by Steve | Aug 11, 2011 | In the News
By Jason Byassee
Like many Methodists with a stake in both the church and the academy, I read the Rev. Sky McCracken’s commentary (in the July 5 Reporter) with more than a little interest. Mr. McCracken offers a damning indictment of the failure of our seminaries to produce disciple-making pastors, with a hint that perhaps the local church can take back theological education without the seminaries. “There is no correlation between education of clergy and clergy effectiveness,” he writes, with special attention to the lack of spiritual depth of seminary graduates.
To read the rest of this commentary from the United Methodist Reporter, click HERE
by Steve | Aug 11, 2011 | In the News
By Renee Elder
Congregations routinely celebrate college-bound youth with farewell gifts and parties featuring slideshows of pre-school Christmas pageants, high-school mission trips, and almost everything in-between. But youth leaders and pastors who want to extend the relationship into the months and years ahead often struggle to find the right approach.
“It’s hard,” says Carol Ellis, director of Youth and Children’s Ministries at Main Street United Methodist Church in Bedford, Va. “Each church comes up with its own strategy, not only in terms of resources but within the context and culture of that congregation. Some congregations find there is a great deal of interest in engaging with college-age students; others don’t.”
To read the rest of the story, click HERE
