Center for Congregations Podcast

Rev. Greg Pimlott joins Shellie and Matt to talk about leader self-care, renewal leaves and raising funding. He shares from his 2019 experience of creating a self-funded renewal leave. Topics include warning signs of burnout, overcoming barriers to renewal leave and how to raise funds. Resources Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton (book) Center for Pastoral Excellence (o...

Author and speaker Jason Moore joins McKenzie and Matt to talk about how congregations can serve both in-person and online communities well. Jason shares extremely practical tips and stories of successful hybrid congregational experiences. Resources "Imagining a Hybrid Future" from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership (audio) Best Practices for Hybrid Engagement (collection from the Congregation...

Dr. Jason Deuman joins Shellie and Matt to share how humor became a big part of his life and how he believes it provides us with the ability to better understand our sacred texts.  Resources The Joy Factor by Dr. Jep Hostetler (YouTube) Center for Media and Social Impact (organization) Humor in the Church by Will Sharples (article) Using Comedy to Build Community in Local Churches by Jason Deuman...

Patrick Riecke joins McKenzie and Matt to talk about how the increased number of deaths in the past few years have taken a toll, especially on clergy and chaplains. Patrick shares a number of stories of those impacted by this trend as well as his own personal experiences as a chaplain in a large health network. Patrick's Work https://patrickriecke.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickriecke/ Re...

Dr. Jessica Brown joins Shellie and Matt to talk about the trends of mental health in congregations. She also shares from her background and expertise how congregations can be places of healing for those experiencing mental health issues. Resources Full Strength Network (organization) Preparing for Amazement Ministries (organization) The Body Keeps the Score (book) Pathways to Promise

McKenzie and Matt talk with Tim Campbell-Smith about social and digital media and congregations. Tim has some great tips on very specific aspects of social media engagement but also some big picture framing on how social media can be used for the benefit of those you want to reach.   Resources Social Media Guide for Ministry (book) 14 Live Streaming Tools to Win Over the Masses (article)

Shellie and Matt talk with Dr. Winterbourne Harrison-Jones, senior pastor of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church. Dr. Harrison-Jones has long been interested in how to make spaces and experiences such that all feel welcome and included. He discusses how this became a passion and how his congregation works to develop their space and gatherings. Bibliography: Visual Arts and Worship from The Calvin Inst...

Marketer and Millennial Kaeli Sweigard joins Ben and Matt to talk about her journey into congregational life. Topics include what congregations need to know about how they communicate to those not familiar with congregational life, use of language, how to present your congregation publicly and practical communication tips for your congregation. Resources Reaching Young People in a Digital World wi...

Aimee Laramore joins Ben and Matt to talk about community ministry. Topics include the nature of what the different definitions of congregation and community are, focusing on different needs, and defining what your congregation means by ministering to the community. Resources Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown American Generosity by Patricia Snell Herzog and Heather E. Price Mutual Ministry...

The hosts of the Shades of Hope podcast, Pastor Jeff Krajewski and Rev. Dr. Clarence Moore join Ben and Matt to candidly discuss racial justice in congregations and in our society. You can find the Shades of Hope podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/INV6649343524

President of the Center for Congregations Tim Shapiro joins Ben and Matt to discuss what the Center for Congregations has seen in regards to trends, happenings and work in congregational life. They also discuss what the future might hold and share a number of resources. Resources Shades of Hope Podcast - https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/INV6649343524 Frederick Beuchner - Telling Secrets https://ww...

Ben and Matt spoke with Emmanuel about the ways that the Congolese Christian community is learning to adapt to life in Indiana. As they unpacked both the challenges and opportunities of that work, they also explored the lessons that non-immigrant congregations can learn from our Congolese kin. 

Understanding how to determine your next faithful step is critically important in congregational life. Center for Congregations president Tim Shapiro and Rev. Stephen Lewis join the podcast this week to discuss the importance of discernment and mutual nature of discernment for both the individual and the community. Our conversation also leads to reflecting on the wisdom of Howard Thurman and the i...

Rev. Dr. Seth Richardson of Gravity Leadership joins the podcast this week to discuss the cultural challenges white congregations face when they get serious about racial equity. The conversation centers on a specific case study of a Texas congregation and how they navigated a shift towards racial equity and what these lessons mean for any congregation wishing to become more equitable. Resources: C...

Congregations are a treasure of rich traditions: cultural, communal, historical and theological. But how do you keep tradition from turning into stagnation? This week we welcome Rev. Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes, who recently finished her doctoral work related to innovation, as she shares her insight into keeping things fresh in your congregation. Resources https://dukespace.lib.duke.edu/dspace/handle/...

In this episode of the Center for Congregations podcast, Marty Sawyers of the Full Strength Network and John Opalewski of Converge Coaching share their experience and insight on the challenges clergy leaders face every day. This episode will help non-clergy members of a congregation learn more about the pressures of being clergy, how to better support their leadership, and the impact of clergy str...

As people of faith, we are often called to be cultural brokers within our communities by identifying gaps that exist, asking the right questions, and harnessing the power of humility and self-awareness. In this episode of the Center for Congregations podcast, board certified chaplain and doctoral candidate, Alexandra Zareth shares her experience and discusses practical examples of how to bridge cu...

Your community is likely more multicultural than you may realize. In this episode of the Center for Congregations podcast, we speak with Sandy Garcia of Amistad Cristiana Presbyterina about the multicultural nature of congregations and communities including the lives and experiences of members of the Latinx community as well as the changing perceptions of multicultural ministry. Resources: Amistad...

First, the bad news: mental health issues exist in your congregation. The good news is that there are a wealth of resources and people who can help and a myriad of ways to support those with mental health issues. In this episode, Pastor Ken Hilliard talks about the genesis of the organization Building a Stronger Family and its work to bring hope to those without it. Ben and Matt also discuss some...

You likely deal with some kind of diversity in your congregational life. Whether that be ethnic, cultural, generational or some other kind of diversity. Wilisha Scaife believes that the answer to dealing with diversity in ministry is learning to listen, learn and love. The phrase is simple but being able to do this takes effort and intentionality. Wilisha unpacks what this means and Ben and Matt s...

At the heart of every congregation is the desire to pass on the beliefs and practices of its tradition. This can be called lots of things: catechism, faith formation, discipleship, etc. In this interview, John Roberto discusses how this passing on of faith can be distilled into seven parts that, when addressed in your congregation's context, can help form the faith of everyone. Furthering the conv...

In this short episode, Ben and Matt recap the guests and topics thus far and preview the rest of season 4. We'll be back in action with you all on August 10, 2022!

This episode provides the narratives of three members of the LGBTQ+ community focused on their lives in congregations. These stories highlight the highs and lows of their experiences in faith communities. We offer these narratives in the hope that it will provide wisdom and guidance to your congregation as you navigate this complex issue.

In congregations many have questions and concerns about LGBTQ+ issues. Regardless of your theological stance, it's important to know how to care for youth that may identify as LGBTQ+ and their families as they navigate this complex situation. Mark Oestreicher, youth worker and co-found of The Youth Cartel, shares his wisdom and personal experience on this topic. Resources Us versus Us: The Untold...

Dr. Kirk Byron Jones joins Matt and Ben to discuss what we can learn from jazz about beauty, creativity and liberation.  Resources https://faithandleadership.com/jazz-belongs-church https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310361176/ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8817-music-therapy