“I Follow Jesus:” Public Discipleship vs. Christian Nationalism with Deacon Gerri Endicott

Judge faith by the neighbor who gets help, not the hype of our politics. Episcopal deacon Gerri Endicott shows how preaching turns into rides, meals, and quiet care. She explains why she leads with “I follow Jesus,” a simple line that lowers walls and points to a Person, not a brand. Judge faith by the neighbor who gets help, not the volume of our politics. 

Craig and Gerri test faith by its fruit. They sort out what happens when Christianity gets pulled into national politics. Gratitude for a country is good; loyalty belongs to Jesus. Gerri also names a pre-Advent practice from her church’s calendar that helps her community rehearse that loyalty (Christ the King). Not every church observes it, but the posture fits anywhere.

Try this week: serve one neighbor, tell the truth with kindness, pray for an enemy by name, choose presence over outrage. If you want a public faith that looks like Jesus, start here.

Their conversation digs into:

• What a deacon does: service over stage, church facing outward.
• “I follow Jesus” language that lowers walls.
• Christian nationalism vs. the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5–7).
• Christ the King (her practice): a simple loyalty reset.
• Nations (peoples) vs. modern countries—why words matter.
• Presence over outrage: small acts, kept promises, steady love.

📖 For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-151

 

Key Moments with Gerri:

(00:00) Farmers market hello: How they met

(02:00) Memphis roots & call to serve: Gerri’s context

(05:49) Scripture & strong women: Big story, not proof texts

(06:50) A changed mind: Book + sermon

(08:10) Easter’s first witnesses: Why this matters

(12:30) “Follower of Jesus:”  Language that lowers walls

(13:59) Loyalty & the Sermon on the Mount: Allegiance check

(14:29) Taking Scripture seriously: How to read

(18:45) Christ the King (her church calendar): A yearly reset

(22:11) The big story: Creation to new creation

(24:31) Nations vs. countries: Words matter

(38:47) No new kings: Craig’s practice

(39:56) Sermon preview: How Gerri will name it

(46:56) Borders, ICE, neighbor love: Dignity in action

(48:00) Stay in touch: What’s next

 

💕 Want more episodes that keep loyalty with Jesus, not politics?💕Donate to the project at thebadroman.com/donate. Anything helps, and everything past production costs goes to local charities in Memphis, TN.

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• Does my public faith look like help or hype?
• Where can I trade outrage for presence this week?
• Who could I serve quietly—by name—today?

Listen first. Love well. No King but Christ.