Your congregation is important. But we know that leading and serving in congregations is hard work. Join Ben Tapper, Matt Burke and other Center for Congregations consultants 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 our work with congregations. Speakers, authors and congregational practitioners will share their stories and best practices to help your congregation thrive.
S3 E8: Forced into the Water
Mike Palmer joins podcast hosts Ben Tapper and Matt Burke to unpack emerging trends in education. They explore how these trends will affect religious education and congregational life moving forward. Find more resources on the CRG.
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Rev. Sabrina Gray discusses the importance of end of life planning, and talks through how leaders can initiate those conversations within their community. Find more resources on the CRG.
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S3 E6: Don't Be a Clergy Killer
Rev. Callie Smith and Dr. Rob Saler join podcast hosts Matt Burke and Ben Tapper to discuss the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program. They unpack the importance of rest and renewal for both clergy leaders and congregations and offer some insights and resources. Find more resources on this topic on the CRG.
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S3 E5: Who Are You? Marketing and Branding for Congregations
Manuel Corazzari joins podcast hosts Matt Burke and Ben Tapper to discuss marketing and branding for congregations including the importance of knowing your unique identity. Find more resources on the topic on the CRG.
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S3 E4: Make It Personal: Leading Multicultural Congregations
Pastor Javier Mondragon joins podcast hosts Ben Tapper and Matt Burke to discuss challenges and benefits of leading a multicultural congregation. Find more resources on the topic on the CRG.
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S3 E3: Worship As a Work of the People
David Gungor joins Ben and Matt to talk about how worship is more than just singing together. He also discusses how Good Shepherd New York is an integrated community where the gifts of the members are used to uplift the community and the importance of authentic relationship among all. Find more resources on this topic on the CRG.
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S3 E2: Never-ending Worship: Where Preparation and Inspiration Meet
The Center's Ben Tapper and Shellie Riggs Jordan speak with John Ray from Light of the World Christian Church about what it takes to plan a successful worship service. They discuss music as a specific element of the worship service and as the overarching lifestyle of the congregation. John explores the many hats that he wears and offers advice about balancing the technical quality of worship with the need to follow the invitation of the Spirit. Find more resources on this topic on the CRG.
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S3 E1: Stay Ready: Preparing to Prepare
Ben sits down with Aimee Laramore and Louise Jackson to unpack the ins and outs of strategic planning. They take you into the mind of strategic planning consultants and identify common pitfalls they've seen derail the planning process while highlighting the importance of honestly assessing whether our vision aligns with the capacity and resources of our team. Find more resources on this topic on the CRG.
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S2 B2: Tips on Working with Tech Volunteers
Pastor John Stange joins Center for Congregations staff members Kate White and Ben Tapper to share best practices for engaging with tech volunteers.
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S2 E12: The Value of the Enneagram in Congregational Spaces
Enneagram writer, teacher and coach Leanette Pokuwaah joins podcast hosts Ben and Matt to talk about how the enneagram can be used in well in congregational contexts. She also discusses the importance of keeping space for trauma and racial identity in conversations about the enneagram. Find more resources on this topic on the CRG.
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S2 E11: The Marriage of Mental Health and Ministry
Dr. Christina Jones Davis, Clinical Professor of Pastoral Theology and Marriage and Family Therapy at Christian Theological Seminary (CTS), sits down with Ben and Matt to discuss how the worlds of therapy and congregational life inform one another. Find more resources on this topic on the CRG.
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S2 E10: Storytelling that Changes the World
Musician and activist Propaganda explores how we are changed through story. You can find more resources on this topic here.
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S2 E9 Rural Congregations: A Story of Pain and Promise
The importance of rural congregations with pastor Allen Stanton. For more resources on this subject, click here.
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S2 E8: Getting Schooled on Interim Ministry
Considerations when exploring interim ministry with Rev. Janae Pitts-Murdock. You can find additional recommended resources here.
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S2 E7: A Primer on Racial Equity
The Center for Congregations' own McKenzie Scott Lewis joins Ben and Matt to discuss diversity, inclusion and equity. Click here for resources on this subject.
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S2 Bonus Episode: Basic Tech Infrastructure for Streaming
Pastor Bruce Colbert of Custom Sound Design shares information on the basics of setting up livestreams.
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S2 E6: Fear and Anger: Christian Nationalism
Research findings about Christian Nationalism among young people in America with sociologist (and young adult) Michael Rotolo. For additional resources on this topic, click here.
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Join the conversation about the unique challenges and opportunities of leading multi-cultural and multi-lingual congregations with Pastor Bere Gil Soto. Find recommended resources around this topic.
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Dr. Alma Zaragoza-Petty, one of the co-founders of the Prickly Pear Collective, talks about creating authentic community where everyone is encouraged to bring their whole self. Click here for recommended resources around this topic.
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S2 E3: Tech: It's Not as Complicated as You Think
Pastor John Girton talks about excellence in online worship experiences using technology and what's next for congregations and the virtual space. You can find related resources here.
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S2 E2: Waving the Banner for Youth Ministry
Mark Oestreicher (a.k.a. Marko) of The Youth Cartel, sets the record straight on a few myths about youth ministry and shares his wisdom from his more than 30 years experience. Click here for more resources on this subject.
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S2 E1: Wisdom to Start Your New Year
Executive strategist and non-profit leader Aimée Laramore discusses navigating big changes and using your assets to accomplish your goals. Find recommended resources around this topic.
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S1 E8: What Went Right in 2020
Our staff highlights bright spots of 2020 with the stories of Indiana congregations
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S1 E7: Exchanging Pews for Strollers
How listening well can help solve problems, with design-thinking strategist Victoria Sun Esparza. For additional resources on the subject, click here.
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Healing the divide in our congregations: a conversation with Bishop Tavis Grant II. Find suggested resources here.
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A discussion with Rev. Dr. Alton B. Pollard III of Louisville Presbyterian Seminary about leading in contentious and divided times without abandoning our convictions. See recommended resources here. You can find the full podcast transcript here.
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Grappling with rapid change - a conversation with pastor and leadership expert Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes. Find recommended resources from this episode. See the full podcast transcript here.
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S1 E3: Do we have to Hide our Pain?
A dialogue between therapy and faith with therapist Hillary McBride. See suggested resources here. Read the podcast transcript here.
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S1 E2: Tapping into Experience
Changes in congregations over the years with Center President Tim Shapiro. Discover recommended resources here. Click here for the podcast transcript.
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S1 E1: Where have all the Young People Gone?
A Conversation with Mike McHargue aka Science Mike. See this episode's suggested resources. You can see the podcast transcript here.
