Episode Category: Music
The State of Church, Race, Music & Economics w/ Robby Valderrama
“I have always believed that the music of the church has the power to shape the message of the church.” Robby Valderrama
Three years after the start of the Praise Hands Podcast, hear our host Robby Valderrama share brand-new data along with his one-of-a-kind insight on where the American church is, and where it might be headed.
On this episode, hear Robby discuss:
• How economic policies are affecting the local church, and what to do about it
• Exclusive data and inside analysis on today’s worship music industry
• The future of the Praise Hands Podcast
Bridging The Academic, Musical, And Pastoral w/ Glenn Packiam
“People sometimes have strong criticisms of contemporary worship without actually knowing it.” - Glenn Packiam
Glenn Packiam is a songwriter, a theologian, and an Anglican priest pastoring at New Life Church in Colorado Springs. His recent books Worship And The World To Come and The Resilient Pastor are helpful and hopeful guides for Christian leaders who are navigating leadership in our current global health crisis.
In this episode of the Praise Hands Podcast, hear Glenn talk through:
• His experience as a Malaysian-American in the worship music industry
• Three Congregational Worship paradigms that shape Sunday mornings
• Key takeaways from his research on congregational worship
“Reparations: A Christian Call For Repentance And Repair” w/ Duke Kwon & Gregory Thompson
“We are not establishing some new morality that is an over-realized understanding of heaven on earth. Reparations are love of neighbor.” - Duke Kwon
Reparations: A Christian Call for Repentance and Repair is a brand new book from Pastor Duke Kwon and cultural educator Gregory Thompson that’s sending shockwaves through the American church. On this timely and hotly debated topic of reparations to the African American community, Kwon and Thompson use theology and history to argue that the church has a unique moral responsibility to repair our nation’s original sin.
In this episode of the Praise Hands Podcast, hear Duke and Gregory talk through:
• Frameworks for understanding racism, white supremacy, and reparations
• The church’s crucial role in developing America’s racial caste system
• How Christian creatives can use their repentant imaginations to create change
“The Deeply Formed Life” w/ Rich Villodas
“There is a mysticism to life with God. If we believe that God is present with us, how can there not be?” Rich Villodas
Some of the most ancient practices of the church, like contemplation and silence, still have much to teach us in our always-on, always-connected world. In his book, The Deeply Formed Life, pastor and author Rich Villodas shares personal insight on how spiritual union with Christ can fuel a life of justice.
On this episode of the Praise Hands Podcast, hear Rich and Robby discuss:
• How Christian meditation differs from other mindfulness practices
• The role that silence can play in our corporate worship experiences
• The challenges in building authentically multicultural churches
“Building A Community of Multicultural Worship” w/ Josh Davis and Jaewoo Kim
“The beauty of God is not limited to our culture. Are we willing to create space?” - Jaewoo Kim
Josh Davis and Jaewoo Kim from Proskuneo Ministries and their families moved to Clarkston, Georgia, one of the most diverse square miles in the entire United States. On their street, they live, work, homeschool their kids together, and co-lead a vibrant multicultural worshipping community.
On this episode of the Praise Hands Podcast featuring co-host McKenzie Abbott, Josh and Jaewoo share:
• How to cultivate a worshipping community vs simply creating worship experiences
• The cultural challenges immigrants face in American churches
• What John’s visions in Revelation can teach us about multicultural worship
“Praise Hands Podcast 50th Episode Party!” w/ Jackie The Educator, Barna Group’s Brooke Hempell, and more!
In honor of our 50th Episode, Robby chatted with past guests Jackie The Educator, DJ Chuang, Patrick Chappell, Lex The Advocate, Brooke Hempell, and Ricky Ortiz on a fun and laid-back Praise Hands Podcast 50th Episode Zoom Party, including a quick appearance from Robby’s wife Bria Jean Valderrama. Watch the Zoom on YouTube, or hear audio-only on your podcast app of choice.
“Worship, Discipleship, and Holy Spirituality” w/ Dr. Emmett Price
“In the American church, we conflate worship and music… *everything* that we do should bring glory to God as our living worship.”
Dr. Emmett Price III is a leading expert on African American Music, Christian Worship and the Black Christian Experience, and leads the Institute for the Study of the Black Christian Experience at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
In this interview on the Praise Hands Podcast, Dr. Price switches seamlessly between his academic, pastoral, and musical hats, addressing the following:
• What Our Educational Models Can Learn From Jesus
• The Redemptive Song of Black America
• The Church’s Responsibility To Lead Cross-Culturally
“Jesus, Justice, and America” w/ Shane Claiborne
“What would it look like for love, not fear, to shape our policies?”
As an activist, author, and speaker, Shane Claiborne has shaped a generation’s view of Jesus and social change. His radical activism has led him to Iraq and Afghanistan (for anti-war efforts), jail (for homeless advocacy), Calcutta (for work with Mother Teresa), and to Washington DC, where today’s interview took place a few steps from The White House.
In this episode highlighting the 2020 Presidential Election, Shane shares:
• Why the death penalty is incompatible with Christian teaching
• How the American church has neglected the teachings of Jesus
• How restorative justice and forgiveness can fix the US prison system
“The Nashville Tornado and Black Ownership” w/ Derek Minor
“Are you going to chase the dollar, or are you going to help preserve a community?” - Derek Minor
Nashville-based Derek Minor is a rapper, producer, and entrepreneur whose initiative “Ownership is the New Black” works to develop the next generation of Black owners. In light of the recent Nashville tornado, Derek and Robby talk about how racially-discriminatory government policies have made the Black community particularly vulnerable to displacement through natural disasters and gentrification.
In this episode of the Praise Hands Podcast, hear Derek talk about:
• How to shift from “consumer power to ownership power”
• How Christian music and social justice can co-exist
• The tragic ending of the “Black Wall Street” in Tulsa, Oklahoma
“The Christian Entrepreneur” w/ Brock Shinen
“It shocks me that every Christian on the planet doesn’t see themselves as a cultural translator.” Brock Shinen
As an in-demand lawyer and consultant in the worship music industry, Brock Shinen understands the complex and sometimes messy relationship between churches, creatives, and business.
In this third episode of the Praise Hands Podcast series “Can I Trust The Church?”, Brock shares from his new book “The Christian Entrepreneur”, touching on the following topics:
• The dangers of separating faith and business
• What it means to be a “cultural translator”
• “Win-win” relationships between churches and creatives
“The Myth Of ‘Organic’ Diversity” w/ Patrick Chappell
“People want diversity to happen organically, but sometimes you have to be intentional on the way to organic.” Patrick Chappell
Growing up Black in the South, Patrick Chappell attended both predominantly Black and White churches and often felt like an outsider in each. But his pain led him to his purpose: creating grace-filled spaces for diverse relationships and intentional conversations.
Learn from Patrick’s story and expertise on the following topics:
• How he survived a childhood of physical abuse and deep-seated racism
• Why leaders must proactively pursue those on the fringes
• How intentional, encouraging words can overcome fear and division
“Data And Diversity: A Call To Dig Deeper” w/ Barna Group’s Brooke Hempell
“Averages only tell the average story. They don’t tell a minority’s story.” Brooke Hempell
As the Senior Vice President of Research at Barna Group, Brooke Hempell and her team have interviewed thousands of leaders across America about issues of faith and culture. Yet some of her most meaningful insights have come from pursuing racial reconciliation and church planting in her hometown of Atlanta.
In this episode, hear Brooke share trusted insight including:
• Common Misperceptions About Economic And Racial Realities
• How Millennial and Gen-Z Voices Are Challenging The Status Quo
• Surprising Data About The Power Of Diverse Worship Music
“The New Frontiers Of Multicultural Theology” w/ Angie Kay Hong
“Believing that the way that I know God is the way that everybody should know God is called religiously-powered ethnocentrism.” Angie Kay Hong
Angie Kay Hong is a convener, a sought-after voice on issues of church and culture, and a worship leader with experience on staff everywhere from church plants to megachurch Willow Creek Community Church. Fresh off the heels of a summit of multicultural worship academics and practitioners, Angie and Robby speculate about the future of church music.
Listen now to hear Angie speak to:
• Evolving Strategies for Multicultural Worship
• The Christian Populism Of Martin Luther
• How Leaders Can Share Power In Healthy Ways
“Can We Trust Kanye West?” w/ KJ Scriven
“The church was here before Kanye West, and the church will be here after Kanye West.” KJ Scriven
As well as being the Creative Arts Pastor at Charlotte-area’s Transformation Church, KJ Scriven collaborates as a songwriter and artist with diverse voices outside the local church. Hear KJ’s thoughts on Kanye West, Kirk Franklin at the Dove Awards, and other issues shaping Christian creativity.
Listen now to hear KJ and Robby chat through:
• Scriptural Perspective On The Christian Kanye West
• How Black Musicians Have Shaped The Sound Of American Music
• Creating Music With Those Who Don’t Share Your Faith
“Rediscovering The Biblical Vision Of Diversity” w/ KJ Scriven
“Proximity breeds relationship, relationship breeds understanding, and understanding breeds compassion.” KJ Scriven
Multiethnic worship pastor and songwriter KJ Scriven has a passion to see the church become the diverse family Jesus envisioned.
Dive right in to hear KJ and Robby discuss:
• How Slavery Shaped The African-American Worship Experience
• Robby’s Story Of Confronting A Distracting Tambourine Player In Church
• How The Early Church Gave Voice To Underrepresented Minorities
“Miracles in the Music Industry” w/ Joshua Silverberg
Jesus didn’t have a healing ministry. He had a reconciliation ministry.... and one of the ways that manifests is physical healing.” Joshua Silverberg
What if miracles are waiting for us on the other side of our comfort zones? Joshua Silverberg never thought he’d write worship songs with artists like Jesus Culture, Kari Jobe, and Matt Redman. He also never imagined God would use someone like him to pray and see hundreds of people experience miraculous physical healings.
Discover new levels of faith and adventure as Joshua dives into the following subjects:
• An insider’s view of the worship music industry
• Why physical healing is a form of reconciliation
• Revealing the heart of Jesus through music and prayer
“Reviving Christian Art Through Gospel Truth” w/ Dwan Hill
“People should look at Christian art and ask, ‘What must I do to be saved?’” Dwan Hill
As a musician, arranger, and Grammy-Award Winning songwriter, Dwan Hill has long been a secret weapon for legendary artists including Lauren Daigle, CeCe Winans, Josh Groban, and others. But recently, local church relationships and a deeper exploration of the Gospel have launched Dwan’s artistry to new heights, resulting in the fresh and colorful songs of Nashville Life Music.
Hear Dwan and Robby chat through:
• The diverse worship scene that’s emerging in Nashville
• How Lauren Daigle transcended the “Christian” and “Gospel” divide
• What Jesus’ resurrection means for creatives today
"Every community can’t be a diverse community, but every Christian community ought to be a reconciling community.” David Bailey
One person, song, and conversation at a time, David Bailey and friends are changing the narrative of Richmond, Virginia from the "capital of the Confederacy" to the "capital of reconciliation".
Hear David share on the following:
• Why diversity alone is not enough
• How he helped widen the cultural lens of Q and Gabe Lyons
• Practical paths towards spiritual growth, culture creation, and community reconciliation
“An orphan doesn’t just feel like an orphan at 10 o’clock on Sunday.” Robbie Reider
With around 20 congregations throughout Ohio and Kentucky, Crossroads Church is a Jesus-following, people-loving, and city-changing machine. In this episode, hear Chuck Mingo and Robbie Reider share unbelievable moments of racial reconciliation and community transformation, as well as vulnerable stories of challenges they face every day.
"We have a strong historic tradition. But there are also beautiful things happening now.” Caleb Deas
During this episode, learn how Tiffany Hines, Caleb Deas, and Kelli Marie are shaping the future of Christianity while honoring the rich religious and cultural heritage of Black America.
Hear real-talk about the following:
• Why the church must become more than a building
• How to model Jesus' outward focused-ministry
• Not being 'Black' enough for Black church
"The majority of the top worship songs have been written by middle-class, Caucasian, males… there’s something missing in Christian music.”
As a Korean-American in the Christian music industry, marketer Wisdom Moon has worked with countless artists including Lauren Daigle, Israel Houghton, and Darlene Zschech.
Hear Wisdom's honest and hopeful take on the following:
• How listeners can voice their demand for diverse Christian music
• The inner workings of the Christian Music industry
• Why Kingdom-collaboration is better than self-promotion
"When music is done at its height, it is multicultural. It’s like a magnet that brings in everybody."
Hear American Idol finalist Clark Beckham share about the following topics:
• Resisting opportunities to compromise for the sake of money
• How music brings people together from different backgrounds
• Operating as a Christian in a post-Christian culture
In this episode, hear two of the church's leading voices on Multicultural Worship, Nikki Lerner and Chris Baker, talk through the following questions:
What is the Biblical basis for cross-cultural ministry?
How can worship leaders use their platform for good?
How can we create authentically multicultural worship experiences?
“The Church has filtered the Good News of Jesus through the lens of American consumerism.”
In this episode, learn the story behind Praise Hands as founder Robby Valderrama shares his experience as a biracial American Christian moving from secular Silicon Valley to the Buckle of the Bible Belt: Nashville, Tennessee.
Robby points to the creative, cross-cultural life of Jesus and invites listeners from all faith backgrounds to an examination of the American intersection of church, race, music, and economics.