Geoff Mitchell joins the pod to discuss his experiences in leading and guiding churches, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination. Geoff emphasizes the importance of creating vibrant and transformative churches that are deeply rooted in the power of the gospel. He also explores the unique aspects of leading churches within this denomination and how they contribute to the overall mission of spreading the message of Christ. Geoff Mitchell is Senior Minister at Lindenwood Christian Church, where his goal is to help people discover a life that does more than leave them exhausted and disillusioned. A native of Kentucky, Geoff grew up on the Mississippi River in Keokuk, Iowa. He spent 13 years in Texas, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Master of Divinity from Texas Christian University. He is currently working on his dissertation to complete to his Doctor of Ministry.  He has served churches in Fort Worth and Keokuk. He has also started two new congregations, in Aledo, Texas and suburban Chicago. As a note to listeners, this episode was recorded live, in person at the conference hall of the General Assembly of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ. The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.   Future Christian is supported by: 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: I Help Pastors Get Jobs: Use code 'futurechristian' Torn Curtain Arts is a non-profit ministry that works with worship leaders, creatives, and churches to help avoid burnout, love their work, and realize their full creative potential.

In this special episode of the Future Christian Podcast, recorded live from the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Loren Richmond Jr is joined by guest Dennis Sanders to delve into the current state of the denomination and the unique challenges faced by local congregations. Together, they explore the pressing need to support and sustain existing congregations, recognizing the vital role they play in today's society. The discussion also delves into recent updates to the denomination's bylaws, highlighting the importance of staying informed and engaged with the evolving landscape of the church. Dennis and Loren also touch on the topic of incorporating pop songs into worship services, examining the potential benefits and challenges of bridging contemporary culture with traditional practices. They emphasize the significance of prayer and theology in guiding congregations towards a deeper understanding of their faith and the role of the church in advancing the gospel. Throughout the conversation, the importance of dialogue, relationships, and understanding is underscored as essential tools for navigating divisive issues within the church. Loren expresses his concern about declining numbers and the need for a compelling narrative to revitalize the denomination, sparking a thought-provoking reflection on the future of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.   Future Christian is supported by: 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: I Help Pastors Get Jobs: Use code 'futurechristian' Torn Curtain Arts is a non-profit ministry that works with worship leaders, creatives, and churches to help avoid burnout, love their work, and realize their full creative potential.

In this episode of the Future Christian Podcast, Loren Richmond Jr. welcomes guest Martha Titanic, an Anglican priest and author. They discuss various topics including the importance of diverse perspectives, the role of social media in engaging younger generations, the tension between community care and church growth, and the need for discernment and prayer when navigating the future.  Throughout the episode, Loren and Martha mentioned several impactful conversations they had with various guests. From the insights shared by authors like Ferguson and Packard to practical advice on bi-vocational ministry from Eric Hoke, it's clear that the Future Christian Podcast is a treasure trove of wisdom and inspiration. The episode ends with a powerful message of hope and the transformative power of the gathered body of Christ. Despite the challenges within the church and the polarization in society, Loren and Martha encourage us to have faith and work Martha Tatarnic is the lead priest of St. George’s, a thriving downtown Anglican church in St. Catharines Ontario. Martha writes a regular blog for the Anglican Church of Canada, which can be found at medium.com. She is the author of The Living Diet:  A Christian Journey to Joyful Eating, an exploration of our relationship with food and our body through a Christian perspective and also her second book, Why Gather? The Hope and Promise of the Church.  Find out more about her at https://marthatatarnic.ca Loren Richmond Jr. is a mission-driven leader with a unique combination of experience in church, nonprofits and affordable housing, holding an MBA with a Nonprofit emphasis and a Master of Divinity. As a servant leader, Loren possesses a calm, focused, and credible demeanor that empowers staff, along with a systems-driven and efficient approach to managing operations, fostering productivity even in heavy workloads. Loren's lifelong commitment to learning and diverse skill-sets enables visionary solutions to current and future organizational challenges, while his entrepreneurial approach has transformed organizations. https://ihelppastorsgetjobs.thinkific.com/ Use code 'futurechristian' The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.  

With declining church attendance and continued budget tightening, more and more pastors are struggling to earn what they need through a church job alone. During the conversation, Eric Hoke provides valuable insights on career paths that pastors can explore outside of the church. He advises pastors to tailor their resumes to the job they are applying for, highlighting their transferable skills and experiences. Eric emphasizes the importance of co-vocational ministry and hopes to see more churches mobilized and maximized to go beyond mission together.  As a co-vocational church planter himself, Eric understands the challenges and opportunities that come with balancing ministry and a secular job. He encourages pastors to embrace the co-vocational model and leverage their skills and experiences to make a positive impact in both the church and the marketplace.  Eric Hoke is a Covocational Church Planter and Proven Marketplace Professional specializing in Staffing & Corporate Training. He has worked with thousands of eager career changers from around the world including Church Planters, Missional Church Leaders and Pastors transitioning from ministry to break into the Corporate World to sustain their ministries.  With a 15+ years of ministry experience, a Masters of Arts in Biblical Literature and a 3 year fellowship with Redeemer City to City, Eric understands Pastors and what it takes to lead a church in the modern world. A sought after international speaker, he has trained over 100K+ professionals from brands like Uber, American Express, Moderna, and Salesforce and is widely regarded in the corporate world. His insights have been featured on podcasts, online and in print on platforms like Relevant Magazine, NewBreed Training and his NYC Church Plant story is featured in the book Next Wave: Discovering the 21st Century Church.  As a certified Master Coach, he can help any Pastor with the problem of how-to-rebrand confusion and break into the Corporate World to supplement their income and build a ministry of sustainability for their families.  https://ihelppastorsgetjobs.thinkific.com/ use code 'futurechristian'  The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.  

Reverend Dr. Juan Sarmiento, Executive Presbyter of the San Fernando Presbytery, joins the podcast to talk about his role and perspective on clergy burnout. He also discusses his faith journey and spiritual practices, the challenges of being a clergy member, and the importance of recognizing the value of institutions. The conversation emphasizes the need for humility, openness to new ideas, and respectful dialogue within the church. Juan J. Sarmiento serves as executive presbyter of the San Fernando Presbytery. In his role, Juan provides pastoral and strategic leadership to a growing network of congregations and ministries associated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) in the Northwest region of Los Angeles. Born in Venezuela and ordained in Brazil, he has been in ministry and nonprofit leadership for more than three decades. Juan's graduate studies include programs at Fuller, San Francisco, Columbia, and Louisville theological seminaries. He has been active in helping strengthen church and leadership development movements in four continents. The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

What if the goal of the Christian life isn't how we behave or even how we believe, but how we love? In this episode, Jessie Cruickshank joins the show to talk about discipleship, head-knowledge vs. heart-knowledge, and why facts don't produce transformation. In the conversation, she shares why churches needed to be emphasizing relational discipleship making and community building in order to create lasting disciples of Jesus. Jessie Cruickshank holds an M.Ed. from Harvard in mind, brain, and education. She is an ordained minister and a nationally recognized expert in disciplemaking and the neuroscience of transformation. She has spent two decades applying neuroeducation research to discipleship, ministry training, experiential education, and organization development. Jessie is respected globally as a leader in missiological thought and a church and denominational consultant and is the founder of [Who]ology. Jessie lives and adventures with her family in Colorado. Previous Episode: https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/jessie-cruickshank/   The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.  

In this episode, Rev. Dr. David Anderson Hooker, founder and principal of Counter Stories Consulting, joins the pod to discuss the power of narrative. Dr. Hooker shares his background in mediation, conflict transformation, peace building, and trauma healing, and how he uses narrative approaches to envision a shared future that incorporates everyone. The conversation also touches on the importance of understanding the root problem and creating a context for healthier habits, as well as examining the narratives and stories that shape congregational spaces.  David Anderson Hooker PhD, JD, M. Div. is the Founder and Principal Narrator for CounterStories Consulting, llc. CounterStories engages as a conversation and visioning partner with international, national and local civil society organizations, religious groups, organization leaders, and social entrepreneurs to craft narratives of their preferred futures and align organizational structures and internal practices in furtherance of their constructed narratives. For almost 40 years, Hooker has served as mediator, restorative circle steward, facilitator, community builder, scholar, and advocate. He is a graduate of Morehouse College (BS); Washington University in St. Louis (AM); University of Massachusetts in Amherst (MPH & MPA); The Emory University School of Law (JD); The Candler School of Theology at Emory University (M. Div); and University of Tilburg in Tilburg, Netherlands (Ph.D.). Hooker is also an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC). In all of his preparation, he still believes his best professional training is as an understudy in community theatre and as a student of urban partner dances such as Detroit Urban Ballroom, Chicago Stepping, and the Cleveland Hand dance. The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

Is managing the institution wearing you out as a pastor or church leader? Does Christianity feel too isolated for earth and creation? In this episode, we talk with Matt Syrdal, a pastor and spiritual innovator on the challenges of maintaining institutions and the importance pursuing passion projects as an opportunity for pastors to live fully into their calling and be visionary for the future church. Syrdal also talks about his eco-spirituality projects and why he believes Christianity needs to be "re-wilded" toward a more experiential and mystical faith.  Rev. Matt Syrdal is a father of two and an ordained pastor living near the front range of the ancestral Rocky Mountains in Denver, Colorado. He has been influenced by the Christian mystical tradition, Jungian psychology, and the visionary lineage of Animas Valley Institute as a certified nature-based human development guide, currently in-training as a Soul Initiation Guide. In 2014 Matt founded Church of Lost Walls, a Denver Wild Church seeking to step across the threshold into a community based on sacred-reciprocity, relationship with the watershed, wild sacramental worship, and a commitment to ecological education and justice. In 2018 Matt co-founded Seminary of the Wild, an eco-ministry leadership and movement hub for a wild spirituality. Matt is has been a contributing writer for Progressive Christianity and currently writing a book called “Mythic Christ.” In 2022, Matt began his life’s work developing a Mystery School and launching a yearlong eco-depth training program called “Awakening Mythic Imagination.” Matt  has been mentoring women and men through dreamwork, deep imagery, leadership coaching, ceremony and ritual, and personal mythwork as channels for accessing the deep Self and living with greater authenticity and purpose in service to the world.  Learn more about Mythic Christ Mystery School at www.mythicchrist.com The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

Are you feeling the pressure to constantly innovate and be competitive in both work and daily life? Do you ever wonder if this focus on innovation is truly necessary for good ministry, or if it is simply a response to the fear of decline? In this episode of the Future Christian Podcast, we talk with Andrew Root about innovation in the church, the limits of creativity and singularity, and the dangers of making the church the start of it's own story. More, we also talk about how the constant demand for pastors to be creative and innovative pushes them toward behaving more as a manager and less as a pastor. Andrew Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, USA. He writes and researches in areas of theology, ministry, culture and younger generations.  His most recent books are Churches and the Crisis of Decline (Baker, 2022), The Congregation in a Secular Age (Baker, 2021), The End of Youth Ministry? (Baker, 2020), The Pastor in a Secular Age: Ministry to People Who No Longer Need God (Baker, 2019), Faith Formation in a Secular Age (Baker, 2017), and Exploding Stars, Dead Dinosaurs, and Zombies: Youth Ministry in the Age of Science (Fortress Press, 2018). Andy has worked in congregations, parachurch ministries, and social service programs. He lives in St. Paul with his wife Kara, two children, Owen and Maisy, and their dog. When not reading, writing, or teaching, Andy spends far too much time watching TV and movies. The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

Trying to navigate the changing landscape of church? In this episode with Dr. Josh Packard and Dr. Todd Ferguson, we discuss their book Stuck and delve into the challenges faced by clergy members, particularly those with a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree. But it's not all doom and gloom - they also suggest solutions for struggling congregations and talk about the future of Christianity. With a focus on navigating the current cultural conversation around LGBTQ+ issues and preserving diversity of expressions while expanding them, this podcast offers valuable insights into the need for adaptation and innovation in the church. Dr. Josh Packard is a sociologist and researcher.  He was the founding Executive Director of Springtide Research Institute and former professor at the University of Northern Colorado, where he was also the Executive Director of the Social Research Lab. He currently serves as the Vice President of Strategy for the National Catholic Educational Association.  Josh is the author of the ground-breaking book Church Refugees: Sociologists reveal why people are DONE with church but not their faith as well as numerous academic articles about faith and religion. Find him online @drjoshpackard Dr. Todd Ferguson is a sociologist of religion at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas. His research focuses on the social organization of religion, specifically congregations and their clergy. He is fascinated with the fact that religions are more than ideas and beliefs. They create structures and communities that profoundly affect people’s lives. He earned his Ph.D. in sociology at Baylor University. Before becoming a sociologist, Todd earned a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School and was a pastor in Houston.  Todd is married to Emma, a veterinarian, and they have two wonderful children. The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.