Transforming Engagement: The Podcast

In this deeply meaningful conversation, host Rose Madrid Swetman speaks with Romanita Hairston, CEO of the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust. Drawing from her vantage point leading a major philanthropic institution and her lifelong experience in the Pacific Northwest, Romanita helps us see grief not only as an emotional experience but as a necessary communal practice that can strengthen relationships, build bridges, and open new possibilities for flourishing. Romanita reflects on the disruptive events of recent years including the "quadruple pandemic" of public health crisis, economic instability, racial reckoning, and political polarization, and how these collective pressures have reshaped the nonprofit sector. She names the weariness, compassion fatigue, and leadership transitions impacting organizations today, while offering a framework for attending to the human experience beneath strategic plans, funding models, and systems change. With warmth, clarity, and deep wisdom, Romanita offers pastors, nonprofit leaders, and anyone navigating change a compelling vision for how grief and gratitude deepen our capacity to lead with courage, humility, and love. Resources  M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust Romanita's Article in Christ & Cascadia   

In this episode, Rose Madrid Swetman interviews Martin Jimenez from Pivot Northwest, discussing the organization's mission to engage young adults in church leadership and community. Joi Drawing from nearly a decade of research and application, Martin shares five key practices for meaningful intergenerational ministry:  Creating dedicated young adult spaces  Facilitating storytelling between generations Elevating young adults to leadership positions with real decision-making power Implementing intergenerational relationship building Forming diverse teams to guide these initiatives They explore key learnings from research, the impact of social media on young adult theology, and the importance of intergenerational relationships. The conversation also touches on the challenges of polarization among young adults, the influence of figures like Mark Driscoll, and the need for compassion in church communities.   Martin also shares details about Pivot Northwest's upcoming intergenerational pilgrimage to the Camino de Santiago, designed to build trust and connection through months of preparation, the journey itself, and ongoing reflection.  Whether you're a pastor, lay leader, or simply interested in strengthening intergenerational community, this episode offers practical wisdom and research-backed insights for engaging young adults authentically.   Resources pivotnw.org https://www.youtube.com/@pivotnworg  https://theseattleschool.edu/  https://transformingengagement.org/ 

What does it mean to truly find your voice as a preacher? Rev. Dr. Teresa Fry Brown has spent a lifetime exploring that question. A powerhouse in the world of preaching and a trailblazing scholar at Emory's Candler School of Theology, Dr. Fry Brown brings her expertise in homiletics, womanism, and even speech pathology to this conversation on what it really means to find—and own—your authentic preaching voice. In this episode of Transforming Engagement: The Podcast, she joins host Rev. Dr. Seth Thomas to explore the delicate balance between personal authenticity, the needs of listeners, and the nuance of different contexts. How do we cultivate a preaching voice that is both deeply true to ourselves and deeply respectful of the spaces we enter? Dr. Fry Brown shares wisdom on everything from the technical aspects of vocal delivery to the spiritual and emotional demands of preaching through hardship. And yes, we even get into why she preaches with her shoes off. Join us for a practical and deeply inspiring conversation about preaching, presence, and the power of knowing your voice.  

Who gets to preach in your congregation? Is the pulpit reserved for just one voice, or could it be a place of shared storytelling and wisdom? This week on Transforming Engagement: The Podcast, we continue our Reimagining Preaching series with the Rev. Dr. Shauna Hannan, a professor, author, and preacher who is passionate about equipping the whole congregation for the ministry of proclamation. Dr. Hannan challenges the traditional model of preaching as a solo endeavor and instead invites pastors to develop preaching collaborations—empowering lay leaders to find their voices and engage Scripture in new ways. She shares practical ways to start small, build confidence, and create a culture where multiple voices contribute to the life of the church. What happens when pastors shift from simply delivering sermons to facilitating conversations around Scripture? What if instead of "feedback" after a sermon, we engage in "feed forward" before the sermon even begins? Dr. Hannan offers fresh insights on how inviting laypeople into the preaching process not only strengthens their confidence but also deepens relationships within the church community. Whether you're a seasoned preacher or someone exploring how to step into a preaching role, this episode is full of wisdom on how to make preaching more collaborative, inclusive, and transformative. Join us as we reimagine what it means to share the gospel together! == Continue the Conversation at the Reimagining Preaching Conference: May 3, 2025 Join the Center for Transforming Engagement in Shoreline, Washington, for this skills-based conference equipping clergy, church staff, and lay preachers to bring the Word to life in Cascadia.  Learn more and register at: https://transformingengagement.org/preaching-conference

If you're a pastor wrestling with how to address social issues from the pulpit without dividing your congregation – or putting your job at risk – this episode is for you.  Rev. Dr. Leah Schade brings practical wisdom and thoughtful insights on how to preach with courage and compassion in today's polarized climate. Drawing from her extensive research and her new book Preaching and Social Issues: Tools and Tactics for Empowering Your Prophetic Voice, Leah shares insights on navigating difficult conversations from the pulpit.  She offers practical strategies for pastors seeking to address social issues in ways that build bridges rather than deepen divisions. With a focus on dialogue, Leah encourages pastors to invite their congregations into thoughtful conversations that uncover shared values and inspire collective action. This episode is a must-listen for pastors who want to speak boldly about justice and social issues while still nurturing connection and trust within their congregations. Leah's insights offer both encouragement and practical tools to help you engage your community in meaningful ways — without losing your voice or your pastoral relationships. About This Season, "Reimagining Preaching": This season, we're exploring how the church can proclaim the good news in our time by reimagining preaching. Host Rev. Dr. Seth Thomas is joined by experts in the preaching craft—leaders who think deeply and dream boldly about how we can bring a liberated witness to the pulpit and the world. As you listen to this season, please let us know what you think. We value your feedback and questions! ==== Related Resources: Are you a preacher in the U.S.? You can help Dr. Schade and her team with their research studying ministry, preaching, and social issues by filling out this survey. Thinking of addressing social issues in a sermon? Preachers can take this 5-minute assessment of their strengths and vulnerabilities here. Discover more resources, links, and the transcript from this episode at transformingengagement.org/podcast   

Hope isn't just for Easter Sunday—it's a rhythm we're invited to live into every day. But in times like these, how do we hold onto hope—and bring it to our congregations and communities? In the first episode of our new season of Transforming Engagement: the Podcast, host Rev. Dr. Seth Thomas sits down with Dr. Mark Lloyd Taylor, author of So Fill Our Imaginations: The Work and Play of a Year in Preaching, to explore what it truly means to preach hope. Together, they explore the paradox of hope: while we may not always see it, we are called to be it. Dr. Taylor connects this to the Episcopal baptismal covenant, emphasizing commitments to justice, service, and stewardship. A recent addition to the covenant—caring for God's creation—highlights the importance of concrete action in our faith. Dr. Taylor shares how the Godly Play early childhood education method can inspire a more interactive and imaginative approach to preaching. He offers practical ways to invite your congregation into the process—not just through words, but through visuals and the physical space around you. Whether you preach from the pulpit or live your faith in everyday moments, this conversation will inspire you to cultivate attentiveness, deepen your engagement, and bring hope to the communities you serve. About This Season, "Reimagining Preaching": This season, we're exploring how the church can proclaim the good news in our time by reimagining preaching. Host Seth Thomas is joined by experts in the preaching craft—leaders who think deeply and dream boldly about how we can bring a liberated witness to the pulpit and the world. Listener Resources: Each episode of this season, our guest spotlights an organization making a positive impact, In this episode, Dr. Taylor shares the work of St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church, which houses the Neighborhood House, an early learning center, in Burien, Washington. Check out Dr. Mark Lloyd Taylor's book, So Fill Our Imaginations: The Work and Play of a Year of Preaching (Wipf & Stock, 2022), available here. Don't miss an episode: Subscribe to Transforming Engagement: the Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or Amazon Music (Audible). Continue the Conversation at the Reimagining Preaching Conference: May 3, 2025 Join the Center for Transforming Engagement in Shoreline, Washington, for this skills-based conference equipping clergy, church staff, and lay preachers to bring the Word to life in Cascadia. Learn more and register at: https://transformingengagement.org/preaching-conference/.     

As we wrap up our series Advent: a Season of Waiting, Brian McLaren and Rose Madrid Swetman explore the theme of love, especially the challenge and beauty of loving across differences.  The conversation delves into what it means to embody love amidst uncertainty and polarization. Rose and Brian discuss how love can hold space for shared humanity, allowing for connection even in disagreement.  You'll hear some practical insights include how to navigate tense conversations—like at holiday gatherings—with respect, humility, and openness. Listen to the full conversation to discover how love might be embodied in your own context this Advent season.  

This week, Rev. Dr. Angela Parker joins Dr. Rose Madrid Swetman to explore how joy can coexist with sorrow, lament, and adversity. Their conversation reminds us that joy isn't just possible in difficult seasons — it's essential for resilience and shared hope. Embodying joy is a vital part of practicing a "faithful resistance." We hope this episode inspires you to embrace the transformative power of joy, even in the waiting.  

Dr. J.P. Kang and Rev. Dr. Charlene Lee delve into the theme of peace amidst chaos, grief, and division. Their timely discussion, set against the backdrop of a contentious post-election season in the United States, explores the biblical concept of peace as communal, relational, and deeply rooted in God's promises. With candid insights and theological depth, this episode invites us to consider: How can we embody peace in fractured relationships, hurting communities, and a broken world? And how might Advent's promise of peace shape the way we bear witness to God's kingdom in the here and now? We invite you to listen to the full conversation and reflect on what it means to seek and live out true peace today.  

How do we hold on to hope in a world that feels heavy with pain and disillusionment? Dr. Dan Allender and Dr. J. Derek McNeil invite us into an honest conversation about navigating the tension between hope and despair during the Advent season.  In this episode, Dan and Derek explore the vulnerability of waiting and the struggle between wanting quick fixes and trusting in a bigger story. They talk about how cynicism, disappointment, and past wounds can chip away at our trust in the future—and why we need each other to rekindle hope when it feels out of reach. Advent, they suggest, is a "haunting" season, one that challenges us to sit with the tension of longing and trust. It's a time to nurture patience, imagination, and faith — even when the path forward feels uncertain. Join Dan and Derek on the podcast today as they wrestle with the beauty and complexity of waiting with hope.