We Are Vineyard

John Elmer: Moving Forward TogetherShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard we meet John Elmer, one of the Super Regional Leaders for Vineyard USA. Together Jay and John comb through John’s story to explore themes of leadership, caring for the poor and marginalized, the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, working through rejection and loss of dreams, and how John’s early experiences have shaped the way he now guides other leaders. John grew up in Syracuse, New York. Right before his senior year in high school, he had a supernatural encounter with Jesus and was radically saved. He began a Bible study within a couple of months and never stopped. John went to college at Messiah College, where he majored in Biblical Studies and it was there that he met his wife, Gwen. Gwen and John planted the Syracuse Vineyard 30 years ago and have grown it into a multi-site church that has planted 13 other churches. John has also participated in translocal leadership, serving the Vineyard as an Area Leader, National Church Planting team member, Mission Partnership Leader, and as a Regional Leader for the last 10 years. John and Gwen have been married 38 years and have lived together in NYC, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, the squatter slums in Bangkok, as well as Syracuse. They have three children and five grandchildren that they love to be with. John is a big Syracuse University sports fan, as well as a lifelong Yankees fan.

Danielle Pathak: Casting A Vision For Pastoral Health In The VineyardShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Jay and Danielle Pathak share about their early days as young adults in ministry, what they would each say to their 25-year-old self as they were about to move away from home to plant a church, and the value of seeking advice from those who have lived longer and experienced more. They also talk about the origin story of their passion for developing emotional health and caring for the personal lives of themselves and their leadership teams. Finally, Danielle shares about the work they are doing through the Lilly Grant to explore the experiences of pastors, specifically those in underrepresented and vulnerable demographics, and some dreams they have about ways to cultivate the financial, emotional and relational lives of Vineyard pastors. Danielle Pathak is the Interim Associate National Director for Pastoral Health and Development. Danielle grew up in Columbus, Ohio and started attending the Columbus Vineyard as a young teenager. Danielle attended Ohio State University and graduated with a BA in Human Development and Family Studies. She attended Vineyard Leadership Institute in Columbus, Ohio for theological training before church planting in Denver with her husband Jay and a small team in 2001. After several years of building and developing the Arvada Vineyard and also having her daughters, she became the Staff and Spiritual Formation Pastor for the Mile High Vineyard, a family of neighborhood churches in the Denver area which includes the original Arvada Vineyard. She completed a certificate in Spiritual Direction in 2013 from Sustainable Faith, took on additional training in Family Systems work, and most recently added a certificate in Spiritual Formation and Leadership in 2020 from the Transforming Center in Chicago, IL. Her true joy in this life outside of her faith is her family, her husband of 23 years, Jay, and her daughters Jasmine (age 17) and Sofia (age 14). Show Notes: The Ferment Podcast: Jay and Danielle Pathak https://bit.ly/3uUiXc4 The Art of Neighboring by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon https://amzn.to/3JirIl3 Lilly Grants for Pastors https://bit.ly/3uZ1pv7

Equipping The Saints: 1st Quarter Wrap-up with Jay and CalebShow Podcast InformationAs we wrap on the first quarter of We Are Vineyard, Jay and Caleb Maskell meet up to share some behind the scenes of different episodes, their thoughts and reflections on some of their favorite conversations, and of course they laugh… a lot! From Andy Crouch’s episode on doing the internal work that allows us to be effective leaders to Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado’s episode about learning from people of different cultural backgrounds, join us as we take a brief walk through just some of the richness of these first 12 episodes! Caleb Maskell is the Associate National Director of Theology and Education for Vineyard USA. Caleb has been involved in leadership in the Vineyard movement for twenty-five years. He holds a Masters in Divinity from Yale Divinity School where he immersed himself in the study of theology, church history, and scripture, while also leading worship and working with middle school and high school youth groups. In 2007, along with his wife Kathy and their friends Matt and Hannah Croasmun, Caleb planted Elm City Vineyard Church in New Haven, Connecticut. That year, he also began a Ph.D. program at Princeton University and, after moving to Manhattan for four years while Kathy went to seminary, the Maskells ended up in suburban Philadelphia, where Caleb completed his Ph.D while teaching regularly at Princeton Theological Seminary and serving as the Worship Pastor at Blue Route Vineyard Church. Since 2010, Caleb has led the Society of Vineyard Scholars, which exists to foster and sustain a community of theological discourse in and for the Vineyard movement. Caleb is passionate about developing leaders and institutions that will help to produce a healthy, courageous, and hospitable future for the church in the twenty-first century. Caleb and Kathy now live with their two kids, Josiah and Emmanuelle, in the heart of Denver, where Kathy pastors East Denver Vineyard Church. Show Notes: The Ferment, March 7, 2022 The Life of the Mind with Caleb Maskell – Pastoring Worship Series https://bit.ly/3JOStiq Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger https://amzn.to/3Lex16y Tempered Resilience by Tod Bolsinger https://amzn.to/37TKXV9 Society of Vineyard Scholars https://vineyardscholars.org/about-us/

Steve Cuss: Managing Leadership Anxiety – Yours and TheirsShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Jay talks with author and pastor Steve Cuss about what it was like growing up in an irreligious family that eventually came to really embrace his calling, the valuable experience he gained in chaplain residency and the practice of vulnerability and self-awareness that has shaped his heart and his life’s work. Steve also reveals his secret talent as a chicken hypnotist (see show notes for a visual!) **Please note: This episode contains some discussion of grief and pregnancy loss as Steve shares stories from his years as a chaplain. Steve is the author of Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs and the founder of www.capablelife.me, an online community helping you to function as a calm, aware, present human in the work place and home place. Steve has served in a variety of pastoral roles for 26 years, the majority of those years as a lead pastor. He is also proud to be a strategic partner with Compassion International, Leadership Network, and Missio Alliance. Steve was privileged to grow up in Perth, Western Australia, in an adventurous family of origin. After moving to the United States for theological study, he married Lisa and they have two sons and a daughter, in whom they take great delight. When Steve is not working, you can find him laughing with his family, knee-deep in a trout stream, or trying a guitar he cannot afford at a local music store. Show Notes: Steve’s website https://www.stevecusswords.com Managing Leadership Anxiety by Steve Cuss Vineyard USA’s suggested reading for March https://amzn.to/3u9pS0x All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot https://amzn.to/3L22Kbd Chicken hypnotism (not Steve) https://bit.ly/36ynMPt Steve’s Socials: Instagram and Twitter: @stevecusswords

Joel Seymour: Going Home – Planting A Kingdom Outpost In Your HometownShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Jay Pathak chats with Joel Seymour, a Super Regional Leader for Vineyard USA. Joel shares about being raised in the Church of Christ, his introduction to John Wimber and a wild encounter with the Holy Spirit. Joel also shares his experience of being sent home by the Lord to plant a church and how their church has found creative ways to make a practical impact in their small town. Joel Seymour is a Super Regional Leader for Vineyard USA. Joel’s passion for the Vineyard began as a teenager when he watched John Wimber’s testimony video (yay VHS!). He knew he found his home when, as a college sophomore, he took the Fuller Seminary class MC550 “Healing and World Evangelism” led by Wimber and C. Peter Wagner. In 1998, Joel and his wife Kristi planted their second church – the Lancaster Vineyard in Lancaster, OH and Joel has served there as the Lead Pastor. He has been deeply engaged in his city, bringing together the social, private, and public sectors through the Art of Neighboring Fairfield County initiative. Joel also started the Small Town initiative within Multiply Vineyard. He has served as both an Area Leader and a Regional Leader within Vineyard USA. He looks forward to drawing on his experience to encourage, equip and empower local pastors. Joel enjoys playing guitar, leading worship, laughing, and most of all, taking long daily walks with his wife. Joel and Kristi have raised 3 great kids. Show Notes: Lancaster Vineyard Church http://lancastervineyard.org Watch a quarantine throwback of Joel and his daughter dancing for “Monday Moves”! https://bit.ly/3MTfJgT Managing Leadership Anxiety by Steve Cuss Vineyard USA’s suggested reading for March https://amzn.to/3sSV9Fo

Bryan McLees: Convoy of Hope, Vineyard USA’s Partner in Disaster ReliefShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Brian McLees shares about growing up a pastor’s kid, studying with John Wimber at Fuller Seminary, and a formational encounter he had with the Holy Spirit and a demonized man. He also shares about the overarching theme of kindness that has defined his life’s path, how he came to join the team at Convoy of Hope and their current response to the war in Ukraine. Bryan McLees has been a part of the Vineyard church planting storyline with chapters in New England and Colorado since 1982-ish.  He began serving the Vineyard through his Network Relations Director role at Convoy of Hope in 2006.  Helping churches respond to poverty, towards a sustainable hope, is a calling he shares with an incredible team at Convoy of Hope. Show Notes: Convoy of Hope https://convoyofhope.org Rich Nathan talks with Hal Donaldson from Convoy of Hope https://vimeo.com/687243776/a7f15439de Donate to support Ukraine! https://vineyardusa.org/ukraine-support/ Managing Leadership Anxiety by Steve Cuss Vineyard USA’s suggested reading for March https://amzn.to/3sSV9Fo

Rubén Quintero: Pastoring In In-Between PlacesShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Rubén Quintero shares his story of becoming a Christian as a child, learning to preach the Gospel as a teen and beginning to serve the church as a young adult; from scrubbing toilets at his church to managing their finances and finally planting his own church in El Centro, Rubén has spent his life saying “yes” to Jesus and the next thing in front of him. Rubén also shares his heart for Hispanic people, his culture and the movement of La Viña churches. Rubén Quintero loves Jesus Christ, is the pastor of Imperial Valley Vineyard church in El Centro, CA, and is a chaplain for Workforce Chaplaincy, which allows him to serve hundreds of immigrants who work in agriculture in the US.  He is a CPA graduated from UABC in Mexicali, Mexico, and holds a Master’s in Theology from San Diego Christian University.  He is passionate about planting churches among the Hispanics in the U.S. Rubén is happily married to Vaneza and they have 3 wonderful boys – Rubén (16), David (13), and Iván (11). He likes traveling and baseball, so he expects to visit the 30 MLB stadiums during his lifetime. Show Notes: Managing Leadership Anxiety by Steve Cuss Vineyard USA recommended reading for March https://amzn.to/35mSqeq If you’ve been enjoying the podcast and have questions for Jay Pathak and Caleb Maskell? Email podcast@vineyardusa.org!

Tod Bolsinger: Tempered Resilience – How Leaders Are Formed in the Crucible of ChangeShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Jay Pathak and Tod Bolsinger discuss adaptive change in the church. Tod speaks about how his passion for studying change and helping “faith leaders thrive as change leaders” developed, and the role of the pastor as a steady force in the midst of crisis and anxiety. Tod and Jay also talk about what we learned from the crucible of change that was the pandemic. Tod Bolsinger, MDiv, PhD, the co-owner and principal of AE Sloan Leadership, Inc, an executive coaching and consulting firm that works with church, non-profit, and marketplace leaders in leading change. He is also the Executive Director of the De Pree Center Church Leadership Institute, a Senior Fellow of the De Pree Center for Leadership, Associate Professor of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary, was the founder of the Fuller Leadership Platform, and served as a Vice President of Fuller Seminary for six years. Prior to his educational career, he served as a pastor for 27 years.  He is the author of five books, including the Outreach Magazine Resource of the Year in pastoral leadership, Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory, Leadership for a Time of Pandemic: Practicing Resilience and most recently, Tempered Resilience: How Leaders are Formed in the Crucible of Change. Show Notes: Tempered Resilience by Tod Bolsinger Vineyard USA’s recommended reading for February https://amzn.to/3LEdIV8 Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger https://amzn.to/3oT6fb7 Reach us at: VineyardUSA.org Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @VineyardUSA

Dave Ferguson: Making Heroes Of Other People – Our Fruit Grows On Other People’s TreesShow Podcast InformationIn this episode of We Are Vineyard, Jay Pathak and Dave Ferguson discuss growing churches. Dave encourages dreaming big enough to where you are forced to be dependent on God, and talks about some common obstacles that keep us from dreaming big dreams. He also shares tangible practices for staying hungry and motivated after long years in ministry and the shift he believes needs to happen during the life of every leader. Dave Ferguson is the lead pastor of Community Christian Church, a multisite missional community that is passionate about “helping people find their way back to God.” Community has grown from a few college friends to thousands and has been recognized as one of America’s most influential churches. Dave also provides visionary leadership for the international church-planting movement NewThing and is chairman of the board and president of the Exponential conference. He is an award-winning author of books that include The Big Idea, Exponential, On The Verge, Finding Your Way Back To God, Starting Over, Hero Maker and most recently B.L.E.S.S. 5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World. Dave and his best friend Sue have three terrific children Amy, Josh and Caleb. Feel free to email him with questions, ideas, feedback or introductions at daveferguson@communitychristian.org Show Notes: Dave’s Website https://daveferguson.org Prepare Your Church for the Future by Carl George https://amzn.to/3uIxM2O Lyle Schaller https://amzn.to/3rFsIu2 Multiply Vineyard https://multiplyvineyard.org Dave’s socials: Twitter: @daveferguson Instagram: @fergusondave

Robb Morgan: Risks Of Faith And Living A Life Of AdventureShow Podcast Information In this episode of We Are Vineyard, our host Jay Pathak chats with Robb Morgan, the Managing Director of Vineyard USA, about the risks they took as young adults learning to hear from Jesus and how this built a lifestyle of taking Kingdom risks. Robb shares the radical story of being introduced to Jesus by a bartender, the immediate change in the trajectory of his life, and the incredible value of the formative friendships that were built during those years. This episode is full of fun and powerful stories of God moving in the lives of these two men whose faith and sense of Kingdom adventure will both inspire and ground you in the Lord’s goodness. Robb Morgan is the Managing Director of Vineyard USA. Robb grew up in Danbury, CT before going to college at The Ohio State University where he played for and captained the OSU Men’s Soccer Team from 1991-1995, graduating from OSU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1996. In 1998, following a very dark and difficult few years, Robb encountered Jesus while on a business trip to Southern California. Over the course of one week, a bartender at the hotel where Robb was staying, and who happened to attend a Vineyard Church, proclaimed the love of God and demonstrated the power of Jesus. At 2am on September 1, Robb surrendered his life to Jesus – just a few hours before hopping on a plane and going back to Ohio. Upon returning to Columbus, Robb immediately got involved with Joshua House, the young adult ministry at Vineyard Columbus. It was there that Robb met his wife Julie, and they attended a small group led by Jay & Danielle Pathak. At Vineyard Columbus, Robb led multiple small groups, attended Vineyard Leadership Institute and interned with Bill Christensen. In 2001, along with a team of young adults, Robb and Julie moved to Colorado to be a part of the Arvada Vineyard church plant led by Jay & Danielle. In 2004, Robb, Julie and their three month old daughter Emma returned to the Columbus area and joined the Vineyard Church of Delaware County serving on staff with Danny and Penny Meyer. Robb served as an Associate Pastor until he and Julie sensed the call to plant again and in 2009 were sent across the county to plant the Delaware City Vineyard. On September 6 2009, Delaware City Vineyard held its first service and for the past twelve years has faithfully tried to live out its simple mission statement – “in the city, for the city.” Much of the ministry of Delaware City Vineyard focuses on children, the poor, the margins and the lost. The Delaware City Vineyard released the Neighborhood Church plant in Marion, OH in 2017 and have recently sent a church planter to join Vineyard61 in south London. Throughout his time in the Vineyard, Robb has served as an Area Leader, a Missions Partnership Leader, on the Multiply Vineyard team and in a variety of other translocal roles and task forces. Robb has spoken at regional and national events with Multiply Vineyard and Vineyard Justice Network. Robb and Julie will be celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2022 with a trip to Iceland. They are the parents to two teenagers, Emma and Via. As a family they enjoy good music, good food and the great outdoors. You may have seen some of the adventures in their converted school bus on Instagram (@mor.to.explore). Currently, they are working hard to raise some chickens, shelter some kittens and prepare for spring gardening and orchard planting. Show Notes: Tempered Resilience: How Leaders Are Formed in the Crucible of Change by Tod Bolsinger https://amzn.to/3LfmxEP Strong and Weak by Andy Crouch https://bit.ly/3grAZvd Pursuing God’s Will Together by Ruth Haley Barton https://amzn.to/3utM3jE