

Future Christian
Resonate Media
At the Future Christian Podcast, we talk to pastors, authors, and other faith leaders for helpful advice and practical wisdom to help you lead your church into the future.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 23, 2025 • 1h 12min
Do Less with Less: Bill Harrison on Leadership Lessons for a Shrinking Church
What does leadership look like when the church is shrinking? In this episode, Martha Tatarnic talks with Rev. Dr. Bill Harrison, president of Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon and author of Leadership in a Shrinking Church. Harrison shares candid insights from his own journey—from growing up in a fundamentalist tradition to leading in ecumenical and academic contexts. He reflects on why complexity is not something to fear, why “do less with less” might be the most faithful strategy today, and how congregations can reclaim a gospel vision rooted in transformation rather than numbers. Realistic and hopeful, this episode offers practical tools for pastors, leaders, and congregations navigating decline as Harrison reminds that God’s transformation is complex, but the good news is alive and present—even in a shrinking church.
In this conversation you’ll hear:
Why numerical growth has become an idol in many churches
The crushing accumulation of roles and expectations placed on clergy
Four dimensions of transformation—intellectual, psychic, moral, and religious—that shape Christian life
Why congregations need to clarify identity, mission, and resources instead of trying to be “all things to all people”
How gospel vision statements can help churches focus on what really matters
The Rev. Dr. William (Bill) Harrison is president of Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon, and former chair of the Saskatoon Theological Union Common Faculty. Bill teaches systematic and historical theology, and ethics. In addition to his PhD in systematic theology and church history from Boston College, Bill has degrees in English literature (M.A.), theology (B.Th.), and political science (B.A. Hons). Bill is the author of Leadership in a Shrinking Church: Finding New Vision in Unlikely Places; Frequently Asked Questions in Christian Theology; and In Praise of Mixed Religions: The Syncretism Solution in a Multifaith World. Everywhere he goes, Bill takes music with him, listening to a broad variety. At home, he spends as much time as possible walking trails or out in his kayak.
Mentioned Resources:
📖 Get his Book: Leadership in a Shrinking Church
📱 Follow: https://www.facebook.com/bill.harrison.359128
🌐 Website: www.lutherantheological.ca
🌐 Website: https://www.facebook.com/LTSSaskatoon/
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Robert Schuller episode
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:
Kokoro Join in for heartfelt journeys that challenges the way we see ourselves, each other, and the world we share.
Free Range Priest Helping clergy and congregations reimagine ministry in the digital age.
Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer
Dennis Sanders – Producer
Alexander Lang - Production Assistant

Sep 16, 2025 • 56min
Chad Brooks on Practical Tools for Normal-Sized Churches
What does it really mean for a church to be “healthy”? In this episode, Loren sits down with Chad Brooks—United Methodist congregational vitality strategist and author of Is My Church Healthy? Drawing on his years of experience as a church planter, pastor, and denominational leader, Brooks challenges common assumptions about growth and health. He unpacks why stability must come before vitality, how to measure what truly matters, and why small congregations often carry unique strengths that larger ones overlook. With both encouragement and practical tools, Brooks equips pastors, leaders, and laypeople to discern their next faithful step. Whether you lead a large church or a normal-sized one, this conversation will help you reimagine what vitality looks like in today’s context.
Key Points:
Why size doesn’t determine health—and how small churches can thrive
The four stages of congregational life: unstable, stable, vital, and sustainable
How to right-size ministries instead of copying “the big church down the street”
Why tracking data isn’t impersonal but essential to caring for people
The difference between mercy, justice, mission, and evangelism—and why churches must reclaim their distinct call
How COVID acted as a “reset button” for many congregations
Chad Brooks is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and currently serves on the staff of The Louisiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church as the Congregational Vitality Strategist. He lives in central Louisiana with his wife of 20 years Meredith. Chad is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University and Asbury Theological Seminary. Chad grew up in the church as the son of an SBC Pastor and has spent his career working in all aspects of church, from Technical Production Director of churches and a major Seminary, to a pastor of established churches and church plants. He has stewarded the Productive Pastor Community for 20 years and it equally passionate about seeing revival as he is about resourcing Pastors in all aspects of healthy ministry. When not reading and thinking about the Church, he enjoys practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and being in the outdoors at his hunting camp.
Mentioned Resources:
📖 Get his Book: Is My Church Healthy?
🌐 Louisiana Conference: https://www.la-umc.org/conferencestaff
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Dennis Sanders
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Drew Crowson
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:
Restore Clergy If you are clergy in need of tailored, professional support to help you manage the demands of ministry, Restore Clergy is for you!
Kokoro Join in for heartfelt journeys that challenges the way we see ourselves, each other, and the world we share.
Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer
Dennis Sanders – Producer
Alexander Lang - Production Assistant

Sep 9, 2025 • 51min
Geoffrey V. Dudley, Sr. on Navigating Ministry Without Losing Yourself
How do pastors and church leaders navigate ministry when the battles feel relentless? In this episode, Loren talks with Bishop Jeffrey V. Dudley Sr.—retired Air Force chaplain, pastor, and leadership coach. Drawing from his decades of service in the military and the church, Bishop Dudley shares candid reflections on leadership, spiritual practices, and the weight of ministry. He opens up about personal seasons of opposition, the temptation to over-spiritualize crises, and the vital importance of prayer, boundaries, and honest self-awareness. This conversation is a powerful reminder for pastors, leaders, and anyone in ministry that resilience is possible, that honesty matters, and that our hope remains anchored in Jesus.
Listeners will hear:
Why “battles are inevitable, and preparation must be intentional”
How to discern between authenticity and “bleeding on the people”
The danger of over-spiritualizing crises—and how leaders can own responsibility
Bishop Dudley’s vulnerable reflections on suicidal ideation and the hope that carried him through
Why he insists, “You are not what you feel”
Dr. Geoffrey V. Dudley, Sr. is a retired Air Force Chaplain (Lt. Colonel), Bishop, author, and leadership coach. A lifelong minister and visionary leader, he holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership from Regent University, a Doctor of Ministry from Virginia Union University, a Master of Divinity from Virginia Union, a Master of Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Drama & Speech from UNC Greensboro. He also holds a Post-Master Education Specialist degree from the University of Memphis. Dr. Dudley is the founding pastor of New Life in Christ Church (O'Fallon, IL), one of the fastest-growing churches in the St. Louis metro area, and the CEO of New Life Community Development Corporation, which leads major community initiatives including a $20M affordable housing project. A John Maxwell Associate Trainer and author of six books—including Leading Through Storms—he also mentors leaders through iLeadAcademy.net and Changing Lives Ministries. He and his wife Glenda have two adult children engaged in ministry and nonprofit leadership.
Mentioned Resources:
📖 His Book: https://ivpress.com/leading-through-storms
🌐 His church website: https://www.nlicic.org
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:
Restore Clergy If you are clergy in need of tailored, professional support to help you manage the demands of ministry, Restore Clergy is for you!
Kokoro Join in for heartfelt journeys that challenges the way we see ourselves, each other, and the world we share.
Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer
Dennis Sanders – Producer
Alexander Lang - Production Assistant

Sep 2, 2025 • 39min
Reimagining Seminary and Church Vitality — Insights from Doug Powe
What does it mean to lead the church toward vitality in a time of disruption, decline, and shifting cultural landscapes? In this episode, Loren sits down with Dr. F. Douglas Powe Jr., President of Phillips Theological Seminary. Recorded live at the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), this conversation explores how seminaries and congregations alike can foster authentic belonging, support diverse pathways into ministry, and reimagine theological education for the future. Doug reflects on his first six months at Phillips, the seminary’s bold tuition initiative, and the vision behind Bedford House—a new space designed to embody belonging for marginalized and underrepresented communities. He also shares his hopes for how churches can model unity and reconciliation in a divided world.
Topics include:
Why belonging must come before believing for new generations
How Bedford House embodies Phillips Seminary’s commitment to inclusion
The challenges and opportunities of rural and small-church ministry
Alternative pathways into ministry beyond the traditional M.Div.
Why theological education must adapt without losing its core formation
The role of social justice engagement in calling new leaders
Dr. Powe’s hopes for the church in an age of disruption and division
Rev. F. Douglas Powe Jr., PhD is President of Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Okla., where he leads the seminary in its work toward deep learning, faithful leadership and global impact. An ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, Dr. Powe is a respected scholar, teacher, and author whose work explores congregational vitality, urban ministry, and innovative approaches to evangelism. Before leading Phillips, he served as Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership and James C. Logan Professor of Evangelism at Wesley Theological Seminary. His books include Sustaining While Disrupting, The Adept Church, and Transforming Evangelism. A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and Emory’s Graduate Division of Religion, Dr. Powe is widely sought after for his insights on faith, leadership, and the changing ministry environment.
Mentioned Resources:
📖 Book: https://www.cokesbury.com/The-Adept-Church?vsl=2487
📖 Book: https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506479200/Sustaining-While-Disrupting
🌐 Phillps Seminary: https://ptstulsa.edu/
🎧 Past Episode with Doug Powe: Sustaining While Disrupting
🎧 Past Episode with Doug Powe: The Adept Church
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:
Restore Clergy If you are clergy in need of tailored, professional support to help you manage the demands of ministry, Restore Clergy is for you!
Kokoro Join in for heartfelt journeys that challenges the way we see ourselves, each other, and the world we share.
Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer
Dennis Sanders – Producer
Alexander Lang - Production Assistant

Aug 26, 2025 • 52min
Safeguarding the Church: Integrity, Healing, and Hope - Insights from Lisa Compton and Taylor Patterson
What does it mean to build safer, healthier churches in a world where abuse and misuse of power have left deep scars? In this conversation, Loren talks with Dr. Lisa Compton and Taylor Patterson, co-editors of Skills for Safeguarding: A Guide to Preventing Abuse and Fostering Healing in the Church. Drawing on decades of counseling and trauma work, they explore how churches can recognize unhealthy dynamics, respond with integrity, and create cultures where both leaders and congregants can flourish. This is a vital conversation for pastors, lay leaders, and anyone who cares about the long-term health and witness of the church.
Topics include:
Why integrity, not charisma, is essential for church leadership
The difference between protecting a church’s brand and serving the people of God
The “tripod of relational safety”: safe self, safe community, and safe ministry
Distinguishing between guilt and shame, and how each shapes spiritual formation
Why forgiveness does not always mean reconciliation
Practical first steps churches can take toward safeguarding
Taylor Patterson is an instructor in the counseling department at Regent University. She worked for several years as a mental health counselor at a nonprofit agency serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking and now sees clients in private practice, specializing in adult with a history of childhood trauma. She served as co-editor for "Safeguarding Skills: A Guide to Preventing Abuse and Fostering Healing in the Church,” a textbook for seminaries, parachurch ministries, and local churches, and has published in peer-reviewed journals. Taylor’s research interests include interpersonal violence, compassion fatigue prevention and treatment, and trauma-informed counselor education and supervision.
Dr. Lisa Compton is an Associate Professor and Director of the Ph.D. in Counselor Education program at Regent University. With over 29 years of experience in the mental health field, she is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), certified trauma treatment specialist (CTTS), and compassion fatigue educator (CFE). Dr. Compton has been a conference keynote speaker, presented internationally on trauma-related topics, and has been featured on CBN News discussing domestic violence and sexual trauma. She is the co-author of Preparing for Trauma Work in Clinical Mental Health and Safeguarding Skills: A Guide to Preventing Abuse and Fostering Healing in the Church. Her research focuses on secondary trauma and trauma pedagogy with numerous published articles, including "Absorption Vulnerability" in Traumatology (2024).
Mentioned Resources:
📱 Dennis instagram: @adventcelina
📖 Their book: https://www.ivpress.com/skills-for-safeguarding
🌐 Lisa's Website: https://drlisacompton.com/
🌐 Jeff Gill's Substack: https://substack.com/@knapsack
🎧 Mike Cosper on the Dangers of Ideology in Church
🎧 May Young on Biblical Lament
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:
Restore Clergy If you are clergy in need of tailored, professional support to help you manage the demands of ministry, Restore Clergy is for you!
Kokoro Join in for heartfelt journeys that challenges the way we see ourselves, each other, and the world we share.
Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer
Dennis Sanders – Producer
Alexander Lang - Production Assistant

Aug 19, 2025 • 49min
Revival, Renewal, and the Future of the Disciples – Live from GA with Dennis Sanders
Recorded live from the 2025 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Memphis, TN, Loren is joined once again by pastor and podcaster Dennis Sanders for a candid conversation about the state and future of the denomination. They reflect on what’s changed since past gatherings, the unique role and challenges of General Assembly in a time of declining attendance, and the ongoing tension between institutional loyalty and openness to diverse theological voices. From the missed opportunity of a revival resolution to the practical realities of costs, exhibitor layouts, and programming balance, Loren and Dennis bring both deep care and honest critique.
The conversation also moves beyond denominational borders—raising questions relevant to mainline and evangelical contexts alike:
How should denominations engage in political advocacy when their cultural influence has waned?
What would it take to be truly inclusive of conservative, moderate, and progressive voices?
Where might revival come from—and how will we know it when we see it?
Dennis Sanders is an ordained Disciples of Christ minister and lead pastor of First Christian Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. A native of Flint, Michigan and big fan of the Detroit Tigers and Lions, Dennis is also a communications specialist for a Lutheran congregation in the Twin Cities and is the host of the Church and Main podcast, which tries to live out Karl Barth’s quote of reading the Bible and the newspaper and interpreting the news through the Bible. Dennis lives in Minneapolis with his husband Daniel and their cats.
Mentioned Resources:
🎧 Last GA Episode with Dennis: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-fgenv-1476ff7
📱 Dennis instagram: @adventcelina
📖 Mixed Ecology Book: https://www.churchpublishing.org/embracingthemixedecology
🌐 Ben Crosby's Substack: https://substack.com/@bencrosby
🌐 Jeff Gill's Substack: https://substack.com/@knapsack
🎧 Dennis Sanders: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-q2e35-134587d
🎧 Church and Main Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/church-and-main/id1660817140
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:
Restore Clergy If you are clergy in need of tailored, professional support to help you manage the demands of ministry, Restore Clergy is for you!
Kokoro Join in for heartfelt journeys that challenges the way we see ourselves, each other, and the world we share.
Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer
Dennis Sanders – Producer
Alexander Lang - Production Assistant

Aug 12, 2025 • 54min
Drew Crowson and the Parish Model Approach to Church Planting
What does it take to start a brand-new church in one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.? In this episode, Loren Richmond Jr. talks with Drew Crowson, an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Dallas planting a church in Celina, Texas—a city where 800 new residents arrive every month and there’s never been an Episcopal congregation. Drew shares his journey from growing up Baptist in East Texas, to ministry roles in Germany, the Middle East, and Alabama, to finding a spiritual home in the Anglican tradition. He explains why he believes the parish model is the future of the church, how a preschool can be a vital ministry and funding source, and the discipline it takes to keep showing up—even when no one else does. Whether you’re in church leadership, thinking about starting something new, or just curious about what it takes to plant a church in today’s cultural climate, this conversation is both honest and inspiring.
They discuss:
Why liturgy and the Book of Common Prayer resonate with non-liturgical Christians
How to plant a church in a mainline denomination with little recent church-planting history
Balancing entrepreneurial hustle with slow, patient spiritual formation
The importance of pastoral boundaries for family health
Building a prayer team and cultivating resilience in ministry
Drew Crowson is a church planter in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas. Before stepping into church planting, he served in young adult and youth ministry in diverse contexts—from Dallas to Düsseldorf, Germany, an oil compound in the Middle East, and Auburn, Alabama. Deeply shaped by the early 2000s emergent church movement, his journey ultimately led him deeper into Jesus and into the Anglican tradition. Drew is married to an incredible woman, and together they are raising three young children who daily remind them of their ongoing need for grace.
Mentioned Resources:
📱 Celina instagram: @adventcelina
🌐 Drew's Substack: https://substack.com/@andrewcrowson
🌐 WashPark UMC: https://www.washparkumc.org
Other Church planting episodes:
🎧 Cameron Trimble: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-8siub-10d0a4d
🎧 Paula Stone Williams: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-pgxda-f59f19
🎧 Tim Morey: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-25zwi-1059d6d
🎧 Nick Warnes: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-ketw5-1172f9e
🎧 Jonah Overton: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-y28bz-13457f4
🎧 Even More: https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-wzbs7-173f5fc
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:
Restore Clergy If you are clergy in need of tailored, professional support to help you manage the demands of ministry, Restore Clergy is for you!
Kokoro Join in for heartfelt journeys that challenges the way we see ourselves, each other, and the world we share.
Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer
Dennis Sanders – Producer
Alexander Lang - Production Assistant

Aug 5, 2025 • 1h
Pop, Purity, and Power: Joelle Kidd on Unpacking Evangelical Influence
What happens when Christian faith gets filtered through purity rings, YA fiction, and pop-punk soundtracks? In this episode, co-host Martha Tatarnic welcomes writer and journalist Joelle Kidd to discuss her new book, Jesusland. Joelle shares her experiences growing up in a conservative Christian school and how the teachings she received influenced her understanding of faith, identity, and culture. This candid conversation explores the complexities of navigating a religious upbringing marked by purity culture, shame, and the impact of Christian pop culture on personal and political landscapes. Joelle reflects on the positives and negatives of her faith journey, the importance of self-ownership, and the need for a more inclusive and compassionate Christianity. Whether you were steeped in youth group culture or always felt on the outside looking in, this episode invites reflection on the messages that shaped us, and what kind of faith might lead us forward.
Topics Covered:
What “Christian pop culture” really means and how it shaped Joelle’s youth
The collision of capitalism, conservatism, and evangelical media
How shame, purity culture, and literalist theology distort identity and faith
The rise of Christian influencers, tradwives, and mega-pastor empires
What the church can do differently—especially for young people today
Joelle Kidd is a writer, award-winning journalist, and editor who lives in a book-filled basement apartment in Tkaronto/Toronto. Her work has appeared in outlets such as The Walrus, This Magazine, Lit Hub, The Rumpus, and Xtra Magazine. She holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Guelph. Jesusland is her first book.
Mentioned Resources:
📱 Follow https://bsky.app/profile/joellekidd.bsky.social).
🌐 Website: https://joellekidd.com/
🎧 Mike Cosper: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-2m9ra-176f33e
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:
Restore Clergy If you are clergy in need of tailored, professional support to help you manage the demands of ministry, Restore Clergy is for you!
Kokoro Join in for heartfelt journeys that challenges the way we see ourselves, each other, and the world we share.
Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer
Dennis Sanders – Producer
Alexander Lang - Production Assistant

Jul 29, 2025 • 51min
Faith, Spectacle & the Business of Church: Marti & Mulder on Schuller’s Enduring Influence
What can we learn about the future of the church by looking back at Robert Schuller? In this episode, Loren Richmond Jr. speaks with sociologists Gerardo Marti and Mark Mulder about their new biography, The Church Must Grow or Perish: Robert Schuller and the Business of American Christianity. Together, they explore how Schuller’s entrepreneurial vision, drive-in worship, and architectural grandeur helped shape the megachurch model—and why his story still matters today. This wide-ranging conversation dives into Schuller’s deep pastoral commitment, his embrace of American capitalism, and the unspoken ways his model of church innovation continues to influence today’s pastors. Loren, Gerardo, and Mark also reflect on what it means to lead faithfully in a culture defined by speed, spectacle, and constant change.
Topics Covered
The rise and fall of Robert Schuller and the Crystal Cathedral
Why Schuller’s legacy lives on in today’s church growth models
How capitalism and faith became intertwined in modern ministry
The unintended consequences of constant innovation
Schuller’s surprising theological conservatism and deep pastoral care
What “resonance” offers as a response to cultural acceleration
Mark T. Mulder is Professor of Sociology at Calvin University and director of the Common Good Collective. He is the author or co-author of five books In addition, Mulder has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in academic journals, including Social Problems, Religion and American Culture, and The Journal of Urban History. He has also published pieces for church audiences and won writing awards from the Evangelical Press Association and the Associated Church Press.
Gerardo Martí is William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Sociology at Davidson College and president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. A prolific and award winning author, his research explores religious innovation and the role of religion in shaping patterns of racialization and political engagement in the United States. Bluesky @gerardomarti.bsky.social
Mentioned Resources:
🌐 Faculty Website: https://calvin.edu/people/mark-mulder
🌐 Faculty Website: https://www.davidson.edu/people/gerardo-marti
📖 Previous Book: https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/the-glass-church/9780813589060/
📖 The Book: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802878557/the-church-must-grow-or-perish/
🎧 Andrew Root: https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/walking-into-sorrow-andrew-root-on-evangelism-in-the-age-of-despair/
🎧 Andrew Root: https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/andy-root/
🎧 Andrew Root: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-jtzdu-1500e5e
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:
Restore Clergy If you are clergy in need of tailored, professional support to help you manage the demands of ministry, Restore Clergy is for you!
Kokoro Join in for heartfelt journeys that challenges the way we see ourselves, each other, and the world we share.
Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer
Dennis Sanders – Producer
Alexander Lang - Production Assistant

Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 6min
Loren & Martha Live from Canada: Faith, Loss, and Life in the Middle Years
What does faith look like in the middle of life? In this special in-person episode of podcast, co-hosts Loren Richmond Jr. and Martha Tatarnic reflect on the spiritual realities of middle age. Recorded together in St. Catharines, Ontario, they explore how faith changes through grief, caregiving, shifting theology, and the evolving nature of ministry. This deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation touches on everything from parenting and loss to theological mystery and sustaining joy in pastoral work. Loren and Martha offer hard-earned wisdom, honesty, and encouragement for anyone trying to live faithfully in the messy middle years of life and leadership.
Topics Covered
The spiritual needs of middle age (and why churches often overlook them)
How grief, caregiving, and loss shape our faith
What sustains ministry over the long haul
Changing theological priorities after seminary
Parenting teenagers and modeling faith without coercion
Embracing mystery, awe, and the Spirit’s leading
Mentioned Resources:
📖 Martha's Book: https://www.churchpublishing.org/whygather
📖 James Cone: https://orbisbooks.com/products/the-cross-and-the-lynching-tree
🎧 Andrew Root: https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/walking-into-sorrow-andrew-root-on-evangelism-in-the-age-of-despair/
🎧 Arianna Molloy: https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/healthy-calling-ariana-malloy-on-burnout-purpose-and-redefining-work/
🎧 Elizabeth Schrader Polczer: https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/elizabeth-schrader-polczer-on-rethinking-mary-magdalene-part-1/
🎧 Suzanne Nadell: https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/leading-with-grace-suzanne-nadell-on-navigating-faith-media-polarization/
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:
Restore Clergy If you are clergy in need of tailored, professional support to help you manage the demands of ministry, Restore Clergy is for you!
Kokoro Join in for heartfelt journeys that challenges the way we see ourselves, each other, and the world we share.
Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer
Dennis Sanders – Producer
Alexander Lang - Production Assistant