It’s Elementary - An Asbury Theological Seminary Podcast

What happened at the 2026 General Conference of the Global Methodist Church? And what does it reveal about the future of Methodism around the world? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone reflect on their experience at the Global Methodist Church (GMC) General Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. Just days after returning home, they share personal insights, memorable moments, and the significance of key decisions that will help shape the denomination for years to come.  The conversation explores the conference theme, “The Beauty of Holiness,” and how worship, preaching, and fellowship created an atmosphere marked by trust, unity, and spiritual renewal. Drs. Watson and LaGrone discuss the GMC's remarkable global growth, the joy of gathering with believers from around the world, and the experience of worshiping alongside Methodists from numerous nations and cultures. A major focus of the episode is the adoption of the new Articles of Faith, the result of years of theological work, churchwide feedback, and denominational dialogue. Watson explains why creating a unified doctrinal statement is a historic milestone and how it reflects the desire to preserve theological continuity while remaining faithful to historic Wesleyan Christianity.  The episode also highlights the election of eight new bishops, several with strong ties to Asbury Seminary, and celebrates a leadership culture grounded in service, humility, and holiness. Throughout the conversation, our hosts reflect on the importance of denominational life, doctrinal clarity, and the ongoing mission of spreading scriptural holiness throughout the globe.  Whether you are a member of the Global Methodist Church, a student of Methodism, or simply interested in how Christian movements are formed and sustained, this episode offers a thoughtful look at a significant moment in the life of a growing global denomination. KEY TOPICS COVERED 0:00 Introduction and reflections from Johannesburg 1:10 The first true General Conference of the GMC 2:00 Why the conference exceeded expectations 3:00 The Beauty of Holiness as the conference theme 4:00 Recovering Methodist identity and scriptural holiness 5:20 Experiencing the global church firsthand 6:40 The growth of the GMC around the world 8:00 Building trust across cultures and continents 9:00 Worship, unity, and the conference atmosphere 10:20 Conversations about ordination and church leadership 11:00 Revising and adopting the Articles of Faith 12:20 Why this was a historic theological moment 14:00 The legacy of doctrinal confusion and theological pluralism 15:00 The process behind creating new Articles of Faith 17:00 Churchwide feedback and theological engagement 18:00 The near-unanimous vote that surprised everyone 20:00 Why doctrinal unity matters 20:40 The election of new bishops 22:20 Asbury's influence on GMC leadership 24:20 Servant leadership and conference culture 26:00 The work ahead for the Connectional Council 27:00 Why denominationalism still matters 28:00 Passing the faith to future generations 29:30 Final reflections on a memorable conference MENTIONS • The Wesleyan Quadrilateral: The Making of a Modern Methodist Myth — Ted Campbell • Methodist Articles of Religion • Evangelical United Brethren Confession of Faith • Global Methodist Church Articles of Faith ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

What makes theology distinctly Wesleyan? And why does every generation need to wrestle anew with the great doctrines of the Christian faith? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcome Dr. Tom McCall of Asbury Theological Seminary and Dr. Jason Vickers of Baylor University's Truett Seminary to discuss their landmark new book, Love Divine: A Wesleyan Systematic Theology. Drawing from years of scholarship, friendship, and theological reflection, McCall and Vickers explain why they set out to write a new one-volume systematic theology for the Wesleyan tradition and what they hope it will offer to pastors, students, scholars, and churches today. The conversation explores the challenge of articulating a theology that is deeply rooted in Scripture, grounded in the historic Christian tradition, distinctly Protestant, and authentically Wesleyan. McCall and Vickers discuss the collaborative process behind the book, the importance of theological formation, and why theology should never be separated from worship, discipleship, and the Christian life. At the heart of their vision is a profound conviction about the goodness of God. The authors explain why Holy Love serves as a unifying theme throughout the book and how God's love shapes creation, redemption, sanctification, and the ultimate hope of the Christian faith. This episode offers an accessible introduction to Wesleyan theology while inviting listeners to think deeply about God, Scripture, salvation, the church, and the future of the Wesleyan movement. KEY TOPICS COVERED 0:00 Introduction and a new Wesleyan systematic theology 1:00 Why every generation needs theological work 2:10 Building on the legacy of Thomas Oden 6:40 Who this book is for 9:20 The theological friendship behind the project 12:20 How the book was written collaboratively 16:30 Why theology begins in friendship and conversation 16:50 Why they chose the title Love Divine 18:10 The goodness of God and Holy Love 20:00 Sanctification, the Spirit, and perfect love 21:20 Where critics may push back 26:40 The hardest doctrines to write about 28:30 Eschatology, heaven, and theological restraint 32:00 Wesleyan identity in a changing church landscape 33:10 Theology as worship, prayer, and discipleship 35:00 Why Wesleyans must remain both Catholic and Protestant 39:50 Which doctrine the church needs most today 40:20 The fundamental goodness of creation 42:20 Three chapters every pastor should read first 44:40 The central message of the book: God is good MENTIONS • Love Divine: A Wesleyan Systematic Theology - Dr. Thomas H. McCall & Dr. Jason E. Vickers https://www.amazon.com/Love-Divine-Wesleyan-Systematic-Theology/dp/0802876579 • Systematic Theology — Thomas Oden • Doxology: A Systematic Theology — Geoffrey Wainwright ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.  

What happens when a generation becomes hungry for God? And what can the Church learn from young people who are eager to live boldly for Christ? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcomes Jeannie Banter, Associate Dean of Student Spiritual Life and University Chaplain at Asbury University, for a powerful conversation about discipleship, spiritual formation, revival, and the next generation. Jeannie shares her personal journey from growing up in a multi-generational Asbury family, to serving in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, to returning home to help shape the spiritual lives of college students. Along the way, she reflects on how God's work around the world transformed her understanding of the gospel and deepened her passion for raising up Christian leaders. The conversation also offers an inside look at the 2023 Asbury Outpouring. Jeannie recounts how a small group of students lingering after chapel became the beginning of a movement that would capture global attention. She shares remarkable stories of repentance, testimony, healing, and spiritual awakening that continue to shape lives years later. Listeners will also hear about Set Apart Retreats, a ministry designed to help students develop a biblical worldview, understand their identity in Christ, and encounter God in life-changing ways. Through stories of baptisms, conversions, evangelism, and personal transformation, Jeannie offers a hopeful vision for what God is doing among today's young adults. Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that God is still moving, people are still hungry for truth, and the next generation is ready to respond to the full gospel. KEY TOPICS COVERED 0:00 Introduction and Jeannie Banter's story 1:10 Growing up in an Asbury family 1:50 Running from God and returning to faith 3:20 Missions work in Uganda and Congo 4:10 Training pastors and seeing God's global church 6:20 Lessons learned from believers around the world 7:40 Serving as Asbury University's chaplain 8:50 Forming students into disciples who make disciples 10:00 The beginning of the 2023 Asbury Outpouring 11:20 Students longing for God's love and presence 12:30 How the outpouring spread across campus 14:00 Testimonies that reached the world 16:00 Why thousands traveled to Asbury 17:30 Hunger for God and the role of the local church 20:40 Signs of lasting revival among students 21:30 Evangelism and students sharing their faith 23:30 Prayer circles outside Lexington bars 25:00 The personal transformation God brought through the outpouring 28:30 Freedom from the lies “God is not good” and “God does not love me” 31:40 The birth of Set Apart Retreats 33:30 Helping students own their faith 34:40 Identity, biblical worldview, and God's story 36:20 Why retreat and solitude matter 39:00 What fills you forms you 43:00 Baptisms and decisions for Christ on retreat 44:30 Stories of transformation from death to life 48:40 Expanding Set Apart Retreats for new audiences 50:20 Why Jeannie has hope for the next generation 52:30 Making room for young people in the church MENTIONS • Asbury University: https://www.asbury.edu/ • Asbury University Set Apart Retreats: https://www.asbury.edu/undergraduate/life-at-asbury/set-apart-retreat/ ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

What does it really take to plant a church from the ground up? And how can the church become a genuine reflection of God's kingdom across cultures, generations, and backgrounds? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. Jessica LaGrone welcomes Rev. Dr. Brian Taylor, pastor of Every Nation Cincinnati Church, a church planter, an Asbury Seminary alumnus, and a leader within the global Every Nation movement. Drawing from his journey as a student-athlete at Vanderbilt University, campus missionary, church planter, and pastor, Dr. Taylor shares how God transformed his life during college and ultimately called him and his wife to plant a church in Cincinnati. He offers an honest look at the realities of church planting, the challenges of building a congregation from scratch, and the lessons he learned to trust God rather than carry the weight of ministry alone. The conversation also explores Every Nation’s vision for campus ministry and global missions, why reaching university students remains a strategic opportunity for the church, and how local congregations can embrace multicultural leadership and multiethnic community as a reflection of the kingdom of God. Dr. Taylor shares powerful stories from his ministry experience, discussing cultural blind spots, the importance of listening well across differences, and the practical challenges and joys of leading a diverse congregation. He also reflects on family life in ministry, raising children who love the church, and the lasting impact of theological education on faithful pastoral leadership. This encouraging conversation offers wisdom for pastors, church planters, ministry leaders, and anyone seeking to build Christ-centered communities that reflect the beauty of God's diverse kingdom. KEY TOPICS COVERED 0:00 Introduction and Brian Taylor's story 2:00 Growing up in a Christian home and coming alive in faith during college 3:00 Playing football at Vanderbilt and life-changing campus ministry 4:20 From campus missionary to church planter 6:10 A surprising call to Cincinnati 8:10 Why God wanted to grow the pastor before growing the church 10:00 The hidden realities of church planting 12:00 Leadership lessons learned through ministry 13:20 Supporting church planters and serving the wider kingdom 15:20 Trusting God with the results of ministry 17:20 The vision and mission of Every Nation 19:20 Why the campus is one of today's greatest mission fields 21:30 The impact of Asbury Seminary on ministry and preaching 24:50 Teaching inductive Bible study to the next generation 26:10 Building multicultural and multiethnic churches 29:20 Why diversity must be a conviction, not a strategy 31:20 Navigating cultural tensions within the church 36:00 Leadership, representation, and organizational blind spots 39:40 Lessons learned from cultural misunderstandings 42:40 A powerful worship moment across cultures 44:30 Raising children who love the church 47:00 Family life and ministry together 49:30 The importance of integrity at home and in ministry MENTIONS • Every Nation Ministries - https://www.everynation.org/ • Every Nation Cincinnati Church - https://www.everynationcincinnati.org/ • Ready to Lead by Brian Taylor and Chris Johnson - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1664286128 ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.

Why is it so important to teach the Christian faith to the next generation? And what happens when the Church stops doing it? In this episode of It’s Elementary, Dr. David Watson and Dr. Tesia Mallory explore the importance of passing on the faith through Scripture, doctrine, worship, discipleship, and theological education. Reflecting on recent experiences teaching Methodist doctrine, they discuss why traditions matter, why the Church must intentionally form believers, and why doctrine is not merely about drawing boundaries but about helping people know God and experience salvation. The conversation highlights the uniquely Wesleyan emphasis on doctrine, spirit, and discipline, and explores how practices such as worship, catechesis, liturgy, mentorship, and seminary education help preserve and transmit the faith across generations. KEY TOPICS COVERED 0:00 Introduction 1:00 Teaching Methodist doctrine in an international context 4:00 Why doctrine still matters today 7:00 Doctrine, spirit, and discipline in Wesleyanism 10:00 Why institutions matter for preserving faith 14:00 Scripture as a means of grace 17:00 Teaching doctrine and Christian formation 21:00 Liturgy and the formation of belief 26:00 Apprenticeship and discipleship 31:00 The role of seminary education 37:00 Why theological education matters 42:00 Passing the faith to future generations ASBURY SEMINARY LINKS Podcasts: https://asbury.to/podcasts Website: https://asburyseminary.edu/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsburySeminary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asburyseminary TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asburyseminary Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the official position of Asbury Theological Seminary. The material presented is for general information purposes only.