Means of Grace

In this episode, Director of Church Development, Rev. Rob Hutchinson, sits down with Bishop Ken Carter to discuss what it means to be a vital, healthy United Methodist Church in our current context. They chat about programming vs. discipleship, the importance of being in the community, and the vision for the newly commissioned Emerging Community Pastors in the Western NC Conference.

Brian Mateer, Director of Missional Engagement, speaks with Reverend Johnathan Brake, Global Ministries Environmental Sustainabilities Program Manager, and Reverend Jarrod Davis, Creation Ministries Coordinator.

Resources:

https://www.wnccumc.org/creation-care-resources

Creativity, innovation, and collaboration are at the heart of rural church ministry." In this episode of the Means of Grace podcast, Rev. Dr. Nicole Jones talks with Kim and Jesse about her Vitality through Storytelling initiative that is developing connections and amplifying the stories of rural churches and communities. The learning from her Doctor of Ministry isn't limited to rural churches. As Nicole said, stories bring "shared delight" to those who participate and the ones who hear and watch the stories.

Resources:

The Vitality Through Storytelling Project was initiated through the generosity and support ofThe Duke Endowment, Duke Divinity School, The Parish Ministry Fund, The Smoky Mountain District of the Western North Carolina Conference, and the Ormond Center

Vitality Through Storytelling Facebook Page

Email address to connect with Nicole: [email protected]

Vitality Through Storytelling Website

VItality Through Storytelling YouTube Channel The VTS team can come to churches to provide a film screening with guided table conversations following the film. For the "Invitation" premiere the evening included a church dinner, film screening, Q&A panel with the principles of the film, and guided table conversation with table stewards facilitating.

Link to Anna's Books, one of the story projects that are now in pre-production.

The Gospel in Black and White produced by Rev. D'Andre Ash and funded through the generosity of the Foundation for Evangelism

Nicole Jones talking about her DMin project: Vitality Through Storytelling on the Ormond Center website. (scroll to the fourth video)

This week we are delighted to share a guest episode from the podcast of one of our local churches! The Curious Living podcast is sponsored and produced by Williamson's Chapel United Methodist Church in Mooresville, and hosted by Rev. Monica Humpal. In this podcast, Rev. Humpal helps us "explore our curious questions as we unpack these curiosities through the lens of Scripture and our Christian faith. Through thoughtful and engaging interviews with neighbors, pastors, and experts, we will walk through some common, and even challenging, questions while valuing individual perspectives along the way. Perhaps these curious conversations will spark the same holy curiosity in you."

This particular episode is the 50th episode of The Curious Living podcast and features a story of devastating tragedy and incredible hope.

If you want to dive deeper into your holy curiosity, we encourage you to like and follow The Curious Living podcast.

https://curiousliving.libsyn.com/

https://open.spotify.com/show/3QH57Iw3XSGj09yIPdoSuU

https://www.facebook.com/willchapumc/

https://willchapumc.org/

Podcast guest Dr. Luke Bretherton, Robert E. Cushman Distinguished Professor of Moral and Political Theology at Duke Divinity School, talks with Jesse Enniss and Kim Ingram, imagining how humans and creation journey with God through the seasons of life, the year, and the church. Dr. Bretherton paints a picture of pastoral theology that encourages us to think about the ordinary things of life and how we cultivate forms of life together.

Resources:

Luke Bretherton | Duke Divinity School – bio, books, and other resources

A Primer in Christian Ethics

What if there were a movement of leadership within the church that was able to look past all of the hardships and challenges of today? What if leaders came together to champion a new day filled with energy, purpose, and hope. Jesse Enniss and Kim Ingram talk with WNCC clergy leaders and church pastors Brian Elwell, Mandy Jones, Karen Easter-Bayne, John Henry, Jr., and Mark Conforti about ways the church is changing and how ministry and leaders can adapt and respond differently. They reflect based on their recent experience learning together at the BEYOND Conference.

Matt Miofsky pastor of The Gathering, Webster Groves, MO (a suburb of St. Louis)

Bishop Bob Farr

New Kind of Christian by Brian McLaren

BEYOND Conference 2024

In this week's episode we get to listen in on a conversation that took place during the 2022 Annual Conference. Bishop Carter, along with a group of clergy from across the conference, of various races, ages, genders, and ministry roles sat down for a panel discussion on the future of the UMC. Their goal was to answer a question you may have asked yourself a time or two – will there be a place for me in the continuing United Methodist Church?

Guests: Rev. Dr. Mark Ralls, Blue Ridge District Superintendent and Rev. Kent Smith, pastor, Higgins Memorial in Burnsville, NC

Jesse Enniss and Kim Ingram talk with Mark Ralls and Kent Smith about how despite differences, we can change the culture in our churches and communities when people shift their mindset and regard one another differently.

WNCC Outward Mindset Workshops

Arbinger Institute

I and Thou by Martin Buber