Making Church Work

The top questions we're hearing from leaders of smaller churches. And our advice for how to keep making progress in communications, even when you feel like you don't have everything you need.

Aaron Niequist is a husband dad, liturgist and writer who led worship at Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Willow Creek just outside of Chicago before, in recent years, evolving his career and way of life into what he calls a practice-based faith. In 2018, he released a book which we talk about in this conversation, called The Eternal Current: How a practice-based faith can save us from drowning.

We recorded this conversation with Aaron in March of 2020, right at the beginning of the global pandemic becoming a daily reality in America. In this conversation, we talk about moving to a practice-based faith, the challenges of working in the church, and the intersection of race and the church. Learn more about Aaron at https://www.aaronniequist.com/

In recent weeks, protests have spread across the United States and even the world in response to the killing of George Floyd. As the message of racial injustice and a call for change has rang out, churches and pastors are trying to figure out what their place is in this conversation and what actions they need to take.

Some churches aren't new to direct conversations about racial injustice, like City of Lights church in Indianapolis where Jon Owens is the founding pastor. In this episode, Jon shares his own family's history of experiencing racism, reflects on the string of events that lead to recent protests he has participated in and what gives him hope when it comes to discipling people out of racism. Note: this episode contains one instance of strong language that may be offensive to some.

As stay-at-home orders stay in places, churches continue to adapt and rally to meet the needs of their community. In this episode, we talk with church staff from around the country to hear how they are doing, what ministry is like today and where they are finding hope. We also feature a conversation with two pastors from Eagle Church in Zionsville, Indiana.

Making Church Work is a Fishhook podcast.

Today, we check in with the team to hear about the ups, downs and the bright spots giving us hope in the midst of life and ministry during the coronavirus season.

In March, the reality of a global pandemic was beginning to settle in across the United States. In this initial episode of Making Church Work, we talk to two local pastors and how they're responding and adapting in the beginning of this strange, unexpected season.

Making Church Work is a Fishhook podcast.