The Vital Podcast

Canon Mark discusses the importance of leading churches through change without causing chaos and the challenges of revitalizing declining churches. He emphasizes the need for strategic change management, patience, and long-term commitment in the revitalization process. Canon Mark also highlights the importance of considering various factors when deciding whether to revitalize a church and the necessity of adapting to fulfill the church's mission. For more information visit www.churchrevive.org.

In this episode, Canon Mark Eldredge, the Director of Anglican Revitalization Ministries, discusses the transition of the Rev. Brian Pape and the upcoming launch of a new podcast focused on developing faithful leaders. He emphasizes the importance of authentic community and lay mobilization in church growth, and the need for a plan to help new members discover their role and responsibility in the Church. He also stresses the importance of selflessness and willingness to let new members serve, rather than guarding one's territory as a leader.

In this episode, Cn. Mark discusses the importance of annual parish meetings in focusing on the vision and mission of the church. He emphasizes the need for clarity, which should drive decisions and be widely understood by the congregation. He suggests that the annual parish meeting is a great opportunity to reaffirm the vision and align the spirit and effort of your congregation with it. Visit www.churchrevive.org for more!

Canon Mark and Rev. Brian discuss the third VITAL sign of a healthy church: Transformation Into Christlikeness. It's the main point of why disciples of Jesus walk the path that they do, to become like Him and one with Him. This is what true church health and growth looks like. To find out more about Anglican Revitalization Ministries and how to take your next step, visit www.churchrevive.org.

Canon Mark and Rev. Brian discuss the second VITAL sign of a healthy church: intentional worship. What does that mean and how do Anglicans encourage intentional worship that is heartfelt, transformational, and Anglican in its expression. To find out more about Anglican Revitalization Ministries and how to take your next step, visit www.churchrevive.org.

Canon Mark and Rev. Brian discuss the first VITAL sign of a healthy church: a vision for evangelism. To find out more about Anglican Revitalization Ministries and how to take your next step, visit www.churchrevive.org.

Canon Mark and Rev. Brian discuss the importance of church health. To find out more about Anglican Revitalization Ministries and how to take your next step, visit www.churchrevive.org.

Despite their best intentions, churches who have to print their values in the foyer, bulletin, or on lanyards are usually kidding themselves. Our actual core values– what we really believe– are visible through the actions, relationships, and culture of the place. Join Mark and Brian as they discuss the power of what you really value.

Canon Mark and Brian sit down with The Rev. Canon David Roseberry to discuss his updated book entitled The Rector, The Vestry, The Bishop: An Essential Guide for Anglican Leaders. This is a tremendous resource for every rector, vestry member, and bishop within our Province.

Canon Mark and Rev. Brian explore the significance of providing visionary leadership. How does God want to express Himself through this church, in this community, at this time? As leaders answer this key question, they offer a compelling vision of the church's future, igniting passion, fostering unity, and empowering individuals to make a meaningful impact in their community and beyond.

There is no revitalization without renewal. In part 2 of this conversation, Canon Mark and Rev. Brian discuss the importance of missional renewal. To find out more about Anglican Revitalization Ministries and how to take your next step, visit www.churchrevive.org.

There is no revitalization without renewal. In this first part episode, Canon Mark and Rev. Brian discuss the first steps of the church revitalization journey, finding renewal and relationship with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. To find out more about Anglican Revitalization Ministries and how to plug in, visit www.churchrevive.org.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of church health. How does a church begin the journey towards thriving instead of just surviving? Join Canon Mark and Brian as they explore this topic and introduce The Revive Church Health Assessment tool.

In this episode Canon Mark and Fr. Brian introduce a new Vital Podcast series on church revitalization. They discuss an overview of the principles and processes that go into turning a church around. We hope this series will help you think, pray, and prepare your plans for revitalizing your local church!

In this second part of a two part interview, Canon Mark and the Rev. Brian Pape interview two pastors in the field who have led churches through major change: the Rev. Chase Campbell and the Rev. Clint Kerley. How do you survive a major church transition at a time of leadership change? Is it better to be the one coming in or the pastor going out? Is there hope for major growth in the midst of a major shake up? 

How do you survive a major church transition at a time of leadership change? Is it better to be the one coming in or the pastor going out? Is there hope for major growth in the midst of a major shake up? Canon Mark and Rev. Brian interview two pastors in the field who have led churches through major change: the Rev. Chase Campbell and the Rev. Clint Kerley. This is part one of a two part interview.

In a continuing series on Transitions, Canon Mark and Rev. Brian interview the Rev. Geoff Chapman from St. Stephens, Sewickley, to talk about what it's like to be in transition, how to move through it gracefully, and embracing a new season in life and ministry. This special episode was produced with pastors in mind who are retiring, moving into a new vocation, or leaving one parish for another.

In this episode, Cn. Mark and Fr. Brian continue their series on leading the church in times of transition with an interview with Ron McCormick. Ron is a lay leader and was the head of a search committee that oversaw the transition process following a long term rector. His experience and insights will be helpful to anyone going through that process, both lay and clergy!

In this episode, Canon Mark Eldredge and Fr. Brian Pape follow up on the wisdom shared by Bishop Walters on the last episode about making a ministry move by giving testimonies. In these real life "making a move" stories, you'll glean some of the practical ways the principles play out that can help you discern your own situation.

As a leader, how do you know if it's time to make a move? The Rev. Brian Pape joins Bishop Trevor Walters and explores this topic on this episode of The Vital Podcast.  Bishop Trevor helps us identify several critical questions to help us get unstuck in our discernment.

In this second episode of our new series on Transitions in the church Canon Mark and Fr. Brian discuss the vital difference between “change” and “transition” and introduce us to William Bridges and his three stages of change concepts grounded in the Biblical story of Exodus.

Canon Mark and Fr. Brian share excited news about the Big Picture for the Vital Podcast, how it is now going to take a Seasonal Approach, offering vital conversations and having more guests for humble collaboration with our listeners. The first season's topic will be on Pastoral Transitions. Mark and Brian introduce this important and relevant topic and begin the discussion on this vital need in so many of our Anglican congregations.

Canon Mark introduces the Rev. Brian Pape, new Senior Consultant at Anglican Revitalization Ministries, and a new partner working with the American Anglican Council. On this episode, they talk about a new season of developing and coaching new leaders in local churches and engaging the work in revitalization currently happening all across the ACNA.

In this episode, Canon Mark talks with the Rev. Greg Miller and Andreena Williams, with the Church Army, about renewing local churches across the ACNA and the need to partner to meet the needs in our movement. They also discuss Canon Mark's upcoming teaching at Trinity School for Ministry on January 19-20, 2023.

On this episode of the Vital Podcast Canon Mark and his repeat guest, The Rev. Pete Matthews, explore the importance and practical application of proclaiming the Good News in church and giving invitations for people to respond in faith. Christmas services often see unchurched visitors attend and are a great opportunity to bring them the Good News as is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Rom. 10:15b)

In this episode, Canon Mark addresses the need for church leaders to prayerfully plan now for the upcoming year. Time to plan won't just drop in your lap this busy season, but making the time will bear much fruit in 2023.

Canon Mark interviews Fr. Pete Matthews, rector of St. Patrick's Anglican Church in Lexington KY. St. Patrick's is a church that is strong and balanced in the ITALs of church health. Fr. Pete shares some great ideas that will be encouraging to your and your church to. Through the Revive Process with Anglican Revitalization Ministries, they have developed strategies to get healthy in the “V” too!

In this episode Canon Mark welcomes back his friend Sean Jecko to continue the conversation about doing evangelism through the local church. They emphasize the need to focus the congregation on identifying a specific people group in the community and then developing unique strategies to reach them with the Gospel. This also serves as a short preview of a workshop they will be giving as a pre conference at the upcoming New Wineskins Missions Conference.

In this episode Cn. Mark interviews The Rev. Joe Porfidio, who is in the middle of leading a church through the revitalization process. Fr. Joe became rector of a congregation that  declined from an ASA of over 80 down to 19.  By applying the principles and strategies taught in Anglican Revitalization Ministries, with much prayer, the church is now averaging over 50 and growing. With God all things are possible! Enjoy hearing Fr. Joe give a witness of what God is doing.

In this episode,  Canon Mark shares his thoughts as he comes out of the Anglican Church in North America Provincial Council and discusses the church closure statistics reported by the ACNA. He shares insights from our assessment of over 12% of ACNA congregations that show a vital need for revitalization, and he explores just how to prioritize getting your church healthy again!

Listen to Part 2 of Canon Mark's discussion with his guest, The Rev. Herb Bailey. Herb and Mark pick up where they left off last time talking about Social Justice and Evangelism and how they relate to one another biblically.

With Easter Sunday fast approaching, Canon Mark discusses the “I” of the the vitals of church health: Intentional Worship. He describes the importance of being intentionally hospitable to guests and asks the questions about how ready your church is to be hospitable to your visitors before, during, and after they come to your worship service.

 In this episode, Canon Mark interviews the Rev. Herb Bailey, who is a leader in various ways in the Anglican Church in North America and works with Church Army. They discuss the similarities that Church Army has in their mission with the work of the AAC's Anglican Revitalization Ministries. Having met Herb at the recent Matthew 25 gathering, Canon Mark is looking to get into more of how the local church can bring the Gospel and Gospel change to communities around them. This is part one of a series on evangelism and social justice. 

Canon Mark explores the hot topic of social justice in the church today. What does it mean for many? What can it mean for a healthy, biblically-faithful local church? The issue of true, biblical justice goes hand in hand with the proclamation of the Gospel given from God to the world through the scriptures, not through the world's post-Christian, secular worldview.

Canon Mark answers the question on whether the principles of church growth and health used in Anglican Revitalization Ministries and other ministries in the Church are really just rehashed principles from a previous generation. Do we need to be fresh and new in order to be successful in our mission of fulfilling God's Great Commission?

In this episode Canon Mark digs further into the vital area of being on mission to your local community with his guest, Sean Jecko, branding and marketing expert specializing in breaking down demographics for the purpose of communication, who shares his insights and expertise on how to identify those around you God may be calling you to reach.

In this episode Canon Mark reflects on the Holy Name of Jesus and explores how his name impacts both our personal and church vision for evangelism - the V in the VITALs of church health. 

On this episode of the Vital Podcast we continue to look at the important principle that there is no revitalization without renewal. Canon Mark and his guest, the Rev. Brook Batchelor, who is part of the Anglican Revitalization Ministries team, discuss church renewal needs and how your church can experience it.

Since the starting point for revitalization in the local church is always renewal, in this Vital podcast Canon Mark addresses this priority. There are three renewals that are necessary: personal renewal, relational renewal, and missional renewal. Because you can't have relational and missional renewal in the church without first having personal renewal, Mark gives encouragement to you about having that “zealous love” of the Gospel (Prayer for Mission BCP19, pg 24) we all need.

In this Vital episode, Canon Mark launches the new AAC Anglican Revitalization Ministry podcast and talks about the challenges facing the local church and the local leader on a quest to bring health and vitality to his or her congregation.