The SkyePod - Drew's News
Release Date: June 13, 2025
Host: Skye Jethani
Guest: Drew Dick

Introduction

In this episode of The SkyePod, host Skye Jethani is joined by his monthly guest, Drew Dick, for another edition of Drew's News. The segment delves into compelling and often overlooked stories from around the internet, some intersecting with faith, religion, and Christianity, while others touch on broader societal issues.

1. The Downfall of Michael Tate and the Evangelical Subculture

Timestamp: [00:55] – [14:08]

Overview:
Drew Dick opens the discussion with a somber topic: the credible allegations against Michael Tate, a prominent figure in the Christian music scene. Tate, known for his roles in DC Talk and later as the lead singer of Newsboys, faced multiple charges of sexual assault dating back to the 1990s.

Key Points:

• Allegations and Admission:

  • Multiple men in their early 20s accused Michael Tate of grooming them with alcohol and drugs before sexually assaulting them.
  • Tate has acknowledged that these allegations are "largely true," offering a sincere mea culpa.

  Drew Dick [01:47]: "And Connecticut and others picked up the story, and he has since acknowledged that the allegations are largely true, in his words. And he actually gave a pretty good, in my view, mea culpa."

• Impact on the Evangelical Community:

  • Michael Tate was a significant star in the 1990s Christian contemporary music world, with bands like DC Talk and Newsboys playing pivotal roles in the evangelical subculture.
  • Drew reminisces about personal experiences attending DC Talk concerts, highlighting the widespread influence and admiration fans had for Tate.

  Sky Jutani [02:37]: "It's hard to overstate how big a star he was and how big a deal DC Talk was."

• Substance Abuse:

  • Throughout his career, Tate struggled with alcohol and drug abuse, including cocaine use.
  • This abuse was not adequately addressed within the Christian music industry, raising questions about the community's accountability mechanisms.

• Cultural Mythology of Fame and Blessing:

  • The evangelical subculture often equates fame and a large platform with God's blessings.
  • However, Tate's case exemplifies how fame can become a barrier to personal well-being and spiritual formation.

  Sky Jutani [07:42]: "It just seems really gross that we continue down this mythology that fame and platform are God's blessing and the way he wants his mission advanced, when over and over and over again, we see that it leads to destruction."

• Lack of Accountability:

  • Tate's status insulated him from facing consequences early on.
  • Other band members and peers were aware of his struggles but hesitated to intervene, fearing it might hinder their own careers.

  Drew Dick [07:52]: "But when you are a big celebrity and people kind of want to leverage their connection with you to achieve their own level of success and fame, power does insulate you, even when you're doing these kind of abusive things."

• Broader Implications for the Church:

  • The episode critiques the evangelical subculture's prioritization of impact and reach over spiritual maturity and accountability.
  • There's a call to dismantle the flawed mythology that equates platform size with divine favor, advocating for a shift towards genuine character and faithfulness.

  Drew Dick [09:01]: "Giftedness does not equal faithfulness."

2. The Debate Over Online Church: "Just Say No to Online Church"

Timestamp: [14:08] – [23:43]

Overview:
Transitioning from the troubling discourse on the evangelical subculture, Drew introduces an article from Christianity Today titled "Just Say No to Online Church" by Brad East. The discussion centers around the growing trend of hybrid congregations and the implications of integrating digital platforms into church ministry.

Key Points:

• Book Review:

  • The article reviews "The Hybrid Congregation: A Practical Theology of Worship for an Online Era" by Michael Huether.
  • Huether argues passionately for the necessity of online church, stating that excluding digital engagement is akin to amputating a vital part of the Christian communal experience.

  Sky Jutani [15:06]: "Digital engagement is a part of our holistic discipleship. Removing digital realities from our faith is in fact, this is an amputation of an important part of our cultural experience from our life together with each other and with God."

• Shift in Pastoral Metrics:

  • Drew highlights a trend among pastors shifting their focus from traditional congregation size to online engagement metrics.
  • This reflects a broader evangelical fixation on impact and reach, sometimes at the expense of deeper spiritual connections.

  Drew Dick [16:54]: "But after that, it was, how many are you running on a Sunday. And people would joke, like, the farther you got away from your church and people didn't know you, the more members you could add."

• Critique of Digital Church Movement:

  • Sky connects the push for online church with the earlier discussion on the evangelical subculture's obsession with impact.
  • The emphasis on digital metrics can lead to neglecting the core aspects of faith and community, mirroring the earlier critique of valuing platform over character.

  Sky Jutani [17:02]: "We don't slow down and ask not whether I should do it, but is it actually consistent with the faith I believe."

• Arguments Against Huether's Position:

  • Brad East contends that while the world is undeniably digital, ministries should critically assess whether prioritizing online engagement aligns with their faith missions.
  • The mere presence online does not inherently enhance ministry effectiveness and may distract from authentic spiritual growth.

  Drew Dick [18:47]: "He confuses description and prescription. ... he doesn't stop long enough to ask, well, is this good or right and something the church ought to emulate?"

• Mediums and Their Influence:

  • Sky challenges Huether's assertion that digital media are neutral, arguing instead that different mediums have distinct potentials for both good and evil.
  • Drawing parallels with personal relationships, Sky emphasizes that while initial connections can happen online, sustaining meaningful relationships digitally is fraught with challenges.

  Sky Jutani [22:04]: "People go online to research and find and discover. That's also true for like dating, right? There is a medium whose potential for destruction is far greater than its potential for construction or blessing."

Conclusion

Throughout this episode, Skye Jethani and Drew Dick engage in a critical examination of significant issues within the evangelical subculture. From the tragic downfall of a beloved Christian music star due to substance abuse and abuse of power, to the contentious debate over the role of digital platforms in modern ministry, the discussion underscores the need for introspection and accountability. The conversation calls for a reevaluation of what truly constitutes faithfulness and effective ministry, urging the evangelical community to prioritize genuine spiritual growth and ethical integrity over superficial measures of impact and reach.

Notable Quotes:

• Drew Dick [01:47]: "He has since acknowledged that the allegations are largely true... he actually gave a pretty good, in my view, mea culpa."

• Sky Jutani [07:42]: "It just seems really gross... that we continue down this mythology that fame and platform are God's blessing... when over and over again, we see that it leads to destruction."

• Drew Dick [09:01]: "Giftedness does not equal faithfulness."

• Sky Jutani [15:06]: "Digital engagement is a part of our holistic discipleship... removing digital realities from our faith is ... an amputation of an important part of our cultural experience."

• Sky Jutani [22:04]: "There is a medium whose potential for destruction is far greater than its potential for construction or blessing."

This summary encapsulates the key discussions from The SkyePod - Drew's News, providing insights into the challenges facing the evangelical community regarding accountability and the integration of digital mediums in ministry.