Today’s Conversation is the podcast of the National Association of Evangelicals. Host Walter Kim, NAE president, talks with leading thinkers, theologians, activists, culture-makers and more, with the goal of helping evangelicals foster thriving communities and navigate complexity with biblical clarity.
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Today’s Conversation is the podcast of the National Association of Evangelicals. Host Walter Kim, NAE president, talks with leading thinkers, theologians, activists, culture-makers and more, with the goal of helping evangelicals foster thriving communities and navigate complexity with biblical clarity.
Mike Kelsey | Justice, Rest and Rhythms of Flourishing
Today's Conversation
45 minutes 38 seconds
3 weeks ago
Mike Kelsey | Justice, Rest and Rhythms of Flourishing
How can Christians pursue justice, lead with integrity and stay spiritually grounded in a divided and demanding world? In this honest and theologically rich episode, Pastor Mike Kelsey of McLean Bible Church shares how staying rooted in the character of God helps him navigate polarization, burnout and the challenges of leadership. For Mike Kelsey, pursuing justice isn’t an optional add-on — it’s an essential expression of discipleship based on God’s character. In this conversation with NAE President Walter Kim, Mike offers an honest reflection on what it’s been like to pastor through the cultural upheaval of recent years, and about the pressure that comes from trying to meet countless expectations. True rest, he says, doesn’t come from striving or disengaging, but from being deeply centered on seeking God’s approval above all else. You’ll also hear Mike and Walter discuss: * How practicing intentional Sabbath rhythms and setting boundaries with social media creates space for renewal and clarity; * The influence of the Black Church tradition on Mike Kelsey’s understanding of justice; * How McLean Bible Church is pursuing gospel-centered justice through foster care, disability ministry and racial equity; and * Practical wisdom for navigating justice fatigue, ministry burnout and deep cultural division. * Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts.Do you like the podcast?Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/todays-conversation/id1039699307) and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2x5IHPw43EYPW4ZEJRIwp9), give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family.Resources* Full conversation with Mike Kelsey on YouTube (https://youtu.be/qYzK-6p5hak)* For further study, read Isaiah 32, Jeremiah 9, Matthew 11 and 2 Corinthians 5* Rest and Resisting the Pace of Pharaoh (https://www.nae.org/sheila-wise-rowe-rest-and-resisting-the-pace-of-pharaoh/), NAE Podcast with Sheila Wise Rowe* McLean Bible Church (https://mcleanbible.org/)* Jill’s House (https://jillshouse.org/)* “At McLean Bible, Mike Kelsey Is Reimagining the Multiethnic Church,” (https://www.christianitytoday.com/2023/11/mike-kelsey-mclean-bible-church-david-platt-pastor-dc-multi/) by Kate Shellnutt in Christianity TodayToday’s Conversation is brought to you by Tyndale’s Go Bible (https://www.tyndale.com/sites/gobible/?utm_campaign=Bibles%20-%20NLT%20GO%20Bible%20for%20Kids%20-%20Tyndale&utm_source=NAE%20Podcast&utm_medium=Microsite%20Oct%202025).(https://www.nae.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GoBible_Logo_Orange_RGB-scaled-e1758930190806.png)
Today's Conversation
Today’s Conversation is the podcast of the National Association of Evangelicals. Host Walter Kim, NAE president, talks with leading thinkers, theologians, activists, culture-makers and more, with the goal of helping evangelicals foster thriving communities and navigate complexity with biblical clarity.
