Better on the Inside

What can small rural churches teach large churches about digital ministry? And how can we all (rural, urban, big, small, new, old) do digital better, together? Charlotte Elia is here to help expand our digital imagination and find our respective lanes in the digital space.

Charlotte is one of the funniest people ever but more importantly, an incredible voice in both rural and digital church spaces. She is the host of the How We Do Digital Ministry and Heavenly Banquet podcasts, valuable resources for anyone not just church leaders.

You can find Charlotte on Twitter or her website.

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EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Today my conversation is with Dr. Josh Packard, Executive Director of the Springtide Research Institute. Through their extensive research (perhaps the largest data set on the planet) on the spiritual lives of young folks, Springtide and Dr. Packard discovered some mind-blowing things. You might think you know about the spirituality of the next generation (13-25 year olds), but you're probably wrong. The "decline narrative" is way too simplistic. Yes, you might see less young people attending church... but that doesn't mean they're out on Jesus. And it doesn't mean they're going to come to us for help.

Since the next generation is less likely to seek out traditional church attendance (they don't trust institutions or institutional leaders), it's important we go to them. Let's look beyond the assumptions and meet them where they are. But they don't need more Fun Uncles... Reddit is better for that. It means shifting our models from Knowledge Transfer to Relational Authority. From the Sage on the Stage to the Question Consultant. 

Follow Springtide on Twitter.

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My guest this week is me. I invited my good friend Andy Mage to interview me because I wanted to share what I've learned this year.

When I started this podcast, it was because I was looking for answers. With all the scandals, abuse, and controversy surrounding the church, I wanted to know how to make the church "better on the inside". Specifically for those working, going to, visiting, volunteering for the church: how can you work for a church without losing your soul? Meaning, how can you do ministry and love Jesus even more? 

And the answers I've gotten are incredible. I had the privilege to speak to some of the most wonderful, wise and inspiring people this year. (I only name-dropped a few of y'all, but ALL OF Y'ALL were wonderful) So, I wanted to take the time to share what I learned from 25+ conversations that have changed how I see church, discipleship, pastoring, theology, miracles, Jesus and almost everything else. Andy & I dig into what has come out of this season, how it's changed me and what is coming next. 

You can find Andy Mage at Bay Hope Church, Lux Digital Church or on Twitter. He's wonderful.

To keep up with us and get updates about the new season of Better on the Inside: SUBSCRIBE and join the conversation in our Facebook Group.

Rob Fike is the first guest I've ever had on my socks!! (True story)

Rob & I are friends IRL and he's a fantastic dude. We've worked together, podcasted together, watched movies together, played basketball together and dreamed together. As a PK and non-profit sector veteran, Rob has a unique and impactful view of how to start and sustain movements. This is absolutely worth a lesson as we reflect on what it means to be a force for good in this world!

You should also buy Rob's fiction books: The Department of Mutated Persons

Rob's website

Rob's Twitter

Rob's Linktree

I Freaking Love That Movie Podcast

Keep the conversation going in The Better on the Inside Facebook Community.

Jason Kirk is one big part of the Shutdown Fullcast, the internet's ONLY college football podcast, and the proprietor of Vacation Bible School, a podcast about the big, weird Holy Bible, made by and for Sunday School kids. (Support them on Patreon!) Jason is also a wonderful theologian and thinker about religion and spirituality, but firmly outside the Evangelical Industrial Complex, so I wanted to talk with him about how to make the church better on the inside. He has a unique perspective, going from the ultimate insider in Southern SBC megachurch Youth Groups to somewhat of an outsider, with many VALID critiques and concerns about the church. (And a great taste in Christian music.)

I love talking with Jason so much. Please listen to this conversation with an open mind. Some of what he has to say, you may disagree with (is Job a real story?) but please don't let that discourage you from hearing him. Jason has a prophetic edge, which I love, and he's speaking to a deeply spiritual longing that I think many in and out of the church will recognize. 

No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you belong here and I'm glad you're here.

If you want to continue this conversation, join us on Facebook: Better on the Inside Facebook Group.

Helping unhoused people is often divisive and politicized work that doesn't have a lot of easy solutions. So, what can we do to help? 

As with many things, it starts with relationship. While I don't have all the answers, I do know we all need to start listening to people like Kevin Nye. Kevin has worked directly with our unhoused neighbors in a number of capacities and has an invaluable perspective that transcends party lines and challenges our preconceived notions. In our conversation, Kevin unpacks his experience and really paints a picture of what help and humanization can look like. He is brilliant, and I loved talking to him. He also gets the first non-musical "Non-Judgment Zone of Joy" intro. 

Please read Kevin's book: https://kevinmnye.com/grace-can-lead-us-home-book/, subscribe to his newsletter and support him generally. Truly a good dude. If you want to continue the conversation, check out our Facebook Group!

Holly Stallcup is the Founder and Executive Director of Rise (https://www.nowsherises.org/), an organization that connects, equips and empowers people to build a Church where women thrive. And she is a delight to have a conversation with. Thankful to meet her through Hector and Sarah of the Pocket Pulpit Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pocket-pulpit/id1590925649)

Holly has a unique perspective and experience on how the Church (the Big C church, the universal Church) can support women that transcends theology. She says it in the episode, but Holly and Rise believe women are already out there doing good work, being the hands and feet of Jesus out in the world. So how can you empower them? Listen to this episode and Holly has some amazing ideas.

If you want to continue this conversation, join our Facebook Group.

My new friend David Hayward AKA Naked Pastor (please only search for his site with one word: nakedpastor, or you may get an unpleasant surprise. The safest way: follow the link here: https://nakedpastor.com/) chats with me about how he moved from pastoral ministry in a church to a different kind of ministry: cartoons! You may have seen them on the internet, but David has done a good job portraying "the Jesus we fell in love with" in his cartoons, art and prints. An untamed and wild Savior, who loves us dearly and has no problem turning over tables to upset the order of things. What is it like to follow Jesus and be completely free?

Check out his work, follow him on Twitter and BUY HIS BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Flip-Like-This-David-Hayward/dp/1506484727

Keep the conversation going with us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside

My conversation with Rose J. Percy is absolutely delightful. She is not only fun to talk to, Rose is creative, kind and brilliant. She uses the phrase "epistemic humility" seamlessly in conversation without batting an eyelash (and it makes sense). When she digs into the challenges of the industrial mindset of the church and what happens when you don't fit into the assembly line, it is MIND-BLOWING. Rose brings a much-needed organic, curious and beautiful perspective to our church life and our imagination. This was eye-opening and challenging for me, so I hope it effects you in similar way.

"I don't want to be needed, I want to belong. 

The songs of belonging are different, I can sing them with my whole body"

Check out Rose's website: https://www.rosejpercy.com/

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/rosejpercy

Dear Soft Black Woman Podcast: https://www.rosejpercy.com/dearsbw

Twitter: @rosejpercy

Continue the conversation in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterontheinside