Leading Ideas Talks

  What can church leaders learn from Moses and other Biblical figures about leading? In this episode Director Douglas Powe discusses biblical leadership with thought leader Dr. Denise Dombkowski Hopkins, the Woodrow W. and Mildred B. Miller Professor of Biblical Theology at Wesley Theological Seminary. Related Resources Biblical Leadership: Not as Simple as You Think by Denise Dombkowski Hopkins Journey Through the Psalms, an eight-session course with video lessons by Denise Dombkowski Hopkins Leading as Moses Led by Emanuel Cleaver III Ten Leadership Lessons from Nehemiah by Lovett H. Weems, Jr.

  How can white Christians talk faithfully about racism? In this episode Carolyn Helsel discusses her book, Anxious to Talk about It, with Lewis Center Associate Director Ann Michel. Related Resources Moving Faith Communities to Fruitful Conversations about Race, a free video resource from Wesley Theological Seminary Anxious to Talk About It: Helping White Christians Talk Faithfully about Racism (Chalice Press, 2017) by Carolyn Helsel, available at Cokesbury and Amazon Preaching about Racism: A Guide for White Pastors (Chalice Press, 2018) by Carolyn Helsel, available at Cokesbury and Amazon

  How can we lead like Jesus? In this episode, thought leader Dr. Ken Blanchard shares insights with Lewis Center Director Douglas Powe about being a servant leader. Related Resources Discovering God’s Future for Your Church Video Tool Kit Ten Traits of Jesus as Transformational Leader by Ed Stetzer and Thom S. Raine Jesus’ Lessons for Leading by Bill Wilson The New One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson M.D., available at Amazon

  How can congregations more effectively practice fruitful ministry? In this episode Bishop Robert Schnase discusses his revised book, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, with Lewis Center Director F. Douglas Powe. Related Resources Taking Church to the Community Video Tool Kit Theology Of Stewardship And Biblical Generosity Video Tool Kit Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, Revised and Updated (Abingdon Press, 2018) by Robert Schnase, available at Cokesbury and Amazon.

  Why would a church discontinue its ministry to start a new one in the same place? In this episode Dan Turner speaks with Lewis Center Associate Director Ann A. Michel about how his Washington, DC, church chose to do just that to become a more fruitful congregation. Related Resources Taking Church to the Community Video Tool Kit Closing a Congregation as an Act of Faithfulness by Lee Ann M. Pomrenke The Case of a Small Church in an Oversized Building by Lewis A. Parks 5 Lies We Like to Tell About Church Growth by Dan Hotchkiss

  What leadership lessons help make you more effective? In this episode Hyrum Smith, creator of the Franklin Planner, speaks with Lewis Center Director Doug Powe about leading with purpose as well as practical, transformational leadership lessons. Related Resources Discovering God’s Future for Your Church Video Tool Kit Take the Next Step: Leading Lasting Change in the Church by Lovett H. Weems, Jr.

  Thinking of launching a church-school partnership? Or looking to strengthen an existing partnership? In this episode Jake McGlothin, author of The Mission-Minded Guide to Church and School Partnerships, speaks with Lewis Center Associate Director Ann A. Michel about how churches can build effective, transformative relationships with children and teachers in their community. Related Resources Engaging Local Schools Video Tool Kit 50 Ways to Engage Local Schools, a free resource from the Lewis Center Effective Church-School Partnerships by Nicole Baker Fulgham  4 Tips for Launching a Church-School Partnership by Ann A. Michel

  Why do women leaders sometimes struggle with using their power and influence? Listen as Lewis Center Associate Director Ann Michel speaks with church consultant Susan Beaumont about how women leaders can learn to use power constructively in leadership relationships. Related Resources 5 Ways Female Leaders Undermine Themselves by Susan Beaumont Church Leadership: Vision, Team, Culture, Integrity by Lovett H. Weems, Jr. Do Male and Female Pastors Lead Differently? by Lovett H. Weems, Jr.

  Are you a pastor serving more than one church? Or a leader in a congregation that’s part of a multi-church ministry? Listen as Lewis Center Director F. Douglas Powe speaks with Dr. Lew Parks, a small church vitality expert. They explore perspectives and practices that can help ministry flourish even in a church that doesn’t have its own pastor — or a pastor who doesn’t serve just one church. Related Resources 2 Churches — 1 Pastor by Lewis A. Parks Eleven Characteristics of Effective Smaller Churches by David R. Ray A New Way to View Vitality in Smaller Congregations by Lewis A. Parks Intergenerational Ministry and the Small Church by Brandon J. O’Brien  

  Does your church have the “church plus” factor? Listen as Lewis Center Director Doug Powe speaks with Tim Shapiro and Kara Faris about their book Divergent Church. They examine innovative, alternative faith communities that combine religious practice with a “church plus” factor — a dedicated focus on some unique aspect of their church’s cultural DNA like gardening, table fellowship, artistic expression, and more. Related Resources The Bright Promise of Alternative Faith Communities by Ann A. Michel  “PCUSA faith community takes flight, celebrating Appalachian music and culture.” Faith and Leadership. May 15, 2018. Networks and Third Places are Today’s Mission Field by Ken Carter and Audrey Warren The Possibilities of Fresh Expressions, a Leading Ideas Talks podcast episode featuring Ken Carter and Audrey Warren