102. Presence and Practices: The Church After Covid, with Ahmi Lee and David Taylor

This episode is the second part of a four-part series exploring the "Church After Covid." In this conversation, Fuller Seminary professors Ahmi Lee and David Taylor, focus on both the need for embodied presence in our lives and ministry as we return to life after Covid, and the importance of spiritual practices to help us stay grounded as we make that transition.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Dr. Ahmi Lee is Assistant Professor of Preaching at Fuller Theological Seminary.Dr. David Taylor is Associate Professor of Theology and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary.David Taylor notes two things that he learned during the pandemic.  First, our bodies matter; our embodied presence matters.  Second, fractures in our culture don’t happen overnight.Ahmi Lee discusses the fragility of life that became so clear during the pandemic.  But recognizing our fragility has also taught us to be present with one another.It’s important for us to not romanticize the past.Ahmi Lee considers the way the act of preaching was affected by the pandemic.David Taylor says churches should continue to think about how digital media can help fulfill the mission of the church.  Because of digital media, many who couldn’t attend church were able to participate for the first time in a long time.At the same time, the church should explore how to live more fully into embodied relationships.Church leaders need to ask God to teach us how to do less so we can be truly present to each other.We’re not creative or adaptive enough to face all the changes in a rapidly changing world.  What we need more than ever is to be grounded.Ahmi Lee has found strength in the old spiritual practices.Surrender and trust are what Ahmi Lee has learned most during the pandemic.David Taylor has discovered, during the pandemic, how addicted he is to productivity and achievement. RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Ahmi Lee:Fuller Seminary Faculty Profile PageDavid Taylor:https://www.wdavidotaylor.com/Church Leadership Institutehttps://depree.org/church/Facebook pageReviews help listeners find this podcast.  To leave a review of Spiritual Life and Leadership:Click HERE.Click on the link that says, "Listen on Apple Podcasts."In the window that opens, click the button that says, "Open Link."  This will open iTunes.To the right of the Spiritual Life and Leadership logo, click "Ratings and Reviews."Under the heading, "Customer Reviews," click on the button that says, "Write a Review."Select the number of stars and write your review.Click submit.Thank you!Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.