This season explores critical questions, including:
- How do the liturgical, theological and relational contexts of the small church experience ground and contribute to social justice action?
- To what extent is social justice work in small churches a corporate undertaking or a process of equipping individuals to engage in action?
- How does hyper-local justice work amplify and impact the lives of individuals within the congregation and community?
This season of the podcast highlights how leaders of small congregations take seriously the call to respect the dignity of every human being while grappling with the challenges of limited financial and human resources and how the impact from social justice work at the hyper-local level is both distinct and a vital part of our collective struggle for liberation. It also addresses how institutional structures support—or fail to support—these efforts.
EDS is proud to support Small Churches, Big Impact as part of our mission to promote justice-centered theological education for today’s church and world.
Episode 1 – Shining a Light on Social Justice in Small Churches
The members of the Small Churches Big Impact Collective are joined by the Rev. Lydia Kelsey Bucklin, President and Dean of EDS in conversation about this upcoming season. Each episode centers around communities of faith and their understanding of social justice. Listeners will hear about the variety of ways justice can be lived out and witnessed to, even in smaller congregations.
Episode 2 – Racial Justice as Relationship: Advocating for Arab Communities
Explore how Arab and Palestinian voices in The Episcopal Church are leading transformative justice work through deep relationship-building and collaborative advocacy.
Episode 3 – The Church as a Catalyst for Changing Communities
Hear how small churches in Michigan and Texas are empowering their communities through asset-based ministry models that go beyond charity to create lasting, systemic change.
Episode 4 – Building Collaborative, Justice-Focused Ministries at the Community Level
Learn how two "micro-congregations" are using grassroots organizing and bold collaboration to foster justice, inclusion, and community leadership.
Episode 5 – Justice with Creation and with One Another
Experience a fresh vision of church through outdoor worship and a community rooted in creation care, radical welcome, and intentional justice from within.
Episode 6 – Becoming Small Churches that Say “Yes” to Meeting Community Needs
Be inspired by churches in San Francisco and Texas that are redefining ministry by boldly saying “yes” to community needs and transforming lives through faith in action.
The full season is out now. Make sure you are subscribed to the EDS podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.