By Joey Butler (UMNS) – Rachael Porter and the Rev. David Johnston seemed destined to be foster parents. The couple met while on staff at a United Methodist summer camp, and there were always a few foster children in attendance. One 9-year-old in particular, Johnston said, “would pick his scabs off just for the few […]
The Devil Lives in the Mirror
September 3, 2019 By Leave a Comment
By Jessica Hooten Wilson – I stood before the dazed librarian as she scanned each questionable title: The Death of Satan, I See Satan Fall Like Lighting, By Authors Possessed, the books about demons piling up before her. I remember my discomfort and lame apologies about what appeared to be a sinful attraction to evil. […]
Two Bishops Offer Plan
September 3, 2019 By Leave a Comment
By Sam Hodges (UMNS) – Two bishops propose turning The United Methodist Church into an umbrella organization for new, self-governing church groups that would offer different approaches on ordination of gay clergy and same-sex unions. Michigan Conference Bishop David Bard and Texas Conference Bishop Scott Jones began collaborating on a plan after the rancorous 2019 […]
Sparking Hope
September 3, 2019 By Leave a Comment
By Courtney Lott – The readers of World, a Christian news magazine, nominated 200 small ministries over the past year that offer challenging, personal, and spiritual help to those in need. After countless interviews, and a 3,000-mile road trip, this list was narrowed down to five organizations as contenders for Hope Awards issued by World. […]
Our Core Mission
September 3, 2019 By Leave a Comment
By Reed Hoppe – It has been a rough season in The United Methodist Church. Infighting and factions seem to receive more news coverage than the programs we created to spread the gospel, relieve poverty, help victims of natural disasters, and minister to hurting people. When I become overwhelmed with the uncertainty of the future, […]
Back Seat Evangelism
September 3, 2019 By Leave a Comment
By B.J. Funk – When I was a little girl, I rode often with my mother to the home of a woman named Grace. Mother, Grace, and I rode around town, spending leisurely time away from Grace’s home which was located in an unkept section of our town. They just rode around and talked, while […]
Considering Bard-Jones
August 29, 2019 By 5 Comments
COMMENTARY By Thomas Lambrecht – Bishops Scott Jones and David Bard are to be commended for taking the plunge into the difficult work of both envisioning an alternative future and then describing how the church might move into that future. Many of the ideas that are currently floating around the church are operating at the […]
We’re Not Leaving
July 16, 2019 By 71 Comments
By Rob Renfroe – Progressive and moderate leaders have an interesting dilemma. Do they partner with leading traditionalists to create and pass a path for amicable separation at General Conference 2020? Or do they fight on, hoping to overturn the church’s teaching on sexual ethics? Some progressives and moderates have stated they favor amicable separation. […]
Riverside’s Ministry to the Community
July 16, 2019 By 1 Comment
By William March – In the heart of Little Havana, just west of the Miami River, sits an anomaly – Riverside United Methodist Church. It’s in a neighborhood that struggles with poverty, inadequate housing, and social isolation. There are plenty of churches, but most are storefronts with just enough room for a small crowd on […]
Back Row America
July 16, 2019 By 2 Comments
By Steve Beard – Chris Arnade earned a PhD in theoretical physics and spent 20 years on Wall Street making piles of money as a bond trader. In a season of disillusionment with his lucrative career, he began walking around New York City to relieve stress and take photographs of graffiti artists, Schwinn bike clubs, […]
