This week on POD Strangely Warmed, we continue our series alongside the Multiplication Masterclasses with Hospitality that Multiplies. Host Rev. Daniel Hawkins is joined by Rev. Stacey Piyakhun and Rev. Dr. Keith Somerville, Senior Pastor at The Village in DeSoto, to explore how intentional language, self-kindness, and authentic community create spaces where people feel seen, known, and invited to belong. As Keith puts it, "Not just we're glad you've come into our church, but have a seat at our table."

Gather with other churches in your district to celebrate a local church's success in capturing first-time guest info, learn simple steps to improve follow-up, and work with your team or someone seated near you to plan next steps for helping guests feel they belong. Register Here

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

This episode kicks off a new series tied to the Horizon Texas Conference's Multiplication Masterclass, From Visit to Belonging. Host Rev. Daniel Hawkins is joined by Rev. Stacey Piyakhun and Rev. Armando Alvarado from the conference's Multiplication Team for a conversation about what really helps guests become part of a church community. With real stories and practical ideas, they explore how building relationships is the first step toward lasting connection and how that connection leads to growth.

Gather with other churches in your district to celebrate a local church's success in capturing first-time guest info, learn simple steps to improve follow-up, and work with your team or someone seated near you to plan next steps for helping guests feel they belong. Register Here

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

Recorded live at the inaugural Annual Conference of the Horizon Texas Conference, this episode features a powerful conversation with keynote speaker Tod Bolsinger. Known for his work on adaptive leadership and church resilience, Tod goes beyond his keynote address to dive deeper into the challenges and opportunities facing today's church leaders. From the tension between nostalgia and mission to the power of storytelling and identity in guiding change, this episode offers insight, encouragement, and practical wisdom for leaders navigating uncharted territory. Whether you're in the pews or the pulpit, this is a conversation about becoming a church that is both rooted and resilient.

aesloanleadership.com

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

In this special episode of POD Strangely Warmed, host Rev. Daniel Hawkins sits down with Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. and Bishop Delores Williamston, Bishop of the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. Recorded during the first Annual Conference of the Horizon Texas Conference, this conversation explores what it means to lead with resilience through life's challenges and the ongoing work of ministry. Bishop Williamston and Bishop Saenz, longtime friends and colleagues, share stories of grit, grace and vision, offering wisdom and encouragement for anyone seeking to lead with faith and courage in a complex world.

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

This week marked our very first Annual Conference. In this special episode of POD Strangely Warmed, Rev. Daniel Hawkins brings you conversations from across the connection: youth delegates, newly ordained clergy, and conference leaders—including Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr.—all reflect on the spirit and significance of this historic moment.

From stories of transformation at church camp to the deep joy of ordination, from new pastoral appointments to prayers of bold hope, this episode offers a front-row seat to a vibrant, growing conference—and a glimpse into the future of the church we're building together.

All the information for Annual Conference can be found at https://www.htcumc.org/ac25

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

Welcome back to POD Strangely Warmed! In this special episode, we're helping you get ready for the first-ever Annual Conference of the Horizon Texas Conference, hosted at McFarlin Memorial Auditorium on the campus of SMU.

We're taking you behind the scenes to meet some of the pastors and churches helping host this year's gathering. Rev. Camille May, Director of Pastoral Care at Highland Park UMC, shares how their team is preparing to welcome attendees. Rev. Matt Gaston from First UMC Plano gives us a look at what to expect at their location—plus a few local food recs. And Dr. Clayton Oliphint of First UMC Richardson offers helpful tips for making the most of your conference experience.

This is it—the inaugural Annual Conference of the Horizon Texas Conference! Whether you're coming to connect, worship, learn, or lead, this episode is your warm welcome into a historic moment in the life of our new conference.

All the information for Annual Conference can be found at https://www.htcumc.org/ac25

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

Welcome to Episode 101—truly a masterclass in clergy mental health. In this conversation, Rev. Daniel Hawkins is joined by Rev. Dr. April Johnson Bristow and Anna Lee for a deeply insightful and practical discussion about the mental health challenges facing pastors and church leaders today. Drawing from their work with the Clergy Health Initiative and theological education at Perkins School of Theology, April and Anna offer both clarity and care around issues of burnout, stress and compassion fatigue, as well as systemic pressures in ministry.

They don't just name the problems—they offer solutions. From the power of pastoral self-awareness to the SKIPS framework (Self-regulation, Connection, Intentionality, Perception and Self-care), this episode is packed with tools for building resilience. They explore how the local church, district and conference can better support their pastors—and why rest and renewal are not luxuries but necessities rooted in our call.

Whether you're in the pulpit, on a staff-parish committee or simply someone who loves their pastor, this is Clergy Mental Health 101—and class is in session.

https://careynieuwhof.com/chuch-trends-2025/

https://clergyreligionresearch.duke.edu/pastor-parish/

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

It's our 100th episode! We're celebrating this milestone with gratitude for the journey and excitement for what's ahead. As we continue our series inspired by Carey Nieuwhof's "5 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2025", we turn our attention to how the Horizon Texas Conference is embracing change with courage, creativity, and faith. While some see disruption as decline, we see opportunity.

Host Rev. Daniel Hawkins welcomes Rev. Dr. Owen K Ross and Rev. Derek Jacobs for a conversation full of real-life stories about rebirth, renewal and the power of leaving a legacy. From growing church plants to thriving new campuses, we explore how strategic vision and legacy investments are fueling fresh expressions of ministry across the Horizon Texas Conference.

https://careynieuwhof.com/church-trends-2025/

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

In this third episode of our series on Carey Nieuwhof's 5 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2025, we explore The Rise of the Non-Derivative Church, a movement toward fresh, innovative expressions of faith that break away from traditional models. One powerful example of this shift is Union Coffee, a Dallas-based café that blends faith, social impact, and hospitality into a ministry beyond the walls of a conventional church.

Host Rev. Daniel Hawkins is joined by Rev. Katie Newsome and head of Union Coffee's board, Andrew Bennet. Together they share how Union Coffee creates a space where deep, authentic conversations about faith, justice, and community happen naturally—without the formality or expectations of a Sunday service. From supporting local nonprofits to hosting open mic nights and fostering relationships across different faith backgrounds, Union Coffee exemplifies what it means to be a church shaped by the needs of its community.

https://www.uniondallas.org/

https://careynieuwhof.com/church-trends-2025/

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

In the second episode of our series inspired by Carey Nieuwhof's 5 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2025, we dive into the dynamic and often paradoxical relationship Gen Z has with faith and the church. Are they in revival or retreat? And how can the United Methodist Church respond?

Host Rev. Daniel Hawkins sits down with Rev. Chelsea Peddecord and Loni Fancher to explore how Gen Z is reshaping spirituality, embracing holistic faith and pushing for authentic, justice-driven discipleship. They discuss the challenges churches face in engaging this passionate generation and how embracing change—rather than resisting it—can lead to a thriving future.

Join us as we explore what it means to create space at the table for Gen Z and why their fire for faith just might be what the church needs most.

https://careynieuwhof.com/church-trends-2025/

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