Podcasts about United Methodist Church

PUMC - Platteville United Methodist Church

Thank you for joining us for our Children's Sabbath Sunday service! Today's sermon is "Finding the Joy" by Pastor Rebecca Hjelle-Penner.

The Louisiana Conference of The United Methodist Church has embarked on one of the most significant strategic initiatives in history that will invest up to $15 million in churches and ministries across Louisiana through debt reduction and new investments in mission and ministry. Rooted in the biblical understanding of jubilee — a season of restoration, freedom from burdens, and new beginnings — the initiative is designed to help churches move more fully into the ministry God is calling them to do. At its heart, Jubilee asks a simple question: What could churches do if some financial barriers to ministry were removed? To learn more about The Jubilee Initiative, please head here: https://jubileelouisiana.com/

Join Kosta and his guest: Monica Mowdy, Pastor of WellSpring United Methodist Church, educator, advocate and candidate for Tennessee House of Representatives District 25.In this episode: In the South, you're everything a candidate should be, and shouldn't be. You're a woman, you're a pastor, you're a Democrat and you've spent your entire life in service to others. I want to start with your Ministry work. What brought you to the United Methodist Church? Do you believe there should be a separation of church and state, and if yes, how do you specifically honor that balance? You're running in State House District 25, against our neighbor and Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, what inspired this campaign and have you ever run for local office before? For the past 16 years the Tennessee Republican Party has held a super majority across the state. We've grown exponentially during this time by nearly every metric, but not everyone, especially those from Tennessee are feeling the benefits of our growth. What do you say to voters who are feeling left behind despite our successes? Find out more about Monica Mowdy:https://www.electmonica.com/Register to vote, check your registration or update your voter registration: https://sos.tn.gov/govotetnImportant Putnam County (2026 Federal and State Election) Dates and information:Federal and State Elections will be held on November 3rd with early voting from October 14th to October 29th.All early voting for Putnam County voters takes place at the Putnam County Election Commission on 705 County Services Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501.For more information visit on Putnam County polling locations visit: https://putnamcountytn.gov/election-commissionBetter Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is a product of Morgan Franklin Media and recorded in Cookeville, TN.This episode of Better Together with Kosta Yepifantsev is made possible by our partners at Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy.Find out more about Aspire Barber and Beauty Academy:https://aspirebarberandbeauty.com

PUMC - Platteville United Methodist Church

Thank you for joining us for our traditional Sunday service! Today's sermon is "Fairs, Fair" by Pastor Curt Magelky.

What does hope look like for the United Methodist Church after years of disruption, decline, and change?In this episode of Pod Have Mercy, John and Matt sit down with Dr. Lovett H. Weems, one of the leading voices in church leadership and United Methodist life, for a wide-ranging conversation about where the church has been and where it might be headed next.Drawing from his newest book, "An Aura of Hope: United Methodism's Next Chapter in the United States," Dr. Weems discusses why hope is not dependent on favorable circumstances, what current trends and demographics reveal about the future of the church, and why congregations must begin by paying attention to "the people God has given us."The conversation explores the changing geography of Methodism, the importance of reaching beyond the walls of the church, what churches can learn from congregations that are successfully reaching new people, and why leadership is less about imposing a vision than helping God's people discern their next faithful step.They also discuss the future of the United Methodist Church following disaffiliation, the denomination's new regionalization model, church governance, and what it means for churches to serve not simply their members, but the common good of the communities around them.Dr. Lovett H. Weems is Distinguished Professor of Church Leadership Emeritus at Wesley Theological Seminary and senior consultant at the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, which he founded in 2003. Previously, he served for 18 years as president of Saint Paul School of Theology and spent many years as a local church pastor in Mississippi.He is the author or co-author of numerous books on church leadership, including "An Aura of Hope," "The Right Questions for Church Leaders," "Church Leadership: Vision, Team, Culture, and Integrity," "Sustaining While Disrupting," and, with Bishop Tom Berlin, "Bearing Fruit," "Overflow," and "High Yield."Resources mentioned in this episode:An Aura of Hope: United Methodism's Next Chapter in the United StatesUnited Methodist Focus, Dr. Weems's newsletter on the future of the United Methodist ChurchLewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary

This week, Scott is joined by Abel who serves as the director of connectional ministries for the Rio Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Among his portfolio, Abel works on mission, justice, and disaster response ministries.    Abel also serves on Texas Impact's Leadership Council, who just released Texas Impact's biennial legislative priorities for the next biennium. Abel talks about the legislative priorities, specifically reflecting on public education, immigration and climate priorities.    See the full set of legislative priorities at: https://texasimpact.org/legislative-priorities-2027/   We hope you enjoy this episode and invite a friend to listen along. If you share it in your social media, make sure to tag us!   To learn more or get involved, check out Texas Impact's Action Center at texasimpact.org.   

Topics discussed on this episode include remembering 9/11, the possible unmasking of the creator of Bitcoin, a United Methodist Pastor tied to Jeffrey Epstein, the Dancing Cancer Girls of New Mexico, how The Atlantic got fooled into believing the Cartel holds their own secret Olympics, college football, the Kawhi Leonard saga, the NFL, the appearance of AI Jesus at a Catholic church in Switzerland, two little Bigfeet spotted in Pennsylvania, Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day, and the CIA's search for the Ark of the Covenant.

He is one of Indianapolis's most courageous leaders, and he's this week's guest on the “Leaders and Legends” podcast. Reverend Charles Harrison is everything you could want in a community leader while also authoring one of the best X accounts I've ever followed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does it mean to truly belong?In this episode of Behind the Scenes, host Kevin Van Hall sits down with Rev. Laura Johnson to explore her September 13, 2026, sermon, “Belong as You Are,” the first message in a new sermon series about North Raleigh United Methodist Church's purpose: Belong as you are. Become like Jesus. Be love for God's world.Laura begins with a personal story about discovering a United Methodist church where people from different backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and life experiences could worship together without having to fit a particular mold. That experience helped shape her understanding of what it means to create a community where people can truly belong.The conversation explores the difference between belonging and fitting in. Fitting in requires us to change ourselves to match the people around us. Belonging means being known and loved as we are. Laura explains why belonging comes first in NRUMC's new purpose statement and why the church seeks to be a place where people can belong even when they have different viewpoints, backgrounds, cultures, or theologies.At the heart of the sermon is Galatians 3:25–28, where Paul challenges the boundaries that separated people in the early Christian community. Laura examines Paul's declaration that all are one in Christ Jesus and considers what this radical vision of belonging means for the church today. The conversation explores how Christianity began as a movement within Judaism, the conflict surrounding Gentile inclusion, and Paul's insistence that belonging in Christ is not based on conformity to a particular set of cultural or religious requirements.Laura also shares a childhood story about getting caught stealing cookies from the church kitchen. Instead of being shamed or excluded, she and her friend were given grace. That simple experience became a powerful example of what it means to know that you belong, even when you get things wrong.The episode asks important questions about Christian community, church belonging, grace, inclusion, conformity, and the way we welcome others. What does it look like to create a church where people do not have to believe everything before they belong? How can we make space for people who are skeptical, questioning, different from us, or simply figuring out where they fit? And what does it mean for every person at North Raleigh United Methodist Church to help cultivate a culture of belonging?Laura concludes by emphasizing that belonging does not happen automatically. It must be intentionally cultivated and protected by the whole church through genuine welcome, grace, care, openness, and a willingness to honor people who may see things differently.Scripture: Galatians 3:25–28Sermon: “Belong as You Are”Preacher: Rev. Laura JohnsonHost: Kevin Van HallChurch: North Raleigh United Methodist Church (NRUMC)Behind the Scenes is a weekly podcast from North Raleigh United Methodist Church that takes listeners deeper into the week's Scripture and sermon through conversation with our pastors and ministry leaders. These conversations offer additional context, questions, stories, and insights to help us continue thinking about faith long after worship ends.Topics include: belonging, Christian community, church inclusion, grace, Galatians 3, Galatians 3:28, United Methodist Church, Wesleyan Christianity, Christian discipleship, church culture, faith and doubt, welcoming others, conformity vs. belonging, radical belonging, and North Raleigh United Methodist Church.

PUMC - Platteville United Methodist Church

Thank you for joining us for our traditional Sunday service! Today's sermon is "For the Glory of God" by Pastor Curt Magelky.

On today's program, the Anglican Church in North America faces its first ever trial of a sitting archbishop. He is accused of abuse of church power and sexual immorality. We'll have details. And, the Global Methodist Church — who split off from the United Methodist Church four years ago — just wrapped up its second General Conference. We'll take a look. Plus, a new study finds that Southern Baptist pastor pay has stalled since 2024 — and almost two-thirds of churches don't provide medical insurance for their pastors. Up first is the story of a Missouri pastor who turned his church into a fraud operation. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get editorial, database, and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, Heidi Allums, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kathryn Post, Stacey Horton, Neva Piombino, Tony Mator, Aaron Earls, Makella Knowles, and Jessica Eturralde. A special thanks to Lifeway Research for contributing material for this week's podcast. You've been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

What does it look like to have a faith that holds when life feels exhausting?In this episode of Pod Have Mercy, John and Matt sit down with Bishop Tom Berlin and Rev. Rachel Billups for a wide-ranging conversation about resilience, discipleship, courage, innovation, and what gives them hope for the future of the church.Bishop Berlin and Rachel discuss their work around Christian resilience and why resilience is about more than simply pushing through difficult seasons. They explore the habits and communities that help us remain grounded in faith, hope, love, courage, and joy when life does not cooperate.The conversation also turns to Bishop Berlin's book, "Jesus Is Lord," and what that familiar Christian confession actually demands of us. What happens when politics, culture, ambition, or certainty begin competing with Jesus for the center of our lives? What would it mean for Christians to genuinely allow everything else to orbit around Christ?Rachel shares about the work of Hub4Innovation, the importance of curiosity and experimentation in ministry, and why leaders need the courage to dream, dare, disrupt, and sometimes fail as they imagine new ways of serving their communities.Bishop Berlin also reflects on more than two decades of ministry relationships in Sierra Leone, including the Child Reintegration Centre and Mercy Hospital, and the life-changing impact global partnerships can have on both the communities being served and those who choose to serve.John, Matt, Rachel, and Tom also talk candidly about clergy exhaustion, the state of The United Methodist Church, Christian nationalism, rebuilding trust, finding hope in ordinary people, and why tangible expressions of love may be one of the church's most important witnesses.Finally, Rachel and Tom become the first guests to take a seat in a new Pod Have Mercy segment: The Mercy Seat.LEARN MORE ABOUT BISHOP TOM BERLINBishop Tom Berlin:https://www.bishoptomberlin.comCouncil of Bishops Profile:https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/person-detail/4174935Shop Bishop Tom Berlin's books on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B004M71V5U?ccs_id=09172b4a-93d5-4297-a356-67ecd2fb1cf8LEARN MORE ABOUT RACHEL BILLUPSRachel Billups:https://www.rachelbillups.comShop Rachel Billups' books on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07MFVQYWW?ccs_id=ab7e652e-b6c5-4f20-a5ff-04b66cc0f925Hub4Innovation:https://www.hub4innovation.orgBOOKS DISCUSSED"Be Strong in the Lord: The Resilient Way of Christ" by Tom Berlin and Rachel Billups"Jesus Is Lord" by Tom Berlin"Dream, Dare, Disrupt: How Experiments, Risk, & Embracing Failure Can Build Life-Giving Ministry" by Matt Rawle and Rachel BillupsExplore Tom and Rachel's Amazon author pages above to find these books and more.

It's Thursday, September 10th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus Nigerian Muslims killed 51 percent more people in last quarter of 2025 The Christian persecution charity Open Doors published a report on Nigeria, Africa this month. It's ranked 7th on the charity's list of the world's most dangerous countries worldwide to be a Christian.  Islamic extremist groups drive much of the violence in the country which affects many Christians. Abductions linked to extremist violence rose to 3,415 incidents during the last quarter of 2025. That's up 153 percent from 2024. Plus, civilians who were murdered rose to 1,735, up 51 percent. Many of those martyrs were Christians.  The report noted, “After a period of relative stabilization, killings and abductions appear to be rising again, with sharp increases recorded in late 2025.” In Psalm 82:4 and 8, the psalmist prays, “Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked. … Arise, O God, Judge the Earth; for You shall inherit all nations.” Conservative Global Methodists grew to 7,250 churches The Global Methodist Church held its General Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa last week. The theologically conservative denomination started in 2022 as churches left the mainline United Methodist Church.   Global Methodists had around 4,700 churches in 2024. Now, just one and a half years later, they've grown to 7,250 churches. Federal appeals court heard abortion drug arguments Here in the United States, a federal appeals court heard arguments in a case about abortion drugs yesterday. Under the Biden administration, the Food and Drug Administration made the abortion drug mifepristone more accessible through the mail. Previously, an in-person visit to a doctor was required. The state of Louisiana is now challenging these changes in court. Attorney Erin Hawley with Alliance Defending Freedom said, “It's high time the FDA be held accountable for the destruction it began causing under the Biden administration with this high-risk drug that is flowing illegally into states that protect life.” Democrat Sen. Fetterman praises Trump at GOP Convention  Republicans are holding their first-ever midterm convention this week. (You can watch the video here). The two-day event kicked off yesterday in Dallas, Texas. President Donald Trump attended the event, and was the keynote speaker, along with Vice President J.D. Vance, cabinet officials, and congressional candidates. Republicans hope to energize voters through the convention ahead of the midterm elections in November.   One surprise at the GOP Midterm Convention, which turned a lot of heads, was a video appearance by Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania who rejected the socialist rise of extreme candidates in his own party, praised Republican President Trump, and introduced his Republican colleague in the U.S. Senate from Pennsylvania, David McCormick. FETTERMAN: “A big room of Republicans in Dallas. Yes, I'm Senator John Fetterman, Pennsylvania. Yes, I'm a Democrat. Why am I here talking to you today? Because, well, I'm a common-sense Democrat. I'm always going to stand with America. “I'm always going to reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life. Dave McCormick is the kind of senator that gets the job done. And he's going to fight for Pennsylvania. “I'm proud to count him as my friend. Right back over my shoulder, that's the iconic U.S. steel mill. And that's exactly the kind of thing that will work together and will work with President Trump to fight and defend the steel way of life right here in the Steel Valley. “I have this opportunity to introduce this great American, a great senator. And yes, he's in a different party, but I'm proud to count him as my great friend. So, for everybody in Dallas, I'm here to introduce Dave McCormick.” Republican Senator David McCormick of Pennsylvania is not up for re-election until 2030. CNN pollster calls GOP Mid-term convention ill-conceived In related news, CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten provided polls on voter enthusiasm on the eve of the Republican midterm convention. Enten called the event "ill-conceived," saying the party's core voters "don't need to be convinced" to come out. Listen. ENTEN: “This idea is so ill-conceived and you can just see it by the fact that they're doing it when the football season is starting. Who does that? “When you look at the numbers, no, that is not the part of the party in which you actually need to motivate. You can see this here. Extremely motivated to vote in the midterm elections: Sixty percent of Democrats are extremely motivated to vote. Fifty-nine percent of that hard-core Trump base, MAGA Republicans, 59 percent. The same as the Dems." Enten pointed to a graphic showing that the least motivated voters in the mid-term election this November are the 41 percent of Republicans who do not identify with "Making America Great Again." ENTEN: “The ones who are not motivated to vote are the non-MAGA Republicans. The people who are far less likely to approve of Donald Trump. The people who think that Donald Trump's Republican Party probably this should be the end of it. That's where the problem is. “So, no, it is not, in fact, the hard-core Republican base that needs that motivation. It is other folks -- at this convention -- simply put, they won't be reaching because they'll probably be watching football like most Americans.” Diesel prices hit an all-time high Last Friday, U.S. diesel prices hit an all-time high  The average nationwide price reached $5.85 per gallon. It was $3.76 per gallon back in February. That's when the U.S.-Iran conflict began, disrupting the oil supply. Diesel is used in most freight transport in America. Higher transport costs will likely translate into higher retail prices especially for groceries.  New York homeschooling up 200% since 2011 Homeschooling is up 200 percent in New York over the past 15 years. The Empire State now has 53,905 homeschoolers. New York City itself has 14,000 homeschooled children. Homeschooling is not only growing, it's outpacing the rate of charter school enrollment.  Zilvinas Silenas, president of the Empire Center for Public Policy think tank, told The New York Post, “For the past few decades, New York's schools have been in a death spiral of worsening performance and exploding costs. New York's taxpayers spend $37,000 — the most in the world to educate one kid — yet we lose in reading and mathematics to Mississippi, the poorest state.”  Adults admit to spending too much time on smartphones And finally, a new Pew Research survey found over half of U.S. adults say they spend too much time on their smartphones. Among adults under 30, 70 percent said their phone usage is excessive. Overall, a quarter of Americans admit they use their smartphone almost constantly.  Over the past 12 months, 45 percent of adults have tried to cut back on smartphone use. A quarter of those report they have been successful.  Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, September 10th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

PUMC - Platteville United Methodist Church

PUMC - Platteville United Methodist Church

Thank you for joining us for our traditional Sunday service! Today's sermon is "Conflict" by Pastor Curt Magelky.

Thank you for joining us for our traditional Sunday service! Today's sermon is " Monkey Trap" by John Saxe.

The Bearded Theologians sat down with David Worthington,Global Ambassador of Methodist Heritage Sites for The United Methodist Church, just before his visit to the Mountain Sky Conference.David Worthington has spent nearly two decades helpingpeople encounter Methodist history as inspiration for modern mission. After years of leadership at John Wesley's New Room in Bristol, England, he was named Global Ambassador of Methodist Heritage Sites by the United Methodist GeneralCommission on Archives and History in 2024.One of the things we learned from David, is Methodistheritage isn't about nostalgia—it's a dynamic resource for outreach, mission, and reimagining faithful ministry in a changing world.Connect & Learn More:

PUMC - Platteville United Methodist Church

PUMC - Platteville United Methodist Church

On today's program, a federal judge has dismissed the last remaining claim in Johnny Hunt’s defamation lawsuit, marking the end of a contentious legal battle. He had sued the Southern Baptist Convention and others back in 2023. And, a Texas church is sued by the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church over its bylaw changes. Plus, water filters open doors to share the gospel with vulnerable people around the world. But first, a story out of Tucson, Arizona. Warren, tell us what’s going on at GracePointe Church. Arizona authorities have arrested a former finance manager at GracePointe Church on felony charges. Her name is Tracey Jorgensen. She’s 61 years old. Court documents say Jorgensen stole church funds for five years — from 2020 to 2025. The total is more than $356,000. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get editorial, database, and other technical support from Christina Darnell, Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, Heidi Allums, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Jessica Eturralde, Bob Smietana, Michaela Gordoni, Kim Roberts, Kadence McKinnon, Kathryn Post, and Makella Knowles. Until next time, may God bless you.

(1) Israel Watch 8/16/26: We watch and pray as we see another possible "breaking point" as the ceasefire ends. We discuss the latest in Gaza with Hamas, Lebanon with Hezbullah and the examples of Jew-hate around the world including the disruption of a New York synagogue, the Islamo-fascist and Israel-hating Michigan Democrat Senate candidate, the "People Who Hate Jews", Geert Wilders of the Netherlands and Bikers Across America heading to Michigan. (2) End Time Laodicean Apostasy with treadmill walking Laodiceans at "Faith City Church" in Maryland singing a Self-Worship song saying, "It's The God In Me," which the emphasis on ME. And a Trans-thing female pretending to be a male pastor in a United Methodist Church. (3) Sorcery-Pharmakea WATCH: The Highwire reports on increased use of anti-depressants among Americans as HHS Secretary RFK Jr. exposes the fact that our fake "news media" and Sharyl Attkisson exposes the fact that our medical establishment are both OWNED by Big Pharma. And all this is connected with the Biblical warning of end time "sorcery" which is "pharmakea"... DRUGS, leading us into the Beast System. (4) Funny Things: How NOT to aks a girl out (for our young, single fellas), a reality check of Gen Z and a comparison between the temporary Covid lockdowns vs. the Lifetime Islamic lockdowns due to the devil "Allah". https://bbfohio.com

Today's DMN Morning Debrief covers intense North Texas heat, a lawsuit between the United Methodist Church and a prominent parish, allegations of racial profiling at a restaurant, and apartment evictions. Plus, staffer Joe Snell brings us a report on a woman who talks openly about an experience most of us spend our lives avoiding: death. This digest was partially generated by AI and then reviewed and edited by our newsroom staff. Learn more: dallasnews.com/ai_use. We welcome your feedback: audience@dallasnews.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can Mainline Christianity find its future? In this episode, Loren Richmond Jr. talks with United Methodist scholar Lovett Weems to discuss his new book, An Aura of Hope: United Methodism's Next Chapter in the United States. While the conversation begins with the United Methodist Church's recent disaffiliation, it quickly broadens into a thoughtful exploration of the challenges facing Mainline Christianity as a whole—from shifting demographics and institutional decline to recovering a clear sense of mission. Weems argues that the greatest challenge before the church isn't simply theological disagreement, but a loss of focus. Drawing on John Wesley's theology and decades of church leadership experience, he encourages congregations to rediscover "the people God has given us" and to evaluate every ministry by asking a simple question: "So that...?" What fruit is this producing? How is it helping the church fulfill its mission? Whether you're Methodist or not, this conversation offers practical wisdom for pastors and church leaders wondering what faithful ministry looks like in a rapidly changing world. Together they explore: What the United Methodist disaffiliation teaches the wider church Why churches lose their sense of mission and identity John Wesley's vision for "the people God has given us" Lessons from the Sunday school movement Rural churches, urban growth, and changing demographics Why reaching younger and more diverse communities matters The difference between institutional success and biblical fruitfulness Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., is distinguished professor of church leadership emeritus at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He came to Wesley in 2003 as the founding director of the Wesley's Lewis Center for Church Leadership after eighteen years as president of Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. Previously he was a pastor in Mississippi for many years. A native of Mississippi, Dr. Weems is a graduate of Millsaps College; Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University; and Wesley Theological Seminary. He holds honorary degrees from Baker University, Central Methodist University, and Millsaps College. His years in local church ministry in Mississippi were marked by both evangelism and social concerns. His work in Mississippi led distinguished Mississippi writer Willie Morris to describe him as “one of the persons who added much to the growing civility of Mississippi.”  He is the author of numerous books including his widely used church leadership text, Church Leadership: Vision, Team, Culture, and Integrity, described by Rosabeth Moss Kanter of Harvard Business School as “an invaluable guide to leadership in the church.” His most recent book is An Aura of Hope: United Methodism's Next Chapter in the United States.        Mentioned Resources:

This week is part two of our conversation with Old Testament scholar and theologian Dr. John Oswalt to discuss his 2009 book The Bible Among the Myths - Unique Revelation or Just Ancient Literature? John continues to outline his case that the Bible is utterly unique in ancient literature, despite any alleged similarities in its pages with its surrounding pagan cultures often unnecessarily overemphasized by skeptics and critics of the Bible. Dr. John Oswalt Asbury served on the faculty of Asbury Theological seminary from 1970 to 1982 as professor of Old Testament and Semitic languages, and again from 1989 to 1999 as Professor of Old Testament. He rejoined Asbury in 2009 as visiting distinguished professor of Old Testament studies. He has also served as research professor of Old Testament at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, Miss., from 1999 to 2009, was president of Asbury College from 1983 to 1986, a member of the faculty of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill., from 1986 to 1989, and  Interim President of Wesley Biblical Seminary, Ridgeland, MS from April 2019 through March 2020.He is the author of 16 books, most notable of which is the two-volume commentary on the book of Isaiah in the New International Commentary of the Old Testament. His most recent book is The Holy One of Israel: Studies in the Book of Isaiah, released in 2014. He has also written numerous articles that have appeared in Bible encyclopedias, scholarly journals and popular religious periodicals. Dr. Oswalt is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, with membership in the Kentucky Annual Conference. He has served as a part-time pastor in congregations in New England and Kentucky, and is a frequent speaker in conferences, camps and local churches. Oswalt received a B.A. from Taylor University; a B.D. and Th.M. from Asbury Seminary; and a M.A. and Ph.D. from Brandeis University.The Bible Among the Myths Isaiah CommentaryFree Resources from Watchman Fellowship:  Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Bart Ehrman by Dr. Rhyne Putman: www.watchman.org/Ehrman  Atheism: www.watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Deconstruction by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Deconstruction   Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Divine Hiddenness by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Hiddenness  Other Resources from Watchman FellowshipFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.The complete Profile Notebook (Digital Edition, PDF): www.watchman.org/DigitalNotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

On today's program, a judge sides with Texas megachurch Second Baptist Houston in a lawsuit brought by current and former members. The judge says the constitutional principle of religious freedom shields the church — but the plaintiffs' attorney says that should not be a get-out-of-jail free card.” We'll have details. Plus, last month, the United Methodist Church dropped Asbury Theological Seminary from its list of approved schools due to its stance on biblical marriage — which could put two other seminaries in its cross hairs. We'll take a look. And, a new survey reveals that American's confidence in the church is near or at an all-time low. But first, three church leaders in South Carolina are facing criminal charges after being accused of hiding a registered sex offender’s role around kids. The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office laid it out at a news conference this week. Sheriff Carter Weaver said his office opened an investigation into Pawleys Island Community Church on July 12th, after officials learned about a man named Warren Perry, and his access to children. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get editorial, database, and other technical support from Christina Darnell, Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, Heidi Allums, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kim Roberts, Laura Erlanson, Tony Mator, Aaron Earls, Warren Smith, Makella Knowles, and Jessica Eturralde. A special thanks to Lifeway Research and Baptist Press for contributing material for this week's podcast. Thank you for listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

The annual Oregon-Idaho conference of the United Methodist Church, which represents 145 United Methodist churches in Oregon and Idaho, won't be coming back to Idaho next year.

A sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Yongchi Rhie with Foundry United Methodist Church, July 12, 2026. "Sermon Series Part II: The United Methodist Way". Scripture: Exodus 2:15–22; Hebrews 13:1–2   On a hot July day in 2014, I stood in a long line outside the United States Embassy in Seoul. All around me, people were checking their documents, whispering the latest rumors about American immigration policy. Some were praying. Others were quietly rehearsing their lines. When my number was called, I sat down across from a consular officer who read through my papers, jotting notes, pausing on certain pages longer than I would have liked. My pulse rose with every pause. Finally, he looked up and asked, "Ms. Rhie, I see you have just returned home after living in England for quite some time. You already hold a Ph.D. Why do you wish to study theology in the United States?" He had a fair point. What could I say? That after seven years of dissecting the Bible within an inch of its life, I had finally realized what Scripture is for — not an object of intellectual indulgence, but a word meant to be lived out in the lives of people? Should I describe my grief at preaching to empty pews in an increasingly secular Britain, where so many considered the Bible, faith, and God simply no longer relevant? I had to be careful. I had been denied a visa once before, for this very reason. The officer asked about my story, but he seemed to be working from a script of his own, testing whether my story would hold. Every visa interview requires delicate tuning: you must convince them you have real plans for their country while assuring them you have no intention of staying. I truly desire to come to your country! I see abundant opportunity there! Will you let me in? But don't worry — I will never get comfortable enough to call it home. A month later, my passport came back with a visa stamped inside. It declared me a legal alien. That word “alien” always makes me laugh. Ever since I left my home country, I have been a legal alien. And I have learned that it doesn't take green skin, an oversized head, or extraterrestrial powers to be counted an outsider. Sometimes the way I look, the way I speak, or simply the way I carry myself is enough to register as a threat, or at least a discomfort. I could learn the customs of a new land. But would I ever be permitted to call it home? For most of my adult life, I have lived as a stranger in a strange land. A Man With No Country Moses knew that feeling so intimately that he engraved it into his son's name: "She bore a son, and he named him Gershom; for he said, 'I have been an alien residing in a foreign land'" (Exodus 2:22). Hey, Moses, did you ask Gershom about this? Did his mother agree? I feel for the boy. Imagine carrying your father's loneliness as your name. Let's step into the story and meet Moses by a well in Midian. His whole life, up to this moment, has been an exercise in not belonging and his very name tells the story. Pharaoh's daughter called him Moses, "because," she said, "I drew him out of the water" (Exod. 2:10). Drawn out: a Hebrew baby lifted from the Nile, out of a death decree, into a palace that was never quite his. Hebrew by blood, Egyptian by upbringing, Moses grows up belonging to neither world. And when he finally goes out to "his people," as the text pointedly calls them in verse 11, everything unravels. He sees an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave and strikes the Egyptian down (2:11–12). The next day he tries to reconcile two Hebrews who are fighting, and one of them turns on him: "Who made you a ruler and judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" Do you hear the wound in that question? Yes, Moses committed a crime the day before; out of anger, perhaps, but also out of compassion for an enslaved kinsman. Today he steps in again, and his own people read his help as a grab for power: the palace insider playing ruler over the enslaved. His act of deliverance is recast as a threat; his sacrifice, as ambition. When word reaches Pharaoh, the king seeks his life. So Moses flees - rejected by Egypt as a criminal, rejected by the Hebrews as a pretender - a man with no country, no people, and a name that only reminds him he was pulled out of one world without ever being planted in another. That is the man who collapses, exhausted, by a well in Midian. What Happens at a Well Now listen closely to how the text tells what happens there, because every detail is doing holy work. Scripture says, "he sat down by a well" (v. 15). In the Hebrew Bible, nothing significant ever happens by accident at a well. Wells are where Abraham's servant found Rebekah, where Jacob met Rachel, where Jesus met a Samaritan woman: places of encounter where God's providence quietly gathers up displaced people and gives them a future. When the original audience heard "Moses sat down by a well," they leaned in. Something is about to begin. Seven daughters of the priest of Midian come to draw water, and rough shepherds drive them away. Hear the Hebrew: the shepherds vayegarshum — they drove them out. It is the very root, garash, from which Moses will later coin the name Gershom, the driven-out one. And here is what astonishes me: Moses inserts himself again. Consider what meddling has already cost this man- his home, his standing, very nearly his life. The prudent thing would be to keep his head down, drink his water, and let Midian's troubles remain Midian's troubles. He owes these women nothing, and no one in this town even knows his name. Yet the one who has been driven out cannot sit still while others are driven out before his eyes. And what does the text say he does? "Moses stood up and saved them" (v. 17) — vayoshian, from yasha, the root that will one day give us the names Joshua and Jesus. Here, at a foreign well, in a single unrewarded act - defending strangers, drawing water for distressed people and their animals - the fugitive rehearses his calling. This is the man through whom God will save a people. Then comes the irony. The daughters run home and report, "An Egyptian delivered us from the shepherds." An Egyptian! Moses is a Hebrew raised in Pharaoh's house, a man belonging fully to neither world, and even his good deed is credited to the wrong identity. Why Bother? And then the young women are gone, and Moses is alone again. No thank-you. No name asked. Not even a drink of fresh water from the well he had just defended. Three times now he has stretched himself for others, and three times his actions went unacknowledged, his words were rebuked, his authority was denied, his very identity was questioned. Sitting in the dust by that well, Moses might well have wondered: Why do I keep doing this? Why can't I just mind my own business? When your act of hospitality is met with silence — or worse, resentment — the temptation whispers: Why bother? I could just live for my own interest, my own comfort, my own happiness. Going the extra mile only makes you tired and pushes you further from your home. Friends, be honest: have you been there? Why do we help others? What is going on inside us when we stretch ourselves for people who may never stretch back? The One Who Noticed But even in the middle of this mess, someone notices Moses. Hearing what happened at the well, Reuel asks his daughters: "Where is he? Why did you leave the man? Invite him to break bread." Reuel is a Midianite priest - a foreigner, an outsider to Israel's story —- and yet he is the one who models the hospitality that the daughters, and Egypt, and even Moses' own people had failed to offer. This foreigner does not interrogate the stranger's papers. He sets a table. And at that table, the fugitive becomes family. Moses marries Zipporah and holds a son whose name tells the truth — ger, stranger. It is no accident that the Torah will later command Israel more than thirty times to protect the ger: "You shall love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." We lament the loss of this entire ethic of welcome in today's world. And notice: it all happened around the well. The well was already there. Before Moses arrived - before he had done anything right, and long after he had done something terribly wrong - the water was waiting. This is the heartbeat of our United Methodist way. John Wesley called it prevenient grace: the grace that goes before us. Before we repent, before we believe, before we even know God's name, God's love is already at work ahead of us, digging wells in the deserts of our lives. Moses thought he was a fugitive stumbling upon a random watering hole. In truth, grace had arrived before him; with a family, a vocation, and, on a nearby mountain, the God who says, "I have observed the misery of my people, and I have come down to deliver them." Two Loves, One Gospel Our second reading today, the letter to the Hebrews gathers this whole story into two luminous verses: "Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:1-2). The Greek translation is even better than the English here, because it names two different loves. Mutual love is philadelphia — the love of brothers and sisters. Anyone from Philly here? Did you know your city's name means the love of kinship? Philadelphia is the affection we give people who are already ours: family, friends, fellow members — the ones who look like us, pray like us, vote like us. That love matters. "Let it continue," Hebrews says. But then comes the harder word: philoxenia. Literally, love of the xenos — the stranger, the outsider, the one who shares nothing with you but a common humanity. Philadelphia loves the person already inside the circle; philoxenia widens the circle. Any club can manage philadelphia. Only the gospel produces philoxenia. And we know the opposite word all too well, because it is one of the few Greek words English never bothered to translate: xenophobia — fear of the stranger. We see it whenever an entire people is reduced to a threat: when immigrants are spoken of as terrorists and criminals rather than as mothers, fathers, and children of sacred worth; when a teenager sits in a church pew and learns to hide who they are, because the sanctuary feels less safe than the street; when a synagogue or a mosque must hire armed guards just to gather for prayer; when a job application is quietly set aside because the name at the top sounds too foreign. Xenophobia is the world's oldest sickness. It built Pharaoh's brickyards, and it is still building walls that separate children from their parents today. But friends, I have also seen philoxenia — and so have you. I have seen it in congregations that furnished apartments and stocked refrigerators for refugee families they had never met. I have seen it right here in this city, when buses of migrants arrived at Union Station with nothing, and churches and neighbors showed up with food, coats, and cots — before the cameras did. I have seen it in church basements turned into English classes and legal clinics, and at kitchen tables where someone simply said to the new family on the block, "Come, eat with us." Hospitality, Scripture insists, is not charity flowing downhill from host to guest. It is "entertaining angels without knowing it." It is the doorway through which God's love slips into our lives, often unannounced. Holy Meddling Now, this is the final Sunday of our series on the United Methodist way. Who are we? What defines us? What is our calling — as Christians, as United Methodists, as members of Foundry? I want to name something about Moses that we United Methodists have always claimed as our own: Moses meddles. Three times in one chapter he inserts himself into conflicts that were, strictly speaking, none of his business: an enslaved Hebrew, two quarreling kinsmen, seven harassed women at a well. He refuses to stay in his comfort zone. That holy meddling is our family trait. Our Social Principles declare of our public witness: "The United Methodist Church believes God's love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. We cannot just be observers." There is no private faith that hoards grace and calls it piety. As Desmond Tutu warned us: "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." Friends, this is who we are. We are the people who refuse to mind our own business when God's children are being driven out — from lunch counters to detention centers, from housing courts to hospital waiting rooms. We wrestle with Scripture, we wrestle with our assumptions, we wrestle with our faith and our calling — and like Moses, we stand up. Because we serve a Lord who said, "I was a stranger, and you welcomed me." From Gershom to Eliezer Church, watch what grace does with a meddler. Moses named his first son Gershom: "I have been a stranger in a strange land." But his second son he named Eliezer: "My God is my helper." Between those two names lies an entire conversion. The stranger became a host. The man who once sought water at a well became the one through whom God drew a whole people out of bondage, through mighty waters, into freedom. God still loves to do this. God takes our Gershom — our alienation, our wounds, our wandering — and rewrites it as Eliezer: my God is my helper. Helper: not in advancing my ambitions or protecting my own wealth, family, and safety, but in teaching me to love God and to love my neighbor as myself. People often mistake "with God, all things are possible" for a guarantee of personal fulfillment. No. God helps us toward something far greater: to serve higher purposes, to forgive and to love, to give and to build, to lay down our lives for friends who were once strangers. We can live out the radical, divine, universal love of God — because God is with us, and God helps us. The Invitation So here is my invitation: this week, don't leave the town of Philly just yet. It is good to stay connected to the love of kin — philadelphia. But intentionally seek out and practice philoxenia. Is there a newcomer in the pew near you, or new to your building, your office, your block? Don't wait for the welcome committee - go say hello, learn their name, and remember it. Does someone need prayer? Don't merely promise to pray for them; ask if you may pray with them, right there, for two holy minutes. Is a neighbor navigating a new language, a new diagnosis, a new grief? Set a table, the way Reuel did: "Invite them to break bread." Philadelphia is dinner with your sister; philoxenia is adding a chair for someone whose story you don't yet know. One helpful discipline for the coming week: each evening, ask yourself two questions. Who did I love today who already loves me? That's philadelphia — good, keep it up. And: Who did I welcome today who could give me nothing back? That's philoxenia — the stretch. If the second column stays empty for a few days, that's the invitation talking. And now, before we close, one more invitation, because sermons about wells should end at one. If today you are the one in the wilderness - if you walked in this morning feeling like a stranger in a strange land - hear the good news: the well is already here. Grace arrived before you did. Before you ever learn to love yourself, before you learn to love your neighbor as yourself, you are already loved by the God of living water…not because of anything you have done, but because of whose you are. If you doubt this grace, then as we sing our final hymn, I invite you: come. Come to this altar, and let us pray with you. You don't need the right words; Moses didn't have them either. Just come and stand by the well with us. And perhaps you came in this morning already full. Then I invite you to consider the many ways you can become a living well for others: a place where people come to know and experience the way of philoxenia, the love of the stranger. The name you have yet to forgive. The prayer you will offer on the spot. The table you will set for the weary. The grace you will give without asking anything in return. Whether you come forward or stand still, the invitation is the same: Come to the well, and then go and become one. Amen.

I Am the True Vine | Rev. Laura Johnson | North Raleigh UMCWhat did Jesus mean when He said, "I am the true vine"?In this message from John 15, Rev. Laura Johnson explores the seventh and final "I Am" statement in the Gospel of John. On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus gives His disciples one last image to remember: He is the vine, the Father is the gardener, and we are the branches. This beautiful metaphor reveals that the Christian life is not about striving harder or producing fruit through our own efforts. It is about abiding in Christ and allowing God's love to transform us from the inside out.Drawing on John's Gospel and the rich tradition of Wesleyan and United Methodist theology, Laura reflects on God's grace, the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, and the invitation to remain rooted in the limitless love of Christ. As we abide in Jesus, God prunes away what keeps us from thriving so that our lives naturally bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, and faithful discipleship.Whether you're feeling spiritually weary, longing for a deeper relationship with God, or wondering what it truly means to follow Jesus, this sermon offers biblical encouragement and practical hope. Jesus' invitation is simple yet life-changing: remain in His love. As we receive God's extraordinary love, we are empowered to share that same love with the world.Scripture: John 15:1-17At North Raleigh United Methodist Church, our purpose is to be a church where you can Belong just as you are, Become more like Jesus, and Be Love for God's World.Topics: John 15, I Am the True Vine, True Vine, Abide in Christ, Rev. Laura Johnson, United Methodist Church, Wesleyan theology, grace, sanctification, Holy Spirit, discipleship, fruit of the Spirit, God's love, Christian living, love one another, Bible study, sermon, North Raleigh UMC.

Discover the global impact of the United Methodist Church with a special look at how the General Commission on Archives & History will impact our church and world by relocating from New Jersey to Dallas

I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life | Rev. Kevin Johnson | North Raleigh UMCWhat did Jesus mean when He declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6)?In this message from John 14, Rev. Kevin Johnson explores one of Jesus' most familiar and profound "I Am" statements. Spoken during the Last Supper, these words are more than directions to heaven. They reveal Jesus as the One who brings us into relationship with the Father, fills us with the Spirit of Truth, and invites us to live a new kind of life shaped by the Kingdom of God.Drawing on John's Gospel and the rich tradition of Wesleyan and United Methodist theology, Kevin unpacks what he calls "the geometry of the Trinity," showing how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit invite us into God's own life through Christ. As followers of Jesus, we are not only shown the way to God. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live the way of Jesus every day.In a world searching for purpose, struggling to discern truth, and weighed down by suffering, this sermon reminds us that God's presence is not distant. Through Christ and the Holy Spirit, God dwells with us and within us, equipping us to bear witness through lives marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.Whether you're exploring Christianity, seeking a deeper understanding of John's Gospel, or looking for hope in uncertain times, this message offers biblical teaching rooted in grace, truth, and the transforming presence of God.Scripture: John 14:1-17At North Raleigh United Methodist Church, our purpose is to be a church where you can Belong just as you are, Become more like Jesus, and Be Love for God's World.Topics: John 14, I Am the Way the Truth and the Life, Rev. Kevin Johnson, United Methodist Church, Wesleyan theology, Trinity, Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth, discipleship, Christian living, Kingdom of God, Farewell Discourse, fruit of the Spirit, abundant life, grace, North Raleigh UMC.

Join Dr. Chaps on PIJN News as he reports on the remarkable revival happening in America, with millions attending megachurches weekly. Explore what John Wesley might say to today's United Methodist Church amidst theological debates. Delve into the resilience of America's large churches post-pandemic and the ongoing spiritual awakening. Plus, revisit a patriotic performance celebrating America's 250th birthday with John Wayne and others. Tune in for thought-provoking discussions and spiritual insights.

The Bible Can Be Proven: Unlocking Ancient Mysteries of a Divine Imprint by Vince Latorre Thebiblecanbeproven.com https://www.amazon.com/dp/1935245317 Learn how to defend your faith with anyone who asks-even a high-minded scholar. You don’t have to be at a loss for words, if someone tells you that the Bible is full of errors and contradictions. You don’t need to be a PHD scholar to demonstrate that the Bible is more than just the words of men, but is in fact the inspired Word of God! The Bible can be Provenwill give you good answers by laying out 11 different lines of evidence to give you powerful responses to today’s challenges to the Bible! Readers will learn: How to demonstrate that we have essentially the original Bible in our possession How to show that the history in the Bible is absolutely accurate by examining the archaeological evidence How so-called contradictions in the Bible really amount to nothing and how to resolve them The five undisputed historical facts that are best explained by the resurrection of Christ, and how other proposed explanations fail How scientific foreknowledge in the Bible also demonstrates divine inspiration How the very structure of the Bible shows that it could only have come from One Mind, the Mind of God. Author Vince Latorre is a professional accountant who has applied his detail-oriented skills to researching evidences that support the reliability of the Bible for over 35 years. In The Bible Can Be Proven he deals with and answers questions that many have not found answer to elsewhere: “How can I describe this book? It’s absolutely amazing. I found it impacting, informative, enlightening, and refreshingly different from any apologetic book I’ve read. “-Larry Titus, President of Kingdom Global Ministries. “I have loaned your book The Bible Can Be Proven to several of my friends. The best testimonial, however, actually came from my wife who said that this book truly increased her faith and answered questions she has had for many years. Well done, brother! Doc Loomis- Missionary Bishop, Anglican Mission in the AmericasPurchase your copy of this valuable resource book today! About the author As a young boy, author Vincent Latorre always had an inquisitive nature. He immediately wanted the answers to questions such as “Is there a God?” “How did I get here?” “How was the world and universe created?” His search for answers to these questions led him to a personal encounter with Christ at age nine or ten. As his faith grew, his desire to analytically research and validate the Word of God intensified. Latorre spent many hours in libraries and bookstores sifting through more than 200 books and hundreds of articles on science, Bible textual criticism, and theology. As he researched these, the author began to see the powerful scientific evidence for creation as well as the evidence for the historical reliability of the Bible. . In his latest book, The Bible Can Be Proven, Vince Latorre shares the results of his research to strengthen believers and inform honest seekers. Latorre is presently an accountant in a government agency, has taught Sunday School and Bible Studies for many years, and is also certified as a Lay Speaker formerly in the United Methodist Church. He currently attends St. Andrews Anglican Church in Syracuse, NY, and has a speaking ministry, speaking to students at high school and adult levels in many churches, colleges, and at conferences.

Our Summer Forecast continues! In this conversation, Dr. Brent Strawn discusses his extensive background in Old Testament studies, particularly focusing on the book of Deuteronomy. He explores its significance within the Torah, its audiences throughout Israel's history, and its unique structure as a covenant document. Brent emphasizes the rhetorical nature of Deuteronomy, its legal framework, and the importance of repetition in its teachings.  In this conversation, we explore the themes of Deuteronomy, focusing on its role in shaping character, the nature of law and leadership, and the importance of heart change. We discuss the contemporary implications of a thin social contract in relation to law and how Deuteronomy encourages a deeper understanding of law as a covenant. Reflecting on Deuteronomy 17, Brent emphasizes the importance of humble leadership and diligent reading of Scripture for pastors and teachers. We also talk about images in the Song of Moses, and how God presents himself through various metaphors and conceptual blends to demonstrate his incomparability. We also touch on Jesus' relationship with Deuteronomy. Finally, Brent shares his pedagogical approach to scripture reading, advocating for empathy and attention in understanding biblical texts without the distractions of technology.Brent's BioDr. Brent A. Strawn is D. Moody Smith Distinguished Professor of Old Testament and Professor of Law at Duke University. He has edited over thirty volumes, including the award-winning Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Law (2015), and authored seven books and over three hundred articles, essays, and contributions to reference works. His most recent book, co-authored with Walter Brueggemann, is Unwavering Faithfulness: Pivotal Moments in the Book of Isaiah (Westminster John Knox, 2025). An ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, Dr. Strawn has served as a translator and editor for the Common English Bible (2011) and the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (2022). He'll be here teaching Deuteronomy: Moses Amends the Constitution from Jul 20-24.Previous Podcast AppearancesA Skeptic in Scripture (May 2024)Regent College PodcastThanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social MediaFacebookInstagramYoutubeKeep in TouchRegent CollegeThe Regent VineSummer ProgramsRegent College NewsletterSupport UsGive Back

After 47 cats at Safe Haven Pet Sanctuary were displaced when major storms caused the buildings roof to collapse, Safe Haven has found a temporary space at St. Paul's United Methodist Church on Green Bay's west side.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I Am the Resurrection and the Life | Rev. Jen Swindell | North Raleigh UMCWhat did Jesus mean when He declared, "I am the resurrection and the life"?In this message from John 11, Rev. Jen Swindell explores one of Jesus' most powerful "I Am" statements through His conversation with Martha after the death of her brother, Lazarus. Martha comes to Jesus carrying grief, disappointment, questions, and faith all at once. Rather than correcting her or explaining away her pain, Jesus meets her in it and reveals that resurrection is more than a future promise. It is a present reality found in Him.Drawing on John 11, Romans 8, and the imagery of resurrection woven throughout Christian tradition, this sermon reflects the heart of Wesleyan and United Methodist theology by emphasizing God's prevenient grace, the work of the Holy Spirit, and our calling to embody resurrection life in the world today. Resurrection is not simply something Christians wait for after death. Through Christ, it is a life we are invited to live now, as God's grace transforms us and works through us to bring hope, healing, compassion, and new life to others.Whether you're walking through grief, wrestling with unanswered prayers, searching for hope, or longing to deepen your understanding of Jesus' words, this message offers biblical encouragement and practical discipleship rooted in the Gospel.Scripture: John 11:17-27, Romans 8North Raleigh United Methodist Church (NRUMC) is a welcoming United Methodist congregation in Raleigh, North Carolina, committed to helping people encounter Jesus Christ, grow in faith, build authentic community, and serve the world.Topics: I Am the Resurrection and the Life, John 11, Lazarus, Martha, Mary, resurrection, eternal life, United Methodist Church, Wesleyan theology, prevenient grace, Holy Spirit, Romans 8, Christian hope, grief, faith, discipleship, Bible study, Jesus Christ, Christian living, sermon, North Raleigh UMC.

Asbury College's stand on biblical marriage has sparked a bigger conversation about faithfulness, revival, and the cost of obeying Scripture. In this episode of The Smith and Rowland Show, the discussion moves from a sponsor joke about "Stopwatch" to a serious look at Asbury College, the United Methodist Church, and the pressure on Christians to compromise. The conversation gets into Asbury's legacy of revival, the 2023 move of God on campus, and why a school with a long history of biblical conviction was removed from fellowship after refusing to rewrite its view of marriage. Jeff and Alan also connect this moment to a larger pattern in church life and American culture. They talk about how cultural pressure, woke ideology, socialism, and communism all push from within, while the church is often tempted to stay quiet. That leads to one central question, what does it cost to stand for truth when the approval of people, denominations, and institutions is on the line? This episode also touches on Jordan Peterson, Charlie Kirk, the role of preaching, and why the gospel of Jesus Christ is still the only real hope for a lost nation. If you care about Asbury, revival, biblical authority, and the state of the church in America, this conversation is one you need to hear. Watch, listen, and weigh the question for yourself, are we willing to pay the price for faithfulness? #AsburyCollege #TheSmithAndRowlandShow #BiblicalTruth #Revival #Christianity

The Smith and Rowland Show takes on a troubling headline in this episode, as Alan Smith and Jeff Rowland discuss Asbury Theological Seminary being removed from the United Methodist approval list after refusing to abandon the Bible's teaching on marriage. This conversation goes beyond one school and one decision. The guys walk through Asbury's long history of revival, including major spiritual outpourings on campus in 1905, 1908, 1921, 1950, 1958, 1970, 1992, 2006, and the widely discussed 2023 Asbury outpouring. They also talk about what made those moments stand out, prayer, confession, repentance, worship, reconciliation, and a hunger for God's Word. Along the way, Alan and Jeff confront the larger drift inside the United Methodist Church, the pressure to conform biblical convictions to culture, and the growing conflict between Scripture and modern ideology. Their discussion is direct, plainspoken, and rooted in the conviction that Christians should stand on the authority of God's Word, no matter the cost. If you care about revival history, biblical conviction, church doctrine, and the future of the American church, this episode is one you'll want to hear all the way through. Join the conversation, share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe for more from The Smith and Rowland Show. #Asbury #UnitedMethodistChurch #Revival #BibleTruth #TheSmithAndRowlandShow

The Good Shepherd: Called by Name | Rev. Dr. Brett Pardue | North Raleigh UMCWhat does it really mean when Jesus says, "I am the Good Shepherd"?In this thoughtful message from John 9-10, Rev. Dr. Brett Pardue explores one of Jesus' most beloved "I Am" statements through the story of the man born blind. Before Jesus speaks about the Good Shepherd, He seeks out someone who has been questioned, judged, and cast aside by religious leaders. Through this powerful connection, we discover that the Good Shepherd is not simply a comforting image. It is a declaration of God's relentless grace, mercy, and commitment to seek those whom others overlook.Drawing on the rich themes of John's Gospel, Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34, and United Methodist theology, Brett reflects on God's prevenient grace, belonging before believing, the church's calling to embody Christ's compassion, and the hope found in being known and called by name. Rather than offering easy answers, this sermon invites us to consider how Jesus continues to pursue people with mercy, healing, and love.Whether you've experienced rejection, are searching for a deeper understanding of God's grace, or want to explore Wesleyan theology through Scripture, this message offers encouragement and a fresh perspective on the Good Shepherd who never loses track of His sheep.Scripture: John 10:11-30 (with John 9), Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34North Raleigh United Methodist Church (NRUMC) is a welcoming United Methodist congregation in Raleigh, North Carolina, committed to helping people encounter Jesus Christ, grow in faith, build authentic community, and serve the world.Topics: Good Shepherd, John 10, John 9, Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34, United Methodist Church, Wesleyan theology, prevenient grace, grace, belonging, discipleship, inclusion, mercy, compassion, healing, identity, faith, Christian living, sermon, Bible study, Raleigh NC, North Raleigh UMC.

Help Persecuted Christians TODAY: https://csi-usa.org/quickstart/ Christian Solidarity International On today's Quick Start podcast: NEWS: Texas is moving to put the Bible back into the classroom—not as religious instruction, but as literature and history. The State Board of Education has approved a Bible-infused reading list for public schools beginning in 2030. One of America's best-known Christian seminaries has been removed from the United Methodist Church's list of approved schools. The denomination decided to delist Asbury Theological Seminary after the school reaffirmed its biblical belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. On June 29, Christians around the world marked the Day of the Christian Martyr, honoring believers who gave their lives rather than deny Jesus Christ. FOCUS: A famous TikToker is abandoning the occult for Jesus. MAIN THING: What do Americans believe about angels, demons, and the supernatural? That was a question the American Bible Society (ABS) recently asked US citizens, and it yielded some fascinating results. Dr. John Plake, editor-in-chief of the State of the Bible series and chief innovation officer at ABS, told CBN News that a majority of Americans believe in spiritual beings. He joins me for today's main thing. Ephesians 5:8 SHOW LINKS Radical Revelations with Raj Nair https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radical-revelations/id1888511250 Faith in Culture: https://cbn.com/news/faith-culture Heaven Meets Earth PODCAST: https://cbn.com/lp/heaven-meets-earth NEWSMAKERS POD: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newsmakers/id1724061454

•K. Jeanette grew up in Darlington, SC in the United Methodist Church as a little girl.  She sang in the children's choir at the ageof 5, and was an usher, she joined the youth choir as a teenager, then later became the director. She is the CEO of the Edith Mae King Foundation that assist victims of domestic violence, breast cancer and elderly care. Sheorganizes an annual Sneaker Ball for the youth in the community in efforts to fundraise for a student at the local high school.•Her Testimony: “SHINE” is a song dedicated to her mom. K Jeanette's mom used to sing an old spiritual gospel song called, "Shine on me".  When her mother got sick, K. Jeanette pleaded with God to do just what she sang about. K. Jeanette  believes her mother SHINES from heaven now. So, this song is just praising God for Shining on her mother and now she needs Him to SHINE on her!•Download her single releases “Shine” and "Jesus Is My Friend" which is available on all digital outlets.•A “Top Gospel Music Podcast” Badge has been AWARDED from Feedspot which has named Let's Talk: Gospel Music Gold one of the Top 10 Gospel Music Podcasts on the web! •LET'S TALK: GOSPEL MUSIC GOLD RADIOSHOW AIRS EVERY SATURDAY 9:00 AM CST / 10:00 AM EST ON WMRM-DB INTERNET RADIO STATION  AND WJRG RADIO INTERNET RADIO STATION 12:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM CST •There is a Let's Talk: Gospel Music Gold Facebookpage ( @LetsTalk2GMG ) where all episodes are posted as well.   •The Podcast and Radio shows are heard anywhere in theWorld on the Internet! •ANSONIA'S BOOK RELEASES•"If We Can Do It, You Can Too!"•“Legacy of James C. Chambers And his Contributions to Gospel Music History”•2026 MiPA Award winning "Molding a Black Princess"Order Information https://www.unsungvoicesbooks.com/asmithgibbs

JD Vance said that if Watergate happened today, it would barely be a 12-hour news story — and Brian From's response isn't relief, it's concern, because he thinks Vance is probably right, and that says something troubling about how far the character bar has fallen in American politics. Brian takes a surprising position on a hot debate: Texas is poised to require millions of public school students to study Bible stories, and as an evangelical pastor, he argues this is a bad idea — public schools shouldn't be infusing curriculum with any religion's teachings, his own included. Gambling disorder diagnoses have spiked over 60% in states that legalized sports betting since 2018, a sobering data point on the real cost of expanded access. Asbury Theological Seminary was removed from the United Methodist Church's approved ordination list over its traditional stance on marriage, a sign of widening fractures between evangelical and mainline institutions. A viral TikTok from a 21-year-old whose "hobby" is lying in bed for eight hours sparks a conversation about what leisure has become for Gen Z. Amazon Prime Day sales were down 16%, and Brian connects it to a simpler explanation than marketing failures: people just have less money. And two deeply practical spiritual pieces close out the hour — why no one drifts into godliness (spiritual growth requires intentional habits, not passive churchgoing), and the story of John Mark, whose public failure didn't define the rest of his life, and whose later faithfulness made him "useful" again in Paul's own words.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The shelter season may end with the cold weather — but homelessness doesn't. On this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael catches up with Robyn Miller, Executive Director of WATTS (Winchester Area Temporary Transitional Shelter), to talk about what the organization is doing right now in June — the year-round case management, the two transitional homes, the cooling center that currently has no home of its own, and the everyday work of helping someone get their birth certificate so they can get a driver's license, so they can get a job, so they can get a place to live. Robyn explains why the goal at WATTS is, paradoxically, to put WATTS out of business — and walks Janet through the patchwork of partner organizations that make that possible, from Winchester CCAP to Family Promise Winchester Area to the Concern Hotline to the Winchester Police Department's addiction recovery team. Plus: the lineup of summer and fall fundraisers that keep the lights on at a privately-funded nonprofit — Caring & Sharing at Greenwood Fire Hall, the Walt Cunningham Memorial Golf Tournament at Rock Harbor, and the wildly popular Cheesin' for a Reason on the Old Town Walking Mall in November. UPCOMING WATTS EVENTS & FUNDRAISERS Caring & Sharing — Friday, August 15, 2026 • Greenwood Fire Hall • An evening of music, food, and raffles celebrating WATTS volunteers and guests, with success stories told in their own voices. Walt Cunningham Memorial Golf Tournament — Thursday, October 2, 2026 • Rock Harbor Golf Course • Lunch by Billy Sous  Named in memory of the man who got the United Methodist Church involved with WATTS. Cheesin' for a Reason — Friday, November 14, 2026 • Feltner lot at Boscawen and Loudoun Streets (Old Town Walking Mall, downtown Winchester) • Local restaurants compete with grilled cheese and tomato soup. Last year's winners: T.T. Walls and Water Street Kitchen. Over 1,000 participants in 2025. HOW TO HELP • Donate online at WATTS-homelessshelter.org • Become a Hero for WATTS — $10/month recurring (yes, you'll get free pancakes at Clem's Kitchen) • Volunteer at any of the fall fundraisers — sign-ups for Cheesin' for a Reason open in August • Sign up to serve meals during the Thanksgiving or Christmas shelter weeks • Donate or rent a building for the cooling/warming center — even nominal rent is welcome (creative arrangements have tax benefits) LINKS & RESOURCES • WATTS website: WATTS-homelessshelter.org • WATTS on Facebook and Instagram: search "Help WATTS" • Partner organizations mentioned: Winchester CCAP, Family Promise Winchester Area, Winchester Rescue Mission  • Comprehensive local resource directory — Concern Hotline (the most accurate, up-to-date list) • Winchester Police Department Addiction Recovery Team • Community Paramedic THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations. New podcast episodes drop weekdays at 11 AM. Catch the show on The River 95.3 and Fox Sports 1450 AM weekdays just after noon. Subscribe and listen at thevalleytodaypodcast.com — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to leave a rating or review — it helps more listeners find us. Connect with us: Facebook — facebook.com/ValleyTodayFanPage Instagram — instagram.com/thevalleytoday

Today I'm joining in conversation with my friend James Bryan Smith to finally share something that's been in the works for over a year now. Jim is the author of The Good and Beautiful book series. A founding member of Richard J. Foster's spiritual renewal ministry, Renovaré, Smith is an ordained United Methodist Church minister and has served in various capacities in local churches. He earned his MDiv at Yale and his DMin at Fuller and is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, where he also serves as the director of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation. About a year ago he called me up with an idea for a way to serve writers. That's where our conversation today begins. Even if you aren't a writer, our conversation will, I hope, shed light on how ideas become reality, how sometimes a good idea takes a decade to grow, and the beauty of collaboration, patience, and moving at a human pace. I hope you'll listen in. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE: Learn more about the Formation Writers Guild The Good and Beautiful Series by James Bryan Smith Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation Renovaré FIND EMILY ELSEWHERE: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Download The Quiet Collection app Join The Soul Minimalist Substack Order a How to Walk into a Room Download the free discussion guide for How to Walk into a Room by visiting this page and clicking the button "Discussion Guide"

Crowhill and Pigweed drink and review a Sweet Baby Jesus chocolate peanut butter porter and discuss a question that's challenged churches and society for centuries. Should religion and politics mix?Using a collection of social issue position papers published by the United Methodist Church as a starting point, the conversation explores the history of Methodism, from John Wesley's "heart strangely warmed" experience and the Holy Club at Oxford to the circuit riders who helped spread the movement across the American frontier. Along the way, they examine how Methodism became deeply associated with social reform, including efforts against slavery, drunkenness, and other social ills.The discussion then turns to modern political issues, including immigration, worker justice, climate change, the death penalty, abortion, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Crowhill and Pigweed consider how churches apply biblical principles to contemporary policy debates, where the line between moral teaching and political advocacy should be drawn, and whether clergy are always equipped to speak authoritatively on complex public issues.A recurring theme is the idea that movements formed in crisis often institutionalize a crisis mentality. If a religious movement was born by confronting genuine social problems, does it eventually develop a habit of searching for the next great cause? And does that tendency sometimes lead churches to exaggerate modern problems by comparing them to historic struggles such as slavery, Jim Crow, or the civil rights movement?It's a wide-ranging conversation about faith, public life, church authority, social reform, and the challenges of living out religious convictions in a deeply political age. Plus, as always, there's a beer review to get things started.

Show Notes:In this episode, Reverend Dr. Kevin Muriel shares his journey from Mississippi to Atlanta, his insights on racial reconciliation, leadership in the church, and the future of the United Methodist Church. A rich conversation on history, culture, and innovative leadership in faith communities.Resources:Cascade United Methodist Church - https://cascadeumc.org/Candler School of Theology - https://candler.emory.edu/Duke Divinity School - https://divinity.duke.edu/Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church - https://www.umcmission.org/James Lawson and the Nashville Civil Rights Movement - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_LawsonTwitter - https://twitter.com/KevinMurielCascade UMC - https://cascadeumc.org/

Christina  Hello, everyone, I'm Christina Darnell, the managing editor of MinistryWatch. Welcome to the MinistryWatch podcast. In today's extra episode, I talk with Warren Smith about some news items that are slightly (even significantly) outside of our normal charity and philanthropy “beat.” So, Warren, what's up first? Warren I subscribe to Kate Bowler's Substack and read this week that she had spoken at Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City. When she wrote that this United Methodist congregation had 25,000 members, I was a bit incredulous. Christina United Methodist churches do not usually grow that large, especially these days. Warren So, I did some fact-checking, and she is right, though most online sources also say that weekly attendance at the church is closer to 6,000. Still, that is big. The church is centrist in theology and has so far managed to stay in the United Methodist Church without suffering a meltdown in attendance, though its growth has flattened in recent years. I am going to keep my eye on the church. It will be an interesting bellwether for the future of the UMC. Christina Moving on, there's a leadership transition coming up at a significant Christian organization. Warren After nearly six years of service, Kevin Van Horne has stepped down as Executive Director of International Fellowship of Evangelical Students/ USA. His last day was Friday, May 15, 2026. According to a statement from the organization, “Kevin led IFES/USA through a season of significant change, helping to serve our global fellowship and partners well. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and for the ways God has worked through him.” Dave Shepherd (Director of Finance) has been appointed to serve as Interim Executive Director. IFES was a MinistryWatch Shining Light Award winner in 2023 and has maintained excellent ratings from us since then. Christina Warren, I know you are always interested in demographics and statistics. But something special caught your attention this week. Warren That's right, and before I say what that was, let me as some rhetorical questions. What is the most significant problem facing America and the world? Nuclear winter? Global warming? Artificial intelligence? I would submit for your consideration the coming depopulation of the earth. For at least 30 years, most reputable demographers have been saying that the world population growth is slowing and will likely top out soon. By the year 2100 the world will be in the midst of a significant population decline. Christina And one thing that caught your attention is just how much this population decline will impact all areas of life on earth. Warren That's right. This decline will have enormous implications for every aspect of life. Cities built for millions of people will disappear, leaving a rotting infrastructure. Economic growth will be impossible. We are already seeing towns in the Midwest and West disappear. That trend will accelerate. Christina I've got to admit, Warren, that that sounds a bit melodramatic. Warren I think it's fair to be skeptical, but population demographics is one area of social science that has pretty sound prediction models. Birth rates have fallen to record lows, and they don't change that much from year to year. So it's actually pretty easy to predict what the population will be in the future. And the numbers don't look good. But if these predictions seem a bit melodramatic to you, I suggest reading a new article from The Atlantic, The Great Depopulation. A world with a shrinking and aging population will offer great opportunities for ministry, but for almost every country on the planet, it will be a culturally wrenching reality. Christina On May 17, an event called ReDedicate 250 brought speakers to the National Mall in Washington. The speakers included Eric Metaxas, Mark Driscoll, Sean Feucht, and Greg Locke – all men we've written about here at MinistsryWatch. Warren That's right. They are a part of what some are now calling the Dissident Christian Right. Christina What does that mean? Warren They are not quite Christian Nationalist, but not mainstream evangelical, either. Most assessments have judged the event as kind of a bust. A few thousand people attended, but DCR pundits had predicted many more. For example, The Christian Post reported that Robert Jeffress predicted the gathering “could be the nation's largest religious gathering in more than 50 years.” It is not clear what the attendance figures for this event forbode for the DCR movement, but the weak attendance was a surprise to me and to many who have been following the movement. Christina And there was a notable passing last week. Warren My friend Bob Woodson died last week at the age of 89. If you do not know about Bob's life and the legacy he leaves behind, I recommend reading John Stonestreet's excellent tribute. It was an honor for me to be a part of the Colson Center team that presented Bob with a Wilberforce Award in 2018. He was sui generis. One of one. I will miss him personally, and our country will miss his leadership. I helped arrange a trip for him to The King's College in 2010 to do a live interview with Marvin Olasky. That interview is worth a listen, and you can find it here. Christina Warren, you've mentioned before, that you are a fan of Carey Nieuwhof's leadership podcast. This week he dropped one of his most personal episodes ever. Warren He recounts how, about 20 years ago, he experienced a period of profound burnout. It is part of a two-part series on how to avoid burning out. I strongly recommend it. You can find the first episode here. Christina Warren, we need to wrap things up here. Any final thoughts before we go? Warren I'll be in Knoxville this week attending an event hosted by my former colleagues and good friends at The Colson Center for Christian Worldview. If you'd like to have lunch with me on Friday, let me hear from you. I'll be doing similar lunches in Denver and Colorado Springs in June. Let me know if you would like to join us. My email is wsmith@ministrywatch.com. Christina That brings to a close this EXTRA episode of the podcast. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. I'm Christina Darnell, along with Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.