Preaching in a New Key: Crafting Expository Sermons in Post-Christian Communities
The nature of preaching today is badly out of date. To illustrate, the top selling preaching text booking today (by H. Robinson) was written in Jimmy Carter’s America. It is any wonder that many preachers struggle to connect with their listeners. In this episode Mark explains how people experience faith today. And he outlines an approach to preaching in Post-Christian contexts that connects with people and nourishes faith in Jesus—an approach called reversing the flow.
Worship in Polyrhythms: Deeper Worship in Post-Christian Culture
In this episode we chart a fresh and deep course for worship (on a Sunday) in post-Christian communities: worship in polyrhythms. There is so much potential for fresh, deep, and biblical creativity in corporate worship. Yet worship leaders often lack a rich understanding of what they are doing. Our guest is professional percussionist Jillana Nickel. Jillana and I play Cuban music, and she teaches me to play the cowbell.
Check out:
· Jillana’s website: Jillanacreative.com
· Mark’s book, “Improvising Church: Scripture as the Source of Harmony, Rhythm, and Soul, chapter five, “Worship in Polyrhythms.”
Trading Jazz Piano for Graffiti. Reframe Church as: Receiving Jesus’ Love in Your Neighbourhood.
In this episode we trade jazz piano for graffiti. We ask: “What if we reframed the witness of your church as receiving Jesus’ healing, and extending Jesus’ healing, in your neighbourhood?” In this episode, Mark walks the streets of Canada’s poorest postal-code with philosopher and pastor, Dr Jamie Hellewell. Jamie has been a resident of Vancouver’s Downtown East Side for twenty years.
Check out:
· Mark’s book, “Improvising Church: Scripture as the Source of Harmony, Rhythm, and Soul, chapter three, “Local.”
Music played in this episode:
· Opening tune: A blues improvised on the spot
· Closing tune: “Cherrywood,” composed by Mark Glanville
Kinship with Creation: A Key for the Future of Faith. Guest Sage Kosa
Our kinship with the creation is crucial for the life and witness of the churches in post-Christian neighborhoods. Our guest is leading horticulturalist, Sage Kosa. Hosted from the grand piano, alongside a potted sword fern.
Sage Kosa owns and operates Kindred Gardens (Vancouver), a garden design, install, care, consulting, and coaching business.
Check out:
· Mark’s book, “Improvising Church: Scripture as the Source of Harmony, Rhythm, and Soul, chapter eight, “Creation.”