So, you're trying to sustain a church for continued health... while also disrupting the status quo... impossible, right? Not so, says Pastor and author Doug Powe. In this episode, we talk about his book Sustaining While Disrupting, emphasizing the importance of thinking like an outsider, taking risks, and putting aside convictions. Doug makes his case from the stories of the early church in Acts. He also addresses the challenges of navigating disputes in the church, particularly regarding issues like women pastors and LGBT inclusion. Doug advises honoring convictions while allowing for change over time. He emphasizes the need for clarity in mission and the reasons behind initiatives, while also pointing out why change fails and the importance of authentic conversations.
Frederick Douglas Powe, Jr. is the Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership and the James C. Logan Professor of Evangelism at Wesley Theological Seminary. Dr. Powe is an ordained elder in the Baltimore/Washington Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. His newest co-authored book, Sustaining While Disrupting: The Challenge of Congregational Innovation, was the number newly released church leadership and administration book. Another recent book, The Adept Church: Navigating Between a Rock and a Hard Place, was the number one newly released church growth book just a month after being released. Dr. Powe is also known for his work in Wesleyan evangelism with titles like, Transforming Community: The Wesleyan Way to Missional Congregations and Transforming Evangelism: The Wesleyan Way of Sharing Faith, both co-authored with H. Henry Knight III. Dr. Powe is a forerunner in African American evangelism, a few of his contributions include: Not Safe for Church: The Ten Commandments for Reaching New Generations, co-authored with Rev. Jasmine Smothers, and New Wine, New Wineskins: How African American Congregations Can Reach New Generations. He holds a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Emory University (2004), a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology (1998), and a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio Wesleyan University (1987).
Doug's socials are:
Twitter/X: @fdpjr
Facebook: @frederick.powe
Lewis Center socials:
Twitter/X: @lewisleadership
Facebook: @lewisleadership
Instagram: @lewiscenterleadership
YouTube: @lewisleadership
https://www.churchleadership.com.
Previous Episode with Doug:
https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/doug-powe-describes-the-adept-church/
Presenting Sponsor:
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Supporting Sponsors:
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Torn Curtain Arts is a non-profit ministry that works with worship leaders, creatives, and churches to help avoid burnout, love their work, and realize their full creative potential.
Future Christian Team:
Loren Richmond Jr. – Host & Executive Producer
Martha Tatarnic – Guest Host / Co-Host
Paul Romig–Leavitt – Executive Producer
Danny Burton - Producer
Dennis Sanders – Producer
Natalie Wigg-Stevenson and Ethnographic Theology
Nikki Frontz and innovative ministry
Ally Henny and messy church
Nancy Pittman and the future of theological education
Eric Law and Living Grace and Truth in a Frightened World
Carol Howard Merritt and Healing Spiritual Wounds
Ashley Easter and learning to trust your intuition
Paul Romig-Leavitt, Justin Bullis, and worship in a progressive Christian context.
Diana Butler Bass and letting the past be our guide to the future
Delesslyn Kennebrew and living beyond your imagination
Doug Pagitt and Outdoing Jesus
Jack Shitama leading in the midst of anxiety
Amanda Henderson and Holy Chaos
Eric Smith and Paul, the progressive?
Katie Hays and spiritual refugees
Eric Atcheson and living out God’s Kingdom
Brandan Robertson and traveling light
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