Center for Congregations Podcast
Center for Congregations
Your congregation is important, and we know that leading and serving in congregations is hard work. Join current and former Center for Congregations consultants Dr. Terrance Bridges, JC Campbell, Abby Miller, Shellie Riggs Jordan, McKenzie Scott Lewis, Ben Tapper, Matt Burke as they interview thought leaders and experts to encourage, inspire and help you find the right information and resources to address your congregation's needs. Center for Congregations staff will share what they're learning through work with congregations. Speakers, authors and congregational practitioners will share their stories and best practices to help your congregation thrive.The views expressed by podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by CfC employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of the CfC. If you have any questions about this disclaimer, please contact us at 866.307.2381 or info@centerforcongregations.org.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 25, 2026 • 36min
S8 E6: We Answer Your Questions
Join the Center for Congregations staff as we introduce a new host and answer your questions. Send us questions you'd like us to answer at podcast@centerforcongregations.org or text or call 260-498-8005.
Resources
How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Doren (book)
"What is a micro church?" by Jordan Moseley (article)
"Guide to Asset Mapping" by The Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund (article)
Mar 15, 2026 • 54min
S8 E5: The Gift of Capital Campaigns
Rob Henson of Solheim Stewardship joins Kara and Matt to share how capital campaigns are much more than just fundraising. Henson maintains that the work of a campaign is woven into the fabric of a congregation's larger work.
Resources
Solheim Stewardship (organization)
Understanding the Stages of a Nonprofit Capital Campaign (article)
The Giving Institute’s Eight Steps for Selecting Fundraising Counsel (article)
The African American Church: Financial Business & Operations Management Guide For Church Leadership (book)
Feb 25, 2026 • 57min
S8 E4: The Ethics of Using AI
Rev. Dr. Virgil Woods joins JC and Matt to discuss the use of AI (artificial intelligence) in congregational life. Dr. Woods is a pastor, author and tech consultant for congregations who believes that AI can be helpful but guardrails are required.
We also answer our first ever mailbag question: how can we implement programming so that it serves everyone in our congregation?
Email us at podcast@centerforcongregations.org with questions, reactions, resources or suggestions.
Resources
Rev. Dr. Virgil Woods' website
"Human Centered AI" (article)
"The Role of AI in The Church" (article)
Feb 11, 2026 • 53min
S8 E3: Those in Your Care
Erin Hill from the Center for Church and Community Impact joins JC and Matt to talk about their work and how congregations are caring for their communities.
Resources
Center for Church and Community Impact (organization)
My Grandmother's Hands by Resmaa Menakem (book)
The Spirituality of Welcoming by Ron Wolfson (book)
C3i on Instagram (@baylorsocialwork_c3i)
Jan 29, 2026 • 1h 1min
S8 E2: Defining and Rediscovering Community
Charles Vogl joins John and Matt to talk about his book The Art of Community. He defines community and we discuss how it plays out in congregations.
Resources
The Art of Community by Charles Vogl (book)
Charles Vogl's website
The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman (book)
Lost Connections by Johann Hari (book)
Team of Teams by Stanley McChrystal (book)
Mystic Heart by Wayne Teasedale (book)
Jan 14, 2026 • 51min
S8 E1: Get in the Room
Lisa Inks, Senior Director of Urban Rural Action, joins Shellie and Matt to talk about their work of healing polarization and divided culture. Lisa shares the origins of the organization, tools for conversation and the importance of this work in our current cultural climate.
Resources
Urban Rural Action (organization)
The Colossian Forum (organization)
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (organization)
Project Civility (organization)
+More Perfect Union (organization) - There are chapters in Terre Haute, South Bend, and Indianapolis
Braver Angels (organization)
The Socials
Urban Rural Action on Facebook
Urban Rural Action on Instagram
Urban Rural Action on LinkedIn
Dec 24, 2025 • 39min
S7 E22: Past, Present, Future 2025 Edition
President of the Center for Congregations Rev. Dr. Tim Shapiro joins JC and Matt to talk about what the Center for congregations has been learning through the past, this year and what we see as the futures of congregations.
Dec 10, 2025 • 47min
S7 E21: Congregations With Community
Congregations with Community (CWC) Senior Director McKenzie Scott Lewis joins JC and Matt to talk about the work of CWC and what they're learning about congregation and community collaboration.
Resources
Congregations with Community - CWC (organization)
CWC Facebook
IG @congregationswithcommunity
CWC LinkedIn
Seed to Oaks (organization)
The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging by Charles Vogl (book)
Nov 26, 2025 • 36min
S7 E20: Telling Stories
Center for Congregations staff Kara Faris, Shellie Riggs Jordan and Matt Burke gather to talk about what the Center for Congregations is learning in 2025. They share several stories of congregations in Indiana that highlight some of the great things happening in congregational life.
Resources
The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller (book)
Undue Medical Debt (organization)
Nov 12, 2025 • 58min
S7 E19: Ages and Stages - Respecting All Generations
Rev. Dr. Darrell Hall of The Way Community Church joins John and Matt to talk about doing the hard work of understanding other generations and how it is related to loving others.
Resources
Speaking Across Generations by Dr. Darrell Hall (book)
Generational IQ by Haydn Shaw (book)
Making Space at The Well by Dr. Jessica Brown (book)
Instagram - @IAmDarrellHall
X - @IAmDarrellHall
