Shows
Be. Make. Do.Artist Archetypes with Adrienne Reedy"And I think God is moving all the time in those areas, and we miss it. I don't want to miss it." Adrienne Reedy.In this episode of the Be. Make. Do. podcast, Lisa talks with Adrienne Reedy, a multi-talented artist and mentor. She discusses her journey in art and music, emphasizing the transformative impact of visual arts on her life. She stresses the importance of recognizing God's guidance and maintaining joy and positivity, despite challenges. Reedy's motivation stems from a deep sense of being loved and supported, which she aims to instill in others. Join us...
2025-02-1852 min
VergeNowThe Wise-Hearted Ones Ep. 4: Ministry of ImaginationJoin Rev. Lisa Cole Smith from Convergence for a four-part study exploring the spectacular effort of God’s chosen people in an art project of magnificent scope. It takes the entire community of makers, craftspeople, leaders, administrators, teachers and patrons all working together under the leadership of artists to fulfill God’s command: Build a dwelling place for the Spirit of God. Neither Moses nor priests, warriors nor politicians were qualified to lead the task. This time, artists are called by name, filled with the Spirit, and charged to lead God’s people. Come discover the original call of the artis...
2021-11-2813 min
VergeNowThe Wise-Hearted Ones Ep.3: Idols and AltarsJoin Rev. Lisa Cole Smith from Convergence for a four-part study exploring the spectacular effort of God’s chosen people in an art project of magnificent scope. It takes the entire community of makers, craftspeople, leaders, administrators, teachers and patrons all working together under the leadership of artists to fulfill God’s command: Build a dwelling place for the Spirit of God. Neither Moses nor priests, warriors nor politicians were qualified to lead the task. This time, artists are called by name, filled with the Spirit, and charged to lead God’s people. Come discover the original call of the art...
2021-11-2122 min
VergeNowThe Wise-Hearted Ones Ep. 2: An Artist OrdainedJoin Rev. Lisa Cole Smith from Convergence for a four-part study exploring the spectacular effort of God’s chosen people in an art project of magnificent scope. It takes the entire community of makers, craftspeople, leaders, administrators, teachers and patrons all working together under the leadership of artists to fulfill God’s command: Build a dwelling place for the Spirit of God. Neither Moses nor priests, warriors nor politicians were qualified to lead the task. This time, artists are called by name, filled with the Spirit, and charged to lead God’s people. Come discover the original call of the ar...
2021-11-0525 min
VergeNowThe Wise-Hearted Ones Ep. 1Join Rev. Lisa Cole Smith from Convergence for a four-part study exploring the spectacular effort of God’s chosen people in an art project of magnificent scope. It takes the entire community of makers, craftspeople, leaders, administrators, teachers and patrons all working together under the leadership of artists to fulfill God’s command: Build a dwelling place for the Spirit of God. Neither Moses nor priests, warriors nor politicians were qualified to lead the task. This time, artists are called by name, filled with the Spirit, and charged to lead God’s people. Come discover the original call of the ar...
2021-10-2930 min
VergeNowCreated To Create: Finish It!If we live in a constant state of wishing for "do-overs" we are unlikely to turn in any kind of audience-worthy performance at all.
In this original video series from Convergence: Created to Create, we are invited to consider our responsibility to curate and create culture not only in our churches but in our world.
Production/Editing: Dan ABH
Script/Narration: Lisa Smith
Music: Hayden Arp, www.haydenarp.com
Jay Smith, www.Jmusic.us
Featured Images: Laura Lyon, www.lauralyonphoto.com
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2020-07-2005 minVergeNowCreated To Create: Art Is OrderThe mystery of God requires us to experience and trust something that needs more than intellectual understanding. Art is not luxury. Art is order.
In this series, Created to Create, we are invited to consider our responsibility to curate and create culture not only in our churches but in our world.
www.vergenow.org
Production/Editing: Dan ABH
Script/Narration: Lisa Smith Original Score:
Jay Smith - www.jmusic.us
2020-07-0303 minVergeNowCreated To Create: Giving Up and Giving InCreated to Create: Giving Up and Giving In.
Could giving up and giving in be the key to success and happiness?
In the lectionary text for this Sunday (Genesis 21:8-21 and Matthew 10:24-29) two stories are told about giving up and giving in.
In the Old Testament, Hagar is at the end of herself. Having been mistreated so badly she is hopeless and ready to give up her life and that of her son when God comes to rescue them both and give them new life and a new destiny.
In...
2020-06-2205 minVergeNowCreated To CreateThe Cultural Mandate of Genesis 1 insists that we are to form a culture, not simply allow it to happen to us. Yet, without conscious attention, we are left with a serious deficit of artistic and creative practitioners in our faith communities leaving us ill equipped to take on the task of culture making. How and why must we prepare those who would take on the vocation of artist?
In this series we are invited to consider our responsibility to curate and create culture not only in our churches but in our world.
Production: Dan ABH
2020-06-0808 minVergeNowLearning To See: FermentationWhat if we believed Jesus as much as we believe in Jesus?
Learning to See: Fermentation
In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus describes a process of complete transformation akin to fermentation; a process by which old ideas, habits and patterns are overturned and new insights are introduced to strengthen and ensure our flourishing.
In this meditation series from Convergence on learning to see through the eyes of God, you are invited to consider the ever present mystery and symbol that points to something bigger than immediate circumstances.
Check...
2020-06-0210 minVergeNowLearning To See: Drowning In ProcessRight now, we are all left "looking up to into the sky" just like the disciples; watching and waiting. "Drowning Process" is an invitation to go with it. (Acts 1:6-14) Why not accept this forced break as a time to catch your breath? Why not observe (perhaps for the first time ever) this holy week in the church calendar to wait and pray with the disciples for that breath to arrive?
In this series from Convergence on learning to see through the eyes of God, you are invited to consider the ever present mystery and symbol that...
2020-05-2406 minVergeNowLearning To See: For Mature Audiences OnlyFor Mature Audiences Only from VergeNow, suggests that sometimes we may be asking the right questions but, are unwilling or unable to listen for the right answers.
Are we trained well enough in our sensitivity to the symbolic to really see where God is at work in our world? (Acts 22:17-31)
In this series from Convergence on learning to see through the eyes of God, you are invited to consider the ever present mystery and symbol that points to something bigger than immediate circumstances.
Production: Dan ABH. Meditation/Narration: Lisa Smith. Original Score...
2020-05-1905 minVergeNowLearning To See: A Surveyor's MapA Surveyor's Map considers the well worn paths of our daily lives as an opportunity for reflection on memory as a composite of all that has been, is now, and that is still to come.
In this series on learning to see through the eyes of God, you are invited to consider the ever present mystery and symbol that points to something bigger than immediate circumstances.
Meditation/Narration: Lisa Smith; Music: Jay Smith; Production: Dan ABH.
www.ourconvergence.org www.vergenow.org
2020-05-1105 minVergeNowLearning To See: A Distinctly Christian Imagination"Imagine the world and all that is in it as enchanted, haunted by the Holy Spirit and the presence of grace.” Andrew Greely. Explore the idea of "God's Word" as an invitation to seeing the presence of God in every aspect of life and nature.
Meditation: Lisa Smith; Music: Jay Smith; Production: Dan ABH. www.ourconvergence.org www.vergenow.org
Please consider supporting Convergence and all the great online content we are creating for you during this time by becoming a regular giver. You can make a donation here: www.ourconvergence.org/donate.
Tha...
2020-04-2710 minVergeNowLearning To See: Invited To The SoundThis week, Pastor and artistic director Lisa Cole Smith at Convergence leads with a mediative exercise and thoughts based upon a song written by musician/artist Sufjan Stevens.
"We Christians believe that God is worthy of worship, but I wonder how many of us are secretly uncomfortable with this idea that it is our sole reason for existence. I often find myself preferring to believe that God exists in order to help me with my life. To make it easier or make me feel better. God exists because I need someone to call on in times of nee...
2020-04-2214 min
VergeNowGather: Ethics, Architecture, and Convening Difficult Conversations with Dr. Elise EdwardsOur "Gather" series continues this week with a LIVE conversation from our Gather 2019 conference with our good friend Dr. Elise Edwards on the topics of ethics, architecture, and convening difficult conversations in Church.
Dr. Elise Edwards teaches courses in Christian ethics and theology at Baylor University. She earned her Ph.D. in Religion at Claremont Graduate University in California, where she studied Theology, Ethics, and Culture. Prior to pursuing a Ph.D. in theology, Dr. Edwards worked as an architect in Washington D.C. and she still maintains her license to practice architecture.
VergeNow's newest pod...
2019-10-2033 minVergeNowGather: Brian Kirby on TaizeThe "Gather" series continues this week with Brian Kirby and our conversation about Taize and contemplative service gatherings.
Dr. Brian Kirby graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry in Theology and the Arts. He has pastored in Europe, Asia, and the US. Dr. Kirby is a musician and snowboarder who minsters in the Washington D.C. area as the Senior Director for Community Life at Community Church.
VergeNow's newest podcast series "Gather", is a current case study on re-imagining worship and gathering well in soulful community. For more episodes visit www.vergenow.o...
2019-10-0650 minVergeNowGather: The SanctuariesOur "Gather" series continues this week with Erik Martinez Resly of The Sanctuaries DC. https://www.thesanctuaries.org
Rev. Erik is a visual artist, community organizer, and ordained Unitarian Universalist minister from a mixed religious family, who grew up in Frankfurt, Germany. He brings experience as a hospital chaplain, public speaker, and panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts. He served as a Creative Community Fellow with National Arts Strategies and has received multiple awards from Harvard University. He is a graduate of Brown University and Harvard Divinity School.
VergeNow's newest podcast series "Gather", i...
2019-09-3057 minVergeNowGather: Mission Possible"Gather" continues this week as Lisa Smith is joined by Josh Hayden and Tom Lynch of Mission Possible and First Baptist Ashland, VA
Josh Hayden, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Ashland and Tom Lynch, Minister to Students and Families, First Baptist Ashland; Co-Founders of Mission Possible, a one-day conference that allows young people to explore faith and calling through art, justice, and mission.
VergeNow's newest podcast series "Gather", is a current case study on re-imagining worship and gathering well in soulful community. For more episodes visit www.vergenow.org/podcast-2
2019-09-231h 06VergeNowGather: Sam Bodkin of GroupmuseLisa Smith interviews Sam Bodkin, CEO of Groupmuse on the way intimate gatherings around classical music are meeting the need for soulful community among Millennials.
Sam Bodkin is the founder and CEO of Groupmuse - bringing us together to nourish and harmonize our inner lives and our social, “outer” lives. By deepening our interior worlds with timeless, contemplative music and enriching our social lives with inclusive, joyous community, Groupmuse seeks a greater wholeness in your neighborhood and around the world. For more information visit https://www.groupmuse.com/
VergeNow's newest podcast series "Gather", is a curre...
2019-09-1651 minVergeNowGather: Lindsay Hayes on Technology & Faith Among MillennialsLisa Smith of Convergence continues our series on "Gather", a current case study on re-imagining worship and gathering well in soulful community.
This week we sit down with Lindsay Hayes, a Ph.D student in Learning, Design and Technology from Penn State University as she outlines how the "flipped classroom" education model might translate to churches. "The humans in the building are the biggest resource we have. Talking to each other is the reason we should be coming together in person"
"Lindsay Hayes is a Ph.D student at Penn State University where she is...
2019-09-1151 minVergeNowGather: An IntroductionArtistic Director and Pastor, Lisa Cole Smith opens up the Gather series with an introduction episode on VergeNow's current case study discussing the "How We Gather" reports, Priya Parker's "The Art of Gathering" and recognizing that change is necessary in our quest to gain insight into how Millennials are changing the way we gather and the opportunity for communities of faith to effectively meet the yearning for soulful community among rising generations.
"Gather" is our newest podcast series which is a Current Case Study from VergeNow asking how we might transform our worship at Convergence to meet...
2019-09-0241 min
VergeNowPart 3: The Big WhyPart 3 of VergeNow's first series of becoming Creative Church. Lisa Cole Smith, Artistic Director and Pastor of Convergence is joined by Community Coordinator, Dan ABH and Cultural Architect, Jay Smith to begin the discussion of "The Big Why".
2019-07-2235 min
VergeNowPart 2: What The Heck Is Convergence Anyway?Artist Director and Pastor, Lisa Cole Smith discusses what Convergence is, what risk, creativity, and experimenting can do positively in Church, struggles with openness, and continuing what we are called to do.
2019-06-1025 min
VergeNowPart 1: BeginningEpisode 1: Beginning
Artistic Director and Pastor at Convergence, Lisa Cole Smith begins part 1 of 3 of our first series on becoming Creative Church
2019-05-1031 min
VergeNowBeta Episode 2 - Creative Courage w/ Charlene Smith of Brave Spirits TheatreArtistic Director and Host / Lisa Cole Smith is joined by Charlene Smith / Producing Artistic Director of Brave Spirits Theatre as they discuss creative courage and the crisis of faith that occurs in creative fields.
2018-11-1639 min2018-09-0516 min