Center for Congregations Podcast

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S4 E20: Cultivating the Edges: Belonging and Racial Equity in White Congregations

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Rev. Dr. Seth Richardson of Gravity Leadership joins the podcast this week to discuss the cultural challenges white congregations face when they get serious about racial equity. The conversation centers on a specific case study of a Texas congregation and how they navigated a shift towards racial equity and what these lessons mean for any congregation wishing to become more equitable.

Resources:

Crossroads Antiracism Training

Racial Equity Tools

Gravity Leadership

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Your congregation is important. But we know that leading and serving in congregations is hard work. Join Ben Tapper, Matt Burke and other Center for Congregations consultants as they interview thought leaders and experts to encourage, inspire and help you find the right information and resources to address your congregation's needs. Center for Congregations staff will share what they're learning through our work with congregations. Speakers, authors and congregational practitioners will share their stories and best practices to help your congregation thrive.

Podcast

S4 E20: Cultivating the Edges: Belonging and Racial Equity in White Congregations

Rev. Dr. Seth Richardson of Gravity Leadership joins the podcast this week to discuss the cultural challenges white congregations face when they get serious about...

Podcast

S4 E19: Keeping it Beta: Innovation and Congregations

Congregations are a treasure of rich traditions: cultural, communal, historical and theological. But how do you keep tradition from turning into stagnation? This week...

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S4 E18: Clergy Are People Too: No, Really.

In this episode of the Center for Congregations podcast, Marty Sawyers of the Full Strength Network and John Opalewski of Converge Coaching share their experience and insight...

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S4 E17: Be the Bridge: Spanning Cultural Gaps

As people of faith, we are often called to be cultural brokers within our communities by identifying gaps that exist, asking the right questions, and harnessing the power of...

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S4 E16: Invisible People: Multiculturalism in Your Community

Your community is likely more multicultural than you may realize. In this episode of the Center for Congregations podcast, we speak with Sandy Garcia of Amistad Cristiana...

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S4 E15: Suffering in Silence: Addressing Mental Health

First, the bad news: mental health issues exist in your congregation. The good news is that there are a wealth of resources and people who can help and a myriad of ways to...

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S4 E14: Are You Seeing What I'm Seeing?

You likely deal with some kind of diversity in your congregational life. Whether that be ethnic, cultural, generational or some other kind of diversity. Wilisha Scaife believes...

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S4 E13: More Than a Classroom: Reimagining Faith Formation and Discipleship

At the heart of every congregation is the desire to pass on the beliefs and practices of its tradition. This can be called lots of things: catechism, faith formation,...

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S4 Mid-Season Break: A Look Back and A Look Ahead

In this short episode, Ben and Matt recap the guests and topics thus far and preview the rest of season 4. We'll be back in action with you all on August 10, 2022!

Podcast

S4 E12: Stories > Stances

This episode provides the narratives of three members of the LGBTQ+ community focused on their lives in congregations. These stories highlight the highs and lows of their...

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S4 E11: Beyond Feisty and Divisive: Caring for LGBTQ Youth

In congregations many have questions and concerns about LGBTQ+ issues. Regardless of your theological stance, it's important to know how to care for youth that may identify...

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S4 E10: Possibility-Lessons from Jazz

Dr. Kirk Byron Jones joins Matt and Ben to discuss what we can learn from jazz about beauty, creativity and liberation. Resources ...

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S4 E9: What's Right with Congregations

Former Center for Congregations staff members Nancy DeMott and Doug Hanner join Matt to share stories about their work at the Center. These stories highlight what congregations...

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S4 E8: When Digital Ministry Is Not Plug-And-Play

Rev. Dr. Rosario Picardo joins Ben and Matt to discuss digital ministry in congregational life. Roz is the co-author of Fresh Expressions in a Digital Age. In this interview...

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S4 E7: Remembering Our History In Order To Heal

Ben and Matt talk with Rev. Sue Park-Hur about the challenges facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. They discuss the model-minority myth, the rise in...

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S4 E6: Navigating Grief and Lamentation

Matt and Ben talk with Chaplain Jon Swanson about what it means to explore the ways we manage loss and disappointment. Resources CRG-Strategic...

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S4 E5: Moving Forward - Anti-racism in Congregational Life

Kelly and Ben talk with Professor Drew Hart about the scope of antiracism work in congregations since the racial unrest of 2020. Resources Trouble...

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S4 B4: The Review - Equal Justice Initiative Museum and Memorial

Ben and Abby explore Ben's visit to the Equal Justice Initiative Museum and Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama. Resources: ...

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S4 E4: Pandemic and Purpose

Matt and Shellie explore the changing nature of congregational life with Pastor Rob Dyer of Ministry Architects. Rob encourages congregations to explore the question...

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S4 B3: The Review-Facing Death: Learning from Kate Bowler

Abby and Ben reflect on several podcast interviews with Kate Bowler and explore what it means to face the gravity of life with grace and joy. Resources ...

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S4 E3: Is Race The Real Problem?

Racial division is a current topic in many arenas of life. However, Rev. Wallace Butts asks the question "Is race the real issue here?" Matt and Ben talk with Rev....

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S4 B2: The Review - Can I Get Your Number? Unpacking the Enneagram

Abby and Ben discuss The Paths Between Us and talk through the reasons they find the Enneagram both useful and fascinating. Resources: ...

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S4 E2: Providing Touch in a Touchless Time

Dee Dee (Deidre) Gray and Adrian Warren join Ben and Matt to talk about how congregations can improve their digital presence. Resources ...

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S4 B1: The Review - Learning from Mars Hill

In this fun bonus episode of the Center for Congregations Podcast, Ben and Abby discuss the podcast The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill and explore what we can learn from it.

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S4 E1: 3 Big Questions

Kara Powell from Fuller Youth Institute joins Ben and Matt to discuss the new book 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager. Resources ...

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S3 E11: Ghosts

Riffing off of Charles Dickens' classic novel, Ben and Matt and Tim Shapiro, reflect on trends in the life of congregational ministry.

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S3 E10: Gloriously Out Of Place

Joe Johns and So Min Oo join Ben and Matt to discuss the relationship their congregations have built while celebrating their differences. Resources ...

Podcast

S3 E9: The Joys of Evaluation!

Kelly Minas, the Center for Congregations' Associate Director for Evaluation, joins Ben and Matt to discuss the importance of evaluation, metrics and analytics for...

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S3 E8: Forced Into The Water

Mike Palmer joins Ben and Matt to unpack emerging trends in education. They explore how these trends will affect religious education and congregational life moving forward....

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S3 E7: Memento Mori

Rev. Sabrina Gray joins Ben and Matt to discuss the importance of end of life planning, and talks through how leaders can initiate those conversations within their community....

Podcast

S3 E6: Don't Be A Clergy Killer

Rev. Callie Smith and Dr. Rob Saler join Matt and Ben to discuss the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program. They unpack the importance of rest and renewal for both clergy...

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S3 E5: Who Are You? Marketing and Branding for Congregations

Manuel Corazzari joins Matt and Ben to discuss marketing and branding for congregations including the importance of knowing your unique identity. Resources...

Podcast

S3 E4: Make It Personal

Pastor Javier Mondragon joins Ben and Matt to discuss the challenges and benefits of leading a multicultural congregation. Resources: Access the resources mentioned...

Podcast

S3 E3: Worship as the Work of the People

David Gungor joins Ben and Matt to talk about how worship is more than just singing together. He also discusses how Good Shepherd New York is an integrated community where the...

Podcast

S3 E2: Never-ending worship: Where preparation and inspiration meet

Shellie and Ben speak with John Ray from Light of the World Christian Church about all that it takes to plan a successful worship service. They discuss music as a specific...

Podcast

S3 E1: Stay Ready: Preparing to Prepare

Ben sits down with Aimee Laramore and Louise Jackson to unpack the ins and outs of strategic planning. They take you into the mind of strategic planning consultants and...

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S2 B2: The Review - Tips on Working with Tech Volunteers

Pastor John Stange joins Kate and Ben to explain the best practices for engaging with tech volunteers. Links: http://www.opensong.org/

Podcast

S2 E12: The Value of the Enneagram in Congregational Spaces

Enneargram writer, teacher and coach Leanette Pokuwaah joins Ben and Matt to talk about how the enneagram can be used well in congregational contexts. She also discusses the...

Podcast

S2 E11: The Marriage of Mental Health and Ministry

Dr. Christina Jones Davis, Clinical Professor of Pastoral Theology and Marriage and Family Therapy at Christian Theological Seminary (CTS), sits down with Ben and Matt to...

Podcast

S2 E10: Storytelling that Changes the World

Musician, speaker and activist Propaganda joins Ben and Matt to discuss how storytelling is foundational to being human and to fostering change. They also also talk about his...

Podcast

S2 E9 Rural Congregations: A Story of Pain and Promise

Allen Stanton joins Ben and Matt to discuss the importance of congregations in rural communities. He highlights their work as anchor institutions while also addressing the...

Podcast

S2 E8: Getting Schooled on Interim Ministry

Rev. Janae Pitts-Murdock, senior pastor of Light of the World Christian Church and former interim pastor, joins Ben and Matt to unpack what it takes to have a successful...

Podcast

S2 E7: A Primer on Racial Equity

McKenzie Scott Lewis, the northwest director of the Center for Congregations talks with Ben and Matt about the challenges and opportunities faced by congregations in seeking to...

Podcast

S2 B1: The Review - Basic Tech Infrastructure for Livestreaming

In this bonus episode, Associate Director for Resources Kate White sits down with Pastor Bruce Colbert, Systems Consultant for Custom Sound Design. Bruce shares three topics...

Podcast

S2 E6: Fear and Anger: Christian Nationalism among Young Adults

PhD candidate Michael Rotolo joins Ben and Matt to unpack the research around Christian Nationalism as it relates to congregations and young adult engagement. Michael's...

Podcast

S2 E5: Courting Justice

Ben and Matt connect with Pastor Bere Gil Soto, lead pastor of Iglesia Hermandad Cristiana, to talk about what it's like to lead a multi-cultural and multi-lingual...

Podcast

S2 E4: Bring Your Whole Self

Dr. Alma Zaragoza-Petty, one of the co-founders of the Prickly Pear Collective, joins Matt and Ben to discuss creating authentic community where everyone is encouraged to bring...

Podcast

S2 E3: Tech: It's Not as Complicated as You Think

Pastor John Girton joins Ben and Matt to talk about excellence in online worship experiences using technology. They also discuss what's next for congregations and the...

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S2 E2 Waving the Banner for Youth Ministry

In this episode Ben and Matt are joined by Center for Congregations director Shellie Riggs Jordan as they interview Mark Oestreicher (a.k.a. Marko) of The Youth Cartel. Marko...

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S2 E1 Wisdom to Start Your New Year

Aimee Laramore, lead consultant at AlLyd Solutions, joins Ben and Matt to discuss the importance of recognizing the assets your congregation has and the importance of using...

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S1 E8: What Went Right in 2020

Ben and Matt are joined by southwest director Wendy McCormick, northwest director McKenzie Scott Lewis and president of the Center for Congregations Tim Shapiro. Each guest...

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S1 E7 Exchanging Pews for Strollers

Victoria Sun Esparza joins Ben and Matt to talk about Human Centered Design and applying it in congregations. This process is a way for you to listen well to the needs of your...

Podcast

S1 E6 Agents of Unity

Bishop Grant joins Ben and Matt to discuss the importance of getting back to the basics of faith. He challenges faith leaders and congregations to remember to center the people...

Podcast

S1 E5 Whosoever

This week Ben and Tim Shapiro, president of the Center for congregations talk with Rev. Dr. Alton B. Pollard III from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. Dr. Pollard shares with...

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S1 E4: Kicked Off a Cliff

Pastor Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes of the Double Love Experience joins Matt, Ben and Wendy to discuss what she's observed about rapidly changing systems in congregational life....

Podcast

S1 E3: Do we have to hide our pain?

Hillary McBride joins Ben and Matt to talk about how congregations can be places of healing for those dealing with mental health issues. We explore Hillary's own experience...

Podcast

S1 E2: Tapping into Experience with Tim Shapiro

This week Ben and Matt talk with the president of the Center for Congregations, Tim Shapiro. Tim shares his experiences as a senior pastor for 18 years and from his 18 years of...

Podcast

S1 E1: Where have all the young people gone?

Matt and Ben sit down with Science Mike to discuss the problems and possibilities with engaging young adults. Congregations across religious and denominational lines are...

Podcast

S4 Mid-Season Break: A Look Back and A Look Ahead

In this short episode, Ben and Matt recap the guests and topics thus far and preview the rest of season 4. We'll be back in action with you all on August 10, 2022! ...