Coffeepot Fellowship Podcast

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 is both the smallest and biggest chaplain in the prison.

Lindsay is the Executive Director of the Beatitude Society and an important advocate for the budding leadership and ministries of host Jay McNeal. Lindsay shows listeners how to tackle the Lightning Round from the good old days. And Jay lets slip the new name of Clergy for Hire.

Lindsay is the Executive Director of the Beatitude Society and so much more. Find out why I could not keep this interview under lock and key. When you're done with this interview you will want to do more than just listen. Authentic leadership simply inspires.

Molly Spangler is mass consuming a seminary education at Union Presbyterian Seminary here in Richmond, Virginia. She is a dual degree student at UPSem and a colleague of mine at William Smith Morton Library. It's a long walk from her office to mine but we actually share a very long wall between our work spaces. Don't tell her this but I can hear when she drills holes in the books!

What could possibly go wrong when a Christian visits a Hindu ashram? It just goes to show you that no matter how much you know, you can't know everything. I'm blessed to be the owner of my very own signed copy of Ginny Umlauf Banister's "The Story of a Star." Ginny's book is great for young and old in all areas of life and ministry. The story, like Ginny's (and like yours and mine), is inspirational. The story befits all of the other ways that Ginny has served as a Stephen's Minister, Spiritual Director, speaker, author and seminarian. Much of her ministry takes place in and through the Lutheran Church, although she currently attends my alma mater, The Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond.

Would you be surprised to know how many female Baptist preachers there are? One? More than one? This leader in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Devita Parnell, celebrates (with me) that women have demonstrated again and again how extremely well they can lead a congregation, interpret scripture, preach, teach and simply lead in ministries of every kind - as executive directors, pastors, and more.

Everyone comes to the funeral home. Dying is part of life which some professions interact with more than others. Most clergy in any given town will eventually and repeatedly work with the local funeral homes. What sage advice would a veteran funeral home director have for faith leaders? What stories might he have to tell? Let's ask the President of the three branches of Woody's Funeral Home in Richmond, Virginia, Bernie Henderson. Note: The interview was recorded on a device that we will never use again. The interview, however, had insights too good not to share. Our apologies.

Rev. Alexia Salvatierra's has a favorite story about Desmond Tutu's "Dove Power." Find out about it, where Rosa Park's trained, and something you might not know about evangelicals. Alexia is an author and has been a Lutheran pastor for over 28 years. If you are not already a student of her Faith Rooted Organizing Un-network then make sure you stay alert during this interview on the Coffeepot Fellowship Podcast. If you think it is early in the day when you're listening, she is likely several hours (and cups of coffee) behind you in Los Angeles, California.

Stephanie Spellers is one of the Episcopal Church's leading thinkers and consultants around 21st century ministry and mission. Be touched by stories with deep roots that affect her decisions to this very day. Hear about Miss Fred and how Stephanie (almost) started a chapter of the NAACP. Pull up a chair. Bring your coffee and try not to spill or, in the case of this interview, spew with laughter.

Have you ever been blown away by your own life story? Lana Heath de Martínez if feeling it. You'll have to hear it to understand. This seminarian is in her 5th of 3 years. It will all make sense soon. Plus, how many of my interviews result in a real live protest with signs and security guards?

"But it’s best not to ask her, she has such a rage for explaining," Adam referring to Eve in The Diary of Adam and Eve by Mark TwainEnough said?

What is striking about Rev. Dr. Tony Campolo is that he wants to know about you. Despite all his success, fame and accomplishments, he will quickly ask that you call him Tony. His life is obviously driven by two things - devout faith and relationships. Dr. Campolo is a founder of the Red Letter Christian movement, author of more than 35 books and professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University. We met at the Wild Goose Festival earlier this July 2015. Insights and opinions were flying around the room while Tony touched on Obamacare, homosexuality, poverty, his son's agnosticism, George Bernard Shaw, "Christian radio," evangelicalism, power, Red Letter Christians, the Wild Goose Festival, Tea Party Republicans, Democratic stewardship, and the Holy Parent. Anything else you want to talk about?

What is striking about Rev. Dr. Tony Campolo is that he wants to know about you. Despite all his success, fame and accomplishments, he will quickly ask that you call him Tony. His life is obviously driven by two things - devout faith and relationships. Dr. Campolo is a founder of the Red Letter Christian movement, author of more than 35 books and professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University. We met at the Wild Goose Festival earlier this July 2015. Insights and opinions were flying around the room while Tony touched on Obamacare, homosexuality, poverty, his son's agnosticism, George Bernard Shaw, "Christian radio," evangelicalism, power, Red Letter Christians, the Wild Goose Festival, Tea Party Republicans, Democratic stewardship, and the Holy Parent. Anything else you want to talk about?

I take the blame for any coffee slurping sounds in this episode. That's right, I'm taking the advice of our guest's grandmother who said, "Have fun and be brave!" You've heard from her grandmother now hear from Episcopal seminarian Taylor Poindexter. And if you listen carefully you might hear Pope Francis in the DC background (but probably not).

Karen Brown is a seminary student, photographer, mother, wife, who loves to run, sing, and travel. Hear how and where she leads now as well as catching the seasons and timing of life.

You've heard of the television show "Everybody Loves Raymond." I assume they took their lead from Ashlee Murphy because everyone does indeed love Ashlee Murphy. "There are no flies on her" and any other cliche or euphemism you can call to mind favoring a person applies here. Ashlee has been collecting degrees from many of the institutions of higher learning in Richmond, including her M.Div. with me at BTSR and her MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a leading minister at her church where I expect her to be crowned king within a year or two. Find out how to roll from the master, Ashlee Murphy.

Pastor and professor Dr. Jim Somerville teaches us to find something to say and to find a way to say it. Good advice from the leader of Richmond's historic First Baptist, the church who's pastors are recognized as pastors to the nation. What's "A Sermon For Every Sunday" and how can you take a class with him (right where you live) at btsr.edu? Find out here.

Find out what happens when my white guy's story collides with Rev. Jennifer Bailey's stories. Hear about her great grandfather registering black voters in the south, the bounty on his head, the kkk, and Jennifer marching across the bridge into Selma this past March. Where do these stories lead?

Brian McLaren pastored for 24 years and was also a college professor. Most of you will know him as an author and speaker. I am grateful for the ways he has shown support for creative ministry by serving on our board and making space for new generations of ministers. He does this through several communities, one is the Wild Goose Festival and another is Convergence.

Brian McLaren pastored for 24 years and was also a college professor. Most of you will know him as an author and speaker. I am grateful for the ways he has shown support for creative ministry by serving on our board and making space for new generations of ministers. He does this through several communities, one is the Wild Goose Festival and another is Convergence.