The Faithful Presence Podcast Faithful Presence

Michael interviews Dr. Justin Bailey on his recent book and the importance of wedding ideological and cultural formation to emotional formation.  Together they discuss aspects of Dutch-culture in NW Iowa and Chicago, the relationship of mental health to ideological discernment, the development of partisan polarization,  power plays and changing the world, and how the five lenses paradigm can equip us for participating well in Christ's mission of making all things new. 
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.

In this episode, Michael hosts "D.B." and "Supe," two Chicago area pastors from vastly different demographic contexts living in the same Congressional District. Together, they explain how their love of the gospel and excellent preaching formed a friendship that pulled both into the work of racial reconciliation in their individual congregations. Finally, they explore the cultural objections to such services, the obstacles to pursuing reconciliation, and why these services matter to the public square. 

Here is the link to the 1st Congressional District that the entire panel lived in prior to the most recent redistricting. 

https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd113/cd_based/ST17/CD113_IL01.pdf
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.

In this episode of the podcast, we dig back into the vault (aka Michael's computer) for another gem for the much-heralded "Tommy Tapes" delivered in 1995 during a church planting conference. 

In the public square, networking is an essential skill for flourishing. It is how relationships are made, opportunities opened, and agendas advanced.  And, while we should never see people as projects, we are called to "proclaim the excellencies of the one who called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light."  

Many Christians struggle with moving a networking conversation from initial contact, to a relationship to, hopefully, a conversation about the gospel. In this recording, Dr. Keller discusses the role intentionality can bring the relationship to the gospel. Dr, Keller, even references Christian Embassy (a Washington-based ministry to diplomats) as an example of the role networking plays in evangelism.  

How do we use inquiry, questions, a desire for belonging, and defeaters to engage people with the gospel? In other words, allowing them to lead themselves to the conversation. 
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.

Michael and Jeremy discuss three recent articles from David Brooks, Peter Leithart, and Anne Snyder which all explore the ramifications of locating our identity in the therapeutic-driven constructions of culture:

David Brooks, "Hey America, Grow Up" from the New York Times 
Peter Leithart, "Man Up!" from First Things
Ann Snyder, "Words Against Flesh" from Comment Magazine

Other works referenced:
Flannery O'Connor, address at Georgetown University
William Butler Yeats, “The Second Coming”
Rod Dreher, "The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation"
Gene Edward Veith, "Post-Christian: A Guide to Contemporary Thought and Culture"
Rebecca McLaughlin, The Secular Creed: Engaging Five Contemporary Claims
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.

The trial of Jesus in Matthew 27 provides some fairly pointed insight and commentary on how we view those serving and leading in government.  In this episode, Michael unpacks how the gospel upends our political values and exposes our political longings. 
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.

In Washington, and everywhere else, flourishing and success often comes to those that freely use unrighteous and unjust means to get there and those who remain faithful often feel as though they do not receive what they deserve from God for being faithful. In this episode, Michael speaks to this situation using a number of Psalms. 
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound

For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.