IN LAYMAN'S TERMS

Future of the UMC — Where We Have Been

Our short series on the future of The United Methodist Church continues with a look at the history of the human sexuality debate within the denomination. Todd is joined this time by Rev. David Livingston and Randall Hodgkinson, who provide their perspectives and some historical context to what has happened since the first debate in 1972 through today.

Future of the UMC — Where Things Stand

A new series looking at the future of The United Methodist Church kicks off with this episode that examines where things stand at this moment in the life of the denomination. The series kicks off with an interview with the Rev. Adam Hamilton, lead pastor of United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, the largest congregation in the denomination based in Leawood, Kansas, but with five campuses across the Kansas City area. He also is the leader of the Great Plains Conference's delegation to General Conference.

Songs of Faith: ”How Great Thou Art”

We continue our Songs of Faith sermon series with a look at the beloved hymn "How Great Thou Art." The lyrics praising God's creation gives us a chance to celebrate mountains, oceans, deserts, forests, all of the animals on the planet, people — and even dinosaurs!

Songs of Faith: ”Amazing Grace”

One of the most amazing conversion stories involves a sailor named John Newton. Once a captain of a slave ship, he eventually repented and became an Anglican priest who wrote the beloved hymn "Amazing Grace." But the journey Newton took from slave ship operator to abolitionist was long and winding. See how his journey led to the writing of a song that talks all about repentance, redemption and God's forgiveness.

Songs of Faith: ”Be Thou My Vision”

Mothers help protect and nurture us. They also help cast a vision for our lives. We use the story of Jochebed and Moses to help celebrate Mother's Day as we spotlight the song "Be Thou My Vision."

Songs of Faith: It is Well with My Soul”

The hymns we sing shape us. So what shaped the hymns? "It is Well with My Soul" comes from a haunting cable after a shipwreck and is testimony to the amazing faith of Horatio Spafford. See how Jesus calmed the sea in the Bible and how He can calm the rugged seas in your life, too.

Doubting Thomas — Believe it or Not

Poor Thomas was really no different than any of the other disciples. He needed to see the wounds on Jesus' body before he believed. Using the story of Thomas and the creative tales from Robert Ripley — of "Ripley's Believe it or Not" fame, we explore how we have seen the risen Christ in action in our lives and how we can help others see Jesus in the world today.

Jesus Unchained: A discussion with Rev. Robert Johnson

The Rev. Robert Johnson, lead pastor at Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita, shares details about his first book, "Jesus Unchained: How to Rise Above The Agendas, Find Peace and Be Set Free." In this interview, Johnson shares how he thinks followers of Jesus actually lessen His power by limiting the Savior's influence on their lives. They, in effect, place him in the chains of the limiting image we create of Jesus in our minds, when he could be making a much larger impact on the hearts of people each and every day.

Easter 2022 — In An Instant

Our lives change in an instant — actually one instant after another, from the time we are a child until we take our last breath. The Easter story is an example of lives changing in an instant. Through the story of Mary Magdalene and a more contemporary story of an abandoned boy, we explore how lives change in an instant.

Love Your Enemies

Continuing with the "Sermon on the Plain," we look at what it means to love our enemies. And we ask the question: Did Jesus really mean what he said? Despite how difficult it can be to love those who disagree with or for some reason dislike us, the answer is a resounding "Yes!"