Difficult Conversations

About Difficult Conversations

Welcome to Difficult Conversations, a podcast series from the National Association of Evangelicals, hosted by NAE President Walter Kim. In a world that often feels divided — at the dinner table, in church, or on social media — this podcast explores how we ended up so polarized and what the role of Christians is in bringing peace. Through compelling stories and expert insights, Difficult Conversations will equip you with the tools to step into hard but transformative conversations and become the peacemakers Jesus calls blessed. Subscribe today and start your journey toward reconciliation and unity. Check out our other show, Today’s Conversation, here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/todays-conversation/id1039699307

Publisher

National Association of Evangelicals

Category

religion & spirituality · religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Sept 2024

Latest episode

21 Nov 2024

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Nov 2024

   Ep. 7 | Apologetics for a Divided World

   When it’s about winning people for Jesus.The Greek word for “apologetics” means “to give a defense” and comes from 1 Peter 3:15–16, which starts “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be pre...

2. 

   19 Nov 2024

   Ep. 6 | Spiritual Battles or Culture Wars?

   Over the past century, American Christians — along with others — have largely embraced the culture war model, bringing a particular edge to the way we engage with the world. The list of topics in which we argue over — both within and outside the faith — seems endless. What can we do about the argumentative spirit present in our churches?In this episode of Difficult Conversations, host Walter Kim interviews Dr. Darrell Bock, one of today’s leading biblical scholars. Together they explore lessons from Scripture on how we can realign our approach to the way of Jesus, holding true to our faith and presenting a compelling witness to the world.You’ll also hear observations from Robert Cunningham, vicar of Church of the Good Shepherd in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Frankie Powell, a pastor to pastors and leader of the Global Church Network, on navigating church life in the midst of culture wars.Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts. Do you like the podcast?Give us a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover this series. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to friends and family.Show Notes: http://nae.org/culture-war-podcast (http://nae.org/culture-war-podcast)Resources* Full interview with Dr. Darrell Bock on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZSHTT0glC8)* For further study, see 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 6, Romans 1, Luke 4 and Acts 4* List of Dr. Darrell Bock’s books (https://voice.dts.edu/contributor/darrell-bock/)* “Biblical Faith for Our Common Life in Complex Times” (https://www.nae.org/biblical-faith-complex-times/) article by Walter Kim* “The Secular Creed: Engaging 5 Contemporary Claims (https://www.nae.org/secular-creed/)” article by Rebecca McLaughlin* Love and Truth in the Most Difficult Issues (https://www.nae.org/giboneypodcast/), NAE podcast with Justin Giboney

3. 

   8 Nov 2024

   Special Message from NAE President Walter Kim

   It’s no accident that we produced the Difficult Conversations series during an election season, with its heightened tensions and palpable polarization. In this special message, NAE President Walter Kim takes a few minutes to speak to this moment following the election.However you may be feeling about the election results, God remains our refuge. His kingdom is greater, higher than any earthly kingdom. Now having concluded one set of difficult conversations leading up to the election, we embark on another set of difficult conversations with new opportunities to be the peacemakers that Jesus called blessed. Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts. Do you like the podcast?Give us a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. This is the best way for others to discover this series too. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to friends and family.Click Here for Show Notes (nae.org/special-message-from-nae-president-walter-kim)Resources* A Call to Prayer for President-Elect Trump and All Elected Leaders (https://www.nae.org/call-prayer-president-trump-elected-leaders-election-2024/), NAE statement* For the Health of the Nation (https://www.nae.org/for-the-health-of-the-nation/)* RightNow Media + NAE video curriculum (https://www.nae.org/rightnowmedia/) on For the Health of the Nation* Following the God Who Transforms (https://www.nae.org/following-god-devo/), NAE 10-day devotional* How to Live Well With Enemies (https://www.nae.org/fall-2024/) edition of the NAE magazine

4. 

   4 Nov 2024

   Ep. 5 | How Should Christians Engage Politically?

   Neither political idolatry nor political disengagement make for peace. What does?If we’re all reading the same Bible, why do Christians disagree when it comes to politics? If we worship the same God, how can we come to such different conclusions? And why have so many Christians in America given up on voting altogether?This episode of Difficult Conversations opens with stories from pastors on what this election season has been like for them. It also features an in-depth conversation between Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, an organization that helps Southern Baptist churches apply Christian principles to questions of public policy, and Kaitlyn Schiess, author of “The Ballot and the Bible” and co-host of The Holy Post podcast. Though Kaitlyn and Brent often speak to different populations of Christians, they come to some surprising areas of agreement on political idolatry, political disengagement, and the biblical mandate for our participation in politics.This episode also brings in important insights from leaders like Dr. Christina Edmondson and Agustín Quiles on how different lived experiences yield different decisions at the ballot box. Plus, Pastor Derwin Gray of Transformation Church shares his perspective on political idolatry and what we can do to be peacemakers in our country.Show Notes: https://www.nae.org/ep5-christians-politics-brent-leatherwood-kaitlyn-schiess-difficult-conversations-podcast/ (https://www.nae.org/ep5-christians-politics-brent-leatherwood-kaitlyn-schiess-difficult-conversations-podcast/)Resources* For the Health of the Nation (https://www.nae.org/for-the-health-of-the-nation/)* Full conversation with Brent Leatherwood and Kaitlyn Schiess on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNCUmPz4es4)* Full interview with Pastor Derwin Gray on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u-5zQ9lyl0&t=1s)* How to Live Well With Enemies (https://www.nae.org/fall-2024/) edition of the NAE magazine* Spiritual Formation for Public Life (https://www.nae.org/schiesspodcast/), NAE podcast with Kaitlyn Schiess* “The Bible and the Ballot” (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLW4GMCH/ref=sspa_dk_hqp_detail_aax_0?psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9ocXBfc2hhcmVk) by Kaitlyn Schiess* The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (https://erlc.com/) of the Southern Baptist Convention

5. 

   30 Oct 2024

   Bonus Episode | God on the Move with Daniel Yang

   In this bonus episode, Daniel Yang shares his family’s refugee journey from Laos to Thailand and finally to East Moline, Illinois, where a church welcomed and helped them navigate life in the United States. Daniel’s father soon became a Christian, and in just seven years, the family was an integral part of a Hmong church plant.Daniel is now the national director of Churches of Welcome at World Relief, and previously served as the director of the Church Multiplication Institute at the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center. His story demonstrates how crossing boundaries in Jesus’ name can transform lives and bear fruit for generations to come.Along with Host Walter Kim, Daniel explores our responsibility to welcome the most vulnerable, the role of immigrant and multiethnic churches in American Christianity, and how we should always keep our focus on the vision of the greater Church that is to come. Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts. Do you like the podcast?Give us a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. This is the best way for others to discover this series too. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to friends and family.Find Show Notes Here: NAE.org/b2-global-church-daniel-yang-difficult-conversations-podcast/ (https://www.nae.org/b2-global-church-daniel-yang-difficult-conversations-podcast/)Resources* Churches of Welcome (https://worldrelief.org/churches-of-welcome/), a World Relief initiative* “Inalienable: How Marginalized Kingdom Voices Can Help Save the American Church”  (https://www.amazon.com/Inalienable-Marginalized-Kingdom-Voices-American/dp/151400304X/ref=sr_1_2?crid=32DXIQVLD6Q96&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4IMeDeXLfd0xUFMaSF7Cs0O9NLkXYFP924YVUtUiUgHiDXr9hYXshGnXltgaT6xjCPyculN7UD54nEswDkpAdvGF3zQ9PznOzpE7TCeE2m7drHsRaySV-VoXbkLikur7UyO1WQr07mJvcGSzPFI4eFjLTH8dCisUK5QBH2mhMdE80ESU8TQ7vycNvWrtQ8d6dU2stWYb2Njum00y2Ufyf3YkLOOIxb9cXw2C_Eb-X1s.T15g6s44C4eGa-LiJvaBNAny6awGccKfBkTiuBHlYWI&dib_tag=se&keywords=daniel+yang&qid=1730139003&sprefix=daniel+yang%2Caps%2C111&sr=8-2)by Daniel Yang, Eric Costanzo and Matthew Soerens* “The Multiethnic Church Movement Hasn’t Lived up to Its Promise” (https://www.christianitytoday.com/2021/02/race-diversity-multiethnic-church-movement-promise/) article by Korie Little Edwards* A Multicultural Vision for the Church (https://www.nae.org/winter-2023-2024/) edition of the NAE magazine* I Am Your Immigrant Neighbor (https://www.nae.org/i-am-your-immigrant-neighbor/) video series

6. 

   24 Oct 2024

   Ep. 4 | Are Multiethnic Churches the Answer to Division?

   Turning the script on the most segregated hour.When Martin Luther King Jr. famously called the 11 o’clock hour on Sunday the most segregated hour in America, it illuminated the great division in our country. Decades after the Civil Rights Movement, churches remain more segregated than neighborhoods and public schools. How does this play into the polarized climate of our nation today? What would happen if Christians bridged the gap?This episode of Difficult Conversations features candid discussions between members and leaders of Mosaic Church, a multiethnic church in Little Rock, Arkansas, on the messiness and the beauty that comes from working and worshiping with people from different backgrounds. And Pastor Mark DeYmaz shares what compelled him to leave a comfortable, culturally homogenous church to plant Mosaic in the first place.You’ll also hear Pastor Derwin Gray’s journey from pro-football player to multiethnic church planter and his challenge for Christians to view the world through the lens of Jesus’ kingdom — not race, politics or any other thing. Lisa Fields, president of Jude 3 Project, calls attention to why this matters for the Church’s witness.Show notes here: https://nae.org/multiethnic-church-podcast (https://nae.org/multiethnic-church-podcast)Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts. Do you like the podcast?Give us a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. This is the best way for others to discover this series too. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to friends and family.Resources* Full interview with Pastor Derwin Gray on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u-5zQ9lyl0)* A Multicultural Vision for the Church (https://www.nae.org/winter-2023-2024/) edition of the NAE magazine* “Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church” (https://www.amazon.com/Building-Healthy-Multi-Ethnic-Church-Congregation/dp/1506463398/) by Mark DeYmaz* “How to Heal Our Racial Divide” (https://www.amazon.com/How-Heal-Racial-Divide-Reconciliation/dp/149645880X/) by Derwin Gray* From Deconstruction to Reconstruction (https://www.nae.org/fieldspodcast/), NAE podcast with Lisa Fields* Jude 3 Project (https://jude3project.org/)* NAE Racial Justice & Reconciliation Collaborative (https://www.nae.org/racial-justice-reconciliation-collaborative/)* Cultural Intelligence Center (https://culturalq.com/about-cultural-intelligence/)

7. 

   17 Oct 2024

   Ep. 3 | What’s Christian Nationalism Anyway?

   In 2020, Pastor Caleb Campbell watched Christian nationalism take over large swaths of his congregation in Phoenix, Arizona. He thought about giving up on the church, but over the years, he came to see himself as a missionary to Christian nationalists.In Episode 3 of our Difficult Conversations series, Caleb shares his journey from skinhead to pastor, and from accusations of demonic influence to restored relationships. Along with Dr. Sheila Heen at Harvard Negotiation Project, he offers a hopeful way to engage with those who hold extreme views.And you'll also hear Gabriel Salguero of National Latino Evangelical Coalition describe his own encounter with extreme views.Listen on your favorite podcast app. Show notes here: http://nae.org/christian-nationalism-podcast (http://nae.org/christian-nationalism-podcast)#difficultconversations #peacemakers #polarized #divided #church #christiannationalism

8. 

   9 Oct 2024

   Bonus Episode | Understanding the Rural Experience With Carl Greene

   In this bonus episode, NAE President Walter Kim hosts an extended conversation with Carl Greene on the shifts that have been happening in rural America. Carl is a rural ministry researcher and advocate, having served as a rural pastor with his family and enjoyed life as a dairy farmer in partnership with his father and brother.Carl talks about his experience growing up in Upstate New York and how he has grappled with his identity as a rural white American. He also sheds light on the complexities and diversity within rural America, the sense of loss that many rural residents feel, and the lure of Christian nationalism as a response to that loss.This conversation peels back misconceptions of rural-urban divide and offers greater clarity for those seeking to be peacemakers among Americans with different lived experiences. Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts. Do you like the podcast?Give us a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. This is the best way for others to discover this series too. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to friends and family.Go to Show Notes (https://www.nae.org/b1-rural-america-carl-greene-difficult-conversations-podcast)Watch MoreAre You TRAPPED in High Conflict? | Amanda RipleyDr. Francis Collins Talks With Outspoken COVID Response Critic

9. 

   3 Oct 2024

   Ep. 2 | The Pandemic Divide

   From mask mandates and school closures to social distancing and vaccines, COVID brought about one of the most contentious divides we have experienced in recent American history. Countless relationships between families and friends and within churches and communities were tested, and many of those relationships remain fractured.This episode of Difficult Conversations features two Christians who sat on opposite sides of the COVID divide. As director of the National Institutes of Health from 2009 to 2021, Dr. Francis Collins played a pivotal role in the COVID response. Wilk Wilkinson, who lives in rural Minnesota, was intensely critical of how the government handled COVID and is the host of Derate the Hate podcast.You’ll also hear from Amanda Ripley, a New York Times bestselling author and contributor for The Washington Post, about conflict entrepreneurs, the role of the media, and how to turn high conflict into good conflict. What can we learn from how we handled COVID in our churches, communities and national discourse? Is repair possible for the relationships that remain fractured? Our guests say that it’s not only possible but it’s essential to overcome the deep polarization in our country.Go to Show Notes (http://nae.org/pandemic-podcast)Go to full interview of Amanda Ripley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVg1HdfT5vY&feature=youtu.be)Go to full interview of Dr. Francis Collins & Wilk Wilkinson (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU0SdGC1_W0)Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.

10. 

    27 Sept 2024

    Ep. 1 | Why Are We So Polarized?

    The primary allegiances of Americans used to be to country and religion. Now Americans’ primary allegiance is to their political party. How did that happen? And what has it done to the state of conversations in our country? What has it done to our churches? Is there hope for the next generation?In this inaugural episode of Difficult Conversations, host Walter Kim interviews Dr. Jonathan Haidt, one of the world’s top experts on the psychology of morality and politics, to explore how we ended up so divided, including how technology and social media has shaped us and is shaping the next generation.You’ll also meet Heather Zempel, discipleship pastor at National Community Church, located in the heart of Washington, D.C. Over the years, NCC has successfully encouraged church members, from both sides of the aisle, to engage with one another through small groups and Bible studies. But as she shares, that’s gotten more difficult as our world has become more polarized. Both Jonathan and Heather leave those who want to be peacemakers in our divided country with some practical next steps. Their recommendations may surprise you.Go to show notes (NAE.org/polarized-podcast)Go to full interview (https://youtu.be/WlLR098og-c)

11. 

    19 Sept 2024

    Introducing Difficult Conversations

    A deeper look at a new podcast series on polarization and our call to be peacemakers.As a nation we are playing cultural and political Whac-a-Mole. On college campuses, at workplaces, in houses of worship, and even at the Thanksgiving table, it’s not just the ideas that we are trying to beat back. We’re using verbal mallets to pummel people because of their different views about the world or perceived threats to our identity.As we’ve become more polarized and divided than ever, it feels like meaningful, respectful conversations between people who disagree have become a thing of the past. Is it still possible to have difficult conversations with people who see the world differently from us without sacrificing our deep convictions and beliefs? What is the role of Christians in this moment? How can Christians be peacemakers within their churches, and among the larger society?From the National Association of Evangelicals comes a new podcast series, Difficult Conversations. It’s an exploration of how we ended up so polarized, and how Christians can become the peacemakers that Jesus called blessed. Hosted by NAE President Walter Kim, this series will share incredible stories of people who’ve stepped into enemy territory for the sake of building bridges, and you’ll hear from experts on why difficult conversations are so hard, how to have them, and why they matter for the kingdom of God.The series features:* Jonathan Haidt, renowned social psychologist and author of “The Anxious Generation”* Dr. Francis Collins, acclaimed scientist and served as director of the National Institutes of Health during the COVID pandemic* Derwin Gray, lead pastor of Transformation Church in Indian Land, NC* Kaitlyn Schiess, public theologian and author of “The Ballot and the Bible”* Christina Edmondson, author and cohost of the Truth’s Table podcast* Mark DeYmaz, founder of Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas* Sean McDowell, apologist, podcaster and author of “End the Stalemate”* and many more…Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts. The full series launches on September 26. To find found more: http://difficultconversationspod.org/ (http://difficultconversationspod.org/)Do you like the podcast?Give us a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. This is the best way for others to discover this series too. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to friends and family.

12. 

    17 Sept 2024

    Trailer | Welcome to Difficult Conversations

    Welcome to Difficult ConversationsFrom the National Association of Evangelicals comes a new podcast series, Difficult Conversations. It’s an exploration of how we ended up so polarized, and how Christians can become the peacemakers that Jesus called blessed.Hosted by NAE President Walter Kim, this series will share incredible stories of people who’ve stepped into enemy territory for the sake of building bridges, and you’ll hear from experts on why difficult conversations are so hard, how to have them, and why they matter for the kingdom of God.Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.Do you like the podcast?Give us a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. This is the best way for others to discover this series too. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to friends and family.CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE! (https://www.nae.org/podcasts/difficult-conversations/)Coming September 19, 2024!

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

37 ratings

Contact Difficult Conversations

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.