Along the Road: A Podcast for PC(USA) Leaders
Be inspired, hear the stories of others, and practice the tools of faith and leadership through conversations that nourish, enrich, and aid in the formation of leaders in the church. Mid Council leaders will integrate foundational values with the practice of faith and ministry. Congregational leaders, particularly ruling elders and deacons, will experience practices to connect faith to everyday life. Nourish: Short episodes for ruling elders and deacons. Encounter: Longer episodes for church and mid council leaders.
Episodes
85 episodes
Encounter: We Are Part of a Bigger Family Around the World
Join Mirna Wasef and her father, Mofid Wasef as they share the importance of knowing our identity -- what it means to be a Presbyterian - who we are, what we believe, and why we are called as a church "to go forth as agents of God...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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35:01
Nourish: Becoming Presbyterian
Many current Presbyterians do not have backgrounds within the denomination, including Ryan Knauber who grew up Catholic became Buddhist and is now a Presbyterian. Hear Ryan’s story and reflect upon your own while thinking about what it i...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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15:50
Encounter: So That the Ministry of the Whole People of God May Flourish
Scott Anderson was called to be a pastor in the PCUSA when he sixteen years old at a time when our polity did not allow for the ordination of LGBTQIA+ people. Yet he stayed in the church even when he could not openly claim his authentic ...
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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27:22
Nourish: Spiritual Practice of Reading
Katrina Pekich-Bundy shares how the spiritual practice of reading has played a part in her curiosity to learn more about the world, neighbors near and far away, and has enhanced her relationship with others and with God. She even provide...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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15:50
Encounter: Being a Part of Something Greater Than Myself
Join guest Annanda Barclay as she reflects as a Black queer woman on the disconnect between the values and beliefs that we profess as Presbyterians and our actual social relationships. As a chaplain, she shares how the “heady stuff of th...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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39:09
Nourish: Exploring Our Presbyterian/Reformed Beliefs
As we grow in faith and understanding, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary professor, Cynthia Rigby, explains and unpacks some of our foundational Reformed beliefs - Sovereignty of God, Christocentrality, Tenacity of Grace, Goodness...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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20:32
Encounter: Open Minds, Open Hearts, Open Borders: Presbyterian Identity in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Let's review together how we have served during the year in opening our mission and ministries towards a diverse community of people that when included, expand the vision of the Kingdom of God in our congregations, mid councils, and the ...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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39:53
Nourish: Called as a Young Deacon
Camden Thomas-Bush shares his experience serving as a deacon in his congregation while in high school. We have much to learn from and with young people as they grow in leadership alongside us!
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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11:17
Encounter: Who We Are and Whose We Are
On this episode of Encounter, Jeff Japinga shares his reflections on how we can be intentional in naming who we are as Presbyterians. We explore why it matters as we explore the distinctive characteristics and particularities that ...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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27:02
Nourish: Reflection on I Corinthians 16:13-14
Ruling elder, Kymberlaine Banks, provides a reflection, reminding us to stand firm in the faith, live in courage, and do everything in love.
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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14:19
Encounter: Changing Beyond the Degree of Comfort
Travel along the road with Claudia Aguilar Rubalcava as she shares how her experience of serving a non-Presbyterian church helped her recognize her deep appreciation of Presbyterian polity, governance, and openness to being reformed and ...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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38:39
Nourish: Committees as Agents of Change in the World
Author, singer, songwriter, and activist, David LaMotte, invites us to go beyond the hero story narrative and into movement work. Serving together in community, even in committees, can be part of that movement and changes the world!<...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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21:16
Encounter: Connecting the Dots; Embracing Our Cultural and Presbyterian Identities
How do diverse cultural perspectives help us have a deeper understanding of what it means to be Presbyterian? Guests Princeton Abaraoha and Danelle McKinney share their perspectives, as an African Immigrant and an Indigenous Nativ...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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57:45
Nourish: Spiritual Practice of Creating Visual Art
Spiritual practices don’t always need to be focused around words. Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri, ruling elder and Regional Liaison for the Caribbean with Presbyterian World Mission, shares the way that her connection to God is expressed thro...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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18:06
Encounter: Presbyterian Identity - This is Where I Belong
“This denomination actually wants to hear from me?” That was the pivotal moment when, as a youth advisory delegate in 1995 that guest Kevin Veldhuisen knew he was a PCUSA Presbyterian. "This I where I belong, this is a good place." A...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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38:07
Nourish: Who Are These Laypersons?
Deacons, ruling elders, and teaching elders are companions in ministry and are responding to call by fulfilling particular functions in Christ’s church. The language we use about them is important and sends messages about what we believe. Ch...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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19:07
Encounter: Navigating the life path of the Presbyterian Identity
Hello Church People! In this episode, our guest Rodger Nishioka shares how he discovered he was a Presbyterian! We discuss the spiritual developmental process from youth to adulthood and how Presbyterian identity is reflected during diff...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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39:39
Nourish: Outward Signs of Ordered Ministries
Who wears a collar? How about a robe? Christian Boyd, pastor and presbytery stated clerk, explores the history and symbolism of these outward signs of ministry and the direct connection to our Presbyterian beliefs about the ordered minis...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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19:56
Encounter: Tell Me You Are Presbyterian by Telling Me When You Realized You Were Truly Presbyterian!
What is Presbyterian identity? When did you know, at your core, that you were a PCUSA Presbyterian? In this episode Jihyun Oh, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) shares how the interplay of the theol...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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27:42
Nourish: Reflecting, Remembering, and Radiating Gratitude
The hosts of the Encounter and Nourish episodes join together to think back on all of the gifts that the second season brought to the listeners – and the hosts. Contribute your own feedback and reflections by emailing them at alongtheroad@pcusa...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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20:17
Encounter: Maintaining the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace; Being Faithful in Times of Disagreement
In this episode referencing the document, Seeking to be Faithful Together: Guidelines for Presbyterian...
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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25:27
Nourish: Reflection on Call
Mark Koenig provides a reflection on call with a capital “C” and call with a lowercase “c”, and the way that our calls connect us to community. More on these aspects of ministry as presented by Jack Stotts, are available
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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14:10
Encounter: Equity Primes and Choice Points for Equitable and Inclusive Decision-Making
The 225th General Assembly (2022) introduced and the 226th General Assembly will continue to use equity primes, prompts, and questions to lessen bias and ensure that multiple and diverse perspectives and invited and considered in order that we ...
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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44:58
Nourish: Polity Nugget - What is a Commissioner?
The work of a commissioner isn't just to one meeting and then they are done? While this may be a surprise to some, Jihyun Oh helps us understand a little more about the service of PC(USA) commissioners and how the rest of us can support them.&n...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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13:04
Encounter: The Mid Councils' role in training commissioners to the General Assembly: Ideas, Experiences and Reflections
Hello Church People! As Mid Council Leaders with years of valuable experience, and also as former Commissioners to the General Assembly and advisory delegates, Fran Lane Lawrence, Forrest Classen, and Eliana Maxim share wit...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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51:18