Future Christian

Since the tragic events of 9/11, many Americans-and especially Christian Americans-have looked at Muslims as different and perhaps even dangerous. In this conversation with author Rachel Pieh Jones, we talk about the spiritual darkness of...America, how learning about other religions can bring us closer to our own, and the benefits of inter-faith conversation and worship. Rachel Pieh Jones is the author of How Muslim Friends Led Me Closer to Jesus. Additional books she has authored include Stronger than Death, Finding Home, Djiboutilicious, The Expat Cookbook, and Welcome to Djibouti. Her work appears in the New York Times, Runners World, Christianity Today, Deadspin, and so many other places. She writes and speaks about life at the crossroads of faith and culture. She aims to challenge people to live brave, love wild, and believe goodness while leaping outside their comfort zones. The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

Pastor, author, and consultant Rev. Cameron Trimble joins the pod to talk about the work of Convergence, the ministry she leads, what progressive church planting looks like, and how she sees Covid effecting church planting and re-vitalization going forward. Rev. Cameron Trimble is the Executive Director and CEO of Convergence (formerly the Center for Progressive Renewal), an organization created to recruit, assess, train and coach innovative, entrepreneurial leaders for the church. She began her ministry as a new church developer and, to pay for her “ministry habit”, also owns a real estate company and a software company. The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

In this conversation, Melissa talks about the idea behind her new book, How to Have an Enemy and what she means when she says "enemy." Melissa also talks about power imbalances in conflict, communal vs. individual anger, and how to properly love an enemy. Melissa also believes that the "work of liberation is to create a world where enemies are freed from enacting harm" and that drives her work. Melissa is the pastor of Raleigh Mennonite Church, and a graduate of Duke University and Princeton Theological Seminary. She spent times studying in Israel/Palestine, Kenya, and England. Much of her formation took place in the L'Arche community of Portland, OR. Now she prefers the Eno River and her garden in Raleigh, NC. She is the chair of L'Arche North Carolina and a steering committee member in broad-based organizing in her county. Melissa's writing has appeared in Christian Century, Sojourners, Geez, Anabaptist Witness, The Bias, Faith&Leadership, and Anabaptist Vision. From time to time she publishes academic writing. She and her spouse parent three children. The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

On an outing with his wife to a blacksmith shop, Tod Bolsinger realized that the very real challenging and laborious process he was working through to shape metal was a great metaphor for challenges and pressures the leaders must undergo to become what he calls the "tempered leader." Applying the blacksmithing process, in this interview, Bolsinger talks through the six steps to becoming a tempered leader by working, heating, holding, hammering, hewing, and tempering.  Tod Bolsinger (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is a speaker, executive coach, former pastor, and author who serves as associate professor of leadership formation and senior fellow for the De Pree Center for Leadership at Fuller Seminary. A frequent speaker and consultant, he serves as an executive coach for corporate, nonprofit, educational, and church organizations in transformational leadership. For seventeen years, he was the senior pastor of San Clemente Presbyterian Church in San Clemente, California, after serving for ten years at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood.  The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

In our conversation with Rev. Julian “J.Kwest” DeShazier, a pastor, runner, and former marathoner, we talk about our unique calls to ministry (and marathoning), the sacrifice of our families, the toll that it takes on our body, mind, and spirit, how to find balance in ministry (and running), and knowing when to quit.  As a national speaker, advocate and emcee, Julian “J.Kwest” DeShazier has appeared on ABC, FOX, NPR and Dr. Maya Angelou’s “Oprah & Friends” radio program. J.Kwest (jay-quest) is also an Emmy Award-winning musician. The Chicago native and graduate of Morehouse College and the University of Chicago is also pastor of University Church. DeShazier is associate director of the Office of Experiential Education at McCormick Theological Seminary and is a Leadership Greater Chicago fellow.  See his original blog post here: The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

In the interview, we talk with pastor and author Steve Cuss about Family Systems Theory, the trauma leaders have experienced over the last year, some of the tools available to help leaders manage their own anxiety and lead well, and how he enjoys helping leaders break long stuck patterns in themselves and their organizations. Steve has a Master of Divinity from Emmanuel Christian Seminary where he focused on Hebrew Scriptures and Family Systems. Since 2005, Steve has served as Lead Pastor of Discovery Christian Church in Broomfield, Colorado.  Steve grew up in Perth, Western Australia and is married with two sons and a daughter. His book: Managing Leadership Anxiety         Capable Life The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

In this podcast interview, Lamar Hardwick shares a theology of the body, talks about the real purpose behind Jesus’ healings, gives important lessons from the Parable of the Sower, and shares how the image of communion and the table present an amazing opportunity for us to live out our theology, from his book Disability and the Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion. Lamar Hardwick has a DMin from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and is known as "the autism pastor." He is the lead pastor at Tri-Cities Church in East Point, Georgia. He is the author of Epic Church and the best-selling I Am Strong: The Life and Journey of an Autistic Pastor. He provides workshops, seminars, and consults with local churches and faith-based organizations on creating environments for people with autism. He also provides mentoring services for teens and young adults on the autism spectrum. He lives in Newnan, Georgia, with his wife, Isabella, and their three children. The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

In this latest episode of the podcast, Michael Shepherd explains the “homogenous unit principle,” talks about this guy named Don McGavran, and shares his thoughts on why the so-called “Church-growth” movement has likely run out of gas and needs to be re-examined completely. Michael is an adjunct prof of intercultural studies and political science at Hope International University in Fullerton, CA. He did his graduate studies in community development and nonprofit management at Hope and then intercultural studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. His background is in nonprofit management and community organizing, and is the Minister of Social Action at First Christian Church of Fullerton, in Orange County, CA. The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

In our conversation, Reegie talks more about Abolitionist Theology, how his passion for freedom and abolition drives his work, and what he is working on right now to bring about Black liberation. Reegie is the Amos Project Organizer for the northeast area of Ohio where he builds power with faith leaders across Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, and Erie Counties. He came home to Ohio in 2020 after years of organizing in Nashville, TN and Los Angeles, CA. Rev. Reegie Bunch has a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt and a BA in Theology and Bible from American Baptist College. A military veteran, Reegie is committed to the liberation of Black folks and Black communities. Reegie recently launched Dignity & Divinity with the help of the National Benevolent Association, an abolitionist movement rooted in community power towards the goal of achieving transformative justice and healing justice for all incarcerated people, their families, and communities. The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

Chris shares what she has been doing to help churches during this time, what the biggest challenges they are experiencing, and what advice and ideas she is offering to churches post-Covid.  Rev. Dr. Chris S. Davies is Team Leader of Faith Education, Innovation, and Formation, Justice and Local Church Ministries at the national setting for the United Church of Christ. In her position, Chris connects with faith leaders across the country and has served with churches at the local, regional, and national levels. She is a Connecticut native and a Cleveland transplant. She loves the church deeply and is committed to finding ways to continue to bring the gospel into the world. She attended Smith College for her undergrad work and Andover Newton for both a Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry. The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.