"Season 5 Wrap Up" with Christ, Eddie, & Cody Nov 28, 2024

We’re wrapping up our fifth season on The Weight, and Eddie, Chris, and producer Cody Hickman talk about some highlights from this season. We have had some wonderful conversations about the power of story telling, working through trauma, food, and leadership. We even got to talk to a local Olympic silver medalist. We hope you’ll go back and give your favorite episodes a re-listen.

This year, as a special treat, we’re also highlighting some bloopers, mistakes, and misspoken words. We needed a laugh, and we thought you might, too!

As always, thank you for listening to The Weight. Thank you for liking, subscribing, and sharing. Thank you for being in our corner and journeying with us.

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P.S. None of what we do here on The Weight would be possible without the behind-the-scenes team. Emilie, Jake, and Rachel, you are the real heroes. Thank you for all of the things you do each week to make sure these episodes get out!

"A Fine Sight To See" with Sophie Hudson Nov 21, 2024

This episode of The Weight will probably make you laugh, might lighten your spirit, and will definitely give you a new perspective on encouraging leadership in others.

Sophie Hudson is a blogger, author, and podcast host. She has written seven books. She draws inspiration for her most recent book, A Fine Sight to See: Leading Because You Were Made for It, from the story of Moses and Exodus, and explores how we are all called to lead, whether we feel qualified or not.

Resources:

The People Called Metodista: Renewing the Doctrine, Worship, and Mission from the Margins

"The Connection" with Bishop Sharma Lewis Oct 12, 2023

Eddie and Chris continue a conversation about Methodism and what drives it with their resident Bishop Sharma Lewis. Bishop Lewis’s assignment in Mississippi began in January 2023, and she comes to the state with excitement and passion for the people of Mississippi and what is in their hearts. Despite being in a season of disaffiliation and fragmentation, Bishop Lewis sees great things happening in the Mississippi Annual Conference, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Bishop Lewis is from Statesboro, Georgia. Before hearing God’s call in her life, she pursued degrees in biology and chemistry with an eye towards medicine. She eventually switched paths and earned her M.Div. from Gammon Interdenominational Theological Center in 1999, and worked in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. She was the first African American woman to be elected bishop in the Southeastern Jurisdiction, and served the past six years in the Richmond area of the Virginia Annual Conference.

The Heart of Methodism Series | "What Drives Methodism" with Lacey Warner Oct 09, 2023

This conversation is part of a special series, The Heart of Methodism. Eddie and Chris, who are both pastors in the United Methodist Church, will talk to guests who can help us dive a little deeper into Methodism and its history, theology, traditions, and future.

Today’s guest is Dr. Laceye Warner, Royce and Jane Reynolds Associate Professor of the Practice of Evangelism and Methodist Studies and Associate Dean for Wesleyan Engagement and Hybrid Programs at Duke University. Dr. Warner is the author of Saving Women: Retrieving Evangelistic Theology and Practice, The Method of Our Mission: United Methodist Polity and Organization, and co-author of From Relief to Empowerment: How Your Church Can Cultivate Sustainable Mission and Grace to Lead: Practicing Leadership in the Wesleyan Tradition.

Dr. Warner is passionate about supporting, encouraging, and offering resources to pastors and congregations, using the traditions and history of the Methodist movement in England and the United States.

Resources:

Learn more about Dr. Warner’s on her website

The Method of Our Mission: United Methodist Polity & Organization

"Methodism - The Gospel In Motion" with Will Willimon Oct 05, 2023

Chris and Eddie are joined again by Reverend Dr. Will Willimon, Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry at Duke Divinity School and former Bishop of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. Rev. Willimon, Chris, and Eddie talk about what it means to be part of the United Methodism, with its tradition of being the Gospel on the move, and how that tradition translates into today’s world.

Rev. Willimon has five decades of preaching and teaching experience, and as a lifelong Methodist, he’s got a few opinions and ideas about the current issues facing the denomination and American Christianity as a whole--and he shares those opinions with humor and candor, and also with urgency and sadness over the difficulties facing God’s Church today.

This particular conversation doesn’t cover Rev. Willimon’s newest book, Heaven and Earth: An Advent Incarnation, but we’ll be sure to have him back to talk about that.

Follow Will Willimon on the web:

https://willwillimon.com

Heaven and Earth: An Advent Incarnation

Check out Will Willimon’s other books and publications here:

https://willwillimon.com/writing/

Follow Will Willimon on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/WillWillimon

https://twitter.com/willimontweets

The Heart of Methodism Series | "Early American Growth" with John Wigger Oct 02, 2023

This conversation is part of a special series, The Heart of Methodism. Eddie and Chris, who are both pastors in the United Methodist Church, will talk to guests who can help us dive a little deeper into Methodism and its history, theology, traditions, and future.

Today’s guest, Dr. John Wigger, is a professor at the University of Missouri, where he specializes in US social and cultural history, including religious history and the history of flight. His most recent book is about the mystery of hijacker D.B. Cooper, but he is also spent a lot of time researching and writing about the history of the Methodist movement in the United States. Dr. Wigger traces the roots of Methodism through other Protestant denominations, including the rise and growth of Pentecostalism.

Resources:

American Saint: Francis Asbury and the Methodists

"Heavy & Hopeful" with Edward Grinnan Sep 28, 2023

Our guest today is Edward Grinnan, Editor-in-Chief and Vice President of Guideposts Publications, which includes Guideposts Magazine, Angels on Earth, and Mysterious Ways. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and earned his MFA from Yale School of Drama, where he studied playwriting. He is also the author of The Promise of Hope, Always By My Side, and A Journey of Faith.

Resources:

Guideposts Magazine

Follow Edward on Facebook and Twitter

Buy The Promise of Hope, Always By My Side, A Journey of Faith

"Loving Disagreement" with Kathy Khang & Matt Mikalatos Sep 21, 2023

How do you disagree with someone in ways that allows the Holy Spirit to work within you--in ways that promote love, patience, faithfulness, and peace instead of hatred, anger, and dissent? Kathy Khang and Matt Mikalatos are cohosts of the Fascinating Podcast and the authors of Loving Disagreement, and they offer some thoughts on living in community with one another and working through disagreements in a Spirit-led way.

Kathy is an author, speaker and yoga teacher. She has over 20 years experience in campus ministry, and has experience dealing with issues of gender, ethnicity, justice, and leadership development.

Matt Mikalatos is an author, screenwriter, and speaker. He's the author of Journey to Love and the YA fantasy series The Sunlit Lands. He has written for Today.com, TIME magazine, Relevant, Nature, Writer's Digest, and Daily Science Fiction, among others.

Resources:

Preorder Loving Disagreement

Listen to the Fascinating Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher

Follow Kathy on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

Buy Kathy’s books, Raise Your Voice and More Than Service Tea

Learn more at kathykhang.com

Follow Matt on Twitter and Facebook

Buy Matt’s books

Learn more at mikalatos.com

"Every Moment Holy" with Doug McKelvey Sep 14, 2023

Every moment--as mundane as doing laundry or as overwhelming as losing a loved one--can connect us back to God’s great story. But finding the words for those moments can be hard. Today’s guest has words to share. Doug McKelvey is author of the Every Moment Holy books, three volumes of prayers for the ordinary moments in our lives.

Doug is an author, song lyricist, scriptwriter, and video director. His life journey, which he calls “meandering” has made him grateful for the steadfast nature of God, and for the moments in his life that brought him down to the bare foundation of faith: That God exists and Jesus is his Son.

Resources:

Every Moment Holy website, Instagram, Facebook

Buy Volume I and Volume II, and preorder Volume III

"Faith, Family, Football" with Matt Luke Sep 07, 2023

Matt Luke is a former football player and coach, who served as the head coach for the University of Mississippi (and was a member of Oxford University United Methodist Church while Eddie and Chris pastored there.) Matt is probably most well known for helping to lead the University of Georgia football team to a National Championship win in 2021 as associate head coach and offensive line coach. After that win, Matt stepped away from coaching football in February 2022.

Walking away from professional success was not a decision Matt made lightly, but it was the right decision for him and his family. He is able to joy in the small, every day moments with his wife Ashley and their sons Harrison and Cooper.

"Journey Wise" with Shane Stanford Aug 31, 2023

Today’s conversation with Shane Stanford will leave you with a lot to think about, a lot to pray about, and a lot to talk about. Shane is the CEO and founder of the Moore-West Center for Applied Theology and JourneyWise, a content network that seeks to equip people to love Jesus and to love like Jesus. He has been a United Methodist Pastor for over 30 years, including time as senior pastor at Christ UMC in Memphis, TN, and other churches in Florida, Mississippi, and North Carolina. He is also the author of Making Life Matter: Embracing the Joy in Every Day, What the Prayers of Jesus Tell Us about the Heart of God, The Eight Blessings: Rediscovering the Beatitudes, and the upcoming JourneyWise: Redeeming the Broken and Winding Roads We Travel.

Shane is very open and honest about his story. His childhood diagnosis of hemophilia led to him contracting HIV and hepatitis-C after a blood transfusion, which drastically changed the course of his life. The social stigma surrounding HIV almost stopped him from being ordained in the United Methodist Church, and led him to some difficult moments in his first appointment in the Mississippi Conference. Shane continues to hold on to the words of his grandfather, to make every day matter and to live his life so that every step he takes--no matter how many he has--matters.

Resources:

Learn more about JourneyWise

Order JourneyWise: Redeeming the Broken and Winding Roads We Travel

Buy other books written by Shane

Listen to the You Matter with Shane Stanford podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

"Open and Unafraid" with W. David O. Taylor Aug 24, 2023

Do you struggle with how to pray? Do you find yourself holding things back from conversations with God? Do you need a guide or a road map or something to help you deepen your prayer life? Today’s guest has one answer for you: pray the psalms.

Theologian W. David O. Taylor is an author, speaker, and minister with a heart for bringing together art and ministry. He is the director of the short film, Bono & Eugene Peterson on The Psalms. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Theology and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary. His most recent book, Open and Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide to Life, shows readers how to use the poetry and song of the psalms to bring their anger, doubt, praise, and thanksgiving to God--even if what we’re feeling seems disrespectful or even unfaithful. The psalms are prayers that have been prayed for thousands of years, and cover the entire spectrum of the human experience.

Resources:

https://www.wdavidotaylor.com/

Find David on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

Buy Open and Unafraid

Watch Bono and Eugene Peterson on The Psalms

Streetlights, which David references in the interview

"The 18th Ward" with Lowrey Crews Aug 17, 2023

Having spaces for people to gather, play, and enjoy life with one another can change individual lives and whole communities. By and large, those spaces have begun to disappear. Creating those spaces and times for kids to gather is the passion project of today’s guest, Lowrey Crews.

Lowrey is the founder and CEO of the 18th Ward, a non-profit that provides high-quality, low-cost youth sports programs in New Orleans. All kids are welcome to join the 18th Ward, regardless of race, gender, income, or neighborhood. As a kid growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi (along with Chris), Lowrey got to experience the formation that comes from not only being able to play sports, but to do so in a lower-stakes environment that fostered teamwork and friendship. Many families can’t financially afford the expenses that come with competitive travel ball teams, so Lowrey is providing a path for all kids in New Orleans to reap the benefits of simply getting to play.

He is also a longtime friend of Chris’s, so he probably has some dirt he could share.

Learn more about The 18th Ward--website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok

"Morality In The Real World" with Anne Snyder Aug 10, 2023

Today’s conversation with Anne Snyder might give you a little hope. She joins Eddie and Chris in a rich discussion of the Christian imagination, bringing back our shared stories to build community and move forward with more grace and joy--concepts that have seemed a little hard to grasp over the last few years.

Anne is the editor-in-chief of Comment, a quarterly magazine that prints articles and essays focused on “public theology for the common good.” She oversees Breaking Ground, a network of institutions and people created by Comment in 2020 to use Christian humanist traditions to respond to the significant crises of 2020. Anne is also the host of The Whole Person Revolution podcast.

Resources:

Follow Comment on Instagram

Follow Anne on Facebook

Learn more about Comment Magazine and Breaking Ground

Listen to The Whole Person Revolution podcast

"Holy Envy" with Barbara Brown Taylor Aug 03, 2023

Show Notes:

We are excited to welcome Barbara Brown Taylor to The Weight for a conversation about hospitality and being in the center and being at the edge of a religion--how is it different when you’re the outsider versus when you’re on the inside? How do you let people who believe in something completely different strengthen your own faith? Barbara leaned into these lessons when she taught a Religion 101 class at Piedmont College, now Piedmont University, in Georgia. She got to watch the real love and hospitality of Buddhist monks and Muslim Imams who “welcomed a bunch of awkward strangers, and fed us, and showed us where to sit and gave us places of honor and thanked us for coming.” And in return, she was able to deepen her own faith and extend hospitality and love to the others in her own life. She used her experiences teaching that course to write Holy Envy, which was published in 2019.

Barbara Brown Taylor is an Episcopal priest, teacher, and the best-selling. She has served on the faculties of Piedmont College, Emory University, Mercer University, Columbia Seminary, Oblate School of Theology, and the Certificate in Theological Studies program at Arrendale State Prison for Women in Alto, Georgia.

Resources:

Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others

Find Barbara Brown Taylor on the Web:

https://barbarabrowntaylor.com

Follow her on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorBarbaraBrownTaylor/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/71455.Barbara_Brown_Taylor

"A Note Of My Own" with Mac McAnally Jul 27, 2023

Shownotes:

Eddie and Chris join music legend Mac McAnally in a delightful conversation about music, making your mark, and leaving the world a better place than you found it. Mac is a native of Belmont, Mississippi, but he’s better known as a country music singer, songwriter, session musician, and record producer. He is an award-winning talent who has worked with country stars Kenny Chesney and Sawyer Brown, and he is a long-time member of Jimmy Buffett’s band, The Coral Reefers.

Mac’s career started at just 13 years old, when his parents allowed him to play piano in a honky tonk bar in Iron City, Tennessee. He left high school in the 11th grade to pursue his music career (which, even though it worked out for him down the line, he wouldn’t encourage anyone else to do). He sees his role in the music industry as being “Johnny Musicseed,” carrying the responsibility of helping up-and-coming artists realize their dreams.

Resources:

Find Mac online and on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, and Spotify.
Find his latest album, “Once in a Lifetime,” here.

"How To Heal Our Racial Divide" with Derwin Gray Jul 20, 2023

Show Notes:
Today we are joined by Dr. Derwin Gray, Lead Pastor and Co-Founder of Transformation Church in Indian Land, South Carolina. Dr. Gray played professional football in the NFL following his graduation from Brigham Young University in 1993. After his NFL career, Dr. Gray graduated magna cum laude from Southern Evangelical Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. He received an honorary doctorate from Southern Evangelical Seminary in 2015, and in 2018 he earned his Doctor of ministry in the New Testament in Context at Northern Seminary. He is also the author of several books, including his most recent, How to Heal Our Racial Divide.

Dr. Gray and his wife Vicki began Transformation Church in 2010 with the prayer that 700 people would show up. Their first service had 701 people in attendance. Transformation Church is a multiethnic, multigenerational, mission-shaped community that God completely, ourselves correctly, and our neighbors compassionately.

Resources:

Transformation Church Website

Dr. Gray on Instagram

Buy Dr. Gray’s books here

"Finding Jesus In The Storm" with John Swinton Jul 13, 2023

Shownotes:

The language surrounding mental health often limits the fullness of each complex human experience. Stigma, stereotypes, and media representations perpetuate one-dimensional portraits of what it means to live with a mental illness. Additionally, Christians tend to view sadness and joy in a narrow manner, when the Bible speaks to a vast array of human emotions we all experience. With all of this in mind, how can we speak about mental health in a more liberating and comprehensive way?

In this episode, Chris and Eddie speak to John Swinton, author of “Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of Christians with Mental Health Challenges.” A registered mental health nurse, Swinton has listened to the multi-layered experiences of Christians who deal mainly with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. Swinton maps out what it looks like to redefine health and healing in the context of connection, he speaks to the unique resources and community that the church can offer, and he addresses the sense of abandonment that Christians feel, especially when dealing with depression. We hope that this episode gives you permission to move through your story with freedom and greater imagination.
Resources:
Check out John Swinton’s book “Finding Jesus in the Storm” here

Follow John Swinton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnswintonabdn

"The Weight of Being Human" with Scott Erickson Jul 06, 2023

Shownotes:

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.

Resources:

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 here

Order 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

"Practically Divine" with Becca Stevens Jun 29, 2023

Show Notes:

Becca Stevens is a speaker, social entrepreneur, author, priest, founder, and President of Thistle Farms. She has been featured on PBS NewsHour, The Today Show, CNN, ABC World News, named a CNN Hero, and White House Champion of Change. Becca founded Thistle Farms in 1997 with a single home for survivors of trafficking and addiction.

In this episode, Chris and Eddie sit down to talk with Becca about her work as an advocate for women--standing alongside women and helping them pull themselves, and by extension their communities, out of a history of trauma and poverty and into a life thriving with healing, hope, and often tea.

In her latest book (and her favorite book to date), Practically Divine, Becca invites us to see the divine in everyday, ordinary experiences and to find the potential for humor, wonder, and freedom by embracing our creativity and creating something from nothing. She threads wisdom from her mother into stories and poems to help us live a life that is practically divine.

Resources:

Learn more about Thistle Farms.

Order Practically Divine.

Watch Becca Stevens preach at Oxford University United Methodist Church.

Find out more about Becca.

Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

"Remember & Revise" with Kiese Laymon Jun 22, 2023

Shownotes:

Chris and Eddie are joined by Kiese Laymon, a black southern writer, born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. He is the author of the best-selling memoir “Heavy,” a deeply honest reflection on his complex relationship with his mother, grandmother, anorexia, obesity, sex, writing, and ultimately gambling. The winner of multiple awards, including the Carnegie Medal for Nonfiction, Laymon’s writing in “Heavy” and other works exhibits a profound usage of prose and ability to enter into his memories to bring forward a voice that speaks to the experiences of Mississippi, specifically of black Mississippians.

Laymon speaks about the important role his grandmother plays in his life, the way in which the influences of our upbringing remain a part of us no matter what changes may come, and the incredible ability of art to unleash heavy truths from things we keep secret. This conversation, but more specifically Laymon’s art, speaks directly to the complexities of Mississippi in a way that helps listeners seek more understanding not just of one state, but an entire nation.
Resources:
Follow Kiese Laymon on the web:

https://www.kieselaymon.com

Check out Kiese Laymon’s memoir Heavy here:

https://www.kieselaymon.com/heavy

Follow Kiese on social media:

https://twitter.com/KieseLaymon

https://www.instagram.com/kieselaymon/

"Raising Boys & Girls" with David Thomas and Sissy Goff Jun 15, 2023

Parenting is hard. Parenting through a pandemic is even harder, but David Thomas and Sissy Goff are here to provide help and support. Sissy and David work at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee. Sissy is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling and David is the Director of Family Counseling. When they aren’t counseling and ministering to kids and parents alike, they find time to write, travel and speak, and produce their own podcast, Raising Boys and Girls.

In this episode, David and Sissy offer encouragement, resources, and hope to parents dealing with all the challenges and joys of raising boys and girls, including how to write your family’s own mission statement and books and authors who have guided them in their counseling ministries.

Resources:

Raising Boys and Girls
Instagram
Facebook
Podcast

Books by David Thomas and Sissy Goff are available for purchase at https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/store.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

How Children Raise Parentsby Dan Allender
The Whole-Brain Childby Tina Payne Bryson & Dan Siegel
Best Friends, Worst Enemiesby Michael Thompson
Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Lives of Boysby Dan Klindon & Michael Thompson
Birds & Bees

"World Without War" with Stanley Hauerwas Jun 08, 2023

What does it take to imagine a world without war? How do we begin to believe that as a possibility? Eddie and Chris begin a series on war with guest Stanley Hauerwas, noted theologian and ethicist. Dr. Hauerwas asks us to contemplate the hard questions of war and nonviolence, but he knows the answers don’t come easily.

Dr. Hauerwas is a long-time professor at Duke Divinity School and Duke University School of Law. He served as chair of theological ethics at the University of Aberdeen and was named America’s best theologian by Time magazine in 2001.

Dr. Hauerwas has authored numerous books, including Resident Aliens, co-authored by Will Willimon, Living Gently in a Violent World, and 2011’s War and the American Difference.

Resources:

Find out more about Dr. Hauerwas, his publications, and appearances at stanleyhauerwas.org.

Buy War and the American Difference

"The Rhythm & Religion of Sports" with Wright Thompson Jun 01, 2023

Shownotes:
It is undeniable that sports have always played a significant role in our society. They have a unique way of uniting, inspiring, and exciting mass populaces in a manner that is irreplicable. For many communities in America, the sports scene plays a vital role in terms of general morale, and for many, economic vitality. Furthermore, sports have served as a therapeutic and restorative outlet for communities in the face of tragedy.

However, this outlet that we have often taken for granted has turned from a therapy to a threat as COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the globe. Stadiums stand empty, seasons are postponed or cancelled, and the future of our favorite pastimes are up in the air.

We feel the weight of this absence in our lives.

Joining us to discuss what it is that makes the absence of sports so impactful is Wright Thompson. Thompson is a senior writer for ESPN.com with an extensive career in sports journalism. A native Mississippian, Wright is well known for his work with ESPN’s 30 for 30 special covering the intersection of Ole Miss Football and the tumultuous events that took place on campus during its integration in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement in 1962.

Throughout his life, Wright has been immersed in the world of sports and has a deep understanding of the impact it has on culture, as well as the void it leaves when they are not around during times of crisis.

Resources:

The Ghosts of Mississippi http://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?page=mississippi62&redirected=true

Michael Jordan Has Not Left the Building

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/Michael-Jordan/michael-jordan-not-left-building

"Broken Crayons Still Color" with Toni Collier May 25, 2023

Vulnerability is hard. Feeling broken can lead us to feeling shame, and shame can lead us down hard and difficult paths. But today’s guest has a resounding word of hope for all of us, despite our brokenness, despite our shame.

Toni Collier is the founder of an international women’s ministry called Broken Crayons Still Color, which helps women process through trauma and find hope for the future. She is a speaker, podcast host, and author who uses her own brokenness to help others see that good things can still happen, that broken crayons can still color. Toni and her husband Sam founded Story Church in Atlanta, Georgia, where they live with their two kids.

Resources:

Learn more about Toni

Follow Toni on Instagram and Facebook

Buy Toni’s book, Brave Enough to Be Broken

Still Coloring Podcast

Lean more about Broken Crayons Still Color

"How To Inhabit Time" with James K. A. Smith May 18, 2023

James K.A. Smith is a returning guest to The Weight, this time for a conversation about his newest book, How to Inhabit Time: Understanding the Past, Facing the Future, Living Faithfully Now. He, Eddie, and Chris talk about the redemptive work of God’s love and grace in the broken parts of our lives. Our brokenness is part of our story, and it’s something God uses to bring us to an even better place than we could have imagined. Getting to that better place is difficult, especially as we live in a world that would rather gloss over the problems of our past than acknowledge the pain in order to move forward.

Jamie is professor of philosophy at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is an award-winning author of a number of books, essays, and articles. His work focuses on building bridges between the academy, society, and the church.

Resources:

Learn more about James K.A. Smith

Find out about his books

Follow him on Twitter and Facebook

Listen to his previous episode on The Weight

"The Table Before Us" with Angie Ward May 11, 2023

Our guest today is Dr. Angie Ward, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program and Associate Professor of Leadership and Ministry at Denver Seminary. Angie is the editor of a series of books called Kingdom Conversations, compilations of essays by various authors and theologians that help us reframe our context and the inherent love we should feel for those around us.

Angie has over 30 years of leadership and teaching experience in church, parachurch, and Christian higher education ministry. She believes that proximity is key to changing how we see the world around us, and being invested in our communities can lead to real change--within ourselves and those around us.

Resources:

Kingdom Conversations:

When the Universe Cracks: Living as God’s People in Times of Crisis

Kingdom and Country: Following Jesus in the Land that You Love

The Least of These: Practicing a Faith without Margins

"Faith & Physics" with Josh Gladden May 04, 2023

The intersection of science and theology can lead to some heated discussions, but for Dr. Josh Gladden, it’s more about being open and curious and willing to think beyond what the eye can see. Today’s episode dives into the Webb Telescope, the moral questions of certain scientific advancements, and how God fits into our ever-expanding world.

Dr. Gladden is the Vice Chancellor for Research and Sponsored Programs at the University of Mississippi. He earned his Ph.D. in physics from the Pennsylvania State University in 2003, and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. He is a member of Oxford University United Methodist Church, where Chris serves as Lead Pastor (and where Eddie previously served as co-pastor with Chris).

Resources:

Webb Space Telescope

"The Sacred Year" with Lyn Pace Apr 27, 2023

Our world is busy. Our lives are busy. Our time is filled with tasks and lists and work and errands and obligations. How do we slow down and open ourselves up to letting God disrupt our lives? Today’s guest, Dr. Lyn Pace, talks Chris and Eddie through using the liturgical year to engage the season we’re in and how to emphasize certain moments within each season of the church calendar.

Dr. Pace is Chaplain of Oxford College at Emory University. He joined Oxford College in 2009, after working at Wofford College as the associate chaplain, director of service learning, and director of the Bonner Scholars Program. He received his BA degree in religion and history from Wofford College in 1999 and earned his Master of Divinity degree from Emory's Candler School of Theology in 2002. He is the author of The Sacred Year: A Contemplative Journey through the Liturgical Year.

Resources:

Buy The Sacred Year

"When HBCUs Thrive" with Ivy Taylor Apr 20, 2023

HBCUs, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, serve an important role in the education system of the United States. Today on The Weight, Chris and Eddie talk to Dr. Ivy Taylor, the President of Rust College, an HBCU in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Dr. Taylor consistently values the importance of education in general and the significance of HBCUs specifically in the United States.

Dr. Taylor is a native of Queens, New York. She received her academic degrees from Yale University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of Pennsylvania. She spent twenty years in San Antonio, Texas as an affordable housing advocate, educator and elected official before transitioning to her role as president of Rust College. Dr. Taylor served as mayor of San Antonio, Texas for three years and as a member of the San Antonio City Council for five years. Even before working at Rust College, Dr. Taylor identified education as a key factor to helping people thrive, which in turn helps communities thrive.

Resources:

Learn more about Dr. Taylor

Learn more about HBCUs

Learn more about Rust College

"Ancient Future" with Winfield Bevins Apr 13, 2023

Show Notes:
In this episode, Eddie and Chris have a hopeful conversation about the future of the church with guest Winfield Bevins. Winfield is an author, artist, pastor and church planter who sees younger generations longing to be a part of a bigger story. They are looking for something deeper, and they’re finding themselves diving into liturgical traditions of the Church.

Winfield is the director of Church Planting at Asbury Seminary and has helped train church leaders around the world and start churches and non-profit organizations. He is also the Executive Director of Creo Art Guild, a collective of Christian artists who bring beauty, goodness, and truth to the world through the arts.

Resources:
Learn more about Winfield on his website

Follow Winfield on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Learn about Creo Art Guild

Buy Liturgical Mission and Ever Ancient Ever New

"A Martyr's Vision" with Edgardo Colon-Emeric Apr 06, 2023

We welcome Dr. Edgardo Colón-Emeric to The Weight for a discussion of Maundy Thursday (the day Christians commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples before his arrest, crucifixion, death, and resurrection) through the lens of the ministry of Fr. Oscar Romero, the Archbishop of El Salvador who was assassinated in 1980. Edgardo was drawn to the way Archbishop Romero read the gospel through the context of where and when he lived, especially how Romero dedicated himself in his short time as Archbishop to the lives of the people he served, who mostly lived in overwhelming poverty.

Edgardo is dean of Duke Divinity School, the Irene and William McCutchen Professor of Reconciliation and Theology, and director of the Center for Reconciliation. He earned his Masters of Divinity from Duke University in 1997 and his Ph.D. from Duke University in 2007. He was also the first Latino to be ordained as an elder in the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Resources:

Buy Óscar Romero’s Theological Vision: Liberation and the Transfiguration of the Poor

"Life Through Song" with Jenny & Tyler Somers Mar 30, 2023

In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Jenny and Tyler Somers, the singer/songwriter duo who met at the University of Delaware, where they began building a life together. They moved to Nashville in 2006 to pursue a musical career and have navigated the highs and lows of being in the music industry, all while staying true to their voice in the Christian music scene, raising a family, and working with the social justice organization International Justice Mission. They continue to tour (although not as much as they did before having children), perform, write, and produce music.

Jenny and Tyler use their platform to bring awareness to the problems of human trafficking and modern slavery. They produced two records that directly benefit IJM (For Freedom and For Freedom II), and speak about the work of IJM. Their love for Christ, their love for their family, and their love for each other are clear in everything they do.

Resources:

Learn more about Jenny and Tyler’s music at their website, jennyandtyler.com.

Learn more about International Justice Mission.

Follow Jenny & Tyler on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube

Listen to their music on Spotify or Apple Music.

"Breaking Good" with Dana Trent Mar 23, 2023

We welcome back Dana Trent to The Weight for a conversation about trauma and finding a path towards healing with empathy and faith.

Dana Trent is a graduate of Duke Divinity School and professor of World Religions and Critical Thinking at Wake Tech Community College. An ordained Baptist minister, Dana served as a hospital chaplain where she accompanied individuals and their families through the passage from life to death. This time, Dana talks to Eddie and Chris about her childhood and the trauma of being raised in a poor household with drug-running parents who both had their own mental health challenges.

Dana has shared her story through the Breaking Good podcast, which she is currently turning into a book. In today’s conversation, she offers some tips for how she centers herself spiritually every day to help her navigate every day challenges.

Resources:

Learn more about Dana on her website
Follow Dana on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube

Listen to Breaking Good on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Dana’s website

Buy Dessert First

Stay tuned for information about Dana’s next book, Vermillion, based on her Breaking Good podcast.

The Body Keeps Score by Bessel Van der Kolk

"Edible Theology" with Kendall Vanderslice Mar 16, 2023

You might need a snack for today’s episode.

We welcome Kendall Vanderslice, baker, author, and theologian to The Weight for a discussion about the intersection of food--specifically, bread--and worship. Kendall explores the dichotomy of the simplicity and complexity of making bread and how it connects to the simplicity and complexity of a life of faith.

Kendall is the author of By Bread Alone: A Baker’s Reflections on Hunger, Longing, and the Goodness of God. She is also the founder of the Edible Theology Project, a nonprofit that creates resources for churches, families, and individuals to help you connect the meal shared at the Communion table to other meals you share. She is a graduate of Wheaton College with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, a graduate of Boston University with a Masters of Liberal Arts in Gastronomy, and a graduate of Duke University with a Masters of Theological Studies. In 2018, Kendall was named the James Beard Foundation National Scholar for her work on food and religion.

Resources:

Find Kendall on Facebook and Instagram

Listen to her podcast, Kitchen Meditations

Learn more about the Edible Theology Project

Follow Edible Theology on Instagram

Buy By Bread Alone

"Inexpensive Wisdom" with Mike Bianco Mar 09, 2023

What do you do after you win the College World Series?

If you’re Mike Bianco, head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels baseball team, you let your routine guide you. You go to work every day. You have the hard conversations. You give praise when it’s due and constructive criticism when it’s needed. And you absolutely love what you do.

Coach Bianco is now in his twenty-third year as head coach at the University of Mississippi. He is the winningest coach in the Rebels’ history with four SEC Western Division Championships, the 2006 SEC Baseball Tournament, the 2018 SEC Baseball Tournament, the 2009 Southeastern Conference Co-Championship, eight NCAA regional championships, and one national championship in 2022. Coach Bianco gives credit to consistency and communication in building such a strong college baseball program.

He and his wife Cami are strong community leaders in Oxford, Mississippi, faithful members of St. John Catholic Church, and the parents of five children.

Resources:

Follow Coach Bianco on Twitter and Instagram

Follow Ole Miss Baseball on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Learn more about Coach Bianco’s career here

"Leading From Pulpit & Podium" with Ethel Scurlock Mar 02, 2023

Dr. Ethel Young Scurlock is a leader in two different spheres: education and religion. She is Dean of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, Associate Professor of English and African American Studies, and Senior Fellow of the Luckyday Residential College. Dr. Scurlock is also the pastor of two small Baptist churches in Mississippi, First United Missionary Baptist Church and Alvis Grove Missionary Baptist Church. She is an award-winning teacher and the author of Trusting God in Crisis, Chaos, and Confusion.

These two vocations give Dr. Scurlock a perspective of leadership that she shares with us. Her energy and passion for her students and her congregants is clear, as is her determination to empower future generations and leave the world a better place that she found it.

Resources:

Watch Dr. Scurlock’s speech at the 60th Anniversary of the Integration of the University of Mississippi (at 56 minutes) here.

Buy Trusting God in Crisis, Chaos, and Confusion here.

Learn more about Dr. Scurlock here, and learn more about the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College here.

"Asbury Revival - Holy, Humble, Simple" with Jason Vickers Feb 23, 2023

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Jason Vickers, professor of theology at Asbury Seminary. Jason is an ordained elder in full connection on the Western NC Conference of the United Methodist Church, past president of the Wesleyan Theological Society, and current editor of the Wesleyan Theological Journal.

He also has first-hand experience with the ongoing revival at Asbury University, which sits across the street from his office at Asbury Seminary. This revival started with a few students who stayed after chapel one day. These students stayed, prayed, and sang, and as they did, more and more people showed up to stay, pray, and sing with them. People from around the United States and the world showed up to the small town of Wilmore, Kentucky, hoping to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit that lead these students to stay, pray, and sing.

What happened in Hughes Auditorium at Asbury University wasn’t planned. It wasn’t packaged. It didn’t have a celebrity at the center. It was an organic movement that required the leaders of the school and the town to work quickly and together to provide for the thousands of people who showed up, looking to be part of this moment of revival.

What does revival look like for you? What places in your life need renewal, the rekindling of your love of God and neighbor?

Resources:

Follow Jason on the Internet at jasonvickers.org.

Find Jason’s books here.

Follow Jason on Twitter and Facebook.

Listen to his previous episode on The Weight.

"Humility In Parenting" with Kari Kampakis Feb 16, 2023

Kari Kampakis is an author, speaker, podcaster, and newspaper columnist from Birmingham, Alabama. She writes for teen girls and moms, and her books include 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know, Liked, Love Her Well, and More than a Mom.

Kari offers advice to teens and parents, but more importantly she offers compassion and understanding. Parenting is hard at any stage, even if the struggles from family to family are different. As a mom of four girls, Kari has learned that parenting moves from a place of control to a place of influence. That transition can be hard without faith and without a strong support system.

We live in a culture of child-centered parenting, which is why it’s important for parents and children that parents have a healthy adult life--passions, interests, and friends. For Kari and her husband, finding an identity in Christ and having hobbies and interests outside of parenting are vital to the overall health of their family.

Resources:

Kari’s Books:

10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know

Liked: Whose Approval Are You Living For

Love Her Well

More Than a Mom

"Rise of the Nones" with Ryan Burge Feb 09, 2023

Ryan Burge’s Twitter bio says that he makes graphs about religion, but what Ryan does is so much more than making graphs. As a social scientist, Ryan studies the macro-level forces that are shaping churches across the nation--mostly in mainline Protestant denominations. The data that Ryan studies doesn’t show a surge of people coming back to mainline religious institutions, so what does that mean for churches? In Ryan’s view, it gives churches an opportunity to get back into local communities, lean into the diversity of the world around us, and do what the Church used to do well: build bridges to people who are different from us.

Ryan is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and the Graduate Coordinator at Eastern Illinois University. He is the author of The Nones and 20 Myths. The second of edition of The Nones comes out in May 2023. He is also the pastor of an American Baptist Church and has served at his current church for the past 15 years.

Resources:

Ryan’s website (ryanburge.net)

Find Ryan on Twitter (@ryanburge)

Email Ryan: ryanburge@gmail.com

Ryan’s Books:

The Nones

20 Myths

"Adaptive Leadership" with Tod Bolsinger Feb 02, 2023

This week, Chris and Eddie have an important conversation about leadership with Tod Bolsinger, senior congregational strategist and associate professor of leadership formation at Fuller Theological Seminary and author of Canoeing the Mountains, a book about adaptive leadership.

Tod wants to help leaders--church leaders, community leaders, business leaders--understand how to lead in a world that is constantly changing. For a long time, leadership has been seen as solving technical problems with technical solutions. And while that aspect of leadership is incredibly important, especially in building trust, today’s world is vastly different from the world of 20 years ago. Today, the answer to the question, “Now what do we do?” is often, “I don’t know.” Today, leadership looks more like learning and less like exerting authority because of technical expertise.

So how do we lead change in the changing world? There is no simple answer to this complex question, but Tod has a few ideas and a lot of hope for current and future leaders, where we embrace what we don’t know and learn to lead the learning.

Resources:

Find books by Tod, including Canoeing the Mountains, on IVPress

Learn more about AE Sloan Leadership

Season 3 Wrap-Up | "Dear Listener" with Chris, Eddie, and Cody Nov 24, 2022

It’s hard to believe that we’re wrapping up three seasons of The Weight, but here we are! Eddie and Chris are joined by producer Cody Hickman to talk about some of the highlight episodes for each of them this year--including conversations with Mac McAnally, Alice Matagora, and Austin Carty. This season, we’ve listened to conversations about music, mental health, parenting, faith, and history. We’ve heard a hopeful word about the future of the Church, and we’ve been given moments for reflection and contemplation.

So thank you--to every guest on the podcast, to every listener, to everyone who has reached out to Chris or Eddie with thoughts and ideas. We could not have these conversations without you, and we can’t wait do it again next season!

"Born of Conviction" with Joe Reiff Nov 17, 2022

Mississippi’s history with slavery, segregation, and racism has deep roots, and has caused--and continues to cause--immense turmoil and violence. We like to think we’ve moved past it, but we haven’t. There is still work to do, and we can begin that work by looking to the leaders of the past, and take to heart what Jesus has tried, over and over again, to teach us.

Today’s guest helps us grapple with that history, and shares the story of a group of Methodist ministers who took a stand against racism and segregation in the 1960s. Joe Reiff, retired professor of religion at Emory & Henry College and ordained United Methodist minister, is the author of Born of Conviction: White Methodists and Mississippi’s Closed Society. This book tells the story of 28 white Methodist pastors who wrote a letter in response to white resistance to the civil rights movement in Mississippi. Their action against racism in the Mississippi Methodist church held consequences for them, as well as for white and Black Methodists in the state.

The signers of Born of Conviction were:

Jerry Furr
Maxie D. Dunnam
Jim L. Waits
O. Gerald Trigg
James B. Nicholson
Buford A. Dickinson
James S. Conner
J. W. Holston
James P. Rush
Edward W. McRae
Joseph C. Way
Wallace E. Roberts
Summer Walters
Bill Lampton
Marvin Moody
Keith Tonkel
John Ed Thomas
Inman Moore, Jr.
Denson Napier
Rod Entrekin
Harold Ryker
N. A. Dickson
Ned Kellar
Powell Hall
Elton Brown
Bufkin Oliver
Jack Troutman
Wilton Carter

The full Born of Conviction statement can be found here.

Buy a copy of Born of Conviction: White Methodists and Mississippi’s Closed Society here.

Follow Joe on Facebook.

"Breaking The Inherited Church Model" with Lisa Greenwood Nov 10, 2022

How do churches adapt to the world we’re in today? How do institutions with inherited traditions of membership and specific roles to play in a community change to actually fit their current context? Today’s guest, Lisa Greenwood, has a few ideas. Even if you’re not a pastor, this episode provides some thoughtful ways to engage the people around you and to help you better serve your community.

Lisa is an ordained elder in the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. She currently serves as Vice President of Leadership Ministry at Texas Methodist Foundation and Wesleyan Investive. She is also the Executive Director of the National Association of United Methodist Foundations. These organizations offer financial services--loans, investments, endowments, donor advised funds, and grants--while also working with leaders across the country to help churches live out their mission and calling in their local communities.

Resources:

Texas Methodist Foundation

Wesleyan Investive

Suggestions from Lisa:

Gil Rendle, “Jacob’s Bones”

Kate Bowler’s podcast, “Everything Happens”

Anne Snyder’s “Comment”

"Decentered Church" with Scott Black Johnston Nov 03, 2022

Our world is increasingly polarized, and public discourse often leads to anger. The Church used to be at the center of these conversations, but Scott Black Johnston sees the church as becoming more decentered: stepping to the side, offering critique--or praise--and adding to the conversation. He talks about the current pervasiveness of anger with gentleness and grace, and challenges everyone to take a step towards temperance--being calm and encouraging, listening, and valuing each other.

Scott is the senior pastor at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. He is an author of several books. His most recent book is Elusive Grace: Loving Your Enemies while Striving for God’s Justice.

Resources:

Scott Black Johnston’s website

Elusive Grace

Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church on YouTube

"Navigating Trauma" with Mickenzie Vought Oct 27, 2022

Mickenzie Vought is the Editorial and Community Director at Onsite Workshops in Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee. Onsite is an emotional wellness company that focuses on enhanced emotional health through retreats, intensives, residential trauma care, and digital resources.

In her role at Onsite, Mickenzie is the producer and cohost of the Living Centered podcast and is the host of Onsite’s emotional wellness webinars. Although she is not a therapist, she is an advocate for mental health and dealing with and working through trauma, because trauma is something everyone experiences, and it affects us mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

In this episode, Mickenzie offers practical advice as well as websites, books, authors, and podcasts for starting--or continuing--your mental health journey:

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris’s ACEs TED Talk

Warmlines

To Write Love On Her Arms

Onsite Workshop’s For Immediate Support Page

Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr. Julie Smith

Living Centered podcast on Spotify and Apple

You can learn more about Onsite and the work they do for emotional wellbeing here.

Follow Mickenzie on Instagram

"Raising Boys & Girls" with David Thomas and Sissy Goff Oct 20, 2022

Shownotes:
Parenting is hard. Parenting through a pandemic is even harder, but David Thomas and Sissy Goff are here to provide help and support. Sissy and David work at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee. Sissy is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling and David is the Director of Family Counseling. When they aren’t counseling and ministering to kids and parents alike, they find time to write, travel and speak, and produce their own podcast, Raising Boys and Girls.

In this episode, David and Sissy offer encouragement, resources, and hope to parents dealing with all the challenges and joys of raising boys and girls, including how to write your family’s own mission statement and books and authors who have guided them in their counseling ministries.

If you are in or near Oxford and would like to hear Sissy and David speak, register for the Parent Conference, November 4-5, at Oxford University United Methodist Church. The conference is $35.

Resources:

Raising Boys and Girls

Instagram

Facebook

Podcast

Books by David Thomas and Sissy Goff are available for purchase at https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/store.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

How Children Raise Parents by Dan Allender

The Whole-Brain Childby Tina Payne Bryson & Dan Siegel

Best Friends, Worst Enemies by Michael Thompson

Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Lives of Boys by Dan Klindon & Michael Thompson

Birds & Bees

"A Note of My Own" with Mac McAnally Oct 13, 2022

Shownotes:
Eddie and Chris join music legend Mac McAnally in a delightful conversation about music, making your mark, and leaving the world a better place than you found it. Mac is a native of Belmont, Mississippi, but he’s better known as a country music singer, songwriter, session musician, and record producer. He is an award-winning talent who has worked with country stars Kenny Chesney and Sawyer Brown, and he is a long-time member of Jimmy Buffett’s band, The Coral Reefers.

Mac’s career started at just 13 years old, when his parents allowed him to play piano in a honky tonk bar in Iron City, Tennessee. He left high school in the 11th grade to pursue his music career (which, even though it worked out for him down the line, he wouldn’t encourage anyone else to do). He sees his role in the music industry as being “Johnny Musicseed,” carrying the responsibility of helping up-and-coming artists realize their dreams.

Resources:
Find Mac online and on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, and Spotify
Find his latest album, “Once in a Lifetime,” here.

Discipleship | "Breaking Open" with Jacob Armstrong Oct 06, 2022

Today’s episode covers some heavy topics--suicide, depression, mental health and physical health issues--with hope. Our guest, Jacob Armstrong, is the author of Breaking Open: How Your Pain Becomes the Path to Living Again. As a pastor and a person, Jacob has firsthand experience not only with his own pain and suffering, but those of the people around him--his family, his friends, and his congregation. All these experiences led Jacob to the idea of breaking open, not just breaking down or breaking in, but allowing real Christian hope and God’s joy and delight to find you in those dark places.

Jacob and his wife Racel helped found Providence Church in Mt. Juliet, TN, in 2008. He is an author and a pastor. He and Rachel have three daughters, Mary, Lydia, and Phoebe.

Resources:

Find Jacob online and on social media:
Website: http://www.jacob-armstrong.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/provpastor

Breaking Open

Website: www.breakingopenbook.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0785258329?tag=hcads-20

Discipleship | "Perfect Love" with Kevin Watson Sep 29, 2022

Eddie and Chris are joined by a previous guest on The Weight, Kevin Watson, for a discussion about Christian perfection, or the Wesleyan doctrine of entire sanctification--that Christians can live without sin. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, believed that the grace of God is available to all who hear the gospel, repent, and believe. The Christian life of faith means opening yourself to being fully holy through Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In Kevin Watson’s book, Perfect Love: Recovering Entire Sanctification—the Lost Power of the Methodist Movement, he offers an in-depth explanation of entire sanctification and helps Christians pursue a life of thriving in the love of Christ.

Kevin is Associate Pastor at First Methodist Church of Waco, Texas. He is also an Affiliate Research Professor at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. He is an author, teacher, and speaker, and previously served Associate Professor of Wesley and Methodist Studies at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.

Resources:
Buy books by Kevin on Amazon

Find Kevin on social media:

Twitter
Website

Discipleship | "A Little More Shalom" with Cornelius Plantinga Sep 22, 2022

How do we as Christians have hope in a world that is more secular than ever? With decreasing church attendance, fracturing denominations, and new scandals coming out all the time, what does the future of the Church look like? Today’s guest on The Weight, Dr. Cornelius Plantinga, shares some good news with Eddie and Chris--hopeful, bright news that God isn’t done moving and shaping the world.

Dr. Plantinga is a Senior Research Fellow at the Calving Institute of Christian Worship and the president emeritus of Calvin Theological Seminary. He is an author, a speaker, and a preacher, and his 50-year career has given him a thoughtful, hopeful perspective: while we live in a broken, hurting world, there is a rich history of the church doing good amidst that brokenness, and this period of decline is not the last word.

Resources:
Find books authored by Dr. Plantinga on Amazon

Discipleship | "How To Save The World" with Alice Matagora Sep 15, 2022

Shownotes:
How do we save the world?

That’s a big question with a thousand answers, but today’s guest on The Weight has a simple solution: make disciples like Jesus did.

Alice Matagora has worked with The Navigators, a Christian disciple-making ministry, for nearly 20 years and is currently leading a Leader Development Initiative to develop leaders all over the world. She is also a licensed marriage and family therapist.

She is the author of How to Save the World: Disciplemaking Made Simple” and for her, disciple making boils down to building relationships and allowing ourselves to be broken, vulnerable humans who relate to other broken, vulnerable humans with the power of the Holy Spirit. God wants to use us, so it’s time to let him do the work.

Resources:

Learn more about Alice Matagora on her website, www.alicematagora.com

Learn more about The Navigators here.

Follow Alice on Facebook and Instagram,

Buy How to Save the World here.

Reading & Contemplation | "The Pastor's Bookshelf" with Austin Carty Sep 08, 2022

Shownotes:
We often look at books as a way into getting more information, but today’s guest, Rev. Austin Carty, looks at reading as a way of deeper formation. To him, reading--especially fiction--is a way to deepen our well of empathy, of relating to one another with kindness and charity. Even if we don’t realize that what we’re reading is impacting our lives, Austin believes that it is. For those of us who aren’t readers, Austin simply asks that we treat it like any hobby. Carve out dedicated time--30 minutes to an hour--each day and trust that what you’re reading is having a positive impact on the formation of that well of wisdom.

Austin Carty is the Pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina. He is a former high school English teacher and earned degrees from High Point University and Wake Forest University.

Resources:

Follow Austin on Twitter and Facebook

Purchase his book “The Pastor’s Bookshelf” here.

Reading & Contemplation | "Reading The Times" with Jeff Bilbro Sep 01, 2022

Show Notes:
In this episode, Eddie and Chris are joined by previous guest Jeff Bilbro in a continuing conversation about reading and contemplation. Jeff is an author and essayist whose most recent book, Reading the Times: A Literary and Theological Inquiry into the News, is about how we consume the news--and how sometimes we let the news consume us. Jeff challenges us to think about how we spend our time and attention and to think about how we can have a healthier reading diet. Just like athletes and musicians practice their skills, reading, praying, and contemplation require practice, too--and they are activities we can improve upon or allow to atrophy.

Jeff is an editor at Front Porch Republic and an Associate Professor of English at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. If you want to hear more from Jeff, check out his first episode on The Weight, Wendell Berry and Local Place.

Resources:
Follow Jeff Bilbro on the web: https://jeffbilbro.com

Check out all of Jeff Bilbro’s books: https://jeffbilbro.com/books/

Follow Jeff Bilbro on social media: https://twitter.com/jeff_bilbro

Reading & Contemplation | "The Art of Language" with Marilyn McEntyre Aug 25, 2022

Continuing our series reading and contemplation, Chris and Eddie are joined by Marilyn McEntyre, teacher, author, and lover of words. They primarily discuss two of Marilyn’s books, Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies and Speaking Peace in a Climate of Conflict. Throughout this episode, you’ll hear how much love and care Marilyn has for words, for language, and for the lost art of conversation. She gives practical ways to shift the tone of conversation, taking it from accusatory to something open-ended and compassionate.

Marilyn considers herself to be a writer who teaches after being a teacher who writes. Although she no longer is a full-time teacher, she continues to teach and speak and offer writing workshops throughout the year. She is the author of 18 books, including Make a List and When Poets Pray. She remains interested in the intersection of language, spirituality, and healing, and her writing reflects that.

Resources:

Find Marilyn on Twitter and Facebook.

Learn more about Marilyn at https://www.marilynmcentyre.com

Find out more about her books at https://www.marilynmcentyre.com/books

"Preaching and Listening" with Will Willimon Aug 18, 2022

Chris and Eddie are joined again by Reverend Dr. Will Willimon, Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry at Duke Divinity School and former Bishop of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. This time around, Rev. Willimon is here to talk about preaching--but not as a preacher. In his most recent book, Listeners Dare: Hearing God in the Sermon, Rev. Willimon helps listeners get more out of a sermon (and helps preachers listen to their listeners) because “to be a Christian is to be a listener of God.”

With five decades of preaching and teaching experience, Rev. Willimon has great respect for the listeners of God’s Word. Listening to sermons is one of the main ways that God reaches God’s people, so how do you listen well? How do you open yourself to a sermon that might not be about you or for you and come away with a change in your perspective? And how do preachers step aside and let the conversation happen between God and God’s people freely? Rev. Willimon has a few ideas.

Resources:

Follow Will Willimon on the web:

https://willwillimon.com

Listeners Dare: Hearing God in the Sermon

Check out Will Willimon’s other books and publications here:

https://willwillimon.com/writing/

Follow Will Willimon on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/WillWillimon

https://twitter.com/willimontweets

Reading & Contemplation | "Humbler Faith, Bigger God" with Samuel Wells Aug 11, 2022

Are you struggling with church? Do you have doubts and questions, but you aren’t sure where to go to talk them through? Do you have friends or family members who have been hurt by the church, or who have wandered away from the church, or, maybe, who have never been in church?

In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Rev. Dr. Sam Wells, priest in the Church of England and vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in central London since 2012. He served as the Dean of Duke Chapel and is the author of 35 books about Christian ethics, mission, ministry, scripture, liturgy, and preaching. Today’s conversation is about his book, Humbler Faith, Bigger God: Finding a Story to Live By. This book came out of Rev. Wells 2020 Easter sermon, which he preached in an empty garden during London’s first COVID-19 lockdown. Humbler Faith, Bigger God is written for those who seek, those who have lapsed, those of other faiths, and those who are hostile to Christianity.

As a preacher, Rev. Wells says that people tend to respond positively to his preaching because he doesn’t skirt around the issues of the day. He doesn’t hide Christianity’s often difficult past, and he isn’t afraid to have the hard conversations with believers, doubters, and nonbelievers, because he believes it’s all about trust. “We can trust God, and because we can trust God, we can trust ourselves and one another.”

Resources:

Buy Humbler Faith, Bigger God on Amazon

Reading & Contemplation | "Holy Envy" with Barbara Brown Taylor Aug 04, 2022

We are excited to welcome Barbara Brown Taylor to The Weight for a conversation about hospitality and being in the center and being at the edge of a religion--how is it different when you’re the outsider versus when you’re on the inside? How do you let people who believe in something completely different strengthen your own faith? Barbara leaned into these lessons when she taught a Religion 101 class at Piedmont College, now Piedmont University, in Georgia. She got to watch the real love and hospitality of Buddhist monks and Muslim Imams who “welcomed a bunch of awkward strangers, and fed us, and showed us where to sit and gave us places of honor and thanked us for coming.” And in return, she was able to deepen her own faith and extend hospitality and love to the others in her own life. She used her experiences teaching that course to write Holy Envy, which was published in 2019.

Barbara Brown Taylor is an Episcopal priest, teacher, and the best-selling. She has served on the faculties of Piedmont College, Emory University, Mercer University, Columbia Seminary, Oblate School of Theology, and the Certificate in Theological Studies program at Arrendale State Prison for Women in Alto, Georgia.

Resources:

Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others

Find Barbara Brown Taylor on the Web:

https://barbarabrowntaylor.com

Follow her on Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorBarbaraBrownTaylor/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/71455.Barbara_Brown_Taylor

Mental Health | "Prayer in the Night" with Tish Warren Jul 28, 2022

Shownotes:

God is not afraid of our exhaustion, grief, and pain. Honest prayers of lament draw us into deeper connection with God and help us cultivate a greater awareness of our needs. As a culture, however, we have withdrawn into numbing habits of distraction. Even the Church often serves as a place of escape rather than a comfortable place to bring our burdens. Where does God meet us in the empty space of deep sorrow and pain? How can we give ourselves more permission to grieve in our personal prayers?

In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Tish Harrison Warren, author of Prayer in the Night. When Warren found herself at a place filled with too many questions to bear, she began to write about the empty space of night and how we can present the weariness of our souls to God. Warren discusses prayer as communion with the presence of God, a practice that shapes who we are, how we believe, and our vision of the world. We hope this episode moves you toward peace and comfort as Warren illustrates ways to draw near to God in the midst of uncertainty and fear.
Resources:

Follow Tish Warren on the web:

https://tishharrisonwarren.com

Check out Tish Warren’s book “Prayer in the Night” here:

https://tishharrisonwarren.com/prayer-in-the-night

Follow Tish Warren on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/TishHarrisonWarrenAuthor

https://www.instagram.com/tishharrisonwarren/

https://twitter.com/Tish_H_Warren

"Dying Church" with Russell Moore Jul 21, 2022

Shownotes:

According to a Gallup poll released in March of 2021, less than half of Americans belong to a church, mosque, or synagogue. The politicization of evangelical Christianity has resulted in utter disillusionment, specifically among young Christians who were once eagerly committed to the ideals of the faith. Christians and non-Christians alike are longing for truth and openness in conversation within the church, as well as a sense of connection rooted in hope, grace, and love.

In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Dr. Russell Moore, the President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Moore’s recent article “Losing Our Religion” addresses the ways many churches do not seem to believe what they teach and the reasons many have chosen to disaffiliate from the church. Moore speaks of the ways in which he was disillusioned as a fifteen year old by Bible Belt Christianity, his journey back through fear to a genuine faith, and his courage to stand for mercy and justice in the public square. Throughout this conversation and in his work, Moore poses a hopeful vision for the future of the church rooted in the promises of Jesus rather than cultural agendas.

Resources:

Follow Russell Moore on the web:

https://www.russellmoore.com

Read Russell Moore’s article “Losing Our Religion” here

Check out Russell Moore’s books here:

https://www.russellmoore.com/books/

Follow Russell Moore on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/russellmoore

https://twitter.com/drmoore

https://www.instagram.com/russellmoore/

Social Media Culture | "My Tech-Wise Life" with Amy Crouch Jul 14, 2022

Shownotes:

Among 19-20 year olds, only 1% do not have social media accounts. This statistic emphasizes the ever-growing presence that social media and technology have in our day-to-day lives. While this comes with its advantages, it’s also important to consider the dangers of such constant connection and how to create wise boundaries that help us live a “tech-wise” life. How can controlled usage of social media help protect us from its negative effects?

Amy Crouch is a student at Cornell University and, with her father Andy Crouch, co-author of “My Tech Wise Life: Growing Up and Making Choices in a World of Devices.” She joins Chris and Eddie to discuss what boundaries and understandings regarding technology are necessary to harness its advantages while mitigating its negative effects. Crouch bases her message around the understanding that technology is not a bad thing, but something that must be seen as a tool rather than a foundation of life. What does that look like practically? Tune in to the conversation to find out!

Series Info:

Social media has changed the way messages are shared throughout the world with a rapidity that is unparalleled. Its effects on culture, for better and for worse, are undeniable and seemingly inescapable. It’s impossible to grasp in totality what the increasing role of social media will mean for our society, but one thing is for sure: the Church needs to talk about it.

In our new series “Social Media Culture,” Chris and Eddie will engage in conversations about how Christians can establish healthier habits with technology and cultivate a more faithful manner of engagement on social media. It’s important for the Church to consider the advantages of this cultural shift, such as innovative outreach and the uplifting of important voices and messages, while also guarding against the threats, such as constant comparison, misinformation, and dissociation from the surrounding world. Be a part of this conversation beginning on June 3rd!

Resources:

Order a copy of “My Tech Wise Life” by Amy Crouch and Andy Crouch here.

Follow Amy Crouch on social media:

instagram.com/amy.crou/

Art & Culture | "A Theology of Making" with Makoto Fujimura Jul 07, 2022

Shownotes:

Chris is joined by contemporary artist Makoto Fujimura, author of Art + Faith: A Theology of Making. His book explores the role of creativity in the spiritual life, and it draws upon quiet disciplines such as awareness and waiting. The meditative space that Fujimura creates for prayer and praise breaks open new avenues to seek the never-ending depths of God’s beauty and grace. Sophisticated and intellectual, Fujimura’s art has been praised as a vehicle for hope, healing, redemption, and refuge.

Fujimura explains how the power, mystery, and depth of art drive us to ask deeper questions. He introduces his spiritual discipline of “slow art,” speaks to the nuances of tradition, and ponders the ways art can liberate us in our cultural context. Fujimura gives us space to identify where we meet Jesus in both making and consuming. This conversation speaks to the healing gift of art as culture care, rather than a commodity.

Series Info:

Christians spend a lot of time talking about what is true or exploring goodness, but we do not spend as much time exploring beauty, aesthetics, and the arts. In a world full of content curated to our specific taste, we need more time and space to fill our souls with the kind of art that breaks open our curiosity and makes us come alive. Where does God meet us in the beauty of our imagination? How does art and culture shape our desires and longings?

In this series “Art and Culture,” we’ll talk about imagination, memory, culture making, and memoir writing. We will have three guests guide us through the relationship between art, faith, life, story, trauma, healing, place, and nature. We pray that these conversations allow breathing room for deeper introspection, greater awareness of the natural world, and space to explore the depths of the imagination.

Resources:

Follow Makoto Fujimura on the web:

https://makotofujimura.com

Check out Makoto Fujimura’s book Art and Faith: A Theology of Making here:

https://culturecarecreative.com

Learn more about Makoto Fujimura’s art here:

https://www.waterfall-gallery.com/makoto-fujimura

Read Makoto Fujimura’s biography here:

https://imagejournal.org/artist/makoto-fujimura/

Follow Mako on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/makotofujimuraart

www.instagram.com/iamfujimura

https://twitter.com/iamfujimura

"From Womb to Tomb" with Ashley Abercrombie Jun 30, 2022

Shownotes:

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.

Resources:

Follow Ashley Abercrombie on the web:

https://www.ashabercrombie.org

Order Ashley’s book Rise of the Truth Teller here

Check 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

"No Cure for Being Human" with Kate Bowler Jun 23, 2022

Shownotes:

When we’re struck by unexpected suffering, we ask question after question attempting to find meaning in the midst of our pain. We wonder why this diagnosis, disaster, or death had to happen to us or someone we love. We wonder if God is really good. We wonder if it’s possible to live within our reality and still have hope, joy, and peace. Though these questions are important, our human nature lends itself toward the comfort of ignorance and flimsy optimism. What are the cultural scripts that dictate our understanding of pain and suffering? How can we come alongside one another through both the highs and lows?

Chris and Eddie are joined by Kate Bowler, author of No Cure for Being Human, professor at Duke Divinity School and host of the podcast, Everything Happens. After receiving an unexpected cancer diagnosis at the age of 35, Kate began to observe that the world does not offer a safe space for people in pain. Her move from crisis to chronic has led her to asking deeper questions about faith, God, and human suffering. She talks to Eddie and Chris about the gift of presence, the absurdity of life, a robustly Christian account of time, and the many ways we try to make meaning out of everything.

Resources:

Follow Kate Bowler on the web:

https://katebowler.com

Order No Cure for Being Human here:

https://katebowler.com/no-cure-for-being-human/

Order Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved here:

https://katebowler.com/everything-happens-for-a-reason-2/

Listen to Kate Bowler’s podcast Everything Happens here:

https://katebowler.com/podcasts/

Follow Kate Bowler on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/katecbowler

https://www.instagram.com/katecbowler/

https://twitter.com/katecbowler

Kate Bowler on YouTube

Kate Bowler on Goodreads

Art & Culture - "World of Wonders" with Aimee Nezhukumatathil Jun 16, 2022

Chris and Eddie are joined by Aimee Nezhukumatahil, author of Barnes and Noble’s 2020 Book of the Year, World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments. Whimsical and introspective, this book inspires the reader to look to the natural world for guidance, curiosity, and delight. Aimee’s work has been integrated into high school, college, and university curriculum as part of contemporary poetry, environmental studies, women’s studies, and Asian-American literature classes. Currently, Aimee teaches environmental literature and poetry writing in the MFA program of the University of Mississippi.
Aimee discusses the gift of attention as the highest form of prayer, her perception of wealth and privilege in relation to her upbringing, and what the diverse, multifaceted nature of creation says about each of us. She challenges listeners to carve out time for stillness and careful attention in order to recognize the beauty in everything. This conversation reveals the precious mysteries of God’s nature and the ways our love for God constantly prompts a response of awe and wonder.
Check out Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s book World of Wonders here:

https://aimeenez.net

Follow Aimee on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/AimeeNezhukumatathil

https://twitter.com/aimeenez

https://www.instagram.com/aimee_nezhukumatathil/

"An Exercise in Hope" with Esau McCaulley Jun 09, 2022

Shownotes:

When it comes to racial reconciliation, the church is quick to educate its congregants about the power of forgiveness. Pastors often jump to the solution without acknowledging the full extent of the problem. What do we do when we’re enraged by the things we’ve seen or experienced? How do we make a conscious, faithful choice to practice Christianity even when it seems harder than we can bear?

In his new book, Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope, Dr. Esau McCaulley aims not to answer questions the church is asking, but to answer questions that Black Christians are asking. A New Testament scholar, Anglican Priest, and theologian, McCaulley understands that the way we interpret the Bible often depends on our communities and context. He invites listeners to take an unfiltered look into the Black experience and to ponder how all of us can interpret the Bible as an exercise in hope.

He joins Eddie and Chris to discuss how Christians can have open dialogue about riots and protests, and how white Christians can interpret the truth behind the phrase “Black Lives Matter.” They talk about specific passages in the Bible that point to the grief and rage Black Americans feel and where the cross of Christ fits into the scope of human emotion.
Resources:

You can order Esau’s book “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope” here

Learn more about Esau’s podcast “The Disrupters” here: https://esaumccaulley.com/the-disrupters-podcast/

Read Esau’s articles in The New York Times here: https://www.nytimes.com/by/esau-mccaulley

Follow Esau on the web: https://esaumccaulley.com

Follow Esau on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialEsauMcCaulley

https://www.instagram.com/esaumccaulley/

https://twitter.com/esaumccaulley

Art and Culture | "Healing The Imagination" with James K. A. Smith Jun 02, 2022

Shownotes:

Christians spend a lot of time talking about what is true or exploring goodness, but we do not spend as much time exploring beauty, aesthetics, and the arts. In a world full of content curated to our specific taste, we need more time and space to fill our souls with the kind of art that breaks open our curiosity and makes us come alive. Where does God meet us in the beauty of our imagination? How does art and culture shape our desires and longings?

In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by James K.A. Smith, Professor of Philosophy at Calvin University and Editor-in-Chief of Image Journal. Smith aspires to bridge the gap between the academy, society, and church, and he discusses the art of culture-making as it relates to the Christian faith. Smith recognizes the tension between the view of culture as the result of a broken world and God’s vision for culture as creational good, and he calls us to recognize that we all take part in framing culture.

Smith believes that what we make of the world is much more of a reflection of what we want for the world than how we think about the world. He invites us to create habits of putting ourselves in the way of things we don’t understand and making ourselves available to be encountered. By expanding our imagination, we give our souls space to carefully consider the stories we carry in our bones and the ways that those stories frame our culture.

Resources:

Follow James K.A. Smith on the web:

https://jameskasmith.com

Check out James K.A. Smith’s books here:

https://jameskasmith.com/books/

Read James K.A. Smith’s article Healing the Imagination: Art Lessons from James Baldwin

Follow James K.A. Smith on social media:

https://twitter.com/james_ka_smith

https://www.facebook.com/jameskasmith

"Business & Philanthropy" with Cal Turner Jr. May 26, 2022

Once again, Eddie and Chris are joined by Cal Turner Jr, the former chairman and CEO of Dollar General, a chain of stores founded by his father Cal Turner Sr.

Cal earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University in 1962 then joined the Dollar General corporation in 1965. His first job was sweeping the warehouse floor, but he worked his way up to being president in 1977 and then chairman in 1988. He served as chairman and CEO until 2003.

Cal’s faith led him through several very difficult moments with his family and their growing business, especially 1988 when he had to fire his brother as Chief Operating Officer, his mother passed away unexpectedly, and then he had to force his father to retire from the Board. But through it all, the love of God guided him and held him strong, so that when he retired in 2003, his successors could be even more successful than he had, and allowed him to focus more on philanthropy and giving back to the families that built his family’s fortune.

"Family & Faith" with Cal Turner Jr. May 19, 2022

Show Notes:
In part one of a two-part conversation, Eddie and Chris are joined by Cal Turner Jr. Cal was the chairman and CEO of Dollar General, a chain of stores founded by his father Cal Turner Sr.

Cal earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University in 1962 then joined the Dollar General corporation in 1965. His first job was sweeping the warehouse floor, but he worked his way up to being president in 1977 and then chairman in 1988. He served as chairman and CEO until 2003.

Cal’s faith and deep connection to his family grounded him throughout his life. When he was 11 years old, he experienced a moment of spiritual clarity that has guided him since. In this episode, Cal, Eddie, and Chris talk about his faith, his family, and touch briefly on his leadership style, which boils down to being a follower of Christ and a follower of the employees and customers that were his to lead.

Join us next week for part two, where we discuss business and philanthropy with Cal.

Recovery | "The Opioid Crisis" with Brett McCarty May 12, 2022

Dr. Brett McCarty joins Chris (no Eddie this week) in a conversation about the intersection of faith and healthcare, specifically as it relates to the opioid crisis in the US. Dr. McCarty is a theological ethicist from Duke University, where he is the associate director of the Theology, Medicine, and Culture Initiative at Duke Divinity School. He has written essays in The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, the Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics, and the compilation Spirituality and Religion within the Practice of Medicine. Dr. McCarty’s research has centered greatly on the recovery communities of Appalachia and how these communities create space for truth telling, healing, and the transformative power of walking with someone through a journey of recovery.

Recovery | "Hope at Mercy Street" with Melissa Maher May 05, 2022

Show Notes:
In this episode, Eddie and Chris are joined by Melissa Maher, Lead Pastor at Mercy Street in Houston, Texas. Mercy Street is a sister church to Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Houston and began out of a ministry of love. Mercy Street seeks to create a safe harbor of hope and transformation so all may experience the radical grace of God. Put more simply (and boldly at mercystreet.org): Hope. Everyone needs some.

The ministry of Mercy Street is to reach folks who are in recovery from almost anything in life--whether that’s an addiction, a bad marriage, financial difficulties, or wounds from a different religious setting. As Melissa says in the podcast, everyone is in recovery from something, and the doors of Mercy Street are wide.

Melissa’s journey into ministry began by way of a degree in finance from Louisiana Tech. She then went on to graduate from Asbury Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity and has been the lead pastor at Mercy Street for seven years. Melissa has a lot to say about the work of recovery and how churches, church members, and pastors can come alongside those in that journey with humility and love, sharing in the grace of God that is extended to all.

Books:

Breathing Underwater by Father Richard Rohr

Addiction and Grace by Dr. Gerald May

Mercy Street:

Reconciliation | "The Legacy of Desmond Tutu" with Michael Battle Apr 28, 2022

Today’s guest is Dr. Michael Battle, an Episcopal moral theologian whose work centers around the spirituality, life, and work of Archbishop Desomd Tutu of South Africa. Dr. Battle discusses his most recent work, Desmond Tutu: A Spiritual Biography of South Africa’s Confessor, and touches on how Archbishop Tutu saw forgiveness, reconciliation, and the work of the Holy Spirit in the world.

Dr. Battle is currently appointed as Herbert Thompson Professor of Church and Society and Director of the Desmond Tutu Center at General Theological Seminary in New York. He has an undergraduate degree from Duke University, received his master’s of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, a master’s of Sacred Theology from Yale University and a PhD in theology and ethics, also from Duke University. He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Desmond Tutu in 1993. He lived and worked with Archbishop Tutu for two years, where he saw the deep faith that guided the Archbishop’s life in every way.

Resources:

Learn more about Dr. Battle

Buy Desmond Tutu: A Spiritual Biography of South Africa’s Confessor

Find Dr. Battle on Facebook and Twitter

Reconciliation | "How To Heal Our Racial Divide" with Derwin Gray Apr 21, 2022

Show Notes:
Today we are joined by Dr. Derwin Gray, Lead Pastor and Co-Founder of Transformation Church in Indian Land, South Carolina. Dr. Gray played professional football in the NFL following his graduation from Brigham Young University in 1993. After his NFL career, Dr. Gray graduated magna cum laude from Southern Evangelical Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. He received an honorary doctorate from Southern Evangelical Seminary in 2015, and in 2018 he earned his Doctor of ministry in the New Testament in Context at Northern Seminary. He is also the author of several books, including his most recent, How to Heal Our Racial Divide.
Dr. Gray and his wife Vicki began Transformation Church in 2010 with the prayer that 700 people would show up. Their first service had 701 people in attendance. Transformation Church is a multiethnic, multigenerational, mission-shaped community that God completely, ourselves correctly, and our neighbors compassionately.
Resources:

Transformation Church Website

TC Facebook

TC Twitter

TC Instagram

Dr. Gray’s Website

Dr. Gray on Facebook

Dr. Gray on Twitter

Dr. Gray on Instagram

Buy Dr. Gray’s books here

"Christianity's Surprise" with Kavin Rowe Apr 14, 2022

Shownotes:

In this Holy Week episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Kavin Rowe, author of Christianity’s Surprise: A Sure and Certain Hope. After 20 years of scriptural immersion as the George Washington Ivey Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Duke Divinity School, Rowe began to discern the growing significance of Christianity’s groundbreaking impact when it first entered the world. His book evokes the lost sense of the explosive power at the heart of Christian story, detailing the new hope and fresh vision that brushes up against the familiarity of scripture. Christianity’s Surprise draws readers closer to an understanding of Christianity as a gift from God, a never-ending mystery filled with a robust, joyful sense of surprise.

Rowe discusses the missing sense of imagination in American Christianity, how God’s promises for the future reach into the present, the interconnectedness of humanity, and how Christian institutions have evolved over time. Rowe’s insight in this conversation offers encouragement to all who need hope and who are longing to rediscover the heart of Christianity. It ushers in a refreshing perspective on the life-giving power of hope.
Resources:

Check out Kavin Rowe’s book Christianity’s Surprise here:

https://www.abingdonpress.com/product/9781791008208/

Learn more about Kavin Rowe here:

https://divinity.duke.edu/faculty/c-kavin-rowe

"World Without War" with Stanley Hauerwas Apr 07, 2022

Show Notes:
What does it take to imagine a world without war? How do we begin to believe that as a possibility? Eddie and Chris begin a series on war with guest Stanley Hauerwas, noted theologian and ethicist. Dr. Hauerwas asks us to contemplate the hard questions of war and nonviolence, but he knows the answers don’t come easily.

Dr. Hauerwas is a long-time professor at Duke Divinity School and Duke University School of Law. He served as chair of theological ethics at the University of Aberdeen and was named America’s best theologian by Time magazine in 2001.

Dr. Hauerwas has authored numerous books, including Resident Aliens, co-authored by Will Willimon, Living Gently in a Violent World, and 2011’s War and the American Difference.

Resources:

Find out more about Dr. Hauerwas, his publications, and appearances at stanleyhauerwas.org.

Buy War and the American Difference

Consequences | "Prosecution" with Susan Bradley & Bob Norman Mar 31, 2022

Show Notes:
In the final episode of our series on consequences, Eddie and Chris welcome Susan Bradley and Bob Norman, two members of Oxford University United Methodist Church who have extensive experience in the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi--the opposite side from our previous guest, Merrill Nordstrom.

Susan grew up in Meridian, Mississippi, and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1993 and her law degree from the University of Mississippi in 1996. Upon graduating from law school, she moved with her husband Patrick to Yuma, Arizona, where he was stationed with the United States Marine Corps. Susan worked as a Deputy County Attorney in Yuma, Arizona before joining the United States Attorney's Office in the District of Arizona in 1998. During her career as a prosecutor, she has worked in Yuma and Phoenix, Arizona and in the U.S. Attorneys' Office for the Southern District of Texas in Houston, Texas. In 2004, she and her family had the opportunity to return to Mississippi where she joined the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Mississippi. She currently serves as the First Assistant United States Attorney and lives in Oxford, where she and Patrick are members of OUUMC. Susan and Patrick have two children: Connor who is a freshman in college and TK, who is a sophomore in high school.

Bob Norman grew up in Oxford and graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.A. in philosophy. Eleven years in the Marine Corps and a law degree followed. After working in the offices of two district attorneys, Bob settled into the United States Attorney's Office in 1989, where he serves currently as Criminal Chief. Bob, Brenda and their two sons, Neal and Rob are members of O.U. Methodist Church.

Consequences | "Justice and Mercy" with Merrill Nordstrom Mar 24, 2022

In today’s episode, Chris and Eddie continue the discussion of justice and mercy with Federal Public Defender Merrill Nordstrom. Merrill is a lifelong member of Oxford University United Methodist Church, the church Eddie and Chris currently serve. She graduated from the University of Mississippi Law School in 2002, and worked as a public defender for Lafayette County until 2019, when she joined the federal court system as a public defender.

Merrill’s faith informs how she approaches her job. By getting to know her clients and digging into their histories, their families, and their motivations, she sees each client as a whole person--not just a statistic. Merrill helps them see that their worst day isn’t their last day. Her faith gives her hope, and she extends that hope to her clients in a moment when they need an advocate the most.

Consequences | "Hope on Death Row" with Jenny McBride Mar 17, 2022

The death penalty is a controversial topic, especially for Christians--people who see the reign of God as one of forgivenss, restorative justice, and mercy. How do we reconcile ending someone’s life with the all-encompassing grace and love of Jesus Christ? Today’s guest, Dr. Jenny McBride, talks us through those conflicting concepts.

Jenny is Associate Dean and Associate Professor at McCormick Theological Seminary. She was the Board of Regents Endowed Chair in Ethics at Wartburg College in Iowa and was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Initiative in Religious Practices and Practical Theology at Emory University, where she served as program director for the Atlanta Theological Association’s Certificate in Theological Studies at Metro State Prison for Women.

Jenny’s deep friendship with Kelly Gissendaner, Georgia’s only female death-row inmate who was executed in September 2015, grew out of her experience as a professor in the certificate program. Jenny got to experience Kelly’s deep and growing faith and walked with Kelly through the final moments of her life, reminding her that “Jesus is going to be with you.” Jenny’s latest book, You Shall Not Condemn, tells Kelly’s story through her own friendship with Jenny and other religious leaders and advocates.

You Shall Not Condemn doesn’t have a release date yet, but as soon as it does, we’ll let you know on The Weight’s social media.

Social Innovation | "Organic Institutions" with Greg Jones Mar 10, 2022

Eddie and Chris revisit the conversation on social innovation with Greg Jones. Greg is the President of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and is an author, speaker, minister, and the former Dean of Duke Divinity School. The theme of his appointment at Belmont is “Let Hope Abound,” and he is using that theme to create an ecumenical, Christ-centered culture for the flourishing of all people, not only the students, staff, and faculty.

Greg is dreaming the God-sized dreams, and he has a few ideas on how to lead all of us onto that path. His most recent book, Navigating the Future: Traditioned Innovation for Wilder Seas (with co-author Andrew P. Hogue) outlines his perspective on traditioned innovation as “a habit of being and living that cultivates a certain kind of moral imagination shaped by storytelling and expressed in creative, transformational action.”

Resources:

Learn more about Greg here.

Buy Navigating the Future

Deconstruction | "Yes, Even Clergy" with Sarah Heath Mar 03, 2022

Eddie and Chris continue the conversation around deconstruction with Sarah Heath. If the name sounds familiar, she was one of our very first guests, way back in Season 1. Sarah is a United Methodist clergywoman who is going through her own season of deconstruction and trying to figure out how, exactly, to do that as a pastor--how to navigate the difficulty of being a person and a pastor who is going through a season of doubt, how to find networks of support, how to provide that support when it’s not readily available, and how to continue to see God’s grace in the small moments of life… in an airstream trailer.

Sarah is an ordained elder in the California Pacific Annual Conference. She is also an actress, an author, a dancer, a designer, a podcaster, and a creator. She has written several books, including 2019’s The 21-Day Authenticity Challenge. She is one of the founders of the Irreverent Media Group, a podcast media collective and co-hosts the REVcovery Room podcast with Justin Gentry, which is about leaving ministry, recovering from being a professional Christian, and finding meaning after a calling.

Resources:

Learn more about Sarah and her ministry at www.revsarahheath.com.

You can find her at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revsarahheath/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/minirevsarahheath/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/revsarahheath

REVcovery Room Podcast: https://www.irreverent.fm/show/revcovery/

Irreverent Media Group: https://www.irreverent.fm

Sarah’s previous The Weight Episode: https://www.theweightpodcast.com/episodes/0007-the-weight-sarah-heath-the-theology-of-huh?rq=Sarah%20

Deconstruction | "With Fear and Trembling" with Dave Stovall Feb 24, 2022

In this episode of our series on deconstruction, guest Dave Stovall explains what deconstruction means to him: examining your faith, studying scripture, and pulling out all the parts that aren’t Biblically sound--the parts of faith that come to us from popular culture, from our families, from our friends--and then building your faith back up on a much stronger foundation. It’s less about starting from a blank slate and more about reforming and reframing what’s already there.

Dave brings a unique perspective to this topic with his extensive history in the Christian music scene. He is currently the Musical Director at Harpeth Christian Church in Franklin, TN, and he was also a bass player for the Christian rock band Audio Adrenaline (2015-2017) and the lead vocalist of Wavorly. He is a contributor at renew.org, a network of Christian leaders that helps equip disciple makers and church planters of all backgrounds.

Follow Dave on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/wavorlydave

https://www.instagram.com/davewstovall/

Read more from Dave:

https://renew.org/losing-my-faith-in-progressive-christianity-part-1/

Listen:

https://wavorly.bandcamp.com

Audio Adrenaline

Deconstruction | "When Faith Fails" with Dominic Done Feb 17, 2022

How do we deal with seasons of doubt? How do we wrestle with the big questions of suffering and pain within the context of God’s never-ending love and come out with a firmer spiritual foundation and a stronger sense of God’s grace and work in our lives? Can we even admit our doubt, and if so, is it productive to our lives as Christians?

In this episode, Eddie and Chris are joined by Dominic Done, author, pastor, teacher, and founder of Pursuing Faith. Dominic has gone through his own seasons of doubt, and openly shares his journey in his most recent book, When Faith Fails: Finding God in the Shadow of Doubt. He believes that we can not only push through doubt and step into a deeper faith, but we can and should come along side others in their seasons of doubt and struggle. If we are honest with our pain and willing to open ourselves to the grace of Jesus Christ through community, we grow as followers of Jesus.

Dominic earned his Master's Degree in theology from the University of Oxford and has served as a pastor in Oregon, North Carolina, and Hawaii. Dominic has also taught English for companies in Europe, lectured in theology and history at various Christian colleges, worked as a radio DJ, and lived as a missionary in Vanuatu and Mexico. He is currently the leader of Pursuing Faith, a ministry that equips Christians and church leaders to navigate issues of faith, doubt, and apologetics.

Resources:

Follow Dominic on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/DominicFrancisDone

https://www.instagram.com/dominicdone/

https://twitter.com/dominicdone

Find out more about Pursuing Faith:

www.pursuingfaith.org

Find out more about When Faith Fails:

https://www.pursuingfaith.org/whenfaithfails

Social Innovation | "1000 Small Experiments" with Kenda Dean Feb 10, 2022

The latest research about youth ministry and its actual effect on the lives and faith of young people can seem disheartening, and the data tells us that something has to change. Kenda Creasy Dean, the Mary D. Synnott Professor of Youth, Church, and Culture at Princeton Theological Seminary and an ordained United Methodist pastor in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, has a few ideas on what we can learn and what we should remember about our Christian roots: that the Church itself started as a social innovation movement.

In addition to teaching in practical theology, education, and formation (specifically youth and young adult ministry, Christian social innovation, and theories of teaching), Dean works closely with Princeton’s Institute for Youth Ministry and the Farminary. Dean is the author of numerous books on youth, church, and culture, the best known of which include Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers Is Telling the American Church (Oxford, 2010), Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church (Eerdmans, 2004), and The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul Tending for Youth Ministry with Ron Foster (Upper Room, 1998).

She has directed numerous grants on youth, innovation, and the church, including The Zoe Project (2017-2021), and was co-director with Harold Masback of The Joy and Adolescent Faith and Flourishing Project through Yale’s Center for Faith and Culture. In 2013, she co-founded Ministry Incubators, Inc., an educational and consulting group that supports Christian social innovation and entrepreneurial ministries. A graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary, she served as a pastor in Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey and as a campus minister in suburban Washington, D.C. before receiving her PhD from Princeton Seminary in 1997.

Resources:

Princeton Seminary

https://www.ptsem.edu/people/kenda-creasy-dean

Ministry Incubators

https://ministryincubators.com/about/who-are-we/kenda-dean/

instagram.com/mincubators

Zoe Project

https://zoeproject.ptsem.edu/

Fuller Studio

Re-imagining Church as a Missional Incubator

https://fullerstudio.fuller.edu/re-imagining-church-as-a-missional-incubator-kenda-creasy-dean/

Social Innovation | "Practically Divine" with Becca Stevens Feb 03, 2022

Becca Stevens is a speaker, social entrepreneur, author, priest, founder, and President of Thistle Farms. She has been featured on PBS NewsHour, The Today Show, CNN, ABC World News, named a CNN Hero, and White House Champion of Change. Becca founded Thistle Farms in 1997 with a single home for survivors of trafficking and addiction.

In this episode, Chris and Eddie sit down to talk with Becca about her work as an advocate for women--standing alongside women and helping them pull themselves, and by extension their communities, out of a history of trauma and poverty and into a life thriving with healing, hope, and often tea.

In her latest book (and her favorite book to date), Practically Divine, Becca invites us to see the divine in everyday, ordinary experiences and to find the potential for humor, wonder, and freedom by embracing our creativity and creating something from nothing. She threads wisdom from her mother into stories and poems to help us live a life that is practically divine.

Resources:

Learn more about Thistle Farms.

Order Practically Divine.

Watch Becca Stevens preach at Oxford University United Methodist Church.

Find out more about Becca.

Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

"That's A Wrap" with your hosts, Chris and Eddie Nov 25, 2021

That's a wrap!

Season 2 of The Weight is now finished. With this last episode, Chris and Eddie take some time to reflect back on this second season. All the wonderful guests. All the inspiring, heavy, important topics: mental health, racism, art and culture, creation care, faith and politics, human sexuality.

Don't skip out on this episode though. We think you might be inspired to go back check out some previous episodes. And, surprisingly, Chris and Eddie actually have a few nuggets of wisdom to share themselves. 😂

To our guests, thank you!

To our listeners, thank you!

We're already busy making plans and recording episodes for Season 3 of The Weight. See you soon!

"Drawing on Empathy" with Marshall Ramsey Nov 18, 2021

Editorial cartoonist Marshall Ramsey has been involved in the journalistic life of Mississippi for quarter of a century. Ramsey’s cartoons have served as cultural artifacts for both local and national events such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. In his personal life, Ramsey’s spirit of empathy and resilience has given him a unique sense of sensitivity to the world around him. He joins Eddie and Chris to talk about the cultural impact of Ted Lasso, the power of reframing our stories, and how our relationships keep us grounded.
Follow Marshall Ramsey on the web:
http://marshallramsey.com
Check out Marshall Ramsey's cartoons here:
https://mississippitoday.org/cartoons/
Now You're Talking with Marshall Ramsey Radio Show
Mississippi Stories with Marshall Ramsey Podcast
Follow Marshall Ramsey on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/marshall.ramsey
https://www.instagram.com/marshallramsey/
https://twitter.com/MarshallRamsey

"Love is the Resistance" with Ashley Abercrombie Nov 11, 2021

We live in a reactive, anxious culture both in person and online. When we hold onto pride, we are resistant to change and resistant to vulnerability. Though God understands the reasons we’re angry and the frustrations we deal with, God has a merciful heart towards the offender and the offended. How can we offer a gracious public witness as Christians in the midst of all of this polarization? Why do we resist the act of peacemaking as demonstrated by Jesus?

Chris and Eddie are joined by Ashley Abercrombie, author of Love is the Resistance. In this book, Abercrombie describes love as a habit and practice, not just a feeling. Bent toward compassion and deep hope, she teaches us what healthy, normal conflict looks like in a Christian community. They talk about the danger of echo chambers, the definition of what love is and what love is not, and the power of expanding our imagination as an inspiration to hope.
Order Love is the Resistance here:

https://www.ashabercrombie.org/book

Listen to our other episode with Ashley Abercrombie here:

The Weight - Ashley Abercrombie - From Womb to Tomb

Check out Ashley’s podcast “Why Tho” here:

https://www.ashabercrombie.org/podcast

Follow Ashley Abercrombie on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/ashleyabercrombienyc

https://www.instagram.com/ashabercrombie/

https://twitter.com/ashabercrombie

"Dear William" with David Magee Nov 04, 2021

Whether we’re a teenager, college student, established professional, or retired, we’re constantly asking questions about our identity. All of us deeply desire to understand the truth of who we are and where we come from. For those of us in strained relationships with our families of origin, questions of identity, purpose, and belonging can get increasingly complicated. What does it take to tell a truthful story about our lives? Where does God meet us in our fractured, imperfect stories?

In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by David Magee, author of Dear William: A Father's Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, Love, and Loss. Dedicated to his late son, William Magee, Dear William details David’s pain of losing a child, destructive family patterns, and the grace of God in the midst of intense tragedy. He talks to Eddie and Chris about the freedom found in forgiving ourselves, the issue of codependency within a family system, and the power of testimony.
Dear William: A Father’s Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, Love, and Loss

Follow David Magee on the web:

https://www.daviddmagee.com

Learn more about the William Magee Center for Wellness Education here:

https://magee-center.olemiss.edu

Give to the William Magee Center here:

https://ignite.olemiss.edu/project/16124/donate

Follow David Magee on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/davidmageeauthor

https://www.instagram.com/davidmageewriter/

https://twitter.com/dmagee_writer

"Dying and The Virtues" with Matthew Levering Oct 28, 2021

The sobering thought of death stirs up tension and uncertainty within our souls. Oftentimes, we see life and death as two separate events, but our living and dying are intrinsically linked. In order to flourish as humans, we must lean into the God-given virtues that inform our perspective on a life well-lived and move beyond viewing death as defeat. Jesus exhibited this in His human life on earth, teaching us the importance of trusting God in the face of life’s greatest uncertainty. How do we talk about death in a way that isn’t demeaning to the end? How can we accept our limitations in humility and surrender?

Chris and Eddie are joined by Dr. Matthew Levering, author of Dying and the Virtues. In this book, Levering articulates the nine virtues that we need to die (and live) well: love, hope, faith, penitence, gratitude, solidarity, humility, surrender, and courage. Drawing upon his unique experience of faith, Levering explores how the reality of death draws us nearer to God in dependence and trust. He talks to Eddie and Chris about the significance of rituals within the Christian tradition, living a life of praise to God, and what the book of Job teaches us about our humanity.

Dying and the Virtues by Matthew Levering
The Spiritual Benefits of Dying: Review of Dying and the Virtues by The Gospel Coalition

"Wonderful Tension" with Will Willimon Oct 21, 2021

The Gospel is a claim about who God is and what God is up to. The Church’s role in embodying the Gospel means that we meet each other in community. Intergenerational community is one of the vital aspects of a healthy church environment. What does it mean to be part of a “church family?” How can the Church serve each generation within its community, bringing people together in unity?

Chris and Eddie are joined by Reverend Dr. Will Willimon, Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry at Duke Divinity School and former Bishop of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. Willimon’s experience as a professor has informed his perspective on the ongoing vocational questions we ask at many different stages of life. They talk about cultural idols, what the Gospel looks like in a college or university setting, and the problems and pressures that American Christianity faces.

Follow Will Willimon on the web:

https://willwillimon.com

Aging: Growing Old in the Church by Will Willimon

Check out Will Willimon’s other books and publications here:

https://willwillimon.com/writing/

Stanley Hauerwas and Will Willimon on the dangers of providing pastoral care

Follow Will Willimon on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/WillWillimon

https://twitter.com/willimontweets

"Love Has A Name" with Adam Weber Oct 14, 2021

Sometimes the tendency to preserve our image gets in the way of the type of raw, messy love that Jesus exhibited. Within the Church and Christian spaces, we place limits on our language out of fear, ignoring the painful realities of the people in the pews in favor of comfort and harmony. We get scared to open ourselves up to that pain and the reality of temptation within each one of us. When we open a door to embrace others despite our differences, and when we use our language to get into the depths of human experiences, we learn to love better. We learn to love more like Jesus.

Chris and Eddie are joined by Adam Weber, pastor of Embrace Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Adam’s most recent book, Love Has A Name, details the kind of healing love that draws people closer to Jesus and the true heart of the Gospel. His experience as a pastor has been greatly enriched by the work of ministry that happens right on his front porch. He talks to Chris and Eddie about his passion for mental health awareness, the problems and questions from people outside of the church, and how to use language to build empathy and trust.
Follow Adam Weber on the web:

http://adamweber.com

The Conversation with Adam Weber on Apple Podcasts

The Conversation with Adam Weber on Spotify

Learn more about Adam’s book Love Has A Name here:

http://adamweber.com/book/

Follow Adam Weber on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/adamaustinweber

https://www.instagram.com/adamaweber/

https://twitter.com/adamweber

"No Cure for Being Human" with Kate Bowler Oct 07, 2021

When we’re struck by unexpected suffering, we ask question after question attempting to find meaning in the midst of our pain. We wonder why this diagnosis, disaster, or death had to happen to us or someone we love. We wonder if God is really good. We wonder if it’s possible to live within our reality and still have hope, joy, and peace. Though these questions are important, our human nature lends itself toward the comfort of ignorance and flimsy optimism. What are the cultural scripts that dictate our understanding of pain and suffering? How can we come alongside one another through both the highs and lows?

Chris and Eddie are joined by Kate Bowler, author of No Cure for Being Human, professor at Duke Divinity School and host of the podcast, Everything Happens. After receiving an unexpected cancer diagnosis at the age of 35, Kate began to observe that the world does not offer a safe space for people in pain. Her move from crisis to chronic has led her to asking deeper questions about faith, God, and human suffering. She talks to Eddie and Chris about the gift of presence, the absurdity of life, a robustly Christian account of time, and the many ways we try to make meaning out of everything.
Follow Kate Bowler on the web:

https://katebowler.com

Order No Cure for Being Human here:

https://katebowler.com/no-cure-for-being-human/

Order Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved here:

https://katebowler.com/everything-happens-for-a-reason-2/

Listen to Kate Bowler’s podcast Everything Happens here:

https://katebowler.com/podcasts/

Follow Kate Bowler on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/katecbowler

https://www.instagram.com/katecbowler/

https://twitter.com/katecbowler
Kate Bowler on YouTube

Kate Bowler on Goodreads

Human Sexuality - "Gay and Catholic" with Eve Tushnet Sep 30, 2021

Many believe that the Church’s traditional teachings on marriage condemn LGBTQ+ Christians to a life without love. How can we broaden our view of same-sex love, kinship, and commitment? Eddie and Chris are joined by Eve Tushnet, author of Gay and Catholic: Accepting My Sexuality, Finding Community, Living My Faith and Amends: A Novel. Eve identifies as an openly lesbian woman who has chosen a life of celibacy within the Catholic Church, and for some, her story may seem like a contradiction. Faithful to historical Catholic tradition, Eve writes primarily for gay Christians and anyone who wants to make the churches more welcoming for gay and lesbian members. In this episode, she discusses the harm the church has caused to LGBTQ+ Christians, what we learn from scripture regarding same-sex friendship, and healthy approaches for creating inclusive environments within the church.
Order Eve Tushnet’s book Gay and Catholic here.

I'm Gay, but I'm Not Switching to a Church That Supports Gay Marriage

Read Eve Tushnet’s articles in America Magazine here:

https://www.americamagazine.org/voices/eve-tushnet

Check out Guiding Families of LGBT+ Loved Ones here.

Follow Eve Tushnet on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/evetushnet

Human Sexuality - "Art of Exclusion" with Jonathan Kent Adams Sep 27, 2021

Where words create division, art creates a new space to broaden understanding. Our creativity draws us nearer to God and gives us a channel to process a wide range of experiences, from hope and joy to pain and suffering. In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Jonathan Kent Adams, a queer artist based out of Water Valley, Mississippi. After exploring multiple faith traditions throughout childhood, high school, and college, Jonathan has found a place of freedom within the beauty of art both within Christianity and outside of it. They talk about cultural masculinity and conformity, the challenges of coming out both internally and externally, and finding God as a place of consistent safety.
After the Orlando Pulse Shooting in 2016, Jonathan Kent Adams created a tribute to tell the victims’ stories. View his tribute here:

http://www.jonathankentadams.com/a-tribute-orlando-shooting

Human Sexuality - "A Traditional Christian Vision" with Tim Tennent Sep 23, 2021

We can’t have a conversation about sexuality without talking about the human body. Christians have disregarded the body as separate from spirituality, and culture has devalued the body through objectification. All in all, when we talk about a theology of the body, the conversation tends to have a negative spin. In a moment when Christians are known more for what they are against than what they are for, what do traditionalists stand for when it comes to the body and sexuality?

Chris and Eddie are joined by Dr. Tim Tennent, President of Asbury Theological Seminary and author of For the Body: Recovering a Theology of Gender, Sexuality, and the Human Body. Dr. Tennent stands for honoring our bodies’ unique design and purpose. He views the body as not just a biological category, but a theological category as well. He talks to Chris and Eddie about the differences between protestant liberalism and evangelical reductionism regarding same-sex marriage and gender reassignment, his view of the balance between inclusion and transformation within the church, and what the incarnation of Jesus Christ means for Christians.

Follow Dr. Tennent on the web:

https://timothytennent.com

Purchase For the Body: Recovering a Theology of Gender, Sexuality, and the Human Body here:

https://www.amazon.com/Body-Recovering-Theology-Sexuality-Resources-ebook/dp/B086BT8HT3

Follow Dr. Tennent on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/TimTennent

Human Sexuality - "Changing My Position" with Adam Hamilton Sep 20, 2021

Over the past several years, the conversation around human sexuality has stirred up deep division and tension within the United Methodist Church. Arguments over policies and rules have left little room for embracing each others’ humanity with compassion and grace. What does it mean for the church to honor the weight of individual experiences and perspectives? How can church leaders and congregants lead in love and humility while navigating complex issues?

Chris and Eddie are joined by Adam Hamilton, pastor of Church of the Resurrection, the largest United Methodist church in the country. Hamilton’s book Making Sense of the Bible explores the most controversial questions Christians ask while interpreting scripture, including issues of sexuality and gender. Hamilton believes context is necessary to understanding the character of God, and he challenges us to consider what is lost in translation. He talks to Eddie and Chris about how to be guided by an ethic of love, how his position on sexuality has changed over the years, and ways we can argue ethically without shutting each other down.
Follow Adam Hamilton on the web:

https://www.adamhamilton.com

Follow Adam Hamilton on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/PastorAdamHamilton

https://www.instagram.com/revadamhamilton/

Check out Adam Hamilton’s book Making Sense of the Bible here:

https://www.adamhamilton.com/books/item/9780062234988

Learn more about Church of the Resurrection here:

https://cor.org

"COVID & Community Health" with Michael Ugwueke Sep 16, 2021

Healthcare institutions are an essential part of a community’s fabric, and each healthcare facility has a civic responsibility to each member of its community. At this moment in history, our nation’s healthcare system is facing insurmountable challenges with COVID-19 cases spreading rapidly among citizens, in addition to the PTSD and fatigue experienced among hospital staff. To help us gain a greater understanding of the healthcare system’s nature right now, we decided to bring in one of the top healthcare professionals in our community to provide his expertise and perspective. In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Michael Ugwueke, President & Chief Executive Officer at Methodist Le Bonheur Hospital. Driven by a deep passion for individuals to thrive, Ugwueke desires a more proactive approach to spending and preventative care. They discuss Ugwueke’s role as a minority executive in healthcare, the social determinants of health, and the role of the healthcare system in the health of the community.

Religious Lives of Young People - "Cultivating Testimony" with Dr. Amanda Drury Sep 09, 2021

Offering a testimony creates space to witness to God’s real and present hope in the world. Testimonies are necessary elements to spiritual development in adolescents as they are navigating their own journeys of faith. However, for many Christians, sharing a testimony can be an intimidating practice and a source of comparison. Personal testimonies offered on a Sunday morning or at a church camp tend to follow a three-step pattern: one was lost, one found Jesus, and now one’s life is changed. How can we view testimony in light of our past experiences and current experiences? How do we help adolescents build a faith language that helps them gain confidence in their identity?

In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Dr. Amanda Drury, associate professor of practical theology at Indiana Wesleyan University. Dr. Drury defines a testimony as “a story we tell where Jesus pops up.” She believes that our testimonies are shaped by small, everyday moments and that they make space for every person from every background to be heard. Dr. Drury challenges us to broaden our definition of testimony in terms of past, present, and future storytelling. She talks to Eddie and Chris about the importance of building a faith language, the power of narrative and story in therapy, and how to display appropriate vulnerability when telling your story.
Purchase Dr. Drury’s book Saying Is Believing: The Necessity of Testimony in Adolescent Spiritual Development here

Learn more about the Scripture Squared App here:

https://appadvice.com/app/scripture-squared/1491075049

Religious Lives of Young People - "Faithful Authenticity" with Dr. Andrew Root Sep 02, 2021

We all have a deep desire to belong and to be understood. As we move through different stages of life and different cultural realities, we are constantly navigating what it looks like to live into our most authentic selves. For teenagers, this process carries a lot of insecurity and awkwardness, which can stir up anxiety in pastors, youth ministers, and church leaders. How can we faithfully equip young people with a strong sense of identity and purpose, given to them by God? How can we help young people gain a better understanding of their unique stories?

In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Dr. Andrew Root, professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary. Dr. Root has written a series of books revolving around Charles Taylor’s A Secular Age, and his book Faith Formation in a Secular Age specifically examines the church’s hopeful attitude that a “youthful spirit” will save the church. Root speaks to the power of testimony, confession, and storytelling to help teenagers and young adults navigate their own complicated stories. Root challenges us to greater curiosity and stronger questions that will benefit not only the lives of young people, but the church as a whole.
Follow Dr. Andrew Root on the web:

http://andrewroot.org

Check out Dr. Andrew Root’s books here:

http://andrewroot.org/books/

Follow Dr. Andrew Root on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/andrew.root

https://twitter.com/RootAndrew

Religious Lives of Young People - "Sociology of Religions" with Dr. Christian Smith Aug 26, 2021

Broad historical and cultural changes have shifted traditional life scripts from generation to generation. Over the past several decades, the changing nature of families and work has made a significant impact on the role of religion, particularly in teenagers and young adults. While many young people have embraced religion as a part of their lives, sociologists and pastors have observed a compartmentalized version of faith rather than a rich solid ground for growth in love and grace. What factors make the idea of church-going less plausible or less attractive in our modern society? Where can true, meaningful change happen in the lives of young people?

In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Dr. Christian Smith, the William R. Keenan Professor of Sociology at the University of Notre Dame and author of Handing Down the Faith: How Parents Pass Their Religion on to the Next Generation. Dr. Smith’s work examines the variety of reasons that individuals and communities are religious, as well as the impact of the family institution on traditional religious beliefs. Dr. Smith talks to Eddie and Chris about a general form of faith called “moralistic therapeutic deism,” the structures of society and culture that have made transitions challenging for young people, and the expectations that parents have for church congregations.
Learn more about Dr. Smith's work here:
https://christiansmith.nd.edu
Check out all of Dr. Smith’s books here
Order Handing Down the Faith: How Parents Pass Their Religion on to the Next Generation here:
https://www.amazon.com/Handing-Down-Faith-Religion-Generation/dp/0190093323
Read more about The National Study of Youth and Religion here:
https://youthandreligion.nd.edu

"Hang On, Let Go" with Frank Viola Aug 19, 2021

Our lives are full of unexpected changes, difficult transitions, and painful crises. In the midst of these realities, we all experience moments when it seems like we have no control and all hope is lost. Some of us may descend into apathy and numbness, and some of us may enter into “fix-it” mode to attempt a solution. How can we abandon our inclination to be passive and wait for God to intervene? What steps can we take to sustain hope during our trials?

Frank Viola’s recent book, Hang On, Let Go: What to Do When Your Dreams Are Shattered and Life Is Falling Apart, gives practical advice to anyone who has found themselves in a hard, dark place. Shaped out of Frank’s own pain and struggles, Hang On, Let Go offers a roadmap for experiencing transformation that points back to God’s love. He joins Eddie and Chris to discuss the difficult questions about human suffering, the gifts of presence and empathy, and the importance of perspective.
Resources:
Follow Frank Viola on the web:

https://frankviola.org

Order Hang On, Let Go here:

https://frankviola.org/hangonletgo/

Check out Frank Viola’s other books here:

https://frankviola.org/books/

Listen to The Insurgence Podcast from Frank Viola here

Community Heroes - "Rice and Beans Ministries" with Fred Curry Aug 12, 2021

Innovation and imagination are crucial to partnering in God’s redemptive purpose both locally and internationally. In this episode, Eddie is joined by Fred Curry, Executive Director and Founder of Rice & Beans Ministry (RABMIN). After visiting Costa Rica on a mission trip, Fred formed a connection with the community there and began to use food as a way of opening the door to deep conversations and long-term relationships. Since then, RABMIN has opened a branch in Brazil, and soon the ministry will serve victims of natural disasters in the United States. Fred’s ministry work focuses not on measures of success or growth, but how to sustain members of a community right where they are. He talks to Eddie about how to be a faithful “first responder” in missions, bridging gaps with those who aren’t comfortable in a church setting, and the importance of relationships over results.
Learn more about RABMIN’s work in Costa Rica here:

https://rabmin.org/our-missions/costa-rica/

Learn more about RABMIN’s work in Brazil here:

https://rabmin.org/our-missions/brazil/

Follow RABMIN on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/RiceandBeansMinistries

https://www.instagram.com/rabmin/

https://twitter.com/rbmin

Community Heroes - "Medtronic Labs" with Hal Beckham Aug 05, 2021

Noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and respiratory diseases, wreak havoc on individuals, families, and communities. Almost three fourths of deaths from noncommunicable diseases occur in low- and middle-income countries, yet only one percent of healthcare spending is put toward NCD care. All across the world, poor and vulnerable communities cannot access the quality care, technologies, and medicines they need. What does it take to break down these barriers that burden so many of our neighbors?

In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Hal Beckham, Head of Finance at Medtronic LABS and Chief Financial Officer for Medtronic Philanthropy and Foundation. Medtronic LABS is a social business dedicated to expanding healthcare access to underserved communities and developing systems of care based on the unique contexts of countries such as Kenya, India, and Ghana. Beckham talks about the importance of corporate responsibility, his vocation and calling in the context of his career, and the impact of Medtronic’s programs and technology.

Resources:
Learn more about Medtronic LABS here:

https://www.mdtlabs.org/about

Read more about the impact of Medtronic LABS here:

https://www.mdtlabs.org/impact-1

Community Heroes - "Base Camp Coding Academy" with Corey Mize Jul 29, 2021

In this episode, Eddie talks to Corey Mize, Executive Director of Base Camp Coding Academy in Water Valley, Mississippi. Base Camp Coding Academy offers high school graduates training in software development for 12 months, providing them with resources like computers and gas money for their commutes. The program also equips students with professional skills such as resume writing, email etiquette, and interviewing.

Before joining Base Camp, Mize worked as a computer scientist and program manager with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Mississippi. She’s passionate about shaping young leaders in the computer science field because she’s seen firsthand the lack of access that students in Mississippi have to computer science and programming. She talks to Eddie about what it looks like to create a flourishing environment for students and how our communities can better support students from all different backgrounds.
Resources:
Learn more about Base Camp Coding Academy here:

https://basecampcodingacademy.org

Apply to Base Camp Coding Academy here

Know a high school student who would be a great fit for this program? Fill out a Student Nomination form here

Creation Care - "Hope for Creation" with Ellen Davis Jul 22, 2021

God’s creation is a direct reflection of God’s glory, and Christians are called to be faithful stewards of the earth. While global issues of climate and environment can seem out of reach, our local communities give us space to learn and take action in small and large ways. How can we partner with our creator to build a better, more sustainable living environment? What simple, practical changes can we make to responsibly care for our local communities and our world?

Chris and Eddie are joined by Ellen F. Davis, professor at Duke Divinity School and author of Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible. An Old Testament scholar with deep wisdom about our ecological crisis, Davis views the land we’ve inherited as kin and a covenant partner. She speaks to our call to serve and preserve the land out of honor and love for what God has given us. Davis challenges us to hold onto a hope that is not just a passive, sunny optimism, but a collective vision of goodness and wholeness driven by human agency and creativity.
Resources:
Learn more about Ellen Davis here:
https://divinity.duke.edu/faculty/ellen-davis
Order Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible here
Check out all books by Ellen Davis here

Creation Care - "Sustainable Agriculture" with Will Reed Jul 15, 2021

God’s creation is a direct reflection of God’s glory, and Christians are called to be faithful stewards of the earth. While global issues of climate and environment can seem out of reach, our local communities give us space to learn and take action in small and large ways. How can we partner with our creator to build a better, more sustainable living environment? What simple, practical changes can we make to responsibly care for our local communities and our world?

Chris and Eddie are joined by Will Reed, who runs Native Son Farm in Tupelo, Mississippi. Reed has seen firsthand the preventable health issues facing people in Mississippi, and he began Native Son Farm eleven years ago to shift the food and farming landscape there. Reed understands the correlation between the ways we use our land and the work we provide to those in our communities, and he speaks to the picture of abundance that provides us with hope and true nourishment. Reed challenges us to choose transparency over convenience, inviting us to contribute to an atmosphere of health within our soil, our work, and our communities.
Resources:
Learn more about Native Son Farm here:

http://www.nativesonfarm.com/about-the-farm

Check out a list of Native Son’s recipes here!

Follow Native Son Farm on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/nativeson.farm

https://www.instagram.com/nativeson.farm/

https://twitter.com/nativesonfarm

Creation Care - "Creation, Creatures, and Creativity" with Norman Wirzba Jul 08, 2021

God’s creation is a direct reflection of God’s glory, and Christians are called to be faithful stewards of the earth. While global issues of climate and environment can seem out of reach, our local communities give us space to learn and take action in small and large ways. How can we partner with our creator to build a better, more sustainable living environment? What simple, practical changes can we make to responsibly care for our local communities and our world?
Chris and Eddie are joined by Dr. Norman Wirzba, the Gilbert T. Rowe Distinguished Professor of Christian Theology and Senior Fellow at the Kenan Institute of Ethics at Duke University. Wirzba’s upcoming book, This Sacred Life: Humanity’s Place in a Wounded World explores three central questions at the intersection of theology and ecology: Who are we? Where are we? What should we do? Wirzba acknowledges that the doctrine of creation is not simply the teaching about how the world began, and he views creation care as an act of honor to God. This episode discusses the realities of climate change as both an ideological and financial issue, the importance of God’s covenant relationship with all of creation, and the limits of the natural world.
Resources:
Follow Dr. Norman Wirzba on the web:

https://normanwirzba.com
Preorder This Sacred Life: Humanity’s Place in a Wounded World here

Follow Dr. Norman Wirzba on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/norman.wirzba

https://twitter.com/NWirzba

Creation Care - "Wendell Berry and Local Place" with Jeff Bilbro Jul 01, 2021

God’s creation is a direct reflection of God’s glory, and Christians are called to be faithful stewards of the earth. While global issues of climate and environment can seem out of reach, our local communities give us space to learn and take action in small and large ways. How can we partner with our creator to build a better, more sustainable living environment? What simple, practical changes can we make to responsibly care for our local communities and our world?

Chris and Eddie are joined by Jeff Bilbro, author of Virtues of Renewal: Wendell Berry's Sustainable Forms and Loving God's Wildness: The Christian Roots of Ecological Ethics in American Literature. Bilbro’s work on ecology and theology has been heavily influenced by Wendell Berry, an environmental activist and author best known for his book The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture. Bilbro calls his readers to a greater ecological and cultural imagination based in the idea of shalom, a vision of relational and community healing in the context of our environment. This episode explores the deep wisdom of Wendell Berry across his literary forms, the idea of interrelatedness within God’s creation, and how to hold onto hope while enacting hope in our communities.
Resources:
Follow Jeff Bilbro on the web:

https://jeffbilbro.com

Follow Jeff Bilbro on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/jeff_bilbro

Creation Care - "Earth's Custodians" with Heather Toney Jun 24, 2021

God’s creation is a direct reflection of God’s glory, and Christians are called to be faithful stewards of the earth. While global issues of climate and environment can seem out of reach, our local communities give us space to learn and take action in small and large ways. How can we partner with our creator to build a better, more sustainable living environment? What simple, practical changes can we make to responsibly care for our local communities and our world?

Chris and Eddie are joined by Heather McTeer Toney, an activist, speaker, and author who serves as the National Field Director for Moms Clean Air Force. Toney is the former two term mayor of Greenville, Mississippi, and she was appointed by President Obama as the Regional Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Southeast Region. During her tenure as mayor, Toney observed the many connections between infrastructure, inequality, and the environment. She has enthusiastically championed her communities to ensure equitable access and a sustainable future for all. Toney speaks to the collaborative nature of creation care, the relationship between her upbringing and her heart for justice, her experiences with environmental challenges in the Mississippi Delta, and the responsibility that God has given each of us to this earth.

Follow Heather Toney on the web:

https://www.heathermcteertoney.com

Learn more about Moms Clean Air Force here:

https://www.momscleanairforce.org

Learn more about Environmental Defense Fund here:

https://www.edf.org

Follow Heather Toney on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/heathermcteer

https://twitter.com/HeatherMcTeer

"Purity Culture" with Kat Harris Jun 17, 2021

When it comes to sexuality, the Church has often stuck to a black-and-white structure that leaves little to no room for honest dialogue. So many Christians believe they need to compartmentalize their spiritual and sexual lives, thinking that God must be embarrassed of their sexuality. While a black and white structure is easy to preach, it is much harder to live. How do we faithfully navigate the sexual scripts we’ve been given in a way that releases shame and embarrassment, bringing hard questions into the light?

Kat Harris, author of “Sexless in the City” and host of The Refined Collective Podcast, is committed to releasing women from judgment and shame and helping them develop a healthy, Biblical view around sexuality. A single woman in her 30s, Kat openly shares about her experiences navigating the dating scene in New York City as a celibate Christian. Kat has received thousands of questions from women who haven’t felt permission to be curious about sexuality and desire. She talks to Eddie and Chris about how the Church’s narratives about sex and purity shape our expectations of women, God’s “very good” vision for human relationships, and how the Church can faithfully honor and celebrate single people.

Resources

“Sexless in the City” is out now! Order it here.

Follow Kat Harris on the web:

https://therefinedwoman.com
Listen to The Refined Collective Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Check out Kat’s online courses here:

https://therefinedwoman.com/shop

Follow Kat Harris on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/therefinedwoman/

https://www.facebook.com/TheRefinedWoman

https://www.pinterest.com/therefinedwoman/

Social Media Culture - "Instagram Evangelism" with Leigh Stein Jun 10, 2021

According to author Leigh Stein, the internet is run by “a thousand Oprahs,” influencers with beautiful lifestyles who post relatable content that makes them feel like friends to their thousands of followers. While internet friends might “like” the same things as us, they can never truly listen to our honest confessions and pain. Social media influencers cannot meet the expectations that we put on them. What is it that we expect from Instagram icons, and where do we need to look elsewhere?

In this episode, Chris and Eddie talk with Stein about her New York Times article, “The Empty Religions of Instagram.” The article explores the ways social media users turn to influencers as moral authorities that offer structure, comfort, encouragement, and humor. Stein has observed the birth of a new online orthodoxy that resembles religious beliefs, but that is missing the mercy or grace of true human connections within faith communities. This episode offers insight into the disappointment of digital iconography, the outrage cycle of social media, and our innate urge to testify and tell our stories.
Resources

Follow Leigh Stein on the web:

https://www.leighstein.com

Read Leigh Stein’s article The Empty Religions of Instagram

Check out Leigh Stein’s novel Self Care here

Follow Leigh Stein on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/leighstein/

https://twitter.com/rhymeswithbee

Social Media Culture - "My Tech-Wise Life" with Amy Crouch Jun 03, 2021

Among 19-20 year olds, only 1% do not have social media accounts. This statistic emphasizes the ever-growing presence that social media and technology have in our day-to-day lives. While this comes with its advantages, it’s also important to consider the dangers of such constant connection and how to create wise boundaries that help us live a “tech-wise” life. How can controlled usage of social media help protect us from its negative effects?
Amy Crouch is a student at Cornell University and, with her father Andy Crouch, co-author of “My Tech Wise Life: Growing Up and Making Choices in a World of Devices.” She joins Chris and Eddie to discuss what boundaries and understandings regarding technology are necessary to harness its advantages while mitigating its negative effects. Crouch bases her message around the understanding that technology is not a bad thing, but something that must be seen as a tool rather than a foundation of life. What does that look like practically? Tune in to the conversation to find out!
Order a copy of “My Tech Wise Life” by Amy Crouch and Andy Crouch here.

Follow Amy Crouch on social media:

instagram.com/amy.crou/

"The Dangers of Christian Practice" with Lauren Winner May 27, 2021

A reality that the Church has to continue to grapple with is the way that it has inflicted damage upon individual lives in manners that are unfaithful to its calling. Such essential practices of Christianity, such as prayer and the Eucharist, are subject to being tainted by toxic intentions of participants. Responding to this reality can produce two extremes; ignorance and rejection of the Church’s issues out of refusal to accept imperfection or an outright rejection of an institution that is perceived to be irredeemable. How can the Church come to terms with harm inflicted while also recognizing the beauty that remains within God’s gifts of Christian practice?

In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Lauren F. Winner, an Episcopal priest, historian, and scholar of religion who teaches at Duke Divinity School. Lauren is the author of the book “The Dangers of Christian Practice: On Wayward Gifts, Characteristic Damage, and Sin.” In her work and in this conversation, Winner challenges the assumption that the church possesses a set of immaculate practices that will definitionally train Christians in virtue. She reflects on examples of history where practice failed to produce virtue and what should be learned as the Church pursues a more faithful future.
Resources:

Get to know Rev. Dr. Lauren Winner:

https://divinity.duke.edu/faculty/lauren-winner

Check out Rev. Dr. Winner’s books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Lauren-F.-Winner/e/B001K892MS%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Mental Health - "Prayer in the Night" with Tish Warren May 20, 2021

God is not afraid of our exhaustion, grief, and pain. Honest prayers of lament draw us into deeper connection with God and help us cultivate a greater awareness of our needs. As a culture, however, we have withdrawn into numbing habits of distraction. Even the Church often serves as a place of escape rather than a comfortable place to bring our burdens. Where does God meet us in the empty space of deep sorrow and pain? How can we give ourselves more permission to grieve in our personal prayers?
In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Tish Harrison Warren, author of Prayer in the Night. When Warren found herself at a place filled with too many questions to bear, she began to write about the empty space of night and how we can present the weariness of our souls to God. Warren discusses prayer as communion with the presence of God, a practice that shapes who we are, how we believe, and our vision of the world. We hope this episode moves you toward peace and comfort as Warren illustrates ways to draw near to God in the midst of uncertainty and fear.
Follow Tish Warren on the web:

https://tishharrisonwarren.com

Check out Tish Warren’s book “Prayer in the Night” here:

https://tishharrisonwarren.com/prayer-in-the-night
Follow Tish Warren on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/TishHarrisonWarrenAuthor

https://www.instagram.com/tishharrisonwarren/

https://twitter.com/Tish_H_Warren

Mental Health - "Finding Jesus in the Storm" with John Swinton May 13, 2021

The language surrounding mental health often limits the fullness of each complex human experience. Stigma, stereotypes, and media representations perpetuate one-dimensional portraits of what it means to live with a mental illness. Additionally, Christians tend to view sadness and joy in a narrow manner, when the Bible speaks to a vast array of human emotions we all experience. With all of this in mind, how can we speak about mental health in a more liberating and comprehensive way?
In this episode, Chris and Eddie speak to John Swinton, author of “Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of Christians with Mental Health Challenges.” A registered mental health nurse, Swinton has listened to the multi-layered experiences of Christians who deal mainly with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. Swinton maps out what it looks like to redefine health and healing in the context of connection, he speaks to the unique resources and community that the church can offer, and he addresses the sense of abandonment that Christians feel, especially when dealing with depression. We hope that this episode gives you permission to move through your story with freedom and greater imagination.
Check out John Swinton’s book “Finding Jesus in the Storm” here

Follow John Swinton on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/johnswintonabdn

Mental Health - "Bipolar Faith" with Monica Coleman May 06, 2021

At some point, we will all face some sort of challenge with our mental health. Just as changes in our bodies require deep examination, changes in our thought patterns, mood, and behaviors deserve adequate attention and care. However, many within religious communities and communities of color suffer in silence, believing that their mental health struggles indicate weakness or defective faith. How can the Church foster an open dialogue that welcomes pain, trauma, and suffering instead of pushing these raw human experiences away?
In this episode, Chris and Eddie talk to Dr. Monica Coleman, professor of African Studies at the University of Delaware and ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Monica’s memoir “Bipolar Faith: A Black Woman’s Journey with Depression and Faith” addresses the intersections of mental illness, faith, race, and family trauma. She speaks to her rejection of and return to God, how losing her faith was a critical step to experiencing God in a brand new way, and the impact of loving friendships throughout her highs and lows. Throughout this conversation, we pray you find hope in the loyalty of God and find grace for your own story.
Resources:

Follow Monica Coleman on the web:

https://monicaacoleman.com

Check out Monica Coleman’s book “Bipolar Faith” here
Follow Monica Coleman on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/revdrmonica

https://www.instagram.com/revdrmonica/

https://twitter.com/revdrmonica

"Dying Church" with Russell Moore Apr 29, 2021

According to a Gallup poll released in March of 2021, less than half of Americans belong to a church, mosque, or synagogue. The politicization of evangelical Christianity has resulted in utter disillusionment, specifically among young Christians who were once eagerly committed to the ideals of the faith. Christians and non-Christians alike are longing for truth and openness in conversation within the church, as well as a sense of connection rooted in hope, grace, and love.
In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Dr. Russell Moore, the President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Moore’s recent article “Losing Our Religion” addresses the ways many churches do not seem to believe what they teach and the reasons many have chosen to disaffiliate from the church. Moore speaks of the ways in which he was disillusioned as a fifteen year old by Bible Belt Christianity, his journey back through fear to a genuine faith, and his courage to stand for mercy and justice in the public square. Throughout this conversation and in his work, Moore poses a hopeful vision for the future of the church rooted in the promises of Jesus rather than cultural agendas.
Resources

Follow Russell Moore on the web:

https://www.russellmoore.com

Read Russell Moore’s article “Losing Our Religion” here

Check out Russell Moore’s books here:

https://www.russellmoore.com/books/

Follow Russell Moore on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/russellmoore

https://twitter.com/drmoore

https://www.instagram.com/russellmoore/

Birth & Motherhood - “Mothering Your Mother” with Beth Ann Fennelly Apr 22, 2021

There comes a time in each child’s life when their role begins to shift in relation to their parents. Many daughters expand their definition of mothering when caring for their own mothers, as they learn to navigate the tension of reincorporating a loved one into a new familial environment. When forced to confront the realities of motherhood in a different light, these daughters and mothers need time for introspection to engage with the expansiveness of motherhood’s demands and joys.
Beth Ann Fennelly, Poet Laureate of Mississippi, has paid careful attention to the ways the pandemic has affected her independent mother, beyond the virus itself. She joins Eddie and Chris to talk about the hard inner work we have to do to understand our relationships with our families, the ways that generations of parents relate to one another, the disciplines that help us engage with our deep questions and doubts, and what parenting teaches us about being human.
Resources

Follow Beth Ann Fennelly on the web:

https://www.bethannfennelly.com
Check out Beth Ann’s books here:

https://www.bethannfennelly.com/books
Read Beth Ann’s article in the Washington Post here:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/pandemic-isolation-and-the-elderly/2020/12/11/91669cea-33e7-11eb-a997-1f4c53d2a747_story.html

Read A Quiet Incarnation, a piece Beth Ann wrote about her mother-in-law, here:

https://magazine.nd.edu/stories/a-quiet-incarnation/

Birth & Motherhood - "Birth and the Virtues" with Julie Gunby Apr 15, 2021

Most of our culture’s conversations about birth revolve around safety and legality. The cultural expectations surrounding birth negate a wide range of experiences that lead up to the birthing process and the virtues that birth requires of women. Though the nuances of pregnancy and birth are more commonly discussed in the medical field than in Church circles, all of a woman’s experiences over the course of her life contribute to the way she delivers her baby. With this in mind, how can we have better conversations that connect birth and the virtues?
In this episode, Chris and Eddie talk to Julie Dotterweich Gunby, a certified nurse midwife who has delivered over 1,000 babies. Julie describes the vocation of midwifery as a way of positioning oneself to help women articulate what it means for them to birth well. She speaks to the constraints that women face when sharing their needs and desires in the midst of preparing for mothering, and she shares the importance of creating space for women to reflect upon generations of mothers who came before them. Julie encourages mothers and future mothers that they can birth with greatness of soul no matter the circumstances.
Resources

To see how birth ethics are often framed in terms of autonomy and individualism rather than virtue, click here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2667293/
Facing the uncertainty of birth requires both personal and societal virtue. For a summary of some of the complex race, class, and socioeconomic issues plaguing America’s birth outcomes, click here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2667293/

Check out Birthing From Within, a classic book that does better than most to help women and families prepare for the demands of giving birth well

Follow Julie Gunby on social media:

https://twitter.com/JulieGunby

Birth & Motherhood - "Grace Through Infertility" with Elizabeth Hagan Apr 08, 2021

The Church needs to be a place where it is safe to share vulnerable stories, and this includes engaging the struggle of infertility. Unfortunately, many people who face this struggle have found shallow remedies or offensive expectations within communities of faith. How can we cultivate a more caring, helpful engagement with topics of motherhood that is inclusive of everyone’s experience, including those who struggle with infertility?
Elizabeth Hagan speaks to these issues from the perspective of a pastor, but also as one who struggled with infertility, miscarriage, and adoption loss for eight years. Along with 15 years of pastoral service as ordained minister, Hagan is the author of “Birthed,” a memoir that tells the story of her struggle. She also wrote the upcoming book “Brave Church: Tackling Tough Topics Together,” a guide on how to foster conversations about challenging topics.
Hagan shares her story with us and gives us a clearer understanding of the layers of grief that come with infertility that most do not recognize. Specifically, she speaks about ways that communities of faith can become some of the least safe places for people to deal with the struggle. Even so, Hagan also shines a light on how God’s grace can guide people through the struggle and how the desires we have to create families are God-given and should not be given up on. This conversation is purposed to inspire us all toward a more loving way of coming alongside those who struggle with this weighty topic of birth and motherhood.
Resources:

Follow Elizabeth on the web: https://elizabethhagan.com/
Read articles authored by Elizabeth on weighty topics: https://elizabethhagan.com/best-of/

Read her article in The Christian Century about her journey with infertility: https://www.christiancentury.org/blogs/archive/2016-09/waiting-eight-years-be-mother

Follow Elizabeth on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/revelizabethhagan/

https://www.instagram.com/elizabethhagan/

https://twitter.com/elizabethagan

"Christianity's Surprise" with Kavin Rowe Apr 01, 2021

In this Holy Week episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Kavin Rowe, author of Christianity’s Surprise: A Sure and Certain Hope. After 20 years of scriptural immersion as the George Washington Ivey Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Duke Divinity School, Rowe began to discern the growing significance of Christianity’s groundbreaking impact when it first entered the world. His book evokes the lost sense of the explosive power at the heart of Christian story, detailing the new hope and fresh vision that brushes up against the familiarity of scripture. Christianity’s Surprise draws readers closer to an understanding of Christianity as a gift from God, a never-ending mystery filled with a robust, joyful sense of surprise.
Rowe discusses the missing sense of imagination in American Christianity, how God’s promises for the future reach into the present, the interconnectedness of humanity, and how Christian institutions have evolved over time. Rowe’s insight in this conversation offers encouragement to all who need hope and who are longing to rediscover the heart of Christianity. It ushers in a refreshing perspective on the life-giving power of hope.
Check out Kavin Rowe’s book Christianity’s Surprise here:

https://www.abingdonpress.com/product/9781791008208/

Learn more about Kavin Rowe here:

https://divinity.duke.edu/faculty/c-kavin-rowe

Art & Culture - "A Theology of Making" with Makoto Fujimura Mar 25, 2021

Chris is joined by contemporary artist Makoto Fujimura, author of Art + Faith: A Theology of Making. His book explores the role of creativity in the spiritual life, and it draws upon quiet disciplines such as awareness and waiting. The meditative space that Fujimura creates for prayer and praise breaks open new avenues to seek the never-ending depths of God’s beauty and grace. Sophisticated and intellectual, Fujimura’s art has been praised as a vehicle for hope, healing, redemption, and refuge.
Fujimura explains how the power, mystery, and depth of art drive us to ask deeper questions.
He introduces his spiritual discipline of “slow art,” speaks to the nuances of tradition, and ponders the ways art can liberate us in our cultural context. Fujimura gives us space to identify where we meet Jesus in both making and consuming. This conversation speaks to the healing gift of art as culture care, rather than a commodity.
Follow Makoto Fujimura on the web:

https://makotofujimura.com

Check out Makoto Fujimura’s book Art and Faith: A Theology of Making here:

https://culturecarecreative.com

Learn more about Makoto Fujimura’s art here:

https://www.waterfall-gallery.com/makoto-fujimura
Read Makoto Fujimura’s biography here:

https://imagejournal.org/artist/makoto-fujimura/

Follow Mako on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/makotofujimuraart

www.instagram.com/iamfujimura

https://twitter.com/iamfujimura

Art & Culture - "World of Wonders" with Aimee Nezhukumatathil Mar 18, 2021

Chris and Eddie are joined by Aimee Nezhukumatahil, author of Barnes and Noble’s 2020 Book of the Year, World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments. Whimsical and introspective, this book inspires the reader to look to the natural world for guidance, curiosity, and delight. Aimee’s work has been integrated into high school, college, and university curriculum as part of contemporary poetry, environmental studies, women’s studies, and Asian-American literature classes. Currently, Aimee teaches environmental literature and poetry writing in the MFA program of the University of Mississippi.
Aimee discusses the gift of attention as the highest form of prayer, her perception of wealth and privilege in relation to her upbringing, and what the diverse, multifaceted nature of creation says about each of us. She challenges listeners to carve out time for stillness and careful attention in order to recognize the beauty in everything. This conversation reveals the precious mysteries of God’s nature and the ways our love for God constantly prompts a response of awe and wonder.
Check out Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s book World of Wonders here:

https://aimeenez.net

Follow Aimee on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/AimeeNezhukumatathil

https://twitter.com/aimeenez

https://www.instagram.com/aimee_nezhukumatathil/

Art & Culture - "Remember and Revise" with Kiese Laymon Mar 11, 2021

Chris and Eddie are joined by Kiese Laymon, a black southern writer, born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. He is the author of the best-selling memoir “Heavy,” a deeply honest reflection on his complex relationship with his mother, grandmother, anorexia, obesity, sex, writing, and ultimately gambling. The winner of multiple awards, including the Carnegie Medal for Nonfiction, Laymon’s writing in “Heavy” and other works exhibits a profound usage of prose and ability to enter into his memories to bring forward a voice that speaks to the experiences of Mississippi, specifically of black Mississippians.
Laymon speaks about the important role his grandmother plays in his life, the way in which the influences of our upbringing remain a part of us no matter what changes may come, and the incredible ability of art to unleash heavy truths from things we keep secret. This conversation, but more specifically Laymon’s art, speaks directly to the complexities of Mississippi in a way that helps listeners seek more understanding not just of one state, but an entire nation.
Resources:
Follow Kiese Laymon on the web:

https://www.kieselaymon.com

Check out Kiese Laymon’s memoir Heavy here:

https://www.kieselaymon.com/heavy

Follow Kiese on social media:

https://twitter.com/KieseLaymon

https://www.instagram.com/kieselaymon/

Art and Culture - “Healing the Imagination” with James K.A. Smith Mar 04, 2021

Christians spend a lot of time talking about what is true or exploring goodness, but we do not spend as much time exploring beauty, aesthetics, and the arts. In a world full of content curated to our specific taste, we need more time and space to fill our souls with the kind of art that breaks open our curiosity and makes us come alive. Where does God meet us in the beauty of our imagination? How does art and culture shape our desires and longings?
In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by James K.A. Smith, Professor of Philosophy at Calvin University and Editor-in-Chief of Image Journal. Smith aspires to bridge the gap between the academy, society, and church, and he discusses the art of culture-making as it relates to the Christian faith. Smith recognizes the tension between the view of culture as the result of a broken world and God’s vision for culture as creational good, and he calls us to recognize that we all take part in framing culture.
Smith believes that what we make of the world is much more of a reflection of what we want for the world than how we think about the world. He invites us to create habits of putting ourselves in the way of things we don’t understand and making ourselves available to be encountered. By expanding our imagination, we give our souls space to carefully consider the stories we carry in our bones and the ways that those stories frame our culture.
Follow James K.A. Smith on the web:

https://jameskasmith.com

Check out James K.A. Smith’s books here:

https://jameskasmith.com/books/

Read James K.A. Smith’s article Healing the Imagination: Art Lessons from James Baldwin

Follow James K.A. Smith on social media:

https://twitter.com/james_ka_smith

https://www.facebook.com/jameskasmith

How to Fight Racism - "Community Building" With Demetrius Short & Nate Paulk Feb 25, 2021

The year 2020 was a strong reminder that racism is not a simple problem of the past, and it cannot be met with simple solutions. At its core, racism diminishes the image of God in people of color, keeping them from living in the fullness that was God’s vision for humanity. How can we bring about true equity in our communities, churches, and in our nation? What are the practical steps that we can take now to bring about flourishing and reconciliation?
In this episode, Chris and Eddie talk to Nate Paulk and Demetrius Short, two men who have partnered together to create a shared space for meaningful community in the East Nashville area. Paulk and Short operate out of radical hospitality for their neighbors and have turned their ears toward the concerns and hopes of their community to foster spaces where people of all races can thrive. Paulk and Short discuss the importance of uncovering implicit biases, ways we can ensure that diversity is not just a box to check off, what it looks like to establish trust, and how our natural curiosity can lead to greater conversations about how to love our neighbors better.
If you would like to donate to Trinity Community Commons’ fire relief fund, you can access the fundraiser here.

Learn more about Trinity Community Commons here

Follow Trinity Community Commons on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/trinitycommunitycommons/

Learn more about Transformation Life Center here

Follow Transformation Life Center on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Transformation-Life-Center-101602571394990

Check out Demetrius Short’s bio here:

http://transformationlifecenter.org/about-tlc/our-founder

Follow Demetrius Short on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/demetrius.short

How To Fight Racism - "Deep Friendship" with Bishop Gregory Palmer & Bishop Bill McAlilly Feb 18, 2021

The year 2020 was a strong reminder that racism is not a simple problem of the past, and it cannot be met with simple solutions. At its core, racism diminishes the image of God in people of color, keeping them from living in the fullness that was God’s vision for humanity. How can we bring about true equity in our communities, churches, and in our nation? What are the practical steps that we can take now to bring about flourishing and reconciliation?
The Christian faith in America has never known a time when it has not wrestled with matters of race. These issues are a living, conscious reality for the whole life of the faith across denominations, and in order for us to make sustainable progress, we must move from silence to accountability and action within our church walls.
In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Gregory Palmer and Bill McAlilly, two United Methodist Bishops who share a deep friendship that has been strengthened by honest and dynamic conversations about race and the church. Bishop Palmer and Bishop McAlilly urge us to think critically about what it looks like to love our neighbors, reflect honestly upon our history as a church and as a nation, and participate in multi-racial groups to discuss issues of race in a way that humanizes all of us.
Learn more about Bishop Gregory Palmer here

Learn more about Bishop Bill McAlilly here

Check out Bishop McAlilly’s blog here:

https://bishopbillmcalilly.com

Follow Bishop Palmer on social media:

https://twitter.com/WOCBishop

Follow Bishop McAlilly on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/billmcalilly

https://twitter.com/BillMcAlilly

How To Fight Racism - "Truth Telling And Confession" with Jemar Tisby Feb 11, 2021

The year 2020 was a strong reminder that racism is not a simple problem of the past, and it cannot be met with simple solutions. At its core, racism diminishes the image of God in people of color, keeping them from living in the fullness that was God’s vision for humanity. How can we bring about true equity in our communities, churches, and in our nation? What are the practical steps that we can take now to bring about flourishing and reconciliation?

Jemar Tisby, bestselling author of The Color of Compromise and president of The Witness: A Black Christian Collective, believes that racial reconciliation must be a relational effort grounded in self-awareness, and it must move beyond knowledge and ideas. In the fight against racism, Tisby sees the need for three essential components: awareness, relationships, and commitment. In his new book, How to Fight Racism, Tisby equips Christians with the tools needed to dismantle the systems and structures that keep people of color from flourishing.

He joins Eddie and Chris to talk about his hope for the church to mobilize to action instead of complicity and passivity, the ways that we can use our money wisely to help bridge economic disparities, and the power of truth-telling and confession. He calls Christians to foster welcoming communities where people of color are not just offered a seat at the white table, but honored, respected, and uplifted as leaders made in the image of God.

Follow Jemar Tisby on the web:

https://jemartisby.com

Check out Jemar’s book How to Fight Racism here

Order Jemar’s book The Color of Compromise here

Faith and Politics - "Post-Truth World" with Dr. Stephen Long Feb 04, 2021

We, as individuals and as a people, need to consider how we have let politics replace truth with power. In an age where the truth is increasingly being contorted to suit our agendas and desires, the challenge of a “Post Truth World” is more complex and difficult than we might imagine. It requires a response that isn’t driven by grasping for some earthly power, but rooted in deep discernment. How can the Church take a stand against the stranglehold of mistruths in our politics?

Joining us for the last conversation of our Faith & Politics series is Dr. Stephen Long, Professor of Ethics at Southern Methodist University. A scholar and United Methodist minister, Long works in the intersection between theology and ethics and has published over fifty essays and fourteen books on theology and ethics including the book “Truth Telling in a Post-Truth World.”
Dr. Long joins Chris and Eddie to engage a frank, complex conversation that beckons us toward a deeper conversation on politics than is offered through the 24 hour news cycle and social media. Recorded the day after the insurrection at the United States Capitol, they reflect on the event as an example of the deep-seeded issue of prioritization of power and the depths to which truth continues to be under attack by the current political climate.

Resources:

Learn more about Dr. Steve Long here.

Check out Dr. Steve Long’s book Truth Telling in a Post-Truth World here.

Follow Dr. Steve Long on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/dstephen.long

https://twitter.com/dstephenlong

Episode Links:

https://linktr.ee/theweightpod

Faith and Politics - “The Role of Journalism” with Emily Le Coz Jan 28, 2021

As we kick off a new season of The Weight, we want to take a deeper dive into important topics that the Church should be discussing. We begin with a series on Faith & Politics that will engage multiple perspectives on the role that politics plays in the Christian life.

In this cultural moment, many are prone to rejecting truth and data in favor of partisan opinion. With so much of our news tailored to our points of view, journalists face significant obstacles in their pursuits to report our history as it is unfolding. Many churches exist within a thick social fabric where business, public policy, and the press coexist. In a faith that is rooted in truth, respect, and grace, how can Christians more readily embrace the truth, instead of opting for conspiracy theories and fake news?

In this episode, Chris and Eddie talk with Emily Le Coz, the National Data and Investigative Editor at USA TODAY. She talks through her experiences with working in local journalism in both Tupelo and Jackson, and she explains the ways in which journalists mediate the relationship between truth and power. Le Coz acknowledges how local news has been drowned out by national news outlets, social media, and even unknown sources.

Le Coz advocates for better education about who journalists are and the work that they do. Le Coz acknowledges how we often operate out of a culture of animosity and fear surrounding journalism, and she hopes that more investment in local news will break those stereotypes. By nurturing a true set of facts, Le Coz believes that journalists invite us into understanding who we are in this cultural moment. In order for the church to contribute to flourishing within the community, Christians must treat journalists with respect as the work to tell a complete story over time.
Resources:

Check out articles from Emily Le Coz here.

Learn more about Emily Le Coz here.

Follow Emily Le Coz on Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/emily.lecoz

https://twitter.com/emily_lecoz

Episode Links:

https://linktr.ee/theweightpod

Faith and Politics - “Political Theology” with Luke Bretherton Jan 21, 2021

As we kick off a new season of The Weight, we want to take a deeper dive into important topics that the Church should be discussing. We begin with a series on Faith & Politics that will engage multiple perspectives on the role that politics plays in the Christian life.

It goes without saying that political discourse is taboo in many pockets of the Christian Church. Even as this taboo remains prevalent, there does seem to be an increasing awareness in a hyper connected world of how political realities can impact the livelihoods of the neighbors we are called to love. Having been compelled by such awareness, how can Christians develop a vision of how to faithfully engage with democracy?

Joining us to talk about this is Luke Bretherton, Robert E. Cushman Professor of Moral and Political Theology and senior fellow of the Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University. A scholar of Christian ethics and moral theology, he is the author of multiple books on these topics including “Christ and the Common Life: Political Theology and the Case for Democracy.” Originally from Britain, he earned his Ph.D from the University of London and taught at King’s College before taking his appointment at Duke.

Bretherton joins Chris and Eddie to think more deeply about what Christian engagement with democracy can look like by looking to history, scripture, and theology. They discuss how politics are an intrinsic part of our daily lives that manifest not just in DC, but in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities. This conversation helps us consider not just what a more holistic understanding of politics can do for Christians, but how the Church can recognize and take ownership of what it has to offer to democracy.

Resources:

Learn more about Dr. Bretherton at his Duke University scholar profile
Check out Dr. Bretherton’s written works, including “Christ and the Common Life”

Follow Dr. Bretherton on Twitter

0040 - The Weight - Season 1 Wrap Up Nov 26, 2020

In this episode, Chris, Eddie, and Cody discuss the trajectory of the conversations on The Weight over the past year. Beginning with their discussion with two church leaders on the United Methodist conversation about human sexuality, Eddie and Chris dove into a breadth of nuanced topics from grief to body image to social justice. In the midst of a difficult year, they found a common thread of hope and humility as they engaged with guests from many different backgrounds and viewpoints.

As they look toward 2021, Eddie and Chris hope to focus more attention on drawing out specific topics over a series of episodes. The Weight will continue to create a space where honesty and humility will break down the caricatures and stereotypes we often make of one another. In the new year, Eddie and Chris will keep engaging the larger cultural moment in a thoughtful, faithful, robust way and also in a culturally critical way. The Weight will be a place to ponder what makes the wisdom of Christian tradition an important piece of a conversation about what will make the world more beautiful, good, and true moving forward.

0039 - The Weight - Joe Gunby - The Church is Political Nov 19, 2020

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

0038 - The Weight - Arielle Estoria - Words For The Body & Soul Nov 12, 2020

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” here

Listen to “Human” here

Check out Arielle’s sweatshirts, mugs, books, and more here

Find Arielle on iTunes and Spotify

Follow 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/

0037 - The Weight - Ashley Abercrombie - From Womb to Tomb Nov 05, 2020

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 here

Check 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

0036 - The Weight - Karen Partee - Financially Faithful Oct 29, 2020

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

0035 - The Weight - Scott Erickson - The Weight of Being Human Oct 22, 2020

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 here

Order 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

0034 - The Weight - Tiffany Bluhm - Whose Feet Are You Sitting At? Oct 15, 2020

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 here
Check 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

0033 - The Weight - Adrienne Brown David - The Art of Life Oct 08, 2020

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 here

Learn more about Adrienne Brown-David here

Read about Adrienne Brown-David in The Local Voice

Follow Adrienne Brown-David on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/adriennemeschelle/

0032 - The Weight - Ray Mabus - Engage Your Moment Oct 01, 2020

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 here

Read about Mabus’ gubernatorial campaign here

Follow Ray Mabus on social media:

https://twitter.com/SECNAV75

https://twitter.com/themabusgroup/

0031 - The Weight - Ryan Danker - We’ve Been Here Before Sep 24, 2020

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 Theology

Wesley and the Anglicans: Political Division in Early Evangelicalism

Read Ryan’s Firebrand articles here:

Wesley and Tradition

Whitefield’s Complex Legacy

Access Secondhand Religion here

Explore 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

0030 - The Weight - Jason Vickers - Conservation in a Revolutionary Age Sep 17, 2020

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

0029 - The Weight - Esau McCaulley - An Exercise In Hope Sep 10, 2020

When it comes to racial reconciliation, the church is quick to educate its congregants about the power of forgiveness. Pastors often jump to the solution without acknowledging the full extent of the problem. What do we do when we’re enraged by the things we’ve seen or experienced? How do we make a conscious, faithful choice to practice Christianity even when it seems harder than we can bear?

In his new book, Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope, Dr. Esau McCaulley aims not to answer questions the church is asking, but to answer questions that Black Christians are asking. A New Testament scholar, Anglican Priest, and theologian, McCaulley understands that the way we interpret the Bible often depends on our communities and context. He invites listeners to take an unfiltered look into the Black experience and to ponder how all of us can interpret the Bible as an exercise in hope.

He joins Eddie and Chris to discuss how Christians can have open dialogue about riots and protests, and how white Christians can interpret the truth behind the phrase “Black Lives Matter.” They talk about specific passages in the Bible that point to the grief and rage Black Americans feel and where the cross of Christ fits into the scope of human emotion.

You can order Esau’s book “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope” here

Learn more about Esau’s podcast “The Disrupters” here: https://esaumccaulley.com/the-disrupters-podcast/

Read Esau’s articles in The New York Times here: https://www.nytimes.com/by/esau-mccaulley

Follow Esau on the web: https://esaumccaulley.com

Follow Esau on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialEsauMcCaulley

https://www.instagram.com/esaumccaulley/

https://twitter.com/esaumccaulley

0028 - The Weight - Julie Cantrell - From Breath To Breath Sep 03, 2020

Stories are a way of inviting others in, opening the door to compassion, empathy, and understanding. Stories help us make sense of the world around us, allowing us to process overwhelming emotions. As humans, we are drawn to stories that show characters overcoming obstacles, growing wiser and stronger through the journey.

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Julie Cantrell recognizes the power of narrative to guide us spiritually and ground us emotionally. When she was pregnant with her first child, she began writing from a place of love, gratitude, and celebration. As she began wrestling with her own pain and loss, she started to use writing as an outlet to communicate a new narrative of resilience. Crafted from her research into the Choctaw tribe, her book “Into the Free” tells the story of a girl coming of age in Depression-era Mississippi.

She joins Eddie and Chris to talk through how she discovered her gift for writing and developed a discipline for integrating writing into her life. They discuss the ways that stories help connect us, citing Jesus’s passion for sharing stories as a way of shaping people’s hearts. They talk about the power of stories throughout the Bible and how they create space for connection in our everyday lives.

RESOURCES:
You can order Julie’s newest book “Crescendo: The True Story of a Musical Genius Who Forever Changed a Southern Town” and any of Julie’s other books at her independent bookstore: https://shop.aer.io/juliecantrell

Watch Julie’s Tedx Talk here: https://youtu.be/Oi4sqDJ8Wno

Follow Julie on the web: https://www.juliecantrell.com

Follow Julie on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/juliecantrell/

https://www.facebook.com/juliecantrellauthor

0027 - The Weight - Nicole Morgan - Fat and Faithful Aug 27, 2020

Many Christians engage with the topic of body image in a toxic manner. The Church often perpetuates negative, unhealthy ideologies regarding body image, thus failing to honor people of all sizes. How can we better uplift the sacred worth found in each body?

Author, seminarian, and podcast host Nicole Morgan has developed a deep understanding of how the Christian Church has wrongfully taught its members, particularly women, to be ashamed of their bodies. Motivated by her own experiences, she wrote the acclaimed book “Fat and Faithful: Learning to Love Our Bodies, Our Neighbors, and Ourselves,” in which she explores the false narratives about body image and reminds readers that everyone - regardless of size - is treasured by God.

She joins Eddie and Chris to talk about her journey towards “fat acceptance” and her mission to help people of all sizes see that they are beloved and worthy of being celebrated. They have an honest discussion about the ways church leaders made Nicole feel like her body was unacceptable in the Christian faith and her subsequent journey of deconstruction. Nicole helps us consider how we can not only recognize the worth of every body size, but also how we can cultivate a narrative that focuses on uplifting rather than shaming.

Resources:

You can order Nicole’s book “Fat and Faithful: Learning to Love Our Bodies, Our Neighbors, and Ourselves” here: https://www.amazon.com/Fat-Faithful-Learning-Neighbors-Ourselves/dp/1506425224

Follow Nicole’s podcast “Fat and Faithful” here: https://fatandfaithful.libsyn.com/

Follow Nicole on the web: https://jnicolemorgan.com/

Follow Nicole on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/Fatness.Faith/

https://twitter.com/jnicolemorgan

https://www.instagram.com/jnicolemorgan/

0026 - The Weight - Micah Whitson - Capture The Flag Aug 20, 2020

As much as we try and downplay them, it’s apparent that symbols carry a great weight in our culture. Whether it be a flag, a statue, a logo, or anything else, symbols have the power to rally a people together or tear them apart; a truth known all too well in the state of Mississippi. After years of public outcry, Mississippi recently retired its flag which featured the battle flag of the Confederacy and is now in a heavily publicized process to select a new banner that unifies the populace.

One flag that has garnered significant support is the Great River Flag designed by Micah Whitson, who joins us on this episode of The Weight. A southern expatriate, Micah launched an online art store called “The Old Try” with the purpose of uplifting the South and connecting those who call it home. This purpose is reflected in the Great River Flag, a design uniquely purposed to go beyond just a simple banner, but rather being used in a multitude of formats that celebrates some of the hidden gems of Mississippi culture.

Micah talks to Eddie and Chris about how his passion to uplift the beauty of southern culture led him to design his state flag submission. He reflects on the power of representation and the role that aesthetics play in cultivating a sense of unity and pride. As a man of deep faith, he also shares the role that the teachings of Jesus Christ play in shaping his work.

Resources:

Learn more about the Great River Flag and the many utilizations the branding can provide: https://greatriverflag.com/

Check out Micah’s other work on his online shop The Old Try.

https://theoldtry.com/

Follow Micah on the web: https://micahwhitson.com/

Follow The Old Try on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOldTry/?ref=br_rs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoldtry/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheOldTry

Follow The Great River Flag on Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatriverflag/

Instagram: https://twitter.com/flagriver

Twitter: https://twitter.com/flagriver

0025 - The Weight - Justin Posey - "The Social Art of Jesus Culture" Aug 12, 2020

In just a decade, social media has completely changed what it looks like for local churches to fulfill its mission. Such a revolution in outreach has provided new opportunities for churches to enrich their own church family while also engaging new audiences. However, with opportunity comes some challenges worth considering; primarily the need to prioritize in-person connection and tight knit community. How can the Body of Christ utilize social media without diminishing the depth of relationship that it is called to cultivate?

This week on The Weight, we welcome Justin Posey of Jesus Culture, a church community and worship collective based out of Sacramento, California. Justin serves as the Social Media Manager for Jesus Culture after having worked with Bethel Church in content development. With a passion for faithfulness and integrity in digital outreach efforts, Justin talks to us about what it means to use social media with a “Kingdom mindset” and as a catalyst for a more personal connection.

Chris, Cody, and Eddie talk to Justin about the journey that brought him from north Mississippi to his current position and the lessons learned about the role that digital outreach plays in the Church’s mission. Specifically, they discuss what the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resulting pauses of in-person gathering has revealed about how digital mediums can be used for community connection and the importance of people remaining plugged in to their local church in a time where many are fleeing to more technologically-savvy congregations. This episode can help us dig deeper into a conversation of what churches will need to keep in mind as we discern the place of social media both during this season of life and in the future.

Resources:

Jesus Culture is “a global movement awakening hearts to worship and serve God.” Learn more about them on their website: https://jesusculture.com/

Get to know Justin and check out his portfolio at his website: https://justinposey.com/

Follow Justin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveinjustin/

0024 - The Weight - Jasper Peters - When The Church Fails Aug 05, 2020

Acknowledging failure is not easy to do in any circumstance. This is specifically true when it comes to discussing the Church’s failure to live up to its call from God to do the work of justice. Reckoning with the failure of Christians to make justice efforts more than mere words may be a hard pill to swallow for some, yet it could also be the most faithful next step on the road to change. Are not confession and repentance essential parts of the Christian life?

Joining us to discuss this is Rev. Jasper Peters who serves as Lead Pastor of Belong Church. Belong is a United Methodist community in Denver, Colorado with an orientation towards the work of justice, a work that has animated Jasper’s life and calling. Jasper leads with an acute recognition of the ways that the Church has not lived up to goals of invitation, embracing, and personal/societal transformation. With the marriage of mercy and justice, Jasper and Belong seek to help people grow in faithfulness to the work of the Kingdom of God.

Chris and Eddie talk to Jasper about the need for the Church to recognize both its failure to do the work of justice and the unique opportunities that exist to repent. Specifically, they talk about the importance of recognizing the true, non-romanticized state of our past and present as we press on towards a more faithful future. This conversation is one worth engaging multiple times as we learn from Jasper’s story, wisdom, and vision for the people of the Body of Christ.
Resources

Eddie references a video of Jasper’s where he reflects on why the term “racial reconciliation” is not an accurate representation of the work that the Church needs to take on. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH3OyppyaRE

Jasper speaks to the diversity and justice work of Rev. Dr. Stephany Rose Spaulding and her organization Truth and Conciliation. Learn more about their work here: https://truthandconciliation.org/

Jasper is the Lead Pastor of Belong, a United Methodist congregation in Denver, Colorado devoted to drawing people into the work of the Kingdom of God. Follow them online: https://belongchurch.org/

Follow Belong Church on Social Media:
https://twitter.com/belongdenver
https://www.instagram.com/belongdenver/
https://www.facebook.com/belongdenver

Follow Rev. Jasper Peters on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2EPuVgt
#TheWeightPod

0023 - The Weight - Hannah Long - "Everyone Is Called" Jul 30, 2020

To be “called by God” is something that we often think of as exclusive to those who are called to pastoral ministry. Christianity has plenty of resources and narratives for those who feel called to this realm of work. However, the vast majority of faithful Christians never find themselves in the pulpit, but rather working in jobs that are often relegated as “secular.” Does God not give them a calling to respond that is just as important?

Hannah Long exemplifies what it means to be called by God, but it’s not through a vocation that you might expect: she’s a flight attendant with American Airlines. It might seem like a far cry from the calling of a pastor, but Hannah shows us through her testimony and her life that the two callings might not be as different as you may think. Furthermore, her job is not just something she randomly fell into. It’s a place where she specifically felt called to be, especially during a season of uncertainty in the airline industry.

In this episode of The Weight, Hannah joins us to reflect on what a healthy understanding of calling looks like and how it is a part of every Christian’s life, not just those with “Reverend” in front of their name. Using her own calling to the airline industry, she discusses the importance of recognizing that God makes every person different and that comparison is the thief of the purpose and joy that each individual is called to. She also speaks to the risk at hand for her industry due to COVID-19, and how her calling has become even more prevalent in the midst of it.

Follow Hannah’s journey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_hannahlong/

0022 - The Weight - Brian Zahnd - "America: Empire or Exile" Jul 23, 2020

Show Notes:
Critiquing popularized Christianity from within the church is not always an easy thing to do, especially when such critique extends to American ideals held near and dear by many Christians. For many pastors, fear of backlash and congregational abandonment can be enough to stifle any attempt to challenge social norms ingrained within Evangelical culture.

Brian Zahnd is no stranger to this struggle, yet has continued to respond to the American exceptionalism and political indoctrination that he perceives has tainted the witness of the Church. A product of the Jesus Movement, a charismatic revival of evangelicalism in North America, Zahnd planted what was once one of the fastest-growing congregations in America, Word of Life Church. In 2004, Zahnd experienced a personal awakening that led him to drastically change the trajectory of his congregation from the “excesses of the charismatic movement” and towards an understanding of the Kingdom of Christ “in juxtaposition to the Empire of America.” Zahnd has continued to be a thought leader in this effort as an author, social media presence, and speaker.

Brian spoke with Eddie and Chris about his personal transformation from conservative evangelicalism to what he calls the “biblical Gospel of peace.” He uses the narrative of his life and the evangelical movement to offer a wholehearted critique of the marriage of civil religion and the American church and the ways it can inhibit faithfulness to the call of Christ. Though Zahnd’s ideas may rub against the grain of the beliefs of some, it offers an important perspective to consider in the discernment of faithful witness in the United States.

Resources:

Water to Wine: Some of My Story chronicles the story of Zahnd’s life and the disenchantment with popular Christianity that led him to risk everything to pursue a more faithful vision of faith.

https://www.amazon.com/Water-Wine-Some-My-Story/dp/0692569189

Postcards from Babylon discusses the counter-cultural nature of the early Christian movement, the failure of American Christianity to emulate it, and the challenge posed to believers to embrace the daring nature of Christ that can “turn the world upside down.”

https://www.amazon.com/Postcards-Babylon-Church-American-Exile-ebook/dp/B07M5HJ5XB

Follow Brian Blog: https://brianzahnd.com/

Follow Brian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianZahnd?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Follow Brian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrianZahnd/

0021 - The Weight - Brent Strawn - "Hebrew Wisdom, Weary World" Jul 16, 2020

Show Notes:
Conversations about the Bible in modern-day culture tend to dichotomize the Old and New Testaments in a manner that reduces the Old as archaic and obsolete while isolating the New as the bearer of relevance and truth. However, a deeper engagement with the texts of the Old Testament just might surprise readers when they find how relatable these stories of old are to an increasingly weary world. Was it not these very words that were used by Christ himself to proclaim his message to the world?

Dr. Brent Strawn is a Professor of Old Testament at Duke Divinity School, as well as a Law Professor at Duke Law School who joins us this week on The Weight. Strawn has published over 200 articles, chapters in books, contributions to reference works, and reviews. A prolific academic and researcher, Strawn’s work is inextricably linked to his pastoral identity as an ordained elder in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, a calling he evokes as he “brings out treasures new and old” from the words of the Old Testament.

In this episode, Strawn joins Chris and Eddie to discuss the unique role that the Old Testament can play in today's calamitous world. Revealing the multi-faceted nature of the oft-generalized testament, they discuss how the Old Testament can both accurately reflect the depths of anxiety and suffering felt in today’s world while also serving as conduit of substantial hope and empowerment. No matter where you fall on the religious spectrum, let this conversation be the beginning of a journey of rediscovery of the treasures hidden within the texts of the Old Testament.

Resources:

In “The Old Testament Is Dying,” Brent details the ways in which the Old Testament is losing prevalence in the church while reminding readers of the vital role it should play in Christian faith and practice:

https://www.amazon.com/Old-Testament-Dying-Recommended-Explorations/dp/0801048885

“The Old Testament: A Concise Introduction” introduces readers to the three main sections of the Hebrew Bible while contrasting the story of the Old Testament told by scholars and the story that the Old Testament literature tells itself.

https://www.amazon.com/Old-Testament-Concise-Introduction/dp/0415643007

You can find a collection of Brent’s academic works here:

https://www.amazon.com/Brent-A.-Strawn/e/B0083HUZHU%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Chris references “Virus as a Summons to Faith: Biblical Reflections in a Time of Loss, Grief, and Uncertainty” by Walter Brueggemann, the author invites readers to engage with a scriptural imagination that helps us find God in the midst of global pandemic:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087VT869K/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

The Pirkei Avot, referenced by Brent and Chris, is an ancient compilation of ethical teachings of the Rabbinic Jewish tradition. You can learn more about it here: https://www.sefaria.org/Pirkei_Avot?lang=bi

0020 - The Weight - Graham Bodie - "Listen First" Jul 09, 2020

It goes without saying that the social fabric of America is becoming more frayed as the years go on and discourse becomes more vitriolic. With the growth of virtual engagement, specifically through social media, intensifying polarization has led humanity to lose grasp of the civic practice of intentional listening. How can we cultivate a culture where we engage in a manner that promotes mutual understanding?

Dr. Graham Bodie has dedicated his career to the art of listening. Along with serving as a professor of Integrated Marketing Communications at the University of Mississippi, Graham is a leader of the Listen First Project. Listen First seeks to mend our frayed social fabric by building relationships and bridging divides. Through events, resourcing, and the formation of local movements, Listen First combats universally felt crises of distance, division, and dehumanization across differences with conversations that prioritize understanding.

Graham sat down with Chris back in September of 2019 to discuss the need for people to escape their echo chambers, recognize their biases, and to realize that strong convictions and intentional listening are not mutually exclusive. He discusses a need for listening to be taught and practiced in politics, personal relationships, and Christian faith formation.

Resources

The National Conversation Project is an initiative of Listen First that creates spaces for individuals and communities to develop skills in intentional listening and constructive dialogue. Get involved by checking out their website: https://www.nationalconversationproject.org/

Similar to Listen First, Someone To Tell It To seeks to promote listening through the cultivation of meaningful relationships. They offer resources, trainings, and a podcast on their website: https://someonetotellitto.org/

The International Listening Association is the leading organization of listening education, business, research, and training: https://listen.org/

Learn more about Listen First Project: http://www.listenfirstproject.org/

Follow Listen First on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/listenfirstproject/

Follow Listen First on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ListenFirstProject

Learn more about Graham Bodie’s work and research at his website: http://www.grahambodie.com/

0019 - The Weight - Shane Claiborne - "Living In Community" Jul 02, 2020

Show Notes:
Christianity offers a radical redefinition of community that challenges the priorities and sensibilities that we in the church have come to embrace. Christians follow a savior who instructed his followers to relinquish belongings, wealth, and social status in order to follow him. Christians are a part of a universal church that began with a group of believers who shared everything they had with the community that they were a part of. It’s easy to see how such an example has become less prolific, specifically in the American church. What does it look like to try and create such a counter cultural way of community again?

Shane Claiborne seeks to challenge the Church, through word and example, to recognize that such a way of living is not only doable, but well worth pursuing, especially in the face of the disparities that exist for marginalized people. To reflect this possibility, he helped found “The Simple Way,” a neighborhood that seeks to create spaces for all of its members to belong and thrive. Shane has developed prominence as a speaker, activist, and best-selling author on his journey of sharing the story of this community while also being a “champion of grace” in advocacy for the homeless as well as his active opposition to war, the death penalty, and gun violence among other issues.

In this conversation from 2018, Shane reflects on the ways in which Jesus Christ inspires counter-cultural, sacrificial living. He challenges Christians to reckon with the norms and values we have adopted that inherently impede us from living the life that Christ calls his followers to live.

Resources:

Shane is the head of Red Letter Christians, “a movement of people who seek to take Jesus seriously by endeavoring to live out His radical, counter-cultural teachings as set forth in scripture.” Follow their work here: https://www.redletterchristians.org/

Follow “The Simple Way”: https://www.thesimpleway.org/

Follow Shane on the Web: http://www.shaneclaiborne.com/

Follow Shane on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShaneClaiborne

Follow Shane on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaneClaiborne/

0018 - The Weight - Leonard Sweet - "Rings Of Fire" Jun 25, 2020

Show Notes:
The place of Christianity in the greater culture is constantly changing. With constant changes comes increased challenges for Christians in terms of maintaining integrity in terms of witness and practice. What are the new ways that temptation permeates our daily lives? How do we stand firm in timeless convictions in ever changing times? How do we set our eyes on Jesus Christ despite the circumstances of the world around us?

In today’s episode of The Weight, we engage these questions with Leonard Sweet, a scholar of United States culture, semiotician, historian, and United Methodist minister. Currently serving as the E. Stanley Jones Professor Emeritus at Drew Theological School, Sweet has built a reputation as one of the most influential voices in Christianity who seeks to communicate the Gospel by bridging together the worlds of faith, academia, and culture. Sweet is passionate about the role of the Church in the world and what a faithful future can look like for the people of Jesus Christ, especially in an increasingly divisive culture.

In this episode, Sweet speaks bluntly about the aspects of today’s world that concern him, but also offers a vision of Christianity as a faith that isn’t separated from the culture of the world, but indigenous in it. He challenges listeners to recognize the ways that the Spirit of God can work through the culture of the world to make miracles happen and “bring the best out of the worst.”

Resources:

Check out Len Sweet’s book “Ring of Fire: Walking in Faith Through a Volcanic Future”

https://www.amazon.com/Rings-Fire-Walking-through-Volcanic/dp/1631463942

Listen to Len Sweet’s podcast “Napkin Scribbles”

https://leonardsweet.com/podcasts/

Follow Len Sweet on the web: https://leonardsweet.com/

Follow Len Sweet on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lensweet

Follow Len Sweet on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LensSweetSpots

0017 - The Weight - Michael McBride - "Racism, Violence, Justice, and Faith" Jun 18, 2020

Show Notes:
Two years ago, long before we launched The Weight, Chris and Eddie sat down with Pastor Michael McBride of LIVE FREE, a faith based movement dedicated to stopping gun violence and ending mass incarceration. In addition to this role, Pastor McBride has served on a number of local and national task forces with the White House and Department of Justice regarding gun violence prevention, boys and men of color and police-community relationships, most recently as an Advisor on President Barack Obama’s Faith Based Advisory Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Though recorded in 2018, this conversation is just as relevant as ever, engaging topics of racial justice, gun violence, and the Church’s need to consider and overcome the blockades that stop it from proactively addressing these issues. Recorded soon after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida that took the lives of 17 students, McBride reflects on his experience as a pastor in communities that have faced significant levels of gun violence and how it informs his advocacy, pastoral care, and perspective on what “faith in action” must look like in the face of societal injustice. He also reflects on the racial injustices he has personally faced as a black man and has seen systemically embedded in society in a way that often goes overlooked or ignored.

Pastor McBride challenges the American church to do the “soul-searching” necessary to recognize the places in which we need to further let our values, both individually and collectively, be transformed by the message and power of Jesus Christ.

Resources:

James Cone, The Cross and the Lynching Tree

https://www.amazon.com/Cross-Lynching-Tree-James-Cone/dp/1626980055

A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King Jr.

https://www.amazon.com/Testament-Hope-Essential-Writings-Speeches/dp/0060646918

Willie Jennings, The Christian Imagination

https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Imagination-Theology-Origins-Race/dp/0300171366/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+christian+imagination&qid=1592406687&s=books&sr=1-1

Follow Pastor Mike McBride on the web: www.pastormikemcbride.com

Follow Pastor McBride’s organization LIVE FREE: livefreeusa.org

Find Pastor McBride on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.mcbride.3956

0016 - The Weight - Dana Trent - "Death, Dessert, and Paperwork" Jun 11, 2020

Perhaps the weightiest topic there is is the one that we all must face: death. Much of our lives can be spent evading this reality until it comes crashing into our lives somehow. What might it look like to adopt a posture towards death that not only makes us more prepared, but helps us live life more abundantly? To engage this question, we welcome Dana Trent!

Dana Trent is a graduate of Duke Divinity School and professor of World Religions and Critical Thinking at Wake Tech Community College. An ordained Baptist minister, Dana served as a hospital chaplain in what is known as the “death ward,” where she accompanied individuals and their families through the passage from life to death. Inspired by this experience, as well as the death of her mother, she authored the book “Dessert First: Preparing for Death While Savoring Life,” where she reflects on this experience and her lessons from it.

In her conversation with Chris and Eddie, Dana discusses how churches and individuals can engage the topic of death and grief in a more meaningful way, especially with the backdrop of a deadly pandemic. She also helps us consider how “humor and tears are not mutually exclusive” and how even in the midst of grief and death, joy and levity can be found.

RESOURCES:

Dana Trent’s Book “Dessert First: Preparing for Death While Savoring Life”

https://www.amazon.com/Dessert-First-Preparing-Death-Savoring/dp/0827206690

Listen to other episodes: https://www.theweightpodcast.com

The Weight on Instagram: @theweight_pod

The Weight on Facebook: @theweightpod

The Weight on Twitter: @theweight_pod

Dana Trent on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaB690iTPH2896cywwyh3Jg

Dana Trent on Instagram: @jdanatrent

Dana Trent on Twitter: @jdanatrent

Dana Trent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jdanatrent.author/

Dana Trent on the web: https://jdanatrent.com/

0015 - The Weight - Adam Hamilton - "Innovation, Mission, and Reopening" Jun 04, 2020

We are living in an unprecedented time. Churches are currently faced with difficult decisions over how and when to reopen their doors. How has COVID affected Christian worship?

In this episode, Chris and Eddie are joined by Adam Hamilton. Hamilton is an author and a Senior Pastor at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. The Resurrection is one of the largest churches in Methodism.

Hamilton discusses the frequent zoom calls with his staff, the opportunity to learn and connect with other pastors in the United States, and the unexpected rewards in the midst of having to remain at home. Listeners will learn what Church of the Resurrection is doing and how they will approach reopening. All three pastors Chris, Eddie, and Adam examine and consider the new form of ministry that focuses on online worship. Hamilton emphasizes the importance of holding onto the knowledge gained during this time and applying it to the future.

Resources:
• Jason Gray's song, “Order, Disorder, Reorder”

https://open.spotify.com/track/4f6gwNw4W4k11LBvrJib9f?si=oA_ZNeuzRI-fq08uVET7Qg

• Listen to other episodes: https://www.theweightpodcast.com
• The Weight on Instagram: @theweight_pod
• The Weight on Facebook: @theweightpod
• The Weight on Twitter: @theweight_pod
• Adam Hamilton on Instagram: @revadamhamilton
• Adam Hamilton on Twitter: @revadamhamilton
• Adam Hamilton on the web: adamhamilton.org
• Church of the Resurrection: www.cor.org

0014 - The Weight - Lo Alaman - "Lo The Poet" May 28, 2020

Christianity is often exhibited as a guide to truth and morality, but descriptions often fall short of its ability to help us access the fullness of beauty. Creatives are needed in Christianity to help guide the Church on a journey to engaging the fullness of God’s own creative power.
One creative who does this faithfully is Lo Alaman. Lo serves as the Director of Community Life at The Harvest Church in The Woodlands, Texas. In addition to his day job, Lo is well known for his spoken word that he crafts to help people have a fuller grasp of the beauty offered to us all through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Lo has performed throughout the country and is emerging as one of the utmost creative leaders within Wesleyan movements in the South.

In today’s episode, Lo helps us discern the essential nature of creativity in the Church’s work of guiding people to an holistic understanding of the love of Jesus Christ. We also discuss the ways in which the creative skill sets of the emerging generation should be more valued by the Church as it continues to grow in size and mission.
The Weight - Afterthoughts:

We've realized that a lot of great conversation actually happens AFTER we say goodbye to our guests and turn the microphones off. So, we decided to turn the mics back on (and a camera) and create a new segment called, Afterthoughts.

This will live on our new YouTube channel and you can find our Afterthoughts on this episode NOW!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_VemjLVyPw&feature=youtu.be

Resources:

As mentioned, Lo’s spoken word performance for his wife during his wedding went viral on Facebook and Youtube, serving as validation of the reach that creative expressions can have. Watch it here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rbC1uq4hwmA3Ax8_B_TvoQGH7hyO6Fc2b9XLc5KqQ_M/edit?usp=sharing

Here is a curated list of his performances at the church he currently serves, Harvest Church.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJhvjAmHgkApShZrd7pHcQucXs5aIG6bx

One of his most shared pieces, Lo performs “The Gospel” at RHETORIC 2015.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuG5aRgtCKk

Follow Lo on social media:

Tik Tok: @lohasgoodnews

Instagram: @lothepoet

0013 - The Weight - Wright Thompson - "The Rhythm and Religion of Sports" May 21, 2020

It is undeniable that sports have always played a significant role in our society. They have a unique way of uniting, inspiring, and exciting mass populaces in a manner that is irreplicable. For many communities in America, the sports scene plays a vital role in terms of general morale, and for many, economic vitality. Furthermore, sports have served as a therapeutic and restorative outlet for communities in the face of tragedy.

However, this outlet that we have often taken for granted has turned from a therapy to a threat as COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the globe. Stadiums stand empty, seasons are postponed or cancelled, and the future of our favorite pastimes are up in the air.

We feel the weight of this absence in our lives.

Joining us to discuss what it is that makes the absence of sports so impactful is Wright Thompson. Thompson is a senior writer for ESPN.com with an extensive career in sports journalism. A native Mississippian, Wright is well known for his work with ESPN’s 30 for 30 special covering the intersection of Ole Miss Football and the tumultuous events that took place on campus during its integration in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement in 1962.

Throughout his life, Wright has been immersed in the world of sports and has a deep understanding of the impact it has on culture, as well as the void it leaves when they are not around during times of crisis.

Resources:

The Ghosts of Mississippi http://www.espn.com/espn/eticket/story?page=mississippi62&redirected=true

Michael Jordan Has Not Left the Building

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/Michael-Jordan/michael-jordan-not-left-building

0012 - The Weight - Bishop James Swanson - Race and Healing May 14, 2020

A serious dialogue on race and equity is imperative for the life of the church, a truth that we are painfully reminded of in the aftermath of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, Georgia. How can the Church do better in its pursuit of justice for all? How can we pursue reconciliation that isn’t shallow or even callous, but rather is honest about the work that still needs to be done to bring about substantive change? How can we posture our hearts, minds, and actions towards the vision of God’s creation where all are truly cared for, valued, and protected?

To engage this conversation, we talk to Bishop James Swanson, the Episcopal Leader of the Mississippi Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Bishop Swanson honestly discusses issues such as white privilege, opportunity disparity, and how the Church should take an honest assessment of the need for repentance in terms of the ways we have discounted or disparaged the experiences of others for the sake of our convenience. As an African-American man who has seen racism in many forms throughout his life, Bishop Swanson opens up to us about his hopes for his children and grandchildren and the work that needs to be done to create a better world for them.

0011 - The Weight - Kevin Watson - "Big Pandemic. Small Groups." May 07, 2020

What could it look like to use this time of physical distancing to reclaim the transformational power of spiritual community?

In this week’s episode, we engage that question with Rev. Dr. Kevin Watson, Assistant Professor of Wesleyan and Methodist Studies at Candler School of Theology. Professor Watson’s research interests focus on the early Methodist practices of class and band Meetings: gatherings where the pursuit of holiness and the abundance of grace go hand in hand to bring about personal transformation.

An essential part of John Wesley’s structure for the Methodist movement that he founded, band and class meetings are small group gatherings that encourage holiness by giving participants the grace and space to be honest about the state of their souls and the sins that they have struggled with. In reflection on Wesley's class meeting and band meeting structure, early Methodist leader George Whitfield once said, "My Brother Wesley acted wisely, the souls that were awakened under his ministry he joined in class, and thus preserved the fruits of his labor. This I neglected, and my people are a rope of sand.”

In this episode, Chris and Eddie talk with Professor Watson about the importance of a renewed focus on this type of intentional, vulnerable community and how being a part of one, even if virtually for the time being, can help us confront our sins and grow in holiness during this time of global crisis.

Resources:

How to Quickly and Easily Launch Online Class Meetings

Professor Watson gives a clear, step by step guidance on how you can engage the early Methodist practice of Class Meetings while physically distancing.

Professor Watson’s Website

Professor Watson posts regular reflections on Wesleyan theology and its application to modern life on his personal website. You can also learn more about him and his writings.

The Class Meeting: Reclaiming a Forgotten (and Essential) Small Group Experience

Professor Watson writes about the structure of class meetings; a small group experience designed to lead participants to deeper discipleship.

The Band Meeting: Rediscovering Relational Discipleship in Transformational Community

Professor Watson writes about the structure of Band Meetings; a gathering that is typically geared for smaller, same gender groups where the honest confession of sins is encouraged for the sake of experiencing substantial grace.

0010 - The Weight - Josh West - Leading Toward the Common Good Apr 30, 2020

In the face of disruption brought about by COVID 19, businesses throughout the world are finding ways to adjust not only for the sake of themselves, but for the sake of their communities. One of those businesses is Blue Delta Jeans, a clothing manufacturer in North Mississippi that is known for their high-end, custom blue jeans.

When the pandemic became a reality in the United States, it forced Blue Delta CEO Josh West and his team to ask the question, “What’s next?" The answer has brought about a transformation of their operations as they have transitioned much of their focus from clothing production to the production of face masks for frontline healthcare workers.

Josh joins us in today’s episode of The Weight to discuss his company’s experience, socially conscious entrepreneurship, and his thoughts on how businesses leaders can find innovative ways to work toward the common good.

Resources:

Learn more about Josh’s company Blue Delta Jeans here: https://www.bluedeltajeans.com/

In this article from late March, Mississippi Today chronicles Blue Delta’s transition from jeans production to masks.

https://msbusiness.com/2020/03/blue-delta-shifting-from-jeans-production-to-masks/

For Christian leaders working in the church, non-profit, and for-profit sectors, we’ve been paying attention to the work of Praxis Labs which focuses on redemptive entrepreneurship. Here are two recent articles to go deeper:

https://journal.praxislabs.org/strategies-for-winter-redemptive-leadership-in-survival-times-f15a7791035a

https://journal.praxislabs.org/leading-beyond-the-blizzard-why-every-organization-is-now-a-startup-b7f32fb278ff

0009 - The Weight - Don Saliers - Reconnecting Liturgy and Life Apr 23, 2020

In times of adversity and crisis, it is helpful to seek the counsel of wise teachers. Our guest today, Don Saliers, Theologian in Residence at Candler School of Theology, is one of our wisest teachers. He’s handling social distancing, in part, by playing the piano, revisiting sacred music from Bach to the spirituals.

“There are times when I don’t have the words. And I don’t have the sense of what needs to be said. All I have is a kind of buzzing confusion of emotion or feeling, and then I come across a piece of music or a poem or psalm that articulates it for me, that gives me the language I need to say to God, and to myself.”

In this conversation, we explore the deep, rich treasury of Christian spirituality from music to poetry to prayer that allows us, even in adversity, to be fully alive to God as human beings in the world.
Psalms in Our Lamentable World, by Don Saliers:
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/yjmr/vol1/iss1/7/
Beethoven's Piano Sonatas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7sDg8_26N8
"Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXg9UFUXFXU
The Poetry of Mary Oliver:
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/mary-oliver

0008 - The Weight - Chase Parham - The Masters, A Dad, And Grief Apr 16, 2020

Chase Parham is well known in the Ole Miss community for his career in sports journalism. As a writer for Rivals.com and a podcaster for one of the most popular sports shows in Mississippi, Chase spends his time discussing topics and telling stories that pique the interest of Ole Miss fans throughout the state.

Today, Chase is with us to talk about a much different story.

Chase joins us to discuss grief and loss by reflecting on the loss of his newborn son, Clark, five years ago this week. In this episode, Chase walks us through how he and his wife Kara processed this loss, how their son continues to impact their lives to this day, as well as the hope they have found in their young daughter Carly Ann, who they adopted less than a year after their son’s passing.

In a time where many people throughout the world are facing grief, loss, and pain, we find it important to listen to this heart-felt story from Chase about his own experience. #TheWeightPod

Read his reflection on grieving the loss of his son here: https://rvls.co/34EXbLH

Follow the Oxford Exxon Podcast here: https://apple.co/2wGDeri

Follow Chase' work: https://olemiss.rivals.com/

Twitter: twitter.com/rivalschase

Facebook: https://bit.ly/2V91coC

0007 - The Weight - Sarah Heath - The Theology Of, "Huh" Apr 09, 2020

Each one of us is struggling to find our way through this strange season brought on by COVID19. Many of us feel stuck—life has been unexpectedly interrupted. This week’s guest on The Weight, Rev. Sarah Heath, calls these unexpected and uninvited moments in life “plot twists” because they’re not endings, but moments when our story takes a new shape. In this week’s conversation we’ll hear about what it’s like to do ministry in these days and how we can develop a “Theology of Huh.”

Sarah, the lead pastor of Costa Mesa UMC in Costa Mesa, California, was born in Canada before moving to Mississippi. She is a graduate of Duke Divinity School and an ordained elder in the California-Pacific Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. An actor, artist, author, and speaker, Sarah uses her many gifts to share God’s love with others. She has written two books, The Authenticity Challenge and What’s your Story? Seeing your life through God’s Eyes. She shares insights and stories on her podcasts, Sonderlust and Making Space.

Learn more about Sarah and her ministry at www.revsarahheath.com.

You can find her at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revsarahheath/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/minirevsarahheath/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/revsarahheath

Making Space Podcast: https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast%2Fmaking-spaces-with-rev-sarah-heath%2Fid1502133891&e=ATPaYRBj11S1hNefrJ8UyCW4KiEsNF8aOpmVxQLVPjq1squX1sCztHU23SaP2OcITYqkqIX8q-tOgR5V&s=1

0006 - The Weight - Aimee Nezhukumatathil - Finding Beauty In The Chaos Apr 02, 2020

There’s only so much weight we can carry before we need to lighten our load. This is a conversation about beauty, poetry, humanity, memory, love.
We’re talking to the renowned poet, Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Aimee was born in Chicago, IL to a Filipina mother and a father from South India. She is the author of multiple volumes of poetry from Miracle Fruit (2003) to Oceanic (2018). Her work has appeared in Poetry magazine, Ploughshares, FIELD, and American Poetry Review. Honors include a poetry fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Pushcart Prize. The Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters has honored “Oceanic,” a collection of poems by Aimee Nezhukumatathil of Oxford, with its 2019 award for poetry. Her colleague, Beth Ann Fennelly, wrote, “Commonly recognized as one of the finest poets of her generation, Nezhukumatathil is an important observer of the natural world and its human and nonhuman animals. Her metaphorical gifts are astonishing, as well as her nuanced feel for the details that make poems visceral and alive.”
We spoke with her before the world was consumed with news about the global pandemic. And we think you will find her to be a breath of fresh air.
To learn more about Aimee, visit her website: http://aimeenez.net
You can find her at:
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Aimee-Nezhukumatathil-official-181587295228446/
• Twitter @aimeenez
• Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3AAimee+Nezhukumatathil&s=relevancerank&ref=ntt_at_ep_srch
We can’t wait to read her next book, World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other AstonishmentsYou can pre-order it here: https://www.amazon.com/World-Wonders-Praise-Fireflies-Astonishments/dp/1571313656/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1585784010&refinements=p_27%3AAimee+Nezhukumatathil&s=books&sr=1-2

0005 - The Weight - Sarah Ligon - Suddenly Homeschoolers Mar 30, 2020

COVID-19 has impacted every dimension of our society. One of the consequences of the (necessary) decision to shut down public schools is that a lot of families find themselves suddenly reconfiguring the structure and rhythm of their lives. Today, we talk with Sarah Ligon, a seasoned homeschool parent of four children in our community, about the struggles of parenting for all of us in a global pandemic. She offers some wisdom, rules of thumb, strategies, and practical suggestions that emerge from her experience as a homeschooler. We walk about how to love your children well, care for their basic needs, learn alongside them, and how to reframe the day according to flexible rhythms rather than rigid structures. She also offers some ideas about how to make time for yourself when you’re with your kids all day everyday.

Here is an article Sarah wrote for her alma mater about homeschooling:
https://magazine.wellesley.edu/fall-2018/home-school

Here’s a book Sarah recommends as a primer for finding new rhythms with kids: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0967571308/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_0d9CEbBW4SYN6

Here’s a veteran homeschool parent, Julie Bogart, who offers accessible wisdom for non-homeschool parents:

https://bravewriter.com/

https://bravewriter.com/about/homebound

0004 - The Weight - Mike Slaughter - Leading In A Time Of Crisis Mar 26, 2020

As leaders across sectors continue to make transitions necessitated by COVID-19, we sought the wisdom and guidance of veteran pastor Mike Slaughter, Pastor Emeritus of Ginghamsburg Church, about how to lead in a time of crisis. Drawing upon four decades of experience and a ministry marked by innovation, Mike helped us to really think about the gravity of what we are experiencing. Mike leveled with us. We are not going back to normal. The novel coronavirus is not just something for leaders to “get through” for a few days or weeks. It is likely to affect our organizations and churches for years to come. Given that reality, he helps us think about how to quickly set aside our working assumptions and begin to ask the right questions to write a new playbook for ministry, not only in this season but for years to come.

Mike’s website: http://www.mikeslaughter.com/
Facebook: @PastorMikeSlaughter
Twitter: @RevMSlaughter

Here’s a recent blog post in which Mike asks “will COVID-19 Accelerate the De-Churching of America?

http://www.mikeslaughter.com/2020/03/13/will-covid-19-accelerate-the-de-churching-of-america/

Here’s a link to his most recent book Revolutionary Kingdom:

https://www.amazon.com/Revolutionary-Kingdom-Following-Rebel-Jesus/dp/1501887262/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=revolutionary+kingdom&qid=1574880638&sr=8-1

Here’s a link to an article by Andy Crouch that echoes a lot of what Mike talks about. It’s about why every organization must now be a startup:
https://journal.praxislabs.org/leading-beyond-the-blizzard-why-every-organization-is-now-a-startup-b7f32fb278ff

0003 - The Weight - Pat Ward - Mental Health and COVID-19 Mar 19, 2020

Coronavirus has cast the world into uncertainty and the constant news about the pandemic can feel relentless. The normal structures and rhythms of life are in upheaval. We know some of the things we’ve lost. We are bracing for others. It is taking a toll. How do we protect our mental health? Chris and Eddie bring in one of their good friends, Pat Ward. After a decade of leading a church in Oxford, Mississippi, Pat made a switch to clinical mental health counseling. Pat says, “I sit in a room with some of the most inspiring people I know. They stand up and face the thing that knocked them down every day. And they do it again and again. I get to be the first one who sees who they really are.” They talk about social distancing, anxiety, isolation, unstructured time, depression, loss, identity, and grief. Pat offers some very practical, constructive strategies for individuals, leaders, parents, and families to navigate a global pandemic in a way that encourages holistic physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Here is Pat’s website: https://www.patwardcounseling.com/
Overcoming Coronanxiety | Pat Ward Counseling | Oxford, Tupelo, Online

These are strange days indeed. Check out these helpful tips for combatting the Coronavirus anxiety associated with COVID-19.

Here are a few helpful guidelines that Pat offers for staying emotionally and mentally healthy during the changes associated with the Coronavirus outbreak: https://www.patwardcounseling.com/2020/03/14/overcoming-coronanxiety/?fbclid=IwAR2QqEl8Iamis1wE-7VsmrKERGlVW-aPsDAaSQFQFPDVU072MhWAknIMhZ8
Here’s an article about how to talk to kids about coronavirus:
https://parenting.nytimes.com/childrens-health/coronavirus-kids-talk

0002 - The Weight - Carolyn Moore Mar 12, 2020

Carolyn Moore is a United Methodist Pastor who planted in Mosaic UMC in 2003 and has served as Lead Pastor ever since. A leading voice in conversations about the future of Methodism, she has a passion for spirit-filled revival within the Wesleyan tradition as well as cultivating a new appreciation for what she calls “The Art of Holiness.” She is the Vice-Chair of the Wesleyan Covenant Association Council, a movement that connects “Spirit-ﬁlled, orthodox churches, clergy, and laity who hold to Wesleyan theology.”

In this episode, Chris and Eddie enter into a conversation with Carolyn about her understanding of the heart of Methodism, orthodoxy in the modern day Church, and the importance of understanding holiness not as bondage, but rather as something that brings about abundant life through Christ. In the midst of these topics, Carolyn shares her hopes for the future of an traditional expression of the Methodist faith.

The Art of Holiness Blog

Carolyn Moore writes about holiness not as simply following the rules so you don’t go to Hell. Holiness understood as an art can lead to the experience of human flourishing and joy and inform the future of the Methodist movement and the Church universal.

Supernatural : Kindle Version

In this book, Carolyn Moore invites readers on a journey of “rediscovering the supernatural.” Through biblical study and practical application, this book gives guidance on how to work alongside the Holy Spirit and to become more attune to the “powerful inbreakings of God’s kingdom all around you.”

0001 - The Weight - Bishop Ken Carter Mar 05, 2020

The Weight welcomes Bishop Ken Carter, the President of the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church to discuss the ongoing debate of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the United Methodist Church. Carter has been an active participant in many efforts to bring about a resolution to the impasse that the church is in, including being one of the leaders who developed and proposed the Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation that has a chance to be adopted at the upcoming General Conference of the United Methodist Church.
To engage the issue, we discussed topics involving theological pluralism, the essentials of Church practice, centrism, as well as what’s important to consider for potential church restructuring. Bishop Carter emphasizes the importance of having a pastoral heart when discerning how the church should be in ministry with LGBT persons as well as his passion for ensuring the vibrancy of the United Methodist Church for future leaders and congregants.
Resources:
Embracing the Wideness: The Shared Convictions of The United Methodist Church
This book is Bishop Carter’s attempt to chart a vision of “generous orthodoxy” for the future of the UMC.
Narrow is the Way
This is an essay by a young Wesleyan scholar named Justus Hunter, in which he critiques Bishop Carter's vision for the future of Methodism.
A Beginner's Guide to Practicing Scriptural Imagination
In this short book, Bishop Carter models an engagement with scripture that doesn’t simply emphasize “thinking” about the Bible or “applying” the Bible in practical ways as if the Scriptures were a guidebook. “Scriptural imagination” is the result of a person who has been so immersed in the biblical story that it transforms what they see and how they hope. Here, he focuses on four scripture passages to give readers an easy entry into the practice of scriptural imagination.