Building Relationships for Change

Send us Fan MailWhat does it actually cost to talk about faith right now?In this episode of Speaking of Faith, Bishop DeDe and Adam take an honest look at how difficult—and necessary—it is to speak about faith in a world shaped by division, polarization, and deeply entrenched opinions. When conversations quickly become debates, and debates become battlegrounds, how do we remain rooted in Jesus?The heart of this conversation is a call to love with courage. That means approaching difficult dialogue not with a desire to win, but with humility, dignity, and a genuine commitment to understanding. It also means recognizing our own complicity in the brokenness around us. Before we point outward, we are invited to look inward—to examine where fear, comfort, or silence may be holding us back from living the Gospel fully.Taking up our cross, they reflect, isn’t abstract. It involves letting go of ego, defensiveness, and the need to be right. It requires naming sin honestly—including racism—and refusing to tolerate systems or language that diminish the image of God in others. Faith is not performative; it is transformative. And transformation often begins in personal encounters that challenge us, stretch us, and change our hearts.Throughout the episode, Bishop DeDe and Adam emphasize that compassion and empathy are not optional extras in Christian life—they are essential. When we engage one another with dignity, especially across disagreement, we embody the redemptive love we claim to follow. Seeking understanding rather than rebuttal becomes an act of discipleship.This episode ultimately invites listeners to see themselves as agents of change—not through force or argument, but through patient, courageous, Christ-centered love. In a divided world, the witness of our faith may be less about what we say and more about how we love.AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, some of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.