IN LAYMAN'S TERMS

Adapting Church: Learning New Tools for Spreading the Gospel

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced churches and pastors to do some things they had never before tried. The Rev. Gary Brooks, lead pastor at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Wichita is one of those people. 

His church, which has about 500 people in worship on a typical Sunday, had never livestreamed a service before the shelter-in-place order. But when it became necessary to do so, he and some of the staff at Aldersgate figured out a way to stream to Facebook Live. Now Sunday school classes, youth groups and more are using technology to stay connected and to continue to worship and study about Jesus Christ — all from their homes.

Jesus on the Cross: "... I commend my spirit"

In the sixth of seven special episodes focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflection on Luke 23:36, "Father into your hands I commend my spirit."

The bishop shares his thoughts on how Jesus turned over His spirit to God after being beaten and mocked and tortured by his captors.

Jesus on the Cross: "I thirst" and "It is finished"

In the fifth of seven special episodes focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflections on John 19:28 and John 19:30, "I thirst" and "It is finished," respectively.

The bishop provides his reflections on these two verses and provides guidance of why the writer of the Gospel of John may have included a statement about thirst and in what tone was Jesus speaking when He declared His work on earth "finished."

7 Sayings of Jesus from the Cross: 4th in the Series

In the fourth of seven special episodes of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflections on Mark 15:34, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.”

The bishop explains how these words from Jesus shouldn’t necessarily be looked at as words that reflect Jesus feeling abandoned, but rather how they teach us that even in the worst of circumstances, God never leaves us alone.

7 Sayings of Jesus from the Cross: 3rd in the series

In the third of seven special episodes of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflections on John 19:26-27, “Woman, here is your son,” and “Here is your mother.”

The bishop explains how Jesus gives us a glimpse into how Christians are supposed to treat one another — like family — and how with these words Jesus shows love for His mother while also expanding His family.

7 Sayings of Jesus from the Cross: 2nd in the series

In the second of seven special episodes of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast focusing on the final sayings from Christ on the cross, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. shares his reflections on Luke 23:43, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Through this statement to a criminal on the cross, Jesus shares His love for all of us who fall short of God’s expectations of us and gives us the hope of a life with Jesus in paradise.

Listen to the podcast.

7 Sayings of Jesus from the Cross — 1st in the series

Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. is the featured guest for a special series of episodes that explores the seven final sayings of Jesus from the cross. In this first episode, Bishop Saenz explains why Lent is special to him, and he provides some reflection on the first of the seven sayings: "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."

Reflection: Tempted in the Wilderness

Where does the 46 days (40 when we subtract the Sundays) of Lent come from? We trace it back to the 40 days and 40 nights Jesus spent in the Judean wilderness following his baptism in the Jordan River. Jesus spent time preparing for the critical ministry ahead. 

During that time, Jesus was tempted by the devil. He was offered food while He fasted. He was encouraged to jump from the Temple so people would see the power of God. He was offered all the kingdoms of the world. Yet Jesus accepted none of them. Todd explains that within those three temptations are three lessons for us: Avoid putting our needs in front of others, avoid taking advantage of others, and don't succumb to power and prestige.

Great Plains Laity Summit

Jesus tells his believers to make disciples. That's not a command just for clergy. Laity actually play the biggest part, but that important role requires leadership.

The Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church will host its first Laity Summit on March 21 in Kearney, Nebraska. In this episode, Todd talks with Shane Warta, conference coordinator for lay leadership, and David Teel, director of laity and spiritual leadership at Discipleship Ministries, who will serve as the keynote speaker for the event.

Culture of Call: Part 2 — Rev. Ashlee Alley Crawford

In the second of two episodes exploring the concept of a culture of call, Todd talks with the Rev. Ashlee Alley Crawford, coordinator of clergy recruitment and development for the Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church.

In their discussion, Ashlee shares resources available to local churches, young adults and others to help them explore their call into ministry — whether that be pastoral ministry or as part of their secular vocation — and how everyday Christians can nurture their own calls as well as the calls of other people.