Cynthia B. Astle
The Mysteries of Death
The death of her beloved mother-in-law, Evelyn Grebe, resurrects the age-old questions about the deepest mysteries of life and death, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more
Screencap from Steven Manskar Video
We're Overlooking Our Most Compelling Covenant
United Methodism's current debates over who has broken or kept "the covenant" ignore the most compelling covenant of all -- our baptismal vows, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more
Phyllis and the Pope: Loving the Unlovable
The convergence of Pope Francis' U.S. visit with the death of religion expert Phyllis Tickle underscores something significant for fractious United Methodists, namely Jesus' call to love the unlovable, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more
UMC's Welcome to Catholic LGBT Group Proves 'Equally Blessed'
Arch Street United Methodist Church in Philadelphia showed brotherly love for a Catholic group devoted to LGBT inclusion when the group was refused entry to a Catholic event visited by Pope Francis. more
Photo Courtesy of RealTimesMedia
Here's What I Have to Say About Baltimore
The eruption of violence in Baltimore in the wake of the police custody death of Freddie Gray prompts a response from UM Insight coordinator Cynthia B. Astle. more
Open for Service.org
Indiana's RFRA and the UMC: A Moral Imperative
The furor over Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration – seen by critics as granting businesses license to discriminate against LGBTQ people – reflects The United Methodist Church's own dilemma over its anti-LGBTQ stances. more
YouTube Screen Capture
Emotional First Aid for United Methodism
A TED talk by psychologist Guy Winch awakens Insight coordinator Cynthia B. Astle to the United Methodist Church's need for "emotional first aid." more
Former First Lady, Other UMs Ramp Up Resistance to Separating Immigrant Families
United Methodists, including former first lady Laura Bush, have increased their opposition to the Trump Administration's policy of separation immigrant children from their families. more
When Will We Stop Abuse of Immigrant Children?
The forced separation of immigrant children from their parents by the U.S. Border Patrol is state-sponsored child abuse that United Methodists should be working to stop immediately. more
New York Conference Elects LGBTQ People for Half its 2019 Delegation
An ad hoc group had hoped to elect an entire delegation of LGBTQ clergy and laity, but the composition of the New York delegation fulfills the goal of a 2017 conference resolution to elect more LGBTQ delegates. more
New York Conference Aims for All-LGBTQI Delegation for 2019
Members of the New York Annual Conference will vote June 9 on delegates to the special 2019 General Conference on United Methodist unity. more
The Stakes Are Higher in 2019 than We Thought
Two eminent United Methodist jurists warn that the church is facing a constitutional crisis as its leadership has violated church law in the Way Forward process and other events. more
Judicial Council Allows Alternative Proposals for 2019 General Conference
In what is widely seen as a blow to the Commission on A Way Forward process, the Judicial Council rejects the Council of Bishops' argument that the 2019 General Conference is limited to hearing only its Way Forward proposal. more
Talkin' Southern to the Church
Sometimes, Cynthia B. Astle's Southern heritage just wins out when it comes to considering events in religion news. more
About Those General Conference Registration Fees ...
A decision to charge $200-per-person registration fees for the 2019 General Conference is already having the opposite effect of what the General Conference Commission intended. more
Join the Witness to Jesus Happening Beyond the UMC
Two parallel campaigns – one interfaith and one Christian – debuted this week as ways for Christians to join in public witness to Jesus and his teachings in America. more
Subverting the Dominant Narrative
It's time to "call BS" on the false narratives making their way around The United Methodist Church, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more
Where Do We Go from Here?
The real issue for the 2019 General Conference isn't homosexuality or even unity, it's domination, writes Cynthia B. Astle. more
Sharing Grace with the NRA in a Parking Lot
A chance meeting with two members of the National Rifle Association brings some expected and some surprising results. more
Itinerant Ministry's Lessons for UMC's Way Forward
Surprising moves by two noted pastors demonstrate the deep discernment and flexibility that will be needed as The United Methodist Church seeks a path into its future. more
Liberian Politics Draws in United Methodist Leader
Judicial Council President Oswald Tweh is drawn into a political war of words in his native Liberia that disquiets United Methodists who remember the country's 12-year civil war. more
Walking the Path of ‘Dangerous Unselfishness’
Just as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Fannie Lou Hamer challenged an American system that shut out some citizens, two United Methodist congregations have voted to challenge the United Methodist ban on same-gender marriages. more
Empathy for 'Evangelicals'
"Evangelicals" have been held up to scorn and scrutiny in the media recently, but their public disgrace prompts Cynthia B. Astle to counsel compassion for them rather than revenge. more
Photo Illustration by Mike DuBose, UMNS
How Discipleship Ministries Gets Its Money
The finances of the worldwide United Methodist Church almost take an accountant to unpack, but we did our best to answer readers' questions about Discipleship Ministries' money and recent personnel cutbacks. more
UMW Photo
Stumbling, Yet Keeping On
Yes, I make mistakes, and I try to correct them and keep going. more
Foundry UMC Photo
‘Sacred Resistance’ Seeks to Energize United Methodist Social Action
With a year of experience, the Sacred Resistance Team of Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. is ready to join with local congregations across the United States to share in advocacy for local and national issues. more
World Methodist Council Photo
Billy Graham Had Strong Methodist Ties
From his earliest career, the late Rev. Billy Graham was influenced by prominent Methodist evangelists and pastors. more