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. 3 DAYS AGO

    #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
  2. 14 NOV

    Episode 103: Church Community Building: How a Café Created a Church

    How do you build authentic church community from scratch? In this inspiring episode of the Pivot Podcast, pioneer lay minister Fiona Mayne shares her remarkable journey from financial advisor to church planter, demonstrating how simple, organic steps can create a thriving Christian community. Fiona reveals practical strategies for church community building that anyone can implement—starting with nothing more than a willingness to listen and engage. From hosting community barbecues to creating welcoming café-style gatherings, her approach shows how authentic relationships and community ownership can lead to sustainable church growth. Discover actionable insights for church community building, including how to create natural entry points for non-church people, ways to empower community members in shaping church culture, and strategies for developing inclusive, intergenerational ministry. Fiona's story challenges traditional church planting models, showing how letting go of control and truly listening to community needs can lead to vibrant, growing faith communities. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to revitalize existing ministry, this episode offers practical wisdom for building church community that genuinely connects with today's world. Resources Mentioned: The Heart of a Holligan: The Story of David Jeal by Paul Alkazraji  The Chosen series  Church Mission Society Pioneer training Watch the video version on YouTube at https://youtu.be/4NlZB4pSY1I. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min
  3. 17 OCT

    Episode 99: The Future of Church Planting: Innovating for God's Mission with Len Tang

    Dive into the evolving world of church planting with expert Len Tang in this transformative episode of the Pivot Podcast. Len, director of the Fuller Church Planting Initiative, unpacks the latest trends and strategies in church planting that are reshaping how we approach ministry in the 21st century. Discover why church planting is more crucial than ever and how it serves as the R&D wing of the church. Len shares insights on: Diverse models of church planting for different contexts The rise of co-vocational ministry and its impact on church planting Innovative funding strategies for sustainable church plants How established churches can support and learn from new plants The importance of leading with mission in denominational church planting efforts Whether you're a seasoned pastor, a potential church planter, or a lay leader passionate about church growth, this episode offers fresh perspectives and practical wisdom for advancing God's mission in today's rapidly changing world. Show Notes: Fuller Church Planting Initiative: https://www.fuller.edu/church-planting/ Planter Match website: https://plantermatch.org/ Book: "Closing Costs: Reimagining Church Real Estate for Missional Purposes" by Dominic Dutra https://www.amazon.com/Closing-Costs-Reimagining-Missional-Purposes/dp/1666711683 Exponential Conference: https://exponential.org/ City to City church planting network: https://redeemercitytocity.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    46 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.

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