IN LAYMAN'S TERMS

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.