Rising partisanship in our country has made finding common ground difficult. A recent study found that Methodism is one of America's most politically divided denominations, with both congregants and their pastors roughly split between the Democratic and Republican Parties. This makes the work of a pastor – a spiritual leader to everyone in their pews – hard. Navigating those tensions and modeling new ways of remaining in relationship with those we disagree is not for the weak of heart. Pastoring in Partisan Times seeks to gain insight into pastoring purple in red and blue churches.
Insights from Missouri Pastors with Revs. Fred Leist and Dale Stone
In Episode 7 we’re in conversation with Rev. Fred Leist, pastor of Missouri UMC in Columbia, and Presbyterian pastor Rev. Dale Stone. Together these Missouri pastors reflect on the wisdom shared in previous Partisan Times episodes and share their advice for tackling tough topics in the local church.
View more podcast episodes and related resources at www.moumethodist.org/partisantimes
23 Oct 2020
Sacred Resistance with Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli
In Episode 6 we’re in conversation with Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli. She is the first woman to serve as senior pastor of historic Foundry United Methodist Church, which sits within blocks of The White House in Washington D.C. Foundry welcomes all, worships passionately, challenges the status quo and seeks to transform the world through God's love. Cirelli shares where Christian witness and dissent intersect during this honest and inspiring conversation.
RESOURCES
4 Tips on Preaching on Politically Charged Topics, Ginger Gaines-Cirelli for Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Sacred Resistance is About Our Being, Not Just Our Doing, Ginger Gaines-Cirelli for Faith and Leadership
Sacred Resistance Ministry Team at Foundry UMC
16 Oct 2020
Social Media and the Public Square with Rev. Juan Carlos Huertas
In Episode 5 we’re in conversation with Rev. Juan Carlos Huertas, lead pastor of First United Methodist Church in Houma, Louisiana. A native of Puerto Rico and a spiritual director, Huertas loves writing about discipleship as empowerment to transform our neighborhoods, cities, and world. He is a frequent contributor to Day1.org and MinistryMatters.com and recently co-authored The Marks of Hope through Abingdon Press. Huertas brings his honesty, humor and wisdom to this rich conversation.
Resources
Listening guide
Preaching from the Margins to the Center, Juan Carlos Huertas for Ministry Matters
9 Oct 2020
Credible Communication with Mike McCurry
In Episode 4 we’re in conversation with Mike McCurry. From 1995 to 1998, McCurry was the White House Press Secretary for the Clinton administration. Today he is the Director for the Center for Public Theology at Wesley Theological Seminary. McCurry shares his five C’s for effective communication, how to leave room for disagreement and more.
Course Syllabus for Church, Politics, & Race in a Polarized Society from Wesley Seminary
Mike McCurry's 5 C's of Communication, Washington Post
Media Relations Handbook for Agencies, Associations, Nonprofits, and Congress By Brad Fitch
Mike McCurry answers follow-up questions from Missouri clergy
2 Oct 2020
Working Class Rage with Rev. Dr. Tex Sample
In Episode 3 we’re in conversation with Rev. Dr. Tex Sample, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Kansas City. Through personal stories and extensive research, Tex shares insights and actionables related to reaching the white working class.
Tex Sample is the Robert B. And Kathleen Rogers Professor Emeritus of Church and Society at The Saint Paul School of Theology where he taught for 32 years. A freelance lecturer and speaker in North America and overseas, he has published 14 books. His book, Blue Collar Ministry, was named a “Judson Classic” by the Judson Press, and his book U. S. Lifestyles and Mainline Churches was the bestseller for Westminster/John Knox Press for over two years. His most recent book is Working Class Rage, available from Abingdon Press.
RESOURCES
Teaching Biblical Patriotism as Pastoral Care: God, Country and Stories of Working Class Pain, Tex Sample for Ministry Matters
Community Organizing Bibliography
Working Class Rage by Tex Sample
25 Sept 2020
Speaking Up and Out with Dr. Leah Gunning Francis
In Episode 2 we’re in conversation with Dr. Leah Gunning Francis, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Gunning Francis is the author of Ferguson and Faith: Sparking Leadership and Awakening Community. She lived in St. Louis and served on the Eden Seminary faculty during the Ferguson uprising. For the book, she interviewed more than two dozen clergy and young activists who engaged in the quest for racial justice following the shooting death of Michael Brown, Jr. in Ferguson, Missouri. Dr. Gunning Francis offers wisdom and practical advice for finding your voice and speaking up and out.
Studying Congregations: A New Handbook
Ferguson and Faith: Sparking Leadership and Awakening Community
White Like Me: Reflections on Race by a Privileged Son by Tim Wise
Is it Time? Helping Laity and Clergy Discuss Homosexuality One Question at a Time by Adolf Hansen
Vital Conversations on Racism: A Guide to Small-Group Discussions about the Video Series, General Commission on Race and Religion
Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation by Jennifer Harvey
17 Sept 2020
Authority and Humility with Rev. Adam Hamilton
In Episode 1 we’re in conversation with Rev. Adam Hamilton, senior pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, one of the fastest growing, most highly visible churches in the country. The Church Report named Hamilton’s congregation the most influential mainline church in America, and he preached at the National Prayer Service as part of the presidential inauguration festivities in 2013. Hamilton is the best-selling and award-winning author of The Call, Making Sense of the Bible, Love to Stay, The Journey, The Way, 24 Hours That Changed the World, Revival, Not a Silent Night, Enough, When Christians Get It Wrong, and Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White, all published by Abingdon Press.
Listening Guide
The Leader’s Guide to Facing the Issues that Divide
The Blog posts with links to the sermons to watch in small group as part of the lesson, adamhamilton.org
Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White: Thoughts on Religion, Morality, and Politics by Adam Hamilton
When Christians Get It Wrong by Adam Hamilton
Confronting the Controversies: Biblical Perspectives on Tough Issues by Adam Hamilton
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