Live from the Siburt Institute

Hannah Sutton-Adams: Godly Play

Jennifer Schroeder and Hannah Sutton-Adams discuss "Godly Play," an approach to engaging the Bible with children that seeks to find and make meaning through story, wonder, and play. They discuss how Godly Play nurtures children's spirituality honoring children's knowledge of God, capacity for wonder, and ability to ask and discuss deep questions. They also consider some of the challenges and opportunities that come for children's ministers and ministry volunteers.  Among the resources that come up in the episode are:
Rebecca Nye's Children's Spirituality: What It Is and Why It Matters
Ron Bruner and Dana Kennamer's Along the Way: Conversations about Children and Faith
The Godly Play foundation (website: godlyplayfoundation.org)
 

Julio Guarneri: Leading in the Baptist Convention in Texas

Myles Werntz talks with Julio Guarneri, the executive director of the Baptist Convention of Texas. Growing up in a ministerial environment, Julio moved to Texas as a teenager when his pastored in Texas and felt a call into ministry. After his time working in the local church, he became the executive director and talks with us about his experience in this role. He encourages all in the Baptist Convention, and those in the Church across the world, to develop partnerships to advance the kingdom.

Kim Botto: Inclusive Children’s Ministry

Jennifer Schroeder and Kim Botto discuss doing children’s ministry with children of all personalities and temperaments. Kim discusses how the church has often done ministry in an exclusive way to kids with disabilities or sensitivities and suggests how we can become more inclusive. She offers insight to how leaders can create an environment of calm, being flexible to the needs that children may need, and curious to their needs.

Robert and Lori Crosby: Trauma-Informed Children’s Ministry

Jennifer Schroeder talks with Robert and Lori Crosby about their work with children who have experienced trauma and how it shapes our work with them in ministry. They share what it looks like to think about ministry through a trauma-informed lens and why that approach fosters an environment that leads to feelings of safety and welcome in the church.
Website: https://reachhurtingkids.com
Book: Trauma-Informed Children's Ministry: A Practical Guide to Reaching Hurting Kids by Robert and Lori Crosby

Tiffany Yecke Brooks: Faith After Deconstruction

Jennifer Schroeder talks with Tiffany Yecke Brooks about her upcoming book, To Rebehold the Stars, which talks about rebuilding your faith after deconstruction. In this podcast, she shares her insight to how people can navigate faith after deconstruction. She also discusses ways our churches can help others as they are going through deconstruction and how we can equip young people with resources to feel comfortable to ask questions when doubts arise. 
Website: tiffanyyeckebrooks.com

Zane McGee: The Role of Interpretation in Reading Scripture

Jennifer Schroeder talks with Zane McGee about how we read Scripture as people seeking to be faithful. Zane reflects on the role interpretation plays in every reading, the importance of approaching the Bible as a cohesive story, and practices that help develop greater attentiveness to the text. 

Wissam Al-Saliby: Advocating for Religious Freedom

Myles Werntz interviews Wissam Al-Saliby about his life working as an advocate for religious freedom. Growing up in post-war Lebanon, Wissam developed a passion to help the evangelical church in other countries how to handle war and violence as Christians. He also gives advice for people in the American church who want to help churches living in persecution. 

Jeremy Marshall: Embracing Neurodiversity in the Church

Jennifer Schroeder and Jeremy Marshall explore what it looks like for the church to truly embrace neurodiversity. By naming common ministry practices that are unintentionally exclusive, churches can reimagine ministry and become spaces of belonging, safety, and dignity for people with neurodivergence. Drawing on Jeremy's ministry experience, this conversation offers practical wisdom for cultivating a church where everyone is welcomed and valued. 

Wilson McCoy: Implementing Intergenerational Ministry in Our Churches

Jennifer Schroeder and Wilson McCoy talk about intergenerational ministry on a congregational level, the benefits Wilson has witnessed through his research, and practical ways to shift into ministry that includes people of all ages. In this podcast, Wilson helps define and differentiate between multigenerational ministry and intergenerational ministry and gives insight to what flourishing intergenerational churches can look like. 
Wilson’s Book: www.amazon.com/Imagining-All-Generations-Renewed-Intergenerational/dp/1684263433
Website: www.drwilsonmccoy.com/

Emily McGowin: Households of Faith

Jennifer Schroeder and Emily McGowin talk about her book, Households of Faith, and her work on reimagining what a family can look like in the church. Growing up in a non-traditional household, she is passionate about changing our perspective of the church’s definition of “family.” Dr. McGowin shares the importance of changing our view of family in the church and at home in order to create a more unified and God-reflecting community.  
Buy Emily McGowin's Book: https://www.ivpress.com/households-of-faith?srsltid=AfmBOoqxo4JIE35GB_xpfYWHcUcS_KbNtK_Evn9kyNDURqvFYH7Zwqqu