Welcome to Episode 16, “Seeking Shalom: Justice in the Small Church.”  In this Episode, we discuss topics of gentrification, immigration, and pursuing justice in a world full of injustice. We had the honor of sitting down with Misha Cazas, Pastor of Outreach and Community care at Westside Church Internacional, as well as Derrick Kelsey, Pastor of Missional Communities at the Embassy Church. Misha and Derrick give us insight into how small churches can engage in the work of justice for the oppressed through spiritual formation in the way of Jesus. We address the question: What does Shalom look like? We also examine God’s desire for us to see His image (Imago Dei) in all people. Join us as we dig into some of the ways our Small Churches can do justice in our neighborhoods.

Please remember to Subscribe wherever you listen!

Parish podcast is a production of Vineworks Film Company.

The Executive Producer is Nathan Hoag.

This episode was Produced, Edited, and Hosted by Canaan Hurst

Graphic Design and Set Design by Erica Krysl

Find us on social media @parishpodcast

This video podcast has been made possible by the generous support of The Sacred Grace - an incubator and accelerator that’s cultivating leaders to take spiritual and social responsibility for their neighbors and neighborhoods. For more information visit thesacredgrace.com

Welcome to Episode 15, “The Untapped Resource of Local Government.”  In this Episode, we discuss how Small Churches and Local Governments can both learn from and help one another. We had the honor of sitting down with Shawn Lewis, City Manager of Englewood, CO. Shawn gives us insight into what City Managers are truly tasked with, and how Small Churches can partner with leaders for the sake of their neighbors and neighborhoods. We address the question: What does a local government need from a community (Church) that seeks the wellbeing of their city? Join us as we dig into some of the ways our Small Churches are missing huge opportunities to love on and engage with our local leaders.

You can find the resources Shawn Mentioned here.

Please remember to Subscribe wherever you listen!

Parish podcast is a production of Vineworks Film Company.

The Executive Producer is Nathan Hoag.

This episode was Produced, Edited, and Hosted by Canaan Hurst

Graphic Design and Set Design by Erica Krysl

Find us on social media @parishpodcast

This video podcast has been made possible by the generous support of The Sacred Grace - an incubator and accelerator that’s cultivating leaders to take spiritual and social responsibility for their neighbors and neighborhoods. For more information visit thesacredgrace.com

Welcome to Episode 14, “Church Planting & Hospitality.”  In this Episode, we speak with Mark Grapengater, Pastor of The Table Denver. The Table is a small church that meets in Mark’s home. We discuss church planting and how to lead in a house church context. Mark discusses his experience in relating to neighbors in a city that is highly individual as well as the challenges related to having to consistently extend invitations toward people to participate. Mark retains hope and faithful perseverance in his ministry!.

Please remember to Subscribe wherever you listen!

Parish podcast is a production of Vineworks Film Company.

The Executive Producer is Nathan Hoag.

This episode was Produced, Edited, and Hosted by Canaan Hurst

Graphic Design and Set Design by Erica Krysl

Find us on social media @parishpodcast

This video podcast has been made possible by the generous support of The Sacred Grace - an incubator and accelerator that’s cultivating leaders to take spiritual and social responsibility for their neighbors and neighborhoods. For more information visit thesacredgrace.com

Welcome to Episode 13, “Diversity and Cultural Identity Part 2.”  In this Episode, we continue our conversation with Josh Lin from Episode 12. We discuss small churches more specifically, and how partnering cross-culturally outside of a building with Christians from other cultural contexts might be one of the best ways to start making Diversity a practice for your church. We ask the questions: Why aren’t churches often diverse spaces? Is that always a bad thing? Josh shows us how the sacrifices everyone in a small church has to make in order for it to operate are well worth a certain level of discomfort—in fact, it can lead to deeper discipleship, wider invitation, and relational intimacy.

Please remember to Subscribe wherever you listen!

Parish podcast is a production of Vineworks Film Company.

The Executive Producer is Nathan Hoag.

This episode was Produced, Edited, and Hosted by Canaan Hurst

Graphic Design and Set Design by Erica Krysl

Find us on social media @parishpodcast

This video podcast has been made possible by the generous support of The Sacred Grace - an incubator and accelerator that’s cultivating leaders to take spiritual and social responsibility for their neighbors and neighborhoods. For more information visit thesacredgrace.com

Welcome to Episode 12, “Diversity & Cultural Identity Part 1.”  In this Episode, we have the honor of speaking with Josh Lin, church leader and former pastor of Chinese American churches across the country. We discuss Josh’s experience growing up in a Chinese Church and the struggles he had while existing in two cultural contexts. We ask the question: What actually is Diversity in the Church? Josh speaks from his vast experience in multicultural contexts to address how our cultural and spiritual identities are woven together. Join us for Episode 13 as we continue this discussion and focus in on Small Churches with Josh in part 2 of this interview!

Please remember to Subscribe wherever you listen!

Parish podcast is a production of Vineworks Film Company.

The Executive Producer is Nathan Hoag.

This episode was Produced, Edited, and Hosted by Canaan Hurst

Graphic Design and Set Design by Erica Krysl

Find us on social media @parishpodcast

This video podcast has been made possible by the generous support of The Sacred Grace - an incubator and accelerator that’s cultivating leaders to take spiritual and social responsibility for their neighbors and neighborhoods. For more information visit thesacredgrace.com

Welcome to Episode 11, “God, Guns, and Nonviolence.”  In this Episode, we get a chance to hear from Hannah Martin, Children’s Pastor at Beth-El Mennonite Church in Colorado Springs, as well as Mike Martin, former youth pastor and founder of RAWtools. RAWtools is an organization that turns guns into garden tools—literally. We examine America’s alarming gun violence epidemic and reference Old Testament prophesies about God’s people beating their swords into plowshares. We ask: Why do we keep making (and defending) swords when the people of God are asked to create tools of life rather than tools of death? We discuss ways that small churches can both model Jesus’ nonviolent example and safely deescalate tense situations without using weapons of war.

*Content Warning: This Episode discusses topics of gun violence and suicide.*

Check out Mike Martin and Shane Claiborne's book, Beating Guns: Hope for a People Who are Weary of Violence to learn more!

Please remember to Subscribe wherever you listen! We’ll see you next week.

Parish podcast is a production of Vineworks Film Company.

The Executive Producer is Nathan Hoag.

This episode was Produced, Edited, and Hosted by Canaan Hurst.

Graphic Design and Set Design by Erica Krysl.

Find us on social media @parishpodcast

This video podcast has been made possible by the generous support of The Sacred Grace - an incubator and accelerator that’s cultivating leaders to take spiritual and social responsibility for their neighbors and neighborhoods. For more information visit thesacredgrace.com

Welcome to Episode 10, “God is At Work in Rural Churches.”  In this Episode, we get a chance to speak with Jordan Grimms, Pastor of the Colby Wesleyan Church in Colby, Kansas. We examine some of the ways majority Christian culture has discounted the value and worth of our rural Brothers and Sisters. We ask: Why have so many pastors seen rural church ministry as the minor leagues? We talk about the unique giftings, challenges, and perspectives of some rural church communities and hear about Jordan’s wild transition from a church of 5,000 people to a town of 5,000 people.

Please remember to Subscribe wherever you listen! We’ll see you next week.

Parish podcast is a production of Vineworks Film Company.

The Executive Producer is Nathan Hoag.

This episode was Produced, Edited, and Hosted by Canaan Hurst

Graphic Design and Set Design by Erica Krysl

Find us on social media @parishpodcast

This video podcast has been made possible by the generous support of The Sacred Grace - an incubator and accelerator that’s cultivating leaders to take spiritual and social responsibility for their neighbors and neighborhoods. For more information visit thesacredgrace.com

Welcome to Episode 9, “Neighborhood: Taking Spiritual & Social Responsibility (Part 2).”  In this Episode, we continue our conversation with Nathan Hoag from Episode 8. In part two of this interview, we examine some of the ways patience and presence can make lasting impacts: What can God do through our consistent investment in a community? We talk about some of the rhythms and practices Nathan and his church engage in for the love of neighbor and the good of the city.

Please remember to Subscribe wherever you listen! We’ll see you next week.

Parish podcast is a production of Vineworks Film Company.

The Executive Producer is Nathan Hoag.

This episode was Produced, Edited, and Hosted by Canaan Hurst

Graphic Design and Set Design by Erica Krysl

Find us on social media @parishpodcast

This video podcast has been made possible by the generous support of The Sacred Grace - an incubator and accelerator that’s cultivating leaders to take spiritual and social responsibility for their neighbors and neighborhoods. For more information visit thesacredgrace.com