Are We Getting Worse?

A powerful and somber conversation centered on lamenting violence and abuse at the hands of institutions that claim to represent Jesus. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by Suzie Lind—Pastor, church elder, seminary student, and trusted leader—for a raw and vulnerable reflection on national tragedy, spiritual trauma, and the church's desperate need for repentance, transformation, and justice.

This episode explores the emotional aftermath of widely publicized events: the Texas elementary school shooting and the SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) sexual abuse report. With reflections rooted in lament, theology, and personal experience, the trio discuss what it means to be Jesus followers in a time of horrific violence and institutional corruption. Susie shares her own journey—as a child of the Iranian Revolution, a convert from Islam, and a woman navigating the realities of male-dominated church leadership. The episode ends with a moving rendition of prayers for the people.

How do Jesus followers respond to injustice when it's perpetuated by their own house? How do we engage in healing advocacy and embody kingdom values in the midst of sorrow? This deeply honest conversation speaks to the grief, weariness, and hope of those longing for a new way forward.

Key Takeaways: • Gun Violence and America's Accountability Crisis – Why “thoughts and prayers” fall short, and how Christians can hold both lament and action when engaging issues like school shootings. • The Church's Reckoning with Abuse – Exploring how the SBC sexual abuse crisis mirrors systemic failures in power, authority, and male hierarchy across American evangelicalism. • Reclaiming the Practice of Lament – Understanding lament as an active theological response that invites confession, repentance, and renewal. • Women, Power, and the Church – Susie Lind reflects on what it means to be a woman in church leadership, and how systemic change requires more than female presence—it demands shared authority. • Faith, Advocacy, and Parenting Through Pain – Real-talk on how Christians can talk to their kids about violence, love neighbors amid despair, and resist numbness or apathy.

Guest Highlight: Suzie Lind – Church elder, Director of Staff, and Fuller Seminary student, Susie brings wisdom, vulnerability, and pastoral insight to this critical conversation on suffering, systemic injustice, and hope.

Resources Mentioned: • SBC Sexual Abuse Report – [Link] • Chris Murphy Senate Speech on Gun Reform – [Link] • Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Micah References – Related to systemic injustice in Scripture • The Brilliance – “Prayers of the People” – [Link]

If you're a survivor of abuse or seeking support, we encourage you to reach out. You are worth healing, and we see you. For advocacy, counseling, or pastoral resources, visit our website or reach out via the contact info below.

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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