John Wesley and his ”Vital Religion”
“John Wesley and Karl Marx, unmistakably, are the two most influential characters of all modern history,” wrote social historian Dr. J. Wesley Bready (1887-1953) in his colorful and intriguing assessment of the ramifications of the theological and spiritual revival in...
Wesleyan Tradition and Innovation
By Winfield Bevins - It’s easy for contemporary Christians to think that John Wesley, the great revivalist and leader of the Great Awakening, was opposed to church tradition altogether. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, he was a high churchman who...
Transformation After Trial
By Diane West
When I was informed that Jimmy Creech had recently released a book of his “memoirs,” Adam’s Gift, I thought about whether or not I wanted to read it. I was raised in First United Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska, and my family and I were very much involved in the situation that transpired there over a decade ago when Creech was appointed to the church as its pastor and was eventually put on trial for conducting a high-profile homosexual union ceremony.
Renewal in an Age of Anxiety
By Jason Vickers
The Western church is presently immersed in yet another age of anxiety. It is characterized by pessimism and despair over the current state of the church and by uncertainty and fear about the church’s future.
However, our current situation is also like previous ages of anxiety in that it is teeming with prophetic figures who are promoting visions and dreams for the church and who are often critical of the church’s leadership.
Is the UMC really committed to young people’s ministries?
By Mike Ratliff
Almost every article written or speech given in the leadership arenas of our church includes a statement on the need to engage young people in ministry and leadership.
Beach? Church? Both.
These aren't traditional churches. Instead of stained glass, there are views of emerald surf. Instead of cushioned pews, there are bar stools. The dress code is strictly casual. But the spirit still moves among the sunburned and sandy footed. Warm breezes carry...
Perspective, August 3, 2011
Here We Go Again In the wake of the recent clergy trial in Wisconsin that doled out a 20-day suspension for a United Methodist clergywoman for performing a same-sex union, a United Methodist pastor in Minnesota has already conducted a handful of ceremonies for...
VBS ‘mans up’: Vacation Bible Schools thrive when men pitch in
By Mary Jacobs The Vacation Bible School at Bailey Memorial United Methodist Church in rural Rosemont, W.Va., may be small—38 kids this year—but it’s breaking new ground. Bailey’s program was a test run of Cokesbury’s new VBS curriculum for 2012, entitled Operation...
