In the United Methodist Church, deacons are ordained by a bishop to serve a lifetime of ministry. Their role is to lead the church in relating Christians to their ministries in the world their worship, preaching, teaching, nurturing spiritual vitality and leading ministries of service, love, and justice. Sometimes, deacons work primarily in congregations. Other times, they work primarily in settings like hospitals, social-service agencies, schools and counseling centers. At our most recent General Conference, legislation was passed granting authority to deacons to preside at the sacraments—both baptism and communion—in their ministry setting. Today, we’re in conversation with three clergy members in our conference to learn more about the role of deacons, explore how the church is connecting to the world today, and talk about the impact of this recent General Conference legislation.

The church is not the building! And yet, many communities of faith find themselves navigating the burdens and celebrating the gifts of caring for sacred spaces. In this episode, we’re in conversation with church leaders who are learning to use their church buildings in new ways as an asset in their ministry. We’ll also learn about new resources available to churches within our conference so that they too can explore how to leverage their building for ministry.

We are starting season two with a one-on-one conversation with the new episcopal leader of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference, Bishop David Graves. Bishop Graves’ passion is sharing Jesus, seeing the overlooked, joining God in transforming lives, and changing the world one person at a time. His study of leadership permeates all his work as a pastor, district superintendent, and bishop. Join us as we get to know Bishop David Graves!

Hear from Belmont University President Greg Jones in conversation with Bishop Bill McAlilly as they explore how to cultivate traditioned innovation for more faithful and fruitful living along with the cultivation of more vibrant, life-giving institutions.

The landscape of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference varies from big cities to rural areas. While our ministry context is certainly unique, there is so much we can learn with and from one another. The Urban Cohort is giving space for just that. In this episode, we’re in conversation with Zach Moffatt, who pastors First United Methodist Church in Pulaski, Tennessee and Stephen Handy, pastor of McKendree United Methodist Church and Associate District Superintendent of the Urban Cohort.

In the late evening of December 10, 2021, a violent tornado moved across Western Kentucky. 22 people were killed in and around the town of Mayfield, with hundreds more injured. The damage was catastrophic. Mayfield First UMC’s building was close to destroyed. A few miles down the road from them, Christ UMC’s building was untouched. In the aftermath, the two congregations began sharing space. Together, they found healing and worked to rebuild their community. In this episode, we talk about the power of our connection, and how it can help us move from grief to hope. Joining us are several clergy: Mark Stephens, who serves as the pastor of Christ UMC; Adam Rush, who serves as the pastor of Mayfield First UMC; Nancy Johnston Varden, their District Superintendent; and Joey Reed, who served as the pastor of Mayfield First UMC up until this last July.

In this episode, Table Talk co-host Rev. Sam McGlothlin speaks with Dean of Duke Divinity School, the Rev. Dr. Edgardo Colon-Emeric, about Wesleyan Discipleship and, in Dr. Colon-Emeric's framework, its four healing gifts: faith, family, fiesta, and forgiveness.

In this episode, Table Talk host Jim Hughes talks with Melinda Britt and Lilly Lewin about the importance of contemplative practice within the life of Christian discipleship.