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Menlo Church PodcastsAuthor: Menlo.Church
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Menlo Midweek Podcast | Beyond the Ballot | Identity in Christ, Identity in Crisis
Episode 1005
Wednesday, 11 November, 2026
This week, Brett steps in as host while Matt is away on a trip, joining Phil to wrap up the Beyond the Ballot series following the election. Together, they explore how to navigate the post-election landscape, process political outcomes, and guard against letting political outrage define our faith and identity.1 Key Discussion Points: Casual Intro & Catching Up: Brett open with some lighthearted banter about fall fashion choices, celebrate the Milwaukee Brewers' World Series victory, and share obscure sports they'd pursue, from equestrian riding to fencing. Why Post-Election Processing Matters: Exploring why it is vital for Christians to take time after an election to process results, grieve well if things didn't go their way, and avoid pulling away from church or community. Politics as a "Club Sport": A deep dive into the sermon illustration comparing political engagement to recreational, high school, and club sports. They discuss the dangers of living in constant "club-level" politicking—where politics becomes our primary identity, outrage never heals, and character compromises are easily justified. Spotting Unhealthy Political Engagement: Identifying warning signs of over-indexing on politics, such as consuming exclusively political media, bringing political outrage to the family dinner table, or being driven by social media algorithms. Navigating Work & Family Tension: Practical wisdom for responding to co-workers and family members making polarizing comments—leading with non-anxious curiosity, empathy, and grace rather than taking the bait. Trading Anxiety for Peace: A look at Paul’s letter to the Philippians (Philippians 4), addressing how to bring real-world societal concerns to God in prayer rather than succumbing to panic and fear-driven news cycles. Stay tuned for next week’s special bonus episode, where they will dive into more submitted ballot box questions! Next Steps Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps: Need Prayer or Have Questions? Text us at (650) 600-0402. Download this week’s sermon study guide: Support Hope for Everyone Thank you for your generosity! Support Menlo Church’s mission to reach 3% of the Bay Area with the message of hope in Jesus. Learn more or give at: http://www.menlo.church/hope. Get Connected We’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged into Menlo Church. Visit http://menlo.church/connect and fill out a quick form so we can reach out. Stay Connected with Menlo Church Kids (Preschool–Grade 5): https://menlo.church/kids Students (Grade 6–12): https://menlo.church/students Explore All Ministries: https://www.menlo.church/ministries
