Episode 102

#102. Uncomfortable Conversations "At the Cross"

Temeko Richardson, a seasoned Executive Producer, Director, and Writer, is known for her inspirational films that combine business acumen with artistic vision, earning her eight awards. Her latest film is "At the Cross."

About film: At the Cross

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

  • Embracing different types of people in the church
  • Keeping the focus on Biblical teaching and the kingdom
  • Call to ministry vs pleasing the culture

ABOUT THE GUEST: 

Temeko Richardson, a seasoned Executive Producer, Director, and Writer, is known for her inspirational films that combine business acumen with artistic vision, earning her eight awards. Her latest film, "At the Cross," explores thought-provoking topics often overlooked in traditional Church settings, and resonates with youth and contemporary culture. This film skillfully captures the essence of youth and contemporary culture while fearlessly exploring issues that many pastors and religious leaders avoid.

RELATED LINKS:

TIMESTAMPED SHOWNOTES:

01:39 - Introducing Temeko Richardson

03:23 - At the Cross - story based on uncomfortable conversations that church people have to have with the unchurched & seeking

03:43 - feeling resistance in telling these stories

03:56 - feature film that focuses the audience through the lens of a pastor in dilemmas with his congregation and community

04:22 - like youth who astray, people who don't know what church is about, feeling judged, marginalized

04:48 - focus on not being so relevant that God's kingdom is not kept in mind

04:58 - lessons on the times like women in leadership, succession planning, and calling

05:39 - Movie short - male mental health wellness - challenges of upholding "I'm OK" called "I am Him"

07:20 - Inspiration of characters of "At the Cross"

07:26 - The characters and stories are real

08:58 - Traditional vs Modern Day Church

09:16 - Pandemic heightened the sense of loss of popularity and will to attend church

09:38 - Church was very important to get through adversity

09:54 - Traditional church: Fellowship and gathering

10:24 - Modern day church : less about relating to people in their Christian walk and more about relating to people where they are in the secular world

10:58 - leaders tend to want to focus on popularity over purpose-filled walk

11:44 - a changing of the guard in leadership

11:53 - Focus of 60-80 year-olds

12:24 - Focus of 30-60 year-olds

13:02 - The focus still has to be on the kingdom

14:15 - Don't let culture take over

15:45 - Embracing different types of people in the church

15:54 - Bring the church outside to the community

16:46 - What do people in the church think

16:59 - More and more groups feel marginalized by the traditional church

17:38 - Do we really mean, "come as you are?"

17:50 - Leaders have to recognize that everyone, including themselves, are or have been broken

18:20 - We need to show God's love and forgiveness for all sins

18:45 - Be less judgmental

18:51 - Today's youth are different and influenced by the culture

19:41 - What should the church do? Don't judge people who are not part of the traditional model.

19:56 - The role of entertainment in the church

20:26 - Social media has killed people's focus

20:53 - People want to be entertained

21:03 - Praise and worship team

21:11 - Liturgy dance team

21:19 - People have different responses

22:29 - Is it worship or a gig?

23:32 - Leaders should understand that the entertainment has the focus of the kingdom and not the world

24:22 - Call to ministry vs pleasing the culture

24:41 - Not everything is right for every church

26:15 - Setting boundaries against watering down God for the sake of popularity

26:29 - Challenges in producing and writing the script for the film

26:34 - Scheduling

27:12 - Shooting during the end of the pandemic

27:55 - Seeing God working through the film

28:06 - Unnecessary use of the Bible in national politics

29:00 - Relevance for the youth of today

29:26 - Alternate lifestyle communities seeing the walk that God wants for them

30:11 - Athletes saw their walk with God and walking closer and forgiveness

30:52 - Hope for the impact of the film, "At the Cross"

32:41 - Answer questions for the unchurched

32:54 - Reach those who need to be re-churched

33:05 - Making sure that people have that walk with God

33:19 - Understanding that God is not here to grant your wants

33:30 - God protects us from things seen and unseen

34:03 - Keeping all generations in church

34:33 - Churches should be a stronghold in the community and help

34:42 - Succession planning

36:36 - Diversity in the church

37:11 - Churches need to be intergenerational and reach everybody

37:52 - Get out of what is seen as marketing and greed and focus is on Biblical teaching and the kingdom

38:23 - Humility and make a difference to reach the unchurched and re-churched

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