Challenging the Traditional Megachurch Model; How to be the Church in Our Own Neighborhoods with Dr. Dwight Friesen

by Center for Transforming Engagement | Jul 18, 2023 | Transforming Engagement: the Podcast

  Dr. Dwight Friesen asks us: “How do I start where I am? Wherever I am, how do I discover being church here?” Instead of viewing church as a megachurch attracting distant members, we shift our focus to being church in our own context. In this episode...

Creating Psychologically Healthy Spaces within Faith Communities with Dr. Doug Shirley

by Center for Transforming Engagement | Jul 11, 2023 | Transforming Engagement: the Podcast

 How do we create faith communities that know what abuses of power look like and call those behaviors out? And how do we build environments that seek to be psychologically healthy for everyone? Our guest this week is Doug Shirley, EdD, core faculty with The Seattle...

Constructing Non-Violent Churches within Evangelical Culture with Dr. Joel Aguilar

by Center for Transforming Engagement | Jun 27, 2023 | Transforming Engagement: the Podcast

  Mars Hill Church pastor Mark Driscoll was known to portray Jesus as a warrior or an “ultimate fighter” in his teachings. He wasn’t the only one. In the Western church, our society’s obsession with violence and militarism has found its way into our theology in...

Intersection of Whiteness and the Power Dynamics within Evangelical Church Culture with Dr. Ron Ruthruff

by Center for Transforming Engagement | Jun 20, 2023 | Transforming Engagement: the Podcast

When examining the story of Mars Hill, there exists an underexplored theme of race and Whiteness. In his book “After Whiteness,” Dr. Willie Jennings defines Whiteness as the embodiment of a self-sufficient man who embodies possession, mastery, and control....

Patriarchy and Mutuality; Creating Inclusive Faith Communities with Dr. Rose Madrid Swetman

by Center for Transforming Engagement | Jun 13, 2023 | Transforming Engagement: the Podcast

The discussion revolves around the exposed vision of Mark Driscoll, former pastor of Mars Hill, which revealed a patriarchal and toxic theology concerning the roles of men and women. Dr. Swetman shares her experience in providing pastoral care for individuals who had...

Deconstruction, Disillusionment and Rebuilding Community with Joel Kiekintveld

by Center for Transforming Engagement | Jun 6, 2023 | Transforming Engagement: the Podcast

The term “deconstruction” is widely used in the Evangelical and post-Evangelical community, but what does it actually mean What purpose does it serve? How does deconstruction relate to addressing the pain, anger, and disillusionment experienced in the wake...