Pivot

#81: Changing Church Culture Through Spiritual Practices

In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, Dr. Jinna Jin shares stories, strategies, and encouragement for overwhelmed pastors.

Download the Dwelling in the Word practice mentioned in the episode!

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How can church leaders introduce change and new spiritual practices in resistant congregations? In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, Dr. Jinna Jin shares stories, strategies, and encouragement for overwhelmed pastors.

As an experienced church consultant and professor, Jinna discusses why commitment to spiritual practices is essential for discerning God’s leading in a rapidly changing culture. She shares how practices like dwelling in the Word slowly transformed leaders in one church, and why the most resistant people are often leaders themselves.

Jinna also explains how pursuing change raises crucial questions of congregational identity and vision. What can churches hold onto, and what might they need to let go of to engage a new generation or neighbors? In the midst of the uncertainty of change, she urges leaders to model God’s unchanging peace and tend to their own mental, spiritual and relational health. Her biggest piece of advice for overwhelmed leaders? Find a supportive learning community to journey with.

Full of stories and practical wisdom, this conversation will encourage and equip pastors and lay leaders to faithfully navigate change for the sake of the church’s participation in God’s mission.

Shift Ministry Models
Faithful InnovationLeading ChangeSpiritual PracticesStorytelling & Evangelism

Featuring

JinnaJin-294x300

Dr. Jinna Jin

Jinna, PhD in practical theology, is a coach, researcher and teacher for congregational leadership, with a focus on engaging with changing contemporary culture and context. She is the Director of Leadership Development across Korean contexts.

Meet Your Hosts

  • Terri Elton

    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.

    Before her work in the synod, she served at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, Minn. for 16 years. While at Prince of Peace she worked in various roles within children, youth and family ministries, as well as served as the director of Changing Church Forum, an outreach ministry of Prince of Peace. She also authored To Know, To Live, To Grow, a confirmation curriculum, and co-authored What Really Matters, a book for congregational leaders, with the Rev. Mike Foss.

    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.

    Elton’s research and teaching interests include: congregational leadership, leading in the midst of change and conflict, helping ministry leaders craft a missional ecclesiology with an eye toward the First Third of Life, awakening a vibrant theology of baptism and vocation and reimagining faith and mission practices for children, youth, young adults and their families.

    Elton is a member of the Academy of Religious Leadership, the Association of Youth Ministry Educators, the ELCA Youth Ministry Network and the American Society of Missiology and is on the board for Real Resources. Elton spends much of her time working with congregations and congregational leaders and seeks out opportunities for enhancing ministry with those in the First Third of Life within the ELCA.

  • Dr. Alicia Granholm

    Alicia Granholm is senior director of Faith+Lead and a leadership and church consultant based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. She helps pastors and leaders engage culture to make a lasting impact. For nearly two decades, she has trained, equipped, and empowered followers of Jesus to engage their local communities by contextualizing the Gospel and its application. Alicia compassionately crosses cultural boundaries having lived, studied, traveled, and served in 25 countries on six continents. Alicia has a Doctor of Strategic Leadership, Global Consulting (Regent University), MDiv (Bethel Seminary), and MA in Teaching (University of St. Thomas).