At the Table: Christian Community for the Common Good Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:48:43 -0500 https://atthetable.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 At the Table: Christian Community for the Common Good yes eb19d3b1-a207-5b32-912f-8d8217cc5312 Nicholas Tangen episodic false While the world becomes increasingly complex, professionalized, and disconnected, the church is experiencing a crisis of identity. Do we follow suit and strive to out-program, out-professionalize, and out-attract the rest of the world? Or do gather at the table and focus on the small and simple community-based practices that have been our strength across the generations? 

At the Table is a Podcast for church leaders interested in community-based ministry that contributes to the common good via mutual relationships, spiritual practice, simplicity, and an awareness of God’s activity in our communities. Each month, we will have conversations with leaders and practitioners of community-based ministry to reflect on and learn about the core practices, theological underpinnings, and immediate invitations of this important work. We believe that something miraculous happens when Christian community gathers with neighbors at the table. 

You can learn more about the work of place-based ministry and the common good by visiting www.nicholastangen.com and subscribing to Nicholas Tangen's Newsletter. 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Nicholas Tangen https://storage.buzzsprout.com/mszxdra91fkrn9jp8zs10n45sm8b?.jpg At the Table: Christian Community for the Common Good The Connected Community with Cormac Russell The Connected Community with Cormac Russell Today's episode is a conversation with Cormac Russell, a social explorer, writer, and speaker inviting folks to look at their communities through the lens of asset-based community development. Cormac has written several books on ABCD, and his most recent, co-authored with John McKnight, is titled "The Connected Community: Discovering the Health, Wealth, and Power of Neighborhoods". His books, articles, and presentations have been a significant part of my own education on asset-based community development, and I am so grateful he joined me for this conversation. 

In this episode, we talk about the asset-based community development framework, the power of discovery as a step towards connected communities, and the role that churches can play in fostering the good life in their own neighborhoods. I hope you enjoy listening in on my conversation with Cormac Russell. 

Be sure to follow Cormac Russell's work at Cormac Russell - Nurture Development

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> Today's episode is a conversation with Cormac Russell, a social explorer, writer, and speaker inviting folks to look at their communities through the lens of asset-based community development. Cormac has written several books on ABCD, and his most recent, co-authored with John McKnight, is titled "The Connected Community: Discovering the Health, Wealth, and Power of Neighborhoods". His books, articles, and presentations have been a significant part of my own education on asset-based community development, and I am so grateful he joined me for this conversation. 

In this episode, we talk about the asset-based community development framework, the power of discovery as a step towards connected communities, and the role that churches can play in fostering the good life in their own neighborhoods. I hope you enjoy listening in on my conversation with Cormac Russell. 

Be sure to follow Cormac Russell's work at Cormac Russell - Nurture Development

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-15683498 Tue, 03 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500 4311 2 11 full false Strong Towns with Chuck Marohn Strong Towns with Chuck Marohn Today's episode is a conversation with Chuck Marohn, the founder and President of Strong Towns, a non-profit working to reimagine community development in the United States. Chuck and his team at Strong Towns advocate for development that is adaptable, financially responsible and profitable, and local. They remind us that the current models of development, including the Suburban experiment are modern practices with short-term imaginations, and that thriving communities across history and context develop incrementally through local control, community collaboration, and good financial sense.

In this episode, Chuck and I talk about the Suburban Experiment and its limitations, why churches are a great context for talking about community development, and what it means for the church to be a good neighbor. I had a great time talking with a fellow Minnesotan and community builder, and I hope you have a blast listening to my conversation with Chuck Marohn.

Be sure to check out all the great content and resources from Strong Towns at www.strongtowns.org

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> Today's episode is a conversation with Chuck Marohn, the founder and President of Strong Towns, a non-profit working to reimagine community development in the United States. Chuck and his team at Strong Towns advocate for development that is adaptable, financially responsible and profitable, and local. They remind us that the current models of development, including the Suburban experiment are modern practices with short-term imaginations, and that thriving communities across history and context develop incrementally through local control, community collaboration, and good financial sense.

In this episode, Chuck and I talk about the Suburban Experiment and its limitations, why churches are a great context for talking about community development, and what it means for the church to be a good neighbor. I had a great time talking with a fellow Minnesotan and community builder, and I hope you have a blast listening to my conversation with Chuck Marohn.

Be sure to check out all the great content and resources from Strong Towns at www.strongtowns.org

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-15602410 Tue, 20 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0500 3447 2 10 full false Our Unforming with Dr. Cindy Lee Our Unforming with Dr. Cindy Lee Today's episode is a conversation with Dr Cindy Lee, a spiritual director, professor, mystic, and author of Our Unforming: De-Westernizing Spiritual Formation. In her book, Dr Lee untangles the limits of a spirituality developed and understood by and through one single cultural lens. The cultural lens of the West has dominated the language and practice of faith, especially in the US - and her book is an effort to identify a more robust spirituality for our times - one the embraces the diversity of cultures, practices, and worldviews.

In this episode, we talk about the marks of Western spiritual formation, how its dominance has impacted our relationship with the neighborhood, and the gifts of spiritual direction. Stepping beyond the walls of our churches, into the neighborhoods where God has called us, will challenge our notions of how our faith and practice is formed and embodied. So, I hope you enjoy this conversation about the many possibilities with Dr. Cindy Lee.

www.nicholastangen.com 

]]> Today's episode is a conversation with Dr Cindy Lee, a spiritual director, professor, mystic, and author of Our Unforming: De-Westernizing Spiritual Formation. In her book, Dr Lee untangles the limits of a spirituality developed and understood by and through one single cultural lens. The cultural lens of the West has dominated the language and practice of faith, especially in the US - and her book is an effort to identify a more robust spirituality for our times - one the embraces the diversity of cultures, practices, and worldviews.

In this episode, we talk about the marks of Western spiritual formation, how its dominance has impacted our relationship with the neighborhood, and the gifts of spiritual direction. Stepping beyond the walls of our churches, into the neighborhoods where God has called us, will challenge our notions of how our faith and practice is formed and embodied. So, I hope you enjoy this conversation about the many possibilities with Dr. Cindy Lee.

www.nicholastangen.com 

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-15529187 Tue, 06 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0500 3408 2 9 full false Settled with Gabrielle Clowdus Settled with Gabrielle Clowdus Today’s episode is a conversation with Gabrielle Clowdus, one of the founders and leaders with Settled, a Minnesota-based organization helping churches to establish permanent supportive tiny home villages for folks experiencing long-term homelessness.

Settled’s approach to addressing homelessness includes housing, but more importantly, focuses on building supportive networks with church members and neighbors to support folks coming out of long-term homelessness. Gabrielle and her team work with congregations to create the context and the spiritual depth that prepares them to reimagine their property for tiny home villages and supports them as they live into the realities of living in and among their neighbors.

In this episode we talk about the original vision for Settled, what a Sacred Settlement looks like at churches they work with, the beautiful messiness of working and living alongside long-term homelessness, and what it takes for churches to host these kinds of vital communities. Settled is thinking well outside the box when it comes to homelessness and inviting churches to take advantage of their property and live into the freedom of the Gospel for the sake of the common good. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Gabrielle Clowdus.

www.settled.org
www.nicholastangen.com


]]> Today’s episode is a conversation with Gabrielle Clowdus, one of the founders and leaders with Settled, a Minnesota-based organization helping churches to establish permanent supportive tiny home villages for folks experiencing long-term homelessness.

Settled’s approach to addressing homelessness includes housing, but more importantly, focuses on building supportive networks with church members and neighbors to support folks coming out of long-term homelessness. Gabrielle and her team work with congregations to create the context and the spiritual depth that prepares them to reimagine their property for tiny home villages and supports them as they live into the realities of living in and among their neighbors.

In this episode we talk about the original vision for Settled, what a Sacred Settlement looks like at churches they work with, the beautiful messiness of working and living alongside long-term homelessness, and what it takes for churches to host these kinds of vital communities. Settled is thinking well outside the box when it comes to homelessness and inviting churches to take advantage of their property and live into the freedom of the Gospel for the sake of the common good. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Gabrielle Clowdus.

www.settled.org
www.nicholastangen.com


]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-15020488 Tue, 07 May 2024 00:00:00 -0500 4156 full false This Common Life with Amar Peterman This Common Life with Amar Peterman Today’s episode is a conversation with Amar Peterman, a scholar, writer, and theologian living in Milwaukee and currently working for Interfaith America. Through his newsletter This Common Life, Amar reflects on the Christian call into the public square, and his forthcoming book of the same title, is an effort to name a uniquely Christian conception of the common good. Amar’s experience navigating the predominately white spaces in the Evangelical church as an Indian-American adoptee has given him a healthy skepticism about simplistic definitions of the common good. Left unexamined, the common good can become one more tool of marginalization, especially when defined by what majority culture decides is both common and good.

Amar’s careful analysis and studied theological thought make him an incredible and principled leader in the world of public theology and the place-based church. We talk about what we mean by both the words common and good, the qualities of authentic Christian community, and the centrality of Jesus Christ in our work towards the many common goods. Amar is an amazing writer, a brilliant theologian, and a good friend who always challenges me to examine my own theological commitments and exercise some precision when talking about God’s work in the commons. I hope you enjoy this conversation with my good friend, Amar Peterman.

Amar D. Peterman (amarpeterman.com)

This Common Life | Amar D. Peterman | Substack

Also, be sure to sign up for my Email Newsletter to receive updates about the podcast, read some of my own original writing, and find resources for churches living out the call to be neighbors.

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> Today’s episode is a conversation with Amar Peterman, a scholar, writer, and theologian living in Milwaukee and currently working for Interfaith America. Through his newsletter This Common Life, Amar reflects on the Christian call into the public square, and his forthcoming book of the same title, is an effort to name a uniquely Christian conception of the common good. Amar’s experience navigating the predominately white spaces in the Evangelical church as an Indian-American adoptee has given him a healthy skepticism about simplistic definitions of the common good. Left unexamined, the common good can become one more tool of marginalization, especially when defined by what majority culture decides is both common and good.

Amar’s careful analysis and studied theological thought make him an incredible and principled leader in the world of public theology and the place-based church. We talk about what we mean by both the words common and good, the qualities of authentic Christian community, and the centrality of Jesus Christ in our work towards the many common goods. Amar is an amazing writer, a brilliant theologian, and a good friend who always challenges me to examine my own theological commitments and exercise some precision when talking about God’s work in the commons. I hope you enjoy this conversation with my good friend, Amar Peterman.

Amar D. Peterman (amarpeterman.com)

This Common Life | Amar D. Peterman | Substack

Also, be sure to sign up for my Email Newsletter to receive updates about the podcast, read some of my own original writing, and find resources for churches living out the call to be neighbors.

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-14844150 Tue, 09 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500 4109 2 7 full false Sacred Sites with Jim Bear Jacobs Sacred Sites with Jim Bear Jacobs Today’s episode is a conversation with Rev Jim Bear Jacobs, the co-director of Racial Justice at the Minnesota Council of Churches, and the founder of Healing Minnesota Stories, an organization that strives to create understanding and healing between Native American and non-Native people. Jim Bear also curated and facilitates a Sacred Sites Tour in the Twin Cities, exploring sites of importance for the Dakota people, the original residents and stewards of the area. 

Jim Bear is a storyteller at heart, and the Sacred Sites Tour that he leads folks on is a testament to his skill and his love the craft. And he is quick to remind his listeners that story is not just something that emerges from the mind or the individual, but resides in place, in the community and in the very earth on which a story happened and where that story is told. In this episode, we talk about the nature of this place-based storytelling and its roots in Indigenous traditions, why it’s important for white folk and dominant culture churches to learn the stories, past and present, or their indigenous neighbors, and how to pay attention to the sacred spaces in our own neighborhoods. This is an episode that might be good to listen to on a walk in your own community, but wherever you listen, I hope you enjoy this conversation with Rev Jim Bear Jacobs. 

You can learn more about Healing Minnesota Stories and the Sacred Sites Tour at Healing Minnesota Stories | Minnesota Council of Churches (mnchurches.org)

Also, be sure to sign up for my Email Newsletter to receive updates about the podcast, read some of my own original writing, and find resources for churches living out the call to be neighbors.

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> Today’s episode is a conversation with Rev Jim Bear Jacobs, the co-director of Racial Justice at the Minnesota Council of Churches, and the founder of Healing Minnesota Stories, an organization that strives to create understanding and healing between Native American and non-Native people. Jim Bear also curated and facilitates a Sacred Sites Tour in the Twin Cities, exploring sites of importance for the Dakota people, the original residents and stewards of the area. 

Jim Bear is a storyteller at heart, and the Sacred Sites Tour that he leads folks on is a testament to his skill and his love the craft. And he is quick to remind his listeners that story is not just something that emerges from the mind or the individual, but resides in place, in the community and in the very earth on which a story happened and where that story is told. In this episode, we talk about the nature of this place-based storytelling and its roots in Indigenous traditions, why it’s important for white folk and dominant culture churches to learn the stories, past and present, or their indigenous neighbors, and how to pay attention to the sacred spaces in our own neighborhoods. This is an episode that might be good to listen to on a walk in your own community, but wherever you listen, I hope you enjoy this conversation with Rev Jim Bear Jacobs. 

You can learn more about Healing Minnesota Stories and the Sacred Sites Tour at Healing Minnesota Stories | Minnesota Council of Churches (mnchurches.org)

Also, be sure to sign up for my Email Newsletter to receive updates about the podcast, read some of my own original writing, and find resources for churches living out the call to be neighbors.

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-14747622 Tue, 26 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500 4016 2 6 full false Repair Cafes with Pete Marchetto Repair Cafes with Pete Marchetto Today’s episode is a conversation with Pete Marchetto, one of the founders and organizers of the Port Jervis Repair Café in Port Jervis NY. Each month, Pete, his spouse, and the community at St Peter’s Lutheran church open the church to neighbors and community members in need of repairs for household items – vacuums, lamps, chairs, clothing, zippers, and more. Repair coaches help folks to restore their things to working condition, teaching them valuable skills, and building community along the way.

The repair café movement was started in Amsterdam by Martine Potsma as a way of resisting a throw away culture, encouraging sustainability, and lessening the number of things taking up space in landfills. Today, there are over 2500 repair cafes across the world.

Pete and his team have been hosting the Port Jervis repair café since 2023, and have learned a lot in just under a year of operation. In this episode Pete gives us a glimpse into the experience of a repair café, and we talk about planned obsolescence, the throw away culture, and the power of restoration through simple repairs. The repair cafes are a beautiful expression of neighborhood creativity and the common good, and a model of engagement that faith communities seem especially capable of practicing. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Pete Marchetto.

Also, be sure to sign up for my Email Newsletter to receive updates about the podcast, read some of my own original writing, and find resources for churches living out the call to be neighbors.

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> Today’s episode is a conversation with Pete Marchetto, one of the founders and organizers of the Port Jervis Repair Café in Port Jervis NY. Each month, Pete, his spouse, and the community at St Peter’s Lutheran church open the church to neighbors and community members in need of repairs for household items – vacuums, lamps, chairs, clothing, zippers, and more. Repair coaches help folks to restore their things to working condition, teaching them valuable skills, and building community along the way.

The repair café movement was started in Amsterdam by Martine Potsma as a way of resisting a throw away culture, encouraging sustainability, and lessening the number of things taking up space in landfills. Today, there are over 2500 repair cafes across the world.

Pete and his team have been hosting the Port Jervis repair café since 2023, and have learned a lot in just under a year of operation. In this episode Pete gives us a glimpse into the experience of a repair café, and we talk about planned obsolescence, the throw away culture, and the power of restoration through simple repairs. The repair cafes are a beautiful expression of neighborhood creativity and the common good, and a model of engagement that faith communities seem especially capable of practicing. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Pete Marchetto.

Also, be sure to sign up for my Email Newsletter to receive updates about the podcast, read some of my own original writing, and find resources for churches living out the call to be neighbors.

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-14662637 Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500 3853 2 5 full false Abundant Communities Edmonton with Howard Lawrence and Tammy Greidanus Abundant Communities Edmonton with Howard Lawrence and Tammy Greidanus Today’s episode is a conversation with Tammy Greidanus and Howard Lawrence from Keep Neighbouring in Edmonton, formerly called Abundant Communities. Keep Neighbouring is an initiative that builds connections and relationships between neighbors to support healthy communities, bringing folks together for block parties, place-based projects, and community development. For over a decade, the Abundant Communities initiative has focused on connecting neighbors one block at a time, contributing to a greater sense of safety and security, and providing increased opportunity for neighbors to participate in civic life.

The very beginning of this work in Edmonton was influenced by Asset-Based Community Development and the work of Peter Block, including the book Abundant Communities: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods. Howard and Tammy, both neighbors and practitioners, work with Keep Neighboring and bring years of wisdom leading neighbor-led and place-based work on the ground. We talk about asset-based community development, why block parties matter, how cities and local governments can support the work, and what they have learned over the last decade of focusing on neighborhood relationships and development.

Keep Neighboring is an incredible example of a city and neighborhoods taking relationships seriously for the sake of the common good. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Howard Lawrence and Tammy Greidanus.

Also, be sure to sign up for my Email Newsletter to receive updates about the podcast, read some of my own original writing, and find resources for churches living out the call to be neighbors.

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> Today’s episode is a conversation with Tammy Greidanus and Howard Lawrence from Keep Neighbouring in Edmonton, formerly called Abundant Communities. Keep Neighbouring is an initiative that builds connections and relationships between neighbors to support healthy communities, bringing folks together for block parties, place-based projects, and community development. For over a decade, the Abundant Communities initiative has focused on connecting neighbors one block at a time, contributing to a greater sense of safety and security, and providing increased opportunity for neighbors to participate in civic life.

The very beginning of this work in Edmonton was influenced by Asset-Based Community Development and the work of Peter Block, including the book Abundant Communities: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods. Howard and Tammy, both neighbors and practitioners, work with Keep Neighboring and bring years of wisdom leading neighbor-led and place-based work on the ground. We talk about asset-based community development, why block parties matter, how cities and local governments can support the work, and what they have learned over the last decade of focusing on neighborhood relationships and development.

Keep Neighboring is an incredible example of a city and neighborhoods taking relationships seriously for the sake of the common good. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Howard Lawrence and Tammy Greidanus.

Also, be sure to sign up for my Email Newsletter to receive updates about the podcast, read some of my own original writing, and find resources for churches living out the call to be neighbors.

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-14535792 Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0600 4304 2 4 full false Fragile Neighborhoods with Dr. Seth Kaplan Fragile Neighborhoods with Dr. Seth Kaplan Today’s episode is a conversation with Dr. Seth Kaplan, Professional Lecturer at John Hopkins University, expert on Fragile States, and author of the book “Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One Zip Code at a Time.” Dr Kaplan argues that to address social decline in the US, we must refocus our attention on the neighborhood, on strengthening local institutions, and attending to the health of our local relationships.

Dr Kaplan draws on his years of experience working with international organizations and governments, as well as his own rich neighborhood life and faith community, to invite citizens and institutions to renew our attention to the places where we live and the neighborhood relationships that help communities, and indeed nations, to flourish.

I think “Fragile Neighborhoods” is essential reading for anyone who wants to take place-based work seriously, and I hope you enjoy this conversation with Dr. Seth Kaplan.

Also, be sure to sign up for my Email Newsletter to receive updates about the podcast, read some of my own original writing, and find resources for churches living out the call to be neighbors.

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> Today’s episode is a conversation with Dr. Seth Kaplan, Professional Lecturer at John Hopkins University, expert on Fragile States, and author of the book “Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One Zip Code at a Time.” Dr Kaplan argues that to address social decline in the US, we must refocus our attention on the neighborhood, on strengthening local institutions, and attending to the health of our local relationships.

Dr Kaplan draws on his years of experience working with international organizations and governments, as well as his own rich neighborhood life and faith community, to invite citizens and institutions to renew our attention to the places where we live and the neighborhood relationships that help communities, and indeed nations, to flourish.

I think “Fragile Neighborhoods” is essential reading for anyone who wants to take place-based work seriously, and I hope you enjoy this conversation with Dr. Seth Kaplan.

Also, be sure to sign up for my Email Newsletter to receive updates about the podcast, read some of my own original writing, and find resources for churches living out the call to be neighbors.

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-14438685 Tue, 06 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0600 3983 2 3 full false Activating the Common Good with Peter Block Activating the Common Good with Peter Block Peter Block joins the podcast again, this time with a new book; "Activating the Common Good: Reclaiming Control of Our Collective Wellbeing". Peter invites us to discover and treasure the commons, to embrace relational activism, and to pay attention to a handful of critical fields for activating the common good.

Along the way, we talk about eulogies, the challenge of simplicity, leader burnout, and possibility. Be sure to follow Peter Block on Linkedin and at his website Peter Block - Welcome, and buy his new book!

Also, be sure to sign up for my Email Newsletter to receive updates about the podcast, read some of my own original writing, and find resources for churches living out the call to be neighbors. 

]]> Peter Block joins the podcast again, this time with a new book; "Activating the Common Good: Reclaiming Control of Our Collective Wellbeing". Peter invites us to discover and treasure the commons, to embrace relational activism, and to pay attention to a handful of critical fields for activating the common good.

Along the way, we talk about eulogies, the challenge of simplicity, leader burnout, and possibility. Be sure to follow Peter Block on Linkedin and at his website Peter Block - Welcome, and buy his new book!

Also, be sure to sign up for my Email Newsletter to receive updates about the podcast, read some of my own original writing, and find resources for churches living out the call to be neighbors. 

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-14308455 Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0600 3535 2 2 full false Overwhelmed by the Nearness of God Overwhelmed by the Nearness of God In this episode, I share a bit about what grounds me in this work and my hopes for Season 2 of At the Table: Christian Community for the Common Good. I ask for your feedback, questions, and stories which you can send to me at nick@nicholastangen.com. And I introduce a new segment I'm calling Table Talks where I offer some questions for you to bring to your church's coffee hour or your own dinner table. 

I'm looking forward to this season of the podcast and all that we might learn together. Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends and colleages, and be sure to subscribe to my email newsletter for some writing and resources about Christian community for the common good. 

Peace be with you!

Sound effects and music courtesy of pixabay.com. 

]]> In this episode, I share a bit about what grounds me in this work and my hopes for Season 2 of At the Table: Christian Community for the Common Good. I ask for your feedback, questions, and stories which you can send to me at nick@nicholastangen.com. And I introduce a new segment I'm calling Table Talks where I offer some questions for you to bring to your church's coffee hour or your own dinner table. 

I'm looking forward to this season of the podcast and all that we might learn together. Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe and share this podcast with friends and colleages, and be sure to subscribe to my email newsletter for some writing and resources about Christian community for the common good. 

Peace be with you!

Sound effects and music courtesy of pixabay.com. 

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-14230172 Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0600 688 2 1 full false Season 1 Finale - At the Table: Christian Community for the Common Good Season 1 Finale - At the Table: Christian Community for the Common Good In 2023, I have had 16 different conversations with lay people, clergy, writers, activists, and neighbors all committed to the idea of a place-based and discerning church. A church with the power and the freedom to contribute to the flourishing of their neighborhood, not with services and charity, but with connection, community, and authenticity. 

These conversations have been catalysts for my own work and imagination, and I pray that they have been for you as well. As we come to the end of Season 1, my hope is that in listening to these episodes you have allowed yourself to imagine a church interested more in its neighbor than its survival, committed to an alternative story than one of consumption, colonialism, and professionalization. 

I’ve enjoyed working on this podcast more than I could have anticipated, and I plan to launch Season 2 in January of 2024. If this conversation interests, inspires, or even frustrates you, please be sure to subscribe, to reach out with questions or inspiration, and to bring these ideas to your own faith community. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter which includes my own writing, prayers and litanies you can use in worship, and updates on the podcast. After a year of conversation, I am convinced more than ever that the common good, animated by the saving grace of Jesus, shows up powerfully every time we gather together with our neighbors at the table. Until next year, peace be with you.

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> In 2023, I have had 16 different conversations with lay people, clergy, writers, activists, and neighbors all committed to the idea of a place-based and discerning church. A church with the power and the freedom to contribute to the flourishing of their neighborhood, not with services and charity, but with connection, community, and authenticity. 

These conversations have been catalysts for my own work and imagination, and I pray that they have been for you as well. As we come to the end of Season 1, my hope is that in listening to these episodes you have allowed yourself to imagine a church interested more in its neighbor than its survival, committed to an alternative story than one of consumption, colonialism, and professionalization. 

I’ve enjoyed working on this podcast more than I could have anticipated, and I plan to launch Season 2 in January of 2024. If this conversation interests, inspires, or even frustrates you, please be sure to subscribe, to reach out with questions or inspiration, and to bring these ideas to your own faith community. You can also subscribe to my monthly newsletter which includes my own writing, prayers and litanies you can use in worship, and updates on the podcast. After a year of conversation, I am convinced more than ever that the common good, animated by the saving grace of Jesus, shows up powerfully every time we gather together with our neighbors at the table. Until next year, peace be with you.

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-14081046 Tue, 05 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0600 783 1 18 full false God's Economy of Generosity with Rev Jose Humphreys III God's Economy of Generosity with Rev Jose Humphreys III Today’s episode is a conversation with Reverend Jose Humphreys III, a pastor, church planter, and consultant helping the church to take place seriously and think differently about the impact of our dollars. He is the author of Seeing Jesus in East Harlem: What Happens When Churches Show Up and Stay Put, and Ecosystems of Jubilee: Economic Ethics for the Neighborhood.

Rev Jose and I talk about Metro Hope Covenant Church which he helped plant in Harlem, the beauty of particularity, and an alternative economic posture for churches rooted in place. Rev Jose calls us to a renewed discipleship in and among the neighborhood where we live and worship, and genuine curiosity about what God is up to in the lives of our neighbors. I had so much fun having this conversation, and I hope at the end of the episode you’ll leave as energized as I did by Rev Jose Humphreys. 

"Good News About Money" - Sojourners Magazine

Music by Julius H. from Pixabay

]]> Today’s episode is a conversation with Reverend Jose Humphreys III, a pastor, church planter, and consultant helping the church to take place seriously and think differently about the impact of our dollars. He is the author of Seeing Jesus in East Harlem: What Happens When Churches Show Up and Stay Put, and Ecosystems of Jubilee: Economic Ethics for the Neighborhood.

Rev Jose and I talk about Metro Hope Covenant Church which he helped plant in Harlem, the beauty of particularity, and an alternative economic posture for churches rooted in place. Rev Jose calls us to a renewed discipleship in and among the neighborhood where we live and worship, and genuine curiosity about what God is up to in the lives of our neighbors. I had so much fun having this conversation, and I hope at the end of the episode you’ll leave as energized as I did by Rev Jose Humphreys. 

"Good News About Money" - Sojourners Magazine

Music by Julius H. from Pixabay

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-14004257 Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0600 3488 1 17 full false Church for Ordinary People with Darryl & Stephanie Answer Church for Ordinary People with Darryl & Stephanie Answer Today’s episode is a conversation with Stephanie and Darryl Answer, who are faculty members at the Asset Based Community Development Institute at DePaul University, and founders of New Community Church in Kansas City, Missouri. New Community is a church that takes seriously the call to be the neighbor by highlighting and animating gifts, reimagining how the church thinks about money and power, and tending to their neighborhood’s relational capital.

Darryl and Stephanie truly practice what they preach and offer a vision for church rooted in place and profoundly aware of the presence of Jesus among neighbors. These two are such an inspiration to me and offer the church so much wisdom, and more importantly, permission to be the church in the particular places where God has called us to live and worship. I pray this is just the first of many conversations with Darryl and Stephanie Answer.

Music by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay

]]> Today’s episode is a conversation with Stephanie and Darryl Answer, who are faculty members at the Asset Based Community Development Institute at DePaul University, and founders of New Community Church in Kansas City, Missouri. New Community is a church that takes seriously the call to be the neighbor by highlighting and animating gifts, reimagining how the church thinks about money and power, and tending to their neighborhood’s relational capital.

Darryl and Stephanie truly practice what they preach and offer a vision for church rooted in place and profoundly aware of the presence of Jesus among neighbors. These two are such an inspiration to me and offer the church so much wisdom, and more importantly, permission to be the church in the particular places where God has called us to live and worship. I pray this is just the first of many conversations with Darryl and Stephanie Answer.

Music by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-13921808 Tue, 07 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0600 3212 1 16 full false Everywhere You Look: A Conversation with Tim Soerens Everywhere You Look: A Conversation with Tim Soerens Today’s Episode is a conversation with Tim Soerens, the Co-founding Executive Director of the Parish Collective, an organization that connects people to be the church in the neighborhood. Tim recently wrote a book titled “Everywhere you look: Discovering the Church Right Where You Are”, that casts a vision for a church rooted in place and a faith practiced in the small simple practices of our daily lives together.

In this conversation, Tim and I talk about his work with the Parish Collective, why place matters, and why presence will always have more impact than performance. Tim is one of the most grounded and visionary voices in the movement to reclaim a place-based church, and I am grateful for his work and leadership. I hope this conversation is just the first of many to come.

Music by Juan Sanchez from Pixabay

]]> Today’s Episode is a conversation with Tim Soerens, the Co-founding Executive Director of the Parish Collective, an organization that connects people to be the church in the neighborhood. Tim recently wrote a book titled “Everywhere you look: Discovering the Church Right Where You Are”, that casts a vision for a church rooted in place and a faith practiced in the small simple practices of our daily lives together.

In this conversation, Tim and I talk about his work with the Parish Collective, why place matters, and why presence will always have more impact than performance. Tim is one of the most grounded and visionary voices in the movement to reclaim a place-based church, and I am grateful for his work and leadership. I hope this conversation is just the first of many to come.

Music by Juan Sanchez from Pixabay

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-13714923 Wed, 04 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0500 3936 1 15 full false Church on the Move: A Conversation with Pastor Travis Norvell Church on the Move: A Conversation with Pastor Travis Norvell Today’s episode is a conversation with Pastor Travis Norvell, known around town and on Twitter as the Pedaling Pastor. Travis serves at Judson Memorial Baptist Church in South Minneapolis and can often be seen riding his bike around the neighborhood, connecting with community members. He’s the author of “Church on the Move: A Practical Guide for Ministry in the Community”, a book that highlights the impact possible when churches leave the car at home and bike, walk, and bus in their neighborhood. He has a vision for what he calls the bikeable parish – a geography of ministry that focuses our attention locally and attends to the small simple ways we connect as community. In this conversation,

Pastor Travis and I talk about what churches can discover from the seat of a bicycle, how to reimagine church parking lots, and what it means to embrace a new relationship to time as church’s rooted in place. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Pastor Travis Norvell.


Music by Olexy from Pixabay

]]> Today’s episode is a conversation with Pastor Travis Norvell, known around town and on Twitter as the Pedaling Pastor. Travis serves at Judson Memorial Baptist Church in South Minneapolis and can often be seen riding his bike around the neighborhood, connecting with community members. He’s the author of “Church on the Move: A Practical Guide for Ministry in the Community”, a book that highlights the impact possible when churches leave the car at home and bike, walk, and bus in their neighborhood. He has a vision for what he calls the bikeable parish – a geography of ministry that focuses our attention locally and attends to the small simple ways we connect as community. In this conversation,

Pastor Travis and I talk about what churches can discover from the seat of a bicycle, how to reimagine church parking lots, and what it means to embrace a new relationship to time as church’s rooted in place. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Pastor Travis Norvell.


Music by Olexy from Pixabay

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-13618590 Wed, 20 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0500 3560 1 14 full false Discovering Mutual Delight: A Conversation with DeAmon Harges Discovering Mutual Delight: A Conversation with DeAmon Harges Today’s episode is a conversation with DeAmon Harges, the original roving listener. DeAmon has been about that place-based work for his whole life, and credits his grandparents with instilling the skills and temperament for listening deeply within community. A couple months ago, I interviewed Pastor Mike Mather on the podcast, who worked alongside DeAmon at Broadway Methodist Church in South Bend, Indiana. Pastor Mike told me that DeAmon work as the Roving Listener broadened his and the congregation’s view of the neighbors and the neighborhood, revealing the wild abundance of gifts present in the blocks near the church.

DeAmon continues to listen and animate the gifts of his community through an organization he found with his neighbors called the Learning Tree, and his wisdom about how to discover and practice abundance is a gift to the church and the neighborhoods they live in. I hope you enjoy this conversation with DeAmon Harges.

DeAmon Harges | Institute Faculty | ABCD Institute | DePaul University, Chicago

The Learning Tree (thelearningtrees.com)

Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay

]]> Today’s episode is a conversation with DeAmon Harges, the original roving listener. DeAmon has been about that place-based work for his whole life, and credits his grandparents with instilling the skills and temperament for listening deeply within community. A couple months ago, I interviewed Pastor Mike Mather on the podcast, who worked alongside DeAmon at Broadway Methodist Church in South Bend, Indiana. Pastor Mike told me that DeAmon work as the Roving Listener broadened his and the congregation’s view of the neighbors and the neighborhood, revealing the wild abundance of gifts present in the blocks near the church.

DeAmon continues to listen and animate the gifts of his community through an organization he found with his neighbors called the Learning Tree, and his wisdom about how to discover and practice abundance is a gift to the church and the neighborhoods they live in. I hope you enjoy this conversation with DeAmon Harges.

DeAmon Harges | Institute Faculty | ABCD Institute | DePaul University, Chicago

The Learning Tree (thelearningtrees.com)

Music by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-13517726 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500 3592 1 13 full false The Art of Public Church: A Conversation with Jeremy Myers The Art of Public Church: A Conversation with Jeremy Myers Today’s episode is a conversation with my friend Jeremy Myers, the Christiansen Chair of Religion and Vocation at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN. Jeremy has been a religion professor for a lot of years and found his way into this work through youth ministry. 

In this conversation we talk about a framework for Public Church, and the power of learning rooted in individual experience. Jeremy is a thoughtful and passionate leader, and he challenges us in the church to decide if we are about the domestication of an institution or the liberation of the Gospel. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Professor Jeremy Myers!

Music by Olexy 

]]> Today’s episode is a conversation with my friend Jeremy Myers, the Christiansen Chair of Religion and Vocation at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN. Jeremy has been a religion professor for a lot of years and found his way into this work through youth ministry. 

In this conversation we talk about a framework for Public Church, and the power of learning rooted in individual experience. Jeremy is a thoughtful and passionate leader, and he challenges us in the church to decide if we are about the domestication of an institution or the liberation of the Gospel. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Professor Jeremy Myers!

Music by Olexy 

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-13447666 Tue, 22 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0500 3445 1 12 full false Dignity and Power through Community Organizing: A Conversation with Catalina Morales Bahena Dignity and Power through Community Organizing: A Conversation with Catalina Morales Bahena Today’s episode is a conversation with my good friend Catalina Morales Bahena, the Formation and Coaching Manager at Faith in Action a national organizing institution working for racial and economic justice. She is a student, a Dreamer, and a practiced community organizer. We talk about the discipline of community organizing, power and power building, and how dominant culture churches can take part in meaningful community organizing in their own communities.

Catalina is a real one, and she speaks powerfully from her own experience and her years of training and organizing in the field. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Catalina Morales Bahena.

Music by Lesfm 

]]> Today’s episode is a conversation with my good friend Catalina Morales Bahena, the Formation and Coaching Manager at Faith in Action a national organizing institution working for racial and economic justice. She is a student, a Dreamer, and a practiced community organizer. We talk about the discipline of community organizing, power and power building, and how dominant culture churches can take part in meaningful community organizing in their own communities.

Catalina is a real one, and she speaks powerfully from her own experience and her years of training and organizing in the field. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Catalina Morales Bahena.

Music by Lesfm 

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-13364281 Tue, 08 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0500 3556 1 11 full false Everything is Different: A Conversation with Professor Dirk Lange Everything is Different: A Conversation with Professor Dirk Lange Today’s episode is a conversation with Professor Dirk Lange. Professor Lange works as the professor of Worship and Confessions at Luther Seminary and as the Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations at the Lutheran World Federation. He also wrote an incredible book titled “Today Everything is Different” discussing his time in Leipzig accompanying underground prayer groups at the heart of the Peaceful Revolution in East Germany. Today we talk about his incredible work with the Lutheran World Federation, the relationship between prayer and our call to be the neighbor, and how a baptismal spirituality calls us outward beyond the walls of our church. Professor Lange is a fountain of wisdom and theological thoughtfulness, and I had a blast talking with him. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

You can find Professor Lange's book here Today Everything Is Different: An Adventure in Prayer and Action | Fortress Press

]]> Today’s episode is a conversation with Professor Dirk Lange. Professor Lange works as the professor of Worship and Confessions at Luther Seminary and as the Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations at the Lutheran World Federation. He also wrote an incredible book titled “Today Everything is Different” discussing his time in Leipzig accompanying underground prayer groups at the heart of the Peaceful Revolution in East Germany. Today we talk about his incredible work with the Lutheran World Federation, the relationship between prayer and our call to be the neighbor, and how a baptismal spirituality calls us outward beyond the walls of our church. Professor Lange is a fountain of wisdom and theological thoughtfulness, and I had a blast talking with him. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

You can find Professor Lange's book here Today Everything Is Different: An Adventure in Prayer and Action | Fortress Press

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-13033571 Tue, 13 Jun 2023 15:00:00 -0500 3513 1 10 full false Churches and Indigenous Histories: A Conversation with Kelly Sherman Conroy Churches and Indigenous Histories: A Conversation with Kelly Sherman Conroy Today’s episode is a conversation with Kelly Sherman-Conroy, a storyteller, healer, church worker, and the first Native Woman Theologian with a PhD in the ELCA. She is a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation and has devoted her life to creating space, recognition, and belonging for indigenous Christians in a dominant culture church. 

Kelly is one of the hardest working people I know, speaking often at churches, seminaries, and colleges. Leading Sacred Site tours in the Twin Cities, and teaching churches about indigenous culture and the work faith communities can do to accompany native neighbors. She works full time in a congregation in St Anthony MN, and she’s a mother. I was grateful that she carved out some time to talk with me. 

In this episode we talk about Kelly’s work and her sense of call, why it’s important for churches to understand indigenous history, and what the ELCA’s work with Indigenous communities has meant for her. I hope you have as much fun listening, as I did talking, with Kelly Sherman-Conroy.

You can keep up with Kelly's work by visiting her website www.kellysconroy.com.

Kelly's brother, who is mentioned in this episode is Sean Sherman, the founder and CEO of the Sioux Chef, and was recently named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most influential people in the world.

You can find Joy Harjo's poem "Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings" here.

Music by orangery from Pixabay

Thanks for listening! Don't forget to share this episode with others and subscribe to receive updates about new episodes. Peace be with you!

]]> Today’s episode is a conversation with Kelly Sherman-Conroy, a storyteller, healer, church worker, and the first Native Woman Theologian with a PhD in the ELCA. She is a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation and has devoted her life to creating space, recognition, and belonging for indigenous Christians in a dominant culture church. 

Kelly is one of the hardest working people I know, speaking often at churches, seminaries, and colleges. Leading Sacred Site tours in the Twin Cities, and teaching churches about indigenous culture and the work faith communities can do to accompany native neighbors. She works full time in a congregation in St Anthony MN, and she’s a mother. I was grateful that she carved out some time to talk with me. 

In this episode we talk about Kelly’s work and her sense of call, why it’s important for churches to understand indigenous history, and what the ELCA’s work with Indigenous communities has meant for her. I hope you have as much fun listening, as I did talking, with Kelly Sherman-Conroy.

You can keep up with Kelly's work by visiting her website www.kellysconroy.com.

Kelly's brother, who is mentioned in this episode is Sean Sherman, the founder and CEO of the Sioux Chef, and was recently named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most influential people in the world.

You can find Joy Harjo's poem "Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings" here.

Music by orangery from Pixabay

Thanks for listening! Don't forget to share this episode with others and subscribe to receive updates about new episodes. Peace be with you!

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-12732682 Thu, 27 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500 3472 1 9 full false Contemplation and the Common Good: A Conversation with Sam Rahberg Contemplation and the Common Good: A Conversation with Sam Rahberg My guest today is Sam Rahberg. Sam is a Benedictine, a spiritual director, a writer, and the Director of the Spiritual Direction program at St John’s university and seminary. Sam’s work with leaders in the church around vocation and discernment, and his profound wisdom about the contemplative life, has inspired me for as long as I’ve known him. And I asked him to join me for a conversation about spiritual practice and what the contemplative spiritual tradition can offer Christian communities seeking to live as good and attentive neighbors.

In this episode we talk about what the spiritual mothers and fathers call the unitive vision, contemplation as a way of life, and the tradition of Benedictine spirituality. My conversation with Sam was so much fun and left me dreaming about contemplative communities rooted in neighborhoods and seeking Christ in the face of their neighbor.

You can keep up with Sam's work at www.samuelrahberg.com

Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander by Thomas Merton 

]]> My guest today is Sam Rahberg. Sam is a Benedictine, a spiritual director, a writer, and the Director of the Spiritual Direction program at St John’s university and seminary. Sam’s work with leaders in the church around vocation and discernment, and his profound wisdom about the contemplative life, has inspired me for as long as I’ve known him. And I asked him to join me for a conversation about spiritual practice and what the contemplative spiritual tradition can offer Christian communities seeking to live as good and attentive neighbors.

In this episode we talk about what the spiritual mothers and fathers call the unitive vision, contemplation as a way of life, and the tradition of Benedictine spirituality. My conversation with Sam was so much fun and left me dreaming about contemplative communities rooted in neighborhoods and seeking Christ in the face of their neighbor.

You can keep up with Sam's work at www.samuelrahberg.com

Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander by Thomas Merton 

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-12625695 Tue, 11 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500 3736 1 8 full false Breaking Bread: A Conversation with Pastor Eric Hoffer & Rachel Carmicheal Breaking Bread: A Conversation with Pastor Eric Hoffer & Rachel Carmicheal Today's episode is a conversation with Pastor Eric Hoffer & Rachel Carmicheal, who both serve at Salem Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis. Today we talk about food and the practice of building community around shared meals. We talk about Salem’s love of food ministry and the experiences around hosting a weekly community meal for the Camden neighborhood where the church is located. These two lovely people remind me that small simple community building practices can have outsized impacts, and that we ought never to take the power of the dinner table for granted.

Perhaps the World Ends Here by Joy Harjo

Music by Olexy from Pixabay

 

]]> Today's episode is a conversation with Pastor Eric Hoffer & Rachel Carmicheal, who both serve at Salem Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis. Today we talk about food and the practice of building community around shared meals. We talk about Salem’s love of food ministry and the experiences around hosting a weekly community meal for the Camden neighborhood where the church is located. These two lovely people remind me that small simple community building practices can have outsized impacts, and that we ought never to take the power of the dinner table for granted.

Perhaps the World Ends Here by Joy Harjo

Music by Olexy from Pixabay

 

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-12525062 Tue, 28 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500 3986 1 7 full false The Call to Be the Neighbor: A Conversation with Kristina Fruge and Geoffrey Gill The Call to Be the Neighbor: A Conversation with Kristina Fruge and Geoffrey Gill Kristina Fruge and Geoffrey Gill work at the Riverside Innovation Hub, a learning community project housed by Augsburg University. Their work invites congregations to step into their role as public churches and to be the neighbor in their communities. I work closely with these two incredible leaders and the Riverside Innovation Hub team.

In this episode, we talk about their experience in Christian community, their work with the Riverside Innovation hub, and the small simple invitations to be the neighbor. We reflect on practices, the move from anxiety to curiosity, and the need to address the very human experience of grief, in the church and the neighborhood.

We also mention the book Emergent Strategy my adrienne maree brown, which I highly recommend.

You can also follow Geoffrey's creative work on his YouTube Channel GeoGill - YouTube

Music by Lesfm from Pixabay. 


]]> Kristina Fruge and Geoffrey Gill work at the Riverside Innovation Hub, a learning community project housed by Augsburg University. Their work invites congregations to step into their role as public churches and to be the neighbor in their communities. I work closely with these two incredible leaders and the Riverside Innovation Hub team.

In this episode, we talk about their experience in Christian community, their work with the Riverside Innovation hub, and the small simple invitations to be the neighbor. We reflect on practices, the move from anxiety to curiosity, and the need to address the very human experience of grief, in the church and the neighborhood.

We also mention the book Emergent Strategy my adrienne maree brown, which I highly recommend.

You can also follow Geoffrey's creative work on his YouTube Channel GeoGill - YouTube

Music by Lesfm from Pixabay. 


]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-12425349 Tue, 14 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500 4290 1 6 full false Walking in Humility: A Conversation with Felecia Boone Walking in Humility: A Conversation with Felecia Boone Felecia Boone is a Senior Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant with Hennepin County and the Vice President of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA. She brings her many years of experience and expertise as a DEI consultant to her work in the church, most recently leading an effort to develop a Racial Equity tool for examining Synod finances.

Nick and Felecia talk about growing up in the Lutheran Church, the practice of DEI in our congregations and neighborhoods, and her congregation's experience amid the uprising following the murder of George Floyd.  Check it out!

Music by Olexy from Pixabay

]]> Felecia Boone is a Senior Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant with Hennepin County and the Vice President of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA. She brings her many years of experience and expertise as a DEI consultant to her work in the church, most recently leading an effort to develop a Racial Equity tool for examining Synod finances.

Nick and Felecia talk about growing up in the Lutheran Church, the practice of DEI in our congregations and neighborhoods, and her congregation's experience amid the uprising following the murder of George Floyd.  Check it out!

Music by Olexy from Pixabay

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-12316383 Tue, 28 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0600 2961 1 5 full false Looking for Gifts: A conversation with Pastor Michael Mather Looking for Gifts: A conversation with Pastor Michael Mather Pastor Michael Mather is the author of "Having Nothing, Possessing Everything: Finding abundant communities in unexpected places," which tells the story of his congregation in Indianapolis discovering the power of asset-based community development. Pastor Mather and Nick discuss the power of amplifying community gifts, learning to hit the pause button, and funding people instead of projects.

Pastor Mather's book is an excellent resource for congregation's looking to connect authentically with their neighbors. So, be sure to check it out!

Music by SergeQuadrado from Pixabay

]]> Pastor Michael Mather is the author of "Having Nothing, Possessing Everything: Finding abundant communities in unexpected places," which tells the story of his congregation in Indianapolis discovering the power of asset-based community development. Pastor Mather and Nick discuss the power of amplifying community gifts, learning to hit the pause button, and funding people instead of projects.

Pastor Mather's book is an excellent resource for congregation's looking to connect authentically with their neighbors. So, be sure to check it out!

Music by SergeQuadrado from Pixabay

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-12238982 Tue, 14 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0600 3003 1 4 full false Welcome and Belonging: Christian Community in the Neighborhood Welcome and Belonging: Christian Community in the Neighborhood In today's episode, Nick talks with some friends and church leaders about the nature of Christian community and what it contributes to neighborhoods and the common good. Nick is joined by three incredible guests. 

  • Emilie Bouvier is the Director of Organizing at the Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA
  • Felecia Boone is a Senior Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant with Hennepin County and the Vice President of the Minneapolis Area Synod
  • Pastor Eric Hoffer serves at Salem Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis, and is a leader in the Webber-Camden neighborhood. 

We talk about why Christian community matters, the impact of community organizing, and the possibilities for the church that inspire us.

Be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with friends and colleagues and leave a review. Thanks for listening!

www.nicholastangen.com

Music by https://pixabay.com/users/lesfm-22579021

]]> In today's episode, Nick talks with some friends and church leaders about the nature of Christian community and what it contributes to neighborhoods and the common good. Nick is joined by three incredible guests. 

  • Emilie Bouvier is the Director of Organizing at the Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA
  • Felecia Boone is a Senior Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant with Hennepin County and the Vice President of the Minneapolis Area Synod
  • Pastor Eric Hoffer serves at Salem Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis, and is a leader in the Webber-Camden neighborhood. 

We talk about why Christian community matters, the impact of community organizing, and the possibilities for the church that inspire us.

Be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with friends and colleagues and leave a review. Thanks for listening!

www.nicholastangen.com

Music by https://pixabay.com/users/lesfm-22579021

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-12054259 Tue, 24 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0600 2349 1 3 full false A Conversation on Community with Peter Block A Conversation on Community with Peter Block This episode is a conversation with writer, consultant, and citizen, Peter Block. Peter has written a number of books related to community building, citizenship, and a vision of the common good including titles like “The Answer to How is Yes” and “Community: The Structure of Belonging”.  

Peter and Nick talk about the nature of community, the limits of problem solving, and the creative power present in the work of community building for the common good. 

You can learn more and keep up with Peter Block and his work at www.peterblock.com. Keep an eye out for new material from Peter in 2023. 

Thanks for listening!

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> This episode is a conversation with writer, consultant, and citizen, Peter Block. Peter has written a number of books related to community building, citizenship, and a vision of the common good including titles like “The Answer to How is Yes” and “Community: The Structure of Belonging”.  

Peter and Nick talk about the nature of community, the limits of problem solving, and the creative power present in the work of community building for the common good. 

You can learn more and keep up with Peter Block and his work at www.peterblock.com. Keep an eye out for new material from Peter in 2023. 

Thanks for listening!

www.nicholastangen.com

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-11915939 Tue, 10 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0600 2446 1 2 full false Introduction to At the Table: Christian Community for the Common Good Introduction to At the Table: Christian Community for the Common Good Episode one! Your host, Nicholas Tangen, introduces himself and the podcast and outlines his hopes for the conversations to come. Be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with friends and colleagues. 

Thank you, Joel Lurvey for the beautiful intro music!

]]> Episode one! Your host, Nicholas Tangen, introduces himself and the podcast and outlines his hopes for the conversations to come. Be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with friends and colleagues. 

Thank you, Joel Lurvey for the beautiful intro music!

]]> Nicholas Tangen Buzzsprout-11878693 Thu, 15 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0600 791 1 1 full false