Try Tank Podcast

In this episode, Father Lorenzo and Anto discuss the characteristics and needs of Generation Z and the emerging Generation Alpha. They explore the age range and defining events of Gen Z, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. They highlight the importance of community for Gen Z and the opportunity for the church to provide a third space where young people can find belonging. They also discuss the challenges of the church's toxic brand and the need to reframe the church's image as a community-centered and relevant institution. Finally, they touch on the potential of mysticism and experiential spirituality to engage young people.

Antonin Ficatier has a portfolio career at the crossroad of entrepreneurship, youth culture, and academic work. He co-founded Chinese Institute, today one of France's leading training centers dedicated to teaching Chinese. Anto went to Business School in France, studied Economics in China, and completed a Master's Degree in Christian Education at Princeton Seminary. He worked for 6 years with youth and young adults in Hong Kong and England, before joining YPulse (the world’s best youth intelligence company) as the Director for Western Europe in 2022. His hope is to one day finish his Ph.D. in experimental theology that he started a while back at the University of Birmingham (UK). Originally from France, Anto lives in south London with his wife Jess and their baby Leo.

In this episode, Father Lorenzo Lebrija sits down with Reverend Tay Moss to discuss the innovative AI tool, AskCathy.ai. Discover how this groundbreaking technology, infused with Anglican and Episcopal theology, is transforming the way people engage with faith, offering answers, resources, and support 24/7. From handling theological queries to providing pastoral care insights, Cathy is here to assist congregations and individuals alike. Join us as we explore the fascinating development journey of Cathy and her potential to enhance faith communities everywhere. Tune in for an enlightening conversation on the intersection of faith and technology!

The Rev. Tay Moss earned his M.Div. from Yale Divinity School and has been involved in creative ministries at the congregation and judicatory levels for the past 20 years. Some of his projects have included developing social enterprises, video production, arts-and-spirituality, food banks, continuing education for clergy in transition, children’s ministry, creative-edge worship, running conferences, and coaching churches investing grant money to grow in mission. He has been a volunteer consultant for the Diocese of Toronto working with the Congregational Development Department for more than 12 years. Tay is an excellent sailor and an above-average cook. His wife and three kids keep him quite busy, but besides sailing and cooking Tay enjoys canoe camping and chilling in hammocks.

In this episode, Fr Lorenzo talks with The Rev Callie Swanlund about clergy burnout: how prevalent it is, some of the reasons causing it, and how clergy (or lay leaders too!) can avoid it. It’s based on her book: From Weary to Wholehearted: A Restorative Resource for Overcoming Clergy Burnout.

Callie shares her journey of deciding to write the book and the signs that led her to it. She highlights the crisis of burnout among clergy and the need for support and nourishment. The conversation also touches on the changing landscape of ministry, the emergence of part-time clergy, and the importance of finding one's calling and purpose. In the chat, they explore the themes of weariness, disillusionment, comparison, and the need for rest and self-care in clergy burnout. It highlights the importance of touch and human connection, the challenges of adapting to technological changes, and the impact of racial injustice on white clergy. The show also delves into the role of spirituality and the struggle to believe in one's own worthiness.

Takeaways

·      Clergy well-being is a pressing issue in the church that needs more attention and support.

·      There is a crisis of burnout among clergy, with many contemplating leaving their call or the priesthood altogether.

·      The church needs to adapt to the changing landscape of ministry, including the emergence of part-time clergy and the need for more sustainable and fulfilling positions.

·      Finding one's calling and purpose is essential for clergy and individuals in any profession to experience fulfillment and avoid burnout. Clergy experience weariness and burnout due to various factors, including the pressure to make an impact and the challenges of their roles.

·      The COVID-19 pandemic and racial injustice in 2020 added additional stress and disillusionment for clergy.

·      Comparison and the need to prove oneself are common struggles in clergy burnout.

·      Rest and self-care are essential for clergy to prevent and overcome burnout.

·      Believing in one's own worthiness and embracing one's belovedness is crucial for clergy well-being.

Callie Swanlund is an Episcopal priest, retreat leader, spiritual companion, and coach who helps others know their belovedness and find their Spark. Her new book, From Weary to Wholehearted, is a restorative resource for overcoming ministry burnout. Callie is a creative minister and leads individuals and groups in the work of Dr. Brené Brown as a Certified Daring Way Facilitator. Her How2charist: Digital Instructed Eucharist film has reached Christians and curious individuals around the world, and her Wholehearted Wisdom movement invites others into deeper reflection and connection across social media. She lives in Philadelphia with her co-dreaming partner Jeremy, their two tween/teen children, and a rescue pup named Rufus. Join her on social media @callieswanlund or callieswanlund.com       Website: https://iona.ssw.edu/

In this episode, Fr Lorenzo talks with The Rev Nandra Perry, Ph.D. about the emerging models of ministry as the church continues to change. 

The conversation explores the changing landscape of the church and the emerging models of ministry, particularly focusing on lay-led and bi-vocational congregations. The statistics show a decline in the number of priests entering the workforce and an increase in lay-led congregations. The discussion highlights the opportunities and challenges of these new models, including the need for spiritual support and the shift towards a relational model of church. The conversation also touches on the importance of reimagining the role of buildings and embracing ecclesiastical flexibility. Overall, the conversation offers a hopeful perspective on the future of the church.

Takeaways

·      The number of priests entering the workforce is declining, while lay-led and bi-vocational congregations are increasing.

·      Lay-led congregations offer opportunities for more engagement and bottom-up approaches to ministry.

·      There is a need for spiritual support and community for lay leaders in these congregations.

·      The church needs to embrace ecclesiastical flexibility and reimagine the role of buildings.

·      Despite the challenges, there is hope and potential for growth in small congregations.

The Rev. Nandra Perry, Ph.D, joined the seminary’s staff and faculty as Director of the Iona Collaborative on June 1, 2020. In her addition to her role at the seminary, Perry serves as Vicar of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Hearne, Texas (since 2017). She is a graduate of the Iona School for Ministry in the Diocese of Texas and was ordained to the priesthood in 2017. Perry received her Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature and Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill in 2003. Among her many published works is Imitatio Christi: The Poetics of Piety in Early Modern England (Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 2014). She comes to the seminary from Texas A&M University, where she was an Associate Professor in the Department of English and a faculty affiliate in Religious Studies.

Website: https://iona.ssw.edu/

In this episode, Fr. Lorenzo chats with the Rev Canon Jaime Edwards Acton. Fr. Jaime is the rector of St. Stephen’s Church in Hollywood. When he arrived, he knew that they had just a few years of money and that traditional methods of church financing would not work. Here, he tells us the story of how social enterprise made the difference.

Reverend Canon Jaime Edwards-Acton has been the rector at St. Stephen's for over a decade and has helped build the parish into a vibrant, thriving ministry in Hollywood. More comfortable in jeans and Doc Martens than dress slacks and loafers, Rev. Jaime approaches the story of Jesus as an opportunity to share insight and to begin a conversation. After each sermon, parishioners at St. Stephen's are welcome and encouraged to respond and introduce interpretations of their own - creating a vibrant and multi-faceted spiritual interaction each and every week. 

More in-depth: https://www.trytank.org/hollywood.html 

Website: https://www.ststephenshollywood.org/

The Delaney Wright Fine Arts Preschool

Email for Jaime: [email protected] 

In this episode, Fr. Lorenzo chats with Fr. Jason Prati about bringing about culture change in a congregation. This is Fr. Jason’s return to the podcast. He was with us for episode 8“On Doubling Down.” Here is a link to the book mentions, “Christian Proficiency” by Martin Thorton

https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Proficiency-Martin-Thornton/dp/1608996638/

Website:http://allsaintsnewalbany.org/

Email for Alive:[email protected]

Here’s how Fr. Jason describes himself:

My name is Fr. Jason Prati. From a very early age, I felt called to serve our Lord as well as His Church. Entering seminary after High School, I received my Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy as well as my Masters of Divinity from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. I was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in May of 2002 serving as Parochial Vicar of four parishes, Assistant Director of Vocations, Chaplain of a High School and Coordinator of Pontifical Liturgies. In 2008, God moved in my life and I found my way into the Episcopal Church being received as an Episcopalian by Bishop Kenneth Price in May of 2009 and as a priest by Bishop Thomas Breidenthal of the Diocese of Southern Ohio in April of 2013. I am a teacher by nature, loving to share the Good News of Jesus Christ by my life and witness not only as a priest, but as a Christian on fire! I come from an Italian-American family, so people, faith and love are my passion! I am beyond blessed to be called to serve as Rector of All Saints. I hope you find this parish as the loving, warm and caring parish that I too have found! May God bless you in your journey!

In this episode, Fr. Lorenzo once more chats with the experiment managers for the “Being With Clergy” experiment which sought to combat the large number of young clergy who are leaving ministry a few years after ordination. The Revs Rachel Field and Mo Lederman tell us about how clergy can be more resilient in the work of ministry.

Rachel Field is an Episcopal Priest living on a small hillside along with mosses, strawberries, cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, beavers, and ravens. She spends much of her time wandering the neighborhood with her horses, Tom Bombadil and Radagast the Brown. She is the co-owner of Heartberry Hollow Farm & Forest in Randolph Vermont and the Earth Liturgist for The Retreat House at Hillsboro. Her ministry focuses around imagining and facilitating places of connection between people and the sacred earth.

Rev. Mo Peitler-Lederman is a native Nutmegger and serves through the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. She is a graduate of Providence College, BA Theology and a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School. Ordained in 2004, Mo served as the Associate Rector and Chaplain of the Day School at St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church in New Haven, CT for nine years. She became the Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Guilford, CT until June of 2021. She has served the diocese as a member of the Commission on Ministry, Chair of the South Central Leadership Team, Chair of the Women’s Ministry Network, a Camp Washington Chaplain and Retreat Leader, and Chair for the Committee for the Formation of All the Baptized. Currently she is a diocesan consultant, working with newly ordained clergy.  She leads retreats for parish groups and vestries, is a liturgist for the Episcopal Preaching Foundation, and recently finished working with the Ekklesia Ballet Company on their work, “Body and Land.” She is pursuing a Certificate in Communications and Digital Media through the Center for New Media at Middlesex College. When not serving parishes or taking classes Mo enjoys spending time with family, baking, singing in a community choir, and blending and drinking tea. Her website is molederman.com

Links:

https://being-with.org/

In this episode, Fr. Lorenzo chats with the experiment managers for the “Being With Clergy” experiment which sought to combat the large number of young clergy who are leaving ministry a few years after ordination. The Revs Rachel Field and Mo Lederman tell us about what they learn and how you can benefit from this work.

Rachel Field is an Episcopal Priest living on a small hillside along with mosses, strawberries, cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, beavers, and ravens. She spends much of her time wandering the neighborhood with her horses, Tom Bombadil and Radagast the Brown. She is the co-owner of Heartberry Hollow Farm & Forest in Randolph Vermont and the Earth Liturgist for The Retreat House at Hillsboro. Her ministry focuses around imagining and facilitating places of connection between people and the sacred earth.

Rev. Mo Peitler-Lederman is a native Nutmegger and serves through the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. She is a graduate of Providence College, BA Theology and a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School. Ordained in 2004, Mo served as the Associate Rector and Chaplain of the Day School at St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church in New Haven, CT for nine years. She became the Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Guilford, CT until June of 2021. She has served the diocese as a member of the Commission on Ministry, Chair of the South Central Leadership Team, Chair of the Women’s Ministry Network, a Camp Washington Chaplain and Retreat Leader, and Chair for the Committee for the Formation of All the Baptized. Currently she is a diocesan consultant, working with newly ordained clergy.  She leads retreats for parish groups and vestries, is a liturgist for the Episcopal Preaching Foundation, and recently finished working with the Ekklesia Ballet Company on their work, “Body and Land.” She is pursuing a Certificate in Communications and Digital Media through the Center for New Media at Middlesex College. When not serving parishes or taking classes Mo enjoys spending time with family, baking, singing in a community choir, and blending and drinking tea. Her website is molederman.com

In this episode Fr. Lorenzo talks about the TryTank anniversary and the change to becoming a research institute. Then he has a behind the scenes conversation with Brian Ide the director of the upcoming film “A Case For Love.” The episode finishes with a conversation with Sarah Bentley Allred about the upcoming Forma conference and how – in an experimental way – it’s “radically hybrid” this year. 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ACaseForLove

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/acaseforlovemovie/ 

In this episode, Fr. Lorenzo chats with Ken and Jacob about EpiscopalPulse, a TryTank experiment that is now its own ministry. EpiscopalPulse is launching in January 2024 as a monthly micro survey which aims to provide reliable, timely, and actionable data to the church. 

You can find out more or join at https://www.ecf.org/programs/adaptive-ministries/episcopal-pulse 

For the pilot questions and responses visit www.EpiscopalPulse.org

The Rev. Ken Howard is the founder and president of The FaithX Project, a faith-based nonprofit consulting, research, and resource development practice. Founded in late 2016, FaithX's mission is to help congregations and the judicatories that support them survive and thrive in challenging times through data-grounded discernment and strategic missional planning. FaithX has developed a number of ground-breaking resources for assessing vitality and sustainability in congregations and judicatories, identifying missional opportunities and challenges in communities, and assisting congregations in leveraging their strongest areas of vitality to engage the greatest missional opportunities. An ordained priest in the Episcopal Church for 30 years, Ken has planted two congregations, and in his spare time has written two books and several research papers. 

Jacob is the Program Director for Adaptive Ministries at the Episcopal Church Foundation. His work focuses on supporting the ongoing and burgeoning programs at ECF that enable the congregational vitality and sustainability of communities throughout The Episcopal Church. He hails from Chicago, where he worked as a Research Consultant at a marketing research consultancy for several years. In the Fall of 2022, Jacob moved to New York City to dedicate a year to living in community and supporting the outreach work at Church of the Heavenly Rest in Manhattan (via the Episcopal Service Corps). His work focused on key areas: prison reentry, food insecurity, education access, mental health, housing, and emergency response. He also organized formation for a small parish in the South Bronx; creating and leading liturgy for bilingual prayer services and a children's formation program to facilitate church growth and community engagement.