Avoiding Politics as Entertainment with Michael Wear

The Disrupters: Faith Changing Culture

For some, engaging in politics looks like watching particular cable news or social media networks and then amplifying whatever voices align with their own particular values or biases. But perhaps the key to healthy political engagement isn’t about spending time watching C-SPAN, but instead is about focusing on the people we are becoming.

In this last episode of season 5 of The Disrupters, Kaitlyn Schiess welcomes Michael Wear, founder of the Center for Christianity and Public Life. Together they explore the necessity of spiritual formation as an essential part of civic involvement and discuss the “election stress syndrome” that many have experienced after 2016. Wear also offers insights from his upcoming book The Spirit of Our Politics to challenge conventional ideas of what it means to be a faithful Christian in the realm of politics.

Tune into this fascinating conversation on navigating the intersection of faith and politics with wisdom and grace.

This episode highlights the following themes:

• The spiritual discipline of political engagement or abstention
• Distinction between meaningful political participation and political passivity
• The role of character and deep listening in transforming political discourse

Links from this episode:

• Get to know more about Michael Wear
• Learn more about the Center for Christianity and Public Life
• Check out Wear’s IVP book, Compassion (&) Conviction
• Check out Wear’s upcoming book, The Spirit of Our Politics
• Uncover insights from Politics is for Power by Eitan Hersh
• Read the document, Montgomery Improvement Association
• Learn About Mack McCarter, Founder of Community Renewal in Louisiana
• Learn About the Impact of Lead for America, American Connection Corps

For its fifth season, hosted by Kaitlyn Schiess, The Disrupters podcast from IVP asks the question, "What does it mean to disrupt ourselves?" Join Kaitlyn as she explores the ways that Christians can prepare themselves—spiritually, emotionally, and relationally—to faithfully disrupt the church and the world. Pastors, scholars, activists, and therapists share their own experiences of formation and transformation to educate and inspire listeners who seek lasting change, both within themselves and in their communities.

Other links

✅ Special offer: Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPOD25 for 25% off any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

✅ Producers: Maila Kim, Helen Lee, Travis Albritton, and Andrew Bronson

✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅ Social Media Manager: Allie Noble

✅ Production Assistant: Christine Pelliccio and Isis Toldson

✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

✅ Theme Song: "People" by Lightmuzik

Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

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