Racial Justice

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EPISODE 52

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EPISODE 52

“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

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Episode 46

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Episode 46

Kingdom Innovation For A Brave New World w/ Doug Paul

“The church must shift from a mindset of being reformed to being reformers.”

As an innovation strategist, Doug Paul has advised Christian leaders across the US, and his book Ready or Not: Kingdom Innovation for a Brave New World provides a roadmap for church leaders who are eager to shift their ministry during a COVID-19 and post-COVID culture.

On this episode of the Praise Hands Podcast, hear Doug and Robby chat about:
• The relationship between diversity and creativity
• Predictions about the future of the church
• Systemic change in church, tech, & racial justice

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Episode 44

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Episode 44

“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

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EPISODE 41

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EPISODE 41

“Why There’s Still Hope Beyond 2020” w/ Dr. Esau McCaulley

“What’s happened in 2020 can’t unresurrect Jesus.”

Dr. Esau McCaulley is an author, priest, and New Testament scholar whose work has been featured in outlets such the New York Times, Christianity Today, and the Washington Post. He completed his doctoral studies under the direction of N.T. Wright, and recently released his book “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope”.

In this second episode of Season 4, Esau and Robby chat about:
• Why voting can be a profoundly Christian act
• How Christianity addresses the brokenness of the world
• Why we must articulate Christian beliefs in public conversations

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EPISODE 36

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EPISODE 36

“The Spirit Poured Out On All Flesh” w/ Dr. Amos Yong

“We’re still learning how to live a message of the Gospel that doesn’t favor any one color over another.” - Dr. Amos Yong

Dr. Amos Yong is a theologian and professor currently serving as the Dean of the School of Theology and the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Seminary. He is also the author of numerous books on Pentecostal theology, race, and ethics, including “Who Is the Holy Spirit? A Walk with the Apostles.”

In this interview on the Praise Hands Podcast, Dr. Yong examines crucial contemporary issues through Biblical exegesis and his own background as an Asian American, addressing the following:
• A Biblical examination of Christ and the Holy Spirit
• The conflicted racial history of Pentecostalism
• How Christianity can overcome limitations of Western constructs

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EPISODE 32

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EPISODE 32

“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

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EPISODE 29

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EPISODE 29

“Financial Fraud And The Future Of Global Christianity” w/ Gina Zurlo

“People trust pastors to handle their money and assume that everything is okay. It’s not.” Gina Zurlo

By the year 2025, as much as $100 Billion per year in Christian-donated dollars will be lost due to embezzlement, estimates Gordon-Conwell’s Center for the Study of Global Christianity. The Center’s co-director is Gina Zurlo, who, along with co-authoring The World Christian Encyclopedia, was named among BBC’s 100 most influential and inspiring women of 2019.

In this paradigm-shifting episode, hear Gina share about:
• The Pros And Cons of Entrepreneurial Christianity
• Practical Ideas For Relationship Across Faith Backgrounds
• The Biggest Trends Shaping The Future Of Christianity

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EPISODE 28

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EPISODE 28

“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

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EPISODE 27

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EPISODE 27

“Rethinking Urban Church Planting” w/ NYC’s Ricky Ortiz

“If you want to change a society then you have to tell an alternative story.”

NYC-native Ricky Ortiz had a heart to reach his city, but knew that traditional church planting financial models would prove difficult in the high-cost Big Apple. A few years later, Ricky’s thriving Meta Church serves as inspiration for church planters across the US. In this episode, hear Ricky share the strategic steps he’s taken to develop socioeconomic diversity and financial sustainability in an urban context.

Hear Ricky’s wisdom on topics like:

• Inspiring A Shared Vision In Your Local Church

• Why He’s Okay With Members Missing Sunday Morning

• Tips For Reducing Your Church’s Tithe Dependency

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EPISODE 26

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EPISODE 26

“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