In this special episode of Faith Revisited, Molly and Ben delve into the transformative power of faith and recovery. As Ben celebrates the publication of his new book, "Grace Rediscovered: Finding Hope and Healing Through Faith and Recovery," he shares his personal journey of overcoming challenges and embracing grace in everyday moments.

Buy Ben's book here: https://amzn.to/4gPHci9

Welcome to this week's episode of the Faith Revisited podcast with Ben and Molly. As the year 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on the amazing journey our church has had and the exciting developments in the United Methodist Church, which has embraced full inclusivity. We share our personal milestones, including Ben's book release and Molly's new devotional project, "Living the Word," which aims to foster spiritual growth and connection.

Join us as we discuss the challenges and triumphs of the past year, including adapting to life's changes and finding balance. Molly reveals her plans for a weekly devotional newsletter, set to start in 2025, and Ben teases his upcoming book. We end on a note of gratitude, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year filled with faith and peace.

Important Links:

Ben's Book NOW AVAILABLE - Grace Rediscovered: Finding Hope and Healing Through Faith and Recovery

Subscribe to Molly's 2025 Weekly Devotional - Living The Word

Nothing like trying to pull yourself together then hitting record on a podcast episode... This podcast episode is a little different, Molly had an experience on a trip that she needed to talk through and gain some insight from Ben on how it was handled, what to say in the moment and also reflections afterwards. This conversation is unedited, off the cuff, talking through tears at times, holding it together at other times. We hope you enjoy a peek into a real conversation between friends.

In this episode, we’re getting real about grief—a thing we all face but don’t talk about enough. “Embracing the Shadow” is all about the rollercoaster of feelings that come with loss, and why it’s super important to let ourselves feel all of it. We’ll share some personal stories and chat about how we can be there for ourselves and others who are going through tough times. Whether you’re dealing with grief yourself or helping someone else through it, this episode is about finding light in the darkest times and the healing that comes when we face our pain.

Venture into the heart of Savannah, GA, as Ben and Molly explore the distinctive challenges and rewards of operating a church in a downtown urban setting. From logistical hurdles like parking to forging deep community ties, this episode offers an intimate glimpse into the day-to-day realities of a downtown church, specifically Trinity United Methodist. We share captivating stories of resilience, adaptation, and the innovative ways in which the church has embraced its neighbors and unconventional neighborhood. For anyone curious about the intersection of faith, community, and city life, this episode illuminates the dance of spiritual work amidst urban rhythm.

Dive deep into the evolving world of Christian publishing in this episode featuring Len Wilson, Executive Director of Invite Resources and Publisher of Invite Press. We discuss the current state of the industry, weighing the pros and cons of authors self-publishing versus collaborating with traditional publishers. Discover what today's publishers are truly seeking and gather invaluable advice for unpublished authors striving to make their mark. Our returning special guest, Len Wilson, brings unique insights from his journey in the world of Christian literature and shares about this innovative publishing venture, Invite Resources. Whether you're an aspiring author or an avid reader, this episode offers a comprehensive look into the heart of Christian literary endeavors.

Ben interviews Urban Ministries Inc. CEO, Jeffrey Wright and Matthew Daniels, Author of Share The Dream in honor of the 60th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's I Have A Dream Speech. We hope you enjoy this episode of the Faith Revisited Podcast!

 

Share the Dream™ is a six-session video Bible study based on the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. You will look at six biblical principles that shaped Dr. King’s life and motivated him to speak on behalf of African Americans in the Civil Rights Movement: love, conscience, freedom, justice, perseverance, and hope.

Video Promotion for Share The Dream can be found here.

Learn more about Share The Dream here.

Tune in as Molly and Ben embark on a journey from the inside out, discussing the evolution of self, the spiritual odyssey of adulthood, and the trials and triumphs of the work world. They share personal anecdotes, shedding light on the moments they've grown the most, the challenges they've faced in maintaining a spiritual center, and the balance of pursuing purpose in their careers. It's an introspective dive into understanding the core of adulthood in their terms—being at peace with oneself, finding spiritual grounding, and carving out a meaningful professional path.

In this episode, Molly and Ben delve deep into the intricacies of the relationships that define our lives: family, marriage, and friendships. From moments they felt like bona fide "adults" to the unexpected lessons that these relationships bring, this episode offers a heartfelt exploration of the bonds that challenge, sustain, and grow us. Join these two millennial church leaders as they candidly share stories, reflections, and insights on navigating life's most complex and valuable relationships and how faith influences those journeys.

Stay tuned next episode for Adulting Part 2: Self, Spiritual, and Work.

As Christians, we believe prayer is an important practice in our spiritual lives. But knowing how to pray is a skill we must learn. Dr. Brian Russell is a professor of theology and spiritual coach and he's written a book about the practice of centering prayer as a pathway to grow deeper in our prayer lives. In this episode, Ben and Brian talk about the role of prayer, how to pray in different, more contemplative ways, and how this practice can shape us in deep ways as people of faith. 

 

Brian Russell (Ph.D.) is a professor of biblical studies and a transformational coach for pastors and spiritually-minded professionals. His personal mission is to seek out, study, and embody the deepest truths about God so that he can share them compellingly, lovingly, and transformationally with others. He is passionate about helping people just like you to grow in your love for God and neighbor.

 

He is the author of Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed 2014), (re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade 2015); and his latest Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God's Presence Can Change Your Life (Paraclete Press, 2021). He is also host of the Deep Dive Spirituality Conversations podcast.  Contact: brian@brianrussellphd.com Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Sign up for updates about centering prayer and invitations to Virtual Centering prayer gatherings co-hosted by Brian: www.centeringprayerbook.com

Bestselling Author, speaker and pastor Greg Atkinson joins Ben to discuss his new book and the important lessons of The Secret Power of Kindness. Each chapter of The Secret Power of Kindness is dedicated to different key of kindness to unlock. Beginning with forgiveness and followed by generosity, composure, acceptance, rest, wisdom, empathy, patience, love, and unity.

"Kindness unlocks kindness and kindness is contagious."

We hope you enjoy Ben and Greg's discussion on the importance of kindness and hope for the future.

Greg has a free Kindness devotional on the YouVersion App - Linked Here.

Learn more about Greg Atkinson on his website - Linked Here.

Buy The Secret Power of Kindness Here!

Ben interviews Nancy Malcom and AJ Ramierez, two UMC lay people and academic researchers who are studying why people are staying in the UMC in spite of the struggles to include LGBT+ persons. They have spent the last year interviewing LGBT+ persons and allys trying to flesh out why people want to remain in the UMC despite our impending denominational split. They give voice to voices who have been largely left out of most UMC discussions about denominational divisions. You will definitely want to hear more about their work and their passion for making the UMC a more inclusive space for all people.

 

Head to www.faithrevistedpodcast.com for links to all of their research articles.

In this episode of the Faith Revisited podcast, host Ben interviews Reverend Dr. Sarah Thomas Baldwin, the Vice President of Student Life at Asbury University. They delve into Sarah's new book, Generation Awaken, which chronicles the extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Asbury University in February 2023.

Sarah shares her firsthand experiences of the event, recounting how a typical chapel service turned into a weeks-long revival that drew thousands of people. She discusses the profound impact on the students, the community, and her own spiritual journey. The conversation also explores broader themes of faith, authenticity, and the limitless power of saying 'yes' to God's presence in our lives.

Join us as we reflect on how this remarkable event continues to inspire and challenge our understanding of faith and community in the 21st century.

Rev. Dr. Sarah Baldwin Thomas's Website

Order your copy of Generation Awakened HERE.

Join us as we discuss how Greg Munck overcame a hard dealt hand and turned it into a life of service and honor for God. Greg and Molly talk about his new book being released this week, The Guide: Survival, Warfighting and Peacemaking. From an unstable childhood, to his military service and lasting effects after coming home from War, his relationship with God prevails and gives him purpose.

 

Greg Munck is the Lead Pastor at Crossline Community Church, a Life Coach, Public Speaker, and Founder of The Guide Soldier Foundation. Greg is a USMC combat-promoted veteran (Desert Storm-Kuwait) and has seen the horrors of war firsthand and suffers from PTSD.  Writing his new book, The Guide: Surviving, War-fighting, Peacemaking (May 9, 2023), and creating The Guide Video Series for Every Man ignited a passion in Greg to serve the warrior community and help combat the suicide epidemic among active duty military and veterans. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Instagram. Order his book, The Guide here.

In this episode, the Ben interviews Chad Brooks (Writing and Podcasts Linked Here) about the growing myth of church size and the struggles that many churches face in finding their identity in a post-COVID world.

Chad, a pastor and church consultant, shares his insights and experiences on how churches can overcome these challenges and find new ways to do ministry in a rapidly changing world.

Chad challenges the common assumption that bigger is always better when it comes to churches. He suggests that church size can be a myth that distracts churches from focusing on their core mission and identity. Instead, he encourages churches to embrace their unique strengths and identities, whether they are large or small.

Ben and Chad also discuss Chad's ongoing research on how churches are changing in size, scope of ministry, and how they function as a whole. He highlights the importance of churches staying true to their core values and mission while also being open to new ideas and approaches.

Finally, the Chad offers some practical suggestions for how churches can do ministry in new and innovative ways and how annual conferences can accommodate these new approaches.

Overall, this episode offers a thought-provoking discussion on the challenges and opportunities that churches face in today's world. It provides valuable insights and practical advice for churches seeking to find their identity and make a positive impact in their communities.

Chad's Twitter Here: RevChadBrooks

Ben and Molly have a fun talk about ChatGPT and other Artificial Intelligence platforms. Is AI taking over the church? What are ways you can utilize it? More importantly, how can you use technology to create more space for the things that truly matter. We hope you enjoy!

 

Open AI - Chat GPT

Covered In The Masters Dust Blog

 

Join Ben in his discussion with Jorge Acevedo as they explore the intersection of recovery and ministry and the unique challenges that arise when personal struggles are kept secret within religious communities. They share some of their own stories regarding addiction and recovery, and delve into the ways that ministry can breed secrecy and shame. Whether you're a pastor, a church member, or someone who has been impacted by these issues, this podcast is for you. Together, we'll explore how we can build a more compassionate and supportive faith community that embraces recovery and encourages vulnerability and authenticity.

Today's episode of Faith Revisited with Ben & Molly is a real time look at life for a new parent as it relates to Church. Molly just celebrated one year of parenting which is the perfect opportunity for her and Ben to reflect on what the year has been like for her faith journey, the worship experience and many tips for Pastors and Church leaders on how to best support young families. We hope you enjoy this conversation!

Ben sits down with Whitney Owens who is a licensed professional counselor in Savannah, GA and they talk all about mental and emotional health. They discuss the the benefits of counseling and holdups some pastors can have when thinking about going to therapy. They also touch on United Methodist topics as it relates to Pastors, friends and congregations.

 

Visit www.faithrevisitedpodcast.com for show notes, to learn more about Whitney Owens and all of the links they discussed in this epsiode!

2022 flew by but we are still standing and maybe better than ever! We pause to reflect on this past year and what we see ahead for Faith Revisited with Ben and Molly! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to our listeners!

Thanks for joining us this week on Faith Revisited! Trinity UMC has graciously given Rev Dr Ben Gosden (who just completed his doctorate) a sabbatical for the month of July. Ben and Molly chat about the reasoning behind needing to take some time away, his plans during sabbatical and hopes to get out of it. We hope you enjoy!

Ben sits down with author Jason Moore to hear more about his new book, Both/And: Maximizing Hybrid Worship Experiences For In-Person and Online Engagement." You can order his book HERE.

In this interview, Ben and Jason spend some time talking about two years of evolution around hybrid worship. They talk about lessons learned from the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic to our present season of returning to in-person worship while trying to maintain online engagement long-term.

Follow Jason on Facebook HERE

Follow Jason on Twitter HERE

Follow Jason on Instagram HERE

As a followup to discussing Trinity's goals for this year we want to also chat about Ben and Molly's personal goals (or "Team No Goals" Goal in Molly's case) for 2022. This is a great listen if you've already done some personal goal planning, if you haven't thought about it yet and especially for those of you who may already feel discouraged in the new year. Thanks for tuning in!

 

Show Notes/Items Mentioned

Full Focus Planner

Carey Nieuhof's calendar audit article

Welcome to this week's episode of the Faith Revisited podcast with Ben and Molly! As we check in midway through the summer, we discuss the scorching heat, personal updates, and what's happening in our church community.

Ben dives into the recent changes within the United Methodist Church, particularly focusing on jurisdictional conferences and the election of new bishops. We explore how these changes affect our local conference in Georgia and the exciting appointment of a new bishop (to us)!

On a more personal note, Ben shares his thrilling news about his upcoming book publication. He provides insights into the book's themes, which revolve around broader notions of recovery and practical advice for living a balanced life.

As the summer winds down and we prepare for the new school year, we reflect on the importance of centering ourselves amidst the chaos. Ben concludes the episode with a beautiful poem by Howard Thurman, reminding us to find peace and purpose in the still moments of our lives.

 

Links: Ben's Substack

Molly's Substack

Thanks for joining us for this week's episode of Faith Revisited with Ben and Molly, our shared interests have always been goal setting. As we are freshly into 2022 we want to talk about Trinity specific goals but also how you as a church member can set some goals for your faith this year. We hope you enjoy!

Join Ben and Molly this week as we check in regarding the 2021 Advent Season and give you some "Do's and Don'ts" for both your church and things to be cognizant of personally. Thanks for tuning in to Faith Revisited, we hope you enjoy!

Welcome to our *almost* annual episode on Gratitude. Ben and Molly talk through what they're grateful for in 2021 (in things that have changed since 2020) and ways that you can practice Gratitude this season. We hope you enjoy!

Join Ben and Molly as we discuss how to decipher the voice of God from all of the other influences or voices in our head. Hint, it involves important internal work on yourself and your spirituality. This was a fun episode for us to record, we hope you enjoy!

Welcome Back to Season 3 of Faith Revisited. Ben and Molly talk all about the changing seasons within Trinity Church, jumping back in after a global pandemic (and getting members to come back), burnout and the importance of not letting go of hybrid worship! Thanks for joining us.

In this episode we talk with author Bridget Eileen Rivera about her new book, "Heavy Burdens: 7 Ways LGBTQ Christians Experience Harm in the Church."   Pre-Order Bridget's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Burdens-...   Learn more about Bridget here: Blog: https://www.meditationsofatravelingnu... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelingnun Twitter: @TravelingNun Instagram: @TravelingNun

Molly is very excited to welcome Cat Holbert to the Faith Revisited Podcast! Cat is currently serving as the Executive Director for Mingus Mountain Methodist Camp and Retreat Center in the Desert Southwest Conference Camping and Retreat Ministries. Molly and Cat have a great conversation talking about the purpose and experience of Church Camp with young people and counselors alike. Share their joy in camp and what they've learned. We hope you enjoy this episode!

 

To find a camp near you or donate, visit the UMCRM website.

Ben and Molly look back at the last 2 years of podcasting, before recording this episode listened to episode 1 and gave our thoughts and updates. We are also switching up the format and adding a video element to Faith Revisited - visit youtube.com/trinityumcsav subscribe and watch! Thanks for joining us!

Faith Revisited welcomes a very special guest, Craig Springer. Craig is the Executive Director of Alpha USA and the author of numerous books including the recently released "How To Revive Evangelism." He walks us through some of the main themes in the book, the work that Alpha is doing and how evangelism is evolving and adapting throughout the pandemic. It's an enlightening and rich conversation, we hope you enjoy!

Show notes can be found here.

Ben and Molly recap their first workshop teaching experience with the South Georgia UMC Congregational Development Office - Hybrid Ministry Think Tank. Enjoy this episode!

In this week's episode of the Faith Revisited podcast, Ben conducts an interview with Paloma Holub and Mekhna George, recent graduates from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). They discuss Paloma's senior thesis documentary, God's Love Split, which delves into the timely and sensitive topic of the split within the United Methodist Church.

Paloma and Mekhna share their personal journeys and the inspiration behind the documentary. They explore how their experiences with faith and community have shaped their perspectives, offering a unique and heartfelt contribution to the ongoing conversation within the church. As the United Methodist Church approaches its General Conference (at the time of the interview), this episode provides a thoughtful and hopeful look at the future of faith and inclusivity.

Don't miss this discussion that touches on church leadership, the importance of community, and the evolving landscape of religion today.

Watch God's Love Split on Youtube, linked here.

In episode 41 of Faith Revisited Ben and Molly discuss our personal finance philosophies and situations. We give you 4 lessons on how to be financially healthy and share our financial goals.

You may think it's a difficult year to set goals with so much future uncertainty, but it's actually easy! We learned in 2020 the importance of being  flexible and dynamic, we also learned that your goals do NOT have to be tied to a building or a place to spread the word of God and help your member's grow spiritually. Join Ben and Molly as we talk through Trinity Church's goals in 2021 and how your church can set strong goals in the midst of uncertainty.

One of our absolute favorite topics - goal setting. Ben and Molly reflect on their 2020 personal and Trinity Church goals and talk a little bit about what they're planning for 2021. How successful were they?! Listen to find out!

A short and honest take on Christmas this year, finding meaning and grounding in 2020.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas - Ben & Molly

 

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - 3rd verse

And ye, beneath life's crushing load, Whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow, Look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing. O rest beside the weary road, And hear the angels sing!

Join Ben and Molly this week as we take a peek into Ben's Pastoral Journey and that path that has led him to where he is today. - Spoiler alert, as in life, it wasn't straightforward, he faced adversity and challenges and also found enormous growth in opportunities. We hope you have a great week and enjoy this episode.

"The birth of Jesus will happen and COVID can't stop that." Jesus is the reason for the season, while we have lived in such an unsteady year it's important to continue to adapt and focus on what really matters. This Christmas and Advent season may look different at your church, we're talking through how Trinity is shifting our services and events and adding in some new things as well! We hope you enjoy, thanks for listening!

Hello Faith Revisited listeners, Ben and Molly are here to give you 5 quick ways to survive the election season. We record this episode ON election day for release the day after. These 5 tips will help you love your neighbor and remember that God doesn't choose a political side.

Welcome back to Faith Revisited! We just had out first Sunday as a "hybrid" church, meaning we experienced our first in person worship in 31 weeks, AND we still kept our members tuning in from their homes as an equal priority. Ben and Molly talk it out and can you guess which one of us was a ball of stress prior to gathering in person?! It's not who you think... Thanks for taking a listen, and we hope you enjoy!

Welcome BACK to Faith Revisited Podcast from our (unplanned) hiatus. If you don't remember us, we're Ben & Molly and we just want to catch up, let you know where we're at, especially with our church opening for in person worship for the first time since March this coming weekend, and how excited we are to be podcasting regularly again!

A fun episode where Molly asks Ben a series of questions all about him being a Pastor, from lighthearted to  heartfelt. We challenge you to chat with your Pastor like this, ask them your own questions or use ours! We know they'd love to open up. Find them over at www.faithrevisitedpodcast.com

In this episode of Faith Revisited, we shed light on the recent metamorphosis of the United Methodist Church. Ben narrates the chronicle of General Conference and the profound shifts in the institution's perspective and approach towards acceptance, inclusion, and equality.

Our discussion delves into the compelling challenges and abundant opportunities that our denomination grapples with as it continually evolves in today's society. We ponder on significant changes in the discipline, including the elimination of discriminatory language against LGBTQ+ individuals and reverting to the pre-1972 Methodist ethos of acceptance and love for all.

Join us on this inspiring episode to understand how faith acts as a powerful unifying force that aligns us with God and each other, regardless of who we are or whom we love.

Join Ben and Molly this week as they discuss an book they had just finished called "From Social Media to Social Ministry" by Nona Jones as well as their thoughts and plans for on Online Ministry. We share our new church website - www.trinity1848.org and brainstorm what Online Ministry looks like and how this book shaped a new way of thinking.

 

For show notes head over to www.faithrevisitedpodcast.com

I know what you're thinking... We are not reopening the church YET! In this podcast episode Ben and Molly talk through our plans, changes and how we are going to go about reopening when the time comes. With a potential upswing in Savannah we may not be closer to that happening. We talk through how our member's feel about wanting to come back and what is going to happen to our livestream and the virtual community we have built during this time. Ben talks through his ideas on two services and stands on his virtual soapbox about wearing masks to love your neighbor. This is an off the cuff podcast episode that we hope you enjoy! Learn more about us at www.faithrevisitedpodcast.com

Join in and listen to two friends having a conversation about racial injustice nationally and locally in their community. Ariana Berksteiner is the Executive Director at Emmaus House, a soup kitchen in Savannah. She is a true leader and a Savannah mover and shaker. To quote her from this podcast episode, she says, one of the most important things for white people is to "vocalize when blackness is victimized." The "goal is not to change anyone's mind but to stand up and say what they're doing or saying is wrong." Thank you Ariana for joining Ben on this week's episode of Faith Revisited!

In this episode of the Faith Revisited Podcast, Ben and Molly go through the 4 questions you should be reflecting on as we are now in "The Great In-Between."

 

1. What are you thankful for? List out the positives.

2. What are you struggling with? (Time to get honest with yourself)

3. What can you work on?

3. How do you want to look back on the great in-between?

 

Enjoy this week's episode as we both take a more personal approach on how we're doing.