Some of the best stories are centered on the theme of reconciliation. For Christians, reconciliation is at the heart of the gospel. As We Forgive is a documentary about two women who come face-to-face with the men who slaughtered their families during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. What can we learn from the forgiveness happening in Rwanda? How can the church get involved in advancing reconciliation? Filmmaker, Laura Waters Hinson converses on her film, As We Forgive, developing the craft of storytelling, and the latest projects she’s been working on.

What does science say about how constraints introduced into a system can breed innovation and new ideas? What role does fear have in the iconoclast’s life? What are poor habits or better disciplines that might improve iconoclastic thinking? Listen, as Dr. Gregory Berns elaborates on the evidence that neuroscience is providing on how to think differently.

Fundamentally, obedience to Jesus is the heart and soul of Christian discipleship. In order for Christians to properly disciple they must interpret the current culture and adapt the teachings of Jesus to the surrounding context. Listen as Alan Hirsch shares his heart for the American Church and what being a missional disciple requires.

No one these days has to be told that Americans live in a consumeristic culture. However, in the pursuit of relevance it seems that some churches offer a redeeming message held up in lights, marketing strategies, and countless of dollars spent. Consumerism is an unconscious disease that every American needs to be made aware of. For many Christians, worship has become entertainment, the church has become a shopping mall, and God has become a consumable product. What does consumerism mean for our faith and how can we overcome our consumeristic nature?

Is it even possible? More importantly, is it sensible? Does the presence of nuclear weapons make the world safer and ensure they won't be used again? And why should Christians really care about this issue to begin with? Listen as Tyler Wigg-Stevenson, founder of the Two Futures Project, describes the scenario of a single bomb and lays out his case for a world free of nuclear weapons. A Baptist preacher with a decade of experience in nuclear weapons policy, Tyler has dedicated much of his adult life to the abolition of nuclear weapons and the attainment of the post-atomic age. He converted to Christianity shortly after graduating from college, while working for the late U.S. Senator Alan Cranston. That conversion began a journey that would lead him to seminary in New Haven, where he met both his future wife, Natalie, and the congregation at Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church, who baptized and eventually licensed and ordained him to gospel ministry.

It seems that Austin, TX has something for just about everyone. A city proud of its diversity and warmly welcoming of locals and tourists alike, Austin might be known for any number of accolades. Music. Sports. Business. Education. Nature. Food. Film. Individuality. In 2009, the city of Austin will host our annual Q gathering. At Q, we are proud to foster a diverse community of people and ideas in a truly unique setting and experience. Get a cultural leaders perspective on the city of Austin and the overall Q experience.

David Hodges is a Grammy award-winning writer/producer/artist hailing from Little Rock, Arkansas. As former write and keyboardist of the band Evanescence, he and his band-mates took home Best New Artist as well as Best Hard Rock Performance trophy for their hit "Bring Me Back to Life" in 2004. David went on to write and produce Kelly Clarkson's biggest worldwide single to date. Recently David has written and produced songs for Celine Dion, Blake Lewis, Backstreet Boys, and Amie Miriello, and wrote the hit first single Crush for American Idol's David Archuleta, which had the highest chart debut since January 2007.

Mike Foster is the President of Ethur which is non-profit organization developing initiatives that promote cultural change. Their current projects include ThePornTalk.com, Junky Car Club, and Deadly Viper Assassins. Mike also serves as the Senior Creative Principal for Plain Joe Studios, a for-profit design firm specializing in strategic branding, interactive media, and environmental design. He currently lives in Southern California with his wife Jennifer and his two children, Jackson and Taylor.

What is the benefit of having a multi-site church in a society that seeks to control the empires it creates? How does a multi-site church effectively partner with other churches? Listen to this discussion as Dave Gibbons answers questions on the importance of diversity and how to lead multi-site churches.

David has a passion for emerging, next-generation leadership development, community transformation and consulting business leaders and artists. David was one of the founders of the Catalyst Leadership Center and currently leads NewSong Church, one of America's largest postmodern, multiethnic, third culture churches in America.

Missional communities require vocational responsibility, theological conviction, financial awareness, and a sense of empowerment. Learn as urban church-planter Jon Tyson dialogues about the church's role within the city and the world. 

Jon Tyson is a church planter in Manhattan and a part of the Origins Movement - a new church planting movement committed to multiplying missional communities in the major urban influential centers of the world. He is married to Christy and lives with his two kids on the Upper West Side in Manhattan.

Christmastime in the United Stated is defined by chaotic Wal-Mart lines, traffic jams, and billions of spent dollars. In a society blind to consumerism there is an alternative way to enjoy the holidays. Listen as Rick McKinley and Gabe Lyons discuss what the role of Christians should be during the Christmas season and how buying less allows a greater opportunity to give more.

Rick McKinley is the founding pastor of Imago Dei Community in Portland, Oregon, which he and his wife, Jeanne, planted in October 2000. Imago Dei has grown rapidly in Portland, loving and blessing the city through the arts, justice and community while embodying the life of Jesus to the culture.

121 million people worldwide struggle from depression. 18 million of these cases are happening in the United States. 2/3 of those suffering with depression never seek treatment. Listen as Jamie Tworkowski dialogues about depression, the Gospel, brand development, and honesty with stories woven in from his personal experiences with, To Write Love On Her Arms.

Jamie Tworkowski is the founder of "To Write Love On Her Arms," a non-profit organization which aims to present hope and find help for young people struggling with depression.

How do you relate to the people who live in your community with vastly different backgrounds? By creating spaces where conversations like this are possible in a society that is becoming more diverse, Leroy Barber converses about the Biblical mandate to love our neighbors.

In 1990, burdened by the plight of Philadelphia’s homeless, he founded Restoration Ministries, to serve homeless families and children living on the streets. In 1997, he joined FCS Urban Ministries serving as the founding Director of Atlanta Youth Academies, a private elementary school, to provide quality Christian education for low-income families in the inner city. He is currently the President of Mission Year, a national urban initiative introducing 18-29 year olds to missional and communal living in city centers for one year of their lives. Rev. Barber is the Pastor of a church plant, Community Fellowships Church and on the boards of Atlanta Youth Academy and DOOR.         

How does education impact the future and the way we live? The Harvey Fellows program seeks to encourage Christian graduate students to integrate their faith and vocation and pursue leadership positions in strategic fields where Christians tend to be under-represented. Learn as Duane Grobman converses about the importance of education and Christian vocation. Also, an individual's theology of space and community really does effect the way we live. Listen as Mel McGowan talks about the necessity of having sacred spaces where genuine community can be fostered.

An individual's theology of space and community really does effect the way we live. Listen as Mel McGowan talks about the necessity of having sacred spaces where genuine community can be fostered.

Duane Grobman is the Director of the Harvey Fellows whom empowers students who evidence the passion and ability to lead others as they participate in God's work to redeem society's structures.  

Mel McGowan leads the creative concept development, programming, master-planning, design, entitlement, and project management efforts of Visioneering Studios. Mel combined a unique background in film and a decade-long stint with the Walt Disney Company with experience in a private multi-disciplinary planning, design, and engineering consulting company in Southern California, where he designed and managed an enviable portfolio of projects for world-class resorts, institutional, retail, community, and mixed use projects.

As the United States continues to become more ethinically diverse how can the church be a centerpiece for all people in a local community? Understanding that the multi-ethnic church is Biblically mandated in the New Testament will provide new ways to pioneer a bridge between the church and diverse communities.

Dr. Mark DeYmaz is the founding pastor of the Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas (www.mosaicchurch.net), a multi-ethnic and economically diverse church where significant percentages of Black and White Americans, together with men and women from more than 30 nations, currently worship God together as one. A recognized leader in the emerging, Multi-ethnic Church Movement, his book, Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church (Jossey-Bass/Leadership Network), provides the Biblical mandate for the multi-ethnic church and outlines seven core commitments required to bring it about.

The only way to change culture is to create culture. Culture is a unique calling for Christians. Listen as Andy Crouch educates listeners on the cultural commission for Christians how they can reclaim their creative calling in local communities.

Andy is the author of Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling, winner of Christianity Today’s 2009 Book Award for Christianity and Culture and named one of the best books of 2008 by Publishers Weekly, Relevant, Outreach and Leadership. A senior editor at Christianity Today International, he has served as executive producer of the documentary films Where Faith and Culture Meet and Round Trip and was editorial director of the Christian Vision Project from 2005 to 2008. He is a member of the editorial board of Books & Culture, and a senior fellow of the International Justice Mission’s IJM Institute. His writing has appeared in several editions of Best Christian Writing and Best Spiritual Writing. He lives with his family in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.

When ordinary people come together in movements, mountains are moved. Trusting that God is neither a republican or a democrat how can a local church balance doing the Gospel and sharing the Gospel? Learn the importance of social responisbility and personal responsibility as Jim Wallis dialogues about Christians, politics, and social movements.

Fringe is about art—about crossing social, cultural, and ethnic divides through music by purposely melding worlds to create something entirely new. Fringe puts gifted composers, musicians, and visual artists together to showcase their talent in a fresh experience of the arts.

Jim Wallis is a best-selling author, public theologian, preacher, speaker, activist, and international commentator on ethics and public life. He is the president and executive director of Sojourners/Call to Renewal, where he is the editor-in-chief of Sojourners magazine - whose print and electronic publication reaches more than 250,000 people - and also convenes a national network of churches, faith-based organizations, and individuals working to overcome poverty in America.         

Jose Reyes is the founder and creative director of Metaleap Design, an award-winning graphic design firm that works with clients who are concerned with issues of social and cultural renewal. He is also at the center of Fringe, an acclaimed Atlanta concert sereis that mergies multiple art forms into a single evening-chamber music with short film, DJ-spun electronica with classical music, plus behind-the-scenes mini documentaries about the performers, and gallery exhibits of well-known artists.

The film industry is argued to be the great art of the 20th century. Within every film there is a unique story being told. Christopher Silber is an experienced screen-writer who explains how to develop a great story and capture it on camera.

With over 15 years of experience in the film industry, Christopher Silber is a screen-writer from Germany who lives in Brooklyn, New York. In 2009, he alongside partner, Thorsten Wettcke, received the Grimme Award, the highest honor in German TV for their crime series entitled, Tatort.

It can be said that the methods change but the message stays the same. However, this statement is not true. When the methods change the message is inevitably altered. The digital age has ushered countless ways to present a message. Become aware of how technology has impacted a variety of different mediums - especially the church. 

Shane Hipps is pastor of Trinity Mennonite Church, a growing, urban, Anabaptist congregation. Prior to accepting his call as a pastor, Shane was a strategic planner in advertising where he gained experience in understanding media and culture. Much of his time was spent working on the multimillion-dollar communications strategy for Porsche Cars North America.

Monday is everyone's least favorite day of the week. What would happen if people began their week with purpose by doing projects in their communities? Every Monday Matters promotes the fact that people have the power. People matter. No matter how big or small the actions, they matter. And not only do people have the power to make change, they have a social responsibility to do so. Not out of guilt, but out of an appreciation for every living thing in the world. Together, we will make a difference in the world and raise the collective consciousness, thereby creating a legacy worth participating in…one Monday at a time. Also, Why is the Gospel of love dividing America? Dan Merchant talks about his new movie, Lord Save Us From Your Followers, which is due out in theaters September 2009.

Matthew Emerzian has worked in entertainment management and public relations in Los Angeles, providing expertise in strategic planning, marketing, and implementing successful in PR campaigns. He directs a team of people who pick up street litter, organize blood drives, visit homeless shelters, and many other socially-minded activities. Matthew is also co-creator of 40 Days of Love and inspirational card company. Matthew is the author of a book called, Every Monday Matters.    

Dan Merchant is an Emmy Award winning television writer/producer and oft-mocked youth basketball coach. He is happily married and is the Father of two.

Ethur exists to create spiritually focused projects that change culture. Addressing issues from porn to poverty, the ambitious non-profit organization utilizes creativity, innovation, and design to impact our world. The mission and directive for Ethur can be simply summed up with these two words: Do Good.

Mike Foster is the President of Ethur, a non-profit organization developing initiatives that promote spiritual and social change. This innovative company utilizes creative professionals to jump start kingdom-related projects. In 2002, Mike founded XXXchurch.com and led the creative vision for the ministry. His work has appeared on CNN, Fox News, The Daily Show, and The New York Times. He co-authored the book, Deadly Viper Character Assassins.         

Bryce Green is the Executive Director at Ethur. Bryce has a huge passion for social justice issues. He has produced a short film called "Child In Charge" about Rwanda orphans. He is originally from Australia but now lives in Irvine, California.

There is no other city like it. Five cities in one: Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, and Manhattan. It's the capital of the world. Home to every culture. The city that determines what you wear, what colors are "in" and what news story you'll be watching tonight. The city that makes dreams come true. I heart NYC. In 2008, New York City will host our annual Q gathering. Listen as church planter, Jon Tyson discusses the beauty of New York City and what to expect come April 9-11, 2008.

Jon Tyson is a church planter in Manhattan and a part of the Origins Movement - a new church planting movement committed to multiplying missional communities in the major urban influential centers of the world. He is married to Christy and lives with his two kids on the Upper West Side in Manhattan.

What can history tell us about ancient spiritual practices and why they are important to us as human beings? How do these practices effect the way we view discipleship in the 21st century? Discovering and implementing these practices can change the way we live and breathe life as Christians.

Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, pastor, and networker among innovative Christian leaders, thinkers, and activists. He is a frequent guest on television, radio, and news media programs. He has appeared on many broadcasts including Larry King Live, Religion and Ethics Newsweekly, and Nightline. His work has also been covered in Time (where he was listed as one of American's 25 most influential evangelicals), Christianity Today, Christian Century, the Washington Post, and many other print media.

Christians talk about hating sin and loving sinners, but the way they go about things, they might as well call it what it is. They hate the sin and the sinner. In the book, unChristian, 8 out of 10 people see Christians as judgmental.

Mike Foster is the President of Ethur, a non-profit organization developing initiatives that promote spiritual and social change. This innovative company utilizes creative professionals to jump start kingdom-related projects. In 2002, Mike founded XXXchurch.com and led the creative vision for the ministry. His work has appeared on CNN, Fox News, The Daily Show, and The New York Times. He co-authored the book, Deadly Viper Character Assassins.

National elections conquer biased media platforms and radio shows. The United States becomes consumed by the political agendas of a few charismatic voices during these election periods. Christians are known to be one issue voters who promote right-wing politics. However, in the book, unChristian, 7 out of 10 people see Christians being too political. How can Christians be characterized by respecting people, thinking biblically, and finding solutions to complex issues?

Mark Batterson went to the University of Chicago on a basketball scholarship and majored in pre-law. After a prayer walk through a cow pasture in 1989, he felt called to full time ministry and ended up at Central Bible College. That’s the short story. Mark also has two masters degrees from Trinity International University. He is the author of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase.

Many people in the gay community don't seem to have issues with Jesus but rather with those claiming to represent him today. It's very much an "us-versus-them" mentality, as if a war has been declared. In the book, unChristian, 9 out of 10 people see Christians being anti-homosexual. How can Christians change this perception by showing compassion and love to all people, regardless of their lifestyle?

Shane Claiborne is one of the founding members of a New Monastic community named The Simple Way in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This organization was featured on the cover of Christianity Today. Shane is also a prominent activist for nonviolence and the redistribution of resources to the poor. A graduate of Eastern University, where he studied sociology and youth ministry, Claiborne did his final academic work for Eastern University at Wheaton College in Illinois. While at Wheaton, Claiborne did an internship at Willow Creek Community Church. He has done some graduate work at Princeton Theological Seminary, but took a leave of absence, and now is a part of The Alternative Seminary in Philadelphia.

Christians enjoy being in their own community. The more they seclude themselves, the less they can function in the real world. So many Christians are caught in the Christian "bubble." In the book, unChristian, 7 out of 10 people see Christians being too sheltered.

Recently named by Charisma magazine one of the “30 Emerging Voices” who will help lead the church in the next decade, she has written more than a dozen books including the critically-acclaimed The Organic God  and The Sacred Echo (Zondervan). People of all ages connect with her relational teaching style. Margaret currently lives in Morrison, Colorado, with her 6′8″ husband, Leif.

Christians are too concerned with converting people. They seem more concerned with keeping a toll on the people who they "get saved" rather then create genuine relationships with them. In the book, unChristian, 7 out of 10 people see Christians being insensitive to others and concerned only with converting people.

Rick McKinley is author of Jesus in the Margins and This Beautiful Mess. He planted Imago Dei Community in October of 2000.  Since that time Imago has been voted one of the top 25 most innovative churches in the country by Outreach Magazine.  Rick is also the co-creator of Advent Conspiracy a global initiative with the goal of recovering the meaning of the incarnation by calling the church to be a leading voice in the global water crisis.  Rick speaks around the country teaching the bible on holistic mission, leadership, and spiritual formation. He is also finishing his Doctorate from Gordon Conwell Seminary in Boston.  That being said, the best part of Rick’s life is  his wife Jeanne and their four children.

It's been said, "Do as I say, not as I do." Many people see Christians doing things they believe they shouldn't. It is true that everyone is a hypocrite is some sort of fashion. However, we as Christians need to seek honesty in how we relate to people and the struggles we face. In the book, unChristian, 8 out of 10 people see Christians being hypocritical.

David Kinnaman is president of The Barna Group, which provides research and resources that facilitate spiritual transformation in people's lives. Since joining Barna in 1995, David has designed and analyzed nearly five hundred studies for a variety of churches, nonprofits, and corporations. He and George Barna write a free research report published online at www.barna.org. David and his wife Jill have three children and live in Ventura, California.

Christianity has an image problem. Christians are supposed to represent Christ to the world. But according to the latest report card, something has gone terribly wrong. Using descriptions like "hypocritical," "insensitive," and "judgmental," young Americans share an impression of Christians that's nothing short of, unChristian. Groundbreaking research into the perceptions of sixteen- to twenty-nine-year-olds reveals that Christians have taken several giant steps backward.

David Kinnaman is president of The Barna Group, which provides research and resources that facilitate spiritual transformation in people's lives. Since joining Barna in 1995, David has designed and analyzed nearly five hundred studies for a variety of churches, nonprofits, and corporations. He and George Barna write a free research report published online at www.barna.org. David and his wife Jill have three children and live in Ventura, California.

What does it mean for a local church to be woven into the community it lives in? Ecclesia Houston is a unique church that is an essential part of the city. With a fair trade coffee shop, organic food co-op, and bookstore people are always able to gather and commune with one another. It is a place where people can create and contribute to advancing the Kingdom of God. Chris Seay on authentic community, creativity, art, and stories.

Chris Seay is a leader in the emerging church discussion, church planter, author, and third generation Baptist pastor. Currently, Chris is the President of Ecclesia Bible Society where he is orchestrating a Scripture project that seeks to retell the biblical narrative with the literary beauty of great poetry and story as well as historical truth. As Pastor of Ecclesia Houston, Chris leads a unique congregation that is living out the gospel faithfully in an urban environment. He is also the author several books, including, The Gospel According to Tony Soprano, The Gospel Reloaded, and The Last Eyewitness.

Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace and completeness. It is easy to forget Those who bring Shalom to others are ushering God's original design to humanity. Listen as Dr. Ron Martoia explores the missional component of Shalom and how the Gospel and Shalom go hand in hand.

Dr. Ron Martoia is a transformational architect. Ron helps people and the organisms they serve, design and then journey through the experience of deep change. He consults with executive teams in corporate settings, but specializes in churches. Author of numerous periodical articles and books including, Static: Tuning out the “Christian Noise” to Experience the Real Message of Jesus and Transformational Architecture: Reshaping Our Lives As Narrative. Ron's doctorate is in the area of leadership and culture. In addition to having served on adjunct faculty at several Universities, Ron has provided leadership training and organizational development in 12 countries of the world.

What are some of the practical ways that Christians can participate in environmental stewardship? What does this mean for Christians and the church? Christians must care about environmental stewardship because it is commissioned to humanity by God. Living with a conscious that understands what is threatening to the environment must cause us to live differently.

Dr. Matthew Sleeth resigned from his position as chief of the medical staff and director of the ER to lecture, write, and preach about creation care and the environment.  His book, Serve God, Save the Planet:  A Christian Call to Action, was released by Chelsea Green Publishing (Green Gospel Books) in May 2006.  He is a graduate of George Washington University School of Medicine and has two post doctoral fellowships.  Dr. Sleeth has been a member of the American Academy of Family Practice, the College of Emergency Physicians, and the College of Executive Physicians.

The Gospel is not about building another organization or ministry. It is about helping people come closer and closer to Jesus. Doing work like this requires both radical integrity. It is vitally important to our faith that we personally engage God and prepare our hearts in doing His good work on the earth.

Mike Foster is the President of Ethur, a non-profit organization developing initiatives that promote spiritual and social change. This innovative company utilizes creative professionals to jump start kingdom-related projects. In 2002, Mike founded XXXchurch.com and led the creative vision for the ministry. His work has appeared on CNN, Fox News, The Daily Show, and The New York Times. He co-authored the book, Deadly Viper Character Assassins.

How do societal leaders exercise their faith within their circle of influence? The fact is that faith does compel the decisions that Evangelical leaders make. Michael Lindsay discusses his research that is compiled in the book, Faith in the Halls of Power: How Evangelicals Joined the American Elite. There is a great opportunity for Christians to practice their faith in the working world. Power is exercised through networks or what is known by in the church as, community. By creating, convening, and having a cosmopolitan power is where there are real hopeful signs for how Christians engage culture.

Michael Lindsay is a member of the sociology faculty at Rice University, where he is also the Faculty Associate of Leadership Rice and Assistant Director of the Center on Race, Religion, and Urban Life. He is the author of two books, both with George Gallup, Jr., and has written many scholarly and popular essays. He has received several awards for his writing, teaching, and speaking and writes a regular column for Rev! magazine.

Authentic Christianity demands the church to work against any genre of injustice. Christians must trust that God will bring joy and power when they are willing to look at the pain of the world. God's heart is on the side of those who are oppressed and we cannot ignore our commission to redeem the world.

Gary Haugen serves as President and CEO of International Justice Mission. IJM is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local governments to ensure victim rescue, to prosecute perpetrators and to strengthen the community and civic factors that promote functioning public justice systems.

The term "common grace" has fallen at a disuse in modern times. However, the Reformers understood it be God's grace spilled out in life for the benefit of non-believers, as well as, believers. Saving grace is the grace that transforms us. Common grace is what the just and unjust alike experience when God's people work to restore things back to God's original design. Learn as Charles Colson dialogues about the call that all Christians have to cultural renewal.

Charles Colson was known as the the White House "hatchet man," a man feared by even the most powerful politicos during his four years of service to President Nixon. When news of Colson's conversion to Christianity leaked to the press in 1973, the Boston Globe reported, "If Mr. Colson can repent of his sins, there just has to be hope for everybody." In 1974 Colson entered a plea of guilty to Watergate related charges; although not implicated in the Watergate burglary, he voluntarily pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice. He entered Alabama's Maxwell Prison in 1974 as the first member of the Nixon administration to be incarcerated for Watergate related charges. After leaving prison, Colson founded Prison Fellowship Ministries in 1976, which has since become the world's largest outreach to prisoners.