Means of Grace

In this episode, Reverend Lori Beth Huffman shares her journey into ministry, her experiences as a district superintendent, and insights into the Appalachian District's unique challenges and opportunities. Discover how faith, leadership, and community resilience shape her work and the future of the church.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lori Beth Huffman and her background 04:57 The influence of campus ministry and early ministry experiences 08:01 Navigating change and cultural shifts in the church 12:15 The vital role of small churches and rural communities 16:28 The work of a district superintendent and connectional ministries 20:33 The spiritual responsibility and leadership in the conference 23:08 The importance of living out faith and living in community 25:38 A moment of vulnerability and unexpected joy in ministry 28:14 The power of sermons and stories to impact lives 29:30 The importance of disciple-making and innovative ministry models 33:20 The future of worship and church engagement in a changing world 34:50 Supporting churches through recovery and resilience efforts 36:36 The role of connectional ministries and collaboration 40:42 The importance of shared vision and community support 43:02 Lessons learned from failure and difficult seasons 45:33 The significance of grief, patience, and pastoral care 48:37 The ongoing journey of faith, hope, and renewal 52:48 A call to trust in God's work and future opportunities 55:21 Supporting the Appalachian District through service and prayer 56:49 Closing remarks and gratitude for ministry

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand and John Crane explore how churches can live beyond their walls, connect evangelism with missional outreach, and collaborate effectively to make a faithful impact. The challenge is to find new ways to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.

The three-part webinar series will equip laity and clergy with practical strategies and resources to help their churches more effectively connect with their community, build missional partnerships, and transform their communities by reaching others with the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Format: Online, via Zoom Dates: October 26, November 2, November 9 Time: 7pm - 8pm Registration Link: https://wnc-reg.brtapp.com/LivingIntoOurVision Registration Deadline: Sunday, October 25, 2026

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the series and guest introductions

00:23 Overview of the conference's focus on love, service, and leadership

00:45 The role of laity in church leadership and outreach

01:05 The biblical foundation of the church's mission 02:14 The importance of loving boldly and serving joyfully

05:04 What it means to lead courageously in today's context

07:25 Love for enemies and courageous service

08:52 The Holy Spirit's empowerment for evangelism

12:30 Addressing fears and resource challenges in church outreach

16:27 The movement of Christendom and evangelism in history

20:23 Transformative power of evangelism and personal stories

27:22 Upcoming learning series details and expectations

33:29 Final thoughts and encouragement to participate

In this episode, Hannah Howell and Blake Smarr reflect on their pilgrimage through England, retracing Wesleyan history, and explore how the experience deepened their faith, understanding of history, and sense of community. They discuss the spiritual insights, surprising discoveries, and ongoing impact of walking in the footsteps of John Wesley.

Read the Article here

Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: The Wesleyan pilgrimage 01:38 Meet Hannah Howell and Blake Smarr 03:43 Hopes for the pilgrimage 05:17 Discovering new sides of John Wesley 07:22 Letting go of expectations and being present 08:44 Spiritual moments at Epworth and Aldersgate 12:30 Susanna Wesley's influence and daily discipline 15:33 Oxford, the Holy Club, and forming a personal faith 19:52 Communion and the connection across generations 23:00 Wesleyan history, slavery, and abolition 29:05 Whose stories are missing or overlooked? 33:08 Bringing the pilgrimage's lessons home 39:00 Finding grace in ordinary moments 42:43 Building community and lasting connections 45:57 "I left for England thinking…" 47:20 Closing reflections

In this episode, Dr. Hannah Sutton-Adams, Rev. Dr. Susan Heafner-Heun & Rebecca Yates explore the concept of healing within the church, addressing religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and how churches can become safe spaces for healing and growth. Featuring experts from Matthews United Methodist Church, this conversation offers practical insights and spiritual reflections on transforming church communities.

You are invited, on October 25, 2026, Matthews United Methodist Church will host a workshop titled Recognizing and Resisting Trauma - Faith Community

This episode explores the upcoming WONDER SUMMIT and innovative approaches to involving children in worship, emphasizing the importance of listening to their voices and reimagining church practices. Skyler Przygoda and Latricia Scriven share insights from the upcoming Wonder Summit, a transformative event for all church leaders.

Remember to use code "SCHOOL" for a discount on your registration to the Wonder Summit!

In this episode, Rev. David Hockett shares his journey into ministry, his return to the role of Metro District Superintendent, and insights on leadership, change, and faith in challenging times.

00:00 Introduction to David Hockett and the Metro District Superintendent role

01:36 David's call to ministry and early formation in the church

05:02 Returning to district superintendent a second time

09:06 Leaving Davidson and moving into a new season

13:21 What a district superintendent actually does

16:05 Making space for clergy and laity to try new things

18:37 When DS leadership should be mostly invisible

20:44 The spiritual responsibility of serving on the cabinet

25:37 The human side of appointment making

32:16 Learning from failure and moving too slowly

39:23 What David is listening for in this season of church change

48:38 The church's calling to embody Christ in the world

51:04 The same call for laity and clergy alike

52:02 Two ways to support the work: prayer and presence

Meredith Martin, the new conference treasurer and director of administrative services, shares her journey, experience, and vision for her new role. She emphasizes the importance of stewardship, accountability, and mission in managing the financial and administrative aspects of the conference. Meredith's background as a deacon, social worker, and nonprofit leader has prepared her to bring a unique perspective to her new role, ensuring responsible and strategic financial management aligned with the mission of the church. The conversation covers topics related to financial stewardship, integrity, and responsibility, as well as the importance of financial sustainability, margin, and creative vision. It also delves into best practices for church financial health, non-traditional giving, and asset management. Additionally, the discussion touches on personal interests, hobbies, and the importance of well-being in the context of professional responsibilities.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Meredith Martin

02:06 Meredith's Calling and Background

03:12 Meredith's Experience and Preparation

05:05 Meredith's Intersection of Background and Experience

09:12 Meredith's New Role and Early Experiences

13:33 Understanding the Role of Conference Treasurer

18:50 Meredith's Week and Responsibilities

23:31 Building Trust and Connecting with Local Churches

25:57 Stewardship as Ministry

27:40 Stewardship and Integrity

33:41 Financial Sustainability and Margin

36:14 Church Financial Health

39:35 Non-Traditional Giving and Asset Management

43:29 Personal Interests and Well-Being

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Stephanie Hand shares insights on the Holy Spirit's movement in church life, the importance of authentic evangelism, and reimagining church beyond traditional walls. Join us for a deep dive into spiritual renewal and practical steps for engaging the world with courage and compassion.

Resources

Western North Carolina Conference Susanna Wesley - Mother of Methodism

Guest Links:

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Substack

Chapters

00:00 Debriefing the Annual Conference 03:05 The Role of the Holy Spirit 05:36 Living Beyond the Walls of the Church 08:39 The Balance of Holy and Human 11:31 The Power of Holy Conferencing 14:26 Embracing Change and New Directions 17:22 Personal Stories of Faith and Growth 26:37 The Call to Courageous Action 28:34 Reimagining the Church's Future 32:02 Building Without a Blueprint 36:55 Assignments in Everyday Life 41:14 Discipleship and Personal Holiness 45:15 The Church as a Community Center 48:04 Embracing Technology in Evangelism 49:31 Rebuilding Church Evangelism 52:28 The Power of Connection in Ministry

This episode provides a comprehensive overview of the 2026 Western North Carolina Annual Conference, highlighting key initiatives, recognitions, and spiritual reflections that shape the future of the church in the region.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Conference Overview 02:37 Church Restoration Fund and Racial Justice Initiatives 04:08 Partnership with Ukraine-Moldova Conference 05:56 Reinstatement of Lauren Scruggs' Ordination Credentials 07:53 Recognition of Ministry Leaders and New Ordinations 09:57 Conference Budget and Financial Stewardship 12:36 Small Group Conversations and Community Engagement 14:20 Honoring Retiring and Deceased Clergy 14:48 Governance and Mission of the Conference 17:54 Pre-Conference Workshops and Engagement Opportunities 19:27 Commissioning of Presiding Elders and Leadership Development 21:17 Celebrations and Milestones in the Conference 22:29 Joy and Reflection on Inclusion and Progress 24:45 Worship as the Heart of the Conference 26:42 Closing Reflections and Call to Action 29:42 MOG-Like and Subscribe.mp4

Join Jesse Enniss and John Yeager as they chat with Kaury Edwards, a visionary Annual Conference worship leader preparing to pass the baton after four years of shaping unforgettable conference experiences. Kaury shares the meticulous process of blending deep-rooted Methodist traditions with bold, innovative design that reimagines sacred space — from stunning backdrops inspired by Taylor Swift's Eras Tour to visual art that celebrates 660+ churches. You'll discover how intentional planning, community participation, and spiritual discernment turn routine gatherings into Holy Spirit-filled Annual Confernce celebrations.

Show Notes:

Annual Conference 2026 - June 18-21. Lake Junaluska, NC

Failure-Sparked Innovation: The Key to Ensuring the Future of Local Churches by Kaury C. Edwards

Chapters

00:00 The Heart of Annual Conference Worship 03:02 Planning and Preparation for Annual Conference Worship 06:05 Balancing Tradition and Creativity 09:11 Creative Elements in Worship 12:06 Engaging with Juneteenth 15:00 Transitioning Out of Leadership 18:01 Strangely Heartwarming Moments 22:42 Connecting Through Liturgy 23:59 Bold Creativity in Worship 26:21 Epic Fails 30:23 Embracing Failure as a Path to Growth 32:24 The Spirit's Role in Community 35:12 Anticipation for Annual Conference