Equip & Engage: Recent Episodes
Subsplash
What does it look like to equip the church to engage the world with the truth of Jesus? At Subsplash we’ve been asking this question for over a decade, and we’ve found compelling answers in great technology. Join us to explore how technology serves the mission of the church to make more and better disciples.
Nona Jones—author, preacher, and business leader—joins us to share her passion for bringing the mission of the Church into digital spaces. Plus, Nona offers insight to pastors feeling the tension between participation on Sundays and ongoing engagement throughout the week.
Learn more about Nona Jones: https://www.nonajones.com/
In the final part of our interview, Carey Nieuwhof describes how technology—along with strategy—can have a big impact on the effectiveness of ministry. Plus, Carey offers insight into the key components churches should keep in mind when developing their own theology of technology.
Download The Finish Strong Challenge ebook: https://bit.ly/3P9ws1b
Learn more about Carey Nieuwhof: https://careynieuwhof.com/
Carey Nieuwhof—leadership expert and founding pastor—is back on Equip & Engage to discuss personal well-being, church health, and how to maximize resources beyond Sunday. Plus, Carey offers insight into effective church volunteer recruitment.
Download The Finish Strong Challenge ebook: https://engage.subsplash.com/finish-strong-challenge-p
Learn more about Carey Nieuwhof: https://careynieuwhof.com/
Chris Larson—president and CEO of Ligonier Ministries—joins us to discuss Ligonier’s 50+ year history of investing in technology to make the gospel more accessible. Plus, Chris dives into the 500-year legacy of the Reformation.
Learn more about Ligonier: https://www.ligonier.org/
Download the Ligonier app: https://subsplash.com/ligonier/app
Check out the State of Theology report: https://thestateoftheology.com/
In the final part of our interview, Nicole Smithee describes the challenges of being a church leader in today’s climate and the opportunity of using this season to bring positive change to the Church. Plus, Nicole shares a note of encouragement for women in ministry.
Learn more about Iridescent Women: https://iridescentwomen.com/
Nicole Smithee—CEO and cofounder of Iridescent Women—joins us to discuss the opportunities and challenges of using digital spaces for spiritual formation and discipleship. Plus, Nicole shares her background in ministry and her heart for equipping and connecting women.
Learn more about Iridescent Women: https://iridescentwomen.com/
In the final part of our interview, Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra describes the effects of social media on younger generations. Plus, we dive into the best ways forward for the Church’s digital presence.
Learn more about Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/profile/sarah-eekhoff-zylstra/
Join our conversation with Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra—senior writer and faith-and-work editor for The Gospel Coalition—as we discuss the role and influence of the digital space on Christian life. Plus, we dive into the collaboration and research that went into Sarah’s latest book, “Social Sanity in an Insta World.”
Learn more about Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/profile/sarah-eekhoff-zylstra/
Marty Sawyers is president and CEO of Full Strength Network, where he gets a front-row seat to the ever-changing dynamic of pastors’ wellbeing. In this episode, Marty (also a former pastor himself) joins us to discuss what it’s like to be a church leader in today’s climate. Plus, we’ll dive into 6 key facets of wellbeing that make for healthier pastors and, ultimately, healthier churches.
Learn more about Full Strength Network: https://fullstrength.org/
Mark Batterson—author and lead pastor of National Community Church—joins us to discuss the unique challenges of doing ministry in an overwhelmingly digitized and politicized age. Plus, we dive into the power and impact of spiritual habits and prayer.
Learn more about Mark Batterson: https://www.markbatterson.com/
In the final part of our interview, Mike Cosper describes how and what we can learn from the recent high-profile failures in the Church. Plus, we dive into the good the local church is doing in the world day after day.
Learn more about Mike Cosper: https://mikecosper.net/
Join our conversation with Mike Cosper—author, pastor, and Director of Podcasting at Christianity Today—as we discuss what made “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill” an essential story to tell. Plus, Mike shares what lessons the Church can take away from this and similar stories over the last 10 years.
Learn more about Mike Cosper: https://mikecosper.net/
In the final part of our interview, Heather describes how younger generations have been shaped by technology and what they actually want (and need) from the Church today.
Learn more about Heather Thompson Day: https://www.heatherthompsonday.com/
Join our conversation with Dr. Heather Thompson Day—professor, author, and interdenominational speaker—as we consider how to reach the next generation with the gospel. Plus, Heather shares her insight on what church leaders can learn from Gen Z and their digital habits.
Learn more about Heather Thompson Day: https://www.heatherthompsonday.com/
Beth Guckenberger—renowned author and Executive Director of Back2Back Ministries—joins us to discuss how technologycreates unique opportunities to connect people with the gospel. Plus, Beth shares her insight on how the local Church can benefit from adopting a more missional perspective.
Learn more about Back2Back Ministries: https://back2back.org/
In the final part of our interview, Carey lays out the main challenges facing the Church in the next 5 years and offers best practices for church leaders to thrive in a hybrid ministry world.
Learn more about Carey Nieuwhof: https://careynieuwhof.com/
Join our conversation with pastor and leadership expert Carey Nieuwhof as we explore the purpose of the Church and how it’s taking on a new shape in the post-pandemic world. Plus, Carey shares his perspective on the biggest factors in helping people grow towards spiritual maturity.
Listen in to get a promo code for $100 off The Art of Leadership Academy, only through March 31!
Learn more about The Art of Leadership Academy: http://theartofleadershipacademy.com
Join us as we look back at some of our favorite moments on the podcast this year. Plus, listen in to hear Carolyn’s and Nick’s personal picks for best reads and listens of 2021. Happy New Year!
In the final part of our interview, Mark Sayers lays out the top problems facing the church in the next 5 years and describes how church leaders may need to reimagine their approach to discipleship.
Learn more about Mark Sayers: https://www.marksayers.co/
Join our conversation with Mark Sayers—author and senior leader at Red Church—as we explore how ministry has dramatically changed since the onset of the pandemic, how culture as a whole has shifted, and how both are continuing to evolve.
Learn more about Mark Sayers: https://www.marksayers.co/
In the final part of our interview, Dr. Russell Moore helps pastors and church leaders prepare for the challenges of political violence and secularized Christianity in the years to come.
Learn more about Russell Moore: www.russellmoore.com
How can church leaders be a non-anxious presence in a divided culture? Join our conversation with Dr. Russell Moore—author and Public Theologian for Christianity Today—as we explore the challenges pastors face when navigating controversial “hot button” issues in a divided world.
Learn more about Russell Moore: www.russellmoore.com
What does the Bible say about free speech? Brad Littlejohn, founder and president of The Davenant Institute, joins us to share what church leaders need to know in 2021.
Learn more about Brad Littlejohn: www.bradlittlejohn.com
Learn more about the Davenant Institute: www.davenantinstitute.org
What’s at stake when only 11% of Americans are regularly reading the Bible? Join our conversation with Jen Wilkin—author and Bible teacher at The Village Church—as we explore the centrality of biblical literacy for real discipleship.
Learn more about Jen Wilkin: www.jenwilkin.net
Learn more about The Village Church: www.thevillagechurch.net
Source: Statista, 2021
In a divided culture, churches have an incredible opportunity to display the gospel to a watching world. Join our conversation with Dr. Derwin Gray, lead pastor of Transformation Church, to learn how pastors can overcome the three biggest obstacles to building a multiethnic church.
Learn more about Derwin Gray: www.derwinlgray.com
Learn more about Transformation Church: transformationchurch.tc
Never before have churches and church leaders needed to exist in two realms simultaneously: in person and online. What’s at stake—says Brett McCracken, senior editor at The Gospel Coalition—is the very nature of Christian formation. So how do you wisely make disciples when the digital space is the dominant shaping space? Join our interview with Brett to find out.
Learn more about “The Wisdom Pyramid,” by Brett McCracken: brettmccracken.com/the-wisdom-pyramid
Learn about how we at Subsplash are building tools to help pastors overcome complexity and get started with digital discipleship: subsplash.com/wisdom
Pastor and author Rusty George joins us to discuss what we can do while we wait for God’s answer to prayer. Plus, learn about Real Life Church's model for growth and discipleship.
Learn more about Rusty and his work: pastorrustygeorge.com
Learn more about Real Life Church: reallifechurch.org
Makoto Fujimura—renowned visual artist and author—joins us to discuss his lifelong exploration of the connection between creativity and spirituality. Listen in to hear how art gives us the power to bring beauty and goodness into the world by embracing imperfections and participating in the “New Creation.”
Learn more about Mako and his work: www.makotofujimura.com
Carolyn talks with Nate Kach, Senior Product Manager at Subsplash, about his background in Big Tech and current trends that churches should know about. Plus, listen in to hear the benefits and true cost of “free” technology like social media.
Lee Coate, executive pastor for ministry and media at The Crossing Church and consultant at Growmentum (a church consulting group focused on helping churches and their leaders maximize their potential) joins us to discuss how churches can build culture with intentional language. Plus, listen in to hear how The Crossing measures engagement in their community.
Learn more about Growmentum Group: www.growmentumgroup.com
Learn more about The Crossing: www.thecrossinglv.com
Founder Jason Houtsma shares how Worship Artistry—an online tool to learn and practice worship music—recognized the "burnout" involved in preparing weekend worship and addressed it by building a platform dedicated to helping churches invest back into their teams.
Learn more about Worship Artistry: www.worshipartistry.com
Lead Pastor Mark Batterson, Technology Director Matt Ortiz, and Groups Pastor Amanda Seidler join us from National Community Church—a multi-campus church based in Washington D.C.—to discuss how they utilize technology for deeper connections with their community. Plus, hear how they launched a daily devotional podcast, digital prayer meetings, TV apps, and more to stay connected in an unpredictable year for their church.
Learn more about National Community Church: www.national.cc
Chief Relations Officer Jon Sharpe shares how the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. is striving to engage people of all backgrounds with the transformative power of scripture. Listen in to hear how the museum is fulfilling its mission through technology and innovation.
Learn more about the Museum of the Bible: www.museumofthebible.org
Dr. Esau McCaulley—writer, Anglican priest, and New Testament scholar—joins us to discuss his recent book, “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope.” Listen in to hear how studying Scripture from other perspectives and church traditions can be invaluable for Christians of all backgrounds.
Learn more about Dr. Esau McCaulley: www.esaumccaulley.com
Dr. Derwin Gray shares how he and his wife set out to build the multigenerational and multiethnic community that would become Transformation Church. Plus, hear how they’re using technology to stay connected with their community and expand their reach through TV apps on the Subsplash Platform.
Learn more about Derwin Gray: www.derwinlgray.com
Jesse Eisenhart, lead pastor of True North Church, shares how they are embracing the unique circumstance of ministry amidst a pandemic to reflect upon and adapt their strategy in order to better understand, serve, and equip their community.
Learn more about True North Church: www.truenorth.cc
Zach Bolen of the Seattle-based band Citizens shares how they’re continuing to release music amidst the pandemic and in the process have provided churches with new songs to sing and make their own.
Learn more about Citizens: www.wearecitizens.net
Download The Joy of Being chord charts: www.weareworship.com/citizens
Jamie Winship shares how his organization, Identity Exchange, is helping people face the realities of life during a pandemic—and experience personal growth in spite of it.
Learn more about Identity Exchange: www.identityexchange.com
Jamie Aten and Kent Annan join us from Wheaton College’s Humanitarian Disaster Institute, the first faith-based academic disaster research center in the United States. Listen in to hear how they’re providing churches with timely resources regarding spiritual health, reopening, the future of the church, and so much more.
Learn more about the Humanitarian Disaster Institute: www.wheaton.edu/HDI
Learn more about the Spiritual First Aid Hub: www.spiritualfirstaidhub.com
Bert Alcorn, lead pastor of Anthem Ventura, shares how they are embracing the reality of ministry amidst a pandemic by thoughtfully reexamining and adapting their strategy in order to come out of this season looking more like Jesus.
Learn more about Anthem Ventura: www.anthemventura.org
Julian Lowe, lead pastor of Oasis Church, joins us to discuss how crisis is an opportunity for the Church to reveal deep truths and bring transformational change.
Learn more about Oasis Church: www.oasisla.org
Sam Eitzen shares how The SnapBar, a custom photo booth company, has adapted their strategy amidst a challenging economic climate. Plus, hear how this shift enabled them to support struggling local businesses in the process.
Learn more about Keep Your City Smiling: www.keepyourcitysmiling.com
Ken Weigel shares how The Bible Project is continuing to come alongside churches by providing free Scripture-based content through a new initiative sparked by the increase of people experiencing church at home.
Learn more about The Bible Project: bibleproject.com
Ryan Collins, CEO of Bethel School of Technology, shares how he is currently seeing kingdom-minded workers make a difference by filling in high-demand tech jobs even amid economic uncertainty around the world. Listen in to hear his thoughts on how this will positively impact the future of the church and the workplace.
Follow along with more from Ryan and his wife Briana in their new series, The What is: Podcast http://ow.ly/zPO650zJHwr
Learn more about Bethel Tech: betheltech.net
Mike Wilson, lead pastor of Sage Hills Church, shares how he’s seeing local churches partner together to help each other navigate virtual ministry. Plus, hear how Sage Hills adapted to current circumstances thanks to digital tools that were already in place.
Learn more about Sage Hills Church: sagehillschurch.com
Henry and Alex Seeley, lead pastors of The Belonging Co., share how they’re witnessing more people than ever seek out the church and connect with gospel content in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen in to hear how the importance of living with intentionality has become increasingly clear to the Seeleys.
Learn more about The Belonging Co.: thebelonging.co
In a new series, “See the Good”, we’re highlighting stories of people seeing the good in their community and the world in the midst of unprecedented global events. Jeremy Vallerand, CEO of Rescue:Freedom, joins us for the inaugural episode to discuss how mass closures of brothels and red light districts as a result of the pandemic led his organization to shift focus in order to provide feeding programs and shelter for those now free from sexual slavery and exploitation.
Learn more about Rescue:Freedom www.rescuefreedom.org
Eugene Cho, pastor, author, and humanitarian, joins us to share his story in planting Quest Church—a multigenerational and multiethnic church in Seattle. Listen in to hear how Quest, through innovative resources, grew and found new ways to know and engage their neighbors. Plus, Eugene discusses his role at One Day’s Wages and what the future has in store for him.
Learn more about One Day’s Wages: www.onedayswages.org
Learn more about Bread for the World: www.bread.org
Justin and Janae Klatt, founders and lead pastors of Imagine Church, share their church planting journey. Listen in to hear how Imagine Church has embraced technology in order to cultivate discipleship and build community across the United States through in-person and remote gatherings.
Learn more about Imagine Church: www.imagine.church
Jacinta Tegman shares her experience as the first female CEO of CRISTA Ministries. Listen in to hear what it looks like to build upon a company’s rich foundation through innovation and how to create a Christ-centered workplace culture.
Learn more about CRISTA Ministries: www.crista.org
Kristy Turner, cofounder of Subsplash, shares about meeting CEO Tim Turner and building a mission-driven company together. Listen in to hear what it looks like to trust God in various seasons of growth and make a workplace feel like family.
Carolyn talks with Nate Kach, Senior Product Manager at Subsplash, about his background working with top tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. Listen in to hear how Nate’s experiences led him to Subsplash and how ministry can benefit by embracing technology.
Carolyn interviews Steven Testone, Director of Product at Subsplash, in a discussion around the meaning, impact, and theology of innovation. Plus an inside look at Steven’s journey launching SnapPages™ and joining the Subsplash team. “What areas are ripe for innovation, and what does it look like to fail?”
Jevon Washington, Lead Pastor of Flourish Church, shares his experience as a church-planter balancing multiple callings. Listen in as we discuss what it looks like to build an effective bivocational—or covocational—ministry. “Is it possible to be called or sent into multiple spaces?”
Justin and Kristin discuss how engaging the context of your community through the use of strategic tools allows for more powerful and impactful communication. “How can I be most effective in my context?”
Sources: GlobalWebIndex, 2018 Pew Research Center, 2018Statista, 2019DMA Insights, 2017
Lauren Gelman, Associate Director of Foursquare Multiply, shares her experience overseeing church planters across the West Coast. Listen in as we discuss the importance of being culturally intelligent, self-aware, and open-minded when exploring a new context.
Learn more about Foursquare Multiply: www.foursquaremultiply.com
Justin and Carolyn discuss the importance of connecting with your context, and how knowing your neighborhood can lead to more authentic, thoughtful, and effective ministry. “Are you actively looking to find where God is already working in your neighborhood?”
Bert Alcorn, the Lead Pastor of Anthem Ventura, joins us to discuss the importance of quality communication within church communities. Listen in to hear how effective communication goes beyond just sharing information and can lead to more authentic relationships within your community.
Learn more about Anthem Ventura: anthemventura.org
Ryan Collins, CEO of Bethel School of Technology, joins us to talk about building a faith-based tech school that equips believers with skills to confidently enter the workplace with a purpose-driven outlook. Listen in to hear how Bethel Tech is finding ways to innovate within the bounds of faith and technology.
Learn more about Bethel Tech: betheltech.net
From oral traditions to the Gutenberg press—Roman roads to radio broadcasts—technology and media have helped carry the gospel message over millennia. Now that mobile is at the center of all media consumption, what are we doing as the church to show up where people are already spending their time?
Sources: comScore Mobile Metrix, December 2017comScore Video Metrix Multi-Platform, December 2017
Chris and Carolyn talk about their first cell phones and the first iPhone app ever made for a church. On this side of the mobile revolution, most people are using smartphones or tablets for three hours a day. How can your ministry compete for their time and attention to reach every generation with the gospel?
Source: comScore Mobile Metrix, June 2017
A congregation with 100 people…and 10,000 app downloads? If you’re creating content, you have an audience. Here’s how technology can help you expand your reach—without replacing in-person connections. Plus, Chris and Carolyn blow the lid off digital strategy with four steps to take today.“ Technology isn’t something to replace church attendance. It’s enhancing your ability to engage community, so you have more authentic engagement going forward.”
What are “Paper Cut Wednesday” and “The Summer Slump,” and why are they becoming things of the past? In our very first episode of Equip & Engage, we look at how technology is changing the way churches share the gospel and build community.“ As Christians, we have the one thing every human needs: the answer to sin and death, found in Jesus. How do we use technology to get this out to the ends of the earth?”
Equip & Engage is a podcast by Subsplash, exploring how technology serves the mission of the church to make more and better disciples. We’ve worked with thousands of pastors and ministry leaders around the world, and we’re excited to share insights learned over years of industry-leading innovation. Join us as we get to the heart of church engagement and the future of ministry.