Center for Congregations Podcast

Center for Congregations Podcast

Your congregation is important, and we know that leading and serving in congregations is hard work. Join current and former Center for Congregations consultants Dr. Terrance Bridges, JC Campbell, Abby Miller, Shellie Riggs Jordan, McKenzie Scott Lewis, Ben Tapper, Matt Burke 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 work with congregations. Speakers, authors and congregational practitioners will share their stories and best practices to help your congregation thrive. The views expressed by podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by CfC employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of the CfC. If you have any questions about this disclaimer, please contact us at 866.307.2381 or info@centerforcongregations.org.

Episodes

S7 E13: Story, Spirit and Science

August 20, 2025 • 40 mins
Zach Garcia, Indiana Outreach Director for Faith in Place, joins Kara and Matt to talk about creation care. Zach believes that congregations can be a powerful force in caring for the world we've been entrusted with. Resources Faith in Place (organization) "Helping Your Church Make Green Choices" by Maureen Wise (article) Laudato Si: On the Care of Our Common Home (web resource) Biologos' Creation Care (web resource) Care of C...
Mark as Played

S7 E12: Faithful Through Change

August 6, 2025 • 53 mins
Rev. Dr. Tod Bolsinger joins Kara and Matt to talk about adaptive leadership. Tod believes that congregational leaders can learn to engage in change practices that will relieve pressure and revitalize congregations. Resources AE Sloan Leadership, Inc. (organization) Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory by Tod Bolsinger (book) "Ronald Heifetz: The Nature of Adaptive Leadership" from Faith & Leaders...
Mark as Played

S7 E11: No Congregation Is An Island

July 23, 2025 • 52 mins
Dr. Jennifer McClure Haraway joins Shellie and Matt to talk about congregational collaboration. Dr. Haraway's new book, No Congregation is an Island, gives insights and research that will help you think about how to create partnerships in your context. Resources No Congregation Is An Island by Dr. Jennifer McClure Haraway (book) Network Power by Dr. David John Seel, Jr. (book)
Mark as Played

S7 E10: Failure Is Totally An Option

June 11, 2025 • 67 mins
Rev. Dr. J.R. Briggs joins John and Matt to talk about failure. Rev. Dr. Briggs believes that failure is not the end but rather can be a beautiful new beginning. Resources Fail by J.R. Briggs (book) Kairos Partnerships (organization) How Your Congregation Learns by Tim Shapiro (book) "There is Hope and Help for Pastors Who Feel 'Stalled'" from ChurchLeaders.com (24 min video) "Focusing On Health, Not Size" from Center for Co...
Mark as Played

S7 E9: It's the Little Things

May 28, 2025 • 36 mins
Center for Congregations staffers Kara Faris, John James, Dr. Terrance Bridges and Matt Burke get together to talk about their work with congregations, the trends they're seeing and what they are learning. Resources Firm Foundations Marketing (organization)
Mark as Played

S7 E8: Bivocational Ministry Is Not New

May 7, 2025 • 48 mins
Rev. Dr. Kristen Bentley joins Kara and Shellie to talk about her research regarding bivocational ministry. Contrary to common understanding, it has been quite common in the history of congregations. Rev. Bentley discusses how this model can benefit congregational life. Resources Bivocational Ministry: Field Notes for Congregations and Ministers by Rev. Dr. Kristen Bentley (book) Bivocationalism Has Historic Roots and Modern Ben...
Mark as Played

Rewind: The Liturgy of Politics

April 23, 2025 • 63 mins
Enjoy this episode that was originally launched in November of 2023. Kaitlyn Schiess, author, speaker, podcaster and doctoral student joins Matt and Abby to discuss her book The Liturgy of Politics. The conversation centers on the deeper meanings of politics and liturgy and how this deeper understanding can create a flourishing community. Resources The Colossian Forum (organization) Hijacked: Responding to the Partisan Church Div...
Mark as Played

S7 E7: How to Grow Leaders

April 9, 2025 • 56 mins
Rev. Dr. Aaron Perry joins JC and Matt to talk about his new book Lay Leadership: For the Care of Souls. Aaron shares from his experience in congregational leadership and academia to help you understand how to engage more lay leaders in your congregation. Resources Lay Leadership: For the Care of Souls by Aaron Perry (book) Our Gifts: Identifying and Developing Leaders by David P. Mayer (book) "Unleashing the Church through Lay...
Mark as Played

S7 E6: Where Two or More Are Gathered . . . You Have Conflict

March 26, 2025 • 59 mins
Laurie Stewart, CEO of Peacemaker Ministries, joins Matt and John to discuss the origins of conflict and how to handle conflict. Resources Peacemaker Ministries (organization) Arbinger Institute (organization) The Colossian Forum (organization) Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny (book) The Anatomy of Peace from The Arbinger Institute (book)
Mark as Played

Money and Ministry E5: Rev. Dr Marlene Fuller

March 19, 2025 • 33 mins
In this conversation, Reverend Dr. Marlene Fuller shares her journey as a multi-vocational pastor and the financial challenges that come with it. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, financial management, and the need for support within the church community. The discussion highlights the difference between coping behaviors and radical self-care, and the significance of trusting God rather than relying solely on personal...
Mark as Played

S7 E5: Connecting with Young Adults

March 12, 2025 • 46 mins
Kelly Minas, Director of the Lilly Endowment Young Adult Initiative, joins Matt and Shellie to talk about the S.T.A.R. (stories, tools, and resources) for Young Adult Ministry website. This resourcing website is the culmination of years of work in innovation hubs all over the country and can help your congregation sharpen your young adult ministry focus. Kelly shares about the work of these innovation hubs and the eight principles ...
Mark as Played

Money and Ministry E4: Reverend Michelle Brown

March 5, 2025 • 39 mins
In this episode of the Money in Ministry podcast, Reverend Michelle Brown shares her personal journey with finances in ministry, discussing the challenges she faced, the theological implications of money, and the importance of community support. She emphasizes the transformative power of faith in navigating financial struggles and the shift from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance. The conversation highlights the significance...
Mark as Played

S7 E4: Wholeness Through Co-Vocational Ministry

February 26, 2025 • 64 mins
Rev. Mike Snyder joins Shellie and Matt to talk about co-vocational ministry and how it has created a wholeness both for his life and for the life of his congregation. Resources The Power of Co-vocational Ministry by Rev. Mike Snyder (article) Dying to Restart (organization) Covocational Pastoring: What It Is, And Why You Should Consider It (podcast) Bivocational and Beyond: Educating for Thriving Multivocational Ministry (book) Th...
Mark as Played

Money and Ministry E3: Ramon Rivera

February 19, 2025 • 33 mins
In this episode of the Money in Ministry podcast, Ramon Rivera shares his inspiring journey of faith, challenges, and the miracles he experienced while planting churches. He emphasizes the importance of dreams as the first resource from God and recounts his struggles with financial challenges while pursuing his calling. Through various transitions, including moving from Pennsylvania to Florida and then to Arizona, Ramon highlights ...
Mark as Played

S7 E3: Learning to Communicate Creatively

February 12, 2025 • 51 mins
Rev. Dr. Rickey McCray, senior pastor of The Way Church in Indianapolis, joins Kara and Matt to discuss how communicating creatively, and through creativity, can help you lead your congregation. Resources GCW Coaching (Pastor Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes' website) The Small Rural Church Social Media Blueprint (podcast/video) Dr. Rickey McCray's Website We Care Indy (organization) Dr. Rickey McCray's Facebook Page Dr. Rickey McCray's Instagr...
Mark as Played

Money and Ministry E2: Jason Roberts

February 5, 2025 • 30 mins
In this conversation, Pastor Jason Roberts discusses the challenges and opportunities of talking about money within church communities. He emphasizes the importance of reframing the conversation around generosity, building trust, and utilizing curriculum and resources to facilitate open discussions. The dialogue also touches on the significance of legacy planning, the role of the church in financial stewardship, and the need for pa...
Mark as Played

S7 E2: Young Adult Engagement: Listen First

January 29, 2025 • 55 mins
Rev. Dr. Jeff Keuss and Rev. Martin Jimenez, M.Div. join John and Matt to talk about their work and research around young adult engagement in congregations. They share what they are learning directly from young adults in their research that will help congregations learn how to reach out to this generation. Resources Defiant Hope, Active Love (book) Defiant Hope, Active Love (documentary) Pivot NW Research (organization) Pivot NW on...
Mark as Played

Money and Ministry E1: Father Dave

January 22, 2025 • 27 mins
In this conversation, Father Dave Harris shares his experiences navigating the financial challenges faced by pastoral leaders. He discusses the impact of financial strain on ministry, the importance of community support, and the need for intentional financial planning. The conversation highlights the differences in financial management between various church roles and emphasizes the significance of support systems for ministers, pa...
Mark as Played

S7 E1: Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders

January 15, 2025 • 42 mins
Elise Barrett and Bere Gil Soto from the Center for Congregations' Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders program join Matt and Kelly to talk about their work and a new podcast series. This series will highlight specific stories of clergy leaders and the economic challenges they have faced in their vocation. Resources Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral leaders (organization)
Mark as Played

S6 E23: Congregations Past, Present and Future

December 18, 2024 • 44 mins
Join Center for Congregations staffers Kara Faris, Dr. Terrance Bridges, Dr. JC Campbell and Matt Burke as they discuss the changes in congregations over the last six years. A lot has happened since the Covid-19 pandemic and the conversation ranges over what congregations used to be focused on and how that focus has shifted.
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Stuff You Should Know

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

    New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

    Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!

    24/7 News: The Latest

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    Dateline NBC

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal

    NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal

    Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Mobile

Wearables

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.