Megachurch revitalizes downtown congregation
The megachurch has come to the city, bringing new life to a historic downtown sanctuary. United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, a 12,000-member congregation based in nearby Leawood, Kan., established a third campus at the Grand Avenue Temple, a United Methodist Church which has been at the same location since 1866. Lent: A time to fast and pray Lent is the time of year when many Christians seek the truth behind the paradox of subtraction equals addition.
Fasting, practiced faithfully by biblical figures, is coming back into vogue. More and more Christians find the spiritual discipline brings enlightenment and enrichment to their lives. <MORE>
Haitian Methodists, UMCOR assess volunteer needs The Methodist Church in Haiti and United Methodist Committee on Relief are identifying “suitable projects and assignments” for volunteer teams wishing to assist with earthquake recovery in Haiti. Both groups are asking volunteers to delay their arrival in Haiti until those assessments are complete. <MORE> January/February 2010 issue of If you want to receive the paper version of the magazine,
call 800-487-7784 or order online at our donation interface. GCFA seeks special General Conference session The denomination’s financial agency is asking the Council of Bishops to call a special session of General Conference to address funding pensions for United States clergy and reorganization of its 40-year-old structure.
<MORE> 76 UM bishops call for Afghanistan withdrawl; Good News responds Renewal group leaders meet with Bishops' Unity Task Force Judicial Council voids sexuality statement from Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference By Linda Bloom
The Rev. Gesner Paul, president of the Methodist Church in Haiti, discusses the church's needs as Haiti rebuilds at the Methodist Guest House in Port-au-Prince. UMNS photos by Mike DuBose.
Good News
Finding a friend in Mary
Philip Thrailkill expounds on the ways Mary serves as a role model.
Rediscovering John Wesley
James V. Heidinger reports on the rekindling of the Wesleyan spirit.
The Wesleyan family tree
Kenneth Kinghorn points to the spiritual influences on John Wesley.
The revival roots of the Lay Witness Mission
Frank Billman celebrates the 50 year anniversary of the Lay Witness Mission.
Blessing your community
Brett DeHart relates what has happened since a local church looked outward.
Good News statement on the request for a special session of General Conference <MORE>
Delegates consider the issues before them during the 2004 General Conference, the denomination's highest lawmaking assembly. Photo by Michael Wacht, e-Review Florida.
On November 10, more than 70 United Methodist bishops signed a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2010. Drafted by Bishop Marshall L. Meadors and two other retired United Methodist bishops, the letter stated that the position of the United Methodist Church is that “war is incompatible with the teachings of Christ.”
One assumes that for brevity’s sake the letter did not elaborate on United Methodism’s more nuanced position on military matters. <MORE>
Good News statement on Afghanistan withdrawl from the Rev. Walter Fenton
Letter from 76 bishops to President Obama calling for 2010 withdrawal from Afghanistan
Church divided on Afghan strategy, united in prayer by Kathy L. Gilbert (UMNS)
As President Barack Obama considers new military strategy for Afghanistan, United Methodists are divided about what is the best foreign policy strategy to bring peace to the war-torn region. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Rebecca F. Corey. Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force, provided by UMNS.
On November 5, 2009, a dozen leaders of the renewal groups within the United Methodist Church met with the Bishops' Unity Task Force. We were grateful for their invitation to meet at Lake Junaluska and to share our concerns about the unity of the church and how we can move forward in mission together. The same task force had previously met with a group representing the Reconciling Movement and the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA). <MORE>
There is an official position in the United Methodist Church on gay and lesbian sexuality, and that states the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. The Judicial Council, the denomination’s highest court, in a ruling released Nov. 2 said that the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference went too far in adopting its own statement declaring “a more authentic and truthful representation of The United Methodist Church” is that “we disagree” on gay and lesbian issues. “The effect of the Baltimore-Washington resolution is to negate the church’s clearly stated position as reflected in current disciplinary language,” the council wrote. “Moreover, the Baltimore–Washington resolution attempts to articulate a new and different standard of church belief using language that has been specifically rejected by the General Conference.” <MORE>
Photo by Neill Caldwell (UMNS): Members of the 2008-2012 Judicial Council. From left are: Ruben Reyes, the Rev. Dennis Blackwell, the Rev. Kathi Austin-Mahle, the Rev. Belton Joyner, the Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, Jon Gray, Angela Brown, Beth Capen and the Rev. William Lawrence.
The Trouble with the Truth
The Rev. Rob Renfroe, President of Good News
The Apostle John described Jesus as being “full of grace and truth.” Not one instead of the other; not one more than the other; but both together in his person. Join Rob Renfroe, the new President of Good News, as he discusses the need for Christians to be committed to both grace and truth with the congregation of The Woodlands United Methodist Church.
Heidinger named President and Publisher Emeritus
In honor of his 28 years of faithful service, the Good News Board of Directors bestowed upon the Rev. Dr. James V. Heidinger II the honorific title president and publisher emeritus of Good News: A Forum for Scriptural Christianity, Inc. The action was taken during the August 6-7 board of directors meeting in Wilmore, Kentucky. <more>
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2009 Constitutional Amendments Votes
• US Annual Conference Delegates Refuse to Ratify
Most Proposed Constitutional Amendments
• Spreadsheet view
• Other articles about voting on the constitutional amendments
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