Future Christian

Craig Greenfield on the importance of cultural understanding in church planting and transformation

Craig Greenfield joins the show to talk about his journey of unpacking his cultural baggage and seeing the gospel through new eyes while living in Cambodia. He emphasizes the importance of communal practices in his faith, particularly in his Christian community in Vancouver. Craig also discusses his book "Subversive Mission" and reframes the roles of apostles, prophets, and evangelists as catalysts, allies, and seekers. He highlights the importance of cultural understanding and local ownership in community transformation. 

Social entrepreneur, activist and author, Craig Greenfield is passionate about God’s heart for the world’s most vulnerable. Craig is the founder and director of Alongsiders International, a fast-growing movement of young Christians reaching the world’s poorest children. A storyteller and inspirational speaker, Craig’s passion is to amplify the voice of the poor, communicating God’s heart for the least in churches, conferences and colleges around the world. Craig is happily married to Nay, a Cambodian-New Zealander and they have two young children: Jayden and Micah.

 

Future Christian is supported by:

Presenting Sponsor:

Phillips Seminary Join conversations that expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitment and give insights to how we can minister in a changing world. 

 

Supporting Sponsors:

I Help Pastors Get Jobs: Use code 'futurechristian'

Torn Curtain Arts is a non-profit ministry that works with worship leaders, creatives, and churches to help avoid burnout, love their work, and realize their full creative potential.

Marcia McFee on how worship design and ritual artistry can shape the future of the church

In times of uncertainty and change, we already have everything within us to transform and adapt, says Dr. Marcia McFee, a professor, worship designer, author, preacher, and ritual artist. In this episode, Dr. McFee talks about the connection between worship and justice and her concept of a "metamorphosis moment" in the post-pandemic transition. Dr. McFee emphasizes the importance of curiosity, imagination, and adaptability in shaping the future of the church. She also explores the need for flexible worship options, reimagining church spaces, and integrating theology and symbolism into physical and virtual sanctuaries. 

Dr. Marcia McFee is a professor, worship designer, author, preacher and ritual artist. Drawing on a first career in professional dance and musical theater and equipped with a Master's in Theology and a PhD in Liturgical Studies and Ethics, she understands the role of any worship artist in the church as that of creating extraordinary portals through which communities journey with the Spirit. She is the author of The Worship Workshop, Spiritual Adventures in the Snow, and most recently Think Like a Filmmaker: Sensory-Rich Worship for Unforgettable Messages. Find out more about her Worship Design Studio liturgical resources, Elevation Retreat, and Ireland pilgrimage.

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

 

Future Christian is supported by:

Presenting Sponsor:

Phillips Seminary Join conversations that expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitment and give insights to how we can minister in a changing world. 

 

Supporting Sponsors:

I Help Pastors Get Jobs: Use code 'futurechristian'

Torn Curtain Arts is a non-profit ministry that works with worship leaders, creatives, and churches to help avoid burnout, love their work, and realize their full creative potential.

Geoff Mitchell on Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of Starting New Churches in the Christian Church (DOC)

Geoff Mitchell joins the pod to discuss his experiences in leading and guiding churches, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination. Geoff emphasizes the importance of creating vibrant and transformative churches that are deeply rooted in the power of the gospel. He also explores the unique aspects of leading churches within this denomination and how they contribute to the overall mission of spreading the message of Christ.

Geoff Mitchell is Senior Minister at Lindenwood Christian Church, where his goal is to help people discover a life that does more than leave them exhausted and disillusioned. A native of Kentucky, Geoff grew up on the Mississippi River in Keokuk, Iowa. He spent 13 years in Texas, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Master of Divinity from Texas Christian University. He is currently working on his dissertation to complete to his Doctor of Ministry.  He has served churches in Fort Worth and Keokuk. He has also started two new congregations, in Aledo, Texas and suburban Chicago.

As a note to listeners, this episode was recorded live, in person at the conference hall of the General Assembly of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ.

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

 

Future Christian is supported by:

Presenting Sponsor:

Phillips Seminary Join conversations that expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitment and give insights to how we can minister in a changing world. 

 

Supporting Sponsors:

I Help Pastors Get Jobs: Use code 'futurechristian'

Torn Curtain Arts is a non-profit ministry that works with worship leaders, creatives, and churches to help avoid burnout, love their work, and realize their full creative potential.

Live from General Assembly: Exploring the Future of the Christian Church (DOC)

In this special episode of the Future Christian Podcast, recorded live from the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Loren Richmond Jr is joined by guest Dennis Sanders to delve into the current state of the denomination and the unique challenges faced by local congregations.

Together, they explore the pressing need to support and sustain existing congregations, recognizing the vital role they play in today's society. The discussion also delves into recent updates to the denomination's bylaws, highlighting the importance of staying informed and engaged with the evolving landscape of the church.

Dennis and Loren also touch on the topic of incorporating pop songs into worship services, examining the potential benefits and challenges of bridging contemporary culture with traditional practices. They emphasize the significance of prayer and theology in guiding congregations towards a deeper understanding of their faith and the role of the church in advancing the gospel.

Throughout the conversation, the importance of dialogue, relationships, and understanding is underscored as essential tools for navigating divisive issues within the church. Loren expresses his concern about declining numbers and the need for a compelling narrative to revitalize the denomination, sparking a thought-provoking reflection on the future of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

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

 

Future Christian is supported by:

Presenting Sponsor:

Phillips Seminary Join conversations that expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitment and give insights to how we can minister in a changing world. 

 

Supporting Sponsors:

I Help Pastors Get Jobs: Use code 'futurechristian'

Torn Curtain Arts is a non-profit ministry that works with worship leaders, creatives, and churches to help avoid burnout, love their work, and realize their full creative potential.

The Most Impactful Conversations from Season 13

In this episode of the Future Christian Podcast, Loren Richmond Jr. welcomes guest Martha Titanic, an Anglican priest and author. They discuss various topics including the importance of diverse perspectives, the role of social media in engaging younger generations, the tension between community care and church growth, and the need for discernment and prayer when navigating the future. 

Throughout the episode, Loren and Martha mentioned several impactful conversations they had with various guests. From the insights shared by authors like Ferguson and Packard to practical advice on bi-vocational ministry from Eric Hoke, it's clear that the Future Christian Podcast is a treasure trove of wisdom and inspiration. The episode ends with a powerful message of hope and the transformative power of the gathered body of Christ. Despite the challenges within the church and the polarization in society, Loren and Martha encourage us to have faith and work

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

Loren Richmond Jr. is a mission-driven leader with a unique combination of experience in church, nonprofits and affordable housing, holding an MBA with a Nonprofit emphasis and a Master of Divinity. As a servant leader, Loren possesses a calm, focused, and credible demeanor that empowers staff, along with a systems-driven and efficient approach to managing operations, fostering productivity even in heavy workloads. Loren's lifelong commitment to learning and diverse skill-sets enables visionary solutions to current and future organizational challenges, while his entrepreneurial approach has transformed organizations.

https://ihelppastorsgetjobs.thinkific.com/ Use code 'futurechristian'

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

 

Eric Hoke on why the Future of the Church is Bivocational and Co-Vocational Leaders

With declining church attendance and continued budget tightening, more and more pastors are struggling to earn what they need through a church job alone. During the conversation, Eric Hoke provides valuable insights on career paths that pastors can explore outside of the church. He advises pastors to tailor their resumes to the job they are applying for, highlighting their transferable skills and experiences. Eric emphasizes the importance of co-vocational ministry and hopes to see more churches mobilized and maximized to go beyond mission together.  As a co-vocational church planter himself, Eric understands the challenges and opportunities that come with balancing ministry and a secular job. He encourages pastors to embrace the co-vocational model and leverage their skills and experiences to make a positive impact in both the church and the marketplace. 

Eric Hoke is a Covocational Church Planter and Proven Marketplace Professional specializing in Staffing & Corporate Training. He has worked with thousands of eager career changers from around the world including Church Planters, Missional Church Leaders and Pastors transitioning from ministry to break into the Corporate World to sustain their ministries.  With a 15+ years of ministry experience, a Masters of Arts in Biblical Literature and a 3 year fellowship with Redeemer City to City, Eric understands Pastors and what it takes to lead a church in the modern world. A sought after international speaker, he has trained over 100K+ professionals from brands like Uber, American Express, Moderna, and Salesforce and is widely regarded in the corporate world. His insights have been featured on podcasts, online and in print on platforms like Relevant Magazine, NewBreed Training and his NYC Church Plant story is featured in the book Next Wave: Discovering the 21st Century Church.  As a certified Master Coach, he can help any Pastor with the problem of how-to-rebrand confusion and break into the Corporate World to supplement their income and build a ministry of sustainability for their families. 

https://ihelppastorsgetjobs.thinkific.com/ use code 'futurechristian' 

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

 

Juan Sarmiento on The Importance of Institutions in an Anti-Institutional Era

Reverend Dr. Juan Sarmiento, Executive Presbyter of the San Fernando Presbytery, joins the podcast to talk about his role and perspective on clergy burnout. He also discusses his faith journey and spiritual practices, the challenges of being a clergy member, and the importance of recognizing the value of institutions. The conversation emphasizes the need for humility, openness to new ideas, and respectful dialogue within the church.

Juan J. Sarmiento serves as executive presbyter of the San Fernando Presbytery. In his role, Juan provides pastoral and strategic leadership to a growing network of congregations and ministries associated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) in the Northwest region of Los Angeles. Born in Venezuela and ordained in Brazil, he has been in ministry and nonprofit leadership for more than three decades. Juan's graduate studies include programs at Fuller, San Francisco, Columbia, and Louisville theological seminaries. He has been active in helping strengthen church and leadership development movements in four continents.

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

Everything you think you know about discipleship is wrong, with Jessie Cruickshank

What if the goal of the Christian life isn't how we behave or even how we believe, but how we love? In this episode, Jessie Cruickshank joins the show to talk about discipleship, head-knowledge vs. heart-knowledge, and why facts don't produce transformation. In the conversation, she shares why churches needed to be emphasizing relational discipleship making and community building in order to create lasting disciples of Jesus.

Jessie Cruickshank holds an M.Ed. from Harvard in mind, brain, and education. She is an ordained minister and a nationally recognized expert in disciplemaking and the neuroscience of transformation. She has spent two decades applying neuroeducation research to discipleship, ministry training, experiential education, and organization development. Jessie is respected globally as a leader in missiological thought and a church and denominational consultant and is the founder of [Who]ology. Jessie lives and adventures with her family in Colorado.

Previous Episode:

https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/jessie-cruickshank/

 

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

 

David Anderson Hooker on the power of narrative in shaping your church’s future

In this episode, Rev. Dr. David Anderson Hooker, founder and principal of Counter Stories Consulting, joins the pod to discuss the power of narrative. Dr. Hooker shares his background in mediation, conflict transformation, peace building, and trauma healing, and how he uses narrative approaches to envision a shared future that incorporates everyone. The conversation also touches on the importance of understanding the root problem and creating a context for healthier habits, as well as examining the narratives and stories that shape congregational spaces. 

David Anderson Hooker PhD, JD, M. Div. is the Founder and Principal Narrator for CounterStories Consulting, llc. CounterStories engages as a conversation and visioning partner with international, national and local civil society organizations, religious groups, organization leaders, and social entrepreneurs to craft narratives of their preferred futures and align organizational structures and internal practices in furtherance of their constructed narratives. For almost 40 years, Hooker has served as mediator, restorative circle steward, facilitator, community builder, scholar, and advocate. He is a graduate of Morehouse College (BS); Washington University in St. Louis (AM); University of Massachusetts in Amherst (MPH & MPA); The Emory University School of Law (JD); The Candler School of Theology at Emory University (M. Div); and University of Tilburg in Tilburg, Netherlands (Ph.D.). Hooker is also an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC). In all of his preparation, he still believes his best professional training is as an understudy in community theatre and as a student of urban partner dances such as Detroit Urban Ballroom, Chicago Stepping, and the Cleveland Hand dance.

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

Matt Syrdal talks about Re-Wilding Christianity and Pursuing Passion Projects in the Church

Is managing the institution wearing you out as a pastor or church leader? Does Christianity feel too isolated for earth and creation? In this episode, we talk with Matt Syrdal, a pastor and spiritual innovator on the challenges of maintaining institutions and the importance pursuing passion projects as an opportunity for pastors to live fully into their calling and be visionary for the future church. Syrdal also talks about his eco-spirituality projects and why he believes Christianity needs to be "re-wilded" toward a more experiential and mystical faith. 

Rev. Matt Syrdal is a father of two and an ordained pastor living near the front range of the ancestral Rocky Mountains in Denver, Colorado. He has been influenced by the Christian mystical tradition, Jungian psychology, and the visionary lineage of Animas Valley Institute as a certified nature-based human development guide, currently in-training as a Soul Initiation Guide. In 2014 Matt founded Church of Lost Walls, a Denver Wild Church seeking to step across the threshold into a community based on sacred-reciprocity, relationship with the watershed, wild sacramental worship, and a commitment to ecological education and justice. In 2018 Matt co-founded Seminary of the Wild, an eco-ministry leadership and movement hub for a wild spirituality. Matt is has been a contributing writer for Progressive Christianity and currently writing a book called “Mythic Christ.” In 2022, Matt began his life’s work developing a Mystery School and launching a yearlong eco-depth training program called “Awakening Mythic Imagination.” Matt  has been mentoring women and men through dreamwork, deep imagery, leadership coaching, ceremony and ritual, and personal mythwork as channels for accessing the deep Self and living with greater authenticity and purpose in service to the world. 

Learn more about Mythic Christ Mystery School at www.mythicchrist.com

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