Exploring Call with Bishop Tracy S. Malone

What does it really take to start a new church? And why does it still matter?In this episode of One Seed at a Time, host Dr. J sits down with Kim and Jim Griffith, two seasoned church planters and coaches with decades of experience starting new faith communities across the country. Together, they pull back the curtain on what church planting actually looks like today, from the models that work to the mistakes that sink new plants before they ever get off the ground.Kim and Jim share their own origin stories, break down the characteristics of effective church planters, and make the case for why affinity and community fit matter more than almost anything else. They also challenge the idea that church planting is only for full-time clergy, and make a compelling argument that laypeople may be some of the most effective planters out there.Whether you have a vision for a new faith community, or you just want to understand how the church grows, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about what is possible.New spaces. New people. One seed at a time.

In this episode, Dr. J and Reverend Dr. Lovett Weams discuss the future of the United Methodist Church, focusing on revitalization and community engagement. They explore the challenges faced by the church, the importance of understanding current realities, and the need for innovative approaches to reach new members. The conversation explores the need for the United Methodist Church to engage more deeply with communities, reclaim its mission, and focus on growth through professions of faith. It emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural dynamics, reimagining church presence, and implementing effective turnaround strategies.TakeawaysRevitalization of the churchEngaging with community needs Focus on community engagementReclaiming the mission of MethodismChapters00:00 Introduction to Church Revitalization03:16 Pivotal Moments in Church History10:57 Current Realities of the United Methodist Church18:02 Observations from Church Visits21:50 Understanding Declining Membership30:55 Following People, Not Buildings38:57 The Interdependence of Churches42:28 Understanding Community Dynamics45:43 Reclaiming the Mission of Methodism49:00 Engaging New Members Effectively54:00 Professions of Faith and Growth01:01:46 Cultural Norms and Diversity01:07:54 Reimagining Church Presence01:10:25 Turnaround Strategies for Growth01:20:25 Hope and Action in the Church

The conversation delves into the forgotten conversation of reimagining in-person worship, addressing the challenges and opportunities in creating meaningful and relevant worship experiences. It explores the cynicism of churches, the call to action, and the need to overcome institutionalism in worship. Additionally, it discusses the importance of engagement and community in worship, as well as the decision-making process of changing existing worship versus starting something new. The conversation explores the call to mission and vision, the sense of call and resistance, countercultural church and community engagement, building community and worship changes, common mistakes in worship revitalization, and starting with prayer and testimony. It emphasizes the importance of discernment, personal connection, and systemic change in worship revitalization.TakeawaysReimagining in-person worship is a critical and often overlooked conversation in churches.Overcoming institutionalism and engaging the community are essential for creating meaningful and relevant worship experiences. Importance of discernment and prayer in worship revitalizationBuilding community and personal connection as a foundation for worship changesChapters00:00 The Forgotten Conversation: Reimagining In-Person Worship03:02 The Cynicism of Churches and the Call to Action09:33 Overcoming Institutionalism in Worship15:54 The Meaningful and Relevant Worship Experience23:09 Engagement and Community in Worship30:56 Changing Existing Worship vs. Starting Something New39:33 The Call to Mission and Vision46:30 The Sense of Call and Resistance49:38 Countercultural Church and Community Engagement55:07 Building Community and Worship Changes01:05:14 Common Mistakes in Worship Revitalization01:10:55 Starting with Prayer and Testimony

The conversation explores the challenges faced by church leaders in navigating tensions between tradition and change, internal focus and community engagement, and the need for adaptability in a rapidly changing world. Rev. Dr. F. Douglas Powe Jr. discusses the role of seminaries in preparing future church leaders and the skills needed to lead congregations effectively. The conversation delves into the critical importance of movement, decision-making, and credibility in church leadership. It explores the challenges of evaluating and navigating change, as well as the tension between tradition and future vision. Dr. Paul offers a word of encouragement, drawing from the story of Esther, emphasizing the hope and faith required to navigate difficult leadership situations.TakeawaysAdaptability in leadershipThe importance of learning and reflection in church revitalization Movement is critical for vitalityDecision-making and credibility are overlooked but essential skills for church leadersChapters00:00 Navigating Tensions in Church Leadership03:16 Challenges Faced by Mainline Seminaries17:20 The Role of Learning in an Adept Congregation22:06 Metaphors for Congregational Movement34:50 The Importance of Movement35:16 The Overlooked Skill of Decision-Making39:40 Challenges of Navigating Change43:27 The Role of Credibility in Leadership53:39 The Significance of Evaluation01:01:54 Navigating Tensions in Ministry01:04:19 A Word of Encouragement

The conversation delves into Bishop Tracy Smith Malone's journey of answering the call to ministry and the pivotal role of community support in affirming and nurturing her calling. It also explores the challenges and transformative experiences in her pastoral appointments, highlighting the importance of reflecting the community in church ministry. The conversation covers the themes of community engagement and diversity, challenges of revitalization, the call to episcopacy, signs of hope in the United Methodist Church, global perspective of the United Methodist Church, identifying God's work in a church, and call narrative and evolution. The discussion emphasizes the importance of community engagement, the evolution of one's call, and the signs of hope within the United Methodist Church.TakeawaysCommunity support in answering the callReflecting the community in church ministry Community engagementCall narrativeEvolution of callChapters00:00 The Call to Ministry and Community Support08:11 The Importance of Community in Answering the Call17:42 Challenges and Transformative Ministry24:53 Community Engagement and Diversity36:25 Signs of Hope in the United Methodist Church45:10 Call Narrative and Evolution

The podcast episode explores the untold realities of revitalization, emphasizing the challenges and unexpected aspects of leading change in a church community. It delves into the emotional and personal nature of revitalization work, highlighting the need for faith, persistence, and compassion in the face of uncertainty and resistance.TakeawaysRevitalization is hard workProgress in revitalization is not linearChapters00:00 Introduction to Revitalization07:24 Untold Reality #3: Can't Do It All at Once12:32 Untold Reality #5: You Can't Bypass Grief18:35 Untold Reality #7: Don't Take It Personal

The conversation explores the concept of church revitalization as a deliberate, spirit-led process of renewal and rediscovery. It emphasizes that revitalization is not limited to declining churches but is also relevant for growing congregations that need to consistently rediscover themselves.TakeawaysChurch revitalization is a process of renewal and rediscovery that is intentional, spirit-led, and focused on aligning with God's mission in the current context.Revitalization is not just for declining churches, but also for growing congregations that need to consistently rediscover themselves.