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
Jun 21, 2023 • 41min
S5 E12: So What Have We Learned?
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/
Jun 7, 2023 • 1h 6min
S5 E11: It Takes a Village: Foster Care and Adoption
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)
May 24, 2023 • 54min
S5 E10: Telephone Poles Passing by the Window
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
May 10, 2023 • 54min
S5 E9: Hybrid Congregations: You Can Be in Two Places at Once
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)
Apr 26, 2023 • 49min
S5 E8: Laughing Our Way to Perfect Humanity
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
Apr 9, 2023 • 45min
S5 E7: The Weight of Grief and Loss
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)
Mar 22, 2023 • 55min
S5 E6: Ministering to the Whole Person
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
Mar 8, 2023 • 57min
S5 E5: Bringing Good Things to Digital Spaces
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)
Feb 22, 2023 • 56min
S5 E4: You Are Welcome Here
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)
Feb 8, 2023 • 44min
S5 E3: Am I Allowed to Come In?
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!)
