Center for Congregations Podcast
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.
Latest episodes
Feb 16, 2022 • 59min
S4 E3: Is Race The Real Problem?
Racial division is a current topic in many arenas of life. However, Rev. Wallace Butts asks the question "Is race the real issue here?" Matt and Ben talk with Rev. Wallace Butts about the Listen, Learn and Live (L3) initiative in which he lays out a way for people in our society to live more peaceably together.Resourceshttps://thecrg.org/collections/Is_Race_The_Real_ProblemPastor Wallace Butts' email address for L3: connect@l3movement.comIf you'd like to be a part of the L3 workshops, register here: https://centerforcongregations.org/workshop/listen-learn-and-live-together-session-1
Feb 9, 2022 • 17min
S4 B2: The Review - Can I Get Your Number? Unpacking the Enneagram
Abby and Ben discuss The Paths Between Us and talk through the reasons they find the Enneagram both useful and fascinating.Resources:https://www.amazon.com/Path-Between-Us-Enneagram-Relationships/dp/0830846425
Feb 2, 2022 • 58min
S4 E2: Providing Touch in a Touchless Time
Dee Dee (Deidre) Gray and Adrian Warren join Ben and Matt to talk about how congregations can improve their digital presence.Resourceshttps://blog.capterra.com/church-seo-best-practices-to-get-your-church-found-in-search/ https://www.webfx.com/industries/local-consumer-services/churches/seo/https://missionalmarketing.com/basic-guide-to-church-seo/Adrian Warren's website: http://www.mrawarren.com/Dee Dee Gray's Organization: https://www.mykingdomsolution.com/https://thecrg.org/resources/beyond-hospitality
Jan 26, 2022 • 23min
S4 B1: The Review - Learning from Mars Hill
In this fun bonus episode of the Center for Congregations Podcast, Ben and Abby discuss the podcast The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill and explore what we can learn from it.
Jan 19, 2022 • 58min
S4 E1: 3 Big Questions
Kara Powell from Fuller Youth Institute joins Ben and Matt to discuss the new book 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager.Resourceshttps://thecrg.org/resources/The_Essential_Power_of_Belonginghttps://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/
Dec 29, 2021 • 39min
S3 E11: Ghosts
Riffing off of Charles Dickens' classic novel, Ben and Matt and Tim Shapiro, reflect on trends in the life of congregational ministry.
Dec 15, 2021 • 48min
S3 E10: Gloriously Out Of Place
Joe Johns and So Min Oo join Ben and Matt to discuss the relationship their congregations have built while celebrating their differences.Resourceshttps://thecrg.org/collections/Gloriously_Out_of_Place
Dec 1, 2021 • 39min
S3 E9: The Joys of Evaluation!
Kelly Minas, the Center for Congregations' Associate Director for Evaluation, joins Ben and Matt to discuss the importance of evaluation, metrics and analytics for congregational life.Resourceshttps://thecrg.org/resources/completing-the-circle-reviewing-ministries-in-the-congregationhttps://www.betterevaluation.org/https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/projects-that-matter-successful-planning-and-evaluation-for-religious-organizations_kathleen-a-cahalan/964017/item/12033315/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAtJeNBhCVARIsANJUJ2FRP-IUCrO59bm2jFUtRSzcvh-5fVnnC_xayO-5b2VaYdw5n4VgzfsaAtKXEALw_wcB#idiq=12033315&edition=5355798https://thecrg.org/resources/How_to_Shape_Your_Church_s_Culture
Nov 17, 2021 • 1h 1min
S3 E8: Forced Into The Water
Mike Palmer joins Ben and Matt to unpack emerging trends in education. They explore how these trends will affect religious education and congregational life moving forward.Resourceshttps://thecrg.org/collections/Forced_into_the_Water_Emerging_Trends_in_Religious_Educations
Nov 3, 2021 • 50min
S3 E7: Memento Mori
Rev. Sabrina Gray joins Ben and Matt to discuss the importance of end of life planning, and talks through how leaders can initiate those conversations within their community.Resourceshttps://thecrg.org/collections/End_of_Life_Planning_ConversationsThe Conversation ProjectExtremis DocumentaryDem Dry BonesFive Wishes
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