Future Christian

Tod Bolsinger describes how to become a Tempered Leader

On an outing with his wife to a blacksmith shop, Tod Bolsinger realized that the very real challenging and laborious process he was working through to shape metal was a great metaphor for challenges and pressures the leaders must undergo to become what he calls the "tempered leader." Applying the blacksmithing process, in this interview, Bolsinger talks through the six steps to becoming a tempered leader by working, heating, holding, hammering, hewing, and tempering. 

Tod Bolsinger (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is a speaker, executive coach, former pastor, and author who serves as associate professor of leadership formation and senior fellow for the De Pree Center for Leadership at Fuller Seminary. A frequent speaker and consultant, he serves as an executive coach for corporate, nonprofit, educational, and church organizations in transformational leadership. For seventeen years, he was the senior pastor of San Clemente Presbyterian Church in San Clemente, California, after serving for ten years at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. 

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

Julian DeShazier talks marathoning and ministry

In our conversation with Rev. Julian “J.Kwest” DeShazier, a pastor, runner, and former marathoner, we talk about our unique calls to ministry (and marathoning), the sacrifice of our families, the toll that it takes on our body, mind, and spirit, how to find balance in ministry (and running), and knowing when to quit. 

As a national speaker, advocate and emcee, Julian “J.Kwest” DeShazier has appeared on ABC, FOX, NPR and Dr. Maya Angelou’s “Oprah & Friends” radio program. J.Kwest (jay-quest) is also an Emmy Award-winning musician. The Chicago native and graduate of Morehouse College and the University of Chicago is also pastor of University Church. DeShazier is associate director of the Office of Experiential Education at McCormick Theological Seminary and is a Leadership Greater Chicago fellow. 

See his original blog post here:

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

Steve Cuss talks about Managing Leadership Anxiety

In the interview, we talk with pastor and author Steve Cuss about Family Systems Theory, the trauma leaders have experienced over the last year, some of the tools available to help leaders manage their own anxiety and lead well, and how he enjoys helping leaders break long stuck patterns in themselves and their organizations.

Steve has a Master of Divinity from Emmanuel Christian Seminary where he focused on Hebrew Scriptures and Family Systems. Since 2005, Steve has served as Lead Pastor of Discovery Christian Church in Broomfield, Colorado.  Steve grew up in Perth, Western Australia and is married with two sons and a daughter.

His book: Managing Leadership Anxiety         Capable Life

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

Lamar Hardwick on Disability and the Church

In this podcast interview, Lamar Hardwick shares a theology of the body, talks about the real purpose behind Jesus’ healings, gives important lessons from the Parable of the Sower, and shares how the image of communion and the table present an amazing opportunity for us to live out our theology, from his book Disability and the Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion.

Lamar Hardwick has a DMin from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and is known as "the autism pastor." He is the lead pastor at Tri-Cities Church in East Point, Georgia. He is the author of Epic Church and the best-selling I Am Strong: The Life and Journey of an Autistic Pastor. He provides workshops, seminars, and consults with local churches and faith-based organizations on creating environments for people with autism. He also provides mentoring services for teens and young adults on the autism spectrum. He lives in Newnan, Georgia, with his wife, Isabella, and their three children.

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

Michael Shepherd explains the Homogenous Unit Principle.

In this latest episode of the podcast, Michael Shepherd explains the “homogenous unit principle,” talks about this guy named Don McGavran, and shares his thoughts on why the so-called “Church-growth” movement has likely run out of gas and needs to be re-examined completely.

Michael is an adjunct prof of intercultural studies and political science at Hope International University in Fullerton, CA. He did his graduate studies in community development and nonprofit management at Hope and then intercultural studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. His background is in nonprofit management and community organizing, and is the Minister of Social Action at First Christian Church of Fullerton, in Orange County, CA.

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

Reegie Bunch talks Abolition Theology

In our conversation, Reegie talks more about Abolitionist Theology, how his passion for freedom and abolition drives his work, and what he is working on right now to bring about Black liberation. Reegie is the Amos Project Organizer for the northeast area of Ohio where he builds power with faith leaders across Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, and Erie Counties. He came home to Ohio in 2020 after years of organizing in Nashville, TN and Los Angeles, CA.

Rev. Reegie Bunch has a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt and a BA in Theology and Bible from American Baptist College. A military veteran, Reegie is committed to the liberation of Black folks and Black communities. Reegie recently launched Dignity & Divinity with the help of the National Benevolent Association, an abolitionist movement rooted in community power towards the goal of achieving transformative justice and healing justice for all incarcerated people, their families, and communities.

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

Chris Davies talks about what's next

Chris shares what she has been doing to help churches during this time, what the biggest challenges they are experiencing, and what advice and ideas she is offering to churches post-Covid. 

Rev. Dr. Chris S. Davies is Team Leader of Faith Education, Innovation, and Formation, Justice and Local Church Ministries at the national setting for the United Church of Christ. In her position, Chris connects with faith leaders across the country and has served with churches at the local, regional, and national levels. She is a Connecticut native and a Cleveland transplant. She loves the church deeply and is committed to finding ways to continue to bring the gospel into the world. She attended Smith College for her undergrad work and Andover Newton for both a Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry.

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

Doug Powe describes the Adept Church

Douglas Powe, author of the book The Adept Church, talks about how churches can move from slow and stagnant to nimble and adept. In the podcast, Doug shares important thoughts and insights from his book, especially how churches can move from stagnation to transformation.

Douglas Powe, Jr. is an ordained elder in the Baltimore/Washington Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. He is the Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership and professor of evangelism and of urban ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary. Powe is committed to helping urban congregations and congregations in transitional areas to flourish through community partnering. His research interest are church revitalization, urban theology and Methodist theology. He holds an MDiv from Candler School of Theology and a PhD in systematic theology from Emory University.

Buy his book from Cokesbury or Amazon!

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

Support the Pod here!

Mark Elsdon on why We Aren’t Broke

Rev. Mark Elsdon joins the pod to talk about his new book, We Aren’t Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry. He talks about how the book was inspired by his own church’s journey from decline and decay into vital mission and ministry by uncovering hidden resources and strategically utilizing them to advance mission. Mark also shares ideas about how we can begin to see these resources for ourselves and how we can overcome the scarcity mindset.

Mark Elsdon lives and works at the intersection of money and meaning as an entrepreneur, pastor, consultant, and speaker. He is cofounder of RootedGood, which seeks to create more good in the world through social innovation; executive director at Pres House on the University of Wisconsin's Madison campus; and owner of Elsdon Strategic Consulting. Mark is president of the board of directors of Working Capital for Community Needs (WCCN) an impact investing fund that provides micro-finance for the working poor in Latin America.

Mark has a BA in Psychology from UC Berkeley, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin School of Business. Mark is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, USA, and lives in Madison, Wisconsin with his spouse and two daughters. He is an avid cyclist and considers it a good year when he rides more miles on his bike than he drives in his car.

Mark is donating 100% of author proceeds from the sale of We Aren’t Broke to nonprofit organizations engaging in creative solutions to address the “wicked” problems he writes about in the book.

Get a copy of Mark’s book here:

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

Support the Pod here!

Tim Morey on Planting a Church Without Losing Your Soul

In the interview, Tim walks through the nine important questions he asks the perspective church planter to consider. For anyone who as ever considered starting a church, leading a church through revitalization, or even whether or not to enter pastoral ministry these are questions you need to consider beforehand—lest it cost you your soul!

Tim Morey is the author of Planting a Church Without Losing Your Soul: Nine Questions for the Spiritually Formed Pastor. Tim is founding and lead pastor at Life Covenant Church in Torrance, California. He serves as a church planting coach for the Evangelical Covenant Church and as an adjunct professor at Fuller Theological Seminary.

 

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

Support the Pod here!