WASHINGTON, DC — The Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary recently launched Leading Ideas Talks podcast. Designed to complement the popular newsletter of the same name and reach new audiences who can listen on-the-go, the podcast strives to present listeners with diverse conversations from cutting-edge leaders on subjects important to church leaders, including navigating change, reaching younger people, financing ministry, and communicating effectively. Each Leading Ideas Talks episode is another tool to help congregations and denominations thrive, serve, and grow.
“There are many people that, no matter how good an article is, they just aren’t going to read it,” said Rev. Dr. Douglas Powe, Jr., director of the Lewis Center. “But they have commutes, or they exercise, or there are other times when they are able to listen to something. A podcast is a way for us to connect with those individuals. It is important for us, and likewise the church, to share the message in as many ways as possible.”
“Listeners will hear various topics like stewardship, evangelism, preaching, church growth; you name it, we try to cover the spectrum of issues,” Powe said. “What you’re also going to get is individuals thinking in places outside the box, of ways to connect, things they’ve learned from experience, things that work. Sometimes you get people talking about the challenges of ministry and what hasn’t worked, which can be just as helpful. What we’re trying to bring to individuals are things they have perhaps been thinking themselves and want to experiment with but aren’t sure how to do it.”
Leading Ideas Talks is ecumenical and intentionally diverse, Powe said, and he hopes that both the guests and the audience will represent a wide range of perspectives. “Our goal is get a really diverse group of individuals to speak: pastors, key lay people, church planting coaches, professors, etc.”
New Leading Ideas Talks episodes are released every other Wednesday at https://www.churchleadership.com/podcast. The podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Stitcher.
Previous Leading Ideas Talks episodes are:
- “Thinking Bigger About Stewardship and Crowdfunding” featuring Adam Copeland
- “That’ll Preach” featuring Charley Reeb
- “Toward More Synergistic Leadership” featuring Ann Michel
- “Becoming an Outward-Focused Church” featuring Junius Dotson
- “The Kaleidoscope Effect: What Emerging Generations Seek in Leaders” featuring Scott Chrostek
- “Multicultural Goes beyond Race” featuring Jasmine Smothers
- “The Possibilities of Fresh Expressions” featuring Ken Carter and Audrey Warren
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The Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary is a resource for clergy, lay, and denominational leaders. Through resources, research, and teaching, the Center supports visionary spiritual leaders in addressing issues crucial to the church’s faithful and fruitful witness.
