Pivot

Faith+Lead
Pivot

COVID-19 forced church leaders to respond to a global crisis in the blink of an eye. In a moment with little information and much uncertainty, churches reinvented nearly every aspect of church. This moment has ignited imagination, created collaborations, launched experiments, and dreamed of new possibilities as the heroic efforts of leaders continue to lead ministry. The response to these challenges has been great, but there comes a time when responding is no sufficient. If the church is going to live into a new reality, it will need to pivot. Pivot invites church leaders to use the disruptive moment of COVID-19 to reimagine how they think about church, ministry, and leadership. Each week three veteran church leaders wrestle with making spiritual sense of this time, name how the Christian faith is a resource for navigating this moment in history, offer ideas on how church leaders can pivot toward the emerging future, and suggest practices for engaging others in this work. Pivot is co-sponsored by LEAD and Faith+Lead.

  1. 9 HR AGO

    Learn and fail like a skateboarder

    What does it truly mean to be a missional church in post-Christian America? Bryan Halferty, lead pastor of Anchor Church in Tacoma, Washington, discovered that it starts with a fundamental shift - from trying to fix problems to listening for where God is already at work. Through his unlikely combination of skateboarding and church planting, Bryan shares how embracing "failing forward" opened new paths for mission in one of America's most secular regions. From their innovative approach of being both "harbor" and "base" to their commitment to integrate justice and mercy into every ministry area, Anchor Church offers fresh insights for church leaders seeking to join God's mission in their communities. In this episode, Bryan unpacks how Anchor grew from a single church plant to three distinct congregations in six years, each contextualized to its neighborhood while maintaining unity in mission. He explains why they recently paused church planting to deepen their missional impact, and shares practical strategies for weaving justice and mercy into church DNA. Whether you're planting a church, revitalizing a congregation, or seeking fresh vision for ministry, this conversation offers both encouragement and practical wisdom for moving from "fixing mode" to Spirit-led mission. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Anchor Church: https://anchortacoma.org/central Bryan’s website: https://www.bryanhalferty.com/  Video: What learning looks like (clean): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QSocgE3yFY  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    40 min
  2. 2 JAN

    Ministry Education in Crisis? Why Seminary Leaders Are Actually Hopeful

    The landscape of ministry education is undergoing dramatic change. Traditional seminary enrollment is declining, fewer churches can afford full-time pastors, and leaders are questioning how to adapt. But in this insightful conversation with Luther Seminary President the Rev. Dr. Robin Steinke, we discover how these challenges are opening up exciting new possibilities for forming Christian leaders. From reaching 8 million people through digital platforms to reimagining formation through communities of practice, Dr. Steinke shares how theological education is evolving to meet the needs of today's church. Using vivid metaphors like "water skiing and scuba diving," Dr. Steinke explores how ministry education can serve both those who need an introduction to faith and those diving deep into theological study. She challenges us to move beyond quick fixes to listen deeply for where God is leading, while sharing concrete examples of how Luther Seminary is embracing both traditional and innovative approaches to forming leaders for Christian communities. This conversation offers hope and practical insights for anyone interested in the future of ministry education and leadership formation. Resources Mentioned: A History of Luther Seminary: 1869 to 2019 by Mark Granquist (Fortress Press, 2019) https://faithlead.org/ https://www.workingpreacher.org/ https://enterthebible.org/ https://www.luthersem.edu/godpause/ Join us on social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faithleadfromluther/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lutherfaithlead YouTube Video URL: https://youtu.be/ZB4_gHVciX4.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    35 min
  3. 05/12/2024

    Episode 106: Beer Church and Beyond Creating Spiritual Community in Breweries, Parks, and Public Spaces with promo

    What does church look like when it moves from traditional sanctuaries to breweries, hiking trails, and pizza shops? In this episode, Bryan Willkom, founder of Jesus Fit, shares how Beer Church and other innovative gatherings are creating authentic spiritual community in everyday spaces. From monthly Beer Church gatherings where diverse groups share stories around brewery tables, to Trail Church walks that combine movement with meditation, Bryan is pioneering fresh expressions of church that meet people exactly where they are. Beer Church isn't just about the location—it's about reimagining how we build spiritual community. Bryan shares why public spaces create natural opportunities for spiritual conversation, how to create judgment-free zones for faith exploration, and practical ways to practice Jesus' habits of hospitality and table fellowship in modern contexts. Whether you're looking to start alternative forms of church or simply want to better understand how to reach those who feel disconnected from traditional religious spaces, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of spiritual community.  RESOURCES MENTIONED: "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" (Jossey-Bass, 2022) by Patrick Lencioni "Liturgy of the Ordinary" (InterVarsity Press, 2022) by Tish Harrison Warren Gallup poll on religion and wellbeing (2022) The official Jesus Fit website. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZWPKmXU7Pr. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    44 min
  4. 26/11/2024

    Episode 105: Reclaiming Advent - Simple Church Activities for Sacred Presence

    Tired of endless church Advent activities that leave everyone exhausted? In this episode, the Rev. Dr. Steve Thomason shares a revolutionary approach to the Advent season—one that subtracts rather than adds. As both an artist and theologian, Steve offers practical wisdom for church leaders seeking to create meaningful spiritual experiences without overwhelming their congregations. Learn how simple practices like communal meals, guided meditation, and contemplative art can transform your church's approach to Advent. Rather than adding more programming, discover how your congregation can embrace the counter-cultural gift of stillness and sacred presence. From historic traditions of the northern church to modern applications in busy congregations, this episode provides concrete tools for reimagining church Advent activities. Plus, don't miss details about a free 4-day Advent Challenge that combines art and contemplation to help your congregation slow down and listen for God's whisper. Additional Resources: FREE RESOURCE: Join our 4-day Advent Challenge combining art and contemplation, starting December 2nd. Sign up here: https://faithlead.org/2024-advent/. Mindful Sketching Membership Workshop with Steve Thomason (Faith+Lead members only): https://lab.faithlead.org/event/mindful-sketching-connecting-breath-and-body-as-a-spiritual-practice-non-members/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    43 min

About

COVID-19 forced church leaders to respond to a global crisis in the blink of an eye. In a moment with little information and much uncertainty, churches reinvented nearly every aspect of church. This moment has ignited imagination, created collaborations, launched experiments, and dreamed of new possibilities as the heroic efforts of leaders continue to lead ministry. The response to these challenges has been great, but there comes a time when responding is no sufficient. If the church is going to live into a new reality, it will need to pivot. Pivot invites church leaders to use the disruptive moment of COVID-19 to reimagine how they think about church, ministry, and leadership. Each week three veteran church leaders wrestle with making spiritual sense of this time, name how the Christian faith is a resource for navigating this moment in history, offer ideas on how church leaders can pivot toward the emerging future, and suggest practices for engaging others in this work. Pivot is co-sponsored by LEAD and Faith+Lead.

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada