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 25, 2024 • 1h 1min
S6 E1: Breathe New Life: Finding Rhythms of Rest
As the year begins, allow yourself and your team the power to take hold of your pace and passion for work. Brenda Jank, Founder and CEO of Run Hard, Rest Well, joins Matt Burke and Abby Miller from the Center for Congregations to talk about how to help clergy and congregational leaders find rhythms of rest in order to lead well. Compelling, practical, and eye-opening, this episode will help to create a work life balance that is life-giving, transformative, and powered by God.ResourcesRun Hard, Rest Well (organization)Increasing Wholeness: Jewish Wisdom and Guided Meditations to Strengthen and Calm Body, Heart, Mind and Soul (book)Flourish by Martin Seligman (book)Ruth Haley Barton (website, author)Check out her podcast and the books Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Sacred Rhythms and Invitation to Solitude and Silence.Kirk Byron Jones (website, author)Check out his books Addicted to Hurry and Fulfilled
Dec 13, 2023 • 49min
S5 E21: Young Adults: Which Ones Do You Mean?
Rev. Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes joins Abby and Matt to talk about how she envisions engagement with young adults. The conversation focuses on defining what one means by "young adults" and ways to create relationship and space for this demographic.ResourcesYoung Adults and Your Congregation (article)Thinkq media (organization)Technology, Innovation, & Digital Engagement Lab (Tidel)Engaging Young Adults: Creating a Culture of Belonging (video) Passcode: GCWOct23!
Nov 29, 2023 • 53min
S5 E20: Marketing: The Art of Knowing Your Audience
Tyler Harden, co-founder of Firm Foundations Marketing joins Shellie and Matt to talk about marketing and communications. He discusses the importance of understanding not only those who you are speaking to but also understanding your own congregational identity.ResourcesLess Chaos, Less Noise by Kem Meyer (book)The Association of Religious Data Archives (website)Ministry Reset (website)Firm Foundations Marketing (organization)Who Are You? Marketing and Branding for Congregations (podcast)The Congregational Resource Guide (website)
Nov 15, 2023 • 48min
S5 E19: Wholeness through Brokenness
Dr. Nii Addy talks with Shellie and Matt about how he came to his interest in neuroscience and mental health, how understanding neuroscience can benefit knowledge about mental health, medication reluctance and processes for approving psychiatric medication and mental health resources for congregations. Shellie and Matt talk about why they are so interested in neuroscience and also recommend some helpful resources for congregational leaders.ResourcesMental Health: A Guide for Faith Leaders (web resource)National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) (organization)Anatomy of the Soul by Curt Thompson (book)The Addy Hour (podcast)The Addy Minute (blog)Middle School Ministry by Mark Oestreicher and Scott Rubin (book)You're a Miracle and a Pain in the Ass by Mike McHargue (book)Parent Cue (website)Beauty in Broken Things: A Guide to Kintsugi (article)
Nov 1, 2023 • 1h 3min
S5 E18: The Liturgy of Politics
Kaitlyn Schiess, author, speaker, podcaster and doctoral student joins Matt and Abby to discuss her book The Liturgy of Politics. The conversation centers on the deeper meanings of politics and liturgy and how this deeper understanding can create a flourishing community.ResourcesThe Colossian Forum (organization)Hijacked: Responding to the Partisan Church Divide (book)The Ballot and the Bible by Kaitlyn Schiess (book)The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor by Kaitlyn Schiess (book)Kaitlyn's WebsiteThe Congregational Resource Guide (The CRG)
Oct 18, 2023 • 48min
S5 E17: There Has To Be A Better Way: Mental Health
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)
Oct 4, 2023 • 1h 5min
S5 E16: Multivocational Ministry Can Be Healthy
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)
Sep 20, 2023 • 54min
S5 E15: Understanding Generational Differences
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)
Sep 6, 2023 • 1h 3min
S5 E14: Focusing on Health, Not Size
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)
Aug 23, 2023 • 1h 10min
S5 E13: Becoming Culturally Intelligent
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)
