Racial Reconciliation

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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

EPISODE 40

EPISODE 40

“Worship Beyond Nationalism” w/ Dr. Rob Hewell

“The Christian faith is a narrative. Which narrative is shaping what I do every day?” Dr. Rob Hewell

Dr. Rob Hewell is the Professor of Worship and Director of Online Learning Initiatives for Ouachita Baptist University, and the author of the provocative and timely book “Worship Beyond Nationalism”.

In this opening episode of Praise Hands Podcast Season 4, Dr. Hewell and Robby Valderrama speak frankly about:
•The inherently political nature of Christian worship
•The priority of the Kingdom of God over earthly allegiances
•The tension of unity in the church and partisan convictions

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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

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EPISODE 24

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EPISODE 24

“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

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EPISODE 23

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EPISODE 23

“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

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EPISODE 15

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EPISODE 15

"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