Marks of a Methodist 2: Making a Difference
Marks of a Methodist 2: Making a Difference - By Thomas Lambrecht - Two-hundred-eighty years ago, John Wesley (Methodism’s founder) wrote The Character of a Methodist to describe what he considered the essential qualities of a Methodist. I bloggedabout it in...
United Methodist Clergy Trends: Fewer, Older
United Methodist Clergy Trends: Fewer, Older - By Thomas Lambrecht - Lovett Weems of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership has released his annual report on the state of UM clergy, particularly focusing on the number of young clergy (under age 35). This has been a...
When Movements Lose Direction
By Windfield Bevins - Methodism swept across the American frontier like an uncontrollable prairie fire. That is hardly how we would describe it today. There are great benefits in considering some of the things that led the decline of Methodism. What lessons can...
An Overlooked Flock
By Terry Mattingly - While working on the 1985 book Habits of the Heart, the late sociologist Robert N. Bellah met “Sheila,” who described her faith in words that researchers have quoted ever since. “I can’t remember the last time I went to church,” she said. “My...
A Journey in Discernment
By Jennifer Jones - I almost didn’t go on the “GreenLight” mission trip. I had already participated in a fair number of short-term mission trips and had already visited the country where the team would be going. I was concerned whether the experience would...
Dungeon Grace
By B.J. Funk – Joseph was around seventeen when his cruel brothers sold him to a caravan of Ishmaelites on their way to Egypt. These folks were all kin, descending from half brothers Isaac and Ishmael. So much for loving your relatives. It took 30 days for Joseph and...
New Jersey Korean Pastor Responds
By Thomas Lambrecht - Several weeks ago, I shared the story of the Rev. James Lee, a pastor in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference at Bethany Korean UM Church. His district superintendent notified him that Bishop John Schol was appointing him to a different, much...
Chinese-American UM leaders respond to controversial appointment maneuvers
According to a press release, the National Chinese Caucus (NCC) of the United Methodist Church urges “all parties involved in the process of appointment to maintain a spirit of peace and goodwill toward those who hold differing theological and ethical values, while...
