Rev. Dr. Amanda Riley is lead pastor of the Garden Church and active in the San Pedro Community including serving on the Harbor Connects Board. A proud Presbyterian, Rev. Amanda is also serving as Parish Associate at St. Peter’s By the Sea Presbyterian Church, is active in the Presbytery of the Pacific, and is co-author of the book The Girlfriends’ Clergy Companion. Amanda is mother to two active boys, and lives with her husband, sons and dog in the South Bay in Los Angeles, CA.

Keywords ministry, church, community, inclusivity, personal journey, faith, love, challenges, growth, relationships

Summar yIn this conversation, Rev. Dr. Amanda Adams Riley shares her journey into ministry, reflecting on her early experiences in church, the influences that shaped her calling, and the challenges she faced along the way. She discusses the importance of community, relationships, and inclusivity in faith, as well as her experiences in diverse church settings. The conversation highlights the complexities of navigating ministry, the impact of personal experiences, and the significance of love and mutual respect in fostering a supportive church environment.

Takeaways

* The sense of calling in ministry often comes from community discernment.

* Early church experiences shape one’s understanding of faith and community.

* Navigating ministry involves both challenges and growth opportunities.

* Inclusivity and mutual respect are essential in church communities.

* Relationships and love are fundamental to maintaining unity in diverse congregations.

* Church schisms often reveal the complexities of faith and community.

* The journey of ministry is rarely linear and often involves unexpected turns.

* Faithfulness in ministry requires resilience and adaptability.

Sound Bites

* “We all have different pathways.”

* “There are so, so, so many ways to be church.”

* “It is often the case that we don’t do a good job seeing each other as beloved children of God.””

* “I stumbled backwards into this.”

* “There was absolutely no way that I was gonna be part of letting the baby bird fall out of the nest.”

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Love and Ministry

05:12 Early Memories of Church and Community

10:11 The Call to Ministry: A Personal Story

13:51 Navigating the Church Landscape

17:26 Innovative Church Models and Community Engagement

20:46 Exploring Alternative Church Models

22:37 Experiences in Youth Ministry and Cultural Diversity

23:37 The Intersection of Mental Health and Ministry

24:55 Navigating Early Ministry Challenges

27:18 The Lilly Resident and Parish Ministry Program

29:19 Learning the Practicalities of Church Management

31:26 Balancing Wealth and Mission in Ministry

33:17 Finding Purpose Amidst Institutional Challenges

37:41 Unity in Diversity: Maintaining Community in Church

38:11 The Essence of Relationships in Ministry

40:49 Navigating Disagreements and Maintaining Community

43:44 The Pain of Inclusivity and Church Schisms

46:36 Struggling with Love and Community Dynamics

47:41 Finding Purpose in Unexpected Places

53:52 The Journey of Leadership and Collaboration

Our Theme Music is “I Love it,” by Luke Concannon www.lukeconcannon.com

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