Holy Conversations: The WCA Podcast

WCA President Jay Therrell sat down with host Bob Kaylor on April 19 to discuss the latest updates for churches and annual conferences going through the disaffiliation process. Jay updates the status of lawsuits in several annual conferences and provides some helpful advice for churches as they navigate the process of voting and upcoming annual conference sessions. For more updates and the latest news, visit the Wesleyan Covenant Association website.

We know that some traditional Methodists will either be forced to or choose to remain in the UMC after 2023 for many different reasons. The biblical paradigm of the faithful remnant is a model for those who will stay. Rev. Brian Felker Jones from Indiana and Rev. Bob Zilhaver from Western Pennsylvania joined us to discuss why they plan to remain as evangelical pastors in the changing environment and culture in the United Methodist Church. Email questions and comments to wcapathways@gmail.com. Follow Holy Conversations on Twitter @WCAPod.

Licensed therapist Joel Watts joined us for a discussion about handing conflict in your local church in the wake of disaffiliation votes, how to deal with "disenfranchised grief," and how to take care of yourself in times of stress and uncertainty. Email Joel Watts: Joel@integratedinsighttherapy.com To receive a list of resources recommended by Joel, email the WCA Pathways Task Force at wcapathways@gmail.com. Link to the Wesleyan Covenant Association and the Global Methodist Church

Angela Pleasants, the GMC’s Director of Clergy and Church Relations, joined us to discuss the process for pastors and churches to join the GMC, how the new denomination is connecting open pastoral appointments with available clergy, how benefits work in the new denomination, and a host of other issues related to connecting with the Global Methodist Church. To contact Angela, email her at apleasants@globalmethodist.org To find answers to your questions about the Global Methodist Church, check out the website. To sign up for upcoming WCA Pathways webinars, email us at wcapathways@gmail.com. When you sign up, you'll receive additional show notes and contact information.

Kenny Ott from The River Network, the Global Methodist Church’s church planting partner, joined host Bob Kaylor to talk about the process of starting or restarting new GMC churches and how groups of laity and pastors can begin discerning and training for a successful launch in their communities. This is the first in a series of webinars recorded by the WCA Pathways Task Force, whose purpose is to help churches and pastors disaffected by the disaffiliation process in the United Methodist Church. Contact The River Network for training, coaching, and consulting in planting a church in your area. Click here to connect with Global Methodist leaders in your area. Learn about the Wesleyan Covenant Association at our website and follow the podcast on Twitter @WCAPod.

WCA President Jay Therrell joins host Bob Kaylor to talk about the results of the UMC Jurisdictional Conferences in the United States, what they mean for the future of the United Methodist Church, and why now is the time for churches considering disaffiliation to start moving. Jay and Bob also talk about the new WCA Pathways Task Force and how it can help laity and clergy who are left behind if their church doesn't have the votes for disaffiliation. Recorded November 7, 2022 Send your comments and questions to podcast@wesleyancovenant.org and follow us on Twitter @WCAPod. Check out the new WCA web site at wesleyancovenant.org.

Since the beginning of the movement, the people called Methodist have always been a singing people. We know that Charles Wesley himself wrote thousands of hymns that communicated Methodism's emphasis on God's grace and love in Christ, the transforming power of the Spirit, and the journey of sanctification. Many of these hymns are contained in the current United Methodist Hymnal, and while there have been some supplements to the hymnal that incorporate some more contemporary worship music, the hymnals that most United Methodists use is now more than 30 years old. Other Wesleyan traditions use different hymnals, and even more churches now use screens to enable congregations to sing more contemporary worship music. In the digital age, the idea of a new hymnal might seem like a throwback to a bygone era. But a new hymnal promises to recapture the great songs of the Wesleyan tradition and bring them to a new audience hungry for both good music and good theology. Our Great Redeemer's Praise , published by Seedbed, will soon be available to churches everywhere. Dr. Jonathan Powers is one of the editors of this new collection, along with Julie Tennent and many other contributors. Jonathan is the Associate Dean of the E. Stanley Jones School of Mission and Ministry and Assistant Professor of Worship Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. Check out Our Great Redeemer's Praise. Send us your questions and comments at podcast@wesleyancovenant.org and follow us on Twitter @WCAPod. Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

The Global Methodist Church launched on May 1, 2022 and in just a few months the new denomination has seen an influx of churches and pastors join up, with more on the way. New provisional annual conferences are being formed, new churches and missions are being launched, logistics for churches and pastors around pensions and insurance are being put together, and a host of other details are coalescing during the early months of the new church. Rev. Keith Boyette is the Transitional Connectional Officer for the Global Methodist Church and he joined podcast host Bob Kaylor to give us an update on what's happening with the GMC, how churches can become part of it, and what's ahead as the denomination moves toward a convening conference in the future. Check out the Global Methodist Church website and the FAQ section for more information about joining the GMC. To learn more about church planting in the Global Methodist Church, contact The River Network. Send your questions and comments on the podcast to podcast@wesleyancovenant.org and follow us on Twitter @WCAPod.

As churches and pastors discern where they will land as the United Methodist Church separates, some traditional Methodists may be wondering why theologically orthodox pastors and churches are leaving the denomination, even though they have been faithful to the doctrine and Discipline of the United Methodist Church. Others are considering aligning with the new Global Methodist Church and have questions about what that will look like, how it might be different than the current United Methodist Church, and how the new church will go about mission and ministry. To address some of these questions and to provide a hopeful vision for the future, Bishop Mike Lowry and Dr. Jeff Greenway, two key leaders in the Wesleyan Covenant Association and Global Methodist Church, have written a brand new book titled Multiplying Methodism: A Bold Witness of Wesleyan Faith at the Dawn of the Global Methodist Church. In this episode, host Bob Kaylor talks with Bishop Lowry and Dr. Greenway as they outline some of the key reasons for disaffiliating from the UMC along with ten reasons for congregations and pastors to consider joining the Global Methodist Church. Get your copy of Multiplying Methodism. Send us your questions and comments at podcast@wesleyancovenant.org and follow us on Twitter @WCAPod.

Catechism - it's a word you probably haven't heard much in Methodist circles, but it's a word that has been vital to other Christian traditions. We might think of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, for example, which provides the doctrinal foundation for some Reformed churches. For millions of Christians, a catechism has been an important tool for understanding and living out the Christian faith in line with Christians across time and space. After all, that's what "catechism" means: instruction. It's a shorthand way for teaching the faith to people of all ages--a way that can be learned, digested, and committed to memory as a guide for the Christian life and a guard against false teaching. John Wesley loved the Shorter Catechism, even offering a revised version of it for the people called Methodist. But much of Methodism, and particularly United Methodism, hasn't had a catechism of its own that draws together our doctrines into a teachable form. Until now, that is. The Global Methodist Church recently released a catechism for the new denomination. Put together by a diverse team of scholars, pastors, and laity, this catechism offers the church a gift of clarity and a tool for teaching what we believe. Dr. Jason Vickers, Professor of Theology at Asbury Seminary, led this team and he joins host Bob Kaylor for this episode to talk about all things catechetical. Read The Catechism of the Global Methodist Church Send your comments and questions to podcast@wesleyancovenant.org and follow us on Twitter @WCAPod. For more information about the Global Methodist Church, check out the web site.

Being a whistleblower is a difficult calling. It takes courage and a willingness to tell the truth when powerful systems would rather keep things under wraps. That's especially true in the church world, where whistleblowers and victims are often silenced. Rev. Beth Caulfield has written a new book outlining her experience in the United Methodist appointment system, exposing some of the problems in the system around appointments and the treatment of women in ministry. The book is titled People Throw Rocks at Things That Shine: A Clergy Whistleblower's Journey. Beth formerly served in the Greater New Jersey annual conference of the United Methodist Church, but is now an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church and President of the Greater New Jersey Chapter of the WCA. Order Beth's book here. To learn more about the Global Methodist Church, visit the website. Send your questions and comments to podcast@wesleyancovenant.org and follow us on Twitter @WCAPod.

As the United Methodist Church begins to separate and churches are discerning whether to disaffiliate or remain with the UMC, one of the things that institutional United Methodist leaders are saying is that there is no reason for churches to leave the UMC because the United Methodist doctrinal standards won't change. They are codified in the Articles of Religion and Confession of Faith and can't be altered because of the Restrictive Rule. And it's true that some who remain in the United Methodist Church will maintain and orthodox theological position, at least to a degree. But we also know that from the beginning the United Methodist Church began embracing liberal theology, particularly among most of the official seminaries along with many in the Council of Bishops and denominational agencies. Liberal theology may use some of the same words and concepts as outlined in our doctrinal standards but means something very different by them. In this episode, Bob interviews Dr. Roger Olson, who is emeritus professor of theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University. His latest book is Against Liberal Theology: Putting the Brakes on Progressive Christianity. Dr. Olson argues that liberal Christianity isn't really Christianity at all, but a different religion altogether. He makes the case that discerning and challenging liberal theology, along with critiquing more fundamental forms of Christianity, are keys to making Christianity Christian again. Send us your questions and comments at podcast@wesleyancovenant.org and follow us on Twitter @WCAPod. To learn more about the Wesleyan Covenant Association visit our website.

Host Bob Kaylor sat down with Rev. Jay Therrell, the new President of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, to chat about what's happening with church disaffiliation processes across the United Methodist connection, the latest news on Judicial Council rulings and the Council of Bishops, updates on the Global Methodist Church, and much more. To learn about about the Wesleyan Covenant Association, visit our website. To connect with the Global Methodist Church, visit their website. Send your comments on the podcast to podcast@wesleyancovenant.org and follow us on Twitter @WCAPod. Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform!

"Why is it so much easier to act like a Christian than to react like one?" Matt Hook, Pastor of Dexter UMC in Dexter, MI, closed the 2022 Global Gathering with a call to keep running the race of faith even when we're wounded, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. Afterward, Bob and Stephanie spent a few moments with Matt backstage for a bonus interview. Send your questions and comments to podcast@wesleyancovenant.org and follow us on Twitter @WCAPod.

Dr. Suzanne Nicholson, Professor of New Testament at Asbury University, addressed the 2022 Global Gathering with a look at the Church as an orchestra that needs to get "back on the same page." Using the Christ hymn in Philippians 2:5-11 (John Wesley's most-quoted Scripture passage), Dr. Nicholson discusses how the lordship and example of Christ must direct the steps of both the Church and the academy. Bob and Stephanie also interviewed Dr. Nicholson after her talk so keep listening for that bonus content. Send your comments and questions to podcast@wesleyancovenant.org and follow us on Twitter @WCAPod.

WCA Africa Coordinator Simon Mafunda addressed the 2022 Global Gathering with an update from Africa and a meditation on how to survive being planted "upside down." Stay tuned for Bob's interview with Simon after the keynote. Send your questions and comments to podcast@wesleyancovenant.org and follow us on Twitter @WCAPod.

Outgoing WCA President Keith Boyette addressed the 2022 Global Gathering as he transitions to become the new Transitional Connectional Coordinating Officer of the Global Methodist Church. Keith describes the new mission of the Wesleyan Covenant Association during this time of transition and offers encouragement for those who will continue to contend for the faith and faithfulness of the Church. Send your questions and comments to podcast@wesleyancovenant.org and follow us on Twitter @WCAPod

Erik Grayson, Senior Pastor of Aldersgate UMC in North Charleston, SC, and leader of the WCA's task force on Ministry with Marginalized People, addressed the 2022 Global Gathering on the how to navigate the wilderness of exile and why the journey is worth it. Send your questions and comments to podcast@wesleyancovenant.org and follow us on Twitter @WCAPod.

Listen to Stephanie Greenwald's address at the 2022 Global Gathering and stay tuned afterward for Bob's interview with his Holy Conversations co-host and her admonition that "if you wanted normal, you should have stayed an unbeliever." Send us your comments and questions at podcast@wesleyancovenant.org and follow us on Twitter @WCAPod.

Listen to Angela Pleasants as she addressed the WCA Global Gathering on May 7, 2022, and stay tuned as Bob Kaylor interviews her on what it means to "let the redeemed of the Lord say so." Send us your comments and questions at podcast@wesleyancovenant.org and follow us on Twitter @WCAPod