Viewpoints in Charlotte
Viewpoints in Charlotte July/August 2024 • “Needless to say, this is a moment in time when we will not only see some of the dust settle, but we’ll also see new dust storms arise.” –Bishop Thomas Bickerton, New York • “What we are sure of is that many of our delegates...
African United Methodists reSpond in Charlotte
African United Methodists respond in Charlotte What follows is a statement released during the second week of the United Methodist General Conference after the delagates dramatically rewrote the denomination’s definition of marriage. My dear brothers and sisters,...
The Challenge Before Us All
The Challenge Before Us All -- By JJ Mannschreck -- I had a conversation a few years ago with an elderly member of my congregation. “I think I agree with you on your interpretation of the Bible, and I don’t really want them to change the policies of our church,” she...
New Life for Fractured Churches
New Life for Fractured Churches -- By Walter Fenton -- According to the latest figures, more than 6,100 local churches have disaffiliated from The United Methodist Church since 2019. According to a recent Christianity Today article, many more would as well, save for...
Taking Stock of Methodism’s Shift
Taking Stock of Methodism’s Shift -- By Thomas Lambrecht -- At the end of July, we reached the climax of church disaffiliations for the year. The flurry of spring annual conferences approved several thousand church disaffiliations, meaning most of the churches that...
When Life Doesn’t Go According to Script
When Life Doesn't Go According to Script -- By Elizabeth Glass-Turner -- What do you do when you do what you’re supposed to do and it doesn’t go right? What are you supposed to think when your best preparations, intentions, and actions seem to go to waste or lead to...
Maxie Dunnam: Revival on the Horizon
Maxie Dunnam: Revival on the Horizon -- Several years ago, the Good News Board of Directors met in Memphis, Tennessee, and bestowed the United Methodist Renewal Award on the Rev. Dr. Maxie Dunnam. In the previous issue of Good News, we published the first part of our...
Finding Life Between Law & Grace
Finding Life Between Law & Grace -- By Carolyn Moore -- Not long ago, I got a text from someone who was a part of our local congregation until she moved to another state. She’d seen something in her devotional guide that sparked memories of things we talked about...
