Best Fresh Expressions NA Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 4: Starting a Dinner Church in the Midst of Chaos with David Kidd (CORRECTED) 45:20

2h ago45:20

45:20

Is there a “right” time to plant a Dinner Church? Probably not, according to David Kidd, a Dinner Church leader in Ohio. David’s congregation was in the midst of major transitions when he and his team started a new table-centered ministry. While it was a chaotic time, they now have a thriving community alongside their established congregation, and …

1
Episode 10: Intergenerational and Music Ministries with Trish Johnsen and Brad and Joanie Perry 48:24

9d ago48:24

48:24

Engaging all ages in ministry is core to the work of the church, but the reality of rural life can make that complicated. In this episode, we’ll hear about creative ways to incorporate children and adults into the life of rural congregations, even in the face of declining populations and limited resources. Listen in to learn about how the “Messy Ch…

1
Episode 3: Leading Five Thriving Dinner Churches with Josh Gering 40:17

14d ago40:17

40:17

What if your church is thriving, but not in the way you want it to? In this discussion, you’ll hear from Josh Gering, who oversees five dinner churches in a County that is exactly between Seattle, WA and Portland, OR. Josh’s church was doing great, but they wanted to reach more people outside of the reach of their church. This interview highlights …

1
Episode 9: Small Acts of Love in the Skeptical Places with Jamie McMahan 55:51

19d ago55:51

55:51

What can churches do in a culture known for its skepticism? Nestled between Seattle and the Olympic National Forest, Belfair Community Church focuses on consistent, small acts that reflect God’s love and goodness. In this inspiring interview, you’ll hear from A Culture of Scarcity And a God of Abundance: Leading a Church into a Bigger, Better, More…

1
Episode 2: Who Can Lead a Dinner Church? with Jeremy Veninga 43:36

1M ago43:36

43:36

Who starts a Dinner Church? In this episode, Verlon reconnects with Jeremy Veninga, who leads two Dinner Churches in St. Louis. Jeremy describes his sense of calling, and how he overcame his lack of formal education. Listen and learn how God is using everyday people to do extraordinary things.By Fresh Expressions NA

1
Episode 8: Church at the Opry 45:51

1M ago45:51

45:51

What do you do when you know there are people in your small town who need a community and a place to learn about Jesus, but they aren’t coming to your church? Sharon White led her church through a process of listening for needs and opportunities in their small town of Waco, Ga. When they discovered a shared passion for Bluegrass music they prayed f…

1
Episode 1: Introducing the Dinner Church School of Leadership 42:27

2M ago42:27

42:27

Dinner Church is a simple, Biblical, and transformative approach to starting new expressions of Church. In Season 2, Dinner Church Collective founder and director Verlon Fosner is checking in with some of our exciting and committed leaders, each of whom has graduated from the Dinner Church School of Leadership. Because of their passion to start and…

1
Episode 7: Brad Roth: Understanding the Places You're Called To 49:37

2M ago49:37

49:37

The stories of news media and Hollywood often focus on major coastal cities. But God is at work everywhere and the small towns and rural communities of North America are a testimony to God’s goodness. In this interview, Brad Roth, Mennonite pastor and award-winning author, shares about the importance of place, people watching and recognizing people…

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Bonus Episode: Small Churches on Mission with Chris Backert 46:06

2M ago46:06

46:06

Most churches are “small churches,” but they don’t always get the attention, resources and support they need. In this episode, Senior Director Chris Backert shares what he sees happening across North America and the exciting things that can only happen in smaller congregations.By Fresh Expressions NA

1
Episode 6: Churches and Rural Healthcare with Allen Stanton and Sidney Everhart 1:01:29

3M ago1:01:29

1:01:29

Of the challenges facing rural North America, health care remains one of the most pressing. What can local churches do to help? In this episode, Allen Stanton, author or Reclaiming Rural returns alongside Sidney Everhart to discuss how they've seen churches help their members and their communities stay healthy.…

1
Episode 5: Robert Frazier: Where City Churches and Rural Churches Meet 48:45

3M ago48:45

48:45

Robert Frazier might not be the first person you think of when you consider the needs of rural churches. Robert planted Redemption Hill, a network of microchurches in Boise, Idaho, and founded The City Network. However, Boise is the only major city in the region, and their ministry has expanded to the suburbs, exurbs, and rural areas in the two-hou…

1
Episode 4: Ron Johnston: Why (Some) Churches Change and Others Do Not 49:40

4M ago49:40

49:40

Times change, but the same can’t always be said of churches. Why is it that some take risks and try new things, while others can’t seem to get unstuck? In this overwhelmingly encouraging conversation, Ron Johnston, Executive Director of Small Church Connections in Canada, shares practical steps pastors can take to build trust and cast vision with t…

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S2E3: Rural Churches, Excellent Preaching with Patricia Batten 59:50

4M ago59:50

59:50

Many rural church leaders are part-time or bi-vocational. With such high demands on their time, what does "excellent" preaching look like? Patricia Batten, Assistant Professor of Preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, provides encouragement and direction for rural church leaders doing their best with limited resources. She also shares he…

1
S2E2: More Relational, Less Professional with David Blackwell 1:00:16

5M ago1:00:16

1:00:16

With many rural areas declining in population, "growth" is an impossible goal. What should churches do instead? David Blackwell returns to the podcast to explore a more "relational" model of ministry. With a keen awareness of the average rural and small church, Blackwell outlines a realistic approach to leading a highly engaged and mission-driven c…

1
S2E1: Authenticity, Excellence, and Small, Rural Churches with Brandon O'Brien 57:15

5M ago57:15

57:15

Should small, rural churches aim for excellence, authenticity, or both? Many well-known, usually large churches, are known to strive for "excellence" in their production of weekend worship. This can leave small churches, with fewer means, feeling like they have to keep up. Brandon O'Brien offers an alternative for small churches to aim instead to r…

1
Bonus Episode: Summit Preview 28:57

9M ago28:57

28:57

Join Verlon Fosner, Jon Davis, and Heather Evans for a special bonus episode discussing our first-ever Dinner Church Summit! You will learn why they are excited about the event and the future of the Dinner Church Collective. Listen today—and then go and register!By Fresh Expressions NA

1
How Dinner Church Transformed Our Church Plant with JD and ChristianAnn Larson 44:33

9M ago44:33

44:33

Host JD Larson returns with his wife ChristianAnn to tell their own story. You'll hear how a COVID-era shift to Dinner Church allowed them to reimagine their Church Plant and how it has transformed their ministry and family. You can get to know the Dinner Church Collective at dinnerchurch.com and join us live in person for the inaugural Dinner Chur…

1
Verlon Fosner: From Declining to Thriving 58:47

10M ago58:47

58:47

How does a 100-year-old, traditional, declining church reinvent itself? In this special episode from the Fresh Expressions archive, you'll hear from Dr. Verlon Fosner about the journey and process that led his congregation to transition into a network of Dinner Churches. You will learn about the particular and sometimes tricky and painful steps the…

1
20 Dinner Churches in One Year with Al Yanno and Carl Bauchspiess 35:50

10M ago35:50

35:50

Any congregation can start a Dinner Church, but what can a whole network of Churches do? Al and Carl are on staff with the Ohio Ministry Network, a group of churches with a passion for multiplication and church planting. In this episode, they'll share how they partnered with Fresh Expressions North America to launch more than 20 dinner churches in …

1
Kids at Dinner Church with Amy McGlynn 36:10

10M ago36:10

36:10

Dinner Church is a simple, relaxed approach to starting new faith communities. But like many new faith communities, it may draw young families and an overwhelming number of kids. What does it mean to embrace the children in our midst? And how can Dinner Church be a discipling experience for all ages? In this episode, Heather Evans is joined by Amy …

1
Jesus and Our Marginalized Neighbors with Isaac Olivarez 41:28

10M ago41:28

41:28

What does it mean for our marginalized neighbors to encounter Jesus? What about kids? In this episode, you’ll hear from Isaac Olivarez, founding pastor of Urban Outreach, a Dinner Church in Denver, Colorado. You’ll learn what it’s like to be a Dinner Church in the city, who he encountered there and what he learned along the way. Isaac and his wife,…

1
Dinner Church for Suburban Foodies with Megan Monterrosa 41:37

11M ago41:37

41:37

You can start a Dinner Church in almost any context. In this episode, you'll hear from Megan Monterrosa who has started two Dinner Churches in suburban neighborhoods in Washington State. Megan brings not only a passion for life transformation, but a love for tasty food to her ministry. Listen in to hear how Megan reimagined the Dinner Church model …

1
David Fitch: Setting the Table for the Holy Spirit 32:51

11M ago32:51

32:51

When does a meal become a Dinner Church? Join theologian, professor, and pastor David Fitch as he describes the actions and postures Jesus-followers can take to create table settings where people can experience the Holy Spirit at work. He also helps Christians consider how to invite others who don’t believe to join them in these spaces. David E. Fi…

1
Starting Dinner Churches in Hurricane Country: Heather Evans 42:35

11M ago42:35

42:35

How do you explain Dinner Church? More importantly, how do you explain it to key volunteers who have invested time and energy into the kinds of services and programs a Dinner Church may not ever develop? Heather Evans, co-host of the Dinner Church podcast, has started numerous dinner churches in a variety of communities in South Florida. In this co…

1
Was the Early Church a Dinner Church? with Dr. Mike Graves 45:20

11M ago45:20

45:20

Why did the early church focus more on food than sermons? And how should that affect how we do church today? Join us for a fascinating conversation with scholar and author Dr. Mike Graves. Delve into the early church's expression of the agape feast and how it informs and prophetically influences today's dinner church. This episode is perfect for ch…

1
Verlon & Melodee Fosner: Lessons From 10 Years of Dinner Church Leadership 51:57

12M ago51:57

51:57

How did a struggling 100-year old church grow into a network of over a dozen Dinner Churches, and go on to inspire the 300 new dinner church plants? In this first episode of the Dinner Church Podcast, you will hear about that journey firsthand from Verlon and Melodee Fosner. This episode is packed with wisdom, stories, and practical advice, perfect…

1
Introducing: Dinner Church Podcast 2:17

12M ago2:17

2:17

Dinner Churches are starting all over North America. Why? It's not just that they are an effective, affordable, and contextual approach to church planting. They also follow in the footsteps of Jesus and the early church, who made disciples and cultivated community around the table. In this podcast, you'll be led by J.D. and Heather, two longtime pa…

1
Episode 6: Cowboys, Crafts and Foster Care: Three Examples of Innovative Rural Churches 1:07:00

1+ y ago1:07:00

1:07:00

What do you think a rural church looks like? Listen to new ideas from real-life leaders who are reaching new people in places already accustomed to church. Featuring David Blackwell of Florence, Montana, Chris and Jaidy Smith from Ramseur, North Carolina and Allen Jessee from Abingdon, Virginia. Allen Jessee, is the Lead Pastor of Highlands Fellows…

1
Episode 5: "This wasn't in my job description!" with Lindsay Callaway 53:29

1+ y ago53:29

53:29

Rural church pastors preach and organize church programs. But sometimes they manage contractors, water pigs, and other things you might not expect. Join Lindsay Callaway from the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada in a discussion of how to prepare church for the unexpected opportunities in rural ministry. Lindsay Callaway has been with the EFC since …

1
Episode 4: What Latino Communities in Small Towns Need with Marta Sobrino Bolen 1:03:07

1+ y ago1:03:07

1:03:07

Ministry in rural areas can have challenges, when it comes to resources. Listen to Marta share how she has addressed the needs of Latino community (especially with language barriers) in her town and advocate for them and how she has partnered with schools, libraries, and other organizations to connect with people in her community. Marta Sobrino Bol…

1
Episode 3: How to Be the Church Where Everyone is on Vacation with Pam Morse 1:01:21

1+ y ago1:01:21

1:01:21

What does it mean to be the church in a place where people come to vacation? Some small towns and less about Friday Night Lights and more about AirBnB. But what if it was possible not only to reach weekend warriors looking for recreation and the local population who live in small towns all year long. In this episode listen to discover different way…

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Episode 2: Don’t Equip Rural Churches like Others with Leah Hidde-Gregory and Dale Edwards 1:13:53

1+ y ago1:13:53

1:13:53

Doing ministry in rural areas is different from doing ministry in urban or suburban areas, but many books and conferences tend to be more helpful for larger population areas. In this episode listen to two denominational leaders provide their perspective on strengths and challenges for doing discipleship in rural churches. Dr. Leah Hidde-Gregory is …

1
Episode 1: Hope for Rural North America and the Rural Church with Allen Stanton 57:06

1+ y ago57:06

57:06

The word "rural" can bring to mind both bucolic and dilapidated images. But the truth is much more complicated! Discover how churches serve as anchors for small-towns, and new metrics for measuring success in this unique environment. In the first episode of the Rural Renewal Podcast, you'll hear from Allen Stanton, an ordained pastor who currently …

1
Introducing the Rural Renewal Podcast 0:59

1+ y ago0:59

0:59

Revival is happening in small-town churches. Many of Jesus' followers across ruralregions are uncovering exciting possibilities as they explore creative and practical approaches to loving their neighbors. Hosted by rural church co-pastors, Chris and Kathleen Blackey, this new podcast from Fresh Expressions will introduce you to ministry leaders ser…

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