Church Disrupted

Tim Ross, creator of the Basement podcast and the B-Side app, dives into the pressing need for transparency and accountability within the church. He discusses the troubling prevalence of scandals among pastors and advocates for vulnerability in leadership as a path to healing. Ross emphasizes that transparency, especially regarding finances, can combat the corporate culture that often stifles honesty. He challenges the notion of moral failure, calling for open discussions about failures and a transformative approach to church practices.

In this episode of the Church Disrupted Podcast, Jeff Cochran, Shawn Reece, and Corey Laster talk about how unlearning cultural Christianity can actually lead us closer to Jesus. But its definitely not easy!!! Unlearning the traditions and systems we have known comes with painful cognitive dissonance. This unlearning is painful but worth it. So, if you are brave enough to check your preconceived notions at the door, press play, and let's dive into this conversation together. Want to support SAI financially? https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaign THANK YOU to our podcast partner, the East TN Mentorship Association! Find out more information about what they do or connect with them at https://earnyoursanctuary.com/ . TELL THEM WE SENT YOU for a special rate that is ONLY for Church Disrupted Podcast listeners. Find out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/. Join the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6Z Please Subscribe and Share! Chapters 00:00 Unlearning Cultural Christianity 05:56 Cognitive Dissonance in Faith 12:03 The Nature of Church and Community 18:03 The Impact of Financial Structures on Ministry 24:14 The Evolution of Pastoral Roles 29:52 Redefining Church and Community Engagement 54:32 Understanding God's Love and Acceptance 58:34 Navigating Church Dynamics and Questions 01:00:02 The Role of Pastors and Church Staff 01:01:27 The Complexity of Theological Teachings 01:02:25 The Fear of Being Wrong in Teaching 01:04:49 The Misconception of Defending the Gospel 01:06:13 The Nuance of Paul's Teachings 01:08:05 The Prophetic Nature of Deconstruction 01:10:00 Rethinking Salvation and Baptism 01:12:48 The Importance of Discipleship 01:14:17 The Church's Response to Deconstruction 01:16:41 Creating Safe Spaces for Questions 01:18:33 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Understanding 01:20:54 The Importance of Different Perspectives 01:22:22 God's Sovereignty in Our Mistakes 01:24:18 The Fear of Man vs. Fear of God 01:26:35 The Foundation of Our Faith 01:28:27 Encouragement for Questioning Faith 01:30:18 The Journey of Faith and Certainty 01:32:11 The Importance of Solidifying Beliefs 01:34:37 The Need for Empathy in Faith Discussions 01:36:28 The Simplicity of Faith 01:38:49 Building on the Foundation of Christ 01:40:18 The Importance of Care in Building Faith 01:42:17 Remodeling Faith vs. Deconstructing 01:44:07 Encouragement for Big Questions in Faith

In this episode of the Church Disrupted podcast, host Jeff Cochran talks with pastor Melody Winderweedle about rethinking church structures and practices. They explore the early church's simplicity, the role of pastors, the importance of discipleship, and the impact of consumerism on modern church dynamics. Melody shares insights on creating gatherings that look more like the early church and emphasizes the need for community involvement in decision-making. The discussion encourages listeners to reflect on their own church experiences and consider the potential for change within their communities. Want to support SAI financially? https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaign THANK YOU to our podcast partner, the East TN Mentorship Association! Find out more information about what they do or connect with them at https://earnyoursanctuary.com/ . TELL THEM WE SENT YOU for a special rate that is ONLY for Church Disrupted Podcast listeners. Find out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/. Join the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6Z Please Subscribe and Share! Chapters 00:00 Rethinking Church Structures 09:25 Exploring Early Church Practices 17:10 The Role of Pastors and Leadership 25:17 Discipleship: A Slow and Organic Process 33:21 Navigating Church Growth and Community 41:51 The Impact of Consumerism on Church 49:46 Creating Inclusive Gatherings 58:15 Final Thoughts and Encouragements

Dive into a thought-provoking discussion about the Growth Track model and its potentially damaging effects on genuine discipleship. Examine the contrast between early church practices and today's megachurch culture. The hosts explore the dangers of prioritizing institutional growth over authentic relationships within the church. They critique standardized assessments and the role of personality tests in spiritual growth, advocating for a return to meaningful community engagement and servanthood in leadership. It's a compelling call for reform in modern church practices!

In this episode of the Church Disrupted Podcast, Jeff Cochran and Rebecca Davis (Author of the Untwisting Scripture book series) discuss the misuse and abuse of scriptures in spiritual contexts. They highlight the importance of understanding the true meaning of scriptures and the dangers of twisting them to manipulate and control people. They talk about topics like loyalty, sin leveling, the misuse of the terms 'root of bitterness' and 'spirit of offense', and the idea of tearing down the body of Christ. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing abuse, as well as the need for biblical literacy and listening to the experiences of abuse survivors. The conversation concludes with hope for survivors and a call for church leaders to listen and learn. Want to support SAI financially? https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaign Get Rebecca's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001K8GE7O?ingress=0&visitId=281658ae-f8e0-4b2a-8ef4-1c0dc64fbd0c&ref_=ap_rdr THANK YOU to our podcast partner, the East TN Mentorship Association! Find out more information about what they do or connect with them at https://earnyoursanctuary.com/ . TELL THEM WE SENT YOU for a special rate that is ONLY for Church Disrupted Podcast listeners. Find out more about the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.spiritualabuse.institute/. Join the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6Z Please Subscribe and Share! Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Misuse of Scriptures and Control 24:41 Loyalty vs. Faithfulness 32:44 The Dynamics of Bullying in the Church 41:12 Silence is Complicity 43:43 Restoration and Accountability 45:08 Recognizing Wickedness and Righteousness 46:05 The Spiritual Abuser's Playbook: Loyalty 47:31 The Misuse of 'Root of Bitterness' and 'Spirit of Offense' 52:30 Understanding the Root of Bitterness 56:18 The Danger of Misinterpreting Hebrews 01:07:02 Exposing Sin vs. Tearing Down the Body of Christ 01:13:50 Rejecting the Notion of Victim Mentality 01:21:15 Words of Hope and Listening

Jeff Cochran, an advocate against celebrity culture in the church, joins Leann Reece, who emphasizes the detrimental effects of the green room mentality, and Vicki May, who discusses volunteer exploitation. They dive into the contradictions of being called to serve while navigating the pressures for status. The conversation exposes how green room culture can lead to isolation and burnout among volunteers, challenging listeners to rethink church dynamics for a healthier community experience.

Discover the unsettling dynamics of spiritual abuse in faith communities. The hosts break down the formula of power plus deception and how it leads to manipulation. They advocate for the Safe Church Pledge to instigate preventive measures. You'll learn about the importance of balanced leadership and the dangers of unchecked authority. Personal stories highlight the emotional toll of coercive practices. The episode emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability within churches to create healthier spiritual environments.

In this episode of the Church Disrupted podcast, Jeff Cochran and Natalie Runion have an honest conversation about nepotism in the Church. They explore what nepotism really is and where it came from, as well as the tension between passing on ministries within families and the potential for unhealthy dynamics and control. The conversation delves into the importance of distinguishing between calling and nepotism, and the need for churches to have clear succession plans and fair processes in place. Overall, the episode aims to shed light on the issue of nepotism in the church and encourage healthy dialogue and reflection. Natalie and Jeff explore the challenges and implications of nepotism in church leadership, particularly in the context of pastors' children taking over their parents' churches. They also examine biblical examples and principles related to succession and leadership in the church, and how churches and pastors can stay above reproach when it comes to even the appearance of nepotism. Want to support SAI financially? https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaign Find out more about Natalie's work here: - https://www.instagram.com/raisedtostay/?hl=en - https://natalierunion.com/ - https://tinyurl.com/526vaaj2 - https://www.amazon.com/Raised-Stay-Persevering-Ministry-Million/dp/0830784608 THANK YOU to our podcast partner, the East TN Mentorship Association! Find out more information about what they do or connect with them at https://earnyoursanctuary.com/ . TELL THEM WE SENT YOU for a special rate that is ONLY for Church Disrupted Podcast listeners. Find out more about the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.disrupted.church/. Join the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6Z Please Subscribe and Share! Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Special Episode 05:28 Collaborative Episode with Natalie Runion 08:13 Discussion Sparked by Previous Conversation 13:20 Defining Nepotism and Personal Experiences 18:47 Importance of Clear Succession Plans 21:19 Different Perspectives on Nepotism 28:22 Exploring the Definitions and Origins of Nepotism 31:14 The Role of Influence and Unfair Advantages 32:35 The Challenges Faced by Pastors' Kids 37:20 Examining Biblical Principles of Succession 53:41 The Importance of Being Above Reproach 55:39 Moving Away from the CEO Model of Leadership 58:30 Encouragement for Pastors' Kids 01:00:46 The Dangers of Promoting Nepotism 01:04:04 Expanding Perspectives through Church Engagement

In a recent conversation with a critical pastor on the Church Disrupted Podcast, things went sideways quick! From the beginning, today's guest exhibited narcissistic responses and behaviors that can be super triggering for those who have experienced church hurt or spiritual abuse. Talk about the opposite of trauma-informed church leadership!Sadly, too many church leaders exhibit behaviors like this in conversations without even realizing the damage they can cause to parishioners. So, in today's episode, Jeff Cochran leans into the skid, breaks down the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) red flags of narcissistic responses, and shows you how to respond to them (and how not to) in a spiritual setting. There has never been a time more important than now for church leaders and staff to become trauma-informed. Narcissism and narcissistic behaviors have no place in the church, and with a little training and intentionality, we can eliminate these behaviors and learn to protect the most vulnerable people in our congregations. We can learn to listen to and love people like Jesus. Want to support SAI financially?https://donorbox.org/sai-initial-funding-campaignTHANK YOU to our podcast partner, the East TN Mentorship Association! Find out more information about what they do or connect with them at https://earnyoursanctuary.com/ . TELL THEM WE SENT YOU for a special rate that is ONLY for Church Disrupted Podcast listeners.Find out more about the Church Disrupted Podcast at https://www.disrupted.church/.Join the church disrupted COMMUNITY here: https://discord.gg/nbWwg8Sz6ZPlease Subscribe and Share!Chapters00:00 Introduction and Trigger Warning03:16 Recognizing Conversational Red Flags in Churches06:28 The Most Triggering Interview08:52 Using Red Flag Review Editing10:42 Identifying Wrong and Potentially Dangerous Views of the Church25:28 The Importance of Words and How They Are Said28:25 Addressing the Impact of Comments on Small Churches34:50 Identifying Red Flags and Patterns of Behavior37:16 From Small Church to Mega Church: A Personal Journey41:29 The Distinction Between Mega Churches and Giga Churches45:16 Addressing Systemic Issues in All Churches51:53 The Importance of Open Conversations About Small Church Failures01:09:21 Calling Out Narcissistic Behavior01:13:28 Red Flags and Tactics of Narcissistic Leaders01:19:04 The Issue of Plagiarism in the Church01:21:48 The Importance of Transparency in Church Finances01:35:11 The Power of Words and Definitions01:43:40 Understanding the Lack of Transparency in Churches01:45:27 Overcoming Shame and Becoming Financially Transparent01:48:48 The Use of NDAs in Churches01:51:18 The Benefits of Multi-Site Churches02:08:16 Finding Healing and Connection After Church Hurt

Cody Farris, Pastor of Christ Church in Tampa, shares insights on shepherding and healthy church dynamics. He and Jeff Cochran delve into crucial issues like church leadership accountability, the impact of social media disagreements, and the importance of spiritually and morally sound governance. They tackle sensitive topics like handling abuse allegations, NDA ethics, and sermon plagiarism, emphasizing the need for transparent church practices. Farris's perspective on building supportive communities post-church hurt makes for an enlightening and candid discussion.