The Things that Keep Us Stuck

01/05/24 • 13 min

Happy New Year! On today's (short) episode, Rev. Peggy and DRE Jil rattle off a list of factors that keep churches stuck in old patterns that may not be serving their best interests. And we are not focusing on Community Church here - we will hear stories from several different communities that shed light on some of the behaviors, attitudes, and traditions that make it difficult to move forward and change with the world. Peggy and Jil highlight the importance of examining and challenging existing systems, being open to new ideas and technologies, and addressing issues such as ego, attachment, entitlement, and fear. They also emphasize the need for honesty, collaboration, and setting boundaries to create a welcoming and inclusive church community.

You can find out more about the Disrupt Church idea and watch the workshop that launched this conversation here. To join the conversation on Facebook, click here. You can find the podcast on many other platforms, and we encourage you to do so - every subscription, download, rating, and review really helps us get the word out and reach new people who might be interested in these conversations.

If you found this episode valuable, insightful, or just entertaining, we hope you will consider sending it to a friend or fellow congregant wherever you call your spiritual home.

If you found this episode valuable, insightful, or just entertaining, we hope you will consider sending it to a friend or fellow congregant wherever you call your spiritual home.

Previous Episode

Moving Beyond Boring with Darnell White

Darnell White, Musician in Residence at the Community Church of New York, joins Rev. Peggy Clarke and Jil Novenski in a discussion about the transformative power of music in spaces of worship and togetherness. They explore how music can both move people on an individual level and create a sense of community. They also discuss how the Community Church has leaned into a new approach to music to create more inclusive and engaging worship. Darnell shares his journey from a Baptist background that at times felt exclusionary to finding a safe and welcoming space in the Unitarian Universalist church. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration, trust, and vulnerability in creating meaningful religious rituals and authentic communities.

Born in Harlem, Darnell White is a graduate of LaGuardia High School for Music and Art and The Julliard School. A noted staple in New York City’s music scene, Darnell has developed a pristine reputation as a performer, composer, and musical director. He’s collaborated with noted artists and graced the stages of New York’s major venues including Birdland, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Smokey Joe’s cafe. Both as a vocalist & instrumentalist, Darnell is well versed in many genres as he believes music should always be approached first from a place of pure expression. It is indeed the desire to share his expressions through the gift of music that have left no style or genre outside his reach, including jazz, opera, contemporary gospel, classical, and musical theatre. Darnell joined the Community Church of New York team as Musician in Residence in 2022.

If you found this episode valuable, insightful, or just entertaining, we hope you will consider sending it to a friend or fellow congregant wherever you call your spiritual home.

Next Episode

From Consumers to Citizens

In an era where many of us feel the fabric of community fraying, Rev. Peggy Clarke and DRE Jil Novenski engage in a rich discussion on reimagining our engagement in religious and societal structures. This episode is not just a conversation; it's a call to rediscover our roles within collective spaces and enact meaningful change. The dialogue delves into the transition from a consumer model defined by individualism to engaged, interdependent citizen models that can promote both accountability and community within our churches.

Rev. Peggy and Jil dissect the existing paradigms—subject, consumer, and citizen—revealing the intricacies of each and the urgent need for change. They imagine churches as havens for the practice of genuine, collaborative humanity in a world teetering on the brink of authoritarianism. Part of the mission of disrupting church is to remake our church communities as a tapestry of relationships built on need, reciprocity, and a beacon of communities woven together through love and resilience. And this is where we start.

If you found this episode valuable, insightful, or just entertaining, we hope you will consider sending it to a friend or fellow congregant wherever you call your spiritual home.