Unconventional Ministry

Using Technology to Grow Disciples During the Great Reshuffle with Isaac Johnson S3 EP#89

In this episode of the Unconventional Ministry podcast, we visit with Isaac Johnson in Singapore. He has experience as a pastor, on staff of a mega-growing church, as well as involvement in missions and helping churches and missions solve their IT issues. This experience positions Isaac to shed light on what is happening within the Church and the great reshuffle taking place.

Learn why engagement is a much better measurement for your church than counting attendance. People are 5x more likely to get involved with your church if there is a clear path to engagement. Learn what “phygital” is all about and why it is important to you and your church.

Isaac Johnson has free resources at www.geekout.biz  for using technology to grow disciples.

How Story-centric Discipleship Could Change Your Church with Tara Rye S3 EP#88

In this episode, my guest Tara Rye (https://www.cultivatinghearts.org/) shares about her "story-centric discipleship" approach. She discusses the importance of communicating the message of Christ to people in ways that make sense to them – instead of in ways that make sense to us. 

According to Lausanne, the world is made up of 80% of oral learners or oral-preference learners. The majority of the people groups around the world comprise oral learners of people who can’t, don’t, or won’t read due to cultural tradition, illiteracy, or physical limitations. 

This represents one-third of the world who cannot read the language they speak. Another third of the world chooses to learn through non-written methods. 

Tara has discovered that if she can help build story recall, it builds story confidence that causes people to share the Word of God. Tara ask questions about the people group to determine their preferred access to learning and then uses that as a tool to help them recall stories of the Bible. Once they have established a simple method for story recall, Tara trains them on how to dig deep into the Word of God by asking questions that cause the people to discover the truth for themselves. https://audioscripture.org/ 

Could the story-centric discipleship approach work in your church? Please add your comments and let us know your thoughts.

Why American Christianity Is in the Midst of a Precipitous Fall withPastor Austin Wofford S3 EP#87

In this episode, Pastor Austin Wofford shares why he believes that American Christianity is in the midst of a precipitous fall. Millennials and Gen Z are feeling the ache of loneliness and long to belong. They are also exiting the American church at such a dramatic clip that the fundamental spiritual fabric of our country will be eroded over the next thirty years.

From the recent Pinetops Foundation research on the great opportunity, they show that if the trend continues, more than 1 million youth in the American Church today will choose to leave each year for the next three decades! Between 20 to 40,000,000 youth, raised in families that call themselves Christians, are projected to no longer claim Christ by the year 2050.

For so long, the Church has thought the way to reach the next generation is through making church “cool” again – leaning into perfectly curated livestream experiences, engaging social media posts, and the latest trends – but really, the only way the Church is going to garner this generation’s trust and attention before it’s lost to what the world has to offer is through giving these individuals what the larger world can’t: genuine community.

Austin Wofford explains a new way to do church in his new book Forged: Communities of Renewal for the 21st Century. It is available for purchase here.

The Many Ways Technology Can Advance the Church and Discipleship with Ray Heinen S3 EP#86

In this episode, Unconventional Ministry guest Ray Heinen shares his perspective on the role of technology and digital media in the Middle East and North Africa. Ray shares how teaching theology through technology, even in areas of hostile environments and very limited access, makes it possible for individuals to grow in their journey of faith.

For many believers in the Middle East and North Africa, SAT-7 is their sole connection to other Christians. Their countries are closed to the Gospel and they face persecution because of their faith. SAT-7's Bible teaching, worship, talk shows, and other programs are helping Christians feel connected and grow in their faith. https://www.sat7usa.org/

 

 

Innovative Media Strengthening the MENA Church with Joe Willey S3 EP #85

In this episode, SAT-7’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Joe Willey, shares what gets him most excited about the SAT-7 ministry. The ministry has a unique ability to make the Gospel available across boundaries, borders, mountains, seas, and deserts. The new accessibility to the Gospel is unprecedented in Christian ministry in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa). Among the various ways to be involved, here are several suggestions. Join the prayer team, request the weekly newsletter of amazing stories from the viewers, and consider sponsoring a day of broadcast costs for just $670. https://www.sat7usa.org/get-involved/

 

SAT-7’s digital initiative is reimagining how the Church can use social media in discipleship, witnessing, and building lasting relationships with it’s audiences, many of which are isolated believers. This is a game-changer!

How Generosity Reflects the Image of God with John Frick S3 EP#84

Do you have a legacy plan? John Frick, SAT-7 Vice President of Development, unpacks why it is important to have a legacy plan in place to avoid family conflict in the future. 60% of churchgoers have no self-determined or up-to-date estate plan. John addresses the shortcomings of churches to teach on legacy planning from a discipleship perspective. He also talks about how Jesus teaches about money in his parables and how stewardship is a key element in how we relate to God as well as each other.

Additional resources with information on estate planning may be found at https://www.sat7usa.org/planned-giving/

When Change-Makers Don’t Fit Traditional Ministry Models with John Barcanic S3 EP#83

In this episode, my guest is John Barcanic, CEO and Founder of Intersekt. He shares about the challenges many change-makers face whose ministries do not fit traditional models and who find it hard to follow traditional ministry paths with traditional organizations. 

Mr. Barcanic explains how equipping change-makers to bear more fruit allows them to multiply their efforts exponentially. 

“The path to your deepest dreams runs through the forest of your greatest fears.” – John Barcanic

Barriers Women Face When They Embrace Leadership with Carolyn Moore S3 EP#82

Women are leading powerful ministry movements around the world. When women lead, what are the barriers they face keeping women from realizing or reaching their calling?

In this episode, my guest Carolyn Moore explains the barriers and how she desires to equip a new generation of women to rise up with tools in hand to welcome and advance God's Kingdom on earth.

Carolyn is pastor of Mosaic Church in Evans, Georgia. She has an MDiv and Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary with a focus on church planting. Carolyn has served as a pastor on staff, focusing on spiritual formation and congregational development. She is the co-host of a podcast and is a published author as well as blogger, writing on topics of holiness, healing, and the supernatural. Visit https://artofholiness.com to learn more.

Modeling Ministry in Non-church Venues with Jimmie Bratcher S3 EP#81

In this episode of the Unconventional Ministry podcast, hear about pastor and musician Jimmie Bratcher’s fresh idea and innovative approach in modeling ministry in non-church venues. They call it “The Ministry of Showing Up!” on Sunday morning preaching in church, and many Saturday nights, you can find Jimmie and his wife Sherri showing up in prisons, clubs, or at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, in world-class music venues, on festival stages, and in churches all over the world.

Jimmie organizes “Transformation Tours” going to prisons in America and many other events annually. Jimmie and Sherri share the power of transformation directly to the hearts of prisoners, at concerts, during biker rallies, at music venues, with the homeless, and everyone that may have otherwise never heard the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus. You can learn more about their work at www.jimmiebratcher.com.

Does Every Pastor Need a Coach? with Rich Hooper S3 EP#80

Does your church need a coach? Maybe so! As of March 2022, the percentage of pastors who have considered quitting full-time ministry within the past year is 42% (Barna Group).

In this episode, my guest is Rich Hooper, Founder and CEO of Imagine Three-Twenty. He suggests every pastor, church, and believer needs a coach to help them move off of high-center and become effective in accomplishing their God-given purpose which will help invigorate them to return to vitality.

Mr. Hooper explains how pastors and churches can move past apathy and complacency by bringing objectivity to their vision and mission. Imagine Three-Twenty is focused on helping churches become more vital in their communities by addressing unhealthy areas in their organization. They come alongside to help at the executive level to help get the church pointed in the right direction.