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.
Why Minneapolis Needs Potlucks with Rachel Pieh Jones | Episode 268
Rachel Pieh Jones joins to talk about the importance of potlucks in Minneapolis during a time of division. Drawing from her experiences in Djibouti and Somaliland, Rachel discusses how communal meals can bridge diverse communities and foster empathy, particularly amid the challenges faced by immigra...
Character Matters in Politics with Matt Lewis | Episode 267
Political commentator Matt Lewis joins the podcast to talk about the shifting relationship between character and politics from the 1990s to the present. We examine how character dynamics during the Bill Clinton era contrast with current debates surrounding Donald Trump. Matt shares personal insights...
Can AI Help or Hinder Human Flourishing? with Paul Hoffman | Episode 266
Dr. Paul Hoffman speaks about the intersection of faith and technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI). Dr. Hoffman discusses his recent book, "AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep," exploring how AI can both aid and hinder human flourishing from a theological perspective. We look at the implica...
The Lost Cultural Influence of the Religious Left with Lane Davis | Episode 265
Lane Davis, an ordained minister and assistant professor of Church History, unpacks his insightful article, "How the Religious Left Ceded Power to the Religious Right." We explore Lane's journey from pastoral ministry to academia and discuss the historical decline of liberal Christianity's political...
Renee Good and Minnesota ICE with Eric Elkin | Episode 264
Looking at the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis and how the church responds.
The Role of Grace in Public Life with Brad Todd | Episode 263
In this episode, I chat with Brad Todd, a political commentator for CNN, about the significance of grace in our polarized society. We discuss the challenges of maintaining grace in civil discourse, the impact of recent political scandals, and the disconnect between clergy and congregants. Brad advoc...
How Grace Leads to Care for the Poor With Todd Brewer | Episode 262
How Gratitude allows us to Remember the Poor.
The Future of the Disciples of Christ with David Emery and Loren Richmond Jr. | Episode 261
On the next-to-last episode of the year, Dennis joins Loren Richmond Jr. and David Emery to discuss the future of the Disciples of Christ. The trio examines the meaning of “no creed but Christ,” current generational and theological challenges, and the church’s evolving identity. They then emphasize ...
