Photo Courtesy Wes Magruder
Raising Down Leaders
A news article describing Texas Sen. Ted Cruz as the "Christian candidate" in the 2016 presidential race prompted the Rev. Wes Magruder to ponder the evangelical/charismatic code phrase "raising up leaders" as the opposite of what Jesus did. Read more
Apr 13, 2015 11:33 AM Wes Magruder 1 Comments
Courtesy of Wes Magruder
The End of the New MethoFesto — and a New Beginning
The Wes Magruder explains why he's abandoning his quest to offer suggestions for the future of the United Methodist institution, and turning instead to God's "new thing." Read more
Jul 3, 2013 11:12 AM Wes Magruder
UMNS Photo by Mike DuBose
What to Do About General Conference 2016
What if The United Methodist Church threw a General Conference that did no legislating? That's the Rev. Wes Magruder's radical idea. Read more
Apr 1, 2013 4:34 PM Wes Magruder 3 Comments
Photo Courtesy of The New MethoFesto
Food Pantries and Band-Aids
The food pantries that United Methodist congregations so love may fill an immediate need, but they're not addressing the root problems of hunger and poverty, contends the Rev. Wes Magruder. Read more
Mar 29, 2013 7:23 PM Wes Magruder 3 Comments
Microsoft Clip Art
Why I Doubt the UMC Can Handle Innovation
The Rev. Wes Magruder responds to the Rev. Rob Rynders' call for a season of innovation in The United Methodist Church. Read more
Jan 2, 2013 2:26 PM Wes Magruder 1 Comments
Illustration Courtesy of Wes Magruder
Why Gays Should Be Glad Church Isn’t Safe
Any church that bears the name “United Methodist” automatically feels unsafe to homosexual persons because of the church's anti-gay stances. However, gathering is community is risky for everyone, writes the Rev. Wes Magruder. Read more
Dec 11, 2012 7:45 PM Wes Magruder 1 Comments
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And Are We Yet Connected?
Surely being “connectional” means something deeper and more significant than an organizational model and an administrative style, argues the Rev. Wes Magruder. Read more
Oct 30, 2012 11:40 AM Wes Magruder
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Changing the Methodist Narrative
We need to stop talking about the "dying" United Methodist Church and talk about where our loving God is at work in the world, and where we should be, writes the Rev. Wes Magruder. Read more
Oct 5, 2012 1:17 PM Wes Magruder 3 Comments
Holy Passion, or Why the UMC Needs to Rediscover 'Society'
John Wesley knew the value of a community of Christian friends to help believers live for Jesus -- something The United Methodist Church has forgotten, writes the Rev. Wes Magruder. Read more
Jul 11, 2012 10:05 AM Wes Magruder
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Why Becoming a Church Was the Worst Thing That Could Have Happened to Methodism
The Rev. Wes Magruder explores how becoming a settled denomination killed the transformational energy of the Methodist movement. Read more
Jul 11, 2012 8:13 AM Wes Magruder 1 Comments
'Methodist:' Noun or Adjective?
The Rev. Wes Magruder asserts that today's United Methodist Church more closely resembles John Wesley's Church of England that his Methodist movement -- and likewise needs a new form of discipleship. Read more
Jul 2, 2012 8:46 PM Wes Magruder
Photo Courtesy of Wes Magruder
Discipleship Drift, or Why John Wesley Won’t Let Me Leave the UMC
On his revived blog, "The New MethoFesto," the Rev. Wes Magruder candidly examines the culture shock of returning to a drifting American United Methodist Church after years as a missionary in Cameroon, and why he stayed. Read more
Jul 2, 2012 7:42 PM Wes Magruder 1 Comments
Preaching Is Pointless Unless It's Political
The Rev. Wes Magruder explores why it's important for preachers to speak to today's issues -- including the Affordable Care Act -- through a gospel lens. Read more
Jun 29, 2012 3:20 PM Wes Magruder 1 Comments
You Can Leave the Church, But You Can't Leave Community
The Rev. Wes Magruder looks at the question of whether a true follower of Jesus Christ can actually leave the church. Read more
May 30, 2012 12:02 PM Wes Magruder
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UMC future United Methodist Church discipleship United Methodist future John Wesley Affordable health care hunger Methodist societies Ted Cruz 2016 General Conference United Methodist Church homosexuality preaching UMC connection poverty Jesus Christ Wes Magruder horizontal government 2016 presidential election Leaving the Church government