Rev. Dr. Tod Bolsinger joins Kara and Matt to talk about adaptive leadership. Tod believes that congregational leaders can learn to engage in change practices that will relieve pressure and revitalize congregations. Resources AE Sloan Leadership, Inc. (organization) Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory by Tod Bolsinger (book) "Ronald Heifetz: The Nature of Adaptive Leadership" from Faith & Leadership (9 min video) Allyd (organization)...
Aug 06, 2025•54 min•Season 7Ep. 12
Dr. Jennifer McClure Haraway joins Shellie and Matt to talk about congregational collaboration. Dr. Haraway's new book, No Congregation is an Island , gives insights and research that will help you think about how to create partnerships in your context. Resources No Congregation Is An Island by Dr. Jennifer McClure Haraway (book) Network Power by Dr. David John Seel, Jr. (book)...
Jul 23, 2025•53 min•Season 7Ep. 11
Rev. Dr. J.R. Briggs joins John and Matt to talk about failure. Rev. Dr. Briggs believes that failure is not the end but rather can be a beautiful new beginning. Resources Fail by J.R. Briggs (book) Kairos Partnerships (organization) How Your Congregation Learns by Tim Shapiro (book) "There is Hope and Help for Pastors Who Feel 'Stalled'" from ChurchLeaders.com (24 min video) "Focusing On Health, Not Size" from Center for Congregations (podcast) "How Do You Define A Healthy Church Aside from The...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 7Ep. 10
Center for Congregations staffers Kara Faris, John James, Dr. Terrance Bridges and Matt Burke get together to talk about their work with congregations, the trends they're seeing and what they are learning. Resources Firm Foundations Marketing (organization)
May 28, 2025•36 min•Season 7Ep. 9
Rev. Dr. Kristen Bentley joins Kara and Shellie to talk about her research regarding bivocational ministry. Contrary to common understanding, it has been quite common in the history of congregations. Rev. Bentley discusses how this model can benefit congregational life. Resources Bivocational Ministry: Field Notes for Congregations and Ministers by Rev. Dr. Kristen Bentley (book) Bivocationalism Has Historic Roots and Modern Benefits (article) Bivocational Pastors on PBS (video)...
May 07, 2025•49 min•Season 7Ep. 8
Enjoy this episode that was originally launched in November of 2023. Kaitlyn Schiess, author, speaker, podcaster and doctoral student joins Matt and Abby to discuss her book The Liturgy of Politics. The conversation centers on the deeper meanings of politics and liturgy and how this deeper understanding can create a flourishing community. Resources The Colossian Forum (organization) Hijacked: Responding to the Partisan Church Divide (book) The Ballot and the Bible by Kaitlyn Schiess (book) The L...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Rev. Dr. Aaron Perry joins JC and Matt to talk about his new book Lay Leadership: For the Care of Souls . Aaron shares from his experience in congregational leadership and academia to help you understand how to engage more lay leaders in your congregation. Resources Lay Leadership: For the Care of Souls by Aaron Perry (book) Our Gifts: Identifying and Developing Leaders by David P. Mayer (book) "Unleashing the Church through Lay Leadership" from The Barna Group (article)...
Apr 09, 2025•57 min•Season 7Ep. 7
Laurie Stewart, CEO of Peacemaker Ministries, joins Matt and John to discuss the origins of conflict and how to handle conflict. Resources Peacemaker Ministries (organization) Arbinger Institute (organization) The Colossian Forum (organization) Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny (book) The Anatomy of Peace from The Arbinger Institute (book)...
Mar 26, 2025•59 min•Season 7Ep. 6
In this conversation, Reverend Dr. Marlene Fuller shares her journey as a multi-vocational pastor and the financial challenges that come with it. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, financial management, and the need for support within the church community. The discussion highlights the difference between coping behaviors and radical self-care, and the significance of trusting God rather than relying solely on personal performance. Dr. Fuller also discusses the impact of financial p...
Mar 19, 2025•34 min•Season 7Ep. 5
Kelly Minas, Director of the Lilly Endowment Young Adult Initiative, joins Matt and Shellie to talk about the S.T.A.R. (stories, tools, and resources) for Young Adult Ministry website. This resourcing website is the culmination of years of work in innovation hubs all over the country and can help your congregation sharpen your young adult ministry focus. Kelly shares about the work of these innovation hubs and the eight principles that can help your congregation connect with young adults. s.t.a....
Mar 12, 2025•46 min•Season 7Ep. 5
In this episode of the Money in Ministry podcast, Reverend Michelle Brown shares her personal journey with finances in ministry, discussing the challenges she faced, the theological implications of money, and the importance of community support. She emphasizes the transformative power of faith in navigating financial struggles and the shift from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance. The conversation highlights the significance of taking ownership of financial decisions while recognizing God...
Mar 05, 2025•39 min•Season 7Ep. 4
Rev. Mike Snyder joins Shellie and Matt to talk about co-vocational ministry and how it has created a wholeness both for his life and for the life of his congregation. Resources The Power of Co-vocational Ministry by Rev. Mike Snyder (article) Dying to Restart (organization) Covocational Pastoring: What It Is, And Why You Should Consider It (podcast) Bivocational and Beyond: Educating for Thriving Multivocational Ministry (book) The Church at Broadway Park (Rev. Snyder's Church)...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 7Ep. 4
In this episode of the Money in Ministry podcast, Ramon Rivera shares his inspiring journey of faith, challenges, and the miracles he experienced while planting churches. He emphasizes the importance of dreams as the first resource from God and recounts his struggles with financial challenges while pursuing his calling. Through various transitions, including moving from Pennsylvania to Florida and then to Arizona, Ramon highlights the support he received from mentors and programs like CARE, whic...
Feb 19, 2025•34 min•Season 7Ep. 3
Rev. Dr. Rickey McCray, senior pastor of The Way Church in Indianapolis, joins Kara and Matt to discuss how communicating creatively, and through creativity, can help you lead your congregation. Resources GCW Coaching (Pastor Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes' website) The Small Rural Church Social Media Blueprint (podcast/video) Dr. Rickey McCray's Website We Care Indy (organization) Dr. Rickey McCray's Facebook Page Dr. Rickey McCray's Instagram Page...
Feb 12, 2025•51 min•Season 7Ep. 3
In this conversation, Pastor Jason Roberts discusses the challenges and opportunities of talking about money within church communities. He emphasizes the importance of reframing the conversation around generosity, building trust, and utilizing curriculum and resources to facilitate open discussions. The dialogue also touches on the significance of legacy planning, the role of the church in financial stewardship, and the need for pastors to be vulnerable about their own financial struggles. Ultim...
Feb 05, 2025•31 min•Season 7Ep. 2
Rev. Dr. Jeff Keuss and Rev. Martin Jimenez, M.Div. join John and Matt to talk about their work and research around young adult engagement in congregations. They share what they are learning directly from young adults in their research that will help congregations learn how to reach out to this generation. Resources Defiant Hope, Active Love (book) Defiant Hope, Active Love (documentary) Pivot NW Research (organization) Pivot NW on Facebook Pivot NW on Instagram Pivot NW on X The Anxious Generat...
Jan 29, 2025•55 min•Season 7Ep. 2
In this conversation, Father Dave Harris shares his experiences navigating the financial challenges faced by pastoral leaders. He discusses the impact of financial strain on ministry, the importance of community support, and the need for intentional financial planning. The conversation highlights the differences in financial management between various church roles and emphasizes the significance of support systems for ministers, particularly regarding retirement planning and overcoming barriers ...
Jan 22, 2025•28 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Elise Barrett and Bere Gil Soto from the Center for Congregations' Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders program join Matt and Kelly to talk about their work and a new podcast series. This series will highlight specific stories of clergy leaders and the economic challenges they have faced in their vocation. Resources Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral leaders (organization)
Jan 15, 2025•43 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Join Center for Congregations staffers Kara Faris, Dr. Terrance Bridges, Dr. JC Campbell and Matt Burke as they discuss the changes in congregations over the last six years. A lot has happened since the Covid-19 pandemic and the conversation ranges over what congregations used to be focused on and how that focus has shifted.
Dec 18, 2024•45 min•Season 6Ep. 23
Rosario and Callie Picardo join JC and Matt to talk about their new book Healthy Money. Their fascinating hypothesis is that our thoughts and attitudes towards finances are driven by deep aspects of our personhood and if we make those aspects healthy it can aid us in viewing and using finances in a healthy way. Resources Healthy Money: A 30-Day Journey toward Spiritual, Emotional and Financial Freedom (book) Kitchen Table Giving: Reimagining How Congregations Connect with their Donors by William...
Nov 27, 2024•50 min•Season 6Ep. 22
Rev. Ethan Linder, Discipleship Pastor from College Wesleyan Church in Marion Indiana, joins JC and Matt to talk about discipleship and the process they've developed. Ethan shares the beginnings of the project and what they're learning. Resources College Wesleyan Shepherding Curriculum Facing Decline, Finding Hope: New Possibilities for Faithful Churches (book) The Master Plan of Evangelism (book) Lifelong Faith Associates (organization) Ethan's Instragram Handle @iamethanl...
Nov 13, 2024•51 min•Season 6Ep. 21
Rev. Dr. Que English, Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department and Health and Human Services, joins Shellie and Matt to talk about her work. She shares how congregations can be successful in helping their communities through a mission focus, education and local networking relationships. Resources Flourish by Martin Seligman (book) Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships (organization)...
Oct 30, 2024•49 min•Season 6Ep. 20
Propaganda joins JC and Matt to talk about how to make complex topics easier for your audience to understand. Propaganda is a rapper, spoken word artist, author, speaker and podcaster. And he knows a ton about coffee. Resources Terraform: Building a Better World (book) Terraform: The Sky (EP on Spotify) Terraform: The Soil (EP on Spotify) Terraform: The People (EP on Spotify) Terraform: The Possibility (EP on Spotify) Hood Politics with Prop (Podcast)...
Oct 16, 2024•54 min•Season 6Ep. 19
Center for Congregations staffers Rev. Shellie Riggs Jordan, Dr. JC Campbell, Dr. Terrance Bridges, Matt Burke and John James gather to talk about what they're hearing and learning from Congregations around the state of Indiana.
Oct 02, 2024•39 min•Season 6Ep. 18
Dr. Christina Davis and Rev. Dr. Tim Shapiro join Dr. Bridges and Matt to talk about their new book The Formative Power of Your Congregation. We discuss the framework of the process of formation in congregations, specific stories from the work and research and how your congregation can be a place of formation. Dr. Davis is the Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology and Marriage and Family Therapy at Christian Theological Seminary and Rev. Shapiro is the President of the Center for Congregation...
Sep 18, 2024•51 min•Season 6Ep. 17
Melanie Preston joins JC and Matt to share her understanding of how congregations can be healthy organizations. The conversation includes how to define organizational health, the importance of paying attention to burnout, why it's important to develop boundaries and how manipulation can harm a congregation. Matt and JC talk about their experiences working with congregations and the idea of organizational health and share some resources on the topic. Resources This House We Build: Lessons for Hea...
Sep 04, 2024•49 min•Season 6Ep. 16
Dr. Carlos Perkins, Associate Director of Engagement for the Lake Institute on Faith Faith and Giving joins Dr. Terrance Bridges and Matt Burke to discuss generosity. The conversation contains helpful definitions of generosity, reframing faith and giving and some practical tips. Resources https://lakeinstitute.org/ https://events.iu.edu/philanthropy/ https://lakeinstitute.org/resources/faithful-generosity-story-shelf/ https://henrinouwen.org/read/a-spirituality-of-fundraising/ https://litpress.o...
Aug 21, 2024•53 min•Season 6Ep. 14
Dr. William Cooke, MD. was practicing in a small rural community when a health crisis broke out. He joins Abby and Matt to talk about how various community stakeholders, including congregations, stepped up to aid those in need. Resources Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (organization) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (visual aid) Canary in the Coal Mine: A Forgotten Rural Community, a Hidden Epidemic, and a Lone Doctor Battling for the L...
Aug 07, 2024•41 min•Season 6Ep. 14
Digital marketing consultant Tim Campbell-Smith and digital marketing trainer Kaeli Sweigard join Shellie and Matt to talk about social media and congregations. This dynamic conversation will help any congregation whether they are just getting started or are social media veterans. Find Tim on the socials @timcampbellsms. Find Kaeli on the socials @kaelisweigard Resources https://timcampbellstrategist.com (Tim's website) https://kaelisweigard.com/ (Kaeli's website) Discipls.io (organization) Soci...
Jul 24, 2024•50 min•Season 6Ep. 13
Rev. Dr. Quincy McGhee, Senior Pastor of Lifeway Bible Fellowship and Grants Administrator for Associated Churches of Allen County, joins Abby and Matt to talk about his experiences regarding fundraising. Rev. McGhee helps to redefine how we approach needs: both our own and those in the community around us. Resources The Kaleidoscope Institute (organization) Indiana Community Foundations (webpage) Council on Foundations Community Foundation Locator (webpage)...
Jul 10, 2024•42 min•Season 6Ep. 12
