ERLC Podcast

Jason Cook went to school and pastored in some of the most segregated areas in the South. And he’s currently on staff at a racially diverse church in Memphis, TN. So when he talks about race and ministry, we should pay attention. Listen in as he asks the question, “Should we give up on multi-ethnic ministry?”

John Piper has been a father in the faith to many through his online preaching ministry. He has stood faithfully for the authority and power of Scripture and has especially been a leading voice in matters pertains to racial unity. At MLK50, he preached a message from Colossians titled “The glory of God and racial unity,” showing how this has always been God’s plan.

The shots that rang out 50 years ago in Memphis, Tenn., and killed Martin Luther King Jr. are unforgettable. They are also a marker in our nation’s evil past. But how has Memphis, specifically, been affected since that day? Cole Huffman, Steve Gaines, Eli Morris, Bishop Ed Stephens, and J. Lawrence Turner—all serving in Memphis—talk about how their city is doing 50 years after King’s death.

We live in a world where issues arise in the news and culture daily. Behind every issue, however, is a person—a person made in the image of God. This intermittent ERLC Podcast series, “How to Handle,” will tackle tough issues for today with the hopes of equipping the church on how to handle the topic, care for those struggling with sin and temptation, and care for those who have been hurt. 

It’s tempting to look at the surface of the church and think that nothing is wrong. But Matt Chandler, a powerful evangelical voice, pointed out a serious problem in his talk “a house divided cannot stand: understanding and overcoming the inconsistencies of white evangelicals on racial issues.” We hope this message will help you examine your own heart before the Lord.

The phrase “out of sight, out of mind” shouldn’t be a reality in the lives of Christians as we think about others’ suffering. This is especially true of the persecuted church. So, at our MLK50 conference Karen Ellis shared a message titled “To The Ends of the Earth: The Great Commission, the Global Persecuted Church, and Racial Unity.” We hope this message leads you to pray consistently for our brothers and sisters around the world.

The phrase “out of sight, out of mind” shouldn’t be a reality in the lives of Christians as we think about others’ suffering. This is especially true of the persecuted church. So, at our MLK50 conference Karen Ellis shared a message titled “To The Ends of the Earth: The Great Commission, the Global Persecuted Church, and Racial Unity.” We hope this message leads you to pray consistently for our brothers and sisters around the world.

The phrase “out of sight, out of mind” shouldn’t be a reality in the lives of Christians as we think about others’ suffering. This is especially true of the persecuted church. So, at our MLK50 conference Karen Ellis shared a message titled “To The Ends of the Earth: The Great Commission, the Global Persecuted Church, and Racial Unity.” We hope this message leads you to pray consistently for our brothers and sisters around the world.

Every parent knows that the work of parenting is good, yet hard. The Lord has entrusted every mom and dad and caretaker with the task of shaping and cultivating souls for his glory. But, as sinners, we will make mistakes. So, at our National Conference, Todd Wagner offered encouragement in his talk, “Pressing on when you fail as a parent.” We hope this message brings you renewed hope for your calling.

Racial unity is an outworking of the gospel and should be a mark of the church. Yet, Christians continue to be filled with strife and tension over this issue. And it’s especially sad because it’s about more than a problem; it’s about those who God has made in his image. So, at our Leadership Summit, pastor H.B. Charles Jr. called the church to peace through the person of Jesus in his talk “Tearing Down the Dividing Wall: How the Gospel Shapes Racial Reconciliation.” We hope this talk convicts and encourages you.

Benjamin Watson is known to many as an accomplished NFL player, but more importantly, he is a child of God who is deeply committed to the gospel and its implications. He’s particularly passionate about the value of all human life and racial unity . So, at Evangelicals for Life, he gave a talk title “Pro-life and Pro-justice,” showing how the two thing are not opposed. We hope this message sheds new light on your understanding of both of these issues.

In a time when families are broken and torn apart, it’s refreshing to hear stories of those that have persevered in faithfulness. At the ERLC National Conference, Crawford Loritts wasn’t shy in sharing about the legacy of the greatest influence in his life, next to Jesus, in his talk Never Walk Away: Lessons on Integrity From a Father Who Lived It. We hope you’re encouraged by this message.

What began as a tragedy has been used by the Lord as a testimony to encourage countless people around the world. Joni Eareckson Tada’s disability has become the platform for her greatest ministry. At Evangelicals for Life, Joni joined us to cast a vision for human dignity in disability. We hope you are inspired and strengthend by this message.

From confusion about sexuality to the devaluing of religious liberty, today’s youth face major cultural challenges. Those of us who are farther along in life and in the faith need to be intentional about setting the next generation up to be a faithful witness to Jesus Christ and his gospel. At our National Conference, John Stonestreet addressed this topic in his talk “A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World.” We hope this message equips you to disciple the young people in your life.

Difficult issues are all around us, and if we have or take care of children, hard and awkward discussions are inevitable. In light of this, David Prince, Dan Darling, Phillip Bethancourt, Chip Dean, and Naomi Overton had a helpful conversation at the ERLC National Conference called “Talking to Your Kids About Difficult Issues”. We hope this message equips you to have meaningful conversations with your children.