Updated April 23, 2024
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PINNED: GMC Links has the latest news and developments in the Global Methodist Church.
Tweet by Drew McIntyre: “I find it difficult to be interested in General Conf. A few reasons: 1) It has little impact, for good or ill, on the local church 2) The usual battle lines will be drawn + both sides will accuse the other of disinformation 3) Those in power will do what they want anyway #umc” (Added 4-23-2024)
“The Leap Quadrennium?” by John Feagins via UM Insight. “The 2020 label also diminishes the authority of this General Conference. Like putting an expired date on a fresh loaf of bread, the 2020 label suggests that this body is already out of date and out of authority. Will the Book of Discipline also be published as a 2020 document, only to be replaced in 2026 by the “postponed 2024” General Conference? Once normalized, such a convention will further erode the authority of the legislative branch, rendering it out of sync with the world until it can “catch up” by having expensive and superfluous meetings.” (Added 4-23-2024)
“Prayers on the Eve of the End of the UMC” by Darryl Stephens via UM Insight. “We are on the eve of the end of the UMC. The birth pangs of a new church are beginning. The old is passing away. Whether accompanied by a bang or a whimper, this church will not be the same UMC is was before. United Methodists, prepare yourselves for a birth or a funeral—or both—but don’t fool yourselves into believing that the UMC will continue on as it has been. So, I pray for this new church.” (Added 4-23-2024)
“Growing the Kin-dom at Glendale” via Reconciling Ministries Network. A profile of a Tennessee UM church that is openly affirming: “Despite what they say, we are growing in number and more importantly, in our reach to provide safe space for people to explore and deepen their faith in God in community.” (Added 4-23-2024)
“General Conference Livestream Link” via Resource UMC. The official General Conference website is here. (Added 4-23-2024)
“United Methodist General Conference Alabama delegates: Removing anti-LGBTQ language top priority” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “More than half of United Methodist churches have departed in Alabama, and a quarter nationwide in a denominational split. Most assume that the General Conference will have less conservative resistance to issues such as changing the denomination’s bans on same-sex marriage and ordaining openly gay clergy.” (Added 4-22-2024)
Overheard: The Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters will recommend the departure of four annual conferences in Eurasia to become an autonomous Methodist Church. (Added 4-22-2024)
“Day One” by Amy Lippoldt via Substack. From the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters: “The first piece of business we tackled was accepting the work done by the Eurasian annual conferences to become an autonomous Methodist Church. These are 4 annual conferences in Russia who have concluded it is no longer possible to remain in the UMC. Basically the feeling is that any move the church would make to be more progressive on sexual orientation could put them in grave political danger. They don’t want to leave but see it as untenable to stay.” (Added 4-22-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “I think the opening skirmish in the contest over regionalization at the United Methodist General Conference has just been engaged, and, in what should be no surprise, the institutional position of supporting the Christmas Covenant proposal without amendment has carried the day… This decision of the Committee on Reference is highly significant, and it might well signal how the General Conference leadership is going to engage in this issue of regionalization.” (Added 4-22-2024)
“Exhortation to Pray for The United Methodist Church’s General Conference” by Jeffrey Rickman via Substack. “In the likely event that progressives force their agenda through, the majority of nonAmerican churches, or at least those that can do so without legal reprisal, will leave the denomination en masse. Many have insisted on remaining faithful covenant partners within the UMC until it betrays its biblical heritage.” (Added 4-22-2024)
Tweet by Mark Tooley: “United Methodist church I stopped attending 5 yrs ago after pastor went “inclusive” now down to 25 people. This week denomination will likely go “inclusive” with predictable sad result.” (Added 4-22-2024)
“Onward: Pledging for a Church of More Perfect Love” via Reconciling Ministries Network. RMN begins a five-year campaign: “The long-term change and the resources we’re developing for your communities can’t be accomplished with year-by-year thinking and budgetary constraints. Let us go onward together, casting our sights far because all of God’s beloved children deserve affirmation.” (Added 4-22-2024)
“Methodist LGBTQ split: Grandma was right. There’s nothing God-like in rejecting others | Opinion” by Editorial Board via Charlotte Observer. “There’s just been a sea change in the way our culture has seen gay and lesbian persons across a generation,” Carter said. “I watched the church change its mind in how it treated persons who’ve been through divorce, the same way the church changed its mind about women being ministers. And I feel like this is a part of that DNA.” (Added 4-22-2024)
“United Methodist assembly faces key decisions amid historic conflict. Why it matters.” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. “The United Methodist Church will bear the same name after May 3, but in many ways will be an entirely new denomination.” (Added 4-22-2024)
“United Methodism’s New Social Principles: Whatever Happened to the Home?” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. “The proposed statement calls for nothing less than an about-face in a number of areas of church teaching. It would have us say “so long” to long-established Christian standards on marriage, the family and human sexuality, and “welcome” to extreme feminism, secular thinking, and the LBGTQ agenda. Biblical passages that have informed us in the past are now either excused, ignored, or re-interpreted.” (Added 4-22-2024)
“Considering Charlotte – Last Minute African Updates & Projections, Gathering of Bishops” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken. “In our 12th and final episode before the beginning of General Conference, this crew tries to ascertain the truth of where things stand. Simon was able to join us and give a report on the Africa Initiative’s gathering and statements with respect to their polar opposition to Mainstream UMC, the visa process and how many delegates are left behind, and possible cooperative efforts once the African delegations are all in the US. We then spent the last 30 minutes or so talking through what the bishop’s gathering right now is looking like, and some last minute options for changing the “harmful language” around sexual behavior or identity, depending on who is talking. Our crew doesn’t all think the same about such things.” (Added 4-22-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. On the new Judicial Council docket timeline: “Now, please make no mistake about it. The effect of that is to say something like, ‘Don’t worry about this. The Council of Bishops and the Judicial Council are going to take care of this, and we’re going to ensure this will be the case by not giving anybody else time even to think about it, much less respond to the opening of the docket for briefs, since nobody will have any reasonable amount of time to act.’ This is, of course, fully consistent with the way everything else about this General Conference has come together, or not, so there ought to be no surprises here to anybody who’s been paying attention.” (Added 4-22-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “This upcoming United Methodist General Conference is a lot like that. If you’re going to be there and you’re not one of the people who has made the rules, set the agenda, and controls the process, then you’re playing somebody else’s game, and you’re probably going to lose.” (Added 4-22-2024)
“The Impending Reality of GMC Bishops – A Conversation with Rev. Christopher Ritter” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “I wanted to speak to Chris because of his proximity to the conversations that are generating this new (or older) understanding of episcopacy that will become a part of the culture of the Global Methodist Church. He also has a great birdseye view of Methodism more broadly. His is an informed perspective.” (Added 4-22-2024)
“Africa Initiative’s Pre-General Conference Prayer Retreat” via Good News. Summary of a pre-General Conference gathering in Kenya. (Added 4-22-2024)
“As delegates prepare for UMC General Conference, advocates outline their appeals” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. Roundup of advocacy groups and their agendas. (Added 4-21-2024)
“United Methodists will vote on the church’s future at upcoming General Conference” by Julia Maruca via TribLive. Bob Zilhaver: “There’ll be disappointment and sacrifice, and there’ll be exhilaration and sadness, but my hope is that we will work through it like we have in the past,” he said. “The church has not faced these big of issues, at least in my memory, kind of pulling together at one conference.” (Added 4-22-2024)
“United Methodist General Conference with Kevin” by Kevin Slimp (YouTube). A new channel dedicated to General Conference videos by Kevin, a publisher of books of United Methodism. (Added 4-22-2024)
Post by Philippines Central Conference (Facebook). Photos from an orientation held for Central Conference delegates. (Added 4-22-2024)
“Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. Previews General Conference & Shares Excitement for What’s Ahead in the UMC” via Central Texas Conference (Vimeo). (Added 4-22-2024)
“Dear Lovers Lane UMC & Friends—General Conference 2020 Finally Here in 2024” by Stan Copeland via YouTube. “For the past four years I have been writing and videoing to try to get the truth out about the United Methodist Church. I have done videos called: Dear Dad, Dear Bishop and Dear Emily and dozens of other videos. For years we have anticipated this General Conference to get back on mission and hopefully experience a unity that we have not experienced in years.” (Added 4-22-2024)
Overheard: UM Data has been updated with 2022 statistics and a new look. (Added 4-22-2024)
Tweet by Mark Calhoun: “It’s peculiar that some of the same beloveds who criticized us for postponing General Conference, due to visa issues, are now criticizing us for holding General Conference on light of vida issues. #PickALane #UMC #UMCGC24 #WJUMC #MTNSKYUMC” (Added 4-21-2024)
“Maybe we should sit down and listen” by John Meunier. “If American United Methodism were a college basketball team, we would have fired the coach by now. Meanwhile, in Africa and Asia, United Methodists with much less of what the world counts as resources have been bringing people to Christ for the last 50-70 years to the point that the American church is no longer the largest part of the global UMC. Perhaps, just perhaps, they have something we in America should sit down and listen to.” (Added 4-20-2024)
“What is the Global Methodist Church? Splinter group formed as United Methodist split continues” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “Every bishop is accountable to every church. There’s no division of territory that protects certain bishops. If they don’t uphold that, they can be removed from their appointment. No pastor is guaranteed an appointment and no church is guaranteed a pastor. That keeps the pastors accountable.” (Added 4-20-2024)
“Mike Kirby: In North Attleboro, one church closes, another thrives” via The Sun Chronicle (MA). “It appears Waters [a non-denominational church] has found an audience while the Methodist church lost theirs.” (Added 4-20-2024)
Post by UMNS via Facebook: Links to three unity statement by African, Filipino, and European bishops. (Added 4-21-2024)
“More Pastors Are Leaving Ministry Over Church Conflict” by David Roach via Christianity Today. “But experts say it can offer opportunities for leaders and congregations to grow.” (Added 4-21-2024)
Post by Bishop Christian Alsted via Facebook. A Statement by the European Bishops: “We are committed to the unity of the United Methodist Church, and we are longing for a United Methodist Church that will move towards new forms of being a connectional church, a General Conference focused on global essentials, and an empowerment of regions for contextually relevant forms of living our common mission mandate.” (Added 4-20-2024)
“In Regard to the Dakotas-Minnesota alteration” via Good News. “..No matter the motive, anonymously altering a document is deceptive and improper for a disciple of Jesus Christ. It goes without saying that Good News and the Wesleyan Covenant Association unequivocally condemn this kind of unethical activity. Both of our ministries have operated within the United Methodist Church over many years. There is no need for us to interfere with someone else’s website. Our opinions and viewpoints are well known and public knowledge. At the same time, we also condemn the precipitous leap by some to unsubstantiated insinuations of guilt in the service of raising funds and promoting a particular agenda for the church…” (Added 4-20-2024)
“United Methodist General Conference 2024: What To Look For” by Jacob Randolph via Patheos. A summary of General Conference issues written by and for outsiders. (Added 4-20-2024)
“Methodists meet to discuss denomination’s future” by Frank Lockwood via Arkansas Democrat Gazette. [paywall] (Added 4-20-2024)
“United Methodist Church aims to establish LGBTQ policies during conference in Charlotte” by Evan Donovan via WSOC (Charlotte). Video interview: “The word homosexual didn’t appear in our English Bibles until 100 years ago,” [Bishop Ken] Carter said. “Jesus never says anything about homosexuality. And so when the Apostle Paul talks about it, which is really the one place in the New Testament, the scholars believe he may be talking about abusive relationships, or adult and child relationships.” (Added 4-20-2024)
“Stop Retreating! – A Conversation With Richard Ackerman AKA ‘Redeemed Zoomer’” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “ichard Ackerman AKA Redeemed Zoomer started the Operation Reconquista movement in earnest almost a year ago. Since then, he has amassed quite a following of young people aiming to “retake the mainline.” In this conversation, we talk about the various strategies available to Christians of many traditions to fight those forces that would see the church dismembered and coopted.” (Added 4-20-2024)
“God’s Pronouns are HE (and SHE… and THEY).” by John Pavlovitz. [paywall]. “Conservative Christians are engaged in a sustained and fevered attack on transgender human beings, and in doing so they are revealing how little they know about the true character of God as described in their own story.” (Added 4-19-2024)
“April 19, 2024 Livestream” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). Weekly live discussion of UMC and GMC topics from the conservative perspective. (Added 4-19-2024)
Petition for a Declaratory Decision by UMC Council of Bishops via Resource UMC. In the wake of irregularities created by COVID, the COB believes that General Conference has the power to extend the terms of Judicial Council members and asks the Judicial Council to affirm this. (Added 4-19-2024)
Petition for a Declaratory Decision by UMC Council of Bishops via Resource UMC. “The COB believes those persons who were elected to general agencies in 2016 have only served one four-year term and are “eligible” to be re-elected for a second four-year term following the 2020 General Conference that will occur in 2024.” (Added 4-19-2024)
Tweet via UMNS. “The Judicial Council has added to its docket a request from the Council of Bishops. Briefs are due by 4 p.m. U.S. Eastern time April 21. There will be no reply briefs.” (Added 4-19-2024)
Post by Doug Frantz via Facebook. On the Revised Social Principles: “However, if we want to claim a big tent, then I can not justify having so many obviously disputable items that lack clear scriptural standing. They talk several times about the importance of differing ideas, but I lack confidence I will be a recipient of that grace from the church.” (Added 4-19-2024)
Post by Kevin Krist via Facebook. Photo of signage indicating items not to be brought into the #UMC General Conference. (Added 4-19-2024)
“United Methodist Africa Watch” by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “In some cases, Simon says, delegates who have received their visas are receiving their tickets for air travel on one day with a departure time on the following day from a city to which they must make a day long journey by bus to reach. Then they’ll have to make an air trip over more than a day with a complete clock reversal and arrive at the Conference on the day in which they are supposed to begin participating fully in the proceedings. And this is a Church.” (Added 4-19-2024)
“1/3 of African Delegates May Miss General Conference” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC. “This is perhaps the most consequential General Conference in a generation. The show must go on. Please Support Mainstream UMC…” (Added 4-19-2024)
“Agree to disagree: Denominations wracked by doctrinal disputes attempt to unify through separation” by Elizabeth Russell via World. “To achieve that goal, Nyarota, who is currently based in Canada, urged delegates to support a plan to restructure the denomination along regional lines—giving churches in different parts of the world the ability to set their own doctrinal standards. He believes it’s the only way African churches can stay in the increasingly divided organization.” (Added 4-19-2024)
“Outgoing United Methodist leader predicts fallout if LGBTQ rules relaxed at upcoming meeting” via Washington Times. “The United Methodist Church could face a “seismic shift” if next week’s business session approves sweeping measures to relax long-held denominational…” [paywall] (Added 4-19-2024)
“Commission on the General Conference issues visa update” via Resource UMC. “269 delegates are confirmed to be seated (73% of all General Conference delegates from Africa, the Philippines and Europe). 39 delegates are not attending and no replacement is available (11% of all General Conference delegates from Africa, the Philippines and Europe)” (Added 4-19-2024)
“Against the Grifters at General Conference” by Jeremy Smith via Hacking Christianity. “In short, while the majority of Traditionalists have left with disaffiliating churches and with their own feet leaving their local UMCs, Traditionalist caucus groups are operating at strength with the intention of removing more churches from United Methodism and crippling relations in the denomination to the point where it cannot recover.” (Added 4-19-2024)
“5 Questions As Long-Awaited Methodist General Conference Starts Next Week” by Bobby Ross, Jr. via Religion Unplugged. A media roundup of the big questions facing the UMC General Conference next week. (Added 4-19-2024)
“First black female president set to take helm of United Methodist Church Council of Bishops” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “This number of departing congregations included 250 churches from Malone’s East Ohio Conference, representing more than a third of the regional body’s member congregations. Due to the many theologically conservative churches that left the denomination, many expect this year’s General Conference to finally amend the Book of Discipline.” (Added 4-19-2024)
“Edenton Street UMC pastor will not return after being suspended for sexual misconduct allegations” via WRAL News. “Based on Bishop Shelton’s findings and with recommendation from the Board of Ordained Ministry executive committee, Rev. Greg Moore is suspended from all clergy responsibilities,” NCCUMC said. Moore will not return to his appointment at Edenton Street UMC when the suspension ends, the church said. NCCUMC said Moore’s salary, housing, and benefits will continue during the suspension.” See also ABC11 Coverage. (Added 4-19-2024)
“Following the news at General Conference” by Jim Patterson via UMNS. “United Methodist public relations and news teams are prepared to deliver unbiased, clear information on what transpires.” (Added 4-19-2024)
“After United Methodist Split, Some Conservatives Remain” by Yonat Shimron via Christianity Today. CT picks up this story from Religion News Service. (Added 4-19-2024)
“Africa Initiative Speaks on United Methodist General Conference Priorities” via Juicy Ecumenism. “The Africa Initiative, an orthodox advocacy movement within the three United Methodist Central Conferences of Africa, convened a prayer retreat April 8-12 in Nairobi, Kenya for African delegates to the upcoming 2024 General Conference scheduled to meet April 23 in Charlotte, NC. Themed “Reclaiming our Identity”, the retreat drew from Matthew 5:13-16.” (Added 4-19-2024)
“No-shows a problem for General Conference” by Sam Hodges via UMNS. “The Commission on the General Conference says 73% of delegates from Africa, Philippines, Europe and Eurasia are confirmed to be at the General Conference that begins April 23 in Charlotte, North Carolina. But it’s unclear how many of the remaining delegates will be able to participate… But the commission said 39 such delegates — 11% — will not be attending and no replacements will be available.” (Added 4-19-2024)
“Teetering Between Hope and Anxiety, We Head Out to General Conference” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. “While much of the disaffiliation language has stretched into falsehood, some of the underlying criticisms that dissidents have exploited are accurate. The question before is us whether we have the courage to face the criticisms and change our ways.” (Added 4-19-2024)
“Liberian United Methodists Affirm UMC Loyalty, Call Out Divisive Actors” via UM Insight. Lloyd Nyarota provides UM Insight with a statement from five Liberians Liberian condemning Jerry Kulah for supporting the Global Methodist Church. (Added 4-19-2024)
“Commentary: Courageous Conversations at General Conference” by Scott Hughes via UMNS. “All General Conference delegates will receive ‘Postures of Peace’ cards that encourage participants to take on a posture of humility, being sensitive to diverse cultures and Christian experiences.” (Added 4-19-2024)
“New Low: Dakotas UMC Website Hacked” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC. “Your support for Mainstream UMC is more important than ever!” (Added 4-19-2024)
“Conference online document altered” by Sam Hodges via UMNS. “A ‘view only’ feature was activated, but not until the next day, allowing time for alteration of the delegates’ answers. (Added 4-19-2024)
“African UM Leadership Claims ‘Gross Disenfranchisement’” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “The Africa Initiative released a statement dealing with their consensus positions with respect to the primary issues before the UM General Conference next week. There has been a good deal of confusion about how United Methodists in Africa are perceiving their treatment by UM leadership. Recent statements from the UM Africa Forum and Africa Voices of Unity have made it clear that they have not been treated well. The Africa Initiative is a final nail in this coffin. This calls into the question the legitimacy of next week’s meeting, as well as any decisions reached.” (Added 4-18-2024)
“DeMarco: My broken United Methodist heart” by Paul DeMarco via The Post and Courier (SC). “When I asked her why she voted to leave, she expressed some fears. She mentioned a fear of extremists in the UMC leadership moving the church in a direction that was counter to her understanding of the Bible. She raised the possibility of a cross-dressing or transgender minister as something she could not tolerate.” (Added 4-18-2024)
“Lee Road UMC Becomes ‘Lighthouse Congregation’” by Jessica Brodie via UM Insight. “The lighthouse congregation movement started in the North Carolina Conference as a way to welcome United Methodists who felt lost after their church voted to disaffiliate and guide them to churches remaining with the UMC. However, Godfrey cast a wider vision of the lighthouse as being a “universal welcome” to all persons, especially those who have been treated as outcasts.” (Added 4-18-2024)
Overheard: “The Dakotas Conference published a Q&A Document about General Conference in a Google Docs format. Someone evidently edited it without permission… and the new wording came to the attention of Jeffrey Rickman. He published an impromptu episode of PlainSpoken on the document as an example of refreshing transparency by a General Conference delegation. This brought the matter to the attention to the Dakotas delegation. The bishop responded with an April 17 letter written in a spirit of moral outrage, stating the conference was ‘infiltrated’ by an indecent and divisive internet crime. She offered assurance that ‘The Dakotas Conference has in place very secure processes that protect files, financial matters, and personal information.’ Jeffrey Rickman published follow-up comments on the matter on Substack.” (Added 4-18-2024)
“A Message from Bishop Lanette Plambeck Regarding Fradualent (sic) Document” via Dakotas Conference. “It has come to our attention that the General Conference Webinar Question and Answer document highlighting the mission and ministry of our delegation, published on April 8, 2024, was infiltrated, and altered on April 9. This counterfeit document was littered with disinformation about our denomination and reeked of a spirit of divisiveness and deceit. Further, not only did it seek to do harm to our relationship together, it was distributed as an official document of the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church.” (Added 4-18-2024)
“Update on the Dakotas Story” by Jeffrey Rickman via Substack. The conference is now claiming that this was an “internet crime” in which someone got access to the document in a way that was “outside the bounds of human decency.” (Added 4-18-2024)
“Bishop Bickerton calls for harmony in The United Methodist Church” by Erik Alsgaard via UMC Council of Bishops. “It seems to me that because we haven’t been together for some time, all of us, bishops, general secretaries, and delegates alike, we run several risks,” Bishop Bickerton said. “Do we have the courage to live into a new reality or not?” (Added 4-17-2024)
“Reimagining unity: Regionalization and The UMC” via Un-Tied Methodism Podcast. “Dr. Ashley Boggan welcomes guests the Rev. Dr. Betty Kazadi Musau, Dr. David Scott and the Rev. Dr. Israel Alvaran to discuss this important topic and why regionalization offers opportunities to rethink the church and consider possibilities for both The UMC and for the ecumenical church worldwide.” (Added 4-17-2024)
Overheard: The Dakotas UM Conference delegation believes their Q&A Document about General Conference (discussed here) was hacked. The document in question has been updated. (Added 4-17-2024)
“How Can a Denomination Based on Reconciling Differences Split Over Its Disagreements?” by David Eagle via UM Insight. “The UMC that emerges from this rupture has to stop fracturing over sexuality and learn, instead, to live with our differences.” (Added 4-17-2024)
“Big changes proposed for clergy retirement” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “Unlike previous clergy retirement plans that Wespath has offered over the past 100 years, Compass does not include a lifetime benefit. Instead, Compass is entirely a defined-contribution plan similar to the 401(k) plans most U.S. corporate employees now have.” (Added 4-17-2024)
“UMC Agencies, Caucuses Make Final Push for Issues Before General Conference” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. “With the opening of the United Methodist Church’s first comprehensive General Conference in eight years coming April 23 in Charlotte, N.C., church bureaucrats and special interest groups are making a final push for their respective legislative campaigns via press releases, op-eds, email, social media, videos and online events. Here are highlights from preparations.” (Added 4-17-2024)
“Regionalization – Refuting Tom Lambrecht and the Africa Initiative” by David Livingston. “I hear in these arguments the same thing we have experienced in the U.S. for the last few years. American traditionalists who are committed to leaving the denomination mislead people about the effects of regionalization and removing the restrictive language to encourage others to join them in leaving the denomination.” (Added 4-17-2024)
“Bishops urged to prepare for seismic shift” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “Needless to say, this is a moment in time when we will not only see some of the dust settle, but we’ll also see new dust storms arise,” he said. (Added 4-17-2024)
“Considering Charlotte – UM Africa Forum Cries Foul & Tensions Build” via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “As final preparations are made for the 2020/2024 General Conference of The United Methodist Church to begin, unfortunate realities continue to be revealed. In this episode, we read over a newly-published release from the UM Africa Forum, a group that was ostensibly put together to support institutionalist goals. The state of affairs has gotten so dire that even they have now accused the UMC of psychologically manipulating them.” (Added 4-17-2024)
“Thoughts on the upcoming 2024 United Methodist General Conference” by Bishop Ken Carter via Western North Carolina UM Conference. “Through removal of this language, we will be in alignment with our full-communion partners in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, our three Pan-Methodist partners (whose Disciplines are silent on this question), the Moravian Church in America—and further, with the Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Disciples of Christ, the United Church of Christ, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.” (Added 4-17-2024)
“Bryan Community Church Merges with Faith UCC and Charters” by Brant Mills via Texas UM Conference. “After a year of prayer and conversation, Faith United Church of Christ, inspired by the work of a newly forming congregation in Bryan, asked that they partner together. Faith UCC offered to become United Methodist and gave their church building for worship and ministry. With much gratitude, Bryan Community Church humbly accepted.” (Added 4-17-2024)
“United Methodists prep for vote on LGBTQ place in church” by Caitlin Herrington via The Post and Courier (SC). “Now – with thousands of conservative members who want to uphold the current Book of Discipline’s “traditional” stance no longer members – many United Methodists are prepared for a more-progressive interpretation that will allow the church to embrace inclusiveness.” (Added 4-17-2024)
“United Methodist Church Bishops to meet prior to General Conference” via Press Release. “As I receive the sacred trust as President of the Council of Bishops, I resolve to lead in a way that inspires hope, that will help to unite The United Methodist Church in our collective efforts to becoming a more inclusive, grace-filled church, and to help deepen and expand our commitment to discipleship, mission, equity, and justice in the Church and in the world,” Bishop Malone said. (Added 4-17-2024)
“After traditionalist churches left, UMC may be more — not less — diverse” by Yonat Shimron via Religion News Service. “But the report paints a picture of a reconstituted denomination that, at least in North Carolina, is politically and theologically diverse. Based on clergy’s assessments of their own congregations, 59% of remaining congregations were evenly divided between Republican and Democratic parties, 2.2% lean Republican, and 18% lean Democratic.” (Added 4-17-2024)
Video Post by Adam Hamilton via Facebook. Tuesday Night Vesper’s dedicated to the topic of General Conference 2024. (Added 4-17-2024)
“How a Small Evangelical Seminary in Defying the Odds” by Clayton Sidenbender via Religion Unplugged. “There are three factors the WBS administration thinks made the enrollment increase. One factor is the establishment of the Global Methodist Church. The GMC was established on May 1, 2022, as a more theologically conservative alternative to the United Methodist Church (UMC). One of the primary reasons for the spilt in the UMC was over issues involving sexuality.” (Added 4-17-2024)
Post by John Miles via Facebook. Pastor of congregation who lost its building gives an update on the next ruling expected on April 22. (Added 4-17-2024)
“Queer Delegate Caucus debuts in Charlotte” by Jim Patterson via UMNS. “The caucus may host a press conference during the April 23-May 3 General Conference, but Ryde said that is not a certainty and depends on what happens.” (Added 4-16-2024)
“Why Regionalization is Key to the Witness of The United Methodist Church” by Sam Powers. “Today, we recognize that the United States has become the mission field. The UMC problem in the US is that the majority of young people here do not embrace Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. While we had been steadily seeing an erosion of faith in recent decades, the pandemic really moved this forward much more quickly than we had otherwise anticipated.” (Added 4-16-2024)
“Dakotas Conference of the UMC Breaks Ranks” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “After a conference Zoom meeting to present the Dakotas delegation and the issues they will be dealing with, there were follow-up questions that were addressed on a conference Q&A document. Whoever wrote the response was candid in a way that the institution of the UMC would almost certainly not approve. This sort of breaking rank is a breath of fresh air when institutional forces are working so hard to control the narrative.” (Added 4-16-2024)
Tweet by Adam Hamilton: “Tonight on Tuesday Vespers, I’ll be talking about these three copies of the UM Book of Discipline, 1968, 1972 and 2016, what I hope changes, and how the 1972 Discipline led to 52 years of conflict. Join me from my back porch tonight at 7:30 p.m. CT on Facebook Live.” (Added 4-16-2024)
“My Generation is Ready for Change” by Molly McIntyre via Mainstream UMC. A lay delegate from Florida encourages donations to Mainstream as a way of supporting their legislative agenda. (Added 4-16-2024)
“Africa Initiative Press Release: April 16, 2024” via PDF. The UM Africa Initiative shares its legislative priorities and concerns following their April 8-12 Prayer Retreat. (Added 4-16-2024)
“Heading to Charlotte: UMC General Conference Begins Next Week” by Scott Field via WCA. “I spent last week in Africa meeting with 149 others, mostly UM General Conference delegates, for three days. They had gathered from an impressive array of countries and annual conferences. Some of them had visas for travel to the US, had received travel itineraries, and were hoping the actual tickets would arrive shortly. Others, though duly elected as delegates, are not going to be present and seated in Charlotte because they a) received letters of invitation too late to schedule a visa appointment or b) were denied a visa.” (Added 4-16-2024)
“Reporter Roundtable with Religion Reporter Liam Adams” via News 5 Nashville. As described in this tweet: “I recently sat down with @NC5 to discuss my reporting on how the #UMC is navigating a splintering ahead of its top legislative assembly and the SBC’s debate over women pastors. Thanks
@NC5_BenHall for your interest, it was a real privilege!” (Added 4-16-2024)
“Methodist Breakup Africa’s Choice” by Ezekiel Ibrahim Maisamari via Frederick News Post. “Despite the celebration, church leaders in Nigeria are considering leaving the United Methodist Church over differences on ordination of LGBTQ people and same-sex marriage.” (Added 4-16-2024)
“Methodist Woes” by Gabriel Ervin via Michigan Review. “Yet there was no discussion of how we could spread this joy, how we could bring people back into the Church, or, even better, make disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although it is not the fault of any particular person, group, or organization, as a young Methodist, I am saddened to see this institutional commitment to a phenomenon that I can refer to only as managed decline.” (Added 4-16-2024)
“Congregations Hold More Diverse Views After Split in United Methodist Church, Study Finds” via Duke.edu. “The clergy who left the denomination are, as a group, more conservative than those who stayed, but even among pastors who stayed a significant fraction (24%) don’t support the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy… One troubling finding from the 2021 survey of clergy was that the pastors who stayed reported feeling more symptoms of depression, anxiety, burnout and occupational distress than the pastors who left the UMC.” (Added 4-16-2024
“What’s Going To Happen in the United Methodist Church? | Looking Forward” by Kipp Nelson via Q Christian Network. “So, for the next few weeks, we will be uplifting the stories of LGBTQ+ United Methodists as they share their experiences, thoughts, and hopes through our Looking Forward Campaign. We invite you to – Read. Pray. Share. – in support of our LGBTQ+ siblings as they look forward to the future of the United Methodist Church and what that may mean not only for the church but also for other LGBTQ+ Christians as they also seek inclusion in other non-affirming spaces.” (Added 4-16-2024)
“When Heavyweights Change their Minds: Richard B. Hays and Human Sexuality” by Pieter Valk via FireBrand Magazine. “I encourage you not to plant the roots of your convictions in your own reasoning or the reasoning of one particular human’s interpretation, but instead plant them in the sturdy foundation of the significant consensus of the Apostles, the Early Church, the Church throughout history, the global consensus of Christians today, and the convictions of the three oldest denominations that represent 70% of modern Christians (Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, and Anglicans).” (Added 4-16-2024)
Post by Kabahaghari United Methodists of the Philippines via Facebook. Izzy Alvaran of RMN shares a video of a 12-year old boy, Lohan Linaban, reading a statement for LGBTQ inclusion directed toward General Conference delegates. (Added 4-16-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “Ever since Mainstream promulgated that list [of legislative priorities], it’s been changing, so it’s becoming ever more difficult to determine exactly what Mainstream’s priorities for this General Conference are.” (Added 4-16-2024)
“The Crane Church: A New Hope for United Methodism” by Jeremy Smith via Hacking Christianity. “For too long LGBTQ+ United Methodists have plucked themselves out, offering their gifts without acknowledgement or acceptance of their true beautiful forms. My friend, the Rev. Sean Delmore, a trans pastor in New England, once said that queer community in the church is wrung out like lemons to make lemonade, and even then, the church cannot accept the community as they are; the church has to add sugar and dilute the community to accept them. (Added 4-16-2024)
“Concerns in Africa About GC Attendance” by Ande Emmanuel via Mainstream UMC (PDF). “Where seated delegates were not able to secure visas, expedited arrangements should be made for reserve delegates who have visas to be seated in their places. This is an urgent call to the organizers of the 2024 General Conference.” (Added 4-15-2024)
Overheard: The pastor of a disaffiliated and independent Methodist Church, Moundville Methodist in Alabama, has been arrested for obstructing an investigation into child abuse at the church sponsored day care. See here, here, and here. (Added 4-15-2024)
“Florida United Methodist Children’s Home in Enterprise changes name to Residing Hope” by Mark Harper via Daytona Beach News-Journal. “Our new name and brand better reflect the vast resources we provide to the children in our care and the families that we support,” said Kitwana McTyer, president and CEO. (Added 4-15-2024)
““Heartbreak”: Pastor, District Superintendent talk closing of Floral Heights United Methodist Church” by Dylan Jimenex via Texomas. “Where the church had been in the last three years because COVID took its toll and other things that occurred, like talk of disaffiliation,” Northwest District Superintendent for the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church Todd Harris said. “Membership had begun to decline and giving had begun to decline. It just wasn’t sustainable.” (Added 4-15-2024)
“Runoff’s coming, ex-Methodists vs. Methodists: Down in Alabama” by Ike Morgan via AL.com. “As more than half the state’s Methodist churches formally split from the United Methodist Church denomination over the past few years, the individual congregations were paying settlements to acquire their churches and infrastructure.” (Added 4-15-2024)
“Revised Social Principles offer new start” by Lovett Weems via UMNS. “Some would prefer to modify the statement to say marriage is between a man and a woman. But why would you? Why edit to inject unnecessary division and disunity? Others would prefer that the statement on marriage include specifically same-sex marriages. But why would you? Why edit to inject unnecessary division and disunity? Despite protestations otherwise, there is no global moral consensus on these issues.” (Added 4-15-2024)
“Alabama Supreme Court allows Harvest Church’s lawsuit against United Methodist Church to continue” by Caleb Taylor via 1819 News. “After careful review, and for the reasons explained below, we conclude that the AWFC and the GCFA have not met their burden of demonstrating a clear legal right to have the complaint against them dismissed. Accordingly, we deny the petition. In doing so, we express no view on the merits of Harvest’s action. Instead, this action will continue in the trial court for further proceedings,” Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice Greg Cook said in an opinion released on Friday. (Added 4-15-2024)
“United Methodists come to Charlotte to weigh a milestone measure on LGBTQ acceptance” by Editorial Board via Charlotte Observer. “It’s a move that has been in the making for years, and it’s one that has yielded a messy divorce among Methodists as more conservative congregations displeased with the impending changes have left the denomination in droves.” (Added 4-15-2024)
“Then he opened their minds…” by Jack Harnish. “So with Diane Butler Bass, I love the United Methodist motto, Open minds, open hearts, open doors. As those who prefer a more legalistic, doctrinaire approach to faith form their own denomination, I hope the on-going United Methodist Church will claim and celebrate a faith which is open to new ideas, hearts filled with the wideness of grace, minds which are willing to be creative, doors that open to all persons seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ.” See Diane Butler Bass’ praise for the UMC slogan here. (Added 4-15-2024)
Tweet via Reconciling Ministries Network. “Many thanks to Mark Gruber-Lebowitz, hymn composer, for sharing this beautiful hymn with us: a song of hope and healing for the people of The United Methodist Church. You can find the sheet music and .wav file here…” (Added 4-15-2024)
“Reproductive Justice, United Methodism, and the 2020 (2024) General Conference” by Katharine Henry via California Pacific Conference (UMC). “As a pro-choice Christian, I would like to see a bolder stance on abortion, as well as some medical topics corrected for accuracy. As a United Methodist, however, I choose the whole document, with its powerful language on topics such as economic justice and opposition to child marriage, for example, and love that it represents the people of The United Methodist Church.” (Added 4-15-2024)
“UMC to Consider Full Communion with The Episcopal Church at its 2024 General Conference” via Episcopal News Service. The dialogue committee’s proposal for full communion, entitled “A Gift to the World,” is the theological foundation for this full-communion proposal. (Added 4-15-2024)
“Oklahoman United Methodists get ready for upcoming General Conference” by Carla Hinton via The Oklahoman. “Oklahomas hope to address major issues like LGBTQ+ inclusion at General Conference postponed until 2020. (Added 4-15-2024)
“Here’s what a massive exodus is costing the United Methodist Church: Splinter explainer” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. A new budget proposed for the UMC General Conference is $23.8 million less than the previous budget, or a 43% reduction. What that means for United Methodist bishops and general agencies. Half of all U.S.-based United Methodist regional conferences enacted administrative reductions in recent years, largely by laying off staff.” PDF (Added 4-15-2024)
“Shrinking Numbers, Holding Power: Iran, the UMC” via Straight White American Jesus. “Brad speaks with PRRI CEO and author of “The End of White Christian America” Robert P. Jones. They discuss the ongoing developments with Iran, the United Methodist Church’s split over LGBT issues, and how evangelicals are a shrinking demographic that somehow continues to hold enormous power in American politics.” (Added 4-13-2024)
“Richard Hays, Neo-Anabaptism, War & Sex” by Mark Tooley via Juicy Ecumenism. “The reversal is not surprising. Hays is part of a generational cohort of theologians who were deeply influenced by Karl Barth and John Howard Yoder towards a Neo-Anabaptist perspective. To varying degrees, they adopt Barth’s view that the scriptures contain but are not themselves God’s word. And they share Yoder’s view that opposing all violence, including even police and military, is the defining characteristic for authentic Christianity.” (Added 4-13-2024)
“Harvest claims another win against the United Methodist Church in Alabama Supreme Court ruling” by Richard Everett via WDHN. “The fight began early last year when Harvest split from the AWFC and feared the denomination would seize their property. The church then filed a lawsuit and protection order against the AWFC.” See also WTVY Coverage. (Added 4-13-2024)
“Commentary: Transformative unmasking paves a way forward” by Bishop Ernest Lyght via UMNS. “In addition, we are confronted by other issues, including disaffiliation over the denomination’s disagreements about human sexuality. The United Methodist Church is not likely to resolve the divisions around human sexuality until racism is eliminated in the denomination.” (Added 4-13-2024)
“Alabama Supreme Court sides with megachurch over property dispute with UMC” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. Associate Justice Greg Cook authored the decision, arguing that, despite the UMC’s claim that a secular court should not tackle the church dispute, “it is undisputed that civil courts do have jurisdiction to resolve church-property disputes.” (Added 4-13-2024)
“United Methodist General Conference to have ‘queer clergy’ caucus at event” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “Bickerton also told CP that the caucus itself is not in violation of the Book of Discipline since ‘anyone can advocate for change on any matter’ and “the majority of the petitions that are submitted to the General Conference call for some kind of change on some topic.’” (Added 4-13-2024)
“As a landmark United Methodist gathering approaches, African churches weigh their future.” by Peter Smith via Associate Press. “Same-sex marriage ‘is unbiblical and also is incompatible with Christian teaching according to our Book of Discipline,’ Yohanna said at a January news conference, in which he also said ‘no to regionalization.'” (Added 4-13-2024)
“Alabama Supreme Court denies United Methodist request to dismiss lawsuit: Dothan megachurch says it owes no money” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “The Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church had asked a Houston County court to dismiss the case, saying it was a church matter and shouldn’t be decided by the courts.” (Added 4-13-2024)
“Why Wespath supports regionalization” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. The Worldwide Regionalization proposal does spell out that each region would have the freedom to adopt its own ordination requirements, its own regional hymnal and ritual including marriage rites, and its own rules related to chargeable offenses and penalties so long as United Methodists are not deprived of their right to a church trial. (Added 4-12-2024)
“Open Letter on General Conference preparations” via UM Africa Forum. “Given the prevailing conditions, we would like to express that as Africans we consider this as an uncertain process with limited trust that risks compromising acceptance of the outcome of the General Conference. There will be far more African empty seats at the coming general conference, and we believe it will be unfair to expect the African church to endorse the outcomes of the General Conference where their quest for full participation has been thwarted by logistical delays that could be foreseen and mitigated.” (Added 4-12-2024)
“International Delegates Voice Concerns about General Conference Access, Influence” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. “Over the space of 48 hours April 9-11, three groups publicized the following concerns (1) Lack of invitation letters for some African delegates, documentation they need to obtain visas to the United States; (2) Visa processing delays in some countries with months-long backlogs; (3) Inadequate information about travel arrangements and hotel accommodations for some African delegates; (4) Objection to the interference of U.S. caucus groups in General Conference matters. (Added 4-12-2024)
“Regionalization – Objections Answers (Part Three)” by David Livingston. “I don’t think that many churches will leave. But if they did, we will not change our position and start arguing against regionalization. Why? Because regionalization is the right thing to do for our Church. It is the right path forward. We must stay united even while forces opposed to the UMC continue to work to separate us.” (Added 4-12-2024)
“World Christianity Meets the Post-Disaffiliated United Methodist Church” by Jacob Dharmaraj via Resource UMC. “Our beloved United Methodist Church appears to be trapped in the cross hairs of the right, the tentacles of the left, the cultural contradictions of globalization and capitalism, and the vise grip of the Book of Discipline, or all of the above.” (Added 4-11-2024)
“Remembering The Christian Advocate” by John Feagins via UM Insight. “The upcoming 2024 General Conference will be defined by its response to the crises of antagonism, institutional disintegration, and unsustainable colonialism. Delegates will either affirm new pathways to justice and renewed vitality or put the UMC at risk of becoming a failed state. In the face of such a challenge, much could be learned by putting down the Daily Christian Advocate and prayerfully picking up The Christian Advocate.” (Added 4-11-2024)
Post by Nuhu Absalom (Facebook). “People, don’t believe it. It’s all a lie ! Majority of African Delegates to the general conference are all opposing Regionalization. These are the original delegates who were elected in their parliamentary chambers. Not fake delegates like Tanzania! Keep quiet and know that I am God says the Lord! They lied that all Africans support Regionalization, so it is a lie, this is their gathering of churches not delegates, though there are few delegates among them, but all African delegates are at this meeting in Kenya! We thought that anyone who played should pass Regionlization, we will surprise them all here in Africa. The Bishops of Africa have no power, power is in the hands of delegates and our Lord Jesus Christ.” See also here. (Added 4-11-2024)
Post via South West Philippines Conference (Facebook). “It is our conviction that we who have not disaffiliated ourselves from the United Methodist Church have a right to self-determination and that those no longer in The United Methodist Church have no longer any right to a voice at the General Conference, have no more right to influence the United Methodist decision-making, and should refrain from meddling into the internal affairs of the Church.” (Added 4-11-2024)
“Letter to Delegates” by African Voices for Unity. Supports regionalization and opposes disaffiliation. (Added 4-11-2024)
“Podcast General Conference: What Happened at 2019 at General Conference?” via St. Lukes Orlando (YouTube). “Join Pastor Jenn Stiles Williams, Pastor Jad Denmark and General Conference Delegates, Alice Williams and Derek Scott as they discuss what happened at the 2019 United Methodist General Conference and what makes General Conference 2024 so unique.” (Added 4-11-2024)
“Podcast features Rev. Dr. Mark Holland of Mainstream UMC” via Great Plains Conference (UMC). “As part of the Great Plains Conference’s previews for the upcoming General Conference, Todd Seifert, conference communications directory, has produced a five-episode series for the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast.” (Added 4-11-2024)
“What’s new for GC 2024, Part 3: Clergy Formation” by Taylor Burton Edwards via UMNS. “In all of these revisions, the annual conference board of ordained ministry takes on a more prominent role, if not the deciding role, in the formation of clergy to serve within that annual conference. The result is the established connectional entities, the University Senate and GBHEM, are either removed from the process or reduced primarily to a consultative role in the process of forming United Methodist clergy.” (Added 4-11-2024)
“United Methodist Church is facing upheaval. These staff are helping prepare for the future” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. “Staff at the United Methodist Church’s administrative arm in Nashville share their experiences navigating the denomination’s drama. A look into how denomination’s administrative arm is preparing for United Methodism’s future following higher-than-expected church disaffiliations and pending budget cuts.” PDF (Added 4-11-2024)
“Strategy for General Conference” via Mainstream UMC (PDF). “The Mainstream UMC Advisory Board unanimously adopted our strategy for General Conference at our meeting yesterday. We are very optimistic that we will remove the harmful language. We are cautiously optimistic that we can pass regionalization. Our ground game in Charlotte will be very important!” (Added 4-10-2024)
Overheard: There are several new videos on the UMC YouTube Channel related to COSROW and GCRR in advance of General Conference. (Added 4-10-2024)
“Love Your Neighbor Coalition to bring hospitality, human rights focus to UMC’s General Conference” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. “LYNC members are not of like mind about how to implement the UMC’s hottest hot-button issue, the removal of “harmful language” about LGBTQ inclusion. Nonetheless, “every caucus in the coalition absolutely agrees that the church must end the harm it is doing to God’s children,” Christie said. (Added 4-10-2024)
“General Conference recap: Homosexuality debate” via UMNS. “The General Conference delegates who meet this month will be charting the future of an international denomination that already looks very different than it did eight years ago when the last regular session General Conference met. In a video, Heather Hahn gives an overview of The United Methodist Church’s homosexuality debate and how the denomination got here.” (Added 4-10-2024)
“Just Dropped: Big Recommendations on the Future Shape of the Global Methodist Church” by Chris Ritter via PeopleNeedJesus.net. An analysis of proposals issued on April 10 by the Transitional Leadership Council of the GMC. (Added 4-10-2024)
“GM Church’s Transitional Leadership Council Offers Proposals on the Nature of the Episcopacy” by Walter Fenton via GMC. Recommendations released on the Episcopacy in the Global Methodist Church. (Added 4-10-2024)
“Will The United Methodist Church Finally Settle Its Big Split?” by Richard Ostling via Religion Unplugged. “It’s possible that progressive delegates at Charlotte will figure that this year it’s politically wise to merely approve softened sexual language in the proposed rewrite of the UMC’s Social Principles document, but delay decisive LGBT legislation till a 2026 special General Conference that the UMC bishops authorized last November.” (Added 4-9-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. Responding to a letter by Bishop Sue Haupert Johnson: “…it seems to me, ironic that such disinformation would be included in a letter that excoriates disinformation.” (Added 4-9-2024)
“North Texas Church Splits, But Youth Group Sticks Together” via UM Insight. “In November 2022, dissident members at First UMC in Frisco, a suburb about 30 miles north of Dallas, chose to split despite a failed disaffiliation vote. The dissidents took over the church building illegally in January 2023, while those who wanted to remain United Methodist regrouped, meeting initially at Christ UMC in Plano, a nearby city, and then moving to Faithbridge Presbyterian Church in Frisco. The dissident group has since joined the Global Methodist Church, but no online record could be found of the legal disposition of the Frisco church property.” (Added 4-9-2024)
“The Wilberforce Moment for UMC General Conference Delegates Has Arrived” by Scott Field via WCA. “Let’s be clear: the question of whether provisions for congregational and annual conference disaffiliation will be extended to Central Conferences, including Africa, is of a much, much smaller scale than the abolition of the British slave trade. That is obvious. But there is also an obvious connection in knowing about an injustice, having power to correct the injustice, and choosing to do nothing about it… African Voices Will Be Suppressed; African Votes Will Not be Counted” (Added 4-9-2024)
“Please spare Ministerial Education Fund” by Kent Millard via UMNS. Seminary president Dr. Kent Millard says a major cut to the fund would be short-sighted, exacerbating seminarians’ debt and causing new clergy to be less effective because of worry over their debt load. (Added 4-9-2024)
“Conservative Christians just lost their scholarly trump card on same-sex relationships” by Jonathan Merritt via RNS. “But the 75-year-old Hayes, since retired, now admits that his moral vision wasn’t exactly 20/20 when it came to this issue in 1996, and he’s ready to set the record straight. In a book scheduled to be released in September, “The Widening of God’s Mercy: Sexuality Within the Biblical Story,” written with his son, Christopher B. Hays, the elder Hays makes an about-face that is already causing an uproar in evangelical circles.” (Added 4-9-2024)
“Podcast: Christian Realism, Methodism, Just War” by Mark Tooley via Juicy Ecumenism. “My Southern Baptist friend Daniel Darling of the Richard Land Center interviewed me about Christian Realism, Methodist schism, and Just War teaching, among other topics. Enjoy our exchange here.” (Added 4-9-2024)
“Convening General Conference Update” via Global Methodist Church. “With the highly anticipated convening General Conference in San Jose, Costa Rica, rapidly approaching, the Global Methodist Church is delighted to announce the launch of the convening General Conference website.” (Added 4-8-2024)
“Podcast General Conference 2024 – What Is General Conference?” by St. Luke’s Orlando (YouTube). “Join Pastor Jenn Stiles Williams, Pastor Jad Denmark and General Conference Delegates, Alice Williams and Derek Scott as they discuss the basics of United Methodist General Conference and the upcoming issues for General Conference 2024.” (Added 4-8-2024)
“Embrace the Challenge: Empowering Women at General Conference” via COSROW (YouTube). Includes outline of Gender Equality petitions. (Added 4-8-2024)
“Road to General Conference: Bishop Palmer Townhall 2024 Part 2” via West Ohio UM Conference (YouTube). Online session about General Conference. See also Part One. (Added 4-8-2024)
“Addressing Disinformation in The United Methodist Church” by Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson. “We would never send clergy to parishes that would not welcome them, follow their leadership, and do them harm. Further, many congregations have indicated that they would be delighted to receive LGBTQ+ pastors. We do not anticipate an overwhelming supply of LGBTQ+ pastors and there should be more than enough congregations to receive those LGBTQ+ pastors we anticipate having.” (Added 4-8-2024)
“Is The UMC Full of Selfish Pastors and Isolationist Congregations?” via ReBrand Podcast (YouTube). An interview with Kim Goddard, a Holston Conference DS. (Added 4-8-2024)
“Resilience in Ruston: A Fresh Chapter in United Methodist History Set to Unfold” via Louisiana UM Conference. “One year ago, two local Methodist churches voted to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church. It was a moment that tested faith and resilience and sparked a vision for renewal. It wasn’t long before a group of dedicated former members gathered together to begin dreaming of a new, welcoming, and inclusive faith community that honors its past while boldly stepping into the future.” (Added 4-8-2024)
“United Methodist Church regains control of breakaway Illinois church property” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “While most churches faced little obstacles in their quests for disaffiliation, other congregations have had to pay large sums to their UMC regional bodies to keep control of their properties. Dozens of churches nationwide filed lawsuits claiming the process set up by their UMC regional bodies has been unfair. However, many of those churches have had their complaints dismissed.” (Added 4-8-2024)
“Johnstown-based Foothills Worship Center to split with regional Methodist conference” by Tyler McNiel via Leader-Herald (NY). “We just really thought getting rid of the denominational baggage, claiming our own identity was really important for us,” Chesebro said. The move, the pastor explained, would put more money into Foothills and prevent the conference from potentially relocating him to another church.” (Added 4-8-2024)
“A dramatic schism over social issues? The United Methodist Church has been here before – but this time, America’s religious landscape is far different” by Daniel Merino via The Conversation. “Conservatives continue to oppose reforms, including a growing number of United Methodists from outside the U.S – an increasing portion of the church. For example, many African United Methodists come from nations with strict laws banning homosexuality. Of the 862 delegates attending the upcoming General Conference, 380 will be from outside the U.S. Nearly 300 of these delegates will come from Africa.” (Added 4-8-2024)
Post by Brian Clay Johnson via Facebook. [Photo featuring Jesus in drag] “Actual image from website of Allendale United Methodist Church (UMC) in St. Petersburg, Florida, promoting its upcoming “Divine Drag (Queen) Sunday.” This is truly sad. It’s blasphemous. It’s horrendous.” (Added 4-8-2024)
Post by Adam Hamilton via Facebook. “There are some in the last few years who have misrepresented how United Methodists use the quadrilateral, claiming that United Methodists saw all four as co-equal sources or bases for faith. If this has happened, it was an error. Scripture was always intended to be primary, but tradition, reason and experience are critically important in understanding scripture and in forming our theology and practice.” (Added 4-8-2024)
“Reckoning Methodism” by Darryl Stephens. Promoting a new book: “What should we make of a splintering church, denominational division, and over fifty years of acrimony in the most mainline of mainline churches in the United States?” (Added 4-8-2024)
“Proposed Restructuring Plan draws on grassroots vision to create opportunities for vitality” via Baltimore-Washington UM Conference. “The plan, which is budget-neutral and will not increase local churches’ mission share payments, will go into effect in July 2025. In the season ahead, the hubs, districts and regions will be created in ways that honor the strengths of local churches and ensure the BWC’s diversity, rich heritage, and focus on vitality are preserved.” (Added 4-8-2024)
“Considering Charlotte – Legitimacy of the General Conference of the UMC Questions” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “We talk about the disagreements between Rob Renfroe and Good News with Mainstream UMC and Mark Holland, as well as the SCCCM and their representatives. Is it true that nonAmerican churches can already disaffiliate from the UMC without a new disciplinary provision? Is Holland’s objection to a denomination-wide provision legitimate? And what is to be said with the large number of African delegates who will be unable to attend?” (Added 4-6-2024)
“The Widening of God’s Mercy: Sexuality Within the Biblical Story Hardcover – September 24, 2024” via Amazon. Conservative Methodist theologian and author of The Moral Vision of the New Testament, will release a book with his son (Christopher Hayes of Fuller) arguing, “ongoing conversations within the Bible in which traditional rules, customs, and theologies are rethought [point to the fact that] God has already gone on ahead of our debates and expanded his grace to people of different sexualities.” Hayes is a professor emeritus as Duke and The Moral Vision of the New Testament was named by Christianity Today as one of the 100 most influential books of the 20th Century. (Added 4-6-2024)
Tweet by Robert Gagnon: “Sadly, Richard Hays (professor emeritus of Duke Divinity School) has backslidden into heresy, reneging on his decades-old published rejection of homosexual practice as immoral. He used to be the main go-to person on the issue until his work was eclipsed by my own more extensive work in 2001…” (Added 4-6-2024)
“Sacred Worth Books” via UMC Board of Church and Society. Promoting Transgender book titles for children like 10,000 Dresses, When Aiden Became a Brother, Be Who You Are, Sam!, Rainbow Boy, and I am Jazz.(Added 4-6-2024)
“How Not to Do It and How to Do It: Social Witness and the Church” by Bob Phillips via PeopleNeedJesus.net. UMC advocacy for ceasefire in Gaza offers lessons on how denominations should and should not present their social witness. (Added 4-6-2024)
“Support UM News at General Conference” via UMNS. A financial campaign to support UMNS’ coverage of General Conference in the wake of steep budget cuts. (Added 4-6-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “The United Methodist Petitions Secretary, Abby Parker Herrera, has made some really helpful corrections of some errors in printing of the first version of the supplement to the original Advance Edition of the Daily Christian Advocate, and those have been included in a new version of Volume 3 of the ADCA, issued within the last few days…” (Added 4-6-2024)
“GC2020: Major legislative topics” via Resource UMC. Regionalization, Budget, New African Bishops, New Social Principles, New Pension Plan, Disaffiliations, Same-Sex Marriage, and other topics coming before the UM General Conference “2020” that convenes this month. (Added 4-5-2024)
“What’s New for GC 2024 Part 2: Disaffiliation” Analysis by The Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards via Ask the UMC. “Overall, this petition reflects and seeks to correct negative experiences a few congregations experienced in the course of the previous disaffiliation process in the United States. However, the proposed corrections primarily work by reducing or nullifying the discretion and influence of other parties in the connectional system of The United Methodist Church, whether bishops, district superintendents, annual conference boards of trustees, or the members of the annual conference when they vote.” See also Series Introduction and Part One (The Budget). (Added 4-5-2024)
“Along the Way: Eyes To See” by Steve Harper via UM Insight. The revised mantra was, “Conservative denominations are growing because they preach the Gospel, and liberal ones are declining because they do not.” I did not believe the updated declaration, but the bulked statistics sustained the illusion. (Added 4-5-2024)
“Adam Hamilton and Bishop Karen Oliveto Keynote UM General Conference Webinar” by Press Release via UM Insight. “Following all the turmoil of denominational disaffiliations and church schism, will United Methodism overcome its historic anti-LGBTQ+ policies and embrace a more inclusive mission and ministry for the future?” (Added 4-5-2024)
“Cherry Blossoms, Resilience and the UMC” by UM Insight Staff. “If we look only at the UMC’s woes – its internecine battles over human sexuality, its struggles for political control of doctrine, its overburdened, outmoded bureaucracy – we see naught but its withering trunk. If we look instead at the UMC’s gifts to the world – people nourished in body and mind, souls uplifted with hope, and above all, God’s grace proclaimed – we see branch upon branch of blossoms, each more beautiful than the one that came before.” (Added 4-5-2024)
“American Conflict and the UMC In Africa” by Taylor Walters Denyer via UM Insight. “What the coalition of conservative U.S.-based caucus groups has done in recent years is take this dynamic to a destructive extreme by not only building and heavily funding a rival patronage economy (i.e., the Wesleyan Covenant Association, the Africa Initiative, and now the Global Methodist Church) but appointing as its regional leaders those with open ambitions of becoming bishops.” (Added 4-5-2024)
“Is a New Disaffiliation Pathway Needed?” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. The new proposed Par. 576 would streamline the process for African conferences and address churches who wish to take an action separate from that of their annual conference. (Added 4-5-2024)
“April 5 Weekly Livestream” by Jeffrey Rickman via Plainspoken. Weekly discussion of Methodist topics, including the back and forth between Mainstream UMC and WCA. (Added 4-5-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “It is becoming increasingly likely, it seems, that a large number of the seats allocated to delegates from the annual conferences of Africa will be vacant because the delegates are unable to get visas in time to travel to Charlotte to attend the General Conference. It looks like that will be at least 60 or more, which means more than 20% of the seats allocated to African delegates would be vacant if this nightmare possibility becomes reality. That would be more absences from Africa than the entire delegation from Philippines.” (Added 4-5-2024)
“WCA Calls Delegates White Supremacists” by Mark Holland via UM Insight. “The WCA is desperate because the vast majority of their voters at General Conference have already left. The real question is why is a remnant of the WCA still meddling in their former church? There will be ZERO UMC delegates at the GMC General Conference in September. There should be ZERO GMC delegates in Charlotte.” (Added 4-5-2024)
“Recap: Threats and White Supremacy” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC. Fundraising e-mail: “Both of these crazy actions center around their desperation to adopt new legislation to further split the United Methodist Church.” (Added 4-5-2024)
“Ahead of General Conference, queer United Methodist delegates organize a caucus” by Yonat Shimron via RNS. “The first-ever United Methodist Queer Delegate Caucus will be among the more visible changes when the denomination’s top legislative body convenes April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina.” (Added 4-5-2024)
“Balancing Tradition and Remaining Relevant” by Kellen Roggenbuck via UM Insight. “My congregation sometimes provides Glitter Ashes as part of the liturgy of Ash Wednesday. It is both part of the tradition, being ashes marking on the forehead, and a departure by acknowledging that those within the LGBTQ+ community have experienced more than their fair share of mortality, tragedy, and hurt, glitter ashes are a symbol of the redeeming love in the midst of our very creation; a gritty, glittery, surprising symbol of hope, and a renewed tradition.” (Added 4-5-2024)
“Delegates Look to Africa as Crucial in General Conference Vote on Regionalization” by David Burke via UM Insight. “Two of the Great Plains Conference’s clergy delegates to General Conference believe that the African vote will be crucial to efforts for regionalization to become reality in The United Methodist Church and for American churches to have their own say about human sexuality.” (Added 4-5-2024)
“Short Takes on Hot Topics: Dr. Jerry Kulah” by Bob Kaylor via WCA (Substack). “An interview with Dr. Jerry Kulah of the UMC Africa Initiative on regionalization proposals, African delegate issues, and other topics relating to the upcoming UMC General Conference.” (Added 4-4-2024)
“So the World Will Know” Global Methodist Church General Conference Website. The official site of the September 20-26 convening General Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Petition submission feature included. (Added 4-4-2024)
“Regionalization – Answering Objections, Part 2” by David Livingston. “It is true that regionalization would help those of us in the United States that want to expand LGBT+ rights. But even if that were not the case, regionalization would be a good idea.” (Added 4-3-2024)
“Delegate handbook, legislation available” as shared by UMNS. “NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The new, valid petitions, reports and the updated delegate handbook information for General Conference have been published as a 2024 supplement to the Advance Daily Christian Advocate. The supplement and handbook are now available in PDF form in English, French, Portuguese and Kiswahili. See resource” (Added 4-3-2024)
“Atheist group serves Easter feast at Knoxville church” via Hoston Conference as shared via UMNS. “Jackson called the ASK volunteers a “gracious community.” “They are a wonderful example to everyone in the Knoxville community of how to serve the less fortunate with humility, grace and hard work. We are so very thankful for them and look forward to continuing to serve together,” Jackson said.” (Added 4-3-2024)
“Easter Message 2024: Join in 50 days of celebration for our resurrected Lord” by Thomas Bickerton via UMC Council of Bishops. “There is a lot on the horizon these next fifty days. But in the midst of conferencing, appointment-making, and the ongoing fulfillment of mission and vision on all levels of our church, let us not forget that this is a season to work for a new kind of church and a new commitment to life in Jesus Christ, our resurrected Lord.” (Added 4-3-2024)
“State of the United Methodist Church in 2024 [3of3]” by Jeremy Smith. Seattle pastor analyzes possible outcomes to GC2024. (Added 4-3-2024)
“Christian Nation? Which one?” by Dan Piller via Bleeding Heartland. “The split—Methodists adamantly refuse to use the more theological term “schism”—is believed to be the largest such division in U.S. church history.” (Added 4-3-2024)
“With no room for asylum-seekers, Tukwila church turns families away” by Anna Patrick via The Seattle Times. Starting two weeks ago Pastor Jan Bolerjack, church leader at Riverton Park United Methodist Church in Tukwila, has had to turn asylum-seekers away after the church reached capacity. “They just looked at me like, ‘Where am I going to go?’ And I say, ‘I don’t know, but you can’t stay here,’” Bolerjack said. (Added 4-3-2024)
“Bishop faced death — and wrote about it” by Sam Hodges via UMNS. “Whitaker’s reading and reflection led him to take stands on matters of controversy — and to give his reasons. That included posting an essay on the Florida Conference website supporting the denomination’s restrictive policies on homosexuality.” (Added 4-3-2024)
“Judge orders disputed church property returned to conference” by Thomas Kim via UMNS. “He did not inform us that the bishop promised us that he would not appoint gay pastors to Korean churches, nor is there a trust clause,” Kim added. “If I had known those facts ahead of time, I would not have taken this painful process that divides us.” (Added 4-3-2024)
“Queer Delegate Statement #2: To Queer People in the UMC – Words of Encouragement” via United Methodist Queer Delegate Caucus. “While the pain of past gatherings gives us all pause, this General Conference feels different. The departure of many vocal conservative leaders and the joining of progressive and centrist voices for full inclusion give us cause for hope. We have hope that one day soon the Church will fully embrace the humanity of her LGBTQAI+ siblings. We hope to fully share the inclusive and Christlike love of the church God is building for the future. Thus, the Queer Delegate Caucus joins with our siblings around the connection in adding our support for the legislation of Global Regionalization, the Removal of Harmful Language from the Book of Discipline, and the passage of our Revised Social Principles.” (Added 4-3-2024)
“Revised Social Principles: Updating The UMC toolbox for social witness” via UM Church & Society. “From all the work and prayers, a new Revised Social Principles emerged…” (Added 4-3-2024)
“MFSA At General Conference” via Methodist Federation for Social Action. “MFSA has created Plumblines in coalition with our partners as a resource for General Conference. Plumblines are legislative position papers that focus on multiple issues/legislative priorities that are important to us, share values, an analysis of the legislation, resources for further study, and recommended action. We offer this as a gift to the church and hope it serves as a resource as delegates prepare for GC, are in conversation with their delegations, and as a quick guide on site at GC.” (Added 4-3-2024)
“Grandview Church prepares for York expansion, reflects on post-disaffiliation growth” by Mike Andrelczyk via Lancaster Online (PA). The decision to disaffiliate cost the church $750,000 to continue to worship in their building. They’ve since paid the loan down to $230,000… The church is flourishing, with the help of generous donations from within and outside the community, as well as other campaigns and fundraising events like jazz concerts. In the spring 2022, the church ordained its first openly gay minister, the Rev. Elizabeth Fulmer.” (Added 4-3-2024)
“Give us two-and-a-half minutes. That’s all. 2 mins, 30 seconds.” by Scott Field via WCA. “No long read here. We are not hell-bent on disrupting the coming General Conference. Far from it. We’re ready to move on…except for just one thing. You’re probably ready to move on, too, right?” (Added 4-2-2024)
“A UMC Council of Trent?” by Chris Ritter via PNJ Team Caffeine. Counter-Reformations are not helpful and why the UMC should #ListentoLonnie. See also “A Deal on the Table?” (Added 4-2-2024)
“‘Good News’ Issues Threats to Delegates” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC (PDF). “Now, without votes or credibility, Renfroe and ‘Good News’ have been reduced to issuing threats. Rather than turning their attention to building their new Global Methodist Church, they continue to demand division in the UMC.” (Added 4-2-2024)
“General Conference 2024: Possibilities and Peril” by Bob Phillips via PeopleNeedJesus.org. Cautionary notes for both the UMC and GMC General Conferences happening this year. (Added 4-2-2024)
“Christian college with United Methodist Church ties to close after 168 years” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “UMC North Alabama Conference Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett issued a statement Thursday saying that she was “grieved at the closure of this exceptional College,” which “leaves a great legacy.” (Added 4-2-2024)
“Judge strips Naperville Korean Church of assets amid property dispute with United Methodist Church” by Tess Kenny via Naperville Sun (AOL). “In May 2023, the conference sent representatives to NKC to assume control of assets. But upon arrival, representatives were denied access to properties and ultimately left, the complaint said. That left NKC in unlawful possession of the properties, according to the suit.” Same story in Chicago Tribune. (Added 4-2-2024)
“General Conference 2024 – Short Preview” via Great Plains UM Conference. “Five delegates from the Great Plains Conference — Rev. Amy Lippoldt, Scott Brewer, Lisa Maupin, Rev. David Livingston, and Rev. Dr. Kalaba Chali — share some brief remarks on some of the key topics coming up for General Conference in late April and early May in 2024.” (Added 4-2-2024)
“General Conference to Consider Revised Social Principles” via Dakotas Conference. “Join your Dakotas Conference General Conference delegation—Beata Ferris, Kara Heagel, Rev. Sara Nelson, and Rev. Rebecca Trefz, on April 4, 2024 at 7 p.m., central time, 6 p.m., mountain time, or April 7 at 2 p.m., central time, 1 p.m., mountain time, to learn more about General Conference and ask questions about the upcoming 2024 General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, April 23-May 4, 2024.” (Added 4-2-2024)
“Methodist Retreat, British & American” by Mark Tooley via Juicy Ecumenism. “In America the impact of Methodist implosion is exponentially greater. British Methodism was always important but a smaller minority. Methodism was America’s biggest church for much of the 19th century and the largest Protestant denomination for most of the 20th century. Methodist groups like Methodist Women and the Epworth League for youth, which later became Methodist Youth Fellowship, not to mention Sunday schools and men’s groups, molded and socialized millions of Americans.” (Added 4-2-2024)
“Friends, We Don’t Build the Kingdom – A Conversation With David Watson” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “The conversation ranged from all kinds of topics, from Christian Nationalism, to Charlie Kirk, to Donal Trump, to Greg Locke, Modernism, Social Justice, The United Methodist Church, and, you know, the Day of the Lord.” (Added 4-2-2024)
Tweet by UMNS: “3 perspectives on disaffiliation proposals coming to #UMCGC The Rev. Mark R. Holland https://buff.ly/3TF1hxv The Rev. Rob Renfro https://buff.ly/3IZMfgN Christina Schneider https://buff.ly/4cLWFOO” (Added 4-2-2024)
“Top issues for United Methodists’ Global Assembly taking shape” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. “This year, however, LGBTQ allies have pinned their hopes on the Revised Social Principles rather than on specific sections where the LGBTQ bans appear. It’s a tricky maneuver, but if the Revised Social Principles are adopted as presented without the “incompatible” reference, then everything that hinges on it is invalidated automatically. If the revision doesn’t make it through, there are still individual petitions to remove the anti-LGBTQ language wherever it’s found.” (Added 4-2-2024)
“Five More Months – A Conversation with Keith Boyette” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken. “Keith was gracious to accept an invitation to speak with me about the job he has done, the legacy he hopes will sustain, and his plans for the near future. This will give many folks a better understanding of how and why it is that the GMC has been structured the way that it has, what values have been balanced in the formation of this new covenant body, and what we might anticipate in the coming months as we prepare for the coming conference.” (Added 4-1-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “And here might be the most irritating fact of all. The money that lots of us United Methodists contribute to United Methodist churches is money that comes out of those same fossil fuel industries that are proposed for divestiture. So, until United Methodist churches are prepared to look those of us in the eye who serve or have served in these industries and tell us you don’t want any more of our contributions, tainted as they are, then it’s my recommendation that you work to defeat these proposals for divestiture as the ill advised proposals they are.” (Added 4-1-2024)
“Delegation Gears Up for Busy General Conference” via Missouri UM Conference. “The entire landscape of the United Methodist Church has shifted since 2019, when the group was elected… Three of the most significant themes of the General Conference this year have been referred to as “The Three R’s” by some.” (Added 4-1-2024)
“Conference Hosts ‘How to Talk About General Conference’ Webinar” Press Release via UM Insight. “On April 15, 2024, from 9 to 10 AM Pacific Time, plan to attend the one-hour Zoom presentation with the Directors of Communications from each Conference in the Western Jurisdiction, and Brenda Smotherman from UMCOM on communicating about the General Conference.” (Added 4-1-2024)
“UMNews & General Conference – Pre General Conference Webinar | GCFA Budget Segment” by GCFA via YouTube. A segment on the church-wide budget provided by GCFA. (Added 4-1-2024)
“Pre-General Conference Listening Session” via Holston UM Conference (YouTube). The GC delegation shares information about the upcoming General Conference. (Added 4-1-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “A significant number of United Methodists have bought into the Mainstream UMC version of the three Rs of what the thrust of the upcoming General Conference ought to be… Well, folks, if a Church is not bound by these three (1) Common Heritage (2) Common Doctrine (3) Common Covenant, then it can’t be bound at all–not by Property, not by Purse.” (Added 3-30-2024)
“The Resurrection of an Inclusive Church: United Methodism’s Upcoming General Conference” by UMARC. April 9 Webinar: “Rev. Adam Hamilton of the Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City, Rev. Israel Alvaran from the Philippines Annual Conference, Bishop Karen Oliveto of Mountain Sky Conference, Rev. Dr. Lydia Munoz National Hispanic/Latino Ministry, Rev. Dr. Mark Holland of Mainstream UMC, and Dr. Randall Miller from the California-Nevada Conference will be among our speakers. Our Facilitators will be UMARC Co-Chairs Rev. Dr. Harvey Martz and Rev. Dr. Don Messer.” (Added 3-30-2024)
“Bishop Berlin Announces the Death of Retired Bishop Tim Whitaker” via Florida UM Conference. “Bishop Whitaker was assigned as Resident Bishop of The Florida Conference in 2001 and served for three four-year terms in Florida until his retirement in 2012. You can read more about his faithful service to The United Methodist Church here.” (Added 3-30-2024)
Tweet by Timothy Tennent: “A quiet resurrection of the church in the UK reflecting the power of the Resurrection of Christ.” Link. (Added 3-30-2024)
Tweet by Mark Tooley: “United Methodist Bishop Tim Whitaker has died. Rare scholar bishop. Grateful for his friendship, which began in 2003 when he challenged fellow bishop who denied Christ’s eternal deity: https://theledger.com/story/news/2002/11/24/methodist-bishops-tactfully-disagree/26029352007/…. ‘Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.'” (Added 3-30-2024)
Post by John Goodwin via UM Clergy Facebook Page. “Thank you, GMC!… Let’s say I thank you for unintended blessings. Blessings you never intended really. You see you have helped me. You have clarified and defined what kind of human being, what kind of Wesleyan, , Methodist, Christian, minister, I want to be. The one I was called to be. You drew a line in the sand. And so do I… You said you prayed for and sought to usher in a new Great Awakening. I think you have done just that. But not the awakening you intended. A far better awakening of God’s spirit of love…” (Added 3-28-2024)
Tweet via UMNS. “Birmingham-Southern College founded by Methodists and with longstanding ties to The United Methodist Church, will close May 31 after years of financial struggle. Many in the #UMC are “heartbroken.” Link to Story by Sam Hodges. (Added 3-28-2024)
Tweet by Mark Tooley: “Hypothesis: United Methodist schism was for the best.” [Link to Transgender Day of Visibility post by UM clergy Sarah Howell-Miller that compares the scars of Jesus to scars from gender reassignment surgery]. (Added 3-28-2024)
“State of the United Methodist Church in 2024 [2of3]” by Jeremy Smith. “Why we let people who set fire to our denomination still hold influence is beyond me. Their latest proposal is a promise that Traditionalists would leave and not vote against Regionalization if The UMC re-opens and expands disaffiliation processes again.” (Added 3-27-2024)
“Central conferences already have exit paths” Commentary by Christine Schneider via UMNS. “Thank you, Rob, for worrying about us and our rights, but you may stop. And please also stop speaking on our behalf. In the central conferences, we are quite capable of thinking and speaking for ourselves. And we are able to take care of matters in our regions without the perhaps well‐intentioned but often harmful help of outsiders.” (Added 3-27-2024)
Tweet by @UMCCommonSense. “For #UMC #clergy: At #GC2024: If the restrictive language is removed from the BoD regarding LGBTQ+ persons, but affirming language is not added, will you go ahead and perform LGBTQ+ weddings?” (Added 3-27-2024)
“Don’t Let Money Hold You Hostage in the UMC – A Conversation with Rev. Dan Latta” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “Rev. Matt Sichel connected Dan and me, hoping that this segment might speak to those who are perhaps considering departing from The United Methodist Church. If you are happily placed within the UMC, then this segment is not for you. But if you or your church have been interested in exploring questions around what life looks like outside of the UM framework, then you might really enjoy this.” (Added 3-27-2024)
“Birmingham-Southern College closing its doors May 31” by Maddie McQueen and Drew Taylor. A UMC affiliated college closes its doors. (Added 3-27-2024)
Tweet by UMNS. “Sally Vonner, top executive of @uwomenfaith, said the agency is prepared to help lead the #UMC into the future despite the denomination’s current uncertainty. Vonner sat down with UM News to discuss her vision for the agency’s ministry going forward.” (Added 3-27-2024)
“United Methodism of the Future: Can We Cut Back Bureaucracy?” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. “The special days are mostly the programs and emphases of general church boards and agencies. One might comment that designing special Sundays around special causes gives the agencies something to do in order to justify their existence.” (Added 3-26-2024)
“Video Resources for Local Churches” via Mainstream UMC. Video links on how the UMC arrived at its current situation and the legislation/options before General Conference. Mostly Mark Holland panel discussion events from last year. (Added 3-26-2024)
“Considering Charlotte – Episode 9 – The Proposed Budget” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken. “Recent budgetary reporting from the General Council on Finance and Administration is sobering. The quadrennial budget is being slashed almost in half. Meanwhile, a report on reserves offers some hope about potential additional resources in the short term that could potentially offset some of the burden for those churches that have stayed in the fold.” (Added 3-26-2024)
“Bans on Gender Affirming Care for Youth Reveal Purity Culture is More than Just an Evangelical Problem” by Cooper Minister via Religion Dispatches. “We can and should point fingers at evangelical groups who train politicians to propose anti-trans legislation, but even mainline Protestant denominations cannot agree on pro-LGBT positions. About a quarter of congregations that had been part of the United Methodist Church disaffiliated over the past couple of years, a move that will presumably allow the adoption of more pro-LGBT policies at the much smaller General Conference of the United Methodist Church later this year.” (Added 3-26-2024)
“Worshiping with Korean Sisters and Brothers in the Shadow of Holy Week” by Scott Field via WCA. “If you’ve been following the disaffiliation drama of United Methodism you may be aware that Korean congregations seemingly have been singled out for particular malice by denominational officials. All three congregations were presented with insurmountable financial requirements by the Northern Illinois Annual Conference. All three of the congregations split. Two of them left their buildings behind and left with their pastors to begin a new chapter in rented space.” (Added 3-26-2024)
“‘It Is Finished.’ But What Have We Left Undone?” by Izzy Alvaraz via UM Insight. “When delegates to our General Conference gather next month in Charlotte, we have a historic opportunity to start getting things done – wrapping up some of our unfinished business. We can restructure our polity and create one that sheds colonial ways of being in relationships between the diverse regions of the church. We should pass and ratify Worldwide Regionalization.” (Added 3-26-2024)
“Say ‘no’ to disaffiliation petitions” Commentary by Mark Holland via UMNS. “It is unacceptable for the General Conference to prescribe another uniform process that will hurt the very annual conferences that have already been hit the hardest by disaffiliation.” (Added 3-25-2024)
“Traditionalist caucus president speaks to criticism” UMNS Commentary by Rob Renfroe. “If fair disaffiliation paths are approved early in the Charlotte meeting, Good News and the Wesleyan Covenant Association will be inclined not to stick around and oppose regionalization proposals, Renfroe says.” (Added 3-25-2024)
“Manistee church finds new identity after United Methodist split” by Scott Fraley via Manistee News. “Some people, I think, have left the church with a really hard decision about that because they believe we are in some way maybe excluding gays, homosexuals or lesbians … ,” Barkholz said. “We are not excluding them — but we’re not changing the message either.”’ (Added 3-25-2024)
“Mere Methodism: Recapturing the Riches of Our Tradition” by Ryan Danker via Juicy Ecumenism. “Beginning on Thursday evening, April 4th and concluding mid-day on Saturday, April 6th, we will hear from world-class scholars who will present on different subjects ranging from the sacraments in the Christian life, the Wesleyan approach to scripture, the impact of the English Christian tradition on John Wesley, the gifts that the Holiness Movement offers the future of Methodism, and so much more.” (Added 3-25-2024)
“State of the United Methodist Church in 2024 [1of3]” by Jeremy Smith. “Traditionalists maintained their dominance until exiting their accumulated people, property, and groups from United Methodism during the 2019-2023 wave of disaffiliations even though their money and influence continue to remain active in United Methodism.” (Added 3-25-2024)
“To: The Lay and Clergy Members of the Iowa Delegation to the 2024 General Conference” via Grace UMC Des Moines, IA. A local church lobbies its AC delegation to approve the new Social Principles, remove LGBTQ Clergy bans, and support regionalization. (Added 3-25-2024)
“UMC Set for Historic Meeting in NC” by Liam Adams via Press Reader (Tuscaloosa News). “Some seek change after mass exodus.” (Added 3-25-2024)
“Northern Illinois Conference Resumes Possession of Naperville Korean UMC Property” by Victoria Rebeck via Northern Illinois UM Conference. “Judge Anne T. Hayes, who is hearing a suit brought by the conference against a breakaway group from the congregation, ordered return of the property under a temporary injunction on March 21. A final decision will come with future court action.” (Added 3-24-2024)
“Of Money, Hearts, and Treasures – A Conversation with Matthew Conover” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken. “A GCFA report showing massive denominational reserves for The United Methodist Church calls into question the somewhat moderate reduction of the general budget being recommended by the GCFA at next month’s General Conference. While it is the biggest reduction in the history of the denomination, it is also following the biggest exodus of churches the denomination has ever seen. Is this reduction sufficient to alleviate the burden on those churches left behind?” (Added 3-23-2024)
“What the church has believed, taught and confessed” by Timothy Tennent. “The reason these creeds continue to be confessed is that they represent a major link of continuity between all churches, across all denominations, across all time, and around the world. We live in a time when diversity and “options” are all the rage… We are in a period of rebuilding and reclaiming historic Christianity in the life of the church today.” (Added 3-23-2024)
Tik-Tok by Jeremy Steele: UM Clergy: “Jesus did not have to go to the cross to pay for your sins so that you can go to heaven… other [atonement] theories do not involve a violent and vengeful deity… find what works for you.” (Added 3-23-2024)
“‘Our Kaleidoscope Community’ Grows Rapidly Amid ‘Scary’ Circumstances” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. Indiana Conference endorsed extension ministry: “We have Christians, Wiccans, Buddhists, pagans, atheists and some who follow Norse beliefs or no beliefs,” said Faye Camp, a member of Roberts Park’s staff-parish relations committee who served on Kaleidoscope’s interim board while it sought tax-exempt designation… “Sometimes Carmen will read an inspirational text from the Qu’ran or the Jewish book of values, but she doesn’t call it a devotional,” he said. “It’s more contemplative.”
“‘SelfMade’ Project Aims to Help Transgender Persons” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. “SelfMade – with its tagline “Nobody Puts Baby in a Box” – is the brainchild of Joshua Sanders, a transgender man who co-founded Kaleidoscope along with Pastrix Carmen and members of Roberts Park UMC. Mr. Sanders’ idea was to create free gender-affirming kits for nonbinary and trans individuals containing personal items suited to their gender identities as they journey from the sex assigned at birth to their gender identity.” Kits includes breast tape, makeup, trans pride stickers, books, silicon bra inserts, and underwear designed to accommodate a prosthetic bulge. (Added 3-23-2024)
“What’s Happening with the United Methodist Church?” by Katie Burkholder via Georgia Voice. A Georgia-based LGBTQ publication offers a UMC update. “In the North Georgia United Methodist Conference, more than 260 of the around 700 churches have left – about 41 percent of the conference. South Georgia and North Georgia were among the top ten conferences losing the most churches, with the South Georgia conference experiencing 50 percent of its churches leaving – tied for the third highest rate in the country with Texas (50 percent) and following North Alabama (52 percent) and Northwest Texas (81 percent).” (Added 3-23-2024)
“Black caucus urged to champion change in pivotal year” by John Coleman via UMNS. Nyarota addresses the BMCR group for second year in a row: “We formed the Africa Forum because some African leaders were leaning toward leaving the denomination to join the new (Global Methodist Church) denomination,” said Nyarota, who noted Africa’s endurance of previous divisions in Methodism since the 1800s. “We wanted to support the leadership of our bishops, as they lead United Methodists in Africa into the future as United Methodists.” (Added 3-22-2024)
“US delegates name General Conference goals” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. A Statement by 211 U.S. General Conference delegates endorses regionalization, the new Social Principles, and removing exclusionary policies related to human sexuality. (Added 3-22-2024)
“Reconquering Mainline Protestantism?” by Mark Tooley via Juicy Ecumenism. “The most prominent online reconquistador is a college student and Presbyterian Church (USA) worshiper who operates as “Redeemed Zoomer,” with over 350,000 YouTube followers. I’m skeptical of their project but appreciate their youthful energy. You’ll enjoy my chat with him.” (Added 3-22-2024)
“United Methodist Sees ‘Imperialist Jesus’ as ‘Bowed Down to Satan’” by Bethany Moy via Juicy Ecumenism. “This imperialist Christianity has turned Jesus into the glorious king who is all powerful and perfect. This imperial Jesus we find in the Church is substitute for the peasant Jew in Nazareth. The one who rose from the impoverished working-class family, who came from an unknown place called Nazareth and was crucified by the Roman forces occupying Palestine, for proclaiming an anti-imperialist message of human liberation,” Valentín-Castañón insisted. (Added 3-22-2024)
“The Both/And Solution” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. What if General Conference approved both Regionalization and Disaffiliation? This would create real choice for African churches. (Added 3-22-2024)
“The Legacy of Methodist Bishops (Part Three): Spiritual Leadership” by Chris Ritter via PeopleNeedJesus.net. The spiritual leadership of early Methodist bishops is described as the GMC awaits decisions on the role and selection process for its own bishops. (Added 3-22-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “The context for what follows here is that the UMC is in the midst of the most drastic downsizing of a major denomination in at least the last century. In recognition of that reality I’ve submitted a package of petitions to the upcoming General Conference that proposes the consolidation of some of the general agencies of the Church charged with limited areas of specialization and focus in ministry.” (Added 3-22-2023)
“Love Your Neighbor Coalition to Offer Hospitality, Human Rights Focus for General Conference” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. For example, LYNC members are not of like mind about how to implement the UMC’s hottest hot-button issue, the removal of “harmful language” about LGBTQ+ inclusion. Nonetheless, “every caucus in the coalition absolutely agrees that the church must end the harm it is doing to God’s children,” Dr. Christie said. Only the Queer Clergy Caucus has submitted legislation specifically on human sexuality, but LYNC backs the Revised Social Principles, which don’t include the anti-homosexuality language of the current Social Principles. (Added 3-22-2024)
“Short Takes on Hot Topics: Helena Titus” via WCA Podcast via Substack. “WCA President Scott Field interviews the Pastor of First Global Methodist Church in Los Angeles, on her experience in the UMC, and her unique in-person and online ministry.” (Added 3-21-2024)
“David W. Scott: Why the Book of Discipline Matters More in the US” via UM & Global. “Not all countries in the world share the same high cultural value on the rule of law as Americans do. Other countries may emphasize personal preferences of a leader, interpersonal or collective systems of arbitration, or implicit cultural standards to tell people how to act and what to do when something goes wrong. These are all alternatives to formal laws and thus alternatives to relying on the BOD for questions of church governance.” (Added 3-21-2024)
“Insights and Forecasts for the 2024 General Conference” by Dan Dalton via Dalton and Tomich (YouTube). “With anticipation mounting, Dalton & Tomich has received numerous inquiries regarding the upcoming Conference. In this video, Dan Dalton addresses the two main issues slated for resolution, along with their anticipated outcomes. He also discusses the likelihood of the disaffiliation legislation getting approved, forecast the landscape post-Conference, and offers insights on proactive measures for local churches gearing up for this pivotal event.” (Added 3-21-2024)
“‘Three R’s’ and more await General Conference” by David Burke via Great Plains UM Conference. “Some United Methodist experts think the 2024 General Conference will be based on ‘three R’s’ – regionalization, restrictive language removal and revised Social Principles approval — and Rev. Dr. Mark Holland agrees.” (Added 3-21-2024)
“The death of a church” by Robert Colls via The New Statesman (UK). “The closure of a Methodist chapel on Tyneside tells a story of England’s dwindling congregations – and highlights the loss of a vibrant community life that cannot be replaced.” (Added 3-21-2024)
“Is your church ready for the upcoming General Conference?” by Derrek Belase via Oklahoma UM Conference. “Focus on disciple-making. “It is tempting to get so focused on what is happening in Charlotte or the decisions that might be made there that we can say, ‘Well, we’ll just wait and see what happens.’ Don’t do that!… The best place to get information on the General Conference and the various petitions is through the United Methodist News Service and through this publication.” (Added 3-21-2024)
“Historic Times in the UMC | March 17, 2024” via Mentor UMC, East Ohio (YouTube). An informational session led by the Central Valley District Superintendent on the prospects for General Conference. Assurance given that the cabinet would not appoint gay pastors to churches that did not want them. Says the wedding policy of the church would be able to restrict gay weddings. [around 46:30] (Added 3-21-2024)
“United Methodists are set to hold a historic worldwide meeting: The key issues to watch” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. “Key proposals include removing anti-LGBTQ+ policies, restructuring the international church to allow for more autonomy, and a new budget with a recommended 43% cut. (Added 3-21-2024)
“Surrendering Credentials to the UMC – A Conversation with John Ed Mathison” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). John Ed gives background on a meeting with the bishop that precipitated his withdrawal of his UMC credentials. (Added 3-21-2024)
“Dear Emily, Part Four” by Stan Copeland (YouTube). Calls out Rob Renfroe and Tom Lambrecht for their lobbying at General Conference. (Added 3-21-2024)
“Imagine No Malaria concludes” by Jim Patterson via UMNS. Bickerton, chair of the executive committee for Imagine No Malaria, termed it as “the last great movement in The United Methodist Church.” (Added 3-20-2024)
“When Things Go Wrong” by Jorgen Thaarup via UM Insight. Excerpt from ‘Methodism and American Empire’: “The crisis we have in The United Methodist Church over the issue of human sexuality has shown how our system is not functioning.” (Added 3-20-204)
“Boyette Announces Retirement” by Walter Fenton via GMC. “I am convinced the passage of the Protocol would have spared many UM local churches, annual conferences, and the whole denomination a great deal of grief and heartache,” said Boyette. “Unfortunately, the UM Church proved either unable or unwilling to hold a timely General Conference so delegates could have debated and voted on it. I am confident it would have been approved, since it had the endorsement of leading bishops, centrists, progressives, and traditionalists.” (Added 3-19-2024)
“Boards push forward despite budget cuts” by Jim Patterson via UMNS. “Because of the many uncertainties in the church right now, especially around budgets and regionalization, it does not make sense to spend time trying to project our work four years into the future when there are too many factors that we cannot foresee and do not control,” Fernandes said. “Instead, I believe it is better to focus on the next two years and how we can respond strategically to changes in the agency, in the church and in the world.” (Added 3-19-2024)
“Delegate Orientation livestream, Feb. 29 archive” via UM Communications (YouTube). A recently released recording of the Feb. 29 orientation for GC delegates. See also the March 1 Recording. (Added 3-19-2024)
“U.M. Update – Catch-up!” by Wesley UMC Bloomington (IL). GC Delegate Sara Isbell serves on a “Hell No” delegation elected after GC2019 and discusses how U.S. delegates are overwhelmingly in favor of overturning current church teaching on marriage and human sexuality. (Added 3-19-2024)
“Deconstructing Faith” via Western North Carolina UM Conference (YouTube). “A faith that walks the path of deconstruction is a faith that wrestles with doubt, rethinks the very nature of faith, and perhaps actively jettisons certain of its previously held beliefs. Many members of the fastest-growing religious subgroup in America, known as the “nones,” have a faith that has walked the path of deconstruction and have left a church that refused to walk with them.” (Added 3-19-2024)
“How to Restart a Church: Healing and Thriving after a Church Split (Part 2)” via ServantsNow (YouTube). “Pastor Trey continues his conversation with Rev. Raegan Seaton, Senior Pastor of Montgomery UMC, had the journey that her church is on after a painful church split. What they have found is that by leaning into casting as wide a net as possible, being as inclusive as possible, and making sure that everyone knows that they are welcome, God is opening doors that they never thought possible.” See also Part One. (Added 3-19-2024)
“Forbes Matonga Interrogation by the Considering Charlotte Crew” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). Matonga discusses his recent UMNS Commentary. (Added 3-19-2024)
Post via Young Prophets Collective via Facebook. “Please welcome the next member of our Winter 2024 Young Prophets Cohort, Benedict Odhiambo (he/him)! Benedict is the pastor of the second Reconciling Congregation in Africa, Christ Chapel UMC. He is currently pursuing a Masters of Divinity at Drew Theological School and is committed to LGBTQIA+ inclusion in Africa…” (Added 3-19-2024)
Post by Mary John Dye via Facebook. “Dear friends in the Wesleyan Covenant Association,
Your group formed 7 years ago with the public purpose of launching a new Methodist denomination. You have accomplished that. Today, in a public blast, you have written the UMC delegates to the 2024 General Conference. It is full of advice for us and, as has become typical, derogatory/unfair comments about the UMC and the delegates…” (Added 3-19-2024)
“A Letter to United Methodist General Conference Delegates: Hard to Write and Probably Hard to Read, too.” by Mike Morgan via WCA. “…Third, and maybe most importantly for the United Methodist Church. 2024 can be the moment when a half century of internal conflict comes to a gracious conclusion. While the extension of the deadline of disaffiliation may not feel good, it seems worse that all your toil to transform the church to align with a new path could be lost without it….” (Added 3-19-2024)
“UMCNEXT Roundtable: Part 3 – The Legislation That Gets Us There” via UMC Next (YouTube). “The third session in a five-part virtual roundtable series, “The Church We Dream Of.” Featuring Derick Scott, Molly Vetter, Lonnie Chafin, Judi Kenaston, Caleb Parker, and Lydia Munoz. See also Part Two on Racial Reconciliation. (Added 3-19-2024)
“Wespath’s Legislation Highlights for General Conference” via Wespath (PDF). A new Compass Retirement Plan for U.S. UMC clergy is proposed that moves completely to a defined contribution model and away from defined benefits (the portion of the current plan that created a pension liability). Wespath supports regionalization legislation. (Added 3-19-2024)
“Poll Shows Slight Dip in US Support for LGBTQ Rights Across Religious Groups” by Kathryn Post (RNS) via UM Insight. “I think the big story is that most Americans of faith are broadly supportive of LGBTQ rights,” said Melissa Deckman, CEO of PRRI. “However, we do see slight declines in three of the questions we tracked when it comes to Americans’ attitudes on LGBTQ rights. …That was somewhat surprising to us.” (Added 3-19-2024)
“‘Traditional, Conservative, Wesleyan’ Faith: What It IS and what it is NOT” by Mary John Dye via UM Insight. “I am also writing to clarify that what has just taken place in the disaffiliation season of our church is not traditional/Wesleyan/conservative faith standing against liberal-progressive change. Yes, I am fully aware that the disaffiliating proponents broadly publicized the division in this way.” (Added 3-19-2024)
“Where is the Religious Left?” by Mark Tooley via Juicy Ecumenism. “This week I learned that the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, founded by Mainline Protestants in 1973 to defend Roe v Wade, for years housed in the Methodist Building on Capitol Hill, and funded generously by secular foundations like the Ford Foundation, is a shadow of its former self, with only a few staffers and little if any foundation support.” (Added 3-19-2024)
“The Scramble for Africa” by Odell Horne, Jr. via Firebrand Magazine. “The African Central Conferences must unite and form a Pan-African alliance in the spirit of Selassie, Nkrumah, Nasser, Lumumba, Biko, Kenyatta, Nyerere, Senghor, and DuBois. Additionally, Black Methodist for Church Renewal should be a partner in this Pan-African movement in the UMC. The decisions that are made about the future of the UMC should be in conversation with the African Central Conferences, as opposed to the current practice of American United Methodists talking about Africans. To do this will require United Methodists to address American neocolonialism.” (Added 3-19-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. Shares a Judicial Council docket item on a bishop’s ruling over the North Georgia vote on Rome Trinity’s disaffiliation. See also Lonnie post on the proposed budget and his announcement that he will not be travelling to Charlotte. (Added 3-18-2024)
“Lifewatch March 2023 Newsletter” via LifeWatch. Critical of the fact the Revised Social Principles replace “unborn child” with the word “fetus.” (Added 3-18-2024)
“Are the Global Methodists Evangelical?” by Daniel Silliman via Christianity Today. “Here’s why the new denomination may or may not fit the label.” PDF (Added 3-18-2024)
“Global Methodists Want to Check Bishops” by Daniel Silliman via Christianity Today. “Ahead of the first general conference, the new denomination is weighing possible limits on leaders.” PDF (Added 3-18-2024)
“Lifewatch March 2023 Newsletter” via LifeWatch. “This year, 2024, will be an extraordinarily difficult year. While preaching recently, a faithful United Methodist pastor stated that 2023 had been “stinky.” Then he implied that 2024 would probably smell even worse.” (Added 3-18-2024)
“Homosexuality and Methodism” via Wikipedia. An updated article describing the position of several Methodist bodies. (Added 3-18-2024)
Post by John Goodwin via UM Clergy Facebook Page. “…And these days, it ain’t looking too hot for me. Still…I’ve seen hope. I’ve seen an excitement in the UMC I haven’t seen in years… I see a day when our small churches work side by side with our larger churches, without any jealousy but Christian cooperation to bring and take the Gospel to a world that desperately needs to hear of God’s amazing love. Connection. Where DS’s encourage pastors to be their very best. Where Bishops are so excited that Churches can’t help but be moved by God’s Holy Spirit. And where Laity are given the freedom and room to grow and say their own “Yes!” to God in Christ! This is a true Great Awakening! I just want to be a part of what is going on!” (Added 3-18-2024)
“A Major Richmond Start-up Went Bankrupt. Years Later, Churches are Paying the Price” by Eric Colenich via Richmond.com. Global and United Methodist churches ordered by pay back large random donations made by a defunct businessman in Alabama. There is a paywall, but Robert Stutes copies and pastes the text into the comments here. (Added 3-18-2024)
“In wake of Ivy Ridge documentary, United Methodists denounce Nichols, academy’s PR head” via NNY360. “United Methodists of Upper New York are distancing themselves from Thomas A. Nichols, the St. Lawrence County Republican elections commissioner who serves as pastor at two churches in the county.” (Added 3-18-2024)
“The status of the split of the United Methodist Church” by Taylor Heeden via QNotes Carolinas. An LGBTQ news source reports on the status of the UM split. (Added 3-18-2024)
“A Defining Day” by John Ed Mathison via the Montgomery Independent. Local media picks up a post about Mathison’s forced surrender of UM credentials. (Added 3-18-2024)
“Methodist bishop extends olive branch to aggrieved members who left church” by Great Ozozoyin via Nigeria Daily Post. “Speaking during the nomination of those who will be contesting for the position of bishop of the church at the weekend, Bishop Wesley announced that the doors of the church are open for reconciliation. He said he was willing and ready to accept back into the fold those who had earlier walked out of the church.” (Added 3-17-2024)
“Strategy: Why & How to Remove Harmful Language” by Molly Vetter via Mainstream UMC. “By deleting these existing statements and prohibitions, we will reset to neutral at the General Church level. These changes will return authority and trust back to the church – to Conferences to discern who to ordain, to clergy to decide who to marry, and to our Boards and Agencies to offer the resources we need for ministry.” (Added 3-16-2024)
“Make it Right ~ 2024 UMC General Conference” via YouTube. “An appeal to the delegates of the 2024 UMC General Conference to extend the same fairness in the use of paragraph 2553 of the Book of Discipline to those outside of the United States.” (Added 3-16-2024)
Tweet by Bristow Marchant: “Won an @scpress award for my coverage of the breakup of the United Methodist Church in SC. Also came in 2nd in education reporting to my @islandpacket colleague
@mary_dimitrov” (Added 3-16-2024)
“Friday (March 15) Live Stream” by Jeffrey Rickman via Livestream. Weekly livestream on Methodist topics. (Added 3-16-2024)
“Preparing for 40 Days of United Methodism” by Jeremy Smith via Hacking Christianity. “It has been 36 years since the 1988 General Conference when antigay traditionalists rode the culture wars to dominance of United Methodism, and they didn’t lose that grip until they squandered their majority during the 2022-2023 disaffiliations.” (Added 3-15-2024)
“African Delegates’ Urgent Requests Unanswered” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. “We are less than six weeks from the opening session of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference. That is why it is troubling that African delegates continue to be beset with delayed responses from the staff running our UM General Conference and are experiencing problems that threaten their ability to participate.” (Added 3-15-2024)
Post by Mary Lou Reece via Facebook. [photos] “A holy and joyful day ordaining Kenyan pastors in Nairobi! What an honor to be present with our brothers and sisters in Africa as they follow God’s call on their lives!” See also here. (Added 3-15-2024)
“Empire and the Church’s Self-Understanding” by Filipe Maia and David Scott via UM Insight. “Resisting this imperial ecclesiology would entail the formation of ecclesial networks where divine grace is received and perceived in the coming together of the planetary assembly.” (Added 3-15-2024)
“‘Resist Harm’ Aims to Care for LGBTQ Person, Allies at General Conference” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. “A March 12 online gathering kicked off the new Resist Harm movement with the unveiling of an interactive online “church” for spiritual support for LGBTQ+ persons and their allies during General Conference. Participants were also encouraged to speak out now in favor of removing the anti-homosexuality language in the Book of Discipline.” (Added 3-15-2024)
Post by Greg DeFore via Facebook. “People came out of the woodwork, many “progressives” who had already moved to other churches, and the vote went the way of the progressives. They actually cheered their “victory” in the sanctuary. Now, barely year later, our church is being told that our doors are closing, and with that, some 2 million dollars in funds is going to the North Texas conference.” In addition to the couple million, add whatever money that comes from the sale of the buildings/property… All this in support of the pyramid scheme which is known as the UMC.” (Added 3-15-2024)
“General Conference Priorities: Creation Care” via Cal-Pac UM Conference. “I particularly like Petition R9999 which calls for all buildings and lands owned by our churches to be brought “back into harmony with God’s intentions and systems.” This petition offers examples such as evaluating the vegetation, planting new trees, creating a rain garden, converting to renewable energy sources, and avoiding purchasing and using items which contribute to deforestation.” (Added 3-15-2024)
“What’s New for GC 2024 Part 1: The Budget” by Taylor Burton Edwards via UMC.org. “A major driver has been the unusally high number of closures of local congregations in the United States since 2019. GCFA documents the closure of 9,640 congregations in the United States during that time, representing 32.2% of U.S. congregations. Of these, 7,673 or 79.6% were the result of disaffiliation.” (Added 3-15-2024)
“The Revised Social Principles video” via The Virginia UM Conference. An interview with Alison Malloy who worked on the revised social principles. (Added 3-15-2024)
“The Fierce Urgency of Now: Legislation for UMC General Conference 2024” via Methodist Federation for Social Action (YouTube). “Among the 1000+ pieces of legislation submitted, UMKR and justice partners in the church are advancing a legislative slate with eight important petitions.” (Added 3-15-2024)
“UMC General Conference Staff Refusing to Allow African Participation” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken. “I was sent a copy of a document submitted to Sara Hotchkiss, the Business Manager of the UMC General Conference. Africa Initiative leadership, on behalf of the many delegates they have consulted, made a formal request on March 4 to meet several needs in order for African participation to be possible. It seems to have fallen on deaf ears, as Hotchkiss has refused to respond.” (Added 3-15-2024)
“On the sale block: Abandoned Trinity Methodist Church will go on the market” by Susan Lynn via The Iola Register (KS). “Built in 1904, it’s been several years since the church was last used for any kind of service. The last advertised wedding was in 2021. The abandoned Trinity Methodist Church will be on the market by the end of the month.” (Added 3-15-2024)
“New United Methodist churches emerge in Georgia after disaffiliations” by Sheila Poole via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Coverage of UMC new church starts in North Georgia formed from the remnants of disaffiliated churches. (Added 3-15-2024)
“Jefferson Knight: Embracing Regionalization Over Disaffiliation: Safeguarding the Legacy of The United Methodist Church in Africa” via UM and Global. “The prospect of disaffiliation poses a significant threat to the cohesion and stability of the UMC in Africa. By severing ties with the global denomination, African United Methodists risk isolating themselves from a broader network of support and resources, potentially leading to fragmentation and discord within the church. Moreover, disaffiliation could result in the loss of vital connections with sister churches worldwide, hindering opportunities for collaboration and mutual growth.” (Added 3-14-2024)
“An LGBTQ+ welcoming church to open doors soon at Belmont Theatre” by Meredith Willse via York Dispatch (Maine). A York County woman’s Methodist church disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church about a year ago, which then became a bad fit for her. “I was not willing to tolerate or be associated with a church that was willing to go to such great lengths to, from my perspective, to exclude the LGBTQ+ community,” Elizabeth Trump said. (Added 3-14-2024)
Post by David Livingston via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “‘ve deleted my post on the GMC regional conferences. I really do try to be fair, understanding of course that I have a bias. The language in the GMC constitution is a little sloppy, which is no different than our own BOD unfortunately. Because I’m not invested in the details of what they are doing I didn’t read it closely, and it’s fair to point out that it is significantly more restricted than what the regionalization proposals before General Conference do.” (Added 3-14-2024)
“United Methodist Council of Bishops Calls for a Cease Fire in Gaza” via UMC Council of Bishops. “As bishops of The United Methodist Church, we call for an immediate and permanent cease-fire in the conflict between Hamas and Israel in Gaza and pledge our prayers and commitment to work for a durable peace for Israelis, Palestinians, and all in the region.” (Added 3-14-2024)
Tweet Thread by Liam Adams: “They (progressives) never won a major victory,” Mark Tooley (@markdtooley) told me. “The (conservative) votes were never lost on sexuality.” #UMC Here’s a graphic I created outlining those key moments:” (Added 3-13-2024)
Post by Baltimore-Washington WCA. “”Baltimore-Washington Conference Wesleyan Covenant Association encourages Maryland citizens to support a bill that would repeal UM Trust Clause from Maryland law by writing to House delegates.”” (Added 3-13-2024)
“A Defining Day” by John Ed Mathison. “March 4 was one of the defining days in my life. I went to the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, accompanied by my son Si, to deliver a letter stating my withdrawal from the United Methodist Church. Sixty-four years as a Methodist pastor came to an end March 4…” (Added 3-13-2024)
“Considering Charlotte – Episode 8 – The Episcopacy” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “In this segment, the crew picks up where Matonga left off. If you haven’t seen it already, I published our time with Rev. Matonga on the morning of Tuesday, March 12. You might consider watching that before this, as it lays a good foundation. This segment picks up by rehearsing the history of bishops in Methodism, then we examined a number of angles around how bishops are currently utilized in the UMC, and why that could continue to be an Achilles heel in the polity of the denomination going forward.” (Added 3-13-2024)
“Constitution for the Global Methodist Church Recommended to Convening General Conference” by Walter Fenton via GMC. “This past Monday, the Global Methodist Church’s Transitional Leadership Council voted to propose a constitution to the denomination’s convening General Conference, scheduled to meet in San Jose, Costa Rica, September 20-26, 2024.” (Added 3-13-2024)
“‘Inclusive Language’ and Problems in the Mainline” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. “Methodism, once a bottom-up movement, was becoming a top-down organization. Elites told the rest of us what to believe, how to act, and, in this case, how even to speak.” (Added 3-12-2024)
“Methodists Face New Questions After Split” by Ryan Fitzmaurice via Daily News-Record (VA). “When the Front Royal United Methodist Church suspended in-person worship due to COVID, Hrbek went to what he referred to as a nondenominational Bible-based church. He said he gained insight on how United Methodism is failing to attract people.” (Added 3-12-2024)
“Environmentalist Says UMC Must Divest from Fossil Fuels to be Faithful to Scripture” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. “Internationally known environmentalist Bill McKibben says he can’t claim a church office any higher than Sunday school teacher, but he still knows scripture. And to his reading, the Holy Bible compels The United Methodist Church to give up its investments in fossil-fuel companies.” (Added 3-12-2024)
Post by Julie Ackerson via Facebook. “I write this with a two-fold purpose: first, as a cautionary tale to those churches who have disaffiliated from the UMC and have chosen to be an independent church or have not yet made a decision about what to do after disaffiliation, and second, asking for comments from those disaffiliated churches who have joined the GMC or another Christian denomination…” (Added 3-12-2024)
“The Pennies, Nickels, and Dimes of African American Grandmothers: something I cannot unhear” by Scott Field via WCA. “The podcast will be available on March 21. You’ll be able to listen to the whole thing. And maybe you, too, will not be able to unhear those words about the pennies, nickels, and dimes of the African American pensioners. The grandmother and her friends would never say it this way, of course, but the bishop and conference leaders of the denomination that had been their spiritual home for decades is holding them hostage.” (Added 3-12-2024)
Post by John Goodwin via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “Next edition of the Book of Discipline should have “With Much Grace in the Administration of Polity of The United Methodist Church: The Book of Discipline”. on the front. We must move beyond the One Size fits all mentality. It had never been achieved. Churches are different. Conferences are different. Small churches different than large. California different than Mississippi. US very different from African countries. Show grace.” (Added 3-12-2024)
Post by Izzy Alvaran via Facebook. Shares an “Organizing Your Annual Conference for Full Inclusion” event hosted by Reconciling Ministries. “Reconciling Clergy discuss strategy and success stories about how we organize for justice at the annual conference level, why annual conferences matter, and what we might experience in the coming annual conference season.” (Added 3-12-2024)
“United Methodist Doctrine After Disaffiliation: Learning to Teach Our Teachings” by Sarah Heaner Lancaster via Methodist Review (PDF). “This article re-turns to the question posed by Lawrence to consider what The United Methodist Church intended by its statements in The Book of Discipline about doctrine. Earlier reflection intended for theological and doctrinal renewal may continue to serve as a guide for how to think about doctrine as the church goes forward after disaffiliation. The article looks at why doctrine matters, but also why ongoing interpretation and self-criticism are important, giving special attention to the Social Principles.” (Added 3-12-2024)
“The Role and Place for Theologians and the Academy in the Next Methodism” by Ryan Barnett via Firebrand Magazine. “or almost twenty years, I was either on the national board of directors for the Confessing Movement, Good News, or the WCA. That made me a bit of a pariah among my mainstream ministry peers. While I don’t know for sure, I think I have an inkling of how our faithful academics are being looked upon by mainstream faculty peers as they make their way into the Global Methodist Church. I applaud your courage and your conviction.” (Added 3-12-2024)
“UM News Digest moving to four days a week” via UMNS. “Due to limited resources, UM News is switching to a four-days-a-week schedule with the Daily Digest. We no longer will be providing a Digest on Thursdays except during special events such as General Conference or when there is breaking news that affects the denomination.” (Added 3-11-2024)
“Regionalization a key question for Africans” by Evelyn Chikwanah via UMNS. “Mafunda, a longtime lay leader and former member of the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters, noted that he has repeatedly asked why the regionalization plans leaves the five U.S. jurisdictions intact. That would give the United States four administrative layers, compared to three in other regions, he said.” (Added 3-11-2024)
“Recently Retired UMC DS Commits Hate Crime” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “Last week video was circulated on Twitter of Mark Nakagawa, who had retired as a District Superintendent from the California Pacific Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church last year. He recently made headlines when he wrote a swastika on a neighbor’s property.” (Added 3-11-2024)
“NC Conference Church Changes from 1/1/2022 to 3/11/2024 by Current Status” via Google Maps. An interesting map of North Carolina Conference churches that have stayed, disaffiliated, and closed. (Added 3-11-2024)
“Trans pastor to Georgia Legislature: ‘Love your neighbors as you love yourselves’” by Michelle Baruchman via Atlanta Journal-Constitution. A North Georgia Conference UMC trans pastor (serving UM Neighborhood Church) leads a prayer before the legislature: “Democratic state Rep. Saira Draper of Atlanta, left, introduced the Rev. Andi Woodworth, who is believed to be the first transgender pastor to address the Georgia House during its morning devotional prayer as Monday’s Pastor of the Day. (Added 3-11-2024)
Overheard: A source shares information from a conversation with Bishop Steven Lopes, the bishop of the Ordinariate of St. Peter, a Catholic diocese for former Anglicans, Episcopalians, and Methodists. Leaders in two Ordinariate parishes in the Southeast have a Methodist background. Bishop Lopes “mentioned Duke Divinity School, in particular, as an environment that produces students open to becoming Roman Catholic.” Father Joshua Johnson, a former United Methodist clergy, leads St. Edmund Campion Catholic Church in North Carolina and received special permission from the Vatican to be ordained in spite of the fact that he is married with six children. (Added 3-11-2024)
“Korean Methodist Church excommunicates pastor who held LGBT blessing ceremony” via The Christian Post. “The Korean Methodist Church upheld its lower church ruling to excommunicate pastor Lee Dong-hwan after it discovered the pastor’s involvement in pro-LGBT activities in a country where gay marriage is not recognized…” (Added 3-11-2024)
“Controversial sign taken down from Sayville church leaves some in community angry” by Cecelia Dowd via News 12 (Long Island). A sign recently placed outside the Sayville United Methodist Church read: “Heaven has strict immigration laws. Hell has open borders.” (Added 3-11-2024)
“On the block: Former Trinity United Methodist Church of Bellwood up for auction following dissolution” by William Kibler via Altoona Mirror (PA). “The congregation might have continued a little longer under the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodists, but Saylor and most active members wanted to disaffiliate as part of a conservative breakaway over LGBT and other policies, and that would have required a payment of $100,000, which they couldn’t afford, Saylor said.” (Added 3-11-2024)
Post by Richard Ramos II via Facebook. “Is this the start of the revival of disaffiliation toward HOLINESS in the Philippines? The Saint John UMC in Quezon City, Philippines, declared SECESSION from the United Methodist Church yesterday. This is the second local church that seceded from the UMC…” (document images included in post] (Added 3-11-2024)
Post by Richard Ramos II via Facebook. Shares a 12-minute video featuring highlights of Bishop Scott Jones visit to Asia. (Added 3-11-2024)
Post by John Meunier via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “In all this regionalization talk, it would be really helpful if we could have someone who is not an advocate explain what the BOD currently allows in terms of adaptation, what actually gets adapted now in Central Conferences, and what exactly would change. There are dozens of changes to the UMC Constitution involved in this proposal, as I understand it.” Find a similar regionalization debate here. (Added 3-11-2024)
“Upper New York response to Netflix documentary, ‘The Program’” via Upper New York UM Conference. “We stand with those harmed by the alleged abuse and questionable practices portrayed in the documentary and recommit ourselves to confronting abuse in all the ways it manifests in our society.” See also Press Release. (Added 3-11-2024)
“The Gospel is Not Conservative” by Christopher Harbin. UM Pastor: “Jesus was by no means conservative.” See related conversation in the UM Clergy Facebook Group. (Added 3-11-2024)
“Maybe it’s a Minnesota holdover, but we’re not quite ready to end the disaffiliation goodbyes. Here’s why.” by Scott Field via WCA. “Understandably, United Methodist bishops want to “turn the page” and leave this disruptive chapter of congregational departures behind as quickly as possible. The progressive/liberationist/centrist UM political activists list “stopping disaffiliations” as one of their three legislative goals for the General Conference. Whether the delegates, bishops, activists, and denominational administrators want to deal with it or not, however, attempting to dispatch the reality of congregational departures in a “New York Minute” will be more than inhospitable; it is unjust.” (Added 3-9-2024)
“Short Takes on Hot Topics: Methodism in the Philippines” via WCA. The theological problems with regionalization. “Rev. Scott Field interviews Dr. Luther Oconer on the history and perspectives of Methodism in the Philippines, including a discussion on the proposed Christmas Covenant.” (Added 3-9-2024)
“What to know about General Conference plans” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “Amid the delays and disaffiliations, many of these annual conference delegations have seen changes since elections first took place in 2018 or 2019. That has resulted in reserve delegates moving up into the role of primary delegates in many delegations. In a handful of cases, annual conferences have needed to hold new elections to fill their allotted seats because they had no reserves left to fill vacancies.” See also “What to know about General Conference proposals” (Added 3-9-2024)
“Pro-LGBTQ movement in the United Methodist Church eyes future after conservative exodus” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean (See also PDF). “Leaders in the Reconciling movement are leerier to predict a precise outcome, partly due to its history of legislative defeats at the UMC General Conference, which meets every four years and includes delegates from across the world. But the posture of those progressive leaders also emphasizes more than just policy change and instead on how the Reconciling
movement can inspire deeper cultural change often through other means.” (Added 3-9-2024)
“Presbyterian Church (USA) Considers Forcing LGBTQ Affirmation” by Josiah Hasbrouck via Juicy Ecumenism. “Most Presbyterians committed to God’s design for human sexuality as revealed in Scripture and nature have already jumped ship from the PCUSA. Should OVT-001 be approved, however, any dissenters who have not yet sought other passage may be told to walk the plank.” (Added 3-9-2024)
“The Case for Regionalization Pt. 7” by David Livington. See also: “Pt. 1: Regionalization acknowledges reality, Pt. 2: Regionalization gives clarity, Pt 3: Regionalization promotes fairness, Pt. 4: Regionalization identifies the essentials, Pt. 5: Regionalization improves our structure, Pt. 6: Regionalization avoids unneeded arguments” (Added 3-9-2024)
“Toward a More Collaborative Form of United Methodist Governance” by Elliott Wright via UM Global Ministries. “In a report to the agency’s board of directors on March 7, Fernandes identified this shift as both sign and outcome of a series of disruptions that are shaking and, at times, shattering the mainline Protestant church in recent years. He spoke to the state of the church two months before a policy-making United Methodist General Conference, set for April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, NC, delayed for eight years first by the COVID-19 pandemic and then by organizational factors.” (Added 3-9-2024)
“Iowa United Methodist Churches Thrive and Remain Hopeful for the Future” by Katie Dawson, Liz Winders and Courtney Levin via UM Insight. “While stories of disaffiliation seemed to dominate 2023, there was another story being written. For those congregations who experienced a disaffiliation vote and yet ultimately chose to stay among the 566 congregations remaining United Methodist, we are experiencing a renewed sense of excitement and hope for the future. ” (Added 3-9-2024)
“Where I Am Now” by H.A. “Bud” Tillinghast via UM Insight. Seeking to establish a “digital library of resources for the future of our United Methodist Church” results in “a list about 50 books that if digested could provide a great deal for the future of our denomination.” (Added 3-9-2024)
“Considering Charlotte – Episode 7 – Regionalization (Part 3) w/ Lloyd Nyarota” by PlainSpoken via YouTube. Amy Valdez Barker and Lloyd Nyarota explain the Regionalization legislation. (Added 3-9-2024)
“The Maryland House of Delegates Economic Matters Committee Hearing, 3-5-2024” via YouTube. At the 1:40 mark, a presentation to nullify the UM trust clause in Maryland. Bishop Easterling and BWC Chancelor Tom Starnes provided testimony against the bill. (Added 3-9-2024)
“The Two Main Questions to be answered at the United Methodist General Conference, 2024 and how to Prepare your Congregation for the Outcomes” via Dalton & Tomich. Regionalization and the Revised Social Principles are two things to watch at the upcoming UMC General Conference. (Added 3-9-2024)
“Our church is trying to get rid of us…” by Redeemed Zoomer via YouTube. Project Reconquista raises the alarm on proposal that would require ordinands in the PCUSA to be LGBTQ affirming. (Added 3-9-2024)
“African regionalization support hardly unanimous” commentary by Forbes Matonga via UMNS. “Regionalization as proposed does not go far enough to assure Africans that their position against the affirmation of same-gender relationships will not be compromised under the so-called big tent theological umbrella. Indeed, as long as the Council of Bishops itself is not regionalized, then this whole talk of regionalization is a smokescreen.” (Added 3-9-2024)
“Global Methodists Run Toward Renewal” by Daniel Silliman via Christianity Today. Coverage includes information presented at the School for Methodism recently hosted by Wesley Memorial in High Point, NC. (Added 3-9-2024)
“United Methodists in Africa can do their own thinking” commentary by Gabriel Banga Mususwa via UMNS. Secretary of the UM Africa Forum: “Now many of the masterminds of disaffiliation have departed The United Methodist Church, leaving Africans at a crossroads.” (Added 3-9-2024)
“A church torn apart: Local Methodists struggle with identity crisis after split” by Ryan Fitzmaurice via The Northern Virginia Daily. “The fallout was unexpected, according to Page. The window was originally created with the intention of allowing more progressive churches to jump ship. The opposite happened.” (Added 3-9-2024)
“Letter from African Delegates Attending the 2020 General Conference” via PDF. “We are both shocked and dismayed by the massive denial of US Visas to African delegates by some American embassies, including Liberia. This has not happened during past general conferences. For example, the American Embassy near Monrovia has denied more than five official delegates of the Liberia Annual Conference to the 2020 General Conference.” (Added 3-9-2024)
Tweet. Update from Cal-Pac Conference. Supervisory process initiated for Nakagowa. Added 3-5-2024)
Tweet via @stopantisemitism: “L.A. – disturbing video footage captures Mark Nakagawa, President of the United Methodist Church, taking a marker and drawing a swastika on a Jewish woman’s package of soda.” (Added 3-5-2024)
“Venerable Echo Park church dome at risk of collapse” via The LA Times. “Echo Park United Methodist Church on North Alvarado Street and Reservoir Street in northeast Los Angeles, is not currently safe for occupation. The century-old dome over the church’s bell tower was damaged by the recent atmospheric rivers that pounded California, and structural engineers say it could topple into the church and lead to a snowball effect of collapses that could injure people inside the structure.” (Added 3-2-2024)
“Who will lead Oklahoma’s United Methodist churches? State could share a bishop with Arkansas” by Carla Hinton via The Oklahoman. “The ripple effect of recent church exits may result in Oklahoma United Methodists being partnered with their counterparts in Arkansas under the leadership of one bishop.” (Added 3-2-2024)
Tweet Thread by Jeremy Smith. Live tweeting from Day Two of the UMC General Conference pre-conference briefing. (Added 3-1-2024)
“March 1, 2024 Live Stream” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “A weekly time for folks concerned about Methodism, creeping leftism, American Christianity, the culture war, discipleship, and other intersecting areas of interest come together to talk about recent developments and/or larger themes in the life of faith and ideology.” (Added 3-1-2024)
“Why We Will Be in Charlotte” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. “How can disaffiliation be over when more than half the UM Church has not had an opportunity to consider disaffiliation, much less act on it? If the shoe were on the other foot, would the charge of colonialism be leveled? U.S. leaders should not be the lone arbiters for determining that the privileges and opportunities available in the U.S. will not be allowed in the central conferences outside the U.S.” (Added 3-1-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. Africans disenfranchised: “Tyrants in the developed world virtually always come to power by being elected to govern and then using the power of office to hold onto office, either by co-opting the electoral processes or by claiming exigent and/or emergency powers to do away with elections. The United Methodist Church has taken a sorry step backward in its polity with this decision. The Church has a history of being comfortable with and accommodating of tyranny that goes all the way back at least to Constantine.” (Added 3-1-2024)
“Before Conference Conversations – Wespath Retirement Changes” via Virginia Conference UMC (YouTube). “The latest resource in our General Conference video series features John Fuller, Executive Director of Virginia United Methodist Pensions, Inc. John reviews the three legislative focus areas for Wespath, the agency that administers United Methodist benefit plans in the U.S. This includes Compass, a proposed new retirement plan. Additional resources and information about General Conference can be found at https://vaumc.org/gc2024/” (Added 3-1-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith: “This is the first General Conference where the delgation heads were asked to identify legislation submitted by former UMC folks who have now disaffiliated. Graves didn’t say whether they were to be struck, but just that a list is available. #UMCGC” (Added 3-1-2024)
Tweet by Liam Adams: “Let’s do this: two days, four hours each day, of #UMC General Conference orientation. It’s primarily for delegates but media are welcome, and you know your polity nerd of a religion reporter will take advantage of all the learning he can (plus, it’s my first GC).” (Added 3-1-2024)
“Arkansas Bishop Proposed to Cover Oklahoma As Well” by Press Release via UM Insight. “The South Central Jurisdiction’s Committee on the Episcopacy has recommended that Arkansas Conference Bishop Laura Merrill take on administration of the Oklahoma and Oklahoma Indian Missionary conferences when current Bishop Jimmy Nunn retires Aug. 31.” (Added 3-1-2024)
“What’s Going on in the South Carolina Conference of the UMC?” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “I read through an email from a person on the ground in South Carolina, who describes many of the different developments and challenges that have been taking place there over the last few months.” (Added 3-1-2024)
“2023 Clergy Well-Being Survey Highlights” via Wespath. “We are able to identify a significant decline in overall clergy well-being within The United Methodist Church since the survey first originated…” (Added 2-29-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “In the Church’s seemingly inexorable march to the left, sometimes it seems to act as though its mission is the achievement of as much diversity as possible in the employment and deployment of its clergy and lay staff. Folks, employment is NOT the mission of the Church, at all. It is the mission of the Church to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Everything else is subordinate to that and must be measured by the degree to which it helps the Church fulfill its mission. Everything.” (Added 2-29-2024)
“Is The Methodist Church Even Relevant Today?” by ReBrand Podcast via YouTube. “Why the United Methodist Church MUST shift from complacency to urgency now. The real risks of sticking to the status quo. Inspiring individual actions & structural changes needed. How inclusivity & outreach can reshape our future.” (Added 2-29-2024)
Tweet by John Meunier: “Thanks to @UMNS for answering a question I had. The proposed budget for the #umc is the smallest since 1984 and a 43% reduction from 2016. But the 1984 comparison does not take into account inflation, so this budget is actually much smaller than 1984 in real terms.” (Added 2-29-2024)
“GC Strategy: Stay Focused” by Mark Holland via UM Insight. Mainstream’s legislative priorities: (1) Repeal the entire Traditional Plan and all LGBTQ prohibitions. (2) Adopt Revised Social Principles. (3)
Adopt Regionalization. (4) Stop disaffiliations from restarting and expanding. (Added 2-29-2024)
Post by Jim Doepkin via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “As reported by UM News Service on January 30th, through action taken at a Special Session of the Alaska Conference held January 29, 2024, a resolution was approved unanimously identifying that the Alaska United Methodist Conference, upon reconsideration of its request for the discontinuance of its status as a missionary conference reverses that request and urges the General Conference not to adopt our previously submitted petition for discontinuance…” (Added 2-29-2024)
“Liberal Methodists Lobby Against ‘Genocidal’ Israel for General Conference” by Bethany Moy via Juicy Ecumenism. “The UMKR official praised a letter petitioning the UN Secretary General to reject this definition of antisemitism, making note that the United Methodist Church Board of Global Ministries was among the signatories.” (Added 2-29-2024)
“A Future for Ecumenism?” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. “Progressive ecumenists talk about a big table and interfaith cooperation with Muslims, Hindus, and who knows who. They might better talk about including evangelical Christians and traditionalists.” (Added 2-29-2024)
“GCFA Unveils “Understanding the UMC Budget Process” Video to Educate and Empower General Conference Delegates” via UMC General Council on Finance and Administration. “….”Understanding the UMC’s Budget Process,” the third installment in the ongoing “Data-Driven Discernment: Charting Hope at General Conference” campaign. This video is designed to provide members and delegates with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies behind our denomination’s budget crafting and allocation.” (Added 2-28-2024)
“Critical Document Released for the GM Church’s Convening General Conference” by Walter Fenton via GMC. The Global Methodist Church’s Transitional Leadership Council has announced the release of a document setting forth a plan of organization and covenants for the new Church’s convening General Conference, So the World Will Know. The 15-page document, officially entitled “The Convening General Conference: Plan of Organization and Covenant for Our Life Together,” covers everything from the nomination and election of delegates, the development of the conference’s daily agenda, and the conduct expected from all participants during the proceedings. (Added 2-28-2024)
“Fresh expressions needed in funding, too” by Jim Patterson via UMNS. The Futuring Forward: The Reawakening of the People Called Methodist conference, held Feb. 7-9 at Providence United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, was chiefly concerned with innovative ministry approaches that deemphasize Sunday morning services and property holdings. (Added 2-28-2024)
Tweet by Dave Nuckols: “Confused that @wesleyancov writes “Those of us on both ‘teams’ will be focused on keeping score at the General Conference in some way.” I don’t see #GMchurch / #WCA having credentials for a legitimate team in #UMC Charlotte. Good luck in Costa Rica though.” (Added 2-28-2024)
“Considering Charlotte – Episode 6 – Regionalization (Part 2)” via PlainSpoken (YouTube). Jeffrey Rickman leads a panel of United Methodists talking about regionalization. (Added 2-28-2024)
Post by Jack Harnish via Facebook. “A reality test for United Methodists: About 25% of our churches (7,000) have disaffiliated. Only half of those, about 4000, have joined the Global Methodist Church, and of those, 3800 are in the USA. True, in some southern conferences as high as 80% left, but the UMC still retains 85% of our 30,000 churches in the USA and all the Central Conferences in other parts of the world. The UMC is the truly Global Methodist Church. Time for us to get over all this and get on with work of ‘making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.'” (Added 2-28-2024)
Post by Adam Hamilton via Facebook. Hamilton uses his Tuesday Vespers to share what he thinks is ahead for the United Methodist Church. Reports that 35 of the top 100 churches left the UMC. (Added 2-28-2024)
“Former Woodbury pastor skips out on court appearance for drug charges” by Amanda Pitts via NBC Connecticut. “Upon news of his arrest, the New York Annual Conference of Methodist Churches sent a statement, saying in part, “The news of the unfortunate circumstance surrounding former pastor, Herbert I. Miller was met with reflection, shock and deep sadness. The disease of addiction is a problem that affects so many people, families and communities. It is often a traumatic, difficult and deeply personal journey.” See also here. (Added 2-28-2024)
Tweet by John Meunier: “With budget cuts this steep, wouldn’t it be better to completely shut down parts of the general church that are not critical to the mission and funnel the funds we have to the parts that are? #umc” (Added 2-27-2024)
“Exodus of congregations over 3 years has United Methodist Church facing 43% cut” by Mark Kellner via The Washington Times. “The General Administration Fund would drop by 27.5% to $26 million, with the General Council on Finance and Administration taking a 59.1% allocation reduction. The group’s “Connectional Table” fund, which in turn distributes money to several other denominational units, will see a 49% hit, at $238 million proposed.” (Added 2-27-2024)
“Segregating Bigoted Churches? I’m All for It.” by Laura Owens via The Good Men Project. “This anti-choice, anti-LGBTQ was not the Jesus I followed and so my love for Methodism waned. That, and 16 Bible studies that gently affirmed, believe in Him, or say no to Heaven. Bullshit. My former church, First United Methodist of Oviedo (FUMCO) recently voted to leave UMC. I’d already left them and all Christian churches (I’m an Unitarian Universalist).” (2-27-2024)
“What if we took a break from focusing on the 7,600+ congregations that are no longer United Methodist and consider the 100,000 congregations that are anticipated to close in the USA alone?” by Scott Field via WCA. “Whether the disillusionment with religious denominations afflicting the USA will also spread internationally will be answered in part, I think, by whether the General Conference attempts to restrict or votes to allow the release of UM congregations and conferences in Africa, the Philippines, and Europe that choose to leave.” (Added 2-27-2024)
Tweet by Chris Ritter: “A graph by the General Council on Finance and Administration of the #UMC shows 2,003 congregational closures over the past five years in addition to the 7673 lost in those years to disaffiliation. As shared by UMNS.” [graph image] (Added 2-26-2024)
Post via Great Plains Conference UMC (Facebook). “UMKR and MFSA invite you to join us for a different kind of webinar, that comes around once in a quadrennium: a briefing on Palestine-related justice legislation for the UMC General Conference, presented by a diverse panel of experts on these issues.” (Added 2-26-2024)
Post by JJ Warren via Facebook. “A sincere query for the Wesleyan Covenant Association/“Good News” folks out here: What motivates the desire to continue to be vocal/advocate/protest at The UMC’s General Conference? What desire keeps you from shaking the dust from your sandals as Jesus instructed and moving on from a place that does not consent to receive your message?…” (Added 2-25-2024)
“Commentary: Move forward in spirit of Wesley” by Lovett Weems via UMNS. “The period of disaffiliation is over. It is time for all groups to move on from dividing to unifying and disciple-making.” (Added 2-26-2024)
“‘Holy Ship! Holy Spirit! Holy Shift!’” by Gene Buccelli via UM Insight. The Rev. Dr. Michael Adam Beck, the UMC’s Fresh Expressions director, closed the conference with a slide: “Passio dei: Reawakening the Heart Fire of Methodism.” Another Fresh Expressions national conference is planned for Feb. 21-23, 2025. (Added 2-25-2024)
“Conservative advocacy group to quit taking part in UMC General Conference after 2024” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “2024 will be the last time we are present at the General Conference,” said Good News President Rob Renfroe, who is still a UMC elder, in an interview with The Christian Post. (Added 2-26-2024)
“The Legacy of Methodist Bishops, Part Two: Negotiating Episcopal Power” by Chris Ritter via PeopleNeedJesus.org. The second installment of a historical review of episcopacy in Methodism aimed at providing context for the GMC Convening General Conference. (Added 2-24-2024)
“Cal-Pac’s War On Surf City Church – A Report from Rev. David Housholder” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). The pastor of a church meeting on the Surf City property talks about the legal dispute there. (Added 2-24-2024)
“LECTURE: Davao Episcopal Area-Wide Church Workers’ Convocation” via Facebook. A Lecture: “Worldwide Regionalization: The UMC Way Forward” offered at the morning session of the Davao Episcopal Area Church Workers Convocation, February 20-23 in the Philippines. (Added 2-24-2024)
“Episode 151: BISHOP MANDE MUYOMBO RETURNS!” by John Stephens via Pod Have Mercy Podcast (YouTube). “Today we delve into some of the dynamics of The United Methodist Church and we hear from Bishop Muyombo on the challenges that we face in the coming general conference.” (Added 2-24-2024)
“Global Methodists to hold first conference” via Huntingdon Daily News. “This historic gathering will allow the establishment of this regional body of the new Methodist movement to operate in the Northeast, which currently includes 160+ churches and clergy known as the Northeast Provisional Annua Conference. This large geographic area covers congregations from Maine to parts of West Virginia and the eastern two-thirds of Pennsylvania.” (Added 2-23-2024)
“Amid church losses, proposed budget slashed” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “The new bottom line also marks a nearly 43% overall reduction from the $604 million denomination-wide budget that General Conference approved at its last regular meeting in 2016 — and represents the biggest budget drop in the denomination’s history.” (Added 2-23-2024)
“The Legacy of Methodist Bishops, Part One: Coke & Asbury” by Chris Ritter via PeopleNeedJesus.org. The start of a new series of posts exploring the episcopal legacy inherited by the Global Methodist Church. (Added 2-23-2024)
“Unpacking Disaffiliation” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. “At the time of this writing, there were approximately 4,100 churches in the GMC, of which about 3,850 are in the U.S. Therefore, at this point about half of the U.S. churches that disaffiliated have joined the GMC. Many are still in the process of discernment, while paying off the debt incurred for departure fees.” (Added 2-23-2024)
“Bible-quoting Alabama chief justice sparks church-state debate in embryo ruling” via Click on Detroit. “Parker is a member of Frazer Church, a Montgomery megachurch that until 2022 was part of the United Methodist Church. The congregation, which left amid a UMC schism over the denomination not upholding its LGBTQ clergy and marriage bans, is now part of the Free Methodist Church, a more conservative denomination.” (Added 2-23-2024)
“Methics 101 – Fifty Grades of Sin” by Dan Dick. “Another key difference is that progressives see sin as contextual and conditional, while conservatives tend to see sin as universal and timeless. Both sides share a common perspective but with essentially different meanings. Progressives believe that the misunderstanding of scripture results in applying primitive, pre-modern, unenlightened knowledge to modern, complex, and scientifically understood realities. Conservative Christians believe that the misunderstanding of scripture results in a revision and reduction of God’s instructions to accommodate and assimilate secular standards. Each side sees the misreading of scripture in the other side.” (Added 2-23-2024)
“UMC Connectional Table and GCFA Affirm Budget Allocations, Recommendation on Budget to General Conference” via North Georgia Conference (UMC). “On February 20, 2024, the Boards of Directors of the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) and The Connectional Table (CT) met and finalized a budget recommendation to the General Conference of The United Methodist Church. The final recommended budget has a 2.595% base rate, which represents approximately $346 million in apportionments over the coming four years, a 42.6% reduction from the previous quadrennium representing a more than $257 million decrease.” (Added 2-23-2024)
“Short Takes on Hot Topics: The UMC in Africa” by Bob Kaylor via WCA. An interview with Simon Mafunda. (Added 2-22-2024)
“Jefferson Knight: Addressing Human Sexuality in the United Methodist Church Book of Discipline: A Missional Imperative” by David Scott via UM & Global. “In light of these challenges, it is evident that The United Methodist Church must seek a solution that respects the diverse legal, cultural, theological, biblical, and regional contexts within which it operates. One potential path forward could involve defining marriage within the Book of Discipline based on regional contexts wherever applicable.” (Added 2-22-2024)
Post by Duane Anders via Cathedral of the Rockies (Facebook). “So for the last three days I have been participating in the Leading Edge. This is a national gathering of the top 80 United Methodist Churches (based on in person worship attendance)… I have hope for the United Methodist Church. We have a great connection. We have a theology that speaks to this day. We have a tradition of justice that will lead us forward. We have lots of work to do!” (Added 2-22-2024)
Post by Adam Hamilton via Facebook. “I returned this evening from the Leading Edge retreat Resurrection was leading for pastors (and spouses) of some of the UMC’s largest congregations…felt a great deal of hope in the room – and a lot of younger pastors now serving some of our largest churches… Most of these churches are growing….they are overwhelmingly centrists and they indicated a roughly equal number of people in their congregations that were right of center as left of center, with few members on the extremes.” (Added 2-22-2024)
“Pastor Podcast with Randy and Andy: Episode 31” via YouTube. A broadcast from Methodist Temple in Evansville, IN concerning the upcoming General Conference. (Added 2-22-2024)
“Moore church employee, former substitute teacher, charged with multiple lewd acts against a minor” by Amaya Ward via KFOR. “Moore Police arrested 69-year-old Walter Friesner Junior on Tuesday at Moore First United Methodist Church where he worked as the kitchen manager.” (Added 2-22-2024)
“New owners seeking input tonight, Thursday on St. Mark’s United Methodist Church” by Timothy Rohwer via The Daily NonPareil. “Some indoor cosmetic renovations he oversaw have created a “basic church” look that could be appealing for any denomination interested in a new address, Pete Mathews said.” (Added 2-22-2024)
“Fresh Expressions movement offers hope” by Jim Patterson via UMNS. “Bishop Tom Berlin of the Florida Conference called Fresh Expressions “the research and development department” of the denomination.” (Added 2-22-2024)
“Schism In United Methodist Church” via Vision Christian Media. “The exodus of mostly conservative churches is over the failure of Methodist leaders to enforce current bans on same sex relationships among both the congregation and the clergy. A general conference later this year could lift the ban altogether, and most likely widen the split.” (Added 2-22-2024)
“Survey Invites Responses about UMC Grief” via UM Insight. “The Rev. Lynette Moran is conducting a research study “to better understand individual and collective grief. Participants include those who are currently or were, within the last eight years, members of or active in the United Methodist Church,” says the survey introduction.” (Added 2-21-2024)
“Alito Ruling Pauses BSA Bankruptcy Agreement” via UM Insight. “U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has temporarily halted the Boy Scouts of America’s bankruptcy agreement, which would settle decades of sex-abuse claims for $2.46 billion. Under the agreement, The United Methodist Church agreed to contribute $30 million to a survivors’ fund. United Methodist churches have for decades been leading sponsors of Boy Scout troops.” (Added 2-21-2024)
“A few thoughts before UMC General Conference 2024” by Andrew Coon (YouTube). A Missouri UMC pastor offers his thoughts on GC 2024. (Added 2-21-2024)
“Korean-American Provisional Annual Conference a First for the Global Methodist Church” by Walter Fenton via GMC. “Earlier this month, the Global Methodist Church’s Transitional Leadership Council authorized the launch of its first non-geographical conference, the Korean-American Provisional Annual Conference. It is set to hold its first official gathering May 6-9, 2024, in Dallas, Texas.” (Added 2-21-2024)
“Qualtrics Survey | Grief and the Methodists” via University of Pittsburg. A researcher is seeking input on how grief is felt and expressed during the UMC division. (Added 2-20-2024)
“Prayerful Process Underway for UMC; Three Orangeburg County Churches Decide on Discernment” by Dionne Gleaton via The Times and Democrat (South Carolina). “Nelson said three Orangeburg County churches have agreed to participate in the discernment process as of last Monday morning.” (Added 2-20-2024)
“Study and prayer: Churches weigh whether to stay in UMC” by Dionne Gleaton via The Times and Democrat. “Congregations in the Orangeburg District of the South Carolina United Methodist Church Conference are working to discern whether they should separate from the denomination.” (Added 2-20-2024)
“Editorial: The United Methodist Church…It’s All About The Money” by David Schmidt via Mercer County Outlook. “The United Methodist Church has lost over 7,600 churches who decided to disaffiliate. But it didn’t come cheaply to those who left.” (Added 2-20-2024)
“Hundreds of United Methodist Churches lose insurance, struggle to find new policy” by Jala Washington via KXAN. “We didn’t have any choice, but to go out to the individual churches and say, we need you to go out and see if you can find coverage because we can’t find coverage for the group as a whole,” Reed said. “We have churches that still don’t have coverage.” (Added 2-20-2024)
“The UMC General Conference*” by Scott Field via WCA. “What the asterisk* will mean remains in the hands, prayers, legislative committee discussions, and votes in Charlotte. We’ll all know the answer in 73 days.” (Added 2-20-2024)
“Before Conference Conversations – General Themes” via Virginia UM Conference (YouTube). “…video featuring Rev. Lindsey B Freeman, Head of Delegation, and Director of Connectional Ministries for Innovation & Creativity Jonathan Page; as they talk about some of the bigger themes coming to General Conference 2024!” (Added 2-20-2024)
“Is there a Method to Outpouring? Anniversary Reflections on the Asbury Outpouring” by Kenny Johnston via Firebrand Magazine. “Just today I read a statement about the outpouring that questioned whether it produced any long-lasting fruit. The person claimed that the only apparent fruit it produced was enrollment numbers for Asbury University. My own experience and that of my church contradicts that presumptuous assessment. I anticipate that criticism will arise from basing too much on “experience.” Many accused Wesley of this.” (Added 2-20-2024)
“The Necessity of Lament” by Kelli Summers Sorg via Firebrand Magazine. “For so long, it seems that United Methodists have been talking past each other and legislating change for their own particular sector of the community. Interestingly and sadly, there is conversation that the original 1968 unification of Methodism and the Evangelical United Brethren was marked by unrecognized controversy that planted the seeds of our current thicket. If this current pain goes unaddressed, will we wait for our grandchildren in fifty years’ time to try to find some resolution and a way forward?” (Added 2-20-2024)
Methodist Collegiate Church Website. The Post-UMC denomination founded from White’s Chapel in Texas has a presence in Kenya. No data on the number of churches involved. (Added 2-20-2024)
Sanctification Network Website. This post-UMC Network founded by Jorge Acevedo and others has seventeen member congregations, including several large churches. (Added 2-20-2024)
“Urgent! One Week Notice for Delegate Housing” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC (PDF). “Under enormous pressure, Gary Graves, the Secretary of the General Conference, has finally given some information to the heads of delegations. His timeline constitutes an emergency.” (Added 2-19-2024)
“Yambasu’s Protocol… Now More than Ever” by Chris Ritter via PeopleNeedJesus.org. The Protocol enabled by the late Bishop Yambasu is the best option for peace in the UMC Central Conferences. (Added 2-19-2024)
“2024 Vision for the Arkansas Conference of the UMC” by Bishop Laura Merrill via Arkansas Conference. “The period of disaffiliation is behind us and the General Conference is before us. It is easy to feel disoriented.” (Added 2-19-2024)
“Split in United Methodist changes several local churches” By Sterling McGinn via The Newbury News. “He noted that that there are many other changes and requirements coming out of the United Methodist Conference that really has not been talked about. “There is legislation coming here this year at an annual conference that is 900 pages long. They are changing our doctrine; they are changing what we say within the Bible and removing traditional hymns—much more politically controlled then just the message of Jesus Christ.” (Added 2-19-2024)
“Woodbury Pastor Fired After Accusations Of Meth Dealing” by Chris Rhatigan via Patch. “Within 24 hours of the news of the charges leveled, NYAC Resident Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton met with church leadership and later Herb Miller to address the allegations and ensure the safety of the local church and community. Under the advice and direction of the bishop, Mr. Miller surrendered his credentials. “Mr. Miller is no longer an Elder in the United Methodist Church.” (Added 2-19-2024)
“Police Say Connecticut Pastor Provided Meth in Exchange for Watching Sex” by Liz Lykins via Roys Report. “It’s very disappointing for this town,” neighbor Kevin Cuniff told WFSB. “I’ve lived here a long time and it’s hard to believe. It’s hard to believe, to tell you the truth.” (Added 2-19-2024)
“Methics 101 – Less Than Amazing Grace” by Dan Dick. “We have a very simple, very clear decision to make. Will we be selfish and hoard God’s grace for ourselves and those who agree with us, or will we extend and share God’s grace with others, especially those who need it most? This simple choice tore The United Methodist Church apart, and both sides now have to live with their decision.” (Added 2-19-2024)
Post by Caleb Dormah via Facebook. “191 session of the Liberia Annual Conference, the United Methodist Church. We have share clothes, shoes and many other goodies in our humble tent this week. Thanks to all who contributed to this process. BeUMC, Stay UMC Love UMC” (Added 2-17-2024)
Post by Chester Dolo via Facebook. “Ganta United Methodist Hospital (Liberia) turned into ghost camp as workers union of the hospital go on strike for 3 months of salary arrears they claimed the hospital owed them!” See also here. (Added 2-17-2024)
Overheard: A source attending the Liberia Annual Conference in Buchanan: “The Liberia Annual conference stood tall against same sex or any form of such in the church. With all what the Bishop and his group tried to defend their position by changing the name of the same things to ‘Regional but the same UMC’ was rejected to the strongest extent. So after the General Conference in May there will be a big split here in Church.” (Added 2-17-2024)
“Considering Charlotte – Episode 5 – Regionalization” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “There is a lot on the line with this issue. This is only the first episode in which we will talk about it, with two more to follow. This episode covers a good deal of the history and the framework out of which this push has come. The topic isn’t boring. It is rather necessary to understanding the precipice upon which the UMC currently sits.” (Added 2-17-2024)
“Cal-Pac MFSA to Hold Social Justice Event Feb. 24” via UM Insight. The Rev. Dr. Izzy Alvaran, a clergy member of the Philippines Annual Conference and a convener of the Christmas Covenant team, speaking “Regional Legislation: Decolonizing Our Church.” The Rev. Dr. Mary Elizabeth Moore, co-chair, Worldwide Writing Team for Revised Social Principles and Dean Emerita, Boston University School of Theology, speaking on “The Revised Social Principles: Responding to the 21st Century.” (Added 2-17-2024)
“The Kenneth Feinberg Interview: Reflections on Wise Words” by Bob Phillips via PeopleNeedJesus.net. “Kenneth Feinberg is a gift to the UMC, and to non-UMC Wesleyans that can keep on giving, if only we will acknowledge what once was, what now is, and what yet could be for a renewed Wesleyan way. His words and attitude can point the way, if only we dare to listen.” (Added 2-17-2024)
“United Methodist Church prays for the Church and Country” via West Africa Writers. “Rev. Matthew Williams also led the congregation by praying for the United Methodist Church and the Liberia Annual Conference. Williams the church obey God rather than man when it comes to the debate currently going on in the church regarding human sexuality.” [photos] (Added 2-17-2024)
“Methodist Foundation for Arkansas makes “One More Question‘” outreach grant come to fruition” via Arkansas UM Conference. “For many reasons, even beyond the COVID pandemic and the United Methodist disaffiliation process that ended in December of 2023, local churches have proven to be eager to serve their communities and be good neighbors to all.” (Added 2-16-2024)
“WCA and Good News still lobbying” by Sam Hodges via UMNS. “Our focus is going to be providing for exit paths for congregations and annual conferences, particularly outside the U.S.,” said the Rev. Tom Lambrecht, vice president and general manager of Good News. (Added 2-16-2024)
“The Protocol and Providence” by David Donnan via PeopleNeedJesus.org. The failure of the Protocol for Grace and Reconciliation through Separation was for the best. (Added 2-16-2024)
[Updated] “The UMC Adjusts to Fewer Bishops” by Tom Lambrecht via Good News. “The UM Church following disaffiliation will be a different church than it was, both structurally and in its beliefs and teachings. Those who thought that by remaining United Methodist, everything would stay the same, are finding out that change was inevitable for all of us.” (Added 2-16-2024)
“IGRC, former congregation settle, suit dismissed” via Illinois Great Rivers Conference (PDF). “Thursday’s settlement amounted to a greater cost than the $22,821 calculated under the IGRC Disaffiliation Plan, which allowed disaffiliation of United Methodist congregations through Dec. 31.” (Added 2-16-2024)
“Was Reneging on the Protocol Sin?” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “Listening to Kenneth Feinberg reflect on the disavowal of his mediation efforts caused me to really question if I had seen things wrongly all along. Mr. Feinberg seems at peace about it all. Maybe I should be. For reasons I explain in this segment, it still seems blatantly wrong, especially when the consequences are so huge. Spent a few minutes with me as I explain some basic Christian ethics that many can’t see because they are too close.” (Added 2-16-2024)
Post by Ande Emmanuel via Facebook. A response to an article by Tom Lambrecht in Good News. (Added 2-16-2024)
“High Court Bars UMC Bishop, Trustees from Transferring Church Property to GMC” by Cynthia Astle via UM Insight. “Six pastors in the Nigeria Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church, a hotbed of conflict, appealed to the high court for a restraining order after Bishop Yohanna took actions recently to try to transfer all United Methodist property to the Global Methodist Church. Justice Nuhu S. Adi issued the restraining order Feb. 1.” (Added 2-15-2024)
Tweet by Reconciling Ministries Network: “Reconciling Ministries Friends of the Alabama-West Florida Conference invites you to: A Field Guide for General Conference. This first session is about removing the anti- #LGBTQ+ language. Thu, 2/22 at 7:30pm ET | 4:30pm PT Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpcO-trD0vH9zf7lk7e2eJO3HjfxPBc2x1#/registration… #umc” (Added 2-15-2024)
Tweet by E Julu Swen: ” @UMNS @globalumc @UMCircuitRider @uwomenfaith Liberia #UMC @umcbishops Samuel J. Quire, Jr., called on members of the Annual Conference to “think United Methodist, love United Methodist, and build United Methodist.” The statement was part of his Episcopal Address…” (Added 2-15-2024)
“The Case for Regionalization – Part 3” by David Livingston. “Theoretically, it will be possible for a future general conference to approve something without U.S. support that only the church in the U.S. is bound to.” (Added 2-15-2024)
“4 new districts pave way for strategic alignment, diversity, innovation” via Minnesota UM Conference. “The redistricting is a continuation of the work of the Transitional Table, whose members reported at the 2023 Annual Conference that they were coalescing around the idea of four permanent districts, each of which encompasses both rural and urban churches, and renaming the role of “district superintendent” to “conference superintendent”—which is also part of the new plan.” (Added 2-15-2024)
“‘Mainstream UMC’ Condemns Nigerian Bishop” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. “It was actually the news reporters – not Bishop Yohanna – who stated that the delegates in Tanzania were supporters of same-sex marriage. We should all be able to agree that Bishop Yohanna cannot be held responsible for what they said.” (Added 2-15-2024)
“The Asbury Revival One Year Later: A Divine Visitation or Fake Feelingrama?” by Allan Bevere. “Perhaps we should be cautious that our skepticism does lead to false accusations of being drunk with sweet wine (Acts 2:13).” (Added 2-15-2024)
Overheard: The Liberia Conference is in session currently in Buchanan. Three options have been surfaced by a Way Forward group: Going independent, living a regionalized UMC, or joining the GMC. Debate over these three options is planned. Bishop Quire has made it clear that he advocates staying in the UMC. (Added 2-15-2024)
“Opening Address to Liberia Annual Conference UMC” via West Africa Writers. “The Resident Bishop of the United Methodist Church in Liberia, Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Jr. urged members of the Liberia Annual Conference to think United Methodist, love United Methodist, and build United Methodist. ‘Disarm your hearts of pains, bitterness, and stop the fight in the United Methodist Church,’ Quire warned. He pointed out that founder of the United Methodist Church, John Wesley encouraged members to do good, do no harm, and stay in love with God.” (Added 2-15-2024)
“Statement from Stay UMC” via West African Writers. A resolution before the Liberia Conference meeting in Buchanan: “We strongly urge all members of the Liberia Annual Conference who are supporting the calls for disaffiliation and potential alignment with the Global Methodist Church while still claiming to be UMs to desist immediate and exercise their rights to leave the UMC immediately. All UMC members must remain calm and strong to resist such call to leave the UMC.” (Added 2-15-2024)
“Jurisdiction recommends no bishop elections in ‘24” by David Burke via Great Plains UM Conference. “Instead, delegates will vote on realignment of episcopal areas in the jurisdiction, including partnering the Oklahoma and Arkansas conferences under one bishop, and uniting three Texas conferences under one bishop.” (Added 2-15-2024)
“Wisconsin congregations forge ahead after historic fractures in the United Methodist Church” by Jonah Beleckis via Wisconsin Public Radio. “We cared for each other. We respected each other for the most part,” he said of the church’s broad membership. “We’re not much of a United Methodist Church anymore.” (Added 2-15-2024)
“Non-UMC Delegates Need to Resign” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC. “The Board of Mainstream UMC reiterates that we do NOT support any legislation that reopens disaffiliations for three reasons. 1) There are existent paths in the Book of Discipline for churches to leave and Annual Conferences can handle that on a case-by-case basis. This is already happening in South Carolina, for example. 2) Many of the churches that left via ¶2553 were not driven by disagreements, but were simply opportunistic in taking their property. 3) It is time to move forward to build our church. The divorce is final.” (Added 2-15-2024)
“Methodist: War ‘Israel Against Palestine’ a ‘Genocide’” by Jeffrey Walton via Juicy Ecumenism. “This is not a war of Israel versus Hamas, it’s not even a war of Israel and Gaza. This is a war of Israel against Palestine. It’s a genocide,” United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) Executive Secretary for Human Rights & Racial Justice David Wildman told an online seminar held January 31. (Added 2-14-2024)
“COB President’s Message for Lent 2024” by Bishop Bickerton via UMC Council of Bishops. “We enter this season shortly after a painful season of disaffiliation and separation. We enter this season shortly before the General Conference gathers to shape the future direction of our beloved United Methodist Church.” (Added 2-14-2024)
“Concerns mount about General Conference prep” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “Indeed, delegates who don’t share Mainstream UMC’s legislative goals for General Conference do share similar worries about the event’s planning.” (Added 2-14-2024)
“Is the UMC Dying a Slow Death?” via ReBrand Podcast (YouTube). “Hear from Tim Jones, Ben Smith, and Rev. Kim Goddard on the urgent need for revolution within the church. It’s time for a wake-up call and a shift from a SURVIVE mentality to a THRIVE mentality!” (Added 2-14-2024)
“Church leaders bridge faith, politics in Burundi” by Isaac Broune via UMNS. “In Burundi, three United Methodists have successfully navigated both the church and politics. Extending beyond personal conviction, their faith is linked with their approach to governance and leadership in politics, and shaped by their experiences in The United Methodist Church.” (Added 2-14-2024)
“Connecticut pastor charged with dealing meth in church rectory” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “Miller had joined Woodbury UMC on July 1 of last year to serve as their pastor, having previously led First United Methodist Church of Shelton, Connecticut, according to the Republican American.” (Added 2-14-2024)
Tweet by Mark Tooley: “The age of denominations closes.” Link: “PCUSA mulls selling longtime headquarters amid decline, post-COVID work culture” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. (Added 2-14-2024)
“Area churches reflect in wake of United Methodist Church schism” by Mike Jones and Lisi Ludwig via The Galena Gazette (IL). [paywall] (Added 2-14-2024)
“Learning from Methodist Hymnals, Elitists and Common People – Part III” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. “Historic Methodism is not easily replaced. The influence of Wesley was there, in that hymnal, even with only 56 of his hymns. The hymnal could not omit: “His blood can make the foulest clean…” or “My God is reconciled, his pardoning voice I hear…” or “Come, sinners to the gospel feast,” or “O Love divine, what hast Thou done?…” And the salvation gospel songs were too much a part of the church life to be relegated to the archives.” (Added 2-13-2024)
“Connecticut church pastor accused of selling meth out of rectory” via Associated Press. “[Woodbury UMC] pastor was charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance and use of drug paraphernalia, among other charges.” (Added 2-13-2024)
“Bishop Announces District Cabinet Appointments and Part-time Staff Additions” via Alabama-West Florida Conference. “These servants led during some of the most challenging times in our denomination and handled difficult situations with love, compassion and grace. I’m honored that Rev. Bates and Dr. Boykin will begin serving on the cabinet in July. They will bring a fresh perspective as we reimagine church moving forward.” (Added 2-13-2024)
“Extending Disaffiliation Options” by Tom Lambrecht via Good News. “The failure to allow non-U.S. churches to disaffiliate and the imposition of draconian costs on churches in the U.S. amounts to coercion. A coerced covenant is no real covenant at all. A coerced and unfair remainder of churches in the UM denomination is not healthy or good for a denomination that wants to move in a different direction.” (Added 2-13-2024)
““Ashes to Go”: A caution for UMC General Conference Delegates, Activists, and Observers?” by Scott Field via WCA. “Whether or not we observe Ash Wednesday, General Conference delegates, activists, and observers can take up the invitation to push back our own agendas and priorities for a moment to consider how we can align our “politicking” to demonstrate that Jesus is Lord.” (Added 2-13-2024)
“‘Sin is Lurking at the Door’: The Root of Bitterness and the Work of Forgiveness” by David Watson via Firebrand Magazine. “As the UMC and the GMC go our separate ways, if we allow the root of bitterness to find purchase, we will soon end up back in the trenches of ecclesiastical warfare. Bitterness and unforgiveness create a repetitive cycle. Going forward, it is imperative that we change our habits of mind.” (Added 2-13-2024)
“Post Mortem on the Protocol – A Conversation with Kenneth Feinberg” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). An interview with the attorney who facilitated the Protocol negotiations. (Added 2-13-2024)
“Methodist church pastor accused of dealing crystal meth out of rectory” by Snejana Farberov via New York Post. Herbert Miller, 63, the reverend of Woodbury United Methodist Church, was arrested Friday after cops were tipped off about the clergyman’s alleged side gig reminiscent of the plot of “Breaking Bad.” (Added 2-13-2024)
“Lesbian Methodist Bishop Prioritizes Grace Over Truth” by Josiah Hasbrouck via Juicy Ecumenism. “LGBTQ+ activist group Reconciling Ministries Network’s Reconciling Clergy program recently hosted Karen Oliveto, the first openly gay United Methodist bishop for a Zoom event titled “The Future of LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the UMC.”” (Added 2-12-2024)
Post by Jeff Greenway (Facebook). “I have a question for my former West Ohio Conference colleagues. Especially those who retired with over twenty years of service and joined the Global Methodist Church.
Did all of you receive the retiree healthcare buyout sent by the West Ohio Conference to all retirees who joined the Global Methodist Church?…” (Added 2-12-2024)
Post via Baltimore-Washington WCA (Facebook). “There is a movement and legislation that would repeal the items within the Code of Maryland Regulations which have enshrined the United Methodist Church’s Trust Clause in state law. Legislation is being sponsored by Delegate Mark Fisher from Calvert County. This would untangle the state from regulating how the UMC owns and does not own property.” [link] (Added 2-12-2024)
“Louisiana Conference Prepares for United Methodist Church’s 2024 General Conference, Focus on Regionalization” by Matt Rawle via Louisiana UM Conference. “This shift towards regionalization isn’t just about administrative restructuring; it’s rooted in the church’s theology of connectionalism. By proposing this change, the church hopes to foster a more equitable and contextually relevant ministry and mission across its diverse global congregations.” (Added 2-12-2024)
“Conversation on the local church and the upcoming General Conference” via Dumbarton UMC (YouTube). A Mark Holland event on February 8. (Added 2-12-2024)
“A Forum for General Conference Feb 6 2024” via Floris UMC (YouTube). Bishop Sue Haupert Johnson and Mark Holland participated in this forum hosted at the church formerly led by Bishop Berlin. (Added 2-12-2024)
Post by Ande Emmanuel via UM Clergy Facebok Page. “The High Court of Justice sitting in Jalingo Taraba State has issued major order restraining Nigerian bishop and the Board of Trustees as follows: An order restraining their agents or whosoever acting on their behalf from transferring properties of the UMC to GMC or any other organisation. Or selling, alienating, disposing or alienating any of the United Methodist Church property in Nigeria….” (Added 2-12-2024)
“Exclusive: CofE bishops offer ‘theological vision’ on Christian life and discipleship” via Premier Christianity. “We discover who we are created to be, as men and women made in God’s image through our relationships with God in Christ and with each other, whatever our sexuality or gender. All are invited to find true forgiveness, belonging, identity, peace, joy, hope and an eternal destiny in Christ, our crucified, risen and ascended Lord.” (Added 2-12-2024)
“Sad remark from Duke Divinity Panel, claiming Global Methodist church is based on homophobia and shouldn’t exist” via Reddit. A video out-take a comments. (Added 2-12-2024)
Post by Shane Bishop via Facebook. A former UM mega-church pastor and founder of the Foundry Network highlights the “Forged Network Illinois,” a sub-network for independent churches. (Added 2-12-2024)
“Progressives Harmed the UMC with ‘Screw You’.” via PlainSpoken. An out-take from a longer interview with Teresa Dixon Hall. (Added 2-12-2024)
“Considering Charlotte – Disaffiliation Petitions – Episode 4” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “This episode turned out being quite interesting and well-balanced. It is equal parts recent history, General Conference petitions, ethics, and relationships. There are many petitions coming before the General Conference that deal with the question of what to do with local churches, and even annual conferences, that no longer want to be affiliated with The United Methodist Church.” (Added 2-12-2024)
“The Future of LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the UMC: Bishop Karen Oliveto (Virtual Porch)” via Reconciling Ministries Network (YouTube). United Methodists are in a fog after disaffiliation. (Added 2-12-2024)
“Dear Emily, Part 3–What I Think of Foxes in the Henhouse” by Stan Copeland via YouTube. “The concern voiced in the video is that the coming General Conference will have more of the colonialist, political shenanigans that have gone on for decades by the coalition of the Institute of Religion and Democracy, Good News, and Wesleyan Covenant Association.” See also Part Two and Part One. (Added 2-12-2024)
“Methodists Mum on Race” by Daryl Stephens via UM Insight. “Ten subsections in this draft document assert rights pertaining to various groups and contexts, including women and girls, men and boys, “indigenous, native, and aboriginal communities,” and “sexual orientations and gender identities.” However, the proposed Revised Social Principles fails to guide the reader in understanding when or if the language of rights applies to race.” (Added 2-12-2024)
“Will local church split impact some of our local primary elections? UPDATE” via Beaufort Observer. “The Walkers were part of a vocal minority that wanted to remain in the United Methodist Church, and when that issue went against them the Walkers bailed out to another Methodist Church that remained part of the “woke” United Methodist Church. This is what led to the chatter among voters.” (Added 2-12-2024)
“Overflow crowd supports Harvest Church as Supreme Court mulls Methodist lawsuit” by Ken Curtis via WTVY. “UMC claims it has a stake in Harvest, which, until about the time this dispute first went to court, was a member of the denomination. Harvest denied that claim, saying a $25,000 contribution to constructing its multimillion-dollar Fortner Street campus was a grant.” (Added 2-12-2024)
Tweet by Reconciling Ministries Network. A UM church camp affiliates with RMN. (Added 2-10-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith (Seattle). “As expected, the #UMC outlived its most well-funded underminer and tabloid reporter for the past two decades. Damage is done. Brighter days are ahead. Hope the IRD shuts down next, but hatred of gays is a lucrative industry. Sigh.” (Added 2-10-2024)
Comment by Forbes Matonga via Facebook. “Once again Lonnie you say the Truth. Let me put a face to what you are saying. I am The Head of the Zimbabwe West Delegation. Yes we are yet to receive both the INVITATION LETTERS and The DCA.! Already first time visitors to the USA have no chance remaining for getting visas in country unless they get appointment for an interview in some neighboring country…. we sounded the alarm long back but nobody took heed.” (Added 2-10-2024)
“The Case for Regionalization – Part 2” by David Livingston. “In 2012, General Conference adopted a new paragraph 101 that started to add clarity by defining which portions of the Book of Discipline could be changed by Central Conferences and which could not. They were to report back to the 2016 General Conference but the work has stalled with our current conflicts.” (Added 2-10-2024)
“Weekly Livestream for February 9, 2024” by Jeffrey Rickman via YouTube. See also Part Two. (Added 2-10-2024)
“Extending Disaffiliation Options” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. “In a recent fundraising piece for “Mainstream UMC,” the Rev. Mark Holland – self-proclaimed centrist – writes, “Seriously, in this day and age, what organization stays together through coercion?” We agree. Churches should not be forced to remain United Methodist if they do not want to do so. The failure to allow non-U.S. churches to disaffiliate and the imposition of draconian costs on churches in the U.S. amounts to coercion.” (Added 2-10-2024)
“2023 General Church Finances Report: Quarter 4” via GCFA (UMC). Overall collection rate down 18.3% compared to 2017. (Added 2-9-2024)
“February 4, 11:00 am, Town Hall Discussion on UMC Regionalization” via Sycamore UMC (YouTube). February 4, 11:00 am, Town Hall Discussion on UMC Regionalization. (Added 2-9-2024)
“Alabama Supreme Court weighs arguments between church, United Methodist denomination” by Aaron Dixon via CBS42. “Ralph Sigler, lead pastor at Harvest Church in Dothan, said that after court proceedings in Montgomery Tuesday, they feel good about how the oral arguments went. The church is trying to keep the United Methodist Church and its Alabama-West Florida Conference from seizing property, as Harvest is trying to leave the denomination.” (Added 2-9-2024)
“The UMC Social Principles: A historical manifesto for faith in action” by Crystal Caviness via UMC.org. “We’ve been fighting over some of the same words since 1972,” Hill points out. “I think the beauty of this process is that we actually were informed by our history of social witness and all that came before, but we really started with a blank sheet and started writing new language. I’m a little biased, but I hope the General Conference sees this as a real gift to this next expression of United Methodism, (and) that we can, in fact, turn the page and have this new set of Revised Social Principles.” (Added 2-9-2024)
“What Does ‘Regionalization’ Mean for the UMC?” by Rev. Victoria Rebeck via Northern Illinois UM Conference. “This change would allow for regional governance and authority to adapt portions of the Book of Discipline to better align with the unique mission and ministry needs of the United States. A U.S. Regional Book of Discipline could provide guidance for matters related to ordination, episcopacy, and the organization and administration of the work on local, district, annual conference, and jurisdictional levels.” (Added 2-9-2024)
“Staggering Lessons From the Biggest Church Split in American History: United Methodists” by Gerry Wagoner via Fulcrum. “They built those buildings, they built the infrastructure of the United Methodist Church, and now basically, it’s been taken over by liberals flying a rainbow flag.” (Added 2-9-2024)
“Dothan megachurch tells Alabama Supreme Court it owes United Methodist Church no money to leave” by Greg Garrison via AL.com. “We didn’t put a trust clause on our documents,” Sigler said. “We never had ‘United Methodist’ on our sign.” (Added 2-9-2024)
“Asbury Awakening’s Impact Ongoing, One Year Later: ‘An Overwhelming Glimpse of God’” by Wendy Griffith via CBN News. “During those 16 days, there was always Gen Z represented at the altar. And the very last day that we had a formal service together, I’ll never forget, someone stood in front of all these students, 1,500 Gen Zers in the room, and said, ‘You will not be the generation defined by depression, anxiety, addiction, and suicidal ideation.’ And to hear a cry come up from that group, someone said, if we had the spiritual eyes to see it, we would’ve seen an altar filled with loosened chains. That’s my heart. That is the heart of the people around me, that this is a burdened generation, but God wants to use them, and we need to invest in them,” Brown said. (Added 2-9-2024)
“What’s the Impact of Asbury’s Outpouring? John the Baptist Offers 3 Lessons” by Sarah Breuel via Christianity Today. “Church history has taught us to never underestimate the long-term impact when God’s tangible presence comes upon a group of people; this understanding has led me to closely track the aftermath of the 2023 outpouring at Asbury University.” (Added 2-9-2024)
“Hate the Sin and Love the Sinner” by Richard Bryant via UM Insight. “I want to look at the expression, “Hate the sin and love the sinner.” Perhaps because it was repeated so often in the disaffiliation debate, I tend to shut down when I hear someone use this tired, old cliché.” (Added 2-8-2024)
“Book 2: Methodism and American Empire” by David Scott and Filipe Maia via UM Insight. “United Methodists are unique in both the fact that they represent a typical example of an originally Unites States-based denomination and that they currently embody the distinct tensions and fractures of a global church.” (Added 2-8-2024)
“Denomination Divorce and INCREASING Church Growth with Adam Hamilton” via Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast (YouTube). “Adam Hamilton, pastor of the largest United Methodist Church in America, shares some field notes for other denominations and churches on what the United Methodists are learning about denominational divorce over LGBTQ, fusing the best in the evangelical and mainline traditions when leading a church, and on how his church consistently sees its growth come from 66% unchurched people.” (Added 2-8-2024)
“Mainstream UMC Panel Discussion – Preparing for General Conference 2024” by West End UMC (YouTube). “Rev. Mark Holland, who represents Mainstream UMC, will [hosts] a panel discussion with pastors Carol Cavin-Dillon, Brandon Baxter, and Stephen Handy. Mainstream UMC is an advocacy group working for greater unity within the UMC. They advocate for the regionalization of the UMC and for the removal harmful language in the Book of Discipline that restricts the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons in the life of the church. Come and learn more about what’s happening in our denomination and how we as a congregation can get involved.” (Added 2-7-2024)
Post by Jimmy Boone via Facebook. “GCFA has produced an update report on total losses of US UMC congregations from each AC for disaffiliations and other reasons, for 2019 through Jan 19, 2024. Presumably, the ones added in January were actual losses in the 2019-2023 period, but were not included in earlier reports. Note that the numbers of disaffiliations reported there are slightly higher than what UMNS reports…” (Added 2-7-2024)
“Mainstream UMC Raises the Alarm: UMC General Conference May Be Imploding” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “Mark Holland of the Mainstream UMC caucus group sent out an email on February 5 detailing multiple points of failure by Gary Graves and his General Conference staff to coordinate April’s General Conference session. In this segment, I speak to why it matters that Africans be included in order for this conference to have any legitimacy, and why it is that average United Methodists should care.” (Added 2-7-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “…what I believe ought to happen is when we get to Charlotte, if our greatest fear turns out to be reality and the African delegations are depleted by absences beyond their control, then at the opening plenary session, before any business is conducted, some delegate simply must move to adjourn the General Conference of 2020/24 sine die, meaning that all business pending before the conference that hasn’t been handled dies with the adjournment.” (Added 2-7-2024)
“Legislation aims to ‘decolonize’ United Methodists, give parity to non-US conferences” by Yonat Shimron via Religion News Service. “This is deception; for by doing so, we would pretend to ourselves to be one denomination, yet preach different gospels,” wrote Jerry P. Kulah, vice president of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies at United Methodist University in Monrovia, Liberia. (Added 2-7-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “We’ve got some more or less recent examples of how the upcoming United Methodist General Conference could go, and to some degree, it’s binary. It could go one way or the other, and both of those most likely possibilities are bad…” (Added 2-6-2024)
Tweet by Drew McIntyre: “It is unfortunate that the elite institutional leaders of Fresh Expressions need to build up their programs by uncharitably critiquing a gathering of a pan-Wesleyan scholars. It makes them look both petty and anti-intellectual. #umc #freshexpressions” (Added 2-6-2024)
“General Conference is Coming. What Can You Do?” by Reconciling Ministries Network. A “Virtual Porch” event about RMN’s legislative priorities at GC2020(2024). (Added 2-6-2024)
Tweet by Michael Beck: “Heading to the first Fresh Expressions UM National Gathering! Over 430 people in Charlotte & hundreds more online hub sites. This is a Jerusalem Council moment for #umc. Acts 15 in 2024. Can Jerusalem and Antioch learn to live together? Please cover us” (Added 2-6-2024)
“A Sad, But Hopeful, Thought about Trust Clauses” by Robert Barnes via Facebook. “The good news is, according to Revelation 21:22 the day will come when there is no more need of trust clauses and denominational covenants (or church buildings), for the Lord and the Lamb will be our all in all.” (Added 2-6-2024)
“Permission” by Warren Lathem via Facebook. “If we are not very careful, our bishops, our Book of Discipline, our ethos will be that which seeks to break the move of the Holy Spirit and make it domesticated, tame, controllable and useful for our own purposes. Money, control, and power will again rule our faith and practice.” (Added 2-6-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “…I really don’t think that most of us who are United Methodists in the United States and Canada are as ready as Mark [Holland] is to give up on remaining in the same Church with our African and Filipino sisters and brothers.” (Added 2-6-2024)
“Creation Justice and the Revised Social Principles” by Sharon Delgado and Mark Davies via UM Insight. “In fact, Fossil Free UMC is proposing a change to the Revised Social Principles even now. Where we drafted language about harm caused to creation “by coal, oil, and natural gas,” in the review process someone inserted “to a lesser extent” before the words “natural gas.” This downplays the harmful effects of natural gas, which is primarily methane, a strong greenhouse gas. Fossil Free UMC wants to take out the exception for natural gas, and we may have the opportunity to argue for that change in committee at this General Conference.” (Added 2-6-2024)
“The Fountains in Fountain Hills celebrate Darwin’s birthday weekend” via Fountain Hills Times (AZ). “Evolution Sunday is an important part of the United Methodist mission to counter the irrational and ‘anti-science’ stance of some churches,” Felten said in a press release. “Not only does the United Methodist Church officially endorse evolution stating that ‘science’s descriptions of cosmological, geological and biological evolution are not in conflict with theology,’ it has resolved to work to oppose ‘faith-based theories such as creationism or intelligent design,’ in public school science curriculums.” (Added 2-6-2024)
“Amid largest Methodist schism since Civil War, Ohio tops Midwest for churches leaving” by Peter Gill via The Columbus Dispatch. “In Ohio, almost 600 churches — or around 35% of the total — have disaffiliated since 2019, a higher total and proportion than anywhere else in the Midwest. The state in the region with the next most disaffiliations was Indiana, where around 30% of congregations disaffiliated, according to the study.” (Added 2-6-2024)
“Schism” by Matthew White via AFA.net. “Despite most UMC members embracing an orthodox view of Scripture and voting every four years at their General Conference to solidify those views in the UMC’s Book of Discipline, the majority was disregarded by UMC leadership, who continued to promote more liberal and progressive views.” (Added 2-6-2024)
“Considering Charlotte – Revised Social Principles – Episode 3” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “This episode addresses the Revised Social Principles presented to the General Conference by the General Board of Church and Society. We examine how the document was crafted, the process by why it was authored and who authored it. We also look at some of the content that is a departure from the previous/current Social Principles, as well as the stated will of the General Conference. Finally, panelists speak to the likelihood that this will be given much time in plenary session, given that there are arguably more pressing issues for the assembly to address.” (Added 2-6-2024)
“‘They’re ruining our church!’” by Scott Field via WCA. “Without doubt, the separation of the United Methodist Church is about “power, control, and money.” We know that already. What is yet to be seen is how the General Conference delegates will use their votes: continuing the chronic denominational conflict or making a way for both the post-separation UMC and the formerly UMC congregations to engage a flourishing future of mission and ministry?” (Added 2-6-2024)
Complaint via PDF. A suit filed on behalf of nine churches in California against the Cal-Pac Conference. (Added 2-5-2024)
Overheard: “A lawsuit has been filed in Los Angeles County by eight churches in the Cal-Pac Conference. The eight churches hope to persuade the conference to allow them to disaffiliate after being thwarted by the high exit fees set by the conference.” (Added 2-5-2024)
“Congregational Vote” via Advent UMC (Simpsonville, South Carolina). “After much prayer, discussion, and discernment, our congregation voted 410 (49.8%) in favor of separating, and 414 (50.2%) against separating from the United Methodist Church. Since this was less than the 2/3 majority that was required under the conference process, the motion to separate was not approved.” (Added 2-5-2024)
Tweet by Stephen Fife: “Either the @UMCGC is incompetent or intentionally sabotaging #GC2024. Either way it looks bad. Come on @UMNS, @JohnLomperis we need a deep dive on incompetence vs intentional. Good luck #UMC” (Added 2-5-2024)
“General Conference Disorganization” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC (E-Mail). Complaint that information is not flowing to and about delegates, and that some delegates still do not have letters of invitation that would allow them to obtain travel visas. (Added 2-5-2024)
“United Methodist Church lose 25% of churches amid same-sex tensions, says report” by Heather Preston via Premier Christianity News. A UK Christian news outlet covers UMC schism. (Added 2-5-2024)
“The White Christian Nationalist Zombie and the Second Methodist Civil War” by Bruce Gourley via Good Faith Media. “Ironically, modern racist white Methodists found an ally among African Methodists, to whom white United Methodists of earlier generations had taught traditional anti-homosexual theology. This is not to say that African Methodist leaders had no agency in developing their own anti-LGBTQ theology. It is merely to recognize that none of our theologies emerge from a vacuum.” (Added 2-4-2024)
“February 2 Livestream” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). See First 45 Minutes and Second Try. (Added 2-4-2024)
“UMCNext Roundtable Event” via UMC Next (YouTube). First in a series of roundtable discussions leading up the General Conference: Cynthia Weems, Derick Scott III, Mark Holland, Jasmine Smothers, Bishop Tom Berlin, and Stan Copeland. (Added 2-5-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “…And this is why it is so troubling that the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) has proposed to the upcoming General Conference changes in the provisions of the Social Principles of the Church that are so dramatically divergent from the clear mandates of the General Conference on human sexuality and marriage….” (Added 2-4-2024)
Tweet Thread by John Lomperis. “A few years ago, #UnitedMethodist Church was USA’s 3rd-largest religious body. Now it’s not even in the top 5. I have written re how #UMC ‘s attempts to be “a big tent” could not last, as any denomination needs SOME minimal agreement on doctrine, mission, and rules 4 unity …” (Added 2-4-2024)
Tweet Thread by Jeremy Smith. Support for Michael Beck’s comparison of a Fresh Expressions Cohort to the scholars who participated in the John Wesley Institute’s latest gathering. (Added 2-4-2024)
“Clergy Ready to ‘Serve the Present Age’” by Jack Harnish via Michigan Conference UMC. “I would rather look at this moment as a really difficult chiseling out of our identity.” Rev. Dillon Burns, pastor of Okemos Community Church, used the phrase “chiseling out” to describe the challenge for The United Methodist Church following the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and a season of disaffiliation by traditionalist congregations. (Added 2-2-2024)
“A Tennessee teen has pleaded guilty in the slaying of a prominent United Methodist Church leader” by Adrian Sainz via Independent (Memphis). “After he entered the plea in a Memphis court, Miguel Andrade was sentenced to prison terms of 20 years for the second-degree murder charge and another eight years for the carjacking, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office said. Both sentences are without the possibility of parole.” (Added 2-2-2024)
“South Jersey churches suing to leave Methodist conference; here’s why” by Joseph P. Smith via Cherry Hill Courier Post. “Several United Methodist churches in South Jersey who disagree with new, progressive policies on same-sex marriages and gay clergy say the state conference is making it too difficult to leave the denomination.” (Added 2-2-2024)
Tweet Thread by Michael Adam Beck: “A follow-up to my post yesterday which unfortunately generated significant critique…There are those among us those who have ‘disaffiliated,’ yet remain serving as United Methodist clergy.” (Added 2-2-2024)
“Why, as a Methodist, I’m going Anglican” by Daniel Hixon via YouTube. “A few reasons why I’m receiving ordination in The Anglican Church, even while I remain committed to a Wesleyan/Methodist vision of the Christian life.” (Added 2-2-2024)
“Doctrine, Discipline & Spirit of Methodism with Matt Reynolds” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken Podcast. “Rev. Matt Reynolds is the President and Founder of Spirit and Truth. In this conversation, he and I speak of a mutual hope for a reclaiming of original Methodist doctrine, culture, and practice. We also speak of practical realities in doing church in our present cultural moment, as well as submitting to Christ’s lordship in our homes. I hope you enjoy learning from Matt!” (Added 2-2-2024)
“The Global Methodist Church: These Things I Pray – Thom Rainer” by Andy Miller III via More to the Story Podcast (YouTube). “More than 7,500 Churches have disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church. These churches have an opportunity to start fresh in a new denomination. The danger is that these churches will simply revert back to habits of an old culture and not take advantage of this pivot to make more disciples. Today, I talk with renowned Church health expert, Thom Rainer about how churches can leverage this moment for the Kingdom.” (Added 2-2-2024)
Post by Mary John Dye via Facebook. “After serving two churches torn up by the disaffiliation process, I have been writing in response to their agonies and questions. Some of the repeated heart-rending stories have been from good people who have deep regrets that they did not speak up more in the aggressively pursued process…. So I developed a guide for the Foundation of United Methodist faith. It has helped those who have seen it and, even though many are long-time Methodists, they did not have the language to say it this way. [link] See also here. [Added 2-1-2024)
Post by Michael Beck via UM Clergy Facebook Group. “The so-called “next Methodism” will not be engineered by a (primarily White male) conservative group of terminally degreed theologians in an academic hall. The current and next Methodism is springing up where the first Methodism did… in the fields, among the people. It is young, diverse, yes smaller, but more theologically aligned. Its center is a true practical divinity, a faith working itself out in love….” (Added 2-1-2024)
“A beginner’s guide to General Conference” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “The coming General Conference, now scheduled for April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina, comes at a particularly momentous time. General Conference typically gathers every four years. But because of the COVID pandemic, the assembly could not meet in 2020. That means the last regular session was in May 2016 — nearly eight years ago. In the interim, the denomination has seen a quarter of its U.S. churches depart under a disaffiliation policy that began in 2019 and expired at the end of 2023.” (Added 2-1-2024)
“The changing church: Some consolidate, some sell buildings and move, others close their doors” by Debbie Kelley via The Denver Gazette. “Another recent local merger occurred out of doctrinal dispute within its denomination. Pikes Peak United Methodist Church disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church last June, joined the Global Methodist Church and on Oct. 1 merged with Westside Global Methodist Church, about a mile and a half away.” (Added 2-1-2024)
“A landscape of lost denominations” by Phillip Jenkins via The Christian Century. “In the US, church foundation stones tell a mostly forgotten story of religious and ethnic history.” (Added 2-1-2024)
“The Difference between the Global Methodist Church and the United Methodist Church: General Conference Decisions” by John Lomperis via Juicy Ecumenism. “The stage is now set for very different directions by United Methodists and the Global Methodists on these and many other issues. There has been much tragedy and pain in the still-ongoing separation process. But ultimately each faction of the formerly unified denomination is being set free to develop the sort of denomination they want, no longer held back by the other.” (Added 2-1-2024)
Post by Lonnie Brooks via Facebook. “We have lots of room to argue about what actually is normal, but that there is a norm is simply part of the reality of how society works. As WB Yeats said in ‘The Second Coming,’ without a norm, ‘Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.'” (Added 1-31-2024)
“Learning from Methodist Hymnals, Elitists and Common People – Part II” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. “Methodists learned their theology from their hymns, whether it was Wesley, or the gospel songs. While Presbyterians, Congregationalists and Episcopalians stressed worship and liturgical music, Methodist music emphasized the gospel: human sinfulness, God’s intervention through the blood of Christ, salvation by faith, and coming glory.” (Added 1-31-2024)
“The Case for Regionalization — Part One” by David Livingston. “Regionalization acknowledges the reality that we are already living with somewhat different rules.” (Added 1-31-2024)
“Grace Amid Division” by Bob Phillips via PeopleNeedJesus.net. An example of constructive behavior amid an embittered season of division. (Added 1-31-2024)
“On Not Over Correcting: Bishops, Baptism, and Seminaries in the Global Methodist Church” by Matt O’Reilly via Theology Project. “So let’s not over correct. Let’s work hard to maintain the theology and structures that make us Methodists and let’s work hard to make them strong. We don’t need to be rid of bishops; we do need good bishops with appropriate accountability.” (Added 1-31-2024)
“Judge weighs church property dispute” by Keith Inman via Jonesboro Sun (AR). “Both the Arkansas Conference and the former First United Methodist Church have asked the judge to rule in their favor through summary judgments which is a decision made based on statements and evidence without going to trial.” (Added 1-31-2024)
“Making Room for Delegates and Others at the Global Methodist Church’s Convening General Conference” by Walter Fenton via Global Methodist Church. “Determining how many delegates should attend the convening General Conference, and how to allocate them was a very challenging task,” said the Rev. Keith Boyette, the GM Church’s Chief Connectional Officer. “Hats off to the Commission on the General Conference, and especially to the Credentialing Committee members for their steadfast and faithful work.” (Added 1-31-2024)
“How an SBC retirement agency’s investing reveals tension over conservative values” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. “Global Methodist Church contract points to larger dilemma for GuideStone to balance its religious commitments with its financial ones.” (Added 1-30-2024)
“What Congress Reveals About the Methodist Schism” via Word & Way. “Polling suggests Haley is unlikely to become the first president from the GMC. But her campaign at this time of schism within the UMC highlights the potential cultural impact of the divide that saw one-quarter of the nation’s UMC churches depart over the last four years. With the deadline for the recent disaffiliation process having ended on Dec. 31, 2023, the dust is still settling to understand what this means for Methodists or the broader American society.” (Added 1-30-2024)
UMNS Daily Digest: “During a special session Jan. 29, the Alaska Conference voted to rescind its petition to General Conference to become a mission district of the Pacific Northwest Conference. Now, the Alaska Conference’s request to rescind will go before the Committee on Reference, which handles the assignment of petitions at General Conference.” (Added 1-30-2024)
Letter by Bishop Schol via Eastern PA and Greater New Jersey Conferences. “Yesterday, GNJ was notified by a reporter that seven United Methodist churches in Greater New Jersey filed a lawsuit against us and forwarded to us the court filing. The congregations decided not to use The United Methodist Book of Discipline’s paragraph 2553 or participated in the process and did not reach the required vote.” (Added 1-30-2024)
“What’s God Got to Do With It? Thoughts on the Global Methodist Church’s Mission Statement” by Jason Vickers via Firebrand Magazine. “To my mind, all three proposals suffer from the same flaw: God has no active agency. We make disciples. We worship and witness. We spread scriptural holiness throughout the world. Call me crazy, but I think a good mission statement should call attention to God’s primary agency in some way.” (Added 1-30-2024)
“The Dar es Salaam Dilemma: Progressive United Methodists have a choice to make” by Scott Field via WCA. Surreptitiously the MainstreamUMC leaders also conflated some video of the December, 2023 Centennial Celebration of Methodism in Nigeria, which included greetings from Rev. Keith Boyette of the Global Methodist Church, as proof positive in their minds that Bishop Yohanna is, by association, a stooge of the GMC. Even more, MainstreamUMC calls on its supporters to contact the UMC Council of Bishops immediately to “take action against Bishop Yohanna.” (Added 1-30-2024)
“Rekindling the Wesleyan Fire: The Next Methodism Summit II” by Ryan Danker via Firebrand Magazine. “Because holiness is so essential to the Wesleyan way of following Jesus, though, we argue about it. In fact, most splits in our movement have come about because of competing visions of holiness. And yet the Summit was tasked with finding a common voice to describe it. Before we met, I was a bit worried about how this might play out. And so I gathered other Wesley scholars in June for a conversation about the broad contours of a Wesleyan vision of holiness, a vision broad enough to include as many of Wesley’s heirs as possible. But as I told the Summit, let’s not write a Wesleyan document on holiness that John Wesley could not endorse.” (Added 1-30-2024)
“Considering Charlotte – Human Sexuality – Episode 2” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “This episode deals with myriad proposals coming before the General Conference that have to do with the topic of human sexuality, which is, of course, the primary issue that has divided many American denominations for some time. The panel is not all of one mind about what the right position to take on these issues is, but they are able to talk through the realities involved as the assembly prepares for a vote. In this, we speak to the dynamics of different constituencies coming together, the likelihoods of a change of the denomination’s theology, and many other pertinent topics. Whether you are seasoned in these topics or you are new to it all, this episode will engage you.” (Added 1-30-2024)
“They did not teach me this in Sunday School” by John Muenier. “We United Methodists talk a great deal about grace and our distinctive embrace of grace, but I don’t think we usually mean what Wesley writes above. I can’t remember ever hearing a sermon at Annual Conference that talked about grace that began by saying we are helpless and unable to even think one good thought without the grace of God.” (Added 1-30-2024)
“Imagining the Future: Africa Context” via Resource UMC. Bishop Mande Muyombo chairs a committee coordinating regional conversations. (Added 1-30-2024)
“Downsides of Regionalization” by Thomas Lambrecht via Good News. “Importantly, the regionalization proposal keeps doctrine and the Social Principles as part of the general Discipline that applies to all United Methodists. However, the proposal also opens the various regions to have different levels of accountability for our common doctrine, codifying what exists today in a rather lax approach toward doctrinal accountability in some parts of the church.” (Added 1-30-2024)
Post via Global Methodist Church Philippines (Facebook). “BREAKING NEWS: We Are Now Mega Manila Provisional Annual Conference Transitional Leadership Council convened on Monday, January 29, and formally greenlights the establishment of the Mega Manila Provisional Annual Conference. Scheduled to initiate operations on February 7, 2024, the Mega Manila PAC is positioned to culminate its inaugural conference from February 15 to 17….” (Added 1-29-2024)
“Asbury Revival’s Surprise for America” by Mark Tooley via Juicy Ecumenism. “Evangelicals have prayed for revival in America for decades. But do we know what to do when it happens?” (Added 1-29-2024)
“Churches continue to leave UMC after disaffiliation provision expires” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “We are not even close to being connectional anymore; there is no ‘Big Tent Methodism’ that has room for liberals and conservatives. The tent has collapsed, and we want to get out and hold fast to longstanding doctrinal and Disciplinary standards.” (Added 1-29-2024)
Tweet by Chad Brooks: “The #UMC should be better at goal setting than anyone else because of the massive amount of data we have on individual congregations. But many see our reporting structures as laborious and unnecessary. Friends, there is gold in those hills. You just have to learn to mine it.” (Added 1-29-2024)
Tweet by John Lomperis: “While #UnitedMethodist central conferences have had some limited right to adapt the Discipline, (1) this is much more limited (by the #UMC Judicial Council + others) than many suggest, and (2) no Global South CC has validly exercised this right for over 30 years.” (Added 1-29-2024)
Overheard: “[The UMCNext Holston Facebook Page] has really let the mask drop over the past few weeks and is posting like a RMN affiliate…it’s a fair question whether it is truly independent or functionally a mouthpiece for the conference leadership.” (Added 1-29-2024)
Post by Danny Tullier (Facebook). “Newsflash: It is highly likely that there will be three United Methodist General Conferences over the next five years! The conferences are a result of our discussions of full inclusion with our LGBTQ+ siblings. Join us, Saturday, Feb 17th, to learn more!” (Added 1-29-2024)
“A Quarter of Mainline Methodist Churches Left the Denomination Last Year. Now What?” by Mark Tooley via The Gospel Coalition. “Whether through the GMC or other entrepreneurial networks, a renewed Methodism could contribute mightily to Christian vitality in America. Methodism at its core focuses on personal and social holiness, with Christian perfection as the goal.” (Added 1-29-2024)
Tweet by Paul Lawler: “What are the Implications for a Local Church Moving from the United Methodist Church to the Global Methodist Church? Welcome to the Great Inversion. https://youtube.com/watch?v=1mdFg_kwMO0 (29:00 minute mark).” (Added 1-29-2024)
Post by UMC-Next via Facebook. “SAVE THE DATE! February 1st at 7 p.m ET join us for the first session in a five-part virtual roundtable series, “The Church We Dream Of.” Available on Facebook Live and YouTube.” See also “All Means All,” their podcast episode with Bishop Carder. (Added 1-29-2024)
Overheard: Union UMC in Conway, South Carolina voted 91% in favor of separation from the UMC on January 28. Adnah United Methodist Church in Rock Hill, SC likewise voted to disaffiliate (90%). These are part of the over 100 South Carolina congregations expected to vote soon under the conference-level exit process. (Added 1-29-2024)
“The Global Methodist Church: These Things I Pray” by Thom Rainer via ChurchAnswers. “An amazing development in world Christianity is the formation of the Global Methodist Church. Indeed, this story is one of the most important stories of global and American Christianity in many years.” (Added 1-29-2024)
“The UMC has Some Issues | re:Brand Podcast” via YouTube. “Dive into the heart of transformation with ‘re:UMC – Getting Our Denomination Back On-Mission.’ Join us as we explore the need for evolution within the UMC, balancing tradition with modern challenges. Don’t miss our engaging discussion on how to stay relevant and impactful in today’s world.” (Added 1-28-2024)
Post by Nuhu Absalom via UM Clergy Facebook Page. “The entire delegates of the Nigerian episcopal Area gathered and collectively voted for the last time to reject Regionalization. We will not accept this! Regionalization is the destruction of the united Methodist church . Those that went to Tanzania were not UMCN Nigerian Delegates. They only represent themselves. Almost one thousand Delegates voted and no one delegate opposed!” (Added 1-27-2024)
Post by David Housholder (Facebook). “Surf City Church is fighting back and intends on prevailing with the Lord’s help. Facing down lawsuits, they are remodeling their sanctuary (1981) and marketing a new worship service, Spirit Station, to reach the neighborhood for Christ. Cal-Pac lawyers scared the preschool director into closing the (vital and thriving) Christian preschool on campus and then Cal-Pac emptied the preschool bank account.” (Added 1-27-2024)
“January 26 Live Stream” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). Discussion of the news of the week. (Added 1-27-2024)
“The UMC lost a quarter of its churches — most in the South” by Yonat Shimron via Religion News Service. “Americans looking to understand the ways political polarization has defined U.S. voting patterns need look no further than the divisions in the United Methodist Church.” (Added 1-27-2024)
“North Central Jurisdiction Confirms: Northern Illinois and Wisconsin Will Share a Bishop” by Lisa Wink and Victoria Rebeck. “It’s official: Wisconsin Conference and Northern Illinois Conference will start sharing a bishop on Sept. 1.” (Added 1-27-2024)
“Town Hall 2024 – January 24 – 7:00pm” via Advent UMC (YouTube). A presentation by Greenville District Superintendent Jim Dennis as a large South Carolina UM congregation moves toward a February 4 exit vote using the conference-level disaffiliation process. 112 South Carolina are in the exit process and have not voted yet. (Added 1-27-2024)
“Beware You ‘United’ Churches” via Laity Sharing Network 1 (Facebook). An admonition to be suspicious of upcoming informational sessions to be held in the Holston Conference. (Added 1-27-2024)
“IGRC files lawsuit against breakaway congregation” by Paul Black via Illinois Great Rivers Conference (UMC). “The dispute arose with Cowden UMC in September 2023, when local church officials notified the conference that it would not be utilizing Paragraph 2553 to disaffiliate, but rather they would be ‘disaffiliating/renouncing any affiliation with the UMC, effective Dec. 31, due to irreconcilable differences in faith.’ The church also stated they would not be meeting the financial requirements of disaffiliation since they ‘had paid their dues monthly, believing that they did not owe the UMC any further funds … and we cannot afford the high disaffiliation cost.'” (Added 1-26-2024)
“Can the Methodist schism over same-sex marriages be instructive to Catholics?” by Mark Pattison via La Croix International. “Methodist pastor says Catholics can follow a process that allows collegiality with prayerful intentions and loving dialogues and not demonize people with opposing views.” (Added 1-26-2024)
“The Briefing: January 25, 2024” by Al Mohler. “We are Watching the Biggest Schism in American Protestant History: The Staggering Numbers of the UMC Split Come to Light.” “Red and Blue America Shows Up in the UMC Split: The Worldview of Geography Behind the Headlines.” (Added 1-26-2024)
“UMC Pastor Wins Defamation Suit Against Parishioner” via Ministry Watch. A now-retired pastor from Virginia won a verdict of over $200,000. “Pitzer concocted a plan to defame [Tony] as retribution for her embarrassment at being asked to resign as treasurer,” it added. An audit of the church’s financial records conducted in 2017 showed that some of the treasurer’s records were “disorganized” and did not follow “normal accounting procedures.” (Added 1-25-2024)
“General Conference: How to talk to your church before, during and after” by Laura Buchanan via Resource UMC. “Encourage your church members to pay close attention to publishing sources when they see articles online or on social media. Getting news and updates from official sources will ensure the information is accurate and truthful.” (Added 1-25-2024)
“Now the WCA is Just Making Stuff Up” by David Livingston. “Why have invitation letters been slow to arrive? That’s a fantastic question that I promise we are all asking. For the record, there are people who I am confident will be voting for regionalization that have also not received their invitation letter. It is incredibly frustrating to all of us, and it is an embarrassment to the General Commission on General Conference.” (Added 1-25-2024)
Overheard: Petition 20751-IC by Dan Krause: “…Because of disaffiliations from The United Methodist Church since 2019 and the launch of at least one new Methodist-related denomination in 2022, we also call our members to the consistent use of the name, The United Methodist Church, to avoid confusion about which Methodist-related body may be intended if solely using the term Methodist….” (Added 1-24-2024)
Overheard: Some petitions to the UMC GC2024 variously replace, modify, or extend Par. 2553 (disaffiliation) or remove it. Lory Huffman submitted a proposed Par. 2554 that describes a process for disaffiliated churches to rejoin the UMC. (Added 1-24-2024)
Overheard: Some petitions to the UMC GC2024 speak to the relationship with the Global Methodist Church. Petition 21078-HS by Opal LaSalle and Petition 21079-HS by Petr Prochazka call for official recognition of the Global Methodist Church and seeks friendly relationships with the GMC. Petition 21077-HS by John Wilson calls for an exploratory committee to investigate official relationship with denominations resulting from disaffiliation. Pet. 20960-FO adds a Par. 443 recognizing the GMC. (Added 1-24-2024)
Supplemental Daily Christian Advocate Available via DailyChristianAdvocate.com. A website with the legislation coming before the UMC General Conference 2024. Delegates get free access. All others must pay $49.99. All the old GC2020 legislation is there as well as newer petitions. 1100 petitions total. The older 2020 ADA is still available here. (Added 1-24-2024)
“Preach the Gospel, Heal the Church” by Paul Stallsworth via The Human Life Review. “In all other churches [other than Mainline], defending innocent unborn lives is simply a given, a part of the Christian community living under the guidance of Jesus Christ, an essential characteristic of the Church’s apostolic identity.” (Added 1-24-2024)
“Was the United Methodist split inevitable?” by John Lomperis via World. “Supposed moderates claimed to support unity but their actions ensured a breakup.” (Added 1-24-2024)
“Methodist churches leaving UMC for three main issues” by Lee Guthrie via Tahlequa Daily Press (OK). “The UMC is trying to create a system where the [Africans] can remain under the same umbrella of the UMC but have separate disciplines, a regionalization. The traditional Africans and liberal Americans are incompatible with each other but they are trying to figure out a way to hold them together,” Ward said. (Added 1-24-2024)
“Plans for GMC’s Convening General Conference Gather Pace in New Year” by Walter Fenton via GMC. “Former United Methodist congregations account for the vast majority of GM local churches, and 80 to 90 percent of them are located in the United States. The people in these churches availed themselves of a provision in the UM Church’s Book of Discipline that allowed them to vote to disaffiliate from the church. However, congregations in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines were not afforded this opportunity. GM Church leaders are aware of local UM churches in these geographical areas that are in process of exiting the latter and joining the former. They also believe many more would like to do so but are still searching for an orderly way to make the transition.” (Added 1-24-2024)
“UMC Progressives and Centrists Group” via Facebook. Posts centered around the upcoming exit vote at Advent UMC in South Carolina. See also here. (Added 1-24-2024)
“Filipino effort promotes United Methodism” by Caleb Maglaya Galaraga via UMNS. “In June 2022, a month after the launch of the Global Methodist Church — a theologically conservative, breakaway denomination — the association released a statement of unity. It urged Filipino churches in the diaspora not to join the new denomination and affirmed its commitment to strengthening the global movement of Filipino United Methodists. During its 17th Convocation and Young Leaders Summit held the following year in Hawaii, the association reiterated its commitment.” (Added 1-23-2024)
“Be Advent or Be UMC” via Five Forks Advocate for Methodist Tradition. Advocacy group forms as South Carolina congregation (2,300 members) moves toward a February vote using a conference-level exit process. (Added 1-23-2024)
“Conservative Global Methodist Church has grown to more than 4,200 congregations” by Metro Vice News. “Nevertheless, many theological liberals within the UMC refused to abide by the Book of Discipline by officiating same-sex unions or ordaining openly gay clergy. In 2022, the UMC Western Jurisdiction voted to make the Rev. Cedrick D. Bridgeforth of the California-Pacific Conference a bishop despite him being in a same-sex marriage.” (Added 1-23-2024)
“One quarter of U.S. United Methodist churches have disaffiliated” by Cynthia Astle via Baptist News Global. Draws from the Weems Report. (Added 1-23-2024)
“Most United Methodist Church disaffiliations are in the South: Final report outlines latest in ongoing split” by The Nguyen and Liam Adams via USA Today. “It is remarkable how the characteristics of disaffiliating churches compared to all United Methodist U.S. churches changed little as more churches disaffiliated,” the report states. “Patterns seen in the earliest disaffiliations tended to continue almost identically throughout the process.” (Added 1-23-2024)
“General Conference Delegate Orientation Schedule” via Resource UMC. Agenda for the February 29 orientation for General Conference delegates. See also Registration Page. (Added 1-13-2024)
“Africa and the UMC General Conference: Prepositions Make All the Difference” by Scott Field via WCA. “The effort to deny the option of disaffiliation to Central Conference United Methodist congregations and annual conferences as well as the proposals for regionalization seem aligned around that second response to the 2019 General Conference: traditionalist delegates from Africa must never again be allowed to determine the future of the UMC.” (Added 1-23-2024)
“A Mission for a Peculiar Church: On the Global Methodist Church’s Mission Statement” by David Watson via Firebrand Magazine. Offers an alternative mission statement for the GMC as the convening General Conference approaches. (Added 1-23-2024)
“The Lewis Center Final Report on Disaffiliations: Reflection and Response” by Bob Phillips via PeopleNeedJesus.org. “The major struggle with trust deficits at all levels of church life, clearly highlighted in the 2010 Call to Action denominational study, is not mentioned. The lack of accountability from and by the Council of Bishops in selective obedience to church teaching by two invalid candidates elected wrongly to senior leadership, is not mentioned. Failure to mobilize the US church in the face of 54 years of sustained decline is not mentioned. The theological dysphoria surrounding core gospel teaching is not mentioned. The systemic denial by the institution of the compelling reality of these and other issues is not mentioned.” (Added 1-22-2024)
Post by April Casperson via Facebook. Summarized Adam Hamilton’s talk in West Ohio. Several comments on the GMC. (Added 1-22-2024)
“Learning from Hymnals, Part One” by Riley Case via Juicy Ecumenism. “There are two Methodisms. The one is the Methodism of the institutionalists, the mediating elite, and very often, the Methodism of the seminaries, which has sought for Methodism relevance, respectability, and the adjusting to modern culture. The other is the Methodism of the common people, whether clergy or lay, still committed to Wesleyan essentials, still singing gospel music, still preaching the message of salvation from sin through the blood of Jesus Christ.” (Added 1-22-2024)
“Considering Charlotte – Episode 1 – Logistics & Order of General Conference Session” via PlainSpoken. “In this first episode, Amy Valdez Barker, former head of the Connectional Table, was able to join us to represent the General Conference process from the perspective of the institution. The crew spent an hour talking about the logistical and practical elements that go into coordinating and implementing the actual General Conference session.” (Added 1-22-2024)
“Reflections from Tanzania” by David Livingston. “…the group very much wants to stay United Methodist and agreed that regionalization is a way to do that. This also fits with what many of us would expect. The catch remains what has always been the case – can we remain a United church and a regional church? I think the answer is yes. The group in Tanzania thinks the answer is yes. Time will tell.” (Added 1-22-2024)
Tweet by Drew McIntyre: “The issue has never been if #umc doctrinal standards are going to change; the issue is the extent to which they function as norms to which our preaching & teaching are held accountable. Leaders repeating “they aren’t changing!” is a meaningless red herring.” (Added 1-20-2024)
“Historic Methodist rift is part of larger Christian split over LGBTQ issues” by Kayla Jimenez via USA Today. “The historic rift in the United Methodist Church is part of a larger split in recent years in the Christian religion over issues of gender and sexuality. Similar divides have led to splits among Baptists, Mennonites, Presbyterians and other protestant denominations.” (Added 1-20-2024)
“Why Houston is so instrumental in a new church movement’s expansion” by Eric Killelea via Houston Chronicle. “Everitt aims to increase membership at Central Houston Methodist as the UMC loses thousands upon thousands of congregations across the country. The nation’s second-largest Protestant denomination is expected to shed even more churches when the UMC’s General Conference gathers this April to review so-called legislation and vote on whether to grant permission to many churches seeking break away.” (Added 1-20-2024)
“Disaffiliations change map of United Methodist Church” by Christopher Dacanay via Herald-Star (OH). First in a two-part series: “The UMC’s former Ohio Valley District… reported that 51 congregations have disaffiliated out of the district’s roughly 80 congregations since 2022, with 49 making that decision in the past year. Now part of the larger South Forest District, the OVD region became part of a statewide restructuring on Jan. 1 that reduced the UMC’s East Ohio Conference from 10 districts to four.” (Added 1-20-2024)
“Bishop Kennetha announces additional staff transitions for 2024” via Iowa UMC Conference. “Hinke notes, “The IAUMC has been privileged with staff members who share a work ethic and level of commitment that has allowed the conference to continue to offer the same programs and services with a significantly smaller staff.” (Added 1-19-2024)
“January 19, 2024 PlainSpoken Livestream” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken. “Topics range from the UMC/GMC split to church revitalization. We talk theology and practical church stuff. There is a good crew with lots of insightful comments.” (Added 1-19-2024)
“New York Conference Leaders Respond to Group’s Call for Accountability on Racism Report” via UM Insight. Bishop Bickerton, et. al.: “In the group’s call for accountability and action, and in subsequent pieces written by this group, there have been inaccuracies and misrepresentations as well as unfair judgements and accusations…” (Added 1-19-2024)
“African delegates commit to unity, regionalization” by Eveline Chikwanah via UMNS. “The delegates, along with key leaders, bishops and representatives of general agencies, discussed issues of concern to the church in Africa. Conversations focused on regionalization, higher education on the continent, addressing misinformation, and the church’s proposed Revised Social Principles.” (Added 1-19-2024)
“Regionalization: the New Colonialism?” by Tom Lambrecht via Good News. “It is interesting that the big push for regionalization comes just as the U.S. church membership has moved into a minority status.” (Added 1-19-2024)
“Heartbreak, hope follow season of church exits” by Heather Hahn via UMNS. “The departures have led to restructuring, shrinking budgets and rethinking ministry at all levels of the international denomination. More significantly, each departure represents a loss — of friends, of colleagues and a sense of connection in the shared work of Christian discipleship.” (Added 1-19-2024)
“Bonus Blog: ‘Methodists have a problem’” by Joe Scheets. Lawson Stone: “The Global Methodist Church, for example, has virtually no theological standards for the training of ministers. You can go to a wildly revisionist seminary if you want to and GMC is okay with it. After fighting this huge battle, the GMC is going to find itself in trouble in 20 years. Activist, emotional, and heterodox.” (Added 1-18-2024)
Tweet by Reconciling Ministries. Bishop Karen Oliveto endorses RMN’s LGBTQIA+ friendly VBS curriculum. (Added 1-18-2024)
Tweet by UMNS: “When young, new or female clergy take over a struggling congregation, they often face the exhausting task of closing the church. The Rev. Diane Kenaston, a #UMC pastor and consultant, offers guidance from ministers who have been through the experience.” (Added 1-18-2024)
Tweet by Reconciling Ministries Network: “Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady of Asbury First UMC in Rochester, NY, performed the church’s first same-sex marriage last Saturday. May the newlyweds be blessed with love, delight, and assurance of God’s adoration!” (Added 1-18-2024)
Tweet by Stephen Fife: “This is what Iliff School of Theology does to you. I’m convinced most seminaries could close tomorrow and no one would notice.” [Video link] (Added 1-18-2024)
“Optimism increases for the United Methodist Church after the Africa Forum” by Joe Henderson via Florida Conference UMC. “There can be unity even in the midst of significant disagreements. That much became evident during the recent Africa Forum in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where delegates from countries in Africa, the Philippines, and Germany met to discuss important legislation that will come to the upcoming General Conference. These delegates desire to remain in the United Methodist Church.” (Added 1-17-2024)
“Gov Kefas To End Feud At United Methodist Church After 20 Years” via TVC Nigeria (YuoTube). “Governor of Taraba state Agbu Kefas has promised to end the leadership crisis in the UMCN church that led to the closure of the church cathedral for two decades.” (Added 1-18-2024)
“Is the Church of Rome on the Canterbury (and United Methodist) trail?” via Get Religion Podcast. GetReligion editor Terry Mattingly discusses repercussions of the sexual revolution in Christian denominations. (Added 1-18-2024)
“Beyond Conference” via Missouri UM Conference. “BEYOND seeks to explore and resource the potential and possibilities for churches and leaders who are (or desire to be) fully inclusive and seeking to do bold, invitational, vital, diverse, and Jesus-centered ministry. This is a conference for Church leaders who are ready to move BEYOND conversations about decline, disagreements, and deconstruction, and despair to engage with the exciting opportunities right in front of us.” (Added 1-18-2024)
““I’m Exhausted All the Time”: Exploring the Factors Contributing to Growing Clergy Discontentment” via covidreligionresearch.org. Shares a Hartford Institute for Religion Research study on the reality of clergy discontent. (Added 1-18-2024)
“Exploring intercultural connectionalism” Commentary by David Scott via UMNS. “Thus, intercultural connectionalism involves a different approach to theological reflection in and for the denomination. It requires that United Methodists engage in intercultural dialogue as we seek to understand the nature of our church and how God is calling us to join in God’s mission around the world.” (Added 1-18-2024)
“Some Questions for Further Research from the Disaffiliation Process” by Lovett Weems via Lewis Center for Church Leadership. Did some churches never fully embrace previous unifications? What were the issues behind disaffiliations? What difference did bishops/pastors/retired pastors make? Why are so many not joining another denominatioon? Why did some conference have almost no disaffiliations? etc. (Added 1-17-2024)
“Twenty-Five Percent of Churches Disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church” by Lovett Weems via Lewis Center for Church Leadership. “No one knew what to expect when disaffiliations began, certainly not how many churches would leave. For those expecting limited disaffiliations, the percentage of under 10 percent would have represented the comparable losses of churches and members in other similar denominations experiencing division in recent years such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).” (Added 1-17-2024)
Post by Dennis Miller via Facebook. The pastor of Ginghamsburg shares thoughts on a recent presentation by Adam Hamilton. (Added 1-17-2024)
“Nigerian Bishop Intimidates Delegates on TV” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC. A call for action against Bishop John Wesley Yohanna. (Added 1-17-2024)
“Will Regionalization be an Option for Africa?” by Jerry Kulah via Good News. “Our current African bishops cannot claim that they uphold the sanctity of Scripture regarding human sexuality and yet remain in an ecclesial marriage with those who vehemently oppose this biblical view and theological position, unless there are other factors relative to some personal benefits necessitating their decision.” (Added 1-17-2024)
“Same as it ever was: In religion news, sex wars about doctrine remain the story in 2024” by Richard Ostling via Get Religion. “The United Methodist Church (UMC) just suffered the biggest U.S. schism since the Civil War. It holds a General Conference (postponed from 2020 due to COVID-19) in Charlotte April 23-May 3. With roughly one-fourth of the U.S. membership newly departed, conservative voting power will be so reduced that liberals hope to finally abolish the UMC’s longstanding and oft-defied conservative teaching on the Bible and sexual morality.” (Added 1-17-2024)
“GM Church Reveals General Conference Theme” by Walter Fenton via GMC. “The Global Methodist Church’s Transitional Leadership Council has released the logo and theme for its convening General Conference: So the World Will Know.” (Added 1-17-2024)
“Disaffiliation Disarray: Our Street-Level Response” by Scott Field via WCA. “Congregations as well as individuals and small groups of individuals are seeking to make sense, find direction, and gain traction in an environment in which “things have happened”: disaffiliation, failed votes for disaffiliation, refusal of pastors or church boards to allow a vote, becoming part of a new denomination that is still putting things together, feeling betrayed by bishops or other UMC administrators, wondering if they’ve made a big mistake and should just go down the street to another church or, perhaps, forget church altogether.” (Added 1-17-2024)
“Multiplying Love: The Wesleyan vision for a polarized world” by Ashley Boggan via Un-Tied Methodism Podcast. Interview with Paul Chilcote who wrote a book responding to “Multiplying Methodism” by Jeff Greenway and Bishop Mike Lowry. (Added 1-16-2024)
[Updated with PDF Link] “United Methodist Church split: African delegates seek to stay” by Liam Adams via The Tennessean. [paywall] Coverage of the UM Africa Forum meeting in Tanzania. [PDF Link] (Added 1-16-2024)
Tweet by Liam Adams: “UMC delegates from Africa to the upcoming #UMC General Conference recently gathered in Tanzania, and approved a resolution against disaffiliation. The forum doesn’t seal the deal, but is another notable step following a statement from 11 African bishops.” (Added 1-16-2024)
“Bishop to host General Conference Town hall” via West Ohio Conference UMC. “The much-anticipated United Methodist Church General Conference will be held April 23-May 3, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. In preparation for this event, Bishop Palmer will be holding an online Town Hall to answer some of the questions West Ohioans have regarding this important work. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, January 30, at 7:00 p.m.” (Added 1-16-2024)
“Africans Question Faithfulness of Regionalization of the UMC” via PlainSpoken (YouTube). A brief out-take featuring Simon Mafunda. (Added 1-16-2024)
“QnA – Regionalization Petition Discussion” via Baguio Episcopal Area UMC. An informational session in the Philippines. One mention of the Philippines becoming autonomous using current provisions of the BOD. (Added 1-15-2024)
“Mainstream UMC Refuses African Rise to Dominance” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken. An outtake from the Friday livestream about Mainstream’s call for regionalization. (Added 1-15-2024)
Tweet by Mark Tooley: “Many former United Methodists can be grateful no longer to be enmeshed in that denomination’s political witness.” [Link] (Added 1-15-2024)
Tweet by @DylPar252: “Looking forward to what might, against all odds, be the most insufferable six months of United Methodist discourse of all time!!!!” (Added 1-15-2024)
“Africa Forum Participants Pledge to ‘Stay UMC’” by Press Release via UM Insight. “During this pivotal gathering, delegates stood united against disaffiliaTIon, solidifying their commitment to the Church’s unity, and passionately embraced regionalizaJon as a visionary pathway for the future of the Church in Africa.” (Added 1-13-2024)
“January 12 Weekly Livestream” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). Discussion of the latest Mainstream UMC epistle, the New York Conference racism report, and other current news. (Added 1-13-2024)
“Considering Charlotte – Series Introduction” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). Features Odell Horne, Joe DiPaolo, Simon Mafunda, and Lonnie Brooks. (Added 1-13-2024)
“Remarkable Holston Conference Communication Received!” via Laity Sharing Network 1 (Facebook). “Please read carefully so you can consider our points in the form of ‘The Rest of The Story’ which will be posted soon. Those within the conference with continuing concerns, you are in for a ride more daring than most amusement parks offering. And for those ‘Just Waiting’, too bad!” (Added 1-13-2024)
“Money: The Elephant in the Conference” by Mark Holland via Mainstream UMC. “Despite an anticipated 40% drop in revenue, this percentage will not change. What will change is the percentage of General Conference votes the US has to influence how this money is spent. Currently, the US has roughly 55% of the votes. In four years, that will likely flip to 45%. This is the proverbial elephant in the room at General Conference 2024 while we debate regionalization. There is a growing sentiment in the US that we will not fund a church that constrains our outreach to our local mission field. Period.” (Added 1-12-2024)
“New York United Methodists Publicize Racism Report” by Doug Cunningham via UM Insight. “The consultants said the bishop, who also serves as president of the Council of Bishops, canceled many meetings and ignored their request to reschedule. A meeting was scheduled on June 13, 2023, to complete the presentation; instead, the Anti-Racism Task Force members received an email, with the TPS written report attached, stating that the meeting was canceled, and the report would not be released to the New York Annual Conference (NYAC).” (Added 1-12-2024)
“Why Leaving Wespath is Probably the Right Move” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken. “The Global Methodist Church just decided to switch from Wespath to GuideStone for financial services. This is a big decision impacting the retirement of thousands of clergy. In this segment, I talk about the history and issues involved that I am personally aware of. I like Wespath and am partly sad to see this connection end. Such are the times we are living in.” (Added 1-12-2024)
“‘It left us’: After historic Methodist rift, feelings of betrayal and hope for future” by Marc Remirez via USA Today. National Coverage: “The way it’s playing out now is very frustrating for us,” said Frank Schaefer, pastor of University UMC in Isla Vista, California. “We have lost thousands of churches. That’s a big price to pay for our denomination, and for what?” (Added 1-12-2024)
“The Future is Networks” by David Scott via UM & Global. “Thus, for United Methodists, a shift towards a more network understanding of denominational structures would mean structures that serve to equip and coordinate churches in their own work rather than structures that seek to represent churches through the work of the denomination.” (Added 1-11-2024)
“Pointers for journalists covering the neverending U.S. Protestant LGBTQ+ wars” by Richard Ostling via Get Religion. “Hill charged that current supporters of the Christian teaching across the centuries ‘have apparently not read all of the Bible, or at least have not read some parts of it carefully, faithfully and fully’ so that the issue ‘is biblically misunderstood.'” (Added 1-11-2024)
“Why GuideStone?” via The Global Methodist Church. “After careful review, the Global Methodist Church chose GuideStone Financial Resources (Dallas, Texas) as the denomination’s new retirement and insurance plan provider. GuideStone has been dedicated to providing and administering employee benefits for the Christian community since 1918. Their mission is to enhance the financial security of those who serve the Lord. GuideStone provides services to more than 200,000 members, 38,000 churches, and several hundred evangelical ministries.” (Added 1-11-2024)
“GuideStone to Provide Employee Benefits for Newly Formed Global Methodist Church” via Baptist Messenger. “The opportunity to serve Global Methodists came our way and excited us, providing the chance to serve like-minded Christians standing on biblical fidelity and allowing us to continue to achieve our vision that every servant of Christ finishes well,” Soh said. (Added 1-11-2024)
Tweet by Liam Adams: Religion reporter: “A rare bit of Methodist-SBC hybrid news: the Global Methodist Church is partnering with the SBC entity @GuideStone to provide clergy benefits. As a result, the new traditionalist Methodist group has moved away from the #UMC Wespath Benefits and Investment.” (Added 1-11-2024)
Tweet by Ian Collier. “We really need to stop letting bean counters set missional priorities. The fewer bishops we have, the more we limit the episcopacy to being disconnected managers appointing clergy they don’t know to churches they don’t know. More Bishops. Who preach. Pay them less if necessary.” (Added 1-11-2024)
Tweet by Jeremy Smith. “I opposed the 2022 CoB plan for no new #UMC episcopal elections and I’m glad to be serving under a bishop who was elected in November 2022. However, this action properly reflects both the size of the region after what 2023 wrought, and was rec’d by the more regional body.” (Added 1-11-2024)
Tweet by John Lomperis. “Last week, an institutionalist #UnitedMethodist caucus sent email seeking $ to block congregations from leaving the #UMC . Today, same group sends fundraising email saying, in diff context, “Seriously, in this day and age, what organization stays together through coercion?” Hmm” (Added 1-11-2024)
“Questions Over Same-sex Unions Roil Denominations” via Liberty Magazine. “In the United States, one in four United Methodist Church (UMC) congregations have left the denomination in what Christianity Today calls “the largest U.S. denominational schism since the Civil War.” Some 7,659 congregations have split from the UMC over a four-year period prompted by disagreements about same-sex relationships and church authority.” (Added 1-11-2024)
“Reconquering Mainline Protestantism?” by Mark Tooley via Juicy Ecumenism. “Reviving the denominations institutionally, barring supernatural intervention, is nearly impossible. The progressives who control them, who cannot plant new churches, or win new members, depend on these bureaucracies, funded by endowments, for their livelihoods.” (Added 1-10-2024)
“Rev. Stephen Cady, senior minister at Asbury First United Methodist Church” via WXXI. “Cady is a well-respected church leader who has been outspoken about the church’s split over bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination… Asbury will host its first same-sex marriage on Saturday. This hour, we sit down with Cady to discuss his work in Rochester, the current state of the Methodist church, and the impact he’s had on the community.” (Added 1-10-2024)
“A Response from Bishop Graves Regarding Southeastern Jurisdictional Episcopal Areas” via Alabama-West Florida UM Conference. “Each conference has grieved the loss of clergy and churches over the past several years. What remains is a body of committed United Methodists with many commonalities. These conferences are similar in size (clergy and churches), are geographically in close proximity and share similar visions for ministry. The result of this decision will be a strong United Methodist presence in this region.” (Added 1-10-2024)
“The SBC will sell insurance, retirement to women pastors — if they aren’t Southern Baptists” by Bob Smietana via Religion News Service. “The Global Methodist Church has been assured by the leadership of GuideStone that decisions made by the Southern Baptist Convention on issues such as the ordination of women or women serving in any clergy role do not and will not impact the services that GuideStone provides to the Global Methodist Church.” (Added 1-10-2024)
“Mere Methodism: The Recapturing Begins – A Conversation with Ryan Danker” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “He is not concerned only with the Global Methodist Church, but with the richness of a tradition that has languished for a while. If it is to be reclaimed, it would seem such efforts are in order. Take some time to learn about the effort he is putting into buttressing Methodism.” (Added 1-10-2024)
“Reconquista: Plausible and Necessary” by Richard Ackerman via American Reformer. Response to Philip Derrida: “If progressives could hijack Christian denominations, then Christians can re-hijack progressive denominations, unless God’s soldiers are somehow weaker than a few old liberals.” (Added 1-10-2024)
“North Georgia Clergy Serving On Loan” via North Georgia Conference. Following disaffiliations, the North Georgia Conference finds itself with a clergy surplus and has created a process for clergy to serve in other conferences. (Added 1-9-2024)
“SEJ Committee on Episcopacy announces episcopal area recommendations” via South Georgia UMC Conference. Recommends no election of bishops in 2024 and newly configured episcopal areas in the wake of disaffiliations. (Added 1-9-2024)
Post by Omnia Methodist (Facebook). Picture of segregated water fountains: The Proposed UMC regionalization plan in one picture. (Added 1-9-2024)
“Having one leader for two agencies raises questions” by William Lawrence via UMNS (Commentary). “From my personal and pastoral experience, I know that general secretaries of general church bodies do not always speak with the same voice. One fewer voice diminishes the church.” (Added 1-9-2024)
Post by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (Facebook). “This recent announcement that the Global Methodist Church will be shifting from Wespath to GuideStone is welcome news to me…” (Added 1-9-2024)
Post by Jack Harnish via UM Clergy Facebook Page. On today’s WCA post describing the organization as a “platypus”: “An interesting choice of images….since the platypus is almost extinct.” (Added 1-9-2024)
“The WCA in 2024: We’re the Platypus Methodists” by Scott Field via WCA. “Here are three ways the Wesleyan Covenant Association is energized and engaged for 2024…” (Added 1-9-2024)
“GMC Announces Relationship with GuideStone Financial Resources” via GMC. “Upon the recommendation of the Global Methodist Church’s Benefits Team the Church’s Transitional Leadership Council has approved a shift from Wespath Benefits and Investment to GuideStone Financial Resources for the administration of health insurance and retirement benefits for clergy and lay church employees. The transition from Wespath to GuideStone will be completed on July 1, 2024; Wespath will continue providing services through June 30.” (Added 1-8-2024)
“No More Husbands and Wives for British Methodists?” by Jeffrey Rickman via PlainSpoken (YouTube). “The Methodist Church in Great Britain came out with a strange declaration a couple of weeks ago that has many people scratching their heads. In this segment, I consult three different analyses of what has been done and why.” This is one of several out-take videos from the 1/5/2024 Weekly Livestream on Methodist topics. (Added 1-8-2024)
Posts by Adam Hamilton via Facebook from the UM Africa Forum Meeting in Tanzania. See here, here, and here. (Added 1-8-2024)
Post by Ande Emmanuel via UM Clergy Facebook Group: (video) “Today the United Methodist in Africa has resoloved to stay in UMC and has rejected any petition for disaffiliation in Africa. We were UMC, we are UMC and we will be UMC.” (Added 1-8-2024)
Post by Izzy Alvaran via UM Clergy Facebook Group. Pictures from the UM Africa Forum Gathering called to promote regionalization: “Successful gathering of African General Conference delegates in Tanzania (January 5-7) hosted by United Methodist African Forum passed a resolution endorsing regionalization and rejecting disaffiliation in the African central conferences.” (Added 1-8-2024)
“How to deal with same-sex unions? It’s a question fracturing major Christian denominations” by David Crary via The Associated Press. “For global denominations — notably Catholics, Anglicans and United Methodists — Burge sees another source of tension: Some of their biggest growth in recent decades has been in socially conservative African countries where same-sex relationships are taboo. “African bishops have this ammunition,” Burge said. “They say to the West, ‘We’re the ones growing. You have the money, we have the numbers.’” (Added 1-8-2024)
“Hartwell First Methodist disaffiliated from United Methodist Church” via The Hartwell Sun (GA). For “Hartwell First Methodist, the congregation will begin to consider its next steps in January, concerning issues such as whether it will stay independent or affiliate with another denomination.” (Added 1-8-2024)
“Have Evangelicals made secret plans to split the church they ask in England; but what about here?” by John Sandeman via TheOtherCheek.com (Australia). “If the numbers in the Church of England’s General Synod (church parliament) are anything to go by, evangelicals are about a third of that Church. Together with conservatives from the Catholic wing, they likely can block adding stand-alone same-sex blessing services because a two-thirds vote will be needed.” (Added 1-6-2024)
“Reviewing 2023—a year of schisms and rumors of schisms” via Religion Watch. “In total, 7,658 have received permission since 2019. Most have gone to the newly formed conservative Global Methodist Church. The first denomination-wide legislative gathering in eight years, scheduled for 2024, will likely introduce further liberal policies on marriage and ordination and there will likely be more agitation among congregations to leave. There will also be calls to either decentralize the international church, which has kept the denomination more conservative than other mainline bodies, or provide churches abroad with exit options similar to those offered to U.S. congregations.” (Added 1-6-2024)
“Conservative alternative to the United Methodist Church surpasses 4,200 member congregations” by Michael Gryboski via Christian Post. “‘The current member congregations are predominately former UMC congregations, but we do have member congregations that have come from other denominations, or who were previously nondenominational or independent, or that are new church plants that have already been recognized as member congregations,’ [Keith Boyette] said.” (Added 1-5-2024)
Post by Ande Emmanuel via Facebook. Photos from a UM Africa Forum event in Tanzania to persuade delegates to support regionalization. Adam Hamilton, David Livingston, and other Americans in attendance. (Added 1-5-2024)
“Why a DS Wants to End Disaffiliations” by Elden Cowley via Mainstream UMC. “From 2019 to 2023, the divorce was being adjudicated; the steps were taken. I believe it is time for us to emerge from this painful season as the big table denomination God has called us to be. I do not celebrate that there are those who have left us. We will be something new as we move forward. I continue to empathize with our LGBTQIA+ siblings who have yet to see action taken to affirm their full membership in the UMC family.” (Added 1-4-2024)
“‘You Will Be Like Gods’: The Need for Moral Clarity in a Luciferian World” by SA McCarthy via Washington Stand. “In 2020, the United Methodist Church announced a proposal to split the denomination over “fundamental differences,” predominantly relating to same-sex marriages. So far, nearly 8,000 individual churches have filed to leave the United Methodist Church over its progressive policies.” (Added 1-4-2024)
Post by Lauren Porter via WCA Mississippi (Facebook). On a conference level exit policy: “Please note the deadlines. A church has until January 31, 2024 to send written notification to their DS asking to enter this process. This deadline applies to churches even if they want to wait until June 2025. They still must send written notification to their DS by January 31, 2024.” (Added 1-4-2024)
“Can Christianity Be Deinstitutionalized?” by Martin Thielen via UM Insight. “But for a growing number of modern believers, the old familiar institutional dynamics are unraveling. The doctrines are no longer relevant. The creeds are no longer believable. The traditions are no longer meaningful. The liturgy is no longer helpful. The rigid structures are no longer palatable. What’s a Christian to do when centuries old institutionalism no longer holds?” (Added 1-4-2024)
“Methodist Church Faces Massive Schism as Congregations Leave Over LGBTQ+ Issues” by Rhonna Morala via MSN. “A significant schism is underway within the United Methodist Church in the United States, with approximately a quarter of its congregations leaving the denomination due to ongoing debates surrounding LGBTQ+ issues. The departure of over 7,600 congregations out of around 30,000 by the December 31 deadline reflects one of the most extensive divisions in any American denomination.” (Added 1-4-2024)
“Refreshing our Identity: A New Logo for the WPAUMC” via Western PA UMC Conference. “Our hope is that this logo inspires in everyone who sees it an appreciation of our diversity and a renewed sense of unity as we usher in a new era for the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.” (Added 1-4-2024)
“United no more” by Mary Reichard and Myrna Brown via World. An interview with Chris Ritter on World Radio is offered here in podcast format. (Added 1-4-2024)
“United Methodist Bishop Says Trump is ‘Greatly Responsible’ for Denomination’s Division” by McKenna Snow via Catholic Vote. “In a January 2 interview with Alabama news outlet AL.com, retired United Methodist Bishop William Willimon argued that Trump was largely to blame for the disaffiliation.” (Added 1-4-2024)
“Regionalization Series, Part 5: The path to greater regionalization in the future” by Taylor Burton Edwards via UMNS. “But there will be more work to be done after the General Conference. First, two-thirds or more of those voting in the annual conferences worldwide will need to approve the multiple constitutional amendments that lay the constitutional foundation to create the new structures that will be needed and specifically authorize many of the changes involved.” (Added 1-3-2024)
“United Methodist Church Split | Chris Hume, Joel Saint, Travis Schmalhofer, and Paul Miller” by The Lancaster Patriot (YouTube). “Thousands of congregations are leaving the United Methodist Church denomination over the issue of homosexuality. Despite the fact that the number of congregations affirming a biblical view of marriage are in the majority, the liberal wing of the denomination has succeeded in getting the traditional congregations to leave.” (Added 1-3-2024)
Comment by Kaylyn Lindsay via Facebook. Takes issue with the Mississippi Conference exit process and its timeline. (Added 1-3-2024)
Post by Ande Emmanuel via Facebook. African delegates flying to Tanzania for an event sponsored by the Africa UM Forum, a group favoring regionalization. (Added 1-3-2024)
“After Ten Years of Methodism 2.0, the UMC is ready to upgrade.” by Jeremy Smith via Hacking Christianity. “Ultimately, the UMC in the United States has decided its path forward as inclusive Methodism 2.0. It’s time to implement these gains by voting for full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons in the life and ministry of The United Methodist Church at General Conference 2024.” (Added 1-3-2024)
“Died: Donald Wildmon, Champion of Christian Boycotts” via Christianity Today. “He was ordained in the Methodist Church in 1964 and enrolled in the Candler School of Theology at Emory University the following year. He was initially rejected from Emory because of a weak academic record but, as he later recounted, figured out how to lobby his way in.” (Added 1-3-2024)
Tweet by Roy Atwood: “Today, for the first time in the 178 year history of the First United Methodist Church of Dallas, one of its ministers is openly gay. I’m excited to go on this journey, and I hope you’ll come along for the ride.” (Added 1-3-2024)
“Methodist Firesale and Creative Destruction” by Jeffrey Walton via Juicy Ecumenism. “The financial impact of exits remains to be seen. Presumably, there will be a short-term gain from exit fees. Conferences with expensive suburbs, like Virginia, eventually could make substantial money selling church properties even as they lose income from congregations.” (Added 1-3-2024)
“Trustees’ Process and Timetable via paragraph 2549 3 (a)” via the Mississippi UMC Conference. An exit process based on church closure, after which the conference will sell the property back to the local congregation. Requires the church to deed its property to the conference in case General Conference removes or alters this paragraph. See also a video featuring Bishop Sharma Lewis. (Added 1-3-2024)
“Franklin Graham warns UK Methodist Church is ‘trying to edit the Word of God’” by Katelyn Webb via Christian Post. “Evangelist Franklin Graham has slammed The Methodist Church in the United Kingdom for “trying to edit what the Word of God says” after the church released an ‘Inclusive Language Guide‘ advising Methodists to avoid using gendered terms such as ‘husband’ and ‘wife.'” (Added 1-3-2024)
Post by Charlie Boeneman via Arkansans Staying United Facebook Group. “I think most of us within the United Methodist Church have been looking forward to a post-disaffiliation peace. It turns out that we probably aren’t going to get it. Today, I read Dr. Scott Fields New Years message… He made it clear that the WCA is no where close to being done with the UMC- Some may share our doctrine but they do not share a commitment to Love, Justice and Peace and Inclusion. Perhaps it would be wise to take another look at Reinhold Niebuhr’s book, The Children of Light and the Children of Darkness. We cannot fight darkness with childlike naivete.” (Added 1-2-2024)
“Options for the Local Methodist Church who wish to disaffiliation after January 1, 2024” by Dan Dalton via Dalton & Tomich. “Disputes within a religious entity have existed since the biblical times. Acts 15, 36. The United States Supreme Court has wisely set the parameters of evaluating religious property disputes through the adoption of, “neutral principles,” of property, trust and corporate law, a concept most states adopted. A thoughtful application of the law provides a path forward for local churches to retain their property when leaving a denomination in a religious property dispute.” (Added 1-2-2024)
“It is a Whole New Year!” by Mainstream UMC (E-Mail). “General Conference 2024 is just four months away and we have a much-needed opportunity to move our church forward. We can remove the harmful language and usher in a new era of global cooperation in mission through regionalization. We can also move past the divisiveness of disaffiliations.” (Added 1-2-2024)
Post by Phil Marklins via Friends of the GMC Facebook Group. “While I really enjoy the photos of the GMC celebrations of Christmas and the lovely and inspiring decorations by the churches, let us also remember the GMC congregations that were denied their buildings and have to meet in gyms, or theaters, or warehouses and cannot put up the beautiful decorations….” (Added 1-2-2024)
“Opinion: A Look Back at 2023’s Historic United Methodist Church Schism” by Mark Tooley via the Roys Report. “There is now no denomination-wide official way for churches in United Methodism to exit with their property. Four local conferences claim they will allow exits next year: Rio Texas, Mississippi, South Carolina, and South Georgia. West Virginia claims they will allow their opaque exit process to continue. Alabama-West Florida had adopted a post-2023 disaffiliation policy but more recently has been blocking exits, prompting a lawsuit before the state supreme court.” (Added 1-2-2024)
“The United Methodist Church Split, Explained” by Norman Hubbard via The Dispatch. “Methodism flows out of the Wesleyan holiness tradition—named after Protestant reformer John Wesley—which seeks to unite believers with a common commitment “to reflect Christ in … behavior and lifestyle.” From their earliest days, Methodists downplayed theological distinctions that led to division, focusing instead on personal holiness.” (Added 1-2-2024)
“Sorry, Swifties, Taylor Was Not # 1 in 2023” by Scott Field via WCA. “I would venture to say that we are not yet at the conclusion at all; in fact, I suspect we may not be even halfway through with congregational departures.” (Added 1-2-2024)
“What The Church can Learn from the Year of Taylor Swift” by Jeremy Smith via Hacking Christianity. “The church would do better to live into a new era that sheds the anti-women and anti-gay policies and practices so that when those who left feel that tug to return, there’s a new Era church that awaits them, not more of the old gross one.” (Added 1-1-2024)
“The Bible verse proving anti-LGBTQ Methodists have not truly read the Bible” by Robert Allan Hill via MSNBC. “Thus, many of those now leaving the denomination, purportedly on biblical grounds, have apparently not read all of the Bible, or at least have not read some parts of it carefully, faithfully and fully, especially Galatians 3:28 and similar passages within the full and fully liberating arc of biblical theology.” (Added 1-1-2024)
“Methodist Church Splits” by Roderic Coolidge via Ricochet. Responding to an MSNBC article. (Added 1-1-2024)
See Also: September-December 2023, June-August 2023, March-May 2023, Nov 2022-Feb 2023, Aug-Oct 2022, May-July 2022, Jan-April 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, or earlier.
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