• Matthew Kim | Preaching and Participating in Unity
    Aug 15 2024

    The country is divided across class, racial, gender and political lines, and churches are not immune to this. Sometimes they even exemplify this division. How can pastors preach to a divided audience, and how can congregants remain active participants despite challenging differences?

    Dr. Matthew Kim, of Truett Seminary and co-author of “Preaching to a Divided Nation,” offers a way forward in this episode of Today's Conversation.

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    41 mins
  • Shirley Mullen | Claiming the Courageous Middle
    Jul 15 2024
    In the midst of deep political and cultural polarization, there remains an underutilized space: the middle. Shirley Mullen argues that this “middle” is not “bland averaging, moral cowardice or lazy indifference.” Instead the courageous middle is a daring way to live and work together for a more hopeful future.

    Shirley Mullen, president emerita of Houghton University, joins NAE President Walter Kim for Today’s Conversation podcast, and casts a vision for how each of us can claim the courageous middle in this election season and beyond.

    You’ll also hear Shirley and Walter discuss:

    • How active listening and bridge-building is central to the middle space;
    • Why being in the middle is labor intensive, but offers real possibilities for lasting change;
    • How institutions and individuals have navigated this space and seen fruit of their labors; and
    • Where those who feel disillusioned by polarization can find encouragement.

    For a complete list of show notes: NAE.org/mullenpodcast/

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    43 mins
  • Brad Wilcox | Confronting Cultural Myths About Marriage
    Jun 15 2024

    The foundation of thriving communities is strong families. That idea resonates with many of us, but the data also demonstrates it. Join Dr. Brad Wilcox and NAE President Walter Kim as they confront common yet false narratives about marriage in society today.

    This conversation covers why marriage not only benefits those who have committed to forging strong marriages but also society as a whole. You’ll also hear Brad and Walter discuss:

    • The anti-family messaging that afflicts our culture today;
    • Why segments of society that forgo marriage face higher risk of deaths of despair;
    • Research-based encouragement for young people, in particular, to get married; and
    • Factors that go into forging a healthy and long-lasting marriage.

    Show notes can be found here: NAE.org/wilcoxpodcast/

    

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    42 mins
  • Bryan Stevenson & Bishop Derek Grier | Reckoning with the Past, Hope for the Future
    May 15 2024
    Join us for a special episode of Today’s Conversation podcast with Bryan Stevenson and Bishop Derek Grier. Hosted by NAE President Walter Kim, the leaders discuss the promise of greatness that’s available to a society unburdened by hate, violence and discrimination.

    They talk about why we must reckon with the past in order to experience racial healing and reconciliation, and why the aspiration for a society that’s rooted in love, peace and joy is essential to the work of racial justice.

    You’ll also hear about a recent trip, hosted by National Unity Weekend and the National Association of Evangelicals, with 100 Christian leaders to the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. Bryan shares his vision for the museum as a place of truth-telling where narratives are recovered and where people can grapple with dreadful elements of America’s history and at the same time be inspired by the perseverance of those who suffered.

    They also discuss:

    • How fear and power are barriers to racial reconciliation;
    • Why there can be no reconciliation without reckoning;
    • How the conviction in our hearts motivates change; and
    • How we can be liberated through repentance and experience redemption.

    Go to NAE.org/stevenson-grier-podcast for show notes.

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    47 mins
  • Noemi Chavez | Unleashing the Impact of the Church
    Apr 15 2024

    What does it look like when the Church follows God into unknown territory? Hear Noemi Chavez, a pastor and the co-founder of Brave Global, share what happened when her church committed to serving and empowering at-risk girls, particularly in foster care and on probation.

    Hosted by NAE President Walter Kim, this conversation discusses leading and inspiring social change (despite feelings of inadequacy) and developing the next generation of leaders.

    You'll also hear Noemi share:

    -Why bravery is essential for healing and for meaningful witness;

    -How a faithful Christian presence opens doors for gospel transformation;

    -What it looks like to release control and empower young leaders; and

    -Why we must have a heart posture focused more on walking with Jesus than on outcomes.

    Get show notes here: NAE.org/chavezpodcast/

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    37 mins
  • Dr. Anita Phillips | Embracing Emotions for a Spirit-Filled Life
    Mar 15 2024
    What role do emotions have in our discipleship to Jesus? Dr. Anita Phillips, trauma therapist, minister and life coach, uses Jesus’ parable of the sower in Matthew 13 to show how emotions are the soil in the ground which allows the word of God, or the seed, to take root in our lives and transform us.

    This conversation, hosted by NAE President Walter Kim, discusses the importance of emotional health and how our emotions are not something we should fear, but instead something we should embrace.

    You’ll also hear Dr. Anita discuss:

    • How embracing our emotions is integral to our spiritual growth;
    • Recent discoveries in neurobiology that echo what we know in Scripture;
    • How Christians can lead in spaces of emotional well-being; and
    • The impact her book, “The Garden Within” has had in both faith-based and secular spheres.

    View show notes here: NAE.org/phillipspodcast

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    37 mins
  • Roland Warren | Discipleship and Pro Abundant Life Ministry
    Feb 15 2024

    In John 10, Jesus explains that he has come to offer abundant life. Roland Warren, president and CEO of Care Net, joins Today's Conversation podcast to share how Jesus' vision for abundance impacts and transforms pro-life ministry. He also argues that Christian discipleship is at the center of this issue.

    Hosted by NAE President Walter Kim, this conversation provides insight into what pro-life ministry looks like in a post-Roe context, how the sanctity of marriage and family upholds God's vision for those inside and outside the womb, and what we can do to support family structures.

    You'll also hear: 

    +What critiques of the pro-life movement need to be addressed;

    +How the story of Jesus' birth reflects God's design for family;

    +What initiatives support strong family structures; and

    +How holistic discipleship empowers people to think differently about abortion.

    View show notes here: NAE.org/rolandpodcast

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    43 mins
  • Paul Miller | Nationalism vs. Patriotism: What’s the Difference?
    Jan 15 2024

    What is Christian nationalism? And, how is it different than patriotism? Join Walter Kim and Dr. Paul Miller as they discuss the roots of Christian nationalism in America and what it looks like for evangelicals to be politically engaged in a Christ-honoring way.

    In Today’s Conversation podcast, NAE President Walter Kim and Dr. Paul Miller, Georgetown University professor and former veteran and White House staffer, discuss how evangelicals can be principled when it comes to politics by working for the common good of all people.

    You’ll also hear Paul and Walter discuss: 

    • The virtue of patriotism and how it’s tied to gratitude;
    • The difference between Christian principles and Christian power;
    • The elements of a healthy Christian political witness; and
    • A word of hope and concern for the 2024 election.

    View show notes here: NAE.org/millerpodcast/

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    32 mins