Church hurt is real. Spiritual trauma is real. And healing is possible.

In this episode of POD Strangely Warmed, host Rev. Kristin Warthen is joined by Rev. Joy Dister-Dominguez and special guest Joshua Harris for a thoughtful and compassionate conversation about the ways faith communities can sometimes become places of pain, even when they are meant to be places of healing.

Recorded just before a book tour event for Holy Hurt by Hillary L. McBride, this discussion explores the impact of spiritual trauma and the wounds that can form through difficult experiences within churches or under spiritual leadership. Together, they reflect on how harm can occur in sacred spaces, how leaders grow in awareness and accountability, and how individuals begin the slow and courageous work of repair and reconnection. They also highlight the many faith communities that are intentionally becoming safe, trauma-aware places of care and restoration, where healing is not carried alone but experienced in honest and supportive community.

Some of the topics in this episode may feel heavy. If you are carrying spiritual wounds or processing religious trauma, we encourage you to seek support from a trusted pastor, counselor, or licensed mental health professional.

Whether you are navigating your own story, walking alongside someone who is, or serving in ministry and seeking to lead with greater awareness, this conversation invites you toward honesty, healing, and renewed trust.

Explore Holy Hurt by Dr. Hillary L. McBride: https://a.co/d/0gQQdO34

Discover more from Joshua Harris at https://clearandloud.com/

Website - htcumc.org Facebook - @HTCUMC Instagram - @HTCUMC TikTok - @horizontxumc YouTube - @htcumc Spotify - Horizon Texas Conference

Is the algorithm shaping your faith more than Scripture, community or the voice of Christ?

This week on POD Strangely Warmed, Rev. Daniel Hawkins is joined by Rev. Lupina Villalpando Stewart and Rev. Preston Morgan to explore how social media algorithms form our attention, influence our beliefs and shape the way we see one another. Together, they wrestle with a timely question for the church today. In a digital world driven by clicks, feeds and endless scrolling, where we still have a choice in what we watch and follow, what are we allowing to form us as disciples of Jesus?

Through honest conversation, pastoral wisdom and Wesleyan insight, this episode reflects on community, repentance and the sacred reminder that every person we encounter is called beloved by God. Rather than rejecting technology altogether, the discussion invites listeners to consider how the Holy Spirit might still work through digital spaces to draw us closer to Christ.

Whether you are a church leader, a thoughtful social media user or someone longing for deeper spiritual formation, this conversation offers hope, clarity and practical encouragement for following Jesus in an algorithm-driven age.

Website - htcumc.org Facebook - @HTCUMC Instagram - @HTCUMC TikTok - @horizontxumc YouTube - @htcumc Spotify - Horizon Texas Conference

Connection is at the heart of what it means to be United Methodist, and in this episode of POD Strangely Warmed, Rev. Daniel Hawkins is joined by Rev. Alan McGrath, Rev. Mark Sheets, and Rev. Yvi Martin for a thoughtful and hope-filled conversation about why that connection still matters today.

Together, they reflect on borrowed brilliance, shared wisdom, the communities that shape ministry, and the moments of crisis where being part of something bigger makes all the difference. Through stories of leadership, calling, and formation, the conversation reveals how God works through relationships, places, and people to form disciples over time.

Whether you are clergy, laity, or simply curious about the wider life of the church, this episode offers encouragement, perspective, and a reminder that we were never meant to follow Christ alone.

Website - htcumc.org Facebook - @HTCUMC Instagram - @HTCUMC TikTok - @horizontxumc YouTube - @htcumc Spotify - Horizon Texas Conference

This week on POD Strangely Warmed, Rev. Melissa McDuffee Beal, Senior Pastor of FUMC Cleburne, hosts guest speaker Rev. Nicole Caldwell-Gross, Senior Pastor of Noblesville First UMC in Indiana, and Rev. Erin Sloan Jackson of Munger Place Church in Dallas. Together, they reflect on what bold faith looks like in practice, how women in Scripture model courage and conviction, and why discernment, wisdom and community matter as much as speaking up.

This episode was recorded at the Horizon Texas Conference's Women's Retreat, Altogether Bold, and offers a glimpse into the conversations, themes and questions that shaped the weekend. With courage, honesty and deep faith, the discussion explores what it means to live boldly as women of Christ in today's world.

Listeners are invited into a deeper understanding of boldness not as volume or certainty but as faith rooted in love, justice and a willingness to listen for God's call. Whether you attended the retreat or are simply longing for encouragement to live your faith more fully, this episode creates space to pause, reflect and be renewed.

Some of Rev. Nicole's podcasts:

https://godblessthisholymess.podbean.com/

https://stlukesumc.com/thewell

If you want to be involved with the next Altogether retreat reach out to [email protected]

Website - htcumc.org Facebook - @HTCUMC Instagram - @HTCUMC TikTok - @horizontxumc YouTube - @htcumc Spotify - Horizon Texas Conference

Faithful experimentation is becoming essential to the life of the church today. Drawing from lived ministry experience, Rev. Daniel Hawkins, Rev. Dr. Michael Beck and Rev. Al Martin explore how new expressions of church take shape through trust, patience and a willingness to learn.

Through stories and reflection, this episode examines how churches navigate change, test new ways of being in relationship with their communities and remain attentive to where the Spirit is already at work.

For more from Michael Beck visit his website: https://michaeladambeck.com/

Explore fresh expressions at Perkins School of Theology https://www.smu.edu/perkins

Website - htcumc.org Facebook - @HTCUMC Instagram - @HTCUMC TikTok - @horizontxumc YouTube - @htcumc Spotify - Horizon Texas Conference

What might the church look like when it takes faithful shape beyond the sanctuary?

In this episode of POD Strangely Warmed, Rev. Daniel Hawkins is joined by Rev. Dr. Michael Beck and Rev. Al Martin for a conversation introducing New Expressions, new ways of forming Christian community that are rooted in Methodist heritage and shaped for the realities of today.

Often emerging in everyday places and centered on listening, relationship, and belonging, New Expressions invite the church to rediscover practices that have been part of Methodism from the very beginning. Rather than offering quick answers, this conversation raises thoughtful questions about how faith is formed, how community takes shape, and where the Holy Spirit may already be at work.

This episode is the first of a two-part conversation with Rev. Dr. Michael Beck and accompanies the Spring Multiplication Masterclasses, offering a starting point for leaders and communities curious about what it means to be church in new places.

Website - htcumc.org Facebook - @HTCUMC Instagram - @HTCUMC TikTok - @horizontxumc YouTube - @htcumc Spotify - Horizon Texas Conference

What does faithful leadership look like when you are still becoming who God is calling you to be? In this episode of POD Strangely Warmed, we are joined by Laureen Kuizon and Rachel Risko, seminary students at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University and members of the Young Adult Council of the Horizon Texas Conference, for a hopeful and honest conversation about shaping the church from the inside out.

Laureen and Rachel share their journeys into ministry, the questions that continue to shape their faith, and the ways young adults are already contributing to the life of the church as faithful leaders right now. Together, they reflect on unity without uniformity, the importance of listening across generations, and how hope takes shape when the church creates space for honest conversation and shared leadership.

This conversation invites listeners to consider how faith is formed in real time through listening, relationship, and showing up for one another. Whether you are connected to young adult ministry or simply curious about how the church is being shaped today, this episode offers wisdom, honesty, and hope worth sitting with.

https://rekindlesummit.com/

Website - htcumc.org Facebook - @HTCUMC Instagram - @HTCUMC TikTok - @horizontxumc YouTube - @htcumc Spotify - Horizon Texas Conference

After welcoming more than 54 incredible guests into the POD Strangely Warmed studios in 2025, we couldn't let their stories live in just one episode. Each week, we ask our guests to share their best, worst or weirdest moment in ministry, and once again, the stories were too good to leave on the cutting room floor.

This second installment continues the celebration of the heart, humor and very human moments of ministry across our United Methodist connection. Stick around and hear if Rev. Daniel Hawkins finally cracked the code on what "6–7" actually means.

So settle in for part two of last year's Best, Worst or Weirdest Moments in Ministry.

Website - htcumc.org Facebook - @HTCUMC Instagram - @HTCUMC TikTok - @horizontxumc YouTube - @htcumc Spotify - Horizon Texas Conference

This year, we welcomed over 54 incredible guests into the POD Strangely Warmed studio. After recording each episode, we love to ask our guests to share a story about their best, worst or weirdest moment in ministry. We heard so many fantastic stories from some truly wonderful people that we had to divide them into two parts. This episode highlights the heart, humor and humanity of our United Methodist community, so without further ado, here's part one of this year's Best, Worst or Weirdest Moments in Ministry.

Website - htcumc.org Facebook - @HTCUMC Instagram - @HTCUMC TikTok - @horizontxumc YouTube - @htcumc Spotify - Horizon Texas Conference

This episode touches on some behind the scenes aspects of being Mrs. Claus that may not be suitable for younger ears. If you have little ones around we recommend listening later or with headphones. Thanks for understanding, Merry Christmas!

Creativity, imagination, and joy are essential parts of forming faith, especially in the lives of children.

In this Christmas-week episode of POD Strangely Warmed, Rev. Daniel Hawkins is joined by Betsy Modrzejewski, Director of Children's Ministry at Fellowship UMC in Trophy Club, for a conversation about what it means to create space where children are welcomed, trusted, and invited to experience church as their church. Betsy reflects on how wonder is cultivated through presence, patience, and the freedom to explore faith in ways that feel authentic and life-giving.

Later on in the episode, we get a special visit from Mrs. Claus, who has a message for all our listeners just in time for Christmas.

https://www.wanderingdramacompany.com/

https://www.facebook.com/thespiritedmrsclaus

Website - htcumc.org Facebook - @HTCUMC Instagram - @HTCUMC TikTok - @horizontxumc YouTube - @htcumc Spotify - Horizon Texas Conference