The Ministry Collaborative Podcast

Executive Director Mark Ramsey speaks with the Rev. Michelle "Misha" Cazas ( Westside Church Internacional, Denver ) about her conversion to Christianity in her native Bolivia, the importance - and challenges - of ministry with immigrant communities here in the United States, and how God continues to use the struggles she has faced to equip her for this work.

Pilgrimage Formation Curator Ryan Bonfiglio talks with the Revs. Amy Miracle ( Broad Street Presbyterian, Columbus, OH ), Melanie Marsh ( Riviera Presbyterian, Miami, FL ), and Miriam Mauritzen ( Mountain View Mennonite, Kalispell, MT ) about their experience of Glacier National Park provided an opportunities for rest, spiritual rejuvenation, and reconnecting with God and their sense of calling.

In the second of a three part conversation, Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Brittany Porch ( Broad Street Presbyterian, Columbus ), Kyle Bender ( Center for Relational Care, Austin ), and the Rev. Bianca Howard ( Orange ) about approaching faith formation holistically, moving toward a theology of fullness, and the importance of breaking down the taboos around mental health support. To f...

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Elizabeth Lynn ( Shifting Ground, Lake Institute on Faith and Giving ) about the wisdom of civic reflection, asking better questions vs. dispensing information, the critical importance of good facilitation in our pluralistic society, and her co-authored weekly blog with Mark Ramsey . Want to find out more about our work of facilitation? Get in touch with...

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Dr. Matthew Bates ( Quincy University ) about the prevalence of tepid versions of the "good news", what it means to call Jesus "King", and his latest book .

In the first of a three part conversation, Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with the Rev. Bianca Howard ( Orange ), Brittany Porch ( Broad Street Presbyterian, Columbus ), and Kyle Bender ( Center for Relational Care, Austin ) about the changes in youth ministry, the enduring importance of relationships finding a balance between flexibility and stability. To find out more about our upcoming y...

In part one of this round table conversation, the Ministry Collaborative program staff (Jennifer Watley Maxell, Mark Ramsey, Adam Mixon, Adam Borneman, and Beth Daniel) talk about what Easter really means, the difference between resurrection and resuscitation, and importance of how we live in the hope of Christ. Read Jennifer's original blog post here.

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with the Rev. Mina Nau-Mahe ( Good Shepherd UMC, Colorado Springs ) about growing up Tongan in Salt Lake City, her transformative experience in a Ministry Collaborative cohort, and the power of seeing God turn people's lives around.

Facilitator Curator Beth Daniel talks with the Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton ( House United ) about the rarity of agape love in our culture, the challenge of holding space for others, and the urgent need for courageous conversations. Additional Links: Allen's Book Braver Angels

Program Curator Jennifer Watley Maxell talks with the Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy-Chism ( Thoughtful Transitions ) about her work as a loss navigation specialist, and the importance of knowing we are not alone in our grief, and understanding how loss is a much bigger topic than we might initially assume.

In part one of this round table conversation, the Ministry Collaborative program staff (Beth Daniel, Mark Ramsey, Adam Mixon, Adam Borneman, and Jennifer Watley Maxell) talk about viewing the church as an airport rather than a destination, the difference between form and function, and the importance of reframing this text in its original context of grace. Read Beth's original blog post here.

Adam Borneman speaks with Kimberly Daniel ( Forum for Theological Exploration , Do Good X ) about Christian innovation, getting curious, making meaning, and her co-authored book with Stephen Lewis. Dwight Zscheile podcast conversation Adam Borneman and Adam Mixon article

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with the Rev. Adam Young ( Chapel of the Incarnation , Gainseville, FL ) about the prevalence of anxiety, the need for hybrid platforms, and the enduring importance of mystery.

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with the Rev. Dr. Adam Hilderbrandt ( First Methodist, Lawrenceville, GA ) about connecting with local schools, focusing on being Jesus in the community, and how First Lawrenceville aspires to put Lawrenceville First.

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Matt Adair ( Transformational Discipleship , Friendship Bible Church ) about the possibility of the deeper center, how people really change, and his hope to see churches filled with people who love like Jesus.

Executive Director Mark Ramsey speaks with Dr. Heath Carter ( Princeton Theological Seminary ) about the future of American democracy, polarization, and the historical connections between Christianity and the American working class.

Executive Director Mark Ramsey speaks with the Rev. Charles Johnson ( Pastors for Texas Children , Bread Fellowship ) about his cohort experiences with the Ministry Collaborative, how it can be difficult to build community , the importance of public education as a public trust, and how Genesis reminds us that every human being gets to name God's world.

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Terrence Smith ( Bolst Real Estate ) about the evolution of his call, his hope for more pastors in the pasture, and a startling number of acoustic guitars.

Program Director Adam Borneman follows up his earlier conversation with David Zahl ( Mockingbird Ministries ; Christ Episcopal Church, Charlottesville ) about the complicated and important nature of speaking about sin, his latest book , and the wisdom of Nick Cave.

Program Curator Jennifer Watley Maxell talks with the Rev. Sheila Beckford and Rev. Dr. Michelle Ledder about their collaboration, interrupting and dismantling racism, and how their book  presents real talk with real strategies in real time for real change.

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with the Rev. Carla Jones Brown ( Arch Street Presbyterian , Philadelphia) about the importance of doing what needs to be done today, the practice of contemplative activism, and how being old and cranky can lead to patience.

Executive Director Mark Ramsey speaks with the Rev. Carrie Graham ( The Church Lab ) about the growing sentiment against dialogue, her work with people who don't like church, and the emerging post-COVID yearning for something beyond ourselves.

In part two of this round table conversation, the Ministry Collaborative program staff (Adam Mixon, Ryan Bonfiglio, Jennifer Watley Maxell, Adam Borneman, and Mark Ramsey) talk about the importance of wilderness, the problem of making assumptions, and puncturing our bubbles of invincibility.

In part one of this round table conversation, the Ministry Collaborative program staff (Adam Mixon, Ryan Bonfiglio, Jennifer Watley Maxell, Adam Borneman, and Mark Ramsey) talk about orientation, disorientation, and reorientation, and the critical role that they have in different parts of our lives and our congregations.

Content Curator Adam Mixon speaks with the Rev. Dr. Tyshawn Gardner ( Samford University ) and and the Rev. Dr. Tom Long ( Candler School of Theology ) about the art of preaching, speaking truth to both the powerful and the powerless, and mining hope out of mountains of despair.