In this episode of For the Good of the Public podcast, Michael and Phebe share a conversation about service and volunteerism, highlighting leaders that show what Christians are doing to build a culture of service in their own communities. Phebe moderates as the panelists–Bryant Wright, President of Send Relief, Josh Dickson, Vice President of Public Policy at United Way Worldwide, and Sister Norma Pimentel, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley–discuss their work in helping others by restoring human dignity and building trust. Sister Norma is also one of the first two recipients of the CCPL’s Civil Renewal Award, which honors Christians who show exemplary contributions to the health and well-being of their communities and nation. Jonathan Keller received the award on behalf of his father, the late-Rev. Timothy Keller. The talks from the awards ceremony are not included in the podcast, but are available on the website and Youtube channel.

Watch the video recording of this talk on YouTube!

“The message of this panel is that this is what Christians are doing in their own communities at very local levels every day. It’s something that each of us can do as we go about our lives, and it’s those kinds of contributions that really make up the fabric of this country and make life livable for so many.” -Michael [02:18]

“Each of you have a wealth of experience working with faith groups or individuals who are motivated by faith. What motivates Christians to serve?” -Phebe [07:37]

“I think that’s key to what our faith moves us forward to do–to help others–because we’re able to see the need and the struggle, and we want to be able to restore that dignity of the person that is in need of that.” -Sister Norma [11:55]

“One thing I would encourage you folks on is don’t give up on the local church, because you’ve got the largest manpower of volunteers in local churches all over the world.” -Bryant [26:03]

“It’s important to get offline a little bit and to get into community. I think that too often people are sitting on screens and only on screens, and I think where I have seen the most moving, formative, influential and impactful work happen is person-to-person with people.” -Josh [28:09]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00] Intro

[03:16] This week’s guests

[07:05] Restoring human dignity

[17:13] The church is the heartbeat

[22:59] Building that trust

[24:28] How to build a culture of service

[29:11] Current trends and innovations

[32:34] Outro

REFERENCES

• For the Good of the Public Summit
• New award honors Tim Keller and Sister Norma Pimentel for civic renewal
• Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
• Send Relief
• United Way Worldwide
• Beyond the Offering Plate: Views on Volunteering

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In this episode of For the Good of the Public podcast, Michael and Phebe present a talk by Eboo Patel, Founder and President of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization that works with governments, universities, private companies and civic organizations to make faith a bridge of cooperation, rather than a barrier of division. He draws from Muslim theology to share how to cultivate peace and pluralism by considering viewpoints and resources that are not our own. Following the talk, Michael joins Eboo to learn more about the work of Interfaith America, and to share more about Eboo and Michael’s history of friendship and partnership.

Watch the video recording of this talk on YouTube!

“I think that Christians, not only need to listen to others, but can benefit from listening to others, and Eboo’s talk is the proof of that.” -Michael [02:09]

“Diversity is holy… that’s why it needs us–the practitioners of peace of pluralism–who seek the welfare of the city, but know that we are called to do it by our faith, because that will last.” -Eboo [23:54]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00] Intro

[03:44] About this week’s guest

[04:19] Seek the welfare of the city

[08:38] A Muslim theology of pluralism

[14:42] The Constitution of Medina

[24:35] The fundamental story

[30:44] The work of Interfaith America

[38:07] Outro

REFERENCES

• Interfaith America
• For the Good of the Public Summit
• High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out by Amanda Ripley
• The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization by Peter T. Coleman
• How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks

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In this episode of For the Good of the Public podcast, Michael and Phebe present a talk by U.S. Senator Chris Coons about the way his Christian faith informs his public service. Senator Coons highlights the importance of friendship, the power of forgiveness and navigating difference. Following his talk in front of our summit audience, Michael joined Senator Coons for conversation, which you will hear in this episode as well.

Watch the video recording of this talk on YouTube!

“He always highlights friendship and he highlights getting to know people beyond their political convictions. Those models are so necessary right now in both our public life, but in our life with our next door neighbors and our parents and our grandparents who we may not agree with.” -Phebe [02:28]

“Because at the end of the day, the most true thing I can say about our weekly prayer breakfast is that it is harder to throw a rhetorical punch on the floor of the Senate at someone with whom you’ve held hands in prayer in the morning.” -Senator Coons [11:25]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00] Intro

[04:25] About this week’s guest

[05:09] How do we find our way in this moment

[13:00] Reflecting on a trip with the late-John Lewis

[16:35] The antidote to the division and distraction of our age

[19:36] How we can help

[23:17] Outro

REFERENCES

• Senator Chris Coons
• For the Good of the Public Summit

CONNECT WITH US:

Website: www.ccpubliclife.org

X: @CCPublicLife

Facebook: Center for Christianity & Public Life

Instagram: @ccpubliclife