Discipleship is something we all like to talk about but don't all agree on what it actually means. Robert Douglas, author of the book The Missional Discipleship-Making Handbook, joins the show to talk about the best ways to live into discipleship, why we are not often clear on definitions and key terms, and why the church overemphasizing the Sunday worship gathering has effectively rendered discipleship optional. Pastor Robert Douglas has an MA Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and is a ...
Mar 01, 2022•56 min•Season 8Ep. 82
Pastors often find themselves working in churches that don't fit with their own personal theology. Jake Doberenz joins the pod to talk about what keeps him in a church that doesn't fit with his own theology, whether he thinks there is a way to bridge the theological divides that often exist between clergy and laypeople, and how to know when it's time to leave. Having served in the Church of Christ, Jake also shares some thoughts on what conservative churches can learn from liberal churches, and ...
Feb 22, 2022•45 min•Season 8Ep. 81
Recent times have put a spotlight on the inequities, systems of oppression, and deep divisions in our society. Much has been written that acknowledges and describes the divides, but there has been little practical information on what can be done. In this conversation, Brian Allain and Adam Thomas, editors of the book How to Heal Our Divides, talk about why they believe healing our divides is possible, ways that churches and leaders can facilitate healing in their communities, and steps privilege...
Feb 16, 2022•51 min•Season 8Ep. 80
Lent is often misunderstood as simply being about giving up meat, chocolate, or some other pleasure in the name of spiritual growth. Rev. Riley Pickett joins the pod to talk about why she loves Lent and why believes Lent is so much more than just simple fasts and diets. In the interview, Riley talks about the beauty of Lent, how she helped bring together the book Fury & Grace , and how churches and faith communities can use the book to cultivate communal spiritual practices and growth during...
Feb 10, 2022•48 min•Season 8Ep. 79
The biggest challenge to new church start leaders is sustainability. But, these problems are not for church planters to solve alone says Scott Hagley, Karen Rohrer, and Michael Gehrling, editors of the book Sustaining Grace: Innovative Ecosystems for New Faith Communities. In our conversation, we talk about the book, why judicatories ned church planters even if they don't become self-sustaining, and why the metric of "sustainability" needs to be interrogated and cast aside. Scott J Hagley is A s...
Feb 08, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 8Ep. 78
Inclusion often comes at the cost of excluding others, says Rev. Lori Tapia. In the interview, Lori talk about understanding church beyond simply faith development, but an extension of everyday life and family, encouraging churches to work together in new ways, highlighting the ways Hispanic churches are modeling these practices already and can be an example for predominately white churches. Lori also shares some of the things she's learned during this time of pandemic and offers some advice for...
Feb 01, 2022•54 min•Season 8Ep. 77
Churches and nonprofits often struggle trying to figure out how to "market" themselves, often lamenting that they are the "best kept secret" in town. Marketing expert JJ Peterson joins the pod to talk about the four different categories of nonprofits, how each kind should market itself, and why non-profits should market and message like a for-profit. JJ also talks about the how the Storybrand framework, and how progressive churches can do a better job getting their message out. Since 2013, Dr. J...
Jan 25, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 76
Moving through Covid and into the future, a key question church leaders must figure out is what church planting will look like in the days ahead. Nick Warnes, leader of the Cyclical Inc, a church planting movement, joins the pod to talk about how Covid has changed the nature of church planting, how we solve the challenges of financial sustainability, and what he sees as the future of church planting. Nicholas Warnes (Masters of Divinity, Fuller Theological Seminary, Emphasis in Worship Theology ...
Jan 18, 2022•44 min•Season 8Ep. 75
Have you ever found yourself outwardly celebrating the big accomplishment of a friend, but inwardly bemoaning that you haven't reached your own goals and dreams? Heather Thompson Day, author, speaker, and professor, shares her own experiences wrestling with these feelings and talks about what inspired her new book, It's Not Your Turn. In our conversation, Heather talks about the challenges of social media and instant gratification, committing to the journey, and why maintaining our integrity is ...
Jan 11, 2022•49 min•Season 8Ep. 74
The power of story--especially sharing your story and hearing the stories of others--is both profound and sacred. Jose Martinez, creator of the StoryWagen joins the pod to talk about what the StoryWagen is, how it came to be, and how it impacts people. As a leader in new church ministry strategies, Jose also gives ideas for how church can incorporate more story-telling into their worship experiences and it he sees the future of the church gather as being less focused on sermons and centered more...
Jan 04, 2022•42 min•Season 8Ep. 73
We turn the mike around this episode and talk to the host of the show, Loren Richmond Jr! Interviewed by Paul Romig-Leavitt, the intro voice and one of the producers of the show, Loren and talks about his church planting experience, why he resonates with Eeyore, and what makes him tick. Loren is a pastor, podcaster, and social entrepreneur. Currently serving as a hospital chaplain, Loren is passionate about leading, serving, and creating to help churches better share the radical love and welcome...
Dec 14, 2021•47 min•Ep. 72
Shane Claiborne joins the show to talk guns and peacemaking. In the episode, we talk about gun idolatry in American, the reckoning we still have to face due to guns, and whether moving towards a way of peace is even possible. Shane also powerfully juxtaposes guns and the cross of Christ, pointing out that each represent two far different versions of power. Shane Claiborne is a prominent speaker, activist, and best-selling author. Shane worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta and founded The Simple...
Dec 07, 2021•50 min•Ep. 71
Are you discerning your own purpose, accompanying others on their path, or leading organizational change? Stephen Lewis and Matthew Wesley Williams, authors of the book Another Way (with Dori Baker) talk about engaging wholeheartedly in profound change and learning to lead in a way that is deeply connected to your inner well-being as well as your communities of accountability. Stephen Lewis is the president of the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE), which focuses on cultivating a new genera...
Nov 30, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 7Ep. 70
Gabriel Gordon joins the pod to talk about his book God Speaks: A Participatory Theology of Biblical Inspiration . In our conversation, Gabriel talks about what he means by the term "Bible idolatry," why we need to stop equating God's Word with the Bible, and how the jelly donut is perfect analogy for understanding Jesus. Gabriel graduated with a double major in Anthropology and Cross-Cultural Ministry from Oklahoma Baptist University. He is currently working on his Masters of Theological Studie...
Nov 23, 2021•54 min•Season 7Ep. 69
Steve Ringelspaugh joins the pod to talk about how technology is helping churches impact their community and spread the love of God. Steve shares the story of Beautiful Redemption , a nonprofit that utilizes digital platforms so churches can more easily connect with and make a difference in the lives of people far beyond the walls of the physical church. Struggling to figure out how to reach your community in this new digital era? Listen in! Steve is Director of Outreach for Beautiful Redemption...
Nov 16, 2021•45 min•Season 7Ep. 68
Richard Stearns joins the pod to talk about his new book, Lead Like it Matters to God . In the conversation, we talk about how success can become an idol, the difference between faithfulness and failure, and how churches can better connect what happens on in worship on Sunday to what happens during the workweek on Monday. Richard Stearns is president emeritus of World Vision US, where he served as president for twenty years, traveling more than three million miles as an advocate for the world's ...
Nov 12, 2021•52 min•Season 7Ep. 67
H.L. Hix joins the pod to talk about his recent project, The Gospel, a new translation seeking to weave into one narrative all the canonical and non-canonical accounts of the life of Jesus. In the conversation, we talk about what inspired the project, the hermeneutic that guided his interpretive choices, and what he means by "translation inertia." H.L. Hix teaches in the Philosophy and Religious Studies Department and the Creative Writing Program at a university in “one of those square states.” ...
Nov 02, 2021•54 min•Season 7Ep. 66
The Many, a worship band featuring Darren Calhoun, Leslie Michele, Hannah Rand, and Lenora Rand, join the show to talk about their music and share their thoughts on the "worship industry' within broader Christianity. They also share some thoughts about the role of music within worshipping communities and the importance of seeing music as just one element of worship. The Many ( themanyarehere.com ) is a liturgically-grounded, new kind of worship band, an intentionally diverse collective creating ...
Oct 26, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 7Ep. 65
The Many, a worship band featuring Darren Calhoun, Leslie Michele, Hannah Rand, and Lenora Rand, join the show to talk about their music and share their thoughts on the "worship industry' within broader Christianity. They also share some thoughts about the role of music within worshipping communities and the importance of seeing music as just one element of worship. The Many ( themanyarehere.com ) is a liturgically-grounded, new kind of worship band, an intentionally diverse collective creating ...
Oct 19, 2021•42 min•Season 7Ep. 64
Chris Benek joins the pod to talk techno-theology, Christian transhumanism, and the biggest challenges and opportunities for churches as they make use of tech. In the conversation, Chris separates science from science-fiction, and tells why he sees the future as an incredible digital mission field. Rev. Dr. Christopher J. Benek is a follower of Jesus Christ, a pastor, husband, and father. He is also a global emerging tech & theology expert who is internationally known for his social and reli...
Oct 12, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 7Ep. 63
Bruce Reyes-Chow joins the pod to talk about the importance of kindness, explains how its different from being "nice," and navigates the complexity between kindness and privilege. He also shares how he was re-inspired to pickup the project after watching the documentary on fellow Presbyterian pastor Mr. Rogers, who himself inspired many to confront justice and hold systems accountable without attacking the person. Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow is a 3rd generation Chinese/Filipino who is deeply committed...
Oct 05, 2021•49 min•Season 7Ep. 62
Carla Leon joins the pod to talk about social - or spiritual as she likes to call it - enterprise, how she sees spiritual enterprise as a "new religion" for millenials, and why church has to re-examine what she calls the "book, box, preacher" model and make more space for the many, many different kids of spiritual practices that exist. Carla is Innovation & Special Projects co-ordinator for the EDGE - A Network for Ministry Development at the United Church of Canada where she has launched a ...
Sep 28, 2021•42 min•Season 7Ep. 61
Since the tragic events of 9/11, many Americans-and especially Christian Americans-have looked at Muslims as different and perhaps even dangerous. In this conversation with author Rachel Pieh Jones, we talk about the spiritual darkness of...America, how learning about other religions can bring us closer to our own, and the benefits of inter-faith conversation and worship. Rachel Pieh Jones is the author of How Muslim Friends Led Me Closer to Jesus . Additional books she has authored include Stro...
Sep 14, 2021•44 min•Season 6Ep. 60
Pastor, author, and consultant Rev. Cameron Trimble joins the pod to talk about the work of Convergence, the ministry she leads, what progressive church planting looks like, and how she sees Covid effecting church planting and re-vitalization going forward. Rev. Cameron Trimble is the Executive Director and CEO of Convergence (formerly the Center for Progressive Renewal), an organization created to recruit, assess, train and coach innovative, entrepreneurial leaders for the church. She began her...
Sep 07, 2021•53 min•Season 6Ep. 59
In this conversation, Melissa talks about the idea behind her new book, How to Have an Enemy and what she means when she says "enemy." Melissa also talks about power imbalances in conflict, communal vs. individual anger, and how to properly love an enemy. Melissa also believes that the "work of liberation is to create a world where enemies are freed from enacting harm" and that drives her work. Melissa is the pastor of Raleigh Mennonite Church, and a graduate of Duke University and Princeton The...
Aug 31, 2021•49 min•Ep. 58
On an outing with his wife to a blacksmith shop, Tod Bolsinger realized that the very real challenging and laborious process he was working through to shape metal was a great metaphor for challenges and pressures the leaders must undergo to become what he calls the "tempered leader." Applying the blacksmithing process, in this interview, Bolsinger talks through the six steps to becoming a tempered leader by working, heating, holding, hammering, hewing, and tempering. Tod Bolsinger (PhD, Fuller T...
Aug 24, 2021•46 min•Season 6Ep. 57
In our conversation with Rev. Julian “J.Kwest” DeShazier, a pastor, runner, and former marathoner, we talk about our unique calls to ministry (and marathoning), the sacrifice of our families, the toll that it takes on our body, mind, and spirit, how to find balance in ministry (and running), and knowing when to quit. As a national speaker, advocate and emcee, Julian “J.Kwest” DeShazier has appeared on ABC, FOX, NPR and Dr. Maya Angelou’s “Oprah & Friends” radio program. J.Kwest (jay-quest) i...
Aug 17, 2021•49 min•Season 6Ep. 56
In the interview, we talk with pastor and author Steve Cuss about Family Systems Theory, the trauma leaders have experienced over the last year, some of the tools available to help leaders manage their own anxiety and lead well, and how he enjoys helping leaders break long stuck patterns in themselves and their organizations. Steve has a Master of Divinity from Emmanuel Christian Seminary where he focused on Hebrew Scriptures and Family Systems. Since 2005, Steve has served as Lead Pastor of Dis...
Aug 10, 2021•45 min•Season 6Ep. 55
In this podcast interview, Lamar Hardwick shares a theology of the body, talks about the real purpose behind Jesus’ healings, gives important lessons from the Parable of the Sower, and shares how the image of communion and the table present an amazing opportunity for us to live out our theology, from his book Disability and the Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion. Lamar Hardwick has a DMin from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and is known as "the autism pastor." He is the lead past...
Aug 03, 2021•50 min•Season 6Ep. 54
In this latest episode of the podcast, Michael Shepherd explains the “homogenous unit principle,” talks about this guy named Don McGavran, and shares his thoughts on why the so-called “Church-growth” movement has likely run out of gas and needs to be re-examined completely. Michael is an adjunct prof of intercultural studies and political science at Hope International University in Fullerton, CA. He did his graduate studies in community development and nonprofit management at Hope and then inter...
Jul 27, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 6Ep. 53
