Reconciliation Roundtable

In this episode, we welcome Sean Rowe, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, discussing his early formation in a conservative Christian context, the importance of building bridges across divides, and the lessons learned from historical movements like the Confessing Church. They explore the role of the church in democracy, the need to listen to marginalized voices, and the challenges of maintaining a prophetic witness in a polarized society. The conversation emphasizes humility, common ground, and the importance of a compelling vision of Christianity that transcends political divides.Episode Summary00:00 Introduction and guest background02:18 Sean Rowe's formation in conservative evangelical tradition03:14 Building bridges across political and religious divides05:43 The importance of humility and common ground08:51 Lessons from the confessing church in Germany during Nazism13:36 Practices for opening our eyes to injustice15:14 Listening to marginalized voices and systemic change16:26 The church as a load-bearing wall for democracy18:55 The Episcopal Church's relationship with secular power23:44 Addressing prejudice and polarization in faith communities31:45 Reclaiming a compelling Christian witness

In this episode, we welcome Reverend Dr. Mark Turman, who is the executive director of the Denison Forum, which is a ministry that has a commitment to and a passion for equipping believers to navigate today's complex culture with biblical truth.The Denison Forum is an extensive online ministry. It produces the daily article, a daily email providing biblical perspective on current events. Mark hosts the Faith and Clarity podcast, which is part of the Denison Forum. I was a guest of Mark a couple of months ago. He is the co-author of Sacred Spirituality, Reclaiming God's Design, and the co-author of Who Am I? What the Bible says. It is about identity and why it matters.

In this episode, we welcome Rev. Pat Mahoney, a nationally known Christian social and political activist, and an ordained minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Rev. Mahoney is director of the Christian Defense Coalition, a ”national ministry committed to challenging the Body of Christ to live out their faith in the public Born in New Jersey, Rev. Mahoney attended the University of Dayton and the Faith School of Theology in Maine. His early ministerial experiences in New York City led him to embrace a commitment to expanding the role of the church in addressing society’s wrongs. He began to develop and nurture social programs, and has worked tirelessly on pro-life causes, homelessness, hunger, racism and other pressing issues of social justice from a Christ-centered biblical perspective.Our discussion explores Pat's engagement in public witness, his work with Operation Rescue, our common work on Gun Violence, and our differing views on engaging other faith communities.Guest LinksFacebook (https://www.facebook.com/revmahoney/)Instagram (‪https://www.instagram.com/revmahoney/)

In this episode, we welcome Jonathan Rauch, a senior fellow of the Governance Studies program at Brookings Institution and the author of nine books and many articles on public policy, culture, and government. He is a contributing writer of The Atlantic and recipient of the 2005 National Magazine Award, the magazine industry’s equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. His latest book, published in 2025 by Yale, is Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy.Our discussion explores Jonathan's deep interest in and perspectives on Christianity as "a load bearing wall" for American democracy, challenges faced by mainline and evangelical churches, and the differences between what he calls "thin, sharp, and thick" religious expressions of faith. Jonathan underscores the importance of core Christian principles like fearlessness, imitation of Jesus, and forgiveness in strengthening America's democratic fabric. The conversation provides insights into lessons that secular and religious communities can learn from each other to address political polarization and foster a more unified society. Guest LinksWebsite (https://www.jonathanrauch.com/)Bluesky (‪@jonrauch.bsky.social‬)Episode Summary00:00 Introduction01:08 Jonathan's Relationship with Faith and Religion01:56 The Role of Religion in Society03:35 Experiences in Japan and Spiritual Insights04:33 Religion as a Human Universal09:44 Christianity's Role in Democracy13:55 Challenges Facing American Churches Today18:27 The LDS Church and Civic Theology29:52 Radical Incrementalism and Truth36:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Join host Mark Beckwith, retired bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, and guest Rev. Rick Joyner, a prominent Evangelical leader, author, public speaker, and founder of Morningstar Ministries, a multi-faceted mission organization which includes Heritage International Ministries, MorningStar University, and MorningStar Fellowship of Churches and Ministries.We explore how to respectfully build mutual understanding and work together across our differences. Rick shares about his life-changing conversion, his strong support for President Trump as well as first-hand experiences and impressions of him, his belief in God as the greatest unifier, and the challenges and hopes that he sees for the country. We also discuss finding unity in diversity and the ongoing pursuit of liberty and justice for all.Guest LinksMorningStar Ministries WebsiteFacebook (MorningStar Ministries)Facebook (Rick Joyner)YouTube (Rick Joyner Official)Books (MorningStar Book Store)

In this episode we welcome Jim Wallis, a writer, teacher, preacher and justice advocate who believes the gospel of Jesus must be emancipated from its cultural and political captivities. He is a New York Times bestselling author, public theologian, preacher and commentator on ethics and public life. He is the inaugural holder of the Chair in Faith and Justice and the founding Director of the Georgetown University Center on Faith and Justice. He is the founder of Sojourners, and is the author of 12 books and host of the popular podcast The Soul of the Nation. Jim and I discuss his faith journey, his founding the Sojourner community and magazine, his current role as the Desmond Tutu Chair for Faith and Justice at Georgetown University, lessons he learned from Bishop Tutu in South Africa, the difference between hope and optimism, and the importance of integrating faith with the pursuit of justice. Our dialogue delves into responding to Christian nationalism, advocating for the poor, and maintaining hope in challenging times.Guest LinksCenter on Faith & Justice at Georgetown UniversityThe Jim Wallis Podcast: Soul of a NationBooksSubstack BlogFacebookBluesky (@revjimwallis.bsky.social)X / Twitter (@jimwallis)

In this episode, we welcome a very special guest, the dynamic and inspirational Bishop Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church. Known worldwide for his passionate proclamation of "The Way of Love," Bishop Curry's ministry centers on the transformative power of God’s unconditional love to heal, unite, and renew.With his charismatic preaching style and a heart devoted to justice, reconciliation, and inclusion, Bishop Curry rose to international prominence after delivering a moving sermon on the power of love at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Yet his legacy extends far beyond that moment, as he has consistently challenged the Church to follow Jesus by embracing love, confronting societal divisions, fighting injustice, and embodying hope in action.Join us as Bishop Curry and our host, Bishop Mark Beckwith, discuss a vision for a more compassionate world and how we can all embrace love as a force for transformation in our own lives. This conversation will inspire and uplift anyone searching for deeper meaning, courage, and connection.Guest LinksThe Way of Love PodcastFacebook (@PBMBCurry)X / Twitter (@BishopCurry)Instagram (@pb_curry)Guest BooksLove Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times (2020)The Power of Love: Sermons, Reflections, and Wisdom to Uplift and Inspire (2018)Songs My Grandma Sang (2015)Following the Way of Jesus: Volume 6 (Church's Teachings for a Changing World) (2013)Crazy Christians: A Call to Follow Jesus (2013)

It's an honor to welcome new guest Curtis Chang to Reconciliation Roundtable to discuss his efforts to bridge partisan divides through his work on the The Good Faith Podcast and The After Party project. In this episode, we delve into the importance of addressing spiritual dysfunctions in the Church and fostering meaningful dialogues across differences. Curtis offers helpful insights into overcoming political polarization, the temptations of power, and finding hope and mission in local communities.Curtis Chang is a consulting professor at Duke Divinity School and a Senior Fellow at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is also a former senior pastor of an Evangelical Covenant Church in San Jose, California. Curtis is the author of The Anxiety Opportunity: How Worry Is the Doorway to Your Best Self (2023) and co-author with Nancy French of The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics (2024).Curtis is the Executive Director of Redeeming Babel, home of The After Party faith & politics course. He's also the host of The Good Faith Podcast, where friends who follow Jesus gather each week for conversations that matter.He founded Redeeming Babel in 2019 to address three underlying theological problems driving the chaos and confusion of our current world. These three problems damage Christians in their interior, institutional, and societal selves:a mistaken spirituality of anxiety (interior)a missing theology of organizations (institutional)a misshapen approach to politics (societal)Guest LinksRedeeming BabelThe After Party: Toward Better Christian PoliticsThe Good Faith PodcastFacebook (@CurtisChangOfficial)X / Twitter (@CurtisChangRB)

In this episode, I welcome new guest Dr. Ryan Burge, an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. He is the author or co-author of four books including The Nones, 20 Myths about Religion and Politics in America, and The Great Dechurching. He has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and POLITICO. He has also appeared on 60 Minutes, where Anderson Cooper called him, "one of the leading data analysts of religion and politics in the United States." He previously served as a pastor of an American Baptist Church for over seventeen years.Together, we dive into Ryan's journey as a researcher, data analyst, and person of faith exploring the nuanced landscape of American religion and politics. Our conversation covers the growth of the religiously unaffiliated "nones" and "dones" and examines the broader implications of religious disaffiliation across America. We also discuss the intricate dynamics between faith communities, political identities, and the strong cultural markers that influence them. Ryan sheds light on the important role that empathy, service, and community engagement play in his work and life, and underscores the significance of faithful mission over perceived success.Guest LinksWebsite & Books (drburge.com/books)Substack (@ryanburge)Instagram (@graphsaboutreligion)X/Twitter (@ryanburge)

Reverend Adam Hamilton is the founding Senior Pastor of the Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City, the largest Methodist church in the U.S. Adam grew up in the Kansas City area, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Methodist University. He is the author of numerous books, served as a presidential appointee in the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, and frequently speaks on leadership across the US.In this episode, we discuss our collaborative work to promote kindness and depolarize America through initiatives like the Campaign for Kindness and Braver Angels. Adam shares insights on his church's growth, guiding principles, and the importance of fostering intellectual and spiritual discourse within diverse congregations. We also explore how faith communities can model respectful political dialogue and embody Christ's teachings to create a more just and equitable world.Cathy Bien, lead director of communications and public relations at Church of the Resurrection, also joins to discuss their collaborative projects and campaigns to encourage kindness and empathy in advance of the 2024 election.Guest LinksAdam's Website & Books (adamhamilton.com/books)Facebook (@PastorAdamHamilton)X / Twitter (@RevAdamHamilton)Instagram (@RevAdamHamilton)Campaign for Kindness (campaignforkindness.com)Resurrection, A United Methodist Church (resurrection.church)Sermons on YouTube