The Spirit of our politics
With Michael Wear
Lead Pastor Gathering 2024
Interview 2
For interview 1, see below.
In this group interview, we dive deep into the intersection of faith and public life with Michael Wear, founder of the Center for Christian and Public Life and author of The Spirit of Our Politics. Joined by several lead pastors from our network, we explore the challenges pastors face in navigating politics within the church and how they can provide guidance without becoming reactive to the constantly shifting political landscape. We discuss how to remain anchored in faith while addressing the political and social issues that impact our congregations today. Michael offers practical advice for pastors seeking to foster a culture of empathy and understanding within their communities.
Michael will be one of our speakers at our upcoming Lead Pastor Gathering.
Episode Highlights:
[03:22] What would you recommend for pastors and Christians navigating these uncertain political times?
[07:00] How can pastors compete with the overwhelming media influence and help congregants develop a Christ-centered approach to politics?
[12:02] How do pastors provide relief from election stress disorder while still engaging with political topics?
[19:40] How can church leaders create space for fruitful conversations on political and social issues?
[25:51] How can faith leaders discern when to speak out against political actions without appearing politically biased?
[33:24] The danger of making voting a moral issue and how to navigate it thoughtfully.
[38:26] How to help people understand that the local church is not a forum for advocacy but a place for spiritual integrity.
[46:16] Michael suggests resources and practices for equipping congregants to be better Christ followers, not just political participants.
[59:59] Michael reflects on hope: What gives you hope about the future of the church and its role in politics?
Links & Resources:
Bonus Discussion: Michael Turns the tables and asks the group a question–”what’s working?”
Interview 1
In this interview, Mike Davis (our Director of Ministry Resources) sat down with Michael, founder and CEO of the Center for Christian and Public Life, to discuss his new book, "The Spirit of Our Politics."
Michael will be one of our speakers at our upcoming Lead Pastor Gathering.
In this interview, Michael shares his insights on how faith communities can engage with political life without becoming overwhelmed or divided. He offers practical advice for pastors on managing political exhaustion and highlights the importance of integrating faith into public discourse. Join us as we delve into the challenges and opportunities of navigating the intersection of faith and politics in today's world.
Episode Highlights:
[00:06] - Introduction to Michael and his work with the Center for Christian and Public Life.
[01:17] - The significance of Michael’s new book, "The Spirit of Our Politics."
[02:52] - Addressing political exhaustion within faith communities.
[05:18] - How to integrate politics into the work of the church without adding extra burdens.
[08:29] - The pitfalls of expecting pastors to provide political commentary.
[10:59] - The impact of political culture on church life.
[12:05] - Understanding political polarization and its components: aversion, othering, and misplaced moralization.
[20:21] - The concept of political hobbyists and their influence on political engagement.
[28:03] - C.S. Lewis’s perspective on combining faith and politics.
[30:28] - Placing politics within the context of the gospel.
[34:19] - The importance of personal responsibility in political engagement.