Jean is passionate about Christian unity and believes that ecumenical relationships are core to what it means to be a follower of Jesus and a United Methodist. In this interview, she shares her journey of being a cradle United Methodist who made her way from a local congregation in the Baltimore-Washington Conference to discovering her call to ministry and serving in Kentucky. Jean helps us understand how we in the UMC engage our ecumenical relationships and the impact the last few years has had on those connections. This conversation was too short, but inspiring nonetheless. Enjoy!

This conversation matched the theological depth and philosophical range that Filipe brings to his scholarship. We talked about economics and eschatology,  decolonization and regionalization in the UMC. Filipe’s grounding in his native experience and local community makes his brilliance accessible. He reminds us that we are called to be committed to hope and the prophetic tradition of transforming communities.  This is a must listen! Enjoy!

Check out the UMCNEXT podcast at umcnext.com and on Spotify, Apple and Amazon platforms.

Find out more about the Be a Disciple Study app that just launched: https://beadiscipleapp.com/

*Production note: There is some static at around the 8 minute mark. Apologies.

Dionne Hammond is an elder in the Florida Conference and currently serves as the District Superintendent of the Atlantic Central District. She and her husband Craig, who is also an elder, live in Melbourne, FL.

In this episode, Dionne shares her journey of faith and calling into ministry as well as her experience leading as a General Conference delegate and district superintendent over the last few years. Dionne’s story intersects with many other stories, and it reminds us of many who, for many reasons, have felt caught in the middle of our struggles and disagreements. The context of this episode is friendship and the ways that holding space for each’s other suffering can offer a model for how the UMC can continue to be a spiritual home for all.

CONTENT WARNING: This interview includes conversations about suicide, spiritual trauma and homophobia. (13:00-16:00)

*In the intro, I mistakenly say that Darryl is from the NC Conference. He is an elder in the Western North Carolina Conference. Many apologies for misspeaking.

Welcome to Bar of the Conference. In this episode, Rev. Dr. Lydia E. Muñoz, an Ordained Elder in the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference and Executive Director of the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry of the United Methodist Church, offers her unique insights as a pastor, activist and prophetic voice. She helps us see the ways we have misunderstood ministry to the Hispanic and Latino communities and gives us a powerful call to hope and God's grace as we work towards the future of the UMC. You will appreciate the episode!

Welcome to Bar of the Conference. This episode is with Rev. Katie Dawson from the Iowa Annual Conference. Katie is another face of the future of the UMC. Her passion and gifts for leadership not only bring much needed calm in this tumultuous season, but she also provides clarity on how we can collectively grow into the church God has called us to be. This conversation will energize and inspire you. Enjoy!

Israel Alvaran is an ordained elder in the Philippines Central Conference of the United Methodist Church and an organizer for Reconciling Ministries Network. In this episode, Izzy shares his journey of faith and call to ministry. He also gives us a master class on inclusion from a global perspective and how regionalization provides a path to a just, hopeful and Spirit-led future for the UMC's worldwide connection. Take notes - Izzy has much to teach us.

Welcome to Bar of the Conference. Stephen Rankin is a lifelong United Methodist and retired clergy in the Great Plains Annual Conference. He’s spent most of his ministry serving college students and in higher education. In this episode, we talk about his journey of faith and ministry, the labels we use and how someone with conservative commitments can stay in the UMC. This deep and substantive conversation will be helpful for United Methodists across the theological spectrum.

Welcome to Bar of the Conference. Jennie Edwards Bertrand is a pastor and Jurisdictional Conference delegate in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. From growing up in Arcola, IL to planting a progressive-leaning church, Jennie has an ability to see people as they are and to serve them on their terms. In this episode, she talks about her upbringing, her call to ministry and how she became in leader for inclusion in her region of the UMC. We also talk about bit about how she met Isaac Simmons, whose drag persona, Ms Pennycost has received a lot of attention in the last few months. Jennie’s authenticity and heart for people made this a powerful episode.

Welcome to Bar of the Conference. Shandon Klein is a General Conference lay delegate in the North Texas Conference. Shandon is passionate about ministry and brings a fresh perspective on what is happening in the UMC. Like many young adult leaders in our denomination, she represents the church of today and the church of tomorrow. You will love listening to her story and will be inspired by her hope for the church. Enjoy!

Welcome to Bar of the Conference. Simon Osunlana is an elder in the Florida Conference. He was born, raised, educated, and began his ministry in Nigeria before moving to North Carolina and then finding his home in Florida. Simon’s story, his passion for ministry and perspective on this current moment in the UMC is both challenging and refreshing. Enjoy.

Welcome to Bar of the Conference. Alice Williams is the Co-Lay Leader of the Florida Conference, a General Conference delegate and a member of the Commission on the Way Forward. She shares about her experience as a LGBTQ member in the UMC and the meaning she is finding as she serves the denomination for such a time as this. You’ll be inspired to faithful action listening to this interview.

Welcome to Bar of the Conference. In this episode, we continue our conversation with Randall Miller from the California-Nevada Conference. Randall shares his thoughts on the One Church Plan from General Conference 2019 and what it was like to be on the team who negotiated the Protocol legislation. Randall speaks for himself walking us through the complexity that comes with moving the UMC towards inclusion as well as the possibility of change in what he calls the "United Methodist Spring". I hope you enjoy this deeply informative interview.

Welcome to Bar of the Conference. In this episode, Randall Miller, from the California-Nevada Conference, joins us for a discussion of the history of United Methodists resisting the exclusion of LGBTQ in the life and ministry of our denomination. In Part 1, we talk about the impact of the incompatibility clause in the Book of Discipline and the courage of many lay and clergy leaders across the decades in advocating for inclusion. Get your notebooks, a choice beverage and enjoy!

Welcome to Bar of the Conference. In this episode, Tara Barnes, Director of Denominational Relations for United Women in Faith (formerly known as United Methodist Women), joins Derrick for a discussion about the role of women in the UMC. They talk about the history and impact of women's movements in the UMC and the power of giving women the microphone. You will love this episode!

Also, if there are topics or voices you’d like to hear on this podcast, please drop us a line at derrick.luruth@gmail.com.

Welcome to Bar of the Conference. Our second pilot episode is with Ian Carlos Urriola, a lay member from the Upper New York Annual Conference. Derrick and Ian talk about all things holy conferencing - the good and the bad, the hopeful and the harmful. Ian is an incredible thinker who believes in the potential of the UMC. We discussed some recent events and consider if, when and how holy conferencing can happen in our denomination. Grab a notebook and enjoy!

“I want us to be a church that celebrates the quality of our Wesleyan relationships rather than the quantity of people in our pews”

Our first pilot episode is with Rev. Jeremy Smith, UMC elder in the Greater Northwest area and blogger at Hacking Christianity. Derrick and Jeremy talk about the good and bad news for those who intend to stay in the UMC. Jeremy likens this season of the denomination to the longest night (December 21) and he believes that 2023 will eventually bring better days for the people called United Methodists. This conversation will help those committed to the Continuing UMC as we prepare for another year of reorganizing and reimagining. Please enjoy!