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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.

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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

Calla Gilson
Lead Coordinator, Discipleship Initiative, Northwestern Ohio Synod (ELCA)

Calla Gilson serves as the Lead Coordinator for the Discipleship Initiative of the Northwestern Ohio Synod (ELCA), where she loves dreaming with folks across 22 counties about what God is up to in their communities. She holds a B.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University and is a YAGM Jerusalem and the West Bank alum. If she isn’t pulling espresso shots at the local coffee shop, you can find her digging in the dirt of the garden at home or alongside neighborhood families in the community garden – which both rely heavily on the abundant grace and care of gardener Jesus.

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

The Rev. Dr. Terri Martinson Elton began teaching at Luther Seminary as an adjunct instructor in 2004 before becoming the director of the Center for Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2008. In addition to her continued work with the Center, Elton accepted the position of associate professor of Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2010 and associate professor of Leadership in 2014.

Prior to her call to Luther Seminary, Elton served as an associate to the bishop in the Saint Paul Area Synod where her responsibilities included working with congregations, leadership development, First Call theological education and youth and family ministry.

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

Hosts

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 (B.A. from UNC Charlotte), Public Administration (M.P.A. from Devry University), Biblical and Theological Foundations (M.B.T.F. 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 began teaching at Luther Seminary as an adjunct instructor in 2004 before becoming the director of the Center for Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2008. In addition to her continued work with the Center, Elton accepted the position of associate professor of Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2010 and associate professor of Leadership in 2014.

Prior to her call to Luther Seminary, Elton served as an associate to the bishop in the Saint Paul Area Synod where her responsibilities included working with congregations, leadership development, First Call theological education and youth and family ministry.

Elton holds a B.A. degree in communications from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. (1986). She earned both her 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

Calla Gilson
Lead Coordinator, Discipleship Initiative, Northwestern Ohio Synod (ELCA)

Calla Gilson serves as the Lead Coordinator for the Discipleship Initiative of the Northwestern Ohio Synod (ELCA), where she loves dreaming with folks across 22 counties about what God is up to in their communities. She holds a B.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University and is a YAGM Jerusalem and the West Bank alum. If she isn’t pulling espresso shots at the local coffee shop, you can find her digging in the dirt of the garden at home or alongside neighborhood families in the community garden – which both rely heavily on the abundant grace and care of gardener Jesus.

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

The Rev. Dr. Terri Martinson Elton began teaching at Luther Seminary as an adjunct instructor in 2004 before becoming the director of the Center for Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2008. In addition to her continued work with the Center, Elton accepted the position of associate professor of Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2010 and associate professor of Leadership in 2014.

Prior to her call to Luther Seminary, Elton served as an associate to the bishop in the Saint Paul Area Synod where her responsibilities included working with congregations, leadership development, First Call theological education and youth and family ministry.

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

Hosts

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 (B.A. from UNC Charlotte), Public Administration (M.P.A. from Devry University), Biblical and Theological Foundations (M.B.T.F. 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 began teaching at Luther Seminary as an adjunct instructor in 2004 before becoming the director of the Center for Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2008. In addition to her continued work with the Center, Elton accepted the position of associate professor of Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2010 and associate professor of Leadership in 2014.

Prior to her call to Luther Seminary, Elton served as an associate to the bishop in the Saint Paul Area Synod where her responsibilities included working with congregations, leadership development, First Call theological education and youth and family ministry.

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