The Connection Between Peacemaking and Discipleship: Todd Deatherage

The Connection Between Peacemaking and Discipleship: Todd Deatherage

In this episode, Darrell Gwaltney sits down with Todd Deatherage, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Telos, to explore how Christian discipleship is shaped through peacemaking, reconciliation, and honest engagement with complex conflict. Telos’ primary area of focus has been on America’s relationship to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In more recent years, they’ve developed programming aimed at addressing issues of racial injustice in the U.S. and examining lessons from the Good Friday Peace Agreement in Northern Ireland. Prior to Telos, Todd worked at the U.S. State Department in the Administration of President George W. Bush and served on Capitol HIll as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Tim Hutchinson (R-AR). This conversation offers a compelling vision of what it means for the church to move beyond easy answers and toward embodied witness, relational courage, and a deeper understanding of shalom. Todd explains why peacemaking is not about picking sides, but about following Jesus, and how churches can be formed through proximity, listening, and shared experiences that open hearts and reshape perspectives. In this episode: 1. How Todd’s faith journey shaped his work in peacemaking and reconciliation 2. Why peacemaking is central to Christian discipleship 3. How churches can curiously engage complexity without reducing people to simple categories 4. The role of travel, immersion, and shared experience in spiritual formation for pastors and church leaders 5. Why transformation often begins when hearts are opened, not just minds informed 6. How churches can become hopeful, reconciling agents in their own communities 7. Examples of congregations engaging local justice, history, and community needs in new and innovative ways Resources & Links: 1. Telos's Website [https://www.telosgroup.org] Connect with The Moench Center for Church Leadership 1. Sign Up for our Newsletter [https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/2096977/2009312/] 2. Follow Us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mcclbelmont/] 3. Watch The Hopeful Church Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@moenchcenter/videos] Connect with Todd Deatherage 1. Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/todd.deatherage/] Connect with Darrell Gwaltney 1. LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrell-gwaltney-16873a43/] 2. Twitter [https://twitter.com/darrellgwaltney] Remember: Hope is not optimism, but active trust in a God who is making things right now. This episode reminds us that the church’s calling is not to defend territory, but to share love, pursue peace, and participate in God’s ongoing work of reconciliation. The Hopeful Church Podcast is an initiative of the Moench Center for Church Leadership at Belmont University. To learn more about Belmont University, go to belmont.edu [https://belmont.edu].

Redeveloping Church Buildings, Embracing Risk, and Engaging Community: Kyle Thompson

In this episode, Pastor Kyle Thompson shares his inspiring journey of revitalizing SouthPark Church amid urban transformation. His story of hope offers valuable lessons on church redevelopment, adaptability, and staying true to faith in a changing world. If you're involved in church leadership or community development, this discussion provides actionable insights on navigating change while maintaining spiritual vitality. In this episode: 1. How a 60-year-old church navigates urban revitalization and community redefinition - redeveloping their entire campus 2. The strategic decision to tear down an iconic building and develop a mixed-use campus 3. The importance of revisioning leadership and staffing structures for agility 4. Balancing tradition with innovation to reach younger generations 5. Church leadership lessons learned from resistance, conflict, and perseverance through change 6. Practical ways to reconnect with and serve your community as a church 7. The role of dreams, vision, and trusting God's guidance in church transformation 8. Examples of ministry in action: community engagement, partnerships, and welcoming newcomers 9. The power of hope and gospel-driven purpose amid challenges Resources & Links: 1. William Bridges - Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes [https://www.amazon.com/Transitions-Making-Changes-Revised-Anniversary/dp/073820904X] 2. South Park Church - Official Website [https://southparkchurch.com] Connect with The Moench Center for Church Leadership: 1. Sign Up for our Newsletter [https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/2096977/2009312/] 2. Follow Us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mcclbelmont/] 3. Watch The Hopeful Church Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@moenchcenter/videos] Connect with Kyle Thompson: 1. Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/pastorkylethompson/] Connect with Darrell Gwaltney: 1. LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrell-gwaltney-16873a43/] 2. Twitter [https://twitter.com/darrellgwaltney] Remember: Church building redevelopment isn't just about buildings or programs — it's about faithfully following God's vision through change, resistance, and hope. This story reminds us that with perseverance and trust in the Holy Spirit, transformation is not only possible but vital for the gospel to flourish. The Hopeful Church Podcast is an initiative of the Moench Center for Church Leadership at Belmont University. To learn more about Belmont University, go to belmont.edu [https://belmont.edu].

Following the Call to Preach and Inspiring the Next Generation of Preachers: Rev. Dr. Larry T Crudup

In this episode, Reverend Dr. Larry T. Crudup — Senior Pastor of Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC, and a part-time professor of Leadership at Anderson University and adjunct professor of New Testament at Belmont University — shares his transformative journey of preaching and leadership within the church. Drawing on his experience as a pastor, educator, and scholar of ethical and creative leadership, his story offers valuable lessons on connecting biblical exegesis with practical storytelling to enrich ministry and community engagement. If you're involved in church leadership or interested in the power of preaching, this discussion provides actionable insights on sermon design and fostering a hopeful church community. In this episode: 1. How Dr. Crudup’s first sermon sparked his calling and the significance of early formative preaching 2. The role of the Academy of Preachers in developing diverse preaching styles and networks of young pastors 3. The structure of effective sermons 4. The importance of experimenting with different preaching styles and maintaining playfulness and imagination 5. The hopeful church as a community embodying love, hope, and the hands and feet of Jesus Resources & Links: 1. From the Roots to the Branches: Building Sermons That Take Root and Bear Fruit [https://www.amazon.com/Roots-Branches-Building-Sermons-Fruit/dp/B0FSY8CMDB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QCWX9JVVCP2H&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LV-emhLScT6Kmv1fV7xkWw.x2nowGhjT0L5bw8aJNPh7ZFz3Kz0lbszSZ01oNe8m4Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=larry+t+crudup&qid=1775505542&s=books&sprefix=%2Cstripbooks%2C149&sr=1-1] 2. Sign up for A Day of Preaching - April 18th [https://www.academyofpreachers.net] Connect with The Moench Center for Church Leadership: 1. Sign Up for our Newsletter [https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/2096977/2009312/] 2. Follow Us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mcclbelmont/] 3. Watch The Hopeful Church Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@moenchcenter/videos] Connect with Dr. Larry Crudup: 1. Mt. Moriah Baptist Church of Spartanburg [https://mtmoriahbaptist.church/our-pastor/] 2. Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/larrytcrudup/] Connect with Darrell Gwaltney: 1. LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrell-gwaltney-16873a43/] 2. Twitter [https://twitter.com/darrellgwaltney] The Hopeful Church Podcast is an initiative of the Moench Center for Church Leadership at Belmont University. To learn more about Belmont University, go to belmont.edu [https://belmont.edu].

The Power of the Spoken Word and the Next Generation of Preachers: Dwight A. Moody

This episode explores the transformative role of preaching and the spoken word in shaping lives and communities. Featuring insights from Dwight A Moody, a pioneer in preacher development through the Academy of Preachers, and Darrell Gwaltney, the conversation underscores how effective communication fuels leadership, faith, and personal legacy. In this episode: 1. The origin story of the Academy of Preachers and its impact over 16 years 2. How the Academy fosters lifelong connections and life-changing ministry among young preachers 3. The importance of verbal articulation in leadership, politics, and faith 4. Personal stories demonstrating the power of preaching during times of crisis 5. The enduring significance of the Gospel and personal testimony in transforming lives 6. Encouragement for young believers to embrace their voice in a culture dominated by soundbites 7. The role of the spoken word in inspiring and mobilizing communities near and far Resources & Links: 1. Register for A Day of Preaching at Belmont University [https://form.jotform.com/252894928067069] 2. Academy of Preachers Official Site [http://academyofpreachers.net/] 3. Barack Obama's Speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWynt87PaJ0] Connect with The Moench Center for Church Leadership: 1. Sign Up for our Newsletter [https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/2096977/2009312/] 2. Follow Us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mcclbelmont/] 3. Watch The Hopeful Church Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@moenchcenter/videos] Connect with Dwight A Moody: 1. The MeetingHouse [https://themeetinghouse.net] 2. Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/twainridge/] 3. Twitter [https://twitter.com/dwightamooday] Connect with Darrell Gwaltney: 1. LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrell-gwaltney-16873a43/] 2. Twitter [https://twitter.com/darrellgwaltney] This discussion reminds us that effective preaching is not just about words—it's about a mission to communicate truth, inspire action, and change lives. Whether in church, politics, or personal testimony, the power of the spoken word remains a vital force in shaping the future. The Hopeful Church Podcast is an initiative of the Moench Center for Church Leadership at Belmont University. To learn more about Belmont University, go to belmont.edu [https://belmont.edu].