The Ferment Podcast - Conversations About Worship And Transformation

Paul Anleitner is the Worship Pastor at the First Evangelical Free Church in Minneapolis, MN and host of the Deep Talks podcast - Exploring Theology and Meaning-Making. Prior to joining the staff at First Free, he enjoyed 15 years of vocational ministry experience in a variety of roles and denominational settings. He has had the privilege over the years of being not only a Worship Pastor in the Assemblies of God, Evangelical Covenant Church, and now the Evangelical Free Church, but has also taught theology and biblical studies courses in Christian high schools, directed parachurch ministries, and recorded & released original music. Paul loves reading theology, exercising and watching or playing basketball. He is married to the girl of his dreams, Keri, and they have 3 kids.

In this episode of The Ferment podcast, Paul and our host Adam Russell have an incredibly nuanced conversation about the way symbols and the meaning we ascribe to them create stories that shape our worldview. Coming on the tail of January 6th and the insurrection at the US Capitol Building, Paul and Adam discuss the mixed symbolism of nooses and Confederate flags displayed alongside “Jesus Saves” signs and the way that mirrors the present state of Christianity and politics in our nation. As the layers are peeled back, Paul and Adam dive into spheres of psychology and theology, examining the symbolism within our church buildings and worship songs, and the effect the convergence of culture and subcultures has on shaping the narrative of our nation, our worship experience, and our lives.

Show notes

Deep Talks Podcast
https://deeptalkstheologypodcast.podbean.com

The Ferment Podcast – Paul Anleitner 5.26.19
https://bit.ly/3980Pl6

Eddie Espinosa is a well-known Vineyard veteran and pioneer in the modern worship movement. Eddie was featured on numerous recordings through the years including groundbreaking original two vinyl records from Vineyard Ministries International - "All The Earth Shall Worship" and "He Is Worthy To Be Praised" both releasing in 1982. Eddie's song include "You Are The Mighty King", "Worthy Is The Lamb", and the global worship classic and era-defining "Change My Heart O God". Despite being known as a songwriter and worship pastor, Eddie spent most of his professional career in public education as a teacher, counselor and administrator. Eddie and his wife live in Southern California and have two children.   

In this episode of The Ferment, Eddie shares his story of being called into a life with Jesus and growing into a worshiper who is known as one who writes love songs to the Lord. He reflects on the early days at the Anaheim Vineyard and how they were marked by hunger and desperation for God, and shares the three things he believes bring the presence of God in worship. This is a very tender episode that overflows with a love for the Lord that is only cultivated in first-hand experience of His goodness and grace.  

Show notes:
Change My Heart, O God by Eddie Espinosa
https://youtu.be/DwudqCO7mSQ

Eddie’s interview with the Calvin Institute
https://bit.ly/3dx2Zf5

Phil and Jan Strout are the National Directors for Vineyard USA.  For several years, Phil served in the Vineyard on the board of directors for Vineyard USA, as a Regional Leader, and as the Senior Pastor of Pathway Vineyard Church, a multisite church based in Lewiston, Maine. He has also done extensive work in church planting around the world, especially in Latin America, and along with his wife, Jan, is bilingual (English/Spanish).

Phil is the author of God’s Relentless Pursuit: Discovering His Heart for Humanity and Thrive: How to Successfully Navigate the S-Turns of Leadership. He brings a non-hyped, down-to-earth, passionately authentic spirit and vision to leading the Vineyard Movement in its divine assignment.

Jan is a passionate leader in the church today. As a gifted exhorter and teacher, she has earned the title, “The Queen of Encouragement.” She has served nationally on the Vineyard Women’s Task Force with the heart to empower women for leadership, ministry, and life. Jan is an effective communicator and has taught Spiritual Formation, Prayer, Evangelism, and Missions in Portland’s E3 Leadership Institute.

Phil and Jan have been married since they were teenagers and have two kids, 6 grandkids and 2 great-grandkids.

In this episode of The Ferment, Adam joins Phil and Jan at their farm in Maine to hear their story of coming to faith as teenagers, marrying young and heading out to the international mission field. They also talk about the value of soul care and share three prophetic illustrations that have grounded them in the pursuit of a contemplative life. Finally, Phil and Jan share about transitioning the role of National Director and the word the Lord gave Phil about “intersections” that has been guiding the Vineyard through this recent season of change. This is a rich episode full of wisdom and inspiration for leading a life faithful to the Lord.

Show notes:
The Quest for the Radical Middle: A History of the Vineyard by Bill Jackson
https://amzn.to/38l7NSz

Socials:
Instagram @thefermentpodcast
Twitter @fermentcast
TikTok @vineyardworship

Eleanor Mumford and her husband John play a significant leadership role within the Vineyard family of churches, both in the UK and overseas. They worked for two years with John Wimber at the Anaheim Vineyard in California before starting the SW London Vineyard in 1987. They handed over the leadership of that church in 2008 and served as National Directors in the UK and Ireland until 2015. They now focus on the continued development and momentum of the international Vineyard family. Eleanor and John have two grown sons, two beautiful daughters-in-law and 4 grandchildren.

In this episode of The Ferment, Eleanor shares her origin story and the power of a praying roommate. She also talks about her husband’s first interactions with John Wimber and their earliest days with the Vineyard movement, the profound impact of worship in their life and ministry, and their life more recently as international coordinators within Vineyard Global. Eleanor speaks about unity, equipping international leaders to care for their people and communities, and shares an encouraging word about staying close to the Lord during this hard season.

Show notes:
Vineyard Global:
https://vineyard.org

Socials:
Instagram @thefermentpodcast
Twitter @fermentcast
TikTok @vineyardworship

Jan Smith, dubbed Mama Jan by Usher, is the world’s premier vocal producer and instructor. She has over 30 years experience in the music industry as both an artist and a mentor. Mama Jan is a Grammy nominated producer and a Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee. In addition to being a creative force for vocal excellence, Mama Jan is a visionary executive working across entertainment to reboot the music industry into an artist-driven business. As CEO of Mama J Music, she works tirelessly to fuse artist development, technology and music education into a successful career roadmap for all musicians.

In this live recording of The Ferment, Adam and Mama Jan talk about the instrument of the human voice: what it is exactly and how to care for it well. Mama Jan shares practical tips for worship leaders, pastors and other vocalists who use their voices more than most including warm ups and warm downs and why every green room should have a steamer. Her holistic approach to honoring the body as a gift we’ve been entrusted with is an inspiration to every person regardless of vocation!

Show notes:
Jan Smith’s Website
https://jansmith.com

Socials:
Instagram @thefermentpodcast
Twitter @fermentcast
TikTok @vineyardworship

Ryan Albrecht is a psychotherapist, husband, father and musician from Long Beach, New York. He has been serving at the Experience Vineyard Church in Rockville Centre for nearly a decade where he volunteers as a worship leader with his wife and worship director Elisha. It is there where his life transformed and he continues to experience life giving community, family, and encounters with God. Professionally Ryan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker where he works with various mental, emotional, behavioral and spiritual health issues. Inspired by his own life experiences he is called to work with others to help heal from their trauma to realize lives that are full and unique to themselves. Ryan is also passionate about de-stigmatizing mental health in the church through sharing his story and professional insight to educate, equip, and train leadership.

In this episode of The Ferment, Ryan shares his story of leading a life of youthful rebellion after a series of traumatic events changed his course, and the way those decisions escalated into addiction, multiple overdoses and criminal activity. He also shares about the steady pursuit of the Lord, being drawn into community at a church and slowly turning his life over to the service of people. Ryan and Adam then chat about the need to mature emotionally as we are growing spiritually, and tending to the inner life. This is a powerful testimony of redemption and the goodness of God. 

Alan Franklin is a musician and music teacher, co-founder of MuzicNet School of Music in Park Forest and Chicago, IL, and the interim worship pastor at South Suburban Vineyard Church in Flossmoor, IL. He is a Chicago-native and one of twelve children. Alan and his siblings grew up singing and playing music in their parents’ church, and he has continued to be involved in worship ministry ever since. Alan has been married to his wife Terrilyn for 32 years and they have 4 daughters and one grandchild.

In this VSOW takeover episode of The Ferment, Mike O’Brien and Alan Franklin have a chat about musicianship, growing in music theory, and the value of taking music lessons even as a seasoned worship leader. Alan talks about learning to play music by ear in church and starting a music school in his brother’s basement after recognizing a need in his community. He also explains the “number system” and gives some practical suggestions for how to implement it in your worship team. Alan and Mike then talk about generational succession in our life together as a church, the role of elders, and the need for making space and room for kids to join the worship team.

Show Notes:

MuzicNet School of Music
https://www.muzicnet.net/about/

Vineyard School of Worship (VSOW)
http://Vsow.org

Socials:
Instagram @thefermentpodcast
Twitter @fermentcast
TikTok @vineyardworship

Calvin Rodgers is a Chicago native and drummer who has been credited with revolutionizing the voice of gospel drumming. His parents realized at a very young age that Calvin shared their love for music and an even stronger love for the drums in particular. Both parents worked very hard to invest as much as they could into their son’s promising future. Around the age of 9, Calvin began shadowing his father, a well-known gospel musician, and songwriter, as his personal drummer. This afforded Calvin the opportunity of learning from some of gospel music’s most prolific songwriters, artists, and musicians. By the time he entered high school, he was traveling with GRAMMY-nominated choir master Ricky Dillard & New Generation. Around the same time, he became a part of the Ravinia Jazz Mentors program, spearheaded by jazz pianist, Ramsey Lewis. Upon graduating high school, Calvin began touring with Lewis and learning his way around the studio. While recording a radio commercial for Rice A Roni, Calvin met R&B crooner, R. Kelly. Kelly invited Calvin to join his band for his upcoming world tour, TP2. Upon completion of that tour, Calvin decided to place his focus on becoming a recording drummer. He also began finding his voice as an arranger and a producer. With over 200 live/studio albums listed to his credit, he has also recorded and toured with artists such as R.Kelly, Ramsey Lewis, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Dionne Warwick, Destiny's Child, Ronald Isley,  Ernie Isley, Avant, Jonathan Butler, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, Israel Houghton, Donald Lawrence, John P. Kee, Tommy Simms, Tamela Mann, and many, many others. Though quite accomplished, Calvin continues to push himself in all areas while making sure to sow into the next generation through mentoring and private lessons.
 
 
In this episode of The Ferment, Calvin and Adam talk about the church as a safe space to raise up musicians and the necessity of continuing to expose yourself to new styles and skillsets to become a well-rounded player. Calvin also gives some solid advice about bringing yourself humbly into unfamiliar gig environments so as to be in service to the songs and the intention of those who hired you while also offering what makes you unique.  The conversation touches on investing in upcoming players, staying true to your roots, encouragement for the Vineyard Movement, and Calvin’s personal fermentation process. You won’t want to miss it!

Daniel Grothe is associate senior pastor at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, CO as well as a  drummer, author, father and farmer. He received an undergraduate degree in theology from Oral Roberts University and a Masters in Theology through Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of Chasing Wisdom and The Power of Place. Daniel and his wife, Lisa, live on a small hobby farm outside of Colorado Springs with their three children: Lillian, Wilson, and Wakley.

In this episode of The Ferment, Daniel talks about trading a theology of blessing and prosperity for a theology of suffering and how an incredibly traumatic experience reoriented his church’s priorities and mission. He and Adam also discuss the value of micro-communities, intentionally investing in the community you live in, and using social media as a tool and not letting it replace the people around you. This is an incredibly rich episode packed full of encouragement and challenge for those looking to build a deeply fulfilling life.  

Show Notes:

Daniel’s website:
https://danielgrothe.com

The Power of Place: Choosing Stability in a Rootless Age by Daniel Grothe
https://amzn.to/3b3adXx

The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton
https://amzn.to/3Cc5pL9

On the Road by Jack Kerouac
https://amzn.to/3m7UzjI

Socials:
Instagram @thefermentpodcast
Twitter @fermentcast
TikTok @vineyardworship

Join us for part 2 of Adam’s conversation with Jay and Danielle Pathak, incoming National Directors for Vineyard USA! On this episode of The Ferment, Jay and Danielle share what Carol Wimber taught them about God giving specific callings on your life, as well as their experience of how God interacts with us differently and how the questions he asks of us change depending on the season of life we are in.  They also talk about the importance of learning to follow well if you want to lead well, and what they learned through the discernment process of whether or not to accept the position as National Directors. Finally, Jay shares a word about the upcoming Vineyard National Conference in Phoenix, AZ coming up this month. This episode is stuffed full of wisdom you won’t want to miss out on!

Show notes:
Register for the Vineyard National Conference!
https://conference.vineyardusa.org/register/

Socials
Instagram @thefermentpodcast
Twitter @fermentcast
TikTok @vineyardworship

Jay Pathak is the Lead Pastor of the Mile High Vineyard and Danielle Pathak is the Spiritual Formation and Staff Pastor. Jay and Danielle planted Mile High Vineyard, a family of neighborhood churches in 2001. They grew up in Columbus, OH and started attending the Columbus Vineyard as teenagers, where they began leading in ministry very young.

Jay has a BA in Philosophy from Ohio State University, is a graduate of Vineyard Leadership Institute, served on the Vineyard executive team for 5 years and is the national director elect for Vineyard USA. He is also the co-author of The Art of Neighboring. Danielle has a BA in Human Development and Family Studies from Ohio State University, also attended Vineyard Leadership Institute and holds a certificate in Spiritual Direction from Sustainable Faith and one in Spiritual Formation and Leadership from the Transforming Center in Chicago.

Jay and Danielle have been married since 1998 and they have two beautiful daughters, Jasmine and Sofia.

In the first of this two-part episode of The Ferment you’ll meet Jay and Danielle up close and personal! They each share their stories of coming to faith and learning how to trust the Lord’s leading regarding their future, both as a couple and as people in ministry. Danielle speaks about her process of sorting through deeply engrained hurts relating to women in ministry, and Jay tells some stories about being pastored well…and not so well. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to get to know our new national leadership, and make sure you come back for part two next week!

Show notes:
Mile High Vineyard
https://www.milehighvineyard.org

Socials
Instagram @thefermentpodcast
Twitter @fermentcast
TikTok @vineyardworship

Glen Yoder is a musician and songwriter, husband and father, and the worship pastor at Vineyard Campbellsville in Campbellsville, KY. Born in an Amish community that his family left during his childhood, Glen was raised in the hills of Kentucky and came of age on the streets of the world. His formative years were spent somewhere between his Amish roots, the folk music of his home in the hills and the indie-rock soundtrack of the streets of Lexington, KY. From Central America to South Africa, Glen traveled with his friends to far-flung corners, settling in the heart of Kentucky to write songs tinged with sadness and outlined with hope.

In this episode of The Ferment, Glen and Adam talk about Glen’s journey into music and skateboarding as a boy and how they served him as portals to a new world as his family was leaving the Amish community. They also continue the conversation of worship versus secular music and Glen shares about his process of songwriting with his writing partner and how you balance creating art with having a family and a full life. This conversation catches Glen right in the middle of the gestation of his new record, so stay tuned for more details on the future release from his band, Always Endless.

Show Notes:

Glen’s Instagram
@glenyoder

Socials:
Instagram @thefermentpodcast
Twitter @fermentcast
TikTok @vineyardworship

In the second episode of our Fall series on what Adam's learned after 20 years in ministry, he shares about the process of spiritual transformation and holding space for others who are in different stages than we are. Adam also speaks to the fact that it's Jesus who heals people, and what that means for our role in people's lives as pastors and leaders. 

Adam’s spiritual director took him through an exercise of reflecting on the last 20 years in ministry and sharing what he's learned with his younger self, and now he’s also sharing it with us. In this round he’ll reveal what he’s learned about theology, and also whether mystical experiences or therapy are more important for the Christian life.

Show notes: 

Send Adam an email! 
podcast@vineyardworship.com

Socials:
Instagram @thefermentpodcast
Twitter @fermentcast
TikTok @vineyardworship

Since his early teenage years, it’s been obvious to those around Kyle that he would be making a huge impact in the worship culture of his generation. He began leading worship in the youth ministry at Vineyard Church of Urbana at the young age of 14 and continues his leadership today as the lead Worship Pastor and Creative Director. In the last few years, he has been featured on multiple Vineyard Worship albums and is flourishing in his gift of songwriting. Kyle’s deepest passion is to see people encounter the loving embrace of the Father and to walk in the fullness of who they were made to be as sons and daughters.  

Kyle is very recently married to a beautiful young woman named Shelby. They are loving life together and share a joint passion for good ice cream. In his free time, Kyle is an avid golfer, a pretty solid basketball player and a professional at buying tennis shoes. (No joke, always look at his shoes.)

In this episode of The Ferment, Kyle and Adam talk about the growth that comes in new environments and the benefits of surrounding yourself with people who stretch you to a new level. Kyle also shares about developing a worship team into a healthy worship community and how having shared encounters with the Lord translates to the stage on Sunday morning. Plus, you’ll hear about Kyle’s formative musical influences and what the Lord is teaching him right now.

Show Notes:
Thrive Worship Leader Training – September 22 https://vineyardworship.com/school

Vineyard Soul: The Chicago Sessions
https://vineyardworship.com/chicago-sessions

Worship Team
https://try.worshipteam.com

Socials:
Instagram @thefermentpodcast
Twitter @fermentcast
TikTok @vineyardworship

Phil and Jan Strout are the National Directors for Vineyard USA.  For several years, Phil served in the Vineyard on the board of directors for Vineyard USA, as a Regional Leader, and as the Senior Pastor of Pathway Vineyard Church, a multisite church based in Lewiston, Maine. He has also done extensive work in church planting around the world, especially in Latin America, and along with his wife, Jan, is bilingual (English/Spanish).

Phil is the author of God’s Relentless Pursuit: Discovering His Heart for Humanity and Thrive: How to Successfully Navigate the S-Turns of Leadership. He brings a non-hyped, down-to-earth, passionately authentic spirit and vision to leading the Vineyard Movement in its divine assignment.

Jan is a passionate leader in the church today. As a gifted exhorter and teacher, she has earned the title, “The Queen of Encouragement.” She has served nationally on the Vineyard Women’s Task Force with the heart to empower women for leadership, ministry, and life. Jan is an effective communicator and has taught Spiritual Formation, Prayer, Evangelism, and Missions in Portland’s E3 Leadership Institute.

Phil and Jan have been married since they were teenagers and have two kids, 6 grandkids and 2 great-grandkids.

In this episode of The Ferment, Adam joins Phil and Jan at their farm in Maine to hear their story of coming to faith as teenagers, marrying young and heading out to the international mission field. They also talk about the value of soul care and share three prophetic illustrations that have grounded them in the pursuit of a contemplative life. Finally, Phil and Jan share about transitioning the role of National Director and the word the Lord gave Phil about “intersections” that has been guiding the Vineyard through this recent season of change. This is a rich episode full of wisdom and inspiration for leading a life faithful to the Lord.

Show notes:
Thrive Worship Leader Training – September 22
https://vineyardworship.com/school

Vineyard Soul: The Chicago Sessions
https://vineyardworship.com/chicago-sessions

The Quest for the Radical Middle: A History of the Vineyard by Bill Jackson
https://amzn.to/38l7NSz

Socials:
Instagram @thefermentpodcast
Twitter @fermentcast
TikTok @vineyardworship