Future Christian

Spencer LaJoye shares why music isn’t the main point in church

Music isn't the main point in church, says singer and songwriter Spencer LaJoye, but churches need to decide what is. LaJoye joins the pod to talk about how music can be used for good in a church, and when it it's not. Spencer also shares advice for churches trying to become more inclusive, and what the one thing is they would change about music in church spaces.

Spencer LaJoye is a folk/pop singer songwriter, violinist, and vocal loop artist in Boston, MA, who believes everyone is made of the good stuff. A 2021 Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition winner, LaJoye (luh-JOY) makes music to tell the truth and return to their body as a queer person in recovery from American Christian evangelicalism. Delivering Broadway-esque melodies accompanied by a weathered dreadnought, their performances are equal parts confident quirk and elegant storytelling. The easiest way to support Spencer and stay connected is to join their community on Patreon.

The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

Dennis Sanders walks through the process of selling a building

So your church is struggling and maintaining an aging building is no longer feasible. What do you do next? Pastor Dennis Sanders shares about his own church's experience navigating this difficult decision. Dennis shares how the conversation started, what was the tipping point, liturgies for leaving, and what they plan to do with the proceeds. Through it all, Dennis shares why keeps him hopeful for his church and why they still want to try.

A native of Flint, Michigan, Dennis is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He received his bachelor's in journalism from Michigan State University and his master's of divinity from Luther Seminary.  He’s been a communications professional working for various nonprofits for over 20 years. From 2008 until 2013 he was the Associate Pastor at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Minneapolis.  Since 2013, he's been the Pastor at First Christian Church of St. Paul in Roseville, MN . He lives in Minneapolis with his husband, Daniel.

The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

 

Starting a progressive, mainline church with Jonah P. Overton

Church planting is the R & D arm of denominations, says pastor and church planter Jonah Overton. Having launched a new church, Jonah shares about the story of Zoa MKE Church and key aspects along the starting process. They also emphasize that success is not a reflection on a leader's faithfulness, encourage pastors and leaders to have prophetic imagination, and understand that something not working doesn't mean it's a failure.

Rev. Jonah P. Overton (they/them) is a community organizer, creator of the podcasts “Jonah & the Peacock” and “Christian Queeries,” and the lead pastor of Zao MKE Church in Milwaukee, WI. As a young queer and trans clergy person, Jonah has been called into ministry to build the church as queer space and organize communities and churches towards justice and liberation.

tiktok & instagram: @rev_jonah, @zaomke

 

The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

Michael Chan on Faithfulness in a Time of Collapse

How does one lead faithfully in a time of collapse? Michael Chan joins the pod to talk about an article he co-wrote with Dwight Zscheile. In this conversation, we talk about what inspired the article, the biblical precedent from the prophet Jeremiah on leading through collapse and dealing with denial, and knowing what are the right questions to ask. Chan also reminds church leaders that denominational collapse is not that same as the failure of the gospel. 

Dr. Michael Chan is executive director for faith and learning at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.  Prior to that, he was associate professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. He joined Luther Seminary after completing his Ph.D. at Emory University and a year of research and teaching at the University of Helsinki. He is a graduate of Luther Seminary (M.A. in biblical theology) and Pacific Lutheran University (B.A. in elementary education). As the executive director for faith and learning, Dr. Chan directs the Lorentzsen Center for Faith and Work and the Dovre Center for Faith and Learning, guides Concordia’s interfaith relationships, and oversees the work of Campus Ministry. Read the article we discussed here:

The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

Why Gather? with Martha Tatarnic

In many mainline church contexts, pastors and leaders often spend countless hours wishing things were different and worrying about what's next. Anglican Priest, author, and runner Martha Tatarnic proposes a different way, encouraging pastors and leaders to embrace "ultrarealism," a running philosophy that encourages one to focus on what's actually happening and embrace it. In our conversation, we talk about why ultrarealism isn't about giving up,  why an ultrareal church can't be anything other than an anti-Designer community, and what the big risk is in an ultrareal church.

Martha Tatarnic is the lead priest of St. George’s, a thriving downtown Anglican church in St. Catharines Ontario. Martha writes a regular blog for the Anglican Church of Canada, which can be found at medium.com. She is the author of The Living Diet:  A Christian Journey to Joyful Eating, an exploration of our relationship with food and our body through a Christian perspective and also her second book, Why Gather? The Hope and Promise of the Church.  Find out more about her at https://marthatatarnic.ca

The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

Jonathan Foster on the Path of Reconstruction

Having served in local churches his entire life, Jonathan Foster had a startling realization: most Christians don't love themselves. Seeing so many Christians struggling beneath the weight of shame and the assumption that God didn't like them any more than they liked himself, Foster believed there had to be a better way. In this podcast, we talk about Foster's journey led him down a path of deconstruction, but also reconstruction, as he realized that our only hope is love.

Jonathan Foster is an award-winning and amazon best-selling author. He recently received his doctorate through NorthWind Seminary. The author of two books, The Reconstuctionists and his dissertation turned book Theology of Consent: Mimetic Theory in an Open and Relational Universe. He's the founder of lovehaiti.org, has three children, and one life-long partner. You can find out more about him at jonathanfosteronline.com.

Social handles

twitter: jonathan_foster

podcast: jonathan_foster

patreon: jonathan_foster

The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

Freda Sampson shares about the Black Church

Forged in the furnace of U.S. segregation, the Black Church is the pillar of African American communities across the country. As such, it has a powerful testimony and incredible lessons that can be shared still today. Author and leader Freda Sampson joins the pod to talk about the history of the Black Church, what distinguishes Black Churches from other protestant churches, and what are the biggest challenges facing Black Churches today.

Freda G. Sampson is an advocate for equity, justice and radical inclusion.  She is entrepreneur, creative, and author. Her passion stems from growing up and observing her father, Rev. Dr. Frederick G. Sampson, II, a civil rights leader and pastor, fight for equality for all people. Witnessing that love in action has formed the direction of her personal and professional journey. A diversity and inclusion professional, Freda provides consulting, training and facilitation services to corporations, governmental agencies and organizations throughout Michigan and Canada on diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency.

Find more books on the MSU Bias Busters series here:

The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

Ryan Burge on Myths about Religion and Politics in America

Many of the things we think we know about religion and politics in America simply aren't true, says Ryan Burge, and he has the data to back it up. As a professor, researcher, and pastor Ryan Burge has spent years exploring and now debunking many common myths around Abortion, Born-again experiences, and the so-called "Nones." In this episode, we talk about some of the myths and what church leaders should understand instead about American culture.

Ryan P. Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. Author of numerous journal articles, he is the cofounder of and a frequent contributor to Religion in Public, a forum for scholars of religion and politics to make their work accessible to a general audience. Burge is a pastor in the American Baptist Church and is the author of The Nones and 20 Myths about Religion and Politics in America

The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

Freeing Congregational Mission with Hunter Farrell

Between the historical baggage of colonialist mission endeavors of the past and the consumer-oriented "selfie mission" focus of present day, many churches and church leaders find themselves at a loss when trying to figure out how practice honest and authentic mission in the way of Jesus. Author and veteran missionary Hunter Farrell joins the pod to talk about the what lessons can be learned from past mistakes, opportunities for companionship and mutual mission in the present, and ideas for pastors and churches trying to plan mission trips.

Hunter Farrell serves as the Director of the World Mission Initiative of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, having served 30 years as a Presbyterian mission co-worker in Democratic Republic of Congo and Peru, Area Coordinator and Director of World Mission for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Farrell earned his doctorate in cultural anthropology at the Pontifical Catholic University in Perú, and his M. Div. in Cross-Cultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. Farrell is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and married to Ruth Brand Farrell with whom he raised three children, now grown.

The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

Impolite conversations in the church with Brian Kaylor

In these days of increasing political polarization and hyper-partisanship in church, Brian Kaylor joins the show to talk about why he doesn't think pastors should be partisan, how it is possible to be a bi-partisan church, and how pastors and church leaders can foster health political conversations. Brian also shares why churchgoers are more likely to change churches than change their politics and encourages pastors to focus on what unites people other than their politics. 

Brian is an writer and expert on issues of religion, politics, and communication. He also hosts the award-winning podcast “Baptist Without An Adjective.” In addition to his work as Editor & President of Word&Way, his writings have been published by CNN, Houston Chronicle, Kansas City Star, Washington Post, and many other outlets. He is also the author of four books on religion and politics. Brian has a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Communication from the University of Missouri, and a B.A. in Communication and Christian Ministry from Southwest Baptist University. He previously served as Associate Director of Churchnet, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at James Madison University, Contributing Editor for Ethics Daily, and Pastor of Union Mound Baptist Church in Elkland, Missouri. He currently serves as chair of both the Communication Advisory Committee and the Resolutions Committee for the Baptist World Alliance.

The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.