First Houston United Methodist Church

The crew responds to a question with a ton of layers to it, covering Old Testament law, divorce, homosexuality, and about half a dozen more things. It’s a conversation about how to talk about religious beliefs when you’re not in lock step, and what Christian debate should look like. Ask us a question! You can reach us anytime at fmhouston.com/ama.

Andy sits down with Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo to talk to him about his faith, the role of community in the city of Houston, and the realities of police work. What happens next is a forthright and honest conversation about our city, and what policing it really requires. FMHouston.com

Ann considers the church at Philippi, and how Paul wrote them a letter from a tiny cell - but it was a letter of great joy! Then Ann considers the things that stunt our Christian joy, and how so many have it despite living lives of pain and struggle. FMHouston.com

The group is back together! Andy, Brandi, Kaitlyn, and Ben break down a couple different questions from listeners - first, they deal with the context of what "he who does not work shall not eat" means, and Brandi throws out some Greek translation off the top of her head. Then, someone who can't make it to church on Sundays because of work asks what to do about their predicament - where should thei...

Brant immediately announces his intention to get controversial, and requests that if you have any problem with it... that you should email Andy. Then, he gets deeply personal, telling the story of the struggle he and his wife had to get pregnant, how he stayed in prayer over it for years and years. He had to learn how to find hope. His father is battling cancer, and has been for years... and he ha...

On a special episode, Dr. Terry Morris takes us through Brahms' Requiem , exploring its roots, the deep emotion behind its creation, and various motifs and styles that float in and out throughout the composition. Plus, stories from his turn as a villanous preacher in Susanne , and the time he shocked an audience full of Baptists so much they had to change the lyrics to one of the songs the next ni...

This week, Kaitlyn and Ben are joined by First Methodist Houston's own [Dr. Ashley Sanford], to sit down to discuss the often-ignored importance of mental health in our lives, and to discuss the stigmas behind mental health and our faith. Ask us a question! We can be reached at any time at FMHouston.com/AMA [link to: fmhouston.com/ama]

Andy took a trip to the symphony to see legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman, and the encounter got him thinking about the story of Rahab (it makes sense, we promise). The story of Rahab is "a fantastically messy story" - but when we look at our lives, they're messy, too. But God wants all of us to make it. No matter how dark it's been, God has a plan for us. But we need to hear what Christ is calli...

As Ann tells the story of Rahab, she's reminded of a similar story of a woman who once had to force herself to cross the threshold of the church - but once she did, she led a life that led other people to change their lives. The story reminds us that the responsibility to grow the church is on us . We are the ones who God uses to make the change. As Ann says, "the Church absolutely never stops mov...

Ken and Anthony return! We get a question about the Holy Spirit – when it shows up, does everybody get it, and what everybody’s experience with it is. It turns out, what the United Methodist church thinks about it might just surprise you. Ask us a question! We can be reached at any time at FMHouston.com/AMA. [link to: fmhouston.com/ama]

After taking a vote with the congregation, Andy decides to start his sermon seriously, and end it with some fun. He starts with what he learned about racism in his time in St. Louis, and the important words two pastors there said to him that have stuck with him. Later, we learn why the book of Esther almost did not make it into the Bible, and have some fun with moving seats in church. fmhouston.co...

This is what Brandi admits is a hard word: facing up to the fact that church is becoming less and less relevant in the world, and that it is our responsibility to change it. And that changing the world is going to take all of us. Plus, what Spider-Man can teach us about how changing the world involves other people. fmhouston.com

Brandi shares her original "Plan A," and how she gradually learned that her carefully-laid plan wasn't the right plan at all. She compares it to Ruth, and how Ruth had her Plan A thrown out as well - but when she found hope, she found something wonderful. Plus, all the reasons why Brandi wasn't sure if David should be her husband. fmhouston.com

Ann and Brant team up on a sermon to talk about Ruth's faithfulness, and her willingness to adapt to change. Along the way, we get an update on Brant's brand-new baby, the story of Henry Ford destroying one of his automobiles in fury, and discovering whether we are a "Big Godder" or a "Little Godder." fmhouston.com

The gang is back together and answering questions again! On this episode, the group talks about the pluses and minuses of the greet-your-neighbor part of church, and how being an introvert changes one’s perspective on the matter. Then, responding to someone’s concern, they talk about what happens to our souls when we die, and how we handle parts of scripture written in metaphor. You can respond or...

When Andy was handed Moby Dick in high school, as he stared at this startlingly thick book, his teacher told the class to dive in - they'd never get anywhere if they didn't dive right in. As Andy considers the eleven disciples, hearing the Great Commission for the first time, wondering how on earth they could ever complete something truly impossible - yet the church exists today because of their w...

Brant takes the pulpit to close out our missions series, emphasizing the difficulty - the impossiblity - of what God asks of us by telling stories of the Immaculate Reception, and Mao's effect in China. But his emphasis is on the promise Jesus makes in the Great Commission - his promise to be with us always. Matthew 28: 18-20 fmhouston.com

Kathrin comes by the podcast to talk about how a German woman ended up leading a Hispanic ministry in Port Houston, how a ministry like that has to operate, and how the people in that community are dealing with a difficult political time. You can reach us any time to ask questions at fmhouston.com/ama.

On a Sunday where we celebrated the opening of our Harvey House for someone who had lost everything during the hurricane, Andy talks about the ways that Satan can throw up a million different obstacles. And as he continues to struggle with the Peloton, Andy talks about how he needs to force himself through to get to the other side - and how Paul was trying to teach the Philippians a similar messag...

After she catches her daughter imitating her, Brandi considers the example that she gives. She compares it to Paul's example from these verses, as he invites the Philippians to imitate him - in the hope that they would follow and learn to imitate Jesus. Brandi points out that Paul's message is a focus on what it means to have your citizenship in heaven. Plus, a shoutout to the original 12th man. P...

This week, Bill Allen and Alexis McCarty swing by to talk about Lifeline, the homeless ministry of our church, and tell stories about the people they've met and relationships they've made. Ask us a question anytime: FMHouston.com/AMA

Visiting missionary Peter Swann tells us stories of how God had nudged him to share the Gospel, both in villages in South Sudan - and with people he bumped into in a Houston mall. fmhouston.com

This week, Loren Trujillo, our Refugee Ministry Coordinator, joins us to talk about the refugee community in Houston, the huge opportunity we have with our West Campus, and the way our church has been able to make connections with the nearby refugee communites. Ask us a question anytime: FMHouston.com/AMA

Andy is reminded of a near-miraculous fishing excursion he once went on, and the wrong lesson he learned from it. While considering missions, he points out the long view that we need to be taking in our lives. "To say 'yes' to Christ," he says, " we have to let something go." FMHouston.com

As Ann remembers her third grade teacher, Mrs. McKinney, she recalls the excitement of discovering something new - and having that new thing be the path that you take. So, what was Jesus' classroom like? FMHouston.com