We're back with another helpful topic as you lead your congregation toward vitality.  You may or may not be familiar with the church life cycle, but it is a helpful tool to think about your current church reality as well as where you want to go.  We will take a bit of a deep dive into each phase of the church life cycle and explore the common traits of each phase and what movement to the next phase may look like.  Join Erica for this insightful conversation that will have you assessing where your congregation lands and what you might need to do to move toward vitality.

In almost every single church I have worked with recently, there is a huge desire for more children and families to attend.  But what does that mean?  What does that actually look like?  Are we meeting children and families where they are or expecting them to come to us?  Join us for this impactful conversation as we dive into NextGen ministry with our conference connector Rae Hamilton.  Learn some easy ways to begin to engage with families and hear about Rae's dreams for NextGen ministry across the annual conference.  

It's been a minute, but we are back with a great new episode!  Join Erica for this episode where she recap's some of the new initiatives for the Minnesota Annual Conference coming from our recent Annual Conference gathering.  Learn about the FROG acronym and how it can help you focus your ministry and dive into the 26 in 26 challenge to create 26 new ministries in 2026 across the conference.  Even if you are not a Minnesota United Methodist, there are ideas to glean- and you might just get a little fomo from not being in this amazing conference!  

Meet one of the Minnesota Annual Conference's new Connectors- Emily Hilderbrand.  Join us as we dive into big questions for the church today, what evangelism really means and what it can look like in a local church, and hear Emily's deeply Wesleyan heart as she talks about the journey of faith formation.  From the conference as a whole to local churches, we lean into what's most important as we share our 'why' and celebrate the hope that comes from being authentic leaders!  

It's summer in Minnesota and our patterns change as we take advantage of the warm temps.  How do these shifts effect your congregation?  How are you staying connected as members travel?  Summer is also a great time to meet new people as people are out and about.  How are you inviting people in to what you have going on?  How are you reaching out into the community?  How are you working with partners in your community to care for those who may be housing or food insecure?  By the end of this episode, you should have an idea or two that you can lean into to make this a great summer of outreach and connection!

Rev. Dan Wetterstrom brings a rich wisdom to this conversation around generosity and stewardship in our churches today.  Beginning from a place of discipleship, Dan and Erica discuss the ways deep spirituality and roots grounded in our Wesleyan theology help shape our generosity and stewardship practices.  With over 40 years of ministry experience in the local church, Dan shares from a place of deep knowledge and keen observation and shares where he sees churches thriving.  Touching on buildings, congregational assets, community needs, leadership support, and more, this conversation is timely, practical, and hopeful! 

 Are you trying to figure out how to reach new people?  Are you wondering how to ground your ministry development in our faith story?  Join Erica (and her dogs!) for a conversation about how we go, sow and grow new ministry.  Leaning into the lessons we learn from gardening and from the ways Jesus lived out his ministry, we will explore some ideas about how you GO, what kinds of seeds you might think about SOWing and the importance of slow, steady GROWth.   We will also explore 5 current resources that you might want to tap into to your context.  This episode serves as a good follow up to the last episode.

We are celebrating 1 year of the Seeds and Sprouts podcast with this episode!  Thanks to everyone who has listened over the last year.  We are excited to launch our second season.  As Erica has worked with a variety of churches in the last year, a question she continues to ask is "Is this ministry or is this busy?" Churches can feel like they are doing all the things but sometimes a closer look reveals that they are simply busy with activity that is not truly bearing fruit.  Join the conversation in this episode as we explore ways to assess your ministries and lean in to doing less for more impact.  Learn some practical ways to engage a time of evaluation and think about ways to grow for impact not for busy-ness! 

You don't want to miss this episode as Erica and Erin discuss ministry for urban and suburban congregations in these changing times.  From social justice initiatives to connecting congregations doing great things, Erica and Erin explore what is possible for this connector role and how the office of strategy and innovation can walk with congregations in these interesting times.  It's also fair to say that that we didn't take ourselves too seriously and the episode should bring you a laugh or two!  

We are launching a new short series where you will get a chance to meet our Conference Connectors who are working to resource and equip you in your ministry settings.  In this episode we sit down with Rural/ Town and Country connector Scott Burr.  Scott shares some of the trends he is seeing in rural ministry, some of his hopes for the ways this role can support outstate congregations, and we explore how models for ministry look an awful lot like our Wesleyan roots.  Join us for a spirited conversation that is sure to get you thinking!

When was the last time you gave thanks for your administrative systems?  Often times, our data management, member tracking and communication systems feel out of date or out of our wheelhouse or unimportant.  We don't really think about them until its time to fill out conference tables!  However, these systems can be a key tool in your innovation toolbox.  Join us as we explore the ways administrative systems can enhance your innovation as we chat with Rev. Kelly Lamon, lead pastor at The Grove in Woodbury, MN.   From practical advice to a few 'don't do as I did' examples, this is a timely and helpful conversation.  

Winter in Minnesota has been long!  We are at the point where the days are getting longer and we can begin to dream about spring.  We are also on the doorstep of the season of lent.  Join host Rev. Erica Koser for this timely episode that encourages your congregation to spruce up your entrances.  Starting with your virtual front door (your website) Erica will share observations and suggestions that will help you welcome newcomers this spring.  Possibly sounding a bit like your mom encouraging you to pick up your room, this episode will give you some solid advice and some easy steps that can have big impact. 

As we say in almost every podcast- church is changing!  Join us for this conversation with Pastor Steve Reiser who is passionate about bringing back the ancient ministry model of house churches- because sometimes what's old is new again! Leaning deeply into John Wesley's class meeting model and models from Paul's ministry in the early church,  we will learn the basic model for the house church and how it can be used as a stand alone model as well as embedded in a more traditional setting.  Steve also raises some timely questions in his top 5 wonderings and curiosities.  This is a must listen to episode that will plant some excellent seeds of innovation!

Do you wonder about the safety of your church and congregation members?  Joining us on this episode of Seeds and Sprouts is Rev. Chris Carr, an ordained deacon who has used a career in global security to help guide churches as they strive to walk the balance between welcome and safety.  Chris has a beautiful theology of security and will share a framework to build upon.  He will also share some practical tips you can do this week to increase the safety of your building and your people.  In a time where division and violence seem to be pushing their way to the forefront, Chris provides a critical lens we as people of God can utilize to counter the narrative.  If, after listening you want more information or to connect with Rev. Carr, reach out here on the podcast or email Erica Koser.

Do you love to watch HGTV and the ways they transform homes into welcoming spaces?  Have you ever thought about what it would look like to apply some of their ideas to your church building?  Join Erica for a lively conversation about 'HGTV'ing' your church.  In a candid but real way, Erica addresses some of the low hanging fruit that you can tend to to improve the welcome and sense of radical hospitality in your church.  From sacred cows to broken crayons, take a listen to this practical and fun episode!

If you are looking for inspiration, practical tips, and a big dose of hope, you don't want you to miss this episode.  Jean Carlos is the campus pastor of Neon,  the Wesley Foundation campus ministry at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.  In just over a year, he has seen amazing growth in the ministry and the ways students are finding a trusting, welcoming community that  is colorful, bright and new.   Jean Carlos offers practical tools around building trust, engaging in relationship, and maintaining a high quality presence each week.  You will be inspired!  Take a listen.

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to truly trust the nudges of the Holy Spirit and launch into a new ministry?  Have you ever done ministry on the margins and noticed how Jesus shows up in different ways?  Are you curious about the ways you can connect with your community to make a lasting impact? Join Pastor Erica and Pastor Collette as they share some of the lessons learned in following the Holy Spirit into a creating a homeless shelter in their community.  They share some of the tales of their 8 years in ministry together and reflect on the lessons that still impact them as they have followed their calls into new ministries.  Don't miss out on this inspiring episode.

Is the church still relevant for families?  How do you do children's ministry well if you are a small church?  What do kids need right now?  Join us for a powerful conversation with children's ministry expert Lindsey Nuehring from Advent UMC.  Could the key to children and family ministry be as simple as being authentic and building relationships?  In a fun, honest, and real conversation Erica and Lindsey explore how we can be the church where kids feel loved, safe, and welcome.  This episode is worth your time whether you are a small, rural church or a multi-staff congregation. 

Join Rev. Erica Koser for a look at some current resources and some easy ideas for reaching into your community this summer.  Gather a few tips that you can begin in July!  Also learn more about how the office of Strategy and Innovation can help you go, sow, and grow!

Is it important to reach out to your community?  How do you take community demographics alongside community conversations to generate a profile of your community?  In this episode, Erica and church planter Jeremy Peters of The Grove, Cottage Grove,  engage in a  thought-provoking conversation that will encourage you to move outside the walls of your church and become a vital partner in the work of your community.  God is at work in your community- how are you joining in?

In this episode we are joined by the Rev. Tyler Sit; church planter, innovator and author from New City Church and Northeast UMC both in Minneapolis.  We engage in a lively conversation about innovation, Marie Kondo-ing our full ministry plates, and Tyler shares his top 5 wonderings about church right now.   

Welcome to the Seeds and Sprouts podcast.  In this episode, learn what this podcast is all about and meet host Rev. Erica Koser.