Resilience in a Season of Decline

Resilience in a Season of Decline

Resilience in a Season of Decline: A Conversation on Church Closure, Courageous Leadership, and the Future of Faith In this episode of Living in the Spirit, Sharyn sits down with Rev. Michael Davison for a powerful and deeply honest conversation about what it means to lead faithfully in a season of decline. Drawing from his pastoral experience and regional ministry work, Rev. Davison offers a Spirit‑centered perspective on church closure, courageous leadership, and the evolving landscape of Christian community. He reflects on how walking in the Spirit is not an abstract idea but a daily practice—one that shapes decisions, relationships, and the way leaders navigate difficult transitions. Rev. Davison emphasizes that resilience is cultivated through intentional spiritual disciplines, communal support, and a commitment to embody Christlike love even when circumstances are challenging. Together, we explore: * How churches can face closure with honesty, hope, and theological integrity * Why cooperation and community are essential for sustaining ministry * What courageous leadership looks like in moments of uncertainty * How believers can remain rooted in love, generosity, and faithful presence * The future of faith communities and the opportunities hidden within decline Rev. Davison closes with a pastoral word of encouragement—reminding us that every believer’s witness matters, and that the Spirit empowers ordinary people to do extraordinary work in Christ’s name. If you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or believer seeking clarity and courage in a shifting church landscape, this conversation will speak directly to your spirit.

Called, Qualified, and Silenced? Women Preachers, Power, and the Southern Baptist Ban”

Called, Qualified, and Silenced? Women Preachers, Power, and the Southern Baptist Ban” In this episode of Living in the Spirit, host Sharyn sits down with Rev. Dr. Lisa Davison, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Johnnie Cadieux Professor of the Hebrew Bible at Phillips Theological Seminary, to unpack one of the most consequential church decisions of our time: the Southern Baptist Convention’s constitutional ban on churches with women holding any pastoral title. Dr. Davison brings biblical scholarship, historical insight, and pastoral clarity to questions many Christians are wrestling with today: * What Scripture actually says about women who lead, preach, and prophesy * How the SBC decision reshapes church identity and denominational authority * Why women’s calling remains valid regardless of institutional restrictions * How power and fear shape theological decisions * What this moment means for the future of the Church This conversation is for pastors, congregations, women discerning a call to ministry, and anyone seeking a faithful, contextual understanding of Scripture beyond patriarchal assumptions. If you’ve ever wondered whether God calls women to preach — or how the Church should respond when institutions restrict the Spirit’s movement — this episode offers clarity, courage, and hope.

America's 250: "What Does it Mean to Black Americans?"

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, Living in the Spirit turns its attention to a profound and necessary question: What does this milestone mean for Black Americans? This episode explores the tension between celebration and lament, progress and unfinished struggle, hope and holy dissatisfaction. We trace the spiritual, historical, and emotional journey of Black Americans across two and a half centuries—moving from the brutal beginnings of enslavement to the ongoing pursuit of full citizenship, dignity, and belonging. Through a faith-centered lens, the conversation examines how Black resilience, creativity, and prophetic witness have shaped the nation’s moral conscience, even when the nation has failed to honor its own promises. This episode invites listeners to reflect on the meaning of freedom in a country still wrestling with racial injustice, economic inequity, and political division. It asks whether America’s 250th anniversary is a moment of patriotic celebration, a call to repentance, or a summons to prophetic imagination. Ultimately, it centers the voices, experiences, and spiritual insights of Black Americans as essential to understanding the nation’s past—and vital to shaping its future.

What is Juneteenth to Me?

“What Is Juneteenth to Me?” Juneteenth is more than a holiday—it’s a spiritual and ancestral landmark. In this episode, Rev. Sharyn Cosby reflects on her family’s roots in Red River County, Texas, where her ancestors lived on a plantation just miles outside Paris, Texas, waiting for freedom that was delayed but not denied. She shares how Juneteenth represents survival, faith, and the resilience of a people who held onto hope even when justice was withheld. Rev. Cosby also speaks with prophetic honesty about her lament for America today—how the nation is taking giant steps backward after generations of progress. From voting rights to racial justice, she calls listeners to remember the cost of freedom and to continue the work our ancestors began. This episode is a blend of history, testimony, and spiritual truth—a reminder that Juneteenth is both a celebration and a mandate to keep pressing toward justice.

Faith Under Review: A Conversation with Rev. Jonathan Fisher on the DoD Decision and Its Impact

n this powerful episode of Living In The Spirit, host Sharyn responds to the recent and deeply troubling announcement that the Department of Defense has removed the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) from its list of approved religious services. Sharyn shares her personal reaction, shaped by her own journey through chaplaincy, VA residency, and board certification, and reflects on the profound pastoral weight this decision places on chaplains serving across military and institutional settings. To help us understand what this means for Disciples chaplains, their ministries, and the future of religious support within the armed forces, we welcome Rev. Jonathan Fisher, the Chaplain Endorser for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Rev. Fisher offers clarity, context, and spiritual grounding as he walks us through the implications of this decision and the advocacy efforts now underway. This conversation is essential for anyone connected to chaplaincy, military service, or the Disciples of Christ community — and for all who care about religious freedom, pastoral care, and the spiritual well‑being of those who serve