The mission of The United Methodist podcast with Dr. Brad Miller is strengthening the connection in United Methodist Church for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. In episode #005 of the United Methodist Podcast Dr. Brad Miller has a conversation with Rev. Talbot Davis pastor of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Charlotte North Carolina and author of “Solve: Finding God Solutions In A World of Problems.” Rev. Davis is the author of several books based on sermon series preached at Good Shepherd UMC. In each book Rev. Talbot takes on problematic scriptures which pose modern-day dilemmas for people. He approaches these scriptures with his own unique take and twist. One of the things Davis likes to say is "do not be afraid to walk into dark places… dealing with a hard sayings of Jesus." In "Solve" Davis grapples with the book of Nehemiah and fpeople who see problems around every corner can be addressed by people who are what he calls "solutionist” people in the model of Nehemiah who seek positive and innovative solutions to problems. The book is particularly aimed at problem solving in the local church. Davis has great experience in the local church, having grown Good Shepherd UMC to over 2000 attendance with a very diverse congregation including people from 40 different countries with various ethnic and language and cultural backgrounds. Talbot has led Good Shepherd to focus singularly on a "living relationship" with Jesus as tantamount to everything else done in the church. This focus is lived out strategically when a "sermon series is more than a series of sermons.” An example of such was mentioned in “Solve" when Good Shepherd UMC had a “Food Network Sunday" which raised a record amount of food for local Charlotte, North Carolina food pantries. There is also the personal touch inasmuch as every new guest at worship receives a hand written welcome letter from the pastor. Davis warns that the church should never be clever for clever sake because people remain desperate in sin and seek simple direct solutions to their pain and that solution is clearly stated as "the gospel works." Davis goes on to share with Brad a church revitalization and multiplication endeavor that good Shepherd is involved with as well as the connection that Talbot Davis has between tennis and the gospel. Episode #005 of the United Methodist Gospel podcast is sponsored by the book “Meet the Good People" by Rev. Dr. Roger Ross and is supportive of “Mission Guatemala" led by Rev. Tom Heaton.