The United Methodist People Podcast

In Episode 58 of The United Methodist People Podcast Rev. Dr. Brad Miller talks with Rev. Rob Fuquay of St. Luke's UMC-Indianapolis about his new book and Lenten resource "The Passion Play-Living the Story of Christ's Last Days" which is inspired by the Oberammergau Passionsspiele.Jesus' Passion Story is presented each Lent in countless churches each year. But one play presented by the inhabitants of the village of Oberammergau, in Bavaria Germany, may be one of the longest-running performances of all. Staged every 10 years since 1634. To play makes an impact not only on the villagers who portray the characters and all who see it as well. And the passion play Rob Fuquay follows the biblical story of the passion and shows how this amazing play as we use both as a ritual of praise and later as a weapon through that's anti-semitic past. Brad and Rob talk about the book at length in this interview including its relevance in today's world of pandemics and anxiousness.The United Methodist People Podcast is produced by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller a retired UMC Elder with a heart for "doing all the good I can; particularly in anxious times." The United Methodist People Podcast is all about sharing the story of the United Methodist people who have similar commitments to doing all the good they can through conversation and commentary. To Purchase "The Passion Play-Living the Story of Christ's Last Days" Go to: https://www.cokesbury.com/the-passion-playIf you like The United Methodist People Podcast then you are invited to try one of the following podcasts Rev. Dr. Brad Miller is involved with.To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble (co-host)https://www.tobeencouraged.com/Voice of God Daily Bible Studyhttps://www.voiceofgoddaily.com/Beyond Adversity: Helping People Navigate Adverse Life Events and Emerge Victoriously.www.DrBradMiller.com

In Episode 56 of The United Methodist People Podcast, with Reverend Dr. Brad Miller, the topic is building the new year of 2022 with Spiritual Infrastructure in the Be Encourage segment, Bishop Julius C. Trimble. Bishop Trimble outlines entering into the new year of 2022 with a vision of partnership to build a beloved community with spiritual infrastructure.  Spiritual infrastructure is composed of such elements as prayer, accountability, and faith.Brad and Bishop discuss Jeremiah 29:11 regarding God’s plans for the church moving into 2022. The discussion revolved around God delivering us for our new season and it's going to be a good season.It was announced that Bishop Trimble will be launching his own podcast in January 2022 “Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble”The trailer is available now at https://be-encouraged.captivate.fm and the podcast will be available on Apple Podcasts and the other podcast directories.Rev. Dr. Brad Miller closed the last podcast episode of 2021 with a word of appreciation to the guests and listeners of the United Methodist People Podcast and a quote from John Wesley.“As for reputation, though it be a glorious instrument of advancing our Master's service, yet there is a better than that: a clean heart, a single eye, and a soul full of God. A fair exchange if, by the loss of reputation, we can purchase the lowest degree of purity of heart.”John WesleyBe Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is found at https://be-encouraged.captivate.fm

In Episode 54 of the United Methodist People Podcast Rev. Dr. Brad Miller talks with Indiana Bishop Julus Trimble and Indiana Conference Lay Leader David Johns about simplifying the United Methodist Brand with Love, Grace, and Forgiveness. This is part 2 of a two-part conversation about simplifying the United Methodist Brand. Part 1 of this conversation is on Episode 53 of the United Methodist People Podcast. https://united-methodist-people.captivate.fm/episode/53

Episode 52 of the United Methodist People Podcast with Rev. Dr. Brad Miller, features a behind-the-scenes look at the November 2021 Council of Bishops meeting with Indiana area Bishop Julius Trimble. Brad and Bishop talk about the narrative set forth by the Council of Bishops to set the stage moving forward as the church faces probably division in 2022. Bishop and Brad talk about a vision of setting a table for a home where all can be welcome no matter their differences of opinion. Furthermore, Bishop and Brad talk about how music can be a universal language to bring people together. Music at family gatherings around a Thanksgiving table and the songs of Christmas and the holiday season can bridge divides among people.

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

In Episode 48 of The United Methodist People Podcast, Indiana Area Bishop Julius Trimble talks to Rev. Dr. Brad Miller on his ongoing series "Be Encouraged" about his recent article "We Don't Give A Damn About the Poor."Bishop Trimble offers his take on the apathy exhibited in government and much of society toward the plight of poor people borne out by the lack of action toward many measures legislatively and among communities toward services that seek to meet the needs of the poor.Bishop Trimble talks about how personal freedoms do not exclude Christians from the biblical mandate and responsibility to serve the needs of the poor.Moreover, Bishop Trimble gives an encouraging word of the good works that many churches have done in serving the needs of the poor which are tangible examples of what folk can do right now to actually "give a damn for the poor."Bishop Trimble will be a regular guest on The United Methodist People Podcast with his message to "Be Encouraged." https://www.inumc.org/bishop/we-dont-give-a-damn-about-the-poor/

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

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

Indiana Bishop Julius Trimble and Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, General Secretary of The United Methodist Board of Church and Society are Rev. Dr. Brad Miller’s guests on Episode 042 of The United Methodist People Podcast.This episode centers around a United Methodist Response to the attempted coup and violent insurrection at the United States Capitol building January 6, 2021.Bishop Trimble wrote an article entitled “A Letter to Martin Luther King, Jr” on the occasion of the MLK Holiday which spoke to the unrest in our country and the response of the United Methodist Church to the violence.Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe wrote a statement on January 13, 2021 calling on the US Senate to impeach, convict and bar former president Trump from holding public office again.In the discussion attention is given to a Christian and biblical understanding of peace, justice and righteousness. In particular lifting up MLK vision of “a beloved community” and rejecting “distorted Christianity” and “faith misappropriated.”  Episode of 042 of the United Methodist People Podcast is helpful tool for any United Methodist Christian Clergy or Member looking to formulate your own response the disturbing events in the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.January 2021Rev. Dr. Brad MillerThe United Methodist People PodcastUnited Methodist PodcastGeneral Secretary Calls to Bar President Trump from Public OfficeBishop Trimble's Letter to Martin Luther King, Jr

In Episode 040 of The United Methodist People Podcast Rev. Dr. Brad Miller interviews Rev. Todd Outcalt the author of “Let Us Go Now to Bethlehem.” The book is a daily devotional guide from Advent through Epiphany emphasizing the pilgrimage journey of that all people take through Advent to Christmas to Epiphany following the biblical narrative of the journey of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. Brad and Todd talk about the book in the light of the challenging journey most people are facing 2020 in a time of pandemic, social and political unrest and stresses in the church. The conversation is deep and introspective and will be helpful to not only readers of the book but also to people looking for pragmatic ways to navigate challenging pilgrimages in their own life and take heart in the anticipation, inspiration, hope and wonder of the Advent, Christmas, Epiphany story through this engaging conversation. The purpose of the United Methodist People Podcast is to strengthen the connection in the United Methodist Church through conversation and commentary. Rev. Dr. Brad Miller October 2020 https://www.cokesbury.com/Let-Us-Go-Now-to-Bethlehem https://upperroombooks.com/book/let-us-go-now-to-bethlehem/ https://www.amazon.com/Todd-Outcalt/e/B000APJLDW?ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vu00_tkin_p1_i0

The unique ministry of Rev. Dr. Sid Hall pastor of Trinity Church Austin Texas is the focus of Episode 038 of The United Methodist People Podcast with Rev. Dr Brad Miller. The ministry journey of Sid Hall is unique in several ways unpacked in this in depth interview with Brad including: His 33 year ministry at one pastoral appointment, Trinity Church, Austin Texas. The journey of transforming Trinity from struggling for survival to a thriving eclectic congregation serving a community that is multicultural, multiracial, diverse sexual orientations and gender identities not far from University of Texas campus. Sid lead Trinity to became one of the first churches in Texas and indeed in the United States to become a reconciling ministry congregation (in 1992) outwardly affirming and welcoming of LGBT persons. Sid is unique because when it became apparent that there was an uncertain future for LGBTQIA+ persons in the UMC Sid and Trinity found a provision in the book of discipline which allows a local a local church to reorganize as a co-affiliated church with another denomination. This is exactly what Trinity UMC did under Sid’s leadership in 2015 becoming a church that was reorganized as Trinity Church of Austin co-affiliated as both a United Mehtodist Church and United Church of Christ congregation. Sid also speaks to Brad about his take on the present state of the United Methodist Church and his hopes for the future of the UMC. There are unique lessons to learn from Rev. Dr. Sid Hall here in Episode 038 of The United Methodist People Podcast with Rev. Dr. Brad Miller. The Mission of the United Methodist People Podcast is to strengthen the connection in the United Methodist Church through conversation and commentary to serve the mission of the church to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Rev. Dr. Brad Miller September 2020 https://www.trinitychurchofaustin.org/

On Episode 036 of The United Methodist Podcast Rev. Dr. Brad Miller and Bishop Julius Trimble talk with Dr. Paul Chilcote retired United Methodist Theologian about his book “Active Faith: Resisting Four Dangerous Ideologies with the Wesleyan Way” PAUL CHILCOTE is a devoted follower of Jesus, a United Methodist minister, missionary and artist. A frequent speaker and workshop leader in applied Wesleyan studies, particularly in the areas of spirituality, worship, discipleship, and evangelism, he is the author of twenty books. He has been involved in theological education on three Continents, serving as a missionary in Kenya, and as a founding faculty member of Africa University in Zimbabwe. His primary interests revolve around Wesleyan theology and spirituality. He has always had a concern to bring Charles Wesley out from under the shadow of his older brother, John. He has published a number of devotional works and has helped rediscover the legacy of many women in Christian history, particularly Methodists. He is past President of The Charles Wesley Society and the Academy for Evangelism, and enjoys a special relationship with Mt. Angel Abbey in Oregon as a Benedictine Oblate. With his wife, Janet, he has five daughters (Sandy, Rebekah, Anna, Mary, and Ruth) and four grandchildren (Alyssa, Collin, Levi, and Isabella). Having children or sons-in-law born in El Salvador, Kenya, Korea, and the United States, his family spans four continents. The mission of The United Methodist People Podcast is to strengthen the connection in the United Methodist Church through conversation and commentary and is published by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller. Rev. Dr. Brad Miller August 6, 2020