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This Great and Complicated Place

This Great and Complicated Place

By: Christianity Today
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About this listen

 This Great and Complicated Place stands to elevate the way communities of faith contribute to conversations about race and equity by exploring, honestly and compellingly, the historical design of American cities and urban centers and their impact on urban life. By inviting the voices of expert historians, economists, urban planners, faith and non-profit leaders, and—perhaps most importantly—neighbors, we intend to do more than just emphasize the design shortcomings of our cities and neighborhoods. We also want to highlight how faith communities are uniquely positioned to guide us towards more beautifully designed communities.Copyright Christianity Today Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • Life on the Human Scale: A Benediction for Builders

    Life on the Human Scale: A Benediction for Builders
    Apr 15 2025
    In the final episode of This Great and Complicated Place, host Rich Pérez offers a reflective, soul-stirring conversation that speaks directly to communities of faith—especially those within the Christian tradition—about the work of building just cities. Through story, theology, lived experience, and the voices of trusted thinkers and practitioners, this episode asks: what does it truly mean to embody love, justice, and presence in the places we call home? From church planting strategies to gentrification, from personal conversion to community transformation, this episode serves as both benediction and blueprint. A sending out. A call to love in real places with real people—at the pace of presence. Key Themes • Church planting, presence, and the power of proximity • Gentrification and the church’s unintended complicity • The importance of slow, embodied formation in place • Faith not as strategy, but as solidarity • Mutuality: what churches can receive from the neighborhoods they enter • A threefold conversion: to Jesus, to our people, and to the world through the poor We’re so grateful you’ve joined us for this series—a layered, needed conversation at the intersection of faith, race, and place. To stay connected and continue the journey: • Follow us on Instagram: @greatandcomplicatedplace • Share the episode with someone who needs to hear it • Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts—it helps more people find stories like these Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • Equity or Illusion: Is Education Really the Great Equalizer?

    Equity or Illusion: Is Education Really the Great Equalizer?
    Apr 2 2025
    Education is often framed as the great equalizer, but history tells a different story. From the lasting impact of segregation to disparities in funding, access, and opportunity, our schools reflect deeper societal injustices. In this episode, we explore the connection between healthy schools and healthy communities, the historical roots of educational inequity, and the moral responsibility we all share in shaping a just system. Through compelling insights from experts and thought leaders, we ask, Who bears the responsibility for justice? And more importantly, who are we willing to stop for? Key Themes: • The historical role of race in shaping educational inequities • The lingering effects of segregation on today’s schools • Education as a key factor in community stability and economic opportunity • The moral and social responsibility of addressing injustice • The Good Samaritan as a lens for reimagining who we consider “our own” Featured Voices: Jemar Tisby, PhD – Historian, author, and speaker on race and justice Dr. Massie – Educator and advocate for equitable school systems Ways to Get Involved: Learn More – Dive deeper into today’s discussion with recommended books, articles, and documentaries (see links below). Advocate Locally – Research school-board policies, funding disparities, and ways to support equitable education in your community. Support Organizations – Donate to or volunteer with groups dedicated to educational justice. Subscribe & Review: If this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps keep these critical conversations going! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • Disinvestment or Design: When a City Decides What a Child is Worth

    Disinvestment or Design: When a City Decides What a Child is Worth
    Mar 19 2025
    This episode examines how physical spaces and policy decisions affect educational access and opportunity. Through personal stories and expert perspectives, we explore how neighborhood design, resource distribution, and historical patterns of inequality have shaped—and continue to shape—education in our communities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    53 mins
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