Pivot Podcast

"It is precisely in moments of disruption, change, and uncertainty that God acts in scripture." - Host, Dwight Zscheile

In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Terri Elton and Dwight Zscheile are joined by guest, Mark Lau Branson.

Mark Lau Branson is the Homer L. Goddard Senior Professor of the Ministry of the Laity and has taught at Fuller Theological Seminary since 2000. As a senior professor, his work focuses on PhD students.

Leaders, if you're tired of navigating rigid church structures, this conversation empowers you to explore alternative questions and delve into scripture and community stories. Embrace disruption and uncertainty, as these moments align with God's actions in scripture. Mark's books offer guidance for leaders seeking a more hopeful future.

In our next episode, we continue to explore the key pivots the church needs to make today.

Content Upgrade: Chapter Exercise [Pivot in Posture] with Mark Lau Branson can be found on this episode's page on our website.

Greetings from the Pivot Podcast family! This Christmas, we rejoice in the profound significance of Jesus' birth, a beacon of hope, joy, and love for the coming year.

Today we hear from host, Dwight Zscheile along with guests, Rev. TT Daniel, Jennifer Wojciechowski, Godson Dauda, September Penn, Paul Kisingu, Akinpelu Lawal, Eun Strawser, Ramon Pastrano, and Jon Anderson.

Amid festive cheer, let's unwrap the theological depth of the Nativity—the divine message in a humble manger. May the radiance of Christ's love illuminate your path.

Stay tuned as we explore the sacred wonders of this season on the Pivot Podcast.

You're in the right place if you're a pastor, lay leader, or simply curious about how faith communities adapt in changing times. Let's embark on this journey together!

“The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.” Luke 10:2

In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Terri Elton and Dwight Zscheile are joined by guest, Dr. Samuel Deressa.

Deressa began teaching part-time at Concordia University of St. Paul, MN in 2016 and joined the faculty full-time in 2018. Previously, he was a member of the Faculty of Theology (Gudina Tumsa Chair for Justice), 2008-2011, at the Mekane Yesus Seminary, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Deressa teaches courses on Global Christianity, Scripture and its Interpretation, Christian Vocation, and Christianity and the Media.

Stay tuned for more episodes unraveling the complexities of the current state of the church.

You're in the right place if you're a pastor, lay leader, or simply curious about how faith communities adapt in changing times. Let's embark on this journey together!

Listening is the first step in discovering how we can better love our neighbors and God.

In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Dee Stokes and Dwight Zscheile are joined by two lay ministry leaders from All Saints Episcopal in Atlanta, Ross Nicholas and Allen King. 

Join us as we explore the essential shift that churches must embrace today—a move away from the predominant focus on repairing established institutional structures. Instead, let's pivot towards a stance characterized by curiosity, discernment, and a willingness to experiment, all rooted in the art of active listening.

Stay tuned for more episodes unraveling the complexities of this cultural shift.

You're in the right place if you're a pastor, lay leader, or simply curious about how faith communities adapt in changing times. Let's embark on this journey together!

SHOW NOTES:

Access the Spiritual Listening Assessment at https://faithlead.org/ebooks/spiritual-life-listening-tool/.

Let us at the Pivot podcast encourage YOU in this time leading up to Christmas!

This week, host Dee Stokes is here to share a gentle reminder amidst the Christmas chaos: Jesus came expressly for you and your congregation, illuminating the darkness. In the busyness, find a sacred pause to recharge, for you are instrumental in guiding others. As exhaustion looms, extend the invitation to encounter Jesus anew this season. Reflect on your personal connection with Him and navigate through your seasonal challenges. Embrace the light and share it, making this Christmas a profound spiritual journey for all.

SHOW NOTES:

Downloadable ebook "Spiritual Life Listening Tool" at https://faithlead.org/ebooks/spiritual-life-listening-tool/

How the church can faithfully navigate a changing world?

In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Dee Stokes and Dwight Zscheile are joined by special guest Eun Strawser. 

E. K. Strawser (DO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine) is the co-vocational lead pastor of Ma Ke Alo o (which means "presence" in Hawaiian), non-denominational missional communities multiplying in Honolulu, Hawaii; a community physician at Ke Ola Pono; and an executive leader at the V3 Movement, the church planting arm of the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Prior to transitioning to Hawaii, she served as adjunct professor of medicine at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and of African Studies at her alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania (where she and her husband served with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship), after finishing her Fulbright Scholarship at the University of Dar es Salaam. She and Steve have three seriously amazing children.

Tune in as we look into the pivot from focusing on making and sustaining members of voluntary association institutions to making disciples of Jesus.

Stay tuned for more episodes unraveling the complexities of this cultural shift.

You're in the right place if you're a pastor, lay leader, or simply curious about how faith communities adapt in changing times. Let's embark on this journey together!

In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Dee Stokes and Dwight Zscheile answer YOUR frequently asked questions about challenges faith communities are facing. 

Questions that listeners asked include:

• Q1: "Our congregation shrank in numbers the past three years. How do we balance reimagining our model when buildings and grounds maintenance uses a lot of time, energy and money? How do we shift the culture within the church? And what if laypeople often want clergy to be involved in everything?"
• Q2: "I'm having a really hard time finding volunteers to support the church's existing ministries. Why is it so hard to recruit and retain volunteers?"
• Q3: "Why won't the members or congregants invite others to church?"

You're in the right place if you're a pastor, lay leader, or simply curious about how faith communities adapt in changing times. Let's embark on this journey together!

In this episode of the Pivot podcast, co-hosts Dee Stokes and Dwight Zscheile are joined by special guest Jorge Acevedo. 

In August of 2023, Pastor Jorge retired as the Lead Pastor of Grace Church, a multi-site congregation in Southwest Florida. Pastor Jorge is a graduate of Asbury College, Asbury Theological Seminary, and most recently, he graduated with a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. His doctoral project was entitled “Congregational Vitality: The Church’s Journey from Heroic Solo Leadership to Generative Team Leadership.”

Tune in as we dive into why exhaustion and overwhelm are so common among church leaders today with a few practical next steps that you can take to find a more sustainable way forward for you and your faith community.

Stay tuned for more episodes unraveling the complexities of this cultural shift.

You're in the right place if you're a pastor, lay leader, or simply curious about how faith communities adapt in changing times. Let's embark on this journey together!

Welcome to the Pivot Podcast, brought to you by Luther Seminary's Faith+Lead! Join Dr. Dee Stokes and Dr. Dwight Zscheile as they explore the ever-changing Church landscape.

In this episode, they are joined by special guest Rev. Dr. Blair Pogue. Blair is the canon for vitality and innovation in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, working across the state to cultivate discipleship and missional engagement for the 94 Episcopal faith communities in Minnesota.

Tune in as we gain a deeper understanding of why it’s easier for people to talk about the church than about God, how to help people discover and rediscover God’s activity in their lives, and how to shift from asking church questions to asking God questions.

Stay tuned for more episodes unraveling the complexities of this cultural shift.

You're in the right place if you're a pastor, lay leader, or simply curious about how faith communities adapt in changing times. Let's embark on this journey together!

Welcome to the Pivot Podcast, brought to you by Luther Seminary's Faith+Lead!

Join Dr. Dee Stokes and Dr. Dwight Zscheile as they explore the ever-changing Church landscape. In this episode, they are joined by special guest Pastor Carl Johnson, a passionate church planter, innovative ministry entrepreneur, and seasoned trainer from St. Paul, Minnesota. Carl, the visionary founder of Storehouse Grocers, is on a mission to address both the spiritual and practical needs of his community.

Tune in as we dive into the dynamic world of church structures. Discover why the traditional one-size-fits-all approach is no longer effective and explore the benefits of a mixed ecology model for your community.

Stay tuned for more episodes unraveling the complexities of this cultural shift.

You're in the right place if you're a pastor, lay leader, or simply curious about how faith communities adapt in changing times. Let's embark on this journey together!