In the Sandbox Season 3 : Episode 6 | Amy Aspey of Short North Church

The episode features Amy Aspey, founding pastor of Short North Church in Columbus, Ohio, discussing how the church plant emerged from a 100-year-old United Methodist congregation in the arts district near Ohio State that voted by over 80% to close and give its resources to a new, inclusive future. As a United Methodist deacon, Aspey describes saying no twice before accepting a nontraditional lead role centered on bridging church and world through compassion, justice, and service. She outlines Short North’s values—affirming inclusion, neighborhood partnership, story sharing (“everyone has a sacred story”), transparency, and consistent alignment of decisions with values—and explains discerning faithful risk through communal sense of call. She shares a pivot in the Yoga+Worship (“Yo Wo”) ministry from weekly to monthly, describes sustaining the community through belonging and participation, notes a Lilly Grant–funded sabbatical without an interim, and highlights launching an affirming campus ministry, SNC at OSU. 00:00 Meet Amy 02:00 Why Short North Started 03:37 Listening to the Neighborhood 05:29 Closing to Begin Again 08:18 Deacon to Lead Pastor 11:49 Values That Guide 15:57 Risk Versus Reckless 19:32 Pivoting Yo Wo 25:15 Fine Tuning the Pace 25:56 Belonging Sustains Community 27:27 Participation Over Perfection 29:45 Launching the OSU Campus 33:05 Advice for Would Be Planters 35:43 Next Risk Unhoused Neighbors 36:56 Lightning Round Favorites 40:24 Where to Find Amy 40:49 Prayer and Closing