Center for Congregations Podcast

The co-founders of Courageous Healing, Janell and Aaron Lane, join Abby and Matt to discuss mental health in congregations. The Lanes share how they developed an interest in the field, barriers to mental health treatment in congregations, healing journeys as ministry and more.ResourcesThrive and Cultivate Summit '23 (virtual summit)Mental Health Gateway: Gateways to Hope (training organization)Courageous Healing (the Lane's organization)Church Mental Health Summit 23 (virtual event)

Dr. Jessica Brown joins Shellie and Matt to discuss the challenges of multivocational ministry: both those in clergy roles and those in volunteer roles who also work. Dr. Brown discusses how ministry in this way can be healthy and fulfilling with the right mindsets and boundaries. Shellie and Matt discuss how these challenges are showing up in Indiana congregations and recommend some resources.ResourcesBoundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life (book)Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself (book)Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us (book)Dr. Jessica Brown's WebsiteSummertime Sadness: Lana Del Rey Is Working at a Waffle House in Alabama (article)

Rev. Dr. Marcus Carlson joins McKenzie and Matt to talk about generational differences. Generational differences are inevitable but navigating them well can support and sustain congregational ministry. Shellie and Matt also discuss how generational differences show up in their work and share resources.ResourcesPreparing for Amazement Ministries (Rev. Carlson's organization)Fuller Youth Institute (organization)Barna Group (organization)The Parent Cue (website)Dr. Michael Rotolo (person/resource)Understanding the Religious and Spiritual Lives of Young People in America (resource list)

Shellie and Matt are joined by Dale Sellers, author of Stalled and Executive Director of the 95Network. Dale discusses misconceptions about smaller congregations and small congregation leadership and shares how to think about and become healthier congregations.ResourcesStalled: Hope and Help for Pastors Who Thought They'd Be There by Now (book)Thriving Rural Communities at Duke Divinity School95Network (organization)Karl Vaters (website)The Congregational Resource Guide (The CRG)

Dr. David Livermore, author and speaker on cultural intelligence, talks with Tim Shapiro and Matt Burke about how being curious about culture aids the mission of congregations. Topics include defining cultural intelligence, how to develop better cultural intelligence as a person and a community and its benefits for congregational life.ResourcesDavid Livermore's WebsiteDigital, Diverse & Divided by David Livermore (book) addressing the relevance of CQ to increased polarizationServing with Eyes Wide Open by David Livermore (book) applying CQ to Christian short-term mission tripsCultural Intelligence by David Livermore (book)Cultural Intelligence Center (organization) faith-based trainingEthical Approaches to Preaching by John McClure (book)Bonheoffer from Martin Doblmeier (film) (free on YouTube)Shades of Hope (podcast)

Shellie, McKenzie and Matt reflect on the topics and guests from the first half of 2023 and what we've learned.This is a mid-season break and we'll be back with new episodes in August.Check out featured resources at the Congregational Resource Guide: https://thecrg.org/Find more episodes of the podcast and congregational stories at our website: https://centerforcongregations.org/

Michelle Jackson, foster care advocate for Josiah White's, joins McKenzie and Matt to share how congregations can support kids and families involved in foster care and adoption. Michelle shares her journey into this focus, how critical it is to support foster families, very practical ways to provide this support and how congregations can be a place of care and love.ResourcesFaith Bridge Foster Care (organization)Foster Care 101 Podcast SeriesJosiah White's (organization)The Congregational Resource Guide (The CRG)

Rev. Greg Pimlott joins Shellie and Matt to talk about leader self-care, renewal leaves and raising funding. He shares from his 2019 experience of creating a self-funded renewal leave. Topics include warning signs of burnout, overcoming barriers to renewal leave and how to raise funds.ResourcesStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton (book)Center for Pastoral Excellence (organization)Clergy Renewal Program (program of Center for Pastoral Excellence)Run Hard Rest Well (organization)Sabbatical Guide (organization)Reach out to Rev. Pimlott here

Author and speaker Jason Moore joins McKenzie and Matt to talk about how congregations can serve both in-person and online communities well. Jason shares extremely practical tips and stories of successful hybrid congregational experiences.Resources"Imagining a Hybrid Future" from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership (audio)Best Practices for Hybrid Engagement (collection from the Congregational Resource Guide)Midnight Oil Productions (Jason's company)Both/And: Maximizing Hybrid Worship Experiences for In-Person and Online Engagement by Jason Moore (book)

Dr. Jason Deuman joins Shellie and Matt to share how humor became a big part of his life and how he believes it provides us with the ability to better understand our sacred texts. ResourcesThe Joy Factor by Dr. Jep Hostetler (YouTube)Center for Media and Social Impact (organization)Humor in the Church by Will Sharples (article)Using Comedy to Build Community in Local Churches by Jason Deuman (dissertation)The Book of Jonah Word for Word Bible ComicThe Gospel of Matthew Word for Word Bible ComicThe Voice Bible from Ecclesia Bible Society