All of us who knew Billy (William J.) Abraham (1947-2021) were stunned last week when we received the grievous news of his death. Since then, I have read several moving remembrances. Some of Billy’s seminary and graduate students have written
An Open Letter to Adam Hamilton and Other Centrists: Where Lie the Boundaries?
Dear Adam (Hamilton) and Other Centrists, When I wrote, recently, about my conviction that the current United Methodist Church needs to divide, I don’t think I made sufficiently clear that I recognize this admission as a sign of failure. Sometimes,
The (Local) Church, More Important Than Ever
We are hearing from a number of quarters that American society is in trouble like we haven’t seen in a long time. I share this worry. We feel it locally, among our neighborhoods and acquaintances. The blight of hatred spreads
The Transformation of Congregational Culture
In Hosea 2, we find a beautiful promise of restoration immediately after God’s judgment against Israel’s infamous infidelity. The language in the promise is that of the New Creation. “On that day” God will reclaim the adulteress Israel. The Lord
Guest Blog: The Purpose of Youth Ministry
(The following essay comes from the Rev. Wendy Mohler Seib, a PhD candidate in practical theology and Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adults at the Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College. The American church needs to re-think