Center for Congregations Podcast

Patrick Riecke joins McKenzie and Matt to talk about how the increased number of deaths in the past few years have taken a toll, especially on clergy and chaplains. Patrick shares a number of stories of those impacted by this trend as well as his own personal experiences as a chaplain in a large health network.Patrick's Workhttps://patrickriecke.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickriecke/ResourcesBeing Mortal by Atul Gawande (book)Perspectives on Palliative and End of Life Care (book)https://katebowler.com/podcast/https://katebowler.com/everything-happens-for-a-reason-2/Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop (book)Giving a Life Meaning by Jon Swanson (book)

Dr. Jessica Brown joins Shellie and Matt to talk about the trends of mental health in congregations. She also shares from her background and expertise how congregations can be places of healing for those experiencing mental health issues.ResourcesFull Strength Network (organization)Preparing for Amazement Ministries (organization)The Body Keeps the Score (book)Pathways to Promise

McKenzie and Matt talk with Tim Campbell-Smith about social and digital media and congregations. Tim has some great tips on very specific aspects of social media engagement but also some big picture framing on how social media can be used for the benefit of those you want to reach.  ResourcesSocial Media Guide for Ministry (book) 14 Live Streaming Tools to Win Over the Masses (article)

Shellie and Matt talk with Dr. Winterbourne Harrison-Jones, senior pastor of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church. Dr. Harrison-Jones has long been interested in how to make spaces and experiences such that all feel welcome and included. He discusses how this became a passion and how his congregation works to develop their space and gatherings.Bibliography: Visual Arts and Worship from The Calvin Institute of Christian WorshipCulture Making: Recovering our Creative Calling (book by Andy Crouch)Engaging Culture (book series)Q Ideas (organization)

Marketer and Millennial Kaeli Sweigard joins Ben and Matt to talk about her journey into congregational life. Topics include what congregations need to know about how they communicate to those not familiar with congregational life, use of language, how to present your congregation publicly and practical communication tips for your congregation.ResourcesReaching Young People in a Digital World with Kaeli Sweigard (Online event recording available until 12/31/23; Passcode: Sweigard914!)Simon Sinek - "Start With Why" (YouTube, Ted Talk)From Jay-Z to Jesus (book)Fuller Youth Institute (organization)Kaeli's email (for real!)

Aimee Laramore joins Ben and Matt to talk about community ministry. Topics include the nature of what the different definitions of congregation and community are, focusing on different needs, and defining what your congregation means by ministering to the community.ResourcesEmergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree BrownAmerican Generosity by Patricia Snell Herzog and Heather E. PriceMutual Ministry (article)Kitchen Table Giving by William G. EnrightThe Lake Institute on Faith & GivingDorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy

The hosts of the Shades of Hope podcast, Pastor Jeff Krajewski and Rev. Dr. Clarence Moore join Ben and Matt to candidly discuss racial justice in congregations and in our society.You can find the Shades of Hope podcast at the link below or wherever you get your podcasts:https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/INV6649343524

President of the Center for Congregations Tim Shapiro joins Ben and Matt to discuss what the Center for Congregations has seen in regards to trends, happenings and work in congregational life. They also discuss what the future might hold and share a number of resources.ResourcesShades of Hope Podcast - https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/INV6649343524Frederick Beuchner - Telling Secrets https://www.amazon.com/dp/0060609362/National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - https://www.nami.org/HomeSpringtide Research Institute: The State of Religion and Young People 2022 - https://www.springtideresearch.org/product/the-state-of-religion-young-people-2022-mental-healthSAVI - https://www.savi.org/

Ben and Matt spoke with Emmanuel about the ways that the Congolese Christian community is learning to adapt to life in Indiana. As they unpacked both the challenges and opportunities of that work, they also explored the lessons that non-immigrant congregations can learn from our Congolese kin. 

Understanding how to determine your next faithful step is critically important in congregational life. Center for Congregations president Tim Shapiro and Rev. Stephen Lewis join the podcast this week to discuss the importance of discernment and mutual nature of discernment for both the individual and the community. Our conversation also leads to reflecting on the wisdom of Howard Thurman and the importance of intergenerational discernment.Resourceshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-can-do-hard-things-with-glennon-doyle/id1564530722 https://emilypfreeman.com/podcast/ https://emilypfreeman.com/next-right-thing-book/