Thriving

Rev. Sandy Brodine
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The Thriving podcast explores ways to grow thriving communities of faith. It focuses on growing disciples, faith formation and new missional initiatives. Thriving is hosted and produced by Rev. Sandy Brodine.

  1. 1d ago

    Season 1 Highlights

    As Victorians celebrate the Melbourne Cup, Thriving offers a quick look back at some of the funny and thought provoking moments of Season 1. We'd love to hear how Thriving has helped you think about how you are growing your faith community, or if you have an idea for Season 2, coming up in 2027. Drop us a comment on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/youngergenerations or send an email to ygteam@victas.uca.org.au We'd love to hear from you! Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction and Cup Weekend Highlights Reel(00:01:06) - Steve Taylor's Sheep-in-Church Story(00:03:17) - The Lesson: True Shepherds Take Many Forms(00:04:13) - Kirsten Oliver on Autism and Sensory Overload(00:04:47) - Understanding Neurodiverse Communication and Prayer(00:06:05) - Changing Environments to Support Engagement(00:07:11) - Practical Church Accommodations: Seating and Comfort(00:08:25) - Closing Credits and Podcast Info(00:08:45) - Rethinking All-Age Ministry for Everyone(00:09:26) - Tammy Preston on Intergenerational Discipleship(00:10:39) - Beyond Age: Building Inclusive Community

    Season 1 Highlights

  2. Oct 25

    Thriving Gaming Communities

    Thriving gaming communities: why play, faith, and belonging belong together This episode looks at gaming culture, thriving gaming communities, and why the church should show up in these spaces. Sandy Brodine is joined by Will Odd Rev Nicholas, Kelly Woods, and Lindsay Cullen to explore how games can be a serious tool for formation, connection, and pastoral care. We discuss why play is not the opposite of seriousness, how gaming can support identity and spiritual growth, and what it means to build community around tabletop, role-playing, and digital games. Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction and welcome(00:01:05) - Guest introductions: gaming backgrounds(00:04:30) - Seriousness of play and why PAX matters(00:08:12) - Incarnational mission and going where people are(00:09:55) - Games as incarnational experiences(00:12:05) - Virtual yet real: communion and body of Christ parallels(00:13:55) - Identity formation and moratorium through gaming(00:16:57) - Moral choices and trying on good/evil in games(00:18:52) - Reflection, debriefing, and avoiding solo gaming dangers(00:23:51) - Games as spiritual discipline and self-reflection(00:25:16) - Building community through gaming(00:27:55) - Finding existing community vs creating new(00:29:11) - Neurodivergence and gaming as a leveler(00:31:49) - Closing thoughts and sign-off

    Thriving Gaming Communities

  3. Oct 17

    Thriving Bubble Churches

    Bubble Church: a simple, intergenerational church model for young families Bubble Church is a half-hour church service designed for parents, young children, and whole families to worship together. In this conversation, Sandy Brodine speaks with Marcus Gibbs, head of Bubble Church in the UK, and Amanda Linke from Intergen Australia about how the model works, why it has grown, and what it could mean for churches in Australia and New Zealand.They discuss the practical setup, the role of puppets and creative responses, how the service helps children pray, and why hospitality and consistency matter for families new to church. Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction and Guest Backgrounds(00:02:14) - What is Bubble Church? Origins and Format(00:03:26) - Puppets, Bubbles, and Bible Storytelling(00:05:48) - Intergen's Role and Background(00:07:29) - Neurodiversity Conference and Resources(00:08:23) - Launching Bubble Church in Australia and Training(00:10:45) - What Happens When Families Arrive(00:12:11) - The God Spot and Children's Prayers(00:13:45) - Baptisms and Growth of Bubble Church(00:14:21) - Pilot Churches' Reactions and Starter Kits(00:15:35) - Costs and Resources for Running Bubble Church(00:16:33) - Bible Stories and Creative Responses Bank(00:18:02) - Aging Out and Transitioning from Bubble Church(00:19:25) - Getting Involved as a Leader or Helper(00:21:00) - Hopes for Bubble Church's Future in Australia(00:21:57) - How to Start a Bubble Church(00:23:29) - Final Thoughts on Thriving Through Bubble Church

    Thriving Bubble Churches

  4. Oct 11

    Enabling Thriving Missional Leadership

    In this conversation, Sandy Brodine speaks with Helen Cameron and David Dadswell about the Enabling Skills course run by Wesley House Cambridge University, and how it supports thriving churches, healthier ministry, and stronger faith communities. The discussion focuses on helping leaders move from doing the work themselves to enabling others well, with particular attention to conflict, collaboration, and practical theology. If you are interested in learning more, or possibly doing this course in Australia, contact Sandy Brodine directly, or via YGTeam@victas.uca.org.au  https://www.wesley.cam.ac.uk/centre-for-leadership-and-ministry-development/enabling-skills/enabling-certificate/  Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction and Guests(00:02:06) - What is Enabling?(00:03:41) - Process Over Expertise in Enabling(00:06:00) - Ownership and Accountability in Change(00:07:08) - Helping with Conflict in Churches(00:10:16) - Making Reflective Practice Normal(00:10:48) - Who Takes the Enabling Course(00:14:14) - Diversity and Post-Colonial Perspectives(00:18:24) - Interactive Teaching: Trios and Reflection(00:21:10) - The Value of Rich Feedback and Learning(00:25:34) - Course Structure, Essay, and Logistics(00:28:47) - How Enabling Helps Communities Thrive

    Enabling Thriving Missional Leadership

  5. Oct 6

    Thriving Intercultural Communities

    This episode brings together Sandy Brodine with colleagues David Dong Won Kim and Nia Lavaki from the Discipleship and Advocacy team to explore what helps multicultural and intergenerational church communities thrive. They focus on practical ministry questions like leadership, safety, inclusion, and how to build relationships that feel mutual rather than one-sided. At the centre of the conversation are Talanoa, collaboration, and intercultural competence. David and Nia share lived ministry examples from Korean, Tongan, and wider church contexts, showing how thriving communities are formed by listening, shared leadership, and creating space for God and for one another. Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome and Introductions(00:00:53) - Meet David Kim's Background(00:01:42) - Meet Nia and the Feast of Faith Weekend(00:02:53) - Understanding Talanoa(00:04:50) - Collaboration and Safe Spaces in Ministry(00:06:17) - David's Story Planting a Church in Brisbane(00:07:42) - Church Growth, Transition, and Closure(00:09:31) - Intergenerational and Intercultural Challenges(00:11:05) - Easter Camp and Mutual Respect Across Generations(00:12:42) - Tongan National Conference and Youth Leadership(00:14:29) - Defining Multicultural vs Intercultural(00:16:40) - Intercultural Competence Explained(00:18:39) - Hospitality, Inclusion, and Cutlery Example(00:19:53) - Disability, LGBTIQ Inclusion, and Neurodiversity(00:23:00) - Monthly Youth Gatherings Across Congregations(00:24:48) - Youth Leadership and Energy in Gatherings(00:25:49) - Closing Thoughts on Thriving Communities(00:27:31) - Outro and Thanks

    Thriving Intercultural Communities

  6. Sep 14

    Thriving: Intergenerational Relationships

    Sandy Brodine speaks with Chris Barnett about what it really means for a church or Christian community to become intergenerational. Chris draws on decades of ministry experience, as well as long involvement in intergenerational conversations in the Uniting Church and beyond, to unpack the difference between mono-generational, multi-generational, cross-generational, and intergenerational life. They also explore how posture, practices, and intentional pathways can help communities of faith deepen relationships across ages and support lifelong discipleship. Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction and welcoming Chris Barnett(00:01:29) - Chris's background and journey into intergenerational ministry(00:03:15) - Defining mono, multi, cross and intergenerational ministry(00:06:14) - Why intergenerational ministry supports lifelong discipleship(00:07:46) - Taking small steps toward intergenerationality(00:10:02) - Posture and practices in community life(00:11:02) - The Bible study group as an intergenerational case study(00:14:22) - Reflections on kids growing up in the group(00:16:35) - The five Ps: planning to appraising phases(00:20:13) - Practices and posture as a feedback loop(00:21:56) - Intergenerational discipleship and Messy Church(00:23:53) - Multivocal, multimodal ways of engaging(00:25:22) - Finding your tribe through diverse spiritual styles(00:27:54) - Neurodiversity and options in youth spirituality(00:30:02) - Spiritual traditions and closing thoughts

    Thriving: Intergenerational Relationships

  7. Sep 7

    Thriving: Beyond Relevance

    Andy and Kara Root join Sandy Brodine to preview their upcoming Melbourne Conference – Beyond Relevance: Waiting, Witness and Formation. They unpack what “secular” really means, why churches need to move beyond counting attendance, and how Christian practices can help people notice God at work in ordinary life. In this conversation, Andy and Kara share practical and theological ways churches can create space for doubt, testimony, and spiritual formation across generations. They also discuss why youth ministry needs to shift from managing schedules to nurturing stories, vocation, and meaningful participation in the life of faith. To sign up for the conference, click on the humanitix link here: https://events.humanitix.com/beyond-relevance-waiting-witness-and-formation Chapters (00:00:00) - Uniting Church Podcast(00:00:44) - Wonders of the World: Andrew Roach and Cara(00:01:58) - Andrew Wills on the Secular Age(00:07:22) - Wonders of the World(00:15:11) - Wonders of the World: Listening for God's Leading(00:19:20) - conversation about youth and ministry(00:20:07) - Middle-class parents are more invested in their kids' lives than(00:23:23) - The Church's Responsibility to the Youth(00:28:50) - Andy and Cara Are Back in Melbourne(00:30:37) - Thriving: The Young Generation Conference

    Thriving: Beyond Relevance

  8. Aug 31

    Thriving Digital Communities

    Sandy Brodine is joined by Kelly Woods, known online as Pastoral Hare, and Will Nicholas, known as Odd Rev, to explore what it really takes for a digital community to thrive. Rather than treating online ministry as a simple Sunday morning livestream, they unpack how identity, presence, participation, and formation work in digital spaces. They also share a real example of Sonderverse, a live digital community built around faith, gaming, chat, and shared theological exploration, showing how online belonging can be as deep and relational as in-person community. Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome to Thriving(00:00:32) - Digital Communities(00:04:33) - Being present to one another in an online world(00:06:06) - What is a Third Space?(00:15:19) - Community in the digital world(00:19:50) - How to Build a Community(00:21:59) - Can You Create an Ecological Community Online?(00:28:58) - Growing a Living Community: Exploring Faith and Fiction

    Thriving Digital Communities
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About

The Thriving podcast explores ways to grow thriving communities of faith. It focuses on growing disciples, faith formation and new missional initiatives. Thriving is hosted and produced by Rev. Sandy Brodine.

Information

  • Creator
    Rev. Sandy Brodine
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    Thriving