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

S8 E1: Get in the Room

January 14, 2026 • 50 mins
Lisa Inks, Senior Director of Urban Rural Action, joins Shellie and Matt to talk about their work of healing polarization and divided culture. Lisa shares the origins of the organization, tools for conversation and the importance of this work in our current cultural climate. Resources Urban Rural Action (organization) The Colossian Forum (organization) Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (organization) The Socials Urban Rural Ac...
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S7 E22: Past, Present, Future 2025 Edition

December 24, 2025 • 39 mins
President of the Center for Congregations Rev. Dr. Tim Shapiro joins JC and Matt to talk about what the Center for congregations has been learning through the past, this year and what we see as the futures of congregations.
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S7 E21: Congregations With Community

December 10, 2025 • 46 mins
Congregations with Community (CWC) Senior Director McKenzie Scott Lewis joins JC and Matt to talk about the work of CWC and what they're learning about congregation and community collaboration. Resources Congregations with Community - CWC (organization) CWC Facebook IG @congregationswithcommunity CWC LinkedIn Seed to Oaks (organization) The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging by Charles Vogl (book)
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S7 E20: Telling Stories

November 26, 2025 • 36 mins
Center for Congregations staff Kara Faris, Shellie Riggs Jordan and Matt Burke gather to talk about what the Center for Congregations is learning in 2025. They share several stories of congregations in Indiana that highlight some of the great things happening in congregational life. Resources The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller (book) Undue Medical Debt (organization)
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S7 E19: Ages and Stages - Respecting All Generations

November 12, 2025 • 57 mins
Rev. Dr. Darrell Hall of The Way Community Church joins John and Matt to talk about doing the hard work of understanding other generations and how it is related to loving others. Resources Speaking Across Generations by Dr. Darrell Hall (book) Generational IQ by Haydn Shaw (book) Making Space at The Well by Dr. Jessica Brown (book) Instagram - @IAmDarrellHall X - @IAmDarrellHall
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S7 E18: Marketing for Good

October 29, 2025 • 52 mins
The Center for Congregations' own Christos Reid, Communications and Marketing Strategist, joins Shellie and Matt to talk about marketing and communications for congregations. This episode is full of practical advice and tips on how to incorporate better tools and ideas into your congregation's communications. Resources "Ultimate Guide to Church SEO" by Paul Steinbrueck (article) "Strategic Social Media Planning for Churches: A S...
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S7 E17: Rediscovering Discipleship

October 15, 2025 • 53 mins
Dr. Robert Mansfield joins JC and Matt to talk about discipleship and the importance of your congregation's context in faith formation. Dr. Mansfield believes that there is no copy-paste way to disciple. Each community needs to find ways to form faith based on its unique theology, traditions and specific local history. Resources "Insights from Research and Theory: Practices for Forming Faith with Young Adults" by Leif Kehrwald a...
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S7 E16: Young Adult Ministry - Empathy in Transition

October 1, 2025 • 70 mins
Dr. Steven Argue, Associate Professor of Youth, Family, and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary, talks with Shellie and Dr. Bridges about meeting young adults where they are: in the midst of their transitions. Matt and Shellie then talk about the Center for Congregation's work with congregations around young adults, unpack the interview and share practical resources that will aid your congregation. Resources Young Adult Mini...
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S7 E15: Finance Supports Strategy

September 17, 2025 • 47 mins
Belinda King, MBA and Financial Services Professional joins Dr. Bridges and Matt to discuss the importance of a good understanding of finance in congregations. Her insights are practical, important and implementable. Resources Belinda King/BGK Solutions (LinkedIn) Rich Church, Poor Church: Keys to Effective Financial Ministry by J. Clif Christopher (book) Simplifychurch.com (organization) Kitchen Table Giving: Reimagining How ...
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S7 E14: Grace for All: Trauma Informed Care for Children

September 3, 2025 • 49 mins
Dr. Robert Crosby joins JC and Matt to talk about how to identify trauma in children and how to create a supportive children's ministry to develop emotionally healthy kids. Resources Trauma Informed Children's Ministry: A Practical Guide to Reaching Hurting Kids (book) Trauma Informed Children's Ministry: A Practical Guide to Reaching Hurting Kids (audio book) ReachHurtingKids.com (organization) Reach Hurting Kids Workshop (wo...
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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...
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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...
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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)
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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...
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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)
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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)
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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...
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