Spiritual Disruption

Partner Pacific School of Religion
Learning Pillar Theological Imagination
Rigor Level Medium
Welcome to Spiritual Disruption: 27 Paradigm Shifting Parables for Pirates, Heretics, and Problem Solvers. Ministry is changing, and that’s not something to fear, but to explore with courage and curiosity. Please join Spencer Burke, a prominent Faith Leader for more than four decades as he talks us through topics of yesterday with fresh perspectives for today’s people of faith. For those who yearn for relatability, his insights bring a refreshing and dynamic bend to stale and outdated assumptions in the faith world. His invitation to you is to take his perspective in as springboard for deeper thought; an encouragement for you to see ministry as live, evolving and eager for innovation more closely related to our contemporary world. This course is also meant to provoke thought adjustments of your own and to spark conversations with those around you.

Learning Objectives

Faith Leaders will gain from this course:
  1. Innovative Mindset: Learn to embrace change, challenge traditional models, and foster creativity in your ministry.
  2. Community Building: Gain tools to reimagine spiritual connection and cultivate inclusive, adaptable faith communities.
  3. Leadership Growth: Strengthen your ability to navigate complex challenges with empathy, curiosity, and courage.
  4. Practical Tools: Walk away with actionable insights to inspire your team, deepen engagement, and make lasting impact.

Course Components

Introduction

  • Exploring the Future of Ministry: A Journey with Spencer Burke

    3.5 Minutes
    Lesson Locked

The Dynamic Call of Ministry

  • We Need More Pirates, Not Preachers, in Today’s Church

    2.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • Embracing the Dynamic Call of Ministry

    2.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • The Call to Step Out: Ministry as a Journey of New Beginnings

    2.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

Love the Problem, Not the Solution

  • Ever Wonder Why Elevators Have Mirrors?

    3 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • Assumption vs Observation

    3 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • The Power of Pausing and Practicing Empathy

    3 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

Embracing Risk

  • Embracing Risk in Ministry: A Path Toward Innovation

    2.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • Minimize the Risk: the Power of Prototypes

    2.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • The Two Sides of Risk

    2.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

Evolving Absolutes

  • Sweden's Unforgettable Traffic Switch

    2.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • From Heretic to Catalyst: Why We Need Bold Voices in Faith Today

    2.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • If I'm Not a Little Embarrassed About Yesterday, I Haven't Learned Anything Today

    2.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

Redefining Loyalty

  • The New Loyalty: What American Airlines Teaches Us About Community

    3 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • Is Sunday Morning Church Still Relevant in Modern Society?

    1.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • Rethinking Faith Leadership: From Church Service to Being of Service

    3.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

Collaboration Beyond Compromise

  • Collaboration: Creating a “We” Space Beyond Compromise

    2.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • Embracing True Collaboration: Giving, Not Taking, in Every Interaction

    2.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • The Art of Collaboration: Creating Inclusive Spaces Through Shared Vision

    3.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

Humane Spirituality

  • The Definition of Humane Spirituality

    2.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • Beyond Retaliation: Rediscovering the Meaning of "An Eye for an Eye"

    2 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • Choosing Love: The Radical Compassion of Jesus on the Cross

    3 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

DJ Metaphor for Leadership

  • What a DJ Taught Me About Leadership and Teaching

    2 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • Leadership Lessons from a DJ: Read the Room and Listen to your People

    3 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • Leadership as a DJ: Curating a Spiritual Playlist for Growth

    2.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

Solving the Riddle of Sustainability

  • Solving the Riddle of Sustainability: Shifting Mental Models

    3.5 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • Don’t Overlook The Resources In Your Own Backyard

    3 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

  • Embracing the Finite: Why We Need to Reimagine "Built to Last"

    3 Minutes
    Assignment
    Lesson Locked

Outro

  • Revisiting Your Journey: Embracing the Ongoing Growth of Ministry

    2 Minutes
    Lesson Locked

Spiritual Disruption

Taught by Spencer Burke

Spiritual Disruption invites you to explore 27 paradigm-shifting parables with longtime faith leader Spencer Burke, offering fresh perspectives on ministry for today’s world. Designed for curious, courageous leaders, this course challenges outdated assumptions and sparks meaningful conversations and thought shifts. It's a bold invitation to see ministry as dynamic, evolving, and deeply relevant.

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Spencer Burke

Meet Your Instructor,
Spencer Burke

Spencer Burke is the Lead Guide of ETREK, a wisdom journey that integrates the Enneagram with spiritual growth and meaningful service. He is the Creator and Executive Producer of Soularize, a learning party for spiritual innovators and changemakers, and the Director of Lean Faith, where he helps faith communities apply Design Thinking and rapid iteration to spiritual leadership and community transformation.

A pioneer in digital faith movements, Spencer founded TheOOZE.com, one of the first online platforms for progressive Christianity. He also launched Hatchery LA, an incubator for spiritual entrepreneurs, and served as Minister of Innovation and New Church Development with the Disciples of Christ in the Pacific Southwest Region.

Spencer is the author of A Heretic’s Guide to Eternity and Making Sense of Church, and has been a trusted coach, speaker, and strategist for over two decades. An ordained minister and longtime Enneagram practitioner, he is known for elevating emerging voices, convening courageous conversations, and guiding communities toward a future of humane spirituality rooted in love, curiosity, and action.

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