In the Church
Global Nature
United Methodists Seek Peace after Church Bombing
The attack on a Pentecostal church in Congo, which killed 17, happened near where more than 180 United Methodists were attending worship. A United Methodist lay leader was at the bombed church at the time of the attack. Read more
Jan 23, 2023
4:41 PM
Calling for Christian Unity Requires 'Both a Prophetic and Pastoral Approach'
Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung, co-chief executive officer of the Minnesota Council of Churches, helped convene the team of authors for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity materials. Read more
Jan 19, 2023
1:40 PM
Opening the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, 'We Cannot Do This Work Alone'
Working for Christian Unity requires "trusted spiritual companions and communities, and with God’s unending guidance and presence.” This year's theme is "Do good; seek justice." Read more
Jan 19, 2023
1:40 PM
Practicing Faith
Skillful Strings and Loud Shouts
Rev. Lee Roorda Schott's personal code – 333 – refers to Psalm 33, especially its third verse, which instructs God's people to praise and rejoice with skillful playing and loud voices. Read more
Feb 2, 2023
12:39 PM
A Better Way To Pray Part 3
To call God a person is to identify God as something less than God, an imitation deity, the “I can’t believe it’s Not God, God.” Read more
Feb 2, 2023
12:39 PM
Results Matter (But Not How You Might Think)
The problem with focusing too much on results is that the highs can be really high, and the lows can be really low. And you may never reach that zenith again. Read more
Jan 31, 2023
3:25 PM
Resurrection Weekend Attended by 4,000 under 'One Faith, One Hope, One Lord' Theme
The Friday-night-through-Sunday-morning gathering included four worship sessions spread out through the weekend, with time gaps for youth to discuss the messages and take in tourist attractions with their own small groups. Read more
Jan 31, 2023
3:25 PM
Ordained Ministry
Your Light Shall Break Forth
Here is the preacher’s dilemma for the Feb. 5 lectionary passages: how to express God’s anger in this reading, without coming off so self-righteous that the congregation tunes it out. Read more
Jan 31, 2023
Glance Heavenward
Many people are looking for a way out of pandemic uncertainty, out of systemic injustices, and out of seemingly unending violence in our schools and streets. Now, more than ever, they need encouragement to look upward to the light of Christ. Read more
Dec 22, 2021
Local Church
Why Churches Must Focus on Creating a Culture of Renewal
The church is a living, breathing institution. To remain relevant, it must focus on creating a culture of renewal; embracing renewal is integral to spiritual and missional growth. Read more
Feb 1, 2023
Maha1450 Getty Images/iStockphoto
29 Ways to Participate in Black History Month
No matter your heritage, culture, or racial background, Black history is EVERYONE’s story. Here are 29 ways you, your family, and your congregation can celebrate and participate in Black History Month. Read more
Feb 1, 2023
Finance and Administration
Wespath Expands Services to Methodist Kin
Wespath is managing a new plan for the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the wake of that denomination’s pension scandal. The agency also is offering a plan for the newly formed Global Methodist Church, which has broken away from the UMC. Read more
Jan 27, 2023
GCFA Publishes Extensive Disaffiliation Statistics
The General Council on Finance and Administration has released the latest statistics on disaffiliating congregation, including data on vitality and finances. Read more
Dec 12, 2022
Amid Church Exits, Work Starts on Record-Low Budget
As the number of church disaffiliations rises, United Methodist financial leaders have started preparing what will be the denomination’s lowest budget sent to General Conference in nearly 40 years. Read more
Nov 22, 2022
