Intercultural ministry – when people from two different cultural groups worship together – is a phenomenon many aging, historically white churches are exploring more and more.  But what dynamics do these cultural unions bring us, and what does scripture have to say about these challenges?

James 2: 14-17 says “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but … Continue reading 342 – Is Antiracism a Political or Gospel Issue?

We are going back to basics on the Antioch Podcast, talking about tough questions that come up for Christians involved in racial and social justice movements. This week’s question – “What is Biblical about antiracism?” Our tagline for the Antioch Podcast is conversations about Biblical antiracism so you can bet we have thoughts.

The Antioch Podcast team has been off for a number of months, and as we return, we share a bit about why we took an extended break from our conversations about Biblical antiracism, as well as what we to expect as the podcast undergoes a number of significant changes in our next chapter together.

In the past few weeks, the Trump administration has sent large numbers of Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement agents to Minneapolis in response to charges of fraud among a small number of immigrants in the Somali community there. This was not a targeted action, but a massive undertaking arresting many people who were, and who were … Continue reading Episode 339 – When Protesters Are Killed: “A Biblically Antiracist Perspective.”

I grew up in a country church in rural America where we sang hymns from old navy-blue hymnals every Sunday. One of our congregation’s favorites was the hymn “This Is My Father’s World.” The first two verses celebrate God’s providence and majesty displayed through the natural world. And in the third verse, the tone of … Continue reading Episode 338: What is Economic Justice? – “What Are We Doing With God’s Money Part 1.”

Scripture has a list of qualities that represent what it means to be a follower of Jesus known as the fruit of the Spirit. This is the evidence of a Spirit-filled life, a life focused on reflecting the qualities of Jesus to the rest of the world. Ideally, this list would describe what a Christian … Continue reading Episode 337: Goodness, Self-Control and Other Virtues – “Characteristics of Biblical Leadership Part 4.”

Character counts. I try to read at least one book every year about leadership in my role as a clinical director at a multisite therapy practice. Almost every book essentially talks about the characteristics of good leaders. These kinds of character traits impact how to listen, how to give feedback in a respectful and clear … Continue reading Episode 336: The Fruit of the Spirit for Leaders – “Characteristics of Biblical Leaders Part 3.”

John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, was a prophet with a short-lived period of influence. There had not been a prophet in Israel for 400 years before John showed up on the scene. During this period of silence, the Jewish people were first ruled by the Greeks and then the Romans. Now John was … Continue reading Episode 335: Prophetic Leadership – “Characteristics of Biblical Leadership Part 2.”

Through much of my career, I have found myself being pulled into positions of leadership, whether it is leading small groups or teams, leading church congregations, or routinely sitting in meetings where policies are made that affect both staff and clients. I once worked for a pastor who wisely told me that leaders “never get … Continue reading Episode 334: Biblical Leadership – Characteristics of Biblical Leaders Part 1.