Shows / Un-Tied Methodism
Un-Tied Methodism
Why do Methodists use Welch’s grape juice for communion? What is with the cross and flame logo? Explore these questions and more as we examine the roots of the United Methodist Church (and it’s predecessor denominations) to understand why the UMC is the way that it is…and where it might be going. Dr. Ashley Boggan D. hosts this production of the General Commission on Archives and History of the UMC.
Episodes
- Un-Tied Methodism
From Service to Sacraments: The Evolving Role of United Methodist Deacons
Thirty years after The United Methodist Church established the Order of Deacons, the ministry continues to evolve. The Rev. Dr. Margaret Ann Crain, one of the…
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Called, courageous and often overlooked
Historian, author and retired United Methodist elder Patricia J. Thompson has spent decades uncovering the stories of women who broke barriers in Methodism —…
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From a printing press to a nation: The story of the Christian Advocate
On Sept. 9, 1826, the first issue of the Christian Advocate rolled off the press in New York City, launching a Methodist newspaper that would become the most…
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From the archives: The intertwining of Methodism with Revolutionary War-era America
Today’s episode is from our archives, first released in February 2025, where we discuss the historical intertwining of religion and politics in America…
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Breaking the stained-glass ceiling: How women earned their place in the United Methodist episcopacy
Join us as “Un-Tied Methodism” continues its yearlong series celebrating 70 years of women’s ordination in Methodism. Following the landmark 1956 decision…
Un-Tied MethodismSpecial LIVE episode: In the room where it happened
Join us as “Un-Tied Methodism” continues its yearlong series celebrating 70 years of women’s ordination in Methodism. On the 70th anniversary of day when…
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Assembly, Advocacy, and a Trailblazer for Women’s Ordination
Dr. Ashley Boggan welcomes Sally Vonner and Tara Barnes, leaders from United Women in Faith, who preview the upcoming Assembly 2026 and reflect on the vital…
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Before they were recognized, they were leading
As our yearlong “Women in Methodism” series continues on “Un-Tied Methodism,” Dr. Ashley Boggan talks with historian Dr. Ellen Blue…
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Crossing oceans and confronting power: The audacious faith of Dorothy Ripley
Join us as “Un-Tied Methodism” continues its yearlong series celebrating 70 years of women’s ordination in Methodism. Long before women’s ordination was…
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From Susanna Wesley to Dorothy Ripley: Women, calling and courage
Join us as “Un-Tied Methodism” begins a yearlong series celebrating 70 years of women’s ordination in Methodism. Dr. Ashley Boggan welcomes historians Rev. Dr…
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From colonization to calling: How Methodism took root in the Philippines
From Navy chaplains and student gatherings to youth movements and global mission, the latest episode in our “Methodisms Around the World” series…
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From revival fires to social justice: Tracing Methodism’s Canadian story
What happens when revival fires, social gospel movements, colonial history and Wesleyan spirituality collide on Canadian soil? Dr. Ashley Boggan is joined by…
Un-Tied MethodismRoots and Renewal: The Story of Methodism in the Congo
Discover how Methodism took root and flourished in the Democratic Republic of Congo—from early missionary efforts to strong local leadership shaping the church…
Un-Tied MethodismHow Methodist missions shaped Korea’s faith, freedom and future
Discover the remarkable story of Methodism in Korea—from the impact of early missionaries, such as Mary Scranton and her groundbreaking work in women’s…
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From the archives: Methodism in Zimbabwe, a conference borne out of a mountain
From the “Un-Tied Methodism” archives, we re-share this 2023 podcast about Methodism in the African country of Zimbabwe. Dr. Ashley Boggan speaks…
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How Methodism took root in Italy
In the second episode of a new podcast series that examines Methodism around the world, Dr. Ashley Boggan welcomes Massimo di Gioacchino, noted historian, to…
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From Moravians to Modern Ministry: Tracing Methodism in Germany
As we launch a new podcast series that examines Methodism around the world, Dr. Ashley Boggan welcomes two United Methodist scholars and historians to help us…
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Love, loss and a calling restored: The Rev. Dr. Rick Huskey’s lifelong witness to grace
In this special “Un-Tied Methodism” episode recorded six weeks before his death, the Rev. Dr. Rick Huskey reflects on his journey from ministry to LGBTQ+…
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Coming out in faith: Bishop Karen Oliveto’s journey
“Following Jesus is costly,” says The UMC’s (Ret.) Bishop Karen Oliveto. “And for me, that price was being closeted. And I was willing to pay that price.” Dr…
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Love, Calling and Courage: A clergy couple’s journey of faith and identity
In this poignant 2025 Heritage Sunday-themed oral history episode of “Un-Tied Methodism,” (Ret.) Bishop Peggy Johnson and Rev. Mary Johnson join Dr. Ashley…
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Reproductive Rights, Respectability Politics and Methodism
Methodism has influenced – and been influenced by – issues such as reproductive justice, the concept of respectability politics and contemporary perceptions of…
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Methodism and American politics: An historical look at the interplay
Understanding the historical intertwining of religion and politics in America, particularly from a Methodist standpoint, helps us navigate contemporary…
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New Year, New BoD
After an historic eight-year gap, The UMC has a new Book of Discipline, one reflecting the actions from the Postponed 2020 General Conference held in 2024. In…
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Seven sisters: A look at the lives of John Wesley’s female siblings
John Wesley had seven sisters and it’s “overdue that we explore their lives,” says Rev. Dr. Glen O’Brien, author, minister and professor of Christian history…
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The AME Church in Indian Territory: A complex kinship
In a history that is not widely known, the early African Methodist Episcopal Church and indigenous communities shared a relationship of both connection and…
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Methodists and Sand Creek
Many United Methodists do not know the violent tragedies of our past, including the denomination’s responsibility and agency in the Sand Creek Massacre, the…
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Methodism in Latin America: The journey and the legacy that remains
Join Dr. Ashley Boggan D., GCAH’s general secretary, and Dr. Philip Wingeier-Rayo, professor of Missiology, World Christianity and Methodist Studies at Wesley…
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Lessons for 21st-century people of faith from a 19th-century abolitionist
The Rev. Dr. Christopher P. Momany joins Dr. Ashley Boggan as a return guest on “Un-Tied Methodism” to discuss the new collaborative project titled “Awakening…
Un-Tied MethodismMethodist Abolitionists: Boldly following a ‘higher law’
The Rev. Dr. Christopher P. Momany, author of “Compelling Lives: Five Methodist Abolitionists and the Ideas that Inspired Them” joins Dr. Ashley Boggan D. as a…
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From Faith to Politics: How Methodism Shaped Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton, a lifelong United Methodist, made a profession of faith at 10 years old, a faith that impacted her character and her politics, says…
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RMN, at ’40 years young,’ prepares to step into a new UMC
On today’s special 50th episode of “Un-Tied Methodism,” streamed live from the postponed 2020 General Conference, Dr. Ashley Boggan D., host, welcomes Jan…
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Reimagining unity: Regionalization and The UMC
In the next installment of our special General Conference series of “Un-Tied Methodism” episodes, we discuss regionalization. Few may realize that as soon as…
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Advancing with boldness: Exploring women’s impact at The UMC’s General Conference
In the next installment of our special General Conference series, Dr. Ashley Boggan D. welcomes Dawn Wiggins Hare, the General Commission on the Status and…
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Holy boldness: Celebrating women of Methodism
When thinking about the earliest founders of Methodism, most likely a number of men come to mind: John Wesley, Charles Wesley, Francis Asbury, Philip…
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Reclaiming our roots as a church on the move
When the Methodist Church was instituted in the U.S., it wasn’t an institution. It was a church on the move, says the Rev. Dr. Theon Johnson III, today’s guest…
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Wesley brothers bring inspiration for your Lenten journey
Just in time for Lent, Dr. Ashley Boggan D. is joined by the Rev. Dr. Steven Manskar to discuss his new book, “Lent & Easter with John & Charles Wesley.”…
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The UMC and social witness: a legacy to carry into our future
The United Methodist Church has a legacy of social witness. Join Dr. Ashley Boggan D. with guests the Rev. Dr. Darryl Stephens and John Hill, interim chief…
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Multiplying Love: The Wesleyan vision for a polarized world
Dr. Ashley Boggan D., general secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History, welcomes her guest, the Rev. Dr. Paul Chilcote, renowned Wesley…
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The church that predates the historical Christmas Conference
The historic Christmas Conference in 1784 is the official beginning of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America, but the seeds of Methodism were first planted…
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Native People and Methodism: Exploring the struggle and hope
Bishop David Wilson, the first Native American person elected to serve as as United Methodist bishop, joins Dr. Ashley Boggan D. to discuss the history of…
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A graphic look at human sexuality within The UMC
In his newly-released graphic novel titled “Incompatible,” the Rev. Charlie Baber explores the history of events that led to The UMC’s current divide on the…
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RMN: A movement of love for LGBTQ+ United Methodists
The Rev. Beth Richardson, an early leader in what would become the Reconciling Ministries Network, tells her story of the beginning years of creating a space…
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The Entanglement of The UMC with White Supremacy
In the new book, “Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm,” author and retired United Methodist pastor John Elford calls out the white American Methodist church for…
Un-Tied MethodismBack to School: Methodists and Education
How have Methodists approached education in the past? John Wesley was a highly educated Oxford don whose mother embedded the importance of universal education…
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Choosing to live a life of honesty and the trial that followed
Nineteen years later, the Rev. Karen Dammann remains one of the few United Methodist clergy to be acquitted after being charged with violating church by openly…
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Methodism in Zimbabwe: A conference borne out of a mountain
In the first “Un-Tied Methodism” international podcast, Dr. Ashley Boggan D. speaks with United Methodist leaders from the Zimbabwe West Annual Conference…
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First UMC of Honolulu: Reclaiming its heritage with hope
Dr. Ashley Boggan D. discusses the history of The United Methodist Church in Hawaii with the Rev. Amy Wake, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of…
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La Trinidad UMC: Using history to preserve the future
La Trinidad UMC , founded in 1876, is the longest serving Mexican American congregation in The UMC. Dr. Ashley Boggan D. talks with the Rev. John Feagins about…
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Reclaim. Revive. Renew: A playbook for the future of The UMC
Bishop Thomas Bickerton, president of the Council of Bishops, and David Worthington, director of Global Relationships at John Wesley’s New Room, discuss the…
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Jackson UMC: ‘Downtown for good’
Dr. Ashley Boggan D., host of “Un-Tied Methodism” discusses the history of First United Methodist Church of Jackson, Tenn., with the Rev. Sky McCracken. In…
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The Chicago Temple: The UMC’s chapel in the sky
First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple can boast a number of distinctions, including oldest congregation in the Windy City where the chapel is…
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Gulfside Assembly: 100 years of being ‘everybody’s place, open to all’
Hear the story of Gulfside Assembly, where, 100 years ago, swampy Mississippi acreage was transformed into a retreat center that provided spiritual…
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‘Do Everything’: The reform legacy of Frances Willard
In honor of Women’s History Month, Dr. Ashley Boggan D. welcomes Dr. Christopher Evans to discuss the remarkable and energetic Frances Willard. Willard, a…
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Inherited Racism: 1968-1972
Dr. Ashley Boggan D., general secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History, welcomes Bishop Ernest Lyght and Bishop Forrest Stith, to “Un-Tied…
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Advice to the People called Methodists: 18th century wisdom for 2023
“Do not imagine that you can avoid giving offense,” John Wesley tells the People called Methodists. This advice, along with four other nuggets of wisdom…
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Slam Poetry & Mary: An unconventional Christmas pageant
St. Francis of Assisi is credited with presenting the first Christmas pageant on Christmas Eve in the early 1200s. Fast forward to the 21st century when…
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Let’s talk about bishops
Earlier in November, 13 new bishops were elected to serve The UMC across the U.S. Learn when bishops first became part of the denominational narrative, why…
Un-Tied MethodismThe Lyrical Theology of Charles Wesley
In this special episode of “Un-Tied Methodism,” we partner with United Methodist Communication’s “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast to talk about the…
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50 Years of Advocacy for Women
The United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women marks its 50th anniversary on Sept. 15, celebrating a half century of advocating for the full…
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Methodism in India: From Comity to Autonomy
How did Methodism come to India? Guest: Dr. Glory Dharmaraj is President of The World Association for Christian Communication-North America. She is also the…