Visionaries of Faith: Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright and Bishop Julius C. Trimble on The United Methodist Church's Future. (Part 2 of a 4 Episode Series about General Conference

Artwork for podcast Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble

Episode 101 • 6th April 2024 • Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble • Bishop Julius C. Trimble

Bishop Julius C. Trimble is the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church.

Bishop Trimble has the personal mission to encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential. It is his commitment to his personal mission that led Bishop Trimble to create the “To Be Encouraged” Podcast along with co-host Rev.Dr. Brad Miller.

Bishop Trimble says, “I am compelled by Jesus to share with you an encouraging word or two about Jesus, theology, the Bible, the pandemic, the environment, racism, voting rights, human sexuality, and the state of the United Methodist Church.”

To Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble is to be published weekly and is available at www.tobeencouraged.com and all the podcast directories.

https://www.inumc.org/bishop/office-of-the-bishop/

In episode 101 of To Be Encouraged, Bishop Julius C. Trimble and co-host Rev. Dr. Brad Miller are joined by Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright and, to discuss the anticipated future of the United Methodist Church, particularly in the wake of the momentous 2024 General Conference. The guests delve into a range of topics that are at the forefront of the Church's progress, such as regionalization, inclusivity, and the vitality of the local church community.

**Takeaway 1: A Renewed Vision for the United Methodist Church**

Both Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright and Bishop Julius C. Trimble express a hopeful stance for the United Methodist Church's future post-May 4th. There is a shared belief that this new chapter will enhance the Church's relevance and its commitment to spreading the impactful message of Jesus Christ. The conversation emphasizes pride in the Church's identity and the importance of teamwork in achieving expansive goals. Through sports analogies, guests underscore the need for preparedness and determination in the face of upcoming challenges.

**Takeaway 2: The Critical Importance of Adaptation and Service**

As the general conference approaches, the episode underlines the necessity for service and the unending need to impart the teachings of God and Jesus Christ. Wesleyan grace and fostering hope, love, and justice in communities are accentuated as cornerstones of the Church's function. Moreover, expanding the welcoming embrace to marginalized communities signifies a pivotal shift in crafting a new narrative for the Church and influencing its local presence.

**Takeaway 3: The Prospect of Regionalization and Embracing Change**

The guests delve into the potential regionalization within the United Methodist Church, addressing the goal of putting American and international conferences on equal footing. This approach seeks to respect contextual differences on contentious issues like human sexuality and ordination. The episode also addresses the need for global unity, the Church's repentance for past wrongdoings, and the quest for a hopeful path marked by healing and grace.

This episode tackles the intricate questions surrounding the United Methodist Church's evolution. The episode leaves listeners with a message of encouragement—a call to embrace change, to engage in service with humility and integrity, and to look towards the future with both optimism and a commitment to shared principles.

Episode 101 of To Be Encouraged was Part 2 of a 4 Part Series in Preparation for General Conference.

Part 1 (Episode 100) was a conversation with General Conference Delegate Rev. Russ Abel.

Upcoming Episodes in the General Conference Series include:

Part 3. Episode 102: An Interview with Rev. Larry Whitehead, a delegate to General Conference from the Indiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Part 4. Episode 103: Town Hall Conversation. A reply of a “Town Hall” zoom call Bishop Trimble had with a number of persons interested and engaged in the impact and importance of General Conference. Recorded Live on April 2, 2024

LINKS:

Indiana Conference UMC.

UMC-http://inumc.org/

Central District - Indiana Conference UMC

ds.centraldistrict@inumc.org

General Conference UMC.

UMC-https://www.umc.org/en/who-we-are/structure/general-conference