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Episode | Date |
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How Church Abuse Contributes to Dechurched Casualties
00:49:52
In this episode of As In Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Mike Aitcheson welcome Justin Holcomb to discuss the meaning of "dechurched casualties" and how abuse in a church environment contributes to people leaving the church. They discuss how to better engage those who have experienced abuse, especially spiritual and church abuse, and how the gospel is the ultimate source of healing. Episode time stamps:
This episode is part of As in Heaven’s third season, devoted to The Great Dechurching—the largest and fastest religious shift in U.S. history. To learn more about this phenomenon on which the episodes of this season are based, preorder The Great Dechurching by Michael Graham and Jim Davis. |
May 31, 2023 |
What Is Casual Dechurching and Is There Hope?
00:47:31
In this episode of As in Heaven, Jim Davis and Michael Graham welcome Patrick Miller to discuss the meaning of casual dechurching. They address the idea of casual dechurching and provide insights into why roughly three-quarters of those who have dechurched fit this category. You'll learn how we can better engage this group of people and why there is tremendous hope that many of them will return to church. Episode time stamps:
This episode is part of As In Heaven’s third season, devoted to The Great Dechurching—the largest and fastest religious shift in US history. To learn more about this phenomenon upon which the episodes of this season are based, pre-order The Great Dechurching by Michael Graham and Jim Davis. |
May 24, 2023 |
How Did We Arrive Here? A Philosophical and Historical Journey Toward Dechurching
00:48:45
In this episode of As In Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Michael Aitcheson welcome Collin Hansen to discuss the historical roots of dechurching. Hansen delves into events like the Enlightenment and the First Great Awakening, biblical criticism, the rise of the internet and technology, and more. You'll learn how these historical moments can inform how we navigate and understand dechurching in America today. Episode time stamps:
This episode is part of As In Heaven’s third season, devoted to The Great Dechurching—the largest and fastest religious shift in US history. To learn more about this phenomenon upon which the episodes of this season are based, pre-order The Great Dechurching by Michael Graham and Jim Davis. |
May 17, 2023 |
Who Are the Dechurched in America and Why Did They Leave?
00:52:38
In this episode of As In Heaven, host Jim Davis welcomes guests Ryan Burge and Michael Graham to discuss the dechurched in America—who are they and why did they leave? They discuss detailed insights about the 40 million adult Americans who have dechurched in the last 30 years and talk in-depth about the four different profiles of dechurched evangelicals. Episode time stamps:
This episode is part of As In Heaven’s third season, devoted to The Great Dechurching—the largest and fastest religious shift in US history. To learn more about this phenomenon upon which the episodes of this season are based, pre-order The Great Dechurching by Michael Graham and Jim Davis. |
May 10, 2023 |
Introducing As In Heaven Season 3
00:12:20
In this episode of As In Heaven, Jim Davis, Mike Aitcheson, Michael Graham, and Skyler Flowers give a preview of the third season of the podcast, which focuses on dechurching in America. The hosts define key terms used throughout the season and discuss who the decurched are, how we can help, and where we're headed as the church in America. The bad news is bad—roughly 40 million people have left the church over 30 years. But the good news is good—there's something we can do as the body of Christ to bring people back and love them in a gospel-centered way. Episode time stamps:
This episode is part of As In Heaven’s third season, devoted to The Great Dechurching—the largest and fastest religious shift in US history. To learn more about this phenomenon upon which the episodes of this season are based, pre-order The Great Dechurching by Michael Graham and Jim Davis.
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May 03, 2023 |
A Biblical Theology of Race and Justice: Live at TGC21
00:48:03
Jim Davis and Mike Aitcheson talk live at TGC's 2021 national conference with Dr. Tim Keller and Dr. Irwyn Ince about a biblical theology of race and justice. The panel explores the similarities of the course 1940s Carl Henry charted between fundamentalism and liberalism, and how maintaining a prophetic witness will be important as we observe the phenomena of dechurching and deconversion. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
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May 20, 2021 |
What’s at Stake?: Gospel Opportunities and Implications
00:52:57
In this episode of As In Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Mike Aitcheson welcome Soong Chan-Rah to discuss reclaiming the church from cultural captivity and the specific ways that Western attitudes of individualism have crept into our modern ministry philosophies. Rah shares insights regarding the ethics of the kingdom and paints a picture of hopes and dreams for the future. Rah focuses on the positive gospel opportunities in addressing race and justice with kingdom ethics.
Explore more from TGC on the topic of race. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
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Dec 21, 2020 |
Leading Organizational Cultural Competency
00:42:57
In this episode of As In Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Mike Aitcheson welcome Denine Blevins to the podcast to discuss the importance of cultural competency, both at the individual and the organizational level. Blevins also shares how cultural competency within Christian organizations must be different and distinct from the boiler plate secular diversity training in other workplaces. Blevins draws out some best practices in leading your organization into greater cultural competency so that you don’t undermine your organization’s core mission.
Explore more from TGC on the topic of race. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
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Dec 17, 2020 |
The Importance of Empathy, Sympathy, and Lament
00:39:45
In this episode of As In Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Mike Aitcheson welcome Mark Vroegop to discuss the role of lament in the conversation on race and justice. Mark shares his own experience with exploring lament in the Bible and the Christian life, including empathy and sympathy and how they serve the conversation on race. Mark shares a helpful framework on how he thinks about racial reconciliation—love, listen, learn, lament, and leverage. Together, they address:
Explore more from TGC on the topic of race. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
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Dec 14, 2020 |
OK, I See the Problem. How Do I Help?
01:15:17
In this episode of As In Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Michael Aitcheson welcome Irwyn Ince to discuss biblical strategies for affecting lasting change on both an individual and a church level when it comes to race and justice. Ince offers ways to strive toward gospel centered unity and diversity that he argues goes all the way back to the Trinity. Ince shares practical insights for churches that want to grow in their impact and reach their communities. The three address:
Explore more from TGC on the topic of race.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
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Dec 10, 2020 |
Black Pastor and Professor Encounters with Law Enforcement
00:49:32
This episode has been marked as explicit due to sensitive language related to racial slurs. Please listen with discretion. In this episode of As In Heaven, host Jim Davis revisits some of the conversations with previous guests of the podcast to explore their personal experiences with law enforcement. This is, of course, a touchy subject, and we address it here not in order to malign police officers, but because we believe this season would be incomplete without these very important stories. Not everyone is aware of some of the dignity robbing or sometimes traumatic encounters that black pastors and professors have had with law enforcement. Empathy and understanding has been the purpose of this show from the start, and that requires that we grasp the fears and wounds of minorities in this cultural moment.
Explore more from TGC on the topic of race. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
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Dec 07, 2020 |
Parenting in This Cultural Moment
00:42:17
Jim Davis and Michael Graham welcome Jasmine Holmes to talk through the complexities of parenting in this cultural moment. They discuss the fears and hopes of parents raising black children and what it looks like to help majority culture children process this period of American history. The group addresses:
Explore more from TGC on the topic of race. Books referenced in this episode:
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
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Dec 03, 2020 |
Some Unique Challenges Facing Black Women
00:56:00
Jim Davis and Justin Holcomb welcome Trillia Newbell to talk about some of the unique relational dynamics facing black women. Newbell covers being racially profiled as well as many false stereotypes and the exhaustion that black women face as they navigate others’ expectations and perceptions. Newbell shares that the painful or awkward moments in the world also exist in the church, yet there is hope that springs out of lament, having faith in a good God. The three discuss:
Explore more from TGC on the topic of race. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Books referenced in this episode:
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Nov 30, 2020 |
Navigating White Evangelical Spaces
01:15:06
Disclaimer: This episode has been marked as explicit due to sensitive language related to racial slurs. Please listen with discretion. Jim Davis and Mike Aitcheson welcome Jason Cook to share some of the unique relational dynamics of navigating white evangelical spaces as a black pastor. Between super awkward questions, cringeworthy moments, and just downright painful interactions, Jason offers a glimpse into his own experience and encourages believers to grow in hospitality toward those outside of their own cultures. The group discusses:
Explore more from TGC on the topic of race. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
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Nov 28, 2020 |
How Racial Trauma Works
01:01:59
Jim Davis and Justin Holcomb welcome Sheila Wise Rowe, author and executive director of the Rehoboth House, to discuss racial trauma and the many ways it can present itself cognitively, emotionally, behaviorally, and physically. Rowe describes how Christians should engage others who have experienced racial trauma, in an effort to close the trauma gap and bring healing. The group discusses:
Explore more from TGC on the topic of race. Discussion Questions: 1. What do you think of when you think of trauma? What are examples of trauma? 2. What is a trauma gap? Why does it exist? Why must the church seek to understand the trauma of others, especially those who have experienced racial trauma? 3. What is vicarious trauma? What are examples of vicarious trauma? How can that play out repeatedly through media and lived experiences? 4. How can we seek to understand and relate to others trauma? What might this look like? How does the gospel speak to trauma and, specifically, racial trauma? |
Nov 23, 2020 |
Afro-Latino Contours, Code Switching, and Transitional Justice (Part 2)
00:41:29
Jim Davis and Mike Aitcheson continue a conversation with Jon Aragón and Ameen Hudson, picking up with power dynamics in culture and society and the concept of transitional justice as a means to bridging the gaps in America's traumatic racial history. Aragón and Hudson share the things they would wish the church would embrace in this cultural moment. The group addresses:
Explore more from TGC on the topic of race. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. Why is it powerful for the church to own wrongs of the past even if the church today did not participate in them? Where might the Bible point to the need to do this? How could this shape the church for the future? 2. What would it look like for the church to embrace a more robust view of justice that applies the whole testimony of scripture to this world? What will it cost the church? |
Nov 19, 2020 |
Afro-Latino Contours, Code Switching, and Transitional Justice (Part 1)
01:07:01
In this episode of As In Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Mike Aitcheson welcome Jon Aragón and Ameen Hudson to discuss the nuances of the Afro-Latino experience, and the ways in which language and code switching relate to power dynamics from a pastoral and cultural perspective. The group addresses:
Explore more from TGC on the topic of race. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
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Nov 16, 2020 |
Dominant and Subdominant Cultural Dynamics
00:59:33
Disclaimer: This episode has been marked as explicit due to sensitive language related to racial slurs. Please listen with discretion. In this episode of As In Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Mike Aitcheson welcome Jerome Gay to discuss and define dominant and subdominant cultural dynamics and break down how members of each group can interact in an understanding way that promotes deeper love for each other and for God. Jerome Gay helps us see and avoid some common mistakes and pitfalls like power dynamics, preferences, and self-hatred. The group addresses:
Explore more from TGC on the topic of race. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. What does it mean for there to be a dominant and minority culture? How would you identify the dominant culture and minority culture in America? Your church? 2. What are some values that might be different between a dominant and minority culture? 3. Jerome Gay points to the values of individualism and collectivism. How do these values shape the church and how does this differ between cultures? 4. What does it look like for a dominant culture to become domineering? What are ways that can happen subtly or unintentionally? How does this impact the church? 5. How does a church seek to make space for both dominant and minority cultures in its ministry and worship? Books referenced in this episode:
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Nov 12, 2020 |
Historical Developments of the Black Church
01:12:36
In this episode of As In Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Mike Aitcheson welcome Dr. Walter Strickland as he traces the history of the black church from its formation to present day. Walter Strickland covers origins, major developments, key figures, regional differences, misunderstood perspectives, evaluation of liberation theology, and the institutional, cultural, and sociological roles the black church has played in black communities. The group discusses:
Explore more from TGC on the topic of race. Discussion Questions: 1. Why has there historically been a separation between black and white churches? What gave rise to this? 2. In what ways does Christ’s work on the cross give the Christian hope in their daily lives? In the ways we suffer? How does the black church give the church an example to follow in appropriating Christ’s story into ours? 3. How do the theological commitments of the black church that Dr. Strickland describes impact the church’s life in this world? How does this rich theological heritage challenge or affirm your understanding of theology in black Christian tradition? 4. How might understanding this history help us as the church to fully live out the gospel and its implications for community? |
Nov 09, 2020 |
Unhelpful Perspectives on Race and Justice
01:01:59
In this episode of As In Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Justin Holcomb welcome Dr. Christina Edmondson who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to bear as she examines some well-meaning but ultimately unhelpful tropes and perspectives regarding black people in America. Edmondson further shows us the ways in which white supremacy deeply harms the white supremacist. The group discusses:
Explore more from TGC on the topic of race. DISCUSSON QUESTIONS:1. How have you seen or believed in a type of colorblindness? Why is “colorblindness” problematic for Christians to believe? 2. What do you hear when you hear someone say “all lives matter”? How does a statement like “all lives matter”—while being true—become unhelpful when discussing matters of injustice? 3. How does an argument defeater like pointing to “fatherlessness” or “black on black crime” actually point toward historical events and unjust social structures? 4. What are ways that saying “just preach the gospel” instead of speaking against injustice actually fails to see full gospel implications? How does the gospel shape our interactions with society and social structures? 5. Pray that the Lord would search us and know our hearts. Pray that the Lord will move us to repentance in the areas he reveals. |
Nov 05, 2020 |
The Need for Two-Sided Theology
00:52:48
Carl Ellis helps us understand the difference between “Side A theology”—propositional theology arrived at through rationality and “Side B theology”—ethical theology arrived at through intuition. He unpacks the ways in which the evangelical church fell into cultural captivity during the lion's share of the 20th century, resulting in deep ethical failures, especially in sins of omission during the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. Ellis shares how our care for ethical theology is critical for a skeptical world in our secular age. Ellis also explores some of the more obscure, yet highly impactful figures of the historical black church. The group discusses:
Explore more from TGC on the topics of race and slavery. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:1. How would you have traditionally defined “theology”? Does your answer betray an affinity towards “side-A theology”—propositional theology arrived at through rationality or “side-B theology”—ethical theology arrived at through intuition? 2. As a church, does your church see an affinity towards side-A or side-B theology? 3. What does it look like for a church to champion side-A theology? What about side-B theology? 4. To meet this modern movement, what would a biblically grounded side-B theology look like? |
Nov 02, 2020 |
Individual Racism vs. Systemic Racism
00:53:12
In this episode of As In Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Justin Holcomb welcome Phillip Holmes in to offer his perspective on some of the differences between individual and systemic or systematic racism. Holmes connects these elements to biblical categories like total depravity and unpacks several examples from his own life. He shares the ways in which these things can manifest themselves as prejudice, bias, discrimination, antagonization, and hatred. The group discusses:
Explore more from TGC on the topics of race and slavery. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:1. How would you define racism in general? When you think of racism, is it primarily individual actions or corporate? 2. How have you heard systemic or institutional racism defined? How would you define it? Are there any examples you can think of from history or today? 3. What are Biblical texts (both Old and New Testament) that shape your view of racism? What doctrinal convictions speak to the scope of racism? 4. How might doctrines like total depravity help us to understand systemic racism? 5. What hope does the gospel offer to broken systems?
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Oct 29, 2020 |
Black History: 1963 Birmingham to Present
01:15:40
In this episode of As In Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Mike Aitcheson welcome Collin Hansen to continue a discussion of the history of black people in America begun over the past two episodes by Ligon Duncan. Duncan discussed the onset of chattel slavery in 1619 up to the Civil War, the sordid practices of peonage, vagrancy laws, and sharecropping and how they helped pave the way for Jim Crow laws in America. Hansen furthers the conversation, picking up with the Civil Rights Movement, which certainly did not relieve racial tensions in the South, but simply drove them underground. Hansen addresses what was left undone in the Civil Rights era and how that's led to ongoing present-day frustrations for black people in America. The group discusses:
Explore more from TGC on the topics of Race and Slavery. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:1. What stories did you grow up hearing about the civil-rights movement? What narrative have you been taught concerning this era? 2. If your group has time, read "Letter from Birmingham Jail." What are ways that this letter speaks powerfully today? 3. Following the civil-rights movement, what are ways that segregation and inequality continued to exist? 4. How did the church respond to the civil-rights movement? How has the church continued to be shaped by these events? |
Oct 26, 2020 |
Black History: Reconstruction to Early Civil Rights
00:48:38
In this episode of As In Heaven, Jim Davis and Justin Holcomb welcome back Ligon Duncan for the second of a two-part discussion of the history of black people in America. Duncan began with the onset of chattel slavery in 1619 up to the Civil War in the last episode. In this episode, he addresses the sordid practices of peonage, vagrancy laws, and sharecropping and how they helped pave the way for Jim Crow laws in America. Understanding these historical realities will help white believers understand how they still play a part in our cultural moment and grow a greater empathy for our black brothers and sisters. The group discusses:
Explore more from TGC on the topics of Race and Slavery. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:1. What narrative did you learn about the period following the Civil War, especially reconstruction? What are differences from that narrative from the narrative that Dr. Duncan shares? 2. What are some major events and policies from this era that created or maintained oppressive systems towards black Americans? How did those policies and events shape the future? 3. What are things from this era that have had a profound effect on America today? What about the church today? 4. Why might the histories presented in these first two episodes on the history of race in America be important conversations for the church to have today? |
Oct 22, 2020 |
Black History: 1619 to Civil War
01:04:37
Jim Davis and Justin Holcomb welcome Ligon Duncan in the first of a two-part discussion of the history of Black people in America. Duncan begins with the onset of chattel slavery in 1619 and carries us all the way to the Civil War. Understanding these historical realities will help White believers understand how they still play a part in our cultural moment and grow a greater empathy for our black brothers and sisters. The group discusses:
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Oct 19, 2020 |
The Black Bell Curve and Confirmation Bias on Race and Justice
00:51:37
In this episode of As in Heaven, Jim Davis and guest host, Skyler Flowers, welcome Darryl Williamson to continue the conversation on race and justice. Williamson addresses the wide spectrum of opinions on the race issue and our tendency to try to find voices that agree with our preconceived notions. He claims the antidote is a posture of empathetic listening, which he unpacks with examples from his own life in a very pastoral and charitable way.
Explore more from TGC on the topic of Race. Check out a panel discussion, including Darryl Williamson, titled “Learning from Jesus on Justice.” Discussion Questions: 1. On the topic of race, which voices do you most frequently listen to? Where do you listen to them and why? 2. In light of the discussion on a black bell curve, which side of the curve would you place the voices you most frequently listen to? For those black voices whom you disagree with, how do you come to find out about their perspectives? 3. What should our posture be when engaging with different voices on this topic, especially those that disagree with us? What are postures that are unhelpful? 4. Do you think it is important to engage with voices across the spectrum of voices? What are ways to do this? 5. How should our conversations differ from the world? How should this affect the world around us? |
Oct 15, 2020 |
Multi-Directional Leadership and the Conversation on Race and Justice
00:43:25
Trevin Wax drills down on his idea of multi-directional leadership and how it relates to our national conversation on race and justice. He helps us understand some of the dangers on either side of the political spectrum on this topic as well as the relative proportional size of those respective threats. Wax shows us how the historic black church offers us a paradigm for cultural engagement in our secular age and encourages us to embrace a posture of humility as we enter into these challenging conversations. The group addresses:
Questions to discuss with your family and community: 1. How would you define a one-directional leader? What are the threats of one-directional leadership? How would you define multi-directional leadership? 2. What are examples we see in the Bible of multi-directional leadership? How were Paul and James talking about the same doctrine of justification but guarding that doctrine from different errors from opposite directions? 3. What do you view as the greatest threat to the American church today? Which side of the spectrum do you most naturally see these threats coming from? 4. If you were to stray from biblical orthodoxy (right beliefs or doctrine) or orthopraxy (right or ethical actions or behaviors) on one side of the field, which way would it be? What are ways you can bring voices into your life that would help with that drift? 5. How can we apply the principles of multi-directional leadership to how we process uppercase “Black Lives Matter” (the organization) and lowercase “black lives matter” (the statement of human dignity)? 6. As the church loses the cultural authority it has enjoyed, what are ways it can learn to lead and lead “from the margins”? How does the historic black church help us in this leading from the margins? |
Oct 12, 2020 |
Why Should I Care about Race and Justice?
00:50:26
Isaac Adams unpacks certain painful aspects of the broken trust in American culture and in the church. He talks about the challenges of being profiled, leaned upon as people’s “one black friend,” de facto segregated society, redlining, over-policing, and the long tail of the cumulative effects of these and a number of other things. Adams explains how public videos like George Floyd elicit secondary trauma in black persons due to other negative incidents from their own lives, as well as the ways in which there is a greater collective cultural dynamic. Adams unpacks the ways in which people interpret data and encourages how it relates to humility, compassion, and kindness. Encouraging us to believe black people when they share their experiences instead of putting them on trial, Adams also urges us to pray for human flourishing in this cultural moment, sharing why he started United? We Pray. The hosts and Isaac Adams discuss:
Questions to discuss with your family and community: 1. What might be factors that limit our perspective on other cultures? What factors might limit our perspective on acts of injustice? 2. When you think of a racist action, what type of things come to your mind? How might other ethnicities answer this question differently? 3. How might Christians lead on issues of injustice? How would that be different than what the world has to offer? 4. What can we do on this matter that would make the world say, “Wow, look at the way they love each other”? 5. End in prayer. Pray for our country, city, and community. Pray that God would make these places where justice thrives. Pray that God would open our hearts to hear the instruction and rebuke of voices that are different from ours. Pray that God would make us more loving in our listening, speaking, and care for one another, that the world may see our good deeds and glorify God. |
Oct 08, 2020 |
Setting the Stage for a Conversation on Race and Justice
00:58:31
Crawford Loritts shares how love is a preamble for why we ought to care about the conversation about race and justice. He explains why love means that we don’t just get to walk away from the conversation and how black people have no choice whether to have it or not. Loritts helps frame the conversation while providing excellent working definitions for a number of challenging, technical terms. The hosts and Crawford Loritts discuss:
Questions to discuss with your family and community: 1. Why are each of the three components of good cultural exegesis necessary (comprehend, commend, and critique)? Why is it important for Christians to do cultural exegesis? What happens when cultural exegesis involves only critique but little to no comprehension or commendation? 2. What does the Bible say about racism, and how did racism manifest itself in the early church? 3. What sin is at the heart of racism? 4. What practical ways do the Scriptures offer to kill racism at the heart level? 5. What is the biblical definition of justice and how does it apply to our cultural moment? 6. Peter writes on how we should deal with each other by writing, “Clothe yourself with humility.” How does it apply to our conversations and relationships with people of different ethnicities? |
Oct 05, 2020 |
Introducing a New Season: A Christian Conversation on Race and Justice
00:01:40
As in Heaven, hosted by Jim Davis and Michael Aitcheson, is a new podcast in The Gospel Coalition podcast network. Jim, Mike, and guest co-hosts will talk with more than two dozen ministry leaders about how to faithfully process our national conversation on race and justice. These conversations will help listeners think through racial justice biblically, historically, and relationally. Our prayer is that our spheres of influence would be places that look more like God’s kingdom—where love reigns, humanity flourishes, and Christ is glorified. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. Tune in to Episode 01 with Crawford Loritts on Monday, October 5. |
Sep 28, 2020 |
Episode 8 - Dee Coleman & Lindsey Holcomb
01:11:58
![]() Today’s guests are Dee Coleman and Lindsey Holcomb. Both of them serve at Samaritan Village, Dee as the executive director and Lindsey as the communications coordinator. According to their website, Samaritan Village is a safe home and therapeutic program for adult survivors of sex trafficking. This episode is by far one of the most eye-opening, emotional, and practical on the podcast thus far. There were several moments where all of us in the room were left speechless as Dee and Lindsey unpacked the realities of sex trafficking in 2020, specifically in Orlando. We don’t intend for this episode to invoke fear, but simply to educate and encourage action for those who’ve been victimized by this unspeakable practice. As a disclaimer, the following conversation includes descriptions of sexual abuse and content some listeners or young ears may find unsettling. Listener discretion is advised. |
Mar 25, 2020 |
Episode 7 - Scott Swain
00:31:28
![]() Our guest on this episode is Dr. Scott Swain. Dr. Swain is President and James Woodrow Hassell Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. He unpacks some of the origin story of Reformed Theological Seminary, how he strives to maintain a healthy organizational culture among a diverse staff, and how he thinks through the future of theological education. It was a pleasure to pick Dr. Swain’s brain on this episode, and we’re glad he agreed to chat. |
Mar 15, 2020 |
Episode 6 - Damein Schitter
00:42:46
![]() Today’s guest is Damein Schitter. He’s Senior Pastor at New City Presbyterian Church here in Orlando. He is also a visiting professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, where he teaches evangelism. In this interview, Damein dives into the way Christians conceive of and practice discipleship. Rather than just a few spiritual disciplines, Damein details how churches and Christians should be seeking a whole-life discipleship. If Christ is Lord of all of our lives, our discipleship practices must reach into the workplace, our home lives, our finances, and our leisure time. Damein has thought and written a lot on this issue, and it was great to have him on the show to explain it. |
Mar 09, 2020 |
Episode 5 - Zach Van Dyke
00:39:53
![]() Today’s guest is Zach Van Dyke. Zach is the teaching pastor at Summit Church Herndon Campus. He also teaches for Key Life and can be heard weekly on the nationally syndicated radio program Steve Brown, Etc. Zach began his tenure at Summit in the wake of an abrupt succession and eventual tragedy surrounding the previous pastor, leaving much of his congregation reeling. In this interview, he discusses how he navigated the difficult waters of trauma at his church, how Summit successfully reaches and nurtures millennial Christians, and how he processes Orlando’s increasingly post-Christian culture. Zach is a humble, down-to-earth guy who clearly has a massive heart for both his congregation and his city. We really loved the time we got to spend with him. |
Mar 02, 2020 |
Episode 4 - Michael Aitcheson
00:52:20
![]() Our guest on this episode is Michael Aitcheson. Mike is the senior pastor and planter of Christ United Fellowship (PCA) and is deeply involved in ministering to downtown Orlando. |
Feb 24, 2020 |
Episode 3 - Leigh Swanson
00:40:04
![]() Leigh Swanson serves as Vice President of Community Relations at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. She’s also a trained theologian, teacher, and speaker. In our conversation, Leigh talks about why her course on teaching women to teach the Bible has exploded so quickly in Orlando and beyond; she unpacks a healthy way to think through biblical manhood and womanhood, and shares her personal thoughts on the Billy Graham rule and how it applies to Christian women in the workplace. Leigh is a fount of knowledge and a pure joy to be around. We are delighted to have her on the podcast. |
Feb 16, 2020 |
Episode 2 - Vicky Matthews
00:52:38
![]() Today’s guest is Vicky Matthews. Vicky is the Executive Director of Choices Women’s Clinic, which exists, “to equip and encourage women and men to make informed pregnancy decisions.” In this episode, Vicky shares her story of being a young woman with a crisis pregnancy, the way that Choices Women’s Clinic cares for men and women before and after challenging pregnancy decisions, and stories of the ways that the Lord has worked in the lives of so many men and women in Orlando. Vicky’s passion and love for the image of God in all people is inspiring, and our conversation was equal parts emotional and educational. |
Feb 16, 2020 |
Episode 1 - Joel Hunter
01:09:05
![]() We’re excited to kick off episode 1 of As In Heaven with our guest, is Dr. Joel Hunter. Dr. Hunter is the retired pastor of Northland Church, one of the largest churches in the Central Florida area. He served at Northland Church for over three decades in addition to serving as the spiritual advisor for President Barack Obama. His impressive career is matched only by his humility and heart to serve the hurting and disenfranchised, specifically in Orlando. In this interview, Joel talks about how Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination catalyzed his faith, he shares lessons he’s learned after 30 long years in ministry, and even gives us a glimpse into intimate interactions he had with President Obama. Every minute of this episode is solid gold, and it was a privilege to have Dr. Hunter on the show. |
Feb 10, 2020 |