Future Christian

In this episode, Martha Tatarnic talks with Michael Graham, co-author of The Great De-Churching about his journey from a fundamentalist upbringing to a more gospel-centered faith. Graham shares his transition from a focus on end times and culture wars to a tradition that emphasizes the core of the gospel and its implications for life. He discusses the importance of Bible study, healthy discipleshi...

Guest host Martha Tatarnic leads a conversation with Dr. Amy Frykholm, senior editor at the Christian Century magazine. They discuss the role of media in serving the church, their personal faith journeys, and the mission of the magazine. The conversation also covers the redesign of the magazine, the themes of the Future Christian Podcast, and Dr. Frykholm's hopes for the future of Christianity.  A...

In the final episode of Season 14 of the Future Christian Podcast, guest host/co-host Martha Tatarnic joins Loren Richmond Jr. to reflect on the season's highlights and broader themes.  The conversation includes a discussion on the church's role in a secular age, why sacred space matters, and the importance of maintaining wonder and awe in faith. They also touch on the grief of church closures and...

Historically, the church has a tendency to colonize as a means to achieve growth. To break that dynamic, new models need to emerge. Enter DisciplesNEXT, a methodology from Rev. Dr. Jose Martinez and the New Church Ministry Team of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In this conversation, we talk about how the model emerged, how it seeks to be different from previous models, and what are th...

What's the Future of Theological Education? In this episode, Rev. Ulysses Allen, the Director of Recruitment and Retention at Phillips Seminary joins the show to talk about the challenges faced by seminarians, including student loan debt and limited job opportunities. Despite these challenges, Allen highlights the importance of seminary education in providing a foundation for engaging with difficu...

Most Pastors would agree that the American church in the midst of a crisis of decline, as lagging attendance, giving, and influence continue to cause havoc in local congregations. Yet, despite all this, Andrew Root argues the real crisis that should keep pastors up at night isn't shrinking budgets or lessening participation--rather it is the realization that for most people, even many pastors, we...

In this episode, Dorcas Chang-Tozun joins the show to  talk about her personal faith journey, her thought-provoking book Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul, and her profound insights on social activism. Dorcas passionately emphasizes the significance of acknowledging the unique experiences of sensitive individuals within the realm of activism, urging listeners to broaden their understanding of...

David Emery joins the show to talk about why church structure is a significant obstacle in the church, as it can stifle the openness and potential for growth. He emphasizes the need for the structure to align with the vision and direction of the church, rather than becoming a hindrance. He also highlights the importance of theological humility and the willingness to listen. Emery also talks about...

Rev. Gail Cafferata was heartbroken when the church she pastored closed its doors. It may have been the right decision, but it led to a million questions in her mind about her call, leadership, and future. In this episode, Gail interviews Loren about his own experience closing a church, and together they talk about some of the challenges, heartbreak, and experiences learned from their experiences,...

In this mid-season recap of the Future Christian Podcast, hosts Loren Richmond Jr. and Martha Tatarnic reflect on the topics and guests featured so far in season 14. They discuss their process for selecting guests and the podcast's focus on issues relevant to churches and pastors. They highlight themes such as church planting, reimagining church structures, and love for the church. They also discu...

Pastors and church planters need more support, but where should they look and what types of relationships should they seek? In this conversation, Pastor, church planter, and author Scott Nelson shares about the five essential relationships each ministry leader needs to have. They also discuss setting boundaries and finding the right kind of support in ministry, the redemptive nature of suffering,...

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 fait...

Do you remember that viral post about pastoral ministry? In this episode, we welcome the author of that piece, Rev. Alexander Lang, an ordained pastor and author. Martha Tatarnic hosts the conversation, and they discuss Lang's background and key points from his article, especially the emotional toll of being a pastor and the challenges of maintaining a declining institution. They also explore the...

As more churches explore the opportunity of affordable housing, Rev. Melissa St. Clair shares the journey of developing her church's property. In this episode, we talk about the dream for Heartside Hill and its evolution over time, fundraising efforts and partnerships for the development of Heartside Hill, and how they built relationships with existing neighbors and gained community involvement. M...

These days, it seems like everyone is walking away from church. Not so for Ally Henny, who discusses in this episode the potential of the church and why she hasn't given up on it, despite its flaws and challenges. She believes that the church has a unique role in providing a sense of community and support, especially for marginalized groups. Ally also emphasizes the importance of the church in add...

What is the role of restlessness in our life of faith? In this episode, Casey Tygrett joins the pod to talk about how suffering can be a teacher, the changing images of God, and the impact of the pandemic on spirituality. Casey emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from spiritual directors or counselors and encourages listeners to embrace restlessness as an opportunity for growth. Casey al...

Craig Greenfield joins the show to talk about his journey of unpacking his cultural baggage and seeing the gospel through new eyes while living in Cambodia. He emphasizes the importance of communal practices in his faith, particularly in his Christian community in Vancouver. Craig also discusses his book "Subversive Mission" and reframes the roles of apostles, prophets, and evangelists as catalyst...

In times of uncertainty and change, we already have everything within us to transform and adapt, says Dr. Marcia McFee, a professor, worship designer, author, preacher, and ritual artist. In this episode, Dr. McFee talks about the connection between worship and justice and her concept of a "metamorphosis moment" in the post-pandemic transition. Dr. McFee emphasizes the importance of curiosity, ima...

Geoff Mitchell joins the pod to discuss his experiences in leading and guiding churches, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination. Geoff emphasizes the importance of creating vibrant and transformative churches that are deeply rooted in the power of the gospel. He also explores the unique aspects of leading churches with...

In this special episode of the Future Christian Podcast, recorded live from the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Loren Richmond Jr is joined by guest Dennis Sanders to delve into the current state of the denomination and the unique challenges faced by local congregations. Together, they explore the pressing need to support and sustain existing congregations, recogniz...

In this episode of the Future Christian Podcast, Loren Richmond Jr. welcomes guest Martha Titanic, an Anglican priest and author. They discuss various topics including the importance of diverse perspectives, the role of social media in engaging younger generations, the tension between community care and church growth, and the need for discernment and prayer when navigating the future.  Throughout...

With declining church attendance and continued budget tightening, more and more pastors are struggling to earn what they need through a church job alone. During the conversation, Eric Hoke provides valuable insights on career paths that pastors can explore outside of the church. He advises pastors to tailor their resumes to the job they are applying for, highlighting their transferable skills and...

Reverend Dr. Juan Sarmiento, Executive Presbyter of the San Fernando Presbytery, joins the podcast to talk about his role and perspective on clergy burnout. He also discusses his faith journey and spiritual practices, the challenges of being a clergy member, and the importance of recognizing the value of institutions. The conversation emphasizes the need for humility, openness to new ideas, and re...

What if the goal of the Christian life isn't how we behave or even how we believe, but how we love? In this episode, Jessie Cruickshank joins the show to talk about discipleship, head-knowledge vs. heart-knowledge, and why facts don't produce transformation. In the conversation, she shares why churches needed to be emphasizing relational discipleship making and community building in order to creat...

In this episode, Rev. Dr. David Anderson Hooker, founder and principal of Counter Stories Consulting, joins the pod to discuss the power of narrative. Dr. Hooker shares his background in mediation, conflict transformation, peace building, and trauma healing, and how he uses narrative approaches to envision a shared future that incorporates everyone. The conversation also touches on the importance...