“Every pastor must preach, but every preacher is not a pastor.”

In this episode, I sit down with Rashad Cunningham, Community & Formation Pastor at Church@Main in Brownsburg, Indiana, to explore his journey from hip-hop producer to pastor. Rashad opens up about growing up in Indianapolis, navigating identity as one of the only Black students in Brownsburg, and how those early experiences shaped his faith and calling to build bridges in his community. He reflects on his time in the Navy, his years making music, and the pivotal church event that changed his life and set him on a path toward ministry.

We also talk about the difference between preaching and pastoring, what it means to truly shepherd people, and how his creative roots continue to influence his work today. Rashad shares the inspiration behind his book Spaces, his perspective on redemption, and how faith, family, and storytelling remain at the center of everything he does.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(01:41) Rashad’s early life and influences

(03:43) Navigating identity and challenges

(08:52) Journey to the Navy and beyond

(11:29) Discovering a passion for music

(15:41) Transition to pastoring

(23:24) Reflecting on Brownsburg’s transformation

(26:45) Balancing ministry and personal life

(27:36) Dealing with past mistakes

(35:04) Writing and publishing a book

(40:10) Becoming a grandparent

Connect with my guest:

Rashad Cunningham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rashadcunningham/

Explore Church@Main: https://www.churchatmain.org/

Check out S.P.A.C.E.S.: Permission-Based Discipleship Journey: https://a.co/d/8NzrsxJ

Connect with me:

Ami Graves on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amigraves/
The People of Work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleofwork/

Explore The People of Work: https://www.thepeopleofwork.com/