Field Preachers

This week on Church is Changing, we talk with Amber Baker – a pastor, spiritual director, and Dinner Church pioneer in Morgantown, West Virginia. Amber has started five dinner churches around Morgantown, each unique but all are LGBTQIA+-affirming communities of seekers. This collective includes firefighters, people in recovery, strippers, and folks carrying church hurt – all around the simple power of shared meals and Jesus' stories. She's reimagining faith in bold and hopeful ways. Don't miss this conversation about courage, creativity, passion and what church can become.

In this episode, Paul Nixon interviews Rodrigo Cruz, executive assistant to the bishop in the Georgia Episcopal Area. Our topic is ministry with immigrants in America in a time of deportation without due process. This is a powerful conversation.

What if the unraveling we see in the institutional church isn't a problem to fix — but a sacred invitation to a new way of being? In this deeply honest and hopeful episode, host Beth Estock is joined by three extraordinary women — Elaine Heath, Angie Wolle, and Rebecca Przybylski — for a soulful conversation about the shifting landscape of Christian leadership and the emergence of the Divine Feminine in this time of disintegration, grief, and profound transformation.

In this episode, Paul Nixon interviews Joe Graves, pastor and planter of Cityview Church in Columbus, Ohio about the new face of urban church planting and the adventure of merger with a host church in its last stage of life.

In this episode, Paul Nixon interviews the church development directors of Baltimore Washington and Western North Carolina Conferences of the UMC: Bill Brown and Rob Hutchinson. The topic: the changing signs of church vitality in the 2020s and what should we now measure?

In this episode, Paul Nixon interviews Anne Borsage of South Georgia about how the Spirit is moving in Methodism in the Deep South, after half the churches in the area disaffiliated. The surprise in her answer is a wave of new house churches!

In a time of deep division, the unraveling of our national institutions, and the undeniable uncertainty within our congregations, how do we, as Christian leaders, stay rooted in the way of Jesus – and hold fast to our prophetic witness? Today, we're honored to be joined by Rev. Donna Claycomb Sokol – a wise, courageous, and deeply spiritual pastoral leader serving at Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church in the heart of Washington, D.C. From the shadow of the Capitol, she brings us stories of hope, challenge, and what it means to lead with both conviction and grace in a city where faith and public life constantly collide. To learn more about Donna and her ministry, visit mvpumc.org.

In this episode of Church is Changing, Paul Nixon explores the ways that AI is rapidly changing the way we go about ministry. He interviews Pastor Tom Arthur of Sycamore Creek UMC in Lansing, Michigan, along with Tom's friend and tech resource David Smith. This is one of Paul's favorite conversations. So amazing are the potential applications for helping us with our work, from preaching to ministry design.

Are you feeling stuck? Are the things that used to work no longer working? Are you questioning the future of the church as we know it? Then this conversation is for you! Listen in on this conversation from Portland, Oregon – a post-Christendom area of the United States that is a harbinger for the rest of the country in terms of the changing landscape of the church. Erin Martin left her role as a DS in the Portland Metro area to serve a local church during Covid lockdown. She shares how immersing in the grief of a dying institution led her to new life for herself and her local congregation. You can find out more about Fremont UMC at fremontumc.org In our conversation Erin refers to 2 books: • Jesus, Jubilee, and the Politics of God's Reign by Christian T. Collins • Hospicing Modernity by Vanessa Machado de Oliveira

Dan Pezet is district superintendent in Charlotte, North Carolina, with urban, suburban, and rural churches. Paul Nixon considers this district a microcosm of American Methodism east of the Rockies. In this episode, Paul poses many of the same questions to Dan that he and Beth Estock explored in the year end episode of 2024. This is a conversation about emerging trends in American congregational life.

In this episode of Church is Changing, Paul Nixon interviews the Rev. Katie Philips of The Vine UMC in northern Virginia. The Vine is host of a monthly gathering called Improv Church, using improv comedy as a vehicle for celebrating Gospel. Beyond this particular program of the Vine, the larger focus of this conversation is about Ministry as improv – or what Katie calls improv theology. For more about the topics explored, check out Katie's website improvtheology.com.

What is possible with twelve elderly people in an old church building? Listen to this conversation with Wayne Grewcock, who led this group of bright-eyed people to reimagine sacred community online. Listen to Shoreline's origin story and the impact this ministry is having as it ripples out on multiple platforms. Click here to learn more about Shoreline Methodist Community: https://www.facebook.com/shorelinemethodistcommunity

In this final episode of 2024, Church is Changing hosts Paul Nixon and Beth Estock reflect on trends and issues of parish ministry that marked the year now ending.

In this episode, host Paul Nixon interviews two young German United Methodists, Samuel Lacher and Moritz Mosebach. Samuel and Moritz reflect on shifts happening in German Methodism that are leading to more success in engaging young adults. The key is a re-emphasis on encounter – an idea as old as the Gospels and prominent in evangelism theory across the ages.

How does transformation happen? Anna Hoesly and Stori Long would say – one story at a time, especially when you believe that everything that is needed can be unearthed and nurtured through listening deeply to our sacred stories in community. If you are interested in the inherent simplicity in building beloved community through story, you won't want to miss this conversation! Click here for more information on Storyline Community PDX: https://www.storylinecommunitypdx.org

In this episode, host Paul Nixon interviews two pastors who have helped birth new, vital UMC congregations after predecessor churches disaffiliated from the denomination. David Teel of North Alabama and Karen Jones of South Carolina share what they have learned on their planting journeys!

What would you do if you had five grieving people and an entire church campus as your canvas for starting something new? Listen to my hope-filled and energizing conversation with Rev. Dr. Elizabeth LeMaster, pastor at Sedona United Methodist Church in Arizona. The church has a beautiful campus set against the red rocks, but ended up with five members after the season of disaffiliations. Elizabeth talks about the importance of prayer and deep listening as the foundation for flourishing in ministry against the odds.

In this episode, Paul Nixon interviews Jessica Taylor, Associate Director of Fresh Expressions United Methodist (FXUM). Paul and Jessica explore the basics of the FX movement, ponder the difference (or lack of difference) between Fresh Expressions and new churches. Jessica comes to ministry as a laywoman, a 20-something, a young mom, and a person who came to faith as a young adult. She has a lot to teach those of us who have been at ministry for a good while.

In this episode of Church is Changing, host Paul Nixon interviews Rev. Sam Parkes, the new pastor of FUMC Mesa, Arizona, about the challenges of getting started in a new pastoral appointment in the 2020s.

Who doesn't like Asian food? Why not gather Asian American and Pacific island second generation young adults to eat spicy Asian food as a way to create communities of radical acceptance, solidarity, and hospitality? Meet Danielle Buwon Kim, an ordained elder in the North Texas Conference who leads a AAPI focused dinner church in the Dallas/Fort Worth area called KA:LL. Listen in as she shares the importance of this bi-weekly gathering that enjoys Asian food, exposes and heals AAPI invisibility, and reclaims Christian faith for the NONEs and DONES and everyone in between. You can find out more about this community at kallcommunity.org.

In this episode of Church is Changing, Paul Nixon interviews co-host Beth Estock about a new ministry of her church: community dinners. Why would a church throw a community-wide dinner where there is absolutely no recruiting for church participation? Among the many reasons, it is making Joseph United Methodist Church in northeastern Oregon a legend on the community grapevine!

In this episode, Paul Nixon interviews Rev. Claire McNulty Drewes of Longmont, Colorado on how her church rebounded so significantly after the pandemic, more than doubling in the last two years. Her analysis defies many old instincts and assumptions. In the conversation, Claire references the book "The Adept Church" by Doug Powe Jr.

How did an aging suburban church in decline become a community hub of resilience and new life? Listen to this interview with Keren Rodriguez, pastor of Aloha United Methodist Church located less than 15 miles from downtown Portland, Oregon. Rodriguez is on the front line of providing housing for the houseless in the parking lot of the church called Safe Rest Village. And that is only the beginning! Listen to how she has built trusting partnerships with government, non-profits, churches, and diverse communities in her neighborhood. She shares the courageous conversations she has had with the church and surrounding neighborhood about fear, death, and new life. You can contact Keren Rodriguez at alohaumcpastor@gmail.com. Click here to learn more about Safe Rest Village: https://youtu.be/rI11vnGG94U?si=elmpt3JucEFgcrY1.

How did an Olympic paddler end up starting a worldwide ministry on the banks of the Nantahala River? Wayner Dickert worked for 30 years at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in North Carolina before asking his boss if he could start a little worship service on the bank of the river. Now 18 years later, Wayner will be retiring as the pastor of River of Life Ministry. If you are interested in the cross section of outdoor adventuring and faith community development, this podcast is for you! To find out more go to nantahalariveroflife.org. You can also find them on Facebook at River of Life: https://www.facebook.com/groups/122781707743338.

In this episode, host Paul Nixon interviews Dr. Andrea Smith, planter pastor of West UMC in Lake Norman, North Carolina, a church that has morphed with nimbleness ever since it was planted. A focus of the conversation is related to a digital children's ministry that grew out of the pandemic and has continued to develop, as they seek to engage an ever-changing population of American children. Click the link to learn more about Amped online children's ministry: https://www.youtube.com/@amped.online

In this episode, Paul Nixon interviews Northwest Texas DS Felicia Hopkins on her experience through disaffiliation of 80 percent of her churches. Hopkins also discusses moving onto a season of planting and creativity in West Texas.

If you refuse to lead a dying church, this conversation is for you! Paul Nixon has recently revised his best-selling book "I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church" for the new cultural context in which we find ourselves. In this episode, he offers six choices that churches and church leaders need to make in order to thrive in our post-Covid world. They include the following: choosing life over death; choosing community over isolation; choosing fun over drudgery; choosing bold over mild; choosing frontier over fortress; and choosing now rather than later. The book will be available on May 15. You can also host a book party in person or online by contacting Paul at paulnixon@me.com. Learn more at epicentergroup.org.

Bring your notebook to this conversation with Nigel Pimlott as he shares some of his reflections from over 40 years in cutting edge ministry in the UK. Pimlott also offers some pithy and subversive one-liners that could be pondered for years. He is the former learning, development, and leadership trainer and coach for the Methodist Church of Great Britain. Pimlott is a man of deep faith, a trail blazer and mentor, and a holy agitator for new forms of faith community. In this conversation, he talks about the patterns and trends of faith formation and offers some ideas for its future. You will be amazed at how his experience tracks with what is unfolding in mainline churches in the United States. You can reach him through Facebook at facebook.com/nigel.pimlott.5.

What do coffee roasting, Howard Thurman, and people with criminal records have in common? Listen to our conversation with Dustin Mailman, who leads Deep Time, a new ministry anchored at Trinity UMC in West Asheville, North Carolina. To find out more or purchase some coffee go to deeptimeavl.org. To contact Dustin Mailman directly, email dustin@trinitywavl.org.

In this episode, host Paul Nixon interviews Dr. Candace Lewis, who leads Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta. Candace has served as a church planter, led the Path 1 team resourcing United Methodist church planters globally, worked as a district superintendent, and now leads an institution preparing pastors for the twenty-first century. Paul asks her about an evocative address she gave to the FXUM gathering entitled, "We Can Do Hard Things." This address received an extended standing ovation. And we share it with you here (it is keynote number 4): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrfcxQiIjpMRGAZQ36P15yHkEm7I3OuO3. Paul and Candace share a robust conversation on where church is going in the coming years.

In this episode of Church is Changing, host Paul Nixon interviews Patricia Peña of the Path 1 team. Patricia focuses on diversity in new ministry development in the UMC. Paul and Patricia discuss the future of ethnic ministries in the UMC, after so many churches disaffiliated.

In this episode, Paul Nixon and Beth Estock explore the concept of Edgewalking. Edgewalking church leaders have one foot firmly within the church, typically with strong core convictions and Christology, even as they engage with people beyond the church, gaining wisdom of perspective that helps the church in its mission. Beth and Paul are convinced that this Edgewalking concept is core to effective spiritual leadership in the 2020s. To learn more about Edgewalkers, see the 2006 book Edgewalkers by Judi Neal, and the daily meditation by Richard Rohr's team, written by Victoria Loorz, entitled Edge Walking.

In this episode, Paul Nixon interviews Rodrigo Cruz and Nora Colmeneras of NETT Church near Atlanta. They discuss what they are learning about multicultural church and about church recovery from the pandemic season.

Does your church space sit empty during most of the week? Do you dream about it being used for the common good but don't know how to begin? Listen to Beth Estock's conversation with Cindy Thompson, Executive Director of Boundless Impact – a nonprofit that equips faith communities to build bridges into their community through creating pathways for equitable economic empowerment. Click here for more information on ImagineHub. https://www.boundlessimpact.org/imaginehub Here are some of Cindy's favorite book suggestions: • Doing the Math of Mission by Rev. Dr. Gil Rendle • Creative Confidence by Tom & David Kelley • Jesus on Main Street by Dave Kresta • Recovering Abundance by Rev. Andy Stanton-Henry • Flood Gates by Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey • Faith-Rooted Organizing by Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra and Peter Heltzel

In this episode of Church is Changing, Texas Conference church developer Melissa Maher visits with Paul Nixon about why addiction recovery groups were so resilient during the pandemic, even as churches struggled. It is a conversation full of surprises. But if you know much about twelve-step rooms, you will not be surprised that they are more proficient than many churches in terms of convening engaging and transformational community.

What if you got eight people together to give four hours a week and donate $50 a month to a new kind of ministry in your community? This is how INSPIRE began – that and a lot of listening to the neighborhood and God. If you have a great idea but not enough time or resources to make it happen, listen to this conversation with Barry Sloan, pastor at INSPIRE in Chemnitz, Germany, and you, too, will be inspired!

What does a peace corps volunteer with a culinary degree do when she is called into ministry? If you are a foodie with a heart for food justice, you won't want to miss this conversation with Alyssa Densham, pastor of Provision Church Nova – a new Methodist Faith Community in Northern Virginia. In this episode, we talk about how a ministry can develop sources of support. This includes gathering gifted teams of people and multiple funding streams.

In this episode, Paul Nixon interviews Kevin Johnson, Director of Children's Ministries at Discipleship Ministries. Kevin has a bigger picture of the emerging face of children's ministry than perhaps any other person in the UMC. Paul wanted to learn from Kevin how churches who have lost so many of their young families can take action to reengage with children.

How well does your congregation know your community? And why is this important in a post-Christendom culture? Luke Edwards, a United Methodist minister with a background in social work, is a cultivator of new forms of church in Western North Carolina as the associate director of Church Development. He is the author of “Becoming Church: A Trail Guide for Starting Fresh Expressions.” He has a newsletter called "The Listening Church" that you can find on Substack. Luke offers practices to help any faith community develop the capacity to listen to God, each other, and their neighbors. He helps us to see the importance of moving from solution centered programs to contemplative listening as a way to build loving community. In our conversation we delve deeper into how you can lead your community through a Spiritual Listening Process. Find Luke online: thelisteningchurch.com Check out Luke's book, “Becoming Church” here: freshexpressions.com/becomingchurch

What do you do when your church building is falling down and you have no money for repairs? Pierceton UMC in Indiana just put their building up for auction! In this episode of Church is Changing, we explore some funky spirit-lead things happening in Warsaw, Indiana with Carolyn Kern – a passionate, innovative pastor in a two-point charge. She offers a master class on how to get involved in the community – from partnering with a brewpub to leading cardio drumming classes. You won't want to miss this conversation! You can find out more at facebook.com/PiercetonUnitedMethodistChurch/

In this episode, host Paul Nixon interviews Michael Beck, the director of FXUM (Fresh Expressions United Methodist). Paul and Michael explore the changing face of church and look at why and how Fresh Expressions are reaching so many Americans who would seldom wander into a church building.

Suzanne and Michael Katschke lead Heritage UMC in Madison, Alabama, a relatively young church that was hit hard by the pandemic, losing about half their weekly participants. Yet, they have built back, in large part due to a community sports ministry, with many games played on open fields on their church property. This episode explores how to build relationships with kids and families post-pandemic - a group conspicuously absent in many churches.

In this episode, hosts Paul Nixon and Beth Estock reflect on trends that have set in with churches post-pandemic, and look at ways that churches are adapting to a very different era of ministry.

In this episode of the Church is Changing podcast, host Paul Nixon takes us to Lexington, Nebraska to meet three United Methodists: a pastor, a high school principal, and an HR director at a meat processing plant. This is an amazing conversation on loving our newest neighbors in the USA, as about eighty percent of the plant workers are immigrants from forty nations!

In this episode, Paul Nixon interviews retired clergywoman Margie McNier, who at the age of 83, just planted Amarillo United Methodist Church. This is a story of a woman who saw every United Methodist church in her community disaffiliate, including a place where she had served on staff. This story should inspire us all about what is possible when disaffiliation occurs, as well as what is possible simply when God's call settles upon our hearts and minds.

Rebecca Anderson co-pastors two churches with Vince Amlin – an inherited church in the morning and a new start church on Sunday afternoons. She offers a unique perspective on the changing landscape of church – its structures, communities, and worship. Gilead Chicago got its start before COVID-19 as a community that tells true stories that saves lives, throws great parties, and worships beautifully. This new ministry is supported by the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ. Anderson oozes passion for creating spiritual community in refreshing ways. Join us for this conversation.

In this episode of Church is Changing, host Paul Nixon interviews Justin Cason, pastor of an online church based in Indiana. Justin has been working with Paul and with Mission Insite in the creation of a heat map website (www.heatmap.church) where folks can upload information about new and innovative ministries they are a part of, and where they can find connection to others doing similar work across America.

In this episode, Paul Nixon interviews Pastor Donna Sokol of Washington, D.C., about ever-changing ministry in a downtown context, working with eclectic people in an environment where organized religion is increasingly seen as suspect. Donna is co-author with Roger Owens of A New Day in the City: Urban Church Revival.

This Easter season, Paul Nixon gathered four pastors from four western conferences in The United Methodist Church whose churches shared some powerful things in common. These churches live a different narrative than so many in this season where church sanctuaries are mostly emptier than pre-Covid and where disaffiliation troubles are distracting from the work of local ministry. These churches are remarkably different in terms of the communities they serve, but they all are growing as they discover the power of the Christian good news in the lives of their people and neighbors.

In this episode, Paul Nixon visits with Salina, Kansas pastors Nick Talbott and Eric Meyer, who are partnering two churches with Kansas Wesleyan University to totally revision their church's ministries. Their work offers an example of a twenty-first century paradigm shift that is breathing new life into United Methodism in Salina and far beyond.

What do we have to unlearn in order to show up to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our midst? How does leadership shift when moving into a "new wineskin" church? How can we use the art of discernment to inform ministry engagement? These questions animate this conversation with Ray Altman. Ray is from North Central San Antonio in the Rio Texas Annual conference. He is a United Methodist pastor of the New Wineskins Micro Church Movement. You can find out more about New Wineskins at https://discovernewwineskins.org. You can contact Ray directly at rayjaltman@gmail.com.