This special episode of the Ferment was recorded live at the Songs & Stories event in August 2019 in Campbellsville, Kentucky. It features a wide-ranging panel discussion on the topics of constraint, comparison, sustainable creativity, and numerous other topics. The panel includes past podcast guests John Mark McMillan, Taylor Leonhardt, Fran Pratt, Ted Kim, and Jared Boyd. The panel is moderated by our host Adam Russell.

Fran Pratt - "The Litanist" - is Pastor of Worship and Liturgy at Peace of Christ Church in Round Rock, TX, where she lives with her spouse and two daughters.    On this episode, she recounts her journey — from growing up Southern Baptist to finding the Vineyard (replete with strong coffee and rock’n’roll) to finding significant life in the contemplative tradition of the Church.    The Litanist posts weekly Litanies at www.franpratt.com and extra monthly litanies and content for her patrons at www.patreon.com/franpratt

John Mark McMillan is a platinum-selling songwriter and recording artist best known for his songs "How He Loves," "Future/Past," and "King Of My Heart," co-written with his wife Sarah.  John Mark is known for bending genres and defying categorization by carving out his own unique and independent path. With an ear for melody and a poet’s eye for metaphor, no topic has been off-limits. While each of his albums over the past decade have continued to explore new territory, it’s McMillan’s ability to give lyric and language to the human experience that many consider his greatest gift.  McMillan is no stranger to success with nearly half a million monthly listeners on Spotify and 40 million Spotify streams, but he won’t let those things define him. He’s learned a lot about himself since his previous studio album Borderland, which held a Top 15 spot on the iTunes Albums chart and No. 41 on Billboard’s Top 200. “I’ve found that there’s a profound restlessness in the gap between the ideals of youth and the realities of adulthood,” says McMillan, “even when, especially when, you get what you wanted.” In this compelling follow-up to their previous Ferment conversation, Adam and John Mark first discuss John Mark’s upcoming record — diving into his production and writing process. They then explore the topic of deconstruction and its purpose in our journey. Lastly, they examine the idea that our creative work allows the very personal to become the most universal in connecting with people.

Taylor Leonhardt is a worship leader and singer/songwriter based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Taylor was born and raised in Texas, where a childhood love for country music rooted deep in her heart.  A strong yet subtle lyricist with silvery vocals reminiscent of Patty Griffin and Emmylou Harris, Leonhardt has taken those roots and crafted a sound all her own.  Her latest release, RIVER HOUSE (available on iTunes and Spotify), has garnered praise for its warm, spacious production and soul-stirring songwriting. In this inspiring conversation, Taylor and our host Adam Russell explore Taylor's journey as a songwriter.  From the "brackish waters" of writing for both the Church and outside world to the role hospitality plays in our songwriting, Taylor's creative self-awareness invites us to dive deep in this special podcast!

Steve Nicholson is the long-time senior pastor of the Evanston Vineyard outside of Chicago, IL, and has served the Vineyard movement for 40 years training church leaders and church planters across the globe.   Steve began ministering as a college student through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in the early ‘70s. After graduating, he moved to the Chicago area where he and several other 20-something leaders founded a church that placed a high priority on contemporary worship, biblical teaching, committed relationships as a church family, and an openness to the work of the Holy Spirit.   That church, now the Evanston Vineyard, is today a diverse congregation from over 50 nations with no majority racial or cultural group.  In addition, the Evanston Vineyard has planted 10 other congregations in the Chicago area and another 15 in other cities and countries.   In this practical episode, Steve and Adam break down ways in which we can see the Holy Spirit at work in our gatherings. This is "core Vineyard" stuff, featuring Steve's down-to-earth, accessible approach to following the Holy Spirit’s lead.

Shyla and Leon Powell are this week's guests. Leon is the worship pastor at the Vineyard Church in Syracuse, NY, and Shyla leads worship at the Syracuse Vineyard as well as works as a clinical therapist with the Salvation Army.  This conversation runs the gamut — from personal stories about growing up black in predominately white environments to the blessings and challenges of leading worship together as a married couple. Both Shyla and Leon share some important personal insights from their own lives as well as hopes for the growing multi-ethnic Church experience.

Jared Boyd is a pastor, spiritual director, and founder of The Order of Sustainable Faith, a missional monastic expression of the Vineyard Church.  In addition to his role in Sustainable Faith, Jared is Pastor at Franklinton Abbey and is part of The Society of Vineyard Scholars.    In this rich episode, Jared and Adam dig deep into the topic of discernment and explore the benefits of spiritual direction and a contemplative life. Jared is a deep well and this episode is overflowing with practical wisdom for the long-term life of faith.    For more information about The Order of Sustainable Faith visit: https://www.sustainablefaith.com/

Samuel Lane is a worship leader, songwriter, and recording artist, and is currently the Creative Director at The Vineyard Church in St. Albans in the Greater London area. For over twenty years, he has worked to refine his songwriting, exploring musicality and faith, pouring his life into crafting songs that draw people closer to God.   Lane has written and recorded 40 songs with Vineyard Worship, and his songs have been covered by various artists including Jesus Culture. In 2013, Samuel released his debut solo album, The Fire, which Christianity Magazine called “incredible - there hasn't been an album that has captured my attention in such a way for a long time.”   In 2018, Lane released  The Difference. “Maybe it’s the stripped-down urgency of Lane’s voice, the album’s eclectic sonic treasure-chest or simply the B3 humming throughout, but whatever it is, it’s enough to make you rethink today’s neat-and-tidy Christian music categories” (Pandora Blog, Curators’Choice).   In this candid episode, Sam shares his journey into worship leading and songwriting as the son of Vineyard UK pioneers Chris and Fliss Lane. From the depths of a life given to the worship of God and the service of His people, Sam brings a treasure of insights to sustain and inspire all of us who serve weekly in the trenches of local church worship ministry.

Dr. Brittany Kim is an Old Testament scholar, adjunct professor, and spiritual director-in-training based in Chicago, IL. She has taught at Roberts Wesleyan College, Northeastern Seminary, and Bethel Seminary, and is the author of Lengthen Your Tent-Cords: The Metaphorical World of Israel's Household in the Book of Isaiah. Brittany is also the wife of Ferment podcast guest, Ted Kim.   In this episode, Brittany and Adam dig into the Old Testament bringing out both specific and "meta" insights extremely useful for the modern worship leader. Brittany also highlights the frequency and importance of the theme of lament, particularly in the Psalms.  This is an important conversation for worship leaders and songwriters seeking more biblical expressions of worship in their personal and congregational lives.

Geno Olison is the co-lead pastor of the South Suburban Vineyard on in Chicago, IL. He also helps to lead the Diversity Initiative for Vineyard USA and is an accomplished musician, co-producing both Vineyard Soul projects: We Are Ready and Generous God.    On this challenging episode, Geno shares his personal story as a black man coming into mostly white environments in education and the Church, and  provides valuable insights into how we can all move toward a more welcoming and hospitable spirit to embrace a broader, multi-ethnic expression of the Church.