On this special episode of the Intersection Podcast, we give you a sneak peek into the brand-new Field Notes Podcast, brought to you by the Telos Lab for Congregational Discovery. On Field Notes with Telos Lab Director Seth Richardson, you’ll hear real-life stories behind ministry trends, as well as how theology/leadership get real on the ground. Today we’re excited to share a recent Field Notes episode with Jonny Morrison, co-lead pastor at Missio Dei Community in Salt Lake City. Jonny describes what it was like to deconstruct some of the toxic leadership structures at the base of the Emergent Church Movement as well as navigate the socio-political complexities of his city. Listen now!
The Field Notes Podcast with Jonny Morrison of Missio Dei Community
Place and Space:
- Salt Lake City, UT (west side)
- Planted in 2010, 300-400 attendance
- Tradition: originally associated with Acts 29 network
- Demographics: Young, professionals; predominately white
- Worship space: renovated warehouse
Theological Themes:
- Emerging church movement and missional church
- Post-evangelicalism and deconstruction
- Complementarianism and patriarchy
- Trinitarian theology, “eternal functional subordination,” and hierarchical leadership
- Book: Joining God, Remaking Church, Changing the World, by Alan Roxburgh
- Book: Faithful Presence, by David Fitch
Tension and Disorientation:
- Experiencing theological unraveling while leading
- Unexpected transitions after founding pastor leaves
Hope and New Life:
- New congregational imagination for leadership grounded in mutuality and co-pastoring
- Launching of new learning communities for dreaming how God is leading into mission
Resources Mentioned
The Telos Lab for Congregational Discovery
- Ep. 1: Juliet Liu, Pastor at Life on the Vine Church
- Ep. 2: Jonny Morrison, Pastor at Missio Dei Community
- Ep. 3: Shawn McCain, Pastor at Resurrection Anglican South Austin
Note from Field Notes Host Seth Richardson:
Thanks so much for listening to The Field Notes Podcast! Please subscribe to us on iTunes, leave us a review, and help us spread the word!
As always, I want to hear from you. Let me know what listening provokes in you. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can engage directly with the Telos Lab and create a custom research project for your community, drop me an email. I would love to chat.
