Saint’s Touch
By Steve Beard - Looking across the shades of aqua blue water from the northwest coast of Maui, there are two Hawaiian islands seen in the distance. One is Lanai, once home to the largest pineapple plantation in the world. Today, the island is privately owned by...
What you should know about the 2022 General Conference
By Joseph F. DiPaolo - There’s been lots of speculation about the upcoming General Conference of The United Methodist Church – when it will happen, whether it will happen, what the delegates are likely to do, and what they should do. This is not surprising. Since 1968...
The difference that Jesus makes
By Rob Renfroe
I spent the first ten days of August in India, landing in Delhi, spending a day seeing the Taj Mahal, and then seeing what God is doing in the cities of Hyderabad (4 million residents) and Patna (6 million residents in India’s poorest state of Bihar).
Meeting with the Bishops‘ Unity Task Force
In order to keep the lines of communication open between evangelical renewal groups and the Council of Bishops, a gathering of representatives from both entities will take place in Chicago on October 21, 2011. This is a follow-up meeting to one that took place two years ago.
Transformation After Trial
By Diane West
When I was informed that Jimmy Creech had recently released a book of his “memoirs,” Adam’s Gift, I thought about whether or not I wanted to read it. I was raised in First United Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska, and my family and I were very much involved in the situation that transpired there over a decade ago when Creech was appointed to the church as its pastor and was eventually put on trial for conducting a high-profile homosexual union ceremony.
Renewal in an Age of Anxiety
By Jason Vickers
The Western church is presently immersed in yet another age of anxiety. It is characterized by pessimism and despair over the current state of the church and by uncertainty and fear about the church’s future.
However, our current situation is also like previous ages of anxiety in that it is teeming with prophetic figures who are promoting visions and dreams for the church and who are often critical of the church’s leadership.
Is the UMC really committed to young people’s ministries?
By Mike Ratliff
Almost every article written or speech given in the leadership arenas of our church includes a statement on the need to engage young people in ministry and leadership.
Beach? Church? Both.
These aren't traditional churches. Instead of stained glass, there are views of emerald surf. Instead of cushioned pews, there are bar stools. The dress code is strictly casual. But the spirit still moves among the sunburned and sandy footed. Warm breezes carry...
