Upcoming Events:
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October 20-21
CCPL in the news.
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The Christianity Today Book Awards 2024
Christianity Today
December 3, 2024
“As a remedy for our ailing political discourse, Wear turns to the teachings of Christian philosopher Dallas Willard, finding in them a blueprint for the kind of spiritual formation that can overcome divisiveness in our churches and communities. In short, semi-devotional sections, he encourages readers to think about voting and political engagement as extensions of Christian faithfulness and love of neighbor. God, he assures us, is more interested in cultivating enduring spiritual fruit than in shaping our positions on temporal matters.”
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Sultan of Swing
The Bulletin
November 8, 2024
The Bulletin welcomes guests Michael Wear, Harvest Prude, Justin Giboney, Nicole Martin, and Marvin Olasky to discuss the results of the 2024 presidential election.
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Belonging and Shared Agency: What Religion Still Offers Society?
Capita
October 29, 2024
While religion is not a perfect solution for fostering belonging and agency, it remains a significant source of meaning and community for many people.
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Building a Life of Faithful Civic Engagement
Conversatio Divina | by Michael Wear & Phebe Meyer
October 24, 2024
Two resources from the Center for Christianity and Public Life (CCPL): The first is a series of chapel talks at Westmont College by Michael Wear, CCPL's Founder and President Westmont Chapel Series, Part 1 and Westmont Chapel Series, Part 2. The second is an article by Phebe Meyer, Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor at CCPL on building a life of faithful civic engagement.
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Millions of Christians Won’t Vote in the US election. Here’s Why They Should
Premier Christianity
October 23, 2024
The US election is just weeks away, but new research suggests at least 32 million Christians won’t be voting. Tim Farron makes the case for why believers should engage in the democratic process.
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Rev. Barbara Williams-Skinner and Mack McCarter Awarded for Civic Service
RNS News
October 4, 2024
The 2024 Civic Renewal Award honors Christians who have made 'exemplary contributions to the health and well-being of their community and nation.'
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Advice to Believers Ahead of the Election
CBN News | with Michael Wear
September 23, 2024
The Presidential Election is a little over a month away. Many are already exhausted over the toxic and divisive political culture. Michael Wear, author of “The Spirit of Our Politics” offers a new way of thinking about political involvement that is rooted in the teachings of Jesus.”
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Our Political Sickness and What to Preach Before the Election
Cary Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast | with Michael Wear
September 3, 2024
Michael Wear, founder of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, discusses our political sickness, how to guide your staff when they want to share their political views, and what to preach before the election.
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Obama and Biden pitched voters on a faith-based vision. How will Harris make the appeal?
USA TODAY | by Liam Adams and BrieAnna J. Frank
August 22, 2024
“She’s only three weeks into this campaign, but I think there’s room for clarity and for vision,” said Michael Wear, president and CEO for Washington D.C.-based think tank The Center for Christianity and Public Life.
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Religion Counts: USA
Theos Think Tank | By Michael Wear
August 19, 2024
Michael Wear explores the essential role of religion in US politics for Theos's 'Religion Counts' series.
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‘Re-calibrate the compass’: In Chattanooga, upcoming Christian event seeks to transcend political disputes
Chattanooga Times Free Press | By Andrew Schwartz
August 19, 2024
"The Posture of Our Politics," an event hosted by the nonprofit Faith Co-Op, which aims to restore the connections between faith, work, culture and community, will take place Friday, August 23, 2024.
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Pious pupils in America perform better
The Economist
August 15, 2024
“A lot of religious communities…are learning communities,” says Michael Wear, founder of the Centre for Christianity and Public Life, a non-profit organisation, and a former White House staffer under PresidentBarack Obama. “They read together, they engage in dialogue together and build all kinds of skills.”
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Michael Wear on Navigating Political Polarization & the Spiritual Impact of Politics
Barna Group Podcast
July 18, 2024
Michael Wear sits down with Glenn Packiam to discuss what it looks like for Christians to engage in politics, how spiritual health impacts the state of our politics and some practical ways to navigate political conversations.
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The Trump Rally Shooting: Nonprofits, Foundations Respond List Item
The Chronicle of Philanthropy | Drew Lindsay
July 15, 2024
An excerpt from Michael Wear’s response to the assassination attempt on former President Trump is included alongside additional responses to the shooting from leaders in the non-profit and philanthropic space.
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Rising Above Partisanship
Ep. 288
THINQ Media Podcast | with Michael Wear
July 9, 2024
In this episode, Michael Wear, Founder of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, discusses how to approach politics faithfully, using the concept of "political homelessness" to describe our current political situation.
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The De-moralized Public Square
National Affairs, AEI | by Michael Wear
Number60 | Summer 2024
Michael Wear discusses the disappearance of moral knowledge within the American public square while appealing to its merit and usefulness both in our faith and politics. Wear urges people of faith to embrace how their beliefs influences their political views, not as a means to impose their religiosity onto others, but to bring their full self into service of others for the greater good.
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Real Talk: How Should Christians Engage With Politics
Relevant | with Michael Wear
June 11, 2024
Another election year is upon us, and Michael Wear addresses the often tense relationship between faith and politics in his new book, The Spirit of Our Politics. We sat down with Wear to hear more about the state of politics in regard to faith, how Christians can (and should) engage with politics, and how the Church can show our country what a balanced system looks like.
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A guide for political detox
The Dallas Morning News | By Thomas S. Hibbs
June 8, 2024
In response to Michael Wear’s new book The Spirit of Our Politics, Baylor University philosophy professor Thomas Hibbs offers practical suggestions, inspired by Wear, to reframe the role of politics in the lives of believers.
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Faith and Public Life
Conversing | with Michael Wear
March 20, 2024
Michael Wear talks about the state of politics in the United States and the ways our faith is interwoven with public life.
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Spiritual Formation, Politics, & Public Life with Michael Wear
Denver Institute | The Faith & Work Podcast
April 5, 2024
What is the call of the Christian in this political moment? What do our politics reveal about us and our world?
Join us was we embark on a short series titled "Faith In Public Life." For this series we will explore themes related to politics, Christian imagination, and public life.
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The Spirit of Our Politics
A Mucky Business | Tim Farron & Michael Wear
April 23, 2024
Tim is joined this week by former White House advisor Michael Wear. Michael talks about his work as CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life and looks ahead to the US elections later this year.
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Flipping the Script on Faith and Politics
Liberty Magazine | Michael Wear
April 25, 2024
On what ground should the Christian stand in public life when Christianity is so often invoked for unchristian ends? In a time in which everything seems contestable, and the sacred so quickly turns profane, how should Christians approach politics?
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Care More for People Than Ideology
The Chronicle Of Philanthropy by Michael Wear
April 1. 2024
Philanthropy often seeks to influence people we do not love. That is dangerous.
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If We Don't Care About Character, We Get Bad Leaders
The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity | The Whole Life Podcast
April 1, 2024
It's not exactly a vintage time for politics in the West. Our prospective leaders either leave us apathetic or drive us into feral tribes.
Perhaps the reason we're left so cold or scared by so many of today's political class is that we've let the importance of character slip away from our political culture.
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Has Politics Poisoned Our Souls?
Religion News Service
March 21, 2024
Michael Wear challenges us to a more soulful politics that, gasp, takes Christianity seriously.
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Most Americans, Support Religion In Public Life, But Avoid Disagreements
Sojourners
March 22, 2024
A new report from Pew Research Center found that while most Americans think religion has a positive influence on American life, few are willing to have discussions about religious differences. Like many of us, Michael Wear isn’t surprised at these findings.
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Politics, Hypocrisy & Faith
Jude 3 Project
March 8, 2024
Join us as we explore the intricate dynamics between faith and politics, uncovering the pervasive issue of hypocrisy that plagues our political landscape.
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Politics is Penultimate With Michael Wear
Things Not Seen Podcast
March 3, 2024
Living at the intersection of faith and politics at the highest corridors of power? Here’s how to find balance in Things Not Seen.
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Reflections on Protests, People, and Pluralism
*Some Assembly Required by John Inazu
February 2, 2024
How do we move the center of gravity in Christian conversations about politics, particularly in the context of the local church, to that of the orientation of our hearts?
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Religious Conviction In American Culture
Faith Angle Podcast | Tim Alberta
January 23, 2024
A substantive conversation with Michael Wear one notch beneath the surface, drawing out how religious convictions manifest themselves in American culture and public life.
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Politics, Race and the Gospel, Period.
Footnotes with Jemar Tisby
January 29, 2024
In this conversation Tisby and Wear talk about everything from their similar conversion stories in evangelical contexts to how to engage people with radically different political persuasions.
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Giving The Last Word
Yale Center For Faith And Culture | Evan Rosa
Episode 172
In this conversation Michael reflects on what it means to seek the good of the public, political homelessness, bipartisan dissonance in our identity, and the virtue of gentleness.
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The Solution To Political Captivity
The Russell Moore Show
February 21, 2024
After all of the arguments and severed relationships that resulted from the elections of 2016 and 2020, here we are, doing it all over again. For all who are weary of the modern political climate, today’s episode with Michael Wear is for you.
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The Spirit Of Academia Meets The Spirit Of Our Politics. Your Faith Is The Answer.
The Wheaton Record
February 22, 2024
Michael Wear encouraged young Christians to look to their faith for answers about political issues.
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Can We Be Part Of A Better Way?
WAMC Northeast Public Radio by Joe Donahue
February 26, 2024
Michael offers a distinctly Christian approach to politics that results in healing rather than division, kindness rather than hatred, and hope rather than despair.
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Want Healthier Politics In The World? Start With Your Own Spiritual Life.
Propel Women | Michael Wear
March 1, 2024
Our politics desperately needs people who love their neighbor as themselves, and that requires putting on the character of Christ.
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This Lent, take up some practices that counter the worst of our politics
Religion News Service | By Michael Wear
February 14, 2023
Yes, we have to go through this presidential campaign season. Here’s a way to do it better.
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One Underrated Way to Enrich Your Christian Political Witness: Be a Better Christian
Christianity Today | By Matthew Loftus
January 24, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
Personal discipleship and spiritual formation are hardly irrelevant to the rough-and-tumble of public debate.
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The Surprising Link Between The Gospel and Politics
Relevant | By Michael Wear
January 23, 2024
Featured excerpt from The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life.
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Holy Post Podcast
Ep. 601
Holy Post Podcast
January 24, 2024
Kaitlyn sits down with Michael Wear to discuss his new book, The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life. He explains how he uses the teachings of Dallas Willard to talk about how Christians should engage in politics and what it would look like to place our politics under our spiritual formation.
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Engaging in Politics with Gentleness with Michael Wear
Episode 855
That Sounds Fun
January 22, 2024
Michael Wear is back on the pod to walk us through how to prep in prayer for this election year, being involved in politics without making it our identity, and telling us about the greatest kitchen tool ever made (does it have something to do with ravioli?…MAYBE).
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Michael Wear Wants Christians to Get More Political
Sojourners | By Josiah R. Daniels
January 23, 2024
This interview is part of The Reconstruct, a weekly newsletter from Sojourners. In a world where so much needs to change, Mitchell Atencio and Josiah R. Daniels interview people who have faith in a new future and are working toward repair.
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The Spirit of Our Politics
Conversatio Divina | Michael Wear & Michael DiFuccia
January 18, 2024
In the latest installment of our “Spiritual Formation in Context” series Michael Wear and Michael Di Fuccia, Director of the Cultura Fellowship, discuss the Willardian themes and influence in Michael’s book and how they’ve come to shape his vision for a more gentler and persuasive Christian politic.
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The Spirit of Our Politics: An Interview with Michael Wear
The Church Politics Podcast
January 18, 2024
This week on the podcast, we're bringing back co-host Michael Wear to talk about his new book "The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life".
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It All Comes Down to Faith, Hope, and Love
Office of Citizen, Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE)
Dec 14, 2023
This essay was adapted from remarks delivered by Michael Wear at the Faith and Democracy Summit–a summative convening for Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement’s Faith In/And Democracy initiative held in Phoenix on November 28, 2023.
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New award honors Tim Keller and Sister Norma Pimentel for civic renewal
Religion News Service | By Jack Jenkins
October 11, 2023
A new group plans to honor the Rev. Timothy Keller, an evangelical Christian theologian who died earlier this year, and Catholic nun Sister Norma Pimentel, known for her work with migrants.
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Restoring Our Political Witness
S5 E12
Pastor Theologians Podcast
June 5, 2023
Michael was featured on the Pastor Theologians Podcast talking about restoring our political witness. The pastor theologians podcast consists of conversations and teaching resources at the intersection of theological scholarship and life and ministry in the local church.
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The Surprise of Tim Keller
Comment Magazine
May 22, 2023
Tim Keller, a pastor theologian who was one of the great American evangelists of his time, died on Friday morning, May 19, with his wife, Kathy, by his side. He was an imperfect man, as both he and his theology would demand I point out, but faithfulness pervaded his life.
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America’s Brash Grandiosity
Christianity Today
January 30, 2023
This essay was originally commissioned for a private convening of British and American Christian leaders organized by The Center for Christianity and Public Life and the UK-based Faith in Public.
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Rethinking Heaven, the Harrowing of Hell, & Christian Civics with Michael Wear
EPISODE 541
The Holy Post Podcast | Interview By Kaitlyn Schiess
December 28, 2022
Michael was featured on the Pastor Theologians Podcast talking about restoring our political witness. The pastor theologians podcast consists of conversations and teaching resources at the intersection of theological scholarship and life and ministry in the local church.
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This is Not the Most Important Election of Our Lives
Christianity Today | Interview By Daniel Silliman
October 25, 2022
Michael Wear, founder of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, on the state of American politics, what’s at stake in the midterms, and the temptation to “ultimatize” our issues.
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Links: Catholicism in The New York Times; swing state midterms; Sukkot
National Catholic Reporter | By Michael Sean Winters
October 20, 2022
Welcome to The Center for Christianity & Public Life, which launched this week with a short video. The organization is founded by former Obama faith-based advisor Michael Wear, one of D.C.’s truly lovely people. I wish it the best as it seeks to be a voice of sanity and morality in our nation’s capital.
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POLITICO Playbook
Politico | By Ryan Lizza And Eugene Daniel
October 18, 2022
Michael Wear has launched The Center for Christianity and Public Life, a new nonpartisan nonprofit, with chief of staff Phebe Meyer.
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American Idol: How Politics Replaced Spiritual Practice
Christianity Today | by Michael Wear
October 18, 2022
Christian formation is central to civic renewal, not the other way around.
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Michael Wear Launches the Center for Christianity and Public Life
Millennial Journal
October 18, 2022
At Christianity Today, our 2017 Millennial of the Year, Michael Wear, writes: These convictions ground The Center for Christianity and Public Life, a new nonpartisan institution based in the nation’s capital that I, along with our board and staff, have launched this week.
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Former Obama faith adviser launches Christian political organization
Yahoo News | By Jon Ward
October 18, 2022
At 34 years old, Michael Wear has already been a faith adviser to an American president, written two books and developed a reputation as a thoughtful and connected leader in American politics and religion.