Future Christian

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.

Douglas Powe, author of the book The Adept Church, talks about how churches can move from slow and stagnant to nimble and adept. In the podcast, Doug shares important thoughts and insights from his book, especially how churches can move from stagnation to transformation. Douglas Powe, Jr. is an ordained elder in the Baltimore/Washington Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. He is the Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership and professor of evangelism and of urban ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary. Powe is committed to helping urban congregations and congregations in transitional areas to flourish through community partnering. His research interest are church revitalization, urban theology and Methodist theology. He holds an MDiv from Candler School of Theology and a PhD in systematic theology from Emory University. Buy his book from Cokesbury or Amazon!  The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media. Support the Pod here!

Rev. Mark Elsdon joins the pod to talk about his new book, We Aren’t Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry. He talks about how the book was inspired by his own church’s journey from decline and decay into vital mission and ministry by uncovering hidden resources and strategically utilizing them to advance mission. Mark also shares ideas about how we can begin to see these resources for ourselves and how we can overcome the scarcity mindset. Mark Elsdon lives and works at the intersection of money and meaning as an entrepreneur, pastor, consultant, and speaker. He is cofounder of RootedGood, which seeks to create more good in the world through social innovation; executive director at Pres House on the University of Wisconsin's Madison campus; and owner of Elsdon Strategic Consulting. Mark is president of the board of directors of Working Capital for Community Needs (WCCN) an impact investing fund that provides micro-finance for the working poor in Latin America. Mark has a BA in Psychology from UC Berkeley, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin School of Business. Mark is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, USA, and lives in Madison, Wisconsin with his spouse and two daughters. He is an avid cyclist and considers it a good year when he rides more miles on his bike than he drives in his car. Mark is donating 100% of author proceeds from the sale of We Aren’t Broke to nonprofit organizations engaging in creative solutions to address the “wicked” problems he writes about in the book. Get a copy of Mark’s book here: The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media. Support the Pod here!

In the interview, Tim walks through the nine important questions he asks the perspective church planter to consider. For anyone who as ever considered starting a church, leading a church through revitalization, or even whether or not to enter pastoral ministry these are questions you need to consider beforehand—lest it cost you your soul! Tim Morey is the author of Planting a Church Without Losing Your Soul: Nine Questions for the Spiritually Formed Pastor. Tim is founding and lead pastor at Life Covenant Church in Torrance, California. He serves as a church planting coach for the Evangelical Covenant Church and as an adjunct professor at Fuller Theological Seminary.   The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media. Support the Pod here!  

In our podcast interview, Daniel walks through the song, sharing his thoughts and feelings behind the words of the songs. He talks about his early experiences in which growing up and why he does not simply want to leave the Church, but rather invite those he believes to be wayward to “come home.” Daniel Deitrich is a singer/songwriter based in South Bend, Indiana. His honest, heartbreaking, yet hopeful writing finds a home in massive Americana anthems, catchy Indie rock hooks, as well as intimate acoustic confessionals. Learn more about Deitrich and his music by visiting his website.   The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media. Support the Pod here!

Crow Eddy joins the pod to talk about integrating Christianity with Native Spirituality. We talk about the work of the Center for Indigenous Ministries (DOC), the ways he's incorporated Native Spirituality into his church community, and the way that Christianity has been--and still does--oppress indigenous populations. He also talks about his art! Crow Eddy is an artist, drum carrier, and Mi’kmaq person living in Novia Scotia, Canada. Crow regularly writes and lectures on Mi’kmaq spirituality and healing circles. He is a member of the North American council on Truth and Reconciliation called the Centre for Indigenous Ministries (D.O.C.) Council.  He seeks to "build bridges to our ancient culture and our living people." Winter talk - https://disciples.org/event/winter-talk-2020/       Article - https://disciples.org/congregations/canada-church-hosts-healing-circle-reconciliation/   Yakama mission - https://yakamamission.org   Centre for Indiginous Ministry (D.O.C.) https://www.facebook.com/DisciplesStanding/   The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media. Support the Pod here!

Ryan Panzer, author and hybrid ministry consultant, joins the pod to talk about his new book, Grace and Gigabytes: Being Church in a Tech Shaped World. In the book, Panzer talks about why being church is not about technology but engagement and why churches are not failing to adapt to technology, but rather are failing to adapt to meaning making. Ryan is a learning and leadership development professional in the technology industry. A student of digital media and its influence on our lives, he is especially interested in the intersection of faith and technology. The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media. Support the Pod here!

Author and podcaster Jared Byas talks about his new book Love Matters More, which talks about how fighting to be right keeps us from loving like Jesus. In our conversation, we talk about theological trauma, why truth is a poor guide to love, and why if it doesn't set you free--it isn't truth. Jared Byas is cohost of the popular podcast The Bible for Normal People and coauthor of the book Genesis for Normal People. A former teaching pastor and professor of philosophy and biblical studies, Jared lives with his wife, Sarah, outside of Philadelphia, PA, with their four children.  The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media. Support the Pod here!