A Better Way
By Walter Fenton While the vast majority of theologically conservative United Methodist local churches are waiting to part ways with their denomination once the General Conference adopts a plan of separation later this year, others are not. In late January, Frazer...
A Foretaste of the Census to Come
By Carolyn Moore So much of what gets published these days regarding the state of Christianity paints a desperate picture. We’re led to believe that in our lifetimes, the Christian movement could well wither on the vine. And in our corner of the world, maybe. There is...
Conflict Shifts to Judicial Council
By Thomas Lambrecht- In the aftermath of General Conference, Annual Conferences, and Jurisdictional Conferences that exhibited the conflict between progressive and traditionalist perspectives, the focus of attention now shifts to the upcoming meeting of the Judicial...
Is It Time for the Itinerancy to Go?
By Donald W. Haynes- In today’s ecumenical religious environment, the current model of United Methodist itinerancy has become more a liability than an asset. Here are a few reasons. • With over 60 percent of current United Methodists having come from other communions,...
Joining Hands After the Rain
By Kathy Gilbert- After the deluge come the blessings. And four United Methodist pastors in Lafayette, Louisiana, are standing ready to pour those blessings back into their recovering communities. South Louisiana was hit by 6 trillion gallons of rainwater during...
Accepting the Inexplicable
By Frank Decker- I enjoy engaging in candid, truth-seeking conversations, especially with persons from other religious backgrounds. Recently I gave a ride to a congenial young Muslim man whom I learned was preparing to become an imam. On the way we had an interesting...
Brains, Brawn, and a Can of Spinach
By B.J. Funk- Where is Popeye the Sailor Man and his can of spinach when The United Methodist Church needs him? In the good ol’ days of Methodism’s beginning, our church didn’t need to look for extra strength. We were strong. We had Popeye’s brains and brawn as a...
Council of Bishops Names 32 Commission Members
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 24, 2016 Washington, D.C. The United Methodist Council of Bishops has announced the membership of the Commission on a Way Forward. "After three months of diligent and prayerful discernment, we have selected 8 bishops, 11 laity, 12 elders...
