Growth of Global Methodists
By Keith Boyette -- The process of church disaffiliation has completed its second wave, with churches disaffiliating through special sessions of their annual conferences in the fall. This piecemeal process of disaffiliation is not what we had hoped for when I joined...
Surprise at the Tomb
By Kimberly Constant -- Every spring as nature awakens from its winter slumber and life bursts forth anew, the church revisits the heart of the gospel message. An old rugged cross. The discovery of an empty tomb. The wonder of a risen Lord. The promise of an eternal...
Indianapolis Plan Values Amicable Separation (Part II)
By Thomas Lambrecht - As noted last week, the conversation group working on the Indianapolis Plan has come to agreement and submitted the final version of a plan for an amicable separation in The United Methodist Church. You can read the first part of my analysis of...
Indianapolis Plan Values Amicable Separation (Part I)
By Tom Lambrecht - The conversation group working on the Indianapolis Plan has come to agreement and submitted the final version of a plan for an amicable separation in The United Methodist Church. As the document states, "We seek to move away from the caustic...
As We Pray, So We Believe
By David F. Watson - Many have noted that what we call "contemporary" worship isn't so contemporary anymore. It's a feature of the "attractional" model of church growth, embodied so well in Willow Creek and like-minded megachurches that popped up in the 80's and 90's....
Top Priority
By Tom Lambrecht - As I participate in conversations around the church seeking a way to resolve the crisis facing The United Methodist Church, I have become aware that different people have different goals. A person's top priority will affect how they evaluate a...
Forward with Faith
By Rob Renfroe - Which is more important: what you think or how you think? Don’t spend too much time working on an answer. Both are critical. As orthodox Christians we rightly emphasize that what we believe is essential. But people can believe all the right doctrines...
Bible Story Inspires Building of Church
By Chenayi Kumuterera (UMNS) - KOLWEZI, Congo – Inspired by the story of Barnabas (Acts 4:36), who sold his land and gave the money to the early apostles, members of Jerusalem Francophone United Methodist Parish donated their salaries, pledges, and other gifts to...
