IN LAYMAN'S TERMS: Recent Episodes
inlaymansterms
Rev. Dr. Gilvern Decal, a General Board of Global Ministries missionary from the Philippines serving in Tanzania, shares what it's like to serve Christ in this special way during his recent interview on the "In Layman's Terms" podcast.
In this episode, Dr. Decal talks about his call, describes how his family has adapted to a different life, and talks about the similarities and differences in culture from his native Philippines to where he has served in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.
Keep up with Dr. Decal by following his Facebook page.
You can support him financially by giving to the General Board of Global Ministries by using Advance #3022779.
With the summer fully under way, we wanted to introduce listeners to Brad Sullivan, the executive director of the five Great Plains camps. Brad shares where he found his love for camping, what he has enjoyed as he visited all of our camps, and what his hopes are for this summer and beyond.
Visit each of the camps' websites to learn more:
Camp Chippewa (near Ottawa, Kan.) —https://www.greatplainsumc.org/camps#Chippewa
Camp Fontanelle (west of Fremont, Neb.) — https://www.greatplainsumc.org/camps#fontanelle
Camp Horizon (near Arkansas City, Kan.) — https://www.greatplainsumc.org/camps#horizon
Camp Lakeside (near Scott City, Kan.) — https://www.greatplainsumc.org/camps#lakeside
Camp Norweska (near Chadron, Neb.) — https://www.greatplainsumc.org/camps#norwesca
Rev. Rodgers Chishiba, pastor at Colby UMC in western Kansas, joins Todd for a conversation about Miracle Sunday, an effort from the Council of Bishops to raise funds for an endowment for theological education outside the United States. Rodgers explains why it's an important effort and how participation is a reflection of our worldwide connection as United Methodists.
Donate today by using this form.
The church is the people, but we tend to latch onto the buildings that identify us as a congregation. But some churches across the Great Plains are putting unused portions of their often-larger-than-needed structures to use in new and creative ways.
One example is First United Methodist Church in Wichita. It is coming up on a May 1 closing date for the sale of the Wilke Family Life Center, one-quarter of the church’s large building in downtown Wichita. What once was home to a number of ministries that no longer require such a large space will be home for The Pinnacle — a nonprofit set up by the Wichita Metro Crime Commission — to provide space for physical and mental health programs for first responders throughout Sedgwick County.
The project includes space for therapists and partner organizations to help with physical and mental health therapy for first responders, training rooms, a full gym with workout equipment, athletic courts, and spaces dedicated to cancer and heart screenings.
The sale will allow the church to put money toward needed ministries in its mission field while putting the building to use for people who help so many in times of crisis.
Rev. Amy Lippoldt, lead pastor at Wichita First UMC joins Todd for an episode dedicated to this subject.
The Bishop Richard and Julia Wilke Institute for Discipleship is tucked in a corner of the campus at Southwestern College. But its reach goes far beyond its Winfield, Kansas, home. In this episode, Todd talks with key leaders at the institute about all the programs they offer, about what is new with BeADisciple.com, and more about a new app for Disciple Bible Study.
He talks to Steve Wilke about his pending retirement, and Todd will introduce you to Dr. Cheryl Rude, who will take over as executive director in January.
Bishop David Wilson and three others representing the Great Plains Conference took part in the 2025 Sand Creek Massacre Spiritual Healing Run in October. The annual event honors the more than 230 Cheyenne and Arapaho people — mostly women, children and elderly persons — who were slaughtered by a band of volunteer soldiers on Nov. 29, 1864, along Big Sandy Creek in eastern Colorado.
The group was led by Col. John Chivington, who was a Methodist Episcopal pastor. As part of a resolution passed by the 2012 General Conference, The United Methodist Church has been taking part in actions of repentance while seeking to build relationships with Native persons in light of what happened on that cold Tuesday long ago.
This video shares about the healing run, but also shares stories bravely told by descendants of survivors, told prior to the start of the run this year. The path traces as closely as possible the path from the site near Eads, Colorado, to Denver, where the volunteer soldiers were based.
The run came shortly before a new exhibit opened in the Methodist Building in Washington, D.C., dedicated to remembering and repenting for the atrocities at Sand Creek. Joey Butler of United Methodist News Service provided a preview.
United Women in Faith recently provided an in-depth story about the massacre and its lasting impact on Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples. You can read Tara Barnes' Response magazine story here.
Roland Fernandes considers it a privilege to serve as general secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries in a time when there are so many opportunities to serve as the hands and feet of Christ. The top executive of GBGM and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry took time from his busy schedule to talk about The United Methodist Church's efforts around the world, as well as the importance of UMCOR.
In the episode, Roland makes reference to GBGM's "This Moment Matters" campaign. Learn more about it at https://umcmission.org/giving/this-moment-matters
Christian Nationalism is not patriotism. It may actually be considered idolatry. Where is the line? And how do we ensure we aren't pushing Jesus from the center of the throne? Rev. Brian Kaylor, a Baptist pastor, journalist and author, will be the special guest at Orders & Fellowship in October. He will share the history of this phenomenon and will help pastors understand better how they can lead their congregations so that they still can show love for their country without falling into the pitfalls that have happened for others in the past.
Download this podcast. You also can read a story about the event by David Burke by clicking here.
The daughters of Bishop Richard and Julia Wilke, the authors of the Disciple Bible Study series, talk about the development of an app that allows people to take a fast-track approach to the study of the Bible. Guests for this episode include Susan Fuquay and Sarah Wilke. The sisters share about how the vision for the app came into focus, key innovative features, and how important Bible study remains as a key component of growing in our faith.
The June 10 raid on the Glenn Valley Foods meat processing plant in south Omaha has left the community stunned, frightened and isolated. People now are fearful to leave their homes, and businesses are hurting.
Pastor Juan Carlos Veloso, who serves a Hispanic church in the area, shares what he encountered that day and the ongoing challenge to share the love of Christ with people broken by the after-effects of the raid. Also, Rev. Chad Boling, who also serves in south Omaha, talks about his work with a rapid response team that has worked to keep people informed and resourced. Both pastors also share how you can help.
Dr. Carla Cardoza, president of the Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, Texas, shares how students at the grades 7-12 school have been caught up in the immigration debate. Their students — almost all of whom have F-1 visas — have been put in limbo by the U.S. State Department because of a suspension of interviews for visa renewals.
In this episode, we learn about a workshop available for Great Plains Conference congregations meant to help them develop marketing plans for their local churches. Don Osborn, a marketing professional who helped devise the marketing strategy for The Vine UMC in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, will lead the workshop, and he talks with Todd about what people will learn as part of this discussion.
As the war in Gaza continues, Todd talks with Carol Ekdahl-Garwood, chair of the Great Plains Conference's Holy Land Task Force. During their discussion, we learn about the peril of Palestinian people, the delicate balance between supporting Israel while pointing out human rights concerns, and what life is like away from the media spotlight we often see on national news.
Youth sports should be a time of fun, development and building character. But it's often quite the opposite.
Matt Williams — a standout catcher at Duke University who played in the Chicago Cubs organization — joins Todd to talk about a one-day workshop titled "Coach Different." Matt, the digital engagement team director at Resurrection, a United Methodist Church who has coached young people, wants to give youth coaches a chance to learn how to reduce stress, make the best use of their time and increase the positive impact they can have on boys and girls of all ages through sports.
A 90-minute workshop March 31, 2025, in Olathe at the Resurrection West campus can help coaches learn how to coach with purpose.
Fill out the registration form.
In this episode, Todd talks with Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford and Rev. Melissa Collier Gepford about changes to the Great Plains Conference's internship program. An additional guest — Rev. Grace Woods from Topeka First United Methodist Church — shares her journey from summer intern to a pastor working with a Great Plains intern.
If you have questions about internships in the Great Plains Conference, please reach out to:
Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford — aalleycrawford@greatplainsumc.org
Rev. Melissa Collier Gepford — mgepford@greatplainsumc.org
The issue of immigration continues to grow in prominence as we move closer to the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. During the campaign, he promised mass deportations and the closing of our U.S. borders. What impact does that have on people seeking a better life for their families in this country? Andrea Paret, a Department of Justice accredited representative at Mary Treglia Community House in Sioux City, Iowa, shares her reflections as a person who works with immigrants to this country.
The Table is a different kind of evangelism tool used by Bonfire, a Korean-language and culture church start in Olathe, Kansas. The Table is a biweekly meal with invited guests who have the chance to build relationships through conversation while gathering around food.
This episode features one gathering in December at The Table, with Bishop David Wilson, members of his Cabinet and representatives from Bonfire.
The campaign promise by President-elect Donald Trump for mass deportations has created more than a little anxiety among people who are immigrants to the United States. While some Americans may think it worthwhile to deport people illegally in the country, many people who are on the pathway to permanent residency or even citizenship fear the route the finish line they have been moving toward may be pushed farther back or eliminated. Todd Seifert talks to three pastors — themselves immigrants to the United States — about the fears they have heard from members of their communities and what their churches are doing to try to help.
November is Native American Heritage Month. We celebrate by talking with Bishop David Wilson, an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation and also with Cherokee lineage. We also share some remarks and interviews from a U.S. Indian Boarding School Remembrance the Great Plains Conference hosted Sept. 28, 2024, at Saint Paul United Methodist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Each September, Resurrection, a United Methodist Church, in Leawood, Kansas, hosts Leadership Institute. This time, Todd took along a microphone and recorded short interviews in hallways, in the backs of workshop rooms, in the corner of the sanctuary and even behind the chancel in an effort to give a snapshot of what participants experienced at this year's event.
We wrap up a three-part series on United Methodists serving in local elected offices with an interview with Jeff Hart, who has served on his village board in Lynch, Nebraska, for more than 20 years. He's also a school teachers and working toward becoming a licensed pastor in the UMC.
In a short episode of the "In Layman's Terms" podcast, Todd Seifert, communications director for the Great Plains Conference, interviews Dr. Ashley Boggan, general secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History for The United Methodist Church. Dr. Boggan talks about what clergy will hear from her as she presents our plenary learning times during Orders & Fellowship on Oct. 28-30 at Resurrection, a United Methodist Church, in Leawood, Kansas.
Todd continues his series on laity serving in public offices with a fun interview with Robin Carlson. She runs a nonprofit clinic in Courtland, Kansas, and she's also the town mayor. It's a story of a hometown girl who left for the big city and returned to make her United Methodist Church and community better.
New church starts can be difficult. The Great Plains Conference's New Church Development board has implemented some new strategies and is, literally, traveling the world to see how it's done elsewhere. Todd explores some of the new strategies being employed by the NCD board to help build new faith communities that will thrive.
In this episode, Todd talks with Rev. Dr. Gerald Liu, PhD, the conference's emerging faith communities cultivator; Amy Haines, a newcomer to the NCD board; and Rev. Changhyun Kim, who has started a new Korean-language faith community in Olathe, Kansas.
Todd starts an intermittent series on laity serving in elected office. With so much of the discussion focused on the presidential race, it's easy to forget that many more decisions that impact our lives are made at the local level. In this opening episode to the series, Todd discusses how faith and service intersect with Tyler Curtis. Besides his work with the Kansas Methodist Foundation, he recently was chosen to finish out a term left vacant by a death on the Emporia City Commission.
The Great Plains Conference's Disaster Response/Assistance Fund could use a boost. To explain how the fund helps individuals, Rev. Hollie Tapley, the conference's Disaster Response coordinator, shares some details about the fund, information about Disaster Response in general, and how you can participate with your financial assistance and time as a volunteer.
Learn more at https://www.greatplainsumc.org/disasterresponse.
Donate to the fund: https://gp-reg.brtapp.com/GPDisasterFund.
We still struggle with some of the same problems as Jesus' first followers — and some problems they didn't have to face. In this episode, Rev. David Livingston, lead pastor at Old Mission United Methodist Church in Fairway, Kansas, talks with Todd about his new book, "Getting to Good." David's first published book explores seven common struggles of contemporary life. Through scripture, contemporary examples, and personal stories, David shares the causes of these issues and some concrete steps to get to a good place of their own. "Getting to Good" doesn't attempt to wish away the problems we face. Instead, it confronts them head-on. Life is not and will not be perfect and free from difficulty. But we can get to a good place even with our inevitable challenges.
We kick off recording in our new sound studio with a discussion with Bishop David Wilson. The bishop shares reflections on General Conference, the Great Plains Annual Conference session and the challenges facing delegates at the upcoming South Central Jurisdictional Conference.
In the conclusion of a five-part series previewing the upcoming United Methodist Church's General Conference, Rev. Adam Hamilton, lead pastor of the denomination's largest congregation based in Leawood, Kansas, provides a summary of key issues delegates will address and talks about how his church has thrived amid these uncertain times.
In the fourth of a five-part series, Rev. Amy Lippoldt provides some education and great insights into the global nature of The United Methodist Church. As a member of the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters, Amy has been exposed to many parts of the worldwide aspects of the church that aren't easily seen from our pews in Kansas and Nebraska.
Some apologies before you start listening: A bad cable was discovered — but not until the editing process. The process used to eliminate the high-pitched hum that was throughout the interview recording resulted in poor audio quality from Amy's microphone. However, listeners can still hear her analysis of the issues coming before the General Conference.
In the third of a five-episode series previewing General Conference of The United Methodist Church, Rev. David Livingston shares his thoughts on three widely known priorities for progressives and centrists, as well as some details from his travels to the African continent to meet with delegates there.
Our five-episode series previewing General Conference of The United Methodist Church continues with Lisa Maupin, the lay leader of the Great Plains Annual Conference.
In this discussion, Lisa shares her reflections on what have become known as the "3 R's" and shares other insights on topics surrounding the General Conference, scheduled for April 23 to May 4, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The first in a five-episode series on the upcoming General Conference of The United Methodist Church features Rev. Dr. Mark Holland, the co-founder of Mainstream UMC. He kicks off the series by explaining three priorities his organization has set for the conference, which starts April 23, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The priorities are regionalization, removal of restrictive language involving LGBTQ+ persons from the Book of Discipline, and stopping further disaffiliations from the denomination.
The Nebraska United Methodist Foundation has a series of grants to help local ministries get started, expand and augment their reach to their communities.
This episode tells the stories of three ministries assisted by these grants in Nebraska — an entrepreneurial idea at Connection Point in Lincoln, children’s and youth curriculum for The Vine United Methodist Church in Scottsbluff, and a different way to help Brady UMC in the North Platte area worship without a pastor.
Learn more about the Nebraska foundation.
Members of the Great Plains and Louisiana conferences of The United Methodist Church took part in a four-day civil rights immersion trip to the areas around Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama, in July 2023.
It was the idea of former Great Plains Clergy Excellence Director Rev. Dr. Dee Williamston, now bishop of the Louisiana Conference. She and Bishop David Wilson of the Great Plains — the first Native American bishop in the denomination — teamed up to lead the group on an educational experience that expanded minds, filled hearts with love — and most importantly challenged the emotions of all who took part.
This is the third of a three-episode series on the trip.
It’s Black History Month, and so this In Layman’s Terms podcast is providing a three-part series on a trip made by members of the Great Plains and Louisiana conferences to the areas around Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama — both places that played significant roles in the civil rights movement.
The trip was a civil rights immersion trip to help educate, inspire and stir to action followers of Christ. One of the goals was to give people the tools they need to combat racism and to push for equity in our society.
In this second of three episodes, I think it’s important that we explore the emotions that people felt on the trip — and what has continued to resonate with them since coming home.
In July 2023, a group of clergy and laity from the Great Plains Conference met up with fellow United Methodists from the Louisiana Conference for a civil rights immersion experience. Over the course of four days, the group lived the history of Alabama.
Our group spent much of its time in Montgomery. We saw the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church and walked in the parsonage where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King lived. We spent the better part of a day at the Legacy Museum, a mission of the Equal Justice Initiative (or EJI). It’s an amazing museum that uses the latest in technology to help tell the story of racism — from kidnappings in the African continent to the often-deadly voyage to North America to the brutality of slavery. It also explains the injustice of Jim Crow laws and addresses the modern-day inequity of mass incarceration.
Our group saw the bus station where Freedom Riders were beaten, walked a memorial dedicated to honoring the lives of the numerous people lynched over the years, including right here in Kansas and Nebraska.
We traveled to Selma and walked the bridge where Dr. King, John Lewis and others were abused by white supremacists, including police officers.
In Birmingham, we talked with people who are members of 16th Street Baptist Church, where four girls were killed by a bomb. And we toured the Civil Rights Institute, which tells the story, decade by decade, of the push for equity in this country.
February is Black History Month, so I wanted to share some of the stories from our trip. I wanted to provide an opportunity for listeners to feel the emotions, embrace the potential for change in our country by hearing the stories of people — Black, brown and white.
And, in this concluding episode of the three-part series, I wanted to convey the ways people believe they have changed — And their hopes and dreams for how our world can change … for the better.
As we continue our lessons from the Ark, we'll explore what it means to persevere. We know we'll face storms in life, so how can we be prepared? And how can we endure? Thankfully, we can lean on the Holy Spirit as our traveling companion.
As we continue considering lessons from the ark — as learned through other passages in scripture — we come to compassion. Just a little of it, along with encouragement, can go a long way toward lifting up others.
Our short series on lessons from the ark begins in earnest with looking at our need for spiritual strength when the storms of life arise. And that means we have to prepare. In this and the remaining episodes about the ark, we have a special guest, Rev. Dr. Richard Randolph, a United Methodist pastor and director of stewardship for the Nebraska United Methodist Foundation.
Todd starts a five-episode series on lessons we can learn from Noah and the ark. In this first episode, we explore the importance of faith and of preparation.
One of the most important parts of being the church is caring for one another. But it's not just the pastor's job. Indeed, it's important that laity are heavily involved in providing excellent care for one another. Doing so strengthens the sense of community, shows the love of Christ and helps boost the vitality of local congregations.
The Caring Congregation, an organization founded by retired United Methodist elder Rev. Karen Lampe, aims to teach congregations of all sizes how it can provide better care for one another and the communities they serve. A special online webinar is scheduled for Feb. 23-24 to provide training either for individuals or groups who want to learn more.
You can register for the webinar here.
You can order "The Caring Congregation Ministry: Implementation Guide" at one of these stores:
- The Caring Congregation website
- Cokesbury
- Amazon
- AbeBooks
Bishop David Wilson talks with Todd about Native American Heritage Month, when we celebrate the contributions of Indigenous peoples during the month of November. This conversation covers an immersion experience in Oklahoma, recognition of U.S. Indian Boarding Schools, and more about the bishop's travels across the country.
LINKS
Powwow Photo Album — https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjASZbF
Immersion Trip Album — https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjARU6e
Blog about the Oklahoma Trip — https://www.greatplainsumc.org/blogdetail/in-laymans-terms-pondering-culture-after-a-native-american-immersion-experience-17589860
Videos:
- Day 1 — First Americans Museum — https://www.greatplainsumc.org/videodetail/native-american-cultural-immersion-trip-day-1-17557337
- Day 2 — Washita Massacre Site — https://www.greatplainsumc.org/videodetail/native-american-cultural-immersion-trip-day-2-17563970
- Day 3 — Skyline Urban Ministries — https://www.greatplainsumc.org/videodetail/native-american-cultural-immersion-day-3-17566093
- Day 4 — Tulsa Race Massacre and Mary Lee Clark UMC — https://www.greatplainsumc.org/videodetail/native-american-cultural-immersion-trip-day-4-17566883
- Day 5 — Ponca Tribe Powwow — https://www.greatplainsumc.org/videodetail/native-american-cultural-immersion-trip-day-5-17574572
Paul makes use of an empty altar to explain to skeptics who Jesus is and about our all-powerful God. We’ve been given all the tools we need to share the good news, even if we sometimes have to improvise. This episode wraps up our short series on the book of Acts.
The study of the book of Acts continues with a lesson about how we sometimes make following Christ more difficult than it needs to be. Love God, love others, and make disciples. A story about a Dallas-area pastor augments the scripture about Peter and Cornelius.
After a longer-than-expected hiatus, the podcast returns, and we resume our study of the book of Acts, the sequel to the Gospel of Luke. Saying we believe is fine, but actions speak louder than word. Ananias teaches us that lesson.
The story of the Ethiopian eunuch and Philip teaches another lesson from the book of Acts. It's important for us to act on our faith by remaining curious and embracing the questions we ask about our faith.
As we explore what the book of Acts has to teach the church today, we explore what it means to speak boldly for Jesus in the world today. And, yes, we are all capable of speaking up for Christ.
We begin a multi-week series on the book of Acts. We'll look at the book as a sequel to the Gospel of Luke and a continuation of Jesus teaching how to lift up the lowly, engage the outcast, and embrace the outlaw. In this first episode we look at 3 lessons Jesus taught during his ascension to Heaven.
On the 100th day of Bishop David Wilson's tenure as bishop of the Great Plains Conference, he shares in a discussion with Todd what he's been up to so far in Kansas and Nebraska, as well as plans for the weeks and months ahead.
One of the biggest disruptions in the life of the church in the past few decades was clearly the COVID-19 pandemic. I suppose you could make an argument that it’s still causing disruption.
The Congregational Excellence team of the Great Plains Conference wants to help clergy and laity process what has happened, come to grips with our current reality and, — and this is most important — realize there is hope for the future. So in late April and early May, author Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter will be making a book tour with workshops in five Great Plains cities — North Platte and Columbus in Nebraska, and Ottawa, McPherson and Hays in Kansas. She is chief visionary for Rebekah Simon-Peter Coaching and Consulting Incorporated, which has a flagship program titled “Creating a Culture of Renewal.”
The event she is facilitating with us in the Great Plains is Lessons from Pandemics Past.
CCLI and similar licensing services allow for churches to make song sheets, project lyrics and use other tools to enhance worship. Their efforts support the composers whose work we use while also protecting churches from copyright concerns. Todd talks with two representatives from CCLI, who explain how they work and what CCLI and other similar organizations do.
One of the newer traditions in the Great Plains Conference is our annual Laity Summit. Guests in this episode include Lisa Maupin, conference lay leader, and Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter, our keynote speaker for this day dedicated to training and education specifically for laity. The 2023 edition is scheduled for March 18. And it’s completely online, using Zoom, so you can participate from anywhere in Kansas or Nebraska — or the world for that matter.
The theme this year is “And They Dreamed.”
You can learn more and register by going to www.greatplainsumc.org/laity-summit.
Our world today is filled with anxiety, and the church is not immune. The Rev. Bill Selby recognized that long ago and launched what is known as the Center for Pastoral Effectiveness. He has made it his ministry to help pastors better navigate anxiety and improve connections with congregants and their communities.
The Space at the Table event in mid-November talked about the bright future of The United Methodist Church and featured Rev. Dr. Mike Slaughter, panels of young clergy, academics and bishops, and discussion about how to strengthen the Black church. This episode features excerpts and brief interviews from the venue in Dallas.
And check out this story from United Methodist News Service.
This interview features Rev. Dee Williamston, director of clergy excellence and assistant to the bishop in the Great Plains Conference, as part of a short series featuring brief interviews with the episcopal candidates in the South Central Jurisdiction.
This interview features Rev. Dr. David Wilson, assistant to the bishop in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, as part of a short series featuring brief interviews with the episcopal candidates in the South Central Jurisdiction.
This interview features Rev. Dr. Laceye Warner, associate dean for Wesleyan Engagement and the Royce and Jane Reynolds associate professor of evangelism and Methodist studies at Duke University Divinity School, as part of a short series featuring brief interviews with the episcopal candidates in the South Central Jurisdiction.
This interview features Rev. Dr. Eddie Rivera, provost of the New Mexico Conference, as part of a short series featuring brief interviews with the episcopal candidates in the South Central Jurisdiction.
This interview features Rev. Dr. Randall Partin, senior pastor of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as part of a short series featuring brief interviews with the episcopal candidates in the South Central Jurisdiction.
This interview features Rev. Laura Merrill, Capital District Superintendent in the Rio Texas Conference, as part of a short series featuring brief interviews with the episcopal candidates in the South Central Jurisdiction.
This interview features Rev. David Gilmore, Northwest District Superintendent in the Missouri Conference, as part of a short series featuring brief interviews with the episcopal candidates in the South Central Jurisdiction.
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares some reflections on what has transpired in The United Methodist Church, the process of disaffiliations, and his hope for the future of the denomination as we conclude a short four-episode series on the future of the UMC.
In the third of four episodes in the short series, we learn about what it means to disaffiliate, a perspective from a church that is leaving the denomination, and the philosophy used by trustees as they work with disaffiliating churches.
Our short series on the future of The United Methodist Church continues with a look at the history of the human sexuality debate within the denomination. Todd is joined this time by Rev. David Livingston and Randall Hodgkinson, who provide their perspectives and some historical context to what has happened since the first debate in 1972 through today.
A new series looking at the future of The United Methodist Church kicks off with this episode that examines where things stand at this moment in the life of the denomination. The series kicks off with an interview with the Rev. Adam Hamilton, lead pastor of United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, the largest congregation in the denomination based in Leawood, Kansas, but with five campuses across the Kansas City area. He also is the leader of the Great Plains Conference's delegation to General Conference.
We continue our Songs of Faith sermon series with a look at the beloved hymn "How Great Thou Art." The lyrics praising God's creation gives us a chance to celebrate mountains, oceans, deserts, forests, all of the animals on the planet, people — and even dinosaurs!
One of the most amazing conversion stories involves a sailor named John Newton. Once a captain of a slave ship, he eventually repented and became an Anglican priest who wrote the beloved hymn "Amazing Grace." But the journey Newton took from slave ship operator to abolitionist was long and winding. See how his journey led to the writing of a song that talks all about repentance, redemption and God's forgiveness.
Mothers help protect and nurture us. They also help cast a vision for our lives. We use the story of Jochebed and Moses to help celebrate Mother's Day as we spotlight the song "Be Thou My Vision."
The hymns we sing shape us. So what shaped the hymns? "It is Well with My Soul" comes from a haunting cable after a shipwreck and is testimony to the amazing faith of Horatio Spafford. See how Jesus calmed the sea in the Bible and how He can calm the rugged seas in your life, too.
Poor Thomas was really no different than any of the other disciples. He needed to see the wounds on Jesus' body before he believed. Using the story of Thomas and the creative tales from Robert Ripley — of "Ripley's Believe it or Not" fame, we explore how we have seen the risen Christ in action in our lives and how we can help others see Jesus in the world today.
The Rev. Robert Johnson, lead pastor at Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita, shares details about his first book, "Jesus Unchained: How to Rise Above The Agendas, Find Peace and Be Set Free." In this interview, Johnson shares how he thinks followers of Jesus actually lessen His power by limiting the Savior's influence on their lives. They, in effect, place him in the chains of the limiting image we create of Jesus in our minds, when he could be making a much larger impact on the hearts of people each and every day.
Our lives change in an instant — actually one instant after another, from the time we are a child until we take our last breath. The Easter story is an example of lives changing in an instant. Through the story of Mary Magdalene and a more contemporary story of an abandoned boy, we explore how lives change in an instant.
Continuing with the "Sermon on the Plain," we look at what it means to love our enemies. And we ask the question: Did Jesus really mean what he said? Despite how difficult it can be to love those who disagree with or for some reason dislike us, the answer is a resounding "Yes!"
Looking at Jesus' Sermon on the Plain, we explore in this episode the importance of those of us with plenty to help those who do not. Our goal is equity as we attempt to usher in the Kingdom of God on Earth.
Many of us know well the story of Jesus calling the first disciples and how they would "fish for people." But in that same story is a lesson about independence — specifically how there are bigger and better things ahead if we are willing to give up some of our independence as we trust and follow Jesus.
Using the story of Jesus' proclaiming himself to be God's anointed and the reaction from people in his hometown of Nazareth, we explore the feeling of jealousy and the withholding of the truth that Jesus is the Savior for all of humanity.
The Rev. Dr. Leah Schade returns to "In Layman's Terms" to pick up on the conversation we stared in 2021 about her book, "Preaching in the Purple Zone." In this episode, she shares an issue guide designed to help United Methodists discuss LGBTQIA+ inclusion and the upcoming General Conference.
Rev. Dr. Schade has provided proposed sermon outlines to be used with the issue guide. These are not provided as requirements but rather to serve as resources for pastors interested in using the Sermon-Dialogue-Sermon method.
- Download the PDF version.
- Download the Word document version.
The miracle of turning water into wine might seem trivial, but a closer look reveals how Jesus interacted with His mother as an adult while teaching us about transformation. The miracle also paved the way for Jesus' first followers to buy into His ministry.
Todd shares the audio from a sermon he provided from his basement on the first Sunday in January 2022 — a cold, icy day in Lawrence, Kansas. Using the text from Ephesians 1, we explore how we are adopted into the family of God thanks to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Our short series on "The Redemption of Scrooge" concludes with an exploration of how our miserable miser of a character rediscovers joy. May we do so and keep Christmas all year round!
As we continue with the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Ghost of Christmas Present teaches our lead character three important aspects of love: Showing love by being part of a community, showing love by showing mercy to others, and showing love in true, genuine relationships with those closest to us.
Our advent series focused on redemption continues, as does our exploration of the classic story "A Christmas Carol." In this episode, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past, and the miser starts to recognize that his life doesn't have to be as lonely and miserable as it has become. Scrooge is starting to understand that he can have a sense of peace.
Advent is all about the anticipation of the arrival of the Christ child. But why did Jesus come to live among humans in the first place? To provide an opportunity for redemption for all of us. In this four-episode series, we explore our redemption by following the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge from the classic tale, "A Christmas Carol," by Charles Dickens. As old Scrooge is changed, we will see the themes of Advent come to life. We start with "Hope."
Todd concludes a special three-part series on showing gratitude to God during the week of Thanksgiving 2021 with a study of how Jesus gave thanks.
Unlike many of us, Jesus didn't just give thanks for what already had happened, but He also thanked God prior to performing miracles and before willingly dying for humankind — lessons in showing great faith that God would provide what was needed.
Our special three-part series on giving thanks to God continues with an examination of how King David showed his gratitude toward God:
- Looking back at what God already had done for him and the Israelite people.
- Praising the traits and truths of God.
- Understanding God listens to our prayers.
- Having faith that God will answer.
In a special three-part series the week of Thanksgiving 2021, Todd studies how to show gratitude to God. The series starts with lessons from the prophet Daniel, who showed that we should give thanks to God when things are going really well for us, but also when times are tough.
Todd continues his series on certified lay ministry with an interview with the Rev. Dr. Carl Ellis. Besides being a retired elder serving two rural churches in southeast Kansas, Carl is the founder and leader of The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries. In this episode, Carl shares his views on lay ministry and provides an update on changes regarding the academy — plus a special online workshop planned for late February.
We continue a short series on certified lay ministries and certified lay servants with a look at how one CLM, Bryan Hankins, serves two churches in the Omaha area as an associate pastor. Learn about his passion for teaching, how he works with the appointed pastor, and about an exciting multi-language effort for the Lay Servants Ministry Basic course within the Great Plains Conference.
We start a short series of episodes examining certified lay ministers (CLMs) and the role they play in the local church, how they are trained, and why more people may want to prayerfully consider exploring becoming a CLM. In this episode, host Todd Seifert talks with Jada Hodgson, a CLM serving as pastor at Plum Creek United Methodist Church near Paola, Kansas. It is believed that Jada was the first CLM in the United Methodist denomination.
The “In Layman’s Terms” podcast concludes its series on re-emerging from our in-home exiles with a look at how we can reshape our communities to more closely resemble the Kingdom of God. A key part of that effort likely is justice ministries.
Host Todd Seifert, conference communications director, interviews the Rev. Sarah Marsh, the new coordinator for mercy and justice ministries. They talk about the difference between mercy ministries and justice ministries, and they discuss the partnership the conference has with two organizations that are building grassroots community organizing efforts across Kansas and Nebraska.
In this special video episode of "In Layman's Terms," host Todd Seifert talks with Dr. Socorro de Anda and Rev. Larry Moffet about the Lydia Patterson Institute. LPI is a ministry of education and discipleship for kids along the border of El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico. Download the episode.
- You can learn more about LPI by going to its website: https://lpi-elpaso.org/.
- Watch a video of this interview.
- Listen to more "In Layman's Terms" episodes at https://toddseifert.com/podcast/.
The re-engagement series continues with an interview with the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, lead pastor at St. Paul United Methodist Church in the Benson neighborhood of north Omaha. She and Todd talk about the things St. Paul tried as a means of staying connected to its community and parishioners and how some of those efforts are now so ingrained into the church that they will remain long after the pandemic is over.
In this episode, Stephanie references several videos you may want to check out for yourselves:
- Pianoside Church.
- The online children's Christmas pageant.
- Provide a devotion or sermon by phone.
We continue our look at re-engaging our faith by examining how we read the Bible. In this episode, Rev. Jeff Goetzinger from the Hutchinson area and Todd talk about their different strategies for reading through the Bible in 365 days.
Continuing with the theme of re-engaging our faith and communities after the pandemic, Calvary UMC in Wichita serves as an example of how preparation and flexibility can keep people connected to each other and, most importantly, to God.
Rev. Michael Marion and Rev. Ashley Prescott Barlow Thompson sit down with Todd to talk about how the pandemic forced them to make decisions and how the congregation is adapting even 13 months after the start of the COVID-19 outbreak.
As we come nearer and nearer to being able to return to life from our in-home exiles, we are embarking on a new series focused on rebuilding our communities and strengthening our spiritual disciplines.
Using the stories from the Old Testament history books of Ezra and Nehemiah, the goal is to share stories about how people and churches are preparing to re-engage with their congregations, their communities and with God through their own faith practices.
This first episode in the series sets the stage by taking a brief look at Jewish history and the way people in Jerusalem viewed the foundation being set for the new temple after their return from the Babylonian exile.
Have ideas from your church? Or are you doing something to strengthen your spiritual disciplines? Contact Todd Seifert at tseifert@greatplainsumc.org.
Our country is more divided than ever. We have red states and blue states, and even red and blue congregations. Or do we? Aren't our congregations really just different shades of purple? The Rev. Dr. Leah Schade joins Todd for a discussion about her book, "Preaching in the Purple Zone," and how a method she has developed heavily involves the input from laity to help a church determine its response to topics pertinent to our times.
Oliver Green has been heavily involved in the Great Plains Conference since its inception. As we wrap up Black History Month, Oliver shares his story and what it was like to move into adulthood — as an African-American man — during the Civil Rights Movement.
Oliver shares how the movement of the 1960s is similar to the cries for racial justice that we experience today, what attracted him to leaders like Malcom X and Martin Luther King and what can we do today to move forward on the important topic of racial justice.
It's been nine months since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, so Todd Seifert, host of the "In Layman's Terms" podcast, decided to tell some follow-up stories featuring guests who helped explain the impact of police and other kinds of violence upon people of color in earlier episodes in the spring of 2020.
Eugenio Hernandez, the conference’s multimedia production specialist, took it a step further by recording this video of the interview discussions with the Rev. Dee Williamston, superintendent of the Salina and Hutchinson districts, and the Rev. Robert Johnson, lead pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita, the Great Plains Conference's largest predominantly African-American church. This podcast is the audio version of that interview.
Williamston and Johnson share how their ministry has changed over the past nine months, signs of hope they have seen since George Floyd’s death, and what they think needs to happen so the next generation lives in a more equitable world.
In the second of a two-episode series on how we listen for God's call to service in our lives and then how we respond to that call, Todd looks at the call of Peter, Andrew, James and John as Jesus' disciples. The story teaches us how we should respond to God's call.
In the first of a two-part series examining how God calls us to service, Todd shares a reflection from 1 Samuel that recounts the call of the prophet who would anoint the first two kings of Israel. As you listen to the episode, consider how God may be reaching out to you.
This compilation of the Christmas story takes the accounts from Matthew, Mark and Luke — framed in the concept of light coming into the world from John — to tell the story of the birth of Jesus.
In this fourth week of Advent, Todd continues to explore the themes of each week's candle. This week we light the candle of love. See how Jesus showed love to others and, particularly, to all of us through his sacrifice on the cross.
We often think of joy as a feeling we have after a fun activity or an emotion to be felt when we're among loved ones. But Jesus explained that joy is something much deeper than that. It's a state of being, an enduring trait. Jesus explains how we find joy and how we maintain it, even amid difficult circumstances.
We celebrate the coming of the Christ child during Advent, but we sometimes forget to celebrate why Jesus came to earth in the first place. In this episode, we explore how Jesus gave us the gift of His inner peace and how that has three very real impacts on our lives. May you embrace inner peace as you listen to this episode.
We celebrate the coming of the Christ child during Advent, but we sometimes forget to celebrate why Jesus came to earth in the first place. Many Christians recognize that He came to provide for our salvation and reconciliation with God. This holiday season, let's embrace Jesus' mission, and recognize that because of Jesus' arrival as a baby, we have hope.
Darryl Burton, a newly ordained elder in The United Methodist Church sat in prison for 24 years. Lamont McIntyre sat in prison for 23 years. Neither man actually committed the murders for which they were accused.
A ministry in New Jersey helped exonerate them, but there was no assistance to help them reacclimate to society. So the two men joined forces in 2018 and launched Miracle of Innocence, a ministry meant to help innocent people find justice and regain their freedom, and then receive the help that Darryl and Lamont didn’t have available to them.
You can help by taking part in a gala at 7 p.m. Oct. 28, 2020. Find out how by going to the organization’s website at www.miracleofinnocence.org.
Hear their stories and learn more about this important ministry in the latest episode of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast.
In October 1990, a relatively small group of people met for worship for the first time — in a funeral home. With a name that was somewhat tongue-in-cheek because of its location but also a theological statement because of its dedication to Jesus Christ, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection was born.
The congregation made a pitstop at an elementary school before settling in the first of what is now a five-campus church in Leawood, Kansas, campus. Led by a then 25-year-old pastor and now world-renowned author, Rev. Adam Hamilton, from that humble beginning started a congregation that is now the largest in the entire denomination.
The congregation is celebrating its 30th anniversary in October 2020, so Hamilton and a few leaders in the congregation sat down with Todd Seifert for a new episode of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast.
The worship team at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Papillion, Nebraska, missed its choir. Like so many others, the church had to cancel choir amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But a group of lay people and the church's pastor worked together to figure out how to create a virtual choir. Now, with three songs under their belt, the people responsible talk to Todd to share what they learned as they took the journey down the path of musical innovation.
In the third of a three-part series on class meetings, Todd explores how class meetings provided a model of growth and evangelism in the past and how they can be a sustainable force in the present. Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. is the featured guest who shares a vision for how class meetings can sustain a United Methodist witness in smaller churches but also can bolster discipleship in larger congregations by enhancing spiritual disciplines and introducing accountability among believers.
Richard Rothstein started exploring how segregation impacted education. What he discovered was how detrimental policies set by federal agencies deliberately held down African Americans regarding housing. As a result, Black Americans have not been able to build wealth, they live near more environmental hazards and have continued to be treated as second-class citizens.
Rothstein records his findings in "The Color of Law," and he sits down with Todd in this episode to walk through the major themes in his sobering yet easy-to-understand explanation of how the U.S. government carved out such a divide among people of different races.
You can learn even more about his book and find links to where you can buy it from the Economic Policy Institute, where Rothstein is a distinguished fellow.
We may never be able to conquer racism if we don't start openly talking about racism and the way it impacts our entire society.
In this episode, Todd talks with the Rev. Kathy Williams, an African-American pastor serving a small town in Kansas, who talks about the silence she observed after the death of George Floyd. She shares how she dealt with the silence and got people talking — in a loving way — about racism.
He also talks with Garlinda Burton, who will begin serving as interim general secretary of The United Methodist Church's General Commission on Religion and Race starting Sept. 1. She shares GCORR's mission, its goals and talks about addressing white privilege and how white Christians can put their privilege to use as advocates for people of color.
And Todd talks to the Rev. Adam Barlow-Thompson and the Rev. Ashley Prescott Barlow-Thompson, who lead the Neighboring Movement. This relationships-based ministry may be a key to helping people reach outside their usual circle of friends to build real bonds with people regardless of skin color or economic status.
We continue our look at class meetings and class leaders by taking a look at a pilot project in the Great West District in Nebraska, where Pastor Mark Baldwin is helping mentor a class leader. We also talk to Lisa Maupin, Great Plains Conference lay leader, about the way the class meeting model can help shift the story from one of scarcity to one of abundance.
Class meetings — with strong class leaders — were among the ways the Methodist movement spread westward and through the prairies of the United States. But could looking to the denomination's past help laity and churches pave the way to a brighter, more vital future?
In this first of several episodes about class meetings, host Todd Seifert talks with District Superintendents Cindy Karges and Don Hasty, as well as retired elder, author and Methodist historian David Lowes Watson. They share why class meetings show promise for helping churches of all sizes — but especially small, rural congregations — boost discipleship, promote leadership and provide churches the tools they need to better serve their communities.
In the aftermath of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis — and following our previous episode titled "Black Lives Matter," we explore how people can respond to help end racism. In this episode, we talk about white privilege, how to educate ourselves and other ways to help bring about change — from stopping racist chatter at the water cooler to speaking up to casting ballots.
Our featured guests are the Rev. Junius Dotson and the Rev. Steve Spencer. We also talk to the Revs. Kyle Reynolds, Portia Cavitt, Dee Williamston and Pastor Ronda Kingwood.
The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Memorial Day weekend 2020 sparked outrage. Video of the incident shows a police officer with his knee pressed down on the man's neck for almost nine minutes.
In response, people have taken to the streets in protest. They are voicing their anger and telling their stories.
This episode aims to tell the story of the African-American experience through the words of six black pastors in the Great Plains Conference: Rev. Dee Williamston, Rev. Dr. Kevass Harding, Pastor Ronda Kingwood, Rev. Robert Johnson, Rev. Portia Cavitt and Rev. Kirstie Engel.
A warning this episode does include some of the recording of Mr. Floyd asking officers to allow him to move so he can breathe.
The Rev. Dr. Kevass Harding had to adjust quickly when stay-at-home orders went into place in Wichita, one of the original hot spots for the coronavirus in Kansas. But he and his congregation at Dellrose United Methodist Church adapted quickly.
Now, Dellrose UMC has online worship, online Bible studies and counseling for people who need it. Kevass shares about the struggle it was to get used to preaching to an empty room, and he provides some thoughts on how the COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately striking the African-American community.
The Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede knew worship wouldn't look the same during our time of sheltering in place. So she chose to embrace a different look and feel. With the Rev. Jerry Brabec on piano and others joining in helping with the worship time as needed, a "piano side" service was born.
Then, for a daily devotion, Stephanie decided to use her husband's collection of more than 3,500 snow domes as the inspiration for sharing a thought or two each day with her congregation.
In this reflection on John 10:1-10, Todd shares his thoughts on what he sees as a choice we have to make: Be a bandit and continue to put ourselves first, or strive to be a good shepherd who leads our personal flocks toward The Good Shepherd.
The Rev. Stefanie Hayes of Sargent and Ord First United Methodist churches in Nebraska shares how she decided to get more people involved in recordings of online worship. Instead of just recording herself giving a sermon at her kitchen table, she recruited others in her congregation to record themselves saying prayers, reading liturgy or reading scripture.
From those smartphone videos, she stitches together a worship service each week while she and her congregation shelter in their homes using just her iPad. Hear how she started this way of worship and how she has continued to do so each week amid the pandemic.
In the conclusion of a series on the seven final sayings of Christ from the cross, special guest Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., episcopal leader of the Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church, provides some reflections on why the resurrection of Jesus Christ was such a powerful story in the first century and how it provides hope for people even today.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced churches and pastors to do some things they had never before tried. The Rev. Gary Brooks, lead pastor at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Wichita is one of those people.
His church, which has about 500 people in worship on a typical Sunday, had never livestreamed a service before the shelter-in-place order. But when it became necessary to do so, he and some of the staff at Aldersgate figured out a way to stream to Facebook Live. Now Sunday school classes, youth groups and more are using technology to stay connected and to continue to worship and study about Jesus Christ — all from their homes.
In the sixth of seven special episodes focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflection on Luke 23:36, "Father into your hands I commend my spirit."
The bishop shares his thoughts on how Jesus turned over His spirit to God after being beaten and mocked and tortured by his captors.
In the fifth of seven special episodes focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflections on John 19:28 and John 19:30, "I thirst" and "It is finished," respectively.
The bishop provides his reflections on these two verses and provides guidance of why the writer of the Gospel of John may have included a statement about thirst and in what tone was Jesus speaking when He declared His work on earth "finished."
In the fourth of seven special episodes of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflections on Mark 15:34, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.”
The bishop explains how these words from Jesus shouldn’t necessarily be looked at as words that reflect Jesus feeling abandoned, but rather how they teach us that even in the worst of circumstances, God never leaves us alone.
In the third of seven special episodes of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflections on John 19:26-27, “Woman, here is your son,” and “Here is your mother.”
The bishop explains how Jesus gives us a glimpse into how Christians are supposed to treat one another — like family — and how with these words Jesus shows love for His mother while also expanding His family.
In the second of seven special episodes of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflections on Luke 23:43, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Through this statement to a criminal on the cross, Jesus shares His love for all of us who fall short of God’s expectations of us and gives us the hope of a life with Jesus in paradise.
Listen to the podcast.
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. is the featured guest for a special series of episodes that explores the seven final sayings of Jesus from the cross. In this first episode, Bishop Saenz explains why Lent is special to him, and he provides some reflection on the first of the seven sayings: "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."
Where does the 46 days (40 when we subtract the Sundays) of Lent come from? We trace it back to the 40 days and 40 nights Jesus spent in the Judean wilderness following his baptism in the Jordan River. Jesus spent time preparing for the critical ministry ahead.
During that time, Jesus was tempted by the devil. He was offered food while He fasted. He was encouraged to jump from the Temple so people would see the power of God. He was offered all the kingdoms of the world. Yet Jesus accepted none of them. Todd explains that within those three temptations are three lessons for us: Avoid putting our needs in front of others, avoid taking advantage of others, and don't succumb to power and prestige.
Jesus tells his believers to make disciples. That's not a command just for clergy. Laity actually play the biggest part, but that important role requires leadership.
The Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church will host its first Laity Summit on March 21 in Kearney, Nebraska. In this episode, Todd talks with Shane Warta, conference coordinator for lay leadership, and David Teel, director of laity and spiritual leadership at Discipleship Ministries, who will serve as the keynote speaker for the event.
In the second of two episodes exploring the concept of a culture of call, Todd talks with the Rev. Ashlee Alley Crawford, coordinator of clergy recruitment and development for the Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church.
In their discussion, Ashlee shares resources available to local churches, young adults and others to help them explore their call into ministry — whether that be pastoral ministry or as part of their secular vocation — and how everyday Christians can nurture their own calls as well as the calls of other people.
Even smaller churches can make a big impact in the world for Christ. And there is an example tucked away in Madison, Kansas, about 22 miles south of Emporia, that serves as proof.
In his book "The Madison Effect," Gary Robbins writes about how a church in a town of 700 people has helped 16 people enter into pastoral ministry. And they did it by paying attention, listening for the Holy Spirit and working in partnership between clergy and laity.
In this episode, Todd Seifert talks with Gary Robbins about why he wrote the book, some of the concepts he introduces and how Gary thinks churches can create a culture of call in their congregations.
Some people feel lost. They don't think they deserve love or respect or any consideration from God. They know sin has taken over their lives, but they don't know what to do.
Jesus tells us through the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin that while we may be lost, He never stops searching for us. To Jesus, we are the valuable sheep that has wandered off. We are the highly valued coin that has been misplaced.
Through these parables, Jesus teaches that we are loved, we are highly desired, and we are of great value to God.
We continue our exploration of what Jesus taught by using parables. In this episode, we look at the widely known parable of the Good Samaritan. Even if you don't know the story, you probably know the term.
But what does it really mean? What was Jesus trying to teach us? And who, exactly, is our "neighbor"?
We start a series of Bible-teaching episodes on some of Jesus' parables with a look at the Prodigal Son. This story teaches us many things and makes us ponder even more. But Todd shares in this reflection how the story of the younger son teaches that nobody is too far gone, too lost to find his or her way back to the God who yearns to see them appear over the horizon.
As much as I love Santa Claus, Rudolph, Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree and the redemption of Ebeneezer Scrooge, Christmas really is about the arrival of the Christ child, the Savior for all humankind.
The story is told primarily in the books of Matthew and Luke. So we’re going to spend some time in this episode going through the entire story, in order, by merging those two books together. Told in seven acts — or seven mini-stories within the larger birth story — we'll learn about how God paved the way for Jesus, remind ourselves of the familiar parts of the Christmas story, and learn a little bit more about Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and magi.
I hope you enjoy this telling of this precious, important story to our faith. Have a very merry Christmas!
Motive has been interesting to me for as long as I can remember. From novels to crime television shows to true-live documentaries, motive plays a key role in almost every story. And because it's so prevalent, it also can be complicated. Since we’re coming close to Christmas, I think we should explore why we even have this holiday.
After all, Christmas is not really about buying presents, Santa Claus, Rudolph and other elements of the season. Christmas is a religious holiday when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Christ child.
Why did God send Jesus to earth? What was God’s motivation? Let’s explore and find out together.
In this Bible-teaching episode, Todd Seifert shares a reflection on John 1:1-18 and explains how the opening poetry of this gospel introduces Jesus as the light of the world.
Learn how the darkness in the shadows of life don't have to be permanent, nor do they have to be scary, because Jesus will be the light to drown out the darkness amid many circumstances.
Southwestern College — home of the Mound Builders — is tucked away in Winfield, Kansas, a small school in a small town southeast of Wichita. And tucked away on one corner of this secluded campus is the Richard and Julia Wilke Institute for Discipleship.
A quick glance reveals nothing grand. It’s a fine building, but it’s relatively small, with three or four office spaces, one larger hall space for gatherings.
It looks like nothing special.
But looks are deceiving. God said as much to the prophet Samuel when the man was looking for the next king of Israel.
Just as King David started off small in stature, this small institute has blossomed. In fact, some mighty big things regarding relationships with Christ happen because of what takes place here.
There may be grander buildings, but what happens inside these walls reaches right to the hearts of people to help them meet Jesus Christ and to get to know Him better.
At the centerpiece is the Richard and Julia Wilke Institute for Discipleship.
The days of opening the church doors to find a waiting crowd eager to take their seats are long since gone.
Now, many other activities occupy people on Sunday mornings and throughout the week. So, how can you make a connection?
In this episode, we look at three churches — two in Nebraska and one in Kansas — that use a variety of techno-tools to connect with their congregations outside of Sundays while also reaching new people, even folks who otherwise likely would not willingly set foot inside a church without first making these kinds of connections.
In this premiere episode, I want to tell you a story about brokenness and resurrection of an entire town.
Back in March, the first of a series of devastating floods damaged hundreds of homes in Nebraska. In the spring, a massive tornado destroyed or damaged homes in several communities in northeast Kansas. And later this past summer, more floods ravaged parts of Kansas and Nebraska. The Great Plains Conference’s Disaster Response ministry has been going nonstop since around March 14, so leaders in the conference were concerned about pastors serving in these disaster areas.
We planned a workshop/retreat for these pastors, but only a very small number signed up, so we postponed the event. But we had prepared for it. And part of that preparation was an interview with the Rev. Terry Mayhew. His experiences are unlike any other in our conference. You see, Terry received the call from his district superintendent late the evening of May 4, 2007, that he was being moved from Plains and Kismet United Methodist Churches to the town of Greensburg. Less than an hour later, a tornado would nearly wipe Greensburg off the map.
Or at least the twister would have killed the town, if not for the hope provided by faith in Jesus, the determination of residents, and people from both near and far working together to serve as Christ’s hands and feet in a shattered community.