In the Church
Global Nature
WCC Exec Meets Israeli President, Calls for Ceasefire, Freedom of Religion and Humanitarian Care
Israeli president Isaac Herzog received World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Jerry Pillay on Feb. 20 to discuss the current situation in Israel and Palestine, and the war in Gaza. Read more
Feb 22, 2024
2:18 PM
High Court Bars UMC Bishop, Trustees from Transferring Church Property to GMC
The high court in Nigeria's Taraba State has issued a restraining order against UMC Bishop John Wesley Yohanna and the episcopal area board of trustees to prevent them from transferring United Methodist property to the Global Methodist Church. Read more
Feb 15, 2024
1:43 PM
On International Mission and Cosmopolitanism
international mission involves an extension of what Geert Hofstede and others have called the "moral circle" - the group of people who are within one's sphere of moral concern - those whom one sees as having the same moral rights as oneself. Read more
Jan 30, 2024
4:26 PM
Practicing Faith
Along the Way: Sidewalk Spirituality
Sidewalk spirituality is the kind Jesus personified and that Paul described in Philippians 2:5-11. It is not left in heavenly places, but is rather taken into all the world. Read more
Mar 18, 2024
5:00 PM
Along the Way: Don’t Quit!
Advice from a seminary professor has proved good lifelong counsel for Steve Harper, who recommends it to others. Read more
Mar 12, 2024
4:39 PM
An Unexpected Sight
We are experiencing mass extinctions of plants and animals throughout the world. Extinctions happen, but not at this rate for this many species. As a Christian, charged with caring for God’s good creation, this breaks Nan Smith's heart. Read more
Mar 14, 2024
1:16 PM
Following Jesus Is 'Complicated' for Pastor with Disabilities
After being prayed over for healing several times without “success,” sitting in a pew and hearing a healing narrative often triggered a desire for Rev. Jonathan Campbell to run screaming from the sanctuary. Then his understanding changed. Read more
Mar 13, 2024
3:54 PM
Ordained Ministry
Four Sermons You Should Write in 2024
Local pastor Kellen Roggenbuck believes there are four urgent topics for preachers to present during this divisive election year and new season in The United Methodist Church. Read more
Mar 12, 2024
Preaching on Mental Health: Sermons to Demystify and De-Stigmatize
Mental health is a crisis in your congregation. Even though these struggles predate the Covid-19 lockdown, there has been a dramatic spike in those struggling with declining mental health since 2020. Read more
Mar 7, 2024
Local Church
Please Don’t Make Me Stand: Welcoming Introverts into the Church
Introverts can be described as people who draw their energy from having time alone and enjoy spending time being by themselves or in small groups. They may get overwhelmed by new situations or large groups of people. focus on one Read more
Feb 14, 2024
Checking the Door
Disability expert Leo Yates describes how to accommodate hearing-impaired people and those with deafness when it comes to audible signals. Read more
Feb 14, 2024
Church Members Dial In for Fellowship
Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, provides Sunday worship service through the church’s conference phone line so participants who can’t attend in person can stay connected. Read more
Feb 14, 2024
Finance and Administration
Arkansas Bishop Proposed to Cover Oklahoma As Well
The South Central Jurisdiction on the Episcopacy has proposed that Arkansas Bishop Laura Merrill take on administration of the Oklahoma and Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conferences when current Bishop Jimmy Nunn retires Aug. 31. Read more
Feb 29, 2024
Amid Church Losses, Proposed Budget Slashed
Their latest cuts take into account how U.S. church disaffiliations have reduced the denomination’s financial base. The Connectional Table and General Council on Finance and Administration board agreed on how to increase support for the bishops. Read more
Feb 23, 2024
New York United Methodists Publicize Racism Report
A group of clergy and laity calling themselves Accountability in Action is advocating release of a report on racism in the New York Annual Conference and action on the report's findings. Read more
Jan 11, 2024