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...
Estonian Churches Withdraw
Estonian Churches Withdraw -- By Heather Hahn (UM News) -- The 23 United Methodist churches in the Baltic nation of Estonia are leaving the denomination to form the independent Estonia Methodist Church. By a 97 percent majority vote on June 16, the Estonia District...
Of What Spirit are We?
By Thomas Lambrecht - “When the days drew near for [Jesus] to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way, they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his...
Snake in the Manger
By Steve Beard - One of my dear friends bought a Christmas tree ornament featuring the Grinch in a Covid-19 mask muttering, “2020: Stink, Stank, Stunk!” That exasperation and frustration is shared by so many. Thankfully, some of our holiday traditions were able to be...
Traditionalist Apprehension about a Post-Separation UMC
By Thomas Lambrecht - Last week, I reported that the Western Jurisdiction was beginning a yearlong campaign to prepare for General Conference and the ensuing separation provided by the “Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace through Separation.” This very appropriate...
Western Jurisdiction Prepares for Separation
By Thomas Lambrecht - Last week, the Western Jurisdiction announced that it “is beginning preparations for the next General Conference by recommitting itself to be a faithful, inviting, open, safe and loving place for all people.” Its nearly year-long campaign, called...
What Is a Traditional Methodist?
By Thomas Lambrecht - Traditionalist United Methodists have wrestled for several years with the question of what to call ourselves and what label to use. The need for a label became acute in 2016 when the General Conference authorized a commission to look at possible...
What Is Truth?
By Thomas Lambrecht - "What is truth?" Pontius Pilate asked that compelling question during his interrogation of Jesus prior to condemning him to the cross (John 18:38). For Pilate, that question was a cry of despair -- he had given up on ever finding the answer. It...
