Rediscovering Community and Tradition with Rachel Metheny

This episode of the To Be and Do podcast, hosted by Phil Amerson, dives into a candid and inspiring conversation with Rachel Metheny, the lead pastor at Meridian Street United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. As part of the Lenten 2026 series, the discussion explores the joys, challenges, and evolving landscape of church communities, offering a window into how congregations can remain relevant—and even thrive—amid changing times.

Three Takeaway Points from the Conversation

1. Embracing Change While Honoring Tradition

Throughout the conversation, Rachel Metheny outlines her journey and the evolution she’s witnessed in church life. She candidly shares, “since I've been in the church, the church has been in decline,” but notes that this trend is starting to level out (05:54). Instead of chasing every new trend, the congregation at Meridian Street is finding renewed vitality not by adopting screens or contemporary worship bands, but by returning to some traditional practices. Young families drawn to the church actually prefer the traditional liturgy and music. As Rachel Metheny puts it, “they're not interested in what the church was trying to offer with the screens and the bands and so forth… they're interested in justice work” (07:17). This shift is a powerful reminder that authenticity and depth can be more magnetic than flashy novelty.

2. Community and Justice Are Key to Engagement

A striking theme in this episode is the hunger for real, embodied community, especially post-COVID. Rachel Metheny describes the influx of new members—especially younger families—who are eager for authentic relationships and meaningful collective action. Newcomers have organized around justice issues, such as responses to ICE raids in Minnesota, bringing vitality and new energy to a historically established congregation (08:29). Notably, simple acts like shared meals for “no other reason than having meals” become spiritual practices that build lasting bonds. As Phil Amerson summarizes, “it may be as simple as loving your neighbor” (16:34).

3. A Place to Question, Belong, and Grow

This episode underscores the importance of churches providing a space for honest reflection, conversation, and belonging—especially for those who may have become disillusioned with more entertainment-driven or rigid environments. Rachel Metheny reflects on new members who “finally looked around and said, 'We don't agree with any of this.’ So I think we provided that place for some of these young adults…” (11:47). The combination of tradition, openness to tough conversations, and a focus on justice allows Meridian Street UMC to be both a safe haven and a catalyst for new growth.

The candid dialogue between Phil Amerson and Rachel Metheny is a refreshing celebration of how faith communities can revitalize by centering human connection, tradition, and justice—the essentials that keep church relevant, meaningful, and welcoming for all generations.