Leading and Thriving in the Church

Cynthia Hale: Faithful Reinvention

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 01:00:00 -0500

In the fifth and final episode of our third season, Prince talks with Cynthia Hale, the founding and senior pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia.

Discussion topics include:

- How Cynthia's leadership has changed over 38 years at Ray of Hope

- Cultivating other leaders

- Practices to sustain health and wellbeing in ministry

- And more!

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Gary Simpson: A Pastor's Pastor

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 01:00:00 -0500

In the fourth episode of our third season, Prince talks with Gary Simpson, the senior minister of Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn, New York.

Discussion topics include:

- How preaching differs from other forms of communication

- Finding your authentic voice

- Can preaching be taught?

- And more!

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Reggie Blount: New Approaches to Christian Formation

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 01:00:00 -0500

In the third episode of our third season, Prince talks with Reggie Blount, who serves as the Murray H. Leiffer Associate Professor of Formation, Leadership and Culture and director of the Center for the Church and the Black Experience at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.

Discussion topics include:

- What pastors need to understand about learning and formation

- Being innovative in developing curriculum

- The seven spiritual yearnings of young people

- Technology and Christian education

- And more!

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John Witvliet: What Are We Doing in Worship?

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 01:00:00 -0500

In the second episode of our third season, Prince talks with John Witvliet, director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and Professor of Worship, Theology, and Congregational Ministry Studies at Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary.

Discussion topics include:
- How worship leaders can balance maintaining tradition and being innovative
- Creating opportunities for pastors and musicians to learn together
- Involving youth in worship
- And more!

Find show notes and the transcript for this episode here.

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Peter Cha: The Gift of Immigrant Congregations

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 01:00:00 -0400

In the first episode of our third season, Prince talks with Peter T. Cha, director of the Thriving Immigrant Congregations Initiative (TICI) and professor of practical theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Discussion topics include:

- Misconceptions about immigrant congregations

- Building healthy intergenerational relationships in the church

- Challenging churches to embrace younger generations

- And more!

Find show notes and the transcript for this episode here.

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Anna Carter Florence: Living with the Text

Tue, 07 May 2024 14:00:00 -0400

In the final episode of our second season, Prince talks with Anna Carter Florence, the Peter Marshall Professor of Preaching at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia.

Discussion topics include:

- What theatre and preaching have in common

- Why storytelling is central to preaching

- Entering scripture “verbs-first”

- Practices for growing as a preacher and theologian

- And more!

Find show notes and the transcript for this episode at https://alban.org/2024/05/09/anna-carter-florence-living-with-the-text/

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Otis Moss III: Thriving in Turbulent Times

Thu, 02 May 2024 01:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Prince talks with Otis Moss III, Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois.

Discussion topics include:

- Adapting to different leadership contexts

- Thriving in times of unrest

- The importance of love and justice in Christian leadership

- How leaders can take care of themselves

- And more!

Find show notes and the transcript for this episode at https://alban.org/2024/05/02/otis-moss-iii-thriving-in-turbulent-times/

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

David Armijo: Invest in Your People

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Prince talks with David Armijo, Chief of Programs at Hispanic Access Foundation. As Chief of Programs, David oversees Hispanic Access Foundation’s health, conservation, federal internship (MANO) and special initiatives.

Discussion topics include:

- Managing conflict on teams

- Having courageous conversations with volunteers

- Hallmarks of strong teams

- Practical strategies for team communication

- And more!

Find show notes and the transcript for this episode at https://alban.org/2024/04/25/david-armijo-invest-in-your-people/

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Nicole Martin: Reframing Power

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Prince talks with Nicole Martin, Chief Impact Officer at Christianity Today. She is also the founder and executive director of Soulfire International Ministries, which accelerates thriving for pastors, churches and younger leaders.

Discussion topics include:

- The role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership

- Defining “leadership” in a Christian context

- Surrendering Western notions of power and control

- Advice for those seeking mentors

- How to maintain energy and enthusiasm

- And more!

Find show notes and the transcript for this episode at https://alban.org/2024/04/18/nicole-martin-reframing-power/

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

David P. King: Reimagining Giving Traditions

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Prince talks with David P. King, Karen Lake Buttrey Director of Lake Institute on Faith & Giving as well as Associate Professor of Philanthropic Studies within the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. As an American religious historian, his research interests broadly include exploring the practices of 20th- and 21st-century American and global faith communities as well as more specifically investigating how the religious identity of faith-based nonprofits shapes their motivations, rhetoric and practice.

In this conversation, Prince and David discuss:

- Post-COVID giving trends in congregations

- What churches with strong stewardship cultures have in common

- Why pastors need to understand money and stewardship

- And more!

Find show notes and the transcript for this episode at alban.org/2024/04/11/david-p-king-reimagining-giving-traditions/

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Tod Bolsinger: Navigating Change

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0400

In the first episode of our second season, Prince talks with Tod Bolsinger, senior congregational strategist and associate professor of leadership formation at Fuller Seminary. He's also the author of several books, including Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory.

In this episode, Prince and Tod discuss:
- Why success is likely to come after sabotage
- The problem with "win-win"
- Advice for leaders who feel stuck
- Practices for leading and living well
- And more!

You can find show notes and the transcript for this episode at alban.org/2024/04/02/tod-bolsinger-navigating-change/

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thema Bryant: Bridging Theology and Psychology

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 01:00:00 -0500

In the final episode of the first season of “Leading and Thriving in the Church,” Prince talks with Dr. Thema Bryant, the 2023 president of the American Psychological Association (APA): the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology with more than 120,000 members.

In this episode, Prince and Dr. Thema discuss:

the intersection of faith and psychology
how growth and despair can co-exist
vicarious trauma and its effect on clergy
emotion-focused coping and problem-solving coping
how churches can work to promote authentic healing
and more!

You can find show notes and the transcript for this episode at https://alban.org/2023/12/07/thema-bryant-bridging-theology-and-psychology/.

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Paul Baxley: How Can We Be Faithful Now?

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 01:00:00 -0500

In the fifth episode of “Leading and Thriving in the Church,” Prince talks with Paul Baxley, the executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

In this episode, Paul and Prince discuss:

what faithfulness means in this moment
what it looks like for congregations to experience new life
what denominations are for
the need for support networks for pastors
practices to foster effective, fruitful teams
the connection between theological reflection and thriving in Christian leadership
and more!

You can find show notes and the transcript for this episode at https://alban.org/2023/11/30/paul-baxley-how-can-we-be-faithful-now/.

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Ruth Haley Barton: Listen for the Voice of God

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In the fourth episode of “Leading and Thriving in the Church,” Prince talks with Ruth Haley Barton, the founding president and CEO of the Transforming Center, whose mission is to strengthen the souls of pastors, spiritual leaders and the congregations and organizations they serve. Learn more about Ruth at her website, where you can find links to her books and podcast.

In this episode, Ruth and Prince discuss:

the question of “how do people change, really?”
building up trust in community
spiritual practices to help leaders nourish their souls
how leaders should use the Enneagram
Sabbath as a formative discipline
and more!

You can find show notes and the transcript for this episode at https://alban.org/2023/11/16/ruth-haley-barton-listen-for-the-voice-of-god

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Rhonda Brandon: You're a Human First, Then a Minister

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In the third episode of “Leading and Thriving in the Church,” Prince talks with Rhonda Brandon, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources officer for Duke University Health System.

In her role, Brandon oversees efforts to advance a world-class workforce that positions the health system to meet long-term strategic goals. She is a key driver of initiatives to improve performance measurement, professional development and work culture. She offers trusted counsel to senior staff, advocating on behalf of all employees.

In this episode, she and Prince discuss:

what influences organizational culture
marks of a healthy church culture
what pastors can learn from the field of human resources
and more!

You can find show notes and the transcript for this episode at https://alban.org/2023/11/09/rhonda-brandon-youre-a-human-first-then-a-minister/

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

David Emmanuel Goatley: Leading Leaders

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0400

In the second episode of “Leading and Thriving in the Church,” Prince talks with David Emmanuel Goatley, president of Fuller Theological Seminary.

Dr. Goatley was inaugurated as the sixth president of Fuller Seminary in January 2023. Prior to his appointment, he served in various roles at Duke Divinity School, including as associate dean for academic and vocational formation and director of the Office of Black Church Studies. For nearly four decades he has served in leadership roles in organizations dedicated to justice advocacy, Christian mission and global ecumenism.

In today’s episode, he and Prince discuss:

characteristics of adaptive, justice-seeking leaders
a formula for flourishing as a leader
what baseball and utility companies can teach us about leadership transitions
how pastors can develop better management muscles
setting boundaries
and more!

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Stephen Lewis: Thriving Within Constraints

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In the first episode of “Leading and Thriving in the Church,” the Rev. Rivers talks with Stephen Lewis about trends they’re seeing in churches, what thriving ministers have in common, advice for new ministers and more.

Stephen is the president of the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) and creator and co-founder of DO GOOD X, a start-up accelerator for diverse Christian social entrepreneurs. He is an organizational change strategist and a leadership development specialist, focused on inspiring the next generation of faith-inspired leaders and entrepreneurs to live and work on purpose. Stephen is the co-author of “Another Way: Living and Leading Change on Purpose” (2020) and “A Way Out of No Way: An Approach to Christian Innovation” (2021).

Find show notes and the transcript for this episode at https://alban.org/2023/10/24/stephen-lewis-thriving-within-constraints/.

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Introducing "Leading and Thriving in the Church"

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 13:00:00 -0400

The Rev. Dr. Prince Rivers, editor of the Alban Weekly, has been a pastor for 23 years. He is passionate about supporting the people who lead congregations.

But doing ministry in the post-pandemic era has unearthed new leadership challenges – and it has led us to pay more attention to the need for thriving ministers and congregations.

That’s where “Leading and Thriving in the Church” comes in. In this new podcast from Alban at Duke Divinity, our mission is to help you be the leader God has called you to be. In each episode, Prince sits down with some of the most innovative people he knows — scholars, executives, authors — and explores what it means to lead faithfully, effectively and sustainably in today’s church.

The first installment in this six-episode season will release next Thursday, October 26. In the meantime, be sure to check out the podcast trailer and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. We can’t wait for you to listen!

Rate, review and subscribe to “Leading and Thriving in the Church” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.