For the Good of the Public

The Center for Christianity & Public Life
For the Good of the Public

The kind of people we are has much to do with the kind of politics we will have. The Center for Christianity and Public Life's new podcast, hosted by Michael Wear and Phebe Meyer, features hopeful, constructive sessions from our inaugural summit that you won’t hear anywhere else. Every episode, you’ll learn from respected and influential leaders about some of the most pressing issues facing our society today, and consider what Christian resources might have to offer in light of those challenges, for the good of the public. Look for a new episode every Wednesday this Summer!

  1. 2D AGO

    Pastors Navigating Politics

    In this episode of For the Good of the Public podcast, Michael and Phebe present a panel discussion with pastors as they think about their approach to leading their congregation during this current political moment. Rev. Dr. Nicole Massie Martin, Chief Impact Officer at Christianity Today and founding board member of CCPL, leads the discussion with Lisa Cummins, Founder of Urban Strategies, Duke Kwon, Lead Pastor at Grace Meridian Hill and co-author of Reparations: A Christian Call for Repentance and Repair and Chris Butler, Director of Christian Civic Formation at CCPL and a pastor at Ambassador Church (formerly Chicago Embassy Church Network). They consider the role of clergy when it comes to politics and the local congregation. Their deep insights grounded in practical experience help show how Christian resources provide crucial support for a healthier politics that benefits from positive Christian contribution.  Watch the video recording of this talk on YouTube! “I think there’s an important role that spiritual leaders–pastors in particular–in our calling, we are called to testify to a transcendent reality… So when our eyes are only fixed at ground level, and our conversations are only engaged in a cacophony of discording voices and vitriol and anger and fear and wrath, that deforms the soul, even of the pastor herself or himself.” -Duke [29:23] “I think that there is an opportunity for us to begin this conversation–a healthy conversation, biblically-rooted conversation–about what it means to be politically involved using the Good Word, publicly engaged and loving our neighbors.” -Lisa [45:16] “I’m a preacher’s kid. So I remember when we were growing up, my dad never said the name of the political candidate from the pulpit, because of fear of losing the 501(c)(3). This feels like a different age where preachers are very, very flippant. I mean, they just use anybody’s name as a positive or a negative.” -Nicole [1:02:04] “You have to dig in and do the work to allow the Holy Spirit to give your words that are going to wake people up and not shut them down.” -Chris [1:02:56] TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Intro [07:19] Meet the panelists [14:09] Handling political engagement [26:16] The role that fear might play [28:32] How to avoid co-opting to a particular agenda [36:44] The role of the church right now [46:31] A prophetic word [52:56] Love your neighbor and your enemy [55:59] Immigration and how we speak about immigrants [59:56] Addressing political discipleship [1:08:41] Outro REFERENCES The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life by Michael WearChris Butler, Director of Christian Civic Formation at CCPLMinistry Leaders Interest SurveyChristianity TodaySoulfire International MinistriesUrban StrategiesGrace Meridian Hilla href="https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/reparations/402211" rel="noopener...

    1h 12m
  2. JUN 25

    Religion, Lady Bird and AI: A Conversation with the New York Times’ Jessica Grose

    In this episode of For the Good of the Public podcast, Michael shares his in-depth conversation with Jessica Grose, a columnist at the New York Times, about her five-part series on how Americans think about religion today. Jessica dives into some of the trends she discovered through her reporting, and explores what Americans value, or miss, about religious experiences in modern America. Michael and Jessica also talk about Artificial Intelligence, and consider the potential for AI to help, or deepen, loneliness and social disrepair. Jessica’s approach to writing about these issues with a degree of earnest curiosity provides a fresh, essential perspective regarding how we think about religion and modern life. As a bonus: don’t miss Michael’s effusive reflections on Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird.  Watch the video recording of this talk on YouTube! “It is just so rare to have someone who is approaching these things with an attempt to look at religion with fresh eyes, and that’s what Jessica’s really able to do in this series. I think it’s what she’s able to convey in this conversation that we have.” -Michael [01:14] “A distinct good that Jessica talks about in her interview is churches being a place where people can find meaning and belonging and enriching friendship.” -Phebe [03:35] “The best part of it has been opening up a space for people to talk about their faith.” -Jessica [14:53] TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Intro [06:25] What Lady Bird teaches about religion [10:12] Inspiration behind Jessica’s writing [13:57] Her contribution to the conversation [17:35] The role religion can play [21:48] The “Nones” and spiritual but not religion [26:42] AI and loneliness [29:36] Jessica’s personal story and what’s next [34:48] Outro REFERENCES For the Good of the Public SummitJessica GroseJessica’s columns for the New York TimesWhat Churches Offer That ‘Nones’ Still Long For By Jessica GroseLady BirdGeneration Z and the Future of Faith in AmericaWall Street Journal: More Americans Left Religion During the PandemicLoneliness Is a Problem That A.I. Won’t Solve by Jessica Grose‘Nobody Wants This’ Pits Jewish Women Against ‘Shiksas.’ Nobody Wins. by Jessica Grose CONNECT WITH US: Website: www.ccpubliclife.org X: @CCPublicLife Facebook: a href="https://www.facebook.com/ccpubliclife" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    38 min
  3. JUN 18

    A Clear View of Religion in American Public Life

    In this episode of For the Good of the Public podcast, Michael and Phebe share a presentation from Tim Dixon, co-founder of More in Common, a leading international non-profit that seeks to understand the polarizing forces in our civic and cultural life and build strategies and partnerships to find common ground solutions. Tim highlights key findings that were discovered in More in Common’s recent report called Promising Revelations: Undoing the False Impressions of America’s Faithful, that uses data and research to understand how America’s polarization is playing out among Evangelical Christian, Mainline Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and Latter-day Saint communities. Interviewing over 6,000 Americans with a specific focus on Christian, Jewish and Muslim Americans, the study reveals myths about faith in America today, but also a more hopeful perspective on what it means to be a person of faith and a clearer view of religion in American public life. Watch the video recording of this talk on YouTube! “What I love about More in Common is that they’re committed to data. They’re committed to research. They’re also committed to not making things worse than they appear. They’re committed to not just generating conflict for conflict’s sake. Tim–in this talk–actually sees ways in which maybe we’re overestimating how divided we are, overestimating how intractable some of our differences might be and I thought that was a good way to set the tone for the summit in 2024.” -Michael [00:37] “While Tim acknowledges that this is a distinct crisis facing our churches, that there is so much division in specific faith congregations, it also is the biggest opportunity. And he acknowledges that local churches is actually where change will take place and trust will be built.” -Phebe [02:04] “We’re still a country of faithful people. Yes, there’s a decline. Yes, there’s a change, and yes, I think there’s a lot of evidence of spiritual crisis, but the pews aren’t empty. And this is still a far more religious nation than other Western countries.” -Tim [23:17] TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Intro [05:59] Surveying over 6,000 Americans [07:52] The deepest story they found [13:34] Faith in politics [20:02] The perception of decline [23:34] Religion intolerance [26:07] Two other interesting findings [30:49] Outro REFERENCES For the Good of the Public SummitTim Dixon, Co-Founder of More in Common GlobalPromising Revelations: Undoing the False Impressions of America’s Faithful CONNECT WITH US: Website: www.ccpubliclife.org X: @CCPublicLife Facebook: Center for Christianity & Public Life Instagram: @ccpubliclife Mentioned in this episode: The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the...

    34 min
  4. JUN 10

    What We Need - What We Can Offer

    In this episode of For the Good of the Public podcast, Michael Wear, Founder and CEO, and Phebe Meyer, Chief of Staff, of Center for Christianity & Public Life (CCPL), reflect on the meaningful and thought-provoking conversations from the second annual For the Good of the Public Summit, starting with Michael’s opening keynote. CCPL provides a hospitable place for speakers—from civic leaders to advocates to journalists and politicians—to reflect on some of the most pressing issues in public life today and what Christianity has to offer for a healthier politics and public life. While these conversations occurred a month prior to the 2024 Presidential Election, they will provide important context for the issues occurring today. Watch the video recording of this talk on YouTube! “It’s not only a summit where we cover a lot of deep and heavy topics, but it’s also genuinely fun. People come away from the summit having made new connections and friends and really having felt like they were at an event that has a generous and hospitable spirit to it.” -Phebe [04:18] “In order to truly engage with what’s happening nationally, you need to be attentive to what is happening within your own spirit. You need to be attentive to the kind of person you are becoming in the midst of all of your thinking about structures and systems. You need to think about who you are, who you are becoming and what you are doing.” -Michael [17:07] TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Intro [02:08] The work of CCPL [04:46] The approach to the summit [07:02] Being responsive to the moment [09:58] A keynote address for today [19:14] Sometimes a summit is called for [23:38] Christianity still has much to offer America [27:29] Spiritual formation is central to civic renewal [31:07] On the lookout for light [33:06] Outro REFERENCES For the Good of the Public SummitCCPL’s 2024 Annual ReportMartin Luther King Jr.’s Nobel Prize Acceptance SpeechSargent Shriver‘s Address to the National Conference of Catholic CharitiesNew York Times: CHRIST IS DECLARED ALWAYS WITH MAN; He Confronts Conscience All Through Life, Dr. B.E. Mays Says in Riverside Sermon CONNECT WITH US: Website: www.ccpubliclife.org X: @CCPublicLife Facebook: Center for Christianity & Public Life Instagram: @ccpubliclife Mentioned in this episode: For the Good of the Public Summit 2025 For the Good of the Public Summit '25 The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life a...

    36 min
  5. 09/18/2024

    Building a Culture of Service and Volunteerism

    In this episode of For the Good of the Public podcast, Michael and Phebe share a conversation about service and volunteerism, highlighting leaders that show what Christians are doing to build a culture of service in their own communities. Phebe moderates as the panelists–Bryant Wright, President of Send Relief, Josh Dickson, Vice President of Public Policy at United Way Worldwide, and Sister Norma Pimentel, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley–discuss their work in helping others by restoring human dignity and building trust. Sister Norma is also one of the first two recipients of the CCPL’s Civil Renewal Award, which honors Christians who show exemplary contributions to the health and well-being of their communities and nation. Jonathan Keller received the award on behalf of his father, the late-Rev. Timothy Keller. The talks from the awards ceremony are not included in the podcast, but are available on the website and Youtube channel. Watch the video recording of this talk on YouTube! “The message of this panel is that this is what Christians are doing in their own communities at very local levels every day. It’s something that each of us can do as we go about our lives, and it’s those kinds of contributions that really make up the fabric of this country and make life livable for so many.” -Michael [02:18] “Each of you have a wealth of experience working with faith groups or individuals who are motivated by faith. What motivates Christians to serve?” -Phebe [07:37] “I think that’s key to what our faith moves us forward to do–to help others–because we’re able to see the need and the struggle, and we want to be able to restore that dignity of the person that is in need of that.” -Sister Norma [11:55] “One thing I would encourage you folks on is don’t give up on the local church, because you’ve got the largest manpower of volunteers in local churches all over the world.” -Bryant [26:03] “It’s important to get offline a little bit and to get into community. I think that too often people are sitting on screens and only on screens, and I think where I have seen the most moving, formative, influential and impactful work happen is person-to-person with people.” -Josh [28:09] TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Intro [03:16] This week’s guests [07:05] Restoring human dignity [17:13] The church is the heartbeat [22:59] Building that trust [24:28] How to build a culture of service [29:11] Current trends and innovations [32:34] Outro REFERENCES For the Good of the Public SummitNew award honors Tim Keller and Sister Norma Pimentel for civic renewalCatholic Charities of the Rio Grande ValleySend ReliefUnited Way WorldwideBeyond the Offering Plate: Views on Volunteering CONNECT WITH US: Website: www.ccpubliclife.org X: a...

    35 min
  6. 09/11/2024

    What A Pluralistic America Needs from Christians

    In this episode of For the Good of the Public podcast, Michael and Phebe present a talk by Eboo Patel, Founder and President of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization that works with governments, universities, private companies and civic organizations to make faith a bridge of cooperation, rather than a barrier of division. He draws from Muslim theology to share how to cultivate peace and pluralism by considering viewpoints and resources that are not our own. Following the talk, Michael joins Eboo to learn more about the work of Interfaith America, and to share more about Eboo and Michael’s history of friendship and partnership. Watch the video recording of this talk on YouTube! “I think that Christians, not only need to listen to others, but can benefit from listening to others, and Eboo’s talk is the proof of that.” -Michael [02:09] “Diversity is holy… that’s why it needs us–the practitioners of peace of pluralism–who seek the welfare of the city, but know that we are called to do it by our faith, because that will last.” -Eboo [23:54] TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Intro [03:44] About this week’s guest [04:19] Seek the welfare of the city [08:38] A Muslim theology of pluralism [14:42] The Constitution of Medina [24:35] The fundamental story [30:44] The work of Interfaith America [38:07] Outro REFERENCES Interfaith AmericaFor the Good of the Public SummitHigh Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out by Amanda RipleyThe Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization by Peter T. ColemanHow to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks CONNECT WITH US: Website: www.ccpubliclife.org X: @CCPublicLife Facebook: Center for Christianity & Public Life Instagram: @ccpubliclife Mentioned in this episode: The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life For the Good of the Public Summit 2025 For the Good of the Public Summit '25

    41 min
  7. 09/04/2024

    Christianity and a Healthier Politics

    In this episode of For the Good of the Public podcast, Michael and Phebe present a talk by U.S. Senator Chris Coons about the way his Christian faith informs his public service. Senator Coons highlights the importance of friendship, the power of forgiveness and navigating difference. Following his talk in front of our summit audience, Michael joined Senator Coons for conversation, which you will hear in this episode as well.  Watch the video recording of this talk on YouTube! “He always highlights friendship and he highlights getting to know people beyond their political convictions. Those models are so necessary right now in both our public life, but in our life with our next door neighbors and our parents and our grandparents who we may not agree with.” -Phebe [02:28] “Because at the end of the day, the most true thing I can say about our weekly prayer breakfast is that it is harder to throw a rhetorical punch on the floor of the Senate at someone with whom you’ve held hands in prayer in the morning.” -Senator Coons [11:25] TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Intro [04:25] About this week’s guest [05:09] How do we find our way in this moment [13:00] Reflecting on a trip with the late-John Lewis [16:35] The antidote to the division and distraction of our age [19:36] How we can help [23:17] Outro REFERENCES Senator Chris CoonsFor the Good of the Public Summit CONNECT WITH US: Website: www.ccpubliclife.org X: @CCPublicLife Facebook: Center for Christianity & Public Life Instagram: @ccpubliclife Mentioned in this episode: The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life For the Good of the Public Summit 2025 For the Good of the Public Summit '25

    26 min

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About

The kind of people we are has much to do with the kind of politics we will have. The Center for Christianity and Public Life's new podcast, hosted by Michael Wear and Phebe Meyer, features hopeful, constructive sessions from our inaugural summit that you won’t hear anywhere else. Every episode, you’ll learn from respected and influential leaders about some of the most pressing issues facing our society today, and consider what Christian resources might have to offer in light of those challenges, for the good of the public. Look for a new episode every Wednesday this Summer!

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