Try Tank Podcast

In this episode, Lorenzo Lebrija interviews Margaret Marcuson about sustainable ministry, the importance of setting boundaries, self-care, and managing burnout in church leadership. They explore practical strategies for clergy to lead healthier, more balanced lives while fulfilling their calling.Margaret Marcuson helps clergy get lighter and less burdened by their ministry so they can have more influence with less stress. She works with leaders from over 20 denominations across North America as teacher and coach. She is the author of Leaders who Last (2009) and Money and Your Ministry (2014). She has taught since 1999 in Leadership in Ministry, a family systems workshop for clergy. An American Baptist minister, she served as pastor at First Baptist Church, Gardner, MA for 13 years. She lives in Portland, OR, where she sings in two choirs. Check out her new book, Sustainable Ministry: How to Lead (and When to Nap).Links:New book available now: Sustainable MinistryGet a checklist for sustainable ministry: margaretmarcuson.comKey Topics:Burnout and over-functioning in ministrySetting healthy boundaries without abandoning callingThe role of spiritual practices in self-careFamily systems and their impact on leadershipStrategies for clergy to manage stress and expectationsKeywords:ministry, clergy burnout, self-care, boundaries, leadership, church, spiritual practice, family systems, over-functioning, sustainable leadership

In this episode, Father Lorenzo Lebrija talks with the Reverend Dan Kline and Reverend Jessie Thompson from St. Paul's in the Desert, Palm Springs, California. They share their journey of revitalizing a small congregation emerging from the challenges of the COVID pandemic. With a remarkable approach to church growth, spiritual formation, and lay leadership, Dan and Jessie discuss how they successfully doubled attendance and fostered a vibrant community. The conversation dives into effective church growth strategies, including the importance of empowering lay leaders and engaging the community. Dan and Jessie also emphasize the significance of being deeply rooted in prayer and how this foundation has influenced their leadership style and the congregation's spiritual life.Key Topics Covered:Church growth and revitalization strategiesCommunity listening and engagementSpiritual formation and leadershipInnovative church practices and programsEmpowering lay leaders and volunteersResources Mentioned:Their Church Website: https://stpauldesert.church

What might the church look like ten years from now?In this episode, Lorenzo Lebrija welcomes Loren Richmond Jr.—pastor, chaplain, consultant, author, and host of the Future Christian Podcast—for a conversation about twenty predictions for the future of the church. Inspired by futurist Jane McGonigal's work on imagination and forecasting, Loren reflects on the demographic, cultural, economic, and institutional trends shaping Christian communities in the decades ahead. The conversation explores everything from volunteer-led congregations and the decline of denominational structures to the future of seminaries, church buildings, worship practices, and clergy leadership. Loren argues that while the gospel itself remains unchanged, the structures surrounding church life are already evolving—and leaders must learn to distinguish between the essentials of faith and the methods used to express it. Together, Loren and Lorenzo discuss church buildings as community assets, the rise of bivocational and itinerant ministry, creative nonprofit structures, changing worship patterns, and why imagining possible futures is a critical leadership skill. They also wrestle with questions of technology, virtual church, Christian nationalism, denominational identity, and the enduring hope that the church will continue to exist and adapt in every generation. Together they explore: Why church buildings may become community hubs  The future of denominations and denominational identity  Seminary education and clergy formation in a changing landscape  Worship trends, tradition, and authenticity  Technology, virtual church, and digital ministry  Creative nonprofit and social enterprise models  How leaders can prepare for the future today Resources MentionedImaginable — Jane McGonigalThe Church as Community Hub: Sharing Spaces to Help Neighborhoods Thrive — Loren's book Future Christian Podcast https://lorenrichmondjr.substack.com/p/ten-ways-church-will-be-differenthttps://lorenrichmondjr.substack.com/p/ten-more-ways-church-will-be-differentConnect with Loren The Church Nerd (Substack)  @lorenrichmondjr on social media platforms 

In this episode, Father Lorenz Lebrija talks with Sarah Holler, an Episcopal priest and spiritual director from Charlotte, North Carolina. Together, they explore the concept of "When God Gets Real," a podcast that invites individuals to share their transformative experiences of faith—those moments when God becomes undeniably present in their lives.Sarah shares her journey of creating this podcast, inspired by the power of storytelling found in platforms like TED Talks and The Moth Radio Hour. She discusses the courage it takes for people to open up about their faith experiences, revealing the profound impact these stories have on both the tellers and the listeners. Through her work, Sarah has discovered that sharing personal narratives of faith not only rekindles one's own spirituality but also encourages others to reflect on their own encounters with the divine.This episode delves into the diversity of faith stories and the common threads that connect them, highlighting the importance of community and the sacredness of sharing one's testimony. As listeners are encouraged to think about their own moments when God became real, the conversation underscores the transformative power of vulnerability and connection in faith.TakeawaysSharing personal faith stories can be a powerful act of vulnerability that fosters deeper connections within community.Reflecting on moments when God became real can rekindle one’s faith and encourage others to explore their own experiences.Storytelling is an essential part of human experience and can serve as a means to articulate and share the presence of God in our lives.Creating spaces for open dialogue about faith can help normalize conversations around spirituality and testimony.Embracing the diversity of faith experiences enriches our understanding of God’s work in the world.KeywordsWhen God Gets Real, storytelling, faith, spirituality, community, testimony, Episcopal Church

In this episode, Father Lorenzo Lebrija talks with the Reverend Dr. Kyle Oliver, the new director of Hope Exchange, a groundbreaking storytelling initiative from Virginia Seminary. As they discuss the vision behind Hope Exchange, Kyle shares his passion for harnessing the power of storytelling to explore faith and spirituality in innovative ways. This program, part of a Lilly Endowment grant cycle, aims to connect diverse communities through shared narratives, emphasizing the importance of personal stories in understanding God and belonging to a faith community.The two discuss how Hope Exchange plans to create spaces for storytelling festivals, foster connections among individuals, and develop resources for church leaders to effectively engage their congregations. Kyle reflects on the transformative impact of storytelling, not just for those within the church, but for anyone curious about faith. The conversation touches on the challenges of articulating spiritual experiences and the necessity of listening to the stories of others, highlighting the richness that such exchanges can bring to both personal and communal faith journeys.TakeawaysThe Hope Exchange initiative seeks to elevate storytelling as a means of engaging individuals with faith and spirituality.Storytelling is a powerful tool for building relationships and understanding within faith communities.Creating spaces for sharing personal narratives can foster deeper connections and a sense of belonging.Church leaders are encouraged to embrace storytelling as a vital component of ministry and outreach.Listening to and valuing the stories of others is essential for nurturing community and spiritual growth.KeywordsHope Exchange, storytelling, faith, community, spirituality, Lilly Endowment, church leadership, narrative