Pivot Podcast

"It is precisely in moments of disruption, change, and uncertainty that God acts in scripture." - Host, Dwight Zscheile In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Terri Elton and Dwight Zscheile are joined by guest, Mark Lau Branson. Mark Lau Branson is the Homer L. Goddard Senior Professor of the Ministry of the Laity and has taught at Fuller Theological Seminary since 2000. As a senior profe...

Greetings from the Pivot Podcast family! This Christmas, we rejoice in the profound significance of Jesus' birth, a beacon of hope, joy, and love for the coming year. Today we hear from host, Dwight Zscheile along with guests, Rev. TT Daniel, Jennifer Wojciechowski, Godson Dauda, September Penn, Paul Kisingu, Akinpelu Lawal, Eun Strawser, Ramon Pastrano, and Jon Anderson. Amid festive cheer, let's...

“The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.” Luke 10:2 In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Terri Elton and Dwight Zscheile are joined by guest, Dr. Samuel Deressa. Deressa began teaching part-time at Concordia University of St. Paul, MN in 2016 and joined the faculty full-time in 2018. Previously, he was a member of the Faculty of Theology (Gudina Tumsa Chair for Justice), 2008-...

Listening is the first step in discovering how we can better love our neighbors and God. In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Dee Stokes and Dwight Zscheile are joined by two lay ministry leaders from All Saints Episcopal in Atlanta, Ross Nicholas and Allen King.  Join us as we explore the essential shift that churches must embrace today—a move away from the predominant focus on rep...

Let us at the Pivot podcast encourage YOU in this time leading up to Christmas! This week, host Dee Stokes is here to share a gentle reminder amidst the Christmas chaos: Jesus came expressly for you and your congregation, illuminating the darkness. In the busyness, find a sacred pause to recharge, for you are instrumental in guiding others. As exhaustion looms, extend the invitation to encounter J...

How the church can faithfully navigate a changing world? In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Dee Stokes and Dwight Zscheile are joined by special guest Eun Strawser.  E. K. Strawser (DO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine) is the co-vocational lead pastor of Ma Ke Alo o (which means "presence" in Hawaiian), non-denominational missional communities multiplying in Honolulu,...

In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Dee Stokes and Dwight Zscheile answer YOUR frequently asked questions about challenges faith communities are facing.  Questions that listeners asked include: Q1: "Our congregation shrank in numbers the past three years. How do we balance reimagining our model when buildings and grounds maintenance uses a lot of time, energy and money? How do we s...

In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Dee Stokes and Dwight Zscheile are joined by special guest Jorge Acevedo.  In August of 2023, Pastor Jorge retired as the Lead Pastor of Grace Church, a multi-site congregation in Southwest Florida. Pastor Jorge is a graduate of Asbury College, Asbury Theological Seminary, and most recently, he graduated with a Doctor of Ministry degree from...

Welcome to the Pivot Podcast, brought to you by Luther Seminary's Faith+Lead! Join Dr. Dee Stokes and Dr. Dwight Zscheile as they explore the ever-changing Church landscape. In this episode, they are joined by special guest Rev. Dr. Blair Pogue. Blair is the canon for vitality and innovation in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, working across the state to cultivate discipleship and missional enga...

Welcome to the Pivot Podcast, brought to you by Luther Seminary's Faith+Lead! Join Dr. Dee Stokes and Dr. Dwight Zscheile as they explore the ever-changing Church landscape. In this episode, they are joined by special guest Pastor Carl Johnson, a passionate church planter, innovative ministry entrepreneur, and seasoned trainer from St. Paul, Minnesota. Carl, the visionary founder of Storehouse Gro...

Welcome to the Pivot Podcast from Luther Seminary’s Faith+Lead! Join Dr. Dee Stokes and Dr. Dwight Zscheile on a journey to explore the changing landscape of the Church. In today's episode, the co-hosts talk with guest Ted A. Smith, author of "The End of Theological Education," to gain a deeper understanding of the history of the voluntary association model of the church in the U.S., the cultural...

No, You're Not Imagining Things; The Times Have Changed for the Church. Welcome to season 5 of the Pivot Podcast from Luther Seminary’s Faith+Lead! Join Dr. Dee Stokes and Dr. Dwight Zscheile on a journey to explore the changing landscape of the Church. In today's episode, we delve into a significant cultural shift and unveil four essential pivots that can help your faith community navigate these...

It's time to Pivot! In episode twelve of season four, hosts Terri Elton, Dee Stokes, and Dwight Zscheile reflect on the past season in this finale.

It's time to Pivot! In episode eleven of season four, co-hosts Terri Elton and Dee Stokes welcome this weeks special guest, Calla Gilson. Show Notes: "On the Way" document: https://nwos-elca.church/on-the-way/ More on that can we found here: https://nwos-elca.church/on-the-way/ https://nwos-elca.church/2021/10/27/innovator-learning-academy/

It's time to Pivot! In episode ten of season four, co-hosts Terri Elton and Dee Stokes welcome this weeks special guest, Dr. Rosario Picardo. Special Guest: Dr. Rosario Picardo. SHOW NOTES: Connect with Dr. Roz via email ( roz@wearemosaic.org ) or visit his website, rosariopicardo.com. Suggested resource: Dynamite Prayer: A 28 Day Prayer Experiment

It's time to Pivot! In episode nine of season four, co-hosts Terri Elton and Dwight Zscheile welcome this weeks special guest, Rev. Kerri Meyer. Looking for new ways to connect with your community and integrate farming, faith, and environmental stewardship into your church? Our latest guest on the Pivot Podcast, Kerri Meyer, shares how her community is engaging in innovative ministry on a farm tha...

It's time to Pivot! In episode eight of season four, co-hosts Terri Elton and Dwight Zscheile welcome this weeks special guest, pastor Wole Agbaje. Have you ever felt a calling so strong that you couldn't deny it? Wole did when he was called to plant a church in London's financial district at a young age. Despite the challenges he faced, he persevered and saw remarkable success. If you're feeling...

It's time to Pivot! In episode seven of season four, our hosts Dr. Dee stokes and Dwight Zscheile welcome this weeks special guest, Church Planter and Co-Lead Pastor of North City Church, JD Larson. In todays episode, we explore a few questions around JD and his work. How do dinner church gatherings work? What happens? What theological commitments underlie dinner church? What are you learning? Wha...

It's time to Pivot! In episode six of season four, our hosts Terri Elton and Dwight Zscheile welcome this weeks special guest, author and pastor, Jorge Acevedo. In todays episode, we explore a few questions around Jorge and his work. How do inherited/traditional and Fresh Expressions work together? Why do you care about Fresh Expressions and mixed ecology? What are some things you want to share wi...

Special Guest: Jonny Baker

Special Guest: Jennie Wojciechowksi.

Special Guest: Michael Beck.

Special Guest: Michael Moynagh.

Season 4 of the Pivot podcast provides lessons and stories from church leaders who are igniting imagination, creating collaborations, launching experiments, and dreaming of new possibilities for God’s church. It focuses on two questions: How might we use the uncertainty and disruption of this time to reimagine church, ministry, and leadership? And how might the Christian faith be a resource f...

Links: Purchase the Leaders Companion