Midnight Theology

The report can be accessed here:https://2343950.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2343950/Unstuck%20Church%20Report/The%20Unstuck%20Church%20Report_Q3%202024.pdf?utm_campaign=Unstuck%20Church%20Report&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_t90roDfpz-LHhD9rt91rpw3RBIE9_g784tXbQuclgf51wjKqNIpHNNwbD0WSQ6YONQFzi4Qtd4m4p6pzzSMvnL5o9fBNVW07gxxN2nKpxVpNGhbo&_hsmi=321743057&utm_content=321091430&utm_source=hs_email

What's ahead for churches in 2024? In this episode, the MNT Crew begins discussing church leadership expert Carey Nieuwhof's recent article entitled “7 Church Trends That Will Disrupt 2024.” From politics, to generational shifts, to leadership styles, there's a lot of ground to cover!Check out Carey's blog post here: https://careynieuwhof.com/church-trends-2024/

What caused a once-small renewal movement within the Church of England to become a global connection of people called Methodist? In this episode, Adam and Larry discuss the long-neglected discipleship practices which were the glue of the connection, and ways we might reclaim those practices in 2024.To download the Method Group guide that Adam referenced in the episode which also contains Wesley's General Rules and the class meeting questions, click here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vksjagfjj8qotpe3qiuph/METHOD-GROUPS.pdf?rlkey=1ggvwi9d6kehv7rl8bh3vl5ys&dl=0

What is the New Room Conference and why should you care about it? In this episode, the MNT Crew reports on their time in Houston, TX at the 10th annual New Room Conference, which draws its roots from the early days of Methodism. Instead of being a conventional conference centered around silver-tongued speakers and current best practices, New Room seeks to reclaim the Methodist way of Holy Conferencing by calling those in attendance to repentance and holiness of heart and life.For more information about the New Room Conference, visit: https://newroomconference.comTo purchase this year's talks, visit: https://my.seedbed.com/product/2023-new-room-conference-talks/To learn more about JT Tremaine's work, visit: https://civilrighteousness.org

How do we deal with destructive internal dialogue? The MNT crew tackles this question and more in an interview with Wes Olds as they talk about his latest book: “Confronting the Thief Within.” Wes is the Lead Pastor of Grace Church in Cape Coral, FL, a 1993 graduate of The University of Kentucky, and received his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2002.Find his book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Confronting-Thief-Within-Embraced-Identity/dp/1953495532/ref=sr_1_1?crid=YPBY4OEAS2DB&keywords=confronting+the+thief+within&qid=1693588948&sprefix=confronting+the+thief+within%2Caps%2C89&sr=8-1 Carolyn Moore's book about women in leadership can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/When-Women-Lead-Authority-Barriers/dp/0310129648/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=when+women+lead+carolyn+moore&qid=1693588969&sprefix=when+women+lead+caro%2Caps%2C89&sr=8-1 For more information on the upcoming MNT Holy Land trip, click here: https://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl24030324f61468?fbclid=IwAR3RfsR7wIytezyf3FufTcnmH4DP4HLUSNouBMzudoame1dO3fC0wySUWgM#.ZBHshOzMKDU

What does the Bible REALLY say about the role of women in ministry? At Sarah's request, the MNT Boys tackle this important question by sharing their own experiences with pastors who happen to be women, and offering theological reflections informed by Scripture.To access the N.T. Wright paper that was cited, click here: https://www2.cbeinternational.org/CBE_InfoPack/pdf_files/wright_biblical_basis.pdf For more information on the upcoming MNT Holy Land trip, click here: https://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl24030324f61468?fbclid=IwAR3RfsR7wIytezyf3FufTcnmH4DP4HLUSNouBMzudoame1dO3fC0wySUWgM#.ZBHshOzMKDU

How do we change the “Americanized” version of Christianity? In this first installment of MNT Q&A, the MNT Crew takes on questions submitted by our listeners! To submit your own question, visit:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf7a6lssJUU-Vtf-Xv2GhaNVXeDfVK4vAFtzFeG2kSobm_r0A/viewform

What is revival and how do we experience it? In this episode, Sarah shares about her recent trip with World Methodist Evangelism to Cuba, where the church is exploding and people's lives are being transformed by Jesus. Considering the powerful movement of the Holy Spirit that recently happened at Asbury University, is it possible for the church in the U.S. to experience this kind of awakening?For more information on Midnight Theology's upcoming 2024 Holy Land pilgrimage, visit https://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl24030324f61468#.ZCpM9i-B1qu

Now that the UMC is splitting, what are our options? In this second part of a two-part examination of the current state of the UMC, the MNT Crew takes us through the events that have transpired since General Conference 2016, and offers some insight into how to discern where God may be calling us next.

How did the UMC get to the point of splitting apart? In this episode, Larry, Sarah, Gabe, and Adam discuss the some of the factors that led to the United Methodist Church's current debate over same-sex marriage and the ordination of individuals in same-sex relationships.

Pre-order your copy of Jorge's book here: https://www.inviteresources.com/store/everybody-needs-some-cave-time

Why does it seem like church people find something new to fight about around Christmas each year? In this episode, Larry, Sarah, Adam, and Gabe talk about what happens when Christmas falls on a Sunday, and the significance of the Advent season.

Purchase Gannon's book from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bringing-Church-Home-Family-Little-ebook/dp/B09VKW35LNMore info on Lectio for Families: https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectioforfamilies/Purchase Living Room Liturgy from Seedbed: https://my.seedbed.com/product/living-room-liturgy/

How should the church respond to the Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade? In this episode, Adam, Sarah, Gabe, and Larry discuss the United Methodist Church's official stance on abortion, and offer their thoughts as pastors and theologians on this sensitive yet important topic.

Have you ever wondered why pastors in the United Methodist Church seem to move more often than pastors in other denominations? In this episode, Larry, Sarah, Gabe, and Adam tackle the topic of itinerancy in the United Methodist Church, and its pros and cons.

The Midnight Theology crew takes their first-ever trip together to the Holy Land! In this episode, we not only share our experiences as both first-time and returning pilgrims, but we also have the opportunity to interview tour guide and Holy Land expert, Mic Tahhan!

What is centering prayer, and how can it change not only our relationship with God but our lives? In this episode of Midnight Theology, Adam, Sarah, and Gabe interview Dr. Brian Russell of Asbury Seminary about his new book entitled “Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God's Presence Can Change Your Life.” You can purchase it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Centering-Prayer-Sitting-Quietly-Presence/dp/1640606432/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1LC061BL10EER&keywords=centering+prayer&qid=1646605928&sprefix=centering+prayer%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-2 For multiple copies, visit https://paracletepress.com/products/centering-prayer?_pos=1&_sid=75d678c6f&_ss=r

If deconstruction is the process of calling our existing beliefs about God into question, what should be the end goal of that process? And can a process of deconstruction become a process of demolition? The midnight crew takes on these questions and more in this episode of Midnight Theology. Plus, stick around for a little trivia about Valentine's Day and it's eyebrow-raising ties to an ancient Roman festival!

Do you ever feel like you're living in a constant state of hurry? If so, you're not alone. In this first episode of MNT's second season, we discuss the concepts presented in John Mark Comer's recent book “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry,” which not only names the symptoms of a hurried life, but explores what both Jesus and church tradition have to teach us about intentionally un-hurrying ourselves in order to experience the fullness of life that Christ offers us.Buy “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer: https://www.amazon.com/Ruthless-Elimination-Hurry-Emotionally-Spiritually-ebook/dp/B07NCJB86S/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+ruthless+elimination+of+hurry&qid=1641160498&sprefix=the+ruthless%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1Buy “Boundaries” by Doctors Henry Cloud and John Townsend: https://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-Updated-Expanded-When-Control-ebook/dp/B06XFKNB2Y/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=Download a PDF of Larry's Companion Guide for John Mark's book: https://www.dropbox.com/s/kemtj619kd8ieak/Ruthless%20Elmination%20Companion.pdf?dl=0

What does the end of the world as we know it have to do with Christmas? Find out on this episode of Midnight Theology, where Adam, Sarah, and Gabe discuss how the season of Advent is about a lot more than Jesus' first arrival at Christmas. And be sure to stick around to the end for Two Truths and a Lie: Saint Nick Edition! Link to the Jesus Storybook Bible: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Every-Whispers/dp/0310708257

Link to Larry's blog post on his experience with lament at this year's New Room Conference: https://revlarryfrank.com/2021/09/23/my-lament-moment-or-a-different-kind-of-new-room/Link to Jorge's Facebook post on lament as it relates to the Book of Job: https://www.facebook.com/jorge.acevedo.376/posts/10159407180724618More info about how to join us for our upcoming trip to the Holy Land in Spring 2022: http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/holy-land-classic-with-revs-larry-frank-and-sarah-wanck-and-tremont-umc-2022/?fbclid=IwAR3VQMxVPnhtNABvMpKFSAi-QXqULYuYco7pjU1YTXQuR6wr9H1NImNyzoY#.YXt6zS-B1qu

Why does it seem that so many Christians are ill-equipped to deal with grief? In this episode, Sarah and Gabe share a powerful and moving account of the recent loss of their daughter, Bristol, and how they have experienced God's glory in the midst of their grief.

Does how we treat our bodies matter to God? With Sarah and Gabe in the process of moving, Adam and Larry tackle this question and more alongside their wives, who happen to be fitness and nutrition junkies. Listen to Jessica Penn and Brittney Frank offer some practical tips on healthy eating and living an active lifestyle, while Adam and Larry reconsider their own health choices, and try to sound like they know what they're talking about.

Why don't miracles seem to happen today like they did in Biblical times? Sarah, Gabe, Larry, and Adam tackle this question and more in this episode of Midnight Theology, as well as sharing their own powerful experiences of divine healing.

Over the last century, the notion of Jesus bodily rising from the dead has become a topic of debate in some circles. After all, it's not every day that a person who has been dead for three days walks out of their tomb. But just because the resurrection is outside the realm of our experience, does that make it any less real? Pastors Sarah, Gabe, Larry, and Adam take on this question and more in this special post-Easter episode of Midnight Theology, as they explore how the bodily resurrection of Jesus is still good news for us today.

If you are interested in purchasing Dr. Beck's book, it can be found on Amazon. For more information on his ministry and further resources on fresh expressions, visit michaeladambeck.com.

What is Midnight Theology all about, and who are the voices behind the mics? Get to know Pastors Larry, Sarah, Gabe, and Adam in the very first episode of this brand new podcast about all things Christianity, leadership, culture, and life from a Methodist/Wesleyan perspective.