Future Christian

Riley Pickett describes Fury & Grace

Lent is often misunderstood as simply being about giving up meat, chocolate, or some other pleasure in the name of spiritual growth. Rev. Riley Pickett joins the pod to talk about why she loves Lent and why believes Lent is so much more than just simple fasts and diets. In the interview, Riley talks about the beauty of Lent, how she helped bring together the book Fury & Grace, and how churches and faith communities can use the book to cultivate communal spiritual practices and growth during the season of Lent, considering the perspectives of the marginalized and often forgotten in prison.

Rev. Riley Pickett (she/her) is an ordained Presbyterian (USA) minister currently serving as Interim Pastor for Hagar’s Community Church, a congregation planted inside of the largest women’s prison in Washington State. She holds her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and is passionate about creating worshipping spaces with folks who have been historically excluded from the Church, especially queer and trans people. She is happiest by a body of water, on a mountain, or when surrounded by books and her people. Get a copy of the book here: 

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

Sustaining Grace - with Scott J. Hagley, Karen Rohrer and Michael Gehrling

The biggest challenge to new church start leaders is sustainability. But, these problems are not for church planters to solve alone says Scott Hagley, Karen Rohrer, and Michael Gehrling, editors of the book Sustaining Grace: Innovative Ecosystems for New Faith Communities. In our conversation, we talk about the book, why judicatories ned church planters even if they don't become self-sustaining, and why the metric of "sustainability" needs to be interrogated and cast aside.

Scott J Hagley is Associate Professor of Missiology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He is the author of Eat What is Set Before You: A Missiology of the Congregation in Context.

Karen Rohrer is the director of the Center for Adaptive and Innovative Ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Before coming to Pittsburgh, she was an organizing co-pastor at Beacon, a new faith community in Philadelphia.

Michael Gehrling serves the Presbyterian Church (USA) as an associate for the 1001 New Worshipping Communities initiative. Before coming to this role, he was an organizing co-pastor of the Upper Room, a new faith community in Pittsburgh.

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

Lori Tapia talks about when inclusivity excludes

Inclusion often comes at the cost of excluding others, says Rev. Lori Tapia. In the interview, Lori talk about understanding church beyond simply faith development, but an extension of everyday life and family, encouraging churches to work together in new ways, highlighting the ways Hispanic churches are modeling these practices already and can be an example for predominately white churches. Lori also shares some of the things she's learned during this time of pandemic and offers some advice for churches moving foward.

Rev. Lori Tapia serves as the National Pastor for Hispanic Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US and Canada, the first woman and first Mexican-American elected to this position. Additionally, Pastor Lori is a church planter, an author, a community activist and a public speaker. Lori serves with a passion for relevantly sharing Jesus, for empowering others, and for building and maintaining strong and faithful relationships, and healthy communities of faith. Lori received her Master in Divinity from Claremont School of Theology, receiving the prestigious Church of the Good Shepherd Preaching Award and the Disciples Seminary Foundation Award. Lori has over 25 years’ experience in community, family and social service programming.

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

JJ Peterson talks marketing for churches

Churches and nonprofits often struggle trying to figure out how to "market" themselves, often lamenting that they are the "best kept secret" in town. Marketing expert JJ Peterson joins the pod to talk about the four different categories of nonprofits, how each kind should market itself,  and why non-profits should market and message like a for-profit. JJ also talks about the how the Storybrand framework, and how progressive churches can do a better job getting their message out.

Since 2013, Dr. J.J. Peterson has used the StoryBrand Framework to help thousands of organizations clarify their message in order to grow their business. He holds a PhD in Communication and has spent the last 20 years practicing and teaching communication theory. J.J. has studied C.S. Lewis in Oxford, debated theology with filmmakers at the Sundance Film Festival, directed a documentary, served in marketing and PR for two multinational non-profit organizations, served as a communication professor, and has spoken to thousands of people about creating a clear message. As the Sr. Director of StoryBrand, J.J. travels around the world facilitating StoryBrand workshops and keynotes, helping people grow their business. 

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

Nick Warnes talks progressive church planting

Moving through Covid and into the future, a key question church leaders must figure out is what church planting will look like in the days ahead. Nick Warnes, leader of the Cyclical Inc, a church planting movement, joins the pod to talk about how Covid has changed the nature of church planting, how we solve the challenges of financial sustainability, and what he sees as the future of church planting. 

Nicholas Warnes (Masters of Divinity, Fuller Theological Seminary, Emphasis in Worship Theology and Art) is the Founder and Executive Director of Cyclical.  Nick is also a recognized speaker on church planting, coach for New Worshiping Communities with the Presbyterian Church USA, and is the chair of the board of the Church Planting Program at Fuller Theological Seminary where he is also an adjunct professor. Nick lives with his wife, Whitney, and son, Lee, in Los Angeles, CA. Nick co-edited Faithful Innovation: Beginning a Conversation for a Post-Covid Church, and has a new book Deconstructing Church Planting. Find the book and download a free chapter and free mini course at Cyclical Publishing. 

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

 

 

Heather Thompson Day on when It’s Not Your Turn

Have you ever found yourself outwardly celebrating the big accomplishment of a friend, but inwardly bemoaning that you haven't reached your own goals and dreams? Heather Thompson Day, author, speaker, and professor, shares her own experiences wrestling with these feelings and talks about what inspired her new book, It's Not Your Turn. In our conversation, Heather talks about the challenges of social media and instant gratification, committing to the journey, and why maintaining our integrity is "all we have in life."

Dr. Heather Thompson Day is an interdenominational speaker and has been a contributor for Religion News Service, Christianity Today, Newsweek and the Barna Group. She is also the host of Viral Jesus, a podcast with Christianity Today. Heather is an Associate Professor of Communication at Andrews University. She is passionate about supporting women, and runs an online community called I’m That Wife which has over 200k followers.  Heather’s writing has been featured on outlets like the Today Show, and the National Communication Association. She has been interviewed by BBC Radio Live and has been featured in Forbes.  She believes her calling is to stand in the gaps of our churches for young people. She is the author of 7 books; including It’s Not Your Turn, and Confessions of a Christian Wife. She resides in Michigan, with her husband, Seth Day, and their three children, London, Hudson, and Sawyer Day. Connect with Heather on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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

Jose Martinez and the power of story

The power of story--especially sharing your story and hearing the stories of others--is both profound and sacred. Jose Martinez, creator of the StoryWagen joins the pod to talk about what the StoryWagen is, how it came to be, and how it impacts people. As a leader in new church ministry strategies, Jose also gives ideas for how church can incorporate more story-telling into their worship experiences and it he sees the future of the church gather as being less focused on sermons and centered more around shared story-telling.

Jose Martinez serves as the Associate Minister of New Church Ministry within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Additionally, he is co-planter of Multi Nation Christian Church, which is the largest and only Haitian Ministry in the Midwest for the Disciples of Christ and along with planting MissioKC Church. Co-vocationally, he is an endorsed Protestant Chaplain, at the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph, Missouri and a chaplain with Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.  

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

 

Loren Richmond Jr takes some time to share his story

We turn the mike around this episode and talk to the host of the show, Loren Richmond Jr! Interviewed by Paul Romig-Leavitt, the intro voice and one of the producers of the show, Loren and talks about his church planting experience, why he resonates with Eeyore, and what makes him tick.

Loren is a pastor, podcaster, and social entrepreneur. Currently serving as a hospital chaplain, Loren is passionate about leading, serving, and creating to help churches better share the radical love and welcome of God's love made known in Jesus with their communities.

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

Shane Claiborne talks guns and peacemaking

Shane Claiborne joins the show to talk guns and peacemaking. In the episode, we talk about gun idolatry in American, the reckoning we still have to face due to guns, and whether moving towards a way of peace is even possible. Shane also powerfully juxtaposes guns and the cross of Christ, pointing out that each represent two far different versions of power. 

Shane Claiborne is a prominent speaker, activist, and best-selling author. Shane worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta and founded The Simple Way in Philadelphia. He heads up Red Letter Christians, a movement of folks who are committed to living "as if Jesus meant the things he said." Shane is a champion for grace which has led him to jail advocating for the homeless, and to places like Iraq and Afghanistan to stand against war. Now grace fuels his passion to end the death penalty and help stop gun violence. Shane’s books include Jesus for President, Red Letter Revolution, and his newest book, Beating Guns, among many others. 

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

Stephen Lewis and Matthew Wesley Williams describe Another Way

Are you discerning your own purpose, accompanying others on their path, or leading organizational change? Stephen Lewis and Matthew Wesley Williams, authors of the book Another Way (with Dori Baker) talk about engaging wholeheartedly in profound change and learning to lead in a way that is deeply connected to your inner well-being as well as your communities of accountability.

Stephen Lewis is the president of the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE), which focuses on cultivating a new generation of Christian leaders. He is also the creator of DO GOOD X, a social good accelerator for diverse Christian social entrepreneurs. Stephen is an ordained minister with more than fifteen years of experience in corporate and nonprofit leadership and strategy, organizational and program development, and group facilitation. His interest lies at the intersection of leadership, vocation, and leading change. He is passionate about helping the next generation of diverse leaders discover their purpose, passion and calling to make the world a better place.

Matthew Wesley Williams is the 11th President of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), a historically Black ecumenical graduate theological school, located in the heart of Atlanta, GA. Williams is a recognized executive in the field of theological education who has built national programs and partnerships among top-level leaders to advance opportunities for institutional change, faculty development, doctoral education, leadership formation, young adult vocational discernment, diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.

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