What's Good?

Brian Foreman
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  • Christianity
  • Biweekly

"What's Good" is a conversation about best practices and stories of encouragement for church leaders and ministers. We talk to leaders in a variety of fields to get a sense of what they see as "good" through the lens of their faith. Listeners will hear ideas and ways to connect the church and community.Music by HookSounds

  1. Oct 22

    Exploring Creativity and Community with Dr. Sarah Boberg

    Empowering Families for Spiritual Formation with Dr. Sarah Boberg Brian Foreman talks with Dr. Sarah Boberg, Assistant Professor of Christian Education and Director of Empowering Families for Spiritual Formation at Campbell University Divinity School, about church, creativity, and what actually helps families grow in faith. The conversation centers on spiritual formation in the home, how churches can better support parents, and why playful, practical ministry matters. It is both a candid look at the challenges of church life and a hopeful case for small, intentional changes. Key topics We discuss why she believes congregational life shaped her own call to ministry, from teaching her first Sunday school class at 16 to preaching her first sermon in her home church.She explains how creativity in ministry is not a shortcut but extra work, because it requires knowing the material well enough to translate it into something engaging, formative, and accessible.Brian and Dr. Boberg talk about why some church cultures still reward the “navy blazer” version of authority, while younger generations are drawn to authenticity, playfulness, and relational leadership.We discuss the common false narrative that parents do not care about faith formation. Dr. Boberg says the families she works with genuinely want their children to know Jesus and live faithfully.She shares that many parents feel underqualified, not unwilling. Her goal is to give them confidence and tools, not to burden them with another impossible standard.Brian and Dr. Boberg reflect on how entertainment-based youth ministry formed a generation that loved church but did not always learn spiritual disciplines at home.Dr. Boberg argues that churches should celebrate what worked in the past before trying to move on, because honoring former ministry models makes change less defensive and more faithful. Other Campbell University Divinity School Empowering FamiliesThe Empowering Families podcast Information on the CBF “Christian Educators Conference” Keep an eye out for a forthcoming book from Good Faith Media - Sarah says it is about spiritual practices for all ages and includes 48 practices.

  2. Oct 8

    Calling, Belonging, and the Spiritual Curiosity of College Students

    What’s good in this conversation is the way college campuses can become places where faith, vocation, and intellectual growth are explored together instead of kept apart. Brian Foreman talks with Melissa Dowling of William Jewell College and Debby Harrelson of Samford University about how students are growing, questioning, serving, and discovering purpose in real time.Melissa and Debby each describe how their campuses help students move from inherited faith to owned faith, and why young adults often want less certainty and more space, honesty, and belonging.   Key topics Brian Foreman introduces Melissa Dowling, College Chaplain and Director of the Center for Faith and Culture at William Jewell College, and Debby Harrelson, Director of Community Engagement at Samford University.Melissa shares how William Jewell, located in Liberty, Missouri, serves about 900 undergraduate students in a diverse learning environment with strong Baptist roots and current partnerships with American Baptists and CBF.Debby explains how Samford in Birmingham, Alabama, works with 5,000 to 6,000 students, including graduate students, and uses community engagement to connect students with local, regional, and international service.Both guests emphasize that students are not avoiding faith so much as asking harder questions and wanting space to examine what they inherited.Melissa says many students arrive with spiritual pain or distrust of church but still trust God and remain open to exploring spirituality in safer, more creative ways.Debby notes that students often need help seeing that no single profession is more sacred than another, and that vocational discernment includes silence, prayer, mentorship, and honest conversation.The discussion highlights how calling is broader than church ministry and includes roles in engineering, nursing, teaching, hospitality, academia, and family life.The guests explain how students thrive when they are given real ownership—not just attendance-based participation—in worship, service, and campus life.The conversation closes with practical ways churches can partner with campuses by creating space, offering welcome, showing up consistently, and building relationships with student-facing staff.  Books and resources mentioned Will Our Children Have Faith? by John WesterhoffCalled in Context, a faith-and-vocation toolkit from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

  3. Sep 24

    Building Community Through Faith at Emmaus Way Fellowship

    The conversation explores the journey of Emmaus Way Fellowship, a church founded on principles of inclusivity, safety, and community. Co-pastors JD McDonald and Sarah Colson share their experiences of creating a space for those who have felt marginalized in traditional church settings. They discuss the importance of co-pastoring, the need for healing within the community, and their commitment to exploring faith through a lens of creation and goodness.  The dialogue emphasizes the significance of being open about the complexities of scripture and the journey of faith. In this conversation, the co-pastors of Emmaus Way discuss the importance of exploring different creation stories and the nature of God, emphasizing the freedom that comes from honest conversations in ministry. They reflect on their experiences in traditional ministry roles and how co-pastoring has transformed their approach to church dynamics. The discussion highlights the significance of authenticity, collaborative leadership, and recognizing the movement of the Spirit within their community. They also touch on the balance between expertise and amateurism in ministry, sharing personal journeys and aspirations for the future. Blues Mom Writes — Sarah’s Instagram account, where she shares her writing.Blues Brews Co. — Sarah’s coffee and beer business in downtown Johnson City, mentioned as having its own Instagram account.Emmaus Way Fellowship — the fellowship’s Instagram account. Emmaus Way, co-pastors, community, church, inclusivity, faith, safety, creation, diversity, intentionality creation stories, ministry, co-pastoring, church dynamics, authenticity, community engagement, spiritual leadership, amateurism, collaborative leadership, personal journeys

  4. Sep 10

    An Award Winning Bed Ministry at Woodlands Church in San Antonio

    This conversation explores the impactful work of the Bed Ministry, founded by Tim Son, which provides beds to children in need in San Antonio. The ministry not only addresses the practical need for beds but also restores dignity and hope to families facing difficult circumstances. Through community partnerships and volunteer efforts, the ministry has grown significantly since its inception, receiving recognition for its contributions to child welfare. The discussion highlights the importance of compassion, community engagement, and the transformative power of service in the lives of children and families. Takeaways Every child deserves a bed of their own. The Bed Ministry started in 2021 and has grown significantly. The ministry has provided 533 beds to 218 families. Community partnerships are essential for the ministry's success. Recognition as Church of the Year has motivated further efforts. The church community is actively involved in various ways. The ministry aims to expand beyond just beds to other needs. Personal stories highlight the impact on families and children. Tim Son found renewed purpose through this ministry. Compassionate service can transform lives and communities. Titles Transforming Lives Through the Bed Ministry A Bed for Every Child: The Heart of Service

  5. Aug 19

    Paul Baxley on the Origin Story of the Five Thriving Traits

    Brian Foreman talks with the Reverend Dr. Paul Baxley, executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global, about where the five thriving traits came from and why they matter for congregational health. The conversation traces the traits back to the “Toward Bold Faithfulness” listening process, then shows how they help churches move beyond attendance and budget metrics toward spiritual vitality, mission, and faithful change.  We discuss how congregations discovered these traits in practice, why the pandemic exposed and strengthened faithful agility, and how rooted relationships, holy tenacity, dynamic collaboration, and compelling clarity work together in thriving churches. Key topics In this episode, among other things: Paul Baxley explains that the thriving traits were not invented in theory but emerged from listening to more than 700 CBF congregations during the “Toward Bold Faithfulness” process.We discuss how that process surfaced urgent congregational needs like financial strain, lack of clarity, diversity challenges, and the need for adaptive change.Paul shares why the traits are best understood as signs of health and vitality, not impossible standards or “theological navel gazing.”Paul connects rooted relationships to younger adults, noting that many are spiritually curious and simply waiting for an invitation into community.We discuss dynamic collaboration as mutual participation in God’s mission, including shared leadership inside churches, partnership across communities, and CBF’s collaborative Baptist ethos.Paul highlights compelling clarity as a congregation’s North Star, especially when churches know their calling around hunger, homelessness, immigration, refugee support, and local witness. Key frameworks Toward Bold Faithfulness processThriving Congregations WorkThe five thriving traits framework  Action items Encourage churches to take the thriving traits assessmentFocus on cultivating and strengthening identified traitsUse the assessment data to guide strategic planning and partnerships Books Mentioned Frederick Buechner — Wishful ThinkingStephen Fowl — Commentary on Philippians  Keywords: church thriving traits, congregational health, faithfulness, community collaboration, spiritual growth, church assessment, leadership development

  6. Aug 6

    Camp, VBS and Mission Trips with the Team

    Before you read the official description, you need to know that our team was together and we decided to have a round robin chat. We get distracted very easily, and you'll hear that. Most importantly, I hope you hear the passion for calling, love for congregations we get to support and that we have fun while holding the topics as sacred. This conversation features the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's Congregational Ministries Team (scroll down for link to each person) discussing their experiences and insights related to youth ministry, mission trips, and camps. They share personal stories about the impact of these experiences on their faith development and the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces for children and youth. The team emphasizes the role of adults in nurturing young people's spiritual growth and the significance of recognizing and affirming their callings, whether in traditional ministry or other vocations. They also provide encouragement for smaller churches and highlight the value of empowering youth in ministry roles. What are some takeaways you might hear: The importance of creating safe spaces for youth to grow. Mission trips and camps are formative experiences for faith development. Adults play a crucial role in recognizing and nurturing youth callings. It's essential to affirm and support youth in their spiritual journeys. Smaller churches can make a significant impact with creative programming. Youth should be empowered to take leadership roles in ministry. Every child deserves to feel loved and accepted in their church community. The experiences of youth can shape their understanding of faith and belonging.  The Congregational Ministries Team (Learn more about our work here) Alisha Seruyange, CBF Young Adult Event Specialist Brian Foreman, Coordinator of Congregational Ministries Colin Kroll, Young Adult Ministries Manager Jay Kieve, Director for Leadership Development, Abuse Prevention & Church Safety Kelly Adams, Director of Clergy Support Sharon Felton, Director of Congregational Engagement

  7. Jul 9

    Cultivating Community and Hope in Church Leadership: Insights from Tyler Tankersley

    Discover how Tyler Tankersley fosters authentic community and spiritual growth in church leadership. Learn valuable insights from his journey at Ardmore Baptist Church. In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a vibrant community in church can be challenging. Many leaders struggle to cultivate a culture of hope and genuine engagement among their congregations. In this blog post, we explore an enlightening conversation between Brian Foreman and Tyler Tankersley, pastor of Ardmore Baptist Church, who shares his insights on leadership, spiritual formation, and the importance of community. About Tyler Tankersley Tyler Tankersley is not just a pastor; he is a teacher and a leader deeply committed to fostering a meaningful church environment. With a focus on community, spiritual formation, and hospitality, Tyler has cultivated an environment at Ardmore Baptist Church that is both inviting and transformative. His approach encourages congregants to engage with their faith in relevant and impactful ways. The Sweet Spot of Ministry Tyler begins by reflecting on the current "sweet season" of his ministry. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing these moments, stating that often, leaders overlook the positive aspects of their ministry. He attributes this awareness to a personal faith that is flourishing, driving his engagement and passion for leadership.  Recognizing Good Seasons - Understanding Seasons: Tyler mentions that one can only appreciate a "sweet season" by understanding what a "sour season" feels like. This recognition allows leaders to embrace gratitude and positivity in their current circumstances. - Avoiding Cynicism: Tyler cautions against the tendency to define oneself by past challenges rather than present successes, advocating for a mindset that focuses on growth and hopefulness. The Challenge of Cynicism One of the standout themes in Tyler's conversation is the struggle against cynicism. Both he and Brian discuss how easy it is to fall into a cynical mindset, especially in a world filled with negative news and overwhelming challenges. Hope as a Learned Skill - Cultivating Hope: Tyler highlights a powerful quote from church historian Gerald Sitzer: "Hope is a learned skill, not a feeling." This perspective shifts the focus from passively waiting for hope to actively cultivating it through discipline and practice. - Coping with Negativity: They discuss how our brains are wired to focus on negativity, making it essential for leaders to consciously choose to nurture hope and positivity within their congregations. Key Takeaways - Personal Faith Drives Leadership: Tyler highlights the connection between personal spiritual health and effective leadership. Leaders must prioritize their own faith journeys to inspire others. - Building Community Through Intentionality: By fostering spaces for dialogue, growth, and storytelling, Tyler aims to create a culture that nurtures both spiritual and communal growth. Conclusion Tyler Tankersley's insights provide a refreshing perspective on church leadership and the importance of cultivating a hopeful and engaged community. As church leaders, it's crucial to recognize the seasons of our ministry, combat cynicism with hope, and intentionally develop our congregations' spiritual health. To learn more about Tyler's journey and insights, be sure to check out the full conversation with Brian Foreman.

  8. Jul 2

    Thoughts on Revitalize Your Church's Youth and Children's Ministry: 5 Insights from Chris Thomas

    Learn how to breathe new life into your church's youth and children's programs. Discover actionable insights from Chris Thomas, a pastor committed to community engagement and faith formation. In today's fast-paced world, churches often struggle to maintain vibrant youth and children's ministries. Many find themselves facing challenges related to engagement, resources, and community perception. In this blog post, we’ll explore key strategies and insights that can help revitalize your church’s approach to youth and children's ministry, based on a conversation with Chris Thomas, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Wilson, North Carolina. About Rev. Chris Thomas Chris Thomas is known for his thoughtful leadership and deep care for people. With years of experience in ministry, he combines pastoral presence with practical wisdom, helping congregations remain rooted in the gospel while effectively engaging with their communities. His insights into revitalizing youth and children's ministries provide valuable lessons for churches everywhere. 1. The Importance of Intentional Engagement In his experience, Chris emphasizes the necessity of intentionality when it comes to engaging with young families and children. He shares how the First Baptist Church of Wilson made a deliberate choice to remain in the heart of the community, rather than moving to more developed areas. This decision reflects a commitment to being accessible and relevant to the families they aim to serve. 2. Why Staying Put Matters - Community Connection: Remaining in a central location fosters deeper connections with local families. - Visibility and Trust: Being present in the community builds trust, making families more likely to engage with the church. - Leveraging Resources: By maintaining a presence in the community, churches can better utilize their resources for outreach and support. 3. Empowering Families with Dedicated Programs One of the key strategies Chris outlines is the importance of investing in dedicated staff and programs for youth and children's ministries. For example, hiring dedicated personnel rather than relying solely on volunteers demonstrates a commitment to these ministries. 4. Steps to Empower Families: 1. Hire Dedicated Staff: Invest in individuals who are passionate about children's and youth ministries. 2. Create Engaging Programs: Develop programs that meet the specific needs of families in the community. 3. Encourage Participation: Foster an environment where families feel welcome and valued. 4. Build Partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations to enhance programming and reach. 5. Building a Safe and Trusted Space According to Chris, creating a safe and trusted environment is crucial. Churches should strive to ensure that families feel comfortable leaving their children in their care. This involves not only physical safety but also emotional and spiritual support.

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About

"What's Good" is a conversation about best practices and stories of encouragement for church leaders and ministers. We talk to leaders in a variety of fields to get a sense of what they see as "good" through the lens of their faith. Listeners will hear ideas and ways to connect the church and community.Music by HookSounds

Information

  • Creator
    Brian Foreman
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 What's Good?
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    What's Good?