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
Sep 7, 2022 • 50min
S4 E15: Suffering in Silence: Addressing Mental Health
First, the bad news: mental health issues exist in your congregation. The good news is that there are a wealth of resources and people who can help and a myriad of ways to support those with mental health issues. In this episode, Pastor Ken Hilliard talks about the genesis of the organization Building a Stronger Family and its work to bring hope to those without it.Ben and Matt also discuss some of their own experiences with the topic and how it shows up in the work of the Center for Congregations.Resourceshttps://thecrg.org/resources/Black_Emotional_and_Mental_Health_Collectivehttps://thecrg.org/resources/National_Alliance_on_Mental_Illness_NAMIhttps://buildingastrongerfamily.org/https://www.ecfpl.org/offers/FK6TXRGP/checkout
Aug 24, 2022 • 55min
S4 E14: Are You Seeing What I'm Seeing?
You likely deal with some kind of diversity in your congregational life. Whether that be ethnic, cultural, generational or some other kind of diversity. Wilisha Scaife believes that the answer to dealing with diversity in ministry is learning to listen, learn and love. The phrase is simple but being able to do this takes effort and intentionality. Wilisha unpacks what this means and Ben and Matt share how this has shown up in their work and resources to help think about difference.Resources https://thecrg.org/collections/Is_Race_The_Real_Problem https://thecrg.org/collections/Make_It_Personal_Leading_a_Multicultural_Congregation https://thecrg.org/resources/mutual-ministry https://thecrg.org/resources/the-new-copernicans-series
Aug 10, 2022 • 53min
S4 E13: More Than a Classroom: Reimagining Faith Formation and Discipleship
At the heart of every congregation is the desire to pass on the beliefs and practices of its tradition. This can be called lots of things: catechism, faith formation, discipleship, etc. In this interview, John Roberto discusses how this passing on of faith can be distilled into seven parts that, when addressed in your congregation's context, can help form the faith of everyone.Furthering the conversation, podcast hosts Matt Burke and Ben Tapper share examples of what faith formation and discipleship have looked like for congregations who have partnered with the Center. Resourceshttps://genonministries.org/https://www.amazon.com/Lifelong-Faith-Formation-Ages-Generations/dp/1640654860https://thecrg.org/resources/ReFocus_Ministryhttps://thecrg.org/resources/transformational-groups-part-1-the-exchange-full-episode
Jul 11, 2022 • 11min
S4 Mid-Season Break: A Look Back and A Look Ahead
In this short episode, Ben and Matt recap the guests and topics thus far and preview the rest of season 4. We'll be back in action with you all on August 10, 2022!
Jun 24, 2022 • 1h 11min
S4 E12: Stories > Stances
This episode provides the narratives of three members of the LGBTQ+ community focused on their lives in congregations. These stories highlight the highs and lows of their experiences in faith communities. We offer these narratives in the hope that it will provide wisdom and guidance to your congregation as you navigate this complex issue.
Jun 9, 2022 • 57min
S4 E11: Beyond Feisty and Divisive: Caring for LGBTQ Youth
In congregations many have questions and concerns about LGBTQ+ issues. Regardless of your theological stance, it's important to know how to care for youth that may identify as LGBTQ+ and their families as they navigate this complex situation. Mark Oestreicher, youth worker and co-found of The Youth Cartel, shares his wisdom and personal experience on this topic.ResourcesUs versus Us: The Untold Story of Religion and the LGBT Community (Book)4 Views on Pastoring LGBTQ Teenagers: Effective Ministry to Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer, and Questioning Students Among Us (Book)A Bigger Table: Building Messy, Authentic, and Hopeful Spiritual Community (Book)Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians (Book)Open and Affirming Coalition (organization)Mark Oestreicher's Socials: https://www.facebook.com/markoestreicherhttps://www.instagram.com/whyismarko/https://twitter.com/markosbeard
May 25, 2022 • 51min
S4 E10: Possibility-Lessons from Jazz
Dr. Kirk Byron Jones joins Matt and Ben to discuss what we can learn from jazz about beauty, creativity and liberation. Resourceshttps://faithandleadership.com/jazz-belongs-churchhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/0310361176/https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8817-music-therapy
May 11, 2022 • 54min
S4 E9: What's Right with Congregations
Former Center for Congregations staff members Nancy DeMott and Doug Hanner join Matt to share stories about their work at the Center. These stories highlight what congregations can accomplish and why they are important.Find more congregational stories here: https://centerforcongregations.org/blogs/congregational-stories
Apr 27, 2022 • 50min
S4 E8: When Digital Ministry Is Not Plug-And-Play
Rev. Dr. Rosario Picardo joins Ben and Matt to discuss digital ministry in congregational life. Roz is the co-author of Fresh Expressions in a Digital Age. In this interview Roz shares his thoughts as a pastor on the place of digital ministry in congregational life.Resourcesroz@wearemosaic.orghttps://www.rosariopicardo.comhttps://www.amazon.com/Both-Maximizing-Experiences-Person-Engagement/dp/1953495230https://thechurch.digital/https://www.churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/4-keys-to-moving-from-online-worship-to-online-ministry/Phygital Church: Building Physical and Digital Space for Ministry Impact in 2021 - The CRGUse the information below to access the pre-recorded live online event from 4/26/22. This will be available until 5/27/22.Topic: Fresh Expressions in a Digital AgeDate: Apr 26, 2022 05:53 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)Meeting Recording:https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/p6pAWdcMD90OmKlEyriUbpkpeamErtViWoRSlKZRBDAx_JyXo4sqc_XMMi9HopQ.XrT0hIm4FsBPNCblAccess Passcode: r%=B45r?
Apr 14, 2022 • 1h 15min
S4 E7: Remembering Our History In Order To Heal
Ben and Matt talk with Rev. Sue Park-Hur about the challenges facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. They discuss the model-minority myth, the rise in hate crimes against the AAPI community and reflect on the 30th anniversary of the LA Uprising. Resourceshttps://stopaapihate.orghttps://thecrg.org/resources/Asian_American_Christian_Collaborativehttps://thecrg.org/resources/Honoring_the_Generations_Learning_with_Asian_North_American_CongregationsPropaganda: "Three Cord Bond" from the album Crimson Cord
