United Methodism re-envisions marriage and ordination
United Methodism re-envisions marriage and ordination By Heather Hahn July/August 2024 Without debate, General Conference removed The United Methodist Church’s ban on the ordination of clergy who are “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” — a prohibition that dates to...
Bishop: “You Might Be in the Wrong Place”
Bishop: "You Might Be in the Wrong Place" July/August 2024 Just days before the opening of the COVID-delayed General Conference, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton told his fellow bishops that he saw the possibility for big changes coming out of The United Methodist Church’s...
Centrist Misconceptions
Centrist Misconceptions -- By Thomas Lambrecht -- Over the last several weeks, this Perspective has been in dialogue with the weekly e-newsletter of Mainstream UMC, a caucus group representing United Methodist centrists. Mainstream’s articles have been illuminating...
CT: Maui Fires Burn Site Where Hawaiian Queen First Brought Christianity to the Island
CT: Maui Fires Burn Site Where Hawaiian Queen First Brought Christianity to the Island Tragically, in addition to the human lives, homes, and businesses, there were many local churches in Lahaina Town that were lost to the flames -- including the historic Waiola...
Defining the Church
Defining the Church -- By Thomas Lambrecht -- As folks consider disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church and engage in foundational work to start the Global Methodist Church, it causes one to consider the question, “What is the church?” Is the church merely a...
Centrists Describe Future UMC
Centrists Describe Future UMC -- By Thomas Lambrecht -- The last two Perspectives (here and here) extrapolated what the future United Methodist Church might look like on the basis of a foundational article from Mainstream UMC (a centrist advocacy group within The...
What the Regionalization Agenda Tells Us about the Future of the UMC, Part 2
What the Regionalization Agenda Tells Us about the Future of the UMC, Part 2 -- By Thomas Lambrecht -- In last week’s Perspective, I surveyed a recent article by Mainstream UMC (a centrist advocacy group within The United Methodist Church) outlining the case for the...
Our Side of the Street
Our Side of the Street -- Editorial by Rob Renfroe -- I often read that we traditionalists are guilty of giving out misinformation about the United Methodist Church – its beliefs, practices, and future. It would be understandable for traditionalists to respond with a...
