Igniting Imagination

Jan 29 2025 99 ep. 43 mins

Igniting Imagination Podcast artwork

Every movement for change starts with a generative conversation. The Igniting Imagination podcast features rich conversations with leaders across the church landscape that invite you into new possibilities for yourself, your church, and your community. Each episode offers inspiring ideas to spark the Spirit within you as a leader and inspire courage and innovation to bring about human flourishing grounded in love, generosity, and belonging.

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How Can Church Property Serve the Neighborhood? with Joe Bowling

Jan 29 2025 64 mins

This week, Shannon Hopkins and Rev. Mark Elsdon continue their takeover of the Igniting Imagination podcast with guest Joe Bowling, Executive Director of Englewood Community Development Corporation in Indianapolis. Joe shares insights about the historical context of Englewood Christian Church, which has evolved significantly from its roots as a prominent Protestant church to

What Can Partnerships Unlock for Church Property? with Rev. Staci Marrese-Wheeler and Brenda Halverson

Jan 22 2025 49 mins

This week, Shannon Hopkins and Rev. Mark Elsdon continue their takeover of the Igniting Imagination podcast with guests Brenda Halverson and Rev. Staci Maurice-Wheeler. Brenda and Staci share their journey of selling their former church property to launch a new development project, featuring affordable housing and a community center. They highlight how building relationships with n

How Can Rural Churches Innovate with Their Building and Land? with Pastor Kevin Riley

Jan 15 2025 49 mins

This week, Shannon Hopkins and Rev. Mark Elsdon continue their takeover of the Igniting Imagination podcast, exploring how a small congregation has transformed its property into a vital hub for recovery services, emergency shelter, and essential community resources with Pastor Kevin Riley, Co-Pastor at Mount Baker Presbyterian Church. As churches discover their potential to make a

Besides Housing, What Are Other Ideas for Re-Imagining Church Property? with Rev. Chrisy Ennen

Jan 08 2025 46 mins

This week, Shannon Hopkins and Rev. Mark Elsdon continue their takeover of the Igniting Imagination podcast, exploring the transformative potential of reimagining church properties to serve the community in new and meaningful ways. Rev. Chrisy Ennen, Minister of Word and Sacrament at First Presbyterian Church of Gulf Shores, in Gulf Shores, Alabama, shares how her congregation revi

How Do We Handle Resistance to Church Property Changes? with Rev. Sharon Core

Dec 18 2024 50 mins

This week, Shannon Hopkins and Rev. Mark Elsdon continue their takeover of the Igniting Imagination podcast to speak with Rev. Sharon Core, General Presbyter for the Presbytery of the Western Reserve. Exploring the intricate relationship between church property and community mission, Sharon shares how congregations can pivot from traditional property uses to meet pressing community

What’s the Path to Church Property Changes? with Pastor Jessica Lowry

Dec 11 2024 43 mins

This week, Shannon Hopkins and Rev. Mark Elsdon continue their takeover of the Igniting Imagination podcast to speak with Pastor Jessica Lowry, Executive Director and Pastoral Leader at Sunset Ridge Collective. Exploring the transformative journey of Sunset Ridge Church of Christ, Jess shares insights into how her congregation navigated a pivotal moment of decline in membership and

How Does Theology Shape Church Property Decisions? with Rev. Dr. Willie James Jennings

Dec 04 2024 55 mins

This week, Shannon Hopkins and Rev. Mark Elsdon continue their take over of the Igniting Imagination podcast to speak with Rev. Dr. Willie James Jennings, Professor of Theology and Africana Studies at Yale University Divinity School. Shannon, Mark, and Rev. Dr. Jennings dive into a powerful conversation about faith, land, and community, exploring how church property decisions are d

Why Are We Talking About Church Property? with Bob Smietana

Nov 20 2024 55 mins

This week, Shannon Hopkins and Rev. Mark Elsdon are taking over the Igniting Imagination podcast! They’re joined by Bob Smietana, National Reporter for Religion News Service and author, to dive into this season’s theme: “Properties with New Purpose.”As we've been partnering with churches across the country, many questions have come up. This week’s episode centers on one o

Church Property: Imagining Good Futures with Shannon Hopkins

Nov 13 2024 32 mins

Welcome to season 13 of the Igniting Imagination podcast! This season, we invite you into a story of hope and possibility, where church properties are reimagined as vibrant hubs for community flourishing. Rev. Lisa Greenwood and Shannon Hopkins, co-founder of Rooted Good, explore the evolving role of churches as valuable community assets. With church properties transforming ac

What’s a Critical Theme for the Future Church That We Missed?

Oct 16 2024 44 mins

Welcome to the season 12 finale of the Igniting Imagination podcast! This week, host Rev. Lisa Greenwood and co-host Rev. Kathi McShane speak with Rev. Dr. Blair Thompson. Lisa, Kathi, and Blair reflect on conversations with various esteemed guests throughout the season, revealing how joy, hope, and building community hold new significance in contemporary contexts. They share perso