Over the last few years, I started to hear a new phrase one that might be new to you as well: side hustle. A side hustle is a way to make money in addition to your full-time or part-time job. It’s also a way to explore a new career. Side hustles can be a way for folk in lower paying jobs, like, I dunno being a pastor in a congregation, to earn some money and also gain some new skills. Today we talk to Ruth Hetland, a Lutheran pastor living in Minnesota who started a side hustle to support women ...
Nov 29, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 161
(Originally Broadcast in December 2021.) I’ve known Geoffrey Kabaservice since we were both writers for David Frum’s news site, Frum Forum. Today Geoffrey is the Vice President of Political Studies at the Niskanen Center and host of the Vital Center Podcast. He’s an author, especially in for our purposes of the book Rule and Ruin: The Downfall of Moderation and the Destruction of the Republican Party, from Eisenhower to the Tea Party . I brought him on the podcast today to talk about the interse...
Nov 23, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 160
In this episode, guest Reverend Todd Stavrakos discusses the stance of mainline churches on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They talk about the lack of nuance in these stances and their impact on relations with the Jewish community. Stavrakos criticizes the one-sided focus on Israel's actions, the failure to condemn terrorist organizations, the issue of antisemitism within the church, and the importance of recognizing it. Show Notes: Presbyterians for Middle East Peace Pathways 4 Peace Presbyt...
Nov 15, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 159
Thousands of churches closed their doors and ceased active ministry every year bringing to an end decades of active ministry. But can a church come back from the dead and start again? In this episode, we talk to Anglican priest Grayhame Bowcott about the rebirth of St. Annes church in rural Ontario, Canada that went from “six very miserable Anglicans who had experienced the scarcity model of the church into a congregation of 55 who were there on a regularity.” Show notes: Grayhame's bio webpage ...
Nov 07, 2023•41 min•Ep. 158
As the sun rose on October 7th, the tranquility of southern Israel was shattered by an act of terror, by the terrorist group Hamas, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of many, including my guest, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield. Our heartfelt discussion traverses the rugged terrain of conflict, weaving through the emotional ties that bind Rabbi Hirschfield to the region, and the universal struggle to balance empathy with moral clarity in the face of violence. His reflections on the Israeli special f...
Oct 25, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 157
Can TikTok be more than a platform to lip-synch Taylor Swift songs? Can it actually foster online faith communities? For Presbyterian pastor Beth Peerbolte the answer is an emphatic yes. Over the last few years, she’s developed OurTapestry, an online faith community she started to provide a presence in what she calls “spiritual deserts” especially for LGBTQ populations, giving people access to pastoral care, faith formation, and a loving community. Join us as we talk about how TikTok and Discord...
Oct 17, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 156
In this podcast episode, Dennis chats with Nicholas Tangen, the Director for Faith Practices and Neighboring Practices for the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. They discuss community engagement and the intersection of faith and neighboring practices in congregations. Tangen emphasizes the importance of relational engagement and being good neighbors highlighting the significance of place and the church's rootedness in the community. He introduces the Faith and...
Sep 26, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 155
In this solo episode, Dennis shares thoughts on a topic that has been resonating with many of us in the ministry: the Great Pastor Resignation. Dennis reads his response to an article written by Alexander Lang, a former Presbyterian pastor who made the difficult decision to leave the ministry. Lang's article is not the first of its kind, but it has struck a chord with many of us. Being a pastor is both a blessing and a burden. It's a calling that comes with its own set of challenges, but it's al...
Sep 13, 2023•23 min•Ep. 154
In this episode, we hear from Laura Cottington, a lay leader and co-founder of Saint Michael Community Church in Saint Michael, Minnesota. She discusses the challenges and strategies of church planting, particularly in a changing landscape where traditional methods may not be as effective. Laura shares her experiences and insights on starting a church with limited resources, the importance of lay leadership, and the need for creativity and adaptability in reaching people for Christ. They also to...
Sep 02, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 153
This is a joint episode with Loren Richmond Jr. host of the Future Christian podcast. In this special episode recorded live from the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) , Loren Richmond Jr is joined by guest Dennis Sanders to delve into the current state of the denomination and the unique challenges faced by local congregations. Together, they explore the pressing need to support and sustain existing congregations, recognizing the vital role they play in today's societ...
Aug 15, 2023•43 min•Ep. 152
