Try Tank Podcast

Richard Carter, Anglican priest and founder of the Nazareth Community, speaks about building contemplative community in the city. He outlines a sevenfold rule of life centered on silence, service, scripture and Sabbath. The conversation touches on starting with prayer, hospitality to the vulnerable, practical ways to practice silence, and gratitude as a quiet form of resistance.

Bob Johansen, futurist and longtime Institute for the Future leader who teaches at the U.S. Army War College, explains the BANI lens for our brittle, anxious, nonlinear, and incomprehensible world. He discusses why framing matters, how systems shatter, anxiety’s social effects, the need for bendability and neuroflexible thinking, and how interconnection and AI augment leadership.

Dr. Josh Packard, sociologist of trust and belonging exploring sacred listening. Rev. Dr. Sam Wells, Anglican theologian known for incarnational, being-with theology. They discuss theology as presence not problem‑solving. They unpack eight dimensions of being with, listening as spiritual practice, rebuilding trust through small, local relationships, and choosing curiosity over correction.

Doyt Conn, rector who revived a declining Seattle parish through relational ministry and bold preaching. He talks about building trust fast, memorizing names, and shaping a unifying gospel-centered vision. He explains using preaching as the chief lever, teaching hard topics, running relational campaigns, and creating programs like Relata to spark connection.

Josh Packard, sociologist and author of Faithful Futures, studies religion, generations, and youth ministry. He argues generational labels can mislead. He champions sacred listening as a relational practice. He discusses belonging before belief, relational ministry at scale, micro-narratives, and how social media reshapes spiritual life.

In this episode of the Try Tank Podcast, Father Lorenzo Lebrija introduces a compelling keynote address delivered by Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre, a leading voice in contemporary Christian ethics, during the Faithful Futures Conference. In his keynote, Dr. De La Torre explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and ethics, calling for a liberative ethical framework that centers the experiences and voices of the marginalized. Drawing from his deep roots in liberation theology, he challenges listeners to confront the moral implications of emerging technologies and the socio-economic inequalities they risk perpetuating. Dr. De La Torre critiques dominant Eurocentric ethical paradigms, highlighting how they often ignore the lived realities of race, immigration, and class. He warns of the systemic injustices that unregulated AI can reinforce and makes a passionate case for a community-based, justice-oriented ethic.With scholarly insight and prophetic urgency, Dr. De La Torre calls on people of faith and conscience to engage AI not just as a technological issue, but as a deeply spiritual and ethical one. His keynote is a clarion call to approach the future with courage, creativity, and solidarity.

In this episode of the Try Tank Podcast, Father Lorenz Lebrija continues his conversation with Matt Rogers, the vicar at St. Mark's in Grimsby, recorded at Windsor Palace in England. This second part delves deeper into the remarkable journey of revitalizing a church that once had a mere four attendees. Matt shares the innovative strategies he employed for church growth, emphasizing the power of social media and personal invitations that resonate within the local community. He candidly discusses the realities of church planting, including the necessity for adaptability, the significance of prayer, and the celebration of both challenges and successes along the way.As Matt reflects on the first year of their church's revival, he reveals how they grew to a vibrant congregation of around 80 members, primarily through personal invitations rather than traditional marketing methods. The conversation highlights the role of the Alpha course in engaging newcomers and fostering connections among diverse groups, including families with young children. Matt also emphasizes the importance of excellence in worship and the value of building a strong, collaborative team environment.

In this episode of the Try Tank Podcast, Father Lorenz Lebrija engages with Matt Rodgers, the vicar at St. Mark's Church in Great Grimsby, to explore the revitalization of a historically significant yet struggling church. Matt shares the inspiring journey of transforming St. Mark's from a dwindling congregation of four to a vibrant community of faith. He discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of planting a church in Grimsby, an area marked by economic hardship and low church attendance. The conversation highlights the importance of community engagement, innovative outreach strategies, and the role of invitation in fostering a welcoming church environment.Matt reflects on the influence of Holy Trinity Brompton and the broader Anglican network in shaping his ministry approach, emphasizing the need for adaptability and a focus on mission over tradition. He candidly addresses the complexities of church revitalization in a diverse cultural landscape, including the importance of creating a space where all individuals feel accepted and valued, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs. This episode serves as a reminder of the transformative power of faith and community in even the most unlikely places.

In this episode of the Try Tank Podcast, Father Lorenzo Lebrija engages in a profound discussion with Dr. Josh Packard, the Director of Research at the Try Tank Research Institute and co-founder of Future of Faith. They explore the concept of sacred listening, a vital practice that emerges from a recent study highlighting its significance in faith formation. Dr. Packard shares insights on how listening can be an act of spiritual connection, emphasizing that the simple act of being heard can lead individuals closer to God. The conversation delves into the methodology of the study, which involved a nationally representative sample and in-depth interviews, revealing key findings about the traits of effective listening: being relatable, reliable, and genuinely curious. They discuss the barriers to listening and how these insights can inform ministry practices to foster a more inclusive and empathetic church environment. This episode is a call to action for faith leaders to cultivate a culture of sacred listening within their communities, transforming the way they engage with others and ultimately deepening spiritual connections.Dr. Josh Packard is a leading expert in the spiritual lives of modern American youth and the sociology of religion. His work focuses on understanding the dynamics of faith formation and the emerging expressions of spirituality in contemporary society. Through his research, he aims to equip faith communities with the tools necessary to engage meaningfully with diverse populations and enhance their ministry practices.For more resources on sacred listening and to explore the findings of the study, visit futureoffaith.org.

In this episode of the Try Tank Podcast, Father Lorenz Lebrija welcomes back Gabe Cervantes, the Director of Scalable Foresight at the Institute for the Future, to delve into the concept of scalable foresight and its significance for the church. Gabe shares insights on how organizations can cultivate a culture of futures thinking that involves everyone, not just a select few leaders. They discuss the key principles of scalable foresight, including the importance of collaborative thinking, the need to ask the right questions, and the role of a guide or Sherpa in navigating the complexities of future possibilities. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how to identify signals of change and drivers of change, and how these elements can inform strategic planning within their communities. This engaging conversation emphasizes the necessity of challenging present-day assumptions and fostering a proactive approach to building a resilient future for the church.Gabe Cervantes is a leading strategist in the field of foresight, working closely with organizations to enhance their ability to anticipate and respond to future challenges. His expertise in scalable foresight aims to empower individuals and communities to think creatively about the future and to engage in meaningful discussions that shape their paths forward.