At the Table: Christian Community for the Common Good
While the world becomes increasingly complex, professionalized, and disconnected, the church is experiencing a crisis of identity. Do we follow suit and strive to out-program, out-professionalize, and out-attract the rest of the world? Or do gather at the table and focus on the small and simple community-based practices that have been our strength across the generations?
At the Table is a Podcast for church leaders interested in community-based ministry that contributes to the common good via mutual relationships, spiritual practice, simplicity, and an awareness of God’s activity in our communities. Each month, we will have conversations with leaders and practitioners of community-based ministry to reflect on and learn about the core practices, theological underpinnings, and immediate invitations of this important work. We believe that something miraculous happens when Christian community gathers with neighbors at the table.
You can learn more about the work of place-based ministry and the common good by visiting www.nicholastangen.com and subscribing to Nicholas Tangen's Newsletter.
Episodes
29 episodes
The Connected Community with Cormac Russell
Today's episode is a conversation with Cormac Russell, a social explorer, writer, and speaker inviting folks to look at their communities through the lens of asset-based community development. Cormac has written several books on ABCD, and his m...
Strong Towns with Chuck Marohn
Today's episode is a conversation with Chuck Marohn, the founder and President of Strong Towns, a non-profit working to reimagine community development in the United States. Chuck and his team at Stron...
Our Unforming with Dr. Cindy Lee
Today's episode is a conversation with Dr Cindy Lee, a spiritual director, professor, mystic, and author of Our Unforming: De-Westernizing Spiritual Formation.
Settled with Gabrielle Clowdus
Today’s episode is a conversation with Gabrielle Clowdus, one of the founders and leaders with Settled, a Minnesota-based organization helping churches to establish permanent supportive tiny home villages for folks experiencing long-term homele...
This Common Life with Amar Peterman
Today’s episode is a conversation with Amar Peterman, a scholar, writer, and theologian living in Milwaukee and currently working for Interfaith America. Through his newsletter This Common Life, Amar ...
Sacred Sites with Jim Bear Jacobs
Today’s episode is a conversation with Rev Jim Bear Jacobs, the co-director of Racial Justice at the Minnesota Council of Churches, and the founder of Healing Minnesota Stories, an organization that strives to create understanding and healing b...
Repair Cafes with Pete Marchetto
Today’s episode is a conversation with Pete Marchetto, one of the founders and organizers of the Port Jervis Repair Café in Port Jervis NY. Each month, Pete, his spouse, and the community at...
Abundant Communities Edmonton with Howard Lawrence and Tammy Greidanus
Today’s episode is a conversation with Tammy Greidanus and Howard Lawrence from Keep Neighbouring in Edmonton, formerly called Abundant Communities. Keep ...
Fragile Neighborhoods with Dr. Seth Kaplan
Today’s episode is a conversation with Dr. Seth Kaplan, Professional Lecturer at John Hopkins University, expert on Fragile States, and author of the book “Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One...
Activating the Common Good with Peter Block
Peter Block joins the podcast again, this time with a new book; "Activating the Common Good: Reclaiming Control of Our Collective Wellbeing". Peter invites us to discove...
Overwhelmed by the Nearness of God
In this episode, I share a bit about what grounds me in this work and my hopes for Season 2 of At the Table: Christian Community for the Common Good. I ask for your feedback, questions, and stories which you can send to me at nick@nicholastange...
Season 1 Finale - At the Table: Christian Community for the Common Good
In 2023, I have had 16 different conversations with lay people, clergy, writers, activists, and neighbors all committed to the idea of a place-based and discerning church. A church with the power and the freedom to contribute to the flourishing...
God's Economy of Generosity with Rev Jose Humphreys III
Today’s episode is a conversation with Reverend Jose Humphreys III, a pastor, church planter, and consultant helping the church to take place seriously and think differently about the impact of our dollars. He is the author of
Church for Ordinary People with Darryl & Stephanie Answer
Today’s episode is a conversation with Stephanie and Darryl Answer, who are faculty members at the Asset Based Community Development Institute at DePaul University, an...
Everywhere You Look: A Conversation with Tim Soerens
Today’s Episode is a conversation with Tim Soerens, the Co-founding Executive Director of the Parish Collective, an organization that connects people to be the church in the neighborhood. Tim rece...
Church on the Move: A Conversation with Pastor Travis Norvell
Today’s episode is a conversation with Pastor Travis Norvell, known around town and on Twitter as the Pedaling Pastor. Travis serves at Judson Memorial Baptist Church in South Minneapolis and can...
Discovering Mutual Delight: A Conversation with DeAmon Harges
Today’s episode is a conversation with DeAmon Harges, the original roving listener. DeAmon has been about that place-based work for his whole life, and credits his grandparents with instilling the skills and temperament for listening deeply wit...
The Art of Public Church: A Conversation with Jeremy Myers
Today’s episode is a conversation with my friend Jeremy Myers, the Christiansen Chair of Religion and Vocation at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN. Jeremy has been a religion professor for a lot of years and found his way into this work t...
Dignity and Power through Community Organizing: A Conversation with Catalina Morales Bahena
Today’s episode is a conversation with my good friend Catalina Morales Bahena, the Formation and Coaching Manager at Faith in Action a national organizing institution working for racial and economic justice. She is a student, a Dreamer, and a p...
Everything is Different: A Conversation with Professor Dirk Lange
Today’s episode is a conversation with Professor Dirk Lange. Professor Lange works as the professor of Worship and Confessions at Luther Seminary and as the Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations at the Lutheran World Federation. ...
Churches and Indigenous Histories: A Conversation with Kelly Sherman Conroy
Today’s episode is a conversation with Kelly Sherman-Conroy, a storyteller, healer, church worker, and the first Native Woman Theologian with a PhD in the ELCA. She is a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation and has devoted her life to creating sp...
Contemplation and the Common Good: A Conversation with Sam Rahberg
My guest today is Sam Rahberg. Sam is a Benedictine, a spiritual director, a writer, and the Director of the Spiritual Direction program at St John’s university and seminary. Sam’s work with leaders in the church around vocation and discernment...
Breaking Bread: A Conversation with Pastor Eric Hoffer & Rachel Carmicheal
Today's episode is a conversation with Pastor Eric Hoffer & Rachel Carmicheal, who both serve at Salem Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis. Today we talk about food and the practice of building community around shared meals. We talk about ...
The Call to Be the Neighbor: A Conversation with Kristina Fruge and Geoffrey Gill
Kristina Fruge and Geoffrey Gill work at the Riverside Innovation Hub, a learning community project housed by Augsburg University. Their work invites congregations to step into their role as public churches and to be the neighbor in their commu...
Walking in Humility: A Conversation with Felecia Boone
Felecia Boone is a Senior Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant with Hennepin County and the Vice President of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA. She brings her many years of experience and expertise as a DEI consultant to her work i...