Live from the Siburt Institute

Vibrant conversations between ministers, church leaders, and scholars, brought to you by the staff of the Siburt Institute for Church Ministry at Abilene Christian University. The Siburt Institute’s mission is to equip church leaders and help churches thrive. Topics include contemporary issues facing churches and church leaders, as well as ways that scholarship can inform church leadership.

Live from the Siburt Institute is a religion podcast hosted by siburtinstitute, with 74 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

siburtinstitute hosts Live from the Siburt Institute, a religion show with 74 episodes published.

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  Episode #76

  Carmen Joy Imes: Bringing Big Theology to Little Readers, the Fierce and Faithful Women of the Bible, and Embracing Curiosity in Daily Life

  Sep 16, 202634 min

  What happens when a top-tier Bible scholar decides to write for eight-year-olds instead of just academics? In this episode, host Jennifer Schroeder sits down with Dr. Carmen Joy Imes to talk about her heart for children’s ministry and her latest book, Fierce and Faithful. Co-authored with Nijay K. Gupta, the book introduces kids to 25 incredible women from across the Bible, showing them that God has always used women to change the world. Carmen shares some personal stories, like testing chapters at a family camping trip and getting vocabulary advice from her own nieces and nephews. She’s passionate about the idea that we shouldn’t "dumb down" the Bible for kids. Instead, she believes children are more than capable of handling deep theological truths and real history if we just take the time to explain it clearly. It’s a beautiful reminder that our kids’ curiosity isn't a problem to be solved, but a bridge to a deeper faith. Whether you're a parent, a teacher, or just a lifelong learner, this conversation will inspire you to look at the Bible – and the children in your life – with fresh eyes. Connect with Carmen: Website: Carmenjoyimes.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVM-Oq9H-LqH0RJJulhvjlg Order Fierce and Faithful: https://www.ivpress.com/fierce-and-faithful?srsltid=AfmBOopLpOaaixKC5Jdzp6M-2zlOhcWRLYrvYXd9u69F4ZpvFc3Kk38B Also mentioned in the podcast: Curiously Kaitlyn podcast: https://www.holypost.com/articles/categories/curiously-kaitlyn

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  Episode #75

  Laurie Templeton and Holly Peeters: Training Future Leaders Through High School Apprenticeships

  Sep 2, 202638 min

  This episode features a conversation between Jennifer Schroeder, Laurie Templeton, and Holly Peeters regarding the CLAY (Christian Leaders Apprentice Youth) program at Singing Oaks Church of Christ. Developed to address a lack of teen involvement in church, this model allows high schoolers to apprentice in various ministries – such as children's, worship, or Spanish – under the mentorship of experienced ministers. Laurie, the children's minister at Singing Oaks, discusses the logistics involved, including interviews, contracts, and weekly spiritual formation meetings. Holly, a student who progressed from apprentice to intern, highlights how the experience revealed the "behind-the-scenes" of ministry, taught professional skills, and deepened her faith. The model successfully keeps youth connected to the church during the summer and builds a sustainable pipeline for future congregational leadership. To get in touch with Laurie, select her name from the drop down list and fill out the contact form here: https://singingoaks.org/contact Key Talking Points: The Definition of CLAY: An acronym for Christian Leaders Apprentice Youth, providing paid, part-time summer ministry experience for high school students. Structured Mentorship: Apprentices undergo a professional application and interview process, sign contracts, and attend weekly meetings focused on spiritual growth and vocational reflection. Fundraising: Students raise half of their stipend, which encourages church members to invest directly in the youth’s development and creates a sense of shared mission. Intergenerational Relationships: CLAY is designed to foster intergenerational relationships within the church, by connecting the teens to children (through the children's ministry) and adults (through fundraising efforts). Church Connectivity: The apprenticeship allows teens to earn money while remaining available for church camps and activities, unlike typical summer jobs. Leadership Pipeline: The model serves as a "shoulder-tapping" tool to identify and train future church leaders and interns from within the local congregation.

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  Episode #74

  Eric Howell: Creation Care, Church Grounds, and His Book "Under the Francis Tree: A Practical Theology for the Church Grounds in the 21st Century"

  Aug 19, 202646 min

  In this episode of Live from the Siburt Institute, host Myles Werntz sits down with Eric Howell, pastor of Dayspring Baptist Church and author of Under the Francis Tree: A Practical Theology for the Church Grounds in the 21st Century . Howell talks about his path from studying industrial engineering at Texas A&M to becoming a pastor with a deep interest in ecology and theology. His interest in the environment started with a high school club, but over time it became something deeper. He began to observe that God’s grace meets us through the material world (like baptismal water, communion bread and wine, and the other physical elements of worship). A big part of the conversation is Howell’s challenge to the traditional idea of “stewardship.” He points out that stewardship can make us think of ourselves as middle managers who are simply taking care of property for an absentee landlord. Instead, he suggests thinking in terms of integration, participation, and worship. Drawing on the Franciscan tradition, Howell sees the church not as standing apart from the rest of creation, but as joining the whole created world in praising God. He also draws on the work of Dr. Ellen Davis, who describes the biblical covenant as a “three-legged stool” involving God, people, and the land. (Find her book, Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible, here .) Howell shares some great examples of what this can look like in everyday church life. At Dayspring, a community composting project became an unexpected way to talk about reconciliation and resurrection during a pastoral conversation. He also tells the story of a San Antonio church that built a bird blind so people with Alzheimer’s could find therapeutic relief watching birds and connecting with the natural world. Howell encourages churches to rediscover their sense of community by paying attention to and caring for the land right where they are. Key Talking Points: The Francis Tree Icon: The book’s title comes from a huge live oak at Dayspring Baptist Church. The tree has become a place for sunrise services, prayer, pastoral conversations, and care. Rethinking Stewardship: Instead of seeing ourselves as managers of nature, Howell invites us to see ourselves as part of a larger community of creation that worships God together. Sacramental Ecology: Baptismal water, communion bread and wine, and the other physical elements of worship are more than symbols. They remind us that God’s grace meets us through the material world. The Eremocene: A term for our current age of “silence” and loneliness, brought on in part by our growing separation from the rhythms and patterns of the natural world. Practical Parables: Everyday things like composting and bird watching can become powerful ways for churches to talk about big ideas like resurrection, reconciliation, and God’s care for creation. The Sacred Grounds Project: A collaborative effort that helps congregations take small, practical steps toward turning the land they care for into a place of ministry, learning, and encounter with God.

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  Episode #73

  Wes Crawford: The Challenges of American Civil Religion

  Aug 5, 202651 min

  Jennifer Schroeder talks with Wes Crawford about the challenges that American civil religion poses for Christians. They begin by discussing some of the manifestations of civil religion in the USA, before digging into the topic more deeply. An important part of the conversation is Dr. Crawford's upcoming book, One Nation Under God, to be published in fall 2026 by Eerdmans. Among the resources that come up in the episode are: Dr. Crawford's book One Nation Over God Dr. Crawford's book Courage in the Sheer Silence Dr. Crawford's book Shattering the Illusion Dr. Crawford's Substack - @wescrawford1

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  Episode #72

  Hannah Sutton-Adams: Godly Play

  Jun 26, 202639 min

  Jennifer Schroeder and Hannah Sutton-Adams discuss "Godly Play," an approach to engaging the Bible with children that seeks to find and make meaning through story, wonder, and play. They discuss how Godly Play nurtures children's spirituality honoring children's knowledge of God, capacity for wonder, and ability to ask and discuss deep questions. They also consider some of the challenges and opportunities that come for children's ministers and ministry volunteers. Among the resources that come up in the episode are: Rebecca Nye's Children's Spirituality: What It Is and Why It Matters Ron Bruner and Dana Kennamer's Along the Way: Conversations about Children and Faith The Godly Play foundation (website: godlyplayfoundation.org )

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