Future Christian

By Resonate Media

At the Future Christian Podcast, we talk to pastors, authors, and other faith leaders for helpful advice and practical wisdom to help you lead your church into the future.... more

4.7

3131 ratings

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Future Christian:

How many episodes does Future Christian have?

The podcast currently has 282 episodes available.

Future Christian episodes:

June 23, 2026Will AI Change the Church Forever? with Christopher Benek
What happens when artificial intelligence becomes part of everyday life—and what role should the church play in helping people navigate it?
In this episode, Loren welcomes theologian, pastor, and AI thought leader Christopher Benek for a conversation about artificial intelligence, spiritual formation, ethics, and the future of the church. Drawing on more than a decade of work at the intersection of faith and technology, Benek argues that AI is not merely a technological challenge but a deeply theological one.
The conversation explores how churches can move beyond fear and hype to cultivate wisdom, discernment, and meaningful conversations about emerging technologies. Benek reflects on AI's impact on preaching, ministry, work, identity, and ethics, while emphasizing that the church's unique contribution is not technical expertise but spiritual formation.
Together they discuss the opportunities and risks presented by AI, why pastors should help people make meaning in a rapidly changing world, and how Christian communities can become places where technologists, leaders, and everyday people wrestle with difficult questions together. The episode ultimately returns to themes of hope, discipleship, and the enduring relevance of the church in an age of disruption.
Together they explore:
Whether AI should be used in sermon preparation and ministry
The difference between information, wisdom, and spiritual formation
How churches can facilitate conversations about AI ethics
Why pastors remain essential in an age of technological change
Whether AI represents the biggest technological shift since the printing press
How Christians can engage AI without fear or panic
What the church uniquely offers in a rapidly changing world

The Rev. Dr. Christopher J. Benek is an internationally recognized pastor, theologian, and thought leader at the crossroads of faith and technology. His insights on artificial intelligence and theology have been featured in major outlets, including The New York Times, The Guardian, BBC, Le Monde, and others. He has advised companies, policymakers, and governments on AI’s ethical and societal impact. With more than 20 years of pastoral ministry, he currently serves as pastor of First Miami Presbyterian Church and CEO of The CoCreators Network, an organization dedicated to the vision of Better People, Better Tech, Better World. Learn more about him at ChristopherBenek.com

Mentioned Resources:
📖 His book: The Church Leader's Guide to AI
🌐 His Website: ChristopherBenek.com
📱 Socials: @benekcj
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Chris Benek
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Mark DeYmaz
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Lorenzo Lebrija

Connect with Future Christian:
📱 Future Christian Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurechristianpod/
📱 Martha's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martha_tatarnic/
📱 Loren's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richmondljr/
🟧 Future Christian Substack: https://futurechristian.substack.com/

Supporting Sponsors:
Martha's New Book! Anne Boleyn: Reputation, Revolution, Religion, and the Queen Who Changed History - Available now!
Loren's New Book: The Church as Community Hub: Sharing Spaces to Help Neighborhoods Thrive - Available for pre-order!
Free Range Priest Helping clergy and congregations reimagine ministry in the digital age.

Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Dennis Sanders – Producer

SEO / Keywords
Christopher Benek, artificial intelligence and Christianity, AI and theology, church and artificial intelligence, Christian AI ethics, faith and technology, AI in ministry, AI and preaching, pastors and artificial intelligence, spiritual formation and technology, theology of technology, Christian leadership and AI, AI ethics and faith, church leadership and innovation, future of the church, technology and discipleship, AI and human identity, meaning making and faith, digital ministry, Christian response to AI, AI and spiritual formation, emerging technology and religion, church innovation, theology and science, Christian ethics and technology, First Miami Presbyterian Church, Future Christian Podcast, Loren Richmond Jr.
...more
1h 3min
June 09, 2026Staying at the Table When We Disagree | Terri Hord Owens
What does it mean to stay at the table when disagreement, division, and distrust seem to be everywhere?
In this episode, talks with Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), about her book Staying at the Table: Being the Church We Say We Are. Drawing on her experience as a denominational leader, pastor, and former corporate executive, Hord Owens reflects on the spiritual practices, theological commitments, and communal habits needed to sustain Christian unity in a polarized age.
The conversation explores why staying at the table is both difficult and necessary, how churches can balance accountability with radical welcome, and why biblical literacy and spiritual formation remain essential for Christian witness. Hord Owens argues that churches often become more committed to preserving institutions than embodying the gospel, and she challenges Christians to recover a deeper commitment to love, humility, and community.
They also discuss denominational identity, the future of small churches, the role of data in understanding ministry realities, and how congregations can create space for people who are searching for a faith community after leaving more rigid religious environments.
Together they explore:
What it means to "stay at the table" amid disagreement
When unity is possible—and when leaving may be necessary
Why spiritual practices and biblical literacy matter
The tension between loving institutions and loving the gospel
Welcoming people who are deconstructing or leaving other traditions
Small churches, bivocational ministry, and denominational realities
Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens is the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. She is the first person of color and second woman to lead the denomination, and the first woman of African descent to lead a mainline denomination. Elected in 2017, Rev. Hord Owens was re-elected to a second term as General Minister and President in 2023. Her ministry actively reflects the Disciples’ priority of being an anti-racist church, being a movement for wholeness, welcoming all to the Lord’s table as God has welcomed us. Her exhortation to the church is “Let’s be the church we say we are. It is in being who we say we are that we actively bear witness to God’s limitless love for all.” Rev. Hord Owens earned her bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and her MDiv from the University of Chicago Divinity School, where she subsequently served as Dean of Students for 12 years.
Rev. Hord Owens’ resume includes more than 20 years of leadership in corporate America leading diverse teams in data management. She serves on the National Council of Churches as the Vice Chair of the Governing Board and is a member of the World Council of Churches Central Committee. Rev. Hord Owens is married to Walter Owens, Jr. They are the proud parents of an adult son, W. Mitchell Owens, III and daughter-in-law Adriana Owens. She is also the joyful grandmother of Zachary Owens.
Mentioned Resources:
📖 Her book: Staying at the Table
🔴 Disciples of Christ Website: Disciples.org
📱 Facebook: Terri Hord Owens
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Terri Hord Owens

Connect with Future Christian:
📱 Future Christian Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurechristianpod/
📱 Martha's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martha_tatarnic/
📱 Loren's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richmondljr/
🟧 Future Christian Substack: https://futurechristian.substack.com/

Supporting Sponsors:
Martha's New Book! Anne Boleyn: Reputation, Revolution, Religion, and the Queen Who Changed History - Available now!
Loren's New Book: The Church as Community Hub: Sharing Spaces to Help Neighborhoods Thrive - Available for pre-order!
Free Range Priest Helping clergy and congregations reimagine ministry in the digital age.

Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Dennis Sanders – Producer

SEO / Keywords
Terri Hord Owens, Staying at the Table, Christian Church Disciples of Christ, Disciples of Christ denomination, Christian unity, church disagreement, staying at the table, radical welcome, open communion, Lord's Supper theology, biblical literacy, spiritual practices, Christian discipleship, church accountability, Christian hospitality, deconstruction and faith, exvangelical church, inclusive Christianity, anti-racist church, denominational leadership, church unity and diversity, small church ministry, bivocational ministry, future of the church, ecumenical Christianity, Howard Thurman, Walter Brueggemann, Christian leadership, Future Christian Podcast, Loren Richmond Jr.
...more
57min
June 02, 2026Religion Didn’t Die—It Became Obsolete | Christian Smith
Why did religion decline in America—and was it really driven by hostility toward faith?
In this episode, Loren talks with sociologist Christian Smith about his book Why Religion Went Obsolete and the cultural, technological, and institutional changes that reshaped American religion over the last several decades. Smith, well known for coining the term “moralistic therapeutic deism,” argues that religion did not simply decline or get pushed out by secularism—it became culturally obsolete.
The conversation explores Smith’s argument that the early 1990s marked a major cultural turning point, driven by technological shifts, generational change, and evolving social expectations. Rather than abandoning spirituality altogether, many Americans sought meaning, identity, and transcendence elsewhere—in politics, digital communities, sports, and forms of what Smith calls “re-enchantment culture.”
They also discuss the continuing influence of moralistic therapeutic deism, the role of scandal and self-inflicted wounds within religious institutions, and why Christianity’s challenges may be more internal and cultural than simply ideological or political.
Together they explore:
The lasting influence of moralistic therapeutic deism
Why 1991 marked a cultural tipping point
“Re-enchantment” and the rise of alternative spiritualities
Religious scandal and Christianity’s self-inflicted wounds
Why authenticity matters for younger generations
Politics, polarization, and religion’s public witness
What churches can learn from cultural change and loneliness
Christian Smith is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Sociology Emeritus and Founding Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame. Smith is well known for his research focused on religion, adolescents and emerging adults, and social theory. Smith received his MA and PhD from Harvard University in 1990 and his BA from Gordon College in 1983. He was a Professor of Sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for 12 years before his move to Notre Dame.
Mentioned Resources:
📖 His book: Why Religion Went Obsolete
🌐 Notre Dame Website: https://christiansmith.nd.edu/
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Ryan Burge

Connect with Future Christian:
📱 Future Christian Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurechristianpod/
📱 Martha's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martha_tatarnic/
📱 Loren's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richmondljr/
🟧 Future Christian Substack: https://futurechristian.substack.com/

Supporting Sponsors:
Martha's New Book! Anne Boleyn: Reputation, Revolution, Religion, and the Queen Who Changed History - Available now!
Loren's New Book: The Church as Community Hub: Sharing Spaces to Help Neighborhoods Thrive - Available for pre-order!
Free Range Priest Helping clergy and congregations reimagine ministry in the digital age.

Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Dennis Sanders – Producer

SEO / Keywords
Christian Smith sociology, Why Religion Went Obsolete, religion decline America, religion obsolete thesis, moralistic therapeutic deism, spirituality and secular culture, religious decline sociology, post Christian America, church decline and culture, generational religion trends, millennials and religion, Gen Z and religion, religion and technology, re-enchantment culture, spirituality not religious, paganism and spirituality, politics and religion America, mainline Protestant decline, evangelical decline, religion and authenticity, social media and faith, sociology of religion, Christian Smith Notre Dame, Future Christian Podcast, Loren Richmond Jr.
...more
49min
May 26, 2026AI Goes to Church: Todd Korpi shares What Christians Need to Know
What happens when artificial intelligence goes to church?
In this episode, Loren talks with pastor, missiologist, and researcher Todd Korpi about his book AI Goes to Church: Pastoral Wisdom for Artificial Intelligence and the opportunities—and dangers—AI presents for faith communities.
Drawing from missiology, theology, and digital ministry research, Todd argues that AI is not merely a technical issue but a pastoral and spiritual one. Rather than approaching AI with either fear or blind enthusiasm, he invites Christians to ask deeper questions about wisdom, human identity, discipleship, and how technology shapes us.
The conversation explores how emerging technologies influence our relationships, attention, and understanding of what it means to be human. Todd reflects on social media as a cautionary tale, the church’s tendency to “hitch its wagon” too tightly to political or technological movements, and why discernment matters more than speed or productivity.
They also discuss the meaning of humanity as bearers of God’s image, the future of pastoral leadership, and why wisdom—not simply information—may be the church’s greatest contribution in an AI-shaped world.
Together they explore:
Why AI is a pastoral and spiritual issue—not just a technical one
Why human identity cannot be reduced to technology or intelligence
How AI can either create margin—or deepen busyness
Why pastors should function more as guides than information gatekeepers
What missiology teaches us about Gen Z and the future of the church
The power of story in evangelism and discipleship
Todd Korpi (DMiss, Fuller Theological Seminary) is a pastor, missiologist, and church consultant. He is dean of digital ministry programs at Ascent College, assistant professor of Christian leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary, and works in several capacities at OneHope. He also serves as the lead researcher of the Digital Mission Consortia, a collaborative research initiative exploring the frontier of digital ministry. Todd is the author of Your Daughters Shall Prophesy and The Life-Giving Spirit. He and his wife, Tara, live in Chicagoland with their three daughters.

Mentioned Resources:
📖 Todd's book: https://www.ivpress.com/ai-goes-to-church
🌐 His Website: https://www.toddkorpi.com
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Len Tang

Connect with Future Christian:
📱 Future Christian Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurechristianpod/
📱 Martha's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martha_tatarnic/
📱 Loren's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richmondljr/
🟧 Future Christian Substack: https://futurechristian.substack.com/

Supporting Sponsors:
Martha's New Book! Anne Boleyn: Reputation, Revolution, Religion, and the Queen Who Changed History - Available now!
Loren's New Book: The Church as Community Hub: Sharing Spaces to Help Neighborhoods Thrive - Available for pre-order!
Free Range Priest Helping clergy and congregations reimagine ministry in the digital age.

Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Dennis Sanders – Producer

SEO / Keywords
Todd Korpi, AI and Christianity, artificial intelligence church, AI Goes to Church, digital ministry, church and technology, Christian ethics and AI, theology of technology, missiology and culture, digital discipleship, artificial intelligence ethics, church leadership and AI, social media and faith, human identity and technology, imago Dei theology, wisdom vs information, future of pastoral leadership, Gen Z and church, storytelling and evangelism, post industrial church, digital church ministry, Pentecostal spirituality, technology and discipleship, Future Christian Podcast, Loren Richmond Jr.
...more
1h 2min
May 19, 2026Rethinking Church Buildings for a New Era with Bob Jaeger
What if church buildings are far more valuable to communities than most people realize?
In this episode, Loren Richmond Jr. talks with Bob Jaeger, co-founder and president of Partners for Sacred Places, about the future of church buildings, the hidden economic impact of congregations, and why sacred spaces still matter in an era of church decline.
Drawing from decades of work helping congregations preserve and reimagine their buildings, Bob explains how churches often underestimate both their civic value and the possibilities already sitting inside their walls. The conversation explores the “halo effect” of churches, the economic and social impact congregations have on neighborhoods, and why many churches need to rethink how they steward and share their spaces.
They discuss the rise of adaptive reuse projects, the dangers of waiting too long to make decisions about property, and how churches can partner with nonprofits, architects, and community organizations to imagine new futures for aging buildings. The conversation also explores the spiritual and cultural significance of church architecture and why sacred spaces continue to shape communities—even for people who never attend worship services.
Together they explore:
Why church buildings still matter spiritually and culturally
The “halo effect” and economic value churches bring to communities
Adaptive reuse, housing projects, and creative uses for church space
Why churches need community partnerships and outside support
The role of architecture in shaping faith and community identity
Why churches should think of their buildings as mission assets
What the future of sacred spaces might look like
Robert Jaeger is the co-founder and president of Partners for Sacred Places, the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to the stewardship and preservation of historic religious properties. Since 1989, he has helped congregations across the country sustain their buildings as vital community assets, leading initiatives such as the Economic Halo Effect study and the New Dollars/New Partners program.
With a background in historic preservation and organizational leadership, Jaeger previously founded the Historic Religious Properties Preservation Program at the Philadelphia Historic Preservation Corporation and has extensive experience in research, consulting, and publishing. He is the author or co-author of several influential works on sacred spaces and community renewal and has lectured widely at national and international conferences. Jaeger holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in Preservation Planning from Cornell University.

Mentioned Resources:
📖 Sacred Places Magazine: Link here
🌐 Sacred Places Website: Partners for Sacred Places

Connect with Future Christian:
📱 Future Christian Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurechristianpod/
📱 Martha's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martha_tatarnic/
📱 Loren's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richmondljr/
🟧 Future Christian Substack: https://futurechristian.substack.com/

Supporting Sponsors:
Martha's New Book! Anne Boleyn: Reputation, Revolution, Religion, and the Queen Who Changed History - Available now!
Loren's New Book: The Church as Community Hub: Sharing Spaces to Help Neighborhoods Thrive - Available for pre-order!
Free Range Priest Helping clergy and congregations reimagine ministry in the digital age.

Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Dennis Sanders – Producer

SEO / Keywords
Bob Jaeger, Partners for Sacred Places, church buildings future, sacred spaces preservation, church architecture theology, economic halo effect churches, adaptive reuse church buildings, church property redevelopment, church decline and buildings, historic church preservation, sacred places community impact, churches and affordable housing, church civic value, church fundraising property, nonprofit partnerships churches, church space sharing, community centered church, stewardship of church buildings, sacred architecture meaning, future of church property, church revitalization strategies, Future Christian Podcast, Loren Richmond Jr.
...more
59min
May 12, 2026Martha Tatarnic on The Queen who changed the Church Forever
What if the story we’ve been told about Anne Boleyn is missing the most important part?
In this episode, Loren Richmond Jr. talks with Martha Tatarnic—priest, author, and co-host of the podcast—about her new book Anne Boleyn: Reputation, Revolution, Religion, and the Queen Who Changed History and the overlooked role Anne played in shaping the English Reformation.
Drawing from historical research and theological reflection, Martha challenges the familiar narrative that reduces Anne to a pawn in Henry VIII’s story. Instead, she presents Anne as a deeply formed, intellectually engaged, and theologically motivated leader whose influence helped shape the future of the Anglican Church.
The conversation explores how Anne’s faith informed her convictions, her advocacy for an English Bible, and her support of key reformers whose impact is still felt today. They also examine how history has often distorted Anne’s story—especially through gendered narratives that diminish strong women—and why those patterns still matter for leadership in the church today.
They discuss the ongoing challenges women face in ministry, the temptation toward self-congratulation in church systems, and the work still needed to create environments where all leaders can truly flourish.
Together they explore:
Why Anne Boleyn’s story has been misunderstood or misrepresented
Her role as a reformer, not just a historical figure
How her faith shaped her influence on the English Reformation
How gendered narratives distort history and leadership
Ongoing challenges for women in church leadership today
Why the church must move beyond self-congratulation toward real change
How Anne’s legacy still shapes Anglican identity and practice
Martha Tatarnic is a contributor to Christian Century, a blogger on Medium, and co-host of the Future Christian podcast. She is the author of Why Gather? The Hope and Promise of the Church. She is a priest in the Anglican Church of Canada and rector at St. George's Anglican Church in St. Catherines, Ontario. She lives in Catherines, Ontario, Canada.
Mentioned Resources:
📖 Martha's Books: https://churchpublishing.org/search?q=martha%20ta
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Martha Tatarnic
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Elizabeth Schrader Polczer: Pt 1
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Elizabeth Schrader Polczer: Pt 2

Connect with Future Christian:
📱 Future Christian Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurechristianpod/
📱 Martha's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martha_tatarnic/
📱 Loren's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richmondljr/
🟧 Future Christian Substack: https://futurechristian.substack.com/

Supporting Sponsors:
Martha's New Book! Anne Boleyn: Reputation, Revolution, Religion, and the Queen Who Changed History - Available now!
Loren's New Book: The Church as Community Hub: Sharing Spaces to Help Neighborhoods Thrive - Available for pre-order!
Free Range Priest Helping clergy and congregations reimagine ministry in the digital age.

Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Dennis Sanders – Producer

SEO / Keywords
Anne Boleyn history, Anne Boleyn Reformation, English Reformation origins, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Anglican Church history, Martha Tatarnic, women in church leadership, gender and church history, female leaders Christianity, church leadership challenges, Bible in English history, Tyndale New Testament, Thomas Cranmer Book of Common Prayer, Anglican identity theology, faith and power dynamics, church and patriarchy, women clergy challenges, sexual misconduct church accountability, historical theology women, Future Christian Podcast, Loren Richmond Jr.
...more
1h 1min
May 05, 2026What Liberal Christianity Might Be Missing with Katherine Willis Pershey
What happens when a pastor realizes they’re going through the motions—but not actually experiencing God?
In this episode, Loren talks with Rev. Dr. Katherine Willis Pershey about faith, formation, and the unexpected influence of Eugene Peterson on her life and ministry. Drawing from her own journey across multiple Christian traditions, Katherine reflects on the tension between justice, belief, and personal encounter with God.
The conversation explores how Peterson’s writing helped her rediscover prayer, Scripture, and the heart of pastoral vocation—not as performance or productivity, but as attentiveness to a living, active God. They also wrestle with the challenges of ministry in a secular age, the pressures facing pastors today, and the difficulty of maintaining spiritual depth in a culture shaped by busyness and division.
They discuss the false divide between personal piety and social justice, the importance of spiritual practices like prayer and worship, and what it means to lead faithfully in a fragmented and polarized church landscape.

Together they explore:
How Eugene Peterson reshaped her understanding of ministry
The struggle to experience God while leading a church
Why personal piety and social justice belong together
The dangers of a purely “therapeutic” model of ministry
What it means to believe in a real, active God today
Navigating faith across evangelical and progressive divides
Why pastors must protect time for prayer and reading
Katherine Willis Pershey serves as co-pastor of First Congregational UCC Appleton, Wisconsin, having previously served congregations in Illinois and California. She is the author of Very Married: Field Notes on Love and Fidelity and co-author of Love Letters to God, and is a regular contributor to the Christian Century. She received a DMin from the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary in 2024.

Mentioned Resources:
🌐 Katherine's Website: katherinewillispershey.com
📖 Katherine's Books: Books & Writings
🟧 Katherine's Substack: katherinewillispershey.substack.com/
📱 Facebook: @katherinewillispershey

Connect with Future Christian:
📱 Future Christian Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurechristianpod/
📱 Martha's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martha_tatarnic/
📱 Loren's Instagram: www.instagram.com/lorenrichmondjr/
🟧 Future Christian Substack: https://futurechristian.substack.com/

Supporting Sponsors:
Free Range Priest Helping clergy and congregations reimagine ministry in the digital age.
Martha's New Book! Anne Boleyn: Reputation, Revolution, Religion, and the Queen Who Changed History Available for Pre-order now!

Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Dennis Sanders – Producer

SEO / Keywords
Katherine Willis Pershey, Eugene Peterson theology, The Message Bible, pastoral theology, spiritual formation pastors, progressive Christianity and orthodoxy, personal piety and social justice, prayer and ministry, contemplative pastor, working the angles, secular age Christianity, faith and doubt journey, church leadership formation, spiritual direction, mainline and evangelical divide, real active God theology, pastoral burnout and busyness, discipleship and formation, Future Christian Podcast, Loren Richmond Jr.
...more
48min
April 28, 2026Discernment is Not a Solo Mission: John Lewis on Forming Christian Communities
What if the early church wasn’t built primarily on teaching ideas—but on forming people together in the way of Jesus?
In this episode, Martha Tatarnic talks with Dr. John Lewis about his book Discernment in the Early Church and Today and what we’ve misunderstood about the Apostle Paul. Drawing from deep study of Paul’s writings and decades of practical ministry, Lewis challenges the tendency to treat Paul as a systematic theologian rather than a pastor forming communities of lived faith.
The conversation explores how early Christian communities were shaped through shared practices of discernment, where ordinary life events became the setting for discovering how Christ is at work. Rather than focusing primarily on belief or abstract theology, Paul’s aim was to form people over time—individually and communally—into the image of Jesus.
They also discuss how this model translates today through small group discernment practices, the role of Scripture in shaping imagination rather than prescribing answers, and why this approach may be especially important in a time of political tension, institutional distrust, and spiritual fragmentation.

Together they explore:
Why Paul was more pastor than systematic theologian
How early Christian communities practiced discernment together
The role of experience in forming faith—not just belief
How small groups cultivate trust, vulnerability, and formation
Why Scripture shapes imagination rather than giving simple answers
Navigating politics and cultural tension through a Christ-centered lens
Practical ways churches can recover communal discernment today

John Lewis is Theologian in Residence for the Iona Collaborative at Seminary of the Southwest (Austin, Texas), where he teaches online and in-person continuing education courses in New Testament and congregational leadership. He previously served as the seminary’s Director of the Iona Collaborative and Lecturer in New Testament and Spirituality (2016-21). John is also Co-Director of St. Benedict’s Workshop (San Antonio, Texas), a non-profit ministry he founded in 2001 to help Christian communities use Scripture to practice discipleship and discernment in all areas of daily life. Lewis is the author of Discernment in the Early Church and Today: Reclaiming Paul’s Vision for Formation and Community Building (Seabury Press, 2025) and Looking for Life: The Role of “Theo-Ethical Reasoning” in Paul’s Religion (T&T Clark [Continuum], 2005). He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament degree from the University of Oxford (2004) and a Master of Divinity degree, with honors, from Virginia Theological Seminary (1997). Prior to his ordination in The Episcopal Church (1997), John was a trial lawyer in San Antonio, Texas.

Mentioned Resources:
🌐 Iona Website: www.iona.ssw.edu
📖 John's Book: www.iona.ssw.edussw.edu/discernment-in-the-early-church-today/
📱 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ionacollaborative
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ionacollaborative

Connect with Future Christian:
📱 Future Christian Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurechristianpod/
📱 Martha's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martha_tatarnic/
📱 Loren's Instagram: www.instagram.com/lorenrichmondjr/
🟧 Future Christian Substack: https://futurechristian.substack.com/

Supporting Sponsors:
Free Range Priest Helping clergy and congregations reimagine ministry in the digital age.
Martha's New Book! Anne Boleyn: Reputation, Revolution, Religion, and the Queen Who Changed History Available for Pre-order now!

Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Dennis Sanders – Producer

SEO / Keywords
John Lewis, theologian, Apostle Paul theology, early church practices, communal discernment, spiritual formation church, discipleship and formation, Pauline theology, church leadership formation, small group ministry, discernment practices, Scripture and imagination, lived faith Christianity, church and community building, ecclesia meaning, New Testament church life, formation vs information church, Anglican theology, Episcopal Church leadership, church renewal practices, faith and daily life, Future Christian Podcast, Martha Tatarnic, Loren Richmond Jr.
...more
1h 7min
April 21, 2026Process Over Politics: Jack Shitama offers a Better Way to Lead the Church
What’s really driving polarization in our churches—and how can leaders respond without getting pulled into the chaos?
In this episode, Loren Richmond Jr. sits down with Jack Shatama to explore how family systems theory helps make sense of rising anxiety, division, and reactivity in both the church and society. Drawing on insights from sociology, leadership theory, and pastoral experience, Jack offers a framework for leading with clarity, conviction, and calm in an increasingly fragmented world.
The conversation unpacks how chronic anxiety fuels polarization, why churches often get stuck in reactive patterns, and how leaders can cultivate a “non-anxious presence” that creates space for healthier relationships and deeper discipleship.
Together they explore:
How chronic anxiety leads to polarization in church and culture
The difference between process and content—and why it matters
Why conflict often becomes a “battle of wills”
How identity has shifted from faith-based to politically driven
Why setting boundaries is essential for healthy leadership
The challenge of maintaining mission in anxious systems
Jack Shitama is the Director of the Center for Vital Leadership, which serves the Peninsula-Delaware and Baltimore-Washington Conferences of The United Methodist Church (UMC). He is an ordained UMC minister and has served as pastor of churches in Port Deposit, MD and Chesapeake City, MD. Jack is the author of four books: Anxious Church, Anxious People, One New Habit, One Big Goal, If You Met My Family You’d Understand, Everyone Loves a Non-Anxious Presence. His website is the www.thenonanxiousleader.com. His podcast, The Non-Anxious Leader podcast is available on all platforms. Jack and his wife of 44 years, Jodi, have four children and seven grandchildren. Jack is an avid runner and has completed the Baltimore Marathon three times. He occasionally plays guitar and bass in the Jacob’s Well Band, his church’s worship band. He enjoys all kinds of sports, cooking, reading, traveling and, most of all, seeing people experience spiritual growth.

Mentioned Resources:
🌐 Jack's Website: https://thenonanxiousleader.com/about-jack-shitama/
📖 Jack's Books: https://thenonanxiousleader.com/books/
🎧 Jack's Podcast: The Non-Anxious Leader
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Jack Shitama

Connect with Future Christian:
📱 Future Christian Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurechristianpod/
📱 Martha's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martha_tatarnic/
📱 Loren's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richmondljr/
🟧 Future Christian Substack: https://futurechristian.substack.com/

Supporting Sponsors:
Free Range Priest Helping clergy and congregations reimagine ministry in the digital age.
Martha's New Book! Anne Boleyn: Reputation, Revolution, Religion, and the Queen Who Changed History Available for Pre-order now!

Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Dennis Sanders – Producer

SEO / Keywords
Jack Shatama, non-anxious leadership, family systems theory church, Edwin Friedman Failure of Nerve, Murray Bowen theory, church polarization, anxiety in leadership, process vs content leadership, conflict of wills, self differentiation leadership, church conflict resolution, mainline church decline, Ryan Burge sociology religion, political polarization and church, identity and faith formation, micro habits spiritual practices, habit stacking faith, leadership boundaries church, difficult people in church, emotionally healthy leadership, discipleship formation church, future of the church leadership, adaptive leadership church, church systems thinking, Future Christian Podcast, Loren Richmond Jr.
...more
1h 1min
April 14, 2026Alan Roxburgh on Why the Church Isn’t in Revival—And What Comes Next
What does it mean to lead the church in a time when the old maps no longer work—and the future feels uncertain?
In this episode, Loren talks with Alan Roxburgh about leadership, the “great unraveling,” and why the church may be entering a prolonged “dark night” rather than a season of quick renewal. Drawing from Scripture, particularly the book of Jeremiah, Roxburgh challenges the assumption that progress and revival are inevitable. Instead, he invites leaders to reconsider how God forms communities of hope in seasons of disruption, not stability.
The conversation explores how modern Western culture has shaped the church’s expectations around success, individualism, and technique—and why those frameworks may no longer be sustainable. Roxburgh emphasizes the need to recover practices of presence, listening, and local engagement as the foundation for faithful leadership.
They also discuss the role of place, the importance of reimagining church spaces, and how communities can resist isolation by forming deeper, more relational ways of life. Ultimately, this episode reframes the future of the church not as something to fix or control, but as something to discern through attentiveness to God’s ongoing work.
Together they explore:
Why the church may be entering a “dark night” rather than a season of revival
How modern culture has shaped the church’s assumptions about growth and success
The practices of dwelling, discerning, and exploring in local communities
Why relationships—not programs or expertise—are central to faithful leadership
Rethinking church buildings, space, and imagination in a changing world
Recovering attentiveness to God’s agency in a culture shaped by technique and control
Alan Roxburgh has served as a pastor, seminary professor, consultant and mentor in leadership and missional transformation. He lives with his wife and extended family in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has writing 15 books on mission, leadership and culture change. In his work he addresses questions of church and mission convinced the Spirit is fermenting a movement of God's people that can’t be contained in narratives of renewal, reform or fixing existing systems. His latest books are: Leadership, God’s Agency and Disruptions (with Mark au Branson) and Forming Communities of Hope in the Great Unraveling (with Roy Searle).

Mentioned Resources:
🌐 Alan's Website: https://alanroxburgh.com/
📖 Alan's Book: Forming Communities of Hope in the Great Unraveling
🎧 Episodes Referenced: Andrew Root
🎧 Episodes Referenced: J. Michael Jordan

Connect with Future Christian:
📱 Future Christian Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurechristianpod/
📱 Martha's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martha_tatarnic/
📱 Loren's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richmondljr/
🟧 Future Christian Substack: https://futurechristian.substack.com/

Supporting Sponsors:
Free Range Priest Helping clergy and congregations reimagine ministry in the digital age.
Martha's New Book! Anne Boleyn: Reputation, Revolution, Religion, and the Queen Who Changed History Available for Pre-order now!

Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host
Dennis Sanders – Producer

SEO / Keywords
Alan Roxburgh, missional church movement, communities of hope, great unraveling church, church leadership in uncertainty, post-Christendom church, missional leadership, Jeremiah and exile theology, dark night of the church, church decline and renewal, future of the church, local church practices, dwelling discerning exploring, neighborhood ministry, church and modernity critique, individualism and church culture, reimagining church spaces, ecclesiology and mission, spiritual practices and leadership, God’s agency in the church, Western church crisis, adaptive vs faithful leadership, Future Christian Podcast, Loren Richmond Jr.
...more
58min

FAQs about Future Christian:

How many episodes does Future Christian have?

The podcast currently has 282 episodes available.