Good Soil: Recent Episodes
Littleton Young Life
Need to slow down? On the verge of burnout? Stuck in patterns of performing for God rather than joining Jesus in His ministry of reconciliation? Listen to Chad Conant (25 year ministry veteran with Young Life) and Tim Vargo (trusty sidekick) talk through a different, life giving, way.
Chad and Tim use the filter from episode one on the first two chapters of Master Plan of Evangelism.
An introduction to our training through Robert Coleman's, "The Master Plan of Evangelism." Chad and Tim begin season three of Good Soil with some helpful filters for using this standard text in training up volunteers and staff.
As they wrap-up this season of retrieving guidance from "The Cultivated Life," Chad and Tim talk through some key metaphors which are so helpful for life and ministry. Susan Phillips flips things on the reader as we realize that, while we began by attempting to plant a garden in the midst of our circus culture- the bigger context is the soil on which the circus tent is temporarily set. As it moves on the soil remains.
Susan Phillips includes a chapter titled "Cultivating Attention" which Tim and Chad discuss to conclude the three part series on receiving cultivation.
Chad and Tim discuss the radical discipline of stopping and how God uses it to form us.
Tim and Chad begin a three part series on receiving cultivation through Susan Phillips chapters on listening, stopping, and attending. Listening is essential in our process of being transformed, and being listened to is one of God's ways of extending His divine care.
"The Cultivated Life," by Susan Phillips has inspired Chad and Tim to reflect on the metaphors they use to describe ministry work. She gives ministers a path to participation in God's Kingdom rather than remaining stuck performing their work in the ways of the world.
Chad and Tim take this philosophy of ministry and describe how they implemented it in their organization. Solitude to Community to Ministry has become the core of their culture and has served to lead everyone in their organization toward health.
Chad and Tim discuss and very Merton-esque approach to the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness. Referencing Henri Nouwen's work on Christian leadership they emphasize the significance of the order, moving from solitude to community to ministry.
"Ministry is not primarily something that you do (although it may call you to do many things) it is something you have to trust." Henri Nouwen has put into words the great mystery of ministry. Chad and Tim discuss what this understanding of ministry has meant for them and how it has worked in their Area.
Chad and Tim add a short segment to the podcast called
"ministry fails" and then discuss Jesus' way of community.
Solitude is the foundation of faithful ministry in the tradition of Jesus. To begin, one must know her basic identity as beloved of God. Chad and Tim begin to define what solitude is for them personally and for their organization.
Chad and Tim wrap up the story of their shift to a new philosophy of ministry and the resulting changes it has made in their organization and ministry.
Episode 1 of season 1, Chad and Tim introduce the occasion for their shift in philosophy and core values to "moving from solitude to community to ministry."