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The Ministry Collaborative Podcast

The Ministry Collaborative Podcast

By The Ministry Collaborative

A series of honest conversations about the opportunities, challenges, and joy of ministry today.
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What's Going On: A Round Table Conversation About This American Moment

The Ministry Collaborative PodcastJan 08, 2021

00:00
20:07
Surrendering to Something Beyond: A Conversation with Andy Root
Mar 27, 202417:19
Hope Between Innocence and Wisdom: More with Charles Maxell and Laura Murray
Mar 22, 202416:49
The Other Side of the Wall: A Conversation with Laura Murray and Charles Maxell

The Other Side of the Wall: A Conversation with Laura Murray and Charles Maxell

As we continue our series "Faith Overflowing with Hope", Content Curator Adam Mixon speaks with the Revs. Laura Murray (Fuller Center for Spiritual Formation) and Charles Maxell (Breakthrough Fellowship, Smyrna, GA) about the challenge of church programming for formation, the importance of nearness - both to God and to one another, and the counter-cultural work of surrender.

Mar 20, 202418:17
Going to Nineveh: A Conversation with Esta Jarrett and Barrett Payne

Going to Nineveh: A Conversation with Esta Jarrett and Barrett Payne

Executive Director Mark Ramsey speaks with the Rev. Esta Jarrett (Canton Presbyterian Church, North Carolina) and the Rev. Barrett Payne (Cape Fear and Lillington Presbyterian Churches, North Carolina) about the unique gifts and challenges of rural and small churches, the personal nature of ministry in their contexts, and their joyful experience co-facilitating Ministry Collaborative cohorts.

Mar 15, 202417:45
The Ancient Call: A Conversation with Tim Soerens
Mar 13, 202417:07
The Most Urgent Contribution: More with David Zahl
Mar 06, 202417:29
I Keep Dancing: More with Melanie Marsh

I Keep Dancing: More with Melanie Marsh

Ministry Collaborative program staff Amy Valdez Barker and Adam Mixon continue their conversation with the Rev. Melanie Marsh (Riviera Presbyterian , Miami) about the challenge of living into your humanity as a pastor, the importance of admitting what we don't know, and the role her grandmother played in forming her faith.

Feb 28, 202415:34
God Said Yes Twice: A Conversation with Melanie Marsh

God Said Yes Twice: A Conversation with Melanie Marsh

Ministry Collaborative program staff Adam Mixon and Amy Valdez Barker speak with the Rev. Melanie Marsh (Riviera Presbyterian , Miami) about her call to a church where she was the first female pastor (and the first person of color), her tumultuous arrival in a divided congregation, and the transformational power of God at work in that community.

Feb 21, 202418:02
Jesus, If: A Round Table Conversation on Grace
Feb 14, 202417:00
Over Across the Tracks: A Conversation with Katie Nakamura Rengers and Adam Mixon

Over Across the Tracks: A Conversation with Katie Nakamura Rengers and Adam Mixon

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with the Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers (Church Planting, The Episcopal Church) and the Rev. Adam Mixon (The Ministry Collaborative; Zion Springs Baptist Church, Birmingham) about their congregations' unique partnership across denominational and racial lines; the challenge of navigating shared space; and the importance of keeping Jesus at the center.

Feb 07, 202418:07
We Need to Make Room: A Conversation with Morgan Burge

We Need to Make Room: A Conversation with Morgan Burge

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Morgan Burge (Roswell Presbyterian Church, GA) about what the parachurch organizations and mainline congregations can learn from each other; the importance of asking who isn't at table and why; and the way the global church reminds us that the Spirit is always doing new things.

Jan 31, 202416:36
Be More Vile: A Conversation with Ashley Boggan

Be More Vile: A Conversation with Ashley Boggan

Congregational and Pastoral Formation Curator Amy Valdez Barker speaks with Dr. Ashley Boggan (General Commission on Archives and History) about her book Nevertheless, multi-vocational ministry, our current Reformation moment in both church and technology, and what a John Wesley bobblehead has to do with Pope Francis.

Jan 24, 202417:24
The Church of Don't Be a Jerk: A Conversation with Katie Nakamura Rengers

The Church of Don't Be a Jerk: A Conversation with Katie Nakamura Rengers

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with the Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers (Church Planting, The Episcopal Church) about her work with both church planters and established congregations, why would should both resource ministry risk and be willing to learn from it, and having the humility to lean into our connectedness.

Jan 17, 202417:06
Your Leadership Moment: A Conversation with Eric Martin

Your Leadership Moment: A Conversation with Eric Martin

Congregational and Pastoral Formation Curator Amy Valdez Barker speaks with Eric Martin (Adaptive Change Advisors) about his book, how he brings what he has learned in corporate transformation work into church spaces, how those spaces are surprisingly well-prepared to do that work, and how undemocratic our institutions and organizations actually are.

Jan 10, 202417:01
People of Peace: A Conversation with Karen Rohrer

People of Peace: A Conversation with Karen Rohrer

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with the Rev. Karen Rohrer (Pittsburgh Theological Seminary) about  understanding innovation as unearthing, and the importance of embracing one's own belovedness in order to see the belovedness around you.

Jan 03, 202418:31
Lettum Eat: A Conversation with Hank Reid

Lettum Eat: A Conversation with Hank Reid

Congregational and Pastoral Formation Curator Amy Valdez Barker speaks with Chef Hank Reid (Lettum Eat!) about God feeding into his life, how he sees food as ministry, and what it means to use your God-given talents for the sake of the world.

Dec 27, 202312:17
Hope As a Place We Inhabit: A Round Table Conversation on Advent

Hope As a Place We Inhabit: A Round Table Conversation on Advent

Ministry Collaborative program staff (Adam Borneman, Jennifer Watley Maxell, and Beth Daniel) discuss the difference between waiting and anticipation, how hope is tethered to despair, and how hope leads to belonging.

Dec 20, 202317:09
Time to Linger: A Round Table Conversation on Advent

Time to Linger: A Round Table Conversation on Advent

Ministry Collaborative program staff (Adam Borneman, Adam Mixon, and Amy Valdez Barker) discuss the the in-between-ness of Advent, what we can learn from Watch Night services, and the beauty of waiting for God with God.

Dec 13, 202317:14
Waiting for Incarnation: A Round Table Conversation on Advent

Waiting for Incarnation: A Round Table Conversation on Advent

Ministry Collaborative program staff (Mark Ramsey, Amy Valdez Barker, Ryan Bonfiglio, and Jennifer Watley Maxell) discuss the ample reasons for despair, people's yearning for depth, and the disruptive purpose of Advent.

Dec 06, 202318:23
Falling into the Love of God: A Conversation with Ayana Teter

Falling into the Love of God: A Conversation with Ayana Teter

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with the Rev. Ayana Teter (Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Eastminster Presbyterian Church) about the joyful and challenging tension of Advent waiting, the scandalous nature of grace, and how God shows up at the intersection of life and death.

Nov 29, 202316:18
Christianity Is a Team Sport: More with Brian Wallace

Christianity Is a Team Sport: More with Brian Wallace

Facilitator Curator Beth Daniel speaks again with the Rt. Rev. Dr. Brian Wallace (Diocese for Churches for the Sake of Others) about moving away from the model of information equals transformation, centering relationships, and why we need to hear "the Holy Spirit is with you" every day.

Nov 22, 202319:27
The Embodiment of the Movement: A Conversation with Karina Aragon-Buchanan

The Embodiment of the Movement: A Conversation with Karina Aragon-Buchanan

Congregational and Pastoral Formation Curator Amy Valdez Barker speaks with Karina Aragon-Buchanan (Eastside Church, Atlanta) about what she sees as a self-described "cusper" (between Millenial and Gen-Z), avoiding the temptation to wrap theologies up neatly, and the growing importance of trauma-informed ministry.

Nov 15, 202317:36
Human Flourishing: A Conversation with Brian Wallace

Human Flourishing: A Conversation with Brian Wallace

Facilitator Curator Beth Daniel talks with the Rt. Rev. Dr. Brian Wallace (Diocese for Churches for the Sake of Others) about moving away from a worldly set of metrics for success, remembering that the Christian faith is a team sport, and what he learned from studying faithful exemplars.

Nov 08, 202319:35
Strong Coffee: A Round Table Conversation on Women in Ministry

Strong Coffee: A Round Table Conversation on Women in Ministry

Ministry Collaborative program staff (Jennifer Watley Maxell, Beth Daniel, and Amy Valdez Barker) round out their discussion of Elise Loehnen's book On Our Best Behavior as they talk about the double-standards of confidence, the importance of reconnecting with the Biblical models of confident women of faith, and the strength of being rooted in our calls.

Nov 01, 202318:58
Sisterhood Heals: A Round Table Conversation on Women in Ministry

Sisterhood Heals: A Round Table Conversation on Women in Ministry

Ministry Collaborative program staff (Amy Valdez Barker, Jennifer Watley Maxell, and Beth Daniel) continue their discussion of Elise Loehnen's book On Our Best Behavior as they talk about the difference between envy and desire; Jesus' unapologetic ministry; and how the myth of scarcity has particular implications for women in leadership.

Oct 25, 202318:29
Pushing Against the Cultural Sandpaper: A Round Table Conversation on Women in Ministry

Pushing Against the Cultural Sandpaper: A Round Table Conversation on Women in Ministry

Ministry Collaborative program staff (Beth Daniel, Amy Valdez Barker, and Jennifer Watley Maxell) discuss Elise Loehnen's book On Our Best Behavior as they talk about the pressures on women - especially Christian women - to be "good"; what it means to live into our God-given giftedness; and the importance of providing safe space for women in leadership to interrogate cultural assumptions.

Oct 18, 202319:16
Heart Music: A Conversation with Gina Campbell

Heart Music: A Conversation with Gina Campbell

Congregational and Pastoral Formation Curator Amy Valdez Barker speaks with the Rev. Gina Campbell about her work at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC; finding her own way as a preacher; and the important practice of preaching dangerous sermons.

Oct 11, 202318:13
Walking Off an Inordinate Attachment to Words: A Conversation with Joe Clifford
Oct 04, 202317:22
God Sightings: A Round Table Conversation on the Challenges and Gifts of Ministry

God Sightings: A Round Table Conversation on the Challenges and Gifts of Ministry

Ministry Collaborative program staff Adam Mixon, Beth Daniel, and Mark Ramsey talk about how hard ministry can be, the importance of putting call at the heart of this work, and the gratitude that visits us in the midst of it all.


Sep 27, 202317:12
Holy Mischief: A Conversation with Shannon Karafanda
Sep 20, 202316:22
Leaving the Ground Fallow: A Conversation on Ministry and Exhaustion
Sep 13, 202314:25
The Ambulances of Culture: A Round Table Conversation on the Divine Narrative

The Ambulances of Culture: A Round Table Conversation on the Divine Narrative

Ministry Collaborative program staff (Jennifer Watley Maxell, Amy Valdez Barker, Adam Mixon, Beth Daniel, Adam Borneman, and Mark Ramsey) talk about the pressure on pastors to react, what it means to trust God fully, and the importance of tethering our stories to the hope of the gospel.


Sep 06, 202316:06
The Shifting Ground of Faith and Giving: A Conversation with Elizabeth Lynn

The Shifting Ground of Faith and Giving: A Conversation with Elizabeth Lynn

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks again with Elizabeth Lynn (Lake Institute on Faith and Giving) about the changing trends in philanthropy, how that relates to religious communities, and how churches are uniquely situated in relation to valuable resources.
Visit here to see the Faithful Generosity Story Shelf or Lake Institute's Insights newsletter.
You can listen to Adam and Elizabeth's previous conversation here.
Aug 29, 202319:56
Theological Messiness: A Conversation with Carrington Moore

Theological Messiness: A Conversation with Carrington Moore

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with the Rev. Carrington Moore (Common Cathedral, Bethel AME, Boston) about his ministry bridging the divide between housed and unhoused people, the importance of having your assumptions challenged, and how happiness is a sacred calling.

To find out more about our upcoming Boston Cohort, please contact our staff.

Aug 23, 202321:18
The Persistence of Witness: A Conversation about Our Holy Land Immersion Experience

The Persistence of Witness: A Conversation about Our Holy Land Immersion Experience

Pilgrimage Formation Curator Ryan Bonfiglio talks with the Rev. Dr. Terrence Autry (Christ Community, Richardson, TX) and the Revs. Susan Rogers (The Well, Jacksonville, FL) and Marthame Sanders (Mudeif Productions) about connecting the Biblical stories with the sacred sites; the importance of dislocated exegesis; and the enduring, faithful witness of Palestinian Christians.

Aug 16, 202320:10
Trusting Your Gifting: A Conversation with Asa Lee

Trusting Your Gifting: A Conversation with Asa Lee

Program Curator Jennifer Watley Maxell talks with the Rev. Dr Asa Lee (President, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary) about what makes for courageous leadership, the importance of going slow, and what it means to show up in your body.

Aug 09, 202319:59
Un Estado de Gracia: Una Conversación con Natalie Gonzalez, Edgar Vergara Millan e Ivette Toriz

Un Estado de Gracia: Una Conversación con Natalie Gonzalez, Edgar Vergara Millan e Ivette Toriz

El Director del Programa, Adam Borneman, habla con la Rev. Natalie Gonzalez (Revealing Greatness), el Rev. Edgar Vergara Millan (Iglesia La Semilla, Durham, NC), e Ivette Toriz (Enciende Una Luz, Durham, NC) sobre el contexto inmigrante, el reconocimiento de el daño causado por la iglesia, y cómo sus ministerios están desarollando con base en la justicia, la educación y la salud.

Aug 02, 202319:36
A State of Grace and Welcome: A Conversation with Natalie Gonzalez, Edgar Vergara Millan, and Ivette Toriz

A State of Grace and Welcome: A Conversation with Natalie Gonzalez, Edgar Vergara Millan, and Ivette Toriz

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with the Rev. Natalie Gonzalez (Revealing Greatness), the Rev. Edgar Vergara Millan (Iglesia La Semilla, Durham, NC), and Ivette Toriz (Enciende Una Luz, Durham, NC) about the immigrant context, church hurt, and how their ministries revolve around justice, education, and health.

Aug 02, 202316:55
Leading Theologically: A Conversation with Lee Hinson-Hasty

Leading Theologically: A Conversation with Lee Hinson-Hasty

Executive Director Mark Ramsey speaks with the Rev. Dr. Lee Hinson-Hasty (Presbyterian Foundation) about seeing vibrancy, inklings about what's emerging for the church, and the hopeful growing places in theological education.

Jul 26, 202318:12
The Culture of Curiosity: A Round Table Conversation

The Culture of Curiosity: A Round Table Conversation

Ministry Collaborative program staff (Mark Ramsey, Jennifer Watley Maxell, Amy Valdez Barker, Beth Daniel, Adam Mixon, and Adam Borneman) talk about what drew them to this work, what they are seeing in ministry, and what it means to rediscover our love for Christ's missional purpose in the world.

Jul 19, 202318:44
I Gotta Be Free: A Conversation with Stephen J. Thurston

I Gotta Be Free: A Conversation with Stephen J. Thurston

Program Curator Jennifer Watley Maxell talks with the Rev. Stephen J. Thurston about his work as a pastor, consultant, and serial entrepreneur, and how this all connects to the vocation of ministry.

Jul 12, 202319:05
Dance with the Stories: A Conversation about Northern Ireland Immersion Experience

Dance with the Stories: A Conversation about Northern Ireland Immersion Experience

Pilgrimage Formation Curator Ryan Bonfiglio talks with Dr. Gareth Higgins, the Rev. Dr. Brian Ammons (The Porch), and the Rev. Carla Jones Brown (Arch Street Presbyterian, Philadelphia) about how their experience of Northern Ireland provided an opportunities for rest, spiritual rejuvenation, and how the peace process of conflict transformation can offer an opportunity to reflect on one's own context.

Jul 05, 202321:17
A Changing Church with an Identity Crisis: A Conversation with José Irizarry
Jun 28, 202320:28
Beyond Red Kool-Aid and Hot Dogs: Wrapping Up with Kyle Bender, Bianca Howard, and Brittany Porch about Youth Ministry in the Midst of Systems and Structures
Jun 21, 202320:12
Jesus in a Tangible Way: A Conversation with Misha Cazas

Jesus in a Tangible Way: A Conversation with Misha Cazas

Executive Director Mark Ramsey speaks with the Rev. Michelle "Misha" Cazas (Westside Church Internacional, Denver) about her conversion to Christianity in her native Bolivia, the importance - and challenges - of ministry with immigrant communities here in the United States, and how God continues to use the struggles she has faced to equip her for this work.

Jun 14, 202319:35
Allowing Our Eyes to Adjust: A Conversation about Our Glacier Immersion Experience

Allowing Our Eyes to Adjust: A Conversation about Our Glacier Immersion Experience

Pilgrimage Formation Curator Ryan Bonfiglio talks with the Revs. Amy Miracle (Broad Street Presbyterian, Columbus, OH), Melanie Marsh (Riviera Presbyterian, Miami, FL), and Miriam Mauritzen (Mountain View Mennonite, Kalispell, MT) about their experience of Glacier National Park provided an opportunities for rest, spiritual rejuvenation, and reconnecting with God and their sense of calling.

Jun 07, 202319:45
100% of Kids: More with Brittany Porch, Kyle Bender, and Bianca Howard about Mental Health and Youth Ministry

100% of Kids: More with Brittany Porch, Kyle Bender, and Bianca Howard about Mental Health and Youth Ministry

In the second of a three part conversation, Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Brittany Porch (Broad Street Presbyterian, Columbus), Kyle Bender (Center for Relational Care, Austin), and the Rev. Bianca Howard (Orange) about approaching faith formation holistically, moving toward a theology of fullness, and the importance of breaking down the taboos around mental health support.

To find out more about our upcoming youth ministry cohort, please contact one of our team members here.

Look for part three of the conversation on June 21.

May 31, 202317:26
The Art of Mutual Reception: A Conversation with Elizabeth Lynn

The Art of Mutual Reception: A Conversation with Elizabeth Lynn

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Elizabeth Lynn (Shifting Ground, Lake Institute on Faith and Giving) about the wisdom of civic reflection, asking better questions vs. dispensing information, the critical importance of good facilitation in our pluralistic society, and her co-authored weekly blog with Mark Ramsey.

Want to find out more about our work of facilitation? Get in touch with our staff!

May 24, 202317:18
Why the Gospel? A Conversation with Matthew Bates

Why the Gospel? A Conversation with Matthew Bates

Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Dr. Matthew Bates (Quincy University) about the prevalence of tepid versions of the "good news", what it means to call Jesus "King", and his latest book.

May 17, 202317:15
The Message Is Love: A Conversation with Bianca Howard, Brittany Porch, and Kyle Bender about Youth Ministry
May 10, 202317:12