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."
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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