Try Tank Podcast

In this episode of the Try Tank Podcast, Father Lorenzo Lebrija engages in a profound discussion with Dr. Josh Packard, the Director of Research at the Try Tank Research Institute and co-founder of Future of Faith. They explore the concept of sacred listening, a vital practice that emerges from a recent study highlighting its significance in faith formation. Dr. Packard shares insights on how listening can be an act of spiritual connection, emphasizing that the simple act of being heard can lead individuals closer to God. The conversation delves into the methodology of the study, which involved a nationally representative sample and in-depth interviews, revealing key findings about the traits of effective listening: being relatable, reliable, and genuinely curious. They discuss the barriers to listening and how these insights can inform ministry practices to foster a more inclusive and empathetic church environment. This episode is a call to action for faith leaders to cultivate a culture of sacred listening within their communities, transforming the way they engage with others and ultimately deepening spiritual connections.Dr. Josh Packard is a leading expert in the spiritual lives of modern American youth and the sociology of religion. His work focuses on understanding the dynamics of faith formation and the emerging expressions of spirituality in contemporary society. Through his research, he aims to equip faith communities with the tools necessary to engage meaningfully with diverse populations and enhance their ministry practices.For more resources on sacred listening and to explore the findings of the study, visit futureoffaith.org.

In this episode of the Try Tank Podcast, Father Lorenz Lebrija welcomes back Gabe Cervantes, the Director of Scalable Foresight at the Institute for the Future, to delve into the concept of scalable foresight and its significance for the church. Gabe shares insights on how organizations can cultivate a culture of futures thinking that involves everyone, not just a select few leaders. They discuss the key principles of scalable foresight, including the importance of collaborative thinking, the need to ask the right questions, and the role of a guide or Sherpa in navigating the complexities of future possibilities. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how to identify signals of change and drivers of change, and how these elements can inform strategic planning within their communities. This engaging conversation emphasizes the necessity of challenging present-day assumptions and fostering a proactive approach to building a resilient future for the church.Gabe Cervantes is a leading strategist in the field of foresight, working closely with organizations to enhance their ability to anticipate and respond to future challenges. His expertise in scalable foresight aims to empower individuals and communities to think creatively about the future and to engage in meaningful discussions that shape their paths forward.

In this episode, Fr. Lorenzo Lebrija welcomes the Rev. Peter Levenstrong, Associate Rector at St. Gregory of Nyssa in San Francisco, to discuss the transformative power of Living Stories. This innovative preaching model shifts the sermon from a monologue to a communal act of storytelling and reflection, inviting congregations to co-create meaning through shared experiences. Peter shares insights into how this method fosters deeper connections within worship, enhances participation, and allows for a multisensory approach to scripture. They explore the practicalities of implementing Living Stories in diverse congregations, including the resources available for those looking to engage more fully with their communities. Additionally, the conversation touches on the intersection of Living Stories and artificial intelligence, highlighting how AI can both enhance and challenge traditional forms of preaching. Rev. Peter Levenstrong is the Associate Rector at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco and the creator of Living Stories Sermons, an innovative, Montessori-inspired preaching model that transforms the sermon into a communal act of storytelling and reflection. Through tactile storytelling and open-ended wondering questions, Living Stories invites participants of all ages to co-create the sermon, deepening spiritual connection and fostering intergenerational belonging. Peter is also the co-host of the AI Church Toolkit podcast, and he's currently writing a theological manual on Living Stories Sermons to help congregations across the Church bring this transformative model to life. Workshop sign-up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvw2IRZYgVJYY7EZtz_iz7FXladoagZ5Ky-gx5KCG8rtVOZg/viewform Newsletter: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/fAtQQZu/livingstories Website: https://www.livingstoriessermons.org/

In this episode of the Tritank Podcast, Lorenzo Lebrija hosts Bob Johansen and Gabe Cervantes to discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence, leadership, and faith. They explore how AI can augment human capabilities, the fears surrounding its adoption, and the importance of maintaining human connections in a rapidly changing technological landscape. The conversation emphasizes a future-back approach to leadership, the role of AI in theological exploration, and the need for clarity and flexibility in navigating the complexities of modern faith communities.

In this episode, Fr. Lorenzo Lebrija sits down with the Rev. Chantal McKinney, a dedicated Episcopal priest and church planter with over 20 years of experience in ministry. Recorded on the road in Kansas City, they explore the transformative journey of rediscovering a church's missional call. Chantal shares her insights from successfully planting a bilingual, multicultural church in a low-income neighborhood and how she now coaches congregations across the nation to engage deeply with their communities. Listeners will learn practical steps on how to shift church culture, grow in discipleship, and become truly present in their neighborhoods. This episode emphasizes the importance of being proactive in outreach and the joy that comes from building genuine relationships within the community.The Rev. Chantal McKinney, D. Min., ACC is a missional coach and consultant, a faith-based entrepreneur, a speaker and a writer. She was the Founder and church planter at Christ's Beloved Community / Comunidad Amada de Cristo, a bilingual, bi-denominational church in Winston-Salem, NC. Using Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) and community organizing, their new faith community grew a dynamic neighborhood presence that fostered a vibrant and growing church. She then founded Root Thrive Soar, a parachurch organization that works with denominations, dioceses, churches, seminaries, and ecumenical organizations around the country to nurture, train, and support mutual, circular mission and community engagement. She is passionate about envisioning and co-creating a future church that is centered on community, compassion, and Christ. She lives in Winston-Salem, NC with her family. Learn more at rootthrivesoar.com

In this episode, Fr. Lorenzo Lebrija engages in a thought-provoking conversation with author Carey Wallace about her book, The Discipline of Inspiration: The Mysterious Encounter with God at the Heart of Creativity. They delve into the essence of inspiration, exploring how it transcends mere talent and technique to become a divine gift that fuels artistic expression. Carey shares her insights on cultivating strong creative habits and reframing ministry as an art form, emphasizing the importance of surrendering to inspiration as a path to encountering God. This enriching dialogue encourages listeners to embrace creativity in their spiritual lives and to recognize the sacredness embedded in artistic endeavors.Carey Wallace is the author of The Discipline of Inspiration: The Mysterious Encounter With God At The Heart of Creativity (Eerdmans), The Blind Contessa's New Machine (Penguin), and The Ghost In The Glass House (Clarion). She works to help people from all walks of life find inspiration and build strong creative habits to sustain a lifetime of creation. She performs as a songwriter, exhibits her own fine art, and has spoken on art, faith, and justice with students at Princeton, Julliard, Emory, Pratt, and Yale. Her articles and poems have appeared in Time, Detroit's Metro Times, and America. She is the founder of a retreat for artists in Michigan, and the Creative Discipline Class to form strong creative habits, which has been in operation for over a decade across the US and internationally. She grew up in small towns in Michigan, and lives and works in Brooklyn. https://www.careywallace.com/

In this episode, Fr Lorenzo Lebrija chats with the Rev Tricia Lyons about the Mutual Ministry initiative at Virginia Theological seminary. A grant initiative and multi-year process designed to leverage the strengths and address the challenges of a residential, denominational seminary to meet the urgent need for clergy and lay leaders trained as ministry developers in local, culturally specific contexts by shifting from the model where professional clergy are the sole minister that others gather around. https://vts.edu/resource/mutual-ministry/ Patricia “Tricia” Lyons is a Senior Lecturer in Practical Theology at Virginia Seminary, teaching theology and evangelism. She works with the VTS Lifelong Learning team and serves as the Senior Advisor to the Dean for Evangelism Initiatives. Tricia was a lay chaplain and teacher of religion in Episcopal Schools for 20 years before being ordained a priest and then serving urban parishes in Washington, DC, and eventually serving as Canon for Evangelism in the Diocese of Washington. Tricia also serves as a non-stipendiary priest at the Church of Saint Clement in Alexandria, VA. Tricia is a member of the Presiding Bishop's Strategic Cabinet on Evangelism and one of the original writers of the “Way of Love” church-wide curriculum. She is an honors graduate from Harvard College, the Harvard Divinity School and received her doctorate from the Virginia Theological Seminary. Tricia also currently directs a 1-million-dollar grant from the Lilly Foundation, Inc., to study models of mutual ministry across the country. She is the author of five books on faith formation, “The Soul of Adolescence,” “Teaching Faith with Harry Potter,” “What is Evangelism?” “The Evangelist's Breviary,” “Thirty Days: A Devotional” and the upcoming devotional “From Rome to Home: A 30-Day Devotional for those traveling from Roman Catholicism to the Episcopal Church.” 

In this episode, Fr Lorenzo Lebrija and Fr. Dave Lloyd discuss the Garden Church Network in Norwich, England. Garden Churches Recorded in Dave's kitchen and car, the conversation explores how these lay-led missional communities are redefining faith through liminality, communitas, and radical hospitality. Dave highlights the core values of the Garden Church: devoted worshippers, loving families, equipped disciple-makers, Spirit-filled missionaries, and suffering sojourners. Discover how these communities thrive without traditional church structures, letting the Holy Spirit lead and creating space for unexpected connections. Rev. Dave Lloyd is the Mission Development Officer for the Diocese of Norwich and Leader of The Garden Church Network, a family of 18 lay-led missional communities across rural Norfolk. Passionate about house churches and discipleship movements, Dave thrives on the entrepreneurial edge of ministry. He holds a Doctorate in Church Planting in Post-Christendom Europe from Asbury Theological Seminary and studied Theology at Oxford University before training as a lawyer in London. Called to ministry in 2008, Dave has planted a Church of England free school on a London estate, established a resource church in Norwich City, and revitalized satellite churches. In 2019, he transitioned to a co-vocational role to focus on lay-led missional communities. An adventurer at heart, he loves the sea—whether wakeboarding, sailing, fishing, or swimming—and is an accomplished jazz, gospel, salsa, and folk trumpet player, combining music and mission in venues across Norfolk. Married to Anna, with two teenage children, Zach and Georgia, Dave delights in the rich heritage of Norfolk, home to one of the world's highest concentrations of medieval churches, as he helps others live a gathered and scattered life with Jesus.  Website: https://garden-church.org/  

In this episode, Fr Lorenzo Lebrija and Dr. Josh Packard discuss the transition of TryTank from an experimental research laboratory to an applied research institute. They explore the importance of data-driven research in understanding faith communities, particularly focusing on the role of sacred listening and the challenges of faith transmission among young adults. The conversation emphasizes the need for churches to adapt to changing dynamics and leverage research to inform action, ultimately aiming to recognize and harness God's abundance in their communities. Josh Packard, Ph.D.Dr. Josh Packard is the co-founder of Future of Faith and one of the foremost experts in the spiritual lives of American youth and religious trends in the United States. He is an accomplished researcher in the sociology of religion and new forms of religious expression. He has authored numerous books and articles in both popular and academic outlets including Church Refugees: Sociologists reveal why people are DONE with church but not their faith and Meaning Making: 8 Values That Drive America's Newest Generations.  Josh was previously a professor, founding Executive Director of Springtide Research Institute and Vice President of Strategy with the National Catholic Educational Association.  He has a B.A. in English from Texas Lutheran University and Ph.D. in Sociology from Vanderbilt University. He lives in Greeley, Colorado with his wife and teenage son where he is quickly becoming the third best golfer in his family of three. Website: www.futureoffaith.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshpackard/ Twitter: @drjoshpackard

In this episode, Father Lorenzo and Anto discuss the characteristics and needs of Generation Z and the emerging Generation Alpha. They explore the age range and defining events of Gen Z, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. They highlight the importance of community for Gen Z and the opportunity for the church to provide a third space where young people can find belonging. They also discuss the challenges of the church's toxic brand and the need to reframe the church's image as a community-centered and relevant institution. Finally, they touch on the potential of mysticism and experiential spirituality to engage young people. Antonin Ficatier has a portfolio career at the crossroad of entrepreneurship, youth culture, and academic work. He co-founded Chinese Institute, today one of France's leading training centers dedicated to teaching Chinese. Anto went to Business School in France, studied Economics in China, and completed a Master's Degree in Christian Education at Princeton Seminary. He worked for 6 years with youth and young adults in Hong Kong and England, before joining YPulse (the world's best youth intelligence company) as the Director for Western Europe in 2022. His hope is to one day finish his Ph.D. in experimental theology that he started a while back at the University of Birmingham (UK). Originally from France, Anto lives in south London with his wife Jess and their baby Leo.

In this episode, Father Lorenzo Lebrija sits down with Reverend Tay Moss to discuss the innovative AI tool, AskCathy.ai. Discover how this groundbreaking technology, infused with Anglican and Episcopal theology, is transforming the way people engage with faith, offering answers, resources, and support 24/7. From handling theological queries to providing pastoral care insights, Cathy is here to assist congregations and individuals alike. Join us as we explore the fascinating development journey of Cathy and her potential to enhance faith communities everywhere. Tune in for an enlightening conversation on the intersection of faith and technology!  The Rev. Tay Moss earned his M.Div. from Yale Divinity School and has been involved in creative ministries at the congregation and judicatory levels for the past 20 years. Some of his projects have included developing social enterprises, video production, arts-and-spirituality, food banks, continuing education for clergy in transition, children's ministry, creative-edge worship, running conferences, and coaching churches investing grant money to grow in mission. He has been a volunteer consultant for the Diocese of Toronto working with the Congregational Development Department for more than 12 years. Tay is an excellent sailor and an above-average cook. His wife and three kids keep him quite busy, but besides sailing and cooking Tay enjoys canoe camping and chilling in hammocks.

In this episode, Fr Lorenzo talks with The Rev Callie Swanlund about clergy burnout: how prevalent it is, some of the reasons causing it, and how clergy (or lay leaders too!) can avoid it. It's based on her book: From Weary to Wholehearted: A Restorative Resource for Overcoming Clergy Burnout. Callie shares her journey of deciding to write the book and the signs that led her to it. She highlights the crisis of burnout among clergy and the need for support and nourishment. The conversation also touches on the changing landscape of ministry, the emergence of part-time clergy, and the importance of finding one's calling and purpose. In the chat, they explore the themes of weariness, disillusionment, comparison, and the need for rest and self-care in clergy burnout. It highlights the importance of touch and human connection, the challenges of adapting to technological changes, and the impact of racial injustice on white clergy. The show also delves into the role of spirituality and the struggle to believe in one's own worthiness.Takeaways·      Clergy well-being is a pressing issue in the church that needs more attention and support.·      There is a crisis of burnout among clergy, with many contemplating leaving their call or the priesthood altogether.·      The church needs to adapt to the changing landscape of ministry, including the emergence of part-time clergy and the need for more sustainable and fulfilling positions.·      Finding one's calling and purpose is essential for clergy and individuals in any profession to experience fulfillment and avoid burnout. Clergy experience weariness and burnout due to various factors, including the pressure to make an impact and the challenges of their roles.·      The COVID-19 pandemic and racial injustice in 2020 added additional stress and disillusionment for clergy.·      Comparison and the need to prove oneself are common struggles in clergy burnout.·      Rest and self-care are essential for clergy to prevent and overcome burnout.·      Believing in one's own worthiness and embracing one's belovedness is crucial for clergy well-being.Callie Swanlund is an Episcopal priest, retreat leader, spiritual companion, and coach who helps others know their belovedness and find their Spark. Her new book, From Weary to Wholehearted, is a restorative resource for overcoming ministry burnout. Callie is a creative minister and leads individuals and groups in the work of Dr. Brené Brown as a Certified Daring Way Facilitator. Her How2charist: Digital Instructed Eucharist film has reached Christians and curious individuals around the world, and her Wholehearted Wisdom movement invites others into deeper reflection and connection across social media. She lives in Philadelphia with her co-dreaming partner Jeremy, their two tween/teen children, and a rescue pup named Rufus. Join her on social media @callieswanlund or callieswanlund.com       Website: https://iona.ssw.edu/

In this episode, Fr Lorenzo talks with The Rev Nandra Perry, Ph.D. about the emerging models of ministry as the church continues to change.  The conversation explores the changing landscape of the church and the emerging models of ministry, particularly focusing on lay-led and bi-vocational congregations. The statistics show a decline in the number of priests entering the workforce and an increase in lay-led congregations. The discussion highlights the opportunities and challenges of these new models, including the need for spiritual support and the shift towards a relational model of church. The conversation also touches on the importance of reimagining the role of buildings and embracing ecclesiastical flexibility. Overall, the conversation offers a hopeful perspective on the future of the church. Takeaways·      The number of priests entering the workforce is declining, while lay-led and bi-vocational congregations are increasing.·      Lay-led congregations offer opportunities for more engagement and bottom-up approaches to ministry.·      There is a need for spiritual support and community for lay leaders in these congregations.·      The church needs to embrace ecclesiastical flexibility and reimagine the role of buildings.·      Despite the challenges, there is hope and potential for growth in small congregations. The Rev. Nandra Perry, Ph.D, joined the seminary's staff and faculty as Director of the Iona Collaborative on June 1, 2020. In her addition to her role at the seminary, Perry serves as Vicar of St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Hearne, Texas (since 2017). She is a graduate of the Iona School for Ministry in the Diocese of Texas and was ordained to the priesthood in 2017. Perry received her Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature and Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill in 2003. Among her many published works is Imitatio Christi: The Poetics of Piety in Early Modern England (Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 2014). She comes to the seminary from Texas A&M University, where she was an Associate Professor in the Department of English and a faculty affiliate in Religious Studies. Website: https://iona.ssw.edu/

In this episode, Fr. Lorenzo chats with the Rev Canon Jaime Edwards Acton. Fr. Jaime is the rector of St. Stephen's Church in Hollywood. When he arrived, he knew that they had just a few years of money and that traditional methods of church financing would not work. Here, he tells us the story of how social enterprise made the difference.Reverend Canon Jaime Edwards-Acton has been the rector at St. Stephen's for over a decade and has helped build the parish into a vibrant, thriving ministry in Hollywood. More comfortable in jeans and Doc Martens than dress slacks and loafers, Rev. Jaime approaches the story of Jesus as an opportunity to share insight and to begin a conversation. After each sermon, parishioners at St. Stephen's are welcome and encouraged to respond and introduce interpretations of their own - creating a vibrant and multi-faceted spiritual interaction each and every week. More in-depth: https://www.trytank.org/hollywood.html  Website: https://www.ststephenshollywood.org/The Delaney Wright Fine Arts PreschoolEmail for Jaime: hopeinhollywood@gmail.com 

In this episode, Fr. Lorenzo chats with Fr. Jason Prati about bringing about culture change in a congregation. This is Fr. Jason's return to the podcast. He was with us for episode 8“On Doubling Down.” Here is a link to the book mentions, “Christian Proficiency” by Martin Thortonhttps://www.amazon.com/Christian-Proficiency-Martin-Thornton/dp/1608996638/Website:http://allsaintsnewalbany.org/Email for Alive:alive@allsaintsnewalbany.orgHere's how Fr. Jason describes himself:My name is Fr. Jason Prati. From a very early age, I felt called to serve our Lord as well as His Church. Entering seminary after High School, I received my Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy as well as my Masters of Divinity from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. I was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in May of 2002 serving as Parochial Vicar of four parishes, Assistant Director of Vocations, Chaplain of a High School and Coordinator of Pontifical Liturgies. In 2008, God moved in my life and I found my way into the Episcopal Church being received as an Episcopalian by Bishop Kenneth Price in May of 2009 and as a priest by Bishop Thomas Breidenthal of the Diocese of Southern Ohio in April of 2013. I am a teacher by nature, loving to share the Good News of Jesus Christ by my life and witness not only as a priest, but as a Christian on fire! I come from an Italian-American family, so people, faith and love are my passion! I am beyond blessed to be called to serve as Rector of All Saints. I hope you find this parish as the loving, warm and caring parish that I too have found! May God bless you in your journey!

In this episode, Fr. Lorenzo once more chats with the experiment managers for the “Being With Clergy” experiment which sought to combat the large number of young clergy who are leaving ministry a few years after ordination. The Revs Rachel Field and Mo Lederman tell us about how clergy can be more resilient in the work of ministry.Rachel Field is an Episcopal Priest living on a small hillside along with mosses, strawberries, cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, beavers, and ravens. She spends much of her time wandering the neighborhood with her horses, Tom Bombadil and Radagast the Brown. She is the co-owner of Heartberry Hollow Farm & Forest in Randolph Vermont and the Earth Liturgist for The Retreat House at Hillsboro. Her ministry focuses around imagining and facilitating places of connection between people and the sacred earth.Rev. Mo Peitler-Lederman is a native Nutmegger and serves through the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. She is a graduate of Providence College, BA Theology and a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School. Ordained in 2004, Mo served as the Associate Rector and Chaplain of the Day School at St. Thomas's Episcopal Church in New Haven, CT for nine years. She became the Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Guilford, CT until June of 2021. She has served the diocese as a member of the Commission on Ministry, Chair of the South Central Leadership Team, Chair of the Women's Ministry Network, a Camp Washington Chaplain and Retreat Leader, and Chair for the Committee for the Formation of All the Baptized. Currently she is a diocesan consultant, working with newly ordained clergy.  She leads retreats for parish groups and vestries, is a liturgist for the Episcopal Preaching Foundation, and recently finished working with the Ekklesia Ballet Company on their work, “Body and Land.” She is pursuing a Certificate in Communications and Digital Media through the Center for New Media at Middlesex College. When not serving parishes or taking classes Mo enjoys spending time with family, baking, singing in a community choir, and blending and drinking tea. Her website is molederman.comLinks:https://being-with.org/

In this episode, Fr. Lorenzo chats with the experiment managers for the “Being With Clergy” experiment which sought to combat the large number of young clergy who are leaving ministry a few years after ordination. The Revs Rachel Field and Mo Lederman tell us about what they learn and how you can benefit from this work.Rachel Field is an Episcopal Priest living on a small hillside along with mosses, strawberries, cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, beavers, and ravens. She spends much of her time wandering the neighborhood with her horses, Tom Bombadil and Radagast the Brown. She is the co-owner of Heartberry Hollow Farm & Forest in Randolph Vermont and the Earth Liturgist for The Retreat House at Hillsboro. Her ministry focuses around imagining and facilitating places of connection between people and the sacred earth.Rev. Mo Peitler-Lederman is a native Nutmegger and serves through the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. She is a graduate of Providence College, BA Theology and a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School. Ordained in 2004, Mo served as the Associate Rector and Chaplain of the Day School at St. Thomas's Episcopal Church in New Haven, CT for nine years. She became the Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Guilford, CT until June of 2021. She has served the diocese as a member of the Commission on Ministry, Chair of the South Central Leadership Team, Chair of the Women's Ministry Network, a Camp Washington Chaplain and Retreat Leader, and Chair for the Committee for the Formation of All the Baptized. Currently she is a diocesan consultant, working with newly ordained clergy.  She leads retreats for parish groups and vestries, is a liturgist for the Episcopal Preaching Foundation, and recently finished working with the Ekklesia Ballet Company on their work, “Body and Land.” She is pursuing a Certificate in Communications and Digital Media through the Center for New Media at Middlesex College. When not serving parishes or taking classes Mo enjoys spending time with family, baking, singing in a community choir, and blending and drinking tea. Her website is molederman.com

In this episode Fr. Lorenzo talks about the TryTank anniversary and the change to becoming a research institute. Then he has a behind the scenes conversation with Brian Ide the director of the upcoming film “A Case For Love.” The episode finishes with a conversation with Sarah Bentley Allred about the upcoming Forma conference and how – in an experimental way – it's “radically hybrid” this year. Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ACaseForLove Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/acaseforlovemovie/ 

In this episode, Fr. Lorenzo chats with Ken and Jacob about EpiscopalPulse, a TryTank experiment that is now its own ministry. EpiscopalPulse is launching in January 2024 as a monthly micro survey which aims to provide reliable, timely, and actionable data to the church.  You can find out more or join at https://www.ecf.org/programs/adaptive-ministries/episcopal-pulse  For the pilot questions and responses visit www.EpiscopalPulse.org   The Rev. Ken Howard is the founder and president of The FaithX Project, a faith-based nonprofit consulting, research, and resource development practice. Founded in late 2016, FaithX's mission is to help congregations and the judicatories that support them survive and thrive in challenging times through data-grounded discernment and strategic missional planning. FaithX has developed a number of ground-breaking resources for assessing vitality and sustainability in congregations and judicatories, identifying missional opportunities and challenges in communities, and assisting congregations in leveraging their strongest areas of vitality to engage the greatest missional opportunities. An ordained priest in the Episcopal Church for 30 years, Ken has planted two congregations, and in his spare time has written two books and several research papers.  Jacob is the Program Director for Adaptive Ministries at the Episcopal Church Foundation. His work focuses on supporting the ongoing and burgeoning programs at ECF that enable the congregational vitality and sustainability of communities throughout The Episcopal Church. He hails from Chicago, where he worked as a Research Consultant at a marketing research consultancy for several years. In the Fall of 2022, Jacob moved to New York City to dedicate a year to living in community and supporting the outreach work at Church of the Heavenly Rest in Manhattan (via the Episcopal Service Corps). His work focused on key areas: prison reentry, food insecurity, education access, mental health, housing, and emergency response. He also organized formation for a small parish in the South Bronx; creating and leading liturgy for bilingual prayer services and a children's formation program to facilitate church growth and community engagement.

In this episode, Fr. Lorenzo talks with the Rev Dr Sam Wells, Vicar at St Martin-in-the-Fields in Central London. They talk about a Theology of abundance. What is it? Where does it come from? What does it mean for ministry? And, perhaps most importantly, how we can change our mindset to have a posture of abundance in our work.   From the podcast Great Sacred Music: https://soundcloud.com/greatsacredmusic St Martin-in-the-Fields: https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/ Vivaldi as Social Enterprise: https://www.gramophone.co.uk/blogs/article/vivaldi-and-social-enterprise  Revd Dr Sam Wells has been Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields since 2012. He has served as a parish priest for 25 years – 10 of those in urban priority areas. He also spent 7 years in North Carolina, where he was Dean of Duke University Chapel. Sam is also Visiting Professor of Christian Ethics at King's College. He is a regular contributor to Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. He has published 44 books, including works on Christian ethics, mission, ministry, scripture, liturgy, and preaching. Sam is married to Jo Wells, who is Bishop for Episcopal Ministry in the Anglican Communion. They have two adult children.

In this episode Fr Lorenzo chats with James Fawcett. James is the head of the Being With program from St. Martin in the Fields in London. As you will see, Fr. Lorenzo is a big fan. They discuss the program and also about God's desire to Be With us and how you too can use the program. It's a fascinating conversation about an innovative framework that allows people the opportunity to build deep relationships. www.being-with.org   Bio: James is Head of Being With leading on sharing this wonderful, life changing and innovative resource world wide. He has broad experience in the Charity sector working within and outside the Church starting up new projects. He values honest, deep conversations with a healthy mix of humour and delight - trying not to take himself too seriously. Loves a coffee in the morning, favourite cocktail would be a Negroni in the summer and an Old Fashioned in the winter. 

TryTank discovered an interesting insight about growing congregations: they have robust faith formation programs that ask MORE of members. In this episode, Fr. Lorenzo chats with Fr. Jason Prati from All Saints Episcopal Church in New Albany, Ohio about their faith formation program, Alive. This is a growing congregation which has doubled down on faith formation and is reaping the rewards. From an very early age, Fr. Jason Prati felt called to serve our Lord as well as His Church. Entering seminary after High School, he received my Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy as well as my Masters of Divinity from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.  Fr. Prati was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in May of 2002 serving as Parochial Vicar of four parishes, Assistant Director of Vocations, Chaplain of a High School and Coordinator of Pontifical Liturgies.  In 2008, God moved in his life and he found my way into the Episcopal Church being received as an Episcopalian by Bishop Kenneth Price in May of 2009 and as a priest by Bishop Thomas Breidenthal of the Diocese of Southern Ohio in April of 2013. Fr. Prati is a teacher by nature, loving to share the Good News of Jesus Christ by his life and witness not only as a priest, but as a Christian on fire! Fr. Prati comes from an Italian-American family, so people, faith and love are his passion! He is beyond blessed to be called to serve as Rector of All Saints.  Website: http://allsaintsnewalbany.org/Email for Alive: alive@http:allsaintsnewalbany.org

Hailing from Saint Louis, Whitworth has made a splash in the Indie pop scene as a unique addition to an otherwise radio friendly genre. Producer and lead Singer Owen Ragland has spent years working behind the scenes with talent from around the world launching Whitworth as an Avenue to showcase his own artistry. Together with fellow musicians Elijah Melvin, Julian Cotom, Dominic Mauro, and Ross Spellman, Ragland has created a community of young artists aimed at furthering messages of love and unity in a time of dominant divisiveness.” HandlesIG @_Whitworth_ All links here www.whitworthmusic.net

In this episode Fr. Lorenzo talks with Fr Jon Davis about the dinner church movement in the US. What is it? What does it take to do dinner church? And what are the steps to follow to get one going.  Fr. Jon Davis Quick: Fr. Jon is the coordinator for Fresh Expressions. www.freshexpressions.com  and coordinator for Dinner Church - https://www.dinnerchurch.com/  Twitter: @fatherjond and Facebook: fatherjonThe Dinner Church Website - https://www.dinnerchurch.com/  The Fresh Expressions Website - https://freshexpressions.com/ https://youtu.be/5hGYaIMqVdg  This is a commercial not Dinner Church - an initiative called Eating Together - but very moving - https://youtu.be/yLsSy64xILI  Dinner Church School of Leadership Graduate Coursehttps://www.dinnerchurch.com/graduate-course  Register at - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dinner-church-school-of-leadership-2023-2024-registration-tickets-595734898117 

In this episode Fr. Lorenzo talks with Fr Tim Bear about the rule of life that was developed for his congregation and how they have lived fully into it and how he thinks it has led to church growth.  Fr. Tim Bear Fr. Tim is a priest in the Diocese of Oklahoma and planted Grace Church in Yukon, OK in 2014 with his wife, The Rev. Kirsten Baer. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and Virginia Theological Seminary. A father of two kids and one dog, Tim enjoys cycling, hiking, and martial arts in his free time.  

In this episode Fr. Lorenzo talks with an expert on Gen Z to figure out what they are like andhow the church might meet them on their spiritual journey. From diversity (in many forms) to“Adopt a Grandma,” it's a deeper dive into the future of the church.Antonin FicatierAnto has a portfolio career at the crossroad of entrepreneurship, youth culture, and academicwork. He co-founded Chinese Institute, today one of France's leading training centers dedicatedto teaching Chinese. Anto went to Business School in France, studied Economics in China, andcompleted a Master's Degree in Christian Education at Princeton Seminary. He worked for 6years with youth and young adults in Hong Kong and England, before joining YPulse (the world'sbest youth intelligence company) as the Director for Western Europe in 2022. His hope is to oneday finish his Ph.D. in experimental theology that he started a while back at the University ofBirmingham (UK). Originally from France, Anto lives in south London with his wife Jess and theirbaby Leo.Book mentioned:Fight: How Gen Z Is Channeling Their Passion and Fear to Save America, By John Della Volpehttps://www.amazon.com/Fight-Channeling-Their-Passion-America/dp/125087551X

In this episode, Lorenzo discusses the challenges faced by young clergy, including burnout, financial pressure, and loneliness, with Reverend Rachel Fields and Reverend Moe Letterman. The guests share their experiences of leaving parish ministry and finding their true calling, emphasizing the importance of supporting and nurturing young clergy to ensure the future of the church. Father Lorenzo announces an upcoming experiment that Try Tank is conducting to work with clergy and help them find joy and fulfillment in their lives.The TryTank Podcast is produced with the assistance of Resonate Media.TryTank music is provided by Blue Dot sessionsOur opening theme is Town Market and our closing theme is Lakal

In this episode Lorenzo is joined by Bob Johansen. He shows us how to think future back — asking the questions: What future do we envision? What changes are coming next? What shall we do now, to prepare ourselves for unprecedented futures? In his new book, Bob shows how COVID-19, with all its tragic consequences, also created an opportunity to ask this basic question: why do we work in offices at all? You'll be surprised as to how this applies to the church as well.  As you'll hear, Bob's book, Office Shock, may be the first book to have its own chatbot. You can try it here by asking the questions you have about office shock: Talk with Office Shock (https://officeshock.ai/)  To get Bob's new book go here: wwww.bkconnection.com and use code OFFSHOCK for 30% off. (eBook and Audiobook anywhere in the world) (Print U.S. only). For group orders contact Leslie Davis ldavis@bkpub.com.  Bob Johansen is a distinguished fellow with the Institute for the Future in Silicon Valley. For more than 30 years, Bob has helped organizations around the world prepare for and shape the future, including corporations such as P&G, Walmart, United Rentals, and GlaxoSmithKline, as well as a range of major universities and nonprofits.  The author or co-author of twelve books, including the best-selling Get There Early: Sensing the Future to Compete in the Present, Leaders Make the Future, The New Leadership Literacies: Thriving in a Future of Extreme Disruption and Distributed Everything, Full-Spectrum Thinking: Escaping the Boxes in a Post-Categorical Future, and Office Shock: Creating Better Futures for Working and Living. Bob's books are used widely in corporations, universities, nonprofits, and at the Army War College.  Bob holds a B.S. from the University of Illinois, which he attended on a basketball scholarship, and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University—as well as a master's degree that focused on world religions.The TryTank Podcast is produced with the assistance of Resonate Media.TryTank music is provided by Blue Dot sessionsOur opening theme is Town Market and our closing theme is Lakal

In this episode Fr Lorenzo is joined by the Rev. Jon Jordan to talk about the latest developments regarding artificial developments since ChatGPT (and now others) have come to be. What does this mean for the church and where is God in all of this? Fr. Jon Jordan is a priest at Church of the Incarnation (Dallas) and serves as the Headmaster of the Dallas Campus and Theology Department Chair for Coram Deo Academy, a school in the classical Christian tradition. Here is the article referenced in the show:https://covenant.livingchurch.org/2023/01/27/artificial-intelligence-is-no-substitute-for-wisdom/ The TryTank Podcast is produced with the assistance of Resonate Media.TryTank music is provided by Blue Dot sessionsOur opening theme is Town Market and our closing theme is LakalGuest: The Rev. Jon JordanHost: The Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija