It’s Elementary - An Asbury Theological Seminary Podcast

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson talks with Arthur Jones, senior pastor of St. Andrew Methodist Church in Plano, Texas, about life and ministry in an independent Methodist context. Arthur shares his journey from denominational to local church leadership, the challenges and opportunities of being independent yet connectional, and why catechesis is key to sustaining Wesleyan theo...

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcome Rev. Andrew Forrest—author and senior pastor of Asbury Church in Tulsa—for a thought-provoking conversation on evangelism in a post-Christian culture. Andrew shares insights from his new book Love Goes First, exploring why accommodation, judgment, and withdrawal fail—and how moving first in love opens doors for th...

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcome Dr. Nicole Massie Martin—author, speaker, and Chief Executive Officer at Christianity Today—for a powerful conversation about leadership, surrender, and the presence of God in ministry. Nicole shares her journey from Baltimore to global Christian leadership, her calling story, and why authentic encounters with God...

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcome Rev. Anne Kennedy—writer and Anglican priest—for a compelling conversation about faith, writing, and the future of Anglicanism. Together, they explore Anne’s journey from missionary roots to shaping global Anglican conversations, her role in drafting the Kigali Statement, and the challenges facing the church today...

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson welcomes Dr. Bill Arnold, Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary, for a deep and engaging conversation about the enduring significance of the Old Testament. Together, they explore the relationship between the Old and New Testaments and the theological foundations that shape our understanding of God....

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcomes Dr. Christine Johnson, Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Wesleyan Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. Together they explore John Wesley’s profound theology of death and what it means to “die well” in a culture that often avoids the topic. From Wesley’s own struggles with the fear of death to the early Methodists’ rep...

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcomes Dr. Chris Bounds, Professor of Theology at Asbury Theological Seminary, for a rich conversation on one of the most defining themes of the Wesleyan tradition: holiness. Together, they explore why holiness matters, how it is inseparable from love, and what it means to flourish in relationship with God and others. From unpacking the nat...

In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcome Rev. Andrew Thompson, Lead Pastor at First Methodist Tulsa. Together they explore Andrew’s remarkable journey through 25 years of ministry, his passion for global missions, and his deep commitment to intergenerational discipleship. From learning Spanish to preaching in Latin America, to mentoring younger pastors a...

Kick off Asbury Theological Seminary's It’s Elementary with a warm welcome from your hosts, Dr. David F. Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone! In this introductory episode, they share the heart behind the podcast, what you can expect in future conversations, and why we’re excited to journey with you. For more information about Asbury Theological Seminary, please visit: asburyseminary.edu