Tired of endless church Advent activities that leave everyone exhausted? In this episode, the Rev. Dr. Steve Thomason shares a revolutionary approach to the Advent season—one that subtracts rather than adds. As both an artist and theologian, Steve offers practical wisdom for church leaders seeking to create meaningful spiritual experiences without overwhelming their congregations. Learn how simple practices like communal meals, guided meditation, and contemplative art can transform your church's approach to Advent.

Rather than adding more programming, discover how your congregation can embrace the counter-cultural gift of stillness and sacred presence. From historic traditions of the northern church to modern applications in busy congregations, this episode provides concrete tools for reimagining church Advent activities. Plus, don't miss details about a free 4-day Advent Challenge that combines art and contemplation to help your congregation slow down and listen for God's whisper.

Additional Resources:

FREE RESOURCE: Join our 4-day Advent Challenge combining art and contemplation, starting December 2nd. Sign up here: https://faithlead.org/2024-advent/.

Mindful Sketching Membership Workshop with Steve Thomason (Faith+Lead members only): https://lab.faithlead.org/event/mindful-sketching-connecting-breath-and-body-as-a-spiritual-practice-non-members/.

Tired of endless church Advent activities that leave everyone exhausted? In this episode, the Rev. Dr. Steve Thomason shares a revolutionary approach to the Advent season—one that subtracts rather than adds. As both an artist and theologian, Steve offers practical wisdom for church leaders seeking to create meaningful spiritual experiences without overwhelming their congregations. Learn how simple practices like communal meals, guided meditation, and contemplative art can transform your church's approach to Advent.
Rather than adding more programming, discover how your congregation can embrace the counter-cultural gift of stillness and sacred presence. From historic traditions of the northern church to modern applications in busy congregations, this episode provides concrete tools for reimagining church Advent activities. Plus, don't miss details about a free 4-day Advent Challenge that combines art and contemplation to help your congregation slow down and listen for God's whisper.
Additional Resources:
FREE RESOURCE: Join our 4-day Advent Challenge combining art and contemplation, starting December 2nd. Sign up here: <a href="https://faithlead.org/2024-advent/">https://faithlead.org/2024-advent/.</a>
Mindful Sketching Membership Workshop with Steve Thomason (Faith+Lead members only): <a href="https://lab.faithlead.org/event/mindful-sketching-connecting-breath-and-body-as-a-spiritual-practice-non-members/">https://lab.faithlead.org/event/mindful-sketching-connecting-breath-and-body-as-a-spiritual-practice-non-members/.</a>

COVID-19 forced church leaders to respond to a global crisis in the blink of an eye. In a moment with little information and much uncertainty, churches reinvented nearly every aspect of church. This moment has ignited imagination, created collaborations, launched experiments, and dreamed of new possibilities as the heroic efforts of leaders continue to lead ministry. The response to these challenges has been great, but there comes a time when responding is no sufficient. If the church is going to live into a new reality, it will need to pivot.
Pivot invites church leaders to use the disruptive moment of COVID-19 to reimagine how they think about church, ministry, and leadership. Each week three veteran church leaders wrestle with making spiritual sense of this time, name how the Christian faith is a resource for navigating this moment in history, offer ideas on how church leaders can pivot toward the emerging future, and suggest practices for engaging others in this work.
Pivot is co-sponsored by LEAD and Faith+Lead.

COVID-19 forced church leaders to respond to a global crisis in the blink of an eye. In a moment with little information and much uncertainty, churches reinvented nearly every aspect of church. This moment has ignited imagination, created collaborations, launched experiments, and dreamed of new possibilities as the heroic efforts of leaders continue to lead ministry. The response to these challenges has been great, but there comes a time when responding is no sufficient. If the church is going to live into a new reality, it will need to pivot.
Pivot invites church leaders to use the disruptive moment of COVID-19 to reimagine how they think about church, ministry, and leadership. Each week three veteran church leaders wrestle with making spiritual sense of this time, name how the Christian faith is a resource for navigating this moment in history, offer ideas on how church leaders can pivot toward the emerging future, and suggest practices for engaging others in this work.
Pivot is co-sponsored by <a href="https://waytolead.org/">LEAD</a> and Faith+Lead.

Pivot

Season 5 of the Pivot podcast explores the changing landscape of the church. Our co-hosts will dig into difficult questions that faith leaders are asking now, and provide an understanding of the deeper cultural shifts that account for the unraveling of inherited models of church. 

Season 5 of the Pivot podcast explores the changing landscape of the church. Our co-hosts will dig into difficult questions that faith leaders are asking now, and provide an understanding of the deeper cultural shifts that account for the unraveling of inherited models of church.

#105: Reclaiming Advent - Simple Church Activities for Sacred Presence

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/28f01144-8775-4fb7-b93c-ad7c010bef79/clips/995a70d0-4c81-449e-ba13-b2300121d233/transcript

American pastors want things fast, large, and famous... but the kingdom of God comes slowly, in small and mostly unrecognized ways." In this paradigm-shifting conversation, Dr. Michael W. Goheen challenges our deeply held assumptions about church growth and success. Through the story of a remarkable turnaround in a dying congregation, Goheen demonstrates what happens when a church stops chasing quick fixes and begins to question its cultural captivity to growth metrics.

Join hosts Dwight Zscheile and Terri Elton as they explore with Goheen how Western cultural idolatries shape our approach to church leadership, what we can learn from Lesslie Newbigin's missionary insights, and how ordinary church practices can be reoriented toward authentic renewal. Whether you're leading a growing congregation or struggling with decline, this episode will help you discern the difference between cultural definitions of success and genuine participation in God's mission.



RESOURCES MENTIONED:


"Foolishness to the Greeks" by Lesslie Newbigin


"The Gospel in a Pluralist Society" by Lesslie Newbigin


"The Church and Its Vocation" by Michael Goheen


"Becoming a Missionary Church" by Michael Goheen


"The Imperfect Pastor" by Zack Eswine


Dr. Goheen's website with free resources https://missionworldview.com/

American pastors want things fast, large, and famous... but the kingdom of God comes slowly, in small and mostly unrecognized ways." In this paradigm-shifting conversation, Dr. Michael W. Goheen challenges our deeply held assumptions about church growth and success. Through the story of a remarkable turnaround in a dying congregation, Goheen demonstrates what happens when a church stops chasing quick fixes and begins to question its cultural captivity to growth metrics.
Join hosts Dwight Zscheile and Terri Elton as they explore with Goheen how Western cultural idolatries shape our approach to church leadership, what we can learn from Lesslie Newbigin's missionary insights, and how ordinary church practices can be reoriented toward authentic renewal. Whether you're leading a growing congregation or struggling with decline, this episode will help you discern the difference between cultural definitions of success and genuine participation in God's mission.
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
"Foolishness to the Greeks" by Lesslie Newbigin
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
"The Gospel in a Pluralist Society" by Lesslie Newbigin
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
"The Church and Its Vocation" by Michael Goheen
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
"Becoming a Missionary Church" by Michael Goheen
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
"The Imperfect Pastor" by Zack Eswine
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://missionworldview.com/">Dr. Goheen's website with free resources </a>https://missionworldview.com/
</li>
</ul>

 Discover how to move beyond quick fixes and embrace a deeper transformation in your church by discerning God’s mission, reorienting practices, and learning from the early church in this insightful Pivot Podcast episode with Dr. Michael Goheen.

Episode 104: Can the West Be Converted?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/28f01144-8775-4fb7-b93c-ad7c010bef79/clips/59f7d031-12ec-486f-a8fb-b22e00f213f3/transcript

How do you build authentic church community from scratch? In this inspiring episode of the Pivot Podcast, pioneer lay minister Fiona Mayne shares her remarkable journey from financial advisor to church planter, demonstrating how simple, organic steps can create a thriving Christian community. Fiona reveals practical strategies for church community building that anyone can implement—starting with nothing more than a willingness to listen and engage. From hosting community barbecues to creating welcoming café-style gatherings, her approach shows how authentic relationships and community ownership can lead to sustainable church growth.

Discover actionable insights for church community building, including how to create natural entry points for non-church people, ways to empower community members in shaping church culture, and strategies for developing inclusive, intergenerational ministry. Fiona's story challenges traditional church planting models, showing how letting go of control and truly listening to community needs can lead to vibrant, growing faith communities. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to revitalize existing ministry, this episode offers practical wisdom for building church community that genuinely connects with today's world.

Resources Mentioned:
The Heart of a Holligan: The Story of David Jeal by Paul Alkazraji 
The Chosen series 
Church Mission Society Pioneer training

Watch the video version on YouTube at https://youtu.be/4NlZB4pSY1I.

How do you build authentic church community from scratch? In this inspiring episode of the Pivot Podcast, pioneer lay minister Fiona Mayne shares her remarkable journey from financial advisor to church planter, demonstrating how simple, organic steps can create a thriving Christian community. Fiona reveals practical strategies for church community building that anyone can implement—starting with nothing more than a willingness to listen and engage. From hosting community barbecues to creating welcoming café-style gatherings, her approach shows how authentic relationships and community ownership can lead to sustainable church growth.
Discover actionable insights for church community building, including how to create natural entry points for non-church people, ways to empower community members in shaping church culture, and strategies for developing inclusive, intergenerational ministry. Fiona's story challenges traditional church planting models, showing how letting go of control and truly listening to community needs can lead to vibrant, growing faith communities. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to revitalize existing ministry, this episode offers practical wisdom for building church community that genuinely connects with today's world.
Resources Mentioned:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://highlandbks.com/book?isbn=1897913524">The Heart of a Holligan: The Story of David Jeal </a>by Paul Alkazraji </li>
<li>The Chosen series </li>
<li><a href="https://churchmissionsociety.org/pioneer/">Church Mission Society Pioneer training</a></li>
</ul>
Watch the video version on YouTube at <a href="https://youtu.be/4NlZB4pSY1I">https://youtu.be/4NlZB4pSY1I.</a>

Episode 103: Church Community Building: How a Café Created a Church

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/28f01144-8775-4fb7-b93c-ad7c010bef79/clips/4db87d4d-6667-4666-a926-b226010cb5ee/transcript

In this thought-provoking episode of the Pivot Podcast, Dr. Joel Lawrence, president of the Center for Pastor Theologians, offers a fresh perspective on political theology and how churches can navigate our politically polarized landscape. Introducing the concept of "Sabbath politics," Dr. Lawrence challenges us to reimagine the church's role in society, shifting from a posture of control to one of trust in God's rule.

Drawing insights from his study of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the early chapters of Genesis, Dr. Lawrence provides practical guidance for church leaders seeking to apply political theology in fostering unity and faithful discipleship in divisive times. This episode is essential listening for anyone grappling with the intersection of faith, politics, and ecclesial identity in today's world.

Resources Mentioned:
Center for Pastor Theologians
Dietrich Bonhoeffer's works, particularly "Discipleship" and "Life Together"
James Davison Hunter's book "Democracy and Solidarity"

In this thought-provoking episode of the Pivot Podcast, Dr. Joel Lawrence, president of the Center for Pastor Theologians, offers a fresh perspective on political theology and how churches can navigate our politically polarized landscape. Introducing the concept of "Sabbath politics," Dr. Lawrence challenges us to reimagine the church's role in society, shifting from a posture of control to one of trust in God's rule.
Drawing insights from his study of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the early chapters of Genesis, Dr. Lawrence provides practical guidance for church leaders seeking to apply political theology in fostering unity and faithful discipleship in divisive times. This episode is essential listening for anyone grappling with the intersection of faith, politics, and ecclesial identity in today's world.
Resources Mentioned:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.pastortheologians.com/articles/2023/10/20/introducing-new-cpt-president-joel-lawrence">Center for Pastor Theologians</a> </li>
<li>Dietrich Bonhoeffer's works, particularly "Discipleship" and "Life Together"</li>
<li>James Davison Hunter's book "Democracy and Solidarity"</li>
</ul>

Episode 102: Political Theology Reimagined: Dr. Joel Lawrence on “Sabbath Politics” in a Polarized World

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/28f01144-8775-4fb7-b93c-ad7c010bef79/clips/a274eb93-3781-48b3-90c9-b21f01204a78/transcript

#105: Reclaiming Advent - Simple Church Activities for Sacred Presence

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