Summary

In this episode of the Grace and Truth podcast, hosts Taylor Bacon and James engage in a deep conversation with Tullian Chavijan, exploring themes of grace, authenticity, and the challenges faced by the modern church. Tullian shares his personal journey of recovery and the impact of his family legacy, particularly the influence of his grandfather, Billy Graham. The discussion emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in leadership and the need for churches to authentically connect with younger generations. Tullian's insights on the gospel's transformative power and the necessity of grace in the church resonate throughout the conversation, culminating in a call for a more genuine and grace-filled approach to ministry.

In this powerful exploration of peace during Advent, we're challenged to examine how the church can truly offer peace in a polarized world. The conversation reveals a sobering truth: we often lack peace because we're doing exactly what Scripture warns against—leaning on our own understanding rather than depending on Christ. Drawing from the wisdom of Proverbs, we're reminded that religion itself doesn't bring peace; rather, it's Christ crucified, salvation, grace, and mercy that offer genuine peace. This peace isn't just a temporary feeling but a stabilizing force that can sustain us even when life's greatest struggles hit us between the eyes. The discussion emphasizes that Christians face a dual temptation—either over-assimilating into culture or completely separating from it—when Jesus calls us to neither extreme. Instead, we're called to be 'marketplace missionaries,' allowing Christ to shape our culture rather than letting culture shape our faith. The Apostle Paul's instruction to 'not be conformed to the world' takes on fresh urgency as we realize that the church holds the best solutions for the world's lack of peace, yet we've been frivolous with this treasure. This Advent season invites us to reclaim authentic peace by letting Christ transform us first, so we can then transform our communities.

What does it truly mean to be the church in our communities today? This conversation explores the profound biblical principle of equipping the saints for ministry, drawing from 1 Peter's powerful imagery of believers as a new priesthood and a living temple. We're reminded that authentic Christian community isn't about hiring staff to do ministry for us, but about becoming the hands and feet of Christ ourselves. The discussion challenges us to examine whether we've fallen into the trap of expecting professionals to do the work that God has called each of us to do. When we embrace our role as ministers—not spectators—we discover that generosity flows naturally, community deepens organically, and our impact multiplies exponentially. This isn't just theory; it's the New Testament pattern where ordinary believers transformed their world by living out their faith together. The question we must ask ourselves is: Are we willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of the Gospel? Are we ready to invest in relationships, serve our neighbors, and make our communities look more like the kingdom of heaven? The path forward isn't about building bigger programs or hiring more staff—it's about rediscovering what it means to be a priesthood of all believers.

It’s the conversation we’ve been waiting for. To mark Grace Resurrection’s third anniversary, Senior Pastor James Williams sits down with Pastor Emeritus, Randy Mickler for a wide-ranging, heartfelt interview.

You’ll laugh, get a little nostalgic, and hear new stories from the early days—along with the why behind Randy’s return from retirement. How do you plant a church from the ground up? What sacrifices and surprises shaped our beginning? This episode will deepen your appreciation for the faith, grit, and generosity that built Grace Resurrection. And, that's what we're talking about on the podcast this week. Enjoy!

In this episode, James sits down with Rev. Dr. Ted Sauter. A retired pastor, Ted and his wife, Ginger, have been attending Grace Resurrection since 2023. After 57 years in ministry, Ted sheds light on his take on this new church plant, his myriad experiences in ministry, a few of his philosophies that got him through, and why he's a part of this congregation, but did not choose this church. It's not what you think. We enjoyed hearing these two pastors talk about both "Grace" and grace.

(Our podcast studio is under construction, so you're hearing the raw version! Exciting things are ahead!)

The tough stuff. In this episode of our podcast, Rev. Williams expands on his front row perspective of the more recent crises in the UMC. He covers the LGBQT issue, the pros and cons of a connectional system and navigating through the tough times. You may be surprised; you will definitely be informed. And that's what we're talking about this week.

In this episode, Senior Pastor Rev. James Williams and Communications Director Julia Curran explore the history of Methodism to help unpack how the denomination arrived at its current crossroads. The first half of the podcast dives into the life of John Wesley, sharing some surprising facts about his ministry, the origins of Methodism, and what it truly means to be "Wesleyan."

The second half shifts to the formation of the United Methodist Church, the crisis it has faced over the past decade, and personal reflections on walking through that season. Pastor James shares candid insights, making this a meaningful episode to learn from and lean into. Whether you're new to these ideas or have been Methodist your whole life, we believe you’ll find it both clarifying and thought-provoking.

Why is the Men’s Group at Grace such a standout? In this honest and engaging episode, Bubba Cooper and Lee Thrasher sit down with Communications Director Julia Curran, to explore the heart of their ministry, the chemistry that fuels it, and the unexpected grace moments that keep men coming back. It's a conversation about humor, connection, purpose, and what happens when men show up for each other—and for God.