Have you ever wondered how pastoral leadership looks in contexts different from your own? Have you recently accepted a new call at a church in a very different context from what you’re used to, and you’re anxious or excited to get started, but unsure what that might entail?
The Pivot Podcast recently investigated what pastoral leadership looks like in 5 different contexts in a series called Exploring Pastoral Leadership Models. Moving from micro-churches to mega-churches, from urban churches to rural churches, from having a part-time pastor to a large collaborative staff, and more.
In episode 5.65, Terri Elton and Alicia Granholm interviewed Rev. Sean Steele of St. Isidore’s Episcopal Church in Spring, Texas. St. Isidore’s is made up of of 11 different small Christian missional communities, and relies almost exclusively on lay leaders who are supported by clergy.
Episode 5.66 is an interview that Dwight Zscheile and Alicia Granholm did with Jeff MacDonald, a solutions journalist, UCC pastor, church educator and consultant, whose work helps mainline congregations do better while leveraging fewer resources and less staff. He is also the author of Part-Time is Plenty: Thriving without Full-Time Clergy. Jeff, Dwight, and Alicia spoke to the reality that many churches can no longer afford a full-time pastor, and how that can actually end up being a good thing for congregations.
In episode 5.67, Terri and Dwight have a conversation with Bishop Bill Tesch about rural ministry today, touching on the challenges and opportunities of discovering faithful, effective, collaborative, and sustainable models of leadership for contemporary rural churches. Before being elected Bishop, Bill Tesch was a church planter, mission developer, and Air Force Chaplain, giving him many varied and complex points of view in regards to ministry.
Episode 5.68 consists of an interview between Alicia, Dwight, and Pastor Stephanie Williams O’Brien of Mill City Church in Northeast Minneapolis. Stephanie shares how the staff at Mill City works collaboratively, and how that has branched off into empowering small communities of members to creatively love their neighbors in the name of Jesus.
The final episode of the Exploring Pastoral Leadership Models series, episode 5.69, is an interview that Terri and Alicia did with Mark Brandt, Digital Outreach MInister at Hope West Des Moines. Mark shares a little bit about the history of Hope, and how they got into digital ministry ten years ago. If you are at a church that is looking to empower your lay leaders and lay pastors, you’ll want to check this episode out.
The Exploring Pastoral Leadership Models series on The Pivot Podcast sounds like a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the diverse contexts in which pastoral leadership operates. Each episode seems to offer a unique perspective, covering a range of topics from micro-churches to mega-churches, urban to rural settings, and even the evolving dynamics of staffing and resources within congregations.
It’s particularly intriguing to hear about St. Isidore’s Episcopal Church’s reliance on lay leaders and the collaborative approach at Mill City Church. These examples showcase innovative ways in which churches are adapting to contemporary challenges and opportunities while remaining rooted in their mission.
I appreciate the inclusion of voices like Jeff MacDonald, Bishop Bill Tesch, and Pastor Stephanie Williams O’Brien, who bring rich experiences and perspectives to the discussion. Their insights into topics such as part-time pastoral roles, rural ministry, and digital outreach offer valuable lessons for churches navigating similar realities.
Overall, it seems like a thought-provoking series that not only informs but also inspires listeners to rethink traditional models of pastoral leadership and explore new possibilities for ministry in their own contexts. I look forward to delving into these episodes and learning from the wisdom shared by the guests.