Disruption at Mt. Bethel UM Church
By Walter Fenton -- "We were taken completely by surprise,” said Lindsay Hill, chairwoman of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church’s Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC), as she still tries to absorb Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson’s decision to move the congregation’s...
Turmoil in New Jersey
By Thomas Lambrecht -- Complaints about bishops exerting autocratic authority are nothing new in Methodism. Such grievances leveled against Francis Asbury, the first Methodist bishop in America, were the cause behind Methodism’s first schism. Rev. James O’Kelly...
Aiming at four
Archive: Aiming at Four By Duffy Robbins I’ve never been much of a golfer. I think if the holes were bigger, it might be more fun. But, it detracts from the beauty of a golf course when there are moon-sized craters on every green. I don’t shout “Fore!” as a warning to...
Aldersgate provides spiritual renewal and recharging
Archive: Aldersgate Provides Spiritual Renewal and Recharging By Frank Billman “I couldn’t believe I was in a room of Methodists. I’ve never seen us so alive. I want others from my smaller church to experience it!” “The highlight for me was watching the people we...
Sold for a profit: Human trafficking
Archive: Sold for a profit: Human trafficking By Reed Hoppe While most eleven-year old girls wake up and attend school each day, Maria faces a daily horror most of us could never imagine. Instead of doing homework and playing with her friends, Maria is repeatedly...
A letter to my 13-year-old son
Archive: A letter to my 13-year-old son By Steve Beard Dear John Paul: For 13 years, you have been a steady and reliable source of pride and joy. No dad could be prouder than I am. I have been grateful to God for every single day of your life and now your mom and I...
Going worldwide: For 25 years the Mission Society has helped the church discover its mission
Archive: Going worldwide: For 25 years the Mission Society has helped the church discover its mission In June 1975, I attended the West Michigan Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church for the first time. In two months, I would complete my final classes in...
Letters
Archive: Letters Faithful service It is so hard to think about Good News without Jim Heidinger! (But 28 years ago, it was so hard to lose him from East Ohio Conference. Okay, I was wrong!) What a tremendous influence he has had churchwide. His faithful service to his...
