Is there a third way to consider the church's engagement in our current culture? How do we be agents of flourishing rather than fall into modes of attack and retreat? In Episode 4 of Season 4, Eric and Sara Joy talk with Dr. Amy Sherman of the Sagamore Institute about the writing and research she has done to exemplify opportunities for churches to cultivate shalom within their congregations and communities.
In this episode, Eric and Sara Joy interview Dr. Amy Sherman, Senior Fellow and Director of Center on Faith in Communities (CFIC) at the Sagamore Institute to gain her thoughtful insight on the nuance and meaning of the word shalom.
In particular, Amy shares about her forthcoming book, Agents of Flourishing, which centers around six endowments of flourishing (or shalom) that are identified as: the Good, the True, the Beautiful, the Just, the Prosperous, and the Sustainable. She discusses the role of the church in each of these and provides examples and strategies that churches can adopt to be active in these endowments. Her humble approach shines as she talks about the valuable model the church can be simply through advocating for and living out of a lens of human dignity. She laments how we have often failed in this realm and challenges the church to think creatively, be vulnerable, and take some wise risks for the good of their local communities.
Access more Show Notes with pictures and resources related to this episode.
More information about this podcast and helpful church and urbanism resources can be found on The Embedded Church website.
Related Resources
Culture Making by Andy Crouch
Playing God by Andy Crouch
Becoming Whole by Brian Fikkert and Kelly Kapick
The Shaping of Things to Come by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch
The Church and Its Vocation by Michael Goheen
Kingdom Calling by Amy Sherman
How God Became King by N.T. Wright
Simply Christian by N.T. Wright
Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright
Made to Flourish - an organization that empower pastors and their churches to integrate faith, work, and economic wisdom for the flourishing of their communities
Proximity Project - a consulting and education firm that helps churches align their mission with their property assets for the flourishing of their neighborhood
Sagamore Institute - an organization that builds and implements solutions to society’s biggest problems. Through research, consulting, and impact investing, they fight for a society uplifted by heartland policy innovation, business solutions, and citizen engagement
Find these Key Terms on The Embedded Church website:
- Church Gathered / Church Scattered
- Shalom
- Social Determinants (of health)
Show Credits
Hosted and Produced by Eric O. Jacobsen and Sara Joy Proppe
Edited by Adam Higgins | Odd Dad Out Voice Productions
Theme Music by Jacob Shaffer
Artwork by Lance Kagey | Rotator Creative