Church and Main

Church and Main

At the Intersection of Religion and Public Life

Church and Main is a religion and public affairs podcast. We look at where religion intersects with 21st-century public life with a focus on the story of Mainline Protestantism, its problems, its strengths, and its future. Join Pastor Dennis Sanders on the journey.

Reviews:
Is There Anything Good About the Church? with Anthony Robinson | Episode 180
April 29, 2024
180
47:1337.83 MB

Is There Anything Good About the Church? with Anthony Robinson | Episode 180

It's common these days to focus on the drawbacks of church. But what's good about church? Theologian and pastor Anthony Robinson joins me on the podcast to talk about his most recent blog post on the positive aspects of the church in our society. Robinson highlights the importance of institutions an...

The High Cost of Reconciliation with Joy Moore | BONUS
April 25, 202412:3510.09 MB

The High Cost of Reconciliation with Joy Moore | BONUS

In this bonus episode, I revisit an interview with Joy Moore, a professor of biblical preaching at Luther Seminary. We discussed reconciliation amid societal divisions. Moore shares stories illustrating the challenges of reconciliation and stresses the importance of finding common ground across raci...

Letters From a Broken Church | Episode 179
April 17, 2024
179
25:2320.36 MB

Letters From a Broken Church | Episode 179

In this episode, I delve into the essence of the podcast and the current state of mainline Protestantism. I share my journey of self-discovery in launching the podcast and reflect on the challenges facing mainline Protestantism, emphasizing the importance of diversity of thought as much as visual di...

Pastoral Leadership in the AI Era with Jeremy Wilhelmi | Episode 178
April 15, 2024
178
42:0833.76 MB

Pastoral Leadership in the AI Era with Jeremy Wilhelmi | Episode 178

Can artificial intelligence hold its own when it comes to the soul-stirring task of crafting spiritual materials? Guest Jeremy Wilhelmi and I embark on an enthralling discussion on the intersection of AI and pastoral ministry. We delve into Jeremy's experiment that tests AI's ability to compose bene...

Reinventing Church Funding with Grace Pomroy | Episode 177
April 04, 2024
177
48:2038.74 MB

Reinventing Church Funding with Grace Pomroy | Episode 177

Ever wondered how churches can sustain their missions in a world where the traditional offering plate falls short? The financial fabric that supports our churches is undergoing a radical makeover. This episode isn't just about recounting struggles; it's a treasure trove of inventive solutions, from ...

Holding on to Sacred Spaces with Loren Richmond Jr. | BONUS
April 01, 202408:376.92 MB

Holding on to Sacred Spaces with Loren Richmond Jr. | BONUS

In this clip from a conversation from January 2024, Loren Richmond Jr. voices concerns about diminishing appreciation for the sacredness embodied in church buildings.

Episode 176: Voting as a Moral Act with Bryan McGraw
March 27, 2024
176
57:4746.32 MB

Episode 176: Voting as a Moral Act with Bryan McGraw

Could your vote be an act of pure democratic expression or merely a move in a complex game of strategic power? Grapple with the profound implications of casting a ballot as I'm joined by Brian McGraw, an associate professor at Wheaton College, to navigate the treacherous waters of sincere versus str...

BONUS: Paul Moore on Caring About Mainline Decline

BONUS: Paul Moore on Caring About Mainline Decline

Welcome to a Bonus episode that is part of a series called "Church and Main Shorts," snippets from recent episodes. In an interview from December 2023, Paul Moore on fostering growth within mainline churches. Moore discusses the challenges faced by denominations in embracing change and the importanc...