Put away the trash talk! The mainline protestant church is full of strength and hope. I am full of optimism about the mainline church’s future, despite the premature obituaries currently being written.
I’m your host, Rev. Steven D. Martin, a pastor, communicator, filmmaker, and provocateur. I have a love/hate relationship with the church, even as I’ve given my life to it. I suspect I’m not alone.
On this podcast, I’ll talk with a cast of characters that include friends old and new who are passionate about finding ways through the wilderness the mainline church finds itself in. You’ll get inspiration, resources, ideas, and the assurance that you’re not alone. Join me each week for a conversation with the most interesting and innovative Christian leaders in the world today.
(Formerly the “Online Ministry Mastermind” podcast)
Here’s the thing: pastoral leadership is all about saying what needs to be said. Of course, diplomacy and compassion must surround any conversation, but being a pastor in a congregation means interpreting faith with clarity and truth. Most of us who have led faith communities know of at least a handful of times when we did not feel the freedom to speak, and this is more true today than at any other time in memory.
Join me and Rev. Stephanie Kendell, Executive Minister and COO at Park Avenue Christian Church in New York City, for a conversation that took place at the annual meeting of Associated Church Press, the Religion Communicators Congress, and the Canadian Ch…
While U.S. churches expend tremendous energy in today’s culture wars—the role of women, rights of LGBTQ persons, the place of immigrants, the primacy of health care—the churches’ own real estate may be eating them alive.
My guest today is Rick Reinhard, …
The rise of conspiracy theories such as QAnon is alarming, but people of faith who have learned from history will recognize commonalities between QAnon and other apocalyptic movements across the centuries.
Church historian Bill Leonard joins me for this…
Last week, eight persons were murdered by a gunman motivated by racism, misogyny, and a toxic brand of faith and purity culture. Even worse, it is reported that over 4000 incidents of violence and discrimination against Asian Americans have been reporte…
Rev. Neal Christie is one of the United Methodist Church’s most talented thinkers and facilitators. His generous, kind spirit comes across in everything he does, including when that work involves difficult conversations. Today I talk with Neal about th…
Granted, I’m a man of a certain age. My people gravitate toward Facebook for our social media time. But other generations are on different platforms: Instagram, YouTube, Twitch, TikTok… and the list goes on. What would it look like if church leaders…
Recently an article was published by the Washington Post which examined the ways tech and spirituality are intersecting these days, specifically, a debate that’s emerging about the role Peloton is playing in the field. It was a terrific jumping-off poin…
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