Author Archives: Todd Seifert

The “In Layman’s Terms” podcast concludes its series on re-emerging from our in-home exiles with a look at how we can reshape our communities to more closely resemble the Kingdom of God. A key part of that effort likely is justice ministries. Host Todd Seifert, conference communications director, interviews the Rev. Sarah Marsh, the newContinue reading “Seeking Justice as Christians”

In this special video episode of “In Layman’s Terms,” host Todd Seifert talks with Dr. Socorro de Anda and Rev. Larry Moffet about the Lydia Patterson Institute. LPI is a ministry of education and discipleship for kids along the border of El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico. The episode also celebrates Dr. de Anda’s 37Continue reading “Lydia Patterson Institute”

The re-engagement series continues with an interview with the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede, lead pastor at St. Paul United Methodist Church in the Benson neighborhood of north Omaha. She and Todd talk about the things St. Paul tried as a means of staying connected to its community and parishioners and how some of those efforts areContinue reading “Keeping What Works”

We continue our look at re-engaging our faith by examining how we read the Bible. In this episode, Rev. Jeff Goetzinger from the Hutchinson area and Todd talk about their different strategies for reading through the Bible in 365 days. Download or listen to the episode.

Continuing with the theme of re-engaging our faith and communities after the pandemic, Calvary United Methodist Church in Wichita serves as an example of how preparation and flexibility can keep people connected to each other and, most importantly, to God. Rev. Michael Marion and Rev. Ashely Prescott Barlow Thompson sit down with Todd to talkContinue reading “Returning from Our Own Exiles”

As we come nearer and nearer to being able to return to life from our in-home exiles, we are embarking on a new series for the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast focused on rebuilding our communities and strengthening our spiritual disciplines. Using the stories from the Old Testament history books of Ezra and Nehemiah, the goalContinue reading “Let’s Build: Embracing the New Normal”

Our country is more divided than ever. We have red states and blue states, and even red and blue congregations. Or do we? Aren’t our congregations really just different shades of purple? The Rev. Dr. Leah Schade joins Todd for a discussion about her book, “Preaching in the Purple Zone,” and how a method sheContinue reading “Ministry in the Purple Zone”

Oliver Green has been heavily involved in the Great Plains Conference since its inception. As we wrap up Black History Month, Oliver shares his story and what it was like to move into adulthood — as an African-American man — during the Civil Rights Movement. Oliver shares how the movement of the 1960s is similar toContinue reading “Coming of Age During the Civil Rights Movement”

It’s been nine months since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, so Todd Seifert, host of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast, decided to tell some follow-up stories featuring guests who helped explain the impact of police and other kinds of violence upon people of color in the spring of 2020. The communications team tookContinue reading “Continuing the push for racial justice”

In the second of a two-part series examining how God calls us to service, Todd shares a reflection from Mark 1 that recounts the way Peter, Andrew, James and John responded to Jesus’ call to follow Him. Download this episode.