Episode 172: Transforming the Offering Plate into a Spiritual Journey with Kirby Gould

In this episode, host Dennis Sanders interviews Professor Joy J. Moore about the divisiveness in society and the church, the temptation to make a name for ourselves, and the idolatry of politics. They also discuss the lack of focus on racial reconciliation and the need for grace and humility in the process. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing our shared humanity and the role of the church in promoting reconciliation.

Show Notes:
Joy J Moore's Bio
Working Together Toward Racial Reconciliation (article from Fuller Seminary)
Sermon Brainwave Podcast

Lectionary Q Podcast

Make a  Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-main

Twitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmain

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain

Website: https://churchandmain.org/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHglj

So, in this latest chat I had on the podcast, I got to hang out with Kirby Gould of the Christian Church Foundation, and we really dug into what it means to be good stewards in our church communities. We chatted about how different generations think about giving, took a peek back at the Greek origins of the whole stewardship concept, and highlighted just how big a deal gratitude is in this mix.

Kirby shares an idea about shaking things up and giving stewardship campaigns a makeover to make them more upbeat. We also marveled at how folks during the Great Depression were super generous, which is pretty inspiring. We didn't stop there; we also riffed on how the Bible nudges us to be generous, brainstormed some fresh ways churches can bring in funds, and talked about how giving from the heart is really where it's at these days.

Wrapping things up, we looked ahead, thinking about how stewardship can keep evolving as a spiritual habit that's all about finding joy in giving. 

Show Notes:
Kirby Gould's Bio
Stewardship As A Spiritual Discipline
Center for Faith and Giving Website

Lectionary Q Podcast

Make a  Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-main

Twitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmain

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain

Website: https://churchandmain.org/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHglj

Guest Jeffrey Tyler Syck dives into the multifaceted world of American conservatism. He and Dennis unpack the nuances of traditional, national, and humanist conservatism, examining the influence of faith on these ideologies. Tyler discusses the decline of humanist conservatism and its potential resurgence, considering the role of churches in fostering values like community and social justice. The conversation offers a rich exploration of conservatism's philosophical roots and its place in modern political life, with a hopeful look at its future in American politics.

Show Notes:
Jeffrey Tyler Syck's home page
Conservatism’s Path Not Taken
Conservatism’s Humanist Road Not Taken

Lectionary Q Podcast

Make a  Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-main

Twitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmain

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain

Website: https://churchandmain.org/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHglj

So, in this latest chat on "Church and Main," I got to hang out with frequent guest Reverend Frederick Schmidt. We dove into how people tend to oversimplify the whole Israeli-Palestinian situation. We're all about getting into the nitty-gritty and understanding the full picture, especially the parts that don't get enough attention, like the real-life struggles of Palestinians and the issues with their leaders.

Show Notes:
Christian Leaders, Hamas, And Fundamentalist Islam
Whispered in Gaza Videos

Lectionary Q Podcast

Make a  Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-main

Twitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmain

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain

Website: https://churchandmain.org/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHglj

The sight of former President Jimmy Carter at his wife's funeral gave a lesson in what it means to be actively dying, even if the lesson was lost on those commenting on social media.  In this episode, frequent guest Andrew Donaldson joins the show as he and Dennis talk about death and dying as well as being caregivers to their parents following health emergencies recently.

Show notes:

We Should Talk More About Dying, Cause You Will by Andrew Donaldson

Lectionary Q Podcast

Make a  Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-main

Twitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmain

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain

Website: https://churchandmain.org/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHglj

This episode originally aired January 5, 2022.

On the three-year anniversary of January 6, 2021, and at the start of a momentous presidential election year, Dennis reflects on the day and the American future in three acts with fellow podcaster and writer Andrew Donaldson.

Heard Tell with Andrew Donaldson

Lectionary Q Podcast

Make a  Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-main

Twitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmain

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain

Website: https://churchandmain.org/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHglj

Chapters

0:00:34 Introduction to Church in Maine podcast
0:06:10 Introduction: Setting the Stage for January 6th
0:08:10 Act 3: Concluding Thoughts on January 6th
0:10:04 Praying in Light of Today's Events
0:12:03 Failing to Uphold the Ideals of Unity
0:12:37 Seeking God's Help in Uncertain Times
0:14:36 Reflecting on the January 6th Insurrection Investigation
0:15:53 Setting the Context for the January 6th Committee
0:18:00 Doubts on Obtaining Truth from the Committee
0:24:21 Recognizing the Disease: Lack of Respect in Government
0:27:59 Relitigating January 6th: Counterproductive and Damaging
0:30:48 Waking Up to a Nightmare: 1983 and its Significance
0:33:37 Abel Archer and the Close Call of Nuclear War
0:35:36 Generation X and the Fear of Nuclear War
0:38:50 Palpable fear and uncertainty in America
0:41:22 January 6th: Epiphany and the Story of King Herod
0:43:47 Bethlehem's Horror & January 6th Parallels
0:45:49 Living, Helping, and Trusting Amidst Turmoil
0:46:50 The Ultimate Defeat of Evil
0:48:25 Praying for Strength and Trust in Hard Times

It's quite common for people to say that the church isn't a building, but a people - and this is true.  But that doesn't mean that church buildings are without any meaning.  Loren Richmond Jr. returns to the podcast to talk about his summer project taking pictures and learning the history of church buildings in his hometown of Denver and how this pastime impacted his faith and how it can impact your faith as well.

Show Notes:
Future Christian Podcast (Loren's Podcast)
The Contradiction in Church Architecture by Loren Richmond Jr.
Prayers Rising Past the Immanent Frame by Katherine Willis Pershey

Lectionary Q Podcast

Make a  Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-main

Twitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmain

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain

Website: https://churchandmain.org/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHglj

In this episode, I look back at the 10 most memorable episodes of 2023.  This isn’t a countdown to number one, but a look back at some of the most meaningful episodes of the year. I will also look forward to what I hope to be doing in 2024.

At the end of the year, I want to say thanks to everyone who has downloaded an episode, shared an episode with others or donated financially.  You helped an odd pastor in Minnesota live out a desire to start this here podcast.  Thank you for your support!

The 10 Most Memorable Episodes of 2023:

Episode 132: Telling the Truth on Church Decline with Ben Crosby

Episode 136: A Church Grows Again in Odessa with Dawn Darwin Weaks

Episode 158: A Tale of Congregational Hope and Renewal with Grayhame Bowcott

Episode 153: Lay-Led Church Planting with Laura Cottington

Episode 164: Mainline Church Growth with Paul Moore

Episode 140: Beyond Colorblindness and Antiracism with George Yancey

Episode 143: Giving Up the Stigma of Mental Illness with Seth Perry

Episode 142: Church and the Crisis of Decline with Andrew Root

Episode 157: Rage and Hope After the Hamas Massacre with Rabbi Brad Hirschfield

Episode 159: Mainline Churches and Israel-Palestine with Todd Stavrakos

Lectionary Q Podcast

Make a Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-main

Twitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmain

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchandmainpod/

Website: https://churchandmain.org/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHglj

Note: This podcast originally aired on December 8, 2021.
Black Lives Matter. Those three words have launched a million arguments over the last 8 years or so. What began as a hashtag in the wake of the killing of young black men by the police has become a phrase that has gone global and all the while it has been controversial. Some think it is exclusive and even racist because they think it only focuses on black people. Others like the phrase and take it on without asking questions.

Methodist Pastor Drew McIntrye wanted to look at black lives matter from a theological standpoint. What does it mean for followers of Jesus to say this phrase? Can followers of Jesus say this phrase? The answer is an emphatic yes. We will talk about what blacks live matters means theologically and what it means for African Americans to hear the church say black lives matter.

Show Notes:

The Scandal of Particularity, Black Lives, and Jesus by Drew McIntyre

Drew’s Website

The God & Whiskey Podcast- Drew and Evan Rohrs-Dodge

Drew on Twitter

Lectionary Q Podcast

Make a Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-main

Twitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmain

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchandmainpod/

Website: https://churchandmain.org/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHglj

Get full access to Church and Main at churchandmain.substack.com/subscribe

Mainline Protestant congregations have faced decline over several decades.  Can these churches grow again and also hold fast to their commitment to social justice?

Paul Moore a pastor of a Presbyterian Church (USA) Congregation in the suburban Twin Cities, MN believes the answer is yes and is practicing what he believes.  In this episode, we talk about how Presbyterian and other mainline Protestant denominations can have thriving churches again if they learn to "grow young."

Show notes:

Preaching at my home church with sadness by Paul Moore
Growing Young in the PC(USA) by Paul Moore
Chain of Lakes Presbyterian Church website
Episode 83: Mainline Church Planting with Paul Moore

Lectionary Q Podcast

Make a  Donation: https://donorbox.org/support-church-and-main

Twitter: https://twitter.com/churchandmain

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain

Website: https://churchandmain.org/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4CzMELfEV0oUYfbjdhdjqgrT3w8fHglj