Coffeepot Fellowship Podcast

Our guest today is Dave Csinos. Dave is founder and executive director of Faith Forward, an ecumenical organization for progressive and creative leaders in ministry with children and youth. He is completing a PhD from the Toronto School of Theology and is an assistant professor at the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Dave has written, co-written, or co-edited four books related to children's and youth ministry, including Children's Ministry in the Way of Jesus and Faith Forward, volumes 1 and 2.

Many of the days of my adulthood I've felt called to a life of ministry that looks more like Justin Joplin's than my own, especially when focusing on his long hair, banjo and hockey skates. Justin moved from a pastorate here in Richmond, Virginia to Mississauga, Ontario in Canada in 2014. Enjoy this time with Rev. Justin Joplin.

While being a dedicated servant of God's, faithful educator, and fun interviewee Jocelyn Blount is also a friend of mine. We were fellow Ambassadors at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. We went to conferences together wearing our blue polo shirts. We have talked with prospective seminarians, trustees, seminarians at sister institutions, and Baptist icons in our Cooperative Baptist Fellowship worlds. Please enjoy any time that you get to spend with Jocelyn for the gift that it is.

Romal Tune is an award winning author, consultant and strategist. While Romal was in his hometown in California for our cross country interview, he is currently in Cape Town, South Africa. You can catch follow him on Periscope and see some of his work live around the world. You might also catch pictures of his recent breakfast with Bishop Desmond Tutu.

You will also hear how you can get a comprehensive look at United Faith Leaders at an upcoming live webinar event.

Jason Callahan serves as a Chaplain at Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Allied Health Professions. At the time of the interview he was also the President and Moderator of the Black Alumni Association of Union Presbyterian Seminary. This episode also made an invitation on behalf of United Faith Leaders to register for an upcoming live webinar via www.unitedfaithleaders.com/webinars.

Rev. Kerra B. English is the pastor at Ashland Presbyterian Church and a certified spiritual director on the faculty at Richmond Hill. Listen to this episode and see where Kerra's journey may have similarities to your own. Hear some guidance and confessions as we talk about theodicy, the gifts of imperfection and opportunities that come from seeming failures.

I knew we had a real story when David Williams reply to my prompt for his greatest trial was, "My last church." Yikes. That church doesn't even exist anymore. Did he kill it? Could he have saved it? And what kind of church would hire him next? Usually when pastors have a story like this, and many do, we keep it secret for many reasons. Thanks to pastor and author Rev. Dr. David Williams for this story and his others.

Shane Claiborne's accomplishments have led to appearances in Esquire, SPIN, Christianity Today, and The Wall Street Journal, and he has been on everything from Fox News and Al Jazeera to CNN and NPR. He’s given academic lectures at Harvard, Princeton, Brown, Liberty, Duke, and Notre Dame. Shane speaks regularly at denominational gatherings, festivals, and conferences around the globe.He is a co-founder of The Simple Way community in Philadelphia and RedLetterChristian.org. Shane writes and travels extensively speaking about peacemaking, social justice, and Jesus. His books include Jesus for President, Red Letter Revolution, Common Prayer, Follow Me to Freedom, Jesus, Bombs and Ice Cream, Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers – and his classic The Irresistible Revolution. With all of that I am sure you are wondering, "How does Shane Claiborne like his coffee?" Hit play to find out.

Laura McDaniel came to her faith and ordination far into adulthood while a Washington DC corporate attorney. She has been the Network Catalyst (pretty cool title, right?) for the Spence Network since 2013. She was the Executive Director of the Women's Missionary Union of Virginia for five years prior. You might also find it interesting to hear her tell the story of when God repeatedly asked her "What color am I?" (No, it isn't white.) For the full explanation you can listen to the short interview hosted by Kendall Ratliffe.

Rabbi Ben Romer was a friend, paid member and board member with United Faith Leaders. He was also my first interview guest ever in October of 2014. May this replay serve as a tribute and memoir if you are grieving as I am.