Thriving

Thriving Intercultural Communities

Rev. Sandy Brodine — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 23:08:01 +0000

This episode brings together Sandy Brodine with colleagues David Dong Won Kim and Nia Lavaki from the Discipleship and Advocacy team to explore what helps multicultural and intergenerational church communities thrive. They focus on practical ministry questions like leadership, safety, inclusion, and how to build relationships that feel mutual rather than one-sided. At the centre of the conversation are Talanoa, collaboration, and intercultural competence. David and Nia share lived ministry examples from Korean, Tongan, and wider church contexts, showing how thriving communities are formed by listening, shared leadership, and creating space for God and for one another.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Welcome and Introductions
(00:00:53) - Meet David Kim's Background
(00:01:42) - Meet Nia and the Feast of Faith Weekend
(00:02:53) - Understanding Talanoa
(00:04:50) - Collaboration and Safe Spaces in Ministry
(00:06:17) - David's Story Planting a Church in Brisbane
(00:07:42) - Church Growth, Transition, and Closure
(00:09:31) - Intergenerational and Intercultural Challenges
(00:11:05) - Easter Camp and Mutual Respect Across Generations
(00:12:42) - Tongan National Conference and Youth Leadership
(00:14:29) - Defining Multicultural vs Intercultural
(00:16:40) - Intercultural Competence Explained
(00:18:39) - Hospitality, Inclusion, and Cutlery Example
(00:19:53) - Disability, LGBTIQ Inclusion, and Neurodiversity
(00:23:00) - Monthly Youth Gatherings Across Congregations
(00:24:48) - Youth Leadership and Energy in Gatherings
(00:25:49) - Closing Thoughts on Thriving Communities
(00:27:31) - Outro and Thanks

Thriving: Intergenerational Relationships

Rev. Sandy Brodine — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:30:00 +0000

Sandy Brodine speaks with Chris Barnett about what it really means for a church or Christian community to become intergenerational. Chris draws on decades of ministry experience, as well as long involvement in intergenerational conversations in the Uniting Church and beyond, to unpack the difference between mono-generational, multi-generational, cross-generational, and intergenerational life. They also explore how posture, practices, and intentional pathways can help communities of faith deepen relationships across ages and support lifelong discipleship.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Introduction and welcoming Chris Barnett
(00:01:29) - Chris's background and journey into intergenerational ministry
(00:03:15) - Defining mono, multi, cross and intergenerational ministry
(00:06:14) - Why intergenerational ministry supports lifelong discipleship
(00:07:46) - Taking small steps toward intergenerationality
(00:10:02) - Posture and practices in community life
(00:11:02) - The Bible study group as an intergenerational case study
(00:14:22) - Reflections on kids growing up in the group
(00:16:35) - The five Ps: planning to appraising phases
(00:20:13) - Practices and posture as a feedback loop
(00:21:56) - Intergenerational discipleship and Messy Church
(00:23:53) - Multivocal, multimodal ways of engaging
(00:25:22) - Finding your tribe through diverse spiritual styles
(00:27:54) - Neurodiversity and options in youth spirituality
(00:30:02) - Spiritual traditions and closing thoughts

Thriving: Beyond Relevance

Rev. Sandy Brodine — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 06:19:26 +0000

Andy and Kara Root join Sandy Brodine to preview their upcoming Melbourne Conference – Beyond Relevance: Waiting, Witness and Formation. They unpack what “secular” really means, why churches need to move beyond counting attendance, and how Christian practices can help people notice God at work in ordinary life. In this conversation, Andy and Kara share practical and theological ways churches can create space for doubt, testimony, and spiritual formation across generations. They also discuss why youth ministry needs to shift from managing schedules to nurturing stories, vocation, and meaningful participation in the life of faith.

To sign up for the conference, click on the humanitix link here: https://events.humanitix.com/beyond-relevance-waiting-witness-and-formation

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Uniting Church Podcast
(00:00:44) - Wonders of the World: Andrew Roach and Cara
(00:01:58) - Andrew Wills on the Secular Age
(00:07:22) - Wonders of the World
(00:15:11) - Wonders of the World: Listening for God's Leading
(00:19:20) - conversation about youth and ministry
(00:20:07) - Middle-class parents are more invested in their kids' lives than
(00:23:23) - The Church's Responsibility to the Youth
(00:28:50) - Andy and Cara Are Back in Melbourne
(00:30:37) - Thriving: The Young Generation Conference

Thriving Digital Communities

Rev. Sandy Brodine — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:08:00 +0000

Sandy Brodine is joined by Kelly Woods, known online as Pastoral Hare, and Will Nicholas, known as Odd Rev, to explore what it really takes for a digital community to thrive. Rather than treating online ministry as a simple Sunday morning livestream, they unpack how identity, presence, participation, and formation work in digital spaces. They also share a real example of Sonderverse, a live digital community built around faith, gaming, chat, and shared theological exploration, showing how online belonging can be as deep and relational as in-person community.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Welcome to Thriving
(00:00:32) - Digital Communities
(00:04:33) - Being present to one another in an online world
(00:06:06) - What is a Third Space?
(00:15:19) - Community in the digital world
(00:19:50) - How to Build a Community
(00:21:59) - Can You Create an Ecological Community Online?
(00:28:58) - Growing a Living Community: Exploring Faith and Fiction

Church Together: Building Thriving All-Age Ministry

Rev. Sandy Brodine — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:15:00 +0000

Sandy Brodine speaks with Traci Smith and Dave Csinos, the co-authors of Church Together, about what it really takes to build thriving all-age church life. They explore the posture underneath intergenerational ministry, the difference between simple inclusion and true mutuality, and practical ways churches can start experimenting without trying to become something they are not.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Uniting Church: Thriving
(00:00:40) - Bookmark Review
(00:02:12) - Dave McLean on All Age Ministry
(00:03:45) - All Age Ministry
(00:08:50) - All-Age Ministry
(00:13:28) - The creative process of the Bible
(00:14:37) - All Age Worship
(00:19:09) - Tried & True: The Church's Journey
(00:24:15) - A Small Church: Growing the Body of Christ
(00:31:23) - The message of a small church
(00:37:15) - Thriving: A Place for Experimentation

Thriving: Fresh Expressions of Church

Rev. Sandy Brodine — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:20:00 +0000

Fresh Expressions, cultural change, and the next chapter for the church

Sandy Brodine spent time in London with Tim Lea, and Simon Goddard talking about what the Fresh Expressions movement has taught, and what it still needs to teach, in Australia and beyond. The focus is less on a technical fix and more on the deeper cultural shift the church needs if it is to form missional disciples in a changing context.

In this episode, the discussion moves through six stages of the Fresh Expressions journey and asks what it means to listen, serve, build community, grow disciples, and develop leadership that releases others rather than concentrates control.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Uniting Church of Victoria and Tasmania
(00:05:18) - The contemplative tradition and its role in the discipleship
(00:08:10) - The Life of Contemplation
(00:11:33) - The mission of the church
(00:15:13) - Thriving: How to Build a Community of Faith

The power of Intergenerational Community

Rev. Sandy Brodine — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 02:07:56 +0000

Join us as Tammy Preston from Intergenerate shares insights on creating thriving, inclusive, and intergenerational faith communities. Discover how biblical principles, diversity, and creative worship shape vibrant church environments that foster connection, safety, and growth for all ages.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Welcome to Thriving
(00:00:46) - Community Conference 2017
(00:02:55) - Wonders of the Garden
(00:05:48) - What are the Elements of a Well-Planted Garden?
(00:08:34) - Intergenerate Conference 2018
(00:10:37) - Intergenerational and All Age Worship
(00:19:39) - The desire to belong
(00:20:49) - How to Grow a Thriving Intergenerational Community

Thriving: Growing new expressions of church

Rev. Sandy Brodine — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 03:51:45 +0000

In this episode, Dave Male joins Sandy Brodine and shares his journey into the world of fresh expressions of church, emphasizing innovative leadership, the importance of context, and practical steps for starting new faith communities. Whether you're a church leader or not, his insights give clarity on how to foster vibrant, authentic expressions of faith that resonate today.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Thriving in the Uniting Church
(00:00:43) - Dave Lawson on New Worship and Fresh Expressions
(00:08:14) - Fresh Expressions of Church
(00:12:44) - Separate Churches and the Church of England
(00:14:07) - What is Mixed Ecology?
(00:16:42) - The New Church and the Traditional
(00:18:27) - What are the gifts and graces that leaders need?
(00:20:01) - Give it a Go: Starting a New Church

How Churches can Thrive in a Changing Cultural Context

Rev. Sandy Brodine — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:15:00 +0000

Change within churches isn’t just about programs or new initiatives; it’s about deep shifts in culture, leadership, and community dynamics. In this episode, Sandy Brodine hosts a panel with Helen Cameron and Steve Taylor to explore how churches can grow thriving, missional communities by understanding different church styles, leadership models, and the emotional work of change. Whether you’re leading from traditional contexts or pioneering new forms, these insights will help you navigate complexity with confidence.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Thriving
(00:00:22) - Growing a Missional Church
(00:03:28) - Five different styles of church
(00:04:26) - The UK's forms of church
(00:06:18) - Three types of church in the UK
(00:10:38) - Power and authority in the Christian Church
(00:13:15) - Non-Conformist Church: Organising the Church
(00:16:03) - Have Non-Conformist Churches Become More Cloricalized
(00:16:59) - Modern and Traditional forms of Church
(00:20:06) - Wonders of the Church and the mixed economy
(00:26:03) - Wonders of the Church and grief
(00:31:51) - Top-down and Bottom Up in Christian life
(00:33:49) - What to Do About Church Governance
(00:36:14) - Helen Cameron on Resourcing Mission
(00:36:37) - Thriving: ideas for growing your church community

Thriving Faith and Neurodiversity

Rev. Sandy Brodine — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 14:47:45 +0000

In this episode, we explore practical ways to support neurodiverse individuals within Christian communities. Kirstyn Oliver shares her journey, research, and innovative tools like Sensory Tray bible stories, emphasizing the importance of environment, understanding, and personalized support for thriving inclusivity.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Uniting Church Podcast
(00:01:00) - Alma Autism
(00:07:58) - Six ways to improve the Christian environment
(00:09:50) - Welcoming an autistic person in the church
(00:12:37) - Wonders in the Church: How to help them
(00:17:48) - Sensory Tray Bible
(00:25:06) - Thriving: A Christian Podcast for Neurodiversity

Growing a Thriving Messy Church

Rev. Sandy Brodine — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 01:14:52 +0000

Sandy recently joined International Messy Church Lead Aike Kennett-Brown and her colleague Jane Butler at Aike's home in London for a chat about all things Messy! This episode talks about the importance of growing a strong team for a thriving Messy Church, Messy Church Goes Wild!, and the UK's Messy Momentum project which aims to grow thriving communities of Teens in Messy Church. Whether you're an experienced Messy practitioner, or you'd just like to learn more, there's lots to inspire you in this episode of "Thriving!"

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Thriving: The messy Church Podcast
(00:00:43) - What is a messy church?
(00:08:55) - How the sacraments can move people towards Jesus
(00:10:57) - Discipleship in a messy church
(00:18:40) - Messy Church: Goes Wild
(00:25:15) - How to Engage teenagers in the messy Church?
(00:30:25) - Growing Communities of Faith

Practicing a Missional Church

Rev. Sandy Brodine — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 01:51:42 +0000

What does it really mean to be a missional church? For us, it’s about lived faith, embodied practice, and learning how to hold prayer and action together in creative tension. We’re excited to explore how thriving communities of faith are formed — not just studied.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Thriving: Teaching a Missional Church
(00:01:12) - Honoring the indigenous peoples of the world
(00:04:23) - Introducing Sandy the Missionist
(00:07:07) - What Does Practicing a Missional Church Mean for You?
(00:08:14) - Mission alongside the church
(00:09:30) - What do the words practicing in a missionary church mean for you,
(00:10:47) - The Send and Abodate
(00:11:58) - Andrew and Sandy's Mission
(00:18:39) - What are you looking forward to in the 12 weeks of our course
(00:23:48) - Are you looking forward to the conference?
(00:25:25) - My Best and Worst Moments of Trying a New Practice

Introduction

Rev. Sandy Brodine — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 01:01:57 +0000

Introducing the Thriving podcast! Our host, Sandy Brodine is interviewd by the Director of the Discipleship and Advocacy Team, Nigel Hanscamp, about the podcast, its purpose, and what we have to look forward to...

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Thriving
(00:01:04) - The Uniting Church's Young Generation Team
(00:02:09) - Thriving: A Podcast for the Uniting Church