Church and Main
Church and Main is a podcast at the intersection of faith and modern life. Join Pastor Dennis Sanders as he shares the stories of faith interacting with the ever-changing world of the 21st century.
Episodes
In this milestone 200th episode of Church in Maine, I chat with Jim Keat, digital minister at Riverside Church, about the theological foundations of digital ministry. We explore how technology enables authentic connections and engagement within congregations, especially during the shifts driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Jim highlights the importance of a theology rooted in love, grace, and justice, advocating for a reconceptualizat...
The importance of digital ministry was made clear during COVID when churches had to go all digital. But now that we are all back in the pews, is there still a need for digital ministry? If so, what does it look like beyond livestreaming Sunday worship? I talk with Ryan Dunn, a minister for online engagement with the United Methodist Church on how digital ministry can help churches foster strong, connected communities.
Show Note...
In the wake of a recent school shooting in Georgia, Dennis looks at the role of prayer and why Mainline/Progressive Christians should take the act of calling out to God more seriously.
Show Notes:
“Our expressed opinion is an essential pole of the process of God’s decision-making” by Jason Micheli
No Thing- by Chris Owen
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Joe Tognetti, a United Methodist pastor in McAllen, Texas, returns to the podcast and shares insights on the immigration experience at the U.S.-Mexico border. He dispels common misconceptions about the region and migrant caravans, emphasizing the role of local churches and humanitarian organizations in providing essential support to migrants.
Suggested Reading and Listening:
This episode takes a hard look at J.D. Vance's surprising political evolution—from a vocal Trump critic to an ardent supporter—and the broader implications for our political landscape. We don’t hold back in critiquing the mainline Protestant and evangelical churches for their failure to adequately support the working class, arguing that this neglect has contributed to the rise of divisive figures like Trump. Our discussion undersco...
Mark Tooley comes to the podcast to discuss the stark differences between Christian nationalism and traditional Christian conservatism, shedding light on a topic often muddled by media coverage. Tooley provides insights into why these two ideologies are frequently conflated and elucidates the unique characteristics that set them apart.
Christian Conservatism vs. Christian Nationalism by Mark Tooley
Jack Haberer returns to talk about his latest book, "Swimming with the Sharks: Leading the Full Spectrum Church in a Red and Blue World." Using encounters with sharks as a metaphor, we explore the divisive forces in society and the importance of empathy in bridging divides. Jack challenges binary thinking, encourages partnership over proselytizing, and emphasizes biblical teachings on love and compassion.
Suggested Reading and Li...
In this episode, Loren Richmond Jr. and I discuss President Biden's surprising exit from the 2024 race and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. We then touch on navigating cognitive decline in loved ones and highlight the significance of supportive relationships in guiding individuals through transitions and tough decisions. Emphasizing the role of faith communities in addressing societal challenges, we promote empathy...
Retired pastor Robert Cornwall discusses recent political events, emphasizing the importance of Christians responding to polarization and violence by seeing each other as children of God and fostering unity. The conversation explores the motives behind the assassination attempt on Trump, highlighting concerns about increasing polarization and violence in politics. Cornwall stresses the need for faith over political allegiances and ...
What happens when you replace human-driven church growth strategies with a prayer-centered approach? In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Jeff, who recently completed his doctoral dissertation on the role of prayer in evangelism, to explore just that. Pastor Geoff Mitchell opens up about his personal prayer journey, especially amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. His experiences of prayer walking through Mi...
In this episode, theologian Ted Smith explores the transformation of denominations in the United States, moving from broad structures to more specialized affinity groups. The shift is driven by societal changes, leading to more homogeneous and smaller denominations. Smith highlights advantages like reduced conflict, clearer paths to ordination, and lower institutional overhead. Despite benefits, challenges include the loss of diver...
In this solo episode, Dennis looks at the first Presidential debate and the tendency in American politics to see our presidential candidates as saviors.
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The 226th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is set to meet soon in Salt Lake City. One of the many issues to be discussed is a proposal called the "Olympia Overture," which would formally prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ Presbyterians, but could according to some make it hard for those with different theological interpretations to remain in the denomination. In this episode, I talked with retired PC(USA) past...
What happens when a historic denomination faces a seismic shift? Join us as Drew McIntyre, our returning Methodist guest, unpacks the significant developments from the recent United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte. We explore the groundbreaking rescinding of language that restricted LGBTQ clergy and marriages, and Drew offers keen insights into the potential impact and historical context of these changes, including the co...
We tend to think Evangelicals helped create Christian Nationalism, but did Mainline Protestantism have a role? I sat down with Beau Underwood, co-author of "Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped to Build Christian Nationalism," to explore the historical roots and contemporary impact of Christian nationalism in America. Beau talks about how mainline Protestants have laid the groundwork for modern expressions of Christia...
In this episode, I revisit a video from early 2023 with Lutheran Deacon Nina Joygaard where she interviews me on how to do spiritual practices as someone with autism and ADHD.
Prayer Lab Minute on the Road Interview with Deacon Nina
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In this episode, I welcome back Steve Thomason, an Associate Professor for Spiritual Formation and Discipleship at Luther Seminary. Steve shares insights on enriching your spiritual journey through practices like prayer, silence, and community. He addresses overcoming barriers to spiritual practices in today's world and discusses adaptations for those with ADHD or on the autism spectrum. We also look at how spiritual practices can...
In this episode, we explore the intersection of faith and food, featuring the inspiring journey of former pastor and sous chef, Andrew Camp. The podcast highlights how food connects spirituality and community, discussing Andrew's upbringing, culinary education, and integration of faith with his culinary passion. His decision to pursue a career as a sous chef stems from a heartfelt desire to harmonize his faith with his culinary pas...
In this episode, I talk to Joshua Gritter, who is the co-lead pastor along with his wife Lara at First Presbyterian Church in Salisbury, NC. We talk about his article in Presbyterian Outlook “Anxiety, politics, and the lost mysticism of the church,” where he talks about how we Christians in the US have placed their faith in politics and "electing a high priest" instead of in God.
Show Notes:
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In this "shorts" episode we look at a 2023 interview with Lutheran pastor Seth Perry . Seth candidly discusses his journey living with bipolar disorder, overcoming stigma, and rediscovering his faith after getting sober. He shares his struggle to disclose his diagnosis due to fear of judgment in the church and societal stereotypes about bipolar individuals. Seth reflects on the success of his "Give Up the Stigma" campaign, which en...
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