This episode kicks off a three-part series on "God & Government" with hosts Paul Brandes and Bill Gorman, joined by our Lead Senior Pastor, Tom Nelson. In this episode, we begin the conversation on how to live out our faith in the political world by unpacking key biblical principles. We'll explore Jesus' teachings, the story of Daniel, and what it means to balance our dual citizenship in God's kingdom with our citizenship here on earth. Plus, we'll talk about loving our neighbors and having respectful conversations, especially in today's polarized climate.

Tom Nelson is the Lead Senior Pastor of Christ Community Church, which he founded over 30 years ago. He also serves as president of Made to Flourish, a network that seeks to empower pastors to lead churches that produce human flourishing for the common good.

Tom is the author of Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work, Economics of Neighborly Love: Investing in Your Community’s Compassion and Capacity, and The Flourishing Pastor: Recovering the Lost Art of Shepherd Leadership.

Tom speaks regularly on faith, work, and economics around the country, and he has served on the board of regents of Trinity International University and is also a council member of The Gospel Coalition. Tom graduated with a master’s of theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and received his doctorate of ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Tom and his wife, Liz, have two grown children and live in Leawood, Kansas.

"...that's where we have confidence in those biblical texts, those biblical principles that need application, need community, need conversation, need wisdom, [and] contextual prayer to know how to apply prayer."

"We should set the standard for being able to have conversations around politics and around partisanship without being threatened, but to learn from one another and respect each other and actually probably gain something in that wisdom."

"But ultimately, where our hope lies, it's not in the goodness and greatness of a nation as wonderful as that might be, and those who sacrifice for it, as we should cherish and appreciate. But our ultimate focus is eternity and the kingdom of God. And there's great hope and encouragement in that."

biblical principles, pastoral ministry, political engagement, dual citizenship, loving one's neighbor, kingdom of God, respectful discourse, prayerful approach, wisdom of God, governmental authority, ultimate allegiance, great commandment, public engagement, cultural context, faithful presence, polarized culture, work-based witness, Christian community, diverse political leanings, government and public square, non-partisan church, citizenship of heaven, influence for Jesus Christ, discipleship, election year, corrupt governments, biblical figures, workplace virtue, ordinary life, strangers and aliens

#DualCitizenship #FaithfulPresence #LovingYourNeighbor #BiblicalPrinciples #RespectfulDialogue #KingdomAllegiance #ChristianEngagement #PoliticalWisdom #PublicWitness #theFormedLifePodcast

00:00 Embracing discipleship in every aspect of life.

04:39 Biblical principles, postures, and practical practices discussed.

08:39 Experts with training but humble about knowledge.

11:02 Prepare for interviews by leading with prayer.

14:28 History shows suffering and the importance of God's kingdom.

18:40 Jesus invites diverse followers from different backgrounds.

21:54 Diversity of thought in Christian communities praised.

25:48 Christians should model respectful political conversations.

27:35 Faithful presence in politically fraught engagement discussed.

30:28 Matching story of hardship with God's promise.

35:27 Finding purpose in unexpected vocation through faith.

39:30 Love nation, but ultimate allegiance to heaven.

40:31 Ultimate hope in Jesus and his kingdom.

46:01 Balancing citizenship in two kingdoms, political diversity.

47:34 Next two conversations on Christian postures and practices.