The Future Is Here
41 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 days ago -Imagine a future vibrant movement of passionate urban youth who are living out the Gospel in cities around the world representing the Church, because of leaders and role models like you. This new future will require a new leadership paradigm and the time for that is now. We welcome you to The Future Is Here Podcast where UYWI's CEO Tommy Nixon, along with COO Robert Aboites, discuss leadership principles you need to lead this next generation.
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Episodes
The Trustworthy Leader - How to foster trust as a ministry leader
April 17, 2024 14:00 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MBIn a recent Gallup poll, clergy's trustworthiness hit a concerning low, prompting much needed discussions about the trust we have - or don’t have, in leadership. Join us on "The Future Is Here" as we dive into the vital topic of trust. With trust levels declining, it's crucial for leaders to grasp how to build trust effectively. By prioritizing care, reliability, sincerity, accountability, transparency, and competency, leaders can nurture trust within their teams and communities. In the cha...
Navigating Leadership Vision: What is your leadership lens?
April 03, 2024 14:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBIn today's episode, we're diving into the world of leadership vision and how leaders shape the future of their organizations. We'll introduce three distinct leadership types: the "Then and Now" leader, the "Now and Next" leader, and the "Near and New" leader. Each type offers a unique take on scalability, innovation, and organizational growth. The "Then and Now" leader sticks to tradition, preferring comfort over change. Decisions are centralized, empowerment is limited, and innovation is r...
Unlocking Strategic Leadership: The Power of Strategic Thinking and Planning
March 20, 2024 14:00 - 41 minutes - 28.5 MBAre You Just Keeping Busy or Making Real Change Happen? Ever wonder what makes some leaders truly strategic? It's all about knowing the difference between just doing stuff and actually making a plan. A lot of leaders are used to being busy bees, but they might not be thinking strategically. Sure, it looks good to be super active, but is anything actually changing? Are you moving closer to your big goals, or just spinning your wheels to keep folks occupied? In this episode, we're diving dee...
The Empowered Leader: Navigating Delegation and Ownership
March 06, 2024 15:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MBIn our journey working with leaders, especially in churches and ministries, we’ve noticed "empowerment" is a hot topic. You've probably seen it thrown around a lot – but how often does it really happen? In today's episode, we're diving deep into what empowerment truly means. We'll chat about the difference between empowerment and just passing off tasks. Turns out, confusing the two can really affect how we see others in our organization. We'll also check out how our views on delegation mig...
Exploring Leadership: Definitions, Responsibilities, and Development
February 21, 2024 15:00 - 30 minutes - 20.7 MBWhat does it really mean to be a leader? Is it something anyone can do, or is it reserved for a special few? And what does the Bible have to say about all this? In this episode, we're diving deep into the world of leadership with Tommy and Robert. We'll be taking a look at 1 Peter 5:2-3 to get some insight into the essence of leadership, particularly the role of shepherding God's flock. We're also shining a light on a topic that often gets overlooked: leadership development. Balancing our ...
Success without Burnout: Of Trees & Temples, Wisdom from Mark 11
February 07, 2024 15:00 - 34 minutes - 23.6 MBFeel like you are doing a whole lot of work, but instead of being impactful, you just feel BUSY??? Sometimes being a leader - especially in ministry, feels like we have multiple jobs… And for some of us, it actually IS something we do voluntarily in addition to our 9 to 5. If that’s you (or if it’s not but you don’t want it to be), check out our latest episode with Robert and Tommy as they unpack Mark 11 and the fig tree story. They've got warnings for leaders about getting too busy and mi...
Our New Reality: Demographic Shifts and What’s Imperative for Innovative Leadership
January 24, 2024 15:00 - 34 minutes - 23.9 MBEver wondered how to navigate the complexities of leading the next generation in a world that's rapidly transforming? Join Tommy Nixon and Robert Aboites in this game-changing episode as they kick off an exciting series of leadership conversations. As young leaders coming up in spaces that have never been navigated before, how can we adapt to the evolving landscape of a young, urban, and multi-ethnic reality? This episode is your compass to understanding the pivotal changes required for eff...
EP. 27: How To Give Power Away - Radical Middle Edition
October 19, 2022 14:00 - 23 minutes - 16.4 MBWe are at a time and point in history where there are white power structures and because of this we have a demographic shift. Don’t look at it as a loss, but rather as the most Christian thing to do because that’s what Jesus did. We can actually lay down our power for the benefit of others. It’s a dub. We need to create a new leadership for a new world. Even if power shifts and nothing changes with the distribution of power, we become our oppressors. How do we break the cycle? Let’s tal...
EP. 26: Is Social Justice a Sin? - Radical Middle Edition
October 06, 2022 00:00 - 24 minutes - 17.1 MBIs Social Justice a Sin? We have seen our Urban Brothers and Sisters go through social justice issues like abortion, immigration, racism, but we fail to wrestle with this tension because we care more about being on the “right side.” So what happens when we embody the values of others as opposed to that of Scripture? We miss the mark. We can’t be a witness when we play the victim. We need to show what the Kingdom of God is really like. Why are we called, as Believers, to engage in social s...
EP. 25: Is The Church Full Of Hypocrites? - Radical Middle Edition
September 22, 2022 00:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBIs The Church Full Of Hypocrites? The answer may shock you. It’s important that we recognize our hypocrisy and come with a posture of “I do not always live out what I believe.”The most Christian thing you can say is “I was wrong.” Why is it so hard to accept this? When we allow idolatry to play a part in our lives, of course it’s going to be hard to acknowledge our own hypocrisy. We need to embody the values that have been laid out for us through Christ so that we can continue in the work...
EP. 24: A Shared Suffering - Radical Middle Edition
September 17, 2022 00:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBWe have experienced a tremendous amount of suffering these past couple of years, but with this comes polarization. As followers of Christ, how can we learn to share the suffering of others? And how can we learn how to do this well? What if suffering is imposed? Can we change the “they” narrative of suffering to a “we” narrative? Join Tommy Nixon & Fredy Romero on A Shared Suffering | The Future is Here Podcast: Radical Middle Edition Are you listening?!!! Support the show Support ...
EP. 24 A Shared Suffering
September 07, 2022 00:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBWe have experienced a tremendous amount of suffering these past couple of years, but with this comes polarization. As followers of Christ, how can we learn to share the suffering of others? And how can we learn how to do this well? What if suffering is imposed? Can we change the “they” narrative of suffering to a “we” narrative? Join Tommy Nixon & Fredy Romero on Episode 24: A Shared Suffering | The Future is Here Podcast: Radical Middle Edition Are you listening?!!! Support the show
EP. 23: Power Dynamics - Radical Middle Edition
August 12, 2022 00:00 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MBTime and time again, we have seen “whoever controls the Book, holds the Power.” This leads to a toxic Church AND Christian Leadership. We are going through the tension of how we read scripture and how we use it as a weapon to control people. How do we control the narrative when Pastors and Church Leaders are controlling the narrative to fit the Gospel to their beliefs? There are many mini Kingdoms that these leaders are creating about themselves because they hold power. Who does the powe...
EP. 22: Identity - Radical Middle Edition
July 06, 2022 16:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MB“Who am I?” You might’ve asked yourself this question once, twice, maybe more. We have lost the piece that makes us who we are. As leaders, we have a crisis. We are called to serve the marginalized, but the color of our skin disqualifies us. What happens when your Christian Community is not fighting for the injustices within our country? Do you lean into the color of your skin and fight? What comes into mind when you hear that you are a Child of God? Is there a hierarchy of how we are...
EP.21: The Army of God? - Radical Middle Edition
June 14, 2022 18:00 - 19 minutes - 13.1 MBHow much of American Nationalism has seeped into the Church? We as Christians are in a spiritual battle against the evil forces of this world. When you add American nationalism to this battle, it creates enemies out of other people, and reality is, those people are created in the Image of God. In this current reality we see key groups of people who profess Christ but don’t care about the suffering of others. How are we being that light in this dark world? The next generation is rejecting b...
EP.20: The Gray of Relationships - Radical Middle Edition
May 17, 2022 17:00 - 23 minutes - 16 MBWhat would it cost for the church to abandon its position on the left and the right? What if you didn't have to choose sides? What if the gray is actually where Jesus led from? Jesus was a paradox and wasn’t afraid to embrace the tension. In The Future Is Here Podcast | Radical Middle Edition Tommy Nixon and Co-Host Fredy Romero break down the fundamental principles of the Radical Middle. They’ll discuss how to live the Christian life outside of the toxic box of black and white... and mov...
EP.19: The Third Way: Navigating The Pitfalls of The Right and The Left w/ Justin Giboney
June 16, 2021 03:00 - 44 minutes - 31.2 MBIn the Season 2 Finale of The Future Is Here #Podcast titled The Third Way: Navigating The Pitfalls of The Right and The Left, our esteemed host and CEO Tommy Nixon talks to Atlanta-based lawyer, political strategist, Co-Founder, President of the AND Campaign, Justin Giboney about what it looks like to live as a Christ-follower in the tension of our current context and culture. If you have ever struggled with what it means to be conservative or liberal as a Christian this conversation is for...
EP. 18 : The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict w/ Alexis Qumsieh Bonilla & Eli Bonilla
May 26, 2021 09:00 - 51 minutes - 35.9 MBThe Israel-Palestine conflict has persisted through history for what seems like forever now, and with its ceaseless nature and the amount of information out there because of how long it has lasted, this issue is becoming an increasingly sensitive subject to approach, but for good reason. It must be approached with nuance and consideration of lenses, and that’s what we’re here to do today for you on the latest episode of The Future Is Here Podcast titled “The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” ft...
EP. 17: Black Evangelicalism w/ Sho Baraka
May 12, 2021 09:00 - 41 minutes - 29.5 MBLast year after the presidential election, we got to talk to Sho Baraka of the And Campaign about the importance of Christians being nvolved in the political arena. We loved our discussion so much, we invited him back for The Future Is Here #podcast to talk to him about what he sees as the future of #evangelicalism and why the Black Church is central to it. Listen on as our host Tommy Nixon also talks to Sho about his new book, "He Saw That it Was Good" and how we can frame this next iterat...
EP. 16: Why I Left The Church w/ Alma Lizzette Cardenas-Rodriguez
April 28, 2021 09:00 - 51 minutes - 36.4 MBIn this episode of The Future Is Here Podcast, we are bringing into focus our #pursuethemillion campaign. So we invited a talented and inspirational individual who decided to leave the Church, not once but twice. Her name is Alma Lizzette Cardenas-Rodriguez and her ever-evolving story must be heard. Alma is a Mexican-American-born author and poet, raised in the San Fernando Valley. Alma holds a Master of Arts in Transformational Urban Leadership from Azusa Pacific University, an Urban Y...
EP. 15 | Harnessing the Power of Millennials w/ Grant Skeldon
April 14, 2021 07:00 - 51 minutes - 36.4 MBMore than any other generation, Millennials are some of the most misunderstood and misconstrued individuals within the context of human history, yes even as a new generation — Gen Z’s — continue to rise to the forefront as society’s new leaders. Gen Z’s represent a beacon of hope as we slowly emerge from a history-altering pandemic. But millennials are being prematurely put on the backburner as the new “lost generation,” swept aside as lazy and at worst, nihilistic. But they have as much to ...
EP. 15: Harnessing the Power of Millennials w/ Grant Skeldon
April 14, 2021 07:00 - 51 minutes - 36.4 MBMore than any other generation, Millennials are some of the most misunderstood and misconstrued individuals within the context of human history, yes even as a new generation — Gen Z’s — continue to rise to the forefront as society’s new leaders. Gen Z’s represent a beacon of hope as we slowly emerge from a history-altering pandemic. But millennials are being prematurely put on the backburner as the new “lost generation,” swept aside as lazy and at worst, nihilistic. But they have as much to ...
EP. 15: Harnessing the Power of Millennials w/ Grant Skeldon
April 14, 2021 07:00 - 51 minutes - 36.4 MBMore than any other generation, Millennials are some of the most misunderstood and misconstrued individuals within the context of human history, yes even as a new generation — Gen Z’s — continue to rise to the forefront as society’s new leaders. Gen Z’s represent a beacon of hope as we slowly emerge from a history-altering pandemic. But millennials are being prematurely put on the backburner as the new “lost generation,” swept aside as lazy and at worst, nihilistic. But they have as much to ...
EP.14: Reaching the Next Generation of Latino/a Youth w/ Eli Bonilla, Sammy Rodriguez, Manny Dominguez
March 31, 2021 09:00 - 51 minutes - 36.1 MBEpisode 14 marks the first time we’ve had 3 Guests on our podcast, at once, and we’re so excited for you to hear this conversation. In this episode, our wise and forward-thinking host Tommy Nixon talks to three amazing and diverse Latino leaders, Eli Bonilla, Sammy Rodriguez, Manny Dominguez, about what the future of the Latino/a Church could look like, and how important the #BrownChurch is in the Kingdom of God. As is customary, The Future Is Here is available on ALL your favorite streaming...
EP. 13: The Youth Pastor is the Most Important Person in Your Church w/ Vince Parker
March 17, 2021 12:00 - 42 minutes - 30.1 MBAs youth leaders, you probably already know from personal experience that the youth pastor is one of the most, if not, the most underappreciated individuals within the church. Not only does UYWI believe this to be the case, but so does the person who runs the largest youth group in America, Vince Parker, the Central Ministry Leader for Switch at Life.Church. In our latest episode of The Future Is Here Church, Parker joins our host Tommy Nixon to give us insight into reaching this next genera...
EP.12: Women Are the Future w/ Nicole Smithee
March 03, 2021 13:00 - 47 minutes - 33 MBThe second season of The Future Is Here #Podcast has finally arrived! In episode 12 titled "Women Are the Future," we talk with Nicole Smithee, CEO and Co-Founder of Iridescent Women, a digital media company and membership program committed to awakening and championing the brilliance of every woman through honest conversations and authentic connections. Nicole sits down with our host Tommy Nixon to explore the continued barriers for women in ministry and how to overcome them. Support the sho...
EP.12: Women Are the Future w/ Nicole Smithee
March 03, 2021 13:00 - 47 minutes - 33 MBThe second season of The Future Is Here #Podcast has finally arrived! In episode 12 titled "Women Are the Future," we talk with Nicole Smithee, CEO and Co-Founder of Iridescent Women, a digital media company and membership program committed to awakening and championing the brilliance of every woman through honest conversations and authentic connections. Nicole sits down with our host Tommy Nixon to explore the continued barriers for women in ministry and how to overcome them. Support the sh...
EP. 11: Christ-Centered Politics w/ Eugene Cho
December 23, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 42.9 MBWe invited our good friend and expert of many things, Eugene Cho, to talk about the importance of being involved within the sphere of #politicaldiscussion now more than ever, even after the election season has passed us by. Needless to say, he talks about how we must engage with grace—without being a jerk—hence the title of his new book titled “Thou Shalt Not Be A Jerk.” It was so good we are closing the season of The Future Is Here Podcast with this incredible conversation. We hope you ...
EP.10 : A Framework for Community Transformation w/ Alexia Salvatierra
September 02, 2020 00:00 - 41 minutes - 29.1 MBMicah 6:8 "The Lord has shown you what is good. He has told you what he requires of you. You must act with justice. You must love to show mercy. And you must be humble as you live in the sight of your God." Have you ever wondered how to create change in your city through grassroots community organizing? Have you ever wondered if there is a biblical framework for how to impact public policy in a just & merciful way? So much of what we deal with as youth workers are directly connected to ho...
EP. 9: An Incarcerated Faith w/ Dominique Gilliard
August 19, 2020 09:00 - 1 hour - 43.1 MBOur Kingdom citizenship doesn’t allow us to be content with injustice, and neither does the future of the Church. In this episode of The Future Is Here podcast, our host and CEO Tommy Nixon sits down with pastor, author, speaker, activist, racial justice educator, Dominique Gilliard to discuss why we must remember incarcerated people the way scripture does. This is an episode you DO NOT want to miss. Dominique is the Director of Racial Righteousness and Reconciliation for the Love Mercy Do ...
EP. 8: Reclaiming Mission w/ Erica Schimelpfenig
August 05, 2020 09:00 - 41 minutes - 29 MBIn a world where "Evangelical" has become a dirty word, we as believers in the future of The Church must ask ourselves, "How do we reclaim evangelism?" UYWI believes we must lead this next generation to be on fire for Jesus, and excited about sharing the beautiful and powerful truth of Christ. But what does that look like and how do we separate it from the increasingly notorious connotation of the mere word, "evangelical." In this episode of The Future Is Here podcast, our host and CEO Tommy...
EP. 8: Reclaiming Mission w/ Erica Schimelpfenig
August 05, 2020 09:00 - 41 minutes - 29 MBIn a world where "Evangelical" has become a dirty word, we as believers in the future of The Church must ask ourselves, "How do we reclaim evangelism?" UYWI believes we must lead this next generation to be on fire for Jesus, and excited about sharing the beautiful and powerful truth of Christ. But what does that look like and how do we separate it from the increasingly notorious connotation of the mere word, "evangelical." In this episode of The Future Is Here podcast, our host and CEO Tommy...
EP. 7: Art & The Gospel w/ Thomas Terry of Humble Beast
July 22, 2020 09:00 - 41 minutes - 29.5 MBUYWI believes some of the best art comes from suffering and pain—that it is most affecting when created from the margins of the urban contexts that we are involved with. It is no coincidence then that Christian tradition was birthed out of suffering, that spirituals and many worship songs come from slavery. Even modern music, such as rock & roll and hip hop—for the most part—comes from a place of expressive pain. In this episode of The Future Is Here podcast, our host and CEO Tommy Nixon spe...
EP. 6: The Evangelical Industry w/ George Moss & Shuree Rivera
July 08, 2020 09:00 - 48 minutes - 34 MBThe evangelical industry is a $1.2 trillion dollar industry that includes megachurches, book deals, television deals, movies, music, and curriculum—all put together. With an institution this large and flowing with dollar signs, we've got to be critical of the things we've built. We must open up this conversation to uncover what needs to be corrected for the future of the church to thrive. In this episode of The Future Is Here podcast, we’ve invited our Creative Director Shuree Rivera and Jam...
EP. 5: The Peacemaking Church w/ Jon Huckins
June 24, 2020 09:00 - 32 minutes - 23.1 MBPeacemaking is not just a good idea, it’s the mission of God and the vocation of God’s people. So what would the world look like if the Church took seriously, our call to be peacemakers? In pursuit of the answer, our guest Jon Huckins from The Global Immersion Project talks to our host Tommy Nixon about how he immerses himself into conflicts around the globe. In this episode of The Future Is Here podcast, learn how peacemaking is central to our faith, for it is an actual way of life and the ...
EP.4: The Reconciled Church w/ Efrem Smith
June 10, 2020 03:00 - 46 minutes - 32.7 MBIn this episode, our guest Dr. Efrem Smith breaks down how the Evangelical Church has orphaned reconciliation away from repentance and restorative justice. Everything changes when we understand that there's no reconciliation, unity, nor right relationship with God and others without repentance and restorative justice. It's a great cost to be a reconciler, to truly repent and say yes to the work of restorative justice. Though it is part of the gospel, people may call you a Marxist, a Socialis...
Ep.4: The Reconciled Church w/ Efrem Smith
June 10, 2020 03:00 - 46 minutes - 32.7 MBIn this episode, our guest Dr. Efrem Smith breaks down how the Evangelical Church has orphaned reconciliation away from repentance and restorative justice. Everything changes when we understand that there's no reconciliation, unity, nor right relationship with God and others without repentance and restorative justice. It's a great cost to be a reconciler, to truly repent and say yes to the work of restorative justice. Though it is part of the gospel, people may call you a Marxist, a Socialis...
EP. 3: The Trauma-Informed Church w/ Dr. David Wang
June 03, 2020 03:00 - 40 minutes - 28.7 MBThe Church of the future must be trauma-informed. The World Health Organization has found that approximately 70% of individuals worldwide have been exposed to some type of traumatic event in their lifetime. This figure is even more pronounced in urban populations. In fact, one study found that nearly 90% of individuals who reside in low-income urban areas have experienced many types and combinations of trauma. With this evidence, church leaders must operate from a place of healing. You can't...
EP. 2: The Future Of The Church is Brown w/ Robert Chao Romero
May 20, 2020 03:00 - 38 minutes - 27.1 MBIn this episode, Tommy Nixon speaks with UCLA Professor, Pastor, and author of “The Brown Church,” Robert Chao Romero to unravel the multi-ethnic reality of the Kingdom of God and discuss why it is so important to have the WHOLE body of Christ contribute to the Church and Kingdom. This means embracing the beautiful inevitability of the future of the church being brown. Support the show Support the show & Follow Us ✅ Instagram ✅ Twitter ✅ TikTok
EP. 1: The End of The Megachurch As We Know It…I Hope w/ Steve Carter
May 20, 2020 03:00 - 45 minutes - 31.6 MBOur host Tommy Nixon speaks to Steve Carter, pastor, author, and co-host of The Home Team Podcast, about what the future of church-going looks like and how megachurches who are not embracing this new normal through the digital age, will suffer heading into #thefuture, a future that is young, urban, & multi-ethnic. Support the show Support the show & Follow Us ✅ Instagram ✅ Twitter ✅ TikTok
TRAILER: What does "The Future Is Here" mean?
May 14, 2020 17:00 - 10 minutes - 7.34 MBWe can no longer hold on to old paradigms while millions leave and disengage with the Church. The future is young, urban, and multi-ethnic. Jesus challenged the power structures of religion while on Earth and instituted the movement of the Church using a band of young radicals that were so moved by their experience with Christ that they died telling the world. Imagine a vibrant movement of passionate urban youth that are living out the Gospel in cities around the world and leading the next r...