Unconventional Ministry

Writing the Book You Always Wanted to Write - Gary Brumbelow S4 EP #137

In this episode, Gary Brumbelow shares about his journey to write a novel, sharing helpful hints as well as some challenges. He discusses why many books are abandoned by readers, emphasizing the importance of crafting believable and relatable stories. Gary also reveals his passion for outdoor adventures and rural upbringing that inspired his own novel, "Someplace North, Someplace Wild," set in Canada's wilderness. The story follows a protagonist who faces suspense, love, and false murder charges who must decide whether to submit to an unjust system or prove his innocence. Gary interweaves his biblical values into this suspenseful tale.

Gary Brumbelow spent ten years in ministry in four Canadian provinces. He has a master’s degree from Wheaton College. He worked for fifteen years as the executive director of a missionary-sending organization, and for the last 12 years he held the role of a local church pastor.

Recent podcast episodes you will enjoy:

• Ep #128 Retirement – Moving from Conventional to the Extraordinary Learn why retirement is not a finish line but a starting point: a moment to transition from the conventional to the extraordinary, from passive years to a period of active service in God's Kingdom. My guest is Bruce Bruinsma, Founder and CEO of The Retirement Reformation.
  
  
• EP #129 Calvary University’s Innovation in Christian Higher Education - John McGee. Learn how Calvary University's innovation is helping the university navigate the waters of the current culture and climate. Society plummets further into moral decay as truth becomes relative and biblical values are pushed by the wayside. The importance and role of Christian higher education cannot be overstated! My guest is John McGee, Chief Development Officer of Calvary University.

The New Center in Global Christianity – Now What? with Dr. Allen Yeh S4 EP #135

In this episode, learn about how the global center of Christianity has shifted away from America and is now represented by young, female, black, or brown individuals from the Global South who are poor and uneducated. This shift impacts how missions should be approached, with a focus on equipping and training rather than traditional evangelism.

Dr. Allen Yeh, Professor of Intercultural Studies and Missiology at Biola University, discusses this shift in global Christianity and emphasizes the importance of understanding world Christianity as a subject. The trends that led to this change include the separation of colonialism from missions and the three-self movement, which promotes self-sustaining, self-propagating, and self-governing local churches.

Dr. Yeh explains how the Western Church should think differently about missions in light of this new paradigm.

Recent podcast episodes you will enjoy:

• EP #126 Six Practices to Healthy Venting  In this podcast, you will learn six practices to healthy venting. Venting your feelings can be healthy and helpful, but it does not always work this way. While sweeping emotions under the carpet is not healthy in our personal or professional lives, neither is the toxic environment of oversharing and venting our feelings.

• EP #127 Building Blocks for a Culture of Trust  In nearly all industries, over the last few years, research shows there's been a decline in trust. In this episode, learn from TrustCentric Consulting Founder and CEO Cory Scheer about the building blocks of trust. With proven strategies to help you build back trust and thrive in a trust-declining culture.

Empowering Women in International Ministry - CJ Callahan S4 EP #134

In this episode, CJ Callahan, a volunteer worship leader with Thrive Ministry, discusses the purpose and unique aspects of the organization. Thrive Ministry aims to provide spiritual resources and support for North American women doing ministry overseas. The ministry offers retreats that focus on spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being through various activities like counseling and self-care services. CJ shares her personal experience as a worship leader at these retreats and highlights how they have positively impacted the missionary women. She also mentions the importance of volunteers in running the organization and explains their fundraising process.

Additionally, she mentions her involvement with Paraclete, an organization that supports older missionaries in encouraging those currently serving abroad. Listeners are encouraged to visit Thrive Ministry's website for more information about their mission and opportunities to get involved.

Previous podcast episodes you will enjoy:

Episode #77 The Trauma of Unforgiveness with Pastor Mark Sowersby

Episode #76  Christian FM Radio in Beirut – A Country Desperate for Hope with Johnny Jalek

Episode #75 The Third Culture Kid (TCK) Cultural Adaptability in a Multicultural World with Brooke Wiens

Episode #74 Practicing a Customer Service Mentality in an Unfriendly World with Dr. Ron Johnson

 

Sustainable, Culturally Appropriate Theological Education with Brian Dix S4 EP #133

In this episode, Brian Dix shares about the Horizon Education Network, a Christ-centered learning community of theological educators from around the world that is changing the future of theological education today! Brian has 35 years of experience as a global church worker and speaks Portuguese.

The Horizon Education Network is an associate member of the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education (ICETE), established by the World Evangelical Alliance.

Imagine a network of sustainable and culturally appropriate global centers for theological education. These centers create contagious learning environments where students, faculty, and administrators are continually growing in their faith.

Previous podcast episodes you will enjoy:

• Episode #83 When Change-Makers Don’t Fit Traditional Ministry Models with John Barcanic
• Episode #82 Barriers Women Face When They Embrace Leadership with Carolyn Moore
• Episode #81 Modeling Ministry in Non-church Venues with Jimmie Bratcher
• Episode #80 Does Every Pastor Need a Coach? with Rich Hooper
• Episode #79 A New Model for a Growing Church in West Africa with Joseph Camara

An Intentional Relationship-Focused Ministry Model with Nick and Alyx Scholl S4 EP #132

In the episode, learn from Nick and Alyx Scholl about their intentional relationship-focused ministry model in the country of Italy. The Scholls, serving with Greater Europe Mission, are building authentic relationships with their neighbors and connections through living life alongside their neighbors and new friendships. This is resulting in Gospel conversations resulting is new church plants.

The Good News has been present in Europe for over two thousand years. In Acts 16, we read about the first church ever planted on the European continent. Philippi in Macedonia was started by the Apostle Paul around AD 50 (Acts 16:6-15). Yet Europe today has less than 3% of Europeans who have a relationship with Jesus. The need for the Gospel in Europe has never been greater than it is now. Europe is a post-Christian continent where some churches sit empty and others preach a social Gospel with no mention of the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.

Previous podcast episodes you will enjoy:

• Episode #88 How Story-centric Discipleship Could Change Your Church with Tara Rye
• Episode #87 Why American Christianity Is in the Midst of a Precipitous Fall with Pastor Austin Wofford
• Episode #86 The Many Ways Technology Can Advance the Church and Discipleship with Ray Heinen
• Episode #85 Innovative Media Strengthening the MENA Church with Joe Willey
• Episode #84 How Generosity Reflects the Image of God with John Frick

The Social Media Phenomenon in the Asbury 2023 Revival - Dr. Mark Elliot S4 EP #131

In the episode, hear Dr. Mark Elliot's first-hand perspectives on what he personally observed and learned during the Asbury University revival in February 2023. What started with spontaneous worship and calls to renewal in the lives of college students turned into tens of thousands of pilgrims making their way to a small town in the middle of Kentucky, which then spilled over onto campuses across America and awakenings across the globe. In Taken By Surprise: The Asbury Revival of 2023, Mark R. Elliott writes as the seasoned historian he is—diving into the what, when, and how behind the revival that may very well be the first of its kind in our digital era. #asburyrevival

With a Ph.D. in modern European and Russian history, Dr. Elliot founded the  East-West Church and Ministry Report in 1993. He is now editor emeritus of the report (www.eastwestreport.org)

Previous podcast episodes you will enjoy:

• Episode #93 Listener-Centric Innovation in Christian Radio with David McIver
• Episode #92 Echoing God’s Glory: Where Faith and Fun Collide with Brynden Wiens
• Episode #91 Helping Organizations Grow Through Innovation with Dave Raley
• Episode #90 A Biblical Social Justice for the Orphan and Vulnerable Child with Herbie Newell
• Episode #89 Using Technology to Grow Disciples During the Great Reshuffle with Isaac Johnson

An Innovative Sustainable Solution for Church Planting - Sean Benesh S4 EP #130

In this episode, learn why most church planting efforts in America fail when the funding stops. Sean Benesh, Founder and CEO of Intrepid Missions, suggests we may need to throw out many of the present “rules” in the church planting ministry. Listen to the episode to learn Sean’s two threads of reasoning as to why a change is needed with American church planting models. Is it time in America to plant churches, make disciples, launch businesses, and jump into economic development endeavors in America with a missionary and entrepreneurial mindset like you would if you were a missionary and entrepreneur in an international location?

Sean has been involved in church planting for nearly 20 years. He is a church planting strategist, author, and professor. He’s written over 20 books related to church planting, cities, and social enterprises. He teaches at Warner Pacific University and is the Program Lead for the Digital Media and Communications program.

Previous podcast episodes you will enjoy:

• Episode #98 Conversational Apologetics That Results in Transformational Relationships with Dr. Fouad Masri
• Episode #97 The 3 Essentials of Transformational Church Growth Capital with Dirk Scates
• Episode #96 An Interactive App That Will Revolutionize Your Family Devotions with Ben Meyers
• Episode #95 Three Important Realities in Global Christian Media with Dr. Craig D. Forrest
• Episode #94 Our Family Christmas Traditions from Living Internationally with Dennis Wiens Family

Calvary University’s Innovation in Christian Higher Education - John McGee S4 EP #129

In this episode, learn how Calvary University's innovation is helping the university navigate the waters of the current culture and climate. Society plummets further into moral decay as truth becomes relative and biblical values are pushed by the wayside. The importance and role of Christian higher education cannot be overstated! My guest is John McGee, Chief Development Officer of Calvary University.

Christian colleges and universities face layered challenges as they strive to prepare students to pursue biblical truth and embody a Gospel witness in a fallen world.

In every class and every program, Calvary University is committed to excellence in preparing men and women to live and serve in the Church and in the world according to the biblical worldview. Check out the university’s Conference On Global Engagement (COGC).

At the moment, Calvary University is ranked in the top 30 out of 1,300 colleges and universities in the United States for the lowest student debt upon graduation.

Retirement – Moving from Conventional to the Extraordinary S4 EP #128

In this episode, learn why retirement is not a finish line but a starting point: a moment to transition from the conventional to the extraordinary, from passive years to a period of active service in God's Kingdom. My guest is Bruce Bruinsma, Founder and CEO of The Retirement Reformation.  

The Retirement Reformation approach is to shift the understanding of retirement from a traditional perspective. Instead of seeing this phase of life as a winding down and disengaging, The Retirement Reformation envisions it as a time full of potential for active engagement in God's Kingdom.

There are approximately 48 million Christ followers aged 60 and above. Feelings of isolation and loneliness are on the rise, creating significant health challenges. This demographic also represents one of the largest groups leaving the Church today.

Previous Unconventional Ministry Podcast episodes:

• S4 EP#102 Missions Innovation in the Context of Urbanization, Globalization, and Multidirectional Migration with Dr. Jared Loone
• S4 EP#101 Pastor Retirement – Why Too Few Plan or Prepare with Mark Senseman
• S4 EP#100 Finding Meaning in the Midst of Personal Tragedy with Beth Thorpe
• S4 EP#99 Overcoming Fear to Meet a Refugee’s Biggest Need with Lisa Prejean

Building Blocks for a Culture of Trust with Cory Scheer S4 EP #127

Research shows that trust is at an all-time low. In nearly all industries, over the last few years, research shows there's been a decline in trust, both individually and in the marketplace.

In this episode, learn from TrustCentric Consulting Founder and CEO Cory Scheer about the building blocks of trust. While trust is one of the most common words in English, it’s also commonly misunderstood. Trust is one of the most important aspects of relationships.

Learn proven strategies to help you build back trust and thrive in a trust-declining culture. Whether you're building trust with clients, colleagues, or loved ones, it takes intentional effort and a commitment to authenticity.

The TrustCentric Organizational Trust Assessment helps organizations understand the current level of trust among employees, teams, and leaders. Much more actionable than an employee satisfaction survey, the organizational trust assessment reveals tangible and practical ways to build trust so that organizations can become more healthy.

Previous Podcast Episodes:

#123 Saying Yes to God before the Question - Rick McKinney

#124 From Planting Corn to Planting Churches – Cultivating the “Back 40”- Kurt Busenitz

#125 Finally, a Reformatted Readable Bible – Rod Laughlin