Welcome to season 13 of the Igniting Imagination podcast! This season, we invite you into a story of hope and possibility, where church properties are reimagined as vibrant hubs for community flourishing. 

Rev. Lisa Greenwood and Shannon Hopkins, co-founder of Rooted Good, explore the evolving role of churches as valuable community assets. With church properties transforming across the U.S., the ways congregations gather and engage with their neighbors are shifting, inspiring churches to redefine their purpose for the 21st century by focusing outward.

Listen as Lisa and Shannon discuss how churches are prioritizing community service and connection, moving beyond preservation to become forces for good.

Guest

Shannon Hopkins is co-founder of Rooted Good and a Locke Innovative Leader. She is an extreme networker and social entrepreneur living in East London. Her passion for community and individual transformation has launched or influenced the formation of fifteen campaigns, projects, and organizations — and trained over 200 social entrepreneurs. In 2008, Shannon was awarded the Women of the UN and UK’s Annual Woman of Peace Award for The Truth isn’t Sexy, a campaign that addressed the demand side of human trafficking. 

Episode Highlights  

• Understanding community needs during church property transitions.
• Economic models for churches are shifting, necessitating new approaches to funding and support.
• The church must claim its voice and role in community transformation, not just growth.
• Facing reality about financial challenges is crucial for effective church leadership and planning.
• Churches can leverage their properties for affordable housing and community health initiatives.
• A successful example is a church that transformed its parking lot into a community park.

Timestamps

(00:00) Welcome to Igniting Imagination!

(00:22) Introducing Shannon Hopkins

(02:56) Understanding Church Property Transition

(05:28) Why Church Property Transition Matters

(07:37) Opportunities for Churches Today

(13:02) Navigating Economic Challenges

(18:20) Facing Reality in Leadership

(28:46) The Vision for the Future of the Church

(30:15) Innovative Church Property Uses

Links

Visit our podcast website at www.ignitingimagination.org.

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