Across the Rail Podcast

Guess what – orthodoxy & orthopraxy is on the docket for today. Don't know what that means…? Well, we are here to inform & encourage you! What are your concerns this year when it comes to your local UMC church and the denomination at large, worldwide? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Since we're a little late for New Year's, we discuss the State of the UMC with a local, US, and worldwide perspective. We're not the "Men in Black from the pulpit, but from the pews "across the rail". --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

In this very raw episode that was mostly "hot-miked", we discuss Rev. Drew McIntyre's article on "The Scandal of Particularity, Black Lives, & Jesus". Hope you enjoy. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses a biblical view of the common American “vices” such as alcohol and tobacco use. We also discuss other extra-biblical prohibitions & the Methodist church's role in the Temperance Movement of the 19thCentury, and whether we need to relax, strengthen, or ignore these issues entirely …. Warning: We are not the “Men in Black” from the pulpit, but from the pews “across the rail”. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today continues us venting our spleens from last episode on what is upsetting us lately. Also, we compare and contrast cultures. Warning: We are not the “Men in Black” from the pulpit, but from the pews “across the rail”. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today consists of us venting our spleens on what is upsetting us lately. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

In this episode we make Ryan run the verbal paddle line of layman disdain, ask him some questions about his thoughts on small-church ministry. Plus – what does the Skull and Crossed Bones have in common with the Southern Baptist Convention? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Welcome to Across the Rail Podcast. Methodist laypeople dishing hot takes on current events, church stuff, and cultural issues. Our Episode today is an interview with a very close friend about his experience as a same-sex attracted man in the Pentecostal church. While most times we vigorously discuss and debate the issues of the day, sometimes you just need to listen. Warning: We are not the “Men in Black” from the pulpit, but from the pews “across the rail”. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses interesting a variety of occurrences since our last podcast – the unsurprising decision to delay General Conference - again, drag queen ministerial candidates, and the quick pivoting from murder rampage to outrage over purity culture. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses interesting things Methodist candidates for ordination are learning about the Afterlife. What exactly is the Hell they are teaching these candidates? And us smelly Wal-Mart people in the pews are asking,” What the hell are they thinking??” Warning: We are not the “Men in Black” from the pulpit, but from the pews “across the rail”. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses an often-heard phrase issued by MLK in a speech at Stanford University and in other interviews. Where are the lines drawn between “protest” and “riot” currently in the civil society? And what did we really see in DC, and what have we learned since? Warning: We are not the “Men in Black” from the pulpit, but from the pews “across the rail”. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses the Christmas Truce of 1914 and the one here in 2020. The War on Christmas has seemed to fade in prominence, as well as passions in UMC politics. We’ll also discuss the uneasy quiet in the election hysteria, and the panel’s predictions for 2021. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today dives into the morass of the political moment, the latest in UMC politics, and the always controversial involvement of Christians in political matters, plus,- future Methodist clergy weigh in on the issues. Bonus Question: Where did Thanksgiving go??? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our episode today discusses the controversial stance of Christian womanhood in the life of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, a Catholic Archbishop burns an altar in Louisiana, and young voices in Methodism speak about the future. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses the result of an annual conference vote to replace the UMC logo, our annual conference churches are starting to open, and for a denomination of the Church of Jesus Christ, what’s really in a name? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses the result of some surveys where a third of practicing Christians in America, since the COVID shutdowns, are not attending church online or in person. While half of the survey respondents replied that they watch their own church’s online services, another 34 percent watch another church’s online services. And across denominational lines, when churches have met back together in person, they are almost all lower in attendance than pre-COVID. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses the current topic of where does civil responsibility end and religious freedom begin? Is religious freedom just an American construct or a principle worthy of defense? And if not, what is worthy of defense for the disciples of Jesus Christ? Warning: We are not the “Men in Black” from the pulpit, but from the pews “across the rail” .... --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses the current phenomena of statue toppling. Is this an acceptable emotional outlet for past wrongdoings? Should we commemorate pivotal events and leaders in our national history? And who decides who and what we commemorate? Warning: We are not the “Men in Black” from the pulpit, but from the pews “across the rail” .... --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses how the Church – and we are the church – responds to injustice. What is the delineation between the acceptable and unacceptable? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses the use of public vulgarity among UMC elders, seminary students, and thought leaders on social media, and how that affects the perception of our tribe. WTF, John Wesley? Warning: We are not the “Men in Black” from the pulpit, but from the pews “across the rail” .... --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

The Stay-at-home directive of our Governor has expired and we are not only getting back to normal, we are flooding back to normal. And yet there is reticence on the part of our Bishop to relax the conference’s church closure directive until further notice. As other churches and denominations start to renew services in their local churches, how does that reflect on the United Methodist witness in our local communities? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses the large UMC budget shortfall reported in March that could perhaps be exacerbated because of COVID-19, and how a potential reduction in giving due to the slowing economy will change how we do church in the near future…. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses how weird it was not worshiping together on Easter, and also funny church stuff as we try to flatten the curve of the cabin fever pandemic…. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses how we keep a positive attitude and encourage each other during The Big Wait, and what we’re thinking and doing while we’re all home bound and exhibiting initial symptoms of cabin fever…. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses the compulsory sabbath that has been thrust upon us, and what we’re thinking and doing while we’re all locked up and “doing time”.... --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our episode today discusses the COVID-19 virus outbreak, and what the Church's role and response should be to this situation. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses our mortality, why it is healthy we talk about it, and why sometimes the Church shies away from speaking on this more often. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

The 2nd half of our Episode today discusses how we should view our personal worship preferences versus historical Christian worship and what that says about “cafeteria-style Christianity”. Warning: We’re not the “Men in Black” from the pulpit, but from the pews “across the rail"... --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

The first part of our episode today discusses how we should view our personal worship preferences versus historical Christian worship and what that says about "cafeteria-style Christianity". --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our episode today discusses how we should view the passing of another year, resolutions or lack thereof, and what should frame our focus for the New Year ahead. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our Episode today discusses an extremely “thought-provoking” nativity display at Claremont United Methodist Church in California. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our episode discusses stewardship of the Earth and our responsibilities as Christians toward the environment. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

Our episode discusses church dress codes, their origins, and whether this is spiritually relevant? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gregg-benefiel/support