Pivot Podcast

In this compelling Pivot podcast episode, pastor, church planter, scholar, and justice advocate Inés Velasquez-McBryde joins hosts Dr. Alicia Granholm and Rev. Dr. Terri Elton to dive deep into the biblical roots of justice. Through eye-opening stories and practical insights, Inés illuminates what biblical justice looks like, from the prophetic voices of the Old Testament to Jesus' own embodiment...

How can church leaders introduce change and new spiritual practices in resistant congregations? In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, Dr. Jinna Jin shares stories, strategies, and encouragement for overwhelmed pastors. As an experienced church consultant and professor, Jinna discusses why commitment to spiritual practices is essential for discerning God's leading in a rapidly changing culture. She...

In this episode of the Pivot podcast, the Rev. Clara King, an Anglican priest and researcher who has worked extensively with small, rural churches in the Anglican Church of Canada, shares her wisdom and hope for a church that equips and empowers laypeople to step into their God-given callings. Starting with her experience working with congregations on the margins, Clara makes the case that the "ed...

How can the life and theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor and theologian who resisted the Nazi regime, inspire and challenge church leaders today? In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, Dwight Zscheile and Katie Langston talk with Tripp Fuller about Bonhoeffer's enduring legacy and its relevance for the church in a polarized and rapidly changing cultural context. They discuss how Bonhoe...

All your questions answered in this Q&A session about making space for reflection, leading people who are in conflict during an election year, and the essence of Biblical discipleship. Questions that listeners asked include: * Q1: “I always have such good intentions for making the most of the summer to take time to not just be busy doing the ministry, but to be intentional about spending time...

People are still spiritually curious, passionate, and committed today even while many are leaving traditional churches. Watch this pivot podcast episode with Dr. Dwight Zscheile and Dr. Andy Root to dive deep into the intersection of Christian faith and our secular age. In today’s pivot podcast episode, we are taking a deeper dive into the transformation or displacement of sacred impulses and ritu...

More pastors are taking coaching courses and loving the impact on their congregation. Watch this pivot podcast episode to learn what coaching is, how it’s different from other models of leadership training and why it can be so impactful for church leaders. In today’s pivot podcast episode, we are interviewing Faith+Lead’s Director of Coaching, Dawn Alitz. Here’s what we mean by coaching: the pract...

Wondering how to have good conversations about your Christian faith with neighbors and friends who aren’t Christian? Many of us can think of examples of how not to do this. But how can we do it lovingly, faithfully, and respectfully? Church leaders often ask us, “how can I help people in my congregation have good spiritual conversations with their neighbors?." Watch this Pivot podcast interview to...

Looking for new ways to share the Gospel with your neighbors? Watch this pivot podcast episode to learn about simple ways the Spirit of God is raising up, calling and sending leaders–especially lay leaders–to cultivate new forms of Christian community that meet people where they are in daily life. In today’s episode, we’re going to cross the pond to the UK to learn from hopeful seeds of new life t...

Not sure how to experience unity in Christ when there is so much division? Watch this pivot podcast interview and learn how to experience unity in the church even when it feels impossible. Experiencing deep disagreements, differences, or divides in your church? There are ancient spiritual practices church leaders and pastors can engage in to help their churches experience more unity in Christ toda...

Not sure how to help people grow spiritually? Watch this interview with Steve Thomason, seminary professor and pastor, and learn how to invite busy people into the journey of spiritual growth. Having trouble getting others who are overwhelmed by life to engage in spiritual practices? There are simple and concrete steps to take to create a clear vision for discipleship and spiritual growth in your...

In this episode of the Pivot podcast, guest Pastor Liz Eide, who currently serves the Lutheran Church of Peace in Maplewood, Minnesota, joins host Dwight Zscheile. Together, they explore the Lutheran Church of Peace's journey in renewing its identity and expanding its capacity to name God's presence and activity after the congregation faced a near-death experience. Listen to the Podcast here: Appl...

Jesus’ resurrection changes everything. Facing uncertainty? Feeling ashamed? Disappointed with how things are going? You are not alone. Jesus’ disciples felt the same way until they witnessed the resurrection; with it, their hope was restored. Everything Jesus said about himself is true. In this episode, listen to a word of encouragement from Pastor Nicole Bullock and be unafraid, for we have a Sa...

Need new ways of engaging your digital church community? In this video, we’ll look at how to help people online connect more deeply with others, how to engage teams in ministry, and how to become a community-based church that impacts the local neighborhood. If you are a mega church or part time clergy and want to empower your lay leaders and lay pastors, then you’ll want to watch this entire video...

Do you find yourself wanting more people in your congregation to feel ownership of your church? Or do you want to be freed up more throughout your week to help people make spiritual meaning of their everyday life? In this episode, we will dive into how you can create a more sustainable and communal way forward for you and your faith community. Do you wonder how to engage collaborative leadership i...

Leading a rural church in America today? In this video, we’ll look at the challenges and opportunities of discovering faithful, effective, collaborative, and sustainable models of leadership for rural churches. How to rediscover hope and creativity amidst change and loss in Rural America? If you lead a rural church and want to be effective as rural life changes across America, then you’ll want to...

Ever wondered what effective church ministry looks like with just half or quarter-time clergy? This is the reality for many churches today, and that trend is only increasing. Today’s guest is a bivocational pastor and author who discovered that shifting from full to part time clergy leadership actually led to healthy churches in numerous congregations. Join us to hear more about effective part tim...

Looking to engage your neighbors in a new way? Exhausted and overwhelmed leading your church alone? In this episode, we’ll look at a new ministry model and how micro churches might be perfect for you and your church. Are you wondering how to engage collaborative leadership instead of leading solo? A lot of clergy we talk to know that leading a church by themselves is unsustainable but they aren’t...

All your questions answered in this Q&A session about exhaustion and burnout, what to do when your congregation is tired and lacking energy, pastoral identity, and preaching and leading when people are in conflict and it is an election year. Questions that listeners asked include: * Q1: “I’m burned out and exhausted; is it time to call it quits?” * Q2: “Help: my congregation is tired and lacki...

In a wilderness season? Uncertain? In a waiting season with God? Isolated? You’re in good company as Jesus also lived through a wilderness season in Luke 4. In this episode, join Terri Elton as we explore the spiritual formation that comes with times of uncertainty and reflection. What might be God’s promises for us and for our communities even in times of wilderness seasons?

Wondering how to navigate the path toward a financially secure future for your church? Join us for the Pivot podcast as your hosts, Terri Elton and Dr. Dwight Zscheile, dive deep into the topic with the insightful Grace Pomroy—accomplished author, dedicated educator, and the Director of Luther Seminary's Stewardship Leaders program. If your church is seeking a more sustainable financial roadmap, y...

Are your church programs making the impact you're hoping for? If you answered yes, no, or not sure, this is the place to start. In this episode of Pivot podcast, hosts Alicia Granholm and Dwight Zscheile dig into why focusing on membership doesn't necessarily mean that people are becoming disciples of Jesus. Guests Tania Haber and Jason Van Hunnik, two pastors who have discovered a way forward for...

Do you have an idea for a new ministry but aren’t sure exactly where to start or how to get it off the ground? If so, listen on! In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, hosts Alicia Granholm and Dwight Zscheile tackle the pitfalls to avoid when starting a new ministry, the most common hangups people have when starting a new ministry, and get advice for starting a new ministry with guest, Michael Bin...

Start here when you can't find a full-time pastor for your church. In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, hosts Alicia Granholm and Dwight Zscheile tackle the challenge of clergy shortage in churches with guest Marianne Ell, facilitator for the School for Lay Ministry with Faith+Lead. SHOW NOTES: Find out more about the School for Lay Ministry at https://faithlead.org/learning-community/school-for-...

We know things need to change in our church, but where do we start? In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, host Dwight Zscheile addresses the common struggle church leaders face in navigating change with guest Dr. Ramon Pastrano, a specialist in transformational leadership. Together they explore the challenges of making changes in churches, highlighting pitfalls and proposing a better approach, emp...