The Competent Pastor

Hugh Hollowell | S2 E3 The Competent Pastor podcast, season 2, episode 3, featuring Hugh Hollowell, a sixth generation Mississippian, a descendant of enslavers, and pastor of Open Door Mennonite Church in Jackson, MS – a multiracial peace church formed in the aftermath of the Civil Rights movement. He is a writer and storyteller and has been the publisher of a newsletter called Life is So Beautiful for more than a decade. Before becoming pastor at Open Door, Hugh spent 12 years working as a pastor among unhoused people and those struggling with addictions. This taught him much of what he knows about both second chances and grace, but not much that is useful at congregational meetings. He and his spouse Renee live in the Fondren neighborhood of Jackson, where they run a small scale kitten rescue called Purr and Pounce and live with four permanent cats and five chickens.

Tory Bonners | S2 E2 The Competent Pastor podcast, season 2, episode 2, featuring Tory Bonners, pastor of Sojourners Mennonite Fellowship in Belfast, New York, and hospital chaplain. Hosts Michael Danner and Rachel Ringenberg Miller of MC USA’s Church Vitality ministry interview Tory as she addresses the question, What is the most important skill of a competent pastor?

Jon Carlson | S2 E1 The Competent Pastor podcast, season 2, episode 1, featuring Jon Carlson, pastor of Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania, and executive board member for Mennonite Church USA. At the time of the interview, Jon was serving as moderator of the MC USA Executive Board. Hosts Michael Danner and Rachel Ringenberg Miller of MC USA’s Church Vitality ministry interview Jon as he addresses the question, What is the most important skill of a competent pastor?

Bishop Leslie Francisco | S1, E6 The Competent Pastor is a podcast from MC USA’s Church Vitality department, hosted by Michael Danner, associate executive director for Church Vitality, and Rachel Ringenberg Miller, denominational minister for Ministerial Leadership, specifically for pastors. Each episode will feature an in-depth conversation with an experienced MC USA credentialed leader that begins with a single question, “What is the most important skill of a competent pastor?”

UPDATE: In the time between this interview and publishing, Meghan Good has resigned as pastor of Trinity Mennonite Church in Arizona // Meghan Good | S1, E5 The Competent Pastor is a podcast from MC USA’s Church Vitality department, hosted by Michael Danner, associate executive director for Church Vitality, and Rachel Ringenberg Miller, denominational minister for Ministerial Leadership, specifically for pastors. Each episode will feature an in-depth conversation with an experienced MC USA credentialed leader that begins with a single question, “What is the most important skill of a competent pastor?”

Glen Guyton | S1, E4 The Competent Pastor is a podcast from MC USA’s Church Vitality department, hosted by Michael Danner, associate executive director for Church Vitality, and Rachel Ringenberg Miller, denominational minister for Ministerial Leadership, specifically for pastors. Each episode will feature an in-depth conversation with an experienced MC USA credentialed leader that begins with a single question, “What is the most important skill of a competent pastor?”

Rev. Dr. Sarah Ann Bixler | S1, E3 The Competent Pastor is a podcast from MC USA’s Church Vitality department, hosted by Michael Danner, associate executive director for Church Vitality, and Rachel Ringenberg Miller, denominational minister for Ministerial Leadership, specifically for pastors. Each episode will feature an in-depth conversation with an experienced MC USA credentialed leader that begins with a single question, “What is the most important skill of a competent pastor?”

Rod Stafford | S1, E2 The Competent Pastor is a podcast from MC USA’s Church Vitality department, hosted by Michael Danner, associate executive director for Church Vitality, and Rachel Ringenberg Miller, denominational minister for Ministerial Leadership, specifically for pastors. Each episode will feature an in-depth conversation with an experienced MC USA credentialed leader that begins with a single question, “What is the most important skill of a competent pastor?”

Melissa Florer-Bixler | S1, E1 The Competent Pastor is a podcast from MC USA’s Church Vitality department, hosted by Michael Danner, associate executive director for Church Vitality, and Rachel Ringenberg Miller, denominational minister for Ministerial Leadership, specifically for pastors. Each episode will feature an in-depth conversation with an experienced MC USA credentialed leader that begins with a single question, “What is the most important skill of a competent pastor?”

The Competent Pastor: A podcast from Mennonite Church USA. Coming soon. “The Competent Pastor” is an audio podcast of MC USA’s Church Vitality department, hosted by Michael Danner, associate executive director for Church Vitality, and Rachel Ringenberg Miller, denominational minister for Ministerial Leadership, specifically for pastors. Each episode will feature an in-depth conversation with an experienced MC USA credentialed leader that begins with a single question, “What is the most important skill of a competent pastor?”