Afresh:New Ways of Being Church

College is a transformative experience for a lot of young people. It is a time for young people to begin to think for themselves and discover who God has created them to be, and what God is calling them to do. How can we help youth be transformed by a sense of call, no matter what career path they choose? Listen as I talk with Rev. Maegan Habich about why this is important and how it can happen.

 In this episode you'll hear us reference this program, as well as some of programs available for youth pastors and youth. Links to these programs are below:

Youth Worker Training Event- Saturday, March 18- For all youth workers (paid and volunteer).

To find out more about YETI (Youth Theological Institute) click HERE. 

Advent is a season of waiting, hope, and expectation. On this episode Katie talks to Rev. Mark Barden, pastor at First UMC Norwood about transformational experiences of Advent. We wanted to interview Mark for this episode because Mark, being a creative person, always go all-out with house decorations for the holidays. He goes big at Halloween, and he goes even bigger at Christmas. People who like to drive and look at Christmas lights, should make a special trip to Norwood to see Mark's house. Below are some pictures of his past decorations. 

A new season of Afresh brings new stories with a new focus. On this season we're going to be highlighting stories of personal transformation people have experienced in their discipleship and how they have experienced change in their lives as a result of the Gospel. This episode serves as an introduction, as our host shares some of her own personal stories of transformation.

Beginners Guide to Practicing Scriptural Imagination

Fresh Expressions: A New Kind of Methodist Church For People Not In Church

What makes a good leader? What does it mean to have authentic leadership? How can we help cultivate lay leadership? In this episode of Afresh District Superintendent Laura Auten shares her leadership journey and things she has learned along the way. 

This episode is a celebration of rural churches. I interview Rev. Chris Smith who has started a Fresh Expression and is currently working on two Fresh Expressions in his very rural setting. He has some great tips and pieces of wisdom to share, as well as some brainstorming around the kinds of Fresh Expressions that could be started in rural settings. 

Those in recovery often have a hard time with traditional church settings because of the stigma around addictions and shame and a number of other things. Fresh Expressions offers a great opportunity to be a place of authentic community for those who are seeking healing from their brokenness. Listen to this rich conversation about the fruit that can come from being in ministry with those in recovery through Fresh Expressions.