Methodist Heritage: Bishop Matthew Simpson
By James V. Heidinger II -- It would not be long before I began hearing much about Matthew Simpson, the renowned son of Cadiz, Ohio. He was a nationally-recognized Methodist bishop and then president of Indiana Asbury University (now DePauw University). He was also...
Finding Fairness
By Thomas Lambrecht -- In this season of our denomination’s life, Methodists of goodwill should advocate for a fair exit process and terms for local churches and clergy desiring to realign. Many annual conferences in the U.S. have adopted fair processes for...
Is Mainstream Selling Us Downstream?
By Chappell Temple - I've been getting their emails and letters almost every day, so it seems. In preparation for the upcoming General Conference of The United Methodist Church in St. Louis, a group advocating for one of the plans being proposed has been more than...
Revival and revisiting barrenness
- By Stephen Seamands “Sing, O barren one who did not bear; burst into song and shout you who have not been in labor ... The children of the desolate woman will be more than the children of her that is married ... Enlarge the site of your tent ... do not hold back;...
Are Traditionalists Only a Small Group Within the Denomination?
By Thomas Lambrecht - Recent communications from proponents of the One Church Plan have attempted to portray traditionalists and evangelicals as a small group within The United Methodist Church seeking to divide the denomination. In 2016, moderate leaders suggested...
A Matter of Belief or Action?
By Thomas Lambrecht - Ask the wrong question, and you will get a wrong or misleading answer. Asking the right question will help move toward understanding. A recent newsletter from the One Church Plan advocacy group "Mainstream UMC" makes the claim that, "The central...
Staying the Course: The Biblical Witness
-- By Maxie Dunnam From the first General Conference of The United Methodist Church, we defined ourselves on social issues on the basis of our commitment to Scripture. This has certainly been true in relation to marriage and homosexuality. Dr. Richard Hays,...
Some Progressive and Centrist Groups Reject Exit Path
By Thomas Lambrecht - Recent statements from two different groups portend an agenda of institutional survival taking precedence over resolving the conflict in The United Methodist Church at the upcoming General Conference. Many across the theological spectrum...
