United Methodist People Podcast

Rev. Craig Duke is Rev. Dr. Brad Miller's guest on Episode 059 of the United Methodist People Podcast. Craig tells the story of the unique opportunity that came his way to appear on the HBO Television show "We're Here" which features a traveling "Drag Queen" show that recruits and transforms local folk in smaller towns to participate in a "Drag Show." Following a calling, Craig felt, to become a bridge between the church and LGBTQ community and to support his daughter Craig agreed to participate in the show. The fallout following his appearance in the show led to his departure from his church. In this episode, Craig tells the good, the bad, and ugly of his experience and his newfound commitment to new ministry opportunities. For United Methodists following the debate in the church regarding how the church relates (or doesn't) to LGBTQ persons, this is a must listen to hear first-hand the personal heartache, drama, and rejoicing surrounding matters of human sexuality in our church. https://www.facebook.co

In Episode 58 of The United Methodist People Podcast Rev. Dr. Brad Miller talks with Rev. Rob Fuquay of St. Luke's UMC-Indianapolis about his new book and Lenten resource "The Passion Play-Living the Story of Christ's Last Days" which is inspired by the Oberammergau Passionsspiele. Jesus' Passion Story is presented each Lent in countless churches each year. But one play presented by the inhabitants of the village of Oberammergau, in Bavaria Germany, may be one of the longest-running performances of all. Staged every 10 years since 1634. To play makes an impact not only on the villagers who portray the characters and all who see it as well. And the passion play Rob Fuquay follows the biblical story of the passion and shows how this amazing play as we use both as a ritual of praise and later as a weapon through that's anti-semitic past. Brad and Rob talk about the book at length in this interview including its relevance in today's world of pandemics and anxiousness. The United Methodist People Podcast is prod

On Episode 57 of the United Methodist People Podcast with Rev. Dr. Brad Miller Bishop Julius C Trimble shares a “Letter to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr” to mark the Dr Martin Luther King, Jr holiday. It was also officially announced that the “To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble” Podcast will launch on Tuesday February 1, 2022. In this episode Bishop Trimble shared his thoughts on the impact and influence Dr. Martin Luther King has society and church today and how words and action should not be frozen in time but apple as earnestly as ever to today’s problems of racism, voter suppression and justice. Bishop Trimble commented on how Dr. King might react to a present state of disparity, why the chasm between the rich and the poor continues? Dr. King brings challenging words to today that life's most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others? That the measure of one’s life is to live a life of service. Bishop Trimble also announced the launching of his own Podcast. As of Tuesday

In Episode 56 of The United Methodist People Podcast, with Reverend Dr. Brad Miller, the topic is building the new year of 2022 with Spiritual Infrastructure in the Be Encourage segment, Bishop Julius C. Trimble.  Bishop Trimble outlines entering into the new year of 2022 with a vision of partnership to build a beloved community with spiritual infrastructure.  Spiritual infrastructure is composed of such elements as prayer, accountability, and faith. Brad and Bishop discuss Jeremiah 29:11 regarding God’s plans for the church moving into 2022. The discussion revolved around God delivering us for our new season and it's going to be a good season. It was announced that Bishop Trimble will be launching his own podcast in January 2022 “Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble” The trailer is available now at https://be-encouraged.captivate.fm (https://be-encouraged.captivate.fm) and the podcast will be available on Apple Podcasts and the other podcast directories. Rev. Dr. Brad Miller closed

In Episode 55 of the United Methodist People Podcast Bishop Julius Trimble shares a Christmas message of How to be Real and Encouraged this Christmas. Bishop Trimble shares the meaningfulness of Christmas memories growing up in his own family and in raising his own children. He also emphasizes the importance of clergy caring for their own families at Christmas and how laypersons can be helpful in this area. He talks about the redeeming message of Christmas in the light of the Covid 19 crisis and other societal pressures. He relates that Christmas is a gift worth sharing - the gift of encouragement. Episode 55 also featured the special announcement that in January 2022 Bishop Trimble is launching his own persona podcast "Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble." This included the release of an audio trailer for the new podcast which will be available on iTunes and other podcast directories after January 1, 2022. Rev. Dr. Miller concluded the episode with gratitude to the listeners for their support i

In Episode 54 of the United Methodist People Podcast Rev. Dr. Brad Miller talks with Indiana Bishop Julus Trimble and Indiana Conference Lay Leader David Johns about simplifying the United Methodist Brand with Love, Grace, and Forgiveness. This is part 2 of a two-part conversation about simplifying the United Methodist Brand. Part 1 of this conversation is on Episode 53 of the United Methodist People Podcast. https://united-methodist-people.captivate.fm/episode/53

In Episode 53 of the United Methodist People Podcast Rev. Dr. Brad Miller talks with Indiana Conference Bishop Julius C. Trimble and Indiana Conference Lay Leader David Johns about simplifying the distracted branding of The United Methodist Church. Episode 53 is part 1 of this conversation wh9ich will continue on Episode 54. David Johns is a retired automotive industry executive who brings his expertise in branding and marketing cars to his love of the United Methodist Church and his passion for Jesus Christ. David and Bishop talk to Brad about the multifaceted nature of the United Methodist Brand the assets and liabilities of how the United Methodist Brand is viewed by the public. The conversation turns to the need to simplify the message of the United Methodist brand to focus on "keeping our eye on the ball" of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. This is part 1 of a 2 part conversation which will be resumed on Episode 54 of the United Methodist People Podcast focusing on th

Episode 52 of the United Methodist People Podcast with Rev. Dr. Brad Miller, features a behind-the-scenes look at the November 2021 Council of Bishops meeting with Indiana area Bishop Julius Trimble. Brad and Bishop talk about the narrative set forth by the Council of Bishops to set the stage moving forward as the church faces probably division in 2022. Bishop and Brad talk about a vision of setting a table for a home where all can be welcome no matter their differences of opinion. Furthermore, Bishop and Brad talk about how music can be a universal language to bring people together. Music at family gatherings around a Thanksgiving table and the songs of Christmas and the holiday season can bridge divides among people.

Living with a grateful heart is the Thanksgiving message of encouragement from Bishop Julius C. Trimble on episode 51 of the United Methodist People Podcast. Bishop Trimble and Rev Dr. Brad Miller talk about scriptures that speak to our hearts at Thanksgiving time particularly Luke 12:48 which indicates to those for whom much have been given much is expected and how that should guide us and how we serve others during this Thanksgiving. Bishop Trimble and Dr. Brad also talked about how in many churches there will be a great emotional uplift that people are gathering for fall dinners and other social events for the first time since the pandemic. Bishop Trimble and Dr. Miller also talked about what people can do to live out their sense of gratefulness and gratitude through various mission opportunities at our churches particularly those which focus on the needs of children. Bishop Trimble and Pastor Miller also announced that in January of 2022 Bishop Trimble will launch his own podcast called "Be Encouraged

Indiana Area Bishop Julius Trimble joins Rev. Dr. Brad Miller on the recurring Be Encouraged segment on the United Methodist People Podcast. In Episode 50 the conversation centers around Leadership in a time of ambiguity in the United Methodist Church. Bishop and Brad talk through the present state of affairs in the United Methodist Church in November of 2021 with the church still many months away from General Conference 2022 when some decisions may be made regarding addressing the conflict in the church over matters of human sexuality. Bishop shares his experiences in The Council of Bishops and how there is a concerted emphasis among the episcopacy to embrace this defining time in our church in a more loving way. A conversation was also had about how local church lay leaders and pastors can approach dramatic decisions around such matters as disaffiliation with a season of prayer and considering the impact such decisions would have on those in our local churches who would be excluded by the decisions

049. Care for Creation and Climate Justice with Bishop Julius Trimble On the Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius Trimble segment on Episode 049 of The United Methodist People Podcast with Rev. Dr. Brad Miller, the matter of Cration Care and Climate Justice are discussed in depth. Rev. Dr. Miller and Bishop Trimble go from describing the existential environmental crisis at hand to the theological and biblical foundations for creation care to the pragmatic actions that local churches and individual United Methodist can take to be good stewards of the earth and show care for creation. Special emphasis is given to the importance of listening to and acting with young people who are so invested in the preservation of the planet. One such group is "Climate Justice for All." Episode 049 is an important resource for the church which speaks to perhaps the greatest issue all people face, the threat to our very environment. Climate Justice for All https://worldmethodistcouncil.org/cj4a/ (https://worldmethodistcouncil.org/c

In Episode 48 of The United Methodist People Podcast, Indiana Area Bishop Julius Trimble talks to Rev. Dr. Brad Miller on his ongoing series "Be Encouraged" about his recent article "We Don't Give A Damn About the Poor." Bishop Trimble offers his take on the apathy exhibited in government and much of society toward the plight of poor people borne out by the lack of action toward many measures legislatively and among communities toward services that seek to meet the needs of the poor. Bishop Trimble talks about how personal freedoms do not exclude Christians from the biblical mandate and responsibility to serve the needs of the poor. Moreover, Bishop Trimble gives an encouraging word of the good works that many churches have done in serving the needs of the poor which are tangible examples of what folk can do right now to actually "give a damn for the poor." Bishop Trimble will be a regular guest on The United Methodist People Podcast with his message to "Be Encouraged." https://www.inumc.org/bishop/we-dont

In Episode 47 of “The United Methodist People Podcast,” Rev. Dr. Brad Miller engages in an in-depth conversation with three core leaders of The Room For All Coalition.  The Room For All Coalition was formed in the Indiana Annual Conference in 2019 as a response to decisions made at the 2019 General Conference which (RFA) considered destructive to the church by bringing harm to persons who identify as LGBTQ+ and their allies. Alberto Hidalgo îs a layperson from the Broadway UMC in Indianapolis who became heartbroken when he saw the UMC make a decision that when against his passion regarding inclusivity in the church. He got involved with The Room for All Coalition and is was elected as a Jurisdictional delegate from the Indiana Annual Conference. Rev. Mary Dicken is an ordained Deacon in the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church, currently serving at Meridian Street United Methodist Church in Indianapolis and previously serving churches throughout southern Indiana and in Murfreesboro

Seminary Students Rachel Haines and Mackenzie Phillips are Rev. Dr. Brad Miller’s guests on Episode 46 of The United Methodist People Podcast. They spoke to Dr. Brad in-depth about college and seminary life and their perspectives on ministry in a time of the pandemic, social, political, and racial unrest and division in the United Methodist Church. Rachel Haines is a 2018 graduate of Emory and Henry College in Virginia and a student at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia.   Mackenzie Phillips graduated from Hope College in Michigan in 2020 and is a student at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. She serves as Associate Pastor of High Street United Methodist Church in Muncie, Indiana. Both women are from Ft Wayne Indiana and both are members of St Joseph’s UMC. They discussed the importance of their home church in their faith formation through youth groups and church camps. Going deeper - the conversation led to how the students were experiencing diverse situations and peop

Episode 45 of The United Methodist People Podcast, with Rev. Dr. Brad Miller, features a conversation with Rev. Dr. Roger about his book “Comeback: Returning to the Life You Were Made For” Roger is the Director of Church Excellence in the Missouri Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church and former pastor and church planter in Illinois.  In this conversation, Brad and Ross talk about the factors which lead to the disaster of a fall be it personal or something out of our control like a worldwide pandemic or dissension in the church and respond to the fall in such a way as to find a way to come back better than ever. Brad and Ross discuss five elements crucial to having a comeback and in particular, he advocates five transforming practices which when applied to your life can give you a practical and doing pathway to find your way to come back after a fall. This conversation is a great foundation for using the book and the accompanying workbook to apply to your personal life and to teach in sma

President Javier Viera from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and Indiana Area Bishop Julius Trimble are Rev. Dr. Brad Miller's guests on Episode 44 of The United Methodist People Podcast for an in-depth conversation about seminary education in challenging times. President Viera assumed leadership of the Evanston, Illinois campus on January 1, 2021, after serving on the faculty and administration of Drew University School of Theology. A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Viera is the first person of color and the first Latino to hold the office of president in the seminary’s 167-year history. President Viero spoke about his personal faith in Jesus Christ and his pathway which lead him to the Presidency at G-ETS prior to diving into a conversation about the challenges and opportunities in theological education in the present context of society and matters impacting the United Methodist Church. President Viero quoted the Spanish poet Machado “making the road as we walk it” as descriptive of the situation

Two Bishops join Rev Dr. Brad Miller on Episode 043 of The United Methodist People Podcast.   Bishop Julius Trimble of The Indiana Episcopal Area along with Bishop Bishop LaTrelle Easterling of the Baltimore-Washington Episcopal Area engages in an in-depth conversation on matters of peace and justice, racism, the Capitol insurrection of January 6, and the state of the United Methodist Church. Bishop Easterling spoke of her personal experiences in dealing with the impact of the January 6 events in her community.  She talked about how she was taken aback but not surprised by the violence of that day. She talks about how the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference was prepared to respond to the violence as they had already experienced vandalism and violence at African American UMC’s in Washington DC during the Black Lives Matter gatherings of the summer.   Bishop Easterling spoke a prophetic word about the power and meaningfulness of the word “truth” in such a time as this r

Indiana Bishop Julius Trimble and Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, General Secretary of The United Methodist Board of Church and Society are Rev. Dr. Brad Miller’s guests on Episode 042 of The United Methodist People Podcast. This episode centers around a United Methodist Response to the attempted coup and violent insurrection at the United States Capitol building January 6, 2021. Bishop Trimble wrote an article entitled “A Letter to Martin Luther King, Jr” on the occasion of the MLK Holiday which spoke to the unrest in our country and the response of the United Methodist Church to the violence. Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe wrote a statement on January 13, 2021 calling on the US Senate to impeach, convict and bar former president Trump from holding public office again. In the discussion attention is given to a Christian and biblical understanding of peace, justice and righteousness. In particular lifting up MLK vision of “a beloved community” and rejecting “distorted Christianity” and “faith misappropria

In Episode 041 of The United Methodist People Podcast Rev. Dr. Brad Miller talks with Rev. Glenn Knepp about the article A Taxonomy of United Methodist Centrists. which he authored in the online publication United Methodist Insight. https://um-insight.net/perspectives/a-taxonomy-of-united-methodist-centrists_1/. Glenn talks to Brad about his call to ministry his involvement in the church through his local church and the Indiana Annual Conference and his views on the state of the United Methodist Church. In particular Brad and Glenn discuss his article where he takes on the topic of analyzing and breaking down his understanding of centrists in the United Methodist Church. He uses the term taxonomy to describe the categorization of the myriad of approaches many UMCs take who would neither self-describe themselves as traditionalists or progressives in the ongoing dilemma in the UMC but do know they prefer a path which seeks to find more common ground over those who see division in the church. They are the ra

In Episode 040 of The United Methodist People Podcast Rev. Dr. Brad Miller interviews Rev. Todd Outcalt the author of “Let Us Go Now to Bethlehem.”   The book is a daily devotional guide from Advent through Epiphany emphasizing the pilgrimage journey of that all people take through Advent to Christmas to Epiphany following the biblical narrative of the journey of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.   Brad and Todd talk about the book in the light of the challenging journey most people are facing 2020 in a time of pandemic, social and political unrest and stresses in the church.    The conversation is deep and introspective and will be helpful to not only readers of the book but also to people looking for pragmatic ways to navigate challenging pilgrimages in their own life and take heart in the anticipation, inspiration, hope and wonder of the Advent, Christmas, Epiphany story through this engaging conversation.   The purpose of the United Methodist People Podcast is to strengthen the connection in the Un