The Faithful Presence Podcast
Religion & Spirituality Podcas
A (mostly) weekly podcast focused on equipping servants and leaders working in Washington to flourish in their faith & work hosted by Rev. Michael Langer
Location:
United States
Description:
A (mostly) weekly podcast focused on equipping servants and leaders working in Washington to flourish in their faith & work hosted by Rev. Michael Langer
Twitter:
@FaithfulPresDC
Language:
English
Contact:
5406028381
Website:
https://faithful-presence.org/
Episodes
The Diversity of The Church as Blessing and Sanctification with David Bailey
9/14/2024
Series: “Election 2024: The Church and the Public Square”
Title: “The Diversity of The Church as Blessing and Sanctification”
Season 4, Episode 1
Subscribe on Youtube
More great resources at content.faithful-presence.org
Recorded August 29, 2024
For more on David Bailey and Arrabon
An excellent and balanced piece by Dr. Sean Lucas on The Doctrine of the Spirituality of the Church
Works cited:
Shirley Mullen, Claiming the Courageous Middle (2024)
Tim Alberta, The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory (2023)
Megan Bashan, Shepherds for Sale (2024)
Thanks to:
Natalie Burchfeil, Chief of Staff
Clayton Dryden, Content Production
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:01:04:57
"Claiming the Courageous Middle," with Dr. Shirley Mullen
6/23/2024
Michael and Dr. Mullen discuss connecting the social implications of the gospel to the salvific, the messiness of pastors trying to navigate social media's impact on ideological development, the impact of the "Big Sort" on mission, and whether people "have" opinions or "are" their opinions, the false humility of individualized truth claims, "changing the world," the importance of curiosity, interrogating our own beliefs first, and other great nuggets.
Work Cited
"The Big Sort," Bill Bishop
"Pensées," Blaise Pascal
The Federalist Papers
Thanks to David for another great podcast edit!
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:01:01:44
Engaging Our Culture (and Bioethics) with Dr. Luke Bobo
6/16/2024
Michael and Dr. Bobo plumb the depths of seminary education, working in both the public and theological worlds, navigating culture, a redemptive view of vocation, and how a divinity degree helps with bioethics conversations.
Works Cited
The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life, Os Guinness (2003)
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:01:27:04
"Questioning Faith," with Dr. Randy Newman
6/9/2024
Michael talks with scholar, author, and Faithful Presence board member, Dr. Randy Newman, about his most recent book, "Questioning Faith." Together they explore getting to know people, suffering, alcoholism, Christopher Hitchens, the importance of switchbacks, and how many books Dr. Newman has actually written.
For NPR's interview with Christopher Hitchens referenced by Dr. Newman, go to: https://www.npr.org/2010/06/05/127495653/christopher-hitchens-unusual-and-radical-life.
Dr. Randy Newman's SEVEN books can be located here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001KI1W0S
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:00:56:47
Dr. Justin Bailey and "Interpreting Your World: Five Lenses for Engaging Theology and Culture"
3/20/2024
Michael interviews Dr. Justin Bailey on his recent book and the importance of wedding ideological and cultural formation to emotional formation. Together they discuss aspects of Dutch-culture in NW Iowa and Chicago, the relationship of mental health to ideological discernment, the development of partisan polarization, power plays and changing the world, and how the five lenses paradigm can equip us for participating well in Christ's mission of making all things new.
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:01:05:07
How Church-based Racial Reconciliation Services Bless the Public Square
11/7/2023
In this episode, Michael hosts "D.B." and "Supe," two Chicago area pastors from vastly different demographic contexts living in the same Congressional District. Together, they explain how their love of the gospel and excellent preaching formed a friendship that pulled both into the work of racial reconciliation in their individual congregations. Finally, they explore the cultural objections to such services, the obstacles to pursuing reconciliation, and why these services matter to the public square.
Here is the link to the 1st Congressional District that the entire panel lived in prior to the most recent redistricting.
https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd113/cd_based/ST17/CD113_IL01.pdf
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:01:06:56
MASTER CLASS (1995 "Bootleg"): Tim Keller on "Evangelism through Networking"
9/25/2023
In this episode of the podcast, we dig back into the vault (aka Michael's computer) for another gem for the much-heralded "Tommy Tapes" delivered in 1995 during a church planting conference.
In the public square, networking is an essential skill for flourishing. It is how relationships are made, opportunities opened, and agendas advanced. And, while we should never see people as projects, we are called to "proclaim the excellencies of the one who called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light."
Many Christians struggle with moving a networking conversation from initial contact, to a relationship to, hopefully, a conversation about the gospel. In this recording, Dr. Keller discusses the role intentionality can bring the relationship to the gospel. Dr, Keller, even references Christian Embassy (a Washington-based ministry to diplomats) as an example of the role networking plays in evangelism.
How do we use inquiry, questions, a desire for belonging, and defeaters to engage people with the gospel? In other words, allowing them to lead themselves to the conversation.
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:00:59:34
Cultural Roundtable with Jeremy Knapp
9/15/2023
Michael and Jeremy discuss three recent articles from David Brooks, Peter Leithart, and Anne Snyder which all explore the ramifications of locating our identity in the therapeutic-driven constructions of culture:
David Brooks, "Hey America, Grow Up" from the New York Times
Peter Leithart, "Man Up!" from First Things
Ann Snyder, "Words Against Flesh" from Comment Magazine
Other works referenced:
Flannery O'Connor, address at Georgetown University
William Butler Yeats, “The Second Coming”
Rod Dreher, "The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation"
Gene Edward Veith, "Post-Christian: A Guide to Contemporary Thought and Culture"
Rebecca McLaughlin, The Secular Creed: Engaging Five Contemporary Claims
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:01:04:45
"The Politics of the Gospel"
8/7/2023
The trial of Jesus in Matthew 27 provides some fairly pointed insight and commentary on how we view those serving and leading in government. In this episode, Michael unpacks how the gospel upends our political values and exposes our political longings.
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:00:47:36
Getting What You Deserve
7/6/2023
In Washington, and everywhere else, flourishing and success often comes to those that freely use unrighteous and unjust means to get there and those who remain faithful often feel as though they do not receive what they deserve from God for being faithful. In this episode, Michael speaks to this situation using a number of Psalms.
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:00:54:37
Mission and the Four Questions of Faithful Presence
6/11/2023
In this episode Michael outlines and examines the four questions of Faithful Presence which are:
1: What is good that needs encouragement?
2: What is broken that requires restoration?
3: What is missing that awaits creation?
4: What is evil that demands opposition?
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:00:53:01
MASTER CLASS (1995 "Bootleg"): Tim Keller on Reaching the Secular Man
5/23/2023
In this episode, Michael shares a rare recording of Dr. Tim Keller giving a seminar to a small group of church planters circa 1995 (before any of his published works). While aimed at church planters, this talk is universally helpful in navigating culture in a post-modern and post-Christian world, overcoming defeaters to Christian faith claims, and making the gospel clear to seekers and skeptics. In this talk, Keller covers everything from avant-garde art and Camus to housing projects and the gender debate in a Master Class on reaching the secular man.
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:01:28:19
Humanity, Insecurity, Trust, and Everything
5/9/2023
In this episode, Michael explores three aspects of insecurity: uncertainty, weakness and unease, and how these realities of our humanity present both challenges and opportunities to trust in Christ. For those serving and leading in Washington, this episode will interact with how embracing our humanity is actually one of the biggest hurdles to living in a posture of faithful presence.
Michael also address how embracing his humanity played a large role in the long gap between episodes.
Resources: Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, Pete Scazzaro
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:00:50:16
Facing our Humanity in Life, The Workplace, and the Public Square
5/6/2023
In this episode, Michael begins a conversation on the reality of our humanity and how it places limits on our ability to navigate our world. As we are faced with our humanity, we often enter into uncertainty, weakness, and unease. It is in these moments that we learn to trust Jesus.
Michael also candidly shares about how his own uncertainty, weakness, and unease contributed to the delay in moving forward with Season 2 of the podcast.
Central Text: Acts 1:1-11
Resources: The Emotional Healthy Disciple, Peter Scazarro
Intro music: "B-o-o-g-o-l-o-o" by the Diplomats of Solid Sound, from their 2010 album, What Goes Around Comes Around.
Exit music: "Plenty Nasty" by the Diplomats of Solid Sound featuring the Diplomettes, from their 2008 self-titled album.
Duration:00:50:00
Finding Hope In Hopelessness
3/6/2023
In this season opener of the second season of The Faithful Presence Podcast, Michael shares a recent sermon that he gave on the final chapter on the book of Acts.
In this sermon, Michael addresses the fact that 2023 will probably not be much better than 2022, 2020, all the years before that, and what to do if we aren’t “living our best lives now.”
Intro music: "B-o-o-g-o-l-o-o" by the Diplomats of Solid Sound, from their 2010 album, What Goes Around Comes Around.
Exit music: "Plenty Nasty" by the Diplomats of Solid Sound featuring the Diplomettes, from their 2008 self-titled album.
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:00:48:44
"Changing People & Places" with Dr. Abe Cho and Dr. Greg Perry
12/12/2022
In this episode, Michael speaks with the authors of a recent article published at The Washington Institute to reconsider the importance of those living on the margins in Christ's mission of making all things new.
In reconsidering and recalibrating James Davidson Hunter's work, "To Change the World," Abe and Greg discuss the central place of "table fellowship" in disciple making, how common grace and particular grace meet in "middle grace," and the role of churches in mitigating polarization.
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:01:18:39
"The Ministry of Politics" with Dr. Bob Burns and Dr. Donald Guthrie
11/21/2022
Feeling exhausted and wondering if you should just leave Washington? Ever gotten burned by someone you thought was a confidant? Having difficulty navigating power differentials? Frustrated by the complications of "unspoken" agendas?
In this highly relevant episode Michael talks with two of the the authors of "Resilient Ministry" and "The Politics of Ministry" about how, as Christians, we can not only survive but thrive in one of the most demanding vocations around - serving and leading in government.
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:01:08:25
"Agents of Flourishing" with Dr. Amy Sherman
11/14/2022
During this AMAZING episode, Michael and Dr. Sherman discuss the role of the righteous in the flourishing of others, how "flourishing" has become a trigger word for some, subjecting the "right" and "left" to God's definitions of flourishing, expanding the expectations of the gospel, and the current impact of Mexican hip-hop in making all things new.
Intro music: "B-o-o-g-o-l-o-o" by the Diplomats of Solid Sound, from their 2010 album, What Goes Around Comes Around.
Exit music: "Plenty Nasty" by the Diplomats of Solid Sound featuring the Diplomettes, from their 2008 self-titled album.
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:00:56:09
Deep Dive: Apologetics & Evangelism with Dr Randy Newman
11/6/2022
On this episode Michael chats with author and C.S. Lewis scholar, Dr. Randy Newman about the shortcomings of “lifestyle evangelism,” persuasion in an age of polarization, responding to cultural defeaters, why questions work better than assertions, the importance of admitting the incomplete answers Christians can offer, and the critical role of cultural apologetics in whole-life discipleship.
Books by Dr. Newman:
Mere Evangelism
Questioning Evangelism
Other links from the episode:
Good Faith
Short People by the other Randy Newman
Intro music: "B-o-o-g-o-l-o-o" by the Diplomats of Solid Sound, from their 2010 album, What Goes Around Comes Around.
Exit music: "Plenty Nasty" by the Diplomats of Solid Sound featuring the Diplomettes, from their 2008 self-titled album.
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:01:01:33
Deep Dive: Cultural Discipleship Featuring Jeremy Knapp
10/31/2022
Michael and guest, Jeremy Knapp, discuss the differences between churches - cultural engagement in Korea and the United States. Jeremy gives a close perspective on recent school shootings in St. Louis, the burden of changing the world, and what Britney Spears and Lady Gaga can teach us about Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World.
Links from the episode:
Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down by Marva Dawn
Dedication and Leadership by Douglass Hyde
Argerich’s Abbado: Prokofiev - Piano Concerto No. 3
Good Friday Meditation by Jinah Knapp
Intro music: "B-o-o-g-o-l-o-o" by the Diplomats of Solid Sound, from their 2010 album, What Goes Around Comes Around.
Exit music: "Plenty Nasty" by the Diplomats of Solid Sound featuring the Diplomettes, from their 2008 self-titled album.
Bumper music: The Diplomats of Solid Sound
For more information on Faithful Presence, connect with us at faithful-presence.org.
Duration:01:03:08