First Methodist Traditional
693 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsAt First Methodist Houston our vision is to have an empowered, diverse faith family built on the foundation of God’s Word, sharing the transforming love of Jesus Christ throughout Houston and the world.
Click the subscribe button to always have the latest podcast downloaded to your device.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Good Grief: "What About Jesus?" - Andy Nixon
November 23, 2020 12:00 - 28 minutes - 39.1 MBAndy tells the story of Jesus passing by a funeral, and moved by their grief, he raises the son from the dead. As we confront the difficulty of facing a holiday season without the ones we love, he shows us how we, likewise, can reach into difficult situations and turn them into something better. fmhouston.com
“Why Are Young People Leaving The Church” - Andy Nixon, Donyale Fraylon, Ken Coneby, & Ben Wyman
November 19, 2020 14:47 - 33 minutes - 76.6 MBThis commonly-asked question is quickly flipped on its head, as Ken questions the motivations of the people who most frequently ask it. Soon, it becomes a conversation about the way we cling to the church that we already have instead of becoming the new church that we need to be. Also, Andy is very excited to be “the 24th most influential United Methodist podcast.” Here’s the link so you can see what he’s talking about: https://blog.feedspot.com/methodist_church_podcasts/“ This podcast is...
Good Grief: "Holding Steady" - Andy Nixon
November 16, 2020 13:28 - 27 minutes - 38 MBAfter another tragic loss of one of Houston's police officers, Andy talks about grief and pain, and what having a house "built on the rock" really means. fmhouston.com
“If Jesus Knocked On My Door In The Middle Of The Night, I Don’t Think I’d Let Him In. What’s Wrong With Me?” – Andy Nixon, Donyale Fraylon, Marty Vershel, & Ben Wyman
November 12, 2020 14:01 - 27 minutes - 61.8 MBThe group talks about the way action creates feeling, the various times Jesus addressed this very thing throughout his ministry, and how to know if you’re asking good questions or just beating yourself up. Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/ama This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm
Good Grief: "Sitting With It" - Andy Nixon
November 09, 2020 01:00 - 23 minutes - 32.1 MBAs we look into grief, Andy looks at the story of Job and the trauma he experiences as a guide for how we should be dealing with the trauma of our current lives. Andy asks the listeners to dig into their grief and to not deny it, acknowledging that it is there and needs to be dealt with. fmhouston.com
Ask Me Anything: "Why Does The Church Struggle To Talk About Sex In A Life-Affirming, Judgment-Free Manner?" - Marty Vershel, Ken Coneby, Anthony Rogers, & Ben Wyman
November 05, 2020 14:00 - 38 minutes - 53.1 MBFor Marty's first podcast, Ben decides to throw him in the deep end and asks a listener question he hadn't been allowed to ask before: why does the Church struggle to talk about sexuality? It leads to a surprisingly emotional conversation about the responsibility of a pastor when they stand on a stage, preaching vs. dialogue, and how to handle the reality of abuse and pain among the people you're trying to talk to. Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/ama
Ask Me Anything: "Are We Not Making Jesus Relatable Enough?" - Andy Nixon, Ken Coneby, Anthony Rogers, & Ben Wyman
November 03, 2020 13:00 - 38 minutes - 53.1 MBToday's question concerns if we are making Jesus "relatable" enough - is he too separate from us, and from our lives? Are we failing the young people we teach? Is that why young people leave the church? Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/ama
Good Grief: "What We Have Lost" - Andy Nixon
November 02, 2020 14:00 - 22 minutes - 30.9 MBWe begin a series focusing on what we've lost and how to mourn it together. In totaling up our grief, Andy points up that the damage done to us may be greater than we imagine. fmhouston.com
"Final Questions With Brandi" - Brandi Horton, Andy Nixon, & Ben Wyman
October 29, 2020 13:00 - 30 minutes - 69.2 MBOn Brandi's last week in the office, she sat down with Andy and Ben to answer some final, rapid-fire questions - the things she's most proud of, the things she's most disappointed to leave behind, and as many things as we could suprise her with as possible. Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/ama
Inviting Everybody to Come Along: "It’s Always Out of Compassion" - Andy Nixon
October 18, 2020 18:00 - 24 minutes - 33.2 MBLuke 5:27-32 Jesus sits down to eat with a crowd of tax collectors and sinners, and the Pharisees aren’t happy about it. But Andy points out the way that they - and us - miss the need to be living a life of constant forgiveness. When we forgive and accept people, joy starts breaking out. Take a look around you and see if that sort of party is breaking out - and if not, start one. fmhouston.com
ASK ME ANYTHING: “Are Women Supposed To Be HEAD Pastors?” - Brandi Horton, Ken Coneby, and Ben Wyman
October 15, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 63.8 MBWith Brandi on her way to becoming a head pastor of a nearby church, the group answers the question of whether head pastor is actually a role women are supposed to move into, or is that against what the Bible says? Brandi has stories, Bible passages, and books to recommend. Even when she’s not ready for the question... she’s ready for the question. Ask Brandi a question before it’s too late! Fmhouston.com/ama
Inviting Everybody to Come Along: "It’s Always about Transformation" - Andy Nixon
October 11, 2020 18:00 - 23 minutes - 32.9 MB1 Timothy 1:12-17 Andy talks about transformation - inviting you to think back to the person that you were, and then to the person you are today, and realize how much you've changed. We want to leave a legacy: a legacy of faith, a legacy of trust, but that only happens when we share what we know. fmhouston.com
“Would Jesus Vote For President?” - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Donyale Fraylon, & Ben Wyman
October 08, 2020 13:00 - 28 minutes - 64.8 MBOn one of our last few podcasts with Brandi (this is your last chance to send in questions you’d like to hear Brandi answer, so please send those in!), the group takes on how involved Jesus was in government, how much they think he’d be involved today, and what a Jesus-like approach to politics would look like. Send in your question! FMHouston.com/AMA
Inviting Everybody to Come Along: "It’s Always Personal" - Andy Nixon
October 04, 2020 18:00 - 17 minutes - 24.2 MBJohn 4:39-42 “When Jesus looks at the Samaritan woman, he doesn’t see a Samaritan woman. He sees a daughter of God.” fmhouston.com/ama
“What Do You Do If Your Partner Loses Their Faith?” - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Ken Coneby & Ben Wyman
October 01, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 63.9 MBThis week the group take on a question dealing with loss of faith in a relationship. They take a look at what causes people to walk away from God and how to both parties can navigate through their wilderness. Questions? Contact us at fmhouston.com/AMA
Following Jesus: "Inviting Everybody To Come Along" - Andy Nixon
September 27, 2020 22:00 - 22 minutes - 31.1 MBActs 13:47 Andy talks about how the disciples saw Jesus appear to them, resurrected, and how they were completely changed - and how we are in daily need of that “resurrection power.” We all have those moments where we’ve had doubt and fear, and let them take over. But our God is a God who is always fighting for what is good. And when we embrace those things, the darkness fades away. fmhouston.com
Following Jesus: "Cultivating a Life of Humility" - Andy Nixon
September 20, 2020 22:00 - 19 minutes - 26.4 MBLuke 18:9-14 Andy changes is wearing a Hawaiian shirt at the beginning of this (this is surprisingly important to understand at the beginning of this sermon in an audio format). It’s part of his explanation of the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector, and how little appearances matter to God. fmhouston.com
“How Do I Balance Saving Money In A Scary Time and Giving To Those Who Are Struggling?” - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Donyale Fraylon & Ben Wyman
September 17, 2020 13:00 - 27 minutes - 64 MBDuring such uncertain times, should we be saving our money or sharing our abundance with others who are struggling to keep their heads above water? The group discusses battling the fear or generosity and the emotional side of giving. fmhouston.com/ama
Following Jesus: "Seek The Kingdom" - Andy Nixon
September 13, 2020 22:00 - 21 minutes - 29.6 MBLuke 14:12-14 Andy talks about the importance of having a sabbath day, and what Biblical generosity looks like. When we give to people who cannot give back to us, there is still a blessing - we see the world in a different way. We see the world in the same way that God sees us. fmhouston.com
“Should Christians Embrace Or Reject Cancel Culture?” - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Donyale Fraylon & Ben Wyman
September 10, 2020 13:00 - 30 minutes - 69.3 MBIt’s Ben’s birthday! He lays out the definition of cancel culture and opens the floor for the table to discuss it’s place in not only the modern world but also in christian living. thesourcehouston.org
“Have We Distorted The Image of Jesus By Painting Him As A White Man?” - Andy Nixon, Ken Coneby & Ben Wyman
September 03, 2020 13:00 - 31 minutes - 72.6 MBPersevering through technical difficulties, Andy, Ken, and Ben answer a piggybacked question for our last podcast about colonization. A questioner asks whether we've screwed everything up by showing Jesus as a white man, and what level of personal interpretation we should bring to the Bible. Ask a question! FMHouston.com/AMA
Following Jesus: "The Mission of Jesus" - Brandi Horton
August 30, 2020 22:06 - 21 minutes - 29.3 MBLuke 4:14-21 Brandi talks about what it meant when Jesus came from Nazareth - what a small town it was to come from. People expected Jesus to put Nazareth on the map, and they became frustrated when Jesus failed to meet their expectations by not giving them a double portion of what he was giving to everyone else. “Jesus doesn’t go elsewhere because he is rejected. He is rejected because he goes elsewhere.” People want to keep Jesus for themselves. The church has been looking back, hoping ...
“Would the Global Church Be Where It Is Today Without Colonization?” - Andy Nixon, Ken Coneby, Anthony Rogers & Ben Wyman
August 27, 2020 13:00 - 39 minutes - 89.9 MBThe group takes a close look at the history of evangelism and its lasting impact on native cultures. They strip down the misconceived notions of missionaries as well as the responsibility we bear to be part of the solution to a larger issue. fmhouston.com/ama
Faith Like A Child: "The Full Holy Spirit" - Andy Nixon
August 24, 2020 00:08 - 21 minutes - 30.1 MB1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 12-14, 27 Andy talks about the Corinthian church, and the terrible choices they were making. There’s much we don’t have in common with the Corinthians - but the things that we do, we need to look at very closely. Paul had a vision of what the church could be. That vision can still be true for us. fmhouston.com
Faith Like A Child: "Back To School Kickoff" - Andy Nixon
August 24, 2020 00:08 - 21 minutes - 30.1 MB1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 12-14, 27 Andy talks about the Corinthian church, and the terrible choices they were making. There’s much we don’t have in common with the Corinthians - but the things that we do, we need to look at very closely. Paul had a vision of what the church could be. That vision can still be true for us. fmhouston.com
“How Does Intercessory Prayer For The Dead Work?” - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Donyale Fraylon & Ben Wyman
August 20, 2020 13:00 - 22 minutes - 50.5 MBA listener dealing with the loss of loved ones asks for some guidance on intercessory prayer. The group share their insight dealing with death and filtering through the awkwardness of praying for the dead. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm
Faith Like A Child: "Set An Example" - Andy Nixon
August 16, 2020 22:00 - 27 minutes - 37.8 MB1 Timothy 4:12 The scripture today talks about what it was like when Paul left and a young person like Timothy came to take up the mantle. Andy talks about how important that message is today: “This idea of setting the example for the younger generation is enormous.” It’s not just about our discipleship - it’s about all of our discipleship. Also, Andy learns how to pack. fmhouston.com
“How To Address Racism Against The Black Community with Latinx?” - Anthony Rogers, Yesly Antu, Deborah Nixon & Ben Wyman
August 13, 2020 13:00 - 36 minutes - 84.4 MBAnthony Rogers, Yesly Antu and Deborah Nixon join the conversation to tackle the issue of racism within by Latinx against the black community. They dive into the toxic stereotypes streaming from the history of Hispanic and Latin countries, and the repercussions of comparing oppression. Also, how to combat issues that come from an us vs. them feeling, and the power in learning from each other's stories. fmhouston.com/ama
Faith Like A Child: "Disciples Make Disciples" - Andy Nixon
August 09, 2020 22:00 - 26 minutes - 35.9 MBDeuteronomy 4:9 When Andy's children were young, they had him read the same stories over and over. He got tired of it, but he kept at it, each and every time. Why do we spend so much time telling our kids stories? It’s because we want their lives to be shaped by more than stories. Christianity becomes powerful when we both see the structure - and the story behind it. fmhouston.com
“How Do We Use Spiritual Practices To Shape How We Experience Scripture?” - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Donyale Fraylon & Ben Wyman
August 06, 2020 13:08 - 27 minutes - 61.9 MBThe table discusses ways of reading spiritual text. Ben starts us off by diving into Ignatius of Loyola and the examen practiced by the Jesuits. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm
Faith Like A Child: "What Does Childlike Faith Look Like?" - Andy Nixon
August 02, 2020 22:03 - 20 minutes - 28.6 MBMatthew 18:3 Andy just turned 51 this week (or, as Deborah says, 612 months), and it's made him long for the days of his childhood - playing baseball in his yard and buying pizza and baseball cards with his friends. As Andy tells the story of the moneylender who forgave debts (Luke 7:40-43), and asks how we need to see the world in order to be living the way Jesus wants us to. fmhouston.com
“What Does Being A Church Actually Look Like Now?” - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Donyale Fraylon & Ben Wyman
July 30, 2020 13:00 - 28 minutes - 65.5 MBAs we continue to settle into the new normal, a questioner wonders how it’ll shape the Church. The table discuss stripping our church norms and embracing simplicity. As well as the new ways online church is changing how we practice discipleship. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm
Now What!? "...About Justice"- Andy Nixon
July 26, 2020 22:00 - 20 minutes - 27.5 MBMatthew 5:9 The long stretch of the quarantine has left Andy with a longing for the pieces of home... his mother's chocolate cream pie, the sounds of baseball, the things we have been confined from. Months of separation have made him see the world with different eyes. As Jesus sits on the mountainside to speak a new and powerful word, and the word is a reinterpretation of the Ten Commandments - a directive to see the world with different eyes. Andy asks if we are using this time to see the...
“How Do You Talk About Injustice And Ask Taboo Questions When You Don't Have Answers?” - Brandi Horton, Ken Coneby, Donyale Fraylon & Ben Wyman
July 23, 2020 13:00 - 24 minutes - 56.2 MBThe group explore how they’ve handled difficult but necessary conversations. Donyale reminds us that sometimes the road to peace means disrupting the “peace”. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm
Now What!? "Just Preach The Gospel"- Andy Nixon
July 19, 2020 22:02 - 23 minutes - 32.5 MBMatthew 5:6 Andy uses props to tell us about how to quench our thirst (don’t worry, you’ll be able to guess what they are), and tells us to engage in those things that Jesus did. During a crisis, the way we used to see the world gets stripped away from us. Crises show us the way to go. Our vision has elevated. Bigger things are being put in front of us. We need to rise to meet those things. fmhouston.com
“What Does Being a Christian Online Look Like?” - Andy Nixon, Ken Coneby, Donyale Fraylon & Anthony Rogers
July 16, 2020 13:00 - 30 minutes - 69.7 MBTension remains on high consequently fueling the growth of keyboard warriors. A questioner who’s noticed christian friends on opposite sides of the spectrum asks what it looks like to be followers of Jesus online. Donyale shares some words to defuse online courage. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm
Now What!? "...About Race"- Brandi Horton & Donyale Fraylon
July 12, 2020 22:00 - 31 minutes - 43.2 MBToday's sermon is a conversation between Brandi and Donyale - a conversation about the Beatitudes, about justice, about how protesting is a form of mourning, about how these are hard conversations that need to be had. Matthew 5:4 - "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." fmhouston.com
“What’s The Difference Between Hope and Prayer?” - Brandi Horton, Donyale Fraylon, Anthony Rogers & Ben Wyman
July 09, 2020 13:00 - 23 minutes - 54.2 MBAnthony joins the table as Ben hosts this weeks episode. A questioner reaches out to get clarity on what separates hope and prayer. The table discusses their practiceses talking with God and explore the limits of hope. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm
Now What!?: "Let's Talk: Having A Holy Conversation" - Andy Nixon
July 05, 2020 22:00 - 24 minutes - 33.7 MBA teacher with an unfairly merciful grading system teaches Andy something about grace, as he explores how the Beatitudes lift up the people least likely to be lifted up by the world. fmhouston.com
“Is It Okay To Serve Indirectly?” - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Donyale Fraylon & Ben Wyman
July 02, 2020 13:00 - 26 minutes - 60.6 MBThe group look at the different ways we service and give but also what it means to be humbled by receiving. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm
That Just Happened: "When A Door Closes" - Andy Nixon
June 29, 2020 01:39 - 20 minutes - 28 MBAndy talks about the story of Paul and Silas remaining in their cells when the prison crashed open - and the power to change things when you set about it the way God wants you to. fmhouston.com
“Does Death Heal Mental Illness?” - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Donyale Fraylon & Ben Wyman
June 25, 2020 13:00 - 29 minutes - 66.6 MBIn death are we healed of our illnesses or does it come with us? The table shares their insight and hope for those struggling with mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health contact your mental health professional or other qualified health provider. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm
That Just Happened: "In Case You Get Hungry" - Andy Nixon
June 21, 2020 22:00 - 25 minutes - 35.3 MBActs 2:9-16 Peter has a vision of all of the animals coming towards him on a sheet, and Andy explains the meaning of the passage in narrow terms, and then in broad ones. God is talking about more than food - he was asking Peter to open up to all the world. fmhouston.com
“Was God The Original Racist?” - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Donyale Fraylon & Ben Wyman
June 18, 2020 13:00 - 37 minutes - 86 MBBen waits to surprises the group with today’s question - was it racist of God to single out the Israelites? The table discusses what Scripture tells us about why He chose the Hebrew people. Andy uses a food metaphor that has everybody questioning what kind of food they are. fmhouston.com/ama
That Just Happened: "We'll REALLY Let Anybody In" - Andy Nixon
June 14, 2020 21:52 - 26 minutes - 37.1 MBAndy looks at the conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus, and talks about the way his own sight was changed at George Floyd's funeral this week. fmhouston.com
“Conversations at the AMA Table: George Floyd’s Funeral and Houston’s Current Events ” - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Donyale Fraylon & Ben Wyman
June 11, 2020 13:00 - 36 minutes - 84.3 MBOn today’s episode, the group takes an opportunity to have a conversation about the events happening in Houston. Donyale and Andy share their experience at George Floyd’s funeral. They reflect on the impact of these events and what it means for us as a nation. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm
That Just Happened: "We'll Let Anybody In" - Andy Nixon
June 08, 2020 01:01 - 25 minutes - 35.1 MBActs 8:26-40 Andy tells the story of Philip and the eunuch, and sees echoes of the same lessons in the hubbub of current events. fmhouston.com
“Specifically, What Should the Church Be Doing in the Face of Evil?” - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Donyale Fraylon, Anthony Rogers & Ben Wyman
June 04, 2020 13:00 - 42 minutes - 96.8 MBThe group take a moment to reflect on their experiences at the downtown march for George Floyd. Bloomed from our Ahmaud Arbery episode, today’s question searches for specific guidance on what the church can do to combat evil and what we as individuals can do. Below is more information on the book recommendations mentioned in this podcast. -Divided By Faith, by Michael Emerson -Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson -The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexa...
That Just Happened: "Everyone's A Prophet Now" - Andy Nixon
May 31, 2020 22:00 - 27 minutes - 38.1 MBOn Pentecost Sunday, as cities across America are filled with marchers and protestors, Andy makes a call to action. "It is not acceptable to be a church hunkered down, afraid to go out and proclaim the name of Jesus." Acts 2:1-11 fmhouston.com
Ask Me Anything: "Does The Methodist Church Discipline People? Do You Have To Confess Your Sins To A Pastor?" - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Donyale Fraylon, & Ben Wyman
May 28, 2020 19:01 - 27 minutes - 38.1 MBA non-member asks whether the Methodist church disciplines members, and if people are required to confess their sins to a pastor or another authority. It leads to a discussion of what rules the Methodist church actually has, the importance of accountability, and how pastors work to try to be someone who stands in your corner rather than punishing you. FMHouston.com/AMA