thinking.church podcast

thinking.church podcast

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thinking.church podcast episodes

  • U.K. Youth Ministry Today (with Ps Stewart Elman & Ps Nathan Jorden)

    In this episode, Chris Bright is joined by Stewart Elman, National Youth Director for Assemblies of God (AoG) Great Britain, and Nathan Jordan, Location Pastor at One Church in Gloucester and founder of Thrive Youth Camp. Together, they explore the state of UK youth ministry, sharing their insights on the challenges, opportunities, and leadership development within youth ministries across the nation. Topics Covered: - The impact of digital culture on today’s youth and how it has reshaped youth ministry. - Navigating post-COVID youth ministry: The lasting effects and potential for a fresh start. - The importance of engaging with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, understanding their influences, and building authentic relationships with them. - The role of youth camps like Thrive and other events in creating life-changing moments for young people. - Leadership development in youth ministry: The need for long-term investment in youth leaders and fostering leadership among young people. - How churches can support and encourage their youth leaders for long-lasting ministry impact. Key Quotes: - Stewart Elman: "Youth ministry is real ministry. It’s not just a stepping stone." - Nathan Jordan: "Relevance is irrelevant. If you’ve got a heart for young people, God can use whatever gift you have." Resources Mentioned: - Thrive Youth Camp - AoG Youth Alive - Young Lions Boot Camp (AoG leadership program) Connect with the Guests: Stewart Elman: @StewElman on social media Nathan Jordan: @NathanJorden (Twitter/Instagram) Listener Takeaway: If you’re a youth leader or pastor, be encouraged to commit for the long haul, invest in young people’s lives with authenticity, and remember that every small action makes a big difference.

    56 min
  • Reclaiming the gift of singleness in the church (with Ps Amy Jorden & Ps Hannah Williamson)

    In this episode, Chris Bright dives into a deep conversation with Amy Jorden and Hannah Williamson about singleness in the church. Amy, the Location Pastor at One Church Gloucester, and Hannah, a consultant and associate of Thinking Church, explore the theological, strategic, and pastoral challenges surrounding how churches approach singleness. The discussion opens with Paul’s biblical view of singleness and its relevance today, addressing how the church can better support single people. They unpack the experiences of single people within the church, share practical ministry strategies, and emphasise the importance of friendship and community inclusion. They also discuss how singleness, far from being a second-rate status, can be a beautiful demonstration of the gospel. Key themes include the balance between theology and pastoral care, the societal pressures on single people, and how churches can shift their mindset to value and support those in all stages of life.

    Topics Covered:

    • Theological insights on singleness (Paul's teaching in Corinthians)
    • Personal experiences of singleness in ministry Strategies for supporting singles in church life
    • The role of friendship in discipleship and community
    • Misconceptions and challenges that single people face The importance of purpose and mission for singles

      • Free Target Market Persona Sheet: https://www.thinking.church/signup

      Podcast: http://www.thinking.church/podcast/

      Blog: http://www.thinking.church/blog/ 

      51 min
    • Jesus People, Hippies, and How to Reach the Spiritually Hungry (with Andrew Whitman)

      In this episode, Chris Bright speaks with Andrew Whitman, author of When Jesus Met Hippies. They explore the 1960s and 70s Jesus Movement, its cultural and spiritual significance, and its impact in both the U.S. and the UK. Andrew shares his personal story of coming to faith during this revival and discusses what today’s church leaders can learn from the movement to better engage the spiritually hungry but institutionally skeptical.

      Topics Covered:

      • The Jesus Movement: Cultural rebellion, spiritual hunger, and the rise of a new kind of evangelism. - Key differences between the Jesus Movement in the U.S. and the UK.
      • Creative evangelism methods used during the Jesus Movement, including music, communal living, and innovative outreach.
      • Lessons for today's church: Reaching marginalized and fringe groups with the gospel.
      • The relevance of communal discipleship and non-traditional church settings in post-Christian, urban environments.
      • How churches can navigate the tension between being biblically faithful and culturally sensitive.

        • Key Quotes: Andrew Whitman: “We don’t have to become like people to reach them; people know if you love them or not.”

        Resources Mentioned: When Jesus Met Hippies by Andrew Whitman (link to purchase) Discovery Bible Study Method Sean Stillman’s Zac’s Place, a church for "ragamuffins"

        Andrew's Website: https://www.jesuspeoplerevivaluk.com/ 

        50 min
      • The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God (with Justin Brierley)

        In this episode of the Thinking Church podcast, host Chris Bright sits down with broadcaster and author Justin Brierley to discuss his latest book and podcast, The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God. Justin shares insights from years of conversations with atheists, skeptics, and Christians, including key figures like Jordan Peterson, Tom Holland, and Alex O'Connor (Cosmic Skeptic). The conversation dives into the revival of interest in Christianity, especially in intellectual and cultural circles, and explores how the church can respond to the growing hunger for meaning in the West. The episode covers the rise and fall of New Atheism, how thinkers like Peterson and Holland are reshaping the conversation around faith, and the challenges the church faces in staying relevant in an ever-changing world. Justin also discusses church leadership scandals and the future of the church in light of cultural shifts.

        Topics Covered: The decline of New Atheism and its impact on culture The influence of Jordan Peterson and Tom Holland on modern Christian thought Why the church must "keep Christianity weird" to stay distinctive The intellectual and spiritual hunger for deeper meaning in today's world Church scandals and the need for leadership reform

        The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: https://amzn.to/4dJ5HuX

        Free Target Market Persona Sheet: https://www.thinking.church/signup

        Podcast: http://www.thinking.church/podcast/

        Blog: http://www.thinking.church/blog/ 

        1 hr 1 min
      • Why Pentecost continues to be a Scandal (with Professor Wolfgang Vondey)

        In this thought-provoking episode, Chris is joined by Professor Wolfgang Vondey, a renowned systematic theologian specializing in Pentecostal and Charismatic studies. Professor Vondey, currently a professor at the University of Birmingham, delves deep into the theology of the church, exploring its image in relation to humanity's brokenness and transformation. Through an insightful discussion about the Book of Acts, Professor Vondey highlights how both the actions of the disciples and the responses of the public reflect the complexity of the church’s role in embodying salvation and spiritual transformation. Listeners will gain fresh perspectives on:

        • The church as an image of brokenness and transformation
        • The significance of the public's reaction to the early church in the Book of Acts
        • The role of Pentecostal and Charismatic studies in contemporary Christianity

          • Guest Bio

          Professor Wolfgang Vondey is a systematic theologian with a PhD in theology and ethics. He teaches at the University of Birmingham and directs the Master of Arts program in Evangelical and Charismatic studies. His research spans contemporary Christianity, particularly within the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements.

          Resources Mentioned

          • The Scandal of Pentecost by Professor Wolfgang Vondey

            • Connect with Us

            Follow us on Instagram: @thinkingchurch

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            35 min
          • Amy Jorden talks about Sunday Service Programming

            Amy Jorden is the Executive Lead Pastor at One Church Gloucester and is also responsible for overseeing all the Sunday Services across the One Church Network.

            1. Hi Amy, tell us a bit about your role of overseeing Sunday Services. What’s involved in that?
            2. What’s your goal for each Sunday Service? What’s the big win?
            3. One Church is a multisite church, and one of those locations was a separate church that has joined us, and then since planted a further location. What challenges have you had in bringing Sunday Services together?
            4. How important is it that all services are alike? Why?
            5. 3 of the church’s locations are small congregations. How do you manage the tension between big and small services? How do you create consistency?
              6. 26 min
            6. Gianni Gaeta talks about church planting

              My guest today is Gianni Gaeta. Gianni Gaeta is the founder and leader of the LIFE Church Austria movement with his wife Angela. Gianni's passion is to encourage people to dream big and to think of the seemingly impossible, and then to take steps to implement this, whether in church planting nationally and internationally or in the field of business, education and politics.

              1. I’d love to hear about how you started Life Church.
              2. Both you and your wife Angela are not Austrian. You are Italian and Angela is English. How did you find it planting a church in a culture you didn’t grow up in?
              3. Life Church has many churches across Austria. How do you choose where to plant?
              4. What qualities do you look for in leaders for your churches?
              5. How do you keep consistency between churches? Is that even important to you?
                6. 26 min
              6. Adam Legge talks about creating new worshipping communities

                My guest today is Adam Legge. Adam is the Activity & Faith Leader for Sportily, run by the Diocese of Gloucester.

                1. Hi Adam, you’ve started working for Sportily. What is Sportily and how does it all work?
                2. I was privileged to go to the Commissioning Ceremony for your role. What really stood out for me from that ceremony was that you were being commissioned to start a form of church, but in a different way. Is Sportily a church, an event, a lead-in? Where does it sit?
                3. Sportily is primarily aimed at young people, but can this kind of expression of church work for the whole family too? How would that look?
                4. Why do you think it’s necessary to start churches in different ways than what we’ve always known?
                  5. 28 min
                5. Dan Reiland talks Exec Pastors, Multisite, Hiring and more

                  My Guest today is Dan Reiland. Dan Reiland is the Chief of Staff at 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He previously partnered with John Maxwell for 20 years, first as Executive Pastor at Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego, then as Vice President of Leadership and Church Development at INJOY. Dan is also the author of the books Amplified Leadership: 5 Practices to Establish Influence, Build People, and impact others for a lifetime; and his latest book Confident Leader! Become one, stay one.

                  1. Hi Dan, I’m aware that the invention of role of ‘Executive Pastor’ was thanks to you. Back when you were working under John Maxwell at his church, you coined that term, and it’s a job title that’s stuck to this day. What is the job of the Executive Pastor?
                  2. Can the job of an Executive Pastor work in a small church?
                  3. Your current role at 12Stone is Chief of Staff. There’s lots of resources available on the type of people to hire, but not so much on when. At what size should a church look to make it’s first hire?
                  4. Which roles are most important to hire first in a church plant or small church situation?
                  5. How do you balance the hiring of pastoral staff and the hiring of administrative staff?
                    6. 27 min
                  6. Nathan Jorden talks Online Church

                    My Podcast guest today is Nathan Jorden. Nathan is the Online Pastor at One Church, based in the Southwest of England. Nathan is also one of my very best friends, so it’s great to have Nath on the show today.

                    1. You’ve just launched One Church’s Online Location. What was the remit you were given for this role?
                    2. What did you have in terms of resources to start with?
                    3. Why is online church important?
                    4. Who have you designed the online location for and why?
                    5. What’s your current approach to reaching these people online? What are you doing?
                      6. 27 min

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