You’re doing ministry that doesn’t fit the boxes.
Substack Seminary doesn’t fit them, either!
It’s not a typical Substack, and it’s not a typical Seminary.
Substack Seminary is an online workshop, grouped in Quarters, where we wrestle with how to do and be church in the digital age.
It’s Cage Free Ministry in real-time.
Substack Seminary is a Newsletter that is part of
a Free Range Priest subscription.
Substack Seminary runs in Quarters — four per year (each quarter lasts for an intensive seven weeks), each built around a single theme.
There are about three weeks between each Quarter - you’ll still have access to the community space and there will still be livestreams (sometimes), but everyone gets some breathing room.
During Quarters, we’ll work intensively on our own ministries - and you’ll be invited in to see us do this, and to share what you’re doing - via the chat and the live stream comments.
Paid FRP subscribers join Conversations live on Thursdays at 3:30 Eastern (during Quarters), and get the replay + chat invitation on Mondays.
You don’t have to do this alone. Subscribe to join the ‘home for weirdo pastors’.
Each Quarter gets a theme. Each time through we learn more
2026 Quarters
January 12 - February 23, 2026
Q1: GET UNSTUCK - Vision & Systematic Change
The big picture of institutional collapse and the focused picture of where your ministry fits in - and thrives.
Think organizationally.
April 13 - May 25, 2026
Q2: CREATE SUSTAINABILITY - Structure & Business Model
It may be hard to picture your ministry as a business. But using small business practices: What is your ‘why’? How are you bringing transformation? How will this be paid for? - will help you clarify your calling.
Think sustainably.
Aug 3 - Sept. 14, 2026
Q3: BRING CHURCH TO PEOPLE - Theology & Community
How is your work Gospel-centered ministry? What part of Christian tradition are you bringing forward in a new way?
Think theologically.
October 5 - Nov. 16, 2026
Q4: CONNECT IN AGILE NETWORKS - Technology & Collaboration
How do we move beyond denominations and siloed congregations to create flexible partnerships and multi-layered engagement?
Think technologically.
Writing for Substack Seminary
Writing for Substack Seminary
Paid subscribers can pitch an article with a Substack Seminary byline: highlighting their ministry, their learnings, or their take on the Future of Church.
You may also be invited to participate in the live stream Substack Seminary Conversations.
This is where collaboration and networking meet development and training.
Substack Seminary is ‘a home for weirdo pastors’.
We started it because the ministry we’re doing didn’t seem to fit into any model of training and development for ministry.
And because we didn’t see any one else trying to equip today’s ministers for the Future of Church.
So we decided to do it ourselves - and we’d love it if you’d join us.
If you’ve felt orphaned by the traditional, institutional church model and your’e already dreaming about what comes next - or already building it - this is your place.
You’re not weird.
You’re early.
And now, you’re right on time.
You don’t have to build it alone.
The blogs are free - you’ll receive them as part of your Free Range Priest subscription.
Paid subscribers come to Thursday live streams (3:30pm Eastern), and get replays and chat invites on Mondays (during Quarters)
At Free Range Priest, we’re bringing church to people.
Bite-sized ways that YOU can re-imagine ministry and get ‘unstuck’.
Right now. Today.
Subscribe to re-discover ministry JOY.