, Bianca speaks about creating church in prison and witnessing the power of God to forgive and bring new life.

Also, more than 7 million Americans—1 in 31 adults—have been or are currently incarcerated. That’s the highest incarceration rate in the world. More often than not, those who are set free become repeat offenders within years or even months. Christians must begin discussing how we can help complete the restorative justice process by welcoming and training these individuals for vibrant post-prison lives.  Catherine Hoke shares with Gabe and Bryan Stevenson how she believes we can love those whose offenses might make them appear difficult to love.

Understanding our current cultural climate may feel like an impossible quest. Yet as Christians, we are called to be the ones who understand the times and know how to lead and offer hope. How can we make sense of the confusion and think soundly about the chaos? Greg Thompson, with a Ph.D in Theology, Ethics and Culture and as director of Thriving Cities, helps us find clarity and perspective so we are equipped to help others make sense of our unique cultural moment.

Many in our communities suffer from the rising air- and water-borne toxin levels in our local environments. From Asthma to Autism, one of the most hotly contested debates in the medical world today is, “How much does our polluted environment contribute to our diseases and sicknesses?” Gabe Lyons talks with Mitch Hescox of The Evangelical Environmental Network and Lyndsay Moseley of The American Lung Association's Healthy Air Campaign.

Also, maps show how the poor disproportionately live in some of the worst environmental places. Resource economist and Tearfund advisor Rusty Pritchard helps us focus our understanding of place and space toward an awareness of the geography in which we live. He helps us understand how past decisions have created unjust environments for under-resourced people groups, and our opportunity to change this reality.

What responsibilities do we have to ensure safe, healthy environments?

How do we navigate ideological diversity?

Existing in an ideologically-diverse culture can be challenging, and often leads to individuals retreating behind their battle lines. David Coleman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The College Board, believes that institutional diversity, civil disagreement, and patience with others whose beliefs differ from yours creates the best learning environments.

We’ve seen over the last year the devastation inflicted on cities by natural disasters such as hurricanes and flooding. We’ll hear from two voices — a Houston pastor who helped mobilize resources in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, and a founder of a technology company helping people volunteer to meet the needs of their city. Rob and Chris will share their story of responding to local need.

What is possible when we risk in relationship? Krish Kandiah is the author of God is Stranger and the founding director of Home for Good, a charity seeking to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children. Believing we meet God when we welcome the stranger, Krish shares how an unscripted life helps us experience and trust God more fully.

Also, what are things Christians can do on a practical level to bring a sense of community and caring back to their neighborhoods? Eugene Cho, Julie Mavis and Precious Jones share their insights from three very different perspectives and areas of influence.

The way we think about our life's work has the potential to advance good or to become self-referential. If we focus on understanding God's purposes and where we can join His work in the world, the results will be very different from self-focused individualism. Jo Saxton looks at the thin line between calling and narcissism offering Christians a way of viewing calling through the eyes of God.

Also, life coach Pete Richardson talks with Gabe Lyons about why some people never pursue their calling.

How can the church be bold, yet beautiful?

On the heels of the #metoo movement came #churchtoo — exposing the abuse, harassment, and misogyny taking place in churches, places where people should experience mutual support, leadership, and empowerment. Lisa Bevere shares how the New Testament shows people of different genders working together for the good of all.

Christians often talk about the common good but find it difficult to pursue it in a world of competing voices. Miroslav Volf claims the confusion stems from misunderstandings about human flourishing, abundant living and co-existing alongside adherents of other faiths. He explains how pursuing the common good in a pluralistic context doesn’t mean compromising our deeply held convictions.

Every year the number of churches closing their doors in America increases, the average age of church attendees goes up, and more Americans are ceasing to identify with any religion, especially Christianity. In a nation in which the church was once a dominant and unifying mainstay in America life, what does it look like to be the minority? Russell Moore, President of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, calls the Church to faithfulness in a post-Christian society.