by Steve | Sep 7, 2016 | In the News, Perspective E-Newsletter
“During this time of uncertainty and chaos in our church the Wesleyan Covenant Association is a fresh voice of hope,” says the Rev. Jessica LaGrone, Dean of the Chapel at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. In her invitation to United Methodists to join her for the WCA’s launch event on October 7, she says, “We are covenant keeping people, and we are leaning into the covenant we have with God and with each other.”
An acclaimed pastor, teacher, and writer, Jessica will be one of the main speakers at the WCA launch event. An ordained pastor in the Texas Annual Conference, Jessica previously served for nine years at The Woodlands United Methodist Church near Houston, Texas. She has represented the Texas Annual Conference as a South Central Jurisdiction delegate.
Jessica’s books and studies include Namesake: When God Rewrites Your Story, Under Wraps, Broken and Blessed: How God Used One Imperfect Family to Change the World, and Set Apart: Holy Habits of Prophets and Kings. Jessica also is a video co-host for the new Disciple Bible Study Fast Track, an adaptation of the original, bestselling Disciple Bible Study.
To register for the launch event, click HERE.
by Steve | Aug 30, 2016 | In the News, Perspective E-Newsletter
Dr. Chris Ritter
The United Methodist News Service recently published a commentary by Glen Alton Messer II arguing that United Methodism encompasses “many theologies . . . united under ‘one big tent.'” Our friend the Rev. Chris Ritter, pastor at Geneseo UM Church in Geneseo, Illinois (Great Rivers Annual Conference), responded with the following critical review.
Do United Methodists Need a Bigger Tent?
By Chris Ritter
I just read “Methodism a ‘Big Tent’ from the Beginning” by Glen Alton Messer II. This historical analysis is one of a growing number of recent statements making the case, seemingly, for solving our current divisions by further expanding our tolerance for diversity of belief and practice. If a big tent is who we United Methodists are, why not go… bigger?
I primarily want to delve into Messer’s historical claims, but first let me say a word about the current project of re-defining Methodism. The energy around finding a new definition seems to emanate from those who find themselves drifting outside the established one (which is something like “churches, clergy, and conferences operating according to the Book of Discipline of the UMC”). Having failed to change our covenant by the established means, some are selectively ignoring that with which they disagree as they are shielded regionally from accountability.
To read Dr. Ritter’s entire message, click HERE.
by Steve | Aug 30, 2016 | In the News, Perspective E-Newsletter
Rev. Dr. Kimberly D. Reisman
The organizers of the Wesleyan Covenant Association are proud to announce that the Rev. Dr. Kimberly D. Reisman will be a featured speaker at its launch event set for Friday, October 7, in Chicago.
Reisman is the World Director of World Methodist Evangelism. She is an approved evangelist and elder in the Indiana Annual Conference, and is the former executive director of Next Step Evangelism Ministries where she provided faith-shaping ministries through her writing and in retreats, seminars, workshops, and revivals.
With an MDiv from Yale Divinity School and a PhD in theology from Durham University in the United Kingdom, Kim is a Harry Denman Senior Fellow within the John Wesley Fellowship, an Instructor at United Theological Seminary, and the chair of the Social and International Affairs Committee of the World Methodist Council. She represented the Indiana Annual Conference at the last three General Conferences.
The Wesleyan Covenant Association organizers are pleased to have Kim join us in Chicago!
by Steve | Aug 30, 2016 | In the News, Perspective E-Newsletter
Singer and songwriter Mark Swayze is slated to lead worship at the Wesleyan Covenant Launch Event in Chicago on Friday, October 7. Swayze is the worship leader for the popular Harvest worship service at The Woodlands (Texas) United Methodist Church. Alison Broussard, one of the members of the Mark Swayze Band, will join him for the event.
In just three weeks over 900 people have registered to attend the Wesleyan Covenant Launch Event. All laity and clergy are welcome to attend by registering here.
by Steve | Aug 25, 2016 | In the News, Perspective E-Newsletter
“This denomination that means so much to us finds itself in unsettling times,” says Jennifer Cowart, executive pastor of Harvest Church in Warner Robbins, Georgia. “How can we move forward in positive ways?” she asks in her invitation to United Methodists to attend the 2016 WCA launch event in Chicago. “We are Christ followers who love Jesus and want to stay on task with the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.”
by Steve | Aug 23, 2016 | In the News, Perspective E-Newsletter
Rev. Rob Renfroe, President of Good news, talks about the formation of the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA), its convening conference in Chicago on Friday, October 7, 2016, and his hopes for the organization.
In less than two weeks, over 750 people have registered to attend the event.
Laity and clergy wanting to attend the conference can register by clicking here.
