Listen Now

REGISTER FOR "IGNITE YOUTH LEADERS DAY" AT: https://www.ignitenj.org Working in youth ministry is no easy task—it requires sacrifice, a continual outpouring of one’s self, continued prayer and study, and so much more. Rev. Aqueelah Ligonde, Transitional Pastor at Far Rockaway Presbyterian Church, joins Eric Drew and James Lee on the Uncovered Dish podcast to discuss practical techniques to help youth leaders engage their youth more fully while pouring into them and replenishing them on their journey.

Although New Jersey is an extremely diverse state, segregation by race, ethnicity, and class in New Jersey’s public schools is among the worst in the United States. At the upcoming Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, legislation will go before the voting body asking whether we as United Methodists want to sign on a lawsuit, produced by The Coalition for Diverse and Inclusive Schools, to desegregate schools in New Jersey. We sit down with former Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court the Honorable Gary Stein who helped coordinate this lawsuit and Bishop of the United Methodists of Greater New Jersey John Schol to ask what the lawsuit is and why desegregation of NJ schools matters. GNJ Page on Segregation on New Jersey Schools https://www.gnjumc.org/2018-annual-conference/segregation-in-new-jersey-schools The Coalition for Diverse and Inclusive Schools https://www.inclusiveschoolsnj.org NJSpotlight Interactive Map on NJ School Diversity http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/18/05/03/school-segregation This American Life Podcast: “The Problem We All Live With – Part One” https://www.thisamericanlife.org/562/the-problem-we-all-live-with-part-one

We live in a country where we've declared 'separation of church and state,' or separation of religion and politics. Yet we as United Methodists have a tool, the "Book of Discipline," which tells us how to be systematically as United Methodists, but also provides suggestions on how to act socio-politically. How are we as United Methodists to use this book? Can we use it as a tool or should it be used as a suggestion, especially socio-politically? Either way, what do we do when we come to a very polarizing issue? We talk politics, itinerancy, and more with D.S. Steven Bechtold and Rev. David Wehrle.

WATCH PART 1 FIRST! I sat down with two fellow millennials-in-ministry, also podcast buffs, to break down the medium of podcasting. Part 1 will cover the basic question of 'what is podcasting,' and then start to dive into the question of 'how do you make a podcast?' Part 2 will finish up the HOW and go into 'why make a podcast?' So across the two episodes we go through what podcasting is, 14 steps from start to finish on how to make your own podcast, and why it all matters. Resources Mentioned in the Podcast: 1. The Podcasters Studio "Podcasting 101" : https://bit.ly/2GydPjk 2. Rode Procaster Microphones: https://amzn.to/2fdB9GW 3."People of the Story" Haddonfield UMC Podcast: https://apple.co/2uJcqF9 The Sub $200 Podcast Setup: 1. BEHRINGER ULTRAVOICE XM1800S 3x Microphones ($40) https://amzn.to/2GQWeqk 2.Monoprice 8-Channel Mixer with USB ($80) https://amzn.to/2q3Ie22 3. ammoon MS-12 Table-Top Mic Stand ($10 x2) https://amzn.to/2JhlAft 4. AmazonBasics XLR Cables ($6 xHowever many) https://amzn.to/2GUjPpZ 5. Mudder 5 Pack Foam Windscreen ($8)https://amzn.to/2q3MwGJ Gabrielle's Favorite Podcasts: 1. Good Christian Fun: https://www.goodchristianfun.com 2. History Chicks: http://thehistorychicks.com 3. Crackers and Grape Juice: http://crackersandgrapejuice.com Paul's Favorite Podcasts: 1. Serial Season 1: https://serialpodcast.org/season-one 2. My Favorite Murder: https://www.myfavoritemurder.com 3. Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast: https://www.gilbertpodcast.com James' Favorite Podcasts: 1. The Liturgists: http://www.theliturgists.com/podcast/ 2. How I Built This w/Guy Raz: https://n.pr/2heq0a0/ 3. Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast: https://www.life.church/leadershippodcast/

So you wanna do a podcast. I sat down with two fellow millennials-in-ministry, also podcast buffs, to break down the medium of podcasting. Part 1 will cover the basic question of 'what is podcasting,' and then start to dive into the question of 'how do you make a podcast?' Part 2 will finish up the HOW and go into 'why make a podcast?' So across the two episodes we go through what podcasting is, 14 steps from start to finish on how to make your own podcast, and why it all matters. Resources Mentioned in the Podcast: 1. The Podcasters Studio "Podcasting 101" : https://bit.ly/2GydPjk 2. Rode Procaster Microphones: https://amzn.to/2fdB9GW 3."People of the Story" Haddonfield UMC Podcast: https://apple.co/2uJcqF9 The Sub $200 Podcast Setup: 1. BEHRINGER ULTRAVOICE XM1800S 3x Microphones ($40) https://amzn.to/2GQWeqk 2.Monoprice 8-Channel Mixer with USB ($80) https://amzn.to/2q3Ie22 3. ammoon MS-12 Table-Top Mic Stand ($10 x2) https://amzn.to/2JhlAft 4. AmazonBasics XLR Cables ($6 xHowever many) https://amzn.to/2GUjPpZ 5. Mudder 5 Pack Foam Windscreen ($8)https://amzn.to/2q3MwGJ Gabrielle's Favorite Podcasts: 1. Good Christian Fun: https://www.goodchristianfun.com 2. History Chicks: http://thehistorychicks.com 3. Crackers and Grape Juice: http://crackersandgrapejuice.com Paul's Favorite Podcasts: 1. Serial Season 1: https://serialpodcast.org/season-one 2. My Favorite Murder: https://www.myfavoritemurder.com 3. Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast: https://www.gilbertpodcast.com James' Favorite Podcasts: 1. The Liturgists: http://www.theliturgists.com/podcast/ 2. How I Built This w/Guy Raz: https://n.pr/2heq0a0/ 3. Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast: https://www.life.church/leadershippodcast/

As a pastor, you're the de facto staff manager of the church. But with a staff comes the inevitability of having to fire someone. In a church, that is a really difficult situation. There is an emotional investment in churches that is absent in other sphere and ties into our spiritualities and theologies. So many churches ending up holding onto ineffective employees or are really, really bad at hiring and firing. Consultant, author, and coach Rev. Susan Beaumont comes on the Uncovered Dish Podcast to talk about Better Church Staff Management: Hiring, Firing, and Everything in Between. Rev. Catherine Jordan-Latham of Monmouth Grace UMC in Eatontown NJ guest-co-hosts. Resources Mentioned in the Podcast: Susan Beaumont: http://www.susanbeaumont.com/ "When Moses Meets Aaron" by Susan Beaumont and Gill Rendle: http://amzn.to/2HQdYPq/

REGISTER TO "TAKE THE LEAD" AT: https://www.gnjumc.org/events/takethelead/ What makes an urban church vital? For the last 10 years or so, Broadway United Methodist Church in Indianapolis began turning the model of the urban church inside out. If you were to look for its food pantry, clothing ministry and after-school program - you won't find any - they were killed off. And you may be wondering - Why? Rev. Mike Mather, the senior pastor of Broadway United Methodist Church comes on the podcast to help us rethink urban ministries - and why you also should consider ending your church's food pantry. Broadway UMC: http://www.broadwayumc.org/

Olu Brown planted Impact Church in 2007 with just 25 people. In one year they reached 1,000 weekly worshippers, and in seven years the church went multi-site. Today Impact Church is one of fastest growing United Methodist Churches in the United States with an average weekly attendance of 2,700 across two locations and another 2,000 online. Pastor Olu comes on the podcast to talk about the pros and cons between planting a brand new church and going multi-site with an existing church - and to share leadership gems along the way. BUY OLU BROWN'S NEW BOOK HERE: https://www.cokesbury.com/product/9781501832536/leadership-directions-from-moses Learn more about Impact Church at: http://impactdcd.org Learn more about Olu Brown at: http://olubrown.org

Get free baptism resources at: http://www.waterandroots.org/ Baptism is one of the two sacraments United Methodists practice, and it is universally recognized as a sacrament in virtually every Christian denomination. As United Methodists, we primarily practice infant baptism: a family comes in and in front of the whole congregation promises to raise their child in the Christian faith. The congregation makes a similar pledge, to create an environment where that person can mature in their faith, where that person's life is wrapped up in the life of the Church. But after the celebration of baptism stops, to often the actions of both the family and the congregations stop too. A lot about baptism is shrouded in mystery. What does it do, what does it symbolize, who should or shouldn’t get baptized, how do you do it well, and why does it matter? All this, on this Uncovered Dish.

"A church without deacons is a church abridged.” The United Methodist Church has two ordained orders, Elders and Deacons. Elders serve the church through parish ministry, and Deacons bridge the gap between the church and its local community. As a separate order, Deacons have existed for over 20 years, but lay and clergy alike continually struggle to understand and utilize Deacons. Could your church better connect with its local context? Do you have a call to ministry but aren’t sure ordained Elder is for you? Join our conversation with deacons Kathleen Stolz, Tom Lank, and Dr. Darryl Stephens to hear just how relevant Deacons could be to YOU.

"A church without deacons is a church abridged.” The United Methodist Church has two ordained orders, Elders and Deacons. Elders serve the church through parish ministry, and Deacons bridge the gap between the church and its local community. As a separate order, Deacons have existed for over 20 years, but lay and clergy alike continually struggle to understand and utilize Deacons. Could your church better connect with its local context? Do you have a call to ministry but aren’t sure ordained Elder is for you? Join our conversation with deacons Kathleen Stolz, Tom Lank, and Dr. Darryl Stephens to hear just how relevant Deacons could be to YOU.

MEET MARK DEVRIES AT THE SENT CONFERENCE, NOV 11 Register at: http://www.gnjumc.org/sent From his beginning as a part-time youth ministry consultant to now having worked with almost 800 congregations, Mark DeVries has realized one thing: slow and sustainable change leads to successful ministry. But what is ‘sustainable change’ and how can churches achieve it? Mark uses his extensive background as a youth minister and ministry consultant to give us a glimpse into creating successful ministries of ANY type, this week on The Uncovered Dish. Find out more about Mark DeVries and Ministry Architects at: http://www.ministryarchitects.com/

DONATE TO HURRICANE HARVEY FUND TODAY: https://awakenings.securegive.com Danielle Fanfair and Marlon Hall of Folklore Films uses filmmaking as a tool to tell powerful stories of Houstonians and Houston TX as a city. They will be leading a workshop in the upcoming SENT Conference on November 11, 2017, titled: "Excavate the Good News through the Power of Story." This whimsically willful learning laboratory is designed for processing and practicing principles for storytelling. Attendees will leave equipped to explore what we call “The Bottom Why” of their stories and the stories around them.

Christian Coon, the co-founding and lead pastor of Urban Village Church, comes on the Uncovered Dish to talk about how he and Trey Hall: dreamed of a church in Chicago that is both gospel-centered and LGBT-inclusive, used community organizing techniques to plant the church, and failed boldly throughout the whole process. Urban Village Church is now a vibrant multi-site church where more than 80% of its attending members are under the age of 40. Pastor Christian Coon will be giving a workshop at the upcoming SENT Conference. REGISTER TODAY for the SENT CONFERENCE: https://www.gnjumc.org/events/sent/ "Failing Boldly" by Christian Coon http://amzn.to/2f3kw0Y "Effective Organizing for Congregational Renewal" by Michael Gecan http://amzn.to/2gGLgUW Christian Coon's Blog and Podcast http://christiancoon.com Urban Village Church http://urbanvillagechurch.org

"In Search of the Techno-Sublime" a video about Eric Valosin's work www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNprfurzs9Y "Flickering Pixels: How Technology Shapes your Faith" by Shane Hipps amzn.to/2ismagI LAITY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY REGISTRATION: www.gnjumc.org/events/laity-leadership-academy/ Artist Eric Valosin talks about his work in the techno-sublime and how mixing old forms of art, like painting and stain glass, and new forms of technology, like projections, can result in new, powerful, and theologically-engaging spiritual experiences appropriate for postmodern church and worship of the 21st century. Shows of Eric Valosin's Works: 1. "Unexpected: What is a Painting?" Watchung Art Center 18 Stirling Rd. Watchung, NJ Opening Reception: 9/10, 1-4pm On View: 9/5-30 2. "Eric Valosin: For(Loop) {Meditations}" Misbits New Media Art Space 1415 University Ave, Suite L, Oxford, MS Opening Reception 10/24 [Time TBD] On View 10/24 - 11/14

LAITY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY REGISTRATION: www.gnjumc.org/events/laity-leadership-academy/ Lay Servant Ministries: https://www.gnjumc.org/what-is-lay-servant-ministries/ Feel like you're doing ministry all by yourself? Director of Leadership Development Juel Nelson comes on the podcast to share ideas and resources for fostering a spirit of lay leadership and service in your church, so the pastor doesn't have to be doing ministry alone.

Watch the video podcast here: https://youtu.be/rsMrwiRtCuo Support the Feed Truck today at: https://thefeedtruck.org/give/ Apply for GBHEM Grants here: https://www.gbhem.org/loans-and-scholarships/scholarships/grants/fellowships GNJUMC Grants will become available here: https://www.gnjumc.org/grants-for-ministry/ Four Methodist ministries: Kingston UMC, Princeton UMC, Feed Truck Ministries Inc., and the Wesley Foundation of Princeton University all teamed up to launch the Feed Truck Cafe: a pop-up model cafe ministry dedicated to creating a safe study space for Princeton students. Executive Director of Feed Truck Ministries Inc. Jess Winderweedle and Wesley Foundation Director Erik "Skitch" Matson come on the podcast to share their experience and encourage other churches to dream big, listen to the voice of your community, and start new kinds of ministries as well. How does the cafe operate? Where do you get grants? All this and more on this Uncovered Dish.

What is Instagram, and why does your church need to be on it? Editorial Manager of the The Relay Josh Kinney and Online & Digital Communications Manager of Greater New Jersey Brittney Reilly come on our very first video podcast to talk about this visual social media platform that is becoming more popular with younger audiences between 18 and 25. What is it? Why do I need it? How can a church use it? All this and more on this Uncovered Dish. GNJ's Instagram: http://instagram.com/gnjumc/ IGNITE's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ignitegnj/ VSCO: https://vsco.co/ Josh Kinney's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejkinz/

Bishop John Schol of the United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey speaks in this episode about how a church and pastor can transition into a new ministry setting in the most healthy and effective way possible. For the last few weeks we held two Transition Workshops for churches that are in transition - that is, churches that are welcoming a new pastor this July. Bishop John Schol came in via a video sermon that answered many of the critical questions churches and pastors might have: Why do Methodists have an itinerant system? What are some of the first steps a new pastor should take in his/her new ministry placement? How do we transition well as a church? All this is discussed in this podcast. Resources and the full video can be found at: https://www.gnjumc.org/transition-resources/

Author, coach, and worship design guru Jason Moore comes on the Uncovered Dish Podcast to share how churches big and small can take worship to the next level that doesn’t only create a great Sunday service but a life-changing experience that spills into Monday and beyond. Jason is the author of 9 books and has designed worship alongside such leaders as Adam Hamilton, Michael Slaughter, Tony Campolo, Brian McClaren, and Leonard Sweet; and he brings all his knowledge to the table. If you enjoy this podcast, be sure to register for The Greater New Jersey Annual Conference and register today for Jason’s workshop on “Creative Worship: Discovering the Power of the Narrative Experience.” Register for the 2017 Annual Conference Here: http://bit.ly/2qfdCsL Jason Moore’s Website: http://midnightoilproductions.com/