Center for Congregations Podcast

Join Center for Congregations staff Dr. JC Campbell, Dr. Terrance Bridges, Rev. Shellie Riggs Jordan and Matt Burke as they discuss their work with congregations and what we can all learn from what's happening around the state of Indiana. Dr. Campbell and Dr. Bridges both share about recent situations with congregations from which we can take hope, learning and resources.ResourcesThe Congregational Resource Guide (The CRG; web resource)Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church by Mark DeYmaz (book)How to Plant a Church: A Guide to Successful Startups (article)Building God's Way (BGW; organization)

Rev. Lisa Cole Smith, Founding Pastor and Artistic Director of Convergence Church in Alexandria, Virginia, joins JC and Matt to talk about how her congregation weaves aesthetics and the arts into the life of their congregation and community. Rev. Smith discusses the origins of their congregation, the trajectory of their ministry, and how congregations can be more intentional about their aesthetics, facilities and creativity.ResourcesVisual Arts and Worship (web resource) For the Beauty of the Church: Casting a Vision for the Arts (book)Convergence (organization)Be, Make, Do (podcast)

Rev. Brad Thie, from Duke Divinity School, discusses thriving rural congregations. Topics include community ties, strengths of congregations, importance of pastor well-being, mental health resources, and prolonging pastor tenures for church growth.

Expert Jason Moore from Midnight Oil Productions discusses the integration of Artificial Intelligence in congregational settings, emphasizing the importance of caution and balance. Topics include AI's role in creative processes, music creation, ethical considerations, and the need for human oversight in AI applications.

Lenmarie Pascall, Director of Coaching at Urban Youth Workers Institute, joins Shellie Riggs Jordan and Matt Burke of the Center for Congregations for an insightful discussion on youth ministry. Lenmarie asserts that urban culture is increasingly shaping the broader youth culture landscape, emphasizing the importance for parents and leaders to grasp how to support youth in flourishing within these environments.ResourcesUrban Youth Workers Institute (organization) The Youth Cartel (organization) - Mark OestreicherThe Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (organization)

Rev. Tim Lake and Rev. Raymond Dix Jr. discuss the unique makeup of their congregations and the challenges they face. They emphasize the importance of embracing diversity, understanding congregation uniqueness, and navigating transitions within the church community.

Nathan Parr, Facilities Stewardship Specialist with Smart Church Solutions, joins Dr. Terrance Bridges and Matt Burke of the Center for Congregations to discuss the challenges and solutions with facility management of congregational buildings. Nathan shares practical tips for congregations to assess and quantify the issues and costs for maintaining facilities.ResourcesSmart Church Solutions (organization)FacilitiesNet (web resource)Church Facility Management Solutions (Facebook Group)Church Facility Maintenance (article)Preserving Black Churches (organization)

National speaker, advocate and emcee, Rev. Julian DeShazier, joins JC Campbell and Matt Burke from the Center for Congregations to discuss how congregations can better adapt to changing culture and circumstances. Topics discussed include ministry arms of congregations being open about their faith background, using modern tools without losing your values, the strength of "old" songs and more. Matt and JC also discuss how change in congregations appears in the work of the Center for Congregations and share resources to help congregations navigate changes.ResourcesReimagining How We Reimagine Church by Julian DeShazier (article)Traditioned Innovation in Action by Dave Odom (article)Leading Change in the Congregation by Gil Rendle (book)Managing Transitions by William Bridges and Susan Bridges (book)Rediscovering an Evangelical Heritage by Donald Dayton (book)

Rev. Jermine Alberty joins Abby Miller and Matt Burke from the Center for Congregations to share about his experiences as a pastor and Mental Health First Aid trainer. He discusses the importance of mental health awareness both for congregational leaders and the members of congregations.ResourcesMental Health First Aid (organization)Jermine Alberty (website)NAMI (organization)Pathways 2 Promise (organization)Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries (organization)Latino Mental Health (article)A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sittser (book)

Please note: this episode contains conversation related to suicide. Feel free to pause or stop listening if you need to and seek personal support of a friend or loved one. If you find yourself struggling with suicidal thoughts please reach out to a professional and/or call 988.Col. Glen Bloomstrom joins Matt Burke and Shellie Riggs Jordan from the Center for Congregations to talk about how congregations can be places of support and help in suicide prevention. Glenn has worked extensively with the US military as a chaplain and consultant and is now the Director of Faith Community Engagement at LivingWorks Education.ResourcesCentre for Suicide Prevention (organization)Centre for Suicide Prevention safeTalk TrainingLivingWorks (organization) - provides training including Safe Talk, LivingWorks Faith and LivingWorks ASISTQPR Institute (organization)Mental Health First Aid for Youth (training)Saving the farm: Heartland clergy train to prevent agriculture workers' suicides (AP news article)Americans Are in a Mental Health Crisis - Especially African Americans. Can Churches Help? (article)988: National Suicide & Crisis LifelineThe Essentials of Suicide Prevention: A Blueprint for Churches by Karen Mason (book)Preventing Suicide: A Handbook for Pastors, Chaplains and Pastoral Counselors by Karen Mason (book)