Always Forward Podcast

In our desire to strategically target cities over the past few decades, many church planting efforts have made the unfortunate mistake of overlooking rural areas. This week we chatted with Joshua Nelson, director of the Spalding Society, about rural church planting--why it matters and how it can be done successfully.

At this year's Always Forward Conference Dan got to sit down with our keynote speaker Dr. Curt Thompson, MD, to talk a little more about navigating trauma and shame in church planting--both within ourselves and the people we serve.

Jed Roseberry joins us to talk about the necessity of forming (and being formed by) sacred space in our church planting efforts.

After a two-year hiatus, we are back! Dan explains where we've been over the break, where we're going and what you can expect.

This week, Dan and Molly chat with Christine Warner from the Matthew 25 Initiative about race, justice, mercy, and what that looks like from the perspective of a new church planter AND in the ACNA as a whole.

On the latest episode of the podcast, Dan and Molly are addressing how to stay in it for the long haul in their latest FB Live! session. In a time of burnout, how do we find perseverance?

This episode of the podcast is the audio taken from a recent talk given by The Rev. Canon Dan Alger about how to think through strategic planning in regards to ReGathering during the COVID-19 pandemic. What should be considered? Who should be involved in those decisions? Is there one right way?

On this episode, The Rev. Canon Dan Alger talks with Bp. Steve Breedlove on the sacrament of Communion in a virtual world. How does it work? What has the College of Bishops said about it? What can church planters do?

On this episode, The Rev. Canon Dan Alger takes just a few minutes to encourage church planters during one of the most important weeks of the Church year that will most certainly look different than it has before.

On this episode, The Rev. Canon Dan Alger talks with The Rev. Karen Miller, LCSW(Anglican priest and Licensed Therapist) about how to recognize and handle anxiety and depression during these uncertain times.

What a couple of weeks it's been. It's hard to know where to begin. The Always Forward team is remembering you daily in our prayers. Canon Dan Alger takes a few minutes to encourage everyone during this time while also giving some practical advice during this global pandemic. We never thought we'd have to record this one-- but here it is!

We wrap up the official podcast for Season 4 with a discussion about how Advent and other liturgical occurrences can impact a church plant. Dan and Shawn discuss their experiences and share some thoughts about how to encourage your church through this, often uncelebrated, liturgical season. Enjoy!

We're almost to the end of Season 4 and Shawn McCain gloriously returns to take up his co-host chair! Our duo talks about branding and why it is more important than you think and offer some helpful tips about how to do a lot with a little. Enjoy!

Season 4 is rolling right along and on episode 3 we are joined by special guests Alex and Fr. Stephen from the Word & Table Podcast. Word & Table has been doing excellent work in both the Anglican and podcasting worlds for a couple of years now and there is a lot to talk about. Enjoy!

Welcome back to Season 4 of The Always Forward Podcast! Dan is without his normal co-host Shawn on this one, but he brings in an amazing guest on the topic of administration, Jessie Meriwether. The two chat about the importance of investing in administration and when a church should look in that direction. Enjoy!

The Always Forward Podcast is back! We kick off Season 4 of the show with Dan and Shawn updating what's been going on in their worlds before talking about promising changes that are coming to the show. They spend the bulk of the episode tackling an intriguing question that Shawn proposed to Dan in a recent conversation. Enjoy!

Justin Reed-Smith joins Dan and Shawn once more on the Always Forward Podcast. This time tackling the idea of hospitality and its place in evangelism. Justin also explains the Minster Model of church planting and how it is impacting the work of the Diocese of Western Anglicans. And don't worry, Shawn didn't know what "Minster" was either.

From Willy Wonka to purpose statements to community vision - Dan and Shawn talk about these oft-criticized foundational elements. How can they be of use? And where do some of the pitfalls within them lie?

What role does beauty play in forming and creating your church community? Should it play a role?! If so, how? We talk with Gary Ball, church planter in Asheville, NC about the idea that beauty is not just decorative, it is formative.

Dan and Shawn talk through some common pitfalls that we experience as Anglicans as well as how we can address these blindspots to better relate to one another and our calling to be disciples of Christ.