Podcasts about indiana annual conference

Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad MIller. Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the Bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.” To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories.https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/Episode 110 was recorded live in the hallways of the annual session of the Indiana Annual Conference held June 5-8 at St. Lukes UMC in Indianapolis. In the this episode Bishop offers his views, along with several other attendees, on what is encouraging in the United Methodist Church moving forward.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad Miller. Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the Bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.” To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories.https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/Episode 109 is from a series of live interviews conducted June 6, 2024 from the lobby of the annual session of the Indiana Annual Conference held at the St. Lukes UMC in Indianapolis. This is part 1 of a series of episodes where conference attendees shared their voices about what encourages them about the United Methodist Church moving forward.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad Miller. Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the Bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.” To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories.https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/In episode 101 of To Be Encouraged, Bishop Julius C. Trimble and co-host Rev. Dr. Brad Miller are joined by Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright and, to discuss the anticipated future of the United Methodist Church, particularly in the wake of the momentous 2024 General Conference. The guests delve into a range of topics that are at the forefront of the Church's progress, such as regionalization, inclusivity, and the vitality of the local church community.**Takeaway 1: A Renewed Vision for the United Methodist Church** Both Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright and Bishop Julius C. Trimble express a hopeful stance for the United Methodist Church's future post-May 4th. There is a shared belief that this new chapter will enhance the Church's relevance and its commitment to spreading the impactful message of Jesus Christ. The conversation emphasizes pride in the Church's identity and the importance of teamwork in achieving expansive goals. Through sports analogies, guests underscore the need for preparedness and determination in the face of upcoming challenges.**Takeaway 2: The Critical Importance of Adaptation and Service** As the general conference approaches, the episode underlines the necessity for service and the unending need to impart the teachings of God and Jesus Christ. Wesleyan grace and fostering hope, love, and justice in communities are accentuated as cornerstones of the Church's function. Moreover, expanding the welcoming embrace to marginalized communities signifies a pivotal shift in crafting a new narrative for the Church and influencing its local presence.**Takeaway 3: The Prospect of Regionalization and Embracing Change** The guests delve into the potential regionalization within the United Methodist Church, addressing the goal of putting American and international conferences on equal footing. This approach seeks to respect contextual differences on contentious issues like human sexuality and ordination. The episode also addresses the need for global unity, the Church's repentance for past wrongdoings, and the quest for a hopeful path marked by healing and grace.This episode tackles the intricate questions surrounding the United Methodist Church's evolution. The episode leaves listeners with a message of encouragement—a call to embrace change, to engage in service with humility and integrity, and to look towards the future with both optimism and a commitment to shared principles.Episode 101 of To Be Encouraged was Part 2 of a 4 Part Series in Preparation for General Conference. Part 1 (Episode 100) was a conversation with General Conference Delegate Rev. Russ Abel.Upcoming Episodes in the General Conference Series include:Part 3. Episode 102: An Interview with Rev. Larry Whitehead, a delegate to General Conference from the Indiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.Part 4. Episode 103: Town Hall...

Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad MIller. Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the Bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.” To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories.https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/In this Bonus Episode of To Be Encouraged Delegates to the Indiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church respond to three quesitons:Why Are You a Christian?Why Are You a United Methodist?What Are You Encouraged About in the UMC?In Episode 072 Rev. Dr. Brad Miller speaks with three guests Michelle from Ft. Wayne IN, Mark from Fowler IN and Catherine from Harlan IN

Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad MIller. Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the Bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.” To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories.https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/In this Bonus Episode of To Be Encouraged Delegates to the Indiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church respond to three quesitons:Why Are You a Christian?Why Are You a United Methodist What Are You Encouraged About in the UMC?In Episode 071 Rev. Dr. Brad Miller speaks with three guests Jeretha, Lanai and Susan all from Winona Lake, Indiana

Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad Miller. Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the Bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.” To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories.https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/Episode 066 of To Be Encouraged is a bonus episode recorded live from the Indiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church June 8-10, 2023 in Muncie Indiana.Youth Leading the Way: Empowering Change and Encouragement in the Methodist Church with Matthew and Kristen Bisciglia.Introduction:In this episode of "To Be Encouraged," Reverend Dr. Brad Miller engages in a conversation with Matthew Bisciglia and Kristen Bisciglia, where they discuss their experiences within the church and the importance of inclusion and encouragement. Through their dialogue, we gain valuable insights into the power of community, the uniqueness of the Methodist faith, and the significance of gradually introducing friends to church settings. Here are three key takeaway points from this episode.1. The Value of Inclusion and Diverse Voices in the Church:Both Matthew and Kristen highlight the significance of inclusion and diverse representation within the church. They stress the importance of having different voices and perspectives on the stage, as it fosters a sense of belonging for everyone. Matthew admirably mentions his support for the LGBTQ+ community, wearing a rainbow shirt to show his endorsement. Through this example, we understand that inclusivity is not only a principle but also a tangible practice that allows individuals to feel seen and accepted within their faith community.2. The Unyielding Grounding of the Methodist Faith:Matthew's connection to the Methodist faith serves as a powerful testimony to the lasting impact a religious grounding can have during uncertain times. He expresses how the teachings of the Methodist faith provide solace and certainty, especially in the face of loss exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The principle of Christian anchor within the Methodist faith allows individuals to find comfort and a sense of direction. This steadfast foundation becomes a guiding light, not only for internal fortitude but also for sharing that light with others in the midst of a discouraging world.3. The Gradual Introduction of Friends to Church Settings:The discussion delves into Matthew's efforts to involve his friends in the church, a process that emphasizes trust-building and friendship. Recognizing the limited efficacy of direct invitations to youth group activities, Matthew sought alternative ways to introduce his friends to the church environment. By initially inviting them to informal gatherings at his house and engaging them in church events like Easter egg hunts and nerve games, he recognized the importance of easing individuals into the unfamiliar setting. This strategic approach allows friends to acclimate at their own pace, fostering an environment where they can discover their own spiritual voice.Conclusion:In Episode 066 f the "To Be Encouraged" podcast Matthew and Kristen Bisciglia present a thought-provoking conversation about the significance of inclusion, finding...

Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad Miller. Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the Bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.” To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories.https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/In this episode (063) of To Be Encouraged, the Indiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church took center stage. Reverend Dr. Brad Miller, conducted a series of live interviews at the conference which highlighted many themes and speakers which were both enlightening and up lifting. The focus of this episode was on the message of Bishop Julius C. Trimble, the Bishop of Indiana, who is also responsible for the To Be Encouraged podcast.Throughout this episode, Bishop Trimble shared his encouragement for people who chose to physically attend events at Indiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He acknowledged that these attendees could have tuned in online or received a report from others, but their presence at the event was notable and appreciated by everyone present. Their commitment and engagement in the conference demonstrated that the church was still relevant and important to a large number of people.One of the key themes of this conference was gun violence prevention, which was highlighted by Bishop and many delegates wearing an orange t-shirts. The church's role in addressing gun violence was emphasized, and it was noted that the church needs to remain relevant for young people.Preparation for heaven is important, but the church should also address current issues that are hurting people. This message was considered important for the conference attendees, and Bishop Trimble expressed gratitude towards individuals who were working towards this issue. Bishop Trimble noted the presence of 1200 delegates, and commented positively on the commitment of people of various ages and situations who were present. Despite the challenges faced by the church, people's willingness to celebrate Christ and do the work of the church was evident and much appreciated.Bishop Trimble also expressed gratitude towards pastors who are leading the church. The opening of the Annual Conference included a visit from Mr. John Wesley encouraged bold witnessing and setting oneself on fire with the gospel. He urged pastors to live out the principles of Methodism with love of God and love of neighbor. The focus should be on moving forward in prayer and truly embodying the values of the faith.There is a lot of stress and angst currently present, but encouragement is being offered to help deal with these challenging times. The speaker is curious about what things are encouraging others within the community and had a positive interaction with someone who is starting a new process, which was encouraging. A college student is beginning the process of becoming a United Methodist ministry candidate, was seen as a positive sign of hope for the future.Despite the pandemic, people have remained faithful, and the church has not died. The speaker is spending time at the conference expressing gratitude to attendees for their faithfulness and emphasizes the importance of living a life of faith in the church. Bishop Trimble...

Hey y'all, I told y'all I would be letting y'all know about some exciting personal news and why that caused this Season (Season 6 of the Pastor Brian Podcast) to be delayed. I've written the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Indiana Annual Conference and General Superintendent Trimble, and spoken with my District Superintendents in Indiana and here in Northern Illinois— and (in compliance with ¶353.1 and ¶353.2a of The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2016) I'm prayerfully requesting a Voluntary Leave of Absence for Personal Leave to begin in the new appointment year of July 2023 . . . . . . As the Jones family we will still be at Gary, we are not leaving. This is where God has called us and where we can live out our call to proclaim the gospel so other's may know Christ's salvation. It is our family's Church home and we love it here and most of all we love God— the one who we have completely trusted and led us here. In many ways it will be much like it was when we first came to Gary Church in 2010, we will attend, but I will be on pastoral leave and have no pastoral duties, except now, I won't have four little ones running around, they are big, but still running around in Gary Youth! I am not giving up my orders or being a pastor. Simply, pastoring will not be my regular 9 to 5 job . . . just like many of you in your walk with Christ Jesus. I will continue my podcast ministry (producing the Gary Church Podcast and the Pastor Brian Podcast) as I feel that is something God has laid upon my heart continue and enlarge. So no worries, no more interruptions or delays with this season of Pastor Brian Podcast. I'm looking forward to what the future holds here! Most of all, I hope to live out the simple truth that God's call of making disciples of Jesus Christ is constant, but it does not always look the same. I want to show that to my children, to you, and live it out with you as well. Thank you . . . you are loved by me!The music you hear is "We're On Our Way" by Purple Planet Music and licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church. Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev. Dr. Brad MIller. Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.” To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories. https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/ (https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/) Rev. Shannon Stringer is the Director of Leadership Development for the Indiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. https://www.inumc.org/staff/leadership-development-team/ (https://www.inumc.org/staff/leadership-development-team/) shannon.stringer@inumc.org

Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church. Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad MIller. Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality and state of the United Methodist Church.” To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories. https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/ (https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/) bishop@inumc.org Rev. Shannon Stringer is the Director of Leadership Development for the Indiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. https://www.inumc.org/staff/leadership-development-team/ (https://www.inumc.org/staff/leadership-development-team/) shannon.stringer@inumc.org Rev. Annettra Jones Stephens is the Associate Director of Diversity, Missions and Justice Ministries for the Indiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. https://www.inumc.org/staff/connectional-ministries-team/ (https://www.inumc.org/staff/connectional-ministries-team/) annettra.jones@inumc.org

Indiana Area Bishop Julius Trimble joins Rev. Dr. Brad Miller on the recurring Be Encouraged segment on the United Methodist People Podcast. In Episode 50 the conversation centers around Leadership in a time of ambiguity in the United Methodist Church. Bishop and Brad talk through the present state of affairs in the United Methodist Church in November of 2021 with the church still many months away from General Conference 2022 when some decisions may be made regarding addressing the conflict in the church over matters of human sexuality. Bishop shares his experiences in The Council of Bishops and how there is a concerted emphasis among the episcopacy to embrace this defining time in our church in a more loving way. A conversation was also had about how local church lay leaders and pastors can approach dramatic decisions around such matters as disaffiliation with a season of prayer and considering the impact such decisions would have on those in our local churches who would be excluded by the decisions made. Be encouraged with Bishop Trimble is a regular segment on The United Methodist People Podcast with Rev. Dr. Brad Miller. In January 2022 Bishop Julius Trimble will be launching his very own podcast "Be Encouraged" with Bishop Julius Trimble emphasizing his call to be a voice of encouragement to the church. The purpose of The United Methodist People Podcast is to strengthen the connection in the United Methodist Church through conversation and commentary and is published by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller an Elder in the Indiana Annual Conference. https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/ (https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/)

In Episode 47 of “The United Methodist People Podcast,” Rev. Dr. Brad Miller engages in an in-depth conversation with three core leaders of The Room For All Coalition.  The Room For All Coalition was formed in the Indiana Annual Conference in 2019 as a response to decisions made at the 2019 General Conference which (RFA) considered destructive to the church by bringing harm to persons who identify as LGBTQ+ and their allies. Alberto Hidalgo îs a layperson from the Broadway UMC in Indianapolis who became heartbroken when he saw the UMC make a decision that when against his passion regarding inclusivity in the church. He got involved with The Room for All Coalition and is was elected as a Jurisdictional delegate from the Indiana Annual Conference. Rev. Mary Dicken is an ordained Deacon in the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church, currently serving at Meridian Street United Methodist Church in Indianapolis and previously serving churches throughout southern Indiana and in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She is passionate about connecting the church with the hurts and hopes of the world, creating space for sacred questions, and making room for people who have not always felt comfortable or welcome in the church. Rev. Jerry Rairdon is the Lead Pastor of First UMC-Noblesville, Indiana. When the decisions at the 2019 General Conference troubled him to his soul he received a spiritual leading to do something about it. This leads him to become one of the founding members of The Room For All Coalition. All three of these leaders shared their faith stories and how that lead them to become a part of The Room For All Coalition. The conversation Brad had with RFA leaders dealt with an honest assessment of the state of the church including the uneasiness regarding the delay in the General Conference until 2022 and how the stress of not making a decision is problematic. The discussion leads to the listening and learning the RFA has been doing with local churches and church folk which is a part of sharing and interpreting the agenda of RFA to be inclusive of LGBTQ+ folk. The conversation concluded with a discussion by all parties on a vision and hope for the church moving forward. Episode 47 of The United Methodist People Podcast is an important listen for any person wanting to understand the position of groups like the Room For All Coalition. The United Methodist People Podcast has the mission of strengthening the connection in the United Methodist Church through conversation and commentary. it is published by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller an Elder in the Indiana Annual Conference  Mary Dicken mary.dicken@inumc.org Jerry Rairdon jrairdon@noblesvillefirst.com Alberto Hidalgo ahidalgojr@aol.com https://www.roomforallin.org/ (https://www.roomforallin.org/) https://www.facebook.com/RoomForAllIN (https://www.facebook.com/RoomForAllIN)

Seminary Students Rachel Haines and Mackenzie Phillips are Rev. Dr. Brad Miller’s guests on Episode 46 of The United Methodist People Podcast. They spoke to Dr. Brad in-depth about college and seminary life and their perspectives on ministry in a time of the pandemic, social, political, and racial unrest and division in the United Methodist Church. Rachel Haines is a 2018 graduate of Emory and Henry College in Virginia and a student at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia.   Mackenzie Phillips graduated from Hope College in Michigan in 2020 and is a student at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. She serves as Associate Pastor of High Street United Methodist Church in Muncie, Indiana. Both women are from Ft Wayne Indiana and both are members of St Joseph’s UMC. They discussed the importance of their home church in their faith formation through youth groups and church camps. Going deeper - the conversation led to how the students were experiencing diverse situations and people in their college and seminary experiences and exploring scriptural studies and developing their own personal ministry philosophy and theological perspective. The students discussed women in ministry and the importance of understanding context and perspective in ministry settings and to really be good listeners. They talked about the challenges of entering ministry during a time of the covid pandemic and the social, political, racial unrest that has pervaded every aspect of life the last year. Moreover, they talked about entering the ministry in the United Methodist Church during a time of division in the church. They saw that this opened up opportunities to apply their gifts and graces to make an impact upon the world through their willingness to serve and face the challenges before them. Indeed, they are choosing to see a lot of hope in the world and in the UMC as serving the church in new ways is now more needed than ever and they are called to look for the good in people and the church and the word.   Episode 46 of The United Methodist People Podcast with Rachel Haines and Mackenzie Phillips is an absolute encouraging word to the church from our emerging leaders who are teaching us to always “do all the good we can.” mackenzie.phillips@inumc.org hainesrachel.rh@gmail.com https://hainesrachel.weebly.com/ (https://hainesrachel.weebly.com/) The Mission of The United Methodist People Podcast is to strengthen the connection in the United Methodist Church through conversation and commentary and is published by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller an Elder in the Indiana Annual Conference.  www.unitedmethodistpodcast.com

President Javier Viera from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and Indiana Area Bishop Julius Trimble are Rev. Dr. Brad Miller's guests on Episode 44 of The United Methodist People Podcast for an in-depth conversation about seminary education in challenging times. President Viera assumed leadership of the Evanston, Illinois campus on January 1, 2021, after serving on the faculty and administration of Drew University School of Theology. A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Viera is the first person of color and the first Latino to hold the office of president in the seminary’s 167-year history. President Viero spoke about his personal faith in Jesus Christ and his pathway which lead him to the Presidency at G-ETS prior to diving into a conversation about the challenges and opportunities in theological education in the present context of society and matters impacting the United Methodist Church. President Viero quoted the Spanish poet Machado “making the road as we walk it” as descriptive of the situation facing seminaries. In particular, President Viera said “one of the things that that we are facing as a seminary is the fact that we're training people for a world that we do not yet fully understand, and that we aren't certain of what it will look like.” He talked about theological education is a gift to the church because often the seminary is the place for engaging in dialogue and critical analysis of, of the brokenness of the world and wanting to be a part of, of the healing and the restoration, and resourcing the place of the church to lead in that regard. The conversation led to a discussion of the purpose of graduate theological education itself. He concluded beyond academics in many ways seminary is a graduate school of leadership, and of public service, and of sending people out into the world to serve in those capacities. This is a must listen to any United Methodist leaders invested and interested in the importance and future of seminary education. Folks can learn more about President Javier Viera and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary at www.https://www.garrett.edu/about-us/about-us (garrett.edu). The mission of the United Methodist People Podcast is to strengthen the connection in the United Methodist Church through conversation and commentary and is published by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who is an active Elder in the Indiana Annual Conference of the UMC. Rev. Dr. Brad Miller March 2021 https://www.garrett.edu/about-us/about-us (Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary)

In Episode 041 of The United Methodist People Podcast Rev. Dr. Brad Miller talks with Rev. Glenn Knepp about the article A Taxonomy of United Methodist Centrists. which he authored in the online publication United Methodist Insight. https://um-insight.net/perspectives/a-taxonomy-of-united-methodist-centrists_1/. Glenn talks to Brad about his call to ministry his involvement in the church through his local church and the Indiana Annual Conference and his views on the state of the United Methodist Church. In particular Brad and Glenn discuss his article where he takes on the topic of analyzing and breaking down his understanding of centrists in the United Methodist Church. He uses the term taxonomy to describe the categorization of the myriad of approaches many UMCs take who would neither self-describe themselves as traditionalists or progressives in the ongoing dilemma in the UMC but do know they prefer a path which seeks to find more common ground over those who see division in the church. They are the rather large group of people called “Centrists.” This is fascinating discussion on the very nature of our beloved United Methodist Church done in a clever way which wordsmiths the various approaches which is a part of the present dilemma of division in the United Methodist church as we face the probability of schism in the near future. The conversation that Glenn and Brad have in Episode 041 of The United Methodist People Podcast will give food for thought to the listener who loves the United Methodist Church - particularly to those who identify as “Centrist.” November 2020 Rev. Dr. Brad Miller The Article: “A Taxonomy of United Methodist Centrists” https://um-insight.net/perspectives/a-taxonomy-of-united-methodist-centrists_1/

In Episode 041 of The United Methodist People Podcast Rev. Dr. Brad Miller talks with Rev. Glenn Knepp about the article A Taxonomy of United Methodist Centrists. which he authored in the online publication United Methodist Insight. https://um-insight.net/perspectives/a-taxonomy-of-united-methodist-centrists_1/. Glenn talks to Brad about his call to ministry his involvement in the church through his local church and the Indiana Annual Conference and his views on the state of the United Methodist Church. In particular Brad and Glenn discuss his article where he takes on the topic of analyzing and breaking down his understanding of centrists in the United Methodist Church. He uses the term taxonomy to describe the categorization of the myriad of approaches many UMCs take who would neither self-describe themselves as traditionalists or progressives in the ongoing dilemma in the UMC but do know they prefer a path which seeks to find more common ground over those who see division in the church. They are the rather large group of people called “Centrists.” This is fascinating discussion on the very nature of our beloved United Methodist Church done in a clever way which wordsmiths the various approaches which is a part of the present dilemma of division in the United Methodist church as we face the probability of schism in the near future. The conversation that Glenn and Brad have in Episode 041 of The United Methodist People Podcast will give food for thought to the listener who loves the United Methodist Church - particularly to those who identify as “Centrist.” November 2020 Rev. Dr. Brad Miller The Article: “A Taxonomy of United Methodist Centrists” https://um-insight.net/perspectives/a-taxonomy-of-united-methodist-centrists_1/

Dr. William L. Johnson shares insight to help African Americans with challenging healthcare issue for African Americans.  Dr. Johnson serves as The Chaplain for Palliative Care at Christian Hospital NE in Saint Louis, MO. At the hospital, he serves on a variety of committees in leadership such as the Bio-Medical Ethics, IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Awareness) Team, Christian Hospital Foundation Community Clergy Board, and Chair of the Christian Hospital MLK Luncheon Steering Committee. He is also a Board Certified Chaplain through the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC). He also serves as a hospital and community liaison. Dr. Johnson proudly serves as the Presiding Elder of the SENSATIONAL, SPIRIT-FILLED, SOUTHERN ILLINOIS DISTRICT, Indiana Annual Conference, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. He is the son of Presiding Elder Carrol Ann Kimbrough Johnson (Presiding Elder of the St. Louis District - Missouri Annual Conference) and the late Mr. William Lamour Johnson. He is the very proud father of two wonderful children, William IV and Ebonee.  

The founder of The Methodist Reclamation Project Rev. Chris Tiedeman is Rev. Dr. Brad Miller’s guest on Episode 019 of the United Methodist People Podcast.   The Methodist Reclamation Project is a facebook group presence founded to respond to the decision of the 2019 General Conference to advocate a progressive/centrist viewpoint on the matters facing the UMC.   Chris is the pastor or Christ UMC-Wabash, Indiana.    In this in-depth interview, Chris tells Brad about coming to the church when he was dating the daughter of a UMC pastor while they both were in a high school drama production of “The Beverly Hillbillies.”  He described how the openness of the UMC spoke to him and nurtured his faith eventually leading him into pastoral ministry.  He is known among other things as the “Ukulele Pastor” for playing and singing with his “Uke” in the community.   He and some colleagues created the Methodist Reclamation Project to speak to effect change to save what can be of the United Methodist Movement.  He looks to affect the best future of the UMC moving forward.   He spoke to Brad about his role as a “Grandpa Millennial” and his concerns about how the UMC has struggled to meet the needs of millennial and how passionate he is about this.  This includes his willingness to work through with others what Methodism will become in the aftermath of the 2019 General Conference decision to implement the Traditional Plan.   Chris spoke from the heart to Brad about the “gutted” feeling he had about the pain many people associated with the LGBTQ community are experiencing now and how his compelled to take action in response to that.  This action included stepping up as a candidate for the General and Jurisdictional Conference.  (Note: Chris was elected as a delegate to the North Central Jurisdictional Conference by the Indiana Annual Conference)   Chris describes his present attitude about the church as “fraught but hopeful” which he describes as being encouraged by the movement of centrist/progressive UMC people in an anxious time and a defining moment in the church.   His desire, he tells Brad, is to focus on Jesus and move beyond any distraction to this focus.  He describes himself as a “Jesus Person” teaching others in the UMC that the need to be Jesus to others an outpost of the Gospel.   You will want to listen and learn from Chris Tiedeman the founder of The Methodist Reclamation Project on Episode 019 of the United Methodist People Podcast with Rev. Dr. Brad Miller.   The purpose of the United Methodist People Podcast is to strengthen the connection in the UMC through conversation and commentary.   Rev. Dr. Brad Miller June 2019   https://www.facebook.com/groups/386132275301092/

Shannon Priddy is the national president of the United Methodist Women and candidate for election to become a delegate to the 2020 General Conference from the Indiana Conference. In Episode 018 of the United Methodist People Podcast, she is interviewed in depth by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller. Shannon shares with Brad her faith in Jesus Christ in growing up and her local church involvement with United Methodist Women inspired by UMW’s emphasis on missions, social justice, and inclusion.  She got involved with leadership in UMW in her local church (North UMC-Indianapolis) and her leadership ability was affirmed by her rise to become the president of the national UMW.   Shannon’s skills are arising furthermore as she has got involved with the UMCNext movement in response to the 2019 General Conference.  She talked with Brad about her experience at the May 2019 UMCNext conference in Kansas City, KS which called together progressive and centrist groups in the church to pray and process a strategy and response to the harmful nature of the traditional plan as approved by the 2019 General Conference.   She was moved by the deep conversations and convictions of the people she encountered at the UMCNext event and is committed to implementing reforms in the church. Shannon has stepped forward to become a candidate for election to represent the Indiana Annual Conference as a delegate to the 2020 General Conference.   She shared with Brad her motivations and expectations in becoming a candidate. Shannon is a passionate advocate of deep conversation, especially with people you are in disagreement with, expecting the Holy Spirit to work mightily in the church and living under the protection of the Grace of God.  She believes when the church does these things that community will be restored and will be a proper response to this time of distress in the church. Shannon Priddy brings much value to the listener of Episode 018 of the United Methodist People Podcast with Rev. Dr. Brad Miller. June 2019

The purpose of the United Methodist people podcast is to strengthen the connection in the United Methodist Church through conversation and commentary as a means to achieve the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ of the transformation of the world. In Episode 014 of the United Methodist People Podcast with Rev. Dr. Brad Miller conversation and commentary were at hand as Brad hosted a lively discussion with three other elders on the topic of The Way Forward, particularly The One Church Plan which will be presented to the 2019 General Conference.   Brad was joined by Rev. Jerry Rairdon, Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Noblesville Indiana and founder of Uniting Methodist Indiana, Rev. Jill Moffat Howard, Pastor of Rosedale Hills United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana who is an alternate delegate to the 2019 General Conference from the Indiana Annual Conference and Rev. Dr. Mark Holland Executive Director of MainstreamUMC.com from Kansas City, Kansas. The focus of the roundtable conversation was the impasse in the United Methodist Church over matters of human sexuality which led to the creation of The Commission on the Way Forward who will bring three proposals to the floor of the February 2019  General Conference.   Mark and Jerry lead groups which are strong advocates of The One Church Plan over the other two proposals which are the Traditional Plan and the Conference Plan.   The conversation began by lifting up what is joyful and good about United Methodist Church which included comments about missions, creative outreach and innovative worship and a renewed openness to try new approaches to ministry.  The conversation then shifted to what breaks the heart of the panelist which included grave concerns about a breakup in the church, animosity even hatred among folks on different sides of the issues at hand and missed opportunities for mission and ministry in a church bogged down by dissent.   An overriding question for the panel was "what kind of church do we want to be moving forward?" That is if this splits church what’s next for the UMC? There was a conversation on the how part of the conflict in the UMC centers on how some see the UMC as a descriptive church and others see the UMC as a prescriptive church. It was generally agreed that a strength of the UMC is our diversity and that a schism in the church would be exclusionary of many and is not the best way for the UNC to be a witness to the world. The panel was generally in agreement that The One Church Plan provides the best opportunity for the UMC to move forward as one church not divided by schism. Great concern was expressed about the complexities of the “Conference Plan" and the harsh restrictive nature of many aspects of the “Traditional Plan.” The One Church Plan presented the church as a Big Tent which has room under its roof for many different expressions of faith based on grace, tolerance, and love of one another within the body of the UMC.   The panel was in agreement that the mission of the church is at stake and that The One Church Plan gives the UMC the best opportunity to reach present and younger generations of people far from God and far from the church. The One Church Plan is best suited for the UMC to live out our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The conversation concluded with the statement the gospel is bigger than the church on these matters and it is felt that there is momentum for The One Church Plan as the time of General Conference approaches. This was an important conversation between those deeply engaged in the process of understanding The Way Forward and coming to terms with the implications that the decisions made at General Conference will have on the very nature of the United Methodist Church.   Those who are likewise invested will find great value in the roundtable conversation in Episode 014 of the United Methodist People Podcast with Rev. Dr. Brad Miller. Rev. Dr. Brad Miller is a long time Elder in the Indiana Conference UMC with experience in radio broadcasting and podcasting who believes deeply in the power of conversation and commentary to strengthen the connection in the United Methodist Church.   Rev. Dr. Brad Miller October 2018  

The director of MainstreamUMC.com, Rev. Dr. Mark Holland is Rev. Dr. Brad Miller’s guest on Episode 013 of the United Methodist People Podcast.   Mainstream UMC is an advocacy group which supports the adoption of The One Church Plan prepared by the Commission no the Way Forward and affirmed by the Bishops of the UMC.   Mark talks to Brad about his faith journey as a third generation United Methodist Pastor serving in Kansas City, Kansas for the majority of his pastoral ministry.  Mark also had the rather unique experience of serving as the Mayor of Kansas City, Kansas concurrent to his pastorate at Trinity UMC in Kansas City.   Mark is taking a sabbatical year to concentrate on efforts to influence on delegates to the 2019 General Conference supporting The One Church Plan.   Mark describes the difference between the One Church plan and the Traditional Plan and argues that the One Church Plan is preferable.   He speaks to Brad about the following:   Comparing the UMC to a dinner plate which can be chipped and still be useful or shattered and destroyed. Affirming the courage of UMC bishops to address the impasse over humans sexuality by creating the commission on the way forward. Noting that if family’s and local churches can model unity-why can’t the denomination. That under the one church plan churches and clergy can be conservative or be progressive but can be the best they can be and still work diligently to make disciple of Jesus Christ Creating a church by choice. His contention that this is a “gut check time” for the UMC to determine if we as a church are willing to live as one family for whom we disagree with members of our family.   Episode 013 of the United Methodist People Podcast is a must listen to those wanting to understand the nature of the Way Forward process and the benefits of the One Church Plan.   The purpose of the United Methodist People Podcast is to stenghenthening the connection in the United Methodist Church through conversation and commentary as a means to achieve our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.   Rev. Dr. Brad Miller is a long-time elder in the Indiana Annual Conference and has been podcasting since 2012.   Rev. Dr. Brad Miller September 2018   https://mainstreamumc.com/advisory-board/mark-holland/   facebook.com/unitedmethodistpodcast  

HUMP.033: Annual Conference 2017- “Together We Are More” Episode 033 of the Hoosier United Methodist Podcast is a special edition previewing the 2017 Indiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. The theme of Annual Conference is “Together We Are More” and is held June 8-10, 2017 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. This is the first Annual Conference under the Episcopal leadership of Bishop Julius Trimble. Dr. Brad makes some observations about the place, purpose and importance of Annual Conference based on his experiences. He introduces the keynote speakers and the four focuses of the United Methodist Church which will be emphasized at the conference. • Creating New and Renewed Congregations • Developing Principled Christian Leaders: Encouraging the Call • Engaging in Ministry with the Poor • Improving Global Health The unity of the body of Christ is the overriding theme of the Annual Conference embodied by the key verse of scripture. Ephesians 4:16 “From Him (Jesus) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does it works.” The purpose of the Hoosier United Methodist Podcast is to strengthen the connection in the United Methodist Church in the state of Indiana to fulfill the mission of “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.”

Rev. Dr. Bob Walters author of “The Last Missionary” is Dr. Brad’s special guest on Episode 31 of the Hoosier United Methodist podcast.  Bob talks to Brad about his many years working in both the Indiana Annual Conference and in the North Katanga Annual Conference in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. Bob describes to Brad his experiences in both worlds and his take on mission partnerships over missionaries in the mission field and engaging in "deep listening.”  Bob talks about the exceptional leadership that he found at work with among the people of the  Methodist Church in the DRC.  Bob also talks to Brad about the unique way that he forged relationships in remote areas through the use of his bicycle. You will be engaged by this conversation in Episode 31 of the Hoosier United Methodist podcast with Dr. Brad Miller. The mission of the Hoosier United Methodist podcast is strengthening the connection in the United Methodist Church in Indiana for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ the transformation of the world. thelastmissionary.com friendlyplanetmissiology.org hoosierunitedmethodist.com facebook.com/HoosierUnitedMethodist  

HUMP #028: Rev. Randy Anderson-“A Vehicle for Church Transformation" The mission of the Hoosier United Methodist podcast is to strengthen the connection in the United Methodist Church in the state of Indiana for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. In Episode #028 of the Hoosier United Methodist Podcast Dr. Brad Miller speaks with Rev. Randy Anderson who is on the Indiana Annual Conference staff on the church development team as well as serving as associate district superintendent of the Southwest district. Randy talks to Brad about his responsibilities in church development in particular regarding the fruitful congregations journey process. Randy works with pastors and lay teams in the classic fruitful congregations journey which is a three-year process as well as helping churches transition into FCJ 2.0 which goes a bit deeper in the process and helping churches implement their discipleship making plans. in addition Randy works with churches with attendance lower than 70 in the FCJ Impact program specifically designed for these churches. Randy tells Brad about how FCJ was instrumental in helping his local church focus on outreach and evangelism and how the concept of "radical hospitality" is crucial for churches to transform their ministry to their communities. Randy is all about training coaches and equipping facilitators to transform local churches into healthy congregations. He sees FCJ as a vehicle to transform local churches in a manner specifically integrated to their local settings. In the words of Randy "this is not a cookie cutter process". Randy goes on to tell Brad about the overall vision of church development in the Indiana Conference which is the development of Alpha teams to focus on new church planting and Omega teams to work on redeveloping existing local churches. In both teams the emphasis of church development is for the church to see discipleship as a verb and how there is no room in discipleship for people to be merely pew sitters. Randy also tells Brad about how his relationships with his grandchildren is the key factor which keeps him fresh in ministry and enthusiastic about life. Rev. Randy Anderson is a delightful and engaging personality and committed to the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. In episode #028 of the Hoosier United Methodist podcast you will hear that commitment as Rev. Randy Anderson wants to get all Indiana churches on board the vehicle of church development for the transformation of the church. Rev. Randy Anderson http://www.inumc.org/churchdevelopment randy.anderson@inumc.org 800-919-8160

In Episode 003 of “The United Methodist Podcast” Dr. Brad Miller is joined by Indiana Area Bishop Michael J. Coyner. Bishop Coyner has served in the episcopacy for 20 years and is retiring in 2016. In his time as Bishop he has served the United Methodist Church in just about every capacity and oversaw the challenge of bringing two distinct annual conferences (North Indiana and South Indiana) together to form one new annual conference - the Indiana Annual Conference. “Bishop Mike” and Brad had a great conversation about the joys and challenges in serving as a bishop and what he sees as signs of hope in the United Methodist Church. Bishop Mike is a genuine and authentic leader of the church who has been able to navigate some very sensitive issues in Indiana as well as around the world of United Methodism. The conversation was far ranging touching on the state of the church as he sees it right now - what he calls a “Big Tent Church” that is being stretched by challenging issues. Bishop Mike gives his observations about the global church in places like Eastern Europe and Africa as well as the state of the church in North America. He shared the advice he might give to a brand-new bishop and to younger clergy who are just starting out. You will find Bishop Mike to be very hopeful about the future of the church, particularly because of the influx of younger clergy and the influence of devoted laypersons. Bishop Mike also talks about two issues that he considers key for the future of The United Methodist Church “nimbleness” and “partnerships.” In the “Methodist Moment” segment of The Untied Methodist Podcast Dr. Andy Kinsey explores John Wesley’s approach to “The Invitation to Christian Discipleship.” You will find Episode 003 of The United Methodist Podcast helpful to your ministry context.

In this edition of the United Methodist podcast Brad Miller has a conversation with Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright the Director of Leadership Development for the Indiana Annual Conference.  The interview ranged from Dr. Fulbright's personal call to ministry to her strategy of discerning, developing and deploying leadership in the church. She shared her passion to raise up a new generation of leaders among the laity and clergy alike. She also spoke of her thoughts in the state of leadership in the Indiana Conference as well as the influence in her life of a great figure from history.