Joel Repic, a church planter from Aliquippa, PA, and Jason Bowman, a digital strategist, dive into the complexities of transforming inspiration into action in community missions. They discuss how loyalty conflicts within denominations impact leaders trying to innovate. The podcast explores 'benevolent trauma' as a catalyst for change, the role of structure in mission, and the need for actionable pathways in community life. Through compelling metaphors and practical insights, they highlight the urgent call for a new approach to church and mission.
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insights INSIGHT
Denominational Tension Slows Innovation
Most denominational leaders are pioneers or early adopters, but they struggle to find permission to innovate within their systems.
Loyalty to their denomination creates tension that slows their move from inspiration to action.
insights INSIGHT
Clear Pathways Enable Innovation
Lack of clear, actionable pathways prevents inspired leaders from innovating effectively.
Without visible off-ramps from prevailing models, leaders either stay put or replicate old systems elsewhere.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Start Mission Without Permission
Start new mission initiatives without waiting for institutional permission, especially in marginalized communities.
Identify like-minded people to join you and begin embodied ministry among the poor immediately.
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Published in 1933, 'The Shape of Things to Come' is a speculative history that outlines future events up to the year 2106. The book is presented as the edited notes of Dr. Philip Raven, a diplomat who claims to have had dream visions of a future history textbook. It is divided into five sections, detailing a future that includes a Second World War, climatic disasters, and the eventual establishment of a world state. The narrative predicts significant cultural and technological changes, including the rise of a technocratic elite and the transformation of society into a utopian world state where humanity's material needs are satisfied and individual freedom is balanced with collective well-being[2][4][5].
The tangible kingdom
Matt Smay
Hugh Halter
Organic Church
Organic Church
Neil Cole
đź‘Ł Episode Overview
What does it take to move from inspiration to action? In this episode, the Brave Cities crew is joined by digital strategist and pathway architect Jason Bowman, alongside longtime co-laborer Joel Repic from Aliquippa, PA. Together, they tackle the growing desire among church leaders and creatives to reimagine church, mission, and community life—and the sobering reality that very few actually make the leap.
Through the lens of denominational structures, digital platforms, and embodied life among the poor, the team explores:
Why inspiration rarely translates into real-world change
The challenge and gift of being apostolic or prophetic in established systems
The urgent need for clear, actionable pathways into sustainable mission
What Leviticus, Moses, and benevolent trauma have to do with kingdom movements
The role of structure, systems, and the Spirit in forming resilient alternatives to Babylon
Jason brings hard-earned wisdom from the online learning world, while Joel reflects deeply on denominational shifts and discerning God’s activity in the margins. Jon, Hugh, and Taylor weave in stories, metaphors, and convictions drawn from their own journeys into intentional, incarnational living.
🔑 Key Themes
Apostolic loneliness & the cost of loyalty
Why most leaders recreate what they left
Making obedience plausible through real pathways
From prevailing models to prophetic experiments
Fundraising, risk, and the economics of mission
“Benevolent trauma” as an engine of transformation
Dual operating systems & monastic imagination
Building new wineskins without dishonoring old ones
The Grey Pages with Brave Cities 
