February 12, 2021 By Keith Boyette Life is complicated. A pandemic makes life more complicated. Ministry is hard. Ministry during a pandemic is harder. Decision-making is often difficult. Decision-making during a pandemic is even more difficult. The United Methodist Church is confronting this reality just as countless other communities are when established practices have been … Continue Reading
November 13, 2020 The Global Council of the Wesleyan Covenant Association recently celebrated the approval of ministry grants totaling $180,150. The grants were disbursed from its Central Conference Ministry Fund to support twelve ministries in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Zimbabwe. The Central Conference Ministry Fund was established … Continue Reading
by Walter Fenton November 6, 2020 “If the 2021 General Conference adopts the implementing legislation for the Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace through Separation, how many local churches would there be in the new traditionalist Methodist church?” It is an interesting and important question, and for strategic and planning purposes, it would be very helpful … Continue Reading
October 30, 2020 by Keith Boyette Demographers tell us that approximately 3.22 billion people globally have no access to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The current world population is estimated to be 7.75 billion people. Over forty percent of the world’s people groups have no indigenous community of believing Christians able to reach the rest … Continue Reading
By Keith Boyette Clergy rightly have a number of questions about the implications of an amicable separation in The United Methodist Church when the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Amicable Separation is adopted. “I am retired. What will happen to my pension benefits?” “I am an active clergyperson. What will happen to the benefits … Continue Reading
By Walter Fenton Last November the Wesleyan Covenant Association’s 226 member Global Legislative Assembly could not have known just how important its authorization of a taskforce to focus on Church Revitalization would become. But now, in the wake of a pandemic and a worldwide recession that have shuttered local churches, strained their budgets, and isolated … Continue Reading
Earlier this year, when a group of United Methodist leaders shared a proposal for an amicable separation of the UM Church, it seems fair to say most United Methodists greeted the news with a mix of sadness and relief. Led by the late Bishop John Yambasu, the 16 member mediation team produced the now widely known … Continue Reading
By Bob Kaylor My first full-time ministry gig was as a lay youth director at a United Methodist Church in central Pennsylvania. Having grown up a Presbyterian, I knew little about Methodism, yet I’ll never forget the day the senior pastor slid the confirmation materials across his desk to me and asked me to teach … Continue Reading
By Walter Fenton Photo by Leslie Cross on Unsplash Local United Methodist churches have plenty of challenges to contend with right now. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic many are finding ways to reopen sanctuaries so members can worship God together while still allowing for social distancing. Where possible, pastors and lay ministers are … Continue Reading
The Wesleyan Covenant Association will begin hosting a monthly livestream video program called WCA Viewpoint. The purpose of the new program is to answer questions WCA members and friends have regarding transitional issues United Methodists will need to navigate should The United Methodist Church’s 2021 General Conference adopt the “Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace through … Continue Reading
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