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Season 13: Church Property: Imagining Good Futures | Episode 13

Church Property: Key Takeaways From This Season

Overview

This week on the Igniting Imagination podcast, Shannon Hopkins, Rev. Mark Elsdon, Rev. Lisa Greenwood, and Rev. Dr. Blair Thompson reflect on a powerful season filled with wisdom and transformation. They revisit the profound insights shared by their esteemed guests who challenged them to see church properties not merely as real estate to be managed, but as sacred spaces with a deeper purpose and divine calling. At the heart of this season is a paradigm shift—one that moves beyond financial sustainability to a vision where churches flourish through meaningful relationships, active listening, and a commitment to serving their communities. Shannon, Mark, Lisa, and Blair explore the courage and creativity required to overcome resistance and embrace transformation.

This season of the Igniting Imagination podcast is both an invitation and a call to action, inspiring us to reimagine what is possible when faith communities boldly step into their role as beacons of hope, healing, and the common good.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

  • Church properties are not just assets, but sacred spaces that require stewardship and a commitment to relational engagement.

  • Throughout the discussions, it has become evident that the leaders in our churches exhibit remarkable faithfulness, tenacity, and creativity, particularly in the face of contemporary challenges.

  • It is crucial for congregations to prioritize listening to their communities, as meaningful transformation arises from understanding the needs and aspirations of those they serve.

  • Engaging in a Spirit-led movement fosters human flourishing, emphasizing love, generosity, and belonging within our communities.

Meet Our Co-Hosts

Rahel Billups

Shannon Hopkins

Shannon Hopkins is Co-Founder of Rooted Good and a Locke Innovative Leader. She is an extreme networker and social entrepreneur living in East London. Her passion for community and individual transformation has launched or influenced the formation of fifteen campaigns, projects, and organizations — and trained over 200 social entrepreneurs. In 2008, Shannon was awarded the Women of the UN and UK’s Annual Woman of Peace Award for The Truth Isn’t Sexy, a campaign that addressed the demand side of human trafficking.

Rahel Billups

Rev. Mark Elsdon

Rev. Mark Elsdon is Co-Founder and Lead Builder of Rooted Good. He lives and works at the intersection of money and meaning as an entrepreneur, nonprofit executive, author, and speaker. He is the author of We Aren't Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry (2021) and editor of Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition (2024). In addition to his role as a Director with RootedGood, Mark is also Executive Director at Pres House, where he led the transformation of a dormant nonprofit into a growing, vibrant, multi-million dollar organization.

Show Notes

Shannon Hopkins is Co-Founder of Rooted Good and a Locke Innovative Leader. She is an extreme networker and social entrepreneur living in East London. Her passion for community and individual transformation has launched or influenced the formation of fifteen campaigns, projects, and organizations — and trained over 200 social entrepreneurs. In 2008, Shannon was awarded the Women of the UN and UK’s Annual Woman of Peace Award for The Truth Isn’t Sexy, a campaign that addressed the demand side of human trafficking.

Rev. Mark Elsdon is Co-Founder and Lead Builder of Rooted Good. He lives and works at the intersection of money and meaning as an entrepreneur, nonprofit executive, author, and speaker. He is the author of We Aren't Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry (2021) and editor of Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition (2024). In addition to his role as a Director with RootedGood, Mark is also Executive Director at Pres House, where he led the transformation of a dormant nonprofit into a growing, vibrant, multi-million dollar organization.

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More From Season 13: Church Property: Imagining Good Futures

Episode 12

How Does Legacy Shape Church Property Decisions?

With Dr. Joseph W. Daniels, Jr.

Episode 11

Are Taxes Distracting Us from Bigger Church Property Issues?

With Rev. Dr. Patrick Duggan

Episode 10

How Can Church Property Bring Repair?

With Rev. Chris de la Cruz and Rev. Melissa O’Keefe Reed

Episode 9

How Can Church Property Serve the Neighborhood?

With Joe Bowling

Episode 8

What Can Partnerships Unlock for Church Property?

With Brenda Halverson and Rev. Staci Maurice-Wheeler

Episode 7

How Can Rural Churches Innovate with Their Building and Land?

With Pastor Kevin Riley

Episode 6

Besides Housing, What Are Other Ideas for Re-Imagining Church Property?

With Rev. Chrisy Ennen

Episode 5

How Do We Handle Resistance to Church Property Changes?

With Rev. Sharon Core

Episode 4

What’s the Path to Church Property Changes?

With Pastor Jessica Lowry

Episode 3

How Does Theology Shape Church Property Decisions?

With Dr. Willie James Jennings

Episode 2

Why Are We Talking About Church Property?

With Bob Smietana

Episode 1

Church Property: Imagining Good Futures

With Shannon Hopkins