The Lean-in Podcast

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#012 -- In this episode  - Post-Pandemic Resilience, Part 2- we'll be diving deeper in the theme of stability, beginning with the story of someone who had quite his share of troubles, but found a way through it!  We'll then explore how to respond well to adversity so that we withstand it, recover from it, and move forward in life from it.  Finally, I'll be sharing 4 practical ways on how to build resilience in your neighbours and among those in your sphere of influence.

NOTE: This is the final episode of the Lean-in Podcast.  I hope you have enjoyed listening and have felt encourage to go deeper with your love for God and neighbour. 

As a thank you, I'm giving away 5 FREE copies of B.L.E.S.S.: 5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbour and Change the World.  To be one of the 5 winners, please complete the following statement:  One practise that I have embraced in loving my neighbour is ...   
The 5 best responses received from listeners will each receive a book. 

To enter the above give-away, please  send an email with your response to: In2neighbourhoods at gmail.com.  Please remember to include your full name and mailing address.  Thank you again for your interest in this podcast.

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#011 -- In this mini series, we first explore the changes in society due to the pandemic and its potential long-term impact.  We look at what it means to be resilient in this kind of environment, the importance of relationship as we engage our neighbours, and how we can love-on people who have lost hope and are looking where to find stability in life.

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#010 -- Inside the world of a bee's nest are a mass of hexagonal wax cells that together make up a honeycomb. The honeycomb acts both as a home for bees to raise their young, but also as storage for pollen and honey. And who is helping the bees to take care of themselves?... Well, that's the strategic role of the beekeeper!  Yet who in our world is committed to doing that for the many families that are under huge pressures and growing numbers of children who are at risk? Adele-Marie Diffey is! And she knows a thing or two about keeping families intact and children safe; and this is her story about the work of Safe Families Canada.  It's an invitation to be part of a caring and compassionate community safeguarding our human honeycombs!

TOPICS IN THIS EPISODE:
In the episode we explore how one faith-based organization is working through the church to help families become more resilient when facing difficult issues of life.  Adele-Marie, Executive Director of Safe Families Canada begins by recounting her own journey as a foster Mom and the insights she has gained about families.  She also explains Safe Families'  vision, mission, and history.  Through unpacking Safe Families' 'Circle of Care' model and stories of hope, we discover  the responsibility and calling followers of Jesus have  to care for families. Adele-Marie also explains the current growth of Safe Families chapters across Canada, and a new initiative targeting youth.  Finally, we consider the many opportunities available for believers to get personally involved in the work, of loving and caring for families and their children.

[*Please see audio player for chapter markers and time stamps*]

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES and/or you'd like to learn more about bridging the gap between church and community, head to:

https://in2neighbourhoods.com/safefamilies

Thanks for listening. If you haven’t already, please  hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

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#009 – In a recent Waterloo Regional Record article titled, "Affordable Housing Gives Vulnerable People an Opportunity to Thrive", author Leah Conner shares about her lived experience and the trauma of finding herself homeless as a young mom with 2 children. Eventually, she did became recipient of affordable housing -- a small townhouse in Waterloo. But she emphatically states that without it, "I wouldn’t be here writing this now. I would not have earned a master’s degree. My children would not be the brilliant well-nourished people they are today."  Reflecting on her experience, Leah declares this truth:  "Affordable housing ventures are long-term investments that provide invaluable returns."  

One organization that knows all about providing affordable housing for the most vulnerable of populations is the Christian housing corporation, Indwell.  Their mission is to create affordable housing communities that support people seeking health, wellness and belonging. For them, providing housing is all about helping people to overcome adversities, find their full potential in life, and assist in the journey towards total well-being!

On this podcast we are joined by Indwells' CEO, Jeff Neven. For the past 20 years Jeff and his team have grown from supporting just 7 tenants to providing homes and supports for 700+ people with nearly 800 units under construction.  Jeff is an established community leader, actively involved in youth neighbourhood engagement, homelessness prevention, and his local church.  He holds a MSW in Community, Policy, Planning and Organizations from Wilfred Laurier University, and received the "40 Under 40" Next Generation of Hamilton Leaders award in 2017.

Topics discussed in this episode:

In this conversation, Jeff Neven paints a picture of what it takes to live out Christian values  as a housing provider. He does so by explaining Indwell's response to: what's driving the housing crisis in Canada; facilitating partnerships with faith communities; their spectrum of  wrap-around services; where dignity and building beautiful buildings meet; the importance of good relationships with tenants; and the adaptive reuse of buildings (not only their preservation but also their redemptive value in brick and mortar and in tenant's lives). Throughout, Jeff explains that underpinning all that Indwell does, is a commitment to living out the values of dignity, love and hope.

During the podcast Jeff explains:

• His faith, vocational and family roots, and his business calling
• What's driving the housing crisis?
• Facilitating partnerships with churches, charities and others
• Myths to be dispelled and whole person solutions
• Dignity and the purpose for beautiful buildings
• Current Indwell projects
• Indwell's wrap-around services and support teams
• What it means in practise to be a faith-based organization that is a housing provider
• The call to be involved: being Jesus to your neighbour!

[*Please see audio player for chapter markers and time stamps*]

For full show notes and/or If you'd like to learn more about bridging the gap between church and community, head to:

https://in2neighbourhoods.com/indwell

Thanks for listening. If you haven’t already, please  hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

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#008 – 'HELP US BUILD ONTARIO’ - that's a banner headline from a recent full-page advertisement in the Toronto Star newspaper by the Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario.  It points to the widening gap and growing crisis that is affecting not only Ontario, but trades all across Canada.

Taking up the challenge to change the tide and seeking the Shalom– the total wellbeing of person, community, and nation – is this episode's guest Shawn Stuart, founder of Organized Kaos (aka OK) - an apprenticeship program for youth 13-17 year olds offering a safe environment in which young people work and learn alongside skilled trades persons from local churches.

Topics discussed in this episode:

In the episode we explore how faith is intersecting with the trades at Organized Kaos, a unique Brantford, Ontario faith-based organization that exists to apprentice young people in life and trades. In our conversation Shawn explains how OK projects create common ground between young people and mentors that break down barriers, leaving space to teach life and employability skills, faith, and the trades, and how it is inspiring hope, purpose, and meaning in their lives.

During the podcast Shawn shares:

• His personal journey to the trades and how OK came about
• What brings the youth to Organized Kaos  and why they stay?
• Why is there a stigma about the trades? 
• The important role that mentors play: the kind of person they are and what they bring
• How to build connections and the joy of earning rewards
• Ok's training centres and a window view into a typical week 
• How graduating out of OK is a way back in!
• How local churches are crucial to the work
• How Organized Kaos is organized: the role of staff and volunteers
• What's the right kind context for sharing the faith?
• A vision for replicating OK's apprenticeship model

[*Please see audio player for chapter markers and time stamps*]

For full show notes and/or If you'd like to learn more about bridging the gap between church and community, head to:

https://in2neighbourhoods.com/trades

Thanks for listening. If you haven’t already, please  hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

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#007 – As the pandemic has swept across the world, governments, NGOs, faith communities, local citizens and many others have been engaged in supporting vulnerable populations effected by COVID-19.  In the UK, the church has also been in the forefront seeking to do just that through their Love Your Neighbour initiative.  Through Love Your Neighbour over 2300 churches and local organizations have partnered together to tackle the social consequences of COVID-19 to support vulnerable people.

On this episode of The Lean-in Podcast, my special guest is Pastor Tom Jackson from Holy Trinity (HTB), Brompton in London, UK.  Tom is the Curate & CEO of Love Your Neighbour, and Head of Social Transformation at HTB. 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Discussed in this podcast is the grassroots work of thousands of churches and local organizations across the UK, who have been reaching out during the pandemic.  Tom shares how  the church's true calling is one that bears the Kingdom marks of a new community - one that comes from the heart of God and explained in the Bible - one that brings both  true freedom to people, as well as answers their cry and longing for deep connection.  The Love Your Neighbour initiative has been a practical and loving example of this, and as the church has let its light shine for the glory of God! 

During the podcast Tom shares:

• How he caught a passion for the poor by seeing everyday people investing in their nation
• How partnership and collaboration are at the heart of engaging the church nationally 
• What is the Church Revitalization Trust, and Holy Trinity Brompton's vision around Social Transformation
• Why there is a need for renewed community in the UK, and the importance of the 'new community' 
• God stories emerging from the Love Your Neighbour initiative
• The difference the church is and could make
• Lesson learned along the way through this initiative
• The role that the 60 hubs/networks across the country are playing, and the key resources they are providing for the future sustainability of the Love Your Neighbour initiative

[*Please see audio player for chapter markers and time stamps*]

For full show notes and/or If you'd like to learn more about bridging the gap between church and community, head to:

http://www.in2neighbourhoods.com/loveyourneighbouruk

Thanks for listening. If you haven’t already, please  hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

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#006 – "Get out of the need-meeting business and get into the gift -finding business!" -- it's  just one of the challenges that Lean-in's  guest Jay Van Groningen brings to followers of Jesus, who want to make a difference where they live. Through his lens of asset-based community development, Jay helps us explore the role of church in the community ... one that is at its best when it  embraces a culture of reciprocity, mutual engagement, and dignified inter-dependance.

Jay Van  Groningen currently serves as a asset-based community development trainer and coach with the Great Lakes Urban Restoration Network.  He brings a wealth of faith-based community development experience,  having birthed and supported many church-based Christian community development organizations.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Discussed in this podcast is Jay's journey to embracing asset-based community development (ABCD).  He shares what he has learned: about what it takes for the body of Christ to think and act differently -- where  coming alongside a  local community is neither done out of self-interest, nor is dependency producing.

During the podcast Jay explains:

• What he has discovered about generational poverty and immigrant poverty
• The value of stand-alone non-profits in partnership with a church
• ABCD theory and how it differs from traditional church approach to community engagement
• The 6 gifts that are found in every community
• What  community  engagement and community mobilization look like
• The 6 community development categories/activities useful for churches wanting to make an impact
• How to put ABCD into practise where you live
• What role in the community can followers of Jesus play when using ABCD
• Thanksgiving and appreciation for how the God of Hope is at work in communities

[*Please see audio player for chapter markers and time stamps*]

For full show notes and/or If you'd like to learn more about bridging the gap between church and community, head to:

http://www.in2neighbourhoods.com/ABCD

On the next Lean-in Podcast, I’ll be joined by Tom Jackson, CEO of the UK's Love Your Neighbour Campaign -- a nation-wide initiative that is tackling the social consequences of COVID-19 for vulnerable people. 

Thanks for listening. If you haven’t already, please  hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

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#005 - Have you ever had the experience of feeling strong emotion because of the prospect of change? Perhaps deep down you love the way things are (see no need for change); you might have a strong attachment to a person, place, or thing, and scared about the possibility of losing it. In neighbourhood terms this is sometimes called NIMBYism (an acronym for Not In My Back Yard).   Similarly, as followers of Jesus we can be resistant to intentionally engaging with our neighbours because we fear that what we love, and are attached to, might be displaced.  But listen in as our guest Amy Lively shares how to say 'no' to spiritual nimbyism, and what it has meant to work it out in practise.  Her story and journey of faith  are both beautiful and real. 

Amy Lively is a writer, speaker, and Bible teacher whose passion is teaching God's word as a "How To" manual for loving God and loving others.

Topics Discussed in this episode:
In this podcast Amy shares her story of opening both her heart and house to God and her neighbours, and how she tackled head on the obstacles that kept her from living out Kingdom values; how it has meant dying to self, but resulted in bearing lots of great fruit.  She  explains the importance of loving your neighbour, and how proximity, hospitality are love are connected.

During the podcast Amy explains:

• What is 'proximity' and its implications for loving your neighbour
• How to be intentional about engaging neighbours
• The importance of engagement: from an intimate level with God, though to seeing people engaged and not simply onlookers
• What makes for a stronger community in terms of resilience
• Tips and strategies for welcoming people into your home
• The spiritual battle and opposition that can come with loving your neighbour

[*Please see audio player for chapter markers and time stamps*]

For full show notes and/or If you'd like to learn more about bridging the gap between church and community, head to:

http://www.in2neighbourhoods.com/proximity

Thanks for listening.  If you haven’t already, remember to hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out on future episodes.

On the next Lean-in Podcast, I’ll be joined by Jay Van Groningen, where together we'll explore how we can see God at work in our neighbourhoods through an Christ-centered Asset Based Community Development lens.

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 #004 - Few churches have the taken up the challenge of tackling systemic poverty at a community level like the Church of the Messiah on Detroit's East Side. Fearlessly and humbly, this church is seeking to do those 'greater things' Jesus talked about. Under the leadership of their pastor Barry Randolph, and with a clear vision from Father God, Church of the Messiah is focusing their efforts on community-based economic development.  The result is that they are making a significant impact on the lives of local people  for the Kingdom of God.

Church of the Messiah has 200 housing units (a $48 million dollar investment), a business incubation centre, a medical clinic, employment office,  is the internet provider to the neighbourhood, and has a whole lot more on the go.  The congregation is mixed race with more than half of the congregation being African American males under the age of 30.

Topics Discussed in this episode:

For nearly 20 years, Pastor Barry has been leading personal and community transformation at Church of the Messiah and helping the local residents of Islandview Neighbourhood to reach their full potential.  This is their story.

During the podcast Barry explains:

• His story of coming to Church of the Messiah 
• How one neighbourhood considered by some as a 'blank spot', was for the church a jewel
• How making God tangible leads to changing reality
• What the "Master's Plan' is all about
• Messiah's innovation centre and business development stories
• How to help God's people turn ideas/thoughts by faith into reality
• What the 'hood version' of church looks and feels like
• How to see  our communities healed
• A better way to work: more in the highways and byways

[*Please see audio player for chapter markers and time stamps*]

For full show notes and/or If you'd like to learn more about bridging the gap between church and community, head to:

http://www.in2neighbourhoods.com/outofpoverty

Thanks for listening.  If you haven't already, remember to hit the subscribe button so you don't miss out on future episodes.

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 #003 - Have you every found yourself disillusioned with the church, and wanting to throw in the towel?  Well, my guest today has been there and knows that struggle.  Jessica Ketola, is both pastor of the Practising Church in Shoreline, Washington, and a Parish Guide for the Parish Collective (Seattle) where she serves on the instructional team for learning communities that are reimagining missional innovation and church revitalization at the neighbourhood level.

Topics Discussed in this episode:

Jessica cares deeply about the church (and God even more so), and because of that has let God lead her on a journey of exploring what it means to truly follow Jesus, and to reimagine holistic ways of embodying the gospel that is actually good news to her neighbours. In this episode  Jessica shares her journey and that of her church, of what it has meant to work for the good of their neighbourhood and what it takes to make transformational communities.

During the podcast Jessica explains:

• How a fresh vision for 'church' developed and her involvement with the Parish Collective
• The importance of learning to listen, serve, and only then be invited in as the church, by the community
• Practical examples of love in action in the neighbourhood
• Why the church made the move to a 'home' and the iterations they have explored together in community
• How we can individually bring our unique giftings to community and to loving our neighbour
• A vision for what community transformation can look like

[*Please see audio player for chapter markers and time stamps*]

For full show notes and/or If you'd like to learn more about bridging the gap between church and community, head to:

http://www.in2neighbourhoods.com/thepractisingchurch

Thanks for listening.  If you haven't already, remember to hit the subscribe button so you don't miss out on future episodes.