Many church leaders feel crushing church growth pressure—the anxiety that if you don’t reverse decline or manage outcomes perfectly, you’ve failed. But what if that pressure is actually destroying the connections you’re trying to create? In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, Dr. Andrew Root of @LutherSeminary and Rev. Kara Root of @lakenokomislutheranchurch1667 share what they learned about letting go of control during a 63-mile pilgrimage through Scotland with their two teenagers. They discuss why fear-based leadership strategies are toxic, what it means to create “semi-controlled experiences” in worship, and how a 300-year gap in church leadership at an ancient monastery gave them unexpected hope. If you’re exhausted from trying to manufacture spiritual encounters or feeling the weight of church growth pressure, this conversation offers a different way forward.
]]>In this conversation, fellow theologian and sports commentator Andy Root returns to the show to talk about his latest book Evangelism in an Age of Despair—the title of a book that, for an Ellulian like me who is looking for hope in a world filled with despair, raises my eyebrows and gets me to lean in. My guess is that hearing this title will have a similar effect for a lot of people tuned into Personalist Manifesto(s).
]]>In this episode, Kelsi talks with theologian and author, Andrew Root, about his work on the secular age and his newest book, Evangelism in the Age of Despair. The two talk about how despite our culture’s emphasis on happiness, we remain sadder than ever and the role of consolation in evangelism.
In this week’s conversation on FrontStage BackStage, host Jason Daye is joined by Andy Root. Andy is a Professor of Youth and Family Ministries at Luther Seminary. He is the host of the thought-provoking podcast When Church Stops Working, and just the title of that podcast probably gets your mind working. As pastors and ministry leaders, we really encourage you to check that podcast out. Andy has written a number of books, including his latest, entitled Evangelism in an Age of Despair.
]]>We talked with professor and author Andrew Root about the ironic reality that our modern pursuit of happiness has made us stressed, anxious, lonely, and depressed, and what evangelism and outreach might look like in this age of despair.
Andrew Root: Evangelism in an Age of Despair]]>
The New Evangelism Message That’s Changing Everything. What if reframing evangelism isn’t about getting more people in church, but about learning to meet Jesus in the midst of sorrow? In part two of our conversation with @LutherSeminary professor Andy Root @andrewroot5890, we explore a radically different approach to sharing faith that moves beyond happiness-hunting strategies to embrace God’s presence in brokenness. Andy Root, author of “Evangelism in an Age of Despair,” challenges churches to stop chasing evangelism success like gamblers at a table and instead learn what it means to journey with people into their deepest sorrows. Drawing insights from Blaise Pascal’s spiritual journey, this conversation reveals how reframing evangelism around sorrow and loss can actually lead to more authentic faith sharing.
]]>What If Your Church Is Already Doing Evangelism (and Just Doesn’t Know It)? Many church leaders struggle with how to evangelize in ways that feel authentic and faithful. In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, @LutherSeminary professor Andy Root @andrewroot5890 offers a radically different approach – one that your congregation is probably already practicing without realizing it. Andy shows us how to evangelize through what he calls “a theology of consolation” – being present with people in their sadness and brokenness, because that’s where Jesus shows up. Instead of strategies and programs, this approach recognizes that the caring relationships churches build with neighbors are a form of sharing good news. Discover why “Swedish death cleaning teams” might be more evangelistic than visitor programs, how happiness-focused culture leaves people profoundly lonely, and why moving from strategy-based to presence-based ministry transforms everything about sharing faith. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable with traditional evangelism methods or wondered how to help your congregation recognize the evangelism they’re already doing, this conversation will reshape how you think about authentic witness.
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