Leading Ideas Talks https://www.churchleadership.com/series/leading-ideas-talks/ Leading Ideas Talks brings to the table cutting-edge leaders on subjects you care about — navigating change, reaching younger people, financing your ministry, communicating effectively — to help you be the leader God is calling you to be. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 17:54:48 +0000 en-US © 2020 Lewis Center for Church Leadership Advancing the knowledge and practice of church leadership Lewis Center for Church Leadership Leading Ideas Talks brings to the table cutting-edge leaders on subjects you care about — navigating change, reaching younger people, financing your ministry, communicating effectively — to help you be the leader God is calling you to be. Lewis Center for Church Leadership lewiscenter@wesleyseminary.edu false https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/leading-ideas-talks-3000x3000.jpg Leading Ideas Talks https://www.churchleadership.com/series/leading-ideas-talks/ lewiscenter@wesleyseminary.edu Leading Ideas Talks brings to the table cutting-edge leaders on subjects you care about — navigating change, reaching younger people, financing your ministry, communicating effectively — to help you be the leader God is calling you to be. No yes f3ab9230-779a-54a0-b88d-8bc0dece7fbb https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 96471760 “Preaching Easter… Again” featuring William Willimon https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/preaching-easteragain-featuring-william-willimon/ Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:00:55 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=34473 Podcast Episode 167 How can preachers overcome writers block? In this episode, William Willimon shares insights for pastors preaching during Holy Week. He discusses his book Changing My Mind, reflecting on how his views on preaching have evolved over five decades of ministry. Willimon shares insights into his sermon-writing process and underscores the necessity of [...]

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]]> Podcast Episode 167 How can preachers overcome writers block? In this episode, William Willimon shares insights for pastors preaching during Holy Week. He discusses his book Changing My Mind, reflecting on how his views on preaching have evolved over five decades of ministry. Willimon shares insights into his sermon-writing process and underscores the necessity of [...]

The post “Preaching Easter… Again” featuring William Willimon first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/lit-number-title-name-1.png “Preaching Easter… Again” featuring William Willimon false no 31:46 No no “The Gift of Small” featuring Allen Stanton https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/the-gift-of-small-featuring-allen-stanton/ Tue, 01 Apr 2025 20:00:53 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=34394 Podcast Episode 166 Do you lead a small church? In this episode Allen Stanton shares how small congregations can be surprisingly nimble in the face of change and effective in spiritual formation because of their inherently relational nature. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube The Gift of Small: Embracing Your Church’s Vocation (Fortress Press, 2024) [...]

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]]> Podcast Episode 166 Do you lead a small church? In this episode Allen Stanton shares how small congregations can be surprisingly nimble in the face of change and effective in spiritual formation because of their inherently relational nature. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube The Gift of Small: Embracing Your Church’s Vocation (Fortress Press, 2024) [...]

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]]> https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/lit-number-title-name.png “The Gift of Small” featuring Allen Stanton false no 31:25 No no “Becoming a Future-Ready Church” featuring Adelle Banks https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/becoming-a-future-ready-church-featuring-adelle-banks/ Tue, 18 Mar 2025 20:00:10 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=34283 Podcast Episode 165 What shifts are needed for congregations to be future-ready? Adelle Banks reflects on the evolving nature of church hospitality, social justice, technology, and vitality. She highlights innovative approaches that foster belonging, authentic community, and discipleship in a rapidly changing world. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube Becoming a Future-Ready Church: 8 Shifts [...]

The post “Becoming a Future-Ready Church” featuring Adelle Banks first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> Podcast Episode 165 What shifts are needed for congregations to be future-ready? Adelle Banks reflects on the evolving nature of church hospitality, social justice, technology, and vitality. She highlights innovative approaches that foster belonging, authentic community, and discipleship in a rapidly changing world. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube Becoming a Future-Ready Church: 8 Shifts [...]

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]]> https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/lit-number-title-name-1.png “Becoming a Future-Ready Church” featuring Adelle Banks false no 28:51 No no “From Weary to Wholehearted: Overcoming Ministry Burnout” featuring Callie Swanlund https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/callie-swanlund/ Tue, 11 Mar 2025 19:55:33 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=34254 Podcast Episode 164 How can church leaders overcome burnout? In this episode, Callie Swanlund discusses her book, From Weary to Wholehearted, exploring burnout and its unique challenges. She introduces the SPARK practice—Soma, Preparation, Awe, Retreat, and Kinship—as a holistic approach to overcoming ministry burnout. Callie emphasizes the importance of recognizing burnout signs, creating supportive environments [...]

The post “From Weary to Wholehearted: Overcoming Ministry Burnout” featuring Callie Swanlund first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> Podcast Episode 164 How can church leaders overcome burnout? In this episode, Callie Swanlund discusses her book, From Weary to Wholehearted, exploring burnout and its unique challenges. She introduces the SPARK practice—Soma, Preparation, Awe, Retreat, and Kinship—as a holistic approach to overcoming ministry burnout. Callie emphasizes the importance of recognizing burnout signs, creating supportive environments [...]

The post “From Weary to Wholehearted: Overcoming Ministry Burnout” featuring Callie Swanlund first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/lit-number-title-name.png “From Weary to Wholehearted: Overcoming Ministry Burnout” featuring Callie Swanlund false no 31:46 No no “Embracing Relational Discipleship” featuring Stephen Handy https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/embracing-relational-discipleship-featuring-stephen-handy/ Tue, 18 Feb 2025 21:00:43 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=34150 Podcast Episode 163 Connecting with people and helping them grow as disciples requires a new playbook and a new way of leading. Stephen Handy shares how his Nashville church is reaching and discipling people in unchurchy ways by getting to know their neighbors, forging new missional partnerships, and focusing intentionally on relationships. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify [...]

The post “Embracing Relational Discipleship” featuring Stephen Handy first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> Podcast Episode 163 Connecting with people and helping them grow as disciples requires a new playbook and a new way of leading. Stephen Handy shares how his Nashville church is reaching and discipling people in unchurchy ways by getting to know their neighbors, forging new missional partnerships, and focusing intentionally on relationships. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify [...]

The post “Embracing Relational Discipleship” featuring Stephen Handy first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/lit-number-title-name-1.png “Embracing Relational Discipleship” featuring Stephen Handy false no 36:49 No no “Belong, Believe, Become: Engaging Millennials and Gen Z in Faith” featuring Dexter Nutall https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/belong-believe-become-engaging-millenials-and-gen-z-in-faith-featuring-dexter-nutall/ Tue, 04 Feb 2025 21:00:00 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=33921 Podcast Episode 162 How can congregations faithfully engage in ministry with Millennials and Gen Z? In this episode, Dexter Nutall shares how New Bethel Church engages these generations. The church fosters belonging, social justice, and leadership, creating a welcoming and impactful community for young people. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube Read in-depth interview Related [...]

The post “Belong, Believe, Become: Engaging Millennials and Gen Z in Faith” featuring Dexter Nutall first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> Podcast Episode 162 How can congregations faithfully engage in ministry with Millennials and Gen Z? In this episode, Dexter Nutall shares how New Bethel Church engages these generations. The church fosters belonging, social justice, and leadership, creating a welcoming and impactful community for young people. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube Read in-depth interview Related [...]

The post “Belong, Believe, Become: Engaging Millennials and Gen Z in Faith” featuring Dexter Nutall first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/lit-number-title-name.png “Belong, Believe, Become: Engaging Millennials and Gen Z in Faith” featuring Dexter Nutall false no 29:19 No no “Exploring Spiritual Direction“ featuring Eunhyey Lok https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/exploring-spiritual-direction-featuring-eunhyey-lok/ Tue, 21 Jan 2025 21:00:31 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=33866 Podcast Episode 161 How can spiritual direction impact leaders and congregations? In this episode Eunhyey Lok reflects on the role of spiritual direction, its benefits for personal and church growth, distinctions from counseling, and tips for finding a spiritual director. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube Read in-depth interview Related Resources Spiritual Lessons from a [...]

The post “Exploring Spiritual Direction“ featuring Eunhyey Lok first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> Podcast Episode 161 How can spiritual direction impact leaders and congregations? In this episode Eunhyey Lok reflects on the role of spiritual direction, its benefits for personal and church growth, distinctions from counseling, and tips for finding a spiritual director. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube Read in-depth interview Related Resources Spiritual Lessons from a [...]

The post “Exploring Spiritual Direction“ featuring Eunhyey Lok first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/lit-number-title-name-1.png “Exploring Spiritual Direction“ featuring Eunhyey Lok false no 27:42 No no “The Future of the United Methodist Church” featuring Doug Powe and Lovett Weems https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/doug-and-lovett/ Tue, 07 Jan 2025 21:00:26 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=33782 Podcast Episode 160 What does the post-pandemic and post-disaffiliation United Methodist Church (UMC) look like? In this episode, Jessica Anschutz speaks with Lewis Center Director Doug Powe and Senior Consultant Lovett Weems, who discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the UMC. They highlight regionalization, the need for structural reform, and changes to the ordination process, while [...]

The post “The Future of the United Methodist Church” featuring Doug Powe and Lovett Weems first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> Podcast Episode 160 What does the post-pandemic and post-disaffiliation United Methodist Church (UMC) look like? In this episode, Jessica Anschutz speaks with Lewis Center Director Doug Powe and Senior Consultant Lovett Weems, who discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the UMC. They highlight regionalization, the need for structural reform, and changes to the ordination process, while [...]

The post “The Future of the United Methodist Church” featuring Doug Powe and Lovett Weems first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/lit-number-title-name.png “The Future of the United Methodist Church” featuring Doug Powe and Lovett Weems false no 34:38 No no Leading Ideas Talks Special: Advent Devotional #4, the Shepherds https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/leading-ideas-talks-special-advent-devotional-4-the-shepherds/ Sun, 15 Dec 2024 15:00:08 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=33661 false no 5:19 No no Leading Ideas Talks Special: Advent Devotional #3, Elizabeth https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/leading-ideas-talks-special-advent-devotional-3-elizabeth/ Sun, 08 Dec 2024 15:00:33 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=33657 false no 4:01 No no Leading Ideas Special: Advent Devotional #2, Mary https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/leading-ideas-special-advent-devotional-1/ Sun, 01 Dec 2024 15:00:53 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=33644 false no 4:47 No no Leading Ideas Talks Special: Advent Devotional #1, John the Baptist https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/leading-ideas-talks-special-advent-devotional-1/ Sun, 24 Nov 2024 15:00:58 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=33645 false no 7:04 No no “Exploring the Future of the Church Together” featuring Dustin Benac https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/exploring-the-future-of-the-church-together-featuring-dustin-benac/ Tue, 19 Nov 2024 21:00:40 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=33550 Podcast Episode 159 How can the church adapt to future challenges and foster community through innovative leadership? In this episode Doug Powe and Dustin Benac discuss the future of the church, emphasizing collaborative leadership, the importance of belonging, and adapting to cultural shifts through innovative community structures. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube Adaptive Church: [...]

The post “Exploring the Future of the Church Together” featuring Dustin Benac first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> Podcast Episode 159 How can the church adapt to future challenges and foster community through innovative leadership? In this episode Doug Powe and Dustin Benac discuss the future of the church, emphasizing collaborative leadership, the importance of belonging, and adapting to cultural shifts through innovative community structures. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube Adaptive Church: [...]

The post “Exploring the Future of the Church Together” featuring Dustin Benac first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/lit-number-title-name-1.png “Exploring the Future of the Church Together” featuring Dustin Benac false no 25:51 No no “Digital Ministry Trends and Perspectives” featuring Jim Keat https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/digital-ministry-trends-and-perspectives-featuring-jim-keat/ Tue, 05 Nov 2024 21:00:38 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=33431 Podcast Episode 158 How can your congregation more effectively engage people in the digital sphere? Jim Keat, Digital Minister at Riverside Church in New York City, shares tips and strategies that can help any church approach digital ministry with more intentionality and focus. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube Read in-depth [...]

The post “Digital Ministry Trends and Perspectives” featuring Jim Keat first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> Podcast Episode 158 How can your congregation more effectively engage people in the digital sphere? Jim Keat, Digital Minister at Riverside Church in New York City, shares tips and strategies that can help any church approach digital ministry with more intentionality and focus. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube Read in-depth [...]

The post “Digital Ministry Trends and Perspectives” featuring Jim Keat first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/lit-number-title-name.png “Digital Ministry Trends and Perspectives” featuring Jim Keat false no 27:50 No no “Faithfully Engage Public Policy” featuring Miranda Zapor Cruz https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/faithfully-engage-public-policy-featuring-miranda-zapor-cruz/ Tue, 22 Oct 2024 20:00:07 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=33294 Podcast Episode 157 How can Christians faithfully engage public policy? We speak with Miranda Zapor Cruz, professor of historical theology at Indiana Wesleyan University and author of Faithful Politics: 10 Approaches to Christian Citizenship and Why It Matters. She shares with us how Christians can engage public policy in faithful, yet nonpartisan ways. Listen on [...]

The post “Faithfully Engage Public Policy” featuring Miranda Zapor Cruz first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> Podcast Episode 157 How can Christians faithfully engage public policy? We speak with Miranda Zapor Cruz, professor of historical theology at Indiana Wesleyan University and author of Faithful Politics: 10 Approaches to Christian Citizenship and Why It Matters. She shares with us how Christians can engage public policy in faithful, yet nonpartisan ways. Listen on [...]

The post “Faithfully Engage Public Policy” featuring Miranda Zapor Cruz first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/lit-number-title-name-1.png “Faithfully Engage Public Policy” featuring Miranda Zapor Cruz false no 28:03 No no “Community Partnerships: Moving from a Mindset of Scarcity to Abundance” featuring Mahogany Thomas https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/community-partnerships-moving-from-a-mindset-of-scarcity-to-abundance-featuring-mahogany-thomas/ Tue, 08 Oct 2024 20:00:17 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=33190 Podcast Episode 156 How can congregations cultivate fruitful partnerships with nonprofits that promote human flourishing and abundance? We talk with Mahogany Thomas, chief program officer of Bread for the City, about building partnerships to meet the needs in your community. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube Read the in-depth interview [...]

The post “Community Partnerships: Moving from a Mindset of Scarcity to Abundance” featuring Mahogany Thomas first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> Podcast Episode 156 How can congregations cultivate fruitful partnerships with nonprofits that promote human flourishing and abundance? We talk with Mahogany Thomas, chief program officer of Bread for the City, about building partnerships to meet the needs in your community. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube Read the in-depth interview [...]

The post “Community Partnerships: Moving from a Mindset of Scarcity to Abundance” featuring Mahogany Thomas first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/lit-number-title-name.png “Community Partnerships: Moving from a Mindset of Scarcity to Abundance” featuring Mahogany Thomas false no 26:03 No no “Engage Polarization with Kindness” featuring Cathy Bien https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/engage-polarization-with-kindness-featuring-cathy-bien/ Tue, 24 Sep 2024 20:00:30 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=33060 Podcast Episode 155 How can church leaders address polarization? We speak with Cathy Bien about the Campaign for Kindness and how church leaders can lead out of their faith to engage polarization in their communities with kindness. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube Read in-depth interview Related Resources A Campaign [...]

The post “Engage Polarization with Kindness” featuring Cathy Bien first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> Podcast Episode 155 How can church leaders address polarization? We speak with Cathy Bien about the Campaign for Kindness and how church leaders can lead out of their faith to engage polarization in their communities with kindness. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on YouTube Read in-depth interview Related Resources A Campaign [...]

The post “Engage Polarization with Kindness” featuring Cathy Bien first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/lit-number-title-name-2.png “Engage Polarization with Kindness” featuring Cathy Bien false no 27:38 No no “Remembering 9/11: Leadership During a Disaster” featuring Terry Bradfield https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/remembering-9-11-leadership-during-a-disaster-featuring-terry-bradfield/ Tue, 10 Sep 2024 20:00:01 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=32946 Podcast Episode 154 How can we lead in times of disaster? As we remember 9/11, Terry Bradfield, a retired Army chaplain who was assigned to the Pentagon on that fateful day, joins Lewis Center Director Doug Powe for a conversation about leading faithfully during a disaster. He reminds church leaders to check their doctrine at [...]

The post “Remembering 9/11: Leadership During a Disaster” featuring Terry Bradfield first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> Podcast Episode 154 How can we lead in times of disaster? As we remember 9/11, Terry Bradfield, a retired Army chaplain who was assigned to the Pentagon on that fateful day, joins Lewis Center Director Doug Powe for a conversation about leading faithfully during a disaster. He reminds church leaders to check their doctrine at [...]

The post “Remembering 9/11: Leadership During a Disaster” featuring Terry Bradfield first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/lit-number-title-name-1.png “Remembering 9/11: Leadership During a Disaster” featuring Terry Bradfield false no 34:28 No no “Coop’s Soups, an Innovative Business and Ministry” featuring Cristin Cooper https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/coops-soups-an-innovative-business-and-ministry-featuring-cristin-cooper/ Tue, 27 Aug 2024 20:00:27 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=32878 Podcast Episode 153 A call to ministry along with a desire to make friends and fight off loneliness led Cristin Cooper to launch Coop’s Soups, an innovative business and ministry. She shares how loving God and loving neighbor led her to reach people in new and creative ways. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | [...]

The post “Coop’s Soups, an Innovative Business and Ministry” featuring Cristin Cooper first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> Podcast Episode 153 A call to ministry along with a desire to make friends and fight off loneliness led Cristin Cooper to launch Coop’s Soups, an innovative business and ministry. She shares how loving God and loving neighbor led her to reach people in new and creative ways. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | [...]

The post “Coop’s Soups, an Innovative Business and Ministry” featuring Cristin Cooper first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/lit-number-title-name-1.png “Coop’s Soups, an Innovative Business and Ministry” featuring Cristin Cooper false no 30:20 No no “Welcoming Young Adults” featuring Reggie Blount https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast/welcoming-young-adults-featuring-reggie-blount/ Tue, 13 Aug 2024 20:00:09 +0000 https://www.churchleadership.com/?post_type=podcast&p=32757 Podcast Episode 152 How can congregations engage in ministry with young adults? Reggie Blount shares ways congregations can strengthen their ministry with young adults through hospitality, welcoming and meeting young adults where they are, and empowering them to engage in works of purpose and mission. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on [...]

The post “Welcoming Young Adults” featuring Reggie Blount first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> Podcast Episode 152 How can congregations engage in ministry with young adults? Reggie Blount shares ways congregations can strengthen their ministry with young adults through hospitality, welcoming and meeting young adults where they are, and empowering them to engage in works of purpose and mission. Listen on Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify Watch on [...]

The post “Welcoming Young Adults” featuring Reggie Blount first appeared on Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

]]> https://www.churchleadership.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/lit-number-title-name.png “Welcoming Young Adults” featuring Reggie Blount false no 29:06 No no