Episode 7: What Are You Reading?

Today's podcast does what most of our podcasts do - it goes down the rabbit hole of parish ministry.  The title might lead one to assume we are going to discuss our reading lists.  Of course, we share some books and topics.  However, the thrust of our conversation is how reading informs our ministry.  One of the main ideas that starts the conversation is the importance of imagination and discernment versus program-based ministry.  We delve into the tension of including the congregation in this process which can guide the direction of parish ministry.  We try to answer questions such as:

• As leaders are we trying to make the church relevant in people's lives?
• Are we creating space to help people find significance in community?
• What is the difference between relevance and significance?
• By including the congregation in dialogue or surveys are we as leaders falling into the trap of wanting to be liked versus leading from our core?
• Where do we keep the "complaints" box?
• Can we use what we read to guide us on the journey of ministry?
• Is our formation in seminary enough to inform us, or was seminary a long reading list?
• Do the direct experiences we have with the holy help guide us? 
• What ever happened to using mentors (and is Stuart really trying to become a Jedi Master)? 

We hope you enjoy it, as always we are continuing to experiment with the sound (so we apologize that Stuart is back in the barrel).  PLEASE LEAVE US YOUR COMMENTS.

PODCAST LINK

Podcast Notes:


Congregations Gone Wild

Article about Clergy Panel at Grace Church in Gainesville

For a full list Brian's reading list, go to his Good Reads Account.

For books Stuart is using and a bibliography on his doctoral thesis, go to the Mindful Church Blog.

Episode Six: Leading Through Change

       As the Supreme Court and the Episcopal Church have both embraced our homosexual brothers, sisters in the institution of marriage, we discuss our role in the midst of this social change.  We share our overwhelming joy, the challenges of leading people who are not rejoicing, and being confronted by those who feel obligated to speak against our understanding of God's love that embraces marriage equality.
      One of the most difficult and complex aspects of our ministry is, in effect, the call to minister to every soul within our parish community.  In our ordination vows, we promise to be present and minister to both rich and poor, young and old--effectively breaking through every dichotomy we see in life.  Like Brian says, some people are celebrating while others are mourning.  Some are taking deep signs of relief while others are holding their breath in anxiety and anger.  How do we be present and offer care to every soul in our parishes? 

      Ministry is complex, to be sure.  And, at times of social change like we are experiencing, with marriage equality, climate change, housing concerns, healthcare decisions--so many!--we are called both to hold the entire community as well as always point toward the Gospel of Christ, a message of love, equality, community, compassion, peace, and justice. 

      So, in this spirit, we open our conversation to you.  We make public our own struggles and desires, our own yearnings to be faithful priests--while, of course, not taking ourselves so seriously!

     And, we invite you to join in the conversation.

We hope you enjoy A Glimpse Within our lives as priests in the midst of change.

Podcast Link

Click here to watch the Skype Video

Podcast Notes:

Op-Ed "Time to Take our Faith Past Catchphrases" By The Reverend Stuart Higginbotham 

SPONSORED BY:

 The Society of Quoting Scripture to Prove the Love of God.  Our Mission Statement: Luke 6:31, Luke 6:35, Romans 12:9, Mark 12:31, Romans 13:10, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 1 Corinthians 13:13, Ephesians 4:2, 1 Peter 4:8, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:18-19, John 15:13, Colossians 3:14, Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 17:17, 1 John 3:16-18, 1 John 4:8, John 3:16, Psalm 18:1, Matthew 22:37-39, 

Episode Five: Spiritual Greening, An Interview with Dr. Courtney Cowart, Th.D.

Every year at this time Stuart arrives at Sewanee to continue is Doctoral in Ministry. The end of each program is marked by a gathering of folk from Atlanta to enjoy one another's company. I happened to finagle an invitation for this traditional gathering.

I arrived at Suwanee as Stuart was finishing his last class for the day. We immediately dropped my bags and went over to Dr. Courtney Cowart's house to help her prepare for the party. The setting was a quaint cabin in the woods on a small pond.  Upon entering we were immediately met with candles burning, elegant decor, music playing, bars (yes, plural) fully stocked and a secret recipe for deviled eggs being prepared in the kitchen.  No cars or tea this evening, instead we are theologians drinking bourbon while preparing deviled eggs.

Enjoy Episode Five (Part I), which is about the power of the laity, spiritual greening, enzymes, and most importantly a glimpse within the life of an incredible friend and a powerful theologian, Dr. Courtney Cowart.

LINK TO PODCAST

But first.... A Word From Our Sponsor:

This Episode is brought to you by THE GREENING ENZYME.  As the summer gets hot and your spiritual life begins to shrivel, pick up your 12lb bag of the most incredible Greening Enzyme. Theologian created, theologian tested, Bishop approved: go to their website today at Living in the Green.  

Episode Four: Preaching Wisdom - An Interview with The Rev. Dr. Martha Sterne

It was a cloudless, beautiful, Spring afternoon in Atlanta. The perfect tempature for tea, whether you drink it cold or hot.  I took mine hot, Stuart took his cold and our guest The Reverend Dr. Martha Sterne simply had water as we began our fourth episode of Theologians Drinking Tea in a Car.  Along with Martha, we had another special guest.  Her canine friend, Flash, who kept everything light and lively as well as challenging the Episcopal Church's tagline,  "All Are Welcome."

In this episode we explore the spiritual gift of observation, which we determined is both a wonderful gift for preaching as well as a challenge in pastoral care.  We answer questions about when it is time to move to a new parish or retirement, the importance of having a partnership in ministry, the question of age versus energy, and we even tried to save a poor soul as he/she commits the greatest sin one can commit when leaving a Starbuck's parking lot.  Overall it was a delightful afternoon.  Martha definitely set the bar high for our future guests.

Thank you Martha.

Finally a real theologian in a car, The Rev. Dr. Martha Sterne (and Flash)

And thank you to this week's sponsor: The Ancient Sisters of Patmos Incense.  "We may be ancient, but we can still smell you." Get a supply of their newest olfactory sensation by calling 404-237-7582 or visit their local website.

Podcast Link

Episode Three: When did you first know God was real?

Stuart here: 
It all started when my daughter, Evelyn, came in one night (past her bed-time) to ask me, "Dad, when did you first know God was real?"  Lisa always gives me the hard questions...
Evelyn's question knocked me back, because it was so authentic and heart-felt...and real....and rich....
I told her a story about when I was a little boy, with my experiences.  What a moment...

So, that led to this particular episode, where I had the chance to ask Brian that same question:  "When did you first know God was real?"  Deep stuff.  Real stuff.

And, how does Lent continue to give us a space and time to share and reflect on these deeper questions?  What makes some questions so real and...gripping.....awareness-provoking?

I have to tell you, I love having a chance to sit and talk with a friend who is willing to talk, to really talk, to laugh, to share, to wonder...to take our lives so seriously without taking ourselves so seriously. 

So, explore...and let us know what you think.  What if you asked someone that same question:  "When did you first know God was real?"  See where that conversation goes...

Podcast Link

Into the Desert: Leading Through Lent

Okay, round two (truthfully, round three, because round two didn't save for some reason - technology?!).  In this podcast Stuart and I are exploring the challenges of  leading folks into Lent.  We agree that there is a fine line between emotional manipulation, being a hypocrite, "doing" Lent and leading folks towards the Holy.  On a good day we are aware of the line between all these factors. On a bad day, we become competitive and let the church programs do the leading.  We continue to ask the the question: why do what we do (or don't do) during Lent?  Fear not, even though it's Lent we continue to bring the laughter, humor and joy that is the backdrop to our friendship and this podcast.  So sit back and enjoy our banter back and forth as we struggle not only with our role in leading Lent, but in our own struggle to find the holy in the midst of our role as priests.

Episode 2 Into the Desert - Podcast Link

You Tube Link

Pilot: Noodles against the Wall

So we started it.  Stuart and I had an idea that was born out of a comment from Bishop Rob Wright,  while he was talking about his favorite topic - adaptive leadership.  I am sure you are going to hear more about this in later episodes, but his comment to a group of clergy was: "the experts are in the room."  As I looked around the room, the whole Diocese of Atlanta (Episcopal) was present.  I realized that I knew little if anything about what they were good at, much less if they were experts at doing it.  For example, how many people know that I can purchase a school, or get a property through zoning, or develop a pro forma for a loan?  Or that Stuart works with one of the leading experts on contemplative prayer and leadership?  So the first goal of this podcast is to share insight from fellow clergy (yes, Deacons too) from around the Diocese of Atlanta and beyond.

The second reason I am embarking on this venture is to spend time with Stuart.  We worked together for four years.  We had a synergy that I miss, the main ingredient being - laughter.

Enjoy the next thirty minutes of Stuart and I discussing our vocation of the priesthood.   The first few podcasts will be us just us bantering about ourselves as we try to recreate the "vibe" that resembled some of the more enjoyable moments of our working together.  Then eventually we'll invite the real experts from around the Diocese to give you A Glimpse Within - Podcast Link.

You Tube Link