Looking for new ways to share the Gospel with your neighbors? Watch this pivot podcast episode to learn about simple ways the Spirit of God is raising up, calling and sending leaders–especially lay leaders–to cultivate new forms of Christian community that meet people where they are in daily life. In today’s episode, we’re going to cross the pond to the UK to learn from hopeful seeds of new life that are emerging within a context where there is a long Christendom legacy but only 8% of the curren...
Apr 25, 2024•47 min•Season 5Ep. 74
Not sure how to experience unity in Christ when there is so much division? Watch this pivot podcast interview and learn how to experience unity in the church even when it feels impossible. Experiencing deep disagreements, differences, or divides in your church? There are ancient spiritual practices church leaders and pastors can engage in to help their churches experience more unity in Christ today. In John 17, Jesus prays for unity; unity in the church matters to God. Watch this Pivot podcast i...
Apr 19, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 73
Not sure how to help people grow spiritually? Watch this interview with Steve Thomason, seminary professor and pastor, and learn how to invite busy people into the journey of spiritual growth. Having trouble getting others who are overwhelmed by life to engage in spiritual practices? There are simple and concrete steps to take to create a clear vision for discipleship and spiritual growth in your church. Watch this Pivot podcast episode to learn how to engage in spiritual practices as a church l...
Apr 11, 2024•49 min•Season 5Ep. 72
In this episode of the Pivot podcast, guest Pastor Liz Eide, who currently serves the Lutheran Church of Peace in Maplewood, Minnesota, joins host Dwight Zscheile. Together, they explore the Lutheran Church of Peace's journey in renewing its identity and expanding its capacity to name God's presence and activity after the congregation faced a near-death experience. Listen to the Podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pivot/id1515600522 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0...
Apr 05, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 71
Jesus’ resurrection changes everything. Facing uncertainty? Feeling ashamed? Disappointed with how things are going? You are not alone. Jesus’ disciples felt the same way until they witnessed the resurrection; with it, their hope was restored. Everything Jesus said about himself is true. In this episode, listen to a word of encouragement from Pastor Nicole Bullock and be unafraid, for we have a Savior we can trust to keep his word. Death has not won; fear will not overwhelm us. Listen to the Pod...
Mar 28, 2024•9 min•Season 5Ep. 70
Need new ways of engaging your digital church community? In this video, we’ll look at how to help people online connect more deeply with others, how to engage teams in ministry, and how to become a community-based church that impacts the local neighborhood. If you are a mega church or part time clergy and want to empower your lay leaders and lay pastors, then you’ll want to watch this entire video to learn from Hope Church Iowa pastor Mark Brandt who pastors a multisite church and equips and emp...
Mar 21, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 69
Do you find yourself wanting more people in your congregation to feel ownership of your church? Or do you want to be freed up more throughout your week to help people make spiritual meaning of their everyday life? In this episode, we will dive into how you can create a more sustainable and communal way forward for you and your faith community. Do you wonder how to engage collaborative leadership instead of leading solo? A lot of clergy we talk to know that leading a church by themselves is unsus...
Mar 14, 2024•47 min•Season 5Ep. 68
Leading a rural church in America today? In this video, we’ll look at the challenges and opportunities of discovering faithful, effective, collaborative, and sustainable models of leadership for rural churches. How to rediscover hope and creativity amidst change and loss in Rural America? If you lead a rural church and want to be effective as rural life changes across America, then you’ll want to watch the entire video to learn from Bishop Bill Tesch of South Dakota who has been a church planter...
Mar 07, 2024•34 min•Season 5Ep. 67
Ever wondered what effective church ministry looks like with just half or quarter-time clergy? This is the reality for many churches today, and that trend is only increasing. Today’s guest is a bivocational pastor and author who discovered that shifting from full to part time clergy leadership actually led to healthy churches in numerous congregations. Join us to hear more about effective part time ministry, discipleship, bivocational ministry, and trusting the holy spirit’s activity today. List...
Feb 29, 2024•37 min•Season 5Ep. 66
Looking to engage your neighbors in a new way? Exhausted and overwhelmed leading your church alone? In this episode, we’ll look at a new ministry model and how micro churches might be perfect for you and your church. Are you wondering how to engage collaborative leadership instead of leading solo? A lot of clergy we talk to know that leading a church by themselves is unsustainable but they aren’t sure what it might look like to lead differently. Here’s a case study of a thriving congregation tha...
Feb 22, 2024•31 min•Season 5Ep. 65
All your questions answered in this Q&A session about exhaustion and burnout, what to do when your congregation is tired and lacking energy, pastoral identity, and preaching and leading when people are in conflict and it is an election year. Questions that listeners asked include: * Q1: “I’m burned out and exhausted; is it time to call it quits?” * Q2: “Help: my congregation is tired and lacking energy, what can we do to fix it?” * Q3: “If I'm not preaching and teaching and doing everything,...
Feb 16, 2024•56 min•Season 5Ep. 64
In a wilderness season? Uncertain? In a waiting season with God? Isolated? You’re in good company as Jesus also lived through a wilderness season in Luke 4. In this episode, join Terri Elton as we explore the spiritual formation that comes with times of uncertainty and reflection. What might be God’s promises for us and for our communities even in times of wilderness seasons? Mentioned in this episode: Stepping Up to Supervision...
Feb 08, 2024•9 min•Season 5Ep. 63
Wondering how to navigate the path toward a financially secure future for your church? Join us for the Pivot podcast as your hosts, Terri Elton and Dr. Dwight Zscheile, dive deep into the topic with the insightful Grace Pomroy—accomplished author, dedicated educator, and the Director of Luther Seminary's Stewardship Leaders program. If your church is seeking a more sustainable financial roadmap, you're in the right place. Together, we'll unpack strategies, explore innovative approaches, and shed...
Feb 01, 2024•28 min•Season 5Ep. 62
Are your church programs making the impact you're hoping for? If you answered yes, no, or not sure, this is the place to start. In this episode of Pivot podcast, hosts Alicia Granholm and Dwight Zscheile dig into why focusing on membership doesn't necessarily mean that people are becoming disciples of Jesus. Guests Tania Haber and Jason Van Hunnik, two pastors who have discovered a way forward for their church, describe a mindset shift that orients church activities in a different direction. Net...
Jan 25, 2024•44 min•Season 5Ep. 61
Do you have an idea for a new ministry but aren’t sure exactly where to start or how to get it off the ground? If so, listen on! In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, hosts Alicia Granholm and Dwight Zscheile tackle the pitfalls to avoid when starting a new ministry, the most common hangups people have when starting a new ministry, and get advice for starting a new ministry with guest, Michael Binder. SHOW NOTES: How to Start a New Ministry Course with Michael Binder https://faithlead.org/course...
Jan 18, 2024•28 min•Season 5Ep. 60
Start here when you can't find a full-time pastor for your church. In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, hosts Alicia Granholm and Dwight Zscheile tackle the challenge of clergy shortage in churches with guest Marianne Ell, facilitator for the School for Lay Ministry with Faith+Lead. SHOW NOTES: Find out more about the School for Lay Ministry at https://faithlead.org/learning-community/school-for-lay-ministry-learning-community/ For transcripts, downloadable resources, and more, visit the podcas...
Jan 11, 2024•37 min•Season 5Ep. 59
We know things need to change in our church, but where do we start? In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, host Dwight Zscheile addresses the common struggle church leaders face in navigating change with guest Dr. Ramon Pastrano, a specialist in transformational leadership. Together they explore the challenges of making changes in churches, highlighting pitfalls and proposing a better approach, emphasizing the significance of the design thinking process. SHOW NOTES: Faith+Lead Academy Course with...
Jan 05, 2024•30 min•Season 5Ep. 58
"It is precisely in moments of disruption, change, and uncertainty that God acts in scripture." - Host, Dwight Zscheile In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Terri Elton and Dwight Zscheile are joined by guest, Mark Lau Branson. Mark Lau Branson is the Homer L. Goddard Senior Professor of the Ministry of the Laity and has taught at Fuller Theological Seminary since 2000. As a senior professor, his work focuses on PhD students. Leaders, if you're tired of navigating rigid church structur...
Jan 03, 2024•44 min•Season 5Ep. 57
Greetings from the Pivot Podcast family! This Christmas, we rejoice in the profound significance of Jesus' birth, a beacon of hope, joy, and love for the coming year. Today we hear from host, Dwight Zscheile along with guests, Rev. TT Daniel, Jennifer Wojciechowski, Godson Dauda, September Penn, Paul Kisingu, Akinpelu Lawal, Eun Strawser, Ramon Pastrano, and Jon Anderson. Amid festive cheer, let's unwrap the theological depth of the Nativity—the divine message in a humble manger. May the radianc...
Dec 19, 2023•14 min•Season 5Ep. 56
“The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.” Luke 10:2 In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Terri Elton and Dwight Zscheile are joined by guest, Dr. Samuel Deressa. Deressa began teaching part-time at Concordia University of St. Paul, MN in 2016 and joined the faculty full-time in 2018. Previously, he was a member of the Faculty of Theology (Gudina Tumsa Chair for Justice), 2008-2011, at the Mekane Yesus Seminary, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Deressa teaches courses on Global Christi...
Dec 14, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 55
Listening is the first step in discovering how we can better love our neighbors and God. In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Dee Stokes and Dwight Zscheile are joined by two lay ministry leaders from All Saints Episcopal in Atlanta, Ross Nicholas and Allen King. Join us as we explore the essential shift that churches must embrace today—a move away from the predominant focus on repairing established institutional structures. Instead, let's pivot towards a stance characterized by curios...
Dec 07, 2023•33 min•Season 5Ep. 54
Let us at the Pivot podcast encourage YOU in this time leading up to Christmas! This week, host Dee Stokes is here to share a gentle reminder amidst the Christmas chaos: Jesus came expressly for you and your congregation, illuminating the darkness. In the busyness, find a sacred pause to recharge, for you are instrumental in guiding others. As exhaustion looms, extend the invitation to encounter Jesus anew this season. Reflect on your personal connection with Him and navigate through your season...
Nov 30, 2023•9 min•Season 5Ep. 53
How the church can faithfully navigate a changing world? In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Dee Stokes and Dwight Zscheile are joined by special guest Eun Strawser. E. K. Strawser (DO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine) is the co-vocational lead pastor of Ma Ke Alo o (which means "presence" in Hawaiian), non-denominational missional communities multiplying in Honolulu, Hawaii; a community physician at Ke Ola Pono; and an executive leader at the V3 Movement , the church pla...
Nov 22, 2023•45 min•Season 5Ep. 52
In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Dee Stokes and Dwight Zscheile answer YOUR frequently asked questions about challenges faith communities are facing. Questions that listeners asked include: Q1: "Our congregation shrank in numbers the past three years. How do we balance reimagining our model when buildings and grounds maintenance uses a lot of time, energy and money? How do we shift the culture within the church? And what if laypeople often want clergy to be involved in everything?"...
Nov 16, 2023•36 min•Season 5Ep. 51
In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Dee Stokes and Dwight Zscheile are joined by special guest Jorge Acevedo. In August of 2023, Pastor Jorge retired as the Lead Pastor of Grace Church, a multi-site congregation in Southwest Florida. Pastor Jorge is a graduate of Asbury College, Asbury Theological Seminary, and most recently, he graduated with a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. His doctoral project was entitled “Congregational Vitality: The Church’s Journey ...
Nov 09, 2023•51 min•Season 5Ep. 50
Welcome to the Pivot Podcast, brought to you by Luther Seminary's Faith+Lead! Join Dr. Dee Stokes and Dr. Dwight Zscheile as they explore the ever-changing Church landscape. In this episode, they are joined by special guest Rev. Dr. Blair Pogue. Blair is the canon for vitality and innovation in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, working across the state to cultivate discipleship and missional engagement for the 94 Episcopal faith communities in Minnesota. Tune in as we gain a deeper understandin...
Oct 31, 2023•41 min•Season 5Ep. 49
Welcome to the Pivot Podcast, brought to you by Luther Seminary's Faith+Lead! Join Dr. Dee Stokes and Dr. Dwight Zscheile as they explore the ever-changing Church landscape. In this episode, they are joined by special guest Pastor Carl Johnson, a passionate church planter, innovative ministry entrepreneur, and seasoned trainer from St. Paul, Minnesota. Carl, the visionary founder of Storehouse Grocers, is on a mission to address both the spiritual and practical needs of his community. Tune in as...
Oct 24, 2023•45 min•Season 5Ep. 48
Welcome to the Pivot Podcast from Luther Seminary’s Faith+Lead! Join Dr. Dee Stokes and Dr. Dwight Zscheile on a journey to explore the changing landscape of the Church. In today's episode, the co-hosts talk with guest Ted A. Smith, author of "The End of Theological Education," to gain a deeper understanding of the history of the voluntary association model of the church in the U.S., the cultural shifts taking place, what this means for congregational life and ministry moving forward, and where ...
Oct 18, 2023•47 min•Season 5Ep. 47
No, You're Not Imagining Things; The Times Have Changed for the Church. Welcome to season 5 of the Pivot Podcast from Luther Seminary’s Faith+Lead! Join Dr. Dee Stokes and Dr. Dwight Zscheile on a journey to explore the changing landscape of the Church. In today's episode, we delve into a significant cultural shift and unveil four essential pivots that can help your faith community navigate these changing times. Discover the shifts in the Age of Association and the rise of the Age of Authenticit...
Oct 12, 2023•37 min•Season 5Ep. 46
It's time to Pivot! In episode twelve of season four, hosts Terri Elton, Dee Stokes, and Dwight Zscheile reflect on the past season in this finale. Mentioned in this episode: Stepping Up to Supervision
May 23, 2023•29 min•Season 4Ep. 45
