By Gregory D. Stover “Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3.13-14 NRSV). With …
By Carolyn Moore I have been on social media enough in the last few days to know that the latest plan for denominational separation along theological lines is not without its detractors. I’m not among them. This agreement comes to me as a deep relief. For several years I have worked as a member of …
By Keith Boyette This year, The United Methodist Church is 52 years old. Of course, the Methodist movement, currently composed of approximately 80 distinct Methodist denominations worldwide, is much older than that. The UM Church was formed from the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1968. Methodism, as with …
By Walter Fenton A prominent group of 16 United Methodists released a detailed proposal today calling for an amicable separation of The United Methodist Church. The group included individuals representing all the major advocacy organizations affiliated with the church and eight bishops from around the world, including Bishop Kenneth Carter, current president of the Council …
Key Bishops and Advocacy Group Leaders Propose Plan of Separation Read More »
By Walter Fenton In less than a month hundreds of people have responded with comments, critiques, and questions regarding the Wesleyan Covenant Association’s release of its draft “Book of Doctrines and Discipline.” The association released the document November 8, 2019, shortly after its 228 member Global Legislative Committee overwhelmingly commended it for review and comment. …
Great Response to “Book of Doctrines and Discipline” Read More »
By Walter Fenton In order to be a healthy and vibrant branch of the church universal, a new Methodist movement must equip and empower laity for ministry and service. This is a truism for any church, but we sense it will be critical in an era of increased secularization in some cultural settings and encounters …
By Keith Boyette Local churches need faithful, creative, and energetic pastors to partner with them in worshiping God, growing as disciples of Jesus Christ, and being passionate and diligent in the mission field God has given them. Clergy have a significant impact on the effectiveness and fruitfulness of local churches, so how they are deployed …
Deploying Faithful, Energetic, and Effective Clergy Read More »
From its inception, the Wesleyan Covenant Association has worked for a revitalized Methodist witness globally. The WCA is committed to reaching all people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and inviting every person to be a follower of Jesus Christ transformed by the grace and love of God. As some form of separation in The …
By Walter Fenton Since the close of the contentious 2019 special General Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, United Methodists from across the theological spectrum set to work crafting plans to resolve the bitter dispute over the denomination’s sexual ethics, teachings on marriage, and ordination standards. The discordant conference and its aftermath made clear to many …
After a time of serious reflection and spirited debate, the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA) Council voted to endorse the Indianapolis Plan for Amicable Separation during one of its regularly scheduled monthly teleconference calls on Wednesday, October 2, 2019. The association’s 35-member governing council had time to read and review the plan prior to the call, …
Wesleyan Covenant Association Council Endorses Indianapolis Plan for Amicable Separation Read More »