Shows
Getting to NimbleVaccines and VariationsGetting to Nimble is back for a check in! Bill and I talk about what this past year has meant for us and our churches. Get in touch: sarah-bereza.com/gtn-312021-03-1727 minGetting to NimbleMaternity Leave and Covid FatigueWe're back! Bill and I share updates on our lives (new baby! co-first-grade-teacher!) and then drive into what we're all experiencing these days: Covid fatigue.
Our Reads of the Week
Your ‘Surge Capacity’ Is Depleted — It’s Why You Feel Awful - Tara Haelle
About Getting to Nimble
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small, urban and rural, good and not so good. With generous hearts and healthy boundaries, they share practical advice for church staff about working smart, cutting out the bs, and embracing the good in minis...2020-10-2234 minGetting to NimbleImagining the New (and Why)We don't know what the future is bringing, but we can be active right now to imagine the New that we're heading toward.
A note for listeners: this is our last episode for a few months while Sarah is on maternity leave. Stay nimble!
Resources We Mentioned
Salisbury Cathedral - "Our Purpose and Values"The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why - Phyllis Tickle
About Getting to Nimble
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small, urban and rural, good and not so good. With generous...2020-08-0425 minGetting to Nimble"I'm Curious" - Planning for the Fall with Christine V. HidesHere's how we're planning for the fall - with curiosity and a focus on the big "whys" of the ministries we lead. Joining us is Christine V. Hides, Director of Christian Education at Kenilworth Union Church.
Resources We Mentioned
Must- Have Online Ministry ToolsFaith Formation PlaylistsIt's Flowchart Time
About Getting to Nimble
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small, urban and rural, good and not so good. With generous hearts and healthy boundaries, they share practical advice for church staff about working smart, cutting out the bs, a...2020-07-2137 minGetting to NimbleWhere Is In-Person Worship Headed? On Getting to Nimble Ep. 27Freedom to move, to eat, to coffee. This and other ways we see in-person worship changing because of our extended time at home. (Spoiler alert: Sarah's keeping the comfy pants.)
Our Reads of the Week
Flow: The Ancient Way to Do Contemporary Worship - Lester Ruth
About Getting to Nimble
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small, urban and rural, good and not so good. With generous hearts and healthy boundaries, they share practical advice for church staff about working smart, cutting out the bs, and embracing...2020-07-0731 minGetting to NimbleChanging in the Midst of Change, on Getting to Nimble Ep. 26It's often easier to change while we're already in the midst of change because our old habits and systems are in flux. Bill and Sarah talk about using this changing season to think through our systems at church.
Resources We Mentioned on This Episode
Change Your Life When You're Changing Your Life - Happier with Gretchen Rubin
About Getting to Nimble
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small, urban and rural, good and not so good. With generous hearts and healthy boundaries, they share practical advice for...2020-06-1734 minGetting to NimbleCurrently: Emotions, Reopening, and Anti-Racist Work in Our ChurchesA snapshot of where we are in terms of emotions and how we're planning/not-planning, then a longer conversation about starting (or hopefully, continuing) anti-racist work in our churches starting with one-on-one relationships.
About Getting to Nimble
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small, urban and rural, good and not so good. With generous hearts and healthy boundaries, they share practical advice for church staff about working smart, cutting out the bs, and embracing the good in ministry. New episodes on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays.
Check out...2020-06-0238 minGetting to NimbleOnline Forever?Online worship, nimbly opening (while expecting future closures), and planning in a season of flux.
About Getting to Nimble
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small, urban and rural, good and not so good. With generous hearts and healthy boundaries, they share practical advice for church staff about working smart, cutting out the bs, and embracing the good in ministry. New episodes on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays.
Check out all the Getting to Nimble podcast episodes here, or wherever you listen to podcasts.2020-05-1940 minGetting to NimbleA Neighborhood SummerLast summer, my colleagues and I at First Congregational of St. Louis developed a creative, intergenerational worship series. Then, the four of us - Hannah Rice and Emily Stokes, plus Bill and I - turned the series into a 14-week curriculum for other congregations to use.
In this episode, the four of us talk about our collaborative process, surprises along the way, and the opportunities for healthy vulnerability that our summer worship gave us.
On This Episode We Mentioned:
A Neighborhood Summer: A 14-Week Intergenerational Worship PlanPotBangerz
About Getting to Nimble
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician...2020-05-0536 minGetting to NimbleMusic and Change, on Getting to Nimble Ep. 22Changing our musical habits is hard (and oddly enough right now, maybe both easier and harder than ever). In this episode, we talk with Paul Vasile about being open to musical change and helping others embrace the new, even when they're sure they only want what they already know.
Find Paul Vasile online here.
About Getting to Nimble
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small, urban and rural, good and not so good. With generous hearts and healthy boundaries, they share practical advice for church staff about...2020-04-2140 minGetting to NimbleClimbing Up A Covid-19 Learning CurveClimbing up a learning curve. Running down a sand dune, trying not to face plant. Throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. Just a few metaphors for the work we're doing lately! Emily Stokes, a minister for children and families, joins us to talk about our approaches to ministry right now.
Our Reads of the Week
A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny. Bill says, "It was one of those books I finished and said a little silent thank you to the author."
About Getting to Nimble
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have...2020-04-0737 minGetting to NimbleCOVID19 and the ChurchWhat a strange time we are in, especially as church leaders. Bill and Sarah share what they are currently doing to respond to COVID19, especially in terms of pastoral care and spiritual connection in a time of physical distance. We can still "worship in spirit and in truth" whether or not we are in-person.
Resources We Mentioned in the Episode
We Are the Church
About Getting to Nimble
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small, urban and rural, good and not so good. With generous hearts and...2020-03-1735 minGetting to NimbleAdvanced Degrees for Church StaffWhat are the advantages (and disadvantages) to getting an advanced degree when you're in church ministry? Bill and Sarah talk master's degrees, doctorates, certificates.
Our Reads of the Week
If you purchase through some of the following links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for supporting the work we do!
How Not to Diet: The Groundbreaking Science of Healthy, Permanent Weight Loss - Michael Greger
About Getting to Nimble
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small, urban and rural, good and not so good. With g...2020-03-0335 minGetting to NimbleWhen to Worship Together?Why do we worship corporately on Sunday mornings? When would we worship if we removed the "but we've always..." from our thinking?
Our Reads of the Week
If you purchase through some of the following links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for supporting the work we do!
Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life - Nir Eyal
About Getting to Nimble
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small, urban and rural, good and not so good. With generous hearts and healthy b...2020-02-1830 minGetting to NimbleInfinite GamesWe church leaders have a lot to learn from game theory - and especially, how we should think of churches as part of an "infinite game" rather than a "finite game." Drawing on Simon Sinek's new book The Infinite Game, Bill and Sarah share how infinite games provide a conceptual grounding for leading churches in the 21st century.
Our Reads of the Week
If you purchase through some of the following links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for supporting the work we do!
The Infinite Game - Simon Sinek
About Getting to Nimble
For 50 years between them, P...2020-02-0433 minGetting to NimbleWhy Nimble?What is "nimbleness" and why should we value it as church leaders?
Our Reads of the Week
If you purchase through some of the following links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for supporting the work we do!
The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. TolkeinVarieties of Gifts: Multiplicity and the Well-Lived Pastoral Life - Cynthia G. Lindner
About Getting to Nimble
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small, urban and rural, good and not so good. With generous hearts and healthy boundaries, t...2020-01-2121 minGetting to NimbleHospitality (Plus an Announcement!)'Tis the season for hospitality! Bill and Sarah talk about open houses, small groups, alcohol, and what it means to focus on the church's social cohesion (not on our personal friendships).
Plus an announcement! We are changing our podcast's name from "Called" to "Getting to Nimble." This change should show up in your podcast feed in December.
This is our last episode of 2019 - looking forward to a new year of "getting to nimble"!
Our Reads of the Week
She Said - Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey
Note: If you buy something through this link, I may earn an affiliate...2019-12-0329 minGetting to NimbleSocial Media for Church StaffSocial media can be tricky for those of us who minister in churches. Bill and I share four perspectives to help us make wise use of this tool:
Ask yourself, "Who is my neighbor?" given the endless, often anonymous nature of social mediaUse social media as a pastoral tool, a way to minister to your congregation outside of church servicesConsider how (and if) you want to share about yourself and your family on social media - there are no one-size-fits-all strategies here!Remember how powerful loose connections can be (see our reads below!)
Our Reads of the Week
"Why You...2019-11-1929 minGetting to NimbleAnnual Reviews, on Called Ep. 13Here's how to lead a productive, generous annual review process - and why you should.
Annual Review Discussion Questions
The following questions can be adapted to suit your church's needs.
What has been your greatest contribution to the mission of [Church Name] in the past year? At what moment in the past year did you feel most engaged in service to God and the mission of the church?Describe a problem you encountered in the past year dealing with a member of the congregation or a coworker and how you resolved it. Did you feel supported by your supervisor and...2019-11-0536 minGetting to NimbleFamily at ChurchHow do our families connect with our church ministries? And how can we alleviate some of the pressure on our "preacher's kid" families? As a pastor and a musician, Bill and I have encountered very different expectations and experiences.
Our Read of the Week
"It Was a Tough Week" - Lydia Sohn
About Called - At the Intersection of Life and Ministry
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small, urban and rural, good and not so good. With generous hearts and healthy boundaries, they share practical advice...2019-10-1529 minGetting to NimbleFlow and Movement in ServicesWant to avoid dead air and awkward pauses in worship services? Planning for flow can help. Bill and I share how we plan for a smooth flow in worship services, plus the small steps we take that make a big difference.
Our Reads of the Week
Bless This Mess: A Modern Guide to Faith and Parenting in a Chaotic World - Rev. Molly Baskette and Ellen O'Donnell, PhDHow to Lead When You don't Know Where You're Going: Leading in a Liminal Season - Susan BeaumontWhen Moses Meets Aaron: Staffing and Supervision in Large Congregations - Gil Rendle and Susan Beaumont
...2019-10-0131 minGetting to NimbleDeath, Funerals, and How to Pre-planPre-planning funerals give you a chance to talk (and live) the Gospel. Here's how to help church members pre-plan, plus a bunch of advice on funerals and burial in general.
Our Reads of the Week
Raising a Screen-Smart Kid: Embrace the Good and Avoid the Bad in the Digital Age - Julianna Miner
Verlyn Flieger
About Called - At the Intersection of Life and Ministry
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small, urban and rural, good and not so good. With generous hearts and healthy boundaries, they...2019-09-1735 minGetting to NimbleGreat Church Meetings (Yes, They're Possible!)How can you lead a great committee or staff meeting? And how can you influence a meeting for the good when you're not running it? Bill and I talk about purpose, organization, and most importantly, energy - with a side of fried chicken and social connection. (Plus the important question: should you forward this episode to your head of staff?)
Remember, you can scroll down for a transcript if that's your style.
About Called - At the Intersection of Life and Ministry
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big...2019-09-0329 minGetting to NimbleThe One Thing You REALLY Need in Ministry (That You Didn't Learn in School)Spoiler alert: it's flexibility! Why you need it, how to develop it, and how to encourage your congregation toward it - plus an ear toward the Holy Spirit's leading.
Click on the player to listen to the conversation, or scroll down to read the transcript.
Our Reads of the Week
If you purchase through some of the following links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for supporting Called!
Gossip - Rocky Supinger The Color of Life: A Journey Toward Love and Racial Justice - Cara Meredith
About Called - At the Intersection of Life and Ministry
For 50 years...2019-08-2024 minGetting to NimblePatriotic Holidays and Church ServicesWhat should we DO with patriotic holidays in the church? Celebrate them? Mention the occasion in a pastoral prayer? Run for the hills? Bill and I talk about the challenges of patriotic holidays and offer healthy ways to approach them. Transcript of our conversation below!
Our Read of the Week
Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide by Rev. Dr. Leah Schade (And here's the book's website)
About Called - At the Intersection of Life and Ministry
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small...2019-08-0638 minGetting to NimbleSummertime - The Upsides and the DownsidesIt's hot outside, and the church has left the building. How can we learn from the downsides of summer, and lean into the positives? Bill and I share how we make summer a productive season of the church year, starting with the big one: enjoy the breathing room.
Our Reads of the Week, Plus Resources We Mentioned
The Four TendenciesBecoming a Pastor: Forming Self and Soul for Ministry - Jaco J. HammanSplintered Light: Logos and Language in Tolkein’s World - Verlyn Flieger
About Called - At the Intersection of Life and Ministry
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz an...2019-07-1630 minGetting to NimbleOpen to Change? Cultivating a Personal Openness to Change (And Why You Should)Change is one of the great constants of the world - right up there with death, taxes, and the love of God. But even though it's inevitable, we're often reluctant to change, and get anxious when change happens. On this episode, Bill and I share strategies for how we've cultivated our own openness to change and why we think that openness is vital to ministry.
Our Reads of the Week (And Other Resources We Mention in the Episode)
A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel KayStatus, Ambition and the Way of Jesus by Craig C. Hill "The Regular Kind" (on...2019-07-0235 minGetting to Nimble6 Strategies for Settling in at a New ChurchWhere should you start when you move to a new ministry? Here are six strategies to help you settle in:
People are #1.Get to know the landscape. Literally.Find out what's normative.Seek out the sacred cows.Figure out what to do now - and what to postpone.Give yourself some grace.
Our Reads of the Week
Educated by Tara Westover"Five Pitfalls to Avoid When Evaluating the Senior Minister" by Susan Beaumont
About Called - At the Intersection of Life and Ministry
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches...2019-06-1829 minGetting to NimbleHandling Weekend Conflicts as a Church Staff MemberWeekends can be really tricky for church workers. They're busy for us, but often, that's when our families and friends have time to spend together. Bill and I share how we've navigated the challenges—and opportunities—of working on the weekends.
Our Reads of the Week
I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott"Desire" by Rocky Supinger
About Called - At the Intersection of Life and Ministry
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small, urban and rural, good and not so good. With generous hear...2019-06-0438 minGetting to NimbleWrapping Up the Program YearIt's that time of the year! On this episode of the Called podcast, Bill and I talk all things wrapping up the program year. Celebrating the good things, learning from what didn't work so well, and thinking about where to go next. (Plus the important question, "When should the next program year begin?")
Our Reads of the Week
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya ParkerLamentation by C. J. Samsom
Resources We Mentioned
20 Anthems By Women Composers that My Church Choir Sang This Season
About Called - At the Intersection of Life and Ministry
...2019-05-2119 minGetting to NimbleWhat Does "Calling" Mean?What does "calling" mean? In the inaugural episode of Called - At the Intersection of Life and Ministry, Pastor Bill Smutz and I talk about what calling can mean in all areas of our lives. The call to ministry is an important one, but it’s not the only one.
Our Reads of the Week
Is Your Wellness Practice Just a Diet in Disguise? by Melissa Fabello
About Called - At the Intersection of Life and Ministry
For 50 years between them, Pastor Bill Smutz and musician Sarah Bereza have survived and thrived in churches big and small, urban and rural, go...2019-05-0721 minGetting to NimbleAnnouncing the Called Podcast!Y'all, I am so excited to announce this new podcast! My colleague Bill Smutz and I have been working on a ministry related podcast since the winter and now it's ready for the world!
Here's what the show is: practical advice for church workers, based on our experiences of over 50 (!) years. We're talking about wrapping up the program year, helping church members pre-plan their funeral services, taking care of old buildings, maintaining healthy boundaries.... Basically, if it relates to our lives as church staff, then it's fair game.
Who we are: a church musician and a Presbyterian pastor. I've ministered...2019-04-2301 min