Author: Joe Iovino

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

As Jesus is preparing his disciples for when he will no longer be with them in the flesh, he tells them how those who believe in him will continue his work. But he doesn’t leave it there. He then says, “and they will do even greater things than these” (John 14:12 NIV). Wow! Can we do greater things?

Len Wilson, Director of Innovation and Strategy at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas; Publisher of Invite Resources and author of a new book called Greater Things: The Work of the New Creation, shares how we can live into that call and be faithful in all of our work.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

While some bishops in the United States serve episcopal areas that include three or four states, Bishop Patrick Streiff serves one that includes 14 countries. The Central and Southern Europe Episcopal Area consists of 12 countries in Europe and two in Africa.

In addition to talking about his amazing work as a bishop, in this conversation from Zurich, Switzerland, we talk about his early life in Bern, the beginnings his faith development, his love of study and skiing, and his doctoral thesis on early Methodist John William Fletcher.

It is such a privilege to meet Bishop Patrick Streiff.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

United Methodist pastor and author the Rev. Sherry Cothran invites us to take a closer look at the stories of some of the wild and holy women of the Bible. While we may be familiar with Esther, Rahab and others, Cothran teaches that their lives and circumstances hold clues for healing our own pain.

In this conversation, Crystal and Sherry talk about how resurrecting these stories may encourage us to untame certain parts of who we are.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Many of us have experienced trauma and how the danger of unhealed trauma can keep us from connecting with one another and with God.

In this episode, our new cohost Crystal Caviness speaks with the Rev. Dr. Ron Bell about his book that teaches us how, step by step, to tackle the important work of healing, how to move us from victim to survivor and explains why the childhood song, “If you’re happy and you know it…” may offer clues to how we heal.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

The Rev. Arthur Jones, preaching pastor at St. Andrew UMC in Plano, Texas, is the author of a new book called Solid Souls. In this conversation, we talk about what the soul is and some common misconceptions. Arthur teaches that when we keep an eternal perspective, we make better choices for ourselves, the people around us, and our souls.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Growing up as a preacher’s kid in Kentucky, Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett dreamed of a career in athletics. A passion for education, led to a career in pastoral ministry, but those lessons from her athletic background never left her. For example, in basketball no one makes every shot. “So it’s so important not to focus on the misses,” she teaches, “but to keep moving forward.”

Today, Bishop Debra serves as resident bishop North Alabama Conference. Also, as part of her work as a bishop, she serves on the World Methodist Council chairing their Committee on Evangelism.

Meet Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Recently, many of us have grown increasingly comfortable in digital spaces. We may have worshiped on Facebook, connected with family on Zoom, had a meaningful conversation over Twitter, or joined a prayer group on Twitch. All of which raises questions about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ online.

The Rev. Ryan Dunn, Minister of Online Engagement with RethinkChurch, joins for a conversation about digital discipleship. How can you and I be a pleasant presence of grace when we’re online?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

The United Methodist Social Principles call us to faithful engagement with the world around us. They remind us of our connection to God, one another and the created world.

Living a life in service to God and others has been part of our United Methodist history since John Wesley in the 1700s who visited those in prison, preached against slavery, and led the first Methodists to help their communities with things like healthcare and education. All of this is in service to what Jesus lifted up as the greatest commandments: to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

The Rev. Dr. Sharon Austin, who was part of the team that worked on the 2020 revision of the Social Principles, talks about the importance of the Social Principles and the why they have been revised—although still waiting for General Conference approval.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

When we think of evangelism, many Christians feel some guilt. We know it is something we ought to be doing, but it makes us uncomfortable.

In this podcast episode, we talk to Dr. Priscilla Pope-Levison, professor and Dean at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University and the author of Models of Evangelism. In this conversation, she helps us better understand what evangelism looks like in real life (in contrast to the caricatures) and encourages us to explore ways to share the Good News with others more naturally and comfortably.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

When faced with resistance, we sometimes back down, even when we believe we are doing what God has created us to do.

In this conversation, the Rev. Donna Fowler-Marchant, author of a new book titled, Mothers in Israel: Methodist Beginnings Through the Eyes of Women, introduces us to some of the amazing women of the early Methodist movement. Each chose to follow God, even when the tradition of the day (and many of the men) were saying what they were doing was wrong.

You may have heard about the bold strength of Susanna Wesley, mother of John and Charles. But do you know about Mary Bosanquet Fletcher? How about Sarah Lawrence and Mary Taft? Learn from their example of the conviction to follow where God leads.