United Methodism in Africa is not for sale to Western Cultural Christianity
United Methodism in Africa is not for sale to Western Cultural Christianity By Dr. Jerry Kulah A month ago, the worldwide United Methodist Church (UMC) concluded its postponed 2020 General Conference, held in Charlotte, North Carolina, from 23 April to 3 May 2024. The...
What Would Regionalization Look Like?
What Would Regionalization Look Like? By Thomas Lambrecht Before pivoting to today’s topic examining the likely evolution of regionalization, it is important to note some significant developments in the aftermath of the 2024 UMC General Conference. Anxious...
What the Regionalization Agenda Tells Us about the Future of the UMC, Part 1
What the Regionalization Agenda Tells Us about the Future of the UMC, Part 1 -- By Thomas Lambrecht -- In a recent article, Mainstream UMC (a centrist advocacy group within The United Methodist Church) outlines the case for the regionalization of the church. They...
Surf City Disaffiliation or Eviction?
Surf City Disaffiliation or Eviction? -- The Los Angeles Times recently published a comprehensive 2,000 word piece about the excessively costly disaffiliation process for traditionalist United Methodist congregations in Southern California. It is worth reading...
Engaging an African Bishop
Engaging an African Bishop -- By Thomas Lambrecht -- A recent commentary by Bishop Mande Muyombo (North Katanga Area in the Congo Central Conference) sets forth his understanding of where things are and where things are headed for The United Methodist Church in...
Methodist Heritage Archive: Brother Stanley
Methodist Heritage: Brother Stanley -- By Edmund Robb III -- Good News Archive, July-August 1976 -- TIME magazine, Oct. 20, 1948: “A grand old man among U.S. missionaries is a rugged Methodist preacher named Eli Stanley Jones. Baltimore-born Missionary Jones went to...
The Best and Worst of Disaffiliation
The Best and Worst of Disaffiliation -- By Thomas Lambrecht -- As we reach the end of the regular annual conference season, the prospect of over 20 percent of United Methodist congregations disaffiliating from the denomination has aroused varying responses, from...
John Wesley Birthday Reader
John Wesley Birthday Reader -- John Wesley's birthday is a bit unusual. While the great evangelist and founder of Methodism was born on June 17, 1703, according to the Julian Calendar in use at the time. Midway through his life (in 1752), however, Britain shifted to...
Freedom Fugitives
Freedom Fugitives -- By Shannon Vowell I write on June 19th or “Juneteenth,” the newest federal holiday. Juneteenth commemorates the day – June 19, 1865 – when news of Union victory and universal emancipation finally reached Galveston, Texas, by way of Maj. Gen....
Good News Archive — Methodist Heritage: Peter Cartwright (1785-1872)
Good News Archive: Methodist Heritage: Peter Cartwright (1785-1872) -- By Edmund Robb III Good News, March-April 1976 In the fall of 1818, Peter Cartwright was invited by one of the prominent Presbyterian pastors of Nashville to preach in his church on Monday evening....
Facing Your Jericho
Facing Your Jericho By Stephen A. Seamands Jericho is staring Joshua in the face, with its imposing, impenetrable walls towering over him. This was a fortified city if there ever was one, armed with all the sophisticated weaponry of that day. It was in lockdown...
Prison Ministry Transformation
Prison Ministry Transformation By Joey Butler (UM News) – “I was in prison and you came to visit me.” — Matthew 25:36 When he was 18, Dusty Merrill decided that he wanted to go to prison. Of course, that decision was made a little easier because he could leave...
