IN LAYMAN'S TERMS

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is more and more part of our lives. Rev. Dr. Richard Randolph has studied AI extensively as part if his work with the Science & Spirituality Institute. A retired UMC elder, Richard shares his thoughts on AI and about the institute he founded to study how science and spirituality don't have to be either/or propositions but instead can work together to help us better understand our world and our God.

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.

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.

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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.

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.