In this enlightening episode of the Pivot Podcast, Westina Matthews, a spiritual director with a background in Wall Street, challenges our understanding of contemplative practices. Hosts Dwight Shiley and Alicia Granholm explore Westina's unique journey and her innovative approach to integrating contemplative living into our fast-paced world.

Westina offers a fresh perspective on contemplative practices, expanding beyond traditional methods to include diverse activities that foster spiritual connection. She provides practical advice for incorporating these practices into daily life, addressing collective grief, and nurturing hope in challenging times. This episode is essential listening for anyone seeking to deepen their spiritual journey and create more resilient, faith-filled communities through the power of contemplative practices.

SHOW NOTES:
"Soul Food: Nourishing Essays on Contemplative Living and Leadership" by Dr. Westina Matthews (ed.)
"This Band of Sisterhood: Black Women Bishops on Race, Faith, and the Church" by Dr. Westina Matthews
"Dancing from the Inside Out: Grace-Filled Reflections on Growing Older" by Dr. Westina Matthews 
YouTube Video URL: https://youtu.be/TxoptR85htk.

In this enlightening episode of the Pivot Podcast, Westina Matthews, a spiritual director with a background in Wall Street, challenges our understanding of contemplative practices. Hosts Dwight Shiley and Alicia Granholm explore Westina's unique journey and her innovative approach to integrating contemplative living into our fast-paced world.
Westina offers a fresh perspective on contemplative practices, expanding beyond traditional methods to include diverse activities that foster spiritual connection. She provides practical advice for incorporating these practices into daily life, addressing collective grief, and nurturing hope in challenging times. This episode is essential listening for anyone seeking to deepen their spiritual journey and create more resilient, faith-filled communities through the power of contemplative practices.
SHOW NOTES:
<ul>
<li>"<a href="https://www.churchpublishing.org/soulfood">Soul Food: Nourishing Essays on Contemplative Living and Leadership</a>" by Dr. Westina Matthews (ed.)</li>
<li>"<a href="https://www.churchpublishing.org/thisbandofsisterhood">This Band of Sisterhood: Black Women Bishops on Race, Faith, and the Church</a>" by Dr. Westina Matthews</li>
<li>"<a href="https://www.churchpublishing.org/dancingfromtheinsideout">Dancing from the Inside Out: Grace-Filled Reflections on Growing Older</a>" by Dr. Westina Matthews </li>
<li>YouTube Video URL: <a href="https://youtu.be/TxoptR85htk">https://youtu.be/TxoptR85htk</a>.</li>
</ul>

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.

Episode 98: Reimagining Contemplative Practices for Modern Life: From Wall Street to Renewal

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/28f01144-8775-4fb7-b93c-ad7c010bef79/clips/ab494148-b838-4c8d-9179-b20300e6ba95/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

This Reformation Day, join hosts Dwight Zscheile and Terri Elton for a transformative conversation with the Rev. Dr. Mark Tranvik, professor of Reformation history and theology at Luther Seminary. Explore how Martin Luther's revolutionary insights from the Protestant Reformation can breathe new life into 21st-century ministry and address the challenges facing today's church.

Dr. Tranvik unpacks key Reformation concepts like grace, vocation, and Christian freedom, revealing their surprising relevance for contemporary issues such as leadership burnout, rigid church structures, and the shift towards lay-led ministry. Discover how reclaiming Luther's emphasis on the "priesthood of all believers" can empower your congregation to live out their faith in fresh, meaningful ways this Reformation Day and beyond.

YouTube Video URL: https://youtu.be/QoOw2TX09mo.

This Reformation Day, join hosts Dwight Zscheile and Terri Elton for a transformative conversation with the Rev. Dr. Mark Tranvik, professor of Reformation history and theology at Luther Seminary. Explore how Martin Luther's revolutionary insights from the Protestant Reformation can breathe new life into 21st-century ministry and address the challenges facing today's church.
Dr. Tranvik unpacks key Reformation concepts like grace, vocation, and Christian freedom, revealing their surprising relevance for contemporary issues such as leadership burnout, rigid church structures, and the shift towards lay-led ministry. Discover how reclaiming Luther's emphasis on the "priesthood of all believers" can empower your congregation to live out their faith in fresh, meaningful ways this Reformation Day and beyond.
YouTube Video URL: <a href="https://youtu.be/QoOw2TX09mo">https://youtu.be/QoOw2TX09mo.</a>

Commemorate Reformation Day by exploring how Martin Luther's revolutionary insights can transform your ministry! The Rev. Dr. Mark Tranvik unpacks the enduring relevance of Reformation theology for 21st-century church leaders.

Episode 101: Reformation Day Wisdom for the 21st Century Church

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/28f01144-8775-4fb7-b93c-ad7c010bef79/clips/24ddb59d-9f93-4fbb-ac6e-b21701773669/transcript

Episode 98: Reimagining Contemplative Practices for Modern Life: From Wall Street to Renewal

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