Crackers and Grape Juice

Taylor and Jason sat down for a conversation with Rev. Alex Joyner, author and a District Superintendent in the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.Joyner was ordained a deacon in 1989 and elder in 1993. He has served appointments in Dallas, Texas; York, England; Unionville and Charlottesville. Joyner served as campus minister at the Wesley Foundation at the University of Virginia. He was appointed to Franktown UMC in 2005.Prior to entering the ordained ministry, Joyner was a radio news director and on-air personality in the Charlottesville area.Joyner holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, a Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Texas, and an additional Masters in Religious Studies while at UVA.He’s the author of several publications including Where Do I Go Now, God?, a vocational discernment curriculum and DVD for young adults published by Abingdon Press. He is a regular contributor to the FaithLink adult curriculum from the United Methodist Publishing House, and teaches in the Course of Study program at Perkins.

Taylor and Jason sat down for a conversation with Rev. Alex Joyner, author and a District Superintendent in the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.Joyner was ordained a deacon in 1989 and elder in 1993. He has served appointments in Dallas, Texas; York, England; Unionville and Charlottesville. Joyner served as campus minister at the Wesley Foundation at the University of Virginia. He was appointed to Franktown UMC in 2005.Prior to entering the ordained ministry, Joyner was a radio news director and on-air personality in the Charlottesville area.Joyner holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, a Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Texas, and an additional Masters in Religious Studies while at UVA.He’s the author of several publications including Where Do I Go Now, God?, a vocational discernment curriculum and DVD for young adults published by Abingdon Press. He is a regular contributor to the FaithLink adult curriculum from the United Methodist Publishing House, and teaches in the Course of Study program at Perkins.

A recent study released by the Review of Religious Research titled "Theology Matters: Comparing the Traits of Growing and Declining Mainline Protestant Church Attendees and Clergy", argues that across Canada theologically conservative churches are growing while their liberal counterparts are experiencing decline. This study was brought to our attention by way of a Washington Post article.In the latest episode of Crackers & Grape Juice we tackle this topic from the context of local UMC congregations and campus ministry. At one point we are even able to correlate the decline of liberal churches with the decline of Duke basketball.

A recent study released by the Review of Religious Research titled "Theology Matters: Comparing the Traits of Growing and Declining Mainline Protestant Church Attendees and Clergy", argues that across Canada theologically conservative churches are growing while their liberal counterparts are experiencing decline. This study was brought to our attention by way of a Washington Post article.In the latest episode of Crackers & Grape Juice we tackle this topic from the context of local UMC congregations and campus ministry. At one point we are even able to correlate the decline of liberal churches with the decline of Duke basketball.

Original sin, as descried by Danielle Shroyer is the 'red sock' in our theological laundry. In her new book, 'Original Blessing, Putting Sin in Its Place', Shroyer explores how we are not born separated from God as God has chosen fidelity over separation. We are not separate from God, and if we are, it's on our end.

Original sin, as descried by Danielle Shroyer is the 'red sock' in our theological laundry. In her new book, 'Original Blessing, Putting Sin in Its Place', Shroyer explores how we are not born separated from God as God has chosen fidelity over separation. We are not separate from God, and if we are, it's on our end.

Actually, that's not a good title. Thomas Jay Oord didn't say that about Jesus' breastmilk; however, it does come up when Taylor and Jason talk with him about his new book The Uncontrolling Love of God.

Actually, that's not a good title. Thomas Jay Oord didn't say that about Jesus' breastmilk; however, it does come up when Taylor and Jason talk with him about his new book The Uncontrolling Love of God.

Morgan & Teer were able to catch up with Melissa Greene at the OPEN Faith conference. Melissa is the co-pastor of GracePointe Church in Franklin, TN, a former member of the Grammy-nominate group Avalon, and Hope Curator at Timothy's Gift.

Morgan & Teer were able to catch up with Melissa Greene at the OPEN Faith conference. Melissa is the co-pastor of GracePointe Church in Franklin, TN, a former member of the Grammy-nominate group Avalon, and Hope Curator at Timothy's Gift.

Taylor and Jason speak with William Cavanaugh, author of The Myth of Religious Violence, Torture and the Eucharist, and Being Consumed.

Taylor and Jason speak with William Cavanaugh, author of The Myth of Religious Violence, Torture and the Eucharist, and Being Consumed.

Jason talks with Fleming Rutledge about the message of Advent and preaching the word of Truth in a post-truth culture.

Jason talks with Fleming Rutledge about the message of Advent and preaching the word of Truth in a post-truth culture.

He's got the best head of hair in Progressive Christianity and we've got him to talk about his new book, 'Unclobber: Rethinking our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality'. Endorsed by Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, and Glennon Doyle Melton, Colby Martin works his way through the 'clobber' passages often used to denounce and dehumanize our LGBT brothers and sisters. He talks with the voice of a theologian while using a pastoral tone.