Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) shares about the Covenant Project, which aims to increase participation and decision-making in the church, the Church Narrative Project, which focuses on changing the narrative of the church to be more inclusive and anti-racist, and the Proclamation Project, which equips clergy with preaching resources. She also talks about the importance of data gathering and analysis in understanding the state of the denomination. Hord Owens also highlights the importance of theological diversity, staying together at the table, and the need for moral and theological grounding in political engagement. Finally, she emphasizes the role of imagination, the importance of spiritual practice and Bible study, and why we need a more connected church that leverages its resources to do good in the world.

Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens is the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. She is the first person of color and second woman to lead the denomination, and the first woman of African descent to lead a mainline denomination. Elected in 2017, Rev. Hord Owens was re-elected to a second term as General Minister and President in 2023. Her ministry actively reflects the Disciples’ priority of being an anti-racist church, being a movement for wholeness, welcoming all to the Lord’s table as God has welcomed us. Her exhortation to the church is “Let’s be the church we say we are. It is in being who we say we are that we actively bear witness to God’s limitless love for all.” Rev. Hord Owens earned her bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and her MDiv from the University of Chicago Divinity School, where she subsequently served as Dean of Students for 12 years. Rev. Hord Owens’ resume includes more than 20 years of leadership in corporate America leading diverse teams in data management. She serves on the National Council of Churches as the Treasurer of the Governing Board and is a member of the World Council of Churches Central Committee.

Relevant Links

http://disciples.org/

https://disciples.org/ogmp/

David Anderson Hooker on the power of narrative

Presenting Sponsor:

Phillips Seminary Join conversations that expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitment and give insights to how we can minister in a changing world.

Supporting Sponsors:

I Help Pastors Get Jobs: Use code 'futurechristian'

Torn Curtain Arts is a non-profit ministry that works with worship leaders, creatives, and churches to help avoid burnout, love their work, and realize their full creative potential.

Future Christian Team:

Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer

Martha Tatarnic – Guest Host / Co-Host

Paul Romig–Leavitt – Executive Producer

Danny Burton - Producer

Dennis Sanders – Producer

In this episode, Loren and Martha review the highlights of the season and discuss three broad themes: pastoral health, individualization versus connection, and leading change. They play clips from interviews with Kinsie Tate, Jonathan Foster, Ted Smith, Tessa Pinkstaff, Doug Powe, Scott Thumma and more to explore these themes. They discuss the challenges clergy face in dealing with their own issues while ministering to others, the need for support and community, and the tension between individualism and connection in the church. They also touch on the impact of live streaming and online ministry on the church community. The conversation explores the themes of consumerism, leading change, and the Messiah complex in church leadership. It emphasizes the need to resist the temptation to view churches as products and pastors as content creators. The dangers of quick fixes and the importance of discernment and listening are discussed. The conversation also touches on the interconnectedness of different topics in Christian leadership and teases upcoming conversations on the importance of the small and local in the church, flourishing mainline churches, clergy burnout and wellness, and more.

Episodes Highlighted:

How to Lead Faithful Innovation

New Models of Clergy Credentialing

Ted Smith

Doug Powe

Restore-clergy/Kinsie Tate

Jay Kim

Scott Thumma

Justin Anthony

Presenting Sponsor:

Phillips Seminary Join conversations that expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitment and give insights to how we can minister in a changing world.

Supporting Sponsors:

I Help Pastors Get Jobs: Use code 'futurechristian'

Torn Curtain Arts is a non-profit ministry that works with worship leaders, creatives, and churches to help avoid burnout, love their work, and realize their full creative potential.

Future Christian Team:

Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer

Martha Tatarnic – Guest Host / Co-Host

Paul Romig–Leavitt – Executive Producer

Danny Burton - Producer

Dennis Sanders – Producer

With the continued decline of churches and denominations, many pastors and church leaders are facing a future filled with doom. In this conversation, Brian McLaren discusses his new book Life After Doom and how the four possible scenarios for the future of our world mirror the reality of institutional church: collapse avoidance, collapse rebirth, collapse survival, and collapse extinction. McLaren emphasizes the need for pastoral care and support in the face of these challenges and encourages individuals to show up for what they love. He also suggests reimagining the Christian faith as a series of movements rather than institutions. McLaren emphasizes the importance of small groups of people coming together to live simpler and more meaningful lives, focusing on conversation and enjoying the beauty of nature.

Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is a core faculty member and Dean of Faculty for the Center for Action and Contemplation. and a podcaster with Learning How to See. He is also an Auburn Senior Fellow and is a co-host of Southern Lights. His newest books are Faith After Doubt (January 2021), Do I Stay Christian? (May 2022), and Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart, (May 2024). Born in 1956, he graduated from University of Maryland with degrees in English (BA, 1978, and MA, 1981). His academic interests included Medieval drama, Romantic poets, modern philosophical literature, and the novels of Dr. Walker Percy. In 2004, he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity Degree (honoris causa) from Carey Theological Seminary in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and in 2010, he received a second honorary doctorate from Virginia Theological Seminary (Episcopal).

Past Episodes with Brian:

https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/brian-mclaren-on-faith-after-doubt/

https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/do-i-stay-a-christian-with-brian-mclaren/

Presenting Sponsor:

Phillips Seminary Join conversations that expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitment and give insights to how we can minister in a changing world.

Supporting Sponsors:

I Help Pastors Get Jobs: Use code 'futurechristian'

Torn Curtain Arts is a non-profit ministry that works with worship leaders, creatives, and churches to help avoid burnout, love their work, and realize their full creative potential.

Future Christian Team:

Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer

Martha Tatarnic – Guest Host / Co-Host

Paul Romig–Leavitt – Executive Producer

Danny Burton - Producer

Dennis Sanders – Producer