United? We Pray

Overview: This is part two of a roundtable discussion we had with some of our favorite pastors. We talk through what primarily white churches should think about before they consider hiring a black pastor. Part one is mostly about things to avoid. This episode is about the things we should be doing. Links & Show Notes: Austin’s article about being the only white person at the cookout.

Overview: This is part one of a roundtable discussion we had with some of our favorite pastors. We talk through what primarily white churches should think about before they consider hiring a black pastor. Part one is mostly about things to avoid. Part two (next week) will be about the things we should be doing Links & Show Notes:

Overview: We are joined today by Jasmine Holmes. Jasmine puts up with our nonsense and blesses us with her wisdom on life, history, theology, interacting with those who disagree, and how she balances it all. This is an instant favorite of ours and we hope you enjoy. Links & Show Notes: You can get Jasmine’s latest book here. The article she did for us. Her website where you can buy or download the resources we discussed in the episode.

Overview: There’s so much hard news these days. Isaac and Austin sit down to talk about how we cope with the hard things in life, how and when to take a break from receiving news, and how to stay engaged without either going numb or despairing. Links & Show Notes:

Overview: Author Blake Long joins Austin on the podcast to talk about his book, Gospel Smugness. Blake has a particular burden to influence Christians toward godlier discourse as we engage each other and the watching world. We hope you are encouraged. Links & Show Notes: You can get Blake Long’s book here.

Overview: Austin and Isaac discuss diversity in local churches. What does it mean for a church to be multi-ethnic? How should churches think about diversity? Does diversity mean adding minority members to white churches, or can it be more than that? Links & Show Notes: Derwin Gray has done good work on thinking through multi-ethnic churches. Get his books here. Jamie Dunlop’s article on how diversity is hard and costly.

Overview: Sean DeMars of the Defend & Confirm podcast stopped by to talk with Isaac about the different inclinations Christians can have toward complicated, controversial topics. Sean also shared his heart about how Christians passionate about truth must not be unkind in how they go about making their case. Links & Show Notes: Kevin DeYoung’s article on four approaches to complex issues. Austin’s article on not calling people woke, choosing our battles, preaching the gospel, and on not being a jerk. Our kit on Critical Race Theory.

Overview: This episode is part housekeeping while trying to also practice what we preach. Isaac and Austin talk about some slight changes coming to the podcast, our heart behind those changes, and a hard conversation we had recently that demonstrates why this is important. Links & Show Notes: Austin’s article on choosing our battles and on not being a jerk.

Overview: Dr. Thomas Kidd stopped by to talk with Austin about his new book Thomas Jefferson: A Biography of Spirit and Flesh. How we process complex historical figures is something we’ve discussed at some length here at United? We Pray. Thomas Jefferson is perhaps one of the most complicated figures one could study, and Dr. Kidd has done a thorough and fair job in this excellent book. There is much to learn and lament about this tragic figure. Links & Show Notes: Dr. Kidd’s book.

Overview: Dr. George Yancey stopped by to talk with Austin about his new book Beyond Racial Division. He talks about his mutual accountability framework and the importance of moral persuasion. This hopeful conversation lays out ways forward in what seems at times like a discouraging topic. Dr. Yancey reminds us that God is still working and that normal Christian categories can apply to conversations about race. Links & Show Notes: Dr. Yancey’s new book. Dr. Yancey’s essay for us on mutual accountability.

Overview: This episode was prompted by several of our favorite people leaving social media. Our friends Ray Ortlund and Jackie Hill Perry announced (independently from each other) that they would be leaving social media due to unkind, discouraging behavior seeming to dominate sites like Twitter and Facebook. Isaac and Austin talk about how Christians should view social media and our participation in it. Links & Show Notes: Isaac’s article on tone. Austin’s article on speech.

Overview: Should Christians get political? Should our politics stop at the church’s front door? Why are Christians who talk about race accused of bringing politics into Christianity? Isaac and Austin talk discuss these issues and make that case that Christians need to be OK with folks disagreeing with us. Links & Show Notes: Austin’s article on being a political pharisee and article following the last presidential election. To learn more about United? We Pray follow us on Twitter or our website. Please consider rating the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and subscribe using your favorite podcast client to hear more! Produced by Josh Deng with editing by Roshane Ricketts.

Overview: Just a note to let you know there is not a new episode this week, but check the feed this time next week for new content. Grace and Peace Links & Show Notes: To learn more about United? We Pray follow us on Twitter or our website. Please consider rating the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and subscribe using your favorite podcast client to hear more! Produced by Josh Deng with editing by Roshane Ricketts.

Overview: There are some really good books about race written from a Christian perspective. Austin and Isaac highlight some of our favorite resources and explain how best to use them when reading by yourself or with others. Take up and read! We hope you pray for fruit from the good resources being published right now. Links & Show Notes: Jarvis Williams’ books. Derwin Gray’s books. George Yancey’s books. Shai Linne’s book. Isaac’s book. Isaac’s article cautioning folks to read before starting hard conversations about race. To learn more about United? We Pray follow us on Twitter or our website. Please consider rating the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and subscribe using your favorite podcast client to hear more! Produced by Josh Deng with editing by Roshane Ricketts.

Overview: We’re sorry for the audio quality on this one. We recorded this on the road and one of our mics malfunctioned. We decided to post the interview despite the sub-par audio because Bobby is just so good. “Bible Bobby” as he is known, has been a faithful minister for decades in California. He has seen times changes and offers his perspective on where we’ve come from and how far we have yet to go, in regards to racism. Links & Show Notes: You can read Bobby’s articles he wrote for us here To learn more about United? We Pray follow us on Twitter or our website. Please consider rating the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and subscribe using your favorite podcast client to hear more! Produced by Josh Deng with editing by Roshane Ricketts.