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Season 16: Reimagining and Remapping the Religious Landscape | Episode 2

Meaning Making Beyond the Church Part 2

Overview

In Part 2 of our introduction to Season 16, Rev. Lisa Greenwood and Rev. Dr. Gil Rendle invite us to reimagine what it means to flourish as individuals, as communities, and as spiritual beings in a rapidly changing world. Together, they explore the shifting landscape of belonging and meaning, asking what today’s movements and social awakenings might be teaching the church about human connection.

In comparing traditional congregational life and modern movements like Black Lives Matter and other grassroots efforts, Gil offers a provocative insight: These movements seem to meet deep human needs in ways many congregations have forgotten how to do. Their openness, the freedom to enter, to leave, to question, creates space for people to discover who they are and where they belong.

Meet Our Co-Host

Rahel Billups

Rev. Dr. Gil Rendle

Rev. Dr. Gil Rendle is a retired Senior Vice President and part-time consultant with Texas Methodist Foundation in Austin, Texas, and also works independently on change and leadership in denominations. With deep expertise in organizational development, systems theory, and leadership, he has guided congregations and denominational bodies through planning and transformation. He is widely respected for his work with middle judicatory and national offices navigating complex change. Gil is the author of numerous articles and monographs, along with twelve books, including: Doing the Math of Mission: Fruits, Faithfulness and Metrics (2014), Quietly Courageous: Leading the Church in a Changing World, (2018), and Countercultural: Subversive Resistance and the Neighborhood Congregation (2023). His latest monograph, Reimagining and Remapping the Religious Landscape: Chaos Before a New Ordering, is the foundation for this podcast season.

Show Notes

Rev. Dr. Gil Rendle is a retired Senior Vice President and part-time consultant with Texas Methodist Foundation in Austin, Texas, and also works independently on change and leadership in denominations. With deep expertise in organizational development, systems theory, and leadership, he has guided congregations and denominational bodies through planning and transformation. He is widely respected for his work with middle judicatory and national offices navigating complex change. Gil is the author of numerous articles and monographs, along with twelve books, including: Doing the Math of Mission: Fruits, Faithfulness and Metrics (2014), Quietly Courageous: Leading the Church in a Changing World, (2018), and Countercultural: Subversive Resistance and the Neighborhood Congregation (2023). His latest monograph, Reimagining and Remapping the Religious Landscape: Chaos Before a New Ordering, is the foundation for this podcast season.

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More From Season 16: Reimagining and Remapping the Religious Landscape

Episode 3

The Holy Work of Belonging

With Rev. Jen Bailey

Episode 1

Meaning Making Beyond the Church Part 1

With Rev. Dr. Gil Rendle