Sadness and shock

I am writing to express my sadness and shock that leadership in the United Methodist church is recommending that homosexuals be ordained. According to Romans 1:24-32, the practice of homosexuality is condemned by God.

By Frank Decker

Not long ago, I was speaking with a missionary who has served orphans in Russia for 16 years. Recalling the fact that she had initially signed up for a one-year term of service I asked, “If you had been able to look into the future and learned that after 16 years you’d still be serving there, what would be your response?” “I don’t think I’d be able to handle it at that time,” was the reply.

By B.J. Funk

In March of this year, my father-in-law, George Funk, turned 95. His church in the small town of Burlington, Michigan, decided to give him a “This Is Your Life” surprise birthday party. It was a special occasion, not only because of his many years of living, but because Mr. Funk had been in this church since he was three years old! The pastor decided that anyone who has been in the same church for 92 years deserved to be recognized!

By Barbara Dunlap-Berg

What happens when two neighboring annual (regional) conferences compete to see who can collect the most hand towels for UMCOR health kits?

By Liza Kittle

Over the past few months, annual conferences of the United Methodist Church have been meeting all over the world. Although delegate elections for General Conference 2012 have been the primary focus, many pieces of legislation have been considered for submission to the quadrennial gathering of worldwide United Methodism to be held in Tampa, Florida April 24-May 4, 2012.

By Rich Peck

The average Protestant church has 39 percent men and 61 percent women, according to a study of 300,000 worshippers in 2,000 congregations across the United States. No one believes we have too many women, but many congregations want to find ways to reach the 69 million men who do not attend any church.