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What's Wrong with a Theological Buffet?
The Rev. Jeremy Smith responds to the oft-heard criticism of progressive believers as "cafeteria Christians." Read more
Dec 30, 2013 11:25 AM Jeremy Smith 1 Comments
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Jesus Was Black Because He Was a Jew
The controversy over Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly asserting that Jesus was white prompts the Rev. Jeremy Smith to turn to theologian James Cone for a startling interpretation. Read more
Dec 18, 2013 4:24 PM Jeremy Smith 4 Comments
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The Silent Casualties of Clergy Trials
#DreamUMC tries to plumb the unseen costs of clergy trials over the UMC's anti-LGBT stances, with surprising results, writes the Rev. Jeremy Smith. Read more
Nov 27, 2013 10:04 AM Jeremy Smith 1 Comments
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Top 25 Ways United Methodists Don't Uphold the Book of Discipline
The Rev. Jeremy Smith shares a list from a clergy colleague of ways that United Methodists don't fully uphold the requirements of the Book of Discipline, as the Rev. Frank Schaefer is being required to affirm or surrender his ministerial orders. Read more
Nov 20, 2013 5:55 PM Jeremy Smith 3 Comments
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Does Every Sermon Have One Purpose?
Should every sermon be about changing our behaviors? The Rev. Jeremy Smith opens a discussion on whether sermons can be about purposes other than creating change or motivation for change in church members. Read more
Nov 11, 2013 10:09 AM Jeremy Smith
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George Takei on the Starship Methodism
George Takei, original "Star Trek" actor and LGBT advocate, has a message about unity in diversity that holds wisdom for The United Methodist Church, writes the Rev. Jeremy Smith on "Hacking Christianity." Read more
Sep 27, 2013 10:36 AM Jeremy Smith
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Yes, We ARE Your Grandmother's Church
In a follow-up to his startling research on the top 100 United Methodist congregations, the Rev. Jeremy Smith further explores why it isn't a good idea for today's congregations to divorce themselves from our collective history. Read more
Jul 8, 2013 5:39 PM Jeremy Smith
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Why Do the Top 100 #UMC’s Shun Methodism?
A United Methodist "brand" isn't popular with the denominations top 100 of large-membership congregations, writes the Rev. Jeremy Smith, who seeks to find out why United Methodism is apparently a marketing drawback. Read more
Jul 8, 2013 5:27 PM Jeremy Smith 6 Comments
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UM Reporter & Cokesbury: The Splintering of United Methodism?
The Rev. Jeremy Smith contends that the demise of brick-and-mortar Cokesbury stores and the impending closing of The United Methodist Reporter are two clear signs of the splintering of the denomination. Read more
May 19, 2013 8:35 AM Jeremy Smith 1 Comments
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And So It Begins Again: #UMC Clergy Trial
The Rev. Jeremy Smith looks at the controversy surrounding United Methodist statesman Dr. Thomas Ogletree, now under fire for having conducted a marriage ceremony for his gay son and his partner in New York, where such unions are legal. Read more
May 11, 2013 10:44 AM Jeremy Smith 3 Comments
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Texas Conference Proposal: Accidentally Ageist?
After a flurry of responses about his critique of its perceived ageism, the Rev. Jeremy Smith follows up on the new guidelines for candidates for the ordained ministry in the Texas Annual Conference. Read more
Apr 26, 2013 2:23 PM Jeremy Smith 1 Comments
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Over Age 45? Texas UMC doesn’t want you in ordained ministry
A new proposal for clergy qualifications from the Texas Annual Conference has the Rev. Jeremy Smith outraged, and he'd like to hear others' responses. Read more
Apr 23, 2013 10:44 PM Jeremy Smith 3 Comments
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The UMC Doesn't Need 'Celebrity Culture'
The Rev. Jeremy Smith contends that a collaborative culture, rather than a celebrity culture of "rock star" leaders, will serve The United Methodist Church better. Read more
Apr 8, 2013 2:10 PM Jeremy Smith
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Progress in a Middle Direction
The Rev. Jeremy Smith finds insight in a quote from famed mid-20th century evangelist E. Stanley Jones. Read more
Mar 29, 2013 7:41 PM Jeremy Smith
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Green Street 01: When 'Pastoral Authority' Finally Mattered to Straight People
The refusal of Green Street UMC in Winston-Salem, NC, to conduct ANY weddings until LGBT people are allowed such unions in church is perfect legal until the UMC's Judicial Council Decision 1032, writes the Rev. Jeremy Smith. Read more
Mar 21, 2013 8:49 AM Jeremy Smith 1 Comments
Who Do Bishops Think They Are?
The Rev. Jeremy Smith contends that some United Methodist bishops exert too much influence at General Conference in the manner of CEOs, rather than allowing collective wisdom to emerge from the bottom up, as Francis Asbury advocated. Read more
Mar 5, 2013 3:15 PM Jeremy Smith 6 Comments
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Holding the UMC Hostage 04 - The Conclusion
Concluding his 4-part series, The Rev. Jeremy Smith asserts that reform of United Methodist churchwide funding is possible, in contrast to the Langford proposal simply to withhold funds. Read more
Feb 15, 2013 10:38 AM Jeremy Smith 1 Comments
Holding the UMC Hostage 03 - Collateral Damage
In Part 3 of his 4-part series, the Rev. Jeremy Smith looks at potential for both benefit and damage from a proposal by the Rev. Andy Langford that congregations contribute churchwide funding only to agencies directly involved in making disciples. Read more
Feb 15, 2013 10:31 AM Jeremy Smith
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Holding the UMC Hostage 02 - The Blueprint
The Rev. Jeremy Smith continues his four-part series examining the motivations and effects of a proposal by the Rev. Andy Langford that congregations fund only those general UMC funds directly related to "making disciples." Read more
Feb 12, 2013 8:29 PM Jeremy Smith
Holding the UMC Hostage 01 - The Setting
The Rev. Jeremy Smith introduces a four-part series examining the implications of a proposal by the Rev. Andy Langford that United Methodist congregations contribute to only those general funds directly related to making disciples. Read more
Feb 12, 2013 7:00 PM Jeremy Smith 3 Comments
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