The United Methodist Judicial Council (JC) has issued their ruling on the proposed plans going to General Conference 2019. They have done us a big favor. They help us to realize the fundamental rift running through the denomination. First, a
What We Would Still Face if United Methodism Holds
The Council of Bishops have gathered in Dallas for the latest round of discussions about United Methodism’s future. We eagerly and anxiously await a word. Many United Methodist are praying for wisdom for our leaders, for good outcomes, for unity.
My Perspective on “Uniting Methodists”
Almost two weeks have passed since the Uniting Methodists made public their vision for institutional unity in the midst of our fractiousness. As usual, I’m late getting to the party, but now, finally, I have dutifully considered their statements, as I
“What Young People Think”
As mainline Protestant churches age and decline in membership, concern for “what young people think” has become a common reference point in opinions about how the church should change. In my own United Methodist denomination, with our fight-to-the-death controversies especially
Reclaiming and Re-re-defining “Evangelical”
The word “evangelical” has become fraught with all kinds of difficulties. This is a sad state of affairs because it is a very good word. Nonetheless, a significant number of Christians who by their beliefs fit the term have stopped