The Good Citizen Podcast

Since we celebrate the 4th of July every year (and it involves fireworks and time off work), it is easy to glance over the deeper meaning of the holiday. Beyond the fact that it marked the birth of the United States, why should we celebrate the 4th of July? What did and does it mean? And what lessons should we draw from it as we look to the future? Here are 4 facts about the 4th of July and some reflections on America’s present and future. It was improbable. It was impressive. It was imperfect (think “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare…”). It is in peril. Links: Link to the state of abortion bans in the United States since the Dobbs case. Link to the Crucible of War on the Seven Year’s War and the events that led up to the War for Independence. Link to Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom. The post #382 4 Facts about the 4th of July [Encore] first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

In this chapter, the Apostle Paul stands alone and on trial for his life before a corrupt and powerful Roman official, Antonius Felix. How will the high priest and their representative lay out their case against him? How will Paul respond, and what will Felix make of Christ and the Resurrection? In this high-stakes story, we can learn much about our public witness, inner strength and peace, and pointing all people (including governing officials) to the hope of the gospel. Big Idea: The early church carried the gospel throughout the known world in approximately 30 years and transformed an empire in 3 centuries. Now the church seems intimidated, uncertain amidst swift cultural changes. So, what did the early Christians, commanded by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, do that we are not doing? Here are their Acts, and may they inspire our own. Outline: The Accusations Paul’s Justifications A Procrastination Key Takeaways: Don’t slander or flatter officials. Know God’s peace in the midst of crisis. Don’t procrastinate on spiritual decisions. Don”t forget your witness. The post #381 Acts 24 first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Father’s Day weekend is an important reminder of the role of dads in the lives of their children, and it is always encouraging to see the number of good role models on social media. However, our society has grappled for some time with a fatherless epidemic, and its impact is staggering. Here is an overview of the causes and consequences of fatherlessness and some practical steps for churches and committed Christians to make a difference. The impact of fatherlessness in our society is staggering. For example, according to the Department for Health and Human Services, 85% of youth in prison or some form of incarceration grew up in a fatherless home. This is not meant to disparage the heroic efforts of single moms or downplay the success of many children who are growing up or grew up in a home without a dad. But, if we are to successfully reverse the breakdown of the family and impact a host of societal ills, this issue of fatherlessness stands out as a critical and often overlooked root cause. In this episode, I discuss the fatherless epidemic and how to respond with Sean Teis. He has a powerful personal testimony and leads God is My Dad, a ministry dedicated to serving fatherless families and equipping churches to do the same. Key Takeaways: The heartbreaking and eye-opening statistics related to the effects of fatherlessness. The fact that Scripture often refers to the “fatherless” as (Jer.5:28; James 1:27) A link to the website and tools referenced in the interview. A policy brief setting out stats and trends concerning fatherlessness. How you and your church can help. The post #380 The Fatherless Epidemic and How to Respond with Sean Teis [Encore] first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Pastor Tate Throndson leads a growing church he planted in Colorado, and he developed strong concerns about a recent Colorado bill challenging parental rights (HB 1312). In addition to preaching on Biblical principles related to identity and human sexuality, he signed up and showed up to testify against HB 1312—along with more than 700 other Coloradans. In this interview, Pastor Throndson explains why and how he engages in public life, how he disciples his congregation in the area of citizenship, his experience at the Colorado State Capitol at the hearing on HB 1312, and why other church leaders and committed Christians should promote Biblical principles in their churches and in the public square. In late March of 2025, legislators in the Colorado House of Representatives made national news by introducing HB 1312—a bill that ominously defined the act of a parent referring to a child according to that child’s biological sex as “coercive control.” This bill also allowed a trial court to withhold parenting time and even make custody determinations based on “deadnaming” (using a child’s birth name) or “misgendering” a child. Some of these startling provisions were removed from the bill before final passage by the Colorado Senate, but the bill still adds “deadnaming” and “misgendering” to Colorado’s nondiscrimination law. And Colorado Governor Polis recently signed the bill into law. Key takeaways/links: HB 1312 as introduced HB 1312 as signed Two members of Castleview Baptist Church talk about their experience at the hearing on a parental rights bill Lawsuit by Colorado parents challenging HB 1312 Lawsuit by clothing company challenging HB 1312 Camp IdRaHaJe Lawsuit The post #379 The Challenge to Parental Rights in Colorado with Pastor Tate Throndson first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

How should disciples of Jesus navigate a society clawing itself apart through politics? Should we disengage? Pick a side? Offer slogans which sound nice but express little? Insist that true Christians vote in such-and-such a way? Pursue tranquility by making contentious topics off-limits for church?  Can we lean into the issues and love well?  Following Jesus in a Politically Divided World suggests that disciples of Jesus navigate a politically divided world . . . by being disciples of Jesus. Jesus models the character and provides the tools we need to live as perceptive and peaceable in volatile times. [from book description] In this interview with the book’s author’s, we discuss key points of public theology and practical application and dig into some of the key questions they ask and answer in the book.  In their book, Whittaker and McCoy invite you to answer 21 questions, including: What is the purpose of government? Do you know the times you’re living in? What hills are worth dying on? How do you pray for your nation? How do you figure out what’s right and wrong as a Christian? What does Christianity teach about the bedroom, womb, deathbed, environment, and battlefield? Resources https://renew.org/product/following-jesus-in-a-politically-divided-world-an-interactive-guide-to-21-questions-on-christianity-and-politics/ https://listenerscommentary.com/ renew.org  The post #378 Following Jesus in a Politically Divided World with John Whittaker and Daniel McCoy first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a concept of the future—it’s a present-day reality transforming society and even impacting the church. In this episode, we unpack the rapid development of AI and the opportunities and challenges of the gaming world and what it means for church leaders and other committed Christians today. From evangelism through gaming and sermon prep tools to ethical dilemmas and deepfake risks, the AI revolution presents both remarkable opportunities and serious challenges for ministry. David Beatty is the Senior Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in New Braunfels, Texas. He has also worked at high tech companies and is passionate about creating immersive and engaging experiences that connect people and communities across the world. And he maintains an expertise on the metaverse, gaming, and developing technologies. In this episode, we explore how pastors and other Christian leaders can steward this technology wisely, equipping their congregations to think biblically in a rapidly changing digital age. What are the opportunities and proper safeguards when it comes to gaming? How can churches leverage AI and other developing technologies for kingdom impact? And how can the church both leverage these technologies while remaining the conscience of our society as we face this technological frontier?  Resources: Know Thy Gamer: A Parent’s Guide to Video Games: https://www.amazon.com/Know-Thy-Gamer… Gaming and the Heroic Life: A Quest for Holiness in the Virtual World: https://www.amazon.com/Gaming-Heroic-… 2084 and the AI Revolution, Updated and Expanded Edition: How Artificial Intelligence Informs Our Future: https://www.amazon.com/2084-Revolutio… The post #377 How to Navigate the AI Revolution with David Beatty first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

In Acts 23, Paul stares down the Jewish Sanhedrin, reprimands and then apologizes to the High Priest, calls a question that redirects the energy of the Council to internal division while focusing on the resurrection, and earns an all-expense-paid trip to the Mediterranean seashore (Caesarea) due to a plot on his life. In all this, Paul shows his mastery of cultural, religious, and even political realities; his dedication to the gospel of Christ; and his reliance on divine providence to carry him safely from Jerusalem to his ultimate destination: Rome. Big Idea: The early church carried the gospel throughout the known world in approximately 30 years and transformed an empire in 3 centuries. Now the church seems intimidated, uncertain amidst swift cultural changes. So, what did the early Christians, commanded by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, do that we are not doing? Here are their Acts, and may they inspire our own. Outline: The Great Question The Hungry Forty Unlikely Bodyguards Key Takeaways: Review of the political, cultural, and religious realities and how Paul navigated them. Why we should honor governing officials for their position, even if we disagree with them personally. The consistent theme of Christ’s encouragement to Paul–and us. Why we should trust divine providence in our lives and ministries. The post #376 Acts 23 first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Last week, we worked through some generational distinctives and effective methods for equipping members of Gen Z and Gen Alpha to share and live out their faith. This week, we focus in on the area of Christian citizenship and hear from a member of Gen Z engaged in public life. In this episode, guest Birjan Crispin shares his remarkable story that began in a Bulgarian orphanage, how he became a follower of Jesus, and how God led him to impact the public square. We also discuss the spiritual condition of Gen Z, how Gen Z thinks about the church and its role in public life, and how ministries can effectively disciple the next generation in the area of Christian citizenship. Birjan Crispin is the Deputy Director of The Good Citizen Project, a Hope College graduate (’20) – B.A. Business & Political Science, a former legislative aide with the Indiana House Republican Caucus, graduate of the Heritage Foundation’s Leadership Fellowship Academy, the Leadership Institute’s Young Leaders Program, and Indiana Family Institute’s Hoosier Leadership Series Class of 2024. He is also a speaker and author.The post #375 Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and Christian Citizenship with Birjan Crispin first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

What are the obstacles to and most effective methods for equipping members of Gen Z and Gen Alpha to share and live out their faith? In this episode, we explore some generational distinctives and the challenges and opportunities created by recent changes in culture and technology. Then, we focus on practical ways to teach and model Christianity so that members of these generations develop a resilient, active faith in quickly changing times.The post #374 How to Engage Gen Z and Gen Alpha first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

In Acts 22, Paul quieted a mob intent on killing him just minutes before, recounted his conversion and calling, and put his Roman citizenship to work to further his ministry. Paul truly became all things to all men (I Cor. 9:22), and Acts 22 is a masterclass on how to navigate cultural differences and even use legal protections to promote the gospel. Big Idea: The early church carried the gospel throughout the known world in approximately 30 years and transformed an empire in 3 centuries. Now the church seems intimidated, uncertain amidst swift cultural changes. So, what did the early Christians, commanded by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, do that we are not doing? Here are their Acts, and may they inspire our own. Key Takeaways: Paul’s recounting of his conversion and and Christ’s appearance to him in the temple (not recounted in Acts 9). How Paul used his testimony as a defense of the gospel. How God led the Apostle Paul in ministry. God’s method of using us to raise up people and fulfill the Great Commission. The basics of Roman civitas or citizenship and how Paul put that citizenship to work. The post #373 Acts 22 first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.