Views from a Ridge
Cynthia B. Astle
20 Years Late and Out of Breath
The new pre-General Conference orientation session for Central Conference delegates is a highly laudable addition, but it may be too late to counteract similar past efforts by traditionalist forces, writes Cynthia B. Astle Read more
Analyses Begin of Future Plans
Commentators around the UMC are looking into the various plans for the denomination's future, while the Western Jurisdiction means business about its "Safe Harbor" project. Read more
Notable Quotes
The church gets so wrapped up in gatekeeping — in deciding who’s in and who’s out, and in policing one another — that we basically choke the contemplative spirit right out of our faith communities.
No wonder young people are leaving in droves, while mindfulness is now big business.
– Carl McColman, "Gatekeeping and Contemplation: Is the Church Its Own Worst Enemy?" on Patheos.com