Pivot Podcast

Is your church struggling to meaningfully engage with your community? In this transformative episode of the Pivot Podcast, host Dwight Zscheile interviews Pastor Ed Doerner about his innovative approach to church leadership community engagement. Discover how Messiah Lutheran Church in Midland, Michigan transformed from being $5.2 million in debt to creating a sustainable community ministry model that provides $6.2 million worth of services annually through their "Beyond the Breakwater" approach.

Pastor Ed shares practical insights on developing sustainable ministries that preserve dignity, reach the often-overlooked ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), and create organic opportunities for faith conversations. Learn about their car repair facility, grocery store, healthcare clinic, and appliance refurbishment ministries—all designed to engage church leaders in community transformation while empowering lay leadership.

In this compelling Pivot Podcast episode, we explore effective Gen Z spiritual formation through the lens of campus ministry. Eric Huseth, Executive Director of Emmaus Campus Ministry at the University of Montana, shares how his team creates authentic spaces for students to explore faith on their own terms. Eric describes today's college students as assembling a "spiritual jigsaw puzzle" influenced by diverse traditions and profound cultural experiences.

Discover practical insights on sustainable ministry models, ecumenical partnerships, and how to communicate faith authentically to a generation with what Eric calls "the biggest BS meter imaginable." Whether you're in campus ministry or leading a traditional congregation, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on forming disciples among younger generations.

In a culture driven by performance and achievement, ministry leaders often feel immense pressure to fix declining institutions and busy congregations with more programs. David Zahl, founder of Mockingbird Ministries and author of "The Big Relief," joins hosts Dwight Zscheile and Terri Elton to explore how grace-centered ministry offers an alternative that both relieves pressure and creates more vibrant communities. David shares how his church has experienced unexpected growth by focusing on grace, giving permission for low engagement, and letting ministry initiatives emerge from the congregation rather than clergy.

This conversation unpacks David's concept of "low anthropology"—a realistic view of human limitations that opens the door to greater compassion—and explores how churches can offer genuine relief in a worn-out world. Whether you're facing ministry burnout or seeking to create a community where people feel truly seen and welcomed, this episode provides both theological depth and practical wisdom for shifting from fixing to listening and from performing to receiving grace.

Mike and Danny Housholder from Lutheran Church of Hope in Iowa share their journey in multi-site church ministry spanning several communities across Iowa. At the heart of their approach is a commitment to "set the sails of this church to the wind of God's Spirit" rather than simply doing church for God. They explain how their guiding principle—"Jesus is life, the rest is details"—provides both foundation and flexibility across diverse contexts.

This conversation explores their distinctive approach to discipleship that emphasizes belonging before achieving, their practical methods for identifying and developing leaders, and how they maintain a consistent vision while allowing each campus to develop its own personality. Church leaders will find valuable insights for navigating change while remaining centered on mission.

Holy Week marks the most pivotal moments in the Christian faith, but how often do we rush to get to Easter morning? In this thoughtful 7-minute reflection, Terri invites listeners to slow down and experience the complete journey.

Drawing from personal experiences of bringing her young children to Good Friday services, Terri illustrates how encountering the darkness and solemnity of Christ's death creates a deeper appreciation for Easter's resurrection joy. She explores how each moment of Holy Week—from Palm Sunday's "Hosannas" to the confusion of the Last Supper to the waiting of Holy Saturday—enriches our faith journey.

Terri reminds us that Jesus brought a countercultural message of unconditional love to a world focused on who's in and who's out—a message that continues to challenge and transform us today. This brief but meaningful episode offers listeners permission to sit with difficult questions and emotions, knowing that Easter's promise awaits.

Perfect for personal reflection or sharing with your congregation as Holy Week approaches.

In this quarterly Q&A episode, our hosts tackle one of the most common struggles church leaders face: knowing what to focus on when everything seems important.

Listen as they explore why many churches describe themselves by their programs rather than their theological identity, and how this leads to burnout and confusion. You'll discover practical exercises to help your congregation reconnect with its unique story and calling.

Key insights include recognizing the warning signs of identity confusion, using your church's history to uncover God's ongoing work, and embracing the freedom that comes from focused calling rather than trying to solve every problem.

In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, hosts Katie Langston and Dwight Zscheile explore how collaborative youth ministry is revolutionizing the way churches engage with young people in Boise, Idaho. Pastors Bob Lewis and Mariah Mills share their journey of creating a confirmation co-op across four congregations, demonstrating how church partnerships can create vibrant faith experiences while sharing resources and responsibilities. Learn why "letting go of the expectation to do it all on your own" might be the most faithful approach to youth ministry today.

This conversation unpacks the practical aspects of collaborative youth ministry—from dividing responsibilities and planning retreats to embracing diversity and building authentic community across congregational lines. Whether you're struggling to maintain youth programs with limited resources or simply looking to enrich your current ministry, Bob and Mariah offer both encouragement and concrete next steps for creating collaborative ministry models that truly serve today's young people.

Dr. Jennifer Wojciechowski joins the Pivot Podcast to explore how Christian mysticism offers profound wisdom for today's spiritual seekers. In her new book "Tending the Garden," Jennie examines how mystical traditions can help modern believers cultivate deeper relationships with God through practices like Lectio Divina, the Jesus Prayer, and the Ignatian Examen. The conversation reveals how Christian mysticism reorients us toward relationship with God rather than religious tasks, providing a compelling alternative for those seeking authentic spiritual experiences.

Together, they discuss the balance between mystical experiences and church structures, with Jennie noting that "Christian mysticism benefits from institutional oversight" while encouraging churches to "embrace that God isn't always going to act in the ways we want." Listeners will discover how reading the mystics themselves can provide surprising encouragement, as these spiritual giants struggled with many of the same challenges we face today while maintaining a transformative connection with God.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Tending the Garden: A History of Christian Mysticism by Jennifer Hornyak Wojciechowski https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tending-the-garden-jennifer-hornyak-wojciechowski/1146105935

In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, the Rev. Dr. Christian Selvaratnam shares how he caught the church planting vision and has spent 25 years developing innovative models for training church planters and traditional pastors alike.

As Dean of Church Planting at St. Hild Theological College in England, Christian explains the power of the medieval apprenticeship approach to leadership development. Learn how "leading from the middle" can activate more people in ministry and create a "mixed ecology" of both new and revitalized churches. Whether you're contemplating starting something new or breathing fresh life into an established congregation, this conversation offers practical wisdom for the journey.

Learn more about Christian and his work at https://sthild.org/christian-selvaratnam.

Check out "How the Inherited and Innovative Church Work Together" with Jorge Acevedo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs2rt4_czHk to continue your journey with the Pivot Podcast.

What is the true meaning of the Lenten season for today's church leaders? In this reflective episode, the Rev. Blair Pogue explores how traditional Lenten practices can help ministry leaders navigate extreme polarization, institutional suspicion, and personal burnout. Discover how remembering your baptismal identity and spending time in Jesus' loving presence can transform your leadership approach from anxious fixing to faithful discernment.

The Lenten season meaning goes beyond giving things up—it's about returning to the core of our faith. Through beautiful reflections on the R.S. Thomas poem "The Bright Field" and the story of Moses at the burning bush, this episode invites leaders to turn aside to discover the "pearl of great price" that awaits in God's presence. Learn practical spiritual practices that will help you become "a watered garden, a repair of the breach, a restorer of streets to live in" during this sacred season.