Podcasts about future church

Bright City Church gathers Sundays at 9am, 10:45am and 5pm. Join us for pre-service prayer every Sunday at 8:30am. We are located in Charleston, SC.-Learn more about Bright City Church: ⁠https://www.brightcity.church/⁠-Follow Bright City Church on Instagram for weekly updates: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/brightcitychurch⁠-Fill out this connection card to receive our newsletter and general updates: ⁠https://brightcity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/617531⁠-Give to our church: ⁠https://www.brightcity.church/giving⁠-Check out upcoming events: ⁠https://www.brightcity.church/events⁠-At Bright City Church, we believe God sent his Son, Jesus to die for our salvation. We are a community of people who seek to love and sacrificially serve all people according to the heart of the Father.-Follow us on Spotify to receive alerts for new sermon uploads.

In this episode of the Future Church podcast, Anthony Delaney interviews Chip Ingram, founder of Living on the Edge Ministries. They discuss Chip's journey to faith, the purpose of the church, and the importance of discipleship. Chip emphasizes the need for churches to be supernatural communities that focus on spiritual growth and meeting community needs. He also outlines the characteristics of a high impact church, which include regularly bringing lost people to Christ, maturing found people, and addressing community needs. The conversation highlights the significance of Romans 12 in understanding discipleship and the role of church leaders.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Chip Ingram and His Ministry 02:03 Chip's Journey to Faith 11:32 The Impact of Personal Relationships in Faith 15:59 The Purpose of the Church 21:44 Understanding Discipleship through Romans 12 24:28 Radical Love and Community Engagement 31:56 The Role of Pastors in Modern Church 39:20 Defining a High-Impact Church 47:16 Prayer for Transformation and Growth

Bright City Church gathers Sundays at 9am, 10:45am and 5pm. Join us for pre-service prayer every Sunday at 8:30am. We are located in Charleston, SC.-Learn more about Bright City Church: ⁠https://www.brightcity.church/⁠-Follow Bright City Church on Instagram for weekly updates: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/brightcitychurch⁠-Fill out this connection card to receive our newsletter and general updates: ⁠https://brightcity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/617531⁠-Give to our church: ⁠https://www.brightcity.church/giving⁠-Check out upcoming events: ⁠https://www.brightcity.church/events⁠-At Bright City Church, we believe God sent his Son, Jesus to die for our salvation. We are a community of people who seek to love and sacrificially serve all people according to the heart of the Father.-Follow us on Spotify to receive alerts for new sermon uploads.

SEND US A MESSAGE! We'd Love to Chat With you and Hear your thoughts! We'll read them on the next episode. PLEASE FILL OUT THIS SURVEY TO HELP THE PODCAST: CLICK HERE-------What does the future of the Church look like? Will it be shaped by courageous men who stand strong in their faith, or will it be led astray by those who compromise? In this thought-provoking video, I address some of the lasting impact of the last generation of soft men on this current generation. I also address the looming catastrophe headed for an unprepared church.  We'll look at some relatively recent events that serve as evidence of weak leadership in the church of recent past. Join me as I dive into the importance of bold, faith-filled leadership and what it means for the Church's future. ------LEARN ABOUT THE BALTIMORE CHURCH PLANT: CLICK HERESupport the showPlease Rate & Comment!Hosts: Brandon and Daren SmithWebsite: www.blackandblurred.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/blackandblurredPaypal: https://paypal.me/blackandblurredYouTube: Black and Blurred PodcastIG: @BlackandBlurredPodcastX: @Blurred_Podcast

What if conflict isn't something to avoid—but something God actually designed for our growth? In this episode, Jessie, Chris and Jacob dive into the messiness of relationships, discipleship, and community. With stories ranging from roller derby and MMA training to awkward church staff meetings and theological tension, this conversation explores how conflict, when embraced and handled well, can become a catalyst for transformation. Whether you're navigating hard conversations in your church, your marriage, or your leadership team, this episode offers wisdom, laughter, and practical insight into how messiness might just be part of God's good and perfect design. ORDER Jessie's newest book, Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation → https://a.co/d/51j86DGFor more great stuff, check out: Ordinary Discipleship by Whoology: https://whoology.coFollow us on social media:https://instagram.com/ordinarydiscipleshiphttps://facebook.com/ordinarydiscipleshipFollow Jessie on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourbrainbyjessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.s.cruickshank/Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourbrainbyjessJessie Cruickshank is a disciple-maker, wilderness guide, and ordained minister. She has trained thousands of people how to survive when their life depended on it and earned a Master's degree in experiential education at Harvard to learn how the brain works to help people train more effectively.The key to discipleship is not more information, but learning how to create intentional environments where people can learn and grow. By working with the brain and treating individuals as whole persons, you too can discover how God wired our brains for transformation. You already have all the tools you need, it is time to activate them in you and your church.

What does it mean to disciple people who carry unseen wounds? In this episode, Jessie Cruickshank explores trauma-informed discipleship—what it is, why it matters, and how it can transform the way we help others grow in Christ. Jessie shares how neuroscience and spiritual formation intersect, the importance of psychological safety in Christian community, and how leaders can create spaces where people can heal and be formed into the likeness of Jesus. Whether you're a pastor, small group leader, or someone walking alongside others, this conversation offers practical insight and deep encouragement. ORDER Jessie's newest book, Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation → https://a.co/d/51j86DGFor more great stuff, check out: Ordinary Discipleship by Whoology: https://whoology.coFollow us on social media:https://instagram.com/ordinarydiscipleshiphttps://facebook.com/ordinarydiscipleshipFollow Jessie on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourbrainbyjessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.s.cruickshank/Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourbrainbyjessJessie Cruickshank is a disciple-maker, wilderness guide, and ordained minister. She has trained thousands of people how to survive when their life depended on it and earned a Master's degree in experiential education at Harvard to learn how the brain works to help people train more effectively.The key to discipleship is not more information, but learning how to create intentional environments where people can learn and grow. By working with the brain and treating individuals as whole persons, you too can discover how God wired our brains for transformation. You already have all the tools you need, it is time to activate them in you and your church.

In this sermon, Jacintha shares part 2 of the vision for HTBB which involves outlining who God has called HTBB to be: that we are a home, a hospital, and an HQ from which we become carriers of hope.Luke 5:4-11; 27-31

What does the next season of leadership look like for the church? Where are we going and how do we be the most emotional stable leaders possible.

In this talk, Abel talks about the calling that God has given to HTBB to be a centre of worship, community, multiplication and legacy.Isaiah 61

How can churches truly become spaces for everyone? In this episode, Loren Richmond Jr. talks with Dan Kreiss and Ephraim Smith, co-authors of Church for Everyone: Building a Multi-Inclusive Community for Emerging Generations. Together, they explore how churches can move beyond silos of race, class, and ideology to truly reflect the diverse body of Christ. Dan and Ephraim discuss the shift from attractional mega-church models to localized, neighborhood-based faith communities, the growing need for multi-ethnic and multi-generational churches, and why the church should lead the way in reconciliation rather than follow secular models of inclusion. They also examine the tension between church as an institution vs. church as a gathered community and how leaders can navigate these complexities while engaging younger generations.   Dan Kreiss (DMin, George Fox University) is the associate minister for mission and community outreach at Roswell Presbyterian Church in the greater Atlanta area. He was previously professor of youth ministry and dean of the School of Missions at King University in Bristol, Tennessee. Efrem Smith (DMin, Fuller Theological Seminary) is the colead pastor of Midtown Church, a thriving multiethnic community in Sacramento, California. His books include Raising Up Young Heroes and The Post-Black and Post-White Church. Learn more about Efrem and read his blog at influentalglobal.com. Follow him on X: @efremsmith.   Episodes Referenced: Walter Strickland: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-zmhss-174b7a6 Brian Davis: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-jd4vj-172854c   Presenting Sponsor: Phillips Seminary Join conversations that expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitment and give insights to how we can minister in a changing world.  Supporting Sponsors: Restore Clergy If you are clergy in need of tailored, professional support to help you manage the demands of ministry, Restore Clergy is for you! Kokoro  Join in for heartfelt journeys that challenges the way we see ourselves, each other, and the world we share.   Future Christian Team: Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer Dennis Sanders – Producer Alexander Lang - Production Assistant

Eric sits down with Archbishop Michael Miller, CSB (Archbishop of Vancouver) to discuss his thoughts on the future Church in Vancouver. In February 2024 the Archbishop offered 12 points to consider for the future Church in Vancouver. His presentation can be listened to here: https://weareproclaim.com/collections/proclaim-podcast/060 They discuss 5 points in greater detail: - We must adopt an apostolic mindset marked by total confidence in the truth of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives and communities. - We must embrace a synodal approach to discernment and a commitment to seek guidance and direction from the Holy Spirit. - We must adopt methods of formation fit for the new apostolic age, for our clergy, consecrated persons and laity. - We must be committed to the co-responsibility of clergy and laity for the Church's mission. - We must rid ourselves of a narrow parochial paradigm and work collaboratively at levels not yet seen in the Archdiocese. Proclaim is a movement of the Archdiocese of Vancouver inspiring disciples to proclaim Jesus in their homes and communities. The Proclaim podcast is a space where you listen to inspiring disciples talk all things around sharing Jesus with others, and learn how to step into your own missionary identity. To learn more about Proclaim, you can visit weareproclaim.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @weareproclaim

How can churches navigate change and uncertainty with creativity and resilience? In this episode,  Dustin Benac shares insights from his research in the Pacific Northwest, where faith communities are experimenting with new organizational models in response to the decline of traditional church structures. Together, they explore themes of collaboration, authority, and innovation, discussing how faith communities can remain rooted in tradition while adapting to a rapidly shifting landscape. Dustin introduces the concept of "hubs"—new forms of church organization that connect congregations, nonprofits, and faith leaders in dynamic networks. He also reflects on how authority is shifting from institutional hierarchy to relational trust and local leadership, offering a hopeful vision for the future of faith. Dustin D. Benac, ThD, is an educator, practical theologian and organizational strategist. He teaches at Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary as the Co-Founding Director for the Program for the Future Church. He has supported and studied communities of faith who are navigating transition and uncertainty across North America. Prior to his appointment at Baylor, Dustin was a Postdoctoral Associate with Kate Bowler and the Everything Happens Project at Duke University. Dustin is the author or editor of multiple books and articles. His latest book, Adaptive Church: Collaboration and Community in a Changing World, explores what it takes for communities of faith to navigate organizational change. He is the co-editor of Crisis and Care: Meditations on Faith and Philanthropy and the Editor of Practical Theology, an international and interdisciplinary journal. His writing has been published by Faith & Leadership, Christianity Today, The World Council of Churches, Ecclesial Futures. An accomplished speaker, teacher, and fundraiser, he has worked with congregations and researchers across Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the United States. He is a graduate of Duke University, with Doctor of Theology (ThD) and Master of Divinity (MDiv) degrees, and Whitworth University. Dustin lives in Waco, TX with his wife, Casey, their three kids, and a lab, Lila. To join the conversation, go to dustindbenac.com or follow him on Twitter @dustindbenac.   Adaptive Church: https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481317085/adaptive-church/ Discount code is 17Fall24 for 20% off + free shipping Program for the Future Church's Impact Report: https://truettseminary.baylor.edu/sites/g/files/ecbvkj631/files/2025-01/PFFC%20Impact%20Report%20Final.pdf   X: https://x.com/dustindbenac?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dustindbenac/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@dustindbenac LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-benac-22069127/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dustin.benac/ Website: https://www.dustindbenac.com/   Episodes Referenced: Ted Smith https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-w4nrb-15d747b Scott Thumma https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-44b9y-154b15b Justin Anthony: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-cjrug-1541ed0   Presenting Sponsor: Phillips Seminary Join conversations that expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitment and give insights to how we can minister in a changing world.  Supporting Sponsors: Restore Clergy If you are clergy in need of tailored, professional support to help you manage the demands of ministry, Restore Clergy is for you! Kokoro  Join in for heartfelt journeys that challenges the way we see ourselves, each other, and the world we share.   Future Christian Team: Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer Dennis Sanders – Producer Alexander Lang - Production Assistant

Margaret Mary O'Connor, a passionate advocate for transparency and reform within the Catholic Church, combines her deep faith with a tireless commitment to justice.   Holding a Bachelor of Science from the University of Buffalo and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Christ The King Seminary, Margaret Mary has served as a Chaplain and Eucharistic Minister, embodying her dedication to her spiritual calling.   Her advocacy is bold and unwavering. Margaret Mary actively participates in picket lines to bring attention to critical issues such as Women's Ordination and Church.   Accountability regarding priest sexual abuse. She firmly believes that all Catholics deserve the truth from the Church hierarchy rather than the deception that has persisted for too long.   As a member of organizations like Call to Action, Future Church, Roman Catholic Women Priests, Women's Ordination Conference, and SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests), she works tirelessly to inspire change.   Beyond her activism, Margaret Mary's involvement with Buffalo Central Terminal, Preservation Buffalo Niagara, and the Western NY Land Conservancy showcases her dedication to preserving her community's cultural and natural heritage.   An accomplished public speaker, she received the Special Award for Achievement from the Dale Carnegie Public Speaking Course. When she's not advocating for reform or fostering community engagement, Margaret Mary enjoys gardening, Pilates, and delving into mystery books.   Her voice brings conviction, clarity, and an unshakable call for truth, making her an exceptional guest for conversations on faith, justice, and social change.   Learn More Here: http://www.yourradicaltruth.com/ ..... Want to be a guest on WITneSSes? Send Elisha Arowojobe a message on #PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/elishaarowojobe   Elevate your business with Anastasia's expert consulting. Use code Elisha3 for an exclusive offer and transform your business today! https://resurrectionmentor.wixsite.com/so/42PDEPEB8?languageTag=en  

In this episode, co-hosts Martha Tatarnic and Loren Richmond Jr. reflect on the past season and share personal insights from their ministry journeys. Martha opens up about the challenges of transitioning back to ministry after a focused writing sabbath, touching on key themes like clergy mental health, food insecurity, and economic pressures that have shaped the season's conversations. Loren and Martha celebrate a major milestone—200 episodes—reflecting on the podcast's beginnings as a COVID project and its growth into a valued resource for church leaders. They highlight standout episodes, discussing topics such as the evolving landscape of church leadership, the importance of diversity and inclusion, and the benefits of team ministry in building strong faith communities. Throughout the episode, Loren and Martha stress the podcast's mission to provide companionship and support for those navigating the complexities of ministry.   Episodes Referenced: Pastoral Health Roundtable: https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/pastoral/ Elizabeth Schrader Polczer: https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/elizabeth-schrader-polczer-on-rethinking-mary-magdalene-part-1/ Yolanda Solomon: https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/solomon/ Chuck DeGroat: https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/the-primal-wound/ Casey Tygrett: https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/casey-tygrett-on-why-remembering-matters/ Grace Ji-Sun Kim: https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/grace-ji-sun-kim-on-making-church-less-white/ Allison Milbank: https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/alison-milbank-on-why-small-and-local-might-be-the-churchs-way-forward/     Presenting Sponsor: Phillips Seminary Join conversations that expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitment and give insights to how we can minister in a changing world.  Supporting Sponsors: Restore Clergy If you are clergy in need of tailored, professional support to help you manage the demands of ministry, Restore Clergy is for you!   Future Christian Team: Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer Dennis Sanders – Producer Alexander Lang - Production Assistant

Delve into the complexities of shared leadership within ministry settings. From navigating youthful leadership roles to handling crises in remote expeditions, they share personal anecdotes and insights on fostering healthy leadership cultures. Discover how embracing vulnerability, trust, and shared responsibilities can transform toxic leadership dynamics into flourishing team dynamics.The Ordinary Discipleship podcast with Jessie Cruickshank and the rest of the Whoology team is a journey through the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and narrative to ignite the disciplemaker in you.  Delve into the transformative power of storytelling, exploring how our brains are wired for transformation and discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. From understanding the biological roots of storytelling to unlocking the secrets of spiritual maturity, each episode offers insights to empower you to become a more effective disciplemaker and deepen your spiritual growth.--ORDER Jessie's newest book, Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation → https://a.co/d/51j86DGFor more great stuff, check out: Ordinary Discipleship by Whoology: https://whoology.coFollow us on social media:https://instagram.com/ordinarydiscipleshiphttps://facebook.com/ordinarydiscipleshipFollow Jessie on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourbrainbyjessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.s.cruickshank/Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourbrainbyjessJessie Cruickshank is a disciple-maker, wilderness guide, and ordained minister. She has trained thousands of people how to survive when their life depended on it and earned a Master's degree in experiential education at Harvard to learn how the brain works to help people train more effectively.The key to discipleship is not more information, but learning how to create intentional environments where people can learn and grow. By working with the brain and treating individuals as whole persons, you too can discover how God wired our brains for transformation. You already have all the tools you need, it is time to activate them in you and your church.

In this episode of the Just Schools Podcast, Jon Eckert interviews Dustin Benac, co-founder of Baylor's Program for the Future Church. They discuss the connection between schools, churches, and communities in fostering flourishing environments. Benac shares insights on leadership that moves at the speed of trust, the power of belonging, and the importance of taking strategic risks. The conversation also highlights how collaboration and shared language can drive meaningful connections and create spaces where individuals and institutions thrive together. The Just Schools Podcast is brought to you by the Baylor Center for School Leadership. Each week, we'll talk to catalytic educators who are doing amazing work. Be encouraged. Books Mentioned: Adaptive Church by Dustin D. Benac Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides by Geoffrey L. Cohen Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl Connect with us: Baylor MA in School Leadership EdD in K-12 Educational Leadership Jon Eckert LinkedIn Twitter: @eckertjon Center for School Leadership at Baylor University: @baylorcsl   Transcript: Jon: Welcome back to the Just Schools podcast. Today we are here with Dustin Benac. Excited to have him here. He's a little different kind of guest than we usually have, so we're going to start with Dustin telling us a little bit what he does here at Baylor, and then we'll get into how it connects to what we do as educators. Dustin, welcome in. Dustin Benac: Thanks Jon. Thrilled to be here. Love what you guys do in the School of Ed. Jon: Can you tell us a little bit about what you do here at Baylor? We overlap some because we're interested in leadership, we're interested in education and institutions, but can you talk a little bit about what you do here? Dustin Benac: Absolutely. I am the director and co-founder of the Program for the Future Church. We are a research, resource and relationship hub that's devoted to engaging the complex and emerging challenges between current and emerging Christian leaders. We do that through curriculum. We do that through convenings or gatherings, and we do that through contextual research. And one of the things that we're seeing is that even as the church and our communities are changing in incredible and dramatic ways, there is a remarkable future and we're committed to supporting that and pursuing that together. Jon: Love that. My question for you, obviously we care deeply about the church. That's one of the primary institutions that really supports what goes on in our country and around the world. And we have the global flourishing study that's a partnership of Harvard and Baylor, looking at what flourishing looks like, and certainly churches and faith are a big part of that, but another big part of it is schools. Where do you see K-12 schools fitting into the work that you're doing? Dustin Benac: I think they are an essential aspect of the flourishing of our communities and the flourishing of churches. Because one of the things we see is that the faith formation of people who inhabit churches, particularly inhabit churches over their life course emerges in those first 10 to 12 years. That certainly happens in families, but that also happens in spaces well beyond families. Sunday school classrooms, camps, schools, after school programs, baseball fields, athletic fields, gyms, art rooms, all of those are spaces where people are being formed. And a flourishing church, particularly a flourishing future church requires flourishing generations. And then secondly, it requires connections across different communities of faith. We think about our work happening at the level of the system or the ecology where we think communities need thriving congregations. They also need thriving schools, they need thriving nonprofit sectors, they need thriving entrepreneurs and the health of those realities, those sectors will only contribute to the thriving of the local church. Jon: A lot of that focus on community because we don't do any of these things in isolation. And so as educators, we have this great role of walking alongside people as they become more of who they're created to be as we become more of who we're created to be in the work that we do as we are formed. My question for you especially is your vantage point largely focused on the church, but also then looking at the ecology, as you use your term, which I love that term as well. What does a healthy school look like in your opinion, either currently or in the future, or maybe those are the same thing, but what's it look like to you? Dustin Benac: I think there are several markers of a healthy school. One, I think healthy schools require healthy leadership, and that's one of the reasons I appreciate the work you and your colleagues do is you all are equipping, resourcing and engaging healthy leaders and supporting healthy leaders across the country. That's the first thing. I think the second thing is a connection to and commitment to place. One of the things I love about education is it's one of the increasingly few institutions that still have a geographic designation. We have ISDs that are connected to particular places. And schools are places that bring people from their surrounding community to a shared gathering. Third, I think healthy schools require a healthy balance of diversity and similarity. You have to have something that you have in common, which I think is the education of our children. And you also have to have environments where people gather around and from the various differences and particularities that they bring to these spaces. Third, you've got to have matters of trust, justice, equity. Schools are only as strong as the virtues that carry them, and our leaders are only as strong as the virtues that they possess, so you've got to have schools that are marked by integrity. And fifth and finally, I think a healthy school requires a hopeful vision for the future. We can't have a hopeful vision for our children if the leaders and the communities don't have a hopeful vision for the future. Jon: The country right now is somewhat polarized as we're in an election year and you hear a lot of things about separation of church and state. And a lot of times that comes into play in schools where what's allowed, what isn't allowed? In Oklahoma right now, there's mandated Bible teaching going on in public schools with a hope that that will lead to better virtue development. And that's getting a lot of push back and possibly not really being implemented because that's not been traditionally what's gone on in public schools in Oklahoma at least over the last several decades. I'm curious to have you talk a little bit about the way you think churches and schools can work together effectively, because we also have the model of churches coming in and reading with kids and providing tutoring with kids and afterschool programs and this kind of ecology that we're all in this together and that both schools and churches serve the community. Do you have any sense of what that might look like? Not in the church state, separation wars that are out there, but in we're all part of a community, leadership as service. How do we lead in a way that serves each member of the community well? Dustin Benac: Yep. I love that question. I think that's part of one of the things that gets me really hopeful about the future schools and the future of churches because I think there's opportunities for real partnership here. Just a quick anecdote, I found my way into this work after doing several years of research in the Pacific Northwest. And the Pacific Northwest is a context where there's a marginal position for religious organizations. They're on the edges of society, but there's also a real history of religious entrepreneurship, that people of faith are doing new things. Entrepreneurship is the water they swim in. And one of the things I saw there is that people of faith and churches in the Pacific Northwest, they found a way to exist on the margins of society in ways that are not anxious. They're not trying to reclaim power, they're just trying to be faithfully present. And I think that's the first step to find this meaningful partnership, is churches and people of faith can pursue meaningful partnerships with schools, public or private, not trying to control the content or control the outcome or set the table, but simply show up and be a good partner and be present. Second, that takes a lot of time. Jon: You're right. Dustin Benac: You can't just parachute in a community and expect change to happen. You've got to keep showing up. Go to the football games, go to the band concerts, show up, show up over and over and over again. And when you do that, you begin to, one, see the needs of the community and they might be different than what you think. And then secondly, you begin to earn trust. The third thing I say is be prepared to be surprised by the encounter. When I've shown up in spaces, when I've tried to be relationally, faithfully present, I go in expecting knowingly or unknowingly something from that connection. And I'm always surprised. And as a person of faith, I like to think that surprise is part of the gift of God. Jon: That's beautifully put. I would say I think it overlaps with our view of leadership in general, but I would go all the way back to teaching middle school students. You can't just hit middle school kids over the head with truth if you don't do it with love because they're not listening until they know that you love them and you show them that you love them by spending time with them when you're not contractually obligated to spend that time with them. And so it is that showing up. And I think that's true with adults that we lead and we work with the educators we serve all over the world. It does coming alongside listening first, being surprised by what we might learn, not coming in with solutions for people. We don't know the context. We come in with processes. We come in with ideas for improvement. We come in with networks of people that we connect. That's Eric Ellison's main job at the Center of School Leadership. He does that even on Baylor's campus for us. And so how do we do that better? Because ultimately in the time we're in now, I don't think anybody can be that superhero solo leader. We write a lot about collective leadership at the center and what that looks like to do the work that moves towards shared goals. You do a lot of work on collaborative leadership. What kind of leadership do you see working at Baylor in churches in the ecologies? What kind of leadership do you see working? What are some attributes of that that you're encouraged by as we move forward? Dustin Benac: There's several different attributes. One is it's leadership that moves at the speed of trust. Collective collaborative leadership is leadership that it can't be engineered, it can't be manufactured. It takes time and it moves at the speed of trust. The second thing is this type of leadership is leadership that's carried by shared language. And I think that's one of the values of a place like Baylor or a place like the Center for School Leadership is I think one of the things you all offer are some shared language. And that allows people to partner around shared work by using the shared language because we can't assume that we mean the same thing when we talk about community or education or formation or faith. You have to have shared language because that's the point of contact where the shared work begins. The third thing that I think is required is an ability to recognize and celebrate a diversity of leadership expressions. Leadership, particularly collaborative leadership, is carried by teams. In order to have a strong team, you need to have people who lead in different ways. In my book, Adaptive Church, I talk about this across six different modes of leading, leading as the caretaker, leading as the catalyst, leading as the connector convener, leading as the surveyor, leading as the champion, leading as the guide. An effective collaboration requires people and teams who have the diversity, the dexterity, and the variety of gifts to lead in different ways in order to respond the needs of their community. Jon: You talk about diversity, dexterity, and variety, and a lot of people will hear that, and say it sounds messy. Dustin Benac: It is. Jon: And my argument is leadership's always going to be messy. It's whether it's going to be messy on the front end or the back end. I'd much rather it be hashed out with diverse thinkers that bring this variety to what we do so that we better represent the communities we serve. If you're thinking in ecologies, you certainly can't, as a single person know what's going to work best for everyone in that ecosystem. That is just not going to be possible. But it takes time, which you already mentioned about relationships, but it also takes time to process things. But then at the back end, you have something that actually might work as opposed to you implementing something which churches do this all the time, "Oh, we got to grow attendance, we got to grow the budget. We got to do..." And so it just becomes this hamster wheel we jump on and then we're spinning off crazy. And in churches, you are burning human beings who get run over by that hamster wheel. Dustin Benac: That's exactly right. And I think it's important to make a difference between the messiness of shared and collaborative leadership and sloppiness because- Jon: Yes. That's a good point. Dustin Benac: ... we don't have an excuse for being sloppy. The responsibility of leadership requires that we do it as well as we can. And part of not being sloppy is having shared language, knowing your lane, and also having good and effective strategy. It's going to be messy, it's going to be improvisational. It's not going to turn out like you thought or hoped it would, but you can be purposeful, you can be intentional, you can be strategic, you can be patient. And when those ingredients are there, the outcome is oftentimes far better than we could ever hope or imagine. Jon: The sloppy piece is such a great point. I think in schools, we have oversold the idea of failing forward. We've taken this Silicon Valley idea that fail fast, fail forward. No one wants to fail. And so you don't take haphazard risks, that's sloppy. You take strategic risks and Chip and Dan Heath write that the promise of risk taking is not, I don't have the exact quote, but the promise of risk taking is not success. It's learning. All right. If success were always promised for taking risks, it wouldn't be a risk. And so ultimately, how do we take the right risks? How do we take them with the right people? How do we take them in the way that we're actually going to learn from them and then revise and improve? I've certainly taken many risks in my career where I'm like, "I'm never doing that again." That was just a flat mistake. But most of the time, whatever it is, I figure out ways that we can improve and do better the next time. And then that's where leadership is fun because you're constantly iterating and you know don't have to have it right the first time ever because we probably aren't. But it's like all we got to do is get better. And so I've quit talking about solutions because solutions sound too neat, sound too prepackaged. It's not about solutions. It's about improving, so if you are leading a dumpster fire, just put the fire out. You don't have to build the Taj Mahal yet. Get the dumpster fire out first. Dustin Benac: I love it. Jon: As we think about that, what's your greatest fear as you look ahead to churches and schools? What's the greatest fear you have right now? I know there are many fears out there. What would you say is the thing that keeps you up at night about churches and schools? Dustin Benac: You actually teed this up so well, Jon, because I think my greatest fear is that we wouldn't take the risk. I think we are in a moment of significant and dramatic change. The world is changing, the church is changing, how we gather is changing, what education looks like and feels like is changing. And that can be a moment of real anxiety and uncertainty. It can also be a real moment of opportunity. And my hope is that in this moment of incredible change, we will do the thoughtful, the strategic, maybe even the prayerful work of considering what are the risks that are ours to take and take them with other people. We don't have to take these risks alone, but I do think we are in a unique moment of time where there's things that we can do together that are going to build the structures, the schools, the churches that our children inhabit for a generation. And if we don't do that, I think we've missed an opportunity. Jon: That's well said. Before we jumped on, you mentioned a couple of books that you were reading, which I think tie into this fear and also to the hope that we can have. Would you mind sharing a couple of books? I always like for our listeners to get a couple of recommendations that might be useful that may or may not be part of a typical educator's reading list. But do you have a couple for us? Dustin Benac: Yeah. One of the very best books I read in the last year is a book by a Stanford psychologist, Geoffrey Cohen's Belonging, a brilliant book about the structure of connection and how to understand the need for belonging and also the strategies that can help us build cultures of belonging. Brilliant work, data-driven, translatable across cultures and across contexts, so, that's the first one. The second one is a book by Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning that is about his experience surviving a concentration camp and also his theory of purpose that emerged out of his work there as a clinical psychologist. And one of the things Frankl says is that those who survived, survived because they found purpose, even purpose in suffering. And it's precisely this purpose that gave them meaning and ultimately gave them a future hope that they could imagine. Even if the circumstances were such, that it was very unlikely that they would live to see that future hope, the purpose carried them forward and gave them a reason to live. Jon: Well, I like the way those two books fit together in that if we're going to belong, we have to have a purpose. Dustin Benac: Yes. Jon: And that's part of what we do. And when we have a purpose, we are willing to struggle well with each other. And ultimately that's where joy is found. It's not the freedom from the struggle, it's the fuel to struggle well. And our joy comes from something deeper than our circumstances because that's where happiness lies and certainly Viktor Frankl is not talking about happiness. He's talking about where purpose can lead to joy because there's a life of meaning. And we don't have wellbeing if we don't have a purpose. And so I think the belonging piece doesn't happen unless we can do that with others because we serve a relational God and we reflect that in the ways that we interact with each other. We don't thrive by ourselves. That just doesn't happen. Love those two books. You shared your greatest fear, not taking risks, so what's your greatest hope as you look ahead for schools and churches? Dustin Benac: That new connections will form? I think the future of schools, the future of the church is carried by the work we do together. And one of the things that gives me great hope is that in a time of isolation, in a time of polarization, in a time where so many people do not feel like they belong, new connections are being formed every day. And that gives me great hope. That gives me great hope for the work that we do in the program where people come through our events, come through our courses, come through our programs, and they come out saying, "I'm more connected with other people." That's my hope about Baylor, is we have incredible students who come through our classes, and they certainly leave with a degree, but they also leave with a lot of connections. And that's my hope for churches, is that churches are finding a way to be faithfully present right where they are that is simply holding out the space for connection. Connection with others, connections with themselves, and connection with God. Jon: And that's why it's such a blessing to be part of Christian Research One University where we can convene these things, create those connections across communities, study them, and try to amplify the good work that schools and churches are doing, because there's a lot of great work going on out there. We just don't always hear about it. And so how do we accelerate that? Well, let's bring people together. Let's do it together in a way that creates connection and joy and then amplify it. Dustin Benac: That's right. Jon: And so that's the blessing. Well, thank you for all you do at Baylor through this, the program for the Future Church. Thanks for being with us and always love allies like you at Baylor, so thanks for taking the time. Dustin Benac: Thanks, Jon. Thrilled to be here.

Explore the pitfalls of conventional leadership paradigms and the transformative power of leading as the first follower of the Holy Spirit. Discover how attending to your own soul is the first step toward guiding others to fulfill their unique callings, fostering unity under the banner of heaven. Dive into practical insights and resources for equipping pastors and believers on their journey of ordinary discipleship. Tune in for an enlightening discussion that promises to reshape your perspective on spiritual leadership.The Ordinary Discipleship podcast with Jesse Cruickshank and the rest of the Whoology team is a journey through the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and narrative to ignite the disciplemaker in you.  Delve into the transformative power of storytelling, exploring how our brains are wired for transformation and discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. From understanding the biological roots of storytelling to unlocking the secrets of spiritual maturity, each episode offers insights to empower you to become a more effective disciplemaker and deepen your spiritual growth.--ORDER Jessie's newest book, Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation → https://a.co/d/51j86DGFor more great stuff, check out: Ordinary Discipleship by Whoology: https://whoology.coFollow us on social media:https://instagram.com/ordinarydiscipleshiphttps://facebook.com/ordinarydiscipleshipFollow Jessie on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourbrainbyjessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.s.cruickshank/Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourbrainbyjessJessie Cruickshank is a disciple-maker, wilderness guide, and ordained minister. She has trained thousands of people how to survive when their life depended on it and earned a Master's degree in experiential education at Harvard to learn how the brain works to help people train more effectively.The key to discipleship is not more information, but learning how to create intentional environments where people can learn and grow. By working with the brain and treating individuals as whole persons, you too can discover how God wired our brains for transformation. You already have all the tools you need, it is time to activate them in you and your church.

Will Small, Joel Hollier, and Christine Redwood reflect on their experiences and insights from the inaugural Future Church Conference at the beginning of this year and look towards the next one on January 28, 2025. They discuss the importance of collaboration, the need for change within the church, and the significance of creating inclusive spaces for marginalized voices. They discuss trying to hold both optimism and grief in the current state of faith communities, as well as emphasising the necessity of organising for change and the value of small, local initiatives. Get a ticket for Future Church conference here (use code SPIRITUALMISFITS for $10 off): https://futurechurchcon.com/Want to reach out and let us know your thoughts or suggestions for the show? Send us a message here; we'd love to hear from you.The Spiritual Misfits Survival Guide (FREE): https://www.spiritualmisfits.com.au/survivalguideSign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/View all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

Detangling leadership and discipleship unravels the common dilemma of feeling stuck as a leader. From personal anecdotes to profound insights, they navigate through the fears and insecurities that often accompany leadership roles. With honesty and authenticity, they discuss the transformative power of vulnerability, highlighting how embracing one's weaknesses and limitations can lead to spiritual maturity and freedom. Whether you're a church leader, parent, CEO, or simply seeking personal growth, this episode offers valuable insights into overcoming obstacles and embracing the journey of spiritual maturity. Tune in to discover how vulnerability can pave the way to a deeper understanding of God's grace and a more fulfilling life journey.The Ordinary Discipleship podcast with Jesse Cruickshank and the rest of the Whoology team is a journey through the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and narrative to ignite the disciplemaker in you.  Delve into the transformative power of storytelling, exploring how our brains are wired for transformation and discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. From understanding the biological roots of storytelling to unlocking the secrets of spiritual maturity, each episode offers insights to empower you to become a more effective disciplemaker and deepen your spiritual growth.--ORDER Jessie's newest book, Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation → https://a.co/d/51j86DGFor more great stuff, check out: Ordinary Discipleship by Whoology: https://whoology.coFollow us on social media:https://instagram.com/ordinarydiscipleshiphttps://facebook.com/ordinarydiscipleshipFollow Jessie on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourbrainbyjessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.s.cruickshank/Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourbrainbyjessJessie Cruickshank is a disciple-maker, wilderness guide, and ordained minister. She has trained thousands of people how to survive when their life depended on it and earned a Master's degree in experiential education at Harvard to learn how the brain works to help people train more effectively.The key to discipleship is not more information, but learning how to create intentional environments where people can learn and grow. By working with the brain and treating individuals as whole persons, you too can discover how God wired our brains for transformation. You already have all the tools you need, it is time to activate them in you and your church.

Today Jessie Cruickshank, Chris Johnson, and Julia Schmaltz will delve into how shame can erode our faith journey. From its neurological roots to its effects on identity, discover how shame shapes our experiences and interactions. Explore the transformative power of connection in overcoming shame and embracing our true identity in Christ. Gain insights and practical tips for fostering authentic growth in discipleship.The Ordinary Discipleship podcast with Jesse Cruickshank and the rest of the Whoology team is a journey through the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and narrative to ignite the disciplemaker in you.  Delve into the transformative power of storytelling, exploring how our brains are wired for transformation and discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. From understanding the biological roots of storytelling to unlocking the secrets of spiritual maturity, each episode offers insights to empower you to become a more effective disciplemaker and deepen your spiritual growth.--ORDER Jessie's newest book, Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation → https://a.co/d/51j86DGFor more great stuff, check out: Ordinary Discipleship by Whoology: https://whoology.coFollow us on social media:https://instagram.com/ordinarydiscipleshiphttps://facebook.com/ordinarydiscipleshipFollow Jessie on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourbrainbyjessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.s.cruickshank/Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourbrainbyjessJessie Cruickshank is a disciple-maker, wilderness guide, and ordained minister. She has trained thousands of people how to survive when their life depended on it and earned a Master's degree in experiential education at Harvard to learn how the brain works to help people train more effectively.The key to discipleship is not more information, but learning how to create intentional environments where people can learn and grow. By working with the brain and treating individuals as whole persons, you too can discover how God wired our brains for transformation. You already have all the tools you need, it is time to activate them in you and your church.

Explore the vital role narratives play in our spiritual development and how important it is to distinguish our story form God's narrative in the context of community.  Narrative is the purposeful retelling of a story so our communities can shape our faith journeys. If we want to create a community that fosters spiritual growth, we will need to share stories of vulnerability, and accountability within a supportive community. Drawing from biblical examples and modern insights, they offer practical tips on nurturing authentic Christian fellowship. Discover how community profoundly impacts your discipleship journey.The Ordinary Discipleship podcast with Jesse Cruickshank and the rest of the Whoology team is a journey through the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and narrative to ignite the disciplemaker in you.  Delve into the transformative power of storytelling, exploring how our brains are wired for transformation and discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. From understanding the biological roots of storytelling to unlocking the secrets of spiritual maturity, each episode offers insights to empower you to become a more effective disciplemaker and deepen your spiritual growth.--ORDER Jessie's newest book, Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation → https://a.co/d/51j86DGFor more great stuff, check out: Ordinary Discipleship by Whoology: https://whoology.coFollow us on social media:https://instagram.com/ordinarydiscipleshiphttps://facebook.com/ordinarydiscipleshipFollow Jessie on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourbrainbyjessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.s.cruickshank/Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourbrainbyjessJessie Cruickshank is a disciple-maker, wilderness guide, and ordained minister. She has trained thousands of people how to survive when their life depended on it and earned a Master's degree in experiential education at Harvard to learn how the brain works to help people train more effectively.The key to discipleship is not more information, but learning how to create intentional environments where people can learn and grow. By working with the brain and treating individuals as whole persons, you too can discover how God wired our brains for transformation. You already have all the tools you need, it is time to activate them in you and your church.

Jessie Cruickshank, Chris Johnson, and Julia Schmaltz dive deep into the essence of what it means to be an ordinary disciple. This episode challenges traditional notions of leadership and empowers every believer to embrace their role in the grand adventure of discipleship. Discover the transformative power of community, reflection, and revelation as we unpack the journey of faith together. Don't miss out on this enriching discussion!The Ordinary Discipleship podcast with Jesse Cruickshank and the rest of the Whoology team is a journey through the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and narrative to ignite the disciplemaker in you.  Delve into the transformative power of storytelling, exploring how our brains are wired for transformation and discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. From understanding the biological roots of storytelling to unlocking the secrets of spiritual maturity, each episode offers insights to empower you to become a more effective disciplemaker and deepen your spiritual growth.--ORDER Jessie's newest book, Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation → https://a.co/d/51j86DGFor more great stuff, check out: Ordinary Discipleship by Whoology: https://whoology.coFollow us on social media:https://instagram.com/ordinarydiscipleshiphttps://facebook.com/ordinarydiscipleshipFollow Jessie on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourbrainbyjessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.s.cruickshank/Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourbrainbyjessJessie Cruickshank is a disciple-maker, wilderness guide, and ordained minister. She has trained thousands of people how to survive when their life depended on it and earned a Master's degree in experiential education at Harvard to learn how the brain works to help people train more effectively.The key to discipleship is not more information, but learning how to create intentional environments where people can learn and grow. By working with the brain and treating individuals as whole persons, you too can discover how God wired our brains for transformation. You already have all the tools you need, it is time to activate them in you and your church.

In this episode, Jessie sits down with Rowland Smith to dive deep into the complex and often misunderstood journey of deconstruction within faith communities. Rowland shares insights from his unique role as a church leader, national director, and affiliate faculty member at Fuller Seminary. Together, we explore the significance of deconstruction for disciplemakers, the church's role in guiding those questioning their faith, and how the current cultural shifts mirror historic transformations like the Reformation. Whether you're in the midst of deconstructing or guiding others through it, this episode offers a compassionate look at faith, doubt, and the ongoing journey of spiritual growth.The Ordinary Discipleship podcast with Jesse Cruickshank and the Whoology team is a journey through the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and narrative to ignite the disciplemaker in you.  Delve into the transformative power of storytelling, exploring how our brains are wired for transformation and discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. From understanding the biological roots of storytelling to unlocking the secrets of spiritual maturity, each episode offers insights to empower you to become a more effective disciplemaker and deepen your spiritual growth.ORDER Jessie's newest book, Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation → https://a.co/d/51j86DGFor more great stuff, check out: Ordinary Discipleship by Whoology: https://whoology.coFollow us on social media:https://instagram.com/ordinarydiscipleshiphttps://facebook.com/ordinarydiscipleshipFollow Jessie on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourbrainbyjessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.s.cruickshank/Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourbrainbyjessJessie Cruickshank is a disciple-maker, wilderness guide, and ordained minister. She has trained thousands of people how to survive when their life depended on it and earned a Master's degree in experiential education at Harvard to learn how the brain works to help people train more effectively.The key to discipleship is not more information, but learning how to create intentional environments where people can learn and grow. By working with the brain and treating individuals as whole persons, you too can discover how God wired our brains for transformation. You already have all the tools you need, it is time to activate them in you and your church.

David Stockton, Alec Seekins, and special guest Mark Buckley discuss the future of The Church, how it will be holy, and how unity requires diversity.

We're excited to kick off our Future Church Month of Prayer with a special Vision Meeting led by Pastor Nate. During this gathering, we'll dive deeper into the heart behind our focus on prayer and fasting throughout October, and explore some key initiatives we'll be committing to God in prayer. This meeting will set the foundation for our entire month of prayer and fasting, so we encourage you to join us as we prepare our hearts for this meaningful journey together. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of something powerful!

To think that we came all the way from people pouring tea in the harbor over a tea tax, to everyone paying taxes on the same money multiple times; is astonishing...but I digress... Churches are currently under fire for the tax breaks and benefits that they receive. Many dual citizens are wondering what that will do to a church? Will it be the end of churches in America? Also, how do ADA and environmental regulations affect the way a church is allowed to operate? Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they answer these questions and more on the last episode of Future Church.

Chris Malone | 9.29.2024

If you have been around a church long enough, then you may have heard that church staff members often experience burnout from their role on staff. Pastors are pressed with the difficult responsibility to not only take care of their own spiritual and mental health, but to also care for the spiritual and mental health of their staff. "Soul Care" is a term used to describe the concept of biblical stress relief and comfort that can help limit or prevent burnout, and help you to be the most effective member of the church that you can be. Join Jonathan, Matt, and Stephen as they discuss how soul care will change with the future of the church.

Jessie Cruickshank is joined by Dr Jim Wilder, a renowned psychologist at the intersection of theology and brain science. Jessie and Jim delve into attachment theory and discipleship and how our early attachment experiences shape our relationship with God and others, and discover practical insights for fostering joy and creating transformative community.The Ordinary Discipleship podcast with Jesse Cruickshank and the Whoology team is a journey through the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and narrative to ignite the disciplemaker in you.  Delve into the transformative power of storytelling, exploring how our brains are wired for transformation and discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. From understanding the biological roots of storytelling to unlocking the secrets of spiritual maturity, each episode offers insights to empower you to become a more effective disciplemaker and deepen your spiritual growth.ORDER Jessie's newest book, Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation → https://a.co/d/51j86DGFor more great stuff, check out: Ordinary Discipleship by Whoology: https://whoology.coFollow us on social media:https://instagram.com/ordinarydiscipleshiphttps://facebook.com/ordinarydiscipleshipFollow Jessie on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourbrainbyjessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.s.cruickshank/Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourbrainbyjessJessie Cruickshank is a disciple-maker, wilderness guide, and ordained minister. She has trained thousands of people how to survive when their life depended on it and earned a Master's degree in experiential education at Harvard to learn how the brain works to help people train more effectively.The key to discipleship is not more information, but learning how to create intentional environments where people can learn and grow. By working with the brain and treating individuals as whole persons, you too can discover how God wired our brains for transformation. You already have all the tools you need, it is time to activate them in you and your church.

Title: Future ChurchSpeaker: Nate HoldridgeText: Joshua 5:13-15Overview: Join Pastor Nate Holdridge as he shares a timely and heartfelt sermon from Joshua 5:13-15, focusing on the future of the church and its mission. In this message, Pastor Nate emphasizes the importance of recognizing the new day God has brought to Calvary Monterey, the critical nature of the church's mission, and the need for deepened worship and submission to God's plans. With practical applications and a call for consecration, this sermon challenges listeners to fully engage with God's vision for our lives and church community.

Why would a young church planter choose to do ministry in the poorest neighborhood of a city in crisis?Many churches are fleeing the inner cities. Grand old church buildings with deep histories sit empty. But Tim Walker and Restored Church are facing these realities head-on in Wilkes-Barre PA.Karl Vaters talks with Tim about subjects like:Their church's Hub for Movement strategyTheir decision to do ministry in the poorest part of townMinistry in a deeply post-Christian contextHonoring history, while moving into the future from a legacy church buildingTheir plan to plant a microchurch on every block of Wilkes-BarreLinks from this episode:Future Church, by Will Mancini and Cory HartmanFrom Megachurch to Multiplication, by Chris GalanosCory Hartman Podcast Interview (Ep 29)Frank Wooden Podcast Interview (Ep 81)GotQuestions.orgRestored ChurchTim@restoredchurch.orgBonus ContentHow To Foster Pastoral Collaboration In Your Town, with Tim WalkerKarl Vaters talks with Tim Walker about how he and other pastors in his town have created a network of ministry collaboration that blesses all churches and reaches the community more effectively.To get Bonus Content every week, click here to become a Financial Partner, or here to subscribe to the Free Weekly Newsletter.

While Americans' demographics can't always predict future church commitment, a couple of areas are beginning to show some correlation. Jess and Thom examine these two areas. The post Can We Predict Future Church Attendance by Race, Age, Gender, Education, and Income? appeared first on Church Answers.

In this episode of the podcast, Pastor David Stockton and guest Jeff Gokee og Phoenix One dive discuss building courageous faith as part of a three-part series on the Past, Present, and Future Church. They reflect on the church's mission to display God's glory and build courageous people, discussing biblical examples like Jonathan's bravery and how Jesus exemplifies true courage through meekness. They also explore the importance of living boldly for Christ in today's world, resisting fear, and embracing community worship.

They have never lived in the world without smartphones, but they certainly know how to use technology better than the rest of us. Generation Z (GenZ for short) has been called the "hopeless generation", but they call themselves the "hopeful generation". Join Matt, Garrett, and Corbin as they discuss what the future church might look like as GenZ grows into leadership rolls.  

Jessie Cruickshank welcomes Dele Okuwobi, the co-founding elder and senior leader at 21st Century Church, a church plant in Cincinnati, OH. Dele shares his insights on fostering love and unity within multiethnic church communities, tackling systemic biases, and his unique take on being a Transformer. Join us for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation!The Ordinary Discipleship podcast with Jesse Cruickshank and the Whoology team is a journey through the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and narrative to ignite the disciplemaker in you.  Delve into the transformative power of storytelling, exploring how our brains are wired for transformation and discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. From understanding the biological roots of storytelling to unlocking the secrets of spiritual maturity, each episode offers insights to empower you to become a more effective disciplemaker and deepen your spiritual growth.ORDER Jessie's newest book, Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation → https://a.co/d/51j86DGFor more great stuff, check out: Ordinary Discipleship by Whoology: https://whoology.coFollow us on social media:https://instagram.com/ordinarydiscipleshiphttps://facebook.com/ordinarydiscipleshipFollow Jessie on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourbrainbyjessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.s.cruickshank/Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourbrainbyjessJessie Cruickshank is a disciple-maker, wilderness guide, and ordained minister. She has trained thousands of people how to survive when their life depended on it and earned a Master's degree in experiential education at Harvard to learn how the brain works to help people train more effectively.The key to discipleship is not more information, but learning how to create intentional environments where people can learn and grow. By working with the brain and treating individuals as whole persons, you too can discover how God wired our brains for transformation. You already have all the tools you need, it is time to activate them in you and your church.

There will likely be an increased population of people on earth in the future, but will there be an increased population of people in church in the future? Is the physical building of church going to be replaced? Find the answer to these questions, and many more, on todays episode about the future of church membership. Join Matt. Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss what the church may look like, and how we can encourage people to stay connected as a body of believers.

In this episode, we explore the importance of asking the tough questions with Andrew Arnold, a passionate advocate for deepening one's faith through introspection and inquiry. Andrew shares his personal journey and the pivotal role that challenging questions have played in solidifying his strength in Christ. Whether you're on your own spiritual journey or seeking ways to deepen your faith, this conversation offers profound insights and encouragement.The Ordinary Discipleship podcast with Jesse Cruickshank and the Whoology team is a journey through the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and narrative to ignite the disciplemaker in you.  Delve into the transformative power of storytelling, exploring how our brains are wired for transformation and discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. From understanding the biological roots of storytelling to unlocking the secrets of spiritual maturity, each episode offers insights to empower you to become a more effective disciplemaker and deepen your spiritual growth.ORDER Jessie's newest book, Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation → https://a.co/d/51j86DGFor more great stuff, check out: Ordinary Discipleship by Whoology: https://whoology.coFollow us on social media:https://instagram.com/ordinarydiscipleshiphttps://facebook.com/ordinarydiscipleshipFollow Jessie on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourbrainbyjessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.s.cruickshank/Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourbrainbyjessJessie Cruickshank is a disciple-maker, wilderness guide, and ordained minister. She has trained thousands of people how to survive when their life depended on it and earned a Master's degree in experiential education at Harvard to learn how the brain works to help people train more effectively.The key to discipleship is not more information, but learning how to create intentional environments where people can learn and grow. By working with the brain and treating individuals as whole persons, you too can discover how God wired our brains for transformation. You already have all the tools you need, it is time to activate them in you and your church.

Terry Parkman (River Valley Church, One Hope) joins us to talk about Discipleship Pathways for Gen Alpha, the future of the church, and processing decisions in leadership. www.youngadults.today 

In this talk I clarify the theory and technology of Pyrotheology using the Lacanian ideas of Demand, Desire and Drive

The future may be uncertain, but we know that the Lord has a plan and purpose for whatever may happen. Still it begs the question, what will the church look like in the future? Perhaps the biggest component to the future of the church is the innovation of technology in the coming years. How is the church to respond to this increased demand to use technology? Should we push forward in the opposite direction of culture or use the technology to our advantage? Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss the future roll of technology in the church.

1. Live a life that people look up to 2. Devote yourself to God's Word 3. Following Jesus takes time 4. The salvation of many is on the line

Grant and Cheyanne Skeldon, who work extensively with next-gen leaders, join Carey on the podcast for the first time. Grant and Cheyanne talk about what the next generation thinks is wrong with the church and why there's no next-gen crisis but a discipleship crisis. They discuss the difference and importance of close friends and close-up friends and Carey asks their predictions about the future church.   Show Notes On The Rise Newsletter Preaching Cheat Sheet Watch on YouTube Follow @careynieuwhof Follow @theartofleadershipnetwork   Brought to you by The Art of Leadership Network   _____ The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast: Empowering Church Leaders in the Digital Age   In a rapidly evolving digital age, the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast delves deep into the intricacies of leadership, offering management insights and authentic leadership tips to help you rise above the unhealthy patterns that often plague today's church leaders.  Carey addresses character issues like envy that can hinder our growth, and he emphasizes the power of multiplication – the idea that true leadership is not about adding followers but multiplying leaders. Whether you're on the brink of resignation, seeking a fresh perspective on digital how-to strategies, or simply wishing to bolster your leadership skills, this podcast is a treasure trove of transformative insights. Join Carey as he navigates the multifaceted world of leadership, ensuring that you're equipped and inspired to lead more effectively.