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. 3d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Aug 19

    Church Together: Building Thriving All-Age Ministry

    Sandy Brodine speaks with Traci Smith and Dave Csinos, the co-authors of Church Together, about what it really takes to build thriving all-age church life. They explore the posture underneath intergenerational ministry, the difference between simple inclusion and true mutuality, and practical ways churches can start experimenting without trying to become something they are not. Chapters (00:00:00) - Uniting Church: Thriving(00:00:40) - Bookmark Review(00:02:12) - Dave McLean on All Age Ministry(00:03:45) - All Age Ministry(00:08:50) - All-Age Ministry(00:13:28) - The creative process of the Bible(00:14:37) - All Age Worship(00:19:09) - Tried & True: The Church's Journey(00:24:15) - A Small Church: Growing the Body of Christ(00:31:23) - The message of a small church(00:37:15) - Thriving: A Place for Experimentation

    Church Together: Building Thriving All-Age Ministry

  6. Aug 17

    Thriving: Fresh Expressions of Church

    Fresh Expressions, cultural change, and the next chapter for the church Sandy Brodine spent time in London with Tim Lea, and Simon Goddard talking about what the Fresh Expressions movement has taught, and what it still needs to teach, in Australia and beyond. The focus is less on a technical fix and more on the deeper cultural shift the church needs if it is to form missional disciples in a changing context.  In this episode, the discussion moves through six stages of the Fresh Expressions journey and asks what it means to listen, serve, build community, grow disciples, and develop leadership that releases others rather than concentrates control. Chapters (00:00:00) - Uniting Church of Victoria and Tasmania(00:05:18) - The contemplative tradition and its role in the discipleship(00:08:10) - The Life of Contemplation(00:11:33) - The mission of the church(00:15:13) - Thriving: How to Build a Community of Faith

    Thriving: Fresh Expressions of Church

  7. Aug 10

    The power of Intergenerational Community

    Join us as Tammy Preston from Intergenerate shares insights on creating thriving, inclusive, and intergenerational faith communities. Discover how biblical principles, diversity, and creative worship shape vibrant church environments that foster connection, safety, and growth for all ages. Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome to Thriving(00:00:46) - Community Conference 2017(00:02:55) - Wonders of the Garden(00:05:48) - What are the Elements of a Well-Planted Garden?(00:08:34) - Intergenerate Conference 2018(00:10:37) - Intergenerational and All Age Worship(00:19:39) - The desire to belong(00:20:49) - How to Grow a Thriving Intergenerational Community

    The power of Intergenerational Community

  8. Aug 3

    Thriving: Growing new expressions of church

    In this episode, Dave Male joins Sandy Brodine and shares his journey into the world of fresh expressions of church, emphasizing innovative leadership, the importance of context, and practical steps for starting new faith communities. Whether you're a church leader or not, his insights give clarity on how to foster vibrant, authentic expressions of faith that resonate today. Chapters (00:00:00) - Thriving in the Uniting Church(00:00:43) - Dave Lawson on New Worship and Fresh Expressions(00:08:14) - Fresh Expressions of Church(00:12:44) - Separate Churches and the Church of England(00:14:07) - What is Mixed Ecology?(00:16:42) - The New Church and the Traditional(00:18:27) - What are the gifts and graces that leaders need?(00:20:01) - Give it a Go: Starting a New Church

    Thriving: Growing new expressions of church
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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
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    Thriving

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