Coffeepot Fellowship Podcast

Sterling Severns is the "Senior Pastor" at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. That really is his title and role but big titles aren't really in the ethos of Tabernacle BC, as I've experienced them. What is in the ethos of TBC is community, inclusion, education, love and empowerment. Almost everywhere I turn there are fruits, usually with names and faces, from its congregation.

Does courage come easily to some? I don't know. But from start to finish of this interview Cathy Knight lives her courage. Before we ever get to our question of the biggest blunder or trial in her life she has been entirely revealing and vulnerable. Which begs me to name how much of our stories we all must naturally keep private. It takes courage to be the real leaders who bring their real, full stories out into the light so that we can all begin to know that we're each okay. Our struggles and our diversity are beautiful and often completely God-given (i.e. normal and natural).

I'm grateful that I was still recording when the official interview ended because we've captured a very entertaining, off-the-cuff Will Willimon responding with very colorful stories. This recording was made in my early days, all the way back to January 2015. Bishop Willimon has kindly given us permission to share the pre and post-interview conversation. So please enjoy the atypical Coffeepot Fellowship interview.

Bishop Will Willimon has been described many ways. Really, he's a family man and a United Methodist minister. And, oh yeah, a storyteller. Here come the stories.

The Very Reverend Phoebe Roaf is known most affectionately as Mother Roaf or Mother Phoebe. Her story takes stops in Arkansas, New Orleans, and lands her in Richmond, Virginia. I'm confident that your experience of her will reveal an especially kind and comfortable spirit. Maybe it's the tea.

Chris Wondree is a feather in the cap of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia, the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, and the faith groups he serves. Chris is an uplifting, disarming friend with a deeply stabilizing presence. Trying to shock or surprise Chris could be a very successful game show or at least Youtube channel. Enjoy the disarming humor which allows important lessons to land without our evening knowing it. This episode is cohosted by Ben Brown and Jay McNeal

Ben Brown once came up to me and recalled how the ministry ideas we had brainstormed in theory I had actually implemented. Ben was no onlooker though. Ben is a shining example of how students and leaders can use United Faith Leaders to serve real people and expand their actual experiences while creating additional income. Ben has since graduated with two masters degrees and is pastoring in western Virginia. Our ministries and talents have expanded each other's ability to care for and support real people. Thanks for being so courageous and open minded, Ben Brown. Today's episode is cohosted with Chris Wondree.

Women Roofers, that's what you're looking for. That is if you're trying to figure out what Jesus looks like or what the hands and feet of God look like, it's Women Roofers. And Nell Perry Bovender is the best way to find out more about them. Nell is the Executive Director of Rutherfordton Housing Partnership and they have been covered by the major national news teams and featured in People Magazine.

"Soy chai," saith Emily Holladay when asked how she likes her coffee. Emily is a pastor primarily for children and families in Louisville, KY. Even though Emily and I both graduated from seminary in 2013 we don't really know each other. We're both Baptist. We're both Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Baptists. But our seminaries were 500 miles apart. Nuke your coffee and join me as we get to know Emily better together.

Cheryl Douglas-Walker has an infectious laugh. The laughter and the correlated faith are both gifts from God that bless people anywhere near her path. She is a source of many good things and is always good for a great hug.

Sara might prefer to say she has a message from the universe for you, "I know what I'm doing." Sara has served several faith communities in various capacities over the years. She is a saint and a sage. Each time that she tells me about part of a sermon she has preached there is a spark within me that seems to say, 'Huh, I hadn't thought of that' or 'I hadn't thought of it quite that way before.' And it is always refreshing and encouraging. Sara is clearly a believer in a very good, loving  God.

Rev. Cindy Hardy knows her calling and has not stopped answering it since day one. Some people do the work of their title. Others can be described by the title even if they were not working in that capacity officially. For example, some people are teachers whether they are employed as teachers or not. One can be a teacher by nature.  While Cindy is certainly much more than her title, Cindy Hardy is a chaplain.

Julie Yoder Elmore and I attended St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri together. Julie pastors a two point charge in Michigan now and previously pastored another United Methodist congregation in Alaska. Julie is also a grateful listener of The Coffeepot Fellowship Daily Podcast for the sense of community it provides and the encouragement that stories of other faith leaders brings. Julie kept us "keeping it real" with another episode. Thanks, Julie.

The Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline is my friend. Robin is very well known wherever he has lived and all across Virginia. He is the founder, recently resigned, of People of Faith for Equality in Virginia. He is well educated, kind and a seemingly infinite well of grace.

One foot in front of the other, Joe Kendrick keeps serving with patience and maturity. Joe continues to serve congregations, love his family, pursue education and earn leadership positions. How does he do it? Well there is good advice in this interview related to reading the morning comic strip. And that should not be too quickly dismissed.

Episode Zero is unique for several reasons. It is the only episode so far that includes video at www.coffeepotfellowship.com. Since every other episode asks a guest to tell her or his story it seemed fair that you should get some of my story as well.

He's a Campolo, by his own declaration! You want stories, ask a Campolo. This Campolo is the Secular Humanist Chaplain at The University of Southern California in Los Angeles. And he is doing good. "The goal is not life but the good life," according to Plato. Bart Campolo might agree with Plato. Bart's father is Tony Campolo and I suspect that Bart was poised to inherit the legacy of iconic evangelical Christian leadership ... until five years ago. Two men of integrity who have come to believe perfectly opposing truths about whether there is a God and what happens to us after we die.

He's a Campolo, by his own declaration! You want stories, ask a Campolo. This Campolo is the Secular Humanist Chaplain at The University of Southern California in Los Angeles. And he is doing good. "The goal is not life but the good life," according to Plato. Bart Campolo might agree with Plato. Bart's father is Tony Campolo and I suspect that Bart was poised to inherit the legacy of iconic evangelical Christian leadership ... until five years ago. Two men of integrity who have come to believe perfectly opposing truths about whether there is a God and what happens to us after we die.

Viki Brooks is the Director of Religious and Spiritual Life and Campus Protestant Chaplain at Union College in Schenectady, NY. Union began as a seminary in 1795, but that's probably what all "higher education" was in 1795. If I remember the history of my undergraduate college correctly it is one of the first three "colleges" in America. It's where I came to my faith because a chaplain who was there shortly before Viki. Dr. Brooks is clearly continuing the legacy, evidenced in this coffeepot fellowship time. Listen here for powerful stories from the real life of The Rev. Dr. Victoria Brooks.

Ashley Mejias is a 3rd year student at Union Presbyterian Seminary. It was great to uncover more of the story behind the face. Seminary is full of people just like Ashley, courageously answering her calling. Not everyone's calling lands them in jail, repeatedly, but Ashley's does. Listen and hear to how she may be both the smallest and biggest person in the prison.