Shifting Culture

Ep. 260 Patrick Miller - Joyful Outsiders Pt. 1: Living in the Tension of Resistance and Cultivation of Culture

Jan 14, 2025

Patrick Miller, a pastor and co-author of 'Joyful Outsiders,' discusses the shifting role of Christianity in America. He tackles the challenge of being an outsider in faith, emphasizing the balance between resistance and engagement with culture. Patrick introduces six roles—Trainer, Advisor, Protester, Ambassador, Artist, Builder—that Christians can adopt to navigate cultural tensions. His hopeful vision encourages collaboration and authenticity, showcasing how embracing diversity can help the church build a meaningful legacy for future generations.

59:40

Episode guests

Patrick Miller

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Engaging culture faithfully as Christians means navigating the tension between cultural resistance and the cultivation of positive change.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of being part of a church actively supporting local communities to foster belonging and growth.

A hopeful narrative emerges as younger generations seek authentic engagement with Christianity, valuing genuine community over divisive political rhetoric.

Deep dives

The Importance of Embracing Tension

Choosing to engage with the world often involves navigating tension between cultural resistance and cultivating positive change. The speaker emphasizes that one must believe that beyond tension lies joy and the fulfillment of what God has in store. Addressing the concept of 'joy of missing out' (JOMO), they argue for the necessity of pursuing joy through meaningful engagement instead of succumbing to fear. This mindset encourages Christians to be actively involved in their communities, fostering a culture of growth and openness.

Intro

3min

Faith in Cultural Engagement

12min

Navigating the Tension of Faith and Authority

4min

Navigating Cultural Tensions in Christianity

33min

Finding Joy in the Journey of Outsiderness

3min

Reflections on Youth and the Influence of Entertainment

2min

Engaging Culture as Joyful Outsiders

2min

This is a conversation about how to faithfully engage culture as a Christian in a disorienting time. Our guest is Patrick Miller. He is a Pastor, Podcast host, and co-author of the book "Joyful Outsiders." In this conversation, Patrick shares how he was drawn to a church that was actively engaged in the community - supporting nonprofits, influencing local businesses, and making a real impact. As he's grown in his faith, he's had to wrestle with the tension of resisting the culture around us, while also cultivating and caring for that culture. The world has changed a lot, Patrick says. Christianity has gone from an insider position to more of an outsider status in America. And that creates a challenge - how do we live like Jesus in the midst of this? Do we hunker down and resist? Do we try to conform and fit in? Or is there a third way? Patrick lays out six different approaches - the Trainer, the Advisor, the Protester, the Ambassador, the Artist, the Builder. Each one represents a different way of engaging the world around us. And he argues we need all of these voices, working together in harmony, if we're going to faithfully follow Jesus. It's a nuanced, thoughtful conversation about an issue that's causing a lot of division and angst in the church today. But Patrick offers a hopeful vision - one where we embrace the tension, value our diversity, and work together to build something lasting for the next generation. It's a conversation I think you'll find really compelling. So join us as we learn to live in the tension of resistance and cultivation.

Patrick Miller pastors at The Crossing in Missouri, cohosts the podcasts Ten Minute Bible Talks and Truth Over Tribe, and has coauthored one book. His weekly newsletter, Endeavor, explores the intersection of faith, culture, media, and technology. His writing can be found at The Gospel Coalition, Mere Orthodoxy, Christianity Today, and Newsweek. He graduated from Covenant Theological Seminary (MDiv). He and his wife, Emily, live in Columbia, Missouri, with their two children.

Patrick's Book:
Joyful Outsiders

Patrick's Recommendation:
Infinite Jest

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