This week, Shannon Hopkins and Rev. Mark Elsdon continue their takeover of the Igniting Imagination podcast to speak with Pastor Jessica Lowry, Executive Director and Pastoral Leader at Sunset Ridge Collective. Exploring the transformative journey of Sunset Ridge Church of Christ, Jess shares insights into how her congregation navigated a pivotal moment of decline in membership and contributions. Faced with the stark reality of becoming a legacy church or pursuing radical change, Jess recounts the church's decision to embrace social entrepreneurship as a new mission. 

Listen as Shannon, Mark, and Jess explore the importance of adaptability and responsiveness in church leadership as churches seek to impact their community.

Co-Hosts

Shannon Hopkins is Co-Founder of Rooted Good and a Locke Innovative Leader. She is an extreme networker and social entrepreneur living in East London. Her passion for community and individual transformation has launched or influenced the formation of fifteen campaigns, projects, and organizations — and trained over 200 social entrepreneurs. In 2008, Shannon was awarded the Women of the UN and UK’s Annual Woman of Peace Award for The Truth isn’t Sexy, a campaign that addressed the demand side of human trafficking. 

Rev. Mark Elsdon is Co-Founder and Lead Builder of Rooted Good. He lives and works at the intersection of money and meaning as an entrepreneur, nonprofit executive, author, and speaker. He is the author of We Aren't Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry (2021) and editor of Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition (2024). In addition to his role as a Director with RootedGood, Mark is also Executive Director at Pres House, where he led the transformation of a dormant non-profit into a growing, vibrant, multi-million dollar organization.

Guest

Pastor Jessica Lowry brings her gifting in both ministry and leadership to her role as Executive Director and Pastoral Leader at Sunset Ridge Collective. She earned a Masters of Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary and has served Sunset Ridge Church for 11 years. Prior to that, she spent 10 years in business leadership and management. Jess has a calling to point each person to the belovedness that they carry, and a heart for eye-to-eye conversations over a good cup of coffee. She spends her time with her husband Nathan, who plays guitar in Sunset Ridge Collective's worship band, and her three children Luca, Julian, and Shiloh—who are each her favorite. When not on campus, she can be found adventuring, hosting dance parties, attending Pearl Jam concerts, or with her nose in a book.

Episode Highlights  

• The church's property can be transformed into community spaces that foster connection and belonging.
• Listening deeply to both congregants and neighbors is essential for church leadership and community engagement.
• Social entrepreneurship within the church can provide both funding and mission opportunities for the community.
• Changing the perception of church from a closed community to an open one is vital for growth.
• Success in community initiatives requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt over time.

Timestamps

(00:00) Intro

(01:52) Shannon and Mark’s intro to the episode

(07:02) Interview with Pastor Jessica Lowry

(37:55) Pastor Jessica Lowry answers rapid-fire questions

Links

Visit our show’s website at www.ignitingimagination.org.

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