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

“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

Is Christianity a ‘White Man’s Religion’? w/ Vince Bantu

“The perception that Christianity is a ‘White man’s religion’ is the single greatest obstacle to the Gospel in the world.” -Vince Bantu

Vince Bantu is an assistant professor of Church History and Black Church Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary and a director of the Meachum School of Haymanot, a seminary that offers education from Afrocentric and Biblical perspectives.

In this episode of the Praise Hands Podcast, Vince explores the history of the global church and the struggle for modern people of color as they wrestle with the racialized stigmas of Christianity, discussing:
• Christianity’s multicultural heritage and how it can be reclaimed today
• The Pan-African Church’s historical relationship with the Roman Church, Islam, and White America
• How past theological and cultural disagreements affect current racial reconciliation conversations

“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.

“Cancel Culture and the Search for Truth” w/ Wendy Cunningham

“The culture of social media has made us bold in the wrong ways.” Wendy Cunningham

On January 5th, 2021, third-party voter Wendy Cunningham was a highly successful entrepreneur who was loved and respected by her business partners across the country. Two days later, after peacefully attending the January 6th rally in Washington DC, she was cut out of a lifelong friendship, labeled a racist, and had her family’s lone income source threatened by colleagues.

On this episode of the Praise Hands Podcast, hear Wendy open up about:
• Why a third-party voter like her made the trip to DC
• Her on-the-ground experience on January 6th
• What it’s like to be cancelled in cancel culture

“Loving Our Unborn And Undocumented Neighbors” w/ Rondell Trevino

“I think we trust politicians’ words more than God’s Word when it comes to immigration.”

Moving from a Trump to a Biden presidency, The Immigration Coalition founder Rondell Trevino shares his family’s immigration journey, along with how the church in America can have its priorities right on this urgent and complicated issue.

On this episode of the Praise Hands Podcast, hear Rondell share:
• How Rondell’s family navigated through the U.S. immigration process
• His thoughts on Christian Nationalism and idolatry
• Why Christians must be pro-life across the political spectrum

“How Your Creativity Can Change The World” w/ Danielle Coke

“You don’t have to be perfect to make a difference.” Danielle Coke

At the beginning of 2020, Danielle Coke (@ohhappydani) had 700 Instagram followers and an iPad. A few months later, her racial justice-themed artwork went viral, causing her to gain 300,000 Instagram followers in one week, and leading her work to be featured on the Today Show, Buzzfeed, NBC, and countless other media outlets.

On this episode of the Praise Hands Podcast, hear Danielle share:
• The creative process behind her popular artwork
• Tips for building a brand around your passion
• How her relationship with Jesus shapes her social justice work

“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

“Christianity and the Corporatocracy” w/ Sherry Peel Jackson

“We have to get back to families supporting each other and not depending on government agencies.”

As a retired CPA, certified fraud examiner, and IRS agent who specialized in auditing pastors, Sherry Peel Jackson now helps churches and families achieve financial sustainability while preventing government overreach.

Tune in to hear Sherry discuss:
• Shocking revelations about the U.S. income tax code
• What churches and families can learn from President Trump’s alleged tax strategy
• How home-based businesses can turn your passion into profit

“How One Man Is Preventing Evictions In Boston” w/ Matt Pritchard

“Whether it’s material, spiritual, or emotional, everyone has experienced poverty.”

Amidst national conversations about eviction moratoriums, Matt Pritchard’s nonprofit HomeStart has saved 2,500 Boston-area households from eviction, with 95% of these households maintaining their housing long-term.

Lean in as Matt shares:
• What he learned by choosing to live in a shelter for a year
• How personal growth fuels organizational impact
• Why he avoids the term “Homeless People”

“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

“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

“Can Virtual Reality Make Our Communities Safer?” w/ Derek Ham

“We must work to view the world through our neighbor’s eyes.” Derek Ham

Would you be willing to walk a mile in the shoes of a Black man in the South at the height of the Civil Rights Movement? Or respond to a life-threatening dispatch call in the place of a modern-day police officer? Through virtual reality simulations, storyteller Derek Ham helps communities do just that, creating a bridge of empathy between people of color and law enforcement officers.

Hear Derek share about:
• His unlikely journey as an African American male in tech
• How virtual reality can disrupt implicit bias and prejudice
• How the non-violent usage of gaming echoes the non-violent protests of MLK Jr 

“Welcome To The Age Of The Microchurch” w/ Brian Sanders and Kathryn Eng

“It’s in the broken pieces that we find the church being reshaped to fit the mission of God in new places, new people and new contexts.” - Brian Sanders

The Underground Network is a diverse movement of microchurches living out the mission of God at the edges of society. In this episode, hear founder Brian Sanders share how their model of ministry activates the creativity of the church, and hear medical clinic director Kathryn Eng share how their Underground Clinic is doing exactly that in Tampa, Florida.

Listen to Episode 38 to hear Brian and Kathryn share:
• Why their church hub is a co-working space, not a sanctuary
• How to use healthcare to show and share the Gospel
• Why the hierarchy must serve the decentralized in the 21st Century

“How To Disrupt Poverty In Your Neighborhood” w/ Jason Janz

“Poverty as an economic condition only misses both the problem and the cure.” - Jason Janz

Non-profit thought leader Jason Janz is the CEO of CrossPurpose, a Denver-based nonprofit committed to abolishing economic, relational, and spiritual poverty in its neighborhood. In addition to talking through his booklet “Black Swan Leadership: Ten Recommendations For Your Non-Profit During A Pandemic”, he and Robby chat about:
• Best practices for collaboration between local churches and nonprofits
• Why the current social disruption may be an “innovator’s Disneyland”
• Mobilizing human and financial capital to fight poverty

“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

“Healthcare Economics and Christian Compassion” w/ Ben Walker

“We’ve moved compassion further and further down the list of priorities and moved safety, protection, and money up. I’m hoping we can use this crisis to re-evaluate this.” Ben Walker

From shortages of necessary equipment to inadequate staffing levels, COVID-19 is exposing the cracks in a healthcare system that many of us take for granted. In Part 2 of our conversation on the COVID-19 crisis and healthcare, Robby continues his conversation with healthcare insider Ben Walker as they discuss:
• How to equitably address rising healthcare costs
• Centralization and decentralization in church and state
• Christianity’s history of caring for the sick

“Innovation And Regulation In Time Of Crisis” w/ Ben Walker and Ian Patterson

“In a time of crisis, we start weighing the good of society versus the good of the person.” Ben Walker

In light of Covid-19, an important question is emerging: “what roles should individuals, businesses, and governments play in finding solutions for a global health crisis, and who should decide?” To help answer this question, Robby invited his old friends and healthcare insiders Ben Walker and Ian Patterson on the show.

In this timely episode, hear Ben and Ian discuss:
• Arguments for and against tighter government regulation
• How the FDA blocked initial testing for Covid-19
• Balancing consumer choice and human equality

“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

“Sexual Sin In The Church” w/ Andrea Burke and Sharona Sledge

“The church has tried to protect position instead of holding up repentance as the greatest prize.” Andrea Burke

“There is such a weight on shepherding people - each of your sheep are not the same. Although there are godly principles, if you’re going into ministry, that means you’re ministering to a flock of individual sheep.” Sharona Sledge

Amidst imperfect people and imperfect churches, the devastating consequences of moral failure and sexual sin affect us all. In this second episode of the Praise Hands Podcast series “Can I Trust The Church?”, worship leaders Andrea Burke and Sharona Sledge share how they navigated guilt, deceit, and betrayal in their evolving relationships with God and the church.

Listen now to hear Andrea and Sharona talk about:
• Dismantling “church shame” through a culture of confession
• When and how to confront signs of abuse or wrongdoing
• How to find freedom from sexual sin and help others do the same

“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

“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

“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