When The Wolves Came cover image

When The Wolves Came

4: Fight or Flight

Mar 25, 2025
Caleb E. Campbell, Pastor at Desert Springs Bible Church and author of 'Disarming Leviathan,' shares insights on confronting extremism in the church. He discusses whether to sever ties or engage with those holding controversial views. The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating broken relationships post-pandemic and the intersection of faith and politics, particularly after the January 6 insurrection. With a focus on empathy and dialogue, Campbell offers strategies for engaging with American Christian nationalists and promoting understanding within evangelical communities.
45:34

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The loss of congregants during the pandemic revealed deep emotional pain and fractured relationships within the church community.
  • One pastor chose to actively engage with Christian nationalism by promoting empathetic dialogue, seeking to bridge divides rather than sever ties.

Deep dives

Loss and Change in the Congregation

The church experienced significant changes during the pandemic, leading to a marked loss of congregants. Many individuals who had been part of the church community for years departed due to dissatisfaction with the church's handling of COVID and discussions on race. As a result, the church began to attract new members, primarily older individuals seeking a more welcoming environment. However, this shift resulted in an overall net loss of congregants, with about 80% of the church members from 2016 no longer present by the end of 2020.

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