Church is Changing
Church is Changing
We bring you stories of hope and resilience from leaders around the world who are engaging the gospel message in new ways. We interview thought leaders who bring wisdom about the changing cultural landscape and its implications for faith formation. If you are a church leader looking for practical ideas and new ways of approaching church in the 21st century, this podcast is for you.
About the Hosts:
Beth Estock
After serving as a United Methodist pastor in a variety of settings in Georgia and Oregon, and then as Director of New Faith Community Development in the Oregon and Idaho conferences of The United Methodist Church, Beth Estock wanted to help big-hearted leaders have impact without exhaustion. She is a Master Certified Integral Coach™ as well as a meditative yoga instructor. Her contemplative sensibilities and integral approach inform her coaching work with leaders all over North America and the United Kingdom.
She has written two books, Weird Church: Welcome to the 21st Century and Discernment: Spiritual Practices for Building a Life of Faith. You can find out more about her at www.bethestock.com
Paul Nixon
Paul Nixon is Director of Church Multiplication for Discipleship Ministries, an agency of The United Methodist Church. He has served as a Director of Church Development for an annual conference, served as a church planter, and coached scores of innovative leaders across the last quarter century. Paul is the president of Epicenter Group, a coaching organization currently focused on ministry in North America and the United Kingdom. Paul has written eleven books – including a joyful collaboration with Beth Estock in 2016 as they released Weird Church: Welcome to the 21stt Century. His most recent book is Launching a New Worship Community: A Field Guide for the 2020s, co-authored with Craig Gilbert and twelve ministry innovators. You can find out more about him at www.epicentergroup.org.
About the Hosts:
Beth Estock
After serving as a United Methodist pastor in a variety of settings in Georgia and Oregon, and then as Director of New Faith Community Development in the Oregon and Idaho conferences of The United Methodist Church, Beth Estock wanted to help big-hearted leaders have impact without exhaustion. She is a Master Certified Integral Coach™ as well as a meditative yoga instructor. Her contemplative sensibilities and integral approach inform her coaching work with leaders all over North America and the United Kingdom.
She has written two books, Weird Church: Welcome to the 21st Century and Discernment: Spiritual Practices for Building a Life of Faith. You can find out more about her at www.bethestock.com
Paul Nixon
Paul Nixon is Director of Church Multiplication for Discipleship Ministries, an agency of The United Methodist Church. He has served as a Director of Church Development for an annual conference, served as a church planter, and coached scores of innovative leaders across the last quarter century. Paul is the president of Epicenter Group, a coaching organization currently focused on ministry in North America and the United Kingdom. Paul has written eleven books – including a joyful collaboration with Beth Estock in 2016 as they released Weird Church: Welcome to the 21stt Century. His most recent book is Launching a New Worship Community: A Field Guide for the 2020s, co-authored with Craig Gilbert and twelve ministry innovators. You can find out more about him at www.epicentergroup.org.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 15, 2021 • 34min
Field Preachers: Episode 81 - The Pandemic and Christian Leaders
Hosts Paul Nixon and Beth Estock reflect on the ways that the pandemic has pushed Christian leaders to a burnout point, and talk about how they can care for themselves so that they will be ready to lead into 2022.
Dec 2, 2021 • 45min
Field Preachers: Episode 80 - Daryn DeZengotita
In this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, host Paul Nixon interviews Daryn DeZengotita of Dallas about the creation of community-building space, especially as we repurpose oversized church buildings in the wake of the pandemic.
Nov 17, 2021 • 31min
Field Preachers: Episode 79 - Rural Church Ministry with Rev. Allen T. Stanton
As rural America continues to undergo massive economic and demographic shifts, rural churches are uniquely positioned to provide community leadership. Leading a rural congregation requires a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing these communities, as well as a strong theological and community-focused identity. Rev. Allen T. Stanton describes how in establishing this identity, rural leaders can build meaningful ministry. His three indicators for vital ministry offers hope as well as a pathway for renewal.
Nov 3, 2021 • 33min
Field Preachers: Episode 78 - Digital Ministry
In this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, host Paul Nixon interviews Lexi Hernandez, church planter of a community in North Carolina called Serve Co; along with Rev. Mark Stennett of Leeds, United Kingdom. Mark, Lexi, and Paul explore ideas related to digital ministry and agree that it is only just warming up within the global church.
Oct 20, 2021 • 29min
Field Preachers: Episode 77 - Kathi McShane & Karen Kehlet
In this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, Kathi McShane and Karen Kehlet of Los Altos UMC in California join host Paul Nixon to unpack a new paradigm for discipleship development that can work with Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR) folks.
Oct 6, 2021 • 36min
Field Preachers: Episode 76 - Matt Johnson
How does transformation happen? In this episode of Field Preachers, Matt Johnson tells us what he has discovered as the Executive Director and Founder of Abundant Life Recovery Housing Network, a ministry of Suncrest UMC in Morgantown, West Virginia. He shares his growing edges as a leader, the gift of failure, and what he has learned through the 12-Step process. For more information about this ministry, visit abundantlifehousing.org.
Aug 25, 2021 • 37min
Field Preachers: Episode 74 - Elaine Heath
Author Elaine Heath, retired Dean of Duke Divinity School, shares with us about her contemplative approach to pioneering new ministries like Neighborhood Seminary and Spring Forest Farm. We talk about the feeling of fragility and unfinished-ness that is inherent in doing pioneering work, whether in developing new faith communities or new forms of theological education, and how this feeling can actually be a helpful animator as to how we show up in the world. Join us for this rich exploration into the depths of contemplative leadership.
Aug 11, 2021 • 38min
Field Preachers: Episode 73 - Beth Evers
Are you wondering how to invite your preschool families to engage with your church community? Are you trying to figure out how to experiment with new ways of being church in a "we tried that twenty years ago" culture? Beth Evers, pastor of University UMC in Fort Worth, Texas, shares a few of her hard won leadership gems as she tells us about Wiggle Church and Funkytown Music Academy.
Jul 28, 2021 • 36min
Field Preachers: Episode 72 - Rai Jackson
In this episode of Field Preachers, host Paul Nixon interviews Rai Jackson, pastor of The Well and the Bridge, two young faith communities in Washington DC. Paul and Rai talk about how young adult culture is shifting, even since March of 2020, and the amazing possibilities of enhancing ministry with digital connections.
Jul 14, 2021 • 47min
Field Preachers Episode 71 - Rev. Jonavern Lungub
In this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, host Paul Nixon interviews Rev. Jonavern Lungub, pastor of Abu Dhabi United Methodist Church. You may have had no idea that Methodism is spreading on the Arab Peninsula in the twenty-first century. Jonavern Lungub shares the details!
