This year, as our nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, many Americans are reflecting on the story we have inherited — its ideals, its triumphs, its contradictions, and its unfinished work. For Christians, this moment also invites an important spiritual question: What does it mean to follow Jesus faithfully within the American experiment without confusing devotion to God with devotion to nation?

This summer, I want to invite our church into a conversation that wrestles honestly with that question through the acclaimed PBS documentary series God in America. Beginning Sunday, June 14 at 4:00 PM, we will gather for a six-week discussion exploring the complicated relationship between faith and American life.

Produced by PBS and featuring leading historians and scholars, God in America traces how religion has shaped the American story — from the Puritans and the Great Awakenings to the Civil Rights Movement, evangelicalism, immigration, and the growing religious diversity of modern America. Along the way, the series reveals both the beauty and the danger found whenever faith and political power become too closely intertwined.

As Baptists, this conversation matters deeply to us. Our tradition has long championed religious liberty and the separation of church and state — not because faith is unimportant, but because coerced faith ultimately distorts both religion and democracy. Yet in our present cultural moment, many Christians feel pressure to merge national identity with Christian identity in ways that can blur the distinct call of Jesus. This series gives us an opportunity to step back, learn from history, and discern how Christians can remain faithful without placing our hope in political power or nationalism.

Each week, we will watch a portion of the documentary together before engaging in guided conversation. Participants are encouraged, though not required, to watch the full episode beforehand for additional context. No prior historical knowledge is necessary — only curiosity, humility, and a willingness to learn together. And if you can’t be present for every week, that’s okay. Just come when you can.

Here is the schedule for the summer: