Future Christian

Rohadi Nagassar on how your church can Thrive

Everyone seems to be focused on the same thing, trying to re-vitalize and re-charge declining churches. But what if everything we're trying is emblematic of the decline? Author and church-planter Rohadi Nagassar joins the pod to talk about why common answers to church decline are Christendom-centric, the problem with seeking answers from "exceptional" churches, and why he believes churches need to find allies from within God's kingdom, not simply the same denomination. Rohadi also talks about how to protect yourself as a leader when risk-takers are often "left outside to freeze."

Rohadi writes and speaks on the topics of decolonizing, liberation, and deconstructing western Christianity. Listen to his podcast: Faith in a Fresh Vibe. He has planted two churches including an inner-city multi-ethnic expression called Cypher Church. He has also written extensively in the areas of missions and church leadership including his book, Thrive. Ideas to lead the church in post-Christendom. Rohadi’s latest book, When We Belong. Reclaiming Christianity on the Margins, from Herald Press. He lives in Canada, on Treaty 7 Lands, otherwise known as Calgary, and holds a Business Certificate from Mount Royal College, a BA in Economics from the University of Calgary, and a Master of Divinity from Canadian Theological Seminary.

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

 

Dawn Weaks on Breaking through to big change in your church

"Where does it hurt? And how can we help?" These are the words that led a small, dying church in Texas to Breakthrough! In this conversation with Pastor Dawn Weaks, we talk about being the leaders the church needs, how to guide a church through moving locations, and knowing what stuff to hang on to and what to leave behind. Dawn also talks about how the crisis of the pandemic and the flurry of the move gave momentum for change and new life. A must-listen for small-church pastors trying to lead growth and revitalization in church.

Rev. Dawn Weaks is the author of Breakthrough:Trusting God for Big Change In Your Church and Travel Guide to Christian Faith along with many other published articles and sermons. Her B.A. is from Baylor University, her M.Div. from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, and her D.Min from St. Paul School of Theology. She was ordained in the Southern Baptist church before becoming a Disciples of Christ minister. She has pastored FCC Miami, Texas, FCC Rowlett, Texas, Raytown Christian Church of Missouri, and currently is co-pastor at Connection Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) along with her husband, Joe. Connection is the third century-old congregation she has led to discover bold, new purpose in ministry. 

Facebook:@dweaks Instagram:@ddweaks Twitter:@dawndw

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

The Pressure to Perform as a Pastor - with Paul Romig-Leavitt and Brian Davis

Pastors and church leaders often face the pressure to "perform," whether that means always appearing as spiritually confident, emotionally intact, or even just always showing up as the idealized version of themselves. In our age of authenticity, how can pastors and church leaders balance the need to "perform" in some capacity while also being true to themselves? In this conversation with Paul Romig-Leavitt and Brian Davis, two veteran worship leaders who know what it's like to "put on a show" for thousands of people at a time, we talk about handling the pressures and how to lead in a healthy and sustainable manner.

 

Brian has been leading worship in the Denver-metro area for the last 25 years and has built relationships with dozens of churches all over the city. Authenticity and empathy have been hallmarks of Brian’s leadership, and his intention is to use these attributes to coach other worship leaders and inspire greater creativity and deeper spiritual practice in the local church. Brian has three daughters, and he and his wife, Jess, live in Lakewood, CO. He also serves part-time as the Worship Arts Director at New Denver Church.

Paul has been a worship leader and pastor in the greater Denver area since 2001 working in full-time positions in churches such as Crossroads Community Church in Parker, The Refuge in Broomfield, and Restoration Church in Denver. Along with working as a guest worship leader in many other churches in Colorado, Paul also works with the Aspen Institute in Aspen CO as the Production Manager for the Aspen Ideas Festival as well as a director with the Denver video production company Colorado Arts Productions. Paul is the Co-author of “Cue-Lines,” a collection of plays and sketches he co-wrote with Greg Stier for the Dare 2 Share conferences. He lives in Broomfield CO with his wife and two daughters.

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

Kimmothy Cole on creating Liturgy for all Bodies

Despite efforts to include and make space for diversity, churches often do the opposite through their language, spaces, and architecture. In this conversation, Kimmothy Cole talks about what it means to create spaces where all are included, highlights the importance of knowing your community, and how pastors and church leaders can use her book in their churches.

Kimmothy Cole is a community artist working with ritual and gathering as tools for radical change. Their work prioritizes the creation of shared culture through a decolonizing lens. Cole is an accomplished visual, musical and performance artist, bringing immersive experiences into mundane spaces. Their performance and ritual work has been featured in festivals, events and venues across the US. They have certificates in Embodied Healing and Movement Chaplaincy, and their first Book A Liturgy for All Bodies: New Words for a New World available from Cyclical Publishing.

Support Kimmothy at https://www.patreon.com/TheRootedRitual

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

 

How to get your church Unstuck, with Sean Bublitz

When it comes to church growth and revitalization, church governance isn't a topic that often comes to the forefront. Yet, according to Sean Bublitz, poor church governance is often a significant factor in stuck, declining churches. In this conversation, we talk about why pastors and church leaders should pay more attention to church governance, why when it comes to church boards bigger isn't better, and why voting should happen less often - not more. If you've ever felt like you're running into a brick wall with your organizational structures, you're going to want to listen to this.

Sean Bublitz has spent time over the past two decades at Community Christian Church (Naperville, IL) and Granger Community Church (Granger, IN) serving in weekend service, arts, and senior leadership roles. For the past 5 years, he has served as a ministry consultant and on the leadership team at The Unstuck Group. Sean lives with his wife and 5 kids in the South Bend, IN area.

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

Aurelia Davila Pratt on being Spacemakers

The work of a good pastor or church leader, according to pastor and church planter Aurelia Davila Pratt, is to make space - to be a spacemaker. And while she understand that there are many who have chosen to leave church for sake of their own healing, she also believes that it is essential that we make space for others, and most importantly, for the Spirit. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to make space for the Spirit, for real critique, and for others to heal and re-imagine.

Aurelia Dávila Pratt (MDiv, LMSW) is the lead pastor of Peace of Christ Church, a radically loving community in Round Rock, Texas. Named by Sojourners as one of “Ten Christian Women Shaping the Church in 2022”, Aurelia is also the author of A Brown Girl’s Epiphany: Reclaim Your Intuition and Step into Your Power and the co-host of the Nuance Tea Podcast. She is also a licensed master of social work, who currently serves as chair of the Board of Advocates at the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. She regularly contributes articles for Progressing Spirit, Alliance of Baptists, and Good Faith Media. Find her on Instagram @revaureliajoy where she is reimagining faith and theology via spoken and written word.

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

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.