Pivot Podcast

"I lost five council members when I tried to make changes." This candid admission from a church leader captures the real challenges of leading congregations today. In this special Q&A episode, hosts Alicia Granholm, Dwight Zscheile, and Terri Elton tackle your most pressing questions about church leadership and change. Drawing from questions submitted by listeners in the field, our hosts explo...

What does church look like when it moves from traditional sanctuaries to breweries, hiking trails, and pizza shops? In this episode, Bryan Willkom, founder of Jesus Fit, shares how Beer Church and other innovative gatherings are creating authentic spiritual community in everyday spaces. From monthly Beer Church gatherings where diverse groups share stories around brewery tables, to Trail Church wa...

Tired of endless church Advent activities that leave everyone exhausted? In this episode, the Rev. Dr. Steve Thomason shares a revolutionary approach to the Advent season—one that subtracts rather than adds. As both an artist and theologian, Steve offers practical wisdom for church leaders seeking to create meaningful spiritual experiences without overwhelming their congregations. Learn how simple...

American pastors want things fast, large, and famous... but the kingdom of God comes slowly, in small and mostly unrecognized ways." In this paradigm-shifting conversation, Dr. Michael W. Goheen challenges our deeply held assumptions about church growth and success. Through the story of a remarkable turnaround in a dying congregation, Goheen demonstrates what happens when a church stops chasing qu...

How do you build authentic church community from scratch? In this inspiring episode of the Pivot Podcast, pioneer lay minister Fiona Mayne shares her remarkable journey from financial advisor to church planter, demonstrating how simple, organic steps can create a thriving Christian community. Fiona reveals practical strategies for church community building that anyone can implement—starting with n...

In this thought-provoking episode of the Pivot Podcast, Dr. Joel Lawrence, president of the Center for Pastor Theologians, offers a fresh perspective on political theology and how churches can navigate our politically polarized landscape. Introducing the concept of "Sabbath politics," Dr. Lawrence challenges us to reimagine the church's role in society, shifting from a posture of control to one of...

This Reformation Day, join hosts Dwight Zscheile and Terri Elton for a transformative conversation with the Rev. Dr. Mark Tranvik, professor of Reformation history and theology at Luther Seminary. Explore how Martin Luther's revolutionary insights from the Protestant Reformation can breathe new life into 21st-century ministry and address the challenges facing today's church. Dr. Tranvik unpacks ke...

In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, we dive deep into the world of church planting with Nick Warnes, founder and executive director of Cyclical Incorporated. Nick shares his expertise on developing leaders for new Christian communities, challenging traditional notions of what it means to start a church. From discernment processes to financial sustainability, from adapting to diverse contexts to...

Dive into the evolving world of church planting with expert Len Tang in this transformative episode of the Pivot Podcast. Len, director of the Fuller Church Planting Initiative, unpacks the latest trends and strategies in church planting that are reshaping how we approach ministry in the 21st century. Discover why church planting is more crucial than ever and how it serves as the R&D wing of t...

In this enlightening episode of the Pivot Podcast, Westina Matthews, a spiritual director with a background in Wall Street, challenges our understanding of contemplative practices. Hosts Dwight Shiley and Alicia Granholm explore Westina's unique journey and her innovative approach to integrating contemplative living into our fast-paced world. Westina offers a fresh perspective on contemplative pra...

Explore innovative church fundraising ideas in this inspiring episode of the Pivot Podcast. Hosts Dwight Zscheile and Terri Elton sit down with Grace Pomroy, director of the Stewardship Leaders Program at Luther Seminary and author of "Funding Forward," and Pastor Christina Ennin from First Presbyterian Church in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Discover how churches can transform underutilized assets into s...

Discover a revolutionary approach to church leadership with Dr. JR Woodward in this eye-opening episode of the Pivot Podcast. Author of "The Scandal of Leadership," Woodward unpacks the crisis of discipleship facing the church today and offers practical solutions for creating a culture of authentic spiritual growth. Learn about the four spaces of belonging, understand the hidden powers influencing...

In this groundbreaking episode of the Pivot podcast, we turn the tables on our regular host, the Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile, to explore the revolutionary concept of Fresh Expressions of Church. Dwight, co-author of the forthcoming book "Embracing the Mixed Ecology," offers an exclusive preview of his research on innovative approaches to ministry in our rapidly changing world. Discover how Fresh Expr...

Fresh Expressions are revolutionizing how we think about and do church in the 21st century. In this compelling episode of the Pivot Podcast, hosts Rev. Drs. Dwight Zscheile and Terri Elton welcome the Rev. Dr. Eliseo Mejia, a pioneering voice in the Fresh Expressions movement and director of Expressiones Divinas for Fresh Expressions North America. Eliseo unpacks the concept of Fresh Expressions,...

In this compelling follow-up episode, the Pivot Podcast dives deeper into the heart of church leadership and innovation. Dr. Andy Root, Dr. Michael Binder, and Dr. Dwight Zscheile challenge prevailing notions about church growth and effectiveness, proposing a radical shift in approach. Could the key to revitalizing ministry be found in doing less, waiting on God, and embracing uncertainty? Explore...

Are conventional church growth strategies falling short in today's changing religious landscape? In this episode (first in a two-part discussion), we dive deep into the concept of "innovation" in church contexts, exploring whether it's a helpful framework for ministry or a potential distraction from our core mission. Dr. Andrew Root offers a critical perspective on adopting business-world trends,...

In episode 91 of the Pivot podcast, hosts Dr. Terri Elton and Dr. Dwight Zscheile talk with the Rev. Canon Dave Male, a pioneering leader in innovative ministry across the UK. They explore the vital task of forming disciples in today's rapidly changing culture and how we can bear faithful witness to the gospel. Dave shares his journey in establishing Fresh Expressions of church within the Church o...

In this compelling episode of the Pivot Podcast, hosts Dwight Zscheile and Terri Elton welcome the Rev. F. Willis Johnson, who shares his experiences leading a church in Ferguson, Missouri during times of racial unrest. Willis offers a practical guide on how churches can actively engage in justice work, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, local relevance, and concrete action. Listeners...

In this timely episode of the Pivot Podcast, hosts Dr. Alicia Granholm and the Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile tackle the challenging intersection of faith and politics with the Rev. Dr. Anthony Bateza, a Luther scholar and expert in Christian ethics. As the United States faces a divisive election season, Anthony offers a grounding historical perspective and practical wisdom for church leaders navigating...

Pastoral burnout is a silent epidemic in church leadership. In this crucial episode of the Pivot Podcast, we sit down with Rev. Nicole Bullock, a church planter, ministry innovator, and program director of Faith+Lead’s Seeds Fellowship. Nicole courageously shares her personal struggles with burnout and offers practical wisdom for sustainable ministry. This episode tackles real challenges facing to...

In this compelling episode of the Pivot Podcast, we dive into the emerging importance of lay leadership in today's church. Our guest, Faith+Lead’s School for Lay Ministry alum Vicki Elfers, shares her inspiring journey from behind-the-scenes church secretary to dynamic lay minister, now preaching, leading Bible studies, and even conducting funerals. Hosts Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile and Dr. Alicia Gr...

In this transformative episode of the Pivot Podcast, internationally recognized spiritual formation expert Mark Scandrette shares his journey of reimagining practical discipleship for the 21st century. Mark introduces the concept of the "Jesus Dojo," a revolutionary approach to hands-on, experiential faith formation. He shares powerful examples of practical experiments in following Jesus, includin...

In this thought-provoking episode of Pivot, hosts Rev. Dr. Terri Elton, Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile, and Dr. Alicia Granholm dive into the shifting landscape of church leadership. They explore the growing trend towards lay-led, clergy-supported ministry models and what this means for both clergy and congregations. Drawing on real-life examples and listener questions, the conversation covers topics su...

In this enlightening episode of the Pivot podcast, hosts the Rev. Dr. Terri Elton and the Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile explore the concept of beloved community with the Rev. Stephanie Spellers, Canon to the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church for Evangelism, Reconciliation, and Creation Care. Stephanie shares powerful insights on how churches can foster authentic, loving communities in the face o...

Explore the power of Christian authenticity in discipleship with Yolanda Solomon, author of "Discipleship as Holy Collaboration," in this compelling Pivot podcast episode. Yolanda shares her journey from skeptic to passionate disciple-maker, offering insights for church leaders seeking to foster genuine faith in a world craving sincerity. Discover practical strategies for cultivating authentic Chr...