Join us as Dr. Angie Ward shares her journey from traditional church leadership to organic faith expressions.  We explore Angie's pivotal moment during a leadership class that sparked a reevaluation of church leadership. Our candid conversation delves into the tensions of spiritual and vocational disruption, reflecting on the necessity of embracing uncertainty without rushing for resolution. As theological education faces a crossroads, we discuss the decline of traditional institutions and emphasize the need for adaptive thinking. Through Angie's insights and the stories of spiritual leaders, we invite you to join us in reconstructing faith, leadership, and communities in an era of ecclesiastical transformation.

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Are you seeking clarity and growth in your spiritual journey? Then this is a conversation you won't want to miss. In our latest episode, we have the pleasure of engaging in a truly thought-provoking conversation with the acclaimed author, Terry Walling. His book, "Unlikely Nomads," has stirred a wave of renewal among individuals on a path of faith. We delve into the transitioning phase of the church and how this time of uncertainty could be a catalyst for personal and corporate transformation.

As we navigate this compelling discussion, Terry reveals the importance of allowing divine interruptions, leading to greater spiritual clarity and healing. We explore how the noise of the world often drowns out God's voice and how retuning our ears to His voice is crucial for spiritual growth. The conversation takes a deeper turn as we address the dangers of consumer and celebrity culture in the church and the need for a new approach.

In the final part of our conversation, we shine a light on the role of stillness, solitude, and surrender in our relationship with Jesus. We discuss the potential dangers within the ministry and emphasize the importance of being with Jesus before engaging in ministry for Him. If you're a pastor or a church leader grappling with the transitions within the church, this conversation will provide you with valuable insights and practical advice. Join us as we uncover new paths in faith, spiritual growth, and transformation.

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Prepare yourself for an enlightening journey as we sit down with internationally acclaimed missiologist and author, Mike Frost. Embrace an intimate narrative of his spiritual transition from a Catholic background to a life-changing evangelical conversion at 19, which carved his leadership path.

Through a plethora of diverse experiences and insights, Mike Frost illuminates the evolution of the church and the essence of its mission. In his new book 'Mission is the Shape of Water', he explores mission through the ages and around the world, pointing out that context is everything and will help us shape our mission expressions today.

Transcending the past and present, our conversation ventures into the future. By addressing the challenges of our time, we shed light on how the Church can respond. The discourse unravels the need for the Church to address key issues such as racial reconciliation, women's inclusion and the climate crisis - all while striving to shape communities in a world that is increasingly hybridized with technology.

Join us for this heartening conversation with Mike Frost. We navigate the complexities and challenges of faith, leadership, and mission in today's world.

If you want to purchase Mike's book (which we highly recommend) you can purchase is here https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Shape-Water-Learning-Inform/dp/1955142408

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Join us as we welcome our distinguished guest, JR Woodward, the author behind "The Scandal of Leadership". In this episode, we navigate the maze of issues surrounding domineering leadership in the Church, a problem JR insists needs immediate attention. We discuss how these leadership styles align with worldly powers, in stark contrast to Christ's submission to God.

With the Church hemorrhaging from leadership scandals, we discuss the importance of understanding the root cause instead of dismissing these incidents as bad apples. JR shares how his book, "The Scandal of Leadership," explores systemic issues of domineering leadership, in which mimetic desires and rivalry become obstacles to Godly humility.
 
This episode is for anyone who feels dismayed by the predictability of church scandals! Those seeking hope for the church's future will benefit from JR's discerning robust theological work.

The solution, as JR Woodward put it so eloquently, lies in humble obedience and imitation of Christ. As the church embarks on this canonic journey, it holds the promise of reformation and growth, leading us closer to the non-rivalous Father and fostering a healthier leadership model.

We're so thankful for JR Woodward!
Check him out on https://jrwoodward.com/

You can purchase The Scandal of Leadership on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Scandal-Leadership-Unmasking-Powers-Domination-ebook/dp/B0C356M3YT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3MKNLZQA7JA68&keywords=the+scandal+of+leadership+jr+woodward&qid=1698447080&sprefix=the+scandal+of+leadership+%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-1

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Have you ever reflected on the resilience narrative for pastors and how it shapes their pastoral life? We had a riveting conversation with Alex Lang who takes us through his experiences with self-reflection and self-critique. Alex offers insights into how his introspective journey has helped him separate personal struggles from his divine calling. His enlightening perspective on pastoral resilience, has stirred reactions ranging from agreement to disagreement, and even discredit, all of which we discuss in this eye-opening episode.

As church leaders grapple with navigating their congregations through the pandemic, new challenges and opportunities arise. Alex shares his experiences with steering an aging congregation towards a more mission-centric approach in these trying times. He also opens up about his understanding of a pastor's calling, the transformative concept of a 'congregation of one', and the unique perspectives borne out of different denominational backgrounds. We take a rigorous look at the tension between loyalty to a church and the need to scrutinize its methodologies, walking a fine line that many pastors encounter.

In an increasingly isolated society, the rise of mental health issues is a concern we cannot overlook. We delve into the concept of hyper-individualism and the impact it has on communal structures and the church. We also examine the effects of market-driven megachurches, prosperity gospel, and the commoditization of the church on Christianity. Through our conversation with Alex, we explore the transformative potential of meaningful relationships in addressing these concerns. Join us for a thought-provoking dialogue that will challenge your understanding of pastoral life and the church.

Article: https://www.restorativefaith.org/post/departure-why-i-left-the-church

Website: restorativefaith.org

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Are you ready to redefine your understanding of church and ministry? We bring you an intriguing conversation with Rowland Smith, National Director for Forge America, Director of Pando Collective. We delve into Rowland’s fascinating journey from a musical background, sought after worship leader to a seasoned voice and teacher in missiology and fresh expressions of the church.

This episode presents a thought-provoking discussion on the need to rethink our understanding of success in ministry and the importance of staying true to our calling. Rowland reminds us that in reimagining the church, we must remember who we are as missional people as part of this journey. It's as much about returning to something old as finding something new.

We’re so grateful to Rowland Smith! We'd love you to check out more about him, his ministry, books and more.
https://www.forgeamerica.com/
https://thepandocollective.com/

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In this podcast episode, we explore the reality many pastors face - the weight of unrealistic expectations and pressures associated with pastoral ministry. A viral article by Reverend Alexander Lang, titled 'Departure: Why I Left the Church,' triggered our discussion.

His article is an honest and raw portrayal of the dilemmas many pastors face. It strikes a chord with many as it highlights the systemic issues within the church that often lead to exhaustion and disillusionment among pastors. You can read it here.

In this episode, we discuss these red flags, including how churches are run as businesses, pastors acting as CEOs and the impact consumerism has on spiritual formation. 

We question the resilience narratives that encourage pastors to learn how to best manage their institutions. Rather, we explore why we continue to uphold a system that continues to cause harm to pastors, congregants, and the message of Jesus to the world - and whether leaving it is not a failure but a courageous step toward a different expression of community and call.

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In this episode, Terry Walling, founder of Leader Breakthrough, is our guest. He's a friend, someone who exudes wisdom and a leader we trust. As someone who's been in Church ministry for over 30 years he is now wanting to finish well by paying it forward. One way he's doing that is through his book (pre-launching September 2023) 'Unlikely Nomads'.

In this episode  he shares his insights on how the traditional church is experiencing a deep-seated transition - what he believes is an Abrahamic call to journey towards something radically different. Those heeding the call are what Terry calls the 'Unlikely Nomads' - courageous committed Christ followers who are making the choice to step away from the traditional church and follow the voice of the Shepherd. 

We discuss how the journey away from institutionalized faith is not smooth. It's laden with challenges, misunderstandings, and, often, a deep sense of loss. We acknowledge how trusting in God's plan becomes paramount during this transition. It's a journey of surrender, letting go of familiar structures and embracing uncertainty.

We'd love you to tune in to this important conversation. 

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Have you ever wondered about the portrayal of the church in modern America and its implications? We're Ruth Lorensson and Kirk Romberg, and we invite you to join us as we unpack this complex topic on the Reconstructing Pastors podcast. 

This introductory episode is all about creating a safe space for pastors and all listeners to explore their calling and the idea of liminal spaces in their personal journey and the church community. We'll share our aspirations, the origins of our podcast, and our hope to engage more people in these much-needed conversations.

We'll be taking a hard look at the institutionalized church, the professional clergy, and the challenging process of separating faith from the church. 

This is not just a podcast, but a chance to be part of a transformative conversation about the present and future of the church. We can't wait to embark on this journey with you.

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We're super grateful for all of you!