By Debra Baty September 24, 2021 It has often been noted that disagreements over sexuality and gender are merely the symptom of the more foundational truths we no longer hold in common across The United Methodist Church. Conflicts over essentials such as the divinity and Lordship of Christ, the authority and reliability of the Scriptures, …
By Joseph F. DiPaolo September 17, 2021 There’s been lots of speculation about the upcoming General Conference of The United Methodist Church – when it will happen, whether it will happen, what the delegates are likely to do, what they should do. This is not surprising. Since 1968 (indeed, since 1792), General Conference is where …
What’s Happening with General Conference in 2022? Read More »
By Casey Alarcon September 10, 2021 When Christians feel mistreated, how should we respond? As devoted church members, what recourse do we have when we believe church leadership has behaved badly? The Bible addresses the first question. The United Methodist Church has established ways to address the latter. But when put to the test, does …
Unbelievable Heartbreak: Confronting the Mess My Bishop Created at Mt. Bethel Church Read More »
By Thomas Lambrecht September 8, 2021 What will the proposed new Global Methodist Church look like? How will it operate? In what ways will it be different from what we have been accustomed to in The United Methodist Church? These questions weigh on the minds of people who are thinking about the option of aligning …
Comparing The United Methodist Church with the Global Methodist Church (in Formation) Read More »
By Suzanne Nicholson August 27, 2021 ‘Tis the season for backpacks, pencils, notebooks, and laptops. For college students, the transition from summer jobs and living with parents to class schedules and dorm life can be both exciting and terrifying. There’s nothing like the suspense of meeting your roommate for the first time or trying to …
By Angela Pleasants August 20, 2021 On July 1, I started working for the Wesleyan Covenant Association as the Vice President of Clergy and Church Relations. That’s a long title, but what does it mean? Initially, I am helping create pathways for clergy and local churches to smoothly transition to the Global Methodist Church once …
By Keith Boyette August 13, 2021 One of the most frequent and urgent questions posed by United Methodist laity and clergy today is “What should our church be doing right now?” The question is asked in anticipation of The United Methodist Church’s General Conference that will meet from August 29 to September 6, 2022. It …
By Walter Fenton August 6, 2021 “Wait a second,” said a United Methodist layperson at a church where I was making a presentation. “Did you just say the people who attend my church don’t own the property and building?” “Yes, that’s right,” I had to answer. “According to the UM Church’s trust clause, local congregations …
By Walter Fenton July 30, 2021 “Pastor, when those Jehovah’s Witness people come to my door, I pretend not to be home,” said Barb, a church member at a church I served. “But it’s not just that I don’t want to talk to them; I’m embarrassed that I can’t explain my faith as well they …
By Keith Boyette July 23, 2021 Since the January 2020 announcement of the Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace through Separation United Methodists, whether they identify as centrist, progressive, or traditionalist, have tried hard to honor a spirit of peace among one another. People have largely refrained from provocative acts that would plunge the church back …