Talking Diversity Without Creating Division | Episode 13

We cannot afford to ignore the AI revolution. Generative AI has passed fringe and fad status and has brought widespread disruption. Church leaders should view AI as an opportunity to embrace. Joining us is early adopter and entrepreneur, Kenny Jahng, to help us understand AI and strategize how church leaders and pastors can leverage AI to spread the Gospel and elevate our ministry.

Too often conversations about race and diversity only happen on the heels of tragedy. As churches, our goal must be to make the pursuit of diversity a part of our culture. To keep the conversation ongoing. To keep hands open and hearts filled with empathy. Wayne Francis, Lead Pastor of The Life Church in New York provides practical steps for you and your church to become a part of the solution as agents of reconciliation and change.

How do you navigate the natural tensions between church leaders and the staff creative team? Leaders push for results, while creatives push the envelope and sometimes all you end up with is frustration on both sides. Executive Pastor, Ben Stapley, shares clear tactics to build better team dynamics, minimize communication gaps, and increase effectiveness.

Talking with and about our LGBTQ+ friends can generate fear and anxiety for church leaders. It’s a conversation that’s deeply personal, highly emotional, and often confusing. How do you welcome people with open arms, showing grace, while remaining anchored in the truth of scripture? Art Pereira, Director of Community Care for Revoice, offers us a guide for loving the LGBTQ+ community.

Is the church experiencing the Great Resignation… of volunteers? It’s time to rethink how you recruit, retain, and reward your volunteers. Pastor Kayra Montanez shares how the church must invest in its people and envision them to use their gifts to serve others.

Is your church staff weary, distracted, and depleted? Those of us working in ministry too often feel we are just getting by with no capacity for extra: surviving not thriving. Let 2023 be the year you invest in and improve the emotional health of your staff. Liquid Church’s Discipleship Pastor Mike Lee offers a pathway to cultivate healthy spirituality and relationships at your church! 

Your vision requires provision! Every church should launch a Christmas Offering Campaign by Thanksgiving. Hosts Tim Lucas and Lauren Bercarich offer a step-by-step guide on how to make this happen. Our guest, Nithin Thompson, Lead Pastor of City Alliance Church, shares his story of success.

It’s time for churches to adopt a 21st Century model where online and in-person ministries work together seamlessly. Dave Adamson, author of MetaChurch, maps out how ministries of all sizes can effectively use technology to reach more people and make disciples. Learn how your church can extend its influence far beyond the walls of a building.

In episode 6 of the Church Changer podcast we talk about using Outreach as a strategy to recall your congregation, engage young people, and attract new guests. We offer up practical advice on launching successful outreaches for the Fall and Christmas seasons that match your timeline, budget, and goals. Why does this work so well? Outreach is this unique bridge between the ‘Churched’ and ‘Unchurched’, it’s almost like neutral territory, because most everyone can agree that doing good is a good thing. Stepping into a church building can be a big hurdle for people, but outreaches allow people to come together for a focused goal or mission that meets a need in someone's life or in a community. Whether that’s packing meals, serving at a mobile food pantry, building a house for Habitat for Humanity, or hosting a festival for families with a special needs child, all of these opportunities provide the Church with an opportunity to express our love for Jesus and His love for others. Outreaches are opportunities for acts of compassion, no strings attached. Liquid Church’s Outreach Director Kristin Flynn joins hosts Tim Lucas and Lauren Bercarich and prepares us to roll up our sleeves and get to work!If you’re a church leader looking for practical advice and real tools to help you get your job done and reach more people for Christ, Church Changer is for you. Join co-hosts Tim Lucas (Lead Pastor, Liquid Church) and Lauren Bercarich (Digital Director, Liquid Church) as they interview special guests, spotlight awesome churches, and share proven strategies in an easy-to-understand and approachable manner, so you can put them into practice at your church. We’re sitting on a hinge point in history and the way we “do church” has forever changed. Together, let’s push past organizational pain points and rip the lid off your leadership! New episode drops the first Tuesday of every month.For Leader Guides and to learn more about the Church Changer Network, go to ChurchChanger.com.Tim Lucas: Tim loves cheerleading for and collaborating with other churches! As the founding and Lead Pastor at Liquid Church in NJ, Tim is happy to share his learnings (the wins and misses) so others can increase their impact.Lauren Bercarich: Lauren’s roots are in journalism and her heart (and current day job) are in ministry as the Digital Director at Liquid Church! She loves telling good stories and equipping other churches with practical tools that reap real rewards.We'd love to hear from you!Email us at [email protected] us on Instagram @ChurchChangers Check out our website at ChurchChanger.comListen to this episode on Apple PodcastsPlus… if you enjoyed the show, we’d love it if you’d leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts!

In episode 5 of the Church Changer podcast, we explore how successful small groups build real community. God has hardwired us to desire community - we desire to be known and grow closer to God through community. To make this possible, churches must be intentional in their planning. Key ingredients to success: You must invest in strategic small group campaigns, offer virtual and hybrid group options, and equip and energize your group leaders. Liquid Church’s Groups Director Danielle Botelho joins hosts Tim Lucas and Lauren Bercarich to give practical advice on how to improve your small group systems.If you’re a church leader looking for practical advice and real tools to help you get your job done and reach more people for Christ, Church Changer is for you. Join co-hosts Tim Lucas (Lead Pastor, Liquid Church) and Lauren Bercarich (Digital Director, Liquid Church) as they interview special guests, spotlight awesome churches, and share proven strategies in an easy-to-understand and approachable manner, so you can put them into practice at your church. We’re sitting on a hinge point in history and the way we “do church” has forever changed. Together, let’s push past organizational pain points and rip the lid off your leadership! New episode drops the first Tuesday of every month.For Leader Guides and to learn more about the Church Changer Network, go to ChurchChanger.com.Tim Lucas: Tim loves cheerleading for and collaborating with other churches! As the founding and Lead Pastor at Liquid Church in NJ, Tim is happy to share his learnings (the wins and misses) so others can increase their impact.Lauren Bercarich: Lauren’s roots are in journalism and her heart (and current day job) are in ministry as the Digital Director at Liquid Church! She loves telling good stories and equipping other churches with practical tools that reap real rewards.We'd love to hear from you!Email us at [email protected] us on Instagram @ChurchChangers Check out our website at ChurchChanger.comListen to this episode on Apple PodcastsPlus… if you enjoyed the show, we’d love it if you’d leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts!