Intersection: Where Theology and Practice Meet
A series of focused online conversations hosted by Carson Reed.
Drawing wisdom from special guests and inspiration from timely topics, Intersection creates space for collegial learning, reflection, and ministerial action. We hold these webinars once a month on Zoom, and each offering includes conversation among our hosts and special guest as well as Q&A with participants. We design each each Intersection offering primarily for congregational ministers.
Recent Intersections
Find recordings and resources from past Intersection offerings below, on our Intersection Archives page, and on our YouTube channel.
Join Dr. Dudley Chancey and host Dr. Carson Reed as they discuss Chancey’s new book, Keep Faith Alive: Grandparents and a Godly Legacy. The discussion will focus on the importance of intentionally telling every generation about the story of the great things that God has done and is doing in our world. Chancey will provide actionable steps for passing the faith along to other generations.
In a time when congregations are asking how to develop good disciples of Jesus, we may well overlook a primary resource---Scripture! The world of the Bible offers us the very things that help human beings grow and mature. Authors and teachers, Mark and Samjung Hamilton have recently offered a book, Story, Ritual, Prophecy, and Wisdom, that offers insight and practical wisdom to the ways that narratives, practices, and forthright speech give rise to healthy, living communities of faith that demonstrate wisdom. Join us for a lively conversation!
In many places in the world congregations are growing, and Christianity is flourishing. What might we learn from brothers and sisters in other parts of the world? Please join an exciting conversation with Dr. Dan Bouchelle, president of Mission Resource Network, to hear some of the ways in which Christianity is spreading. We’ll also explore how those of us in the United States might think more like missionaries – right here in our own towns and cities.
In the last 25 years, forty million people have left American churches. They and their children often still believe in God or have warm feelings toward Jesus and Scripture. But they've mostly been fed empty calories, if anything. How do we respond to an uncatechized generation of believers and half-believers, including those raised in the orbit of church life, and who increasingly live online and don't spend their time in books? Join us for a discussion with Brad East on his new book, Letters to a Future Saint, which is one attempt to respond to this challenge.
hristianity is in decline in the United States today, and so many changes are occurring in our culture as well. However, researchers are at work seeking to learn about what is happening in Churches of Christ. In this Intersection webinar, Dr. Suzie Macaluso will give an overview of cultural and sociological trends as well as tell us about a new research group—the Church Research Council—that is forming to learn about congregations in Churches of Christ in terms of demographics, practices, and other sociological factors. She will also share what they hope to learn and how that will be helpful for thriving congregations!
Join us for this timely discussion with Josh Ross about his new book, Coreology: Six Principles for Navigating an Election Season without Losing Your Witness. As we know, it can take hours, weeks, months, maybe even years for people to trust the witness of a Jesus-follower. And yet, we can lose that witness in a moment: with one social media post, a negative encounter, or an insensitive comment. Dozens of voices in our culture are fighting for our attention, affection, and allegiance, and for us Kingdom people, any form of drifting from our core confession of Jesus Christ’s kingship can lead to destruction. If we neglect our core, we lose our center, we lose our balance, and we can hurt our witness. We’ll talk about how to live with passion yet be driven by principles that keep us properly rooted.
Our discussion with Dr. Stephen Bullivant continues as we pivot from the broader religious landscape into Churches of Christ. We will begin with Dr. Bullivant's perspective and intrigue on Churches of Christ and their pioneering of restoration. Then move into how the rise of the "nones" is playing out within Churches of Christ. Since Churches of Christ are not unaffected by the rise of the nones and secularization, how have churches in our context responded to this reality?
Join us for a conversation with author and researcher Dr. Stephen Bullivant whose recent book, Nonverts: The Making of Ex-Christian America, explores the deeper realities of persons who have left organized faith. For many people, a departure from their faith tradition becomes a conversion experience—departing one world and entering another. If you are a minister or church leader interested in the well-being of your congregation or about the people who live in your neighborhood, you will benefit from Bullivant's research!
Beginning during COVID and continuing in the years thereafter, so many churches have been struggling—including churches in small towns. Yet some churches are finding their way by doing something rather simple: preaching and embodying hope as a way of life. Dr. Jeff Cary, our special guest, serves as the preaching minister and as an elder of a small church in west Texas, in addition to serving on the faculty at a Christian university. Join other Intersection viewers as we hear about a church that is finding her future through hope.
Special Guest: Dr. Jeff Cary
As the Churches of Christ experience decline with the rest of American churches, is there a way forward that captures hope and imagines flourishing? Could a different set of questions guide us toward communities of faith that honor the past and thrive in the future? Jovan Barrington, Jeff Brown, and Tiffany Dahlman will dialogue with Carson and Randy about a shared vision for the future of the Churches of Christ.
January 16 | 11 AM Central | Zoom Webinar
While the Lord’s kingdom is eternal, specific congregations have life cycles. When congregations age and face the challenges of serious decline, what does healthy congregational stewardship look like? Heritage 21 provides congregational, legal and real estate resources.
Special Guest: Doug Peters
December 5 | 10 AM Central | Zoom Webinar
As contemporary society forges onward in extraordinary and hurried change, churches are not immune nor secluded from such seismic shifts, which certainly present questions and uncertainties to the church at large. Through it all, how are you as a minister/elder/leader taking care of your own spirit, your own heart? What are appropriate and healthy responses when you also acutely feel pressures and concerns in your own life? During this Intersection, Dr. Chelsie Sargent will explore the need for proactive and intentional self-care for church leaders.
Special Guest: Chelsie Sargent
November 7 | 10 AM Central | Zoom Webinar
Sometimes preachers think of the letters of the New Testament primarily as a source for preaching Christian doctrine. In this presentation, though, we will press toward a broader understanding of the epistles as expressions of lived, on-the-ground Christian faith. These texts can, therefore, become resources for preaching that seeks to form hearers in their everyday Christian lives.
Special Guest: Dr. Thomas Long
October 24 | 10 AM Central | Zoom Webinar
The ministry of spiritual direction is making a comeback in the contemporary church. This ancient practice offers the opportunity for someone to serve as a spiritual companion. Although the spiritual director may be a bit farther along in their spiritual journey, the name of “director” is a misnomer. The true director is the Holy Spirit—the spiritual director’s role is to facilitate one’s relationship with God. Join us for this important conversation!
Special Guests: Jackie Halstead and Eric Wilson
September 19 | 10 AM Central | Zoom Webinar
Many people leave churches and faith because they have experienced spiritual abuse and trauma due to toxic religious narratives. In this session we explore the concepts of spiritual abuse and religious trauma, and we discuss pastoral leadership practices and postures that foster congregations that are healing for the spiritually traumatized.
Special Guest: Dr. Charles Kiser
May 16 | 11 AM Central | Zoom WebinaR
Discussion on how Attachment Theory can provide a helpful framework for congregations and members in distress. Why relational ruptures may spark primal panic, and how an adaptive lens such as Attachment Theory can provide the basis for intervention.
Special Guest: Dr. Sara Salkil
April 18 | 11 AM Central | Zoom Webinar
Discussion on how Churches of Christ have navigated the tumultuous waters of race relationships in the past and how that history continues to shape the way we handle this delicate topic in the present.
Special Guests: Edward Robinson & Wes Crawford
March 21 | 11 AM Central | Zoom Webinar
In this Intersection conversation, Dr. Suzie Macaluso will share insights gained from conducting the Church Health Assessment in over 50 congregations. We'll talk about the development of the new version of the Church Health Assessment and how church leaders can use the data collected to help their congregation.
Special Guest: Dr. Suzie Macaluso
February 14 | 3:30 PM Central | Zoom Webinar
Two professional chaplains discuss what chaplaincy is—and isn’t—and how chaplains can be valuable allies to those involved in church ministry. Topics addressed include: a day in the life of a healthcare chaplain; similarities and differences between the work of chaplains and church-based ministers; qualifications chaplains have to meet; how chaplains and church-based ministers can support one another; and self-care while caring for others.
Special Guests: Kasey McCollum & Paul Riddle
January 24 | 3:30 PM Central | Zoom Webinar
A Conversation with Dr. Mason Lee & Dr. Tim Sensing which we explored the distinctive challenges of preaching in our post-pandemic world. As well as the unique opportunities God may have given those called to preach in this season of the Church’s life.
Special Guests: Dr. Mason Lee & Dr. Tim Sensing
December 13 | 12:00 PM Central | Zoom Webinar
Our contexts are becoming ever more diverse. Intercultural community and life are increasingly real. How do ministers navigate intercultural contexts, and how might our preaching need to evolve to communicate effectively in such a world? Join us with our special guest, Dr. Jared Alcántara, as we explore what it means to be interculturally competent in our communication, in our preaching, and in our ministry.
Special Guest: Jared E. Alcántara
November 15 | 11:00 AM Central | Zoom Webinar
Children hold a special place in the heart of Jesus, and many churches desire to cultivate a space that mirrors that same love and embrace. However, due to factors that range from the practical (e.g., minister shortages) to the spiritual (e.g., an incomplete theology of children), churches struggle with how to put that desire into practice. Therefore, the result is a ministry that becomes more programmatic than spiritually formative, and in the end, the kingdom of God experiences the impact of those challenges. Therefore, if we are to truly embody a children’s ministry that expresses the fullness of God—from children to leadership—then we must ask ourselves, “What does ministry with children truly look like?”
Special Guest: Jennifer Schroeder
October 18 | 11 AM Central | Zoom Webinar
The cultural dynamics of honor, face, and shame have often been thought to be possessions of foreign, non-Western cultures. Those of us in the English-speaking world have often thought we have "outgrown" such issues–no more "pistols at 20 paces"! In truth, there is no such thing as "Honor Cultures" or "Shame Cultures." Not only do these appear as dominant themes in scripture, but all cultures practice these basic dynamics, including our modern English-speaking North American culture. To understand and engage our current cultural context well, ministers and church leaders need to pay closer attention to such issues. In this webinar, Chris will draw on some of his recent publications to help church leaders think deeply and critically about honor, face, and shame.
Special Guest: Chris Flanders
September 6 | 11 AM Central | Zoom Webinar
In the aftermath of COVID and the social unrest of the past three years, churches have—at best—lost only 15% of their pre-COVID numbers. In many cases, church attendance is down 30-50% or more from 2019. At the same time, we have seen a precipitous rise in the number of churches closing or merging with other congregations. Does anyone still question the need for new churches? Of course, we always need new churches, but we do not need more of what we have had. We need new churches that reimagine what it looks like to be the people of God in an increasingly secular and post-Christian world. Therein lies the challenge! Will established churches seek to start new kinds of churches—churches that perhaps won’t even look like churches to them but embody the Gospel in their communities in unfamiliar ways?
Special Guest: Tod Vogt
May 3 | 11:00 AM Central | Zoom Webinar
Much has been written about the ways in which our culture grows increasingly fragmented. Less discussed, however, are the ways in which our church practices contribute to that reality. Drawing on the work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Myles Werntz offers an account of the ways the church perpetuates isolation, and what it might look like to practice the life of faith with the good of community in mind.
Special Guest: Myles Werntz
April 12 | 11:00 AM Central | Zoom Webinar
The Bible is the word of the Lord Jesus to his church. But what is it meant to do in the life of God’s people? What is it for, how should we understand it, and how should we approach it as ordinary believers or as teachers and preachers? In this Intersection webinar, we will reflect theologically on the role and purpose of Scripture in the worship and mission of the church.
Special Guest: Brad East
Drew Dixon
“I believe that good listening can transform our world. The Siburt Institute’s Intersection series has both discussed and demonstrated what good listening can look like. Over the course of the past year they have hosted conversations about racism and politics, which require listening well to those with whom we might disagree, and also had conversations about different kinds of prayer, which involves listening deeply to God. These have not only discussed listening, but also demonstrated it by unfolding in a dialogue rather than a lecture. These conversations have been valuable resources throughout this past year, have helped me to personally feel less alone in the work of ministry, and have helped me to become a better listener along the way.”