Seeds and Sprouts in Ministry Innovation

Erica Koser
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  • RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY

Church is changing.  It's time to plant new seeds.  Hear from innovators, practitioners, seekers, and more as we nurture sprouts of ideas big and small.  Join us in the conversation!  A podcast of the Minnesota Annual Conference of the UMC. 

Episodes

  1. 12/16/2025

    Reviving an Ancient Ministry Model for Today- House Church with Rev. Steve Riser

    Send us a text As we say in almost every podcast- church is changing!  Join us for this conversation with Pastor Steve Riser who is passionate about bringing back the ancient ministry model of house churches- because sometimes what's old is new again! Leaning deeply into John Wesley's class meeting model and models from Paul's ministry in the early church,  we will learn the basic model for the house church and how it can be used as a stand alone model as well as embedded in a more traditional setting.  Steve also raises some timely questions in his top 5 wonderings and curiosities.  This is a must listen to episode that will plant some excellent seeds of innovation!

    55 min

  2. 10/16/2025

    Innovative Church Security with Rev. Chris Carr

    Send us a text Do you wonder about the safety of your church and congregation members?  Joining us on this episode of Seeds and Sprouts is Rev. Chris Carr, an ordained deacon who has used a career in global security to help guide churches as they strive to walk the balance between welcome and safety.  Chris has a beautiful theology of security and will share a framework to build upon.  He will also share some practical tips you can do this week to increase the safety of your building and your people.  In a time where division and violence seem to be pushing their way to the forefront, Chris provides a critical lens we as people of God can utilize to counter the narrative.  If, after listening you want more information or to connect with Rev. Carr, reach out here on the podcast or email Erica Koser.

    58 min

  3. 09/29/2025

    HGTV'ing Your Church!

    Send us a text Do you love to watch HGTV and the ways they transform homes into welcoming spaces?  Have you ever thought about what it would look like to apply some of their ideas to your church building?  Join Erica for a lively conversation about 'HGTV'ing' your church.  In a candid but real way, Erica addresses some of the low hanging fruit that you can tend to to improve the welcome and sense of radical hospitality in your church.  From sacred cows to broken crayons, take a listen to this practical and fun episode!

    41 min

  4. 09/16/2025

    Lessons from a thriving campus ministry with Jean Carlos

    Send us a text If you are looking for inspiration, practical tips, and a big dose of hope, you don't want you to miss this episode.  Jean Carlos is the campus pastor of Neon,  the Wesley Foundation campus ministry at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.  In just over a year, he has seen amazing growth in the ministry and the ways students are finding a trusting, welcoming community that  is colorful, bright and new.   Jean Carlos offers practical tools around building trust, engaging in relationship, and maintaining a high quality presence each week.  You will be inspired!  Take a listen.

    54 min

  5. 08/13/2025

    Ministry on the Margins with Pastor Collette Broady Grund

    Send us a text Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to truly trust the nudges of the Holy Spirit and launch into a new ministry?  Have you ever done ministry on the margins and noticed how Jesus shows up in different ways?  Are you curious about the ways you can connect with your community to make a lasting impact? Join Pastor Erica and Pastor Collette as they share some of the lessons learned in following the Holy Spirit into a creating a homeless shelter in their community.  They share some of the tales of their 8 years in ministry together and reflect on the lessons that still impact them as they have followed their calls into new ministries.  Don't miss out on this inspiring episode.

    46 min

  6. 07/17/2025

    Innovating in Children and Family Ministry with Lindsey Nuehring

    Send us a text Is the church still relevant for families?  How do you do children's ministry well if you are a small church?  What do kids need right now?  Join us for a powerful conversation with children's ministry expert Lindsey Nuehring from Advent UMC.  Could the key to children and family ministry be as simple as being authentic and building relationships?  In a fun, honest, and real conversation Erica and Lindsey explore how we can be the church where kids feel loved, safe, and welcome.  This episode is worth your time whether you are a small, rural church or a multi-staff congregation.

    53 min

  7. 06/30/2025

    Resources and Summer Opportunities in Ministry

    Send us a text Join Rev. Erica Koser for a look at some current resources and some easy ideas for reaching into your community this summer.  Gather a few tips that you can begin in July!  Also learn more about how the office of Strategy and Innovation can help you go, sow, and grow!

    32 min

  8. 06/16/2025

    Connecting with your Community with Pastor Jeremy Peters

    Send us a text Is it important to reach out to your community?  How do you take community demographics alongside community conversations to generate a profile of your community?  In this episode, Erica and church planter Jeremy Peters of The Grove, Cottage Grove,  engage in a  thought-provoking conversation that will encourage you to move outside the walls of your church and become a vital partner in the work of your community.  God is at work in your community- how are you joining in?

    49 min

  9. 05/09/2025

    Innovation with Rev. Tyler Sit

    Send us a text In this episode we are joined by the Rev. Tyler Sit; church planter, innovator and author from New City Church and Northeast UMC both in Minneapolis.  We engage in a lively conversation about innovation, Marie Kondo-ing our full ministry plates, and Tyler shares his top 5 wonderings about church right now.

    43 min

  10. 04/30/2025

    Welcome to Seeds and Sprouts

    Send us a text Welcome to the Seeds and Sprouts podcast.  In this episode, learn what this podcast is all about and meet host Rev. Erica Koser.

    12 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Church is changing.  It's time to plant new seeds.  Hear from innovators, practitioners, seekers, and more as we nurture sprouts of ideas big and small.  Join us in the conversation!  A podcast of the Minnesota Annual Conference of the UMC. 

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