Live from the Siburt Institute

Our discussion with Dr. Stephen Bullivant continues as we pivot from the broader religious landscape into Churches of Christ. We will begin with Dr. Bullivant's perspective and intrigue on Churches of Christ and their pioneering of restoration. Then move into how the rise of the "nones" is playing out within Churches of Christ. Since Churches of Christ are not unaffected by the rise of the nones and secularization, how have churches in our context responded to this reality? 
This podcast is a recording of our Intersection Teleconference from September 2024. You can watch the conference on our website at www.siburtinstitute.org/intersection. 
 
0:00-4:20: Intro
4:20-4:40: Prayer
4:40-10:00: Stephen’s Studies on American Christianity 
10:00-17:00: “A Simple Christianity”: Continual Effort and Failure to Return to Simplicity
17:00-21:30: Competition Between Denominations
21:30-27:30: Churches of Christ: A Diverse Denomination
27:30-35:15: Recent Rise of Non-Denominational Churches
35:15-41:15: “Nones”: Who Are They and Why Have They Decided This?
41:15-44:30: Appealing to the Nones to Come Back
44:30-48:45: Out of the American Context: Secularization in Other Countries
50:00-55:45: How Do Screens Add to This Conversation?
55:45-58:30: Is There a Simple Appeal for Christianity that Can Be Made to Nones?
58:30-1:00:30: Final Comments
1:00:30-1:03:00: Closing and Prayer

Myles Werntz and Helen Paynter discuss her new book on the Bible and violence, and what it means for ministers to lead people well into a violent world. The Reverend Dr. Paynter is Director of Theological Education, Tutor in Biblical Studies, and Executive Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence at Bristol Baptist College in the United Kingdom.
 
0:00-2:00: Intro
2:00-5:30: Violence and Scripture 
5:30-10:00: What Kind of Violence Do We See In Scripture That Can Be Surprising?
10:00-13:35: Diving into Theology, Themes, and Connection to Violence
13:35-18:00: Approaching Tensions Between PeaceMaking and Violence We See in the Bible
18:00-22:30: Normalizing Speaking About These Topics
22:30-27:10: How Churches Can Be Involved
27:10-29:00: Contact and Closing

David Kneip and Anna Carter Florence talk about her work as a preacher and professor of homiletics and her upcoming visit to ACU's Summit gathering.  Topics include the shared love of Scripture among the Churches of Christ and the Presbyterian churches, the importance and opportunities found in reading Scripture in community, connections that the theatre has with preaching, and her newest book A is for Alabaster: 52 Reflections on the Stories of Scripture.
 
0:00-1:30: Intro
1:30-4:30: About Anna
4:30-7:30: What Motivated Anna to Teach and Share
7:30-11:45: Rooting Preaching in the Biblical Text
11:45-18:45: Anna’s Connection with the Theatre: Welcoming
18:45-22:15: Preacher Studio
22:15-27:45: “Igniting Love of Scripture”: Importance of Group Participation
27:45-30:20: “A is For Alabaster”: Anna’s New Book
30:20-End: Contact and Closing
 

David Kneip and Travis Akins discuss aspects of planting a congregation and building a new church building.  The conversation grows out of Travis's current experience as the minister of a new church in Oklahoma.  Topics include the process of planting a church and then building a building, obstacles and unexpected blessings along the way, and spiritual resources that helped support the minister and the church.
 
0:00-6:30: Intro
6:45-11:15: Heritage Church’s: “Church in a Trailer”
11:15-21:45: Building Heritage’s Building
21:45-30:15: Unexpected Surprises Along the Way
30:15-35:15: Travis’ Experiences with the Transition
35:15-38:30: What Others Can Learn From This
38:30-40:00: Contact and Closing

David Kneip and Candace Nicolds talk about the opportunities and challenges that have come from individuals joining congregations through the live-streaming of worship services.  They discuss Candace's work at the Brookline Church of Christ (Boston, MA), conversations among leadership, and theological implications of pastoral care for online congregants.
 
0:00-4:00: Intro
4:00-6:00: How Online Ministry Felt at the Start
6:00-11:30: 18 Months of Zoom Only
11:30-14:00: What Was This Like As a Leader
14:00-18:30: Theology and Practicality of Online Congregations
18:30-25:45: Hidden Spiritual Needs
25:45-31:15: Successes and Failures Within This Environment
31:15-36:45: Advice to Others in the Same Boat
36:45-42:15: Connecting the Dots
42:15-44:00: Closing and Contact

Jennifer Schroeder talks with Henry Zonio about why it is so important that our children's ministry resources reflect the diversity of God's kingdom and the impact on our children when they don't. Henry, a leading scholar in this area, pairs sociology with Christian education to help churches and faith based organizations think more intentionally about the work they are doing. This is the second of a two-part conversation. Listen to our next podcast for the entire session!
 
0:00-1:15: Intro
1:15-7:45: Belonging and Mattering
7:45-18:45: Working Toward a Better Curriculum That Indicates Belonging and Mattering
18:45-24:30: Why Would You Say This Work is So Critical?
24:30-28:30: Henry’s Article, Contact and Closing

Jennifer Schroeder talks with Henry Zonio about why it is so important that our children's ministry resources reflect the diversity of God's kingdom and the impact on our children when they don't. Henry, a leading scholar in this area, pairs sociology with Christian education to help churches and faith based organizations think more intentionally about the work they are doing. This is the first of a two-part conversation. Listen to our next podcast for the entire session!
 
0:00-2:30: Intro
2:30-8:45: Henry’s Article-“Normalizing White Spirituality Within Children’s Ministry”
8:45-17:00: What Themes Emerged From Henry’s Research
17:00-18:45: Not Just “Sunday School”: Teaching Life as well as Bible
18:45-24:30: What “Normalizing White Spirituality” Means
24:30-28:30: What Age Children Start Internalizing These Ideas
28:30-33:15: What Does This Imply for Children’s Ministry?

David Kneip and Rivers Rich discuss ministry searches from the perspective of a minister who was just hired on staff at a church. Rivers talks about his experience of searching for a minister position after he graduated from ACU. He gives a unique point of view for both those who are on a search committee and those looking for a position. 
 
0:00-6:15: Intro
6:15-11:15: Job Search Timeline
11:15-16:00: What Rivers Was Looking For In A Church
16:00-19:45: Positive Things Churches Did
19:45-23:30: Collegiate Help when Preparing to Look for Jobs
23:30-26:00: Resumes
26:00-30:45: Rivers Wishes Churches Did More of -----?
30:45-32:00: Contact and Closing
 

David Kneip and Robert Oglesby discuss ministry searches, specifically focusing on Robert's work with churches and leader groups.  Robert shares about the ways that he helps churches navigate the current shortage of ministers, shares stories of searches gone well and poorly, and provides tips for churches to conduct their searches more wisely and effectively. 
 
0:00-2:45: Intro
2:45-5:30: Robert’s Work as a Consultant for Churches Looking
5:30-9:30: What is the Hard Part of “Looking”?
9:30-13:30: Preparing for the Long Haul The Current Market Demands
13:30-15:15: Comparison Of Offers in the Market
15:15-20:30: A Situation that Went Well?
20:30-23:30: Narrowing Down: On-Site Visit
23:30-28:15: What NOT To Do When Searching
28:15-32:45: How To Search More Effectively
32:45-35:00: Contact and Closing

Jennifer Schroeder talks with Traci Smith and David Csinos about how to incorporate intentional faith practices within families, why it is so important even at a very young age, and how churches and ministry leaders can better support their families in this pursuit. Traci and Dave are active scholars and leaders in the field of children's ministry and draw on both their experience and their research to encourage families and churches.
 
0:00-3:30: Intro
3:30-5:00: Family Faith Practices Research
5:00-9:00: Essential Early Faith Practices
9:00-13:00: Adding a Layer Rather Than Something Else to the List
13:00-16:15: Faith Formation at Home
16:15-21:15: “CookBook” Mentality
21:15-25:45: Integration of Ideas and Support within the Research
25:45-28:30: What Traci and David Do in Their Own Families 
28:30-30:45: Advice to Church Members and Families
30:45-33:30: Contact and Closing