Podcasts about Wesley Theological Seminary

Today I'm delighted to welcome back Leah Rampy, from Episode 41, but this time we're also joined by Beth Norcross to discuss their new book Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees. Having worked together for several years guiding groups into the forest to seek wisdom from the trees, they created a 6 week online video course & wrote their new book, which offers opportunities to consider new ways of connecting with trees.The forest can teach us about love & light but also about darkness & death. During these challenging times that are calling us to examine the path we have walked & take responsibility for creating a future that is inclusive & nurturing for all beings, we can turn to the trees for more than just strength & support. Beth & Leah share the lessons they discovered of resilience, adaptation, hope & renewal whilst amongst our tree folk. Guidance on how to connect & collaborate more closely, shifting out of the mind, allowing the heart to guide us beyond our current confined perception of life & our illusion of separation.Simple practices gently guide us to remember to walk more consciously, rediscovering the relationships familiar to our ancestors & finding the courage to move through our discomfort to ensure we do what is ours to do.Learn more about BethBeth brought her training & experience in both theology & ecology to founding The Center for Spirituality in Nature. She regularly speaks, teaches, & writes about the importance of immersion in nature as an essential way to encounter Divine Mystery deeply & intimately, & to foster a healthy, active, & loving relationship with Earth. Beth spent the early part of her career working for the U.S. Senate National Parks & Forests Subcommittee. After leaving the Senate, Beth served as Vice President of Conservation for American Rivers, then returned to school to study the interface between ecology & theology at Wesley Theological Seminary, specializing in eco-spirituality.Website: https://www.bethnorcross.com/Learn more about LeahLeah Rampy, Ph.D. is a writer, speaker, & retreat leader who weaves ecology, spirituality, personal stories, & practices to encourage others to deepen their relationship to the natural world. She is the author of Earth & Soul: Reconnecting amid Climate Chaos & the coauthor with Beth Norcross of Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees. She frequently speaks & leads programs on contemplative leadership & spiritual ecology. Leah offers retreats & programs through Friends of Silence, the Center for Spirituality in Nature, & a variety of other organizations. Leah publishes weekly essays on Reweaving Earth and Soul. Website: www.leahmoranrampy.comSpiritual Wisdom of Trees video course: https://www.centerforspiritualityinnature.org/spiritualwisdomoftreesSupport the showThank you for being part of this journey with me, please Subscribe so you don't miss our future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help these messages ripple out across the world. More information about the Podcast & our host Fiona MacKay: Fiona Mackay Photography WebsiteConnect with us & join the conversation on social media:Instagram @FionaMacKayPhotographyFacebook @FionaMacKayPhotographyTwitter @FiMacKay

Our guest speaker for the 2025 Annual Conference is Rev. F. Douglas Powe, Jr., PhD. In this episode, we learn more about him, and what he will share with us during his time at Annual Conference. Learn more about how it's time to re-examine John Wesley's model of evangelism as a full, natural circle, where it's a communal beginning point rather than a solitary end.   Dr. Powe is the President of Phillips Theological Seminary. Powe comes to Phillips from Wesley Theological Seminary, where he served as director of The Lewis Center for Church Leadership and the James C. Logan Chair in Evangelism (an E. Stanley Jones Professorship). Powe is an ordained elder in the Baltimore/Washington Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He received his BA from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1987, his MDiv from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 1998, and his PhD from Emory University in 2004. Books: Transforming Evangelism: The Wesleyan Way of Sharing Faith Sustaining While Disrupting: The Challenge of Congregational Innovation

Join us for Episode 4179 of Day1 with Rev. Dr. Hyemin Na, Assistant Professor of Worship, Media and Culture at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. In her sermon, “Resurrection in Fits and Starts and the Abiding Jesus,” based on John 20:19-31, Dr. Na reflects on how resurrection unfolds through trauma, presence, and persistent peace. This message invites us into the second Sunday of Easter with honesty and hope. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of faith that lingers, heals, and abides.

The Reverend Dr. Russell L. Meyer, Pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Jacksonville/Florida, graduated from Yale Divinity School in 1981 and was ordained in 1984. Russell has served congregations in Florida, South Carolina, Maryland and New York. He received a Doctorate of Ministry in 2013 from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC, with a Certificate in Christian-Muslim Relations from the Washington Theological Consortium.Russell is a social justice pastor. He serves as Executive Director for the Florida Council of Churches. He is also the current president of the European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice and chairs the Local and Regional Ecumenism Committee of the National Council of Churches.

Welcome to Mindful Leader. Your host is Dennis Shaw, a retired elder in the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church, as he delves into the topic of leadership within the local church. In this two episode conversation, Dennis talks with Dr. Lucy Hogan, Professor Emerita of Preaching and Worship at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Several sites with summaries of Dr. Hogan's distinguished credentials are:  Wesley Theological Seminary Working Preacher Ministry Matters Last week (on Podbean) is here.   Dennis and Dr. Hogan discuss the importance of community, highlighting that being prophetic is not a solitary journey but one engaged in communal fellowship, challenging status quos, and offering hope. Through personal anecdotes and thoughtful reflection, the episode urges leaders to embrace empathy and imagination, cultivate courage, and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide their prophetic voice. Whether tackling social concerns or offering a pastoral approach to preaching, the episode encourages a new perspective on leadership that honors both individual and collective gifts in the pursuit of justice and truth. Anamnesis and Prolepsis defined here.  We play with this idea a little.   We mention in the podcast preaching professor Leonora Tisdale.  Here is her Yale Divinity School information and here is the book discussed.  Transcript here and this expires March 31, 2025.   Dennis here I try and weekly recommend an excellent podcast.  Today, that is here.  This is Bari Weiss speech to the Federalist Society receiving the Olson award.  Powerful.  Should you listen, ask if Weiss is speaking the truth to power.  I am an admirer of Bari.   Share, share, share!

  Welcome to Mindful Leader. Your host is Dennis Shaw, a retired elder in the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church, as he delves into the topic of leadership within the local church. In this two episode conversation, Dennis talks with Dr. Lucy Hogan, Professor Emerita of Preaching and Worship at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Several sites with summaries of Dr. Hogan's distinguished credentials are:  Wesley Theological Seminary Working Preacher Ministry Matters Dr. Hogan shares her insights on leading prophetically in today's interesting times, underlining the importance of speaking truth to power. The conversation explores how both clergy and laity can engage in prophetic leadership, drawing on examples from church history and modern-day scenarios. The episode starts with a reflection from the headlines in January, 2025. It highlights inspiring stories and challenges faced by leaders who seek to navigate the intersection of faith and societal issues, inviting listeners to reflect on their roles in the broader community. This is Episode 1 of a thought-provoking, two-episode, discussion that encourages courage, humility, and love in leadership. Transcript, in theory, is HERE.  (Have been experiencing a few difficulties here. Don't hesitate to send me a note.) Episode 2 will be released on March 3, 2025. Share, share, share! Dennis email is HERE.  

(Normal release for this Podcast is Mondays.  I generally post it when it is ready, usually a few days before Mondays.  Note:  it can be shared. A reward to subscribers and those looking for the podcast on their service. A transcript is HERE. The Transcript Service provides the recording, so if you desire, you can listen while you read. (I won't get a count of you logging on, but ... )) Join Dennis Shaw, host of Mindful Leader, in a compelling conversation with Dr. Bruce Birch, retired Dean Emeritus at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. In this episode, they delve into the profound theme of exile as depicted in the Bible and its relevance to today's world. Dr. Birch's expertise in Old Testament and Biblical Theology sheds light on the historical and emotional aspects of exile. He explores how the concept of exile has molded responses in times of crisis, offering hope and a path to renewal. Through stories from the Biblical era to modern-day challenges, Dr. Birch discusses the importance of turning towards God's new paths, embracing change, and finding new ways to sing the Lord's song amidst adversity. Whether you are part of a faith community or navigating your personal journey, discover the lessons of resilience, creativity, and community in times of loss and transformation. This engaging dialogue examines how the faithful can find strength and purpose when the familiar is uprooted, encouraging us all to look forward to God's new future beyond nostalgia. **** Some Potential Links of Value **** Amanda McDow is the Pastor at Los Angeles First United Methodist and they are singing a new song.  Mindful Leader Podcast is HERE.   Here is Jonathon Haidt on a different topic than I promised and it is good.  I refund your subscription price if you don't like it!   The real Haidt talk I am referring to in my conversation with Dr. Birch is HERE -- it is a TED Talk from 2012.  Quite good I felt.   Next week I expect the Podcast to be on church leadership on health and wellness.  One of the guests is Tracy Reinhard and HERE is a YouTube video of her story.   Dennis email is HERE.

Join host Dennis Shaw on the Mindful Leader podcast as he engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Bruce Birch, retired Dean Emeritus at Wesley Theological Seminary. Together, they delve into the concept of exile and its impact across generations. Bruce Birch shares profound insights on the challenges faced when familiar foundations of life are questioned. Through this dialogue, listeners are invited to reflect on the resilience needed to navigate these "exile times." The entire PODCAST is HERE and on your podcast service.  

Rev. Dr. Bruce Epperly believes it can! Join us for this groundbreaking discussion about doubling down on the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit as forces for good in our nation and the world. In the dark aftermath of the January 2020 storming of the US Capitol, Epperly was inspired to fly to his writing desk to lay out a sweeping vision for healing the American spirit. Far from shying away from Christian teaching as the source of revival in the US, he dives in deep into the prophetic iconoclasm and system-shaking theology of progressive Christianity, and makes the case for reclaiming our relationship with Jesus as a mystic, healer, and prophet.  Rev. Bruce Epperly PhD, is a multi-talented theologian, minister, professor, and author of over 80 books, including his latest, "Saving Progressive Christianity to Save the Planet." He is a pioneer in progressive Christianity and process/open and relational theology. He regularly speaks in person and on Zoom at conferences, seminars, churches and classes studying his books, and urgent topics of society, culture, politics, and faith. He also continues to teach as Adjunct Faculty at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC. From his website: "I believe that we are all mystics, and that there is a mystic in you. Each of us, whether we are spiritual, religious, agnostic, seeking, struggling with belief, is on a holy adventure. Find out more about Bruce at  https://www.drbruceepperly.com. Find your guides at Quoir Academy! If you've ever deconstructed your faith you know it's not easy. But just imagine if you could have people to guide you through your process? People like, Jim Palmer, Kristin Du Mez, Jennifer Knapp, Brad Jersak, Brian Zahnd, Paul Young, and more? Well, if you head over to Quoir Academy and register for SQUARE 2 using the Promo Code [RAD] you'll get 10% off the regular registration cost of this awesome course and community just for being a fan of our show. Follow this registration link: https://www.bk2sq1.com/square-2-next-steps-into-reconstruction?coupon=RAD

In case you were wondering, “hymnody” is an actual word and we didn't make it up. It simply means the singing or composition of hymns, religious songs or poems of praise to God. And today's guest has a lot to say about hymns.  Ted Campbell is the Albert C. Outlet Professor of Wesley Studies at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. He has served as a United Methodist pastor and has taught at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Duke Divinity School, and Wesley Theological Seminary. He is the author of many books, including Wesleyan Beliefs, The Gospel of Christian Tradition, and most recently A Core Methodist Hymnal, which is more like a devotional and less like a traditional hymnal.Resources:Learn more about Ted at his website, tedcampbell.comBuy A Core Methodist Hymnal

Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!How can our churches reach out to families with autistic members in such a way that the Gospel is good news for them?  And how might we need to adapt the way we do church in order to be good news for those with autism in their families?Dr. David Quel, adjunct professor at Wesley Theological Seminary--and father to three autistic sons--reveals strategies for creating a welcoming environment in our churches for families with autistic members, how to adapt our ministries to meet their needs, and the emotional and spiritual journey of parenting autistic children.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:David Quel shares how he and his wife discovered that not just one, but all three of his sons were autistic.It was difficult for David Quel and his wife to find the kind of family and church support they needed as a family with three non-high-functioning autistic children.David Quel underscores the essential need for emotional, spiritual, mental, and compassionate awareness of autism in church ministry.David Quel shares a story about his church setting up a sensory room designed specifically for children with autism.This sensory room included items like big fluffy pillows, beanbags, and sensory toys to ensure children's safety.David Quel discusses challenges and solutions in creating worship services tailored for children with autism.Traditional formats like responsive readings and long sermons are challenging for children with autism.David Quel highlights the need for music that is more upbeat to engage children with autism compared to traditional hymns.Efforts by David's church to create separate worship services showed significant commitment but also revealed the struggle to let go of traditional practices.David Quel recommends the book Autism and Your Church by Barbara J. Newman for further guidance.Interviewing families to understand their specific needs and triggers is crucial to contextual ministry.Identifying willing volunteers with relevant experience or a willingness to learn can make a significant difference when adapting your church ministry to families with autism.David Quel emphasizes seeing individuals with autism as God's creations, deserving of love and support.Steps churches can take to support families with autism:Set up sensory roomsTailor specialized worship servicesInterview and understand families with autismIdentify and train volunteersPromote inclusivityRELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:BeADisciple.comAutism and the Church Part 1Autism and the Church Part 2Wesley Theological SeminaryBooks mentioned:Autism and Your Church, by Barbara J. NewmanRelated Episodes:Tackling Adaptive Challenges in Your Church, with Angie WardExploring New Forms of Church, with Shannon KiserDid you know Spiritual Life and Leadership has been named the #1 Spiritual Leadership Podcast by the Feedspot Podcasters Database? Check it out HERE!

Kent Ingram spent 41 years in leadership of the United Methodist Church in Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Colorado.  Kent has excelled wherever he has been.  His last fifteen (or so) years in ministry was at Colorado Springs First UMC, a high steeple, downtown church.   Our conversation is wide ranging and is a look at history and how that shapes our present.  In reality, Kent sees a period of leadership uncertainty because we don't know what we are going to look like win the near future, let along the distant.   HERE is a link to a thought Kent wrote for Wesley Theological Seminary in 2012 that is quite good.   HERE is a link on a talk I had last year (this podcast says several months, it was more like nine) with Danish Pastor Tomas Risager that Kent and I briefly discuss in context.  

Navigating end-of-life conversations can be emotionally challenging and riddled with uncertainties. Many individuals and families struggle to broach topics surrounding preferences for care, leaving them ill-prepared for crucial decisions during times of crisis. In this episode, we embark on a journey to explore practical strategies and insights aimed at facilitating these delicate discussions with compassion and clarity. By providing actionable guidance and fostering a deeper understanding of end-of-life care, this episode equips listeners with the tools needed to approach these conversations thoughtfully, empowering them to honor personal values and preferences with confidence. Dr. Bob and Elizabeth Uslander co-founded Empowered Endings, a unique palliative and end-of-life care model addressing the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs of patients and families. Bob Uslander, MD, received his Medical Degree from the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine and practiced medicine in Emergency, Palliative, and end-of-life care for over 30 years. Elizabeth Uslander, MSW MTS, received her BA cum laude from Georgetown University and earned her Master's degrees at USC and Wesley Theological Seminary. Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website. In this episode 03:49 Bob's transition from emergency medicine to palliative care and the founding of Empowered Endings with Elizabeth. 09:12 Elizabeth's journey in spiritual care and social work shaping palliative and end of life care focus. 11:47 Integrating end-of-life doulas in comprehensive care planning and support. 18:48 The importance of having proactive, intentional discussions about end-of-life preferences within couples. 32:54 The role of spiritual practices and emotional connection in navigating end-of-life conversations within relationships. 38:29 Cultivating readiness and practical tools for end-of-life conversations. Mentioned Links here Connect with Dr. Bob and Elizabeth Uslander Websites: empoweredendings.com Facebook: facebook.com/empowerendings YouTube: youtube.com/@Empowered-Endings Instagram: instagram.com/empowered_endings_ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/empowered-endings Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship  Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins  Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins  Twitter: @DrJessHiggins  Website: drjessicahiggins.com   Email: jessica@drjessicahiggins.com If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the “Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins” button here.  Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship.  Also, I would so appreciate your honest rating and review. Please leave a review by clicking here.  Thank you!   *With Amazon Affiliate Links, I may earn a few cents from Amazon, if you purchase the book from this link.

Unleash Your Leadership Superpowers Bishop Warner H. Brown is a retired bishop of The United Methodist Church, serving from 2000 to 2016.  He is currently serving as an interim bishop of the Sierra Leone Episcopal Area in the West Africa Central Conference.  

 From 2014 to 2016, Bishop Brown was the President of the Council of Bishops.
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Bishop Brown was born and raised as an only child in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Ida and Warner Brown. At the age of thirteen, while reading the New Testament, he felt a call to serve. He began preaching as a youth and was encouraged to continue doing so. As a young adult, he attended the University of Maryland, (B.A. in Sociology, 1969.) He also graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC with a Master of Divinity degree.

 In 1973 Warner was ordained deacon in the Baltimore Annual Conference by Bishop James K. Mathews. Yet his movement west had already begun with a pastoral appointment in the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference as both the pastor of a church and Director of Bethany House Ministries in Pittsburgh, a social service ministry for two housing projects. While serving in western Pennsylvania, he was ordained elder in 1975 by Bishop Roy C. Nichols. In 1979, he answered a national search for an associate conference staff position in the California-Nevada Conference and transferred there. Once in California, it was only six months later that he was asked to serve as Conference Council Director.

 From this role of program and administrative oversight for the Conference, Warner was appointed just four years later to the Superintendency of the Golden Gate District, the richly diverse area including San Francisco and several rural and suburban counties along the Pacific Coast. Four years after that, he was given the charge of the Taylor Memorial UMC in Oakland, CA. While serving this significant congregation, the community was then assaulted by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and two years later the holocaust of fires in the Oakland hills. As chairperson of the Oakland Inter-religious Network for responding to this disaster, Warner led the community's ecumenical disaster response.

 Throughout these years, Warner has been active in the social justice ministries and programs of those communities and church connections where he has been appointed. To list but a sampling: Volunteer Police Chaplain, Trustee of the Glide Foundation, vice-chair of the Community Advisory Commission for Alameda County Medical Center, member of the Governing Board of United Way for Kern County, a member of the. Board of Directors for the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter, recipient of the 1996 Outstanding Leadership and Service Award for Emergency Response Ministries, given by UMCOR, and recipient of a 1998 Special Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Barbara Lee. 

Warner's leadership in the church has included service as a delegate to General Conference twice, member of the General Commission on Religion and Race, a faculty member for New DS/CCD training, Harry Hoosier Member of and twice the host for the National Black Methodists for Church Renewal, chair of the Board of Missions in California-Nevada Annual Conference as well as numerous other conference boards and agencies, adjunct consultant to the Alban Institute, and a Wesley Seminary Distinguished Alumni. 

Following a successful eleven-year pastorate in Oakland, Warner was given a new challenge as Senior Pastor of the predominantly white yet multi-ethnic First UMC of Bakersfield, CA. Only two years into this pastorate, he was nominated and endorsed by his conference for the episcopacy: at the Western Jurisdiction Conference Sessions in Casper, Wyoming, and in July of 2000 he was elected to the episcopacy on the 19th ballot and assigned to the Denver Area. He retired in July 2016.

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A Time and A Place A Guest Sermon by Michel Martin at Foundry United Methodist Church on Sunday April 28th, 2024 as part of the "The Power of So That" Series at Foundry. Today's Guest Preacher: Michel Martin is a host of Morning Edition on NPR. Previously, she was the weekend host of All Things Considered and the Consider This Saturday podcast, where she drew on her deep reporting and interviewing experience to dig into the week's news. Outside the studio, she has also hosted “Michel Martin: Going There,” an ambitious live event series in collaboration with Member stations. Martin has also served as a contributor and substitute host for NPR news magazines and talk shows, including Talk of the Nation and News & Notes. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Martin graduated cum laude from Radcliffe College at Harvard University in 1980 and earned a Master of Arts from the Wesley Theological Seminary in 2016. Michel has been a longtime Foundry member, along with her family, Billy, Aminah, and William.          Scripture Text: PSALM 22:25-31 AND 1 JOHN 4:7-21 https://foundryumc.org/archive

So, you're trying to sustain a church for continued health... while also disrupting the status quo... impossible, right? Not so, says Pastor and author Doug Powe. In this episode, we talk about his book Sustaining While Disrupting, emphasizing the importance of thinking like an outsider, taking risks, and putting aside convictions. Doug makes his case from the stories of the early church in Acts.  He also addresses the challenges of navigating disputes in the church, particularly regarding issues like women pastors and LGBT inclusion. Doug advises honoring convictions while allowing for change over time. He emphasizes the need for clarity in mission and the reasons behind initiatives, while also pointing out why change fails and the importance of authentic conversations. Frederick Douglas Powe, Jr. is the Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership and the James C. Logan Professor of Evangelism at Wesley Theological Seminary. Dr. Powe is an ordained elder in the Baltimore/Washington Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  His newest co-authored book, Sustaining While Disrupting: The Challenge of Congregational Innovation, was the number newly released church leadership and administration book. Another recent book, The Adept Church: Navigating Between a Rock and a Hard Place, was the number one newly released church growth book just a month after being released. Dr. Powe is also known for his work in Wesleyan evangelism with titles like, Transforming Community: The Wesleyan Way to Missional Congregations and Transforming Evangelism: The Wesleyan Way of Sharing Faith, both co-authored with H. Henry Knight III.  Dr. Powe is a forerunner in African American evangelism, a few of his contributions include: Not Safe for Church: The Ten Commandments for Reaching New Generations, co-authored with Rev. Jasmine Smothers, and New Wine, New Wineskins: How African American Congregations Can Reach New Generations.  He holds a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Emory University (2004), a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology (1998), and a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio Wesleyan University (1987).   Doug's socials are: Twitter/X: @fdpjr Facebook: @frederick.powe   Lewis Center socials: Twitter/X: @lewisleadership Facebook: @lewisleadership Instagram: @lewiscenterleadership YouTube: @lewisleadership https://www.churchleadership.com.   Previous Episode with Doug: https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/doug-powe-describes-the-adept-church/   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: I Help Pastors Get Jobs: Use code 'futurechristian' Torn Curtain Arts is a non-profit ministry that works with worship leaders, creatives, and churches to help avoid burnout, love their work, and realize their full creative potential.   Future Christian Team: Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer Martha Tatarnic – Guest Host / Co-Host Paul Romig–Leavitt – Executive Producer Danny Burton - Producer Dennis Sanders – Producer  

Building on their conversation in Part 1, Ilia Delio and Bruce Epperly unpack what it means to see the divine in the other. They discuss the need for sacrificial living and a return to some of the basic practices of global spiritual traditions. Bruce tells us how these ideas affect his understanding of his own privilege, and how process theology can help us build better relationships in our communities.ABOUT BRUCE EPPERLY“Healing can occur in any circumstance, because God is the source of abundance and new life in all things. Even when no physical cure is possible, we can experience a peace that enables us to face life's most difficult challenges with a sense of hope and equanimity.”Bruce Epperly, Ph.D., has served as a congregational pastor and university chaplain, university and seminary professor and administrator, and is a prolific author and lectionary commentator. With over forty years joining pulpit and classroom, Bruce recently retired from congregational ministry after serving eight years as Senior Pastor of South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Centerville, MA. He has relocated from Cape Cod to the Washington D.C. suburbs to be closer to his family. He continues to teach as Adjunct Faculty at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.Support the showA huge thank you to all of you who subscribe and support our show! Support for A Hunger for Wholeness comes from the Fetzer Institute. Fetzer supports a movement of organizations who are applying spiritual solutions to society's toughest problems. Get involved at fetzer.org. Support 'Hunger for Wholeness' on Patreon as our team continues to develop content for listeners to dive deeper. Visit the Center for Christogenesis' website at christogenesis.org to browse all Hunger for Wholeness episodes and read more from Ilia Delio. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for episode releases and other updates.

Ilia Delio is joined by process theologian Bruce Epperly for an honest conversation looking at the divisiveness at work in our communities and politics. Bruce gives an introduction to process theology (or process relational theology) and together they unpack how the basic conceptual shifts promoted by process theology can help to heal our communities and guide our interactions with people who challenge us to a better future. ABOUT BRUCE EPPERLY“Healing can occur in any circumstance, because God is the source of abundance and new life in all things. Even when no physical cure is possible, we can experience a peace that enables us to face life's most difficult challenges with a sense of hope and equanimity.”Bruce Epperly, Ph.D., has served as a congregational pastor and university chaplain, university and seminary professor and administrator, and is a prolific author and lectionary commentator. With over forty years joining pulpit and classroom, Bruce recently retired from congregational ministry after serving eight years as Senior Pastor of South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Centerville, MA. He has relocated from Cape Cod to the Washington D.C. suburbs to be closer to his family. He continues to teach as Adjunct Faculty at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C.Support the showA huge thank you to all of you who subscribe and support our show! Support for A Hunger for Wholeness comes from the Fetzer Institute. Fetzer supports a movement of organizations who are applying spiritual solutions to society's toughest problems. Get involved at fetzer.org. Support 'Hunger for Wholeness' on Patreon as our team continues to develop content for listeners to dive deeper. Visit the Center for Christogenesis' website at christogenesis.org to browse all Hunger for Wholeness episodes and read more from Ilia Delio. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for episode releases and other updates.

The Rev. Dr. Amy Butler is a master at facing reality and claiming leadership. In her newly released memoir, Beautiful and Terrible Things: Faith, Doubt, and Discovering a Way Back to Each Other, she weaves together what is real and messy and hard with what is true and hopeful and redemptive, reminding us that the journey of faith is inextricably all those things. In our conversation with Pastor Amy, we get to experience a powerful leader, whose vulnerability and honesty offer a witness of the kind of leadership our beautiful (and terrible) world needs today. We hope you find it inspiring as you seek to navigate and lead in this season! If this podcast is meaningful to you, please share with friends and colleagues and leave us a review. Thanks for listening!In this conversation, you'll hear:Why Amy chose “Beautiful and Terrible Things” as her theme and book titleThe beautiful and terrible things present in the church todayThe connection between vulnerability and leadership and how Amy has leaned into vulnerabilityAmy's vision for Invested Faith, the philanthropic initiative she founded An excerpt from Amy's bookAbout Amy ButlerRev. Dr. Amy Butler is the founder of the philanthropic initiative Invested Faith. She previously served as the first woman senior minister of The Riverside Church in New York City, senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church (D.C.), associate pastor at St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, and intentional interim minister at National City Christian Church (D.C.). Pastor Amy holds degrees from Baylor University, the International Baptist Theological Seminary, and Wesley Theological Seminary. A mother of three children, she currently lives in Hawaii.Amy Butler's website: https://www.pastoramy.com/Invested Faith's website: https://www.investedfaith.org/Amy's book is Beautiful and Terrible Things: Faith, Doubt, and Discovering a Way Back to Each Other.To view videos of podcast episodes, please go to the Igniting Imagination YouTube.Subscribe to our Learning and Innovation emails here. We send emails about each episode and include additional related resources related to the episode's topic. We know your inbox is inundated these days, we aim to send you content that is inspiring, innovative, and impactful for your life and ministry.If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts / iTunes?

Episode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Dr. Asa Lee, President of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, joins us and shares his unique journey from the classrooms of public education to the holy halls of ministry and academia and the reasons for his professional choices. About Dr. Asa Lee: Rev. Dr. Asa J. Lee, a respected leader in theological education, assumed the role of President at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary on June 7, 2021. With degrees from Hampton University, Wesley Theological Seminary, and Virginia Theological Seminary, Dr. Lee brings a wealth of academic and pastoral experience. Previously serving at Wesley Theological Seminary in various capacities, including vice president and director of African-American studies, Dr. Lee is known for fostering inclusive and academically rigorous environments. He is an ordained minister with a decade of pastoral experience at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Arlington, Va. Dr. Lee is a member of several prestigious organizations, reflecting his commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in theological education. As President, he envisions leading Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to rediscover its core strengths and embrace new opportunities in theological education. With a collaborative spirit and innovative thinking, Dr. Lee, alongside his wife, the Rev. Chenda Innis Lee, is set to shape the future of the seminary, equipping students for pastoral ministry in the Presbyterian tradition.4 Key Takeaways:1. Dr. Lee navigates through the sacrifice necessary to hone leadership skills.2. He shares his views on the power of intentional community building and the surprising perspective gained from parenthood. 3. He also reveals his unconventional stress-busting techniques i.e., Lego building and gardening, which might inspire you to pick up a new hobby!4. We delve into the significance of availability in leadership, the art of building a robust culture, and handling the weight of pressure.Quotes From the Episode:“Who you choose on your team helps to build the culture you want to have.”“The demands on being a neighbor aren't religious, they're communal, they're shared.”Resources Mentioned:LegosPittsburgh Theological SeminaryConnect with Dr. Lee:Linkedin | BlogRegister for our L3 One Day 2024 Leadership Conference at L3OneDay.com!

In her recent memoir, Beautiful and Terrible Things: Faith, Doubt, and Discovering A Way Back to Each Other, Rev. Dr. Amy Butler shares about finding her way through wreckage after wreckage. A deeply personal, yet incredibly universal memoir. She's here with us today to share more of her story, talk about where God's Spirit has been nudging her lately, and, of course, what she is still learning.Important LinksLearn more about Pastor AmyLearn more about Invested Faith   Order Pastor Amy's new book, Beautiful and Terrible ThingsAbout AmyPastor Amy believes deeply that courageous communities of people who live with tenacious love can change the world.  Much of her career has been spent helping build communities of radical witness in the institutional church. She is currently serving as Designated Pastor at the Community Church of Honolulu in Hawai'i.Before that, Amy served for for five years as the seventh Senior Minister and first woman at the helm of The Riverside Church in the City of New York. She holds degrees from Baylor University, the International Baptist Theological Seminary, and Wesley Theological Seminary. Pastor Amy's professional ministry career began as the director of a homeless shelter for women in New Orleans, Louisiana; she later became Associate Pastor of Membership and Mission at St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church in the city of New Orleans. In 2003, Butler was called to the position of Senior Minister of Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.'s Chinatown, where she was also the first woman to lead that historic congregation.  Though leading institutions of faith in this moment can be one of the most challenging leadership tasks around, she is optimistic about the impact faith communities have on the world. When she's not busy leading, teaching, preaching or writing, Pastor Amy enjoys the beach (obviously), and hanging out with friends. She is an avid reader and loves to write, recently completing her first memoir, now published by Penguin Random House Books. Pastor Amy is mom to three amazing young adults who are each making their way in the world; they are her favorites.  Connect with us!Sign up to receive a little Gospel in your inbox every Monday Morning with our weekly devotional.Check out our website for great resources, previous blog posts, and more.Get some Lady Preacher Podcast swag!Find us on Instagram and Facebook

How can churches foster innovation and reinvent their ministry in today's changing world? Meghan Hatcher, the Director of the Innovation Laboratory at the Center for Youth Ministry Training, joins the pod to share ideas. Meghan talks about her personal experience of taking a break and returning to the church. She also explains the purpose and approach of the Innovation Lab, which aims to help faith communities reinvent ministry models across the whole church. Meghan emphasizes the importance of creating psychological safety and fostering inclusivity within churches. She also discusses measuring ministry effectiveness, the value of buy-in and democratized leadership, and supporting churches dealing with affiliation challenges.  Meghan Hatcher currently serves as the director of the Innovation Laboratory, an initiative of the Center for Youth Ministry Training (CYMT). She holds a Bachelor of Journalism and Master of Science in Sustainable Development & Applied Sociology from the University of Missouri, and a Master of Divinity with a specialization in community engagement from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. The thread that runs throughout Meghan's academic and professional experiences is the power of story to knit communities together around a collective vision. She is a graduate of The Life Stories Institute in Washington, D.C., and has a tremendous passion for guiding individuals to reflect on their personal stories and the timeless stories of faith. Meghan has served rural, urban, and suburban congregational settings in the areas of pastoral leadership, innovative ministry development, youth ministry, new church development, and community engagement. Meghan makes her home in Austin with her spouse Corey.   Future Christian is supported by: 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: I Help Pastors Get Jobs: Use code 'futurechristian' Torn Curtain Arts is a non-profit ministry that works with worship leaders, creatives, and churches to help avoid burnout, love their work, and realize their full creative potential.  

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! During the summer, we take a pause from the Narrative Lectionary, and we are delighted to offer three unique sermon series opportunities over the coming weeks. Today's sermon is part 2 of a 4-week series on the theme of "Wisdom." This sermon is based on Proverbs 8. We hope it will be a word of encouragement and blessing to you this week. We were delighted to welcome the Rev. Dr. Starlette Thomas to our pulpit to share it. Author, activist, visual artist, race abolitionist and archivist, Reverend Dr. Starlette Thomas is a womanist in ministry and the principal architect of a raceless world. A pastor, denominational leader and clergy coach, she is a natural shepherd of words and people, leading them to their most authentic and best expression. Starlette regularly writes on the sociopolitical construct of race and its longstanding membership in the North American church as an associate editor and the director of The Raceless Gospel Initiative at Good Faith Media. Her podcast, The Raceless Gospel, takes her listeners to church and to a virtual church service where she and her guests tackle that taboo trinity— race, religion and politics. An unrepentant academician and bibliophile, Starlette graduated in May with a Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Her thesis is titled "Take me to the water: A raceless gospel as baptismal pedagogy for a desegregated church." To find out more about our summer sermon series, you can visit https://www.williamsburgbaptist.com/2023-summer-sermon-series.html. If you have a moment, we'd also love for you to click over to follow us on Instagram or Facebook. We are a small but vibrant and growing congregation, and there are lots of ways to connect. Please don't hesitate to reach out if we can help support you in any way! Thanks so much for tuning in!

Mary Amendolia Gardener reads her review, "Spirit in the Dark Brings Religious Influence to Light," a review of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture's exhibit, Spirit in the Dark: Religion in Black Music, Activism and Popular Culture. The exhibit is on view through November 2023. A companion searchable digital exhibit is also available through the Searchable Museum website. The Rev. Dr. Mary Amendolia Gardner is an Anglican priest and Spiritual Director with Coracle. She recently completed her DMin. in Curating Community through the Arts at Wesley Theological Seminary and is also a practicing artist. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vita-poetica/support

This month's episode of the Academy Podcast features teaching from Amy Oden on the topic of “Meeting God in Our Longing” from the 2021 cohort of Spiritual Formation in Today's World. Amy explores the art of discerning between the way that leads to life and the way that leads to death by paying attention to our deepest longings. She emphasizes that in our fast-paced and noisy world, practicing mindfulness, or pausing to listen within, can help us recognize what our soul needs and guide us in making the choices that will bring freedom and aliveness. Born and raised on the prairies of Oklahoma, Amy has found her spiritual home under the wide-open sky. She earned her PhD in Religious Studies at Southern Methodist University, writing her dissertation on Augustine. Over the last 30 years, she has served on the faculties of Oklahoma City University, Saint Paul School of Theology and Wesley Theological Seminary where she also served as Dean. She now is an itinerant professor, teaching at several schools in the areas of theology and history of Christianity and spiritual formation. She is also a spiritual director, companioning people as they listen for God in day-to-day life. Amy is committed in her scholarship to illuminating ancient voices for Christian life today, introducing spiritual practices that can ground and nourish lives of following Jesus into the world. Her most recent book is "Right Here, Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness." The 2024 cohort of Spiritual Formation in Today's World begins February 1-3, 2024. You can learn more and apply at academy.upperroom.org/event/sftw-2023/.

When it comes to participation in church, the stats about Millenials and Gen Z are startlingly low. What if part of the problem is the "expression" of church they have available to them? In this talk from Kris Beckert, you'll learn from her experience of forming Fresh Expressions of Church with and for Young Adults.Fresh Expressions is a worldwide movement of everyday missionaries who want to see churches thrive in the places we live, eat, work and play by leveraging the creativity and endurance of the inherited church. To learn a simple five-phase process for starting a new expression of church go to freshexpressions.com/howtostart.Kris is pastor of Table Life Church. She completed the M.Div. at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC and has served at churches in the Baptist, United Methodist, and Nazarene traditions. Prior to being called to ministry, she received an M.S. in environmental science from the University of Maryland, where she also worked in the field, researching coastal environments and enhancing science communication. Kris is an avid runner, cartoonist, and archer and enjoys cheering for her Carolina TarHeels and Philadelphia Phillies.Season three is brought to you by FX Connect, an online community full of other church leaders passionate about reaching new people in new places. Access our entire library of practical and inspiring training materials and connect with other church leaders at fxconnectus.org.

How do you teach people about Jesus without using a typical "sermon?" In this episode, you'll hear from Verlon Fosner and Kris Beckert about "Jesus Stories," a simple, Biblical and enjoyable approach that fits well in settings like Dinner Church.Fresh Expressions is a worldwide movement of everyday missionaries who want to see churches thrive in the places we live, eat, work and play by leveraging the creativity and endurance of the inherited church. To learn a simple five-phase process for starting a new expression of church go to freshexpressions.com/howtostart.Season three is brought to you by FX Connect, an online community full of other church leaders passionate about reaching new people in new places. Access our entire library of practical and inspiring training materials and connect with other church leaders at fxconnectus.org.Verlon Fosner & his wife Melodee have been in church leadership for 35 years, and for the past 18 years have served a 93 year-old church in Seattle, Washington. In 2004, their long effective church began to decline, and they were faced with the decision: move to the suburbs or become an urban church. They felt called to not only stay, but to dive further into the urban neighborhoods of Seattle – especially the ones with a sparse church presence.  What began as an urban Dinner Church spread into a multi-site Dinner Church, and then expanded into a national Dinner Church Network. Kris Beckert is pastor of Table Life Church. She completed the M.Div. at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC and has served at churches in the Baptist, United Methodist, and Nazarene traditions. Prior to being called to ministry, she received an M.S. in environmental science from the University of Maryland, where she also worked in the field, researching coastal environments and enhancing science communication. Kris is an avid runner, cartoonist, and archer and enjoys cheering for her Carolina TarHeels and Philadelphia Phillies. 

Our traditional understanding of church and unity is being stretched as we make room for unconventional forms of community such as house churches and independent congregations. The Holy Spirit is moving, revealing, shifting, empowering, guiding, and gifting churches in new ways! It can be kind of scary too. In this interview we discuss the difference between biblical unity versus organizational conformity. What does the Bible say about Unity? In what ways has your congregation embraced unity? How has conformity affected the next generation? Why did your congregation leave the ICOC? How does culture contribute to an understanding of unity? About Will Archer: William Archer is a visionary Lead Pastor with over twenty-five years of experience leading missional communities in diverse ministry settings. He is an innovative Evangelist with a proven capacity to cultivate and amplify theologically sound and culturally relevant messaging across multiple digital platforms. He is deeply devoted to developing healthy communities of faith that engage the business community and community partners committed to helping the least of these in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He has served on several boards nationally and internationally. He is an alumnus of the 2019 Class of Leadership Prince William and of the 2022 Class of Lead Virginia. Pastor Archer has an Undergraduate degree in Public Policy from Arcadia University and a Master's degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He is currently a Doctorate of Ministry candidate at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. He has been married to the love of his life, Latosha Archer, for 23 years, and they have two adventurous children, 20-year-old Mekhi and 14 year-old Journey. He serves as the Lead Pastor for the Potomac Valley Church. The Potomac Valley Church is an Independent Christian congregation in Northern Virginia with a deep commitment to serving all people.

Join us as we delve into the fascinating and complex world of religion in American diplomacy as your Faithful Host chats with former diplomat, Shaun Casey, who created the first state department agency to explore the role of religion in American foreign policy. Casey, a seasoned diplomat, has been at the forefront of bridging the gap between diplomacy and religion. He offers recommendations based on his unique experiences and shares some of the key lessons and best practices he's gleaned over the years. Casey is known not only for his professional prowess but also for maintaining a fine balance between his personal faith and his role as a diplomat. We delve into the nuances of his approach and explore some of the ethical dilemmas or challenges that arise when engaging with religious actors and partners then we discuss the groundbreaking office that Casey created and directed at the US Department of State. We explore its mission, its achievements, and its potential future trajectory. One of the most enlightening parts of our conversation revolves around Casey's definition of religion and its critical role in diplomacy. He sheds light on the importance of understanding religious contexts in international relations, using concrete examples of how misinterpretations have led to tragic consequences."Decoding Diplomacy" is your passport to understanding the intertwined worlds of religion and diplomacy, providing a fresh perspective on international relations. Join us as we unpack the intricate dynamics at play in our increasingly interconnected world.If you're interested in the book that was discussed on the episode, "Chasing the Devil at Foggy Bottom: The Future of Religion in American Diplomacy" please visit https://www.eerdmans.com/Products/8170/chasing-the-devil-at-foggy-bottom.aspxGuest Bio:Shaun Casey is a senior fellow with the Luce Project on Religion and Its Publics at the University of Virginia and a Pulaski Institution non-resident fellow. He served as director of the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs and professor of the practice in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University from 2017 to 2021. He previously was U.S. special representative for religion and global affairs and director of the U.S. Department of State's Office of Religion and Global Affairs. He has also served as professor of Christian ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, and held positions at the Center for American Progress and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Casey has written on the ethics of the war in Iraq, as well the role of religion in American presidential politics. He is the author of The Making of a Catholic President: Kennedy vs. Nixon 1960 (2009) and co-editor of The Oxford Handbook of Political Theology (forthcoming, with Michael Kessler); he is writing a book on ethics and international politics tentatively titled Niebuhr's Children. Casey holds a B.A. from Abilene Christian University, MPA from Harvard Kennedy School, and M.Div. and Th.D. in religion and society from Harvard Divinity School.Support the showTo learn more about the show, contact our hosts, or recommend future guests, click on the links below: Website: https://www.faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/ Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com Political Host: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com Twitter: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics

This is the second episode in a series of three talking about Christianity and the Church today. The hope for this series is to go beyond denomination and institution.  The purpose is to dive into hard topics that come up as challenges for Christians and Church culture today; and simply talk about it with Christian leaders. This deep dive, is with Reverend Megan Blanchard. She is bringing deep thought, reflection and a real passion for the topic. The conversation ended and I felt like going to church, because Rev. Megan shines a joyful light on church even in challenging times. We talk about the hypocrisy of Christianity today, the church and community connection and the need for trust, and there seems to be a theme of exploring: What is it that Christians are called to do? Rev. Megan Blanchard is a “Carolina Girl” from the small town of Midland, NC. She graduated from Davidson College with a BA of Spanish and BA of Political Science. Post graduation she worked in finance and operations in corporate America for over five years before sensing a call to ministry. Upon discerning her call, she relocated to the Washington, D.C. area in 2013 to pursue a dual Masters in Theological Studies from Wesley Theological Seminary and International Development from American University. Rev. Blanchard is an ordained Deacon of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church. Her call and passion are to serve in ministry areas that connect the church and the world, protect the vulnerable, and serve the marginalized. She currently does this through her ministry as an English teacher at Epworth's Ana A. Brito Foundation in Gaithersburg, MD and local church ministry at Fairhaven UMC in Darnestown, MD. When she is not serving in these places you can most likely find her having fun with her family: her husband – Trey, her two young daughters – Susannah and Emma, and their dog – Layla. I'd love to hear from you, send me an email at info@kariprimozic.com. Follow me on IG at: Kari, Courageous Living (@karicourageousliving) | Instagram or FB at: (2) Courageous Living | Facebook --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thecourage/message

This is the first episode in a series of three talking about Christianity and the Church today. The hope for this series is to go beyond denomination and institution.  The purpose is to dive into hard topics that come up as challenges for Christians and Church culture today; and simply talk about it with Christian leaders. In this episode, Reverend Timothy B. Warner is sharing his wisdom, insight and experience as a Church Leader with us. We are talking about the demands of discipleship, church hypocrisy, and can we Christians really be Jesus like? (And so much more!) Reverend Timothy B. Warner was called to the gospel ministry while serving as a Deacon at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church of Rockville, MD in 1996. He was licensed to preach in 1998 and ordained to pastoral ministry after he completed his Master of Divinity degree at Wesley Theological Seminary in 2003. Reverend Warner was trained as a bacterial geneticist and enjoyed a productive career in pharmaceutical research and development, where he held various scientific and executive leadership positions for over 18 years before committing to full-time ministry. He has served as the Associate Council Director for Community and Economic Development in the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church, on the staff of the Montgomery County Executive in his Office of Community Partnerships as the Community Liaison for the African American and Faith Communities, and as Chief Engagement and Partnership Officer for Montgomery County Public Schools. He is a frequent lecturer in community engagement for several graduate schools, and has received Wesley Theological Seminary's Urban Ministry Distinguished Alumnus Award.  Rev. Warner is proud to have served for the last 9 years as Senior Pastor of the Emory Grove United Methodist Church in Gaithersburg, MD, where he is a co-founder of the Racial Justice Coalition. Most recently, he has founded The Heritage Emory Grove Community Development Corporation which is leading in a partnership to redevelop the historical Emory Grove community and restore a sense of authentic community.  He also serves as the Director for Faith Relations at Habitat for Humanity of Metro Maryland where he helps to engage faith communities in the justice ministry of affordable housing in Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties. He believes in the power of prayer, and attributes whatever success that has been ascribed to his ministry to the great many conversations so many have had with God on his behalf.  Rev. Warner shares an extreme sense of pride in the family God has given him with his wife, Paula, of nearly 4 decades.  I would love to hear from you!  Leave me a message via Anchor at:  https://anchor.fm/momcourage/message or send me an email at info@kariprmozic.com. Check out my website to learn more about courageous conversations:  ⁠Courageous Conversations | Courageousliving (kariprimozic.com) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thecourage/message

There has been increasing attention to the issue of food insecurity among college students. Estimates vary, but to provide some perspective, one report found that a staggering 30% of all college students experienced food insecurity at some point in their college careers. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US temporarily extended the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to college-aged students. But now this pandemic help is set to expire, impacting more than three million college students who have relied on this program for food. Today we speak with Heather Taylor, a former US delegate to the United Nations, and now managing director of Bread for the World. Having experienced severe food insecurity as an undergraduate student at Georgetown University, she now advocates for SNAP expansion for college students and other marginalized groups facing food insecurity. Interview Summary   This is a really interesting topic and an important one because so many people are affected. I know recently there have been more surveys, more awareness to the issue and so finally people are beginning to pay attention. I know judging from the response at our own university, that universities are paying attention to this too. But let's talk about the bigger picture of this: how the benefits at the national level are important. Tell me a little bit more about your work with Bread for the World.   Bread for the World is a faith-based organization that works alongside community groups and congregations across the country to urge primarily members of Congress to pass legislation that addresses hunger and poverty, both here in the United States and abroad as well. We spend a lot of our time equipping community groups so that they are empowered to speak with their members of Congress and talk about issues that are impacting them on the ground.   I mentioned in my introduction that you experienced food insecurity yourself as a college student. How has that impacted your work today?   It really underscores the conviction and the passion that I have around food insecurity, including the way in which it impacts college students. It's such a critical time in one's life, if one is blessed to have the opportunity to attend college, to shape their future, their career path. It's essential that students are nourished and that they have the time necessary to invest in their studies, in some cases extracurricular activities, to perform well and to be able to compete in the market, to contribute to society as a whole. I have experienced firsthand how difficult it can be, what a struggle it is to worry about working on top of investing some 60 to 80 hours a week in one's studies and classes alone, to worry about where one's next meal is coming from. It's really put me in a position to hopefully speak effectively firsthand about what one's experience may be. But also, about what some of the practical solutions are to address food insecurity that individuals, and in this case college students themselves may be experiencing today.   That this problem occurs among college students might come as a surprise to some people because they think kids go to college, they pay for tuition and they pay for room and board and they get fed meals in their dorms and things like that. How does food insecurity come about?   So a lot of times the financial aid, be it student loans or other grants, goes toward college tuition, but not necessarily meal programs. Students are given options to choose meal programs. Some may be three to five meals per week. That was typically the program that I selected, not necessarily 14 to 21 square meals which is what is necessary to ensure that students are not food insecure. That is because these individuals simply may not be able to afford these meal programs. Secondly, while they may not be able to afford them, they could under certain laws be eligible to receive SNAP benefits, but oftentimes students aren't even aware that they may be eligible. While they may have access to certain programs, like federal work study programs that are advertised when students are filling out FAFSA forms, for example, information around the SNAP program may not be as readily available. Because again, any support that they may receive through loans or grants is typically going toward tuition, perhaps books and other necessities, then food security is still an issue that is at stake.   Very helpful background. I know in addition to that, there are large numbers of individuals who don't live on campus, like those who are attending community colleges or graduate and professional students who may not be living in dormitories and don't have meal plans and things like that. It's easy to see how so many people might be affected by this. Let's talk about the SNAP changes at the onset of the pandemic. What can you tell us about that?   Sure. As a result of the expansions that were made available at the onset of the pandemic, students eligible for SNAP benefits could receive up to an additional $95 a month. This is a decent amount that can help put a dent in someone's monthly food bill on a regular basis. The second important change that was made as a result of the expansion is that students who were eligible for SNAP, because they were eligible for the federal work study program did not necessarily have to participate in the work study program in order to get the SNAP benefit. Again, this is important because before the pandemic, students who participated in work study if they were attending school more than halftime they had to work at least 20 hours a week. We know through various studies that typically students are investing three hours in study time for every credit hour that they are signed up for in a given semester. Many students are enrolled for 12 credit hours. That means that they are studying approximately 36 hours on top of their 12 hours of classes. And so we see how they're already investing a significant amount of time and then required to work an additional 20 hours. And so when we're looking at students who are spending some 50, 60 hours and in my case personally, because I had to register for 15 credit hours, up to 80 hours a week. It creates a highly stressed environment for students to work in. At the same time, they're expected to compete, they're expected to make good grades, they're expected to be on par with their peers who may have other support systems in place. The pandemic benefit expansion allowed students to participate regardless of whether they tacked on an additional 20 hours to their already 40 to 60 hour work week was an essential benefit. This is one that we at Bread would like to see continue.   You mentioned some of the hurdles for college students who could potentially utilize SNAP benefits, the work study requirement is one. Are there others the college students have to face?   The work study is one of the essential requirements that they have to face. There are some exceptions. For example, if a student has a differing ability or another term might be a disability. There are some exceptions, but they're so specialized that we want to make sure that students who may be on their own, may be low income themselves, not receiving any support from their families are able to still access the benefit without having to partake in this requirement.   - What's known at the moment about food insecurity among college students?   There are studies that were actually taken right before the pandemic. One in particular done by Temple University showed that nearly 167,000 surveyed, 40% of these individuals experienced food insecurity. And we also know that of these fewer than one in five were accessing SNAP. Again, it speaks to the lack of awareness and how severely underutilized the program is.   You've painted a really striking picture of the number of people affected and how seriously it can affect their lives. You mentioned several really important things. One is just the stress of not knowing whether you'll have enough food or having to have so many requirements imposed on you, work requirements, study requirements, getting food requirements can really add an awful lot of extra pressure to what's a pretty pressured time of life anyway for people. And then adding to that, what you mentioned at the outset that an under-nourished person can't learn and function as well as somebody who's well-nourished is really is very serious issue. What do you think might be done?   The hope is that some of the expansion that was put in place, specifically in correlation to the pandemic, that this would continue, that students would still have the opportunity, those who are eligible, to receive up to $95 a month. When we think about inflation and when we think about how high food prices are, we know how necessary this is. While the benefit may suddenly expire in a couple of months, inflation will not necessarily disappear. Food insecurity that was already high before the pandemic will still continue to persist. We know that some 40% of individuals who attend college come from low income families. So the need is still there. What we would like to see is that the availability of this amount of up to $95 a month would continue. We would also like to see the hourly work requirement be dropped. Those who are eligible for federal work study should not be mandated to work an additional 20 hours a week when they're already investing 40 to 60 hours a week in a given week in their studies. And so we want to ensure that they can invest their time, their energy in their studies, in their schoolwork, what they are there to do, and that they have the energy, that they have access nutrition to be able to perform well.   Those things sure make sense. Let me ask you one final question. You mentioned that only a fraction of the students who are eligible for SNAP are actually enrolled in the program. Are there efforts underway that you're aware of to just get that number higher so that students are made aware they're eligible and they have some coaching or assistance on how to sign up?   To my knowledge, there are no efforts and there's no requirement in the law to make students aware. So this is one of the changes that we are advocating for, that schools would be required by the law to ensure that all students are made aware of the program, what the eligibility requirements or criteria may be so they can access it because it is available to them.   That sounds like something where the colleges themselves could be a big help. They provide lots of guidance to students on all kinds of things. And boy, this could be one thing where colleges could really take the lead in letting the students know about these benefits and providing some help to get people signed up. I'm not aware of any places doing that, although they might very well exist. But if they are out there, it would be good to create a model that could be replicated in other places.   Exactly. As I understand, there are a number of student groups now that may help to make students aware of food donation programs, of food banks. I was informed recently that some schools allow students to donate some of their meals that they already purchased through the school program to their peers. While these programs are helpful it means that students, their food security is contingent on the generosity of their peers, that their access to nutrition is contingent on food that is made available through the food bank system. We know in recent years because of the pandemic, also because of inflation that it has been difficult for food banks to keep stocked up and to also have the number of volunteers that are necessary to distribute. Again, we support these programs, they are important, but alone they do not have the ability to really put dent in hunger like a federally supported program does. We know that the SNAP program is the most effective anti-hunger program in America. It is our moral responsibility to ensure that our young people as they are eligible, have access to this program as well. It's important to know that students who are food insecure are 43% less likely to graduate than their food secure peers and 61% less likely to get an advanced degree. When we think about helping to ensure students ability to succeed personally, but also their ability to contribute to our society and economy, it makes strategic and moral sense to ensure that they are food secure.   Bio   Heather Taylor oversees Bread's public policy and program divisions and operations as Managing Director. She is passionate about developing communications and advocacy strategies to organize and inspire faith communities, policymakers, and partners to engage in our mission to end hunger. Heather spent her career as a dedicated advocate lifting the voices of people who experience racial, gender, and economic injustice. She previously led organizations to increase access to legal and social services, as well as protect the rights and dignity of historically marginalized populations. She advocates to secure the economic rights of women in Sub-Saharan Africa as a fellow at International Justice Mission, a Christian nonprofit seeking to protect people in poverty from violence by transforming justice systems; and twice served on U.S. delegations headed by the UN Commission on the Status of Women to promote women's political participation in emerging democratic societies. Heather holds a J.D. from the University of Iowa, a Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary and a B.S. from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.  

Are you a Unicorn? Have you been called a unicorn? Unicorn is a popular term used when there is an “only” or a “few” and it often means – according to Wikipedia – “a very rare find”.In celebration of Women's History Month, I'm turning over my hosting duties, all month long, to a dear friend and a past guest of the show, Jennefer Witter. Jennefer is the CEO and founder of The Boreland Group, a 20-year-old boutique public relations firm headquartered in New York City. Jennefer's agency specializes in women-led and minority owned businesses as well as grassroots non-profits. Today, I'm sharing a conversation between Jennefer and the Rev Dr. Theresa Thames, talking about unicorns as well as occupying spaces, being our true selves, and how they all wrap into each other.This is the first of this special 4-part Women's History Month feature, hosted by Jennefer Witter. More about Rev Dr. Theresa Thames:Rev Dr Theresa Thames is the founder of Soul Joy Coaching & Yoga, LLC, an in-person and online gathering that centers womxn of color, inviting them to honor their whole divine selves and tap into radical joy. She is also a Dean at an Ivy League university.Dr. Thames is a graduate of Howard University and received a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Gender, Theology, and Ministry from Duke University Divinity School. She has a Doctorate of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary in Leadership Excellence which explored how best to equip young clergywomen of color to thrive in ministry. As an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, she served as a local pastor in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area for nine years.More about Jennefer Witter:Jennefer Witter is the CEO and founder of The Boreland Group Inc. (TBG – www.theborelandgroup.com), a 19-year-old boutique public relations firm headquartered in New York City. The agency specializes in women-led and minority owned businesses as well as grassroots non-profits. Jennefer is an active public speaker, with presentations to military, trade and academic organizations on implicit bias; gender-based workplace conversation; inclusive leadership; personal branding; and networking. Jennefer is the author of “The Little Book of Big PR: 100+ Quick Tips to Get Your Small Business Noticed,” published by Amacom/HarperCollins.Connect and follow:https://theresathames.comhttp://www.theborelandgroup.com/ Leave us a rating and reviewPlease leave Trailblazers.FM: I Am Black Success, a 5-star rating and review if you'd not yet done so, on Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify. Partner with usWe're also exploring new partners and sponsors. If you're interested in possibly working with us, please shoot me an email to stephen@stephenahart.comLearn more about our show:https://iamblacksuccess.com 

Reverend Christian B. Aaron joined us to talk about RISE (Reclaiming Identity through Self-Empowerment). A movement focused on allowing believers to overcome their challenges, follow their passion and purpose, and strengthen and revive their faith. To understand holistic wellness, the avenue by which RISE achieves its mission.Christian B. Aaron is a faith-driven millennial native of Birmingham, Alabama andgraduate of Howard University, where she received a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. She is a registered nurse and graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary, where she obtained a Master's of Divinity. She daily combines both nursing and ministry by creating platforms through holistic wellness. Christian is the owner of RISE Enterprises LLC, a Certified Life and Health Coach, Motivational Speaker, Retreat Host, and author of two daily devotional books entitled, “Rise and Shine” and“Single is not a Sin.” She has also extended her ministry beyond the borders of the United States while journeying to Capetown, South Africa and El Salvador on mission trips. She is a 2019 Black Alumni Influencer, 2019 Howard University Move-maker, and featured on WYCB Radio. Christian considers her faith and family as her foundation and is honored to be the only girl of six boys.She was ordained at Mount Moriah Baptist Church, where she served as the Youth Minister. She is the proud wife to Mr. Matt Aaron and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Brian is a 2018 graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary where he received a Master of Divinity. Following Seminary, he served as a licensed local pastor in the Virginia Annual Conference. He served churches in Albemarle County, Virginia for 14 months until coming out as gay and being forced to surrender his clergy credentials. Presently he and his husband reside in Ladysmith Virginia. Both are teachers in Spotsylvania County. Brian teaches Business Education at his alma mater, Courtland High School Brian Lamb has had an up-and-down journey of self-care, and the more he has learned about himself, the better he has been able to focus on his own care and has enhanced his relationship with others. Join this conversation to hear about Brian's journey, where he is today, and the lessons he has learned along the way.Find Brian on Social Media:@wvublamb on Instagram@wvublamb on Twitter Don't forget to join our Active Faith Community on Facebook to share your journey and encourage and support others in their active journeys as well.Active Faith Facebook CommunitySupport me and this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/runninrevConnect with Andrew: https://linktr.ee/runninrevBackground Music from Yevhen Lokhmatov, 'Race For Glory' www.melodyloops.com/tracks/race-for-glory/ Granted permission to use this Music by Melody Loops and its licensees, including Andrew Ware.

In this episode of the Climate Changed podcast, you will experience: Aram Mitchell leads a guided reflection called Flood on the Horizon A conversation with Rev. Dr. Veronice Miles Next Steps for Engaged Hope About Veronice Miles The Rev. Dr. Veronice Miles is a preacher, teacher, scholar, mentor, and artist committed to a life of ministry in the church and in the academy. She serves as the Mary Elizabeth McGehee Joyce Professor of Preaching at the Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC. Answering the call to ordained ministry in 1994, she was licensed by the First Missionary Baptist Church, making her the first woman to be licensed without contestation in a Missionary Baptist Church, in Gainesville, Florida. She was ordained in 1999 at the Greater Bethany Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Miles has taught preaching for more than 16 years and has preached extensively. She has also contributed to various academic and church related journals, commentaries, and books. Her publication, Embodied Hope: A Homiletical Theology Reflection (CASCADE Books), explores the human capacity to live with Hope and the power and potential of preaching to amplify Hope's resonance in our lives. Preaching, she believes, neither ignores nor concedes defeat to the despairing realities of life. Rather, preaching emboldens individuals and communities of faith to live with Hope and respond in the affirmative to God's “yes” for creation and for our lives. With these thoughts as foci, her research highlights the formative and transformative potential of preaching, including the role of preaching in redressing persistently threatening challenges that pervade U.S. culture. As a lifelong learner, Dr. Miles has earned several degrees, including the Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Education and Homiletics from Emory University's Graduate Division of Religion in Atlanta, GA, and a Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University with certificates in Religious Education and Black Church Studies. She also earned the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Education in Counseling, and Education Specialist in Student Personnel Services, all from the University of Florida. Grounded in the belief that God still anoints women and men “to bring good news to the poor... to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor” (Luke 4:18-19), Dr. Miles endeavors to embody these practices in her life and ministry. Click here for full transcript of this episode Some Highlights from the Conversation “The people in my congregation are only the people in my community, but the world is our neighbor. And if we were to preserve, personify the earth and the environment, I feel like we almost have to, then the earth, these hands, and neighbor as well, is in the same care, compassion, concern that we have for one another.” — Veronice Miles “It is an incarnational kind of understanding of hope, that hope is within us. It's not something that we go and get from a place out there somewhere. It's not even something that is motivated by whether or not things are well in this moment, or terrible in this moment.” — Veronice Miles “So what happens if we get off the consumptive hamster wheel, and we have to start purchasing less things? What fills those spaces when we are no longer able to be addicted to our stuff, and it's actually beautiful things fill that space? It's nature, it's friends, it's community, it's art, it's spaciousness?” — Ben Yosua-Davis Next Steps for Engaged Hope Nicole wants to recommend a book that has helped her understand what is going on. The Story of More by Hope Jahren. Jahren walks through many aspects of climate change and how it's affecting our world. It is very accessible and helped Nicole build her own knowledge base.  Check out the on-line workshop Pursuing our Passions in a Climate Changed World, which is available for free through The BTS Center's Leadership Commons. It was created by this podcast's producer, Peterson Toscano. You will begin a process of discovering how to imagine a better world and use what they love to get there. This can be done on your own, but it is especially designed for groups. You will find a full facilitator's guide, video, and more.  Rob Hopkins' book From What is to What If: Unleashing the Power of Imagination to Create the Future We Want. He outlines ways in which humans are inherently imaginative beings, and he points out how important it is to tap into the imaginative capacity today.  Come to the on-line Convocation 2022: Imagination and Collective Liberation for a Climate-Changed World October 6 - 7, 2022. You will hear presentations with Rev. Dr. Veronice Miles, Rob Hopkins, and more. There will also be opportunities to connect with other participants in affinity groups and break-out sessions.   Create 72-hour disaster supply kits for neighbors. According to ready.gov: “After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days. A disaster supply kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.” They provide a full list of the basics you want to have in your kit. And they suggest, “Once you take a look at the basic items, consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets or seniors.” Creating a 72-hour kit for a neighbor is a practical way of showing love and building community. It will also help you to learn more about your neighbors as you talk to them about what they would like in their kit. Learn more at ready.gov/kit.  Climate Changed is a podcast about pursuing faith, life, and love in a climate-changed world. Hosted by Nicole Diroff and Ben Yosua-Davis. Climate Changed features guests who deepen the conversation while also stirring the waters. The Climate Changed podcast is a project of The BTS Center. The show is produced by Peterson Toscano.  

In this introductory episode of the second season of The Podechesis Podcast, the guys are joined by Dr. Ryan Danker, Director of The John Wesley Institute, and talk about the document, “The Faith Once Delivered” that came out of a summit of over 50 Wesleyan scholars.  This document will be the foundation of the Podechesis discussions throughout this season. Listen and Subscribe to Podechesis on: Apple (Leave a 5-Star Review!!!), Spotify, Stitcher, Podbean, Google, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Listen Notes, and Deezer. Questions? Send us an email or leave a voicemail. questions@podechesis.com Voicemail: (404) 635-6679‬ Spirit & Truth The Podechesis Podcast is a proud member of the Spirit & Truth Podcast Network. Spirit & Truth is a movement of Wesleyan-minded Christians seeking to awaken and equip the 21st century church, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to share the Gospel and make disciples of Jesus Christ. We long to see a new movement of Christians who are empowered by the Spirit, rooted in the truth, and mobilized for the mission. For more information and resources visit www.spiritandtruth.life Dr. Ryan Danker Dr. Ryan N. Danker was named the Director of the John Wesley Institute in October 2021. Danker is an author, historian, and Wesley scholar committed to the Wesleyan vision. He has degrees from Northwest Nazarene University, Duke University, and Boston University. His doctoral research, overseen by David Hempton and Karen Westerfield Tucker, ultimately became his first monograph, Wesley and the Anglicans: Political Division in Early Evangelicalism (IVP Academic, 2016). Danker edited Exploring a Wesleyan Political Theology (GBHEM, 2019) and he co-edited The Next Methodism (Seedbed, 2022). Danker is currently finishing a monograph on the context of the Evangelical Revival and the Wesley brothers' ministry in eighteenth-century Britain. He has published articles in the Wesleyan Theological Journal, the Proceedings of the Charles Wesley Society, Methodist Review, and Wesleyan and Methodist Studies. His popular work has appeared in The Living Church, New Directions, and Firebrand Magazine where he is also an assistant editor. Danker has extensive work in ecumenical efforts having served on the United Methodist-Roman Catholic Dialogue and now serving on the Steering Committee of the Wesleyan Holiness Connection. Danker has served on the faculty of Greensboro College and Wesley Theological Seminary. He has taught at Trinity School for Ministry and Virginia Theological Seminary. He lives in Arlington, Virginia.   Important Links The Faith Once Delivered The John Wesley Institute John Wesley Institute Videos Firebrand Magazine The Daily Text Plain Truth Podcast Reclamation Podcast Episode Credits: Episode written, produced, and hosted by Brett Maddocks, Jim Morrow, and Allen cason. Post Production by Stanton Creative, LLC. About Stanton Creative Stanton Creative seeks to serve by providing inspiration & support for fellow creatives through a variety of resources including podcast and video editing. But it's not just WHAT we do that excites us…it's WHY. As followers of Jesus Christ, we strive to honor God in everything that we do. This includes using our creativity to ascribe glory to our Creator. But our mission doesn't stop there! Our goal is to empower other creatives to utilize their gifts, talents, and imaginations to glorify God through their creations. Need help on your next project? Then book your consultation now! Stanton Creative LLC

Lord, Do You Not Care? A guest sermon preached by Stacey Cole Wilson at Foundry UMC July 10th, 2022. “Living The Questions” series.         Text: LUKE 10:38-42 Stacey Cole Wilson is the Executive Minister of Beloved Community for the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church. She is a wife, mother, ordained minister, igniter of social change, and a champion for human rights. She received a call into ministry as a youth and is a believer that the greatest gift of God is unconditional love. Before joining the Conference Staff, Dr. Wilson served as the Lead Pastor of Good Hope Union UMC in Silver Spring, MD (2012-2016), the Pastor of Mount Winans United Methodist Church in Baltimore (2007- 2012), and as the Associate Pastor of Linthicum Heights United Methodist Church in Linthicum, Maryland (2003-2007). As a writer and minister, she has received national acclaim for her prayers and litanies published in the award-winning Africana Worship Book; and, she has been honored to receive and share the Word of God nationally and internationally for the glory of God and upbuilding of the nations. She has served as Wesley Theological Seminary's Commencement Preacher/Speaker at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., Princeton University Chapel's Guest Preacher for their Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service of Recommitment, and United Theological Seminary's Distinguished Doctoral Alum of the Year. As an ardent believer in education and community service, Dr. Wilson serves on the Board of Governors for Wesley Theological Seminary, is an executive member of the Northeastern Jurisdiction United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (NEJUMVIM), is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and is a founding member and chaplain of the Female Clergy Support Group of Maryland among many other committees, boards and agencies. Stacey earned her undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Morgan State University and has worked professionally as a Senior Analytical Chemist specializing in Petroleum and Materials Characterization via Mass Spectrometry, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). She has earned a Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary with an emphasis on Collaborative Community-Church Partnerships. She is a distinguished Foundations of Church Leadership Duke Divinity Fellow, Lewis Fellow, Lewis Community Leaders Fellow, Transition in Ministry (TiM) Excellence Fellow, and was a participant in The Joseph Engle Preaching Roundtable (3 Yr. Program) at Princeton Theological Seminary in NJ. She is the daughter of Gary and Pearl Cole; wife of International Music Producer and Pastor Wayne Wilson; and, mother of two great joys in her life, Ava, and Christian Wilson. https://foundryumc.org/archive

About the guestMojdeh Rezaeipour is an Iranian-born interdisciplinary artist who works primarily in mixed media, installation, and film. Her recent research and creative projects are excavations of material memory at the intersection of her own story and a collective diasporic story. She is a graduate of University of California Berkeley, where she studied architecture, and of Alt*Div, an alternative divinity school centering healing justice and art as spiritual practice. Her practice is process-led and adaptive at its core, bridging over a decade of Mojdeh's work in the world as an architect, storyteller, and community organizer. In the past few years, her exhibitions and stories have appeared in publications and broadcasts such as The Washington Post, Washingtonian, BmoreArt, DIRT, Image Journal, WPFW, and The Moth Radio Hour. Mojdeh has worked at award-winning architecture firms in San Francisco, New York and Tokyo, and has exhibited nationally and internationally in a wide range of venues from DIY project spaces in Berlin to museums such as The Phillips Collection. She is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, including The Studio Visit Fellowship at Takt Berlin (2018), Second Place at The Trawick Prize (2019), Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Fellowship (2020), The Nicholson Project Artist in Residence (2020), VisArts Studio Fellowship (2021), a Wherewithal Research Grant (2021) and 2022 Sondheim Semifinalist. Mojdeh is currently based in Washington, DC, where she is a Studio Fellow with Henry Luce III Center for Art and Religion at Wesley Theological Seminary. (Photo by Senna Ahmad)The Truth In This ArtThe Truth In This Art is a podcast interview series supporting vibrancy and development of Baltimore & beyond's arts and culture.The Station North Arts & Entertainment Interview Series is supported by the Station North Art's District & Central Baltimore Partnership.Mentioned in this episodeMojdeh's websiteTo find more amazing stories from the artist and entrepreneurial scenes in & around Baltimore, check out my episode directory.Stay in TouchNewsletter sign-upSupport my podcastShareable link to episode★ Support this podcast ★

Who Is My Neighbor? A guest sermon preached by Reverend Bryant M. Oskvig at Foundry UMC July 10th, 2022. “Living The Questions” series.         Text: LUKE 10:25-37 The Reverend Bryant M. Oskvig, an ordained elder of the United Methodist Church, has been working on university campuses since 1998. He received his Master of Divinity from Boston University, where he also earned an MBA in Public/ Non-Profit Management. Rev. Oskvig is now completing his doctoral studies focused on the Black Christian mysticism of Howard Thurman and personal moral awakening at Wesley Theological Seminary where he was also a Lewis Fellow in the center of Congregational Leadership. Rev. Oskvig, known as Rev. O on campus, served in a number of United Methodist congregations in New York, Massachusetts, DC, and Maryland prior to full-time campus ministry. He further has been involved in the broader United Methodist Church having served in leadership on administrative councils and committees. Rev. Oskvig was elected by his peers to serve as delegate to the Northeast Jurisdictional Conference, and he has participated in several conversations and gatherings across the United States about LGBTQIA+ belonging, white supremacy, and the future of the United Methodist Church. Having come to American University in 2019, Rev. Oskvig was confirmed as the 11th University Chaplain and designated as a Scholar in Residence for the Department of Philosophy and Religion. Rev. Oskvig is responsible for animating the broadly inclusive Methodist spirit as a founding principle of American University. He does this through engagement in conversations and worship experiences connected to the Christian identity and through raising awareness and sensitivities to the needs of the many different religious and cultural traditions represented at American University. Rev. Oskvig is married to Dr. Devon R. Oskvig who is a Program Director in the Division of Neuroscince at the National Institute on Aging, where she oversees a large federal program of basic science and clinical research studies. They have four children, who swim, hike, and eat ice cream. https://foundryumc.org/archive

"The church can break our hearts more often than it does the gospel work of healing us" says pastor Amy Butler, who in being the first woman to serve at 3 different churches knows what it's like to find heartbreak rather than healing. In this conversation, Pastor Amy shares why she still believes the church can be a powerful force for healing and hope, talks about Invested Faith - one of the ways she is seeking to lead the church forward into more healing and hope,  and explains why she's fascinated with the question, "what does it take to build community that can change the world." Rev. Dr. Amy Butler currently leads National City Christian Church as intentional interim Senior Minister. Before that, Amy served for for five years as the seventh Senior Minister and first woman at the helm of The Riverside Church in the City of New York.  She holds degrees from Baylor University, the International Baptist Theological Seminary, and Wesley Theological Seminary. When she's not busy leading, teaching, preaching or writing, Pastor Amy is an avid reader and loves to write, recently completing her first memoir which will soon be published by Penguin Random House Books. Pastor Amy is mom to three amazing young adults who are each making their way in the world; they are her favorites.   The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

Welcome to episode sixty-six of New Creation Conversations. I'm excited to be joined in today's conversation by Dr. Mark Teasdale. Mark is the E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Garrett Theological Seminary. Mark is an alum of The American University, has both MDiv and DMin degrees from Wesley Theological Seminary, and has a PhD from Southern Methodist University. Mark has written extensively on evangelism. Our conversation is centered on his most recent book Participating in Abundant Life: Holistic Salvation for a Secular Age – published by IVP Academic.In his new book, Mark argues that our world is hungry for salvation, but we don't always know how to talk about it. Christians agree that God cares about people's lives both in this world and into eternity. But the ways we describe salvation often separate these two spaces: the spiritual from the material. Many groups emphasize one at the expense of the other, limiting the picture of what God has to offer. Mark works to bridge the gap by taking up Jesus' language of abundant life. The abundant is something Jesus invites us to participate in―to seek both for ourselves and for others. The abundant life is rich and multidimensional, not splitting spirits and minds from bodies and material needs. By connecting a vision of “holistic salvation” to contemporary concepts of well-being, Mark's book attempts to show how Christians can both better communicate in secular settings as well as partner with all people regardless of their faith to seek the common good.As Mark and I will discuss, evangelism can be an often-overlooked discipline in the Christian academy, and an overlooked practice in the local church. The abundant life in Christ is not meant to be kept to ourselves, it is meant to be extended to others. I really appreciated Mark's book and his holistic perspective, and I think you will glean a great deal from our conversation. So, thanks for leaning into this week's New Creation Conversation. 

In Episode 91 of the Charity Charge Show, Stephen talks to David Street, Strategic Director Next Gen Organizing of Bread for the World, whose mission is to be a collective Christian voice urging our nation's leaders to end hunger at home and abroad. Stephen and David Street talk about the mission of Bread for the World, Street's work with adolescence and social media through his nonprofit P.E.N. (Promote, Enrich and Nurture) DMV, and the process of setting up a new nonprofit. David Street is a native of Washington, D.C. and has over 13 years of grassroots organizing and engagement experience. He also serves as the Strategic Director of Next Gen Leadership for Bread for the World. Outside of his work in the organizing space, Street also serves as the Executive Director for P.E.N. (Promote, Enrich and Nurture) DMV, a non-profit that specializes in mentoring and social media training with high school students and aspiring leaders living in Washington, D.C. Street received his Bachelors in Political Science from North Carolina A & T State University and holds a Masters in Theology from Wesley Theological Seminary. David Street on starting a nonprofit: It took me about a year to get my nonprofit off the ground; because I interviewed people who had already set up nonprofits, who were already in a similar space, and I just asked a whole bunch of questions. I did about 8-10 interviews with people who had small to medium sized nonprofits. I've been working in nonprofits all my life so I was able to tap into the vast set of knowledge that my colleagues have. I also did other types of research, along with bringing people together and asking questions. After this year of research, we then filed the paperwork and all the other legal aspects. Since we took the time beforehand we already knew what our mission was going to be and who from that advisory board during the planning process would transfer into the board of directors. In that time we also had acquired seed funding, so it wasn't just like we only existed on paper, we had actually acquired some funding from a couple of local churches. I would advise others to do their homework, reach out to people and don't just jump in there; figure out if you have a niche and if there isn't a niche, create one.

The latest research about youth ministry and its actual effect on the lives and faith of young people can seem disheartening, and the data tells us that something has to change. Kenda Creasy Dean, the Mary D. Synnott Professor of Youth, Church, and Culture at Princeton Theological Seminary and an ordained United Methodist pastor in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, has a few ideas on what we can learn and what we should remember about our Christian roots: that the Church itself started as a social innovation movement. In addition to teaching in practical theology, education, and formation (specifically youth and young adult ministry, Christian social innovation, and theories of teaching), Dean works closely with Princeton's Institute for Youth Ministry and the Farminary. Dean is the author of numerous books on youth, church, and culture, the best known of which include Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers Is Telling the American Church (Oxford, 2010), Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church (Eerdmans, 2004), and The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul Tending for Youth Ministry with Ron Foster (Upper Room, 1998).She has directed numerous grants on youth, innovation, and the church, including The Zoe Project (2017-2021), and was co-director with Harold Masback of The Joy and Adolescent Faith and Flourishing Project through Yale's Center for Faith and Culture. In 2013, she co-founded Ministry Incubators, Inc., an educational and consulting group that supports Christian social innovation and entrepreneurial ministries. A graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary, she served as a pastor in Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey and as a campus minister in suburban Washington, D.C. before receiving her PhD from Princeton Seminary in 1997.Resources: Princeton Seminaryhttps://www.ptsem.edu/people/kenda-creasy-deanMinistry Incubatorshttps://ministryincubators.com/about/who-are-we/kenda-dean/instagram.com/mincubatorsZoe Projecthttps://zoeproject.ptsem.edu/Fuller StudioRe-imagining Church as a Missional Incubatorhttps://fullerstudio.fuller.edu/re-imagining-church-as-a-missional-incubator-kenda-creasy-dean/

This week, I sit down and talk to Rev. Jaz. We talk about her call into ministry at a young age and how she has navigated operating in that call and moving into pastoring. You can follow Rev. Jaz on Twitter at @revjaz Follow SWNF on IG: @shewillnotfallcollective Learn more about Rev. Jaz: Rev. Jazmine Brooks, more affectionately known as Rev. Jaz, is the proud pastor of Macedonia AME Church in Accomac, Virginia. She serves as the Program Director for the Office of Inclusive Excellence at Mary Baldwin University and co-facilitates the African-American Religious History course with an emphasis on the lineage of resistance. Her work includes cross-cultural programming, leadership and professional development, civic, social, and community engagement, academic support, and advocacy. In 2016, Rev. Jaz received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and Philosophy & Religion and is a 2021 graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC with a Master of Divinity. Rev. Jaz has served in several capacities to include but not limited to youth and young adult programming, congregational and community asset mapping, congregational and generational culture research, and leading Black Liberation and Womanist studies. She has served the Washington, DC Poor People's Campaign as a social media coordinator, organizer, and tri-chair member. In addition to her formal duties, Jazmine has consistently invested in liberative education through her leadership in the Sacred Circle Womanist Conference and the Literacy to Liberation Initiative. She facilitated the formation of a local committee on equity, achievement, and opportunity in Staunton, Va and serves the community in voting and census registration initiatives. She also serves as the 2nd Vice President of the Staunton Branch NAACP. Earlier this year, Rev. Jaz joined the leadership of the Staunton Equity Coalition, a citizens organization committed to proposing policy that addresses inequities in education, policing, employment, and housing. Rev. Jaz is a contributing writer for the AME Church Christian Recorder and was recently featured in a national USA Today series on citizens who inspire change in their local community. She is committed to the work of creating spaces for the innovative engagement of formal and informal education, multicultural programming, and liberative theology as an investment in the life of our beloved community. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/shewillnotfall/support

Guest preacher Rev. Tonetta Landis-Aina looks at the intersections of identity and power in the story of Hagar and Sarai. She challenges us to examine our own identities and privileges in order to live into the vision of being a “multi” church. [Genesis 16:1-14] Rev. Tonetta Landis-Aina is a native of North Carolina and moved to Washington DC in 2004. She holds a Masters of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary and is passionate about marginalized people finding their stories in scripture as well as about the new shapes the church will take in the 21st century. When Tonetta isn’t geeking out on the Bible or trying to piece together what God might be doing in the beautiful city that is DC, she is enjoying time with her wife and 4-year-old son.

On this episode, I sit down and talk to Rev. Lauren Harris. We talk about her journey into ministry, her evolution, what she is working on but most importantly, why she will not fall. Follow Rev. Lauren on Twitter @revlaurelj Follow SWNF on IG @shewillnotfallcollective Join the Patreon Community: patreon.com/iammariellet Learn more about Rev. Lauren: REV. LAUREN HARRIS is an itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (A.M.E.) with over 15 years of ministerial experience working with children, youth, and young adults. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Maryland (College Park) and a Master of Divinity from Howard University. She's been published in Sojourners, Washington Family, Modern Loss, The A.M.E. Church's "Christian Recorder," Gospel Today, and many other publications. Rev. Harris is featured in the upcoming publication "Preaching During a Pandemic: The Rhetoric of the Black Preaching Tradition" set to release in 2021. Her professional experience includes working with several faith-based nonprofits, Mt. Ennon Baptist Church, Faith in Public Life, Wesley Theological Seminary, and she currently works for the Baltimore- Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church. Rev. Harris' volunteer work includes speaking for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in honor of her late first husband, Gabriel Jones, and she was even a finalist for MADD's search for a national president in 2018. Rev. Harris currently serves as Mt. Pisgah A.M.E. Church in Columbia, Md. She is married to Marvine Harris, a GIS Specialist, and is the proud mother of two children. She acknowledges Jesus as the one who makes all things possible. Her favorite scripture is John 15:16, "You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name." --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/shewillnotfall/support

Guest Preacher, Rev. Tracey Perry, Countryside UCC, Omaha, NE Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, Here am I. Send me!” -- Isaiah 6:8 Pastor Tracey Perry is an Ordained Disciples of Christ Minister (DOC). She received a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree, from Wesley Theological Seminary. Pastor Tracey is currently serving at Countryside UCC, in Omaha, as the Interim Minister of Worship and Congregational Care. Pastor Tracey has sat on panels for racial justice, and spoke on a research study panel on “Race, Religion and Policing” for Yale University. She has worked with a Maryland police department, in collaboration with other Pastors, to assist and bring about healing and faith-based guidance, to the police officers, for interaction with minorities.

What is sanctification?  What is Christian perfection?  Is entire sanctification in this life possible?  How does the promise of salvation continue beyond the “altar experience?”   In this episode of The Podechesis Podcast, the guys are joined by Dr. Scott Kisker, professor of church history at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH to discuss Question 35 of John Wesley's Revision of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: Q35-What is sanctification?  Dr. Kisker adds his voice to and important discussion about holiness, the Christian life, and recovering the “great depositum” of Methodism–Sanctification.   Along the way, Jim dreams of Olympic glory, Brett disappears unexpectedly, and Allen states that all he really wants is a cookie.   Listen and Subscribe to Podechesis on: Apple (Leave a 5-Star Review!!!), Spotify, Stitcher, Podbean, Google, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Listen Notes, and Deezer.   Bio For Rev. Dr. Scott Kisker Scott Kisker is an elder in the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, having served as Senior Pastor of Colesburg United Methodist Church in Colesburg, IA. Prior to coming to United Theological Seminary as professor of Church History and Associate Dean for Masters Programs, he was Professor of History of Christianity at Wesley Theological Seminary and Director of the Course of Study Program for the Northeast Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. Dr. Kisker also served as Director of the Charles Wesley Heritage Centre in Bristol, UK and as Associate Pastor for the American Protestant Church in Bonn, Germany.  His education includes a B.A. from Swarthmore College, an M.Div. from Duke Divinity School, and a Ph.D. from Drew University.    Scott's publications include The Band Meeting: Rediscovering Relational Discipleship in Transformational Community, co-authored with Kevin M. Watson ( Franklin, TN: Seedbed, 2017), Longing for Spring: A New Vision for Wesleyan Community, co-authored with Elaine Heath (Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2010), Mainline or Methodist? Recovering Our Evangelistic Mission (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2008), and Foundation for Revival: Anthony Horneck, the Religious Societies, and the Rise of an Anglican Pietism (Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2007). Dr. Kisker is also one of the host of the podcast, Plain Truth: A Holy-Spirited Podcast and he also is currently pastoring McKendree UMC in Troy, OH. His academic interests include Pietist and Wesleyan Methodist history and theology, Wesleyan discipleship and small group formation, and evangelism.  Scott is married to Roberta Willison Kisker. They have five children: Maria, Susanna, Isaac, Tabitha, and Naomi.   Dr. Kisker can be reached at stkisker@united.edu.   Questions? Send us an email or leave a voicemail. questions@podechesis.com Voicemail: (404) 635-6679‬   Important Links For This Episode   Scripture Proofs:    Scripture Proofs for Question 35 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Ephesians 4:23-24; Romans 6:4, 6   Wesley's Revision of the Shorter Catechism (From Seedbed.com)   Wikipedia article of Westminster Shorter Catechism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_Shorter_Catechism   Wesley For Armchair Theologians by William Abraham   Absolute Basics of the Wesleyan Way by Phil Tallon and Justus Hunter   Sermon: Scripture Way of Salvation by John Wesley   Perfect Love by Kevin Watson   Daily Text by Seedbed.com   Firebrand Magazine   Plain Truth: A Holy-Spirited Podcast  

Roger Butts is a hospital chaplain in a 500-bed hospital in Colorado Springs. An ordained Unitarian Universalist minister for nearly 20 years, he is a member of the International Thomas Merton Society and the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship. His wife, Rev. Marta Fioriti, is minister of Black Forest Community Church. He attended Appalachian State and Wesley Theological Seminary (DC). Seeds of Devotion: Weekly Contemplations on Faith is Roger's first book.Amazon link