Episode Details

Connecting Community and Ministry: Tyler Brinks on Asset Based Development and Convening Change

In this insightful episode of To Be and Do, host Phil Amerson welcomes Reverend Tyler Brinks of First Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, Indiana, for an authentic conversation about aligning identity with action, the power of connectorship, and the transformative philosophy of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD).

The discussion opens with Amerson reflecting on the recurring tension many feel between “doing” and “being,” emphasizing the importance of intentional living that fuses who we are with what we do. This theme sets the stage for an exploration of ABCD, a community-building approach championed by John McKnight and Jody Kretzman, which focuses not on deficits but on the hidden and communal gifts within neighborhoods and individuals.

Brinks traces his own journey with the church, describing how key mentors and a series of serendipitous associations—beginning at his home church in Michigan and later through meaningful connections in Indianapolis—brought this philosophy to life for him. He shares the pivotal influence of figures such as Reverend Fernando Rodriguez, Mike Mather, and Diamond Hargis, and the surprising intersections of their work that shaped his approach to ministry.

Central to the conversation is the idea of “connectorship.” Amerson recounts a story about John McKnight, who highlighted the role of convening—bringing people together—as more foundational than traditional models of leadership. Speaker B echoes this, attributing his own emphasis on building relationships to the gentle encouragements of his parents and a personal awareness of the knowledge and wisdom found in others.

The episode closes with a meditative word from Speaker B, who shares a reflection from Howard Thurman’s “Meditations of the Heart.” Using the image of the jack pine—whose seeds only open after intense fire—he inspires listeners to recognize that times of challenge may unlock latent gifts within us, pointing to new beginnings and resurrection even in the ashes.

Key Takeaways

1. Asset Based Community Development: Real change and growth begin by recognizing and leveraging the gifts already present in individuals and communities—not focusing solely on needs or deficits.
2. The Power of Connectorship: Convening and connecting people is a vital, often undervalued, leadership skill that enables shared wisdom and collaborative action.
3. Embracing Unexpected Journeys: Crossroads in life and ministry frequently arise through organic relationships and open-hearted exploration.
4. Transformation through Challenge: As illustrated by the jack pine, our deepest gifts often emerge in times of trial, offering seeds of hope and renewal.
5. Learning to See Differently: True humanization requires acknowledging both flaws and gifts, learning to foster environments where everyone’s strengths are noticed and celebrated.