The Good Citizen Podcast

Are you prepared to minister with confidence in a changing culture? In this episode, we review four recent cultural developments and explain some practical Biblical responses. Challenges: The Rise of the Religious Left The Quiet Assault on Parental Rights Confusion over Identity A Lack of Discipleship in the area of Citizenship Key Takeaways: Episode concerning the rise of the religious left. Episode with David Closson concerning worldview formation in the church. Link to Cox case. Link to the Ted Hudacko case in California. Link to the Cass Report from the NHS in England. The post #340 4 Cultural Challenges in 2024 first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

After Paul’s first missionary journey, the early church faced a critical question. Would Christianity be a splinter off Judaism limited in time and scope, or would Christ’s disciples follow His command to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all nations? In Acts 15, we find a remarkable example of the early church refusing syncretism, navigating tradition and deep difference, and remaining focused on its primary mission. There is much to learn here for our own cultural moment. Big idea for the series: 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: A Stubborn, Stale Belief Spiritual Direction Detection A Holy Compromise An Apostle Spat Key Takeaways: Where there is a will, there is a woln’t. The great danger of syncretism and falling back into tradition rather than forward with the gospel. The remarkable way the early church handled conflict and deep difference. An example of the church’s leadership at work. The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas and the question, “Where can I be most fruitful?” The post #339 The Acts, Chapter 15 first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

The foster care crisis remains a leading (if not the leading) crisis facing state and federal officials and communities around the country. For this reason and because of the clear Scriptural commands to care for vulnerable children (Isaiah 1:17; James 1:27), foster care is a critical opportunity for churches and individual Christians to make a key difference in their zip codes. Here is an inspiring example of one church that is making an outsized impact in its community and practical steps and examples for starting and leading a foster care ministry at your church. Dawn Arnold, the Outreach Director at Maryland Community Church in Terre Haute, Indiana, helped launch and leads Fostering Hope. This ministry of MCC invests in life-changing relationships to help vulnerable children and their families take steps closer to Christ and is a remarkable example of strategically and comprehensively engaging the issue of foster care. Key Takeaways: Her family’s journey and experience in foster care and adoption. How foster care ministry has positively impacted the staff and church culture at MCC. Practical steps for launching a foster care ministry and how to build relationships with the child welfare agency in your state. MCC’s comprehensive approach to engaging foster care. How foster care ministry leads to Gospel transformation. The post #338 How to Start and Lead a Foster Care Ministry at Your Church with Dawn Arnold first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

Aaron Renn’s article-turned-book Life in the Negative World captures what many American Christians have felt deeply–our culture has turned from viewing Christianity as positive, to neutral, to negative. Examples abound, including culture’s views on marriage, abortion, gender, and other topics. So, how should we live in such a negative world? Here are some strategic insights and practical suggestions. Aaron is the co-founder and Senior Fellow at American Reformer, and here is a link to his new book Life in the Negative World: Confronting Challenges in an Anti-Christian Culture. He had a first career in management and technology consulting advising major corporations as a Partner at Accenture. He then had a second career in urban policy as a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. Today his focus is on helping conservatives and the American church rise to the challenge of finding success in the 21st century. His work has appeared in a number of leading global publications, including The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic and others, and he has been frequently cited in many publications around the world. Key Takeaways: Link to his substack/email list that includes compelling insights on society, Christianity, family, cities, politics and economics. Link to his in-depth discussion with Dr. Al Mohler on Thinking in Public. A brief discussion about the positive, neutral, and negative worlds. Recommendations for church leaders and committed Christians in the negative world. Thoughts on how a declining America can get back on track. The post #337 How to Live with Courage and Hope in the Negative World with Aaron Renn first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.

It’s finally launch day for our new resource, The Good Citizen Study Guide! As I have spoken in hundreds of churches and ministry settings about Christian citizenship, I have asked pastors this question, “What, in your opinion, is the most effective way to disciple Christians in the area of citizenship.” The answer was practically unanimous: a Sunday school or small group resource that will give Christians the opportunity to discuss Biblical principles related to government in the context of relationship and to encourage each other to follow Jesus in this area. Well, just in time for the 4th of July, here’s that resource! In The Good Citizen Study Guide, I walk through a Biblical, Dave Ramsey-style guide for engaging in our role as citizen in an increasingly divided America. This resource includes eight teaching videos to assist the group or class leader. Here’s the link to the the intro video, and a link to purchase the study guide.. The post #336 Introducing the Good Citizen Bible Study Guide; Why Sunday School/Small Groups are the Most Effective Place for Discipleship on Citizenship first appeared on The Good Citizen Project.