Future Christian Network

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Channel • 7 Shows

Christianity

Christianity

Updated Weekly
Stories for Kids

Stories for Kids

Updated 11/20/2020
Christianity

Christianity

Updated Semiweekly
Christianity

Christianity

Updated Semiweekly
Management

Management

Updated Monthly
Christianity

Christianity

Updated Semiweekly
Non-Profit

Non-Profit

Updated Weekly

04/08/2025

Rita Nakashima Brock and the Role of Church in Troubled Times

What if the church was never meant to be a waiting room for heaven—but a community that builds paradise now? Recorded live at Phillips Seminary during the 2025 Remind & Renew Conference, Loren Richmond Jr. sits down with Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock to reflect on the decline of religious institutions, the collapse of reliable media, and how early Christian communities cultivated paradise on earth—not just in theory, but through shared meals, practices, and mutual care. Drawing on her groundbreaking book Saving Paradise, Brock calls for a return to rituals that ground us in community, memory, and moral accountability. In this episode, you'll hear about: The origins and impact of moral injury in war and church settings Why wisdom cannot grow in isolation—and how loneliness undermines it The role of ritual in forming resilient, embodied communities of faith Early Christianity’s focus on paradise in the here and now What Protestantism lost when it rejected communal, repetitive ritual A powerful critique of institutional silence, spiritual abuse, and the theology of “waiting for heaven” How the Eucharist once fed thousands—and why we need that vision again Rita Nakashima Brock, Ph.D., has been Senior Vice President for Moral Injury Recovery Programs at Volunteers of America since 2017. An award-winning author, she is co-author of Saving Paradise: How Christianity Traded Love of This World for Crucifixion and Empire (2008). She held the Endowed Chair in the Humanities at Hamline University 1990-1997, then became Director of the Fellowship Program at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. From 2001-2002 she was a fellow at the Center for Values in Public Life at Harvard Divinity School. She co-founded the Soul Repair Center at Brite Divinity School in 2012 and directed it until 2017. Presenting Sponsor: Phillips Seminary Join conversations that expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitment and give insights to how we can minister in a changing world. Supporting Sponsors: Restore Clergy If you are clergy in need of tailored, professional support to help you manage the demands of ministry, Restore Clergy is for you! Kokoro Join in for heartfelt journeys that challenges the way we see ourselves, each other, and the world we share. Future Christian Team: Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer Martha Tatarnic – Co-Host Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer Dennis Sanders – Producer Alexander Lang - Production Assistant

04/08/2025

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1h 9m
08/02/2024

Christian Nationalism or Christian Conservatism with Mark Tooley | Episode 195

Mark Tooley comes to the podcast to discuss the stark differences between Christian nationalism and traditional Christian conservatism, shedding light on a topic often muddled by media coverage. Tooley provides insights into why these two ideologies are frequently conflated and elucidates the unique characteristics that set them apart. Christian Conservatism vs. Christian Nationalism by Mark Tooley Donate: Venmo- @churchandmainpod |TipTopJar- https://tiptopjar.com/electricparson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchandmainpod/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@churchandmainpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@churchmainpodcast Website: https://churchandmain.org/

08/02/2024

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30 min
01/14/2022 · BONUS

Fishbowl - What does Hopeful Economics mean for faith organizations?

This bonus conversation features: Phiwa Langeni; Ambassador for Innovation and Engagement in the United Church of Christ's Center for Analytics, Research & Development, and Data, Rob Dalgleish; Executive Director of the Edge Network, and Dallas Fiddler; Healing Programs Coordinator with The United Church of Canada.

01/14/2022 · Bonus

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23 min
11/26/2021

Faith and Finance

Cardus reports that religion contributes $67.5 billion to Canada’s economy. Churches make a difference locally, regionally and nationally in programs that we provide, space we make available, the supplies and money we spend, and most importantly the impact of our people in and around the neighbourhood. This session will reveal the economic impact of churches and also help us begin to consider what else is possible. Stephanie Swepson-Twitty, CEO Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation; Kevin Jones, Faith & Finance; and Aaron Kuecker, Provost at Trinity Christian College, Illinois speak about the Community Equity Fund and the Perpetual Mission Fund.

11/26/2021

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25 min
06/10/2024

Did Mainline Protestants Birth Christian Nationalism with Beau Underwood | Episode 186

We tend to think Evangelicals helped create Christian Nationalism, but did Mainline Protestantism have a role? I sat down with Beau Underwood, co-author of "Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped to Build Christian Nationalism," to explore the historical roots and contemporary impact of Christian nationalism in America. Beau talks about how mainline Protestants have laid the groundwork for modern expressions of Christian nationalism, highlighting pivotal moments like President Truman's endorsement of the revised standard version of the Bible in 1952 and President Eisenhower's active role in religious affairs. Beau wants to shed light on the responsibility of Mainline Protestant churches in addressing their historical complicity and suggests practical steps for repentance and change within their communities. Show Notes: Baptizing America book (the promo code is BAPODCAST) Word and Way Magazine (includes several articles related to the book) Episode 181 with Ted Peters (another view on Christian Nationalism) Episode 76 with Brian Kaylor (on Religious Freedom in Russia) Donate: Venmo- @churchandmainpod |TipTopJar- https://tiptopjar.com/electricparson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchandmainpod/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@churchandmainpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@churchmainpodcast Website: https://churchandmain.org/

06/10/2024

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49 min
06/03/2024

Starting and Restarting Spiritual Practices with Steve Thomason | Episode 184

In this episode, I welcome back Steve Thomason, an Associate Professor for Spiritual Formation and Discipleship at Luther Seminary. Steve shares insights on enriching your spiritual journey through practices like prayer, silence, and community. He addresses overcoming barriers to spiritual practices in today's world and discusses adaptations for those with ADHD or on the autism spectrum. We also look at how spiritual practices can emphasize genuine discipleship over mere church membership. Show notes: Steve's website: https://www.stevethomason.net/ Drawing Is Seeing with Steve Thomason | Episode 69 Overflow: An Introduction to Growing in Faith (Faith Lead Course) The Book of Acts: The Ever-Expanding Church (Faith Lead Course) Donate: Venmo- @churchandmainpod |TipTopJar- https://tiptopjar.com/electricparson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchandmain Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churchandmainpod/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@churchandmainpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@churchmainpodcast Website: https://churchandmain.org/

06/03/2024

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54 min
05/21/2024

Pastoral Health, Leading Change, and Building Connection: Martha & Loren highlight season 15

In this episode, Loren and Martha review the highlights of the season and discuss three broad themes: pastoral health, individualization versus connection, and leading change. They play clips from interviews with Kinsie Tate, Jonathan Foster, Ted Smith, Tessa Pinkstaff, Doug Powe, Scott Thumma and more to explore these themes. They discuss the challenges clergy face in dealing with their own issues while ministering to others, the need for support and community, and the tension between individualism and connection in the church. They also touch on the impact of live streaming and online ministry on the church community. The conversation explores the themes of consumerism, leading change, and the Messiah complex in church leadership. It emphasizes the need to resist the temptation to view churches as products and pastors as content creators. The dangers of quick fixes and the importance of discernment and listening are discussed. The conversation also touches on the interconnectedness of different topics in Christian leadership and teases upcoming conversations on the importance of the small and local in the church, flourishing mainline churches, clergy burnout and wellness, and more. Episodes Highlighted: How to Lead Faithful Innovation New Models of Clergy Credentialing Ted Smith Doug Powe Restore-clergy/Kinsie Tate Jay Kim Scott Thumma Justin Anthony Presenting Sponsor: Phillips Seminary Join conversations that expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitment and give insights to how we can minister in a changing world. Supporting Sponsors: I Help Pastors Get Jobs: Use code 'futurechristian' Torn Curtain Arts is a non-profit ministry that works with worship leaders, creatives, and churches to help avoid burnout, love their work, and realize their full creative potential. Future Christian Team: Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer Martha Tatarnic – Guest Host / Co-Host Paul Romig–Leavitt – Executive Producer Danny Burton - Producer Dennis Sanders – Producer

05/21/2024

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56 min
03/22/2022

Neuro-Ecclesiology with Jessie Cruickshank

"Dreamcrusher" and fellow Coloradan Jessie Cruickshank joins the pod to talk about about Neuro-ecclesiology. In this off-the-cuff conversation, we talk about why shame is never a tool of God, why people will never make it on information alone, and why the brain can't be trusted, or at least, our own understanding of the world. Jessie also talks about why the job description for pastors is one crafted in hell. Jesse is an ordained Foursquare minister and nationally recognized expert in the fields of discipleship, neuroeducation, and experiential education. She has spent over a decade applying neuroeducation research to discipleship, ministry training, experiential education, and organization development. She is respected globally as a missiological thought-leader and serves the body of Christ as a neuro-ecclesiologist. Jessie is a church and denominational consultant and serves as the Director of Certification with the Future Church Company. She is the Co-Founder of 5Q. Jessie holds a Master’s from Harvard in Mind, Brain, and Education. She is a published academic, author, and serves on multiple boards internationally. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @yourbrainbyjess The Future Christian Podcast is a production of Torn Curtain Arts and Resonate Media.

03/22/2022

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1h 1m
11/19/2021

Understanding God's Economy - Part 2

Money is one of the most common topics in the Bible. In this introductory session you will hear about the important linkages and the theological underpinnings of money. The economy and existing systems aren't perfect, yet there are some important tools that can be considered differently to support social justice and equity in the world. The Reverend Doctor Patrick Garnet Duggan is an ordained clergyperson in the United Church of Christ (UCC) - Senior Pastor of the Congregational Church of South Hempstead UCC where he has led sustained membership growth and missional vitality for over 25 years. Since 2012 Dr. Duggan has also served as Executive Director of the UCC Church Building and Loan Fund (CB&LF).

11/19/2021

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19 min
07/16/2024

Alison Milbank on Why Small and Local Might be the Church's Way Forward

In this conversation, Professor Alison Milbank discusses the concept of the parish and its importance in the life of faith. She shares her experiences growing up in the Church of England and the changes she has witnessed due to secularization. Milbank emphasizes the significance of the parish as a local community that brings together people of different ages and cultures. She also explores the threats to the parish, including the influence of secularization and the rise of bureaucratic managerialism in the Church. Milbank argues for a return to the core activities of the church and a focus on mission and evangelism. They also discuss the significance of parish buildings as spaces for community engagement and the potential for the parish to address issues such as mental health, social justice, and environmental sustainability. Despite the challenges, she expresses hope for the future of Christianity and the resurgence of faithfulness. Alison Milbank is Professor of Theology and Literature at the University of Nottingham, where she works in the field of religion and the arts. She has had a particular interest in horror fiction from Daughters of the House: Modes of the Gothic in Victorian Fiction in 1992 to God and the Gothic: Religion, Romance and Reality in the English Literary Tradition (2018). She has also published on Dante reception (Dante and the Victorians, 1998) and on fantasy and religion (Chesterton and Tolkien as Theologians: The Fantasy of the Real, 2007). She is also an Anglican priest, currently Canon Theologian and Priest Vicar at Southwell Minster, a cathedral and parish church in a small town near Sherwood Forest. In 2010, with Andrew Davison she wrote For the Parish: A Critique of Fresh Expressions and in 2023, The Once and Future Parish, with six lectures on the book available on you tube at https://www.youtube.com/@sshoxford5856/videos Associated with the Radical Orthodoxy movement, she co-edited Preaching Radical and Orthodox, with John Hughes and Arabella Milbank Robinson. Presenting Sponsor: Phillips Seminary Join conversations that expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitment and give insights to how we can minister in a changing world. Supporting Sponsors: Torn Curtain Arts is a non-profit ministry that works with worship leaders, creatives, and churches to help avoid burnout, love their work, and realize their full creative potential. Theology Beer Camp https://homebrewedchristianity.lpages.co/theology-beer-camp-24/ Future Christian Team: Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer Martha Tatarnic – Guest Host / Co-Host Paul Romig–Leavitt – Associate Producer Danny Burton - Producer Dennis Sanders – Producer

07/16/2024

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1h 10m

A network of podcast for future-thinking pastors and church leaders