Leading Theologically

Join the Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson and host, Bill Davis, for this wide ranging conversation on reconciliation. They'll dive into the way stories to heal, the creative imagination it takes to dream a future full of hope, and the power of children laughing.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Rodney Caruthers II, New Testament professor from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, as he explores some teachings from the Apostle Paul related to our theme of Reconciliation. What "R" words will Dr. Caruthers add to our alliterative list? Listen to find out!

Join Bill Davis and Justin Reed for a conversation on themes of reconciliation, repair, and reparations as they relate to several key narratives in the book of Genesis, including the stories of Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, and Joseph and his brothers. The Rev. Dr. Justin Reed is an associate professor of Old Testament at Louisville Seminary, where he teaches with a focus on African-American hermeneutics. He has degrees from Stanford, Harvard, and Princeton Theological Seminary, and his forthcoming book, "The Injustice of Noah's Curse," combines critical race theory, history, and literary approaches to offer new interpretations of a controversial biblical passages.

Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton from House United joins Bill for a conversation about political and personal reconciliation. They talk about algorithms and echo chambers, early church divisions and Jesus' call for us all to be one. Join us for another important conversation in our reconciliation series. Show links: Built Together – Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation https://omahapresbyterianseminaryfoundation.org/built-together/ House United Movement https://www.houseunitedmovement.org/

Rev. Jermaine Ross-Allam joins Rev. Bill Davis to continue the conversation on reconciliation. In addition to sharing about Project 180 and the work of the Center for the Repair for Historic Harms of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Jermaine takes time to define some of the key concepts that are important for us to understand when we talk about reconciliation, reparations, and repair.

Today Bill is joined by the Rev. Dr. Laurie Lyter Bright, of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, for this wide ranging conversation at the intersection of peacemaking, reconciliation, the life of Jesus, and the way communities form us for peacemaking and reconciliation.

Season 6 — with a focus on Reconciliation — kicks off with Rev. Paul Roberts Sr., who doesn't actually use that word. Why? He explains it well in this episode that will have you contemplating the meaning of the term, and how it interacts with the terms Repair and Reparations. Rev. Bill Davis leads the conversation with Roberts, who serves as President of Johnson C. Smith Seminary in Atlanta. Together, they explore the vital topics of repair, and reparations — examining their theological foundations and implications for faith communities today. How can the church actively participate in healing historical injustices? What role does theology play in the call for reparations? Join us for this powerful discussion on justice, faith, and transformative action.

Join Rev. Bill Davis for a conversation with Dr. William Yoo, Associate Professor of American Religious and Cultural History at Columbia Theological Seminary, as they discuss Dr. Yoo's newest book, "Reckoning with History: Settler Colonialism, Slavery, and the Making of American Christianity." "Reckoning with History" is available at https://www.wjkbooks.com/Products/0664265014/reckoning-with-history.aspx

In this episode Bill is joined by the Soul Food Scholar, Adrian Miller, to talk about the places reconciliation happens in our lives and communities. A James Beard award winning author, Adrian has been actively involved in reconciliation work for over 30 years. Pull a chair up to the table for this tasty conversation as our reconciliation series continues.

In the season 5 finale, Bill and Zoë discuss highlights of the season and share their thoughts about the landscape of theological education and church leadership.

The Rev. Dr.'s Jose Irizarry and Victor Aloyo join host Bill Davis for a conversation about cultivating leadership in Hispanic Latino/a/e Presbyterian Communities, and the actions of GA226 in supporting these communities.

In this special episode we will be in conversation with two leaders from Montreat Conference Center. Richard DuBose, President, and Carol Steele, VP of Programs, join us from the conference center to share how they are leading faithfully following Hurricane Helene. You can contribute to the relief effort at https://montreat.org/helene

In this episode of Leading Theologically, Bill and Rev. Bethany Peerbolte talk about the use of social media as a medium for creating faith communities. Bethany shares about her experience as the founding pastor of Our Tapestry, a 1001 New Worshiping Community.

In this conversation with the Rev. Brady Radford, we talk about learnings from transitional ministry and BIPOC spaces at national events. Brady shares a metaphor he's fond of about what's useful for mission and ministry.

Join us for a conversation with David LaMotte, a songwriter, speaker, author and activist who has performed and spoken at many PC(USA) events. He has performed over 3500 concerts and released 13 full-length CDs of primarily original music, touring in all of the 50 states and on five of the seven continents. His second TEDx talk (2024), Why Heroes Don't Change the World, was chosen as a TED Editor's Pick. His earlier (2017) TEDx talk, Music Can Help Us Understand Peace and Conflict, is featured on TED.com.

In this season 5 premier episode of Leading Theologically, the Rev. Bill Davis, new podcast host and Senior Director for Theological Education Funds Development at the Presbyterian Foundation, sits down with the Rev. CeCe Armstrong and the Rev. Tony Larson, Co-Moderators of the 226th General Assembly of the PC(USA), to talk about their vision for the church and the work ahead of them.

Pastoral transitions come with a mixture of grief and joy. Family and colleagues are involved along with church leaders and members, presbytery, and more. How are they done in healthy ways? Come learn with the Rev. Shannon Kershner who recently moved from head of staff at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, IL to Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA.

Rev. Dr. David Loleng has a huge heart and a long record of commitment to congregational thriving. He currently directs Church Financial Literacy and Leadership efforts at the Presbyterian Foundation. This includes the Stewardship Navigator resource as well as the Church Financial Literacy and Leadership Coaching Program. He deeply believes in God who provides enough, a sufficiency rather than an abundance. He wonders often about what we allocate versus what we accumulate. Join us for this rich and fun conversation during the liminal time between the Reign of Christ Sunday and first Sunday of Advent in a new liturgical year.

Dr. Hanna Reichel's new book, After Method: Queer Grace, Conceptual Design, and the Possibility of Theology, is called by some the “best book on theological method in a generation.” Reichel brings creativity, rigor, compassion, and creates needed space beyond absolutes. Conversant in Reformed, Lutheran, queer, and Latin American liberation theologies, Reichel breaks new ground. Don't' miss this rich theological conversation!

The Rev. Anthony Jermaine Ross-Allam bridges the academy, pulpit, and social ethics world with his work to repair historic harms. Ross-Allam credits his United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities professor who serves Liberty Community Church PC(USA) in north Minneapolis, the Rev. Dr. Alika Galloway's Womanist witness of just, creative, sacrificial, and faithful parish and community leadership as a way to face the brazen racist inequities the world is facing. Join us for this important and overdue conversation inviting us all to wake up for what God gave us.

Beloved preacher and writer Anna Carter Florence brings winsome insight to an array of characters and stories in the Bible—some celebrated and some overlooked. From courageous Abigail to Zelophehad's daughters, and from an alabaster jar of ointment to Zacchaeus in the sycamore tree, Florence takes readers on an enchanting tour of the Old and New Testaments with reflections that reveal ancient wisdom and spark imagination anew.

The Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo was inaugurated as the 11th President of Columbia Seminary in November of 2022 following decades of service at Princeton Seminary. His inauguration theme as Forming Christian Leaders for an Endemic Era. What can we learn from the ways Columbia is navigating the mire of this endemic era to move closer toward where God is calling us next? How is God's grace involved? Listen in to this conversation full of laughter and insight.

Mark Ramsay leads theologically in whatever he is doing from being a pastor, a board member, a resource to pastors and boards, a podcast host, a publisher of the Journal for Preachers and so much more. Mark shows up and listens deeply and then shares generously what he is learning and seeing. Join us for a fast-paced conversation about ministry today, which Mark still believes is a joyful calling.

After seven years serving as the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA), Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson is stepping down. Lee Hinson-Hasty and J. Herbert talk both the challenges and opportunities of serving as Stated Clerk and where God is calling the PCUSA – and J. Herbert - next. Our thanks to J. Herbert for his service to the Church – and beyond – in this important role. We are indebted to you!

This week, we have a special Leading Theologically episode! We're turning the tables on Lee Hinson-Hasty, who has now interviewed 75 people who lead theologically. Teri Ott, Editor of the Presbyterian Outlook, will interview Lee about what he's learned through these meaningful conversations with theological leaders. You don't want to miss this episode!

Dr. Chris Burton teaches organizations that the Bible is full of examples that we can use to strengthen our community ties. He believes that division and hatred are grievous things that we must actively work against. His work centers the opportunity to live fully into the Lord's prayer through prioritizing just community. He works with churches in order to help them do the important work of confession, undoing oppression, abolition, and community building. Join Lee for this lively conversation with Chris Burton, also known for his anti-racism consulting as Di Baddist Chaplain, an innovator you should know by the Presbyterian Outlook, as a CrossStreets podcast co-host, and TedX speaker.

For more than two decades the Rev. Joanne Rodríguez, a PC(USA) minister, has collaborated with scholars, students, and leaders in the church, academic, and non-profit world to cultivate a generation of Latine theological leaders. She knows what it takes to amplify diverse voices, work alongside in partnership, and imagine what God is doing next. Latinx students are one of the fastest-growing ethnic groups in theological education today. Come and learn more and how to support them and what God is doing!

Even veterans of campus ministry and university chaplaincy have something to learn from the Rev. Gini Norris-Lane's wealth of nearly two decades in the field-- and even more so from the networks and relationships she has nourished. Why would you want to be involved, support, or grow a collegiate ministry and how might you do so? You won't want to miss this conversation!

The Rev. Dr. Jan Edmiston loves the church enough, she says, to transform it and she has a record of transformation as a pastor, mid-council leader, PC(USA) leader, blogger, and much more. A consummate partner in ministry, Jan served alongside Denise Anderson as the first co-moderators of the General Assembly in 2016, a model that has been adopted ever since. It's not just how Jan thinks, it is how she takes action that makes a mark. Join Lee and Jan for a well-rounded conversation about church leadership that matters.

As President for 14 years, the Rev. Paul Timothy Roberts, Sr. has helped the 156 year old historically black PC(USA) Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary redefine itself as an innovative institution with a robust social justice emphasis. A former pastor and sought after preacher, Paul brings to bear his Princeton University degree in Architecture and African American Studies alongside work in the business sector in New York City alongside his MDiv from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey in Celigny, Switzerland. Join us for a robust conversation that could include tennis, hot yoga, gardening, parenting, and lots of laughter!

What does our Christian faith have to say about the conflicts we experience in our lives and our world? Many of us grew up believing that conflict in our churches and communities was a sign of Things Gone Wrong. But what if there are other ways to consider — and respond to — conflict through the lens of faith? Join Lee and Associate Director of the Louisville Institute, the Rev. Dr. Aimee Moiso, for a conversation that is bound to be a learning experience for all involved!

William Yoo calls his 2022 history of slavery and anti-black racism in the Presbyterian Church, What Kind of Christianity. It is a great question and one that many Presbyterians know woefully little about. As Kwok Pui-Lan observes about the book, "In the global reckoning of Black Lives Matter [this book] is indispensable for understanding America's painful past." Come learn more about Dr. Yoo and this incredible book!

Did you know that prior to reunion, there were several all-Black governing bodies in the PC(USA)? Rev. Dr. Ed Newberry will be with us to discuss their legacy, including the history of Catawba Presbytery. A new video, a project of the Presbytery of Charlotte and the Presbyterian Foundation, tells the story of Catawba. Take this opportunity to listen in on a great conversation with Newberry, an unofficial historian for the PC(USA). Your questions and participation are encouraged and welcome!

A curator of sacred space, a writer, an artist, a strategist, a listener and a world adventurer": this is how the Rev. Jenny Warner describes herself. Sought after as a preacher and retreat leader, Jenny tends the sparks of new life to help communities dream, work, and birth new realities alongside God. Join Lee and Jenny for this conversation about Strategic Spiritual Leadership and how her congregation is living out its mission as “a Base Camp Building a More Loving World.

An innovative and collaborative leader, the Rev. Dr. Asa Lee was called as President of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary as it steps boldly toward nearly 230 years of service as an school. What does is take to lead a historic institution today? Courage and Curiosity. Join this conversation to learn more about Dr Lee, this style of leadership, and Pittsburgh Seminary!

What are the challenges and hope facing the evolving Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)? Join Lee for a conversation with the Rev. Dr. Frank Clark Spencer as he shares how the Board of Pension - where he serves as President - is uniquely positioned to offer the Church innovative and creative tools that support the well being of ministers amidst this change.

As co-moderators of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Shavon Starling-Louis and Ruth Santana-Grace are profoundly interested in who God is calling and to what purpose. They are excited about how seminaries hold vocation and discernment as central to their mission and formation process. They notice how seminaries are responding to the changing needs of the church. What needs and changes are they noticing and who and what are people of faith responding?

Do you know a seminarian who would be a good candidate for a pastoral residency? Maybe you are that seminarian? What are these residencies all about anyway? How long are they and what do they entail? What role do they play for all involved? Applications just opened for positions in 2023. Join the Rev. Lee Hinson-Hasty in learning more about pastoral residencies alongside the Rev. Chris Henry who is Head of staff with Lake Fellow Residency at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, IN, Rev. Savannah Demuynck who served at Myers Park Presbyterian in Charlotte, NC and now is an Associate Pastor at Lake Murray Pres in Chapin, SC, & Rev. Angela Ryo who served at First Presbyterian in Ann Arbor, MI and now is Transitional Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian in Muncie, IN.

What are the ways the Spirit is moving in theological education and the church? The Rev. Dr. Beth McCaw is passionate about bi-vocational ministry, and outside-of-the-box forms of being the church - and the two of those related. In fact, Beth is both on the faculty at the University of Dubuque and the Presbytery Leader for Glacier Presbytery where they are experimenting with creating a chapel relationship from a New Worshipping Community. They are raising up their own preachers along with looking to traditional seminary graduates along with creating an ecumenical multi-staff parish among five ELCA, UMC and PCUSA churches with lay and bi-vocational teaching elder leadership. As Beth puts it, “It is a very exciting time in the church if we can get past our nostalgia and fear. The world is as thirsty as it has ever been and so there is some urgency to this call as well.” Join Lee and Beth for this conversation!

What does ministry with young adults look like in a Covid-shaped world? What it probably doesn't look like is a peer group that meets at the church. Join us for this conversation with Kenda Creasy Dean. We'll explore some emerging data on young people and faith—how the past three years put these trends in overdrive, and where the Spirit might be leading us in these uncharted waters. We will focus on her new book Innovating for Love as well as her research where she is learning that congregations that do the best with young adults are those that score highest on innovation.

How are faith leaders and congregations engaging the communities around them? How can values like love, justice, and democratic decision-making become part of a multi-faith civically-engaged ministry? Join Lee as he talks with Dr. Keisha E. McKenzie (she/they), a strategist who interprets communication, religion, spirituality, and politics as social change technologies and serves as Senior Vice President for Programs at Auburn Theological Seminary. Raised Seventh-day Adventist and educated in the UK, Jamaica, and West Texas, Keisha believes that all people have inherent worth and dignity, we were made for a world where every soul can flourish, and people of faith have a key role in making that world real for us all.

There may be no one that knows more about Presbyterian world mission than the Rev. Dr Hunter Farrell. He has been a professor in the Democratic Republic of Congo, coordinator of the PC(USA)'s mission work in East and West Africa, network coordinator addressing issues of poverty and justice in Peru, director of World Mission for the PC(USA), and since 2017 the Director of the World Mission Initiative at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. During our next episode of Leading Theologically, Hunter will be with us to talk about decolonizing congregational mission and his 2022 book Freeing Congregational Mission: A Practical Vision for Companionship, Cultural Humility and Co-Development. If you care about mission in 2022 and beyond, you will not want to miss this!

José Irizarry began service as the 10th president of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary on August 22, 2022, less than three months after being named by the APTS Board. Bring your curiosities about transitioning out and into new ministries and contexts for this conversation with José! Prior to his role at APTS, José was serving as the Vice President for Education at the Board of Pensions of the PC(USA) and has been a leader in theological education as well as a pastor for decades. José is a bilingual practical theologian, a husband, a father, an artist, and an intercultural relations specialist. Church leaders simply do not want to miss this conversation.

For many churches, the 18-30 demographic is a coveted group. Rachel Penmore has spent all of her ordained ministry working with young adults in some capacity and has found that churches are constantly trying to get more young adults in their church because they think it will save them, or help them survive. And what she has learned is that all of that is a fallacy and is, in fact, keeping young adults out of the church. Join the Rev. Dr. Lee Hinson-Hasty for this conversation with SFTS alum the Rev. Rachel Penmore, the Director of UKirk Knoxville, TN. Penmore also serves on the national board for the PC(USA) UKirk Collegiate Ministries.

David LaMotte's forthcoming book, You Are Changing the World Whether You Like It Or Not, wrestles with how we tell the story of large-scale societal change versus how it actually happens, and the implications of marinating in a narrative that is not true. Don't' miss this conversation with this author, artist, non-profit founder, singer-songwriter, speaker, and social activist.

If God is sovereign over all our life, how might people of faith invest responsibly? Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) was created in recognition of the church's unique opportunity to advance its mission faithfully and creatively through the financial resources entrusted it. MRTI implements the General Assembly's policies on socially responsible investing (also called faith-based investing) by engaging corporations in which the church owns stock. Join us for this conversation on responsible investing with one of the wisest, most practical, and effective ruling elders the Rev. Dr. Lee Hinson-Hasty knows, Rob Fohr, the Director of Faith-Based Investing and Corporate Engagement.

The current ship of “ministry” we're captaining is in need of turning, of painting, maybe docking, and possibly being rebuilt. And, this just might be critical to do with younger people in the church and the world. Join Gina Yeager-Buckley in this important conversation about where the ship of "ministry" should be going!

What is the spotlight of public ministry? Who is our neighbor when we're online? How can you have integrity when you have to lead worship but don't feel like it? Join us for an exploration of these questions and more including why church members put leaders on a pedestal and what it means to be authentic in ministry with Sarah Bereza. Sarah Bereza, who has served a number of congregations, holds a PhD and a Certificate the Feminist Theory from Duke University and has focused her research on American Christianity and what people think about music.

Jenny McDevitt began sharing @writing.lightly as she calls it on Instagram, “writing faithfully, not perfectly” as one of her spiritual practices and disciplines in December 2021. What friends, colleagues, and congregations that know her was shared more broadly, that her words, wisdom, liturgy and poetry are captivating and deeply meaningful. Join Lee Hinson-Hasty for this episode of Leading Theologically as a Holy Week pause to breathe in the Spirit in preparation for the final days of Lent. Formerly senior pastor at Madison Avenue PC(USA) in NY, NY and on staff at Village PC(USA) of Kansas City, Jenny McDevitt, a creative writing major and field hockey player at Kenyon College in OH and Union Presbyterian Seminary grad, says writing is more about practice and grace than it is about inspiration. McDevitt's preaching, prose, pastoral leadership, creativity and collegiality is inspiring whether in a Benedictory in the Presbyterian Outlook, preaching from pulpits across the country including at Shandon Presbyterian in Columbia, SC where she has served since May 2020.

Best-selling author, profound teacher, and highly sought preacher and Episcopal priest, Barbara Brown Taylor talks about “COVID (as) essentially turn(ing) us into a nation of shut-ins. I've had a lot of time to reflect on what happens to identity (especially, perhaps, ministerial identity) during such a long period of social isolation, disembodied meetings (including worship), limited travel, diminished physical activity, and the unavoidable nearness of death. It's like we've all gotten some practice in old age no matter what age we are, bringing up parallels with retirement and Sabbath practice for me. The connection to the farm is about how I have grounded myself during this time--literally--by giving my attention more fully to the rhythms and realities of the created world. My center of gravity has shifted very noticeably.” Join me for this plain yet quotable and gracious conversation with a preachers-preacher, Barbara Brown Taylor.

In this special Leading Theologically broadcast, we'll explore the religious dimensions to the crisis and war in Ukraine with the Rev. Dr. John Burgess from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. As political, military, diplomatic and human rights leaders struggle to bring peace back to Ukraine, religious leaders are concerned as well. What you may not know are the religious dimensions to this crisis and war in Ukraine. The Rev. Dr. John Burgess, the Snowden Professor of Systematic Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, has been a residential Fulbright scholar twice (2011 & 2018-19) in Russia, a Luce Fellow (2011-2012), and a Fellow of the Center for Theological Inquiry (2014-15) where he wrote Holy Rus': The Rebirth of Orthodoxy in the new Russia. A Presbyterian minister and mentor, Burgess has been and continues to follow the situation in Russia and the Ukraine closely. Don't miss this special edition of Leading Theologically.