Center for Congregations Podcast
Center for Congregations
Your congregation is important, and we know that leading and serving in congregations is hard work. Join current and former Center for Congregations consultants Dr. Terrance Bridges, JC Campbell, Abby Miller, Shellie Riggs Jordan, McKenzie Scott Lewis, Ben Tapper, Matt Burke as they interview thought leaders and experts to encourage, inspire and help you find the right information and resources to address your congregation's needs. Center for Congregations staff will share what they're learning through work with congregations. Speakers, authors and congregational practitioners will share their stories and best practices to help your congregation thrive.The views expressed by podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by CfC employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of the CfC. If you have any questions about this disclaimer, please contact us at 866.307.2381 or info@centerforcongregations.org.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 29, 2026 • 1h 1min
S8 E2: Defining and Rediscovering Community
Charles Vogl joins John and Matt to talk about his book The Art of Community. He defines community and we discuss how it plays out in congregations.
Resources
The Art of Community by Charles Vogl (book)
Charles Vogl's website
The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman (book)
Lost Connections by Johann Hari (book)
Team of Teams by Stanley McChrystal (book)
Mystic Heart by Wayne Teasedale (book)
Jan 14, 2026 • 51min
S8 E1: Get in the Room
Lisa Inks, Senior Director of Urban Rural Action, joins Shellie and Matt to talk about their work of healing polarization and divided culture. Lisa shares the origins of the organization, tools for conversation and the importance of this work in our current cultural climate.
Resources
Urban Rural Action (organization)
The Colossian Forum (organization)
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (organization)
Project Civility (organization)
+More Perfect Union (organization) - There are chapters in Terre Haute, South Bend, and Indianapolis
Braver Angels (organization)
The Socials
Urban Rural Action on Facebook
Urban Rural Action on Instagram
Urban Rural Action on LinkedIn
Dec 24, 2025 • 39min
S7 E22: Past, Present, Future 2025 Edition
President of the Center for Congregations Rev. Dr. Tim Shapiro joins JC and Matt to talk about what the Center for congregations has been learning through the past, this year and what we see as the futures of congregations.
Dec 10, 2025 • 47min
S7 E21: Congregations With Community
Congregations with Community (CWC) Senior Director McKenzie Scott Lewis joins JC and Matt to talk about the work of CWC and what they're learning about congregation and community collaboration.
Resources
Congregations with Community - CWC (organization)
CWC Facebook
IG @congregationswithcommunity
CWC LinkedIn
Seed to Oaks (organization)
The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging by Charles Vogl (book)
Nov 26, 2025 • 36min
S7 E20: Telling Stories
Center for Congregations staff Kara Faris, Shellie Riggs Jordan and Matt Burke gather to talk about what the Center for Congregations is learning in 2025. They share several stories of congregations in Indiana that highlight some of the great things happening in congregational life.
Resources
The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller (book)
Undue Medical Debt (organization)
Nov 12, 2025 • 58min
S7 E19: Ages and Stages - Respecting All Generations
Rev. Dr. Darrell Hall of The Way Community Church joins John and Matt to talk about doing the hard work of understanding other generations and how it is related to loving others.
Resources
Speaking Across Generations by Dr. Darrell Hall (book)
Generational IQ by Haydn Shaw (book)
Making Space at The Well by Dr. Jessica Brown (book)
Instagram - @IAmDarrellHall
X - @IAmDarrellHall
Oct 29, 2025 • 52min
S7 E18: Marketing for Good
The Center for Congregations' own Christos Reid, Communications and Marketing Strategist, joins Shellie and Matt to talk about marketing and communications for congregations. This episode is full of practical advice and tips on how to incorporate better tools and ideas into your congregation's communications.
Resources
"Ultimate Guide to Church SEO" by Paul Steinbrueck (article)
"Strategic Social Media Planning for Churches: A Step-by-Step Guide" on churchposting.com (article)
"The Top 20 Church Marketing Strategies for 2025" by Jordan Meyers (article)
Oct 15, 2025 • 54min
S7 E17: Rediscovering Discipleship
Dr. Robert Mansfield joins JC and Matt to talk about discipleship and the importance of your congregation's context in faith formation. Dr. Mansfield believes that there is no copy-paste way to disciple. Each community needs to find ways to form faith based on its unique theology, traditions and specific local history.
Resources
"Insights from Research and Theory: Practices for Forming Faith with Young Adults" by Leif Kehrwald and John Roberto (article)
Discipleship Essentials: A Guide for Building Your Life in Christ by Greg Ogden (book)
Evangelistic Discipling (organization)
The 7 Questions of Discipleship by Robert Mansfield (book series)
Oct 1, 2025 • 1h 11min
S7 E16: Young Adult Ministry - Empathy in Transition
Dr. Steven Argue, Associate Professor of Youth, Family, and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary, talks with Shellie and Dr. Bridges about meeting young adults where they are: in the midst of their transitions. Matt and Shellie then talk about the Center for Congregation's work with congregations around young adults, unpack the interview and share practical resources that will aid your congregation.
Resources
Young Adult Ministry Now (book)
Young Adult Ministry Now (website and resources)
Fuller Youth Institute (organization)
The FYI on Youth Ministry Podcast (podcast)
S.T.A.R. for Young Adults (website and resources)
Sep 17, 2025 • 48min
S7 E15: Finance Supports Strategy
Belinda King, MBA and Financial Services Professional joins Dr. Bridges and Matt to discuss the importance of a good understanding of finance in congregations. Her insights are practical, important and implementable.
Resources
Belinda King/BGK Solutions (LinkedIn)
Rich Church, Poor Church: Keys to Effective Financial Ministry by J. Clif Christopher (book)
Simplifychurch.com (organization)
Kitchen Table Giving: Reimagining How Congregations Connect with Their Donors by William G. Enright (book)
BGK Solutions (organization)
Belinda King's Email: brking@bgksolutions.com
