Pastor Paul Mitchell: Why the Social Principles Matter - History, Mergers, and Modern Witness

This week Damian sits down with Pastor Paul Mitchell from Walla
Walla, Washington, for a deep dive into the Social Principles of
the United Methodist Church. We explore: Where the Social
Principles came from and why they were first written down. How the
merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical Brethren Church
shaped their formation. The role they play today—especially how
American Methodists view them, and how pastors like Paul use them
as an official church resource to speak into pressing issues such
as gun violence. Paul’s personal journey: how he went from being an
architect to becoming a United Methodist pastor. It’s a
conversation that blends history, theology, and personal
story—showing why the Social Principles still matter for the Church
and the world today