Future Christian

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.

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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.

Thom Schultz on When God Left the Building

Year after year, thousands of churches across America are closing. Churches that were once the heart and soul of their communities are now shrinking both in size and influence, leading author and filmmaker Thom Schultz to try to figure out why. The creator of the film, When God Left the Building, Thom joins the pod to talk about the spiritual malaise, refusal to change, and an irrelevance to modern life that doom so many churches.  Thom also shares some signs of life and hope for fresh expressions of church and ministry. 

Thom Schultz is an author, filmmaker, publisher and innovator in resources for churches. He is the director of the documentary feature film “When God Left the Building.” He’s the co-author, along with his wife Joani, of many books, including Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church Anymore, The One Thing, and Don’t Just Teach . . . Reach. And his blog is called Holy Soup. Thom founded the international multimedia company Group Publishing in 1974, and continues to serve as its president. Group publishes books, Bibles and educational resources for churches and Christians around the world.

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

Jason Porterfield wants you to Fight Like Jesus

In these times of contentious struggles over important issues, how can we fight like Jesus? Author and peacemaker Jason Porterfield joins the show to talk about fighting with means that are consistent with the way of peace, the importance of speaking truth to power but listening with humility, and how to fight like Jesus in an age of Christian Nationalism. Jason also shares his passion for cultivating God’s shalom wherever it is painfully absent and helping churches embrace their peacemaking vocation.

Jason Porterfield  was a founding member of the Servants team in Vancouver, started a new team in Indonesia, and directed operations in North America through 2015. Jason holds a masters in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and is the author of Fight Like Jesus, a groundbreaking book that equips readers with practical peacemaking skills as it examines how Jesus waged peace on each day of Holy Week. Today, you’ll find Jason living in his riskiest location yet: next door to his in-laws.

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

The Holy and the Hybrid with Ryan Panzer

Covid-19 accelerated the digital reformation for the church as countless ministries were forced to re-evaluate and re-examine their strategies and methods around online ministry. Author and church leader Ryan Panzer encourages Christian communities to think like a reformer when planning what's next for digital ministry. In this conversation, Ryan talks about digital values, practices that must be preserved from before and during the pandemic, and how to make hybrid ministry sustainable.

Ryan Panzer is the author of “Grace and Gigabytes: Being Church in a Tech-Shaped Culture” and the forthcoming "The Holy and the Hybrid: Navigating the Church's Digital Reformation." Ryan has spent his career in the worlds of church leadership and technology. He received his M.A. from Luther Seminary while simultaneously working for Google. Ryan serves as a learning and leadership development professional in the technology industry and as a speaker and writer on digital technology in the church. Ryan also serves as the Resident Theologian at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Madison, WI where he lives with his wife and two children. For more writings and resources, visit www.ryanpanzer.com. 

 

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

Lorenzo Lebrija wants you to learn How To Try

In many churches, innovation and experimentation is avoided, often due to a fear of failure. Author and Episcopal Priest Lorenzo Lebrija joins the pod to talk about Design Thinking, why frameworks can be helpful in church contexts, and why failing is okay. Lebrija believes that God rewards faithfulness, not success and encourages leaders to examine their goals rather than just aiming to get people in the seats!

The Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija is the Chief Innovation Officer of Virginia Theological Seminary and the founding director of TryTank Experimental Lab, an action laboratory for church innovation. Prior to launching TryTank, Fr. Lorenzo was the Chief Development Officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. He also served as the Pastor on behalf of the Bishop at St. John's Episcopal Church in San Bernardino, CA, and as priest associate at St. Athanasius Episcopal Church at the Cathedral Center of St. Paul in Los Angeles. He studied at the General Theological Seminary in New York City where he earned his Master of Divinity degree. His book How to Try is available by print or audio.

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

 

Faithful AntiRacism with Christina Barland Edmondson

Growing up as a child, Christina Edmondson believed there were not that many white Christians in America, because the people she saw couldn't be connected to the Jesus she knew. In the years since, her passion for following the way of Jesus and bringing love and justice to racial dynamics in America has shaped her work. In this conversation, we talk about why talking about racism is not a "distraction" from the gospel, why common memory is crucial for forming community, and how to have a trauma-informed mission strategy. 

Christina Barland Edmondson is a higher education instructor, organizational consultant, and co-host of the Truth's Table podcast. She is the coauthor of Faithful Antiracism and has served in a variety of roles in higher education including as the Dean for Intercultural Student Development at Calvin University. She is also a certified Cultural Intelligence facilitator, public speaker, mental health therapist, and a consultant in the areas of ethics, equity, and Christian leadership development. Christina holds a PhD in counseling psychology from Tennessee State University, an MS degree in family therapy from the University of Rochester, and a bachelor's degree in sociology from Hampton University. Her writing has been seen and referenced in a variety of outlets including Essence.com, YourBlackWorld.com, and Gospel Today magazine.

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

Caleb Lines proclaims the Great Digital Commission

While the Covid-19 pandemic forced many churches to join the digital revolution, many have failed to accept the "Great Digital Commission." Believing that embracing social media can be a catalyst for church growth and transformation, Caleb Lines joins to the show to talk about the importance of evaluating vision and mission, why branding is more than just trendy graphics, and why not everything you do at your church needs to be replicated online also.

Rev. Dr. Caleb J. Lines is Senior Minister of University Christian Church in San Diego. Additionally, he is the Co-Executive Director of Progressive Christianity.org and is the Co-Host of the podcast The Moonshine Jesus Show. Caleb has a passion for pursuing social justice for the marginalized, demonstrating the Good News of God’s radically inclusive love, and proclaiming a relevant message for today’s ever-changing world. Caleb is the author of The Great Digital Commission: Embracing Social Media for Church Growth and Transformation His writing has been featured in The Nation Magazine, Disciples News Service, Chalice Press, The Christian Left, The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, The Center for Prophetic Imagination, the Convergence Leadership Project, and Sojourners. Caleb has a D.Min from Duke Divinity and a M.Div from Yale. 

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