Church and Main

I engage with Tessa Pinkstaff, program manager at Luther Seminary and co-author of "Leading Faithful Innovation, Following God into a Hopeful Future." We explore the spiritual practice of "dwelling in the Word," emphasizing its role in revitalizing congregations through a contemplative approach to Scripture. Tessa shares her journey into faith, detailing how community and lived experiences of spirituality shape deeper connections with God. We discuss how this practice, akin to Lectio Divina, invites communal listening and reflection, fostering humility among church leaders and enhancing collective engagement. Suggested Reading and Listening: Tessa Pinkstaff’s website   Related Episodes: Congregational Renewal Through Listening with Liz Eide | Episode 210   Links: Donate:  Venmo- @churchandmainpod |TipTopJar- https://tiptopjar.com/electricparson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchandmainpod/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@churchandmainpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@churchmainpodcast Substack: https://churchandmain.substack.com/ Website: https://churchandmain.org/

In this episode, Pastor Liz Eide discusses the renewal journey of the Lutheran Church of Peace in Maplewood, Minnesota, emphasizing the transformative power of listening. Since 2018, she has led efforts to deepen relationships through structured listening sessions, intertwining biblical narratives with personal stories to foster community bonds. Pastor Eide shares how this approach clarified the church's vision and core values like "Boundless Joy" and "Radical Hospitality," while promoting a culture of innovation through grace and evaluation. She reflects on the challenges of growth and maintaining community identity, providing valuable insights for leaders looking to rejuvenate congregations through relational engagement. Suggested Reading and Listening: Lutheran Church of Peace website   Related Episodes: (Prayer) Walking In Memphis with Geoff Mitchell | Episode 191 Theological Humility in the Local Church With David Emery | Episode 175 How Your Church Can Be A Good Neighbor with Nicholas Tangen | Episode 155 Links: Donate:  Venmo- @churchandmainpod |TipTopJar- https://tiptopjar.com/electricparson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchandmainpod/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@churchandmainpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@churchmainpodcast Substack: https://churchandmain.substack.com/ Website: https://churchandmain.org/  

In this episode, Dennis shares a sermon he gave on the Sunday before the election, which might serve as thoughts on how we are to be Christians after the election.  For Dennis, the most important thing is that we love one another regardless of how one voted.  Give a listen.   Suggested Reading and Listening: Whatever Happens, Love Thy Neighbor by Larissa Phillips Love God. Love Neighbors. Sermon Text   Related Episodes: John Wesley's Voting Advice with Drew McIntyre | Episode 208 Does Election Day Communion Still Matter? with Andrew Camp | Episode 207 What Will You Preach the Sunday After the Election? with Joshua Gritter | Episode 202 Election Year Christianity with Doug Skinner | Episode 201 Beyond the Purple Church with Jack Haberer | Episode 194 The Cross and the Ballot with Joshua Gritter | Episode 182   Links: Donate:  Venmo- @churchandmainpod |TipTopJar- https://tiptopjar.com/electricparson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchandmainpod/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@churchandmainpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@churchmainpodcast Substack: https://churchandmain.substack.com/ Website: https://churchandmain.org/

On this second episode focusing on the upcoming Presidential election, we look at how Christians act during an election.  I talk with  Drew McIntyre about his recent article called “Sanctimony or Sanctification? John Wesley’s voting advice for today.”  Drew is the Pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina and a host of the God and Whiskey Podcast. Suggested Reading and Listening: Sanctimony or Sanctification article God and Whiskey Podcast   Related Episodes: The Aftermath of the United Methodist General Conference with Drew McIntyre | Episode 187 Does Election Day Communion Still Matter? with Andrew Camp | Episode 207 Election Year Christianity with Doug Skinner | Episode 201 Beyond the Purple Church with Jack Haberer | Episode 194 The Cross and the Ballot with Joshua Gritter | Episode 182 Links: Donate:  Venmo- @churchandmainpod |TipTopJar- https://tiptopjar.com/electricparson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchandmainpod/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@churchandmainpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@churchmainpodcast Substack: https://churchandmain.substack.com/ Website: https://churchandmain.org/

Election Day Communion was an effort started by two Mennonite pastors and an Episcopal layperson in 2012. to try to bring people together on Election Day.  The hope was after people voted, they would come and gather at the communion table. Subsequent events took place in 2016 and 2020.  But the Facebook Page for Election Day Communion was not updated for 2024. After January 6 and the rise of Christian Nationalism, is there still a place for this event?   Andrew Camp, says yes and joins me to say why. Camp is both a former pastor and a former sous chef interested in the connection between food and faith and you can see those in connections in action on his podcast The Biggest Table. Suggested Reading and Listening: The Biggest Table Podcast Election Day Communion Resources   Related Episodes: A Journey of Faith and Food with Andrew Camp | Episode 183 Election Year Christianity with Doug Skinner | Episode 201 Beyond the Purple Church with Jack Haberer | Episode 194 The Cross and the Ballot with Joshua Gritter | Episode 182 Links: Donate:  Venmo- @churchandmainpod |TipTopJar- https://tiptopjar.com/electricparson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchandmainpod/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@churchandmainpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@churchmainpodcast Substack: https://churchandmain.substack.com/ Website: https://churchandmain.org/

Shobi’s Table is a foodtruck that is also a ministry. It is a pay-as-you-can food truck that creates and serves from-scratch, delicious, nutritious meals rescued food from Twin Cities Food Justice to make meals such as burritos, wraps, sandwiches, salads, hot dishes like baked pastas, fried rice, and more.  I’m talking with Deacon Kari Olsen, the Mission Developer and Head Chef of Shobi’s Table.  We talk about this unique ministry, Kari’s call to ministry, and the connection between the communion table and our kitchen tables. Suggested Reading and Listening: Shobi’s Table website One World, Everybody Eats Related Episodes: A Journey of Faith and Food with Andrew Camp | Episode 183 Links: Donate:  Venmo- @churchandmainpod |TipTopJar- https://tiptopjar.com/electricparson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchandmainpod/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@churchandmainpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@churchmainpodcast Substack: https://churchandmain.substack.com/ Website: https://churchandmain.org/

In this episode, Dennis chats with Julian DeShazier about how the great man theory has poisoned the church and a better way for pastors and congregations to do ministry that is more in line with what our faith teaches.  Julian is the Senior Minister at University Christian Church in Chicago, writes for the Christian Century and is an Emmy-winning hip hop artist who performs under the name J Kwest. Suggested Reading and Listening: The great man theory is poison for the church by Julian DeShazier Julian's website Links: Donate:  Venmo- @churchandmainpod |TipTopJar- https://tiptopjar.com/electricparson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchandmainpod/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@churchandmainpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@churchmainpodcast Substack: https://churchandmain.substack.com/ Website: https://churchandmain.org/

In this episode, I speak with Miranda Zapor-Cruz, author of "Faithful Politics," about the role of Christians in the political landscape as the 2024 presidential election approaches. We discuss the challenges of engaging with politics while maintaining spiritual integrity.  Miranda Zapor Cruz is a professor of historical theology at Indiana Wesleyan University. She holds a PhD in religion, politics, and society from Baylor University's J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies and an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary. Suggested Reading and Listening: 4 Characteristics of Citizens of the Kingdom of God Who Inhabit the Political World by Miranda Zapor Cruz Christians and Public Policy: Be Engaged, Informed, and Conflicted by Miranda Zapor Cruz Faithful Politics: Ten Approaches to Christian Citizenship and Why It Matters Miranda’s website Links: Donate:  Venmo- @churchandmainpod |TipTopJar- https://tiptopjar.com/electricparson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchandmainpod/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@churchandmainpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@churchmainpodcast Website: https://churchandmain.org/    

In this episode, I engage with Reverend Dr. Sam Wells, vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London, on the intricate meanings of 'progressive' and 'inclusive' in Christianity. Wells challenges the simplistic view of progress as a linear moral improvement, arguing it can perpetuate a patronizing mindset. He links these discussions to the theology of atonement, emphasizing the balance between grace and justice, particularly in contexts like LGBTQ inclusion. Highlighting the complexities of building inclusive church communities, Wells calls for genuine relationships rooted in respect and understanding. Suggested Reading and Listening: St. Martin in the Fields website What Does It Mean to Be An Inclusive Church? By Sam Wells   Links:   Donate:  Venmo- @churchandmainpod |TipTopJar- https://tiptopjar.com/electricparson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchandmainpod/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@churchandmainpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@churchmainpodcast Website: https://churchandmain.org/

In this Church and Main Shorts, we look at a clip from a May interview with Joshua Gritter, a Presbyterian Pastor in North Carolina.  We talk about what he and his wife will preach on at the church they serve on the Sunday after the election (hint: it won't be about the election). Suggested Reading and Listening: The Full Episode with Joshua Gritter Links:   Donate:  Venmo- @churchandmainpod |TipTopJar- https://tiptopjar.com/electricparson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchandmainpod/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@churchandmainpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@churchmainpodcast Website: https://churchandmain.org/