New Way

The Reverend Mindie Moore is planting a Midtown-based church in Indianapolis, Indiana. She's a preacher whose messages are full of love and practicality, and has a realistic understanding of why religion isn't something on everybody's top list all the time. In part two of our conversation, we talk about practicing presence; the spiritual discipline of worrying; and what's at stake for the church in America today.

The Reverend Mindie Moore is planting a Midtown-based church in Indianapolis, Indiana. She's a preacher whose messages are full of love and practicality, and has a realistic understanding of why religion isn't something on everybody's top list all the time. In part one of our conversation, we talk about the community she and others are contributing to in a funky, beloved part of town; and she also reminisces about the formation she experienced as a young child in a church that had very specific answers to her many probing questions.

Pastor (Common Ground NYC), church planter (Kindom Collective), and practitioner of the Circle Way, Chantilly Mers, embodies reverence - in everything from her writings, to singing, to conversations with strangers. In part two of our conversation, our modern ecological crisis; attending to the soil that will cultivate deep reverence; and the power of slowing down.

Pastor (Common Ground NYC), church planter (Kindom Collective), and practitioner of the Circle Way, Chantilly Mers, embodies reverence - in everything from her writings, to singing, to conversations with strangers. In part one, Chantilly offers some generous and helpful insights about what we gain when we attend to what we cannot take for granted; and how the gentle experience of being held by our mother - nature - is a wondrous place to begin.

Noel Musicha (who also goes by Noxy) and Jeremiah Lester have been working with neighbors in Linda Vista, California, for the past six years to start a church called Ebenezer where the goal is to be a people's cathedral: a church of the community, by the community, and for the community. In part one of our conversation, we explore the call to make a commitment; and how a chance encounter in Noel's homeland of Malawi planted the seeds for a friendship and partnership with others thousands of miles away.

Pastor Rich Hong is a former synthetic organic chemist and groundbreaking software engineer turned pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Englewood in New Jersey, where the goals are “to live boldly; share boundlessly; grow community; and build God's world.” In this episode, we talk about an expansive understanding of mission; worship that prioritizes participation over prescription; and what Rich's encounter with a neon Mickey Mouse might teach us about living our values out loud.

Pastor Rich Hong is a former synthetic organic chemist and groundbreaking software engineer turned pastor of Englewood Presbyterian Church in New Jersey, where the goals are “to live boldly; share boundlessly; grow community; and build God's world.” In part one, we talk about the difference between the church that strives to be the hero of people's lives and the one that can become a guide for people's own heroic journeys.

Gina Brown is the curator of The Faith Studio, where the guiding scripture is, “for where two or three are gathered together because they are mine, I will be right there among them.” In this episode, we go deep on memories and experiences of communities that encouraged us to be ourselves; and some that asked us to leave parts of ourselves behind.

Gina Brown is the curator of The Faith Studio, where the guiding scripture is, “for where two or three are gathered together because they are mine, I will be right there among them.” In part one of conversation, we discuss how our communities of faith can encourage people to show up in their own vernacular, to share about their experiences of God in conversation with others, and to grow as a result. Gina's reverence for the mysteries of faith, and her own open heartedness toward God and her neighbors, create a truly special kind of community that makes spaces for awareness of the Divine to grow.

Jon Mathieu serves as the community engagement editor of the Christian Century and pastors a fresh new church called Harbor Online, which started last year. As Harbor's full name implies, this church gathers - well - not in person, like many churches, but Thursday nights, dialogically on Zoom. In part two of our conversation, faith deconstruction - and reconstruction; the importance of an online worshiping community for those who do not find acceptance where they live; and what Jon's beard says about Jon's approach to life and ministry.

Jon Mathieu serves as the community engagement editor of the Christian Century and pastors a fresh new church called Harbor Online, which started last year. As Harbor's full name implies, this church gathers - well - not in person, like many churches, but Thursday nights, dialogically on Zoom.  In part one of our conversation, we explore the journey and the practices behind this unique gathering today. We also hear Jon's own story about his move away from leadership in a conservative evangelical church - a departure and deconstruction that, he says, brought him closer to Jesus than ever before.

We continue our conversation with noted author and activist Brian McLaren. In this episode: white supremacy, the cost of following Jesus, and our faith; and why Brian asked the question Do I Stay Christian? in his latest book.

In part one of our conversation with author and activist Brian McLaren, we talk about being brave and the spiritual practices that sustain bravery. And Brian unpacks his view that Christianity is best understood not as a system, but as a story; and what kind of a difference could that understanding make in our institutions, our communities, and in our personal lives.

This year, our annual Christmas episode features highlights from the last two years, including guests Jeff Eddings, Becca Blake, Ray Bowden, Chris Romine, Carlton Johnson, and Samuel Henry.

Minha convidada é Fabiana Araujo. A experiência dela como música e arquiteta influenciaram a atuação dela no ministério. Em sua adolescência em Itararé, no estado de São Paulo, ela orava para desenvolver um interesse por Deus ou pela Igreja, mas Fabiana e o marido (Xechel) passaram os últimos vinte anos atuando no ministério ao redor de seu país, o Brasil. Agora, eles estão nos Estados Unidos, na cidade de Atlanta, que fica no estado da Georgia, onde ela está realizando uma residência pelo movimento 1001 Novas Comunidades de Adoração. A clareza e as ideias da Fabiana, não só sobre o ministério, mas sobre a vida de forma geral, são um presente para quem tem o prazer de conhecê-la. Neste episódio, que será a segunda parte da nossa conversa, batemos um papo sobre a grata surpresa de uma congregação irmã que recebeu uma nova igreja nascente de braços abertos; conversamos sobre como a arquitetura capacitou a Fabiana para encarar o ministério como uma série de projetos; e descobrimos uma regra não dita da hospitalidade brasileira.

Fabiana Araujo's backgrounds as a musician and architect have shaped her approach to ministry. Once the teenager from Itararé, São Paulo, who reluctantly prayed to have an interest in God or the church, Fabiana and her husband have spent the last twenty years ministering throughout their home country of Brazil. They are now in the United States, in Atlanta, Georgia, where she serves as a resident of the 1001 new worshiping communities movement. Her clarity and insights – not only about ministry, but about life in general – have been a gift to those of us who know her. In this episode, part one of our conversation, Fabiana begins to tell the story of her life, and the significant moments that demonstrate the power of compassion; and how God's mystery has worked  to connect her with others again and again.

Minha convidada é Fabiana Araujo. A experiência dela como música e arquiteta influenciaram a atuação dela no ministério. Em sua adolescência em Itararé, no estado de São Paulo, ela orava para desenvolver um interesse por Deus ou pela Igreja, mas Fabiana e o marido (Xechel) passaram os últimos vinte anos atuando no ministério ao redor de seu país, o Brasil. Agora, eles estão nos Estados Unidos, na cidade de Atlanta, que fica no estado da Georgia, onde ela está realizando uma residência pelo movimento 1001 Novas Comunidades de Adoração. A clareza e as ideias da Fabiana, não só sobre o ministério, mas sobre a vida de forma geral, são um presente para quem tem o prazer de conhecê-la. Neste episódio, que será a primeira parte da nossa conversa, a Fabiana começará a contar a história da vida dela, falará dos momentos importantes que demonstram o poder da compaixão e compartilhará como Deus atuou várias vezes de formas misteriosas para conectá-la com outras pessoas.

Fabiana Araujo's backgrounds as a musician and architect have shaped her approach to ministry. Once the teenager from Itararé, São Paulo, who reluctantly prayed to have an interest in God or the church, Fabiana and her husband have spent the last twenty years ministering throughout their home country of Brazil. They are now in the United States, in Atlanta, Georgia, where she serves as a resident of the 1001 new worshiping communities movement. Her clarity and insights – not only about ministry, but about life in general – have been a gift to those of us who know her. In this episode, part one of our conversation, Fabiana begins to tell the story of her life, and the significant moments that demonstrate the power of compassion; and how God's mystery has worked  to connect her with others again and again.

Rob Douglas is the founding pastor of Lightshine Church in Thousand Oaks, California. He's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet, and is the author of the new book The Missional Disciple-Making Handbook. In part two, we talk about Rob's new book, the church's call to “innovations of mercy”, and Rob's advice for people taking on something new. And what does a former handbell choir member have in common with someone who spent his teenage years surfing? It's Christ, obviously! And our mutual affection for the innovation Jesus calls us to.

Rob Douglas is the founding pastor of Lightshine Church in Thousand Oaks, California. He's a surfer and a sports fan, and one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. He's also the author of the new book The Missional Disciple-Making Handbook. In part one, we talk about our hypothetical sports podcast called Sportsball!, and we discuss that singular hour of the week that often takes place on Sunday mornings at 11am. But we also dream about how we can spend the 167 hours that remain each week, and the link between all the time that's given to us.

Author and spiritual director Therese Taylor-Stinson is a member of the Shalem Society for Contemplative Leadership. She is also the founding managing member of the Spiritual Directors of Color Network, and the editor of the award-winning collection on the emancipative properties of holy listening: Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around. In part two, we talk about her organization the Spiritual Directors of Color Network; the balance between ego and selflessness; and spiritual direction as sacred activism.

Spiritual director and guide Therese Taylor-Stinson is a member of the Shalem Society for Contemplative Leadership. She is also the founding managing member of the Spiritual Directors of Color Network, and the editor of the award-winning collection on the emancipative properties of holy listening: Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around. In this episode, we talk about how Therese shares time with her own Soul Circle; and we discuss her forthcoming book on Harriet Tubman, and the critical relationship between contemplation and action.

Gina Yeager-Buckley is the Mission Associate for Christian Formation of Youth of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. She's a brave and enthusiastic advocate for young people in the church who looks for ways to encourage congregations to be shaped by the faith and life the young people in their midst. In part two of our conversation, we talk about the inborn activism of Generation Z; and the ways that blesses and shapes us.

Gina Yeager-Buckley is the Mission Associate for Christian Formation of Youth of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. She's a brave and enthusiastic advocate for young people in the church who looks for ways to encourage congregations to be shaped by the faith and life the young people in their midst. On this episode, we talk about Generation Z; discuss possibly the sweetest thing ever to happen on Tik-Tok; and how listening to one another's stories sets the foundation for a joyful, brave, and just future.

The Rev. Chantilly Mers-Pickett was born on the island of Maui and now co-leads The Common Ground in New York City. She's a musician, artist, and facilitator of The Circle Way, and has some really profound things to say about indigenous spirituality and the way of Jesus.

The Rev. Chantilly Mers-Pickett was born on the island of Maui and now co-leads The Common Ground in New York City. She's a musician, artist, and facilitator of The Circle Way, and has some really profound things to say about indigenous spirituality and the way of Jesus.

Noted ethicist and theologian Jonathan Tran is the Associate Professor of Philosophical Theology and Chair of Religion at Baylor University.

Noted ethicist and theologian Jonathan Tran is the Associate Professor of Philosophical Theology and Chair of Religion at Baylor University.

Pastor Zac Morton grew up hanging out among the blackberry brambles of rural West Virginia and Pennsylvania accompanying his grandparents to bluegrass festivals. While they played, he played among the wild earth. He has since returned to the region, where he pastors First Presbyterian Church of Morgantown in West Virginia. 

Pastor Zac Morton grew up hanging out among the blackberry brambles of rural West Virginia and Pennsylvania accompanying his grandparents to bluegrass festivals. While they played, he played among the wild earth. He has since returned to the region, where he pastors First Presbyterian Church of Morgantown in West Virginia. 

Rola Al Ashkar is a pastor and New Worshiping Community leader living in Sacramento, California. In part one of Sara's conversation with Rola, she describes the Holy Week atmosphere of her native Lebanon; sings for us the beautiful chant of Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb; and together, they discuss the precious mystery of our faith and imagine what might have happened to Jesus and his followers when resurrection was the furthest thing from their minds.

Rola Al Ashkar is a pastor and New Worshiping Community leader living in Sacramento, California. In part one of Sara's conversation with Rola, she describes the Holy Week atmosphere of her native Lebanon; sings for us the beautiful chant of Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb; and together, they discuss the precious mystery of our faith and imagine what might have happened to Jesus and his followers when resurrection was the furthest thing from their minds.

So Jung Kim is a South Korean theologian who has lived and studied many years in the United States. She is an Associate for Theology for the Presbyterian Mission Agency and hosts the vlog God-talk.

So Jung Kim is a South Korean theologian who has lived and studied many years in the United States. She is an Associate for Theology for the Presbyterian Mission Agency and hosts the vlog God-talk.

Theologian and pastor Claudio Carvalhaes is the brilliant liturgical artist and professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He is so full of life, creativity, and love for the world. Being around him is profoundly transformative. In part two, he and host Sara Hayden talk about prayer as a movement, a rhythm, a force that forms and shapes us and, through us, our communities; what it means to develop a holistic view of the world and all the creatures, great and small, within it; and about praying with worms.

Theologian and pastor Claudio Carvalhaes is the brilliant liturgical artist and professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He is so full of life, creativity, and love for the world. Being around him is profoundly transformative. In part one, he and host Sara Hayden an examine the way the desert maximizes our own current life predicaments, and how all the spaces in the world that might feel like traps could be doorways into our true selves.

The Rev. Dr. Bill Brown is the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary. His books include numerous commentaries on the Psalms and other Old Testament literature. He has an abiding interest in the use of scripture in the life of the church and the world, particularly in the context of ecology and justice. Listen to part two of the conversation, all about Job, where there is so much to unpack: a calamity, a tidy worldview falling apart, Job's request for God to stand trial as defendant to Job's complaint, and the strange creatures God introduces back to Job in response.

The Rev. Dr. Bill Brown is the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary. His books include numerous commentaries on the Psalms and other Old Testament literature. He has an abiding interest in the use of scripture in the life of the church and the world, particularly in the context of ecology and justice. Listen to part one of the conversation, where host Sara Hayden admits all the things she'd rather pay attention to than God; Bill and Sara talk about how long it takes for God's people to live into God's freedom; and Bill reminds us that the real power of the wisdom corpus lies and its capacity to evoke a sense of wonder.

The Rev. Karen Rohrer is a theologian and Director of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's Church Planting Initiative where she teaches and mentors fortunate cohorts on how to be wise, thoughtful, and relevant leaders.

The Rev. Karen Rohrer is a theologian and Director of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's Church Planting Initiative where she teaches and mentors fortunate cohorts on how to be wise, thoughtful, and relevant leaders.

The Rev. Carlton D. Johnson is an elder of the First Afrikan Presbyterian Church (Lithonia, Georgia), and heads up the Vital Congregations initiative of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. A native of Atlanta, throughout his life he has maintained an intimate concern for the disenfranchised among the people of God; especially young African-American males. He has not only worked diligently in the outreach ministries of the church, but has also given himself to mentorship with the United States National Guard Youth Challenge Academy.

The Rev. Carlton D. Johnson is an elder of the First Afrikan Presbyterian Church (Lithonia, Georgia), and heads up the Vital Congregations initiative of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. A native of Atlanta, throughout his life he has maintained an intimate concern for the disenfranchised among the people of God; especially young African-American males. He has not only worked diligently in the outreach ministries of the church, but has also given himself to mentorship with the United States National Guard Youth Challenge Academy.

The Rev. Ray Bowden celebrates his 96th Christmas this year.

Host Sara Hayden is joined by a very special guest, her own first-born son, Samuel, who is seven years old this Christmas. Sam's three-year old brother Ben, who makes a brief appearance.

The Rev. Chris Romine is the pastor of The Common Ground Church in New York City.

The Rev. Chris Romine is the pastor of The Common Ground Church in New York City.

The Rev. Becca Blake is the co-founder of Beacon Church in the Kensington/Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia as well as a pastor at Pine Street Presbyterian Church.

Rabbi Elizabeth Bonney-Cohen is co-convener of a new congregation known as Base BSTN. A convert to Judaism, she serves as the Assistant Rabbi and Director of Innovation at Congregation Kehillath Israel in Brookline, MA. Elizabeth was ordained from Hebrew College and completed her Master of Divinity degree as Yale Divinity School's William Sloane Coffin, Jr., scholar.

Rabbi Elizabeth Bonney-Cohen is co-convener of a new congregation known as Base BSTN. A convert to Judaism, she serves as the Assistant Rabbi and Director of Innovation at Congregation Kehillath Israel in Brookline, MA. Elizabeth was ordained from Hebrew College and completed her Master of Divinity degree as Yale Divinity School's William Sloane Coffin, Jr., scholar.

Ashley Nora is a self-taught, incredibly talented painter, muralist, and mother. She recently joined seventeen other Indianapolis-based Black artists to create the Black Lives Matter mural on Indiana Avenue in downtown Indianapolis.