Bishop Dion Johnson discusses how churches must change to survive by focusing on hospitality, listening to their communities, and adapting worship and spaces to meet real needs—especially of younger generations and families. He shares practical examples of asking honest questions, welcoming feedback, and reimagining church life to be more accessible and relational. Johnson emphasizes empowering lay leadership, doing fewer ministries well, and shifting toward a "lay-led, clergy-supported" model. He also reflects on his personal spiritual practices—daily prayer, walking, and listening—and concludes with a central message: remember that each person's first and lasting identity is being God's beloved, and live accordingly.

In Season 3, Episode 2 of Seekin' Deacon, Rev. Cuyler O'Connor continues his conversation with Bishop Deon Johnson of the Diocese of Missouri. Bishop Johnson reflects on the power of mystery in faith, the formative influence of his grandmother, and the importance of embracing God's messiness rather than sanitizing it. Addressing today's social and spiritual challenges, he speaks about planting seeds for long-term justice, sustaining hope amid division, and reimagining the church's future by returning to Jesus' practice of listening, asking questions, and meeting people where they are.

In the season three premiere of Seekin' Deacon, vocational deacon Rev. Cuyler O'Connor is joined by Bishop Deon Johnson of the Diocese of Missouri for a wide-ranging conversation about faith, vocation, and spiritual depth in times of crisis. Bishop Johnson shares his journey from Barbados to New York, seminary formation during 9/11, parish ministry in Michigan, and his consecration as bishop on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on ministry shaped by crisis, he speaks to the church's call to compassion and presence. The conversation concludes with a thoughtful exploration of the deep spiritual hunger of younger generations and the church's opportunity to reclaim mystery, contemplative practices, and experiential faith as pathways to authentic connection.

We spend more time exploring the song sung by Tori Ellington and collaborated with Pastor Curtis Mulder at the Ekklesia Church at Raleigh. Digging deeper into the song's lyrics, influences from both spiritual and human forces. The rough edges of taking a hard look at our world but knowing that the church is a family that can grow in many ways, not just by attendance.

I want to thank Curtis and Tori for their time and for sharing the song journey. Please take a listen' at Ekklesia Raleigh-Another Leaf where all your tasty tunes can be found.

Keep seekin' my friends. Cuyler

I recently had the opportunity to listen to "Another Leaf" by Curtis Mulder and Tori Ellington, live at the "Loaves and Fishes" building at the New Hope Collaborative. The inspirations were drawn from the space we sat in and how it is shared with other non-profits—the idea of an expanding table and pulling out "another leaf" to make more room.

Also, a piece of artwork that sits in the main campus building by Scott Erickson is a modern icon. This is an image of God's hand and palm, lifted, with birds perched on it. This speaks to the Holy expansion of God's welcome to all. It is noted that we currently lack songs that express and expand God's presence to the ever-growing, broader community. Please take a listen to the song at the end of the podcast and it's ever freeing power to free people up to express themselves with art.

I am confident you will get chill bumps. Gratitude to Tori and Curtis for taking time out of your busy schedules to share this gift. Peace friends!

Rev. Deacon Pam and I discuss different perspectives on respect and love, and how the traditions, virtues, and values hold true even when different generations question them. She shows that God and Jesus gave us the best, even when we wanted to resist and take negative steps towards it. Deacon Pam shares the realization that all need to face consequences and "own" those in order to grow spiritually.

Deacon Pam also shares her gifts in both writing and giving sermons, and now she can look at scripture and bring a dynamic shift and approach to both the reading and how we can look at them in today's modern world.

Deacon Pam sends us out into the world to celebrate in the gifts of Christ!

I want to thank my sister in Christ for this time, it was a true gift.

Thank YOU Rev. Deacon Pay Haynes for all you share with this world!

What does Rev. Deacon Pam Haynes spiritual practices look like? It has evolved, and she has a rule of life. She started with the Daily Office from the Book of Common Prayer and now continues to have daily conversations with God. Her prayer life has expanded into a list around people as well as projects tied to the chuch. Her favorite time is late at night, looking at the moon.

Walking in the door to St. Andrew's gives Rev. Pam joy and takes her mind off knee pain and other challenges. She reflects on her first visit to the church, where she listened to a fantastic solo. She responded at the end with a loud Amen, and the priest reassured her, "You be you." She has lived by that motto in her continued discernment to serve.

Rev. Pam continues her core minstry around taking people experiencing homelessness to housing. The church started a Daughters of the King chapter, of which she was a part. The church supports twelve non-profit organizations, serving as a central hub for them. Rev. Pam reminds us that, like all deacons, she is the bridge from the church to the world.

A gift to start this Deacon series with the Rev. Pam Haynes serving at St. Andrews in Greensboro, NC. Pam grew up in Washington, D.C., and had a community of family and friends who looked after one another. As an only child and quiet, her parents instilled in her the value of education, and she was not always the outspoken individual she is today, but a more introverted soul.

She shares a rich story about how death in an individual was a place where a mother who had passed cared for the child in the form of nature. Touching one person is the work of God.

Growing up in a church of fire and brimstone in the Baptist faith, as well as in the love of Jesus in the United Methodist faith, she was able to pivot in and out of both and sing in both choirs of each denomination. Rev. Pam grew up in the height of the civil rights and activism era in the epicenter of D.C., and the impactful dynamic of education. The majority of the time, teachers lived in her neighborhood. Jewish vendors also allowed the black community to buy goods during this troubling time.

Pam leaves us with the powerful message to continue moving forward with the power of loving Jesus with all our heart and soul. If we can accomplish this, hate can be eradicated. We must sit in the uncomfortable.