Michigan Area Bishop David Alan Bard is Rev. Dr. Brad Miller's guest on episode 008 of the United Methodist people podcast. the mission of the United Methodist people podcast is strengthening the connection in the United Methodist Church through conversation and commentary as a means of accomplishing our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Dr. Brad's conversation with Bishop Bard is a part of the "the bishops speak" series of podcasts episodes were Dr. Brad will be speaking to a number of United Methodist bishops from around the world prior to the 2019 Gen. conference. Dr. Brad is asking each bishop two questions vital to the future of the United Methodist Church. 1. How effective has the UMC been in fulfilling our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ the transformation of the world? 2. what is your view of the way forward? In episode 008 of the UMPP Dr. Brad indeed ask these two questions to Bishop Bard as a part of the far-ranging conversation which included Bishop Bards story of coming to faith, the influences on his life and ministry, his academic pursuits in the field of ethics, his service to the church in many capacities in Minnesota and his election to the episcopacy in 2016. In response to Dr. Brad's questions about mission effectiveness, Bishop Bard shared about missional activities in the Michigan Conference including efforts to reach out to local schools through local UMC's. In regards to questions regarding about "a way forward," Bishop Bard goes deep with Dr. Brad making the cogent points that how we as a denomination handle the dilemmas before us is as vitally important as the decisions which are ultimately made.   He warns against our church falling into an "soup of cynicism" which diminishes our effectiveness and witness to the world.   Instead, Bishop Bard advocates carefully considered, well researched, arguments to support viewpoints regarding paths our church can take "on the way forward".  Bishop Bard is hopeful that a willingness to engage in challenging conversation is a gift we can give to our culture of modeling how people who have differences can find places to do shared ministry together.  He points to Ephesians 4 as a model on how we as a church can treat one another even in the midst of difficult decisions.  He says that not only will all the UMC be watching us but the world is watching us as well as we make "a way forward." You can can take inspiration, introspection and a word of hope from Michigan Bishop David Bard in Episode 008 of The United Methodist People Podcast with Rev. Dr. Brad Miller. Now... ...Do All The Good You Can. Rev. Dr. Brad Miller July 2018

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