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...
Saint’s Touch
By Steve Beard - Looking across the shades of aqua blue water from the northwest coast of Maui, there are two Hawaiian islands seen in the distance. One is Lanai, once home to the largest pineapple plantation in the world. Today, the island is privately owned by...
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...
A love letter to small membership churches
By Donald W. Haynes What a thrill to see a feature on the rural church in the July 1 issue of the United Methodist Reporter! An equal thrill at my own annual conference this year was to see something I had never experienced before—an entire evening devoted to a film...
