Worship Matters: Episode 76 – When There’s Trust in the Room

Rev. John Thornburg is director of research at the Texas Methodist Foundation, where his recent work in encouraging congregations centers in five practices: grieving well, discerning purpose, walking alongside neighbor, de-centering power, and expanding imagination. He's retiring next week after ten years at TMF, and 43 years in ministry settings both in the United States and West Africa. Whether we are a part of a church that is staying in The United Methodist Church, or we are at one that is leaving the denomination, or we are leaving a church community, there is grief. That’s naming the reality of where are right now. Rev. Thornburg, along with Mark Miller, wrote “When There’s Trust in the Room.” In this episode of Worship Matters, we discuss this hymn and how music and worship can help congregations going through changes to sit with their grief, to share in lament as a way to then make space for hope, anticipation, and new beginnings. Join us for this timely conversation.

“Worship Matters” is a podcast from the worship team of Discipleship Ministries, designed to deal with the intricacies of planning worship each week. Hosted by Dr. Diana Sanchez-Bushong, Executive Director of Worship Ministries and Director of Music Ministries; and Dr. Derek Weber, Director of Preaching Ministries, this podcast explores how to plan worship using the common lectionary while creating worship experiences and series that are engaging, relevant, and adaptable for any church setting.

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