Homepage / Pivot Podcast /#44: How to Cultivate the Mixed Ecology in a Regional Church System with Calla Gilson

#44: How to Cultivate the Mixed Ecology in a Regional Church System with Calla Gilson

Terri Elton and Dee Stokes welcome Calla Gilson.

In a world where traditional forms of worship and fellowship may not be as effective, it becomes crucial for the Church to find new ways to connect with people and share the message of Jesus. This is where Fresh Expressions of Church comes into play. Terri and Dee got a chance to sit down with Calla Gilson, a passionate advocate for fresh expressions and a staff member at the Northwestern Ohio Synod.

In this thought-provoking conversation, Calla shares her insights on how churches can engage with their communities and resonate with people outside traditional church settings. Together we explore the power of embracing a mixed ecology approach, where the beauty of the incarnation is simplified and reflected in everyday life. Calla’s inspiring quote, “Somehow, the stuff of life resonates with people outside the church more than our bells and smells and shiny things,” challenges us to reevaluate our approach to sharing the Jesus story.

Throughout this immersive conversation, we dive deep into practical strategies and innovative practices that foster authentic connections and nurture new communities.

Gain valuable insights on how to navigate the complexities of a regional church system and create a meaningful impact in your community.

Key Insights:

  1. Understanding the concept of mixed ecology in a regional church system
  2. Simplifying the incarnation and embodying the Jesus story in everyday life
  3. Reevaluating traditional church practices to resonate with people outside the church
  4. Strategies for engaging with communities and fostering authentic connections
  5. Nurturing new communities and embracing innovative practices
  6. Creating meaningful impact in a regional church system

Join us for this compelling conversation with Calla Gilson as we explore the transformative power of cultivating a mixed ecology in a regional church system. Discover how to authentically connect with your community and share the essence of the Jesus story in a way that resonates with people’s lives.

Featuring

Terri Elton
Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Leadership, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota

The Rev. Dr. Terri Martinson Elton, Ph.D., is Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Leadership at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. She began teaching at Luther Seminary in 2004.

She is the author of Journeying in the Wilderness: Forming Faith in the 21st Century (Fortress Press, 2020), and co-author with the Rev. Mike Foss What Really Matters, a book for congregational leaders.

Elton holds a B.A. (1986) in Communications from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. She earned both M.A. (1998) and Ph.D. (2007) degrees in Congregational Mission and Leadership from Luther Seminary.

Hosts

Headshot of Dr. Dee Stokes
Dee Stokes
Entrepreneurial minister, educator, consultant, author, and podcaster

Dr. Dee Stokes is an entrepreneurial minister, educator, consultant, author, and podcaster. With 30 years of experience in education, Dr. Stokes understands what it means to be co-vocational and serve God in the Church and in the marketplace.

She has worked at every level of education and has also served as a Senior Pastor, Formation and Connections Pastor, and Teaching Pastor. She has a passion for God and His Church and to see people walk in divine destiny. Her degrees are in Sociology (BA from UNC Charlotte), Public Administration (MPA from Devry University), Biblical and Theological Foundations (MBTF from Asbury Theological Seminary), and Educational Leadership (Ed.S. & Ed.D. from Liberty University). Dr. Stokes’s research interests include Cultural Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence, Burnout, Transformational Leadership, unconscious bias, and spousal responsibility.

Terri Elton
Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Leadership, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota

The Rev. Dr. Terri Martinson Elton, Ph.D., is Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Leadership at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. She began teaching at Luther Seminary in 2004.

She is the author of Journeying in the Wilderness: Forming Faith in the 21st Century (Fortress Press, 2020), and co-author with the Rev. Mike Foss What Really Matters, a book for congregational leaders.

Elton holds a B.A. (1986) in Communications from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. She earned both M.A. (1998) and Ph.D. (2007) degrees in Congregational Mission and Leadership from Luther Seminary.

About Pivot Podcast

Join us on Pivot Podcast, where we journey beyond church-as-usual to discover how God is reshaping ministry for today’s world.

Each week, we dive into conversations with innovative leaders and practitioners who are navigating four game-changing pivots: shifting from quick fixes to deep listening, from membership to discipleship, from rigid models to creative ministry ecosystems, and from clergy-centered leadership to unleashing everyone’s gifts.

Whether you’re a member of the clergy seeking fresh inspiration or a volunteer stepping into new leadership territory, Pivot Podcast equips you with the insights and practical wisdom to follow Jesus into a faithful future.

Through their work with diverse cohorts of preachers, they’ve discovered that the most compelling sermons aren’t necessarily the most polished – they’re the ones where preachers have learned to listen deeply to both God and their congregations. Learn practical tools for gathering meaningful feedback, understand why vulnerability matters more than ever in preaching, and discover how shifting from evaluation to understanding can deepen your sermon’s impact. Plus, hear why reimagining God’s agency in preaching might be the key to unlocking more powerful proclamation.

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Featuring

Terri Elton
Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Leadership, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota

The Rev. Dr. Terri Martinson Elton, Ph.D., is Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Leadership at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. She began teaching at Luther Seminary in 2004.

She is the author of Journeying in the Wilderness: Forming Faith in the 21st Century (Fortress Press, 2020), and co-author with the Rev. Mike Foss What Really Matters, a book for congregational leaders.

Elton holds a B.A. (1986) in Communications from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. She earned both M.A. (1998) and Ph.D. (2007) degrees in Congregational Mission and Leadership from Luther Seminary.

Hosts

Headshot of Dr. Dee Stokes
Dee Stokes
Entrepreneurial minister, educator, consultant, author, and podcaster

Dr. Dee Stokes is an entrepreneurial minister, educator, consultant, author, and podcaster. With 30 years of experience in education, Dr. Stokes understands what it means to be co-vocational and serve God in the Church and in the marketplace.

She has worked at every level of education and has also served as a Senior Pastor, Formation and Connections Pastor, and Teaching Pastor. She has a passion for God and His Church and to see people walk in divine destiny. Her degrees are in Sociology (BA from UNC Charlotte), Public Administration (MPA from Devry University), Biblical and Theological Foundations (MBTF from Asbury Theological Seminary), and Educational Leadership (Ed.S. & Ed.D. from Liberty University). Dr. Stokes’s research interests include Cultural Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence, Burnout, Transformational Leadership, unconscious bias, and spousal responsibility.

Terri Elton
Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Leadership, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota

The Rev. Dr. Terri Martinson Elton, Ph.D., is Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Leadership at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. She began teaching at Luther Seminary in 2004.

She is the author of Journeying in the Wilderness: Forming Faith in the 21st Century (Fortress Press, 2020), and co-author with the Rev. Mike Foss What Really Matters, a book for congregational leaders.

Elton holds a B.A. (1986) in Communications from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. She earned both M.A. (1998) and Ph.D. (2007) degrees in Congregational Mission and Leadership from Luther Seminary.