Staying On Mission Amid Political Disagreements (feat. Jason Ishmael)

Balancing Faith and Politics: Leading with Christ-Centric Integrity

“Today’s episode will help us focus on ways to keep Christ at the center amidst political pressure.” 

Join Jason Ishmael, lead pastor of Antioch Christian Church, as he discusses his first Iowa caucus season, navigating faith and politics. Alongside editorial director Daniel McCoy and John Whitaker, co-author of 'Following Jesus in a Politically Divided World,' they go into keeping Christ at the center amidst political pressures. Jason emphasizes discipleship, maintaining integrity, and avoiding the pitfalls of political endorsements, while sharing insights on church-state dynamics and the necessity of a mission-focused approach.

Get the Book on Following Jesus in a Politically Divided World: https://a.co/d/35XLxSE 

Watch the Video: https://youtu.be/Flrt7vpidUA

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions

00:20 Navigating the Iowa Caucus as a Church Leader

01:30 Balancing Faith and Political Engagement

03:18 Challenges of Political Endorsements in Church

07:36 Maintaining Mission Focus Amidst Political Pressure

18:59 Historical Perspectives on Church and State

24:12 Addressing LGBTQ Issues in the Church

30:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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View more information about this topic here: https://renew.org/product/following-jesus-in-a-politically-divided-world-an-interactive-guide-to-21-questions-on-christianity-and-politics/ 

Today's episode features a discussion among three speakers—Daniel McCoy, John Whitaker, and Jason Ishmael—who explore the complexities and challenges of navigating church leadership, political involvement, and maintaining the integrity of their mission as Christian leaders. Daniel McCoy introduces Jason Ishmael, the lead pastor of Antioch Christian Church in Iowa, and himself as the editorial director for Renew.org, with insights also contributed by John Whitaker. The conversation begins with Jason Ishmael sharing his experiences during the Iowa caucus season, where political candidates often seek to speak at churches, highlighting the pressures and potential consequences of such engagements. Jason emphasizes the importance of keeping the church’s primary mission—building relationships with God and discipling others—at the forefront, warning against the risks of political endorsements that could alienate members of the congregation.

The discussion continues with a focus on how political activities can sometimes conflict with the mission of making disciples. Jason stresses the value of personal conversations and discipleship over political posturing. The speakers then touch on the historical context of church and state dynamics, noting the dangers when the church has too much political power, which can lead to corruption. Jason shares insights from a sermon series titled "Freedom and Fences," which addressed LGBTQ issues, emphasizing the need to handle such topics with grace and ensure that church doctrine aligns with scripture. The video concludes with John Whitaker reflecting on the church's overarching goal of forming individuals in Christ, reinforcing the importance of a disciple-centered mission, and the necessity of balancing grace and truth in all matters, particularly in politically charged environments. The discussion underscores the need for church leaders to navigate these challenges with a focus on discipleship, mission integrity, and a commitment to approaching every issue with grace and truth.

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