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Season 8: Innovating for Love | Episode 2

Fishing Differently

Overview

Expanding imagination for ministry can happen when you employ the FISHing differently framework developed by today’s inspired guest and 2023 Locke Innovative Leader, Rev. Dr. Sidney WIlliams. As the saying goes: “what got us here won’t get us there.” Instead of focusing purely on the financial capital needed to fund ministry, Sidney invites us to FISH differently than we ever have before, and harness the power of Faith capital, Intellectual capital, Social capital, and Human capital. If you are like the disciples who are tired of catching few fish, this episode will make you want to get back in the boat and try again with a Jesus-led and Spirit-driven invitation to fish differently for the sake of the kingdom.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

  • Sidney’s journey from Wall Street to Fishing differently. (5:36)

  • The FISHing Differently framework and how Sidney developed it. (9:54)

  • Healing and pastoral care through storytelling. (12:37)

  • Churches are part of the ecosystem that God has put in place. (17:36)

  • Discerning purpose and measuring impact of a congregation. (23:54)

  • Solving problems, finding funding, and partnering with communities. (28:31)

  • How Sidney led the church to rebuild and reimagine ministry. (30:09)

  • Partnerships to sustain ministry. (35:25)

  • Changing systems from within and working with flawed systems. (39:28)

  • Why calling everyone to a common table matters today. (47:05)

Meet Our Guest

Rahel Billups

Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams

Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams, a social impact advisor and community builder, is President & CEO of Crossing Capital Group and Senior Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Morristown, New Jersey. Sidney is the author of Morning Meditations: 100 Days to Believing You’re Successful and Fishing Differently: Ministry Formation in the Marketplace. Through his FISHing Differently framework, he helps churches and nonprofits engage with impact investors to fund ministries that accelerate sustained thriving in underfinanced communities.

Through his 30 year corporate and community development experience, Sidney has participated in over $10 billion in public equity and debt offerings, including working for leading Wall Street firms in New York City and helping to start several companies. Since 2005, Pastor Sidney has been training leaders of faith communities using his FISHing Differently framework. In addition to providing leadership development training for local churches, Pastor Sidney is an adjunct professor at Drew Theological Seminary and a Senior Lecturer at Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio. He has also lectured in graduate business programs and taught corporate executives from Asia, Europe and the United States.

His greatest joys in life include spending time with family, traveling, meeting new people, cooking, and learning how to greet people in their native tongue.

Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams, a social impact advisor and community builder, is President & CEO of Crossing Capital Group and Senior Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Morristown, New Jersey. Sidney is the author of Morning Meditations: 100 Days to Believing You’re Successful and Fishing Differently: Ministry Formation in the Marketplace. Through his FISHing Differently framework, he helps churches and nonprofits engage with impact investors to fund ministries that accelerate sustained thriving in underfinanced communities.

This podcast is brought to you by the Leadership Ministry team at Wesleyan Impact Partners. Leadership Ministry connects diverse, high-capacity leaders who are courageously doing God’s work in the world, partnering in a Spirit-led movement to bring about human flourishing grounded in love, generosity, and belonging.

To view videos of podcast episodes, please go to the Igniting Imagination Youtube.

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More From Season 8: Innovating for Love

Episode 5

The Current Project

With Rev. Alisha Gordon

Episode 4

Staying Awake for God's Sake

With Rev. Tyler Sit

Episode 3

Human Again

With Rev. Michael Gienger

Episode 1

Innovating for Love

With Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean