The Weight

When we look at the Christian witness in the political spectrum, we find two major extremes: hyper-obsession or complete apathy from an attitude of escapism. In this election year, Christians must question how to engage politics without being consumed by it. Whether we like to admit it or not, the church does not exist outside of the public life, and for the sake of our neighbors most impacted by political policies, we must find a way to engage in politics without selling our souls to it. How can we achieve this at the local and national scale?In this week’s episode, Joe Gunby joins Chris to talk about what it means to get involved in substantive change in the world while also considering what God is doing right next door. He argues that if we spend as much time researching political candidates and reading headlines as we do serving at places like the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club, we may find the true, Spirit-filled satisfaction that sparks our optimism for bringing about healing and justice. Pastor Gunby challenges us to ponder the place for Christian witness as both our presence at soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and food pantries and our engagement with larger, structural policies and laws. Though we cannot depend on political progress to rescue us from all of our obstacles and barriers, we can attempt to live out our witness on the ground in our spheres of influence.Learn more about Pastor Joe Gunby here: http://colbert-umc.org/about-us/meet-the-pastor/  Find more information about Jubilee Partners here:https://www.jubileepartners.org 

Human experience cannot be captured by headlines and hashtags. To really understand each other, we must open our hearts and ears to experiences outside of our own. Whether it be through spoken word, visual art, or the simplicity of a shared conversation, to honor the image of God is to do the hard work of empathy and listening. To get at the heart of the simple commandments to love God and love others, we must practice gentleness and graciousness with each other in dialogue that extends beyond one message or conversation. Now more than ever, we must fight back against isolation and desensitization by holding space for raw, human emotion and suffering to be collectively felt.Spoken word poet, author, and speaker Arielle Estoria has created a unique space for others to hear words not only for the ears, but for the soul. Her spoken word poetry encompasses injustice, women’s empowerment, self-love, and other engaging topics that foster meaningful connections between one community and another. Arielle believes that each one of us has something specific to offer to the world and encourages us to faithfully use our gifts to bring about freedom in one another.She joins Eddie and Chris to discuss “Remember Her,” her recent poem honoring Breonna Taylor, empowering women to seek strength and fullness, struggling to find her authority as a woman in a patriarchal tradition, and the way in which performing arts give a voice to the voiceless. In all of her work, Arielle challenges her audience to not only hear her message, but encounter and apply it in a greater context.Follow Arielle Estoria on the web: https://arielleestoria.com Find Arielle’s work and other resources below:https://arielleestoria.com/work https://msha.ke/arielleestoria/ Listen to “Remember Her” hereListen to “Human” hereCheck out Arielle’s sweatshirts, mugs, books, and more hereFind Arielle on iTunes and SpotifyFollow Arielle on social media:https://www.instagram.com/arielleestoria/https://twitter.com/arielleestoria/https://www.youtube.com/user/estorious https://www.facebook.com/arielleestoria https://www.pinterest.com/arielleestoria/ 

Abortion is a multi-faceted, multi-layered issue that the church often fails to engage with the depth and compassion it requires. Regardless of one’s position on this issue, the stories of those who have struggled with this impossible decision have been discounted in the midst of political fervor. Poverty forces many vulnerable, marginalized women to grapple with the decision to have an abortion, yet this factor is often overlooked. How do we make space for grace, respect, and empathy in such a nuanced conversation?Author, speaker, and podcast host Ashley Abercrombie has a strong passion for justice ignited by family members who taught her that faith extends further than a Sunday and helped her practice the ministry of presence. Ashley has pastored for many years, has served as a prison chaplain, and has participated in anti-human trafficking work. For 10 years, she has walked alongside vulnerable women leading abortion recovery groups, and she is familiar with what this issue looks like on both a policy level and a personal level. She joins Eddie and Chris to discuss what it means to be pro-life for the whole life, the shame and stigma associated with the impossible decision to have an abortion and the healing process that follows, the role of the evangelical church in perpetuating a harmful discourse around this issue, and the way our convictions can motivate our compassion in a broken world. Ashley encourages us to mind our words and have a faithful witness when it comes to such a divisive topic, and she challenges us to broaden our perspective with empathy to the most vulnerable members of our communities.Follow Ashley Abercrombie on the web: https://www.ashabercrombie.org Order Ashley’s book Rise of the Truth Teller hereCheck out Ashley’s podcast “Why Tho” here:https://www.ashabercrombie.org/podcast Learn more about the history of the evangelical church:https://www.npr.org/transcripts/731664197  Follow Ashley on social media:https://www.facebook.com/ashleyabercrombienyc https://www.instagram.com/ashabercrombie/ https://twitter.com/ashabercrombie 

Outside of contributions to the church, most Christians do not consider their use of money as an act of faithful service to God. However, as marketing and social media strategies continue to interfere with our financial lives, all of us become more emotionally attached to our investments across the board. In the midst of a global pandemic, individuals and families are experiencing a health crisis, a social crisis, and an economic crisis all at the same time, and money is the common thread running through all of it. Many of us are operating out of survival mode, unable to truly thrive as we are weighed down by constant financial stress and uncertainty about the future. Karen Partee serves as the executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Texas Bank and Trust. In this position, she strives to utilize her passion and knowledge to set her customers up for success and counsel those in financial distress. Karen and her family recently downsized, selling 85% of their possessions to be auctioned off and keeping only the bare necessities. Karen’s passion for financial literacy is deeply rooted in her faith, and she sees her work as a vocation that allows her to practice faithful generosity.She joins Eddie and Chris to discuss our ties to money as proof of self-worth, her passion for financial literacy, the importance of budgeting, and the ways parents can educate their children about money early in their lives. She explains that being conscientious about our financial decisions requires us to search the depths of our souls for the reasons we value our money and the purposes behind what we purchase. When we are honest with ourselves about what we love, desire, and value, we can better align our inner passions with the investments we make. Learn more about the Cool Kids Savings Club here:https://www.thisismytbt.com 

Somewhere in the rhythm of spiritual practices and religious traditions, American Christians have lost the sense of beauty, awe, and wonder that permeates through familiar stories of the Bible. Conversely, Western Christian culture sanitizes the reality of darkness throughout the Biblical narrative. Our culture brings more attention to the glory of Easter than the brokenness of Good Friday, and we celebrate Mary bringing Jesus into the world while glossing over her grief from losing her Son. As we draw nearer to the holiday season, colorful decorations place a blanket of comfort over the harsh realities we live in, covering up the vulnerabilities of our human nature.This was the inspiration behind Scott Erickson’s new book Honest Advent: Awakening to the Wonder of God-with-Us Then, Here, and Now. A painter, performance speaker, and writer, Scott offers familiar symbols steeped in what he describes as an “honest and robust spirituality.” Scott understands that we must experience an awakening within ourselves in order to connect to God with the level of depth our faith requires.He joins Eddie and Chris to speak about the nature of prayer as a portal that is already inside of us, the aspects of communal worship and life together, and the ways we can expand our view of the Christian faith. Scott speaks to the transformation that comes when we fully embrace our brokenness, engage in life together, and search for our own stories in the symbols all around us.Follow Scott Erickson on the web: https://www.scottericksonart.com Order Honest Advent: Awakening to the Wonder of God-with-Us Then, Here, and Now hereOrder Scott’s arthere:https://scottericksonartshop.com Check out Scott’s books here:https://www.scottericksonart.com/books Follow Scott Erickson on social media:https://www.facebook.com/scottericksonart https://www.instagram.com/scottthepainter/ https://twitter.com/scottthepainter 

It’s easy to become weary with the weight of the suffering the world is experiencing right now. When we consider the larger scope of social justice, it can be difficult to narrow down our role in God’s work of healing and reconciliation. All of us experience suffering, tension, and insecurity at some level, but as we are filled with God’s immense mercy, goodness and hope can leak out of each of us, spilling into the areas that break our heart the most.This is a journey that author, speaker, and podcast host Tiffany Bluhm knows well. She is the author of the upcoming book Prey Tell: Why We Silence Women Who Tell the Truth and How Everyone Can Speak Up. As a woman of color who has served both inside and outside of the church, Tiffany offers a unique perspective on the invitations the church extends to marginalized followers of Jesus. Tiffany has learned to lean into the power of her “home team,” women and men who have celebrated her spiritual gifts and calling as both a woman of faith and a woman in ministry.She joins Eddie and Chris to discuss the ways Jesus empowered women in the Bible, God’s holy heart for justice, the importance of representation, and how to have an invitational spirit in the church. Tiffany invites us to “call in, not call out” in an effort to humanize the people who think differently than we do. She speaks about how her deep passion for Jesus trickles out into every area of her ministry and acknowledges the divisive nature of Jesus during His ministerial context. She challenges us to consider whose wisdom we are gleaning from, both digitally and personally, and invites us to choose our battles wisely in the calling God has placed on our hearts.Follow Tiffany Bluhm on the web: https://www.tiffanybluhm.com Pre-order Tiffany’s book Prey Tell: Why We Silence Women Who Tell the Truth and How Everyone Can Speak Up hereCheck out Tiffany’s podcast “Why Tho” here:https://www.tiffanybluhm.com/podcast Follow Tiffany Bluhm on social media:https://www.facebook.com/TiffanyABluhm/ https://www.instagram.com/tiffanybluhm/ https://twitter.com/tiffanybluhm 

Art encapsulates powerful emotions and draws beauty out of everyday moments. Every portrait an artist paints serves as an opportunity to expand our humanity, allowing us to see the breadth and mystery of other human beings. In the age of social media, we have become devastatingly comfortable ascribing labels to one another and dehumanizing our brothers and sisters in Christ. Art helps us recapture the humanity of others while giving us a refreshing perspective on the vast scope of God’s creation.Adrienne Brown-David’s artwork reflects the joys of motherhood and parenting, as well as the growth of her children as young black women in America. The majority of Adrienne’s work draws inspiration from her four daughters, capturing the richness of freedom and wonderment in childhood. Adrienne Brown-David emphasizes the beauty and individuality of black women primarily by using eyes as the centerpiece. The goal of Adrienne’s art is not for others to get something out of it, but rather to capture the fullness of emotion she pulls from photographs.She joins Eddie and Chris to discuss the gift that art can give each one of us, the love she has for her daughters’ individuality, and the ways different forms of visual art make us feel. Adrienne acknowledges the way she must consider how her daughters are viewed by the world and the intersection she has always felt between her art and the larger social climate. They also speak about what it means to call Mississippi home and the importance of viewing Mississippi from both the inside and outside. Follow Adrienne Brown-David on the web: https://www.adriennebrown-david.com Check out Adrienne Brown-David’s artwork hereLearn more about Adrienne Brown-David hereRead about Adrienne Brown-David in The Local VoiceFollow Adrienne Brown-David on social media:https://www.instagram.com/adriennemeschelle/ 

When it comes down to it, we all have similar hopes for our future. We want financial security, a good education for our children, a strong career ahead of us, and overall we all want to know that we will be taken care of. When we place too much emphasis on only the issues that matter to us, we lose the sense of empathy and vision for the common good that is vital to our lives as engaged citizens. When we consider the scale of the issues in our country, these issues often become impersonal. How can we contribute to the well-being of our world and seek justice as public servants?Secretary Ray Mabus knows a good deal about the rigorous fight for the soul of our nation. Mabus, a Mississippi native, has been involved in the state, national, and international levels of politics. He has served as the Governor of Mississippi, the Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and the Secretary of the Navy under President Obama. As the youngest person elected to serve as Mississippi’s governor, Mabus understands the obstacles that come with devoting one’s life to public service. He worked alongside Governor Winter to pass the first Education Reform Act in the country to ensure a bright future for Mississippi’s children, and he opened all jobs in the Navy & Marines to women.He joins Eddie and Chris to discuss how to maintain strong relationships in politics, the struggles he faced as an up-and-coming politician, the commitment we all need to make to public service, the effect of his family’s encouragement and wisdom, and the world he wants his daughters to thrive in. Mabus challenges us to act wisely on the current moment and consider the impact we can have wherever we are.Learn more about Ray Mabus hereRead about Mabus’ gubernatorial campaign hereFollow Ray Mabus on social media:https://twitter.com/SECNAV75 https://twitter.com/themabusgroup/ 

As members of the body of Christ, we have a unique calling to live as a transformed community, embraced by the grace and love of God. Members of the early church understood God’s hunger for justice and served with compassion. Centuries later, political allegiances seem to outweigh the unified vision that equips us to live as disciples. As we look back on the foundation of the church, how does history inform us about the current cultural moment? How do we navigate the political world as faithful people? Dr. Ryan Danker is the Associate Professor of Church History and Methodist Studies at Wesley Theological Seminary. He is an active United Methodist and church historian who enjoys engaging with the early Wesleyan/Methodist movement under John and Charles Wesley. Danker serves on the editorial board for Firebrand, an online magazine that sparks dialogue among various related traditions in the church, and co-hosts the YouTube channel Secondhand Religion. Danker values a holistic approach to the Christian faith, calling attention to the living influence of deceased icons in the church who mirrored Christ in a sacred, yet human way.He joins Eddie and Chris to talk about the traditions and ideas that shaped John and Charles Wesley, the history surrounding the Church of England and the rise of Methodism, and the notion of entire sanctification. Danker calls us to consider the theological base of our politics, not the political base of our theology. Using history as his guide, Danker brings us a sense of peace for this current cultural moment and challenges us to live out our vocation as Christians united under the waters of baptism.Learn more about Ryan’s work at Wesley Theological Seminary here: https://www.wesleyseminary.edu/employees/ryan-danker/ Find Ryan’s work on Amazon: Exploring a Wesleyan Political TheologyWesley and the Anglicans: Political Division in Early EvangelicalismRead Ryan’s Firebrand articles here:Wesley and TraditionWhitefield’s Complex LegacyAccess Secondhand Religion hereExplore Ryan’s teachings on Seedbed:https://www.seedbed.com/author/ryandanker/ Follow Ryan on social media:https://www.facebook.com/ryandanker https://twitter.com/RyanNDanker

As much as we value agreement and unity, we also heavily value our own opinions. The labels we ascribe to our fellow citizens block us from engaging in invigorous conversations with one another, believing that we cannot find common ground with someone whose views align on different poles than our own. Our shallow definitions of “conservative” and “progressive” keep us from understanding the world we are all striving to work toward.Dr. Jason Vickers, Professor of Theology at Asbury Theological Seminary, is an ordained elder in full connection on the Western NC Conference of the United Methodist Church and the current editor of the Wesleyan Theological Journal. Vickers challenges conventional definitions of what it means to be conservative or progressive, claiming that we adopt these mindsets without truly considering what it means to be on either side of the spectrum.He talks with Eddie and Chris about the way all of us value conserving certain traditions and progressing toward a better future. They talk about the American South and the way Southern culture glamorizes rebellion. They discuss how all of us can have healthier, trusting conversations by opening our minds to understand why we value what we do. Follow Jason on the web: http://jasonvickers.org Learn more about Jason’s work at Asbury Theological Seminary here: https://asburyseminary.edu/person/jason-vickers/ Find Jason’s books here: http://jasonvickers.org/books/ Follow Jason on social media:https://www.facebook.com/jason.vickers.773 https://twitter.com/JasonEVickers