Church is Changing

In this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, Kathi McShane and Karen Kehlet of Los Altos UMC in California join host Paul Nixon to unpack a new paradigm for discipleship development that can work with Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR) folks.

How does transformation happen? In this episode of Field Preachers, Matt Johnson tells us what he has discovered as the Executive Director and Founder of Abundant Life Recovery Housing Network, a ministry of Suncrest UMC in Morgantown, West Virginia. He shares his growing edges as a leader, the gift of failure, and what he has learned through the 12-Step process. For more information about this mi...

Author Elaine Heath, retired Dean of Duke Divinity School, shares with us about her contemplative approach to pioneering new ministries like Neighborhood Seminary and Spring Forest Farm. We talk about the feeling of fragility and unfinished-ness that is inherent in doing pioneering work, whether in developing new faith communities or new forms of theological education, and how this feeling can act...

Are you wondering how to invite your preschool families to engage with your church community? Are you trying to figure out how to experiment with new ways of being church in a "we tried that twenty years ago" culture? Beth Evers, pastor of University UMC in Fort Worth, Texas, shares a few of her hard won leadership gems as she tells us about Wiggle Church and Funkytown Music Academy.

In this episode of Field Preachers, host Paul Nixon interviews Rai Jackson, pastor of The Well and the Bridge, two young faith communities in Washington DC. Paul and Rai talk about how young adult culture is shifting, even since March of 2020, and the amazing possibilities of enhancing ministry with digital connections.

In this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, host Paul Nixon interviews Rev. Jonavern Lungub, pastor of Abu Dhabi United Methodist Church. You may have had no idea that Methodism is spreading on the Arab Peninsula in the twenty-first century. Jonavern Lungub shares the details!

How do you build a community of faith in a post-modern, post-Christian context? In this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, John Helmiere, the Convenor of Valley and Mountain UMC in Seattle, Washington, shares how his core values helped him to create a vibrant faith community as a parachute drop planter and what he learned through the process. For more info on his church visit valleyandmountai...

In this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, hosts Paul Nixon and Beth Estock interview Melanie Tubbs, a rural UMC pastor in Arkansas whose online platform surpassed 18,000 followers in the past year.

In this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, hosts Paul Nixon and Beth Estock interview church planters Rai Jackson (The Bridge and The Well in Washington DC) and Kris Sledge (Journey Harrisburg, PA) about how the Black Lives Matter movement has impacted their ministries in the past year.

How do you listen for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your life and ministry? In this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, Dave Shaw, a ministry pioneer and cultural change curator in Nottingham, UK, shares how God has directed his life and ministry in some “highly unusual” ways.

In this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, Paul Nixon interviews UMC pastors Wendy Hudson and Tom Arthur about how the COVID-19 season inspired a radical paradigm shift in how their churches gather.

In this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, hosts Paul Nixon and Beth Estock interview Pastor Andrew Lau of Markham, Ontario, exploring how his church (Cornerstone Christian Community Church) became one of the most profoundly multi-ethnic congregations in North America.

In this episode of Field Preachers, host Beth Estock interviews Ali Mansfield, Pioneer and Community Outreach Worker in Horrabridge, England. Listen in as she shares a change of heart that totally transformed her approach to ministry and what has happened since then.

In this episode of Field Preachers, we visit with Jason Moore and Roz Picardo, authors of “From Franchise to Local Dive: Multiplying Your Church by Discovering Your Contextual Flavor.” The topic: customizing ministry strategies to the local context.

In this episode of Field Preachers, hosts Paul Nixon and Beth Estock interview Nathan Webb, planter-pastor at Checkpoint Church, a digital community created for "nerds, geeks, and gamers." Nathan explores practical ways of building community online, and not simply uploading content.

After 60 episodes as host of the Field Preachers podcast, Rachel Gilmore is moving in to a new ministry appointment. In this episode, we ask her what she had learned speaking with so many ministry pioneers.

Abigail Browka is a church planter from Upper New York who developed an app that has had hundreds of downloads since it launched a week ago. In this episode of Field Preachers, hear about her journey and how you can utilize the app, Everyday Sanctuary, in your local faith community. In March of 1739, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, engaged in "field preaching" for the first time after being...

What does it mean to de-colonize the church? And what will this Lenten study look like? Join host Rachel Gilmore to learn more about this training that will launch in February. In March of 1739, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, engaged in "field preaching" for the first time after being encouraged by his friend and fellow preacher George Whitefield. Instead of preaching his sermon from a pul...

Wendy Hudson and Mike Baughman are leaders in The United Methodist Church when it comes to innovative fundraising. On this week's episode of Field Preachers, join us to hear their tools and tips for funding church plants during this season of COVID-19 and beyond. In March of 1739, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, engaged in "field preaching" for the first time after being encouraged by his f...

Stuart Murray Williams is a veteran church planter, author, and founder of Urban Expression which trains and equips church planters in the UK. On this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, he'll share his journey of planting and insight into what it is like to plant in post-Christendom. In March of 1739, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, engaged in "field preaching" for the first time after...

Mark DeYmaz is the leader of the largest organizations for training and equipping multiethnic church plants. In this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, he'll share his journey and talk about the resources that Mosaix has to offer. In March of 1739, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, engaged in "field preaching" for the first time after being encouraged by his friend and fellow preacher Ge...

On this day before Thanksgiving, join host Rachel Gilmore in some "Romper Room" moments of gratitude for the hard and holy work you are doing for the kin-dom of God. In March of 1739, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, engaged in "field preaching" for the first time after being encouraged by his friend and fellow preacher George Whitefield. Instead of preaching his sermon from a pulpit, Wesley...

Stephanie Hand is a Path 1 strategy team member from the Western North Carolina Annual Conference. In this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, she discusses the importance of intercultural awareness for pastors and church planters and reviews some of the tools that can help us grow in this area. In March of 1739, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, engaged in "field preaching" for the first...

In this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, Jennie Edwards Bertrand, a planter in the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference, discusses her journey in planting Hope Church and how they have adapted during this season of COVID-19. She also shares ways to create generosity and stewardship in millennial and Gen-Zers who are a part of your faith community. In March of 1739, John Wesley, the found...

On this episode of the Field Preachers podcast, three church planters from Virginia talk about their experience planting churches connected to larger United Methodist churches in their area. In March of 1739, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, engaged in "field preaching" for the first time after being encouraged by his friend and fellow preacher George Whitefield. Instead of preaching his ser...