What’s a Critical Theme for the Future Church That We Missed?

Welcome to the season 12 finale of the Igniting Imagination podcast! This week, host Rev. Lisa Greenwood and co-host Rev. Kathi McShane speak with Rev. Dr. Blair Thompson. Lisa, Kathi, and Blair reflect on conversations with various esteemed guests throughout the season, revealing how joy, hope, and building community hold new significance in contemporary contexts. They share personal stories and experiences that illuminate these themes, providing fresh perspectives that inspire action and engagement within communities. 

Listen as they share insights and anecdotes from their experiences; they invite listeners to consider how to embody these themes in their own lives and communities.

Guests

Rev. Dr. Blair Thompson is the chief learning and innovation officer for TMF and creator and producer of Learning and Innovation's Igniting Imagination® Podcast. Blair is a facilitator, speaker, writer, and preacher. She facilitates conversations with leaders from across the Wesleyan ecosystem, especially in the areas of expanding imagination, discerning purpose, and exercising the Five Muscles.

Blair is the Program Director of TMF's two Lilly-funded initiatives: Courageous Congregations Collaborative (C3) and Courageous Leadership Imperative (CLI). Blair is an ordained Elder in the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church and joined TMF in 2020 after a decade in pastoral ministry. She completed her dissertation on pilgrimage in the development of clergy leadership for her Doctor of Ministry degree at Perkins School of Theology in 2018.

Episode Highlights  

• The importance of being present and attentive in our relationships cannot be overstated.
• Fresh perspectives can offer new insights, in the face of familiar themes like power and hospitality.
• Joy can be accessed amidst chaos by welcoming our real emotions and experiences.
• The church's future may involve smaller, more localized expressions of faith and community.
• A focus on spiritual formation is crucial for effective leadership in local congregations.
• Engaging with themes like surrender and clarity can help us navigate uncertainty.

Timestamps

(00:00) Intro

(00:19) Meet the Hosts: Lisa, Kathi, and Blair

(01:17) Reflecting on Season Themes: Hospitality, Power, Place, and Joy

(01:36) Questioning the Newness of Familiar Themes

(06:27) Experiencing Community at Conferences

(07:47) Insights from Flourishing Neighborhoods Event

(14:28) Deep Dives into Personal Reactions to Joy and Power

(34:36) Looking Ahead: The Future of the Mainline Church

(40:27) Exploring Small Boats: Examples of Hope and Innovation

Links

Visit our show’s website at www.ignitingimagination.org.

To view videos of podcast episodes, please go to the Igniting Imagination YouTube.

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