Leadership and Ministry Retired Clergy with Paul Stallsworth and Phil Thraikil

Thanks for joining us for the Beliefs Matter Podcast!  In this episode, Rev. Dr. Maxie Dunnam pulls up a chair with retired clergy Paul Stallsworth and Phil Thrailkil to discuss leadership in the church, and what retired clergy have to say to the church today and the next generation of ministry leaders. Paul Stallsworth was born and bred a Methodist on the high plains of southwestern Kansas.  He graduated from Garden City High School (1968), Kansas State University (1972), and Duke Divinity School (1976).  He married Marsha Lemke in 1971; and they received four children: Ryan, Paige (who "crossed the Jordan" at 21 because of cancer), Matthew, and Peter.  A member of the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, he served: First United Methodist Church in Elizabeth City as the associate pastor, Cumberland United Methodist Church in Cumberland, The Center on Religion and Society and The Institute on Religion and Public Life (both in NYC, both with Rev. Richard John Neuhaus), Creswell United Methodist Charge in Washington County, Rose Hill United Methodist Church in Rose Hill, St. Peter's United Methodist Church in Morehead City, and Whiteville United Methodist Church in Whiteville.  In retirement, he continues the president and editor of Lifewatch, which witnesses to the truth about Christ and His Church, life and abortion, and marriage and sexuality. He currently lives with Marsha in Wilson, NC. Phil Thrailkill is a retired United Methodist pastor in Greer, SC.  He served as the chair of The Mission Society, now TMS Global, for five years, and has been involved in missions in Fiji,  Kazakhstan, and Africa.  His most recent book, published in Oct. 2022 by Wipf & Stock is "Following Jesus: Discipleship in the Gospel of Luke and Beyond."  He also followed Dr. Billy Abraham as the theologian at the Confessing Movement with the United Methodist Church.  He is currently researching a book on the healing miracles in Luke's Gospel.     Dr. Dunnam has a website with a plethora of writings and resources at maxiedunnam.com. For more information about World Methodist Evangelism, check out  worldmethodist.org